Bitcoin News and Finance: What You Need to Know

PRESS RELEASE. NFTs have taken the crypto community by storm. As market participants realized the number of applications for ‘Non-fungible tokens’ (used to certify the authenticity of digital assets), many immediately saw $$$ signs. Nevertheless, although the talk about NFTs often only revolves around certifying artwork, there is another field that has natural synergies with NFT technology too – metaverses, i.e., the next generation of gaming. On top of this trend is MetaShooter , the first decentralized blockchain-based hunting metaverse that joins millions of gaming enthusiasts in a community to share a realistic (VR compatible) hunting experience. Not only are modern-day hunters invited to compete in tournaments with stunning visuals, but they are also rewarded with NFTs of monetary value by hunting trophies and triumphing against their fellow hunters. MetaShooter modernizes the hunting experience, developing new ways old hobbyists and new gamers alike can interact within the...

Rakuten Group, the Japanese electronic commerce and online retail company based in Tokyo has announced the launch of a non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace called Rakuten NFT. The announcement notes that new features will be added in the future, and a peer-to-peer service for minting and selling NFT content is planned to launch in 2023. Rakuten Launches Non-Fungible Token Marketplace During the last few years, the Japanese online retail giant Rakuten has been dipping its feet into the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain solutions. In the summer of 2019, Rakuten launched a cryptocurrency exchange and in the spring of 2021, Rakuten allowed customers to load crypto into Rakuten Pay accounts. Now the company is getting into the NFT game, as Rakuten announced the launch of a new platform called Rakuten NFT . “Rakuten NFT is a service that provides a marketplace for users to purchase NFTs, as well as peer-to-peer buying and selling of NFTs, in a range of areas such as sports and e...

It’s getting cheaper to send ethereum these days as the gas price to push a transaction is more than 80% less expensive than it was to transact with ether 48 days ago on January 10. On that day, Ethereum network fees were around $52 per transaction and today, the average transaction fee is $10.26 per transfer. While on-chain fees are cheaper, layer two (L2) transactions have followed suit dropping significantly during the last seven days. Ethereum Gas Fees Continue to Slide It’s a lot less expensive to transact with the Ethereum (ETH) network on February 27, as average size fees are down to 0.0039 ETH or $10.26 per transfer. The last time Ethereum network fees were this low was six months ago, back in late-August 2021. Currently, with average fees at $10.26 per transfer, it’s 80.26% cheaper than it was transferring ETH on January 10, 2022. At that time over a month ago, the average transaction fee was $52 per transaction. Ethereum fees have been sliding downward ever since tha...

The total value locked in decentralized finance (defi) has managed to jump above the $200 billion zone, as crypto markets have rebounded from the market downturn last week. A number of native assets from the $611 billion worth of smart contract protocols have seen double-digit gains with cypherium (CPH), counterparty (XCP), and terra (LUNA) leading the pack. TVL in Defi Jumps Back Above $200 Billion — Cypherium, Counterparty, Terra Rise Crypto markets have recovered after initially dropping after Russia invaded Ukraine three days ago and the rebound has pushed defi value up as well. After falling beneath the $200 billion mark, the total value locked (TVL) in defi has jumped back above the zone to $200.94 billion on February 27. The TVL in defi across all the top blockchains hit a low of $185.9 billion on January 28 and it’s up 10.61% since that day. Curve dominance is 8.68% on Sunday with $17.86 billion total value locked but the defi protocol’s TVL is down 5.61% since last week. ...

Private banks in Mexico want to join efforts with the central bank of the country in the creation of a new digital currency. The president of the Mexican Bank Association (ABM) met with the governor of the Bank of Mexico to offer the help of the group of private banks for the creation of a national digital currency in the future. Private Banks Want to Be Involved in Potential CBDC Members of the Mexican Bank Association have stated their intention of helping the central bank of the country in the design and issuance of a potential central bank digital currency (CBDC). The president of the association, Daniel Becker, met with the governor of the Bank of Mexico, Victoria Rodríguez Ceja, to review some important factors related to making banks more accessible for Mexican citizens. About the meeting, Becker stated: If Banxico determines that the banking opinion can help build better elements or a cryptocurrency, count on us and the best banking opinion so that it is something that p...

