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Showing posts from May, 2024

New York Tightens Customer Service Regulations for Crypto Companies

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The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) has introduced new guidance mandating regulated cryptocurrency entities to implement customer service policies and procedures. Crypto entities must collect data to ensure timely and fair resolution of issues, maintain records for regulatory review, and provide quarterly analyses. New York Regulator Requires Crypto Firms to Adopt New […]

Companies in Two Capital Markets Reportedly in Negotiations to Implement Microstrategy’s Bitcoin Business Model

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Companies in two capital markets are looking to implement the business model that Microstrategy, led by entrepreneur Michael Saylor, pioneered in the U.S. According to David Bailey, CEO of Bitcoin Magazine, who denied one of these markets to be Korea, these operations are currently in the negotiation stage. More Companies Looking to Adopt Microstrategy’s Bitcoin […]

SEC Commissioner Proposes Joint US-UK Digital Securities Sandbox

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U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commissioner Hester Peirce has proposed a joint US-UK digital securities sandbox. She noted that the U.S. and UK are ideally positioned for this initiative, emphasizing that this collaboration would benefit innovators, regulators, and consumers in both countries. Hester Peirce Pushes for US-UK Collaborative Financial Sandbox U.S. Securities and Exchange […]

Economist Peter Schiff Advises Against Buying US Dollars — Warns of USD Breakdown

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Economist Peter Schiff cautions against buying U.S. dollars or selling gold, citing rising Treasury yields as a result of the government’s failure to control the national debt and inflation. He notes the widening trade deficits, suggesting an unproductive economy will further weaken the dollar and increase prices. Schiff Warns Against Buying US Dollars Economist and […]

Security-Focused Crypto ISAC Debuts With Founding Members Including Coinbase, Kraken, Circle

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The Crypto ISAC (Information Sharing and Analysis Center) launches on Wednesday as a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit association dedicated to bolstering security within the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Its founding members include Aleo, Circle, Coinbase, Consensys, Evertas, Fireblocks, Hedera, Kraken, Offchain Labs, Red Balloon Security, Ribbit Capital, Solana Foundation, and Trail of Bits. Its mission is to foster collaboration […]

Texas Issues Emergency Cease and Desist Against Arkbit’s Crypto Operations

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The Texas State Securities Board has issued an Emergency Cease and Desist Order against Arkbit Capital and its affiliates, Arkbit Capital Holdings, ABC Holdings LLC, and ABC Mining. These companies were found operating a fraudulent MLM cryptocurrency investment scheme. Promising daily returns of 1.6-2.8% for 120 days on investments between $50 and $49,999, they lured […]

Hong Kong’s Grace Period for Crypto Exchanges Ending — Trading Platforms Must Obtain License by June 1

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The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has issued a reminder that crypto trading platforms must obtain a license to operate in Hong Kong before the grace period ends on June 1. The regulator warned that operating without a license is a criminal offense and will enforce compliance. Investors are advised to only trade […]

Ark CEO Cathie Wood Talks Bitcoin With El Salvador’s President — Applauds His Vision for BTC Hub

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Cathie Wood, CEO of asset management firm Ark Invest, recently met with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele and discussed bitcoin. She praised his progressive approach to economic and educational reforms. “President Bukele’s determination to transform El Salvador into a hub for the bitcoin and AI communities — two of the most significant economic and technological […]

Ethereum Futures Open Interest Hits All-Time High Following ETF Approvals

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Ethereum has experienced a significant increase since the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved a group of spot ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This week, ether reached a high of $3,980 per coin, which is approximately 18.4% below its all-time high. Amid fluctuating prices, ethereum futures markets have achieved a record high in open interest. […]

Tokyo-Listed Metaplanet to Buy Additional Bitcoin for Its Treasury

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Metaplanet, a publicly traded corporation listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, announced on Tuesday that its board of directors passed a resolution to purchase an additional 250 million yen (approximately $1.6 million) worth of bitcoin. For BTC held for long-term purposes, the company explained that it will record them at cost. Meanwhile, short-term holdings will […]

Solana’s Penguiana $PENGU Token Launch On Raydium Surpasses $1M Valuation, Sets Stage For GUIANA NFT Minting

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In a remarkable showcase of growth and enthusiasm, Penguiana, the unique penguin-themed meme coin on the Solana blockchain, has successfully launched its $PENGU token on Raydium. Buy $PENGU here on Raydium. This milestone comes after a highly successful presale, confirming strong investor interest and community support. As the $PENGU token gains traction on the market, […]

