Bitcoin News and Finance: What You Need to Know

U.K. Post Office’s Easyid app is adding the option to buy bitcoin starting this week. Through the free-to-use Post Office app, customers can access Swarm Markets, a regulated crypto exchange, to buy bitcoin and ethereum. Buy Bitcoin and Ether Using Post Office App The U.K. Post Office is introducing an option to buy cryptocurrencies via Easyid, its ID verification app. Post office customers who have verified their identity using the app can buy vouchers that can be redeemed for cryptocurrencies. The Easyid app will offer access to Swarm Markets starting this week, the Telegraph publication detailed, adding that the app has “tens of thousands of users.” Berlin-based Swarm Markets, a crypto trading platform regulated by German financial regulator, BaFin, announced Friday: Swarm Markets partnered with Yoti to offer Easyid mobile app users a safe and easy way to buy BTC and ETH vouchers via credit card or bank transfer — as well as access the world’s 1st licensed defi [decentralize

Greyp Bikes, a company founded by Croatian innovator and entrepreneur Mate Rimac, has integrated crypto payments into its online billing system. All of its high-tech cycling products can now be purchased using nine different coins thanks to a partnership with payment processor Paycek. Greyp Bikes Accepts Cryptocurrencies for Its Electric Bicycles Croatia’s Greyp Bikes, which is aiming to rank among technological leaders in the cycling world, has taken another innovative step. The company has introduced support for payments with nine major cryptocurrencies – BTC , ETH , BCH , XLM , XRP , DAI, EOS , USDT , and USDC – through a cooperation with Paycek, the country’s leading crypto payment processor. It recently announced : Greyp News Everybody! Cryptocurrencies can now be used to purchase Greyp bikes directly. “Greyp has always been at the forefront of technology in the biking world, so this was the next logical step to take in the further development of the brand,” the Sveta Nedel

On Sunday, digital currency markets have seen some slight improvements but overall since September 6, 2021, the $2.21 trillion cryptocurrency market capitalization is down 9.79% from $2.45 trillion. While dominant coins like bitcoin and ethereum have slid between 8-12% during the last week, a number of other digital assets have seen double-digit weekly gains and even double-digit percentage spikes during the last 24 hours. This Weekend’s Double-Digit Crypto Gainers The price of bitcoin ( BTC ) has faltered 8% during the last seven days and ethereum ( ETH ) has dropped by 12% during the week. Cardano ( ADA ) shed 4% and binance coin ( BNB ) lost more than 16% during the last seven days. The top ten crypto-asset XRP saw around 11.6% shaved off its market cap and dogecoin (DOGE) slid by 18.2% this past week. The only two crypto assets in the top ten standings include solana (SOL) up more than 26% this week and polkadot (DOT) up 5.5%. Prices taken for this weekend’s market update re

Arbitrum, a second layer expansion rollup for Ethereum, has breached the $1.5 billion of total value locked (TVL) in protocols using its services. The smart contract recorded an influx of more than 1 billion just today after a rumor started in social media that the protocol might be planning to issue its own token in the coming days. The second layer was launched on mainnet less than two weeks ago. Arbitrum Blows Past $1.5 Billion TVL Arbitrum, an L2 scaling solution for Ethereum, has reached a new milestone, breaking the $1.5 billion in TVL in less than two weeks since it launched in mainnet. It had a big influx of liquidity yesterday, with more than $1 billion entering the network according to info from L2Beat . Protocols in Ethereum are still adapting their structures to include Arbitrum services, but the layer has experienced sizable support, even when Ethereum heavy hitters like Compound and Aave still haven’t adopted it. Most users are flocking to the first farming platform

The head of the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub, Benoît Cœuré, has urged central banks to act now on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) to compete with initiatives in the private sector, including cryptocurrencies. “CBDCs will take years to be rolled out, while … crypto assets are already here,” he said. BIS Says Central Banks Need to Hurry up With CBDCs Benoît Cœuré, head of the BIS Innovation Hub, talked about central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) at the Eurofi Financial Forum, Ljubljana, Friday. He called on central banks to urgently develop CBDCs to compete with payment initiatives in the private sector, including cryptocurrencies. “Today, the financial system is shifting under our feet,” he explained. “Big techs are expanding their footprint in retail payments. Stablecoins are knocking on the door, seeking regulatory approval. Decentralized finance (defi) platforms are challenging traditional financial intermediation. They all come with different

