Editor's Choice
Bitfinex invested in the Plasma platform to scale the use of Tether (USDT) on the Bitcoin (BTC) blockchain with zero fees and DeFi support 🌍
Bitfinex has invested in the Plasma platform, which focuses on payments, real assets, and DeFi based on Bitcoin. The project’s goal is to create a zero-fee system for USDT transfers using Bitcoin as the underlying layer. Plasma supports fee payments in BTC, staking, and is compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine. This solution aims to expand Bitcoin's use in global payments and DeFi.Paolo Ardoino, CTO of Bitfinex and CEO of Tether, emphasized the importance of the investment for the continued development of the Bitcoin ecosystem.
Putin announced BRICS plans to introduce digital currency and create a cross-border payment system: 30+ countries ready to cooperate 💱
BRICS aims for global economic growth, emphasizing independence from external influences. At the summit in Kazan, new memberships will be discussed, with over 30 countries expressing interest in cooperation. Key initiatives include the creation of digital currency and a cross-border payment system to strengthen economic ties.Russian President Vladimir Putin noted the role of BRICS in the global economy. A new group with the participation of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE will become a counterbalance to the West. The use of digital currencies is also planned for financing investment projects.
The SEC has approved the trading of options on spot Bitcoin ETFs from Grayscale, Bitwise, Fidelity, and ARK, which may increase liquidity and attract institutional investors 💼📈
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved rule changes allowing the trading of options on spot Bitcoin ETFs. These products have already attracted billions of dollars in investments.According to SEC memoranda, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) will be able to list and trade options on the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC), and Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB). Cboe Global Markets has also received approval to trade options on the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB).Many believe that trading options on Bitcoin ETFs will increase institutional investor interest and improve liquidity. The SEC notes that this could reduce volatility and enhance market transparency.
BRICS presents a demo version of the decentralized payment system BRICS Pay for independent settlements, preparing for the summit in Kazan on October 22-24, 2024 💳
BRICS has presented the demo version of its payment system BRICS Pay ahead of the summit in Kazan from October 22 to 24, 2024.Russia, this year's BRICS chairman, is seeking to reduce dependence on Western financial systems. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has proposed creating an alternative to the IMF to protect against U.S. influence.BRICS Pay is seen as a key system for independent countries, allowing them to move away from the U.S. dollar. The system is decentralized and independent, demonstrating a shift away from the SWIFT system. Development has been underway since 2019 and is now gaining momentum.BRICS Pay will be used for retail payments and transfers, offering countries a new way of settlements.
Russian scammers hacked The Cryptomist's account on X to promote fake Web3 job offers 💻
Judge Emeka Nwite postponed the case of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive, to October 25 for an update on his health condition; the defendant, accused of laundering $35.4 million 💵, was absent from the hearing 🏥
Ether.Fi has integrated Chainlink Proof of Reserve on Ethereum for transparency and the protection of staked assets, ensuring full backing and providing real-time reserve data 💎
The Eigenlayer account on X was hacked: PeckShieldAlert reports phishing links with disguised previews and urges users to be cautious 🚨
Singapore’s DBS Bank launches DBS Token Services for real-time instant settlements through a permissioned blockchain network based on Ethereum Virtual Machine, focusing on liquidity management and process optimization 💼🌐
FBI uncovers "wash trading" scheme involving 4 cryptocurrency companies and market makers: over $25 million in cryptocurrency confiscated 💰
Eric Council Jr. arrested for hacking SEC account on X, triggering Bitcoin price surge by $1000 and subsequent drop by $2000 💻💸
The UAE introduces an affordable legal framework for decentralized autonomous organizations (DAO) with the possibility of remote registration and a starting cost of $3,000 🏦
Ambient Finance regains control of hacked website after attack using Inferno Drainer, funds and contracts remain safe 🔐
Blockaid's security service reported that the Inferno Drainer group was behind the attack on Ambient Finance. On October 17, the decentralized protocol's website was hacked, and users were advised not to interact with it. The attack only affected the domain, with customer funds and contracts remaining safe. The team has regained control but urged users to wait for permission to resume activity.Blockaid reported that the attack was well-planned, using the malicious software Inferno Drainer, which steals digital assets.
The organizer of a fraudulent site copying Coinbase Pro was sentenced to 60 months in prison for stealing over $20 million in Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) 🌐
Chirag Tomar, the organizer of the fake Coinbase Pro site, was sentenced to 60 months in prison. The scam, which started in June 2021, netted the perpetrators over $20 million stolen from victims worldwide.Tomar and his associates created a fake site mimicking Coinbase Pro and used phishing attacks to gain access to users' accounts, after which they withdrew cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin and Ethereum.With the stolen money, Tomar purchased luxury cars, expensive watches, and traveled around the world.The U.S. Department of Justice noted that the sentence should serve as a warning to cryptocurrency fraudsters.
