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Showing posts from May, 2024

Indian Officer Arrested for Misappropriating $216K in Bitcoin from Scam Probe

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An Indian police officer has been apprehended for misappropriating INR 1.8 crores (approximately $216,000) in Bitcoin connected to a cryptocurrency scam investigation. Chandrahar SR, a former inspector with the Central Crime Branch (CCB), reportedly accessed the Bitcoin wallet of hacker Srikrishna Ramesh, which was part of an ongoing probe. The crypto scam in question dates back to 2017 and involved hacking cryptocurrency exchanges, including Bitfinex and Unocoin, resulting in illicit gains of approximately INR 5.5 crore ($660,000). Ramesh, along with his associate Robin Khandelwal, attempted to launder the stolen funds through Bitcoin but was apprehended in 2020. Initially, the Crime Branch reported the Bitcoins as unrecoverable, blaming Ramesh for manipulating the “Bitcoin core application” to mislead the investigation. The S Read more about Indian Officer Arrested for Misappropriating $216K in Bitcoin from Scam Probe #CryptoScams, #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptone...

Elon Musk Refutes Crypto Talks with Donald Trump Amid Advisor Speculations

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Elon Musk has denied claims that he discussed cryptocurrency with Donald Trump, despite ongoing speculation and reports suggesting otherwise. The Tesla CEO addressed these rumors on X (formerly Twitter), countering reports that he engaged in conversations about crypto with Trump, the leading candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. “Pretty sure I’ve never discussed crypto with Trump, although I am generally in favor of things that shift power from government to the people, which crypto can do,” Musk stated in a post on X. Musk's comments were in response to a Bloomberg report alleging that he advised Trump on crypto-related matters, a prospect that has generated significant interest. The report also speculated about Musk potentially speaking at the upcoming Republican National Convention alongside Trump Read more about Elon Musk Refutes Crypto Talks with Donald Trump Amid Advisor Speculations #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewstoday, #DonaldTr...

Upcoming economic events 31 May 2024

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Time(GMT+0/UTC+0)StateImportanceEventForecastPrevious01:302 pointsChinese Composite PMI (May)---------51.701:303 pointsManufacturing PMI (May)50.550.401:302 pointsNon-Manufacturing PMI (May)51.551.202:002 pointsAnnual Budget Release------------------09:002 pointsCore CPI (YoY)  2.7%2.7%09:002 pointsCPI (MoM)  ---------0.6%09:003 pointsCPI (YoY) (May)  2.5%2.4%12:303 pointsCore PCE Price Index (YoY) (Apr)2.8%2.8%12:303 pointsCore PCE Price Index (MoM) (Apr)0.3%0.3%12:302 pointsPCE Price index (YoY) (Apr)2.7%2.7%12:302 pointsPCE price index (MoM) (Apr)---------0.3%12:302 pointsPersonal Spending (MoM) (Apr)0.3%0.8%13:453 pointsChicago PMI (May)41.137.914:302 pointsAtlanta Fed GDPNow (Q2)  3.5%3.5%17:002 pointsU.S. Baker Hughes Oil Rig Count---------49717:002 pointsU.S. Baker Hughes Total Rig Count---------60019:302 pointsCFTC Crude Oil spe Read more about Upcoming economic events 31 May 2024 #ECONOMICEVENTS, #Forecast, #UPCOMINGEVENTS

Vitalik Buterin Donates 30 ETH to Support Tornado Cash Developers' Legal Defense

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Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has reiterated his support for Tornado Cash developers Alexey Pertsev and Roman Storm amid their legal battles. On May 8, Buterin donated 30 ETH, valued at approximately $113,000, to the Juicebox campaign ‘Free Alexey & Roman,’ underscoring his commitment to their cause. Pertsev and Storm face accusations of money laundering through their work on Tornado Cash, a cryptocurrency mixer designed to enhance transaction privacy. Buterin has been a vocal advocate for the developers, expressing his disappointment over Pertsev’s 64-month prison sentence. At DappCon in Berlin, Buterin described the sentence as "really unfortunate" and emphasized that developing privacy-focused software should be "a totally legal and legit way to fight for privacy." Despite the Dutch court ruling against Pertsev, Read more about Vitalik Buterin Donates 30 ETH to Support Tornado Cash Developers' Legal Defense #Buterin, #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomar...

NYSE Partners with CoinDesk for Bitcoin Options Tracking

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The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has announced a strategic partnership with CoinDesk Market Indexes to introduce products that track Bitcoin prices. This initiative will feature a cash-settled index, paving the way for new avenues in options trading against Bitcoin. The collaboration aims to benefit traditional traders and investors by leveraging the CoinDesk Bitcoin Price Index (XBX), the longest-operating spot Bitcoin (BTC) index. “Traditional institutions and everyday investors are showing immense enthusiasm following the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs,” stated Jon Herrick, Chief Product Officer at the New York Stock Exchange, in a press release. “Upon regulatory approval, these options contracts will provide investors with a vital liquid and transparent risk-management tool.” XBX currently monitors the real-time spot price of Read more about NYSE Partners with CoinDesk for Bitcoin Options Tracking #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewstoday, #NewYork, #...