Microstrategy’s Michael Saylor States Spot Ether ETF Approval ‘May Be Better for Bitcoin’

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Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman of Microstrategy, stated that the approval of several spot ether ETF proposals by the U.S. SEC might be good for Bitcoin. In “What Bitcoin Did,” Peter McCormack’s podcast, Saylor stated this approval gives rise to a crypto asset class, including several use cases like tokens, NFTs, and defi, with Bitcoin at […]

Turkish Parliament Committee to Review Crypto Bill This Week

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The Turkish parliament’s Planning and Budget Committee will discuss a draft law this week that would require crypto asset service providers to obtain licenses and register. This move aims to enhance Turkey’s compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards. In 2021, FATF placed Turkey on its “grey list” due to inadequate oversight of […]

Donald Trump’s Crypto Holdings Top $10 Million, Arkham Says

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Former U.S. President and presidential candidate Donald Trump’s cryptocurrency holdings reached $10 million on Monday morning, according to crypto analytics firm Arkham’s onchain tool. The bulk of Trump’s holdings, $7.3 million, is in the TRUMP coin. Trump has pledged to support the crypto industry, promising to halt President Joe Biden’s anti-crypto initiatives and protect bitcoin. […]

Microsoft Invests $70 Million in South Africa for AI Advancement

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Microsoft South Africa (SA) has entered into a $70.5 million artificial intelligence (AI) investment agreement with the Southern African nation’s Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC). The investment aims to support the development of black-owned small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in both tech and non-tech sectors over the next 10 years. Approximately 200 […]

Latam Insights: Venezuela Seizes Over 11,000 Bitcoin Miners, Paraguay Cracks Down on Illegal Bitcoin Mining

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Welcome to Latam Insights, a compendium of Latin America’s most relevant crypto and economic news during the last week. In this issue: Venezuela seizes over 11,000 bitcoin miners to save energy, Paraguay cracks down on illegal bitcoin mining, and Brazil aims to finalize crypto regulations this year. Venezuelan Authorities Announce Bitcoin Mining Ban, Confiscate Over […]

Robert Kiyosaki Advises Buying Bitcoin Before Price Explodes — Warns of Bonds Crashing

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Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki has warned investors about the bond market crashing, urging them to invest in “safer real assets,” like bitcoin, before their prices “explode.” He criticizes financial planners for promoting bonds as safe investments, predicting significant losses for investors when AAA bonds and commercial real estate crash. Meanwhile, Kiyosaki expects […]

Indian Citizen Faces 20 Years in US Prison for Stealing Crypto in $37M Coinbase Spoofing Scam

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An Indian national has pleaded guilty in the U.S. to wire fraud conspiracy for stealing over $37 million by spoofing crypto exchange Coinbase’s website. He and his co-conspirators created a fake Coinbase Pro site to steal login credentials and two-factor authentication codes, transferring victims’ cryptocurrency to their own wallets. Guilty Plea in $37M Coinbase Crypto […]

Major Crypto Exchanges Announce Over 1,200 Job Openings

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Major cryptocurrency exchanges, including Binance, Coinbase, Okx, and Crypto.com, are expanding their workforces, collectively offering over 1,200 job openings. Binance leads this hiring surge with 460 roles, followed by Okx with 414, Crypto.com with 335, and Coinbase with 224. This recruitment drive is fueled by market optimism, particularly surrounding bitcoin and ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs), […]

Standard Chartered Discusses SEC Approving Spot ETFs for Cryptos Beyond Bitcoin and Ether

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Standard Chartered says markets will look ahead to exchange-traded funds (ETFs) of cryptocurrencies other than bitcoin and ether, but “this is likely a 2025 story.” They believe that the SEC approving spot ethereum ETFs suggests that the securities watchdog does not view ether as a security and that other coins similar to ether will also […]

Decoding FDV: The Importance of Fully Diluted Valuation in Crypto Investments

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In a market where substantial portions of tokens are often locked up, understanding Fully Diluted Valuation (FDV) has become essential for investors looking to better evaluate the current value of cryptocurrency projects, as well as better predict the long-term value and risks associated with them. Introduction to FDV Fully Diluted Valuation (FDV) is an important […]