After non-fungible token (NFT) sales soared during the month of August, the first week of September’s NFT sales has been awful. Statistics show the number of sales in mid-August tapped a high of 193,693 sales but plummeted 86% to 27,053 sales on September 10. Metrics from the most used marketplaces show that volume has slid considerably following the same fallout cryptocurrency market have felt during the last four days. NFT Sales and Trade Volumes Plummet So far, September has not been the best month for NFTs and sales in this space. Last month, non-fungible token (NFT) markets saw record sales and a number of individual NFTs from the hottest collections sold for top dollar. According to nonfungible.com ’s market history, on August 16, 193,693 sales were settled and that number subsequently fell 62% to 73,154 sales on August 22. However, from 73K sales spiked 88% to 138,109 sales on August 30 and ever since then, sales have been on a free fall to Friday’s 27,053 sales on Septembe

Cryptocurrency mining should be registered as entrepreneurial activity and taxed as such, according to Anatoly Aksakov, chairman of Russia’s parliamentary Financial Market Committee. The lawmaker also thinks Russian digital currency regulations need refinement. Amendments Likely to Affect Mining, Taxation, Definition of Digital Currency Discussing upcoming changes in the legislation regarding digital currencies in Russia, head of the Financial Market Committee in the State Duma, Anatoly Aksakov, expressed his opinion that cryptocurrency mining should be added to Russia’s register of entrepreneurial activities and taxed accordingly. The treatment of crypto mining and the taxation of cryptocurrency-related operations are among the areas that are likely to be affected by the legal amendments to be adopted during the fall session of the Russian parliament. Speaking to Tass news agency on the sidelines of the Moscow Financial Forum this week, Aksakov elaborated: Since this is a type o

The Zimbabwean minister of finance, Mthuli Ncube, has once again talked up the potential advantages of using cryptocurrencies. In new comments made shortly after visiting the DMCC Crypto Centre in Dubai, Ncube raises the possibility that the country might use cryptocurrency-based solutions to lower the cost of remitting funds across borders. Understanding Cryptocurrencies Prior to making these remarks about cryptocurrencies, Ncube has previously urged Zimbabwe to “invest in understanding emerging innovations like bitcoin.” At the time, Ncube, who had just been appointed finance minister, told Zimbabwean authorities to emulate countries like Switzerland which he said were “investing in and understanding bitcoin.” However, in his latest positive comments about cryptocurrencies, Ncube said: I visited the DMCC CRYPTO CENTRE in Dubai, which is a fascinating incubation hub for crypto currency and payment solutions. Came across solutions that could lower charges for diaspora remittance

Last March, the comic book publisher DC Comics told freelancers that intellectual property (IP) and characters owned by DC Comics were off-limits in regards to freelancers leveraging the IP for non-fungible token (NFT) asset sales. A recent report indicates that Marvel Comics has also told freelance artists that the sale of NFT products featuring Marvel’s IP is off-limits as well. DC Comics and Marvel Tell Freelance Artists to Hold Off on Auctioning NFTs Featuring Company’s IP A report published on Friday shows that the world’s largest comic book publisher Marvel Comics does not want artists to use Marvel’s products and IP for NFT sales. Back in March, Bitcoin.com News reported on DC Comics’ legal executive sending a letter to staffers and freelance artists telling them to cease and desist NFT initiatives that involved DC Comics’ IP. Before the letter went out, comic book artist José Delgo sold a Wonder Woman-themed NFT collection via Makersplace. “Please note that the offering f

Following El Salvador making bitcoin legal tender, a survey was conducted to ascertain whether U.S. adults support or oppose a similar move in the U.S. Among 4,912 adults who participated, 61% did not oppose. Majority of Adults in US Do Not Oppose Making Bitcoin Legal Tender, Survey Shows Yougov America Inc. conducted a survey Thursday to ascertain whether consumers are for or against adopting bitcoin as legal tender in the U.S. A total of 4,912 adults in the country participated in the survey. Yougov is an international research data and analytics group headquartered in London. Survey respondents were asked: “Would you support or oppose the U.S. making bitcoin a legal form of currency? This would mean that businesses would accept bitcoin in exchange for goods and services, in addition to continuing to accept the U.S. dollar.” According to the results, 11% said they “strongly support” and 16% said they “somewhat support.” Meanwhile, 11% said they “somewhat oppose,” 28% said they “

