Bitcoin News and Finance: What You Need to Know

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has accepted the application for a bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) filed by asset manager Blackrock. The move indicates the regulator is preparing to seriously consider a bitcoin ETF and could eventually set the stage for wider adoption of crypto assets and products. SEC Adds Blackrock’s Bitcoin ETF Application to Docket, Seeks Public Comments The U.S. securities regulator has officially accepted Blackrock’s application for a spot bitcoin ETF . Once it’s published in the Federal Register, the SEC will open a 21-day window for submission of public comments on the proposal and they will be posted on its website. The application’s addition to the SEC’s docket on Thursday marks the beginning of a long review process that will be closely followed by the crypto community and industry. Blackrock is the world’s largest asset management firm and the SEC process for its bitcoin ETF sends a signal about the future of crypto-based investmen...

Worldcoin, a startup that aims to build the “world’s largest identity and financial network as a public utility,” has reached two million sign-ups. The company, which uses its biometric World ID system to differentiate human beings, stated it has more than doubled the number of sign-ups since January when it reported having passed its first million. Worldcoin Passes 2 Million Sign-Ups The Worldcoin project, a startup building an identity database of users as a public utility, has reached two million sign-ups using its World ID protocol. The company — which is backed by Openai co-founder Sam Altman — reported that these sign-ups came via people registering from cities such as Barcelona, Berlin, Buenos Aires, New York, Seoul, and Tokyo, as part of the “ world tour ” announced in May. Overall, Worldcoin is registering more than 40,000 sign-ups each week. The World ID protocol requires using special hardware devices for users to register to prove their “uniqueness and humanness in a ...

Larry Fink, the CEO of the world’s largest asset manager, Blackrock, says crypto is so international that it will transcend any one currency. Regarding Blackrock’s bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the executive stressed: “We are working with our regulators because, as in any new market, if Blackrock’s name is going to be on it, we’re going to make sure that it’s safe and sound and protected.” Blackrock CEO Larry Fink Highlights Crypto’s ‘Differentiating Value’ Larry Fink, the CEO and chairman of Blackrock, the world’s largest asset manager, discussed cryptocurrency in an interview with CNBC on Friday. Blackrock filed to launch a bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on June 15. While the SEC has rejected all bitcoin ETF applications so far, many are hopeful that the securities regulator will approve Blackrock’s filing. “Over the last five years, more and more global...

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s former head of internet enforcement has warned that the ruling on the SEC v. Ripple case “resides on shaky ground” and will likely be reversed. “The Ripple decision grants to the institutional investor full SEC protection … However, the retail investor is not granted any SEC protection at all. This seems backwards to say the least,” he stressed. SEC v Ripple Ruling ‘Troubling on Multiple Fronts’ Former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) official John Reed Stark shared his analysis of the SEC v. Ripple ruling concerning XRP on Linkedin Friday. Stark is currently president of cybersecurity firm John Reed Stark Consulting. He founded and served as chief of the SEC Office of Internet Enforcement for 11 years. He was also an SEC enforcement attorney for 15 years. “The Ripple decision is troubling on multiple fronts,” he stressed, adding: IMHO, the decision resides on shaky ground, is likely (and ripe) for appeal, will likely ...

Central bank digital currency (CBDC) is a “massive threat” to liberty, Republican Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis is convinced. During an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, DeSantis vowed to send CBDC “to the ash heap of history” if he is elected President of the United States. DeSantis Tells Carlson CBDC is ‘Not Happening’ in America With Him as President Presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis reaffirmed his stance against the introduction of a central bank-issued digital currency such as a digital version of the U.S. dollar. Speaking with conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson on Friday, the candidate for the White House stated: If I am the president, on Day 1, we will nix central bank digital currency. Done, dead, not happening in this country. DeSantis pointed out that the U.S. Federal Reserve has been talking about CBDC and warned that the Fed may try to take unilateral steps in that direction. He doubted that the U.S. Congress would pass a bill all...

According to Nikolay Denisenko, the co-founder and CTO of the financial and earning application Brighty App, the digital version of the pound sterling can be a bridge that enables “easy conversions between different types of crypto, stablecoins, and digital currencies.” Furthermore, the digital pound — also known as britcoin — can potentially “make payments faster, more secure, and less expensive.” The Digital Pound’s Benefits Versus Its Vulnerabilities Nikolay Denisenko, a Revolut alumnus, nevertheless warned that britcoin just like any other central bank digital currency (CBDC) may be susceptible to cyberattacks. He also highlighted the public’s concerns over the digital pound project’s rumoured cost of $1.31 billion versus the benefits which the CBDC is expected to bring. Meanwhile, when asked about the probability of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approving asset management giant Blackrock’s Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETF), Denisenko highlighted Blackrock...