Upcoming economic events 30 May 2024

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Time(GMT+0/UTC+0)StateImportanceEventForecastPrevious01:302 pointsBuilding Approvals (MoM) (Apr)1.8%1.9%01:302 pointsPrivate New Capital Expenditure (QoQ) (Q1)0.6%0.8%02:002 pointsAnnual Budget Release------------------09:002 pointsUnemployment Rate (Apr)6.5%6.5%10:002 pointsEurogroup Meetings------------------12:302 pointsContinuing Jobless Claims1,800K1,794K12:302 pointsCore PCE Prices (Q1)  3.70%2.00%12:303 pointsGDP (QoQ) (Q1)  1.6%3.4%12:302 pointsGDP Price Index (QoQ) (Q1)3.1%1.7%12:302 pointsGoods Trade Balance (Apr)-91.90B-91.54B12:303 pointsInitial Jobless Claims218K215K12:302 pointsRetail Inventories Ex Auto (Apr)----------0.2%14:002 pointsPending Home Sales (MoM) (Apr)-1.1%3.4%15:003 pointsCrude Oil Inventories-1.900M1.825M15:002 pointsCushing Crude Oil Inventories---------1.325M16:052 pointsFOMC Member Williams Spe Read more about Upcoming economic events 30 May 2024 #ECONOMICEVENTS, #Forecast, #UPCOMINGEVENTS

Ryan Salame Sentenced to 7.5 Years for FTX Crimes

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Ryan Salame, the first associate of Sam Bankman-Fried to plead guilty to criminal charges, has been sentenced to 7.5 years in prison. This term exceeds the prosecution's request of five to seven years, despite Salame’s legal team advocating for a lighter sentence of no more than 18 months. "Ryan Salame agreed to advance the interests of FTX, Alameda Research, and his co-conspirators through an unlawful political influence campaign and an unlicensed money transmitting business, which helped FTX grow faster and larger by operating outside of the law," stated U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. "Salame’s involvement in two serious federal crimes undermined public trust in American elections and the integrity of the financial system. Today’s sentence underscores the substantial consequences for such offenses." Salame’s defense argued that Read more about Ryan Salame Sentenced to 7.5 Years for FTX Crimes #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewstoday, #FTXCEO, #News, #R...

Upcoming economic events 29 May 2024

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Time(GMT+0/UTC+0)StateImportanceEventForecastPrevious01:302 pointsConstruction Work Done (QoQ) (Q1)0.6%0.7%01:302 pointsBoJ Board Member Adachi Speaks------------------17:002 points7-Year Note Auction---------4.716%17:452 pointsFOMC Member Williams Speaks------------------18:002 pointsBeige Book------------------20:302 pointsAPI Weekly Crude Oil Stock---------2.480M23:002 pointsFOMC Member Bostic Speaks------------------ Read more about Upcoming economic events 29 May 2024 #ECONOMICEVENTS, #Forecast, #UPCOMINGEVENTS

Trump’s Crypto Holdings Surpass $10 Million, Driven by MAGA Coin Surge

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As of May 27, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s crypto portfolio has exceeded $10 million, highlighting his growing involvement in the digital currency space. Trump, the Republican frontrunner, has seen his on-chain crypto investments soar, largely due to the significant appreciation of the MAGA (TRUMP) meme coin. Data from ArkhamIntel indicates that Trump’s $TRUMP holdings alone are valued at $7.3 million, accounting for the bulk of his crypto assets. Additionally, Trump holds over 463 Ethereum (ETH), currently valued at $1.8 million. Notably, Trump does not publicly own any Bitcoin (BTC). The MAGA coin, a political meme coin based on the Solana blockchain, has experienced a remarkable 60% price increase over the past week, now trading at $12.40. Trump’s Evolving Stance on Cryptocurrency On the campaign trail, Trump has Read more about Trump’s Crypto Holdings Surpass $10 Million, Driven by MAGA Coin Surge #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewstoday, #Don...

Upcoming economic events 28 May 2024

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Time(GMT+0/UTC+0)StateImportanceEventForecastPrevious01:302 pointsRetail Sales (MoM) (Apr)0.3%-0.4%04:552 pointsFOMC Member Bowman Speaks------------------04:552 pointsFOMC Member Mester Speaks------------------04:552 pointsECB's Schnabel Speaks------------------05:002 pointsBoJ Core CPI (YoY)2.2%2.2%10:002 pointsEurogroup Meetings------------------13:002 pointsS&P/CS HPI Composite - 20 n.s.a. (YoY) (Mar)7.3%7.3%13:002 pointsS&P/CS HPI Composite - 20 n.s.a. (MoM) (Mar)---------0.9%13:552 pointsFOMC Member Kashkari Speaks  ------------------14:003 pointsCB Consumer Confidence (May)96.197.015:302 points2-Year Note Auction---------4.898%17:002 points5-Year Note Auction---------4.659% Read more about Upcoming economic events 28 May 2024 #ECONOMICEVENTS, #Forecast, #UPCOMINGEVENTS

Telegram's Mini Apps Propel TON TVL Beyond $300M

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Telegram's endorsement of blockchain initiatives has spurred significant migration to The Open Network (TON), substantially increasing user engagement and nearly doubling the on-chain Total Value Locked (TVL) in just two months. According to DefiLlama, users have deposited over $319 million into the Telegram-backed decentralized network, The Open Network (TON). Activity surged in late February, and TVL has almost doubled since early April. TON's ecosystem has seen rapid expansion recently, with Telegram introducing more crypto-related features. Various on-chain protocols are now building on the Telegram-affiliated blockchain, including derivatives projects, exchanges, lending platforms, liquid staking providers, gaming initiatives, and privacy solutions. Telegram Fuels TON's Rapid Growth A significant driver behind TON's Read more about Telegram's Mini Apps Propel TON TVL Beyond $300M #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewstoday, #News, #Regulations, #Telegram, ...

New York AG Letitia James Reinforces Crypto Crackdown with $2 Billion Genesis Settlement

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New York Attorney General Letitia James is intensifying her scrutiny of the cryptocurrency sector, emphasizing the need for industry compliance with regulatory standards. On May 25, James asserted on her official X account, "We will go after those that don’t." A Legacy of Enforcement Since taking office in 2018, James has built a formidable record of enforcement actions against crypto firms. In 2019, she initiated a prolonged legal battle with Tether, the issuer of the USDT stablecoin, and the Bitfinex exchange, culminating in an $18.5 million fine. Her aggressive stance continued with actions against companies such as KuCoin and Coinseed, the former agreeing to a $22 million settlement in December 2023. These efforts have cemented James' reputation as a vigilant regulator, ensuring that cryptocurrency entities operate within l Read more about New York AG Letitia James Reinforces Crypto Crackdown with $2 Billion Genesis Settlement #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptone...