What Is the Howey Test? Understanding Its Role in Crypto Regulation

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This year, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) increasing enforcement on businesses accused of offering unregistered crypto securities to American investors, regulators, attorneys, and judges have been utilizing the Howey Test to ascertain whether specific crypto assets constitute an “investment contract” and thereby fall under U.S. securities laws. Below is an in-depth exploration […]

P2P Bitcoin Exchange Hodl Hodl Suspends Lending Services for US and UN Embargoed Countries’ Residents

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Hodl Hodl, a non-custodial Bitcoin exchange, has announced changes to its “Terms of Service” agreement affecting the availability of its lending services. The platform is now excluding residents of the U.S. as well as U.N. embargoed countries from its lending platform, citing “regulatory uncertainty” as the reason behind these changes. Hodl Hodl to Exclude US […]

Veteran Trader Peter Brandt Warns of ‘Biggest Disasters yet to Come in Crypto’

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Veteran trader Peter Brandt has issued a stark warning about the future of crypto staking, calling it “the biggest disasters yet to come in crypto.” He predicts significant disasters, bankruptcies, and personal financial losses within the sector. His warning followed the approval of spot ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission […]

Former Bank CEO Pleads Guilty to Embezzling $47M to Buy Crypto, Leading to Bank Collapse

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Former Heartland Tri-State Bank CEO Shan Hanes pleaded guilty on Thursday to embezzling $47.1 million for personal cryptocurrency purchases, leading to the bank’s collapse. From May to July 2023, Hanes executed at least 10 wire transfers from the Elkhart-based bank to cryptocurrency accounts. The bank’s failure resulted in a total loss of equity for investors. […]

Kelp DAO Secures $9 Million in Private Sale to Boost Defi Expansion

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Kelp DAO, a liquid restaking platform, has completed a private funding round, amassing $9 million to propel its growth in the decentralized finance (defi) sector. The funding aims to enhance the platform’s capabilities and expand into new ecosystems, including Solana and Bitcoin. Restaking Protocol Kelp DAO Secures $9 million Leading the investment round were SCB […]

Indian Central Bank RBI Warns Retail Investors of Crypto’s Lack of Accountability and Stability

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s May 2024 bulletin warns retail investors that “the crypto ecosystem lacks accountability and stability and is marked by regulatory ambiguity.” The Indian central bank also cautioned that some cryptocurrency systems may be “prone to crisis without safeguards.” RBI Bulletin’s Crypto and Defi Warnings India’s central bank, the Reserve Bank […]

South African Prosecutors Set to Pursue Collapsed Pyramid Scheme Co-Conspirators

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South African prosecutors are reportedly investigating co-conspirators of Mirror Trading International and may charge them with fraud or forgery. The declaration of the scheme as unlawful may have strengthened the National Prosecuting Authority’s case against the masterminds of Mirror Trading International. MTI Directors May Face Charges Under the Prevention of Organized Crime Act South Africa’s […]

Standard Chartered Predicts Bitcoin Could Hit All-Time High This Weekend

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Standard Chartered’s head of digital asset research, Geoff Kendrick, has predicted a significant rise in bitcoin’s price, potentially surpassing its previous all-time high of $73,798 by this weekend. His optimistic outlook is fueled by the anticipated approval of spot ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which he believes will […]

Coinbase, Ripple, Meta Join Forces to Fight Crypto Scams, Including Pig Butchering

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Leading crypto and tech companies, including Coinbase, Ripple, Meta, Kraken, and Gemini, have formed a coalition to combat online fraud, including crypto scams like the pig butchering scheme. “We are dedicated to disrupting emerging online scams through collaboration, information sharing, and enhanced consumer education,” said Coinbase’s chief security officer. ‘Tech Against Scams’ Coalition Established Several […]

The Bitcoin Policy Institute Launches the Peer-to-Peer Rights Fund to Help Defend Samourai Wallet Founders

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The Bitcoin Policy Institute, a non-profit organization supporting bitcoin initiatives, has launched the Peer-to-Peer Rights Fund, a project seeking to protect bitcoin’s decentralized nature from regulatory overreach. The fund’s first objective is to aid in the defense of the founders of Samourai Wallet given the relevance of the case for the industry. Peer-to-Peer Rights Funds […]

Peter Schiff Anticipates Outflows From Bitcoin ETFs to Ethereum ETFs Following SEC Approval