A recent report states that freelancing is experiencing a boom in Argentina, and also comments on how Argentinians are among workers in the region that most actively use cryptocurrencies to receive part of their paycheck. The report further states that workers accepting their paychecks in crypto favor traditional cryptocurrencies such as ether and bitcoin, which together amount to almost 90% of the payments made in crypto. Freelancing and Crypto Becoming More Popular in Argentina Freelancing seems to be experiencing a boom in Argentina, and with it, crypto, as a way of collecting payments outside of the traditional financial system. A report titled “State of Global Hiring 2021,” made by Deel, a global hiring firm, has discovered that Argentinians, and Latam in general, are increasingly focusing on international companies and jobs. The report explains this is likely a result of the decline of local economies and jobs due to the after-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, compa...

PRESS RELEASE. DUBAI, UAE : MContent has announced the arrival of the Cineverse to the world whereby they aspire to bring Cinema to people anywhere, anytime – MContent and their launch was enabled due to a collaboration with PwC Middle East emerging technology teams. A high-end launch event was attended by notable guests at Palm Jumeirah Dubai where MContent premiered their original co-productions titled “Ripple vs. SEC Saga” and “El Salvador vs. World Bank”. The Cinema premier however was different from the norm as participants were seen glaring at the ocean sitting at a beach wearing their virtual reality (VR) headsets engaged in an immersive Cineverse experience. Earlier in January 2022, the leading UAE conglomerate, Gargash Group, had announced a major investment in MContent, the world’s first tokenised content ecosystem that aims to revolutionise the global content landscape. Designed to convert content viewers into content owners, the first-of-its-kind platform enables...

The founder of the $3.4 billion crypto Ponzi scheme Bitconnect has been charged in the United States. “If convicted of all counts, he faces a maximum total penalty of 70 years in prison,” said the U.S. Department of Justice. Bitconnect’s Founder Could Go to Prison for 70 Years The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Friday that the founder of the global crypto fraud scheme Bitconnect has been charged. “Bitconnect is an alleged fraudulent cryptocurrency investment platform that reached a peak market capitalization of $3.4 billion,” the DOJ described, adding: A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging Satishkumar Kurjibhai Kumbhani, a citizen and resident of India, with multiple crimes for his alleged role in a massive criminal conspiracy involving the cryptocurrency company he founded, Bitconnect. The 36-year-old from Hemal, India, misled investors that the scheme’s “Lending Program” was able to “generate substantial profits and guaranteed returns” using “...

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz says one of the reasons he is so bullish on bitcoin is because it is decentralized and not controllable. He added that “China recently banned bitcoin because they can’t control it, which is the exact same reason Elizabeth Warren hates bitcoin.” US Senator Bullish on Bitcoin U.S. Senator Ted Cruz from Texas spoke favorably about bitcoin at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Thursday. Launched in 1974, CPAC “is the largest and most influential gathering of conservatives in the world,” its website describes. During his speech at the event, the senator said: One of the reasons why I’m so bullish on crypto, on bitcoin, is because it is decentralized and not controllable. “Let me give a fantastic example,” he continued. “So Justin Trudeau said I don’t like me some truckers, so we are going to freeze your assets. So the court went to try to freeze the crypto that was being given to the truckers.” Senator Cruz proceeded to read aloud a letter fr...

Russia could turn to cryptocurrency if it is banned from the SWIFT payments system. Analysts have warned that if Russia is able to use crypto to evade sanctions, “political support in the U.S. for crypto will fall and regulatory risk will rise.” Crypto Faces Regulatory Risks if Used by Russia to Evade Sanctions Amid growing talk of banning Russia from the SWIFT global interbank payments system after its invasion of Ukraine, some analysts have warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could turn to cryptocurrency to evade sanctions. “We believe Washington is worried that Russia will use crypto to evade sanctions,” Cowen Washington Research Group analyst Jaret Seiberg reportedly said Friday. He added: If Russia is able to use crypto this way, then we believe political support in the U.S. for crypto will fall and regulatory risk will rise. Seiberg believes that since most global trade is still dollar-denominated, it could be challenging for Russia to use crypto to evade SWIFT....

Bitcoin and ethereum were both higher to start the weekend, as markets seem to have discounted recent volatility. BTC momentarily passed the $40,000 level, with ETH moving towards $2,800. Bitcoin As of writing, cryptocurrency markets are up by over 3% on Saturday, with bitcoin trading close to 1% higher to start the weekend. This comes following a low of $38,416.53 yesterday, with BTC /USD hitting an intraday high of $40,005.35 earlier in today’s session. Saturday’s move sees BTC break beyond the key $40,000 level, however the move did not last, as profit takers likely closed their positions due to the current market risk. Looking at the chart, the 14-day RSI currently hovers above its long-term ceiling of 44, and is approaching the 45 level. BTC now trades below its recent resistance point of $39,500, as the momentum of the 10-day moving average continues to tumble. However, should price strength remain above resistance, bulls may be targeting an exit at $41,500. Ethereum...

