Editor's Choice
The UAE has approved new rules for security tokens and commodity contracts, integrating Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) into financial markets with strict requirements for investor protection 🔒
The UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has approved a new regulatory framework for security tokens and commodity contracts, integrating Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) into financial markets. Security tokens and commodity tokens based on real assets will enable more flexible and secure trading. The rules require that all tokens be recorded and managed through a secure distributed ledger, and that trades are conducted only on licensed platforms. Investor protection and issuer responsibility for the accuracy of information are also provided for.
The SEC revoked the SAB 121 directive, requiring the accounting of client crypto assets on companies' balance sheets, and directed them to follow FASB standards and international accounting rules 📊
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revoked the SAB 121 directive, which required banks and public companies to account for client crypto assets on their balance sheets. Instead, they must follow FASB standards or international accounting rules. The SEC also emphasized the importance of disclosing information on the protection of crypto assets held for third parties. This measure has faced criticism from the crypto industry and became the subject of a resolution in the U.S. Congress.
OKX receives preliminary MiCA approval to provide localized cryptocurrency services to over 400 million Europeans via its hub in Malta, with access to 240+ tokens and 60+ pairs with euros 🌍
OKX has become the first cryptocurrency exchange to receive preliminary approval under the MiCA regulation, which will allow it to provide localized cryptocurrency services to more than 400 million Europeans via its hub in Malta. Users will be able to access spot and OTC trading, as well as over 240 cryptocurrency tokens and 60 pairs with euros. The MiCA license simplifies access to digital assets for residents of all European Economic Area countries, supporting high standards of security and transparency.
Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos: The U.S. will become the global center of artificial intelligence, cryptocurrencies, and a superpower of manufacturing, strengthening national security and energy independence 🤖
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Donald Trump stated that the United States will become a "superpower of manufacturing" and the global center of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies. He emphasized the importance of developing new technologies and increasing energy independence. He also touched on immigration issues and strengthening border security. Trump confirmed the U.S. exit from the WHO and the Paris Climate Agreement, which provoked international criticism but aligns with his policy of national sovereignty.
Cynthia Lummis has become the chair of the Senate subcommittee on digital assets, planning to introduce bipartisan legislation for the regulation of cryptocurrencies and the creation of a Bitcoin reserve 💼
The High Court of Singapore has approved WazirX's restructuring plan to compensate 75-80 percent of user funds via tokens after the $235 million Lazarus cyberattack 🏛️
Hackers attacked the Nasdaq account on X and used it to promote the fake coin STONKS, whose price soared to $80 million but crashed after the scam was exposed and the fake account was deactivated 🚀
Upbit and Bithumb have agreed to pay 3.14 billion won for 596 cases and 377 million won for 124 cases respectively after outages due to the declaration of martial law in South Korea 💸
Coinbase defends its decision to delist Wrapped Bitcoin (wBTC) due to its connection with Justin Sun, stating that it poses a risk to user security and does not require legal grounds for reversal ⚖️
Kraken donated $111,111 in Bitcoin (BTC) to support Ross Ulbricht following his pardon by Trump, and a total of 93 donors have transferred 2.5 BTC to freeross.org, which is equivalent to $261,000 💰
The court in Texas overturned sanctions against the cryptocurrency mixer Tornado Cash, ruled that OFAC’s actions were an overreach, and changed the regulation of privacy technologies ⚖️
Crypto.com is launching its institutional cryptocurrency exchange in the U.S. with support for over 300 cryptocurrencies, ultra-low latency, and low fees for traders and institutional clients 💼
Donald Trump signed a full and unconditional pardon for Ross Ulbricht, the creator of Silk Road, convicted of drug trafficking and money laundering through Bitcoin on the "dark" network 💸
President of the United States Donald Trump signed a pardon for Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the "dark" network Silk Road, convicted in 2015 for drug trafficking and money laundering. Ulbricht received a life sentence, but Trump, who supported him, considered the sentence excessive. Silk Road sold drugs and other illegal goods using Bitcoin. The pardon was positively received by Ulbricht's supporters, including Congressman Tom Massie.