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Economist and gold bug Peter Schiff has cautioned that the approval of spot ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could negatively impact spot bitcoin ETFs and bitcoin. Speculation is high that the SEC will approve spot ether ETFs this week, as the securities watchdog faces two impending deadlines. Peter […]

Hong Kong Police Arrest Three in ‘Hell Money’ Cryptocurrency Scam

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Hong Kong police have arrested three men at a currency exchange shop in Tsim Sha Tsui, a major tourist area, for allegedly presenting “hell money” to a customer, leading the customer to transfer approximately HK$1 million ($128,206) worth of cryptocurrency in exchange for cash. The suspects, aged between 31 and 34, were detained on suspicion […]

Bitcoin to Reach $420K by Decade’s End, Says Ric Edelman

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Ric Edelman, founder of Edelman Financial Engines, forecasts bitcoin will reach $420,000 by the decade’s end. He explained that if 1% of the world’s $738 trillion in financial assets were allocated to bitcoin, it would result in $7.4 trillion in inflows, raising bitcoin’s price to $420,000. Ric Edelman’s $420K Bitcoin Prediction Ric Edelman, a financial […]

Latam Insights: El Salvador Embraces Geothermal Bitcoin Mining, Bitfarms Expands Its Capacity in Paraguay

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Welcome to Latam Insights, a compendium of Latin America’s most relevant crypto and economic news during the last week. In this issue: El Salvador produced nearly 474 bitcoin using geothermal energy, Bitfarms expanded the capacity of its Paraguayan bitcoin mining facility, and Bitso launched an in-house Web3 wallet. El Salvador Reportedly Mined Nearly 474 BTC […]

DTCC Smart NAV Pilot Utilizes Chainlink for Blockchain-Based Mutual Fund Data

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The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) has announced the successful completion of its Smart NAV pilot, leveraging Chainlink’s technology to enhance its Mutual Fund Profile Service I (MFPS I). The initiative aims to bring trusted data to blockchain ecosystems, facilitating more efficient data dissemination and consumption. Chainlink Boosts DTCC’s Smart NAV Pilot DTCC’s Smart […]

Novogratz Predicts Bitcoin Trading Between $55K-$75K This Quarter

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Bitcoin is expected to trade within a narrow range this quarter, according to Michael Novogratz, founder of Galaxy Digital Holdings Ltd. “Bitcoin, ethereum and everything else, solana will consolidate,” he said last week, adding that it means BTC will probably trade “somewhere between $55,000 and $75,000 until the next set of circumstances, the next set […]

Skybridge’s Scaramucci: Institutional Adoption of Bitcoin Is Happening Now

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Anthony Scaramucci, founder of Skybridge Capital, believes that the institutional adoption of bitcoin is happening now. Highlighting recent developments like the State of Wisconsin Investment Board investing in Blackrock’s spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), he predicts that other pension funds will make similar announcements. “Bitcoin now has the regulatory approval and I think that was […]

World Bank to Issue CHF Digital Bond Settled Using Swiss Franc Central Bank Digital Currency

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The World Bank has announced that it will issue its first CHF digital bond on June 11. This 7-year, CHF 200 million ($219 million) bond is the largest CHF issuance by the World Bank since 2009. It utilizes distributed ledger technology and settles using Swiss Franc wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) from the Swiss […]

US Authorities Arrest Chinese Nationals Allegedly Behind Crypto Scam Network

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An indictment unsealed in the Central District of California charges two Chinese nationals, Daren Li and Yicheng Zhang, with leading a scheme to launder at least $73 million tied to an international crypto investment scam, often known as “pig butchering.” Li and Zhang allegedly managed a global network that laundered proceeds from fraudulent crypto investments, […]

Russia and Iran Collaborating on Single BRICS Currency, Iranian Ambassador Says

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Russia and Iran are collaborating on creating a single BRICS currency, the Iranian ambassador to Russia has claimed. He noted that over 60% of the two nations’ bilateral trade is conducted in Russian rubles and rials, reflecting a shift away from the U.S. dollar. Russia-Iran Trade Flourishes With National Currencies Iran and Russia are reportedly […]

Economist Jim Rickards Predicts Gold Price Exceeding $27,000 — Says: ‘It’s Not a Guess. It’s Rigorous Analysis’