The European Union threatens Elon Musk with fines of up to 6% of the global annual revenue of his companies, including X, SpaceX, and Neuralink, for violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA) 🌍💶
The European Union has threatened Elon Musk with significant financial sanctions concerning his social network X and other companies, including SpaceX and Neuralink. The reason is possible violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires strict content moderation and transparency.Fines could reach up to 6% of the global annual revenue, affecting not only X but also Musk’s other businesses.Although Musk recently avoided restrictions under another EU law, X is still under close scrutiny for content moderation, and potential fines could significantly impact his companies.
PayPal expands Venmo's capabilities: users in the US can now purchase cryptocurrencies Bitcoin and Ethereum on the MoonPay platform using bank transfers, Venmo balance, and debit cards 💳
On Thursday, the company announced that Venmo users in the US can now purchase cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum on the MoonPay platform. Venmo is a popular mobile payment app owned by PayPal. MoonPay is a service that allows people to buy, sell, or exchange digital coins and tokens.Venmo users can use their account balance, direct bank account debit, or debit card to fund MoonPay for cryptocurrency purchases. However, users in New York and Texas will not be able to access this feature.This innovation is part of PayPal's strategy to simplify access to cryptocurrencies for a wide audience.
Best news of the last 10 days
Central and South Asia and Oceania contributed $750 billion to global crypto assets from July 2023 to July 2024, with India leading global crypto adoption 🌏
TON Foundation announces partnership with Axelar to integrate Axelar Modular Decentralized Stack (MDS) and simplify cross-chain asset transfers between blockchains for Telegram users 📲
Users lost $1.6 million due to a fake Rabby Wallet scam in the App Store: investigation links the fraud to the Konpyl wallet and DeFi services 🔍💰
Kraken has opened the possibility of re-staking Ethereum (ETH) for clients outside the US using the EigenLayer protocol, offering additional rewards 🎉
HMSTR token from the Tap to Earn game lost 52% of its value, falling from $0.0118 USDT to $0.004226 USDT, despite the success of the Telegram mini-game with 300 million users 📉
The HMSTR token from the Tap to Earn game recently entered the cryptocurrency market but failed to meet expectations. Although the mini-game through Telegram attracted 300 million users, it did not achieve success in the cryptocurrency sector. The game launched earlier this year, and the HMSTR token appeared on the market last month. Due to delays, there was a buzz, but interest in the token dropped when the airdrop team did not distribute tokens to millions of users, which led to the price drop of Hamster Kombat.Before listing, the token was worth $0.0118 USDT, but on the day of listing, it fell to $0.009496 USDT. Currently, the price of HMSTR is below $0.1 and continues to decline, reaching $0.004226 with a market capitalization of $272.49 million, reflecting a 52% drop.
Dryden Brown launches "Praxis" project, raising $525 million to create a new city-state focused on cryptocurrency 💰🌆
Entrepreneur Dryden Brown has launched the "Praxis" project, aimed at creating a new city in the form of a network state to revive Western civilization. He has raised $525 million in funding to demonstrate the possibility of building a modern city in the 21st century as a model of technological progress.The project includes special economic zones for the development of cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology, creating conditions for innovation. Brown uses RWA (real-world assets) infrastructure to finance large-scale developments, inspired by the interest of major institutions in cryptocurrencies.Investors in the project include Arch Lending, GEM Digital, and other influential figures from the technology and crypto industry. Brown is confident that these partnerships will help realize the vision of Praxis — a sustainable and technologically advanced city in the Middle East.
Africa on the Path to Web3: 66% of the population is aware of cryptocurrencies, blockchain companies attracted $34.7 million in the first half of 2024, stimulating the growth of cross-border payments and technology adoption 🌐💸
A report by EMURGO Africa and PwC showed that Web3 technologies are actively spreading in Africa, driven by major tech companies. According to KASI Insight, more than 66% of Africans have heard of cryptocurrencies, and only 18% learned about them for the first time during the survey. In the first half of 2024, the share of blockchain transactions in Africa reached 1.8%, and blockchain companies attracted $34.7 million, which is 9% higher compared to previous figures.The popularity of cryptocurrency cross-border payments continues to grow, accelerating the adoption of blockchain technologies in Africa.
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) launches Digital Assets Will service supporting ETH, BTC, MATIC, USDC, USDT, and HBAR on Hedera blockchain 📈🌐
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) unveiled a new set of digital services at GITEX Global 2024, including Digital Assets Will. This service allows for the distribution of digital assets through a non-custodial DIFC Courts wallet, supporting ETH, BTC, MATIC, USDC, USDT, and HBAR. Users can redistribute assets during their lifetime and transfer them in a will as “specific gifts.”The service complements existing types of wills and allows them to be created and registered online through a virtual registry. Also announced was a blockchain-based document notarization service powered by Hedera, ensuring document protection with cryptographic methods and storing them as NFTs.Additionally, DIFC Courts are updating their dispute resolution system with AI, providing the ability to conduct online meetings with mediators.