Telegram will exclude support for all blockchains except TON and make Toncoin the sole payment method for services, including Telegram Premium and Mini Apps, starting from January 2025 💬
Telegram will support only Toncoin and the TON network for its services, including Mini Apps. Starting from January 21, Telegram will stop using other blockchains and will only accept Toncoin for payments for services such as Telegram Premium and Telegram Ads. Developers of Mini Apps and channel owners will also receive rewards in Toncoin. Additionally, TON Connect will become the only protocol for connecting blockchain wallets to Mini Apps, limiting the use of other networks.
Robinhood Crypto expands services in Spain: now users can trade, stake, and invest in cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other tokens 🚀
Robinhood Crypto has started offering services in Spain, allowing users to trade, stake, and invest in cryptocurrencies. This is part of the company's strategy for expansion in the European Union after the introduction of the Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation. Robinhood has also released localized versions of its apps for Italy, Poland, and Lithuania, and in October 2024, it added the ability to transfer cryptocurrencies in Europe.
Coinbase may remove Tether from the platform in case of changes in cryptocurrency regulation in the USA 🇺🇸 if new laws require reserves to be stored in treasury bonds, said CEO Brian Armstrong 💰
Coinbase may remove the stablecoin Tether from the platform in case of changes in cryptocurrency regulation in the USA, said the CEO of the exchange, Brian Armstrong. He noted that new laws may require reserves to be stored in treasury bonds and regular audits. Coinbase has already removed Tether from the European platform due to non-compliance with MiCA standards. Tether's main business is focused on emerging markets, and the company plans to move its headquarters to El Salvador.
Best news of the last 10 days
Circle acquires Hashnote, the largest issuer of tokenized US Treasury bonds with over 1.3 billion USYC tokens, to integrate with USDC and simplify transactions 💰
Launch of AI Agent Solution on BNB Chain: tools for creating decentralized AI agents, new opportunities for developers, and competitions with prizes based on BNB 🤖
The SEC is creating a special group to develop clear regulatory policies for cryptocurrencies with the aim of improving registration and information disclosure, as well as protecting investors and stimulating innovation 💼
Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited has included Bitcoin and Ethereum in its treasury reserves while continuing the development of real asset tokenization with yields of up to 42 percent 📈
Wingbits raised $5.6 million to create rewarded flight tracking using cryptographically secure ADS-B receivers and a decentralized network ✈️
Startup Wingbits raised $5.6 million to create a flight tracking system with rewards using cryptographically secure ADS-B receivers. This will allow users to collect flight data and earn rewards, unlike the current model where data is collected without compensation. In total, the company raised $9.2 million, receiving support from Borderless Capital and Bullish Capital.
World Liberty Financial, supported by the Trump family, acquired four Ethereum Name Service domains, including trumpcoin.eth and erictrump.eth, on the eve of Trump's inauguration 💰
On January 19, 2025, World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency project supported by the Trump family, acquired four domains in the Ethereum Name Service (ENS), including trumpcoin.eth and erictrump.eth. The purchase took place on the eve of Trump's inauguration. This move may be part of a strategy for active involvement in the cryptocurrency market, especially after the release of the "Official Trump" token. The WLFI portfolio continues to grow, indicating the Trump family's ambitions in the crypto space.
World Liberty Financial invested $4.7 million in Wrapped Bitcoin and $48 million in Ethereum, increasing its ETH reserves to $109 million and the total volume of assets to $280 million 🚀
World Liberty Financial (WLF) made significant investments in cryptocurrencies, spending $4.7 million on Wrapped Bitcoin and $48 million on purchasing 14,403 Ethereum, which doubled their ETH reserves to 33,630 tokens worth $109 million. In addition to Ethereum and Bitcoin, the company also acquired cryptocurrencies such as Tron, Chainlink, Aave, and Ethena. As a result, the total volume of WLF's crypto assets now exceeds $280 million, reflecting the company's aim to diversify its investments.
President Donald Trump appointed Caroline Pham as Acting Chair of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which will oversee the regulation of digital assets 💼
President Donald Trump appointed Caroline Pham as Acting Chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). She expressed gratitude for the trust and emphasized the importance of maintaining effective markets. Pham is known for supporting "regulatory sandboxes" to test digital asset companies' products. She has also criticized bans on trading election contracts. Pham was appointed to the CFTC in 2021 and is one of the contenders for the permanent leadership of the agency.