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2023-04-04 12:49:45 THE LATEST CRYPTO NEWS FROM CNS

Ethereum Archive Node service shuts down, saying it ‘succeeded’

Ethereum mainnet archive node service ArchiveNode.io says it will be shutting down, claiming that the project has been a success.

On April 4, ArchiveNode.io announced it was “sunsetting” its services after more than three years of providing free Ethereum mainnet archive node services to developers, students and researchers.

An Ethereum Archive Node is an instance of an Ethereum client configured to build an archive of all historical states. This type of node is a useful tool for querying historical blockchain data that is not accessible on full nodes.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/ethereum-archive-node-service-shuts-down-saying-it-succeeded


Bakkt completes $200M acquisition of Apex Crypto

Bakkt has completed its acquisition of Apex Crypto LLC, the blockchain technology platform announced on April 3. In November, Bakkt stated it would pay $55 million in cash, along with stock worth an estimated $145 million, for the trading platform.

Launched in 2019, Apex Crypto is an integrated platform that handles execution, clearing, custody, cost basis and tax services for its 30 clients. The firm has facilitated $12.5 billion in digital assets trades since its inception.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/bakkt-completes-200m-acquisition-of-apex-crypto


KuCoin Wallet spins off from KuCoin exchange, rebrands as Halo Wallet

Decentralized wallet KuCoin Wallet announced on April 3 that it has rebranded as Halo Wallet and launched a new SocialFi ecosystem. According to the announcement, the newly independent Halo Wallet received a fresh round of financing from several investors, including KuCoin Ventures, IDG, HashKey Capital, and other Web3 strategic partners.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/kucoin-wallet-spins-off-from-kucoin-exchange-renames-as-halo-wallet


SEC will conduct investor education events including 'cautious’ approach to crypto

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission has announced a series of educational events targeting underrepresented communities and others — but suggested participants would be taught to “exercise caution” on crypto.

In an April 3 announcement, the SEC said it would reach out to groups including high school students, members of the military, older investors and native Americans in an effort to promote financial literacy. However, the financial regulator suggested its approach at such events could include “how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud” using cryptocurrencies.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/sec-will-conduct-investor-education-events-including-cautious-approach-to-crypto Open / Comment

2023-04-03 15:46:55

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2023-04-03 12:39:08 THE LATEST CRYPTO NEWS FROM CNS

Bitcoin liquidity drops to 10-month low amid US bank run

Bitcoin market liquidity has dropped to a 10-month low, despite a bullish quarter in terms of price gain. The liquidity dry-up is partly attributed to the bank run in the United States and the ongoing regulatory actions against crypto companies.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-liquidity-drops-to-10-month-low-amid-us-bank-run


Arbitrum to break up governance votes after community backlash

Ethereum layer 2 solutions provider Arbitrum has backtracked on its governance voting system following community backlash from token holders.

On April 2, the Arbitrum Foundation tweeted that its first governance proposal, AIP-1, “likely will not pass” and added its “committed to addressing the feedback received from the community.”

https://cointelegraph.com/news/arbitrum-to-break-up-governance-votes-after-community-backlash


Bitcoin Ordinals daily inscriptions surge due to ‘BRC-20 tokens’

A new daily all-time high has been recorded for the number of Ordinals inscribed on the Bitcoin network due to a recently launched “token standard” for the blockchain.

Bitcoin Ordinals reached 58,179 inscriptions on April 2, smashing the previous all-time high of 31,692 on March 9 by 83.5%, according to Dune Analytics data.

The surge is believed to be driven by the recent creation of “Bitcoin Request for Comment” (BRC-20) tokens on the Ordinals protocol by a pseudonymous on-chain analyst named Domo in early March.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-ordinals-daily-inscriptions-surge-due-to-brc-20-tokens


Nifty News: Trump NFTs pump after indictment, Q1 trading volume hits $4.7B and more

Following news of a New York Grand Jury voting to indict former president Donald Trump on March 30, the floor price for the officially licensed Trump Digital Trading Cards nonfungible token (NFT) project pumped.

According to data from OpenSea, NFT traders were seemingly spurred into action by the announcement, with the floor price moving from 0.46 Ether or $835 at current prices, to as high as 0.6 ETH ($1090) on the same day.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/nifty-news-trump-nfts-pump-after-indictment-q1-trading-volume-hits-4-7b-and-more


Uniswap v3 code free to fork as BSL expires

Developers are now allowed to fork Uniswap v3 protocol as its Business Source License (BSL) expired on April 1, shows protocol documentation. The expiration was a much-anticipated event within the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem, enabling developers to deploy their own decentralized exchange (DEX).

The BSL license lasts for a limited period before becoming completely open source. The purpose is to protect the author’s right to profit from their creations. Uniswap v3’s license was released in 2021 for two years, preventing its code from commercial use. A new license called a “General Public License” now applies to the protocol.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/uniswap-v3-code-free-to-fork-as-bsl-expires Open / Comment

2023-04-02 19:34:34 https://youtube.com/live/i6QgjpaUIz4 Open / Comment

2023-03-31 13:28:42 THE LATEST CRYPTO NEWS FROM CNS

FTX EU launches withdrawal website to pay back European users

The European arm of FTX, FTX EU has launched a website to allow European customers to submit withdrawal requests.