Upcoming economic events 27 May 2024

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Time(GMT+0/UTC+0)StateImportanceEventForecastPrevious10:002 pointsEurogroup Meetings------------------12:002 pointsECB's Lane Speaks------------------17:452 pointsFOMC Member Williams Speaks------------------ Read more about Upcoming economic events 27 May 2024 #ECONOMICEVENTS, #Forecast, #UPCOMINGEVENTS

Elon Musk's xAI Plans 'Gigafactory of Compute' for AI

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Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur behind xAI, recently announced ambitious plans to construct a supercomputer in collaboration with Oracle. This initiative aims to enhance the capabilities of xAI’s "Grok" artificial intelligence (AI) large language model. According to a report from The Information, which referenced a presentation to xAI stakeholders, the proposed supercomputer is envisioned as a "Gigafactory of Compute." This facility is designed to facilitate the training and development of the next generation of xAI's Grok AI system. As reported by Cointelegraph in April, Musk had initially sought $4 billion in funding, valuing xAI at $15 billion. The funds were intended to increase the company's GPU count from approximately 10,000 to 100,000. Following significant investor interest, Musk later raised the target to $6 b Read more about Elon Musk's xAI Plans 'Gigafactory of Compute' for AI #AI, #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewsto...

FTX Completes $2.6 Billion Solana Token Sale Amid Bankruptcy

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The estate of the bankrupt crypto exchange FTX has finalized the sale of $2.6 billion worth of Solana (SOL) tokens, marking the end of a series of auctions. This significant transaction saw participation from notable investment firms, including Figure Markets and Pantera Capital. High-Stakes Auction Details According to Bloomberg, Figure Markets secured a substantial block of 800,000 Solana tokens for approximately $80 million, averaging around $102 per token. This purchase price reflects a significant discount compared to the market value of $166 per token at the time of the transaction. Pantera Capital also acquired a portion of the tokens, though specific details of their purchase remain undisclosed. The sale commenced in April following court approval. Anonymous sources confirmed that Figure Markets' acquisition was not Read more about FTX Completes $2.6 Billion Solana Token Sale Amid Bankruptcy #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewstoday, #News, #Regulations, #Solana

OKX Withdraws VASP License Application from Hong Kong

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OKX, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange, has announced its decision to withdraw its Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license application from Hong Kong. This strategic move, detailed in a notice on OKX’s blog, aligns with the company's revised business strategy, although specific reasons were not disclosed. As a consequence, OKX will cease its centralized crypto exchange services for Hong Kong residents effective May 31, adhering to local regulatory mandates. The exchange has assured users that their funds are secure, yet deposits made post-May 31 might not be automatically credited, and any open orders will be canceled. Withdrawals for Hong Kong residents will be supported until August 31, after which any remaining balances will be classified as “unclaimed property” per the platform's terms. OKX had initially submitted its Read more about OKX Withdraws VASP License Application from Hong Kong #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewstoday, #News, #Regulations

SEC Approves Spot Ether ETF Without Formal Vote

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The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved spot Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on May 23, marking a distinct departure from the approval process used for spot Bitcoin ETFs earlier this year. Unlike the spot Bitcoin ETFs, which were approved following a vote from the five-member committee, including SEC Chairman Gary Gensler, the spot Ether ETFs received approval through the SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets. The SEC sanctioned the 19b-4 filings from prominent financial firms such as BlackRock, Fidelity, Grayscale, Bitwise, VanEck, Ark, Invesco Galaxy, and Franklin Templeton. The official decision came without additional commentary from the SEC. The filing indicated: “For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.” This procedural divergence spark Read more about SEC Approves Spot Ether ETF Without Formal Vote #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewstoday, #News, #Regulations

Supreme Court Rules Against Coinbase in Dogecoin Sweepstakes Case

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Crypto exchange Coinbase has suffered a legal setback as the Supreme Court ruled against it in a dispute concerning its 2021 Dogecoin sweepstakes. In the case Coinbase, Inc. v. Suski, consumers accused Coinbase of deceptive practices, alleging they were misled into paying $100 or more to enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win up to $1.2 million in Dogecoin (DOGE). On Thursday, the Supreme Court delivered a unanimous verdict against Coinbase, determining that the dispute should be adjudicated by a court rather than an arbitrator. Case Background The lawsuit, spearheaded by David Suski and other entrants, claimed that Coinbase and its sweepstakes management company misled users into believing that a $100 Dogecoin purchase was required to participate. Coinbase sought to enforce an arbitration clause within its user agreement. Read more about Supreme Court Rules Against Coinbase in Dogecoin Sweepstakes Case #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewstoday, #News, #Regulations

Upcoming economic events 24 May 2024

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Time(GMT+0/UTC+0)StateImportanceEventForecastPrevious07:002 pointsECB's Schnabel Speaks------------------10:002 pointsEurogroup Meetings------------------12:302 pointsCore Durable Goods Orders (MoM) (Apr)0.1%0.2%12:302 pointsDurable Goods Orders (MoM) (Apr)-0.5%2.6%13:352 pointsFed Waller Speaks  ------------------14:002 pointsMichigan 1-Year Inflation Expectations (May)3.5%3.2%14:002 pointsMichigan 5-Year Inflation Expectations (May)3.1%3.0%14:002 pointsMichigan Consumer Expectations (May)66.576.014:002 pointsMichigan Consumer Sentiment (May)67.477.214:302 pointsAtlanta Fed GDPNow (Q2)  3.6%3.6%17:002 pointsU.S. Baker Hughes Oil Rig Count---------49717:002 pointsU.S. Baker Hughes Total Rig Count---------60419:302 pointsCFTC Crude Oil speculative net positions---------203.0K19:302 pointsCFTC Gold speculative net pos Read more about Upcoming economic events 24 May 2024 #ECONOMICEVENTS, #Forecast, #UPCOMINGEVENTS

Hong Kong Central Bank Examines AI's Impact on Banking Workforce

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The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is actively evaluating the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on the banking sector's workforce. As AI technology evolves, the central bank emphasizes the importance of preparing employees to "coexist with technology in the AI era," according to HKMA Deputy Chief Executive Arthur Yuen. On May 23, the HKMA encouraged financial institutions to develop workforce training and development strategies to address AI's growing presence in banking. Yuen noted that some banks have already re-skilled their staff for new roles, citing instances where 2% of bank employees transitioned into positions such as wealth management, risk management, and compliance after completing training programs. The HKMA updated its Supervisory Policy Manual to reflect the need for clear workforce development Read more about Hong Kong Central Bank Examines AI's Impact on Banking Workforce #Bitcoin, #Blockchain, #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Crypton...