The chief investment officer of the world’s largest asset manager, Blackrock, says he could see bitcoin going up significantly. “I like assets that are volatile that have upside convexity,” he said. Blackrock CIO Sees Significant Upside to Bitcoin Rick Rieder, Blackrock’s chief investment officer (CIO) of Global Fixed Income, was asked Friday in an interview with CNBC about his view on bitcoin now that the cryptocurrency is legal tender in a country. Blackrock is the world’s largest asset manager, with about $9.5 trillion in assets under management (AUM) at the end of the second quarter. Rieder is also the firm’s head of the Fundamental Fixed Income business and head of the Global Allocation Investment Team. He is responsible for roughly $2.4 trillion in assets. Rieder began by commenting on the popular opinion that cryptocurrency is either “a hedge or an alternative [currency].” Regarding cryptocurrency as a hedge, he said, “I’m not sure it’s a really great hedge,” citing its co

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a warning about fraudulent investment schemes involving cryptocurrencies. The regulator notes that some investors may have fear of missing out (FOMO) given the rise in prices of some crypto assets in recent years. SEC Warns Investors of Crypto Scams The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy (OIEA) and Division of Enforcement’s Retail Strategy Task Force (RSTF) issued an Investor Alert on crypto investment scams last week. The notice explains that “Fraudsters continue to exploit the rising popularity of digital assets to lure retail investors into scams, often leading to devastating losses,” adding: Some investors may have FOMO [fear of missing out], given the rise in price of some digital assets in recent years, that they will miss an opportunity to become very wealthy. The notice outlines some warning signs of a scam. “Guaranteed high investment returns … with little or n

PRESS RELEASE. TALLIN, ESTONIA -T he most interesting event of this fall is the listing of DBX tokens , that will be available around the world at the beginning of the season. The long-awaited listing of DBX will take place on 7 of the world’s most famous exchanges. The good news is that you can buy, sell, and exchange tokens right now. Someone has already purchased them during the presale. Next, you can see the complete list of cryptocurrency exchanges, where the cryptocurrency will be available: DBX DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM BitMart (from September 10, 2021), among the top 20 largest exchanges on the planet; Lbank (from September 15, 2021), Chinese exchange, known all over the world ; WhiteBit (from September 20, 2021), licensed exchange in Estonia; Latoken (from September 25, 2021), a platform that is included in the top-10, due to the turnover since 2019 Probit (from September 30, 2021), one of the largest exchanges in Europe, winner of many awards. More info about DBX It is

The non-fungible token (NFT) industry has exploded in 2021 as millions of dollars worth of cryptocurrencies continue to be traded for these blockchain collectibles every single day. This week, Bitcoin.com News chatted with the popular American rapper Ja Rule about NFTs as he has partnered with James Cropcho and Robert Testagrossa to build a marketplace called flipkick.io. Ja Rule Speaks About NFTs and Bitcoin, Fyre Festival, and the NFT Marketplace Flipkick.io Yesterday, Bitcoin.com News spoke with recording artist Ja Rule , who is well known for his chart-topping albums and songs like the number 1 hit “ Always on Time ” (featuring Ashanti) in 2002. The musician is now involved with non-fungible tokens and helped form a unique NFT marketplace with serial entrepreneur Robert Testagrossa and engineer James Cropcho. Flipkick.io is a full-service NFT marketplace that caters to artists, celebrities, and creators who want to monetize their work with physical NFTs. I’ve been off my NFT’

Authorities in Iran are continuing their crackdown on unauthorized cryptocurrency mining as electricity demand remains high. The country’s power utility company has so far closed down more than 5,300 illegal mining facilities, seizing an enormous amount of coin-minting machines. Power Utility Confiscates More Than 216,000 Mining Units From Unlicensed Miners in Iran Preventing blackouts remains a priority in Iran where electricity consumption is still higher than usual. Cryptocurrency miners, the majority of which are operating without authorization, have been blamed for electricity shortages throughout the summer. The hot weather this year led to increased use of air conditioning while limited rainfall negatively affected hydropower generation. The Iran Power Generation, Distribution and Transmission Company, Tavanir , is constantly tracking down illegal mining operations across the country. According to a recent report by the utility, the number of crypto farms the state-run enti

Switzerland’s stock exchange SIX has won regulatory approval to launch its long-awaited bourse for digital assets. This authorization enables the exchange “to go live with a fully regulated, integrated trading, settlement, and custody infrastructure based on distributed ledger technology for digital securities.” SIX Digital Exchange Greenlighted to Launch SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) announced Friday that it has formally obtained two licenses from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) “to operate a stock exchange and a central securities depository for digital assets in Switzerland.” The announcement states: This authorization enables SDX to go live with a fully regulated, integrated trading, settlement, and custody infrastructure based on distributed ledger technology for digital securities. With these licenses, SDX can now offer the highest Swiss standards of oversight and regulation. “The digitalization of financial markets continues apace, and while t