It comes nearly five months after the global trading platform collapsed and went bankrupt in early November.

The new website domain name — https://ftxeurope.eu/ — was reportedly approved by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission according to a report in Finance Magnates.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/ftx-eu-launches-withdrawal-website-to-pay-back-european-users


Australian ‘Big Four’ bank ANZ halts cash withdrawals from many branches

ANZ, one of Australia’s “Big Four” banks, will cease facilitating withdrawals and deposits from a number of its Australian branches as it looks to push its customers toward using an ever-dwindling number of ATMs and deposit machines.

The decision has received pushback, with critics such as Patricia Sparrow, CEO of the Council on the Ageing, telling The Australian that the change could disproportionately affect older people who are less capable of going digital. Others have suggested it would make fiat users more susceptible to technical issues. The move has also renewed fears of a push to eliminate cash and that cash could soon be replaced by central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

https://cointelegraph.com/news/australian-big-4-bank-anz-halts-cash-withdrawals-from-many-branches


UK government announces ‘robust’ crypto regulation as part of economic crime plan

The government of the United Kingdom has laid out plans to step up regulation of crypto assets in its efforts to respond to economic crime in the country.

In a policy paper released on March 30, the U.K. Treasury and Home Office said it planned to “robustly” regulate crypto to fight illicit use of digital assets. The focus on regulation was part of the government’s economic crime plan from 2023 to 2026, which also included pooling “the knowledge and abilities of law enforcement agencies” to review and strengthen how crypto assets involved in legal proceedings may be seized and stored.

“These steps will be in keeping with our ambition to make the U.K. an attractive destination for cryptoassets and cryptoasset innovation in the world,” said the plan. “Challenging as it is, effective cryptoasset regulation benefits everyone, including consumers and firms.”

https://cointelegraph.com/news/uk-government-announces-robust-crypto-regulation-as-part-of-economic-crime-plan


Boerse Stuttgart Digital subsidiary receives final approval for crypto custody

Boerse Stuttgart Digital, the digital asset brand of the Boerse Stuttgart exchange group, announced March 30 that its blocknox service had received final licensing from the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) to operate as a crypto custodian. Boerse Stuttgart Group now offers fully regulated brokerage, trading, and custody of digital assets, it said.

Its final licensing makes Boerse Stuttgart Digital the first “established market participant […] Licensed to hold cryptocurrencies in custody without any acquisitions,” Boerse Stuttgart Group CEO Matthias Voelkel said. Boerse Stuttgart Digital said European banks, brokers, asset managers and family offices could incorporate its services into their own offerings. It operates exchanges in Germany, Sweden and Switzerland and has an office in Ljubljana, Slovenia, as well.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/boerse-stuttgart-digital-subsidiary-receives-final-approval-for-crypto-custody Open / Comment

2023-03-31 00:14:06 https://www.youtube.com/live/YnbUL7Wc4ds?feature=share Open / Comment

2023-03-30 12:53:04 THE LATEST CRYPTO NEWS FROM CNS

Hong Kong fund plans to raise $100 million for crypto investment

As Hong Kong is again opening up to the crypto market, local investors are launching a $100 million fund to finance the digital industry. The new fund, ProDigital Future, will aim at early-stage Web3 companies oriented at the regional market.

According to a Bloomberg report from March 30, ProDigital Future has finished its half-year fundraising period with about $30 million in its pockets. However, it plans to raise $100 million by the end of 2023.

The fund is led by Ben Ng, a partner at Hong Kong-based equity firm SAIF Partners, and Curt Shi, a long-time tech investor from China. At this point, Sunwah Kingsway Capital Holdings and Golin International Group have already hopped in to support the fund.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/hong-kong-fund-plans-to-raise-100-million-for-crypto-investment


Matt Damon reveals why he appeared in Crypto.com’s most infamous ad

Hollywood star Matt Damon has finally opened up on why he appeared in cryptocurrency exchange Crypto.com’s infamous “Fortune Favors the Brave” advertisement, which was once the subject of relentless mockery.

Speaking to the Associated Press on March 27 at the premiere of his new film, Damon appeared somewhat abashed as he explained his reason for appearing in the ad. He said it was mainly because his clean water initiative, Water.org, was indire financial circumstances

https://cointelegraph.com/news/matt-damon-reveals-why-he-appeared-in-crypto-com-s-most-infamous-ad


OKX plans Australian expansion, citing ‘huge appetite’ for crypto

Seychelles-based crypto exchange OKX has signaled its intention to expand its crypto services to Australia, a country it believes is primed to take on the next wave of crypto adoption.

The trading platform explained in a March 29 statement that Australia would be a key growth market for the firm moving forward. The firm states it provides services to over 100 countries. In August 2018, OKXexpanded its operations into Malta, and last July, it secured a provisional license in Dubai.