The European Parliament will not hold a planned vote on crypto regulations after texts that can be interpreted as an attempt to ban coins with energy-intensive mining sparked negative reactions. The lawmaker leading the legislative effort says the matter needs clarification before MEPs can have a say, but the head of the ECB has insisted that Europe should move quickly to prevent Russia from evading sanctions. European Parliament Postpones Crypto Legislation to Address Concerns Over Possible Proof-of-Work Ban The vote on Europe’s new Markets in Crypto Assets ( MiCA ) proposal will not take place in the European Parliament as scheduled, on Feb. 28. Stefan Berger, the rapporteur for the legislative package, took to social media to announce it will be postponed on his request. The move comes after a draft leaked to the press was found to contain provisions prohibiting the offering of services related to cryptocurrencies relying on “environmentally unsustainable consensus mechanisms.” ...

The Nasdaq-listed cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase says the number of monthly transacting users on its platform rose to 11.4 million at the end of 2021, which was more than four times the previous year. In addition, Coinbase’s trading volume grew more than 8.5 times from the previous year, and the number of verified users has risen to 89 million. A Good Year for Coinbase The Nasdaq-listed crypto exchange Coinbase released its fourth-quarter and full-year 2021 earnings report Thursday. “2021 was a year of tremendous growth and development in the cryptoeconomy, as well as for Coinbase. We ended 2021 with strong performance across our key metrics that were within our outlook,” the company wrote, adding: We ended the year with 11.4 million Monthly Transacting Users (MTUs). Coinbase noted that the number of MTUs at the end of 2021 was “over 4x compared to 2020.” In addition, the number of verified users on its platform has grown to 89 million. During the year, Coinbase expanded its...

The South African Treasury says it expects the amendments to the country’s financial laws — that will see crypto asset service providers being included as accountable institutions — to be finalized in 2022. Aligning Local Laws With FATF Standards The South African Treasury has said it expects the proposals to include crypto asset service providers as accountable institutions within the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) Act to be finalized this year. The move to regulate crypto service providers comes as South Africa is attempting to address the “significant weaknesses in the country’s anti‐money‐laundering and counter-financing of terrorism systems” that were identified by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). In its latest budget review document , the South African Treasury explains that the proposed amendments, which have been open for public input since June 2022, will see the FIC Act become aligned with the standards set forth by the FATF. “This change would address conce...

Ertha Metaverse, one of blockchain gaming’s most talked about metaverses has today announced the listing of the ERTHA token on another of the crypto industry’s top exchanges – ByBit. With over 5 million registered users across the globe, ByBit is a fantastic fit for Ertha. In addition to being one of the fastest-growing cryptocurrency derivatives exchanges, ByBit provides an efficient, transparent, and innovative trading environment for its users. By listing on ByBit during challenging market conditions, Ertha aims to strengthen its position as one of the leading metaverse tokens. The project will continue expanding its availability to potential investors and keep momentum up as its development team seeks to launch 2022’s biggest metaverse. Ertha NFT sales remain largely unaffected by the wider industry troubles and have already sold over 22,000 of their revenue-generating land plots . Clearly, the hype surrounding metaverse projects shows no sign of slowing down and plenty of weal...

Cryptocurrency donations have poured into a nonprofit organization that provides support to Ukrainian soldiers after Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine. More than $5 million in bitcoin has already been raised. Meanwhile, the group’s fundraising page on Patreon has been abruptly removed. Crypto Donations Soar After Russia Invaded Ukraine One of the largest non-governmental organizations (NGOs) providing support to Ukraine’s military, Come Back Alive, has received over $5 million in bitcoin donations after Russia launched a large-scale offensive against Ukraine. Founded in 2014, the Kyiv-based group provides support to Ukrainian soldiers, including a range of military equipment, training services, and medical supplies. Donations to the BTC address listed on the organization’s website soared Thursday after Russia launched a full-scale military attack on Ukraine. At the time of writing, the wallet address has received 131.78144015 BTC . An analysis of all the donations ...

The founders of cryptocurrency derivatives exchange Bitmex, Arthur Hayes and Benjamin Delo, have pled guilty to violations of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act. “As a result of its willful failure to implement AML and KYC programs, Bitmex was in effect a money-laundering platform,” said the U.S. Department of Justice. Bitmex’s Founders Guilty of Bank Secrecy Act Violations The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Thursday that the founders of cryptocurrency derivatives exchange Bitmex have pled guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). The DOJ stated: Arthur Hayes and Benjamin Delo designed Bitmex as a platform to flaunt U.S. anti-money laundering rules. Hayes, 36, is from Miami, Florida. Delo, 38, resides in the U.K. and Hong Kong. The Justice Department explained that from at least September 2015 through the time of their indictment in September 2020, the two “willfully caused Bitmex to fail to establish and maintain an AML program,” including a know-your-customer (KYC) ...