The leader of a cryptocurrency scheme that swindled over $30 million from investors has pleaded guilty to fraud, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said. He now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Leader of $30M Crypto Scheme Pleads Guilty to Fraud The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Wednesday that Michael Ackerman has pleaded guilty to wire fraud. The Justice Department described that Ackerman is the leader of a “fake cryptocurrency investment scheme.” He “orchestrated a multimillion-dollar cryptocurrency investment scheme” and “admitted to causing victim losses of more than $30 million.” The DOJ elaborated: Ackerman, 52, of Sheffield Lake, Ohio, pled guilty today to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. According to court filings, in or around 2017, Ackerman and others started a purported cryptocurrency investment fund and recruited hundreds of investors. “The fund was an investment club that allowed its membe

The governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Shaktikanta Das, has once again expressed concerns regarding the impact of cryptocurrencies on India’s financial stability. Crypto Presents ‘Serious Concerns’ to RBI The Indian government is currently awaiting the Cabinet to take up the crypto bill. However, the country’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), still has major concerns about cryptocurrencies. Governor Shaktikanta Das reportedly said Wednesday: We have serious, major concerns on cryptocurrency with respect to financial stability, [and] have conveyed the same to government of India. This is not the first time the RBI chief has voiced concerns regarding cryptocurrencies. In June, he similarly said : “We have major concerns on cryptocurrency, which we have conveyed to the government. With regard to advice to investors, well, central banks don’t give any investment advice. It’s up to each investor to make his own appraisal, to do his own due diligence and take a

On Friday, Grayscale Investments, the world’s largest digital currency asset manager in terms of assets under management (AUM), revealed that three trusts have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in order to become SEC reporting companies. The three trusts include individual crypto asset products such as the bitcoin cash trust, the litecoin trust, and the ethereum classic trust, which will join three other Grayscale trusts that are already SEC reporting companies. Grayscale’s BCH , LTC , ETC Trusts to Join Three Other Products as SEC Reporting Companies Grayscale Investments has detailed that three individual crypto trusts are moving forward with their product growth cycle. The company announced on Friday that the Bitcoin Cash Trust (OTCQX: BCHG), Litecoin Trust (OTCQX: LTCN), and the Ethereum Classic Trust (OTCQX: ETCG) have been registered with the SEC in a new filing. The Form 10 registration will effectively convert the trusts into SEC reporting compan

Law enforcement in the Russian republic of Tatarstan have made new arrests in connection with the crypto Ponzi scheme Finiko. Two women detained this week are believed to have attracted millions of dollars to the pyramid. The now collapsed Finiko lured investors from a number of countries in the post-Soviet space and around the world, including Germany and the U.S. Female Influencers Detained in Ongoing Finiko Investigation Police in Kazan, Tatarstan’s capital city, have arrested two women for their involvement in the massive crypto pyramid Finiko, Realnoe Vremya reported . Lilia Nurieva, founder of a real estate agency who joined the Ponzi scheme, and Dina Gabdullina, a high-ranking Finiko executive, were taken into custody after investigators summoned them for questioning earlier this week. Dina Gabdullina and Lilia Nurieva. Source: social media. The two detainees have allegedly enticed numerous investors to send over $10 million to the scam through multi-level marketing, for

Localcryptos, the noncustodial P2P cryptocurrency market, has added bitcoin cash to its platform. This is the fifth cryptocurrency the platform has taken on for P2P transactions after having rebranded from Localethereum. The market will leverage the OP_CHECKDATASIG opcode, which presents some advantages. Also, users from Bitcoin.com Local will be able to migrate their reputation to the Localcryptos platform. Localcryptos Adds Bitcoin Cash Localcryptos, one of the leading noncustodial cryptocurrency P2P markets, has added support for bitcoin cash transactions on its platform. Now users can deposit, trade, and withdraw bitcoin cash from the Localcryptos platform. This is the fifth cryptocurrency added to the service after its rebrand from Localethereum. Before, the company added litecoin and dash, after bitcoin and ethereum. Localcryptos declared that to construct the noncustodial experience for bitcoin cash, it used the OP_CHECKDATASIG opcode, which presents a series of advantages