Bitcoin Pizza Day: Users Spend $135,000 on Pies

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Cryptocurrency enthusiasts have spent over $135,000 worth of various cryptocurrencies on pizzas in the past year, as detailed in a recent Bitrefill report. A thorough analysis of Bitrefill’s internal pizza gift card sales data reveals that users purchased 3,941 pizzas with crypto. Bitcoin (BTC), alongside the Lightning Network, remains the dominant force, accounting for 23.8% of total crypto-related pizza sales. Ethereum (ETH) follows with a 20.5% share of pizza orders, according to the Bitrefill report. USDT, the largest stablecoin with a market cap of $111 billion, holds a 6.8% share of global crypto-purchased pizzas. Bitrefill's data highlights Domino’s Pizza as the top recipient of crypto transactions, with 3,012 orders over the past year. Papa John’s and Pizza Hut are in second and third place with 473 and 173 orders, resp Read more about Bitcoin Pizza Day: Users Spend $135,000 on Pies #Bitcoin, #BitcoinPizza, #Blockchain, #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptone...

Upcoming economic events 23 May 2024

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Time(GMT+0/UTC+0)StateImportanceEventForecastPrevious00:302 pointsau Jibun Bank Japan Services PMI---------54.308:002 pointsHCOB Eurozone Manufacturing PMI (May)46.245.708:002 pointsHCOB Eurozone Composite PMI (May)52.051.708:002 pointsHCOB Eurozone Services PMI (May)53.653.310:002 pointsEurogroup Meetings------------------12:302 pointsBuilding Permits1.440M1.467M12:302 pointsContinuing Jobless Claims---------1,794K12:303 pointsInitial Jobless Claims221K222K13:453 pointsS&P Global US Manufacturing PMI (May)  50.150.013:452 pointsS&P Global Composite PMI (May)  ---------51.313:453 pointsS&P Global Services PMI (May)51.551.314:003 pointsNew Home Sales (Apr)674K693K14:002 pointsNew Home Sales (MoM) (Apr)---------8.8%17:002 points10-Year TIPS Auction---------1.932%19:002 pointsFOMC Member Bostic Speaks------------------20:302 po Read more about Upcoming economic events 23 May 2024 #ECONOMICEVENTS, #Forecast, #UPCOMINGEVENTS

Spot Ethereum ETF Approval Could Propel ETH to $5,000, Analysts Predict

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Analysts at QCP Capital, a prominent crypto trading firm, forecast that the unexpected approval of spot Ethereum ETFs could drive ETH's price to $5,000 by the end of the year. Should the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) greenlight spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs), Ethereum's native cryptocurrency, ETH, is poised to reach a short-term target of $4,000. In a May 21 analytical update, analysts from the Singapore-based firm emphasized that the second-largest cryptocurrency by market value might soar to $5,000 if the SEC delivers an unexpected approval. Conversely, a rejection could precipitate a sharp decline back to $3,000, where ETH has repeatedly found strong support around the $2,900 level. "This uncertainty has resulted in higher volatility, but the better trade might be spot-futures basis which is now Read more about Spot Ethereum ETF Approval Could Propel ETH to $5,000, Analysts Predict #Blockchain, #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewstoday...

Upcoming economic events 22 May 2024

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Time(GMT+0/UTC+0)StateImportanceEventForecastPrevious02:003 pointsRBNZ Interest Rate Decision5.50%5.50%02:002 pointsRBNZ Monetary Policy Statement  ------------------02:002 pointsRBNZ Rate Statement  ------------------03:002 pointsRBNZ Press Conference  ------------------07:002 pointsEuropean Central Bank Non-monetary Policy Meeting------------------08:052 pointsECB President Lagarde Speaks------------------14:003 pointsExisting Home Sales (Apr)4.21M4.19M14:002 pointsExisting Home Sales (MoM) (Apr)----------4.3%14:303 pointsCrude Oil Inventories----------2.508M14:302 pointsCushing Crude Oil Inventories----------0.341M17:002 points20-Year Bond Auction---------4.818%18:003 pointsFOMC Meeting Minutes  ------------------20:102 pointsRBNZ Gov Orr Speaks  ------------------22:452 pointsCore Retail Sales (QoQ)0.0%-1.7%22:452 pointsRetail Sales Read more about Upcoming economic events 22 May 2024 #ECONOMICEVENTS, #Forecast, #UPCOMINGEVENTS

UK Judge Declares Craig Wright Lied About Creating Bitcoin

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In a landmark decision, a U.K. High Court judge determined that American computer scientist Craig Wright committed perjury and forgery during the high-profile COPA v. Wright trial. Justice James Mellor's written judgment, published on Monday, reveals that Wright engaged in deliberate deceit in his claims of being Bitcoin's creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Justice Mellor's assessment concluded that Wright falsified documents to support his assertions, using the court to perpetrate fraud. “It is clear that Dr. Wright engaged in the deliberate production of false documents to support false claims and use the Courts as a vehicle for fraud,” Mellor wrote. “I am entirely satisfied that Dr. Wright lied to the Court extensively and repeatedly. All his lies and forged documents were in support of his biggest lie: his claim to be Satoshi Nakam Read more about UK Judge Declares Craig Wright Lied About Creating Bitcoin #Bitcoin, #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewstoday, #News, #...

