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A Kyrgyzstan-based crypto exchange with alleged ties to Russian trading platform Garantex appears to have found a way around US sanctions and moved billions in funds since it was blacklisted in August earlier this year. According to research by The Financial Times (FT), almost 34 billion A7A5 stablecoins worth over $400 million were destroyed and “recreated” to obscure their links to Grinex, the alleged Garantex successor which was added to the United States’ sanctions list in August. For its part, Grinex denies all links to Garantex. A7A5 is a key component of the A7 payments system, created by Moscow as an alternative to the US-led system that had sanctioned Russian users following the invasion of Ukraine. As detailed by FT analysts, the balances in two Grinex-linked wallets were “set to zero” via the “destroyBlackFunds” prompt that classifies the tokens as “dirtyShares.” However, shortly after these tokens were deleted, new tokens ...

BNB has soared to a new all-time high (ATH) after Bloomberg reported that the US Department of Justice (DOJ) is considering dropping a compliance monitoring requirement that was imposed in 2023 as part of a $4.3 billion settlement. BNB has pulled back since but is still up over 2% at 3:27 a.m. to trade at in $954.96, according to CoinMarketCap .  BNB price (Source: CoinMarketCap)  Federal Prosecutors Weigh Dropping Binance Compliance Requirement  US federal prosecutors are currently in discussions with the exchange regarding a requirement to maintain an outside compliance monitor, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.  The compliance requirement was part of a November 2023 plea deal between Binance and US prosecutors.  Binance was alleged to have operated with weak anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions compliance controls. US prosecutors argued that the exchange platform processed transactions performed by criminals, sanctio...

Transak, a fiat-to-crypto solutions provider, has received its Digital Currency Exchange (DCE) license from the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), the chief regulatory body of the country’s crypto landscape, according to the reports shared with Finbold on Thursday, March 6. Similar to a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license in other regions, the registration enables Transak to offer its services as a fully compliant and transparent digital currency exchange in Australia.  G'day Australia! Transak is now approved as a Digital Currency Exchange in Australia! Read more on @DecryptMedia – https://t.co/vG2IudzjRw pic.twitter.com/YMAg8kNch0 — Transak (@Transak) March 6, 2025 Transak’s DCE registration  Primarily, the DCE registration ensures that Transak observes all anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) regulations in the country. ...

In an important development for the asset class, the Trump Media and Technology Group Corps. (DJT) has announced a new expansion that will see them invest in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Indeed, a recent press release unveiled the company’s launch of its financial tech arm, Truth.Fi. The newly developed financial services firm is another key aspect of its growing Truth brand. Specifically, it will join its social media platform, Truth Social, and video streaming platform Truth+ as key facets of its operations. The financial services and technology strategy has been approved by the company’s board of directors this week, with its new FinTech brand playing a major role. JUST IN: Trump Media to invest in "Bitcoin and similar cryptocurrencies." — Watcher.Guru (@WatcherGuru) January 29, 2025 Also Read: President Trump Says US Will Be ‘World Capital’ of AI and Crypto Trump Media to Invest in Bitcoin as Truth.Fi is Officially Announced 2025 was always set to be an important ...

In a recent announcement, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced the launch of a brand new crypto task force. Specifically, the agency is set to develop “a comprehensive and clear regulatory framework for crypto assets,” according to a recently released press release. The announcement is part of the expected changes to come from the incoming administration. With Donald Trump officially inaugurated into office Monday, he announced the appointment of Mark Uyeda as acting chair of the agency. His presence comes following former Chair Gary Gensler’s resignation this week. JUST IN: SEC launches new crypto task force to develop "comprehensive and clear regulatory framework for crypto assets." — Watcher.Guru (@WatcherGuru) January 21, 2025 Also Read: Donald Trump to Designate Cryptocurrency as a National Priority SEC Launching Crypto Task Force to Develop New Regulatory Framework For the last several years, the SEC has developed a rather contentious relati...

A Bloomberg ETF analyst has shared his predicted timeline for the approval of new crypto ETFs for Ripple XRP; Litecoin LTC, and Solana SOL. 2025 is expected to be bigger for crypto than 2024, which saw the arrival of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. Bloomberg Senior ETF Analyst Eric Balchunas agrees with this sentiment, publishing his latest newsletter with dates he anticipates will bring the launch of new altcoin ETFs. On Tuesday, Balchunas stated that we can expect “a wave” of new cryptocurrency ETFs in 2025. First out is likely the BTC and ETH combo ETFs, then prob Litecoin (because its fork of BTC = commodity), then HBAR (because it’s not labeled security), and then XRP/Solana (which have been labeled securities in pending lawsuits),” he added. Better Chances for Crypto ETF Approvals in 2025? With a newly structured SEC come 2025, experts expect looser regulation on the crypto industry. Donald Trump’s crypto-friendly administration is also set to play a part, openi...

