Bitcoin News and Finance: What You Need to Know

At the Token2049 conference in Singapore, Astar Network revealed it is joining forces with Polygon Labs to launch Astar zkEVM, a new Ethereum layer two scaling solution utilizing zero-knowledge proof technology. The collaboration aims to drive greater adoption of Web3 applications in the Japanese market and beyond. Astar and Polygon Launch zkEVM for Japan’s Web3 Rise The announcement details that the partnership combines Astar ‘s experience working with major Japanese companies like Sony and Toyota with Polygon ‘s highly scalable zk-powered infrastructure. Together, the teams plan to create an optimal platform for launching blockchain initiatives in Japan, where government leaders have voiced support for Web3 innovation. “As it stands today, Asia is one of the most forward-thinking regions in the world when it comes to Web3 adoption, and we are delighted to help Japan’s blockchain sector grow even faster via our collaboration with Astar,” said Polygon co-founder Sandeep Nailwal ...

Nearly $4.8 million has been used to fund cryptocurrency and blockchain education efforts in Kenya, the CEO of Tools for Humanity, Alex Blania, recently revealed. Blania also denied allegations that Worldcoin plans to sell users’ biometric data obtained via its eyeball-scanning orbs. More Funding on the Way Tools for Humanity (TFH), the organization supporting the development and growth of Worldcoin’s ecosystem, has so far invested nearly $4.8 million in Kenya, the software company’s CEO Alex Blania recently revealed. Speaking before the East African country’s parliament, Blania claimed that the money was used to fund cryptocurrency and blockchain education efforts. However, according to a report in The Star, TFH did not directly engage in such education-related activities. Instead, it relied on third parties and partners such as Strathmore University, the Blockchain Association of Kenya, the American Chamber of Commerce, and the Africa Blockchain Centre. According to Blania, TFH ...

Deutsche Bank, the largest bank in Germany by total assets, is collaborating with Swiss digital asset firm Taurus to provide clients with crypto custody and tokenization services. “As the digital asset space is expected to encompass trillions of dollars of assets, it’s bound to be seen as one of the priorities for investors and corporations alike,” said Deutsche Bank’s global head of Security Services. Deutsche Bank Entering Crypto Custody and Tokenization Space Financial giant Deutsche Bank is collaborating with digital asset technology provider Taurus to offer crypto custody and tokenization services, Taurus announced on Thursday. The digital asset firm stated in a press release: Deutsche Bank has entered a global agreement with Taurus … Deutsche Bank will leverage Taurus custody and tokenization technology to manage cryptocurrencies, tokenized assets, and digital currencies. A Deutsche Bank representative explained that the partnership means Germany’s largest banking institut...

Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has been criticized for pledging to help victims of Morocco’s devastating earthquake by airdropping its native crypto token. According to Action on Armed Violence’s Iain Overton, people affected by the earthquake are only interested in getting immediate assistance and not crypto. Binance Accused of Using Devastation to Prop Up Its Image , one of the top cryptocurrency exchanges globally, has been criticized over its decision to donate its crypto token known as BNB to Moroccans in places most affected by the recent earthquake. Some critics accuse Binance of using the devastation caused by the earthquake to boost its image. According to the Red Cross , Morocco’s 6.8 magnitude earthquake has killed more than 2,800 people and affected more than 300,000. In some places, like the isolated Atlas Mountains, entire villages were left almost completely destroyed. In response, well-wishers including Binance have pledged financial assistance. In a statement , ...

According to more than 250 documents sent to the media, the disgraced co-founder of FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried, said he feels like “one of the most hated people in the world.” The former CEO of the now-defunct crypto exchange further noted in his statements that “there will probably never be anything I can do to make my lifetime impact net positive.” Behind the Fall of FTX: Bankman-Fried’s Private Documents Point Fingers While under house arrest, Sam Bankman-Fried shared 250 pages of documents with journalist Tiffany Fong, who then provided some of the materials to The New York Times. In one specific X thread that Bankman-Fried never published, he said, “The truth is that I did what I thought was right,” but he didn’t believe there was any way he could change the public’s perception of him. Fong explained that Bankman-Fried shared the documents with her because she is an independent reporter and doesn’t “work for anyone.” According to The Times’ report, Bankman-Fried places a great d...

Since his arrest in April 2021, Roman Sterlingov, the alleged operator of the crypto mixing service Bitcoin Fog, has been defending his claimed innocence for more than two years. Recent court filings indicate Sterlingov’s legal team is challenging the Reactor software from Chainalysis, which was presented as evidence in the case. Sterlingov’s attorney contends that the Reactor’s heuristics have “no known error rates for, no rates of false positives, no rates of false negatives, nor any peer-reviewed paper attesting to their accuracy. Attorney Labels Chainalysis Methods as ‘Junk Science’ in Bitcoin Fog Trial A recent court filing from the lawsuit against Roman Sterlingov, who is accused of operating the crypto mixing application Bitcoin Fog, reveals that his attorneys are challenging the Reactor software from Chainalysis. Attorney Tor Ekeland labeled the Reactor software’s heuristics as “junk science” in court, as reported by Bloomberg. In the court document, Sterlingov’s legal team...

The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), a global provider of financial payment services, has announced that its central bank digital currency (CBDC) connector has entered beta testing stages. SWIFT reported that three central banks are already testing this interlinking solution, while more than 30 financial institutions are testing its various applications in a sandbox environment. SWIFT CBDC Connector Being Tested by 3 Central Banks The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), provider of the de-facto standard for cross-border financial settlements, has announced that three central banks are already testing its central bank digital currency (CBDC) interlinking solution. The connector, developed after the experiences that SWIFT accumulated during the first CBDC sandbox, completed earlier this year, aims to provide an effective solution for interoperability between already-existent fiat currencies and these new tokens. D...

Chief Executive Officer of Binance US, Brian Shroder, has left the company amid an ongoing regulatory crackdown and more job cuts. Shroder’s departure comes two years after he joined the American subsidiary of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by daily trading volume. Shroder Departs Binance US as Unit Eliminates Over 100 Positions The CEO of Binance US, Brian Shroder, has quit his job and has been replaced on the post by an interim appointment, the exchange’s Chief Legal Officer, Norman Reed, Bloomberg revealed in a report quoting a company spokesperson. Shroder is leaving while the Miami-based entity is reducing its workforce by a third, or more than 100 employees, amid persisting pressure from regulators that has hurt its business. Its monthly trading volume has fallen below early 2020 levels. Binance US’s market share dropped to 1.5% in June, according to digital assets market data provider Kaiko, and currently stands at around 0.6%, down from 2.39% in April of this...