Bitcoin

Grayscale Investments has engaged the oldest bank in the U.S., BNY Mellon, to provide asset servicing for its bitcoin trust. The bank will also provide ETF services for the bitcoin trust upon its conversion to an exchange-traded fund (ETF). Grayscale Teams up With BNY Mellon Grayscale Investments announced Tuesday that it has selected the Bank

The secretary-general of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) secretariat, Wamkele Mene, says Africa will “one day have a common currency” via a proposed “Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).” He adds that such a currency will help “ease constraints of settling intra-African trade in foreign-denominated currency.” Challenges Ahead In comments recently carried by

JPMorgan has offered its view on the bitcoinization of El Salvador, the country which recently made bitcoin legal tender alongside the U.S. dollar. JPMorgan says, “It is difficult to see any tangible economic benefits associated with adopting bitcoin as a second form of legal tender.” JPMorgan on the Bitcoinization of El Salvador JPMorgan & Chase’s

The Miami-based Nifty’s, Inc. announced the launch of the project’s website which aims to reveal a non-fungible token (NFT) social platform focused on gathering mainstream attention. The company has also revealed it raised $10 million in a seed round from well-known investors like A&T Capital, Polychain Capital, Ethereal Ventures, Liberty City Ventures, Dapper Labs, Topps,

Nigeria’s peer-to-peer bitcoin trade volumes went up to just under $38 million in June 2021, the latest data shows. This surge becomes only the second time Nigerian P2P traded volumes have breached the $35 million mark in 2021. March 2021 is the only other period when P2P bitcoin traded volumes nearly surpassed the $38 million

Guggenheim CIO Scott Minerd has made another prediction about where the price of bitcoin will be, a lower estimate from his previous “real bottom” price prediction. The chief investment officer (CIO) of Guggenheim Partners, Scott Minerd, returned last week with another bearish prediction for bitcoin. Minerd is also the chairman of Guggenheim Investments, the global

China, which has arguably the most advanced digital currency project among leading nations, has so far handed out more than $40 million in red envelopes with digital yuan. The promotional campaign for the CBDC is currently focused on five major cities, taking into account their regional development priorities. Beijing Gives Away 269 Million Yuan in

The digital asset trading platform Crypto.com has announced the firm has become the first global cryptocurrency exchange to obtain an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). According to the announcement, Crypto.com’s EMI license will allow the firm to issue cards and bank transfers to consumers in the region. Crypto.com

U.S. Senator Patrick Toomey has declared investments in Grayscale’s bitcoin and ethereum trusts. His declaration shortly followed one by fellow congressman, U.S. Representative Barry Moore, who declared that he had invested in dogecoin, ether, and cardano. Senator Pat Toomey’s Cryptocurrency Investments A growing number of U.S. lawmakers are investing in cryptocurrencies or crypto-related investments. According

On Friday, the public interest law firm New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) filed an opening brief in the cryptocurrency case of James Harper v. Charles P. Rettig. The NCLA argues that Harper’s Fourth and Fifth Amendment constitutional rights were violated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The U.S. tax agency is accused of obtaining Harper’s

Riot Blockchain, a Nasdaq-listed mining company, reported Thursday on its Bitcoin production last month. The company’s numbers jumped a little more than 400% year-on-year, as a result of the increase in mining power. The recent mining crackdown in China is also helping companies like Riot to keep growing. The company plans to continue increasing its

According to the findings of the latest study by Disrupt Africa, the number of fintech start-ups based on the African continent grew to 576 in 2021. This figure represents a 17.3% jump from the 491 start-ups that were operating on the continent in 2019. Overall, the number of fintech start-ups in Africa has increased around

A Swedish man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in the U.S. for an investment fraud scheme involving cryptocurrency, including bitcoin. He defrauded thousands of victims of more than $16 million. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Thursday that a “cryptocurrency fraudster” has been sentenced to 15 years in prison “for securities

Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has become the first national legislature to release a non-fungible token. The special NFT has been created for the country’s new president, Isaac Herzog, who took office this week after his election in early June. Knesset Becomes First Parliament to Issue NFT Isaac Herzog received the token right before his inauguration

Bank of America has become the latest major bank to make a foray into the cryptocurrency sector. According to an internal memo, the bank has created a team dedicated to researching cryptocurrencies. Bank of America believes that it is “uniquely positioned to provide thought leadership” on cryptocurrencies and the technology behind them. Bank of America

