Blockchain & Digital Assets

November 20, 2024 @ 10:57 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) intends to explore strategic opportunities to spin-out its wholly-owned technology platform, GS DAP from its Digital Assets business, to “ultimately” become an “industry-owned” distributed technology solution, subject to regulatory approvals. Goldman Sachs has also introduced a collab with partners to underscore a… Read More

November 20, 2024 @ 10:54 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Securitize, the tokenization platform bringing the world onchain, today announced the launch of its new “sToken”, based on ERC-4626 vault technology. This functionality, offered via subsidiary Securitize Credit, in partnership with Elixir’s “deUSD RWA Institutional Program” reportedly unlocks yield-opportunities and “composability for more than $1B… Read More

November 20, 2024 @ 9:00 am By JD Alois  |  

Webull is working with Coinbase Derivatives to offer crypto futures, according to a note from the firm. Webull is a digital brokerage that allows investors to purchase shares, ETFs, and other investments, including crypto. It is controlled by China-based holding company Hunan Fumi Information Technology,… Read More

November 20, 2024 @ 7:35 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Paxos, a regulated blockchain and tokenization infrastructure platform,  announced it has agreed to acquire Membrane Finance, an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) based and licensed in Finland. The acquisition is subject to “regulatory approval.” After the completion of the acquisition, Paxos will be a “fully licensed”… Read More

November 19, 2024 @ 10:28 pm By JD Alois  |  

WBTC, a wrapped version of Bitcoin that enables access to the Ethereum network, is being de-listed on Coinbase. The suspension of the digital asset will take place on December 19th. At the same time, Coinbase listed cbBTC, a digital asset that utilizes Arbitrum. The WBTC… Read More

November 19, 2024 @ 7:55 pm By JD Alois  |  

Nexbridge, in partnership with Bitfinex Securities, will offer tokenized US Treasuries, according to a release. The digital securities will utilize Bitcoin’s Liquid Network and Blockstream’s AMP technology. USTBL is said to be the first regulated offering for “US Treasury exposure” built on Bitcoin tech. The… Read More

November 19, 2024 @ 1:20 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Ilya Lichtenstein was sentenced to 60 months for his alleged role in laundering more than 120,000 Bitcoin, which was reportedly stolen from the crypto exchange Bitfinex in 2016. This was the sentence recommended by Department of Justice (DOJ) attorney Jessica Peck. Lichtenstein’s wife, Heather “Razzlekhan” Morgan, is… Read More

November 19, 2024 @ 1:08 pm By JD Alois  |  

Robinhood (NASDAQ:HOOD) has acquired TradePMR, a registered investment advisor (RIA) with $40 billion in assets under administration based in Florida. TradePMR is said to have “one of the strongest RIA networks in the industry.” The goal is customer acquisition, and the two companies plan to build… Read More

November 19, 2024 @ 10:12 am By JD Alois  |  

Shares of Bakkt (NYSE:BKKT) continue to trade higher following a report by the FT that the crypto firm may be in talks to be acquired by Trump Media. Bakkt, founded by ICE – the parent company of the NYSE, once had high hopes of becoming… Read More

November 18, 2024 @ 10:05 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

A Bengali man was recently taken into police custody, allegedly in connection with the massive $235 million WazirX crypto hack reported earlier this year. Delhi authorities (in India) apparently made a significant breakthrough in the WazirX hacking incident, by arresting a suspect residing in West… Read More

November 18, 2024 @ 10:04 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

South Korean authorities are reportedly investigating crypto exchange Upbit for numerous KYC (Know Your Customer) violations. Due to these reported compliance failures at the Korean exchange, Upbit might have to pay fines as high as $71,500 for each case along with potential issues with its… Read More

November 18, 2024 @ 10:01 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Christian Catalini, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer at Lightspark, Founder at MIT Cryptoeconomics Lab (as well as previously the Co-Creator of failed Facebook-led Diem / Libra projects), explained that stablecoins are considered to be a novel form of interoperable and programmable money. 1/ Stablecoins, a… Read More

November 18, 2024 @ 5:13 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Robinhood Crypto, a division of Robinhood Markets (Nasdaq: HOOD), expands its offering with Solana (SOL), Pepe (PEPE), Cardano (ADA) and XRP (XRP) for U.S. customers. Robinhood Crypto’s commitment to expanding access whole also maintaining a safe platform now deepens with the addition of 4 digital assets…. Read More

November 18, 2024 @ 11:42 am By JD Alois  |  

MiCA, or Markets in Crypto Assets regulation, is a transformative change in the European Union that provides regulatory clarity for digital assets that are not deemed to be securities. As the market is quite large, MiCA should help boost crypto innovation in the region—something other regions, like… Read More

November 18, 2024 @ 11:25 am By JD Alois  |  

Ai16z and Ryze Labs have revealed a new incubator, the AICombinator program. The new partnership is described as the first venture capital firm run by autonomous AI agents investing in AI-driven innovation. Ryze Labs invests in blockchain tech around the world. Initially, the program will… Read More

November 18, 2024 @ 8:50 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Gurvais Grigg, a former Special Agent and senior executive for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) with 30+ years of public and private sector experience, is now serving as the Global Public Sector CTO at Chainalysis, where his work assists law enforcement (LE) and other… Read More

November 17, 2024 @ 10:35 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Revolut is expanding its crypto offering to 30 new markets across Europe. Revolut, the London-headquartered Fintech firm, has reportedly expanded its standalone crypto trading platform, Revolut X, to various other markets across Europe. Introduced earlier in 2024 in the United Kingdom, Revolut X aims to… Read More

November 17, 2024 @ 9:30 pm By JD Alois  |  

In a move to expand its operations, Crypto.com has acquired Fintek Securities Pty Ltd. (Fintek), a brokerage service and trading company that holds an Australian Financial Services Licence and is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Founded in 2016, Crypto.com reports over… Read More

November 17, 2024 @ 9:13 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) is acquiring team to accelerate onchain payments. This strategic move aligns with a global Fintech trend in the payments sector that’s focused on enabling stablecoin transactions across borders with minimal cost and greater overall efficiency as… Read More

November 17, 2024 @ 9:08 pm By Michael Wong  |  

A group of prominent Philippine financial institutions has teamed up with Web 3.0 fintech firm JUST Finance to introduce PHPX, the first bank-collateralized Philippine Peso stablecoin. This initiative, led by UnionBank of the Philippines (UBX), RCBC, Cantilan Bank, and Rural Bank of Guinobatan, along with… Read More