“We see Australia as an indispensable part of this strategy and a key growth market. With such a strong uptake of crypto in Australia already, we’re committed to the local market and aim to build a strong local office,” the firm wrote in a statement.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/okx-seeks-australian-expansion-citing-huge-appetite-for-crypto


Elon Musk and tech execs call for pause on AI development

More than 2,600 tech leaders and researchers have signed an open letter urging a temporary pause on further artificial intelligence (AI) development, fearing “profound risks to society and humanity.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, and a host of AI CEOs, CTOs and researchers were among the signatories of the letter, which was published by the United States think tank Future of Life Institute (FOLI) on March 22.

The institute called on all AI companies to “immediately pause” training AI systems that are more powerful than GPT-4 for at least six months, sharing concerns that “human-competitive intelligence can pose profound risks to society and humanity,” among other things.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/elon-musk-and-tech-execs-call-for-pause-on-ai-development


Web3 creators at a higher loss for royalties than anticipated

The nonfungible token (NFT) space has been a proven gateway for helping users take their first steps into the Web3 space. This is particularly true when it comes to artists and creators using Web3 tools to enhance their work.

However, new data from eBit Labs and LiveArt marketplace reveals that the loss of creator royalties over the past year in the NFT space could be higher than estimated.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/web3-creators-at-higher-a-loss-for-royalties-than-anticipated-data Open / Comment

2023-03-30 00:09:29 https://www.youtube.com/live/OFe91UBvWkY?feature=share Open / Comment

2023-03-29 13:33:19 THE LATEST CRYPTO NEWS FROM CNS

BitKeep completes compensation for $8M APK exploit, announces rebranding

On March 29, multichain wallet BitKeep announced that it had fully compensated users affected by the 7.2.9. Android Package Kit (APK) exploit that took place on Dec. 26, 2022. On the day of the incident, the 7.2.9. APK update for BitKeep was maliciously swapped by hackers, resulting in an estimated $8 million loss of funds from users who downloaded the malware.

According to BitKeep, 11,090 wallets affected by the incident have been fully reimbursed as of March 29. In addition, BitKeep says its customer service channels remain open to processing several “irregular” claims and appeals.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitkeep-completes-compensation-for-8m-apk-exploit-announces-rebranding


Australian senator introduces private bill to expedite crypto regulation

A new bill has been introduced to the Australian Parliament proposing regulations for providing cryptocurrency services in the country.

Senator Andrew Bragg submitted a private senators’ bill titled Digital Assets (Market Regulation) Bill 2023 to “protect consumers and promote investors,” which includes regulatory recommendations for stablecoins, licensing of exchanges and custody requirements.

Proposed regulatory changes are typically introduced by Australian ministers. However, as the Parliamentary Education Office stipulates, members of parliament can introduce private members’ or private senators’ bills, which can take months or years to pass through parliament.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/australian-senator-introduces-private-bill-to-expedite-crypto-regulation


Jake Paul-endorsed SafeMoon gets hacked after introducing a bug in upgrade

SafeMoon, a project previously endorsed by celebrities and social influencers like Jake Paul and Soulja Boy, announced its liquidity pool (LP) had been compromised. Without revealing further details about the attack, SafeMoon confirmed it is undertaking steps “to resolve the issue as soon as possible.”

Like many other crypto projects in 2021, SafeMoon was backed by numerous celebrities. However, a lawsuit from February 2022 alleged that musicians such as Nick Carter, Soulja Boy, Lil Yachty, and YouTubers Jake Paul and Ben Phillips mimicked real-life Ponzi schemes by misleading investors to purchase SafeMoon (SAFEMOON) tokens under the pretext of unrealistic profits.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/jake-paul-endorsed-safemoon-gets-hacked-after-introducing-a-bug-in-upgrade


Back on track: Kraken inks F1 crypto sponsorship deal with Williams Racing

Formula 1 teams could be warming to crypto advertising again despite a crypto sponsorship exodus in the wake of last year’s high-profile meltdowns.

On March 28, American crypto exchange Kraken announced that it was partnering with the Williams Racing F1 team in a new sponsorship and Web3 deal. The move marks the first major crypto company to ink a new deal in Formula 1 racing this year.

The deal will not only involve Kraken branding emblazoned on the Willams race cars, but branded team merchandise and nonfungible tokens (NFTs) for team fans to collect.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/back-on-track-kraken-inks-f1-crypto-sponsorship-deal-with-williams-racing


North Korean hackers using stolen crypto to mine more crypto via cloud services

The North Korean cybercrime operator APT43 is using cloud computing to launder cryptocurrency, a report from cybersecurity service Mandiant has found. According to the researchers, the North Korean group uses “stolen crypto to mine for clean crypto.”

Mandiant, a Google subsidiary, has been tracking the North Korean Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group since 2018 but has only now “graduated” the group to an independent identity. Mandiant characterized the group as a “major player” that often cooperated with other groups.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/north-koreans-using-stolen-crypto-to-mine-more-crypto-with-cloud-services-report Open / Comment

2023-03-29 00:04:13 https://www.youtube.com/live/q-iiQUKjwLM?feature=share Open / Comment