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Economist Jim Rickards forecasts that gold prices could surpass $27,000, emphasizing that this projection is not made for attention or shock value. “It’s the result of rigorous analysis,” he clarified. This represents a significant increase from his previous estimate of $15,000 by 2026. Jim Rickards’ $27K Gold Prediction Explained Economist Jim Rickards shared his prediction […]

Dolce & Gabbana Sued Over $6,000 NFTs Losing 97% Value

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Dolce & Gabbana USA Inc. faces a lawsuit from a customer who claims the non-fungible tokens (NFTs) he bought for $6,000, which included metaverse outfits, lost 97% of their value due to delivery failures by the luxury fashion house. The complaint, filed in Manhattan federal court, alleges the NFTs were promoted with various digital, physical, […]

‘Big Short’ Investor Michael Burry Goes Hard on Gold, Invests $10 Million in Q1

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Michael Burry, an investor famous for making a fortune by anticipating the 2007 subprime mortgage crisis, made a sizable bet on physical gold. According to regulatory filings, Burry’s Scion Asset Management purchased over 440,000 Sprott Physical Gold Trust units, a closed-end fund that invests and holds its assets in physical gold bullion. Big Short’s Investor […]

Ontario ‘Crypto King’ Faces Major Fraud and Money Laundering Charges

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The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) announced on May 15 that two Ontario residents have been charged with offenses under the Criminal Code of Canada as part of Project Swan, a joint investigation by the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) and the OSC. Aiden Pleterski, self-proclaimed “Crypto King,” is charged with fraud over $5,000 and laundering […]

Could Société Générale be Acquired?

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Emmanuel Macron's statements about a potential acquisition of Société Générale by the Spanish bank Santander shook the banking world. The prospect seems unlikely for now, but it has revived speculation about consolidation in the European banking sector. A Banking Sector in Turmoil During an interview with Bloomberg TV, Emmanuel Macron raised the possibility of a French bank being acquired by another European institution. Although he did not explicitly mention Société Générale, his comments were enough to stir the sector. "It's part of the market, acting as Europeans means you need consolidation," he said. This simple sentence was enough to trigger renewed interest around the French bank. Société Générale stands out among the large banks listed on the CAC 40 due to its low market capitalization. With a capitalization of 22 billion euros, it is valued much lower than its competitors BNP Paribas (80 billion euros) and Crédit Agricole SA (47 billion euros). This low valua...

Caught Out by Temu: European Complaint Against the Platform

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Several European consumer associations have lodged a complaint against the Chinese online shopping platform Temu. Accused of manipulating internet users and violating European regulations, Temu is facing severe criticism for its misleading interface and questionable pricing practices. Deceptive Practices Denounced by the Associations Since its arrival in Europe, Temu has rapidly gained popularity, attracting over 75 million monthly users thanks to its attractive prices. However, this meteoric rise has been accompanied by numerous complaints from consumers and associations. In France, UFC-Que Choisir, a member of the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), has highlighted the platform's multiple violations. Monique Goyens, Director General of BEUC, stated that Temu is "riddled with misleading interfaces – dark patterns – to push consumers to spend more on the platform." Consumer associations have identified several problematic practices on Temu. Among these, users are offer...

Legendary Investor Tim Draper Leads Bitcoin Lending Protocol Zest’s $3.5 Million Seed Round

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Draper Associates, the VC firm led by the legendary investor Tim Draper, has led the $3.5 million seed round of Zest Protocol, a Stacks-based Bitcoin lending market. The round, which also had the participation of Binance Labs, Flow Traders, Trust Machines, and others, seeks to allow bitcoin holders to put their capital to use using […]

Juno Addresses Banking Service Disruption — ‘This Is Outside Our Control’

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Juno Finance acknowledges the disruption in banking services and is collaborating with its brokerage and banking service providers, Synapse and Evolve Bank & Trust, to restore full service as soon as possible. Juno is a financial platform that integrates checking and savings accounts with cryptocurrency trading. “Currently, Evolve Bank & Trust has frozen all card […]

DOJ’s Unlawful Interpretation Threatens Bitcoin and Crypto Innovation, Lawmakers Warn

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Two U.S. senators have criticized the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s new interpretation of “money transmission,” which extends requirements to non-custodial software, citing concerns over its impact on crypto networks and financial innovation. “I’m concerned the DOJ’s interpretation would treat software developers as criminals for merely writing and publishing code used by others,” one of the […]