Grayscale CEO Resigns as Spot BTC ETF Inflows Surge

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Grayscale Investments CEO Michael Sonnenshein has stepped down from his position amid significant investor withdrawals from the firm’s GBTC ETF. On May 20, the Wall Street Journal reported that Peter Mintzberg will assume the role of CEO in August. Mintzberg, a financial industry veteran, brings decades of experience, having previously served as Goldman Sachs’s global head of strategy for the bank’s asset management operations. Grayscale has not yet responded to requests for commentary from crypto.news. This leadership change coincides with a notable reversal in trends for Grayscale’s GBTC fund, which experienced its first weekly net inflows in nearly 19 weeks. According to Fineqia International research analyst Matteo Greco, GBTC recorded $31.6 million in net inflows between May 13 and May 17. Despite this positive movemen Read more about Grayscale CEO Resigns as Spot BTC ETF Inflows Surge #BitcoinETF, #Blockchain, #BTCETF, #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Crypt...

Upcoming economic events 21 May 2024

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Time(GMT+0/UTC+0)StateImportanceEventForecastPrevious01:302 pointsRBA Meeting Minutes------------------08:002 pointsTreasury Secretary Yellen Speaks  ------------------08:002 pointsECB President Lagarde Speaks------------------08:202 pointsFed Governor Kroszner Speaks------------------09:002 pointsTrade Balance (Mar)19.9B23.6B10:002 pointsEurogroup Meetings------------------13:002 pointsFed Waller Speaks  ------------------13:052 pointsFOMC Member Williams Speaks------------------13:102 pointsFOMC Member Bostic Speaks------------------15:452 pointsFed Vice Chair for Supervision Barr Speaks  ------------------20:302 pointsAPI Weekly Crude Oil Stock----------3.104M23:002 pointsFOMC Member Bostic Speaks------------------23:002 pointsFOMC Member Mester Speaks------------------23:502 pointsAdjusted Trade Balance-0.73T-0.70T23:502 point Read more about Upcoming economic events 21 May 2024 #ECONOMICEVENTS, #Forecast, #UPCOMINGEVENTS

NFT Weekly Sales Decline 9% to $145M, Bitcoin Maintains Lead Amid Downturn

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Over the past week, the non-fungible token (NFT) market witnessed sales totaling $145 million, marking a decline of over 9% compared to the previous week. This downturn aligns with a recent trend of decreasing sales volumes, with four out of the top five blockchains experiencing drops during this period. Last week, crypto.news reported a more than 11% decline in digital collectible sales, and this week saw an additional 9.68% fall, bringing the total to $145.01 million, as per data from CryptoSlam. Bitcoin Leading the Pack Bitcoin (BTC) continued to dominate weekly NFT sales, outperforming major competitors Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL). The Bitcoin network recorded the highest NFT sales volume among blockchains, generating approximately $44.1 million, according to CryptoSlam. However, this still represented an 11% decline Read more about NFT Weekly Sales Decline 9% to $145M, Bitcoin Maintains Lead Amid Downturn #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewstoday, #NFT, #NFTMarket, #NFT...

Upcoming economic events 20 May 2024

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Time(GMT+0/UTC+0)StateImportanceEventForecastPrevious01:152 pointsChina Loan Prime Rate 5Y (May)3.95%3.95%01:152 pointsPBoC Loan Prime Rate3.45%3.45%04:302 pointsTertiary Industry Activity Index (MoM)---------1.5%12:452 pointsFOMC Member Bostic Speaks------------------13:002 pointsFed Vice Chair for Supervision Barr Speaks------------------13:002 pointsFed Waller Speaks------------------18:002 pointsFOMC Member Mester Speaks------------------23:002 pointsFOMC Member Bostic Speaks------------------ Read more about Upcoming economic events 20 May 2024 #ECONOMICEVENTS, #Forecast, #UPCOMINGEVENTS

LayerZero Launches Sybil 'Bounty Hunting' Initiative, Identifies 800,000 Addresses in Airdrop Scheme

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Interoperability leader LayerZero's recent self-reporting effort to mitigate Sybil attacks has identified over 800,000 addresses implicated in an airdrop scheme. LayerZero collaborated with risk management platform Chaos Labs and blockchain analytics firm Nansen for a meticulous analysis. The investigation revealed 803,093 addresses as potential Sybil actors, defined as users creating multiple fake accounts to maximize airdrop rewards. In early May, LayerZero announced a snapshot for its forthcoming ZRO token airdrop, initially unveiled in December 2023. Subsequently, co-founder and CEO Bryan Pellegrino addressed concerns about employee participation in the airdrop. On May 7, Pellegrino declared on X that employee participation in the airdrop would be a "fireable offense." Following the May 1 snapshot, LayerZero intensified Read more about LayerZero Launches Sybil 'Bounty Hunting' Initiative, Identifies 800,000 Addresses in Airdrop Scheme #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptom...

AntPool Mines 7 Consecutive Blocks, Igniting Centralization Concerns

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AntPool, the second-largest Bitcoin (BTC) mining pool, mined seven consecutive blocks on May 17, raising alarms about potential network centralization and security issues within the cryptocurrency community. During this mining spree, AntPool confirmed 20,686 transactions, generating over 23 BTC, valued at approximately $1.54 million in revenue. This event spanned one hour and 38 minutes, covering block heights 843,898 to 843,904. Data from mempool.space indicates that AntPool accrued 1.283 BTC in fees and 21.875 BTC from block subsidies. Foundry USA, the largest Bitcoin mining pool, mined the block preceding this sequence and the two blocks following it. Currently, AntPool accounts for 25.48% of all blocks mined in the past week, while Foundry USA commands 31.12% of the network’s hashrate. Combined, these two pools dominate 56.6% Read more about AntPool Mines 7 Consecutive Blocks, Igniting Centralization Concerns #AntPool, #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewstoday, #Miners,...