The European Union is preparing to set up an anti-money laundering agency to coordinate national supervisory authorities. According to a media report based on EU documents, the bloc also plans to impose new rules to increase transparency for cryptocurrency transfers. Europe Steps Up Anti-Money Laundering Efforts on Union Level In response to calls for enforcement

Russian Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov has revealed that legislative amendments are being prepared on the confiscation of crypto assets. “A serious challenge is the criminal use of cryptocurrencies in our country,” he said. Russia is preparing amendments to the current legislation to allow for the confiscation of crypto assets found to be proceeds from crime,

A survey by Nickel Digital Asset Management shows that 82% of institutional investors and wealth managers are planning to increase their cryptocurrency exposure between now and 2023. The survey reportedly asked institutional investors and wealth managers from the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, and the UAE who currently have exposure to cryptocurrencies and digital assets about

South Korean banks are taking steps to bring cybersecurity to a new level as they try to keep up with fintechs and address new threats arising from their interaction with the crypto space. A number of institutions are adopting unprecedented measures including the integration of blockchain technologies, Korean media reported. South Korean Banks Boost Cybersecurity

The British Virgin Islands-based Bybit Fintech Limited has announced the cryptocurrency derivatives exchange is introducing an updated know-your-customer (KYC) policy on July 12. Bybit notes that it already had certain KYC requirements implemented, but the new system reform is meant to “improve security compliance for all traders.” Bybit Says Companies and Individual Clients Mandated to

Following the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) explaining the misuse of cryptocurrencies is a national priority last week, the bureau announced on Tuesday it hired its first-ever chief digital currency advisor. FinCEN’s acting director Michael Mosier detailed that Michele Korver will be the bureau’s new crypto expert and she brings “a wealth of digital currency

Elon Musk went after Bitcoin hater Warren Buffett recently, sharing what looked like a bullish crypto quote attributed to the billionaire investor. The tech entrepreneur, whose comments on social media have been moving crypto markets this year, later removed the post with the obviously fake Buffett statement. Elon Musk Finds Buffett’s ‘Best Financial Advice’ Tesla

Axie Infinity, an Ethereum based game, is now one of the biggest successes of the play-to-earn model. Featuring NFT’s like the game characters, the game monetizes breeding these characters and selling them. As a result, there is now a growing demand for Axies, whose stats can make them reach high prices in markets. This has

Equity strategists and portfolio managers were asked about what the price of bitcoin will be by the year-end. Almost half of the surveyed participants say the price of the cryptocurrency will fall below the $30K level but some believe it will rise to $60K. Year-End Bitcoin Price Expectations by Equity Strategists and Portfolio Managers Equity

Joe Biden wants to crackdown on ransomware according to statements he made on Friday, after hackers hijacked software from a Miami-based IT supplier called Kaseya. Hundreds of American businesses were affected by the breach as the attackers encrypted the files of some 200 clients. Biden said on Friday that he’s ordered an investigation into the

Prompt.cash, a bitcoin cash noncustodial payment processor, is adding a bunch of interesting functionalities. The payment processor now features a URL shortener that allows users to monetize content on any site on the net. Also, Prompt.cash added Paypal API integrations, making it easier for merchants to test Bitcoin Cash payments seamlessly. Prompt.cash Adds URL Shortener

The Angolan central bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) recently hiked the country’s benchmark interest rate from 15.5% to a record of 20%. The largely unexpected hike, which is one of the National Bank of Angola (NBA)’s attempts to curb inflation, marks the first time the benchmark rate has been increased since November 2017. Rising Inflation

U.S. lawmaker and bitcoin advocate Cynthia Lummis has indicated that cryptocurrency miners are welcome in Wyoming. In a recent interview, the senator defended bitcoin’s carbon footprint and later invited miners to her home state on social media. Crypto Mining Adapted to Non-Carbon Emitting Energy With the ongoing crackdown on cryptocurrency mining in China, companies in

On Friday, the bitcoin mining operation Greenidge Generation Holdings announced the company is expanding to South Carolina in order to develop the firm’s next bitcoin mining facility. Greenidge details that the carbon-neutral Spartanburg facility will be ready in 2021 or early 2022. Bitcoin Miner Greenidge Generation Plans to Expand to South Carolina Spartanburg, South Carolina,

Cardano has been added to Grayscale Investments’ large-cap cryptocurrency fund. It is now the third-largest component of the fund after bitcoin and ether. Grayscale Investments, the world’s largest digital currency asset manager, announced Friday the addition of cardano to its Digital Large Cap Fund (OTCQX: GDLC). Grayscale described this fund as “a passive, rules-based strategy