Editor's Choice
Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, demands the case to be dropped: the court recognized sanctions against the platform's autonomous smart contracts as illegal and unfounded ⚖️
Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, filed a motion to dismiss the criminal case, referring to a court ruling that declared sanctions against the platform's smart contracts unlawful. The court stated that Tornado Cash's smart contracts are autonomous and cannot be subject to sanctions, as control over the platform was lost back in 2020. Storm claims that these facts render the charges baseless. He faces up to 45 years in prison, and the trial is scheduled to begin on April 14, 2025.
Tether is preparing to launch an artificial intelligence platform in 2025, expanding beyond USD stablecoins with investments in energy, bitcoin mining, and technologies 🤖
Tether, the operator of the largest stablecoin USDT, plans to launch an artificial intelligence platform in early 2025. This is part of the company's strategy to expand into new areas such as AI, energy, and bitcoin mining. Previously, Tether invested in the startup Northern Data, specializing in cloud technologies and AI. With a profit of $5.2 billion in 2023, the company is actively diversifying its business while maintaining leadership in financial technology.
Bitget and Fiat24 announced a partnership to develop PayFi: support for Ethereum, Bitget Token, and USD Coin, simplifying crypto payments and integrating blockchain solutions in 65 countries 🌍
Bitget announced a partnership with the Swiss fintech company Fiat24 to develop PayFi solutions, including support for Ethereum (ETH), Bitget Token (BGB), and stablecoins such as USD Coin (USDC). Bitget offers instant crypto payment services and cards for converting cryptocurrency into fiat. Fiat24 provides access to crypto-friendly banking services and Mastercard cards. The collaboration aims to popularize and simplify the use of crypto payments.
The financial giant BPCE will start offering its clients investments in Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies through its subsidiary Hexarq in 2025, after obtaining a license from the AMF regulator 💼
The financial giant BPCE will start offering investments in cryptocurrency through its subsidiary Hexarq, which received a license from the French regulator AMF. Bitcoin buying and selling services will be available to clients of Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Épargne banks through the Hexarq mobile application. This step aims to strengthen BPCE's position in the cryptocurrency market and attract new clients amid growing interest in crypto assets.
El Salvador added 11 bitcoins (BTC) worth $1 million to its reserves, despite an agreement with the IMF that restricts cryptocurrency purchases and requires a transition to US dollars for tax payments 💵
Bedrock launches brBTC, a new Bitcoin-based derivative asset for decentralized finance with yield generation through derivatives and restaking 🚀
Vivek Ramaswamy's account on X was hacked: scammers posted a false message about the partnership between the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and USUAL, leading to a 35 percent rise in the stablecoin 🚨
The SEC has approved the launch of Bitcoin and Ether ETFs by Hashdex and Franklin Templeton, which will track the prices of cryptocurrencies on the spot market and trade on Nasdaq and Cboe BZX 📈
Craig Wright found guilty of contempt of court and sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, after attempting a lawsuit over Bitcoin's intellectual property ⚖️
Hong Kong has granted licenses to four new cryptocurrency exchanges, including Accumulus GBA Technology and DFX Labs, reinforcing crypto regulation and supporting the development of digital assets in the region 📈
A federal court dismissed BiT Global's lawsuit against Coinbase, allowing the removal of WBTC from the listing despite claims of competition violation and the risk of control by Justin Sun ⚖️
Kraken launched the Ink second-layer network on Ethereum earlier than planned, receiving 25 million OP tokens from Optimism to enhance DeFi and user interaction 🚀
The Delhi court has demanded a new investigation into the $235 million WazirX hack, Binance delists the WRX token, and the platform prepares for a relaunch with improved services 🔄
The Delhi court has demanded a new investigation into the $235 million hack of WazirX, linked to the North Korean hacker group. Masood Alam was arrested for selling fake accounts via Telegram, but the main hacker remains at large. Binance also announced the delisting of the WRX token, which led to a 51 percent drop in its value. In response, WazirX announced the relaunch of the platform with improved services and the intention to become a decentralized exchange to restore market trust and confidence.