Crypto Personality ‘T.J. Stone’ Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

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Thomas John Sfraga, widely known in cryptocurrency circles as "TJ Stone," has pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges in a Brooklyn federal court on Thursday. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Sfraga misled investors with promises of up to 60% returns within three months through a non-existent cryptocurrency digital wallet. Instead of delivering on these promises, he allegedly diverted the funds for personal use and to appease previous victims of his fraudulent schemes. “For years, Sfraga brazenly lied to friends, neighbors, and investors to swindle over $1.3 million of their hard-earned life savings,” stated Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. Throwback to ‘Seinfeld’ Sfraga also purported ownership of “Vandelay Contracting Corp.” and “Build Strong Homes LLC,” companies with names evocati Read more about Crypto Personality ‘T.J. Stone’ Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomark...

Kraken ‘Actively Reviewing’ USDT Suspension in EU Amid MiCA Regulation

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Kraken considers delisting USDT stablecoin in the European Union Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken is evaluating the potential suspension of the USDT stablecoin for its European users, according to a Bloomberg report. This consideration arises as the European Union prepares to implement a new regulatory framework for digital assets in July. The impending Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulations, which have not yet been finalized by the European Banking Authority, are expected to impose stringent restrictions on stablecoins available to European investors. Kraken’s global head of regulatory strategy, Marcus Hughes, stated, “We’re absolutely planning for all eventualities, including situations where it’s just not tenable to list specific tokens such as USDT.” Tether's Response Tether officials anticipate that exchanges will pr Read more about Kraken ‘Actively Reviewing’ USDT Suspension in EU Amid MiCA Regulation #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cr...

Bitcoin ETFs Rebound in May, Analyst Forecasts Sustained Growth

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Spot Bitcoin ETFs have successfully reversed April's outflows within the first two weeks of May. Eric Balchunas, Senior ETF Analyst at Bloomberg, highlighted that Bitcoin ETFs have already attracted $1.3 billion in inflows this month, effectively countering April's negative outflows. This brings the total inflows to $12.3 billion since their inception. Balchunas emphasized that fluctuations in capital movements are a natural aspect of ETFs and should not concern investors. He remains confident that spot Bitcoin ETFs will deliver positive long-term returns. CryptoQuant reports that this resurgence in activity is coupled with renewed demand for Bitcoin. Both regular holders and large investors are increasing their Bitcoin holdings, indicating a heightened market interest. Recent data from SoSo Value confirms that spot Bitcoin Read more about Bitcoin ETFs Rebound in May, Analyst Forecasts Sustained Growth #BitcoinETF, #BitcoinETFsReboundInMay, #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryp...

Upcoming economic events 17 May 2024

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Time(GMT+0/UTC+0)StateImportanceEventForecastPrevious02:002 pointsFixed Asset Investment (YoY) (Apr)4.6%4.5%02:002 pointsIndustrial Production (YoY) (Apr)4.6%4.5%02:002 pointsChinese Industrial Production YTD (YoY) (Apr)---------6.1%02:002 pointsChinese Unemployment Rate (Apr)---------5.2%02:002 pointsNBS Press Conference  ------------------04:302 pointsIndustrial Production (MoM)3.8%-0.6%07:202 pointsECB's De Guindos Speaks  ------------------09:002 pointsCore CPI (YoY) (Apr)2.7%2.7%09:002 pointsCPI (MoM) (Apr)0.6%0.8%09:003 pointsCPI (YoY) (Apr)2.4%2.4%14:002 pointsUS Leading Index (MoM) (Apr)-0.3%-0.3%14:152 pointsFed Waller Speaks  ------------------17:002 pointsU.S. Baker Hughes Oil Rig Count---------49617:002 pointsU.S. Baker Hughes Total Rig Count---------60319:302 pointsCFTC Crude Oil speculative net posit Read more about Upcoming economic events 17 May 2024 #ECONOMICEVENTS, #Forecast, #UPCOMINGEVENTS

Notcoin Launches Major Airdrop Campaign on Telegram, Distributing 80 Billion Tokens

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In a strategic move within the digital asset community, the developers behind the innovative Notcoin play-to-earn project have executed a substantial airdrop. More than 80 billion NOT tokens have been distributed, with a significant majority, exceeding 90%, delivered directly to participants engaged as "miners" on the platform. Notcoin, a pioneering play-to-earn clicker game that operates via the Telegram app, announced its recent airdrop through an official press release. The initiative saw the allocation of over 80.2 billion NOT tokens to community members active on The Open Network blockchain. According to the announcement, 90% of these tokens have been designated for "miners," while the remaining 7.9 billion are accessible through the redemption of non-fungible token (NFT) vouchers. This development precedes Notcoin’s a Read more about Notcoin Launches Major Airdrop Campaign on Telegram, Distributing 80 Billion Tokens #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewst...

Worldcoin Foundation Unveils New Open-Source Biometric Security System

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The Worldcoin Foundation has recently launched an innovative open-source system, aimed at bolstering the security of sensitive data, including biometric information. This strategic initiative emerges at a time when digital security is under intense scrutiny, particularly concerning the handling of personal and biometric data. The newly introduced system is designed to enhance data security through the use of Secure Multi-Party Computation (SMPC), a method that protects data by dispersing it across multiple locations. Hosted on Github, this system exemplifies the Foundation's commitment to transparency and community-driven development. As detailed in the Foundation's blog, this advanced SMPC technology splits a single secret into several parts, distributing these amongst various stakeholders to fortify protection. This method is Read more about Worldcoin Foundation Unveils New Open-Source Biometric Security System #Blockchain, #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewstoday, #N...