1. Bitcoin Surges Past $100,000, Reaching a Historic Milestone link On Thursday, OKX market data showed that Bitcoin (BTC) surged past $100,000, reaching an all-time high of $104,056. Calculating from the 0.003-cent average price of Bitcoin during Laszlo Hanyecz’s infamous 2010 purchase of two pizzas with 10,000 BTC, Bitcoin has appreciated by an astounding 3.33 billion times over the span of more than 5,000 days. This would now value the pizzas at $1 billion. Former U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated “Bitcoin holders” for reaching the $100,000 milestone in a post on the Truth platform, adding, “Together, we will make America great again.” The Financial Times column Alphaville published a reflective piece on Bitcoin’s historic rise. Historically critical of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, the column noted its inefficiencies as a medium of exchange and limitations as a store of value, attributing its price largely to market speculation. However, the authors expressed regret for not...

US President-elect Donald Trump is weighing a shift in crypto regulation that could hand more authority to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), reducing the influence of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Fox Business reported. The CFTC could oversee digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum, which have been deemed to be commodities, as well as exchanges and spot markets, potentially covering up to 70% of the $3.2 trillion crypto market, sources familiar with the matter told Fox Business in a Nov. 26 report. SEC Control Over US Crypto Market Could Be Reduced During the Biden administration, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), under the leadership of its outgoing Chair Gary Gensler , targeted crypto companies operating in the US with a regulation by enforcement strategy. Should the CFTC start to regulate more of the crypto market, it would cut back the SEC’s power over the nascent digital asset space. Gensler was in favor of the idea o...

Coinbase (NASDAQ: COIN), the leading United States crypto exchange, increased its assets offerings in New York, making more cryptocurrencies available. The change comes as the Southern District of New York promises to soften its anti-crypto approach in the region post-FTX. The world’s financial center and US city is known for having a singular regulation regarding cryptocurrencies, requiring services to adapt. However, it might be ending following a Manhattan US Attorney decision, Gary Gensler’s hint to resign, and Coinbase’s new offerings. In particular, Coinbase Assets announced six new cryptocurrencies are now available to New York residents this Wednesday, November 13. They are Arbitrum (ARB), Sei Network (SEI), Aioz Network (AIOZ), MultiversX (EGLD), Helium Mobile (MOBILE), and Stader (SD). Picks for you Here's when Cardano (ADA)...

Amid the launch of his new cryptocurrency project, World Liberty Financial, Donald Trump promises to protect crypto startups and address much-needed changes to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) if he wins reelection in November. Indeed, the 45th President of the United States noted that new crypto firms will be the first to benefit from his return to the Oval Office. Moreover, Trump didn’t mince words on SEC Chair Gary Gensler. Specifically, he targeted the agency’s increased enforcement action against the sector. In previous interviews, he noted that replacing Gensler would be a priority for his new administration. That alone should have massive implications for crypto and its progress in the country. Source: CNN Also Read: Bitcoin: Bernstein Says Donald Trump Reelection May Push BTC to $90,000 Trump Slams SEC, Promises Ease for Crypto Startups If He Returns to White House in 2024 Throughout his campaign this year, Donald Trump has made cryptocurrencies a key ...

The SEC will now require mutual funds and ETF funds to report portfolio holdings every month rather than four times a year. The regulator approved the new rule change effective Wednesday. JUST IN: SEC approves new rule requiring mutual funds and ETFs to report portfolio holdings on a monthly basis rather than four times a year. — Watcher.Guru (@WatcherGuru) August 28, 2024 In a public meeting, the five-person Commission voted 3-2 to approve the measures along party lines. Officials feel the move will bring greater transparency to investors. SEC Chair Gary Gensler says more frequent reporting would help investors monitor their ETF holdings and identify overlapping investments. Furthermore, the move gives the SEC greater visibility in identifying trends and responding during market stress. Amid the popularity of exchange-traded funds backed by cryptocurrency, the move is a game changer for transparency concerns. Also Read: Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Released From Police Custody ...

Euro (EUR) stablecoins are gaining popularity in cryptocurrency exchanges and among crypto traders in Europe and worldwide. This rise could challenge the U.S. dollar (USD) stablecoin dominance in the cryptocurrency market, fueled by the European Union’s tighter regulations. The combined weekly volume of Euro-backed stablecoins has consistently exceeded $40 million since March, marking the longest period on record. Data is from a Kaiko Smart Data Research report published on June 10. Notably, the report suggests that demand for these stablecoins is finally picking up in European markets, despite Europe traditionally lagging behind the United States. and Asian-Pacific (APAC) in crypto trading. Average Daily Volume of EUR trading pairs. Source: Kaiko MiCa and a crypto regulatory tightening in Europe The impending regulation in Europe, known as the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA), is set to shake up the stablecoin market. ...

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved multiple spot Bitcoin ETFs on Jan. 10. According to an official SEC filing, spot Bitcoin ETFs have been approved for listing on all registered national exchanges in the U.S., including the Nasdaq, NYSE, and CBOE, following a decade-long hunt for these products. The approval means ETFs will go live in trading at the CBOE from 9 am on Jan. 11 when the U.S. stock market opens 11 issuers were mentioned in the SEC’s approval filing, issuing the green light to list Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded funds. The filing broke during the late hours of Jan. 10 before briefly disappearing, likely due to large traffic on the SEC’s website. “As described in more detail in the Proposals’ respective amended filings, each Proposal seeks to list and trade shares of a Trust that would hold spot bitcoin, in whole or in part. This order approves the Proposals on an accelerated basis .” SEC approval of spot BTC ET...