MetaMask, Mastercard, and Baanx launch MetaMask Card pilot to use cryptocurrency (USDC, USDT, WETH) on Mastercard in the EU, UK, Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia 💳
MetaMask, Mastercard, and Baanx have launched the MetaMask Card pilot project, which allows users to spend cryptocurrency directly from their MetaMask wallet wherever Mastercard is accepted. The card is available in the EU, UK, Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia. Unlike traditional crypto cards, the MetaMask Card does not require transferring funds to third-party accounts, enabling direct use of cryptocurrency for purchases. In the future, the card will be available in other countries and through Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Ethena entered into a strategic partnership with World Liberty Financial for the integration of the sUSDe token with Aave, which will improve liquidity and rewards for users on the platform 💥
On December 18, Ethena and World Liberty Financial, backed by Donald Trump, announced a strategic partnership. This includes the integration of the sUSDe token with Aave from World Liberty, allowing users to earn rewards in both sUSDe and WLF tokens. The partnership aims to enhance stablecoin liquidity and stimulate their use on the platform. This decision comes amidst challenges faced by the company, which recently raised investments from Justin Sun.
Elon Musk denied the allegations of Starlink devices being used by terrorists in India after two satellite dishes were seized in Manipur during drug smuggling and militant operations 🚫
Elon Musk denied the information that Starlink was used by terrorists in India. He stated that the company's satellite signals had never been turned on in India. The statement followed after Indian authorities seized two Starlink devices from militants in the state of Manipur. Authorities suspect that the devices were used for navigation by smugglers and requested information about the buyers from the company. Starlink continues to try to obtain permission to operate in India but faces strict security requirements.
Best news of the last 10 days
Jerome Powell after the Fed's 25 basis point rate cut: the economy is stable, inflation is close to the target, the rate has been lowered to a neutral level, caution in further rate cuts 📉
Former South Korean Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-guk sentenced to 6 months in prison for concealing cryptocurrency assets worth 10 billion won and manipulating income reports 💰
Crypto.com withdrew its lawsuit against the SEC after meeting with Donald Trump, during which proposals for a national Bitcoin reserve and cryptocurrency regulation in the US were discussed 💼
OKX has integrated with Dune for on-chain analytics: Solana leads with 73.5 percent of trading volume and 93.3 percent of users, and data on Ethereum, BNB, and other networks is available
Bitwise has launched a new staking product based on the Solana cryptocurrency with a yield of 6.48 percent and a fee of 0.85 percent on the Xetra exchange in Europe, offering favorable conditions for investors 🚀
Bitwise has launched a new staking product for Solana (BSOL) on the Xetra exchange in Europe with an annual yield of 6.48 percent and a fee of 0.85 percent, which is more profitable than its counterparts. The product offers staking rewards that were absent in the previous ESOL. In the US, the company is preparing to launch a spot ETF for Solana and expects approval by 2025. Bitwise's forecasts for the future remain optimistic.
ASIC filed a lawsuit against Binance Australia: 83 percent of clients were mistakenly classified as wholesale, more than 500 investors were deprived of key rights and financial protection ⚖️
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has filed a lawsuit against Binance Australia for the incorrect classification of more than 500 retail clients as wholesale. As a result, clients were deprived of the right to access informational documents and the dispute resolution system. ASIC accuses Binance of violating the financial license, ineffective client protection, and insufficient employee training. Binance has already paid 13 million Australian dollars in compensation, but ASIC demands fines and stricter regulation of the crypto market.
Richard E. Ptardio donated $69,000 to charity after the value of PTARDIO memecoins rose by 1765 percent and were subsequently sold 🎉
A parody account Richard E. Ptardio donated $69,000 to charity after the unexpected increase in the value of the PTARDIO memecoins gifted to him. On December 17, he received 700 million tokens and stated that he had no connection to their creation. Later, he decided to sell all the tokens and direct the proceeds to the Save the Children fund. Initially, the value of the tokens skyrocketed to $1 million but soon dropped to $258,000.
The United States has dismantled an international money laundering network for North Korea through cryptocurrency: a company from the UAE and two Chinese citizens fell under sanctions 💸
The United States has dismantled a money laundering network for North Korea through cryptocurrency. At the center of the scheme was the UAE-based company Green Alpine Trading, which helped convert digital assets into cash. Sanctions were also imposed on two Chinese citizens — Lu Huaiyin and Zhang Jian, who cooperated with a North Korean agent. The network was used to finance North Korea's nuclear program, as confirmed by international investigations.