Upcoming economic events 16 May 2024

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Time(GMT+0/UTC+0)StateImportanceEventForecastPrevious01:302 pointsEmployment Change (Apr)25.3K-6.6K01:302 pointsFull Employment Change (Apr)---------27.9K01:302 pointsUnemployment Rate (Apr)3.9%3.8%04:302 pointsIndustrial Production (MoM) (Mar)3.4%3.8%08:002 pointsECB Financial Stability Review------------------12:302 pointsBuilding Permits (Apr)  1.480M1.467M12:302 pointsContinuing Jobless Claims---------1,785K12:302 pointsExport Price Index (MoM) (Apr)0.2%0.3%12:302 pointsHousing Starts (MoM) (Apr)----------14.7%12:302 pointsHousing Starts (Apr)1.410M1.321M12:302 pointsImport Price Index (MoM) (Apr)0.2%0.4%12:303 pointsInitial Jobless Claims---------231K12:303 pointsPhiladelphia Fed Manufacturing Index (May)7.715.512:302 pointsPhilly Fed Employment (May)----------10.713:152 pointsIndustrial Production (MoM) (Apr)0.2%0.4%13:152 p Read more about Upcoming economic events 16 May 2024 #ECONOMICEVENTS, #UPCOMINGEVENTS

ARKB ETF Attracts $133 Million as Bitcoin Rises, Signaling Strong Market Confidence

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In a significant market movement, the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund (ARKB) has recorded an impressive $133.1 million in net inflows, marking its highest intake since March 27. This surge in capital allocation aligns closely with a key uptick in Bitcoin's value, affirming investor confidence in the cryptocurrency sector. Farside Investors reports that overall, U.S. Bitcoin ETFs saw $100.5 million in net inflows on May 14, indicating a robust week of investment activity. Conversely, the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) experienced a net outflow of $50.9 million, contrasting sharply with the inflows seen in other funds. Notably, the ARKB ETF has consistently attracted substantial capital, with inflows surpassing the $100 million mark seven times previously. The fund reached its peak with a record $200.7 million inflow on Read more about ARKB ETF Attracts $133 Million as Bitcoin Rises, Signaling Strong Market Confidence #ARK, #ARKInvest, #Bitcoin, #BitcoinETF, #Blockchain, #C...

Crypto Developer Alexey Pertsev Receives Five-Year Sentence Amid Tornado Cash Controversy

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In a landmark ruling on May 14, Dutch courts have sentenced Alexey Pertsev to 64 months in prison due to his involvement with Tornado Cash, a controversial Ethereum privacy application accused of facilitating $2.2 billion in illicit transactions. The conviction comes after a trio of judges upheld allegations that Pertsev aided in laundering funds through the crypto mixer, which has been under scrutiny for its role in high-profile cybercrimes, including a $600 million heist affecting the Ronin Bridge, linked to the notorious Lazarus Group from North Korea. Defense arguments posited that holding developers accountable for the potential misuse of decentralized platforms sets a dangerous precedent, a sentiment widely supported in the cryptocurrency sector. However, the court dismissed these defenses, emphasizing that the design of Read more about Crypto Developer Alexey Pertsev Receives Five-Year Sentence Amid Tornado Cash Controversy #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewstoday, #News...

Upcoming economic events 15 May 2024

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Time(GMT+0/UTC+0)StateImportanceEventForecastPrevious01:302 pointsWage Price Index (QoQ) (Q1)1.0%0.9%08:002 pointsIEA Monthly Report  ------------------09:002 pointsGDP (YoY) (Q1)  0.4%0.4%09:002 pointsGDP (QoQ)  0.3%0.0%09:002 pointsIndustrial Production (MoM) (Mar)-0.3%0.8%12:302 pointsCore CPI (YoY) (Apr)3.6%3.8%12:303 pointsCore CPI (MoM) (Apr)0.3%0.4%12:303 pointsCore Retail Sales (MoM) (Apr)0.2%1.1%12:303 pointsCPI (MoM) (Apr)0.4%0.4%12:303 pointsCPI (YoY) (Apr)3.4%3.5%12:302 pointsNY Empire State Manufacturing Index (May)-10.80-14.3012:302 pointsRetail Control (MoM) (Apr)---------1.1%12:303 pointsRetail Sales (MoM) (Apr)0.4%0.7%14:002 pointsBusiness Inventories (MoM) (Mar)0.0%0.4%14:002 pointsRetail Inventories Ex Auto (Mar)-0.1%-0.1%14:303 pointsCrude Oil Inventories----------1.362M14:302 pointsCushing Crude Oil Inven Read more about Upcoming economic events 15 May 2024 #ECONOMICEVENTS, #Forecast, #UPCOMINGEVENTS

Coinbase Resumes Operations After Brief System-Wide Outage

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Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange based in the United States, has announced the restoration of some services following a significant system-wide outage that temporarily halted trading activities across its website and mobile application. The issue, initially reported on May 14, resulted in restricted access for numerous users, who experienced difficulties connecting to the platform. Approximately two hours after first acknowledging the disruption, Coinbase conveyed through an update that while services were partially restored, some users might still face connectivity issues. The initial incident, occurring at approximately 21:19 PDT on May 13, was reported on Coinbase's status page, indicating that users could encounter errors when attempting to send funds. However, specifics regarding the cause of these failures were not Read more about Coinbase Resumes Operations After Brief System-Wide Outage #Coinbase, #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewstoday, #News, #Regulati...

El Salvador Partners with iFinex to Establish Cryptocurrency Regulation Framework

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El Salvador, known for its progressive stance on cryptocurrencies, has announced a significant collaboration with iFinex, the parent company behind Bitfinex exchange and Tether (USDT), to create a robust regulatory framework for digital assets. This partnership underscores the country’s commitment to becoming a central hub for the global digital securities market. On May 13, a declaration was made public detailing iFinex’s role in assisting the Salvadoran government to construct a formidable environment for digital and securities markets in the region. Paolo Ardoino, the CEO of both Bitfinex and Tether, articulated that this partnership heralds new avenues for mobilizing capital and the development of tokenized real-world assets such as equities. Bitfinex and Tether stand as pioneers in the peer-to-peer exchange and stablecoin are Read more about El Salvador Partners with iFinex to Establish Cryptocurrency Regulation Framework #Blockchain, #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cr...

Upcoming economic events 14 May 2024

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Time(GMT+0/UTC+0)StateImportanceEventForecastPrevious09:002 pointsZEW Economic Sentiment (May)46.143.910:002 pointsEurogroup Meetings------------------11:002 pointsOPEC Monthly Report  ------------------12:302 pointsCore PPI (MoM) (Apr)0.2%0.2%12:303 pointsPPI (MoM) (Apr)0.3%0.2%13:152 pointsECB's Schnabel Speaks  ------------------14:003 pointsFed Chair Powell Speaks  ------------------20:302 pointsAPI Weekly Crude Oil Stock1.000M0.509M Read more about Upcoming economic events 14 May 2024 #ECONOMICEVENTS, #Forecast, #UPCOMINGEVENTS

Runes Protocol Experiences Steep Decline in Blockchain Activity

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In a marked downturn, the Runes protocol has witnessed a sharp reduction in blockchain interactions and minting activities. Despite accruing substantial daily fees, Runes has only eclipsed the $1 million mark in total fees on two separate occasions within the last twelve days, highlighting a noticeable downtrend. Initially, Runes catalyzed an investor frenzy following its launch on April 19, which coincided with the most recent Bitcoin halving event. This launch period saw an unprecedented surge in transaction fees, with miners collecting over $135 million in the first week alone. The Runes protocol quickly dominated Bitcoin transactions, reaching a peak transaction share of 81.3% on April 23. However, this dominance was short-lived as activity began to taper off, with significant declines noted particularly on May 10. The Read more about Runes Protocol Experiences Steep Decline in Blockchain Activity #Bitcoin, #Blockchain, #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewstoday, #News, #Regu...

Upcoming economic events 13 May 2024

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Time(GMT+0/UTC+0)StateImportanceEventForecastPrevious01:302 pointsNAB Business Confidence (Apr)---------103:002 pointsInflation Expectations (QoQ)---------2.5%09:002 pointsEU Economic Forecasts------------------10:002 pointsEurogroup Meetings------------------13:002 pointsFOMC Member Mester Speaks  ------------------15:002 pointsNY Fed 1-Year Consumer Inflation Expectations---------3.00%22:452 pointsElectronic Card Retail Sales (MoM) (Apr)----------0.7% Read more about Upcoming economic events 13 May 2024 #ECONOMICEVENTS, #Forecast, #UPCOMINGEVENTS

OKX Ventures Pioneers Investment in Blade of God X, an AI-Training ARPG with Web3 Capabilities

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OKX Ventures, a prominent Crypto and Web3 investment fund, has strategically invested in the innovative action role-playing game "Blade of God X." Developed by Void Labs, the game is currently accessible in early access on the Epic Games Store, introducing a novel 'play-to-train' feature. This cutting-edge concept seamlessly integrates advanced AI agents with blockchain technology, enabling players to actively participate in the training of AI models through their gameplay interactions. As of now, the specific details regarding the AI models being trained and the direct impact of gameplay on this training remain undisclosed. Inquiries made to OKX Ventures and Void Labs by Cointelegraph have yet to be addressed. "Blade of God X" aligns with the genre of "Souls-like" games, renowned for their intricate and challenging action Read more about OKX Ventures Pioneers Investment in Blade of God X, an AI-Training ARPG with Web3 Capabilities #Cryptocurrency,...

ARK Invest and 21Shares Amend Ethereum ETF Proposal, Exclude Staking Feature

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ARK Invest and 21Shares have revised their proposal for an Ethereum-based exchange-traded fund (ETF), opting to exclude the cryptocurrency staking feature from their plan. This adjustment was made following productive negotiations with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which have led the firms to adopt a cash creation and redemption model for the ETF. Initially, the firms had considered an in-kind redemption approach, where payments were made non-monetarily using Ether. However, the revised strategy now involves purchasing Ether in amounts corresponding to the order placed and depositing it with a custodian, which will facilitate the creation of ETF shares. In their latest regulatory filing on May 10, the section that previously suggested 21Shares would engage third-party providers to stake a portion of the Read more about ARK Invest and 21Shares Amend Ethereum ETF Proposal, Exclude Staking Feature #ARK, #ARKInvest, #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonewstoday, #Ne...

Wells Fargo Enhances Cryptocurrency Portfolio with Grayscale Spot Bitcoin ETF Investment

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Wells Fargo, a titan in the U.S. banking sector, has marked a significant expansion in its cryptocurrency portfolio by investing in Grayscale’s spot Bitcoin ETF. According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), this strategic move encompasses Wells Fargo’s acquisition of a spot Bitcoin ETF from Grayscale and ProShares. The investment portfolio includes 37 shares of the ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF, which provides exposure to Bitcoin futures. Additionally, the bank has acquired 2,245 shares of the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, recently converted into an ETF format. Wells Fargo also holds 52 shares of Bitcoin Depot, strengthening its position in the digital asset market. This considerable investment in Bitcoin assets totals over $143,000. The SEC, however, advises caution, noting that financial disclosures should not be Read more about Wells Fargo Enhances Cryptocurrency Portfolio with Grayscale Spot Bitcoin ETF Investment #Cryptocurrency, #Cryptomarket, #Cryptonew...

Upcoming economic events 11 May 2024

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Time(GMT+0/UTC+0)StateImportanceEventForecastPrevious01:302 pointsCPI (MoM) (Apr)----------1.0%01:302 pointsCPI (YoY) (Apr)0.1%0.1%01:302 pointsPPI (YoY) (Apr)-2.3%-2.8%08:002 pointsNew Loans1,200.0B3,090.0B Read more about Upcoming economic events 11 May 2024 #ECONOMICEVENTS, #Forecast, #UPCOMINGEVENTS