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, volatility in bitcoin and ethereum prices intensified, with both falling to one-month lows on Thursday. Both have since moved away from these lows so far today, in what looks like temporal consolidation. Bitcoin As of writing, cryptocurrency markets are up by over 7% on Friday, with bitcoin trading 8% higher heading into the weekend. This comes following a low of $34,997.01 yesterday, with BTC /USD hitting an intraday high of $38,968.84 earlier in today’s session. Friday’s move sees BTC momentarily rebound, and edge closer to the key $40,000 level, which it hasn’t hit since the beginning of the week. Looking at the chart, the 14-day RSI has also tailed off slightly, and now looks to be consolidating below the 43.8 resistance. As long as prices remain between the floor of $37,240 and ceiling of $39,640, market uncertainty will likely extend. However, current sentiment seems to be more bearish, as the 10-day moving average continue...

Ankara University has become the first higher education institution in Turkey to organize a course on non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The freshly-launched lecture has been attended by high-ranking government officials, local media reported. Leading University in Turkey Begins Course on NFTs Ankara University has added a course on NFTs to its curriculum, becoming the first Turkish university to teach the crypto-related subject. According to a report by the Hürriyet daily, senior officials from the presidential administration and the culture ministry have been present at the first class on non-fungible tokens. “We are happy to teach about NFTs, but our students are happier than us,” Necdet Ünüvar, the rector of the university, said in an opening speech for the event. The “Introduction to NFT” course is taught by Buğra Ayan. Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Özgül Özkan Yavuz and Ali Taha Koç, head of the Turkish Presidency’s Digital Transformation Office, were among the guests at t...

On February 8, the multinational luxury auction company Sotheby’s announced the firm would be auctioning 104 Cryptopunk non-fungible token (NFT) collectibles, but before the event started Sotheby’s canceled the event. It seems “0x650d,” the owner of the Cryptopunks NFTs, decided to keep the assets that were estimated to fetch around $20 to $30 million at auction. Cryptopunks Owner Decides to Keep 104 NFTs, Sotheby’s Forced to Cancel ‘Punk It’ Auction The luxury auction house had to cancel an NFT auction dubbed “Punk It” on Wednesday after the consignor decided to back out. During the first week of February, Sotheby’s revealed it would be auctioning 104 Cryptopunks that were estimated to get around $20 to $30 million. The sale would be called “Punk It,” and the NFTs stemmed from the owner “ 0x650d ,” an individual who purchased the 104 Cryptopunks in a single transaction by paying a miner a bribe of five ethereum ( ETH ) in July 2021. Then on the day of the scheduled auction, Sothe...

PRESS RELEASE. NoVa Battles is a PlayToEarn mobile MOBA game developed with the core focus on implementing blockchain technology. The company started conceptualizing the prospect of a blockchain game back in 2019, after which they have been experimenting with designs, systems, and partnerships for two years. The drive to build an open ecosystem for all stakeholders requires extensive analysis before implementation. The NoVa Battles team has decided to develop a simplistic game design and game economy controlled by the community’s votes and needs – a decentralized autonomous organization or DAO during the last two years. It is known as the People’s Game. The players drive the game, and the game’s prospects will be decided on the community’s wants. The core value of a DAO has a gradual progression in the transferral of executive power from the initial developing company to the end-users and stakeholders. The implementation of a DAO system will be gradual throughout 36 months. The vis...

The Advertising Standards Council of India has released guidelines for the advertising and promotion of crypto assets and related services. “We had several rounds of discussion with the government, finance sector regulators, and industry stakeholders before framing these guidelines.” India’s Crypto Ad Guidelines Published The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) published Wednesday “guidelines for advertising and promotion of virtual digital assets and services.” The guidelines are applicable to all advertisements related to virtual digital assets (VDA) which are “commonly referred to as crypto or NFT [non-fungible token] products,” ASCI explained. ASCI Chairman Subhash Kamath described: We had several rounds of discussion with the government, finance sector regulators, and industry stakeholders before framing these guidelines. Firstly, all crypto-related ads must carry the disclaimer that states: “Crypto products and NFTs are unregulated and can be highly risky. Ther...

The U.S. Secret Service has launched a cryptocurrency awareness hub. The new platform “will feature the latest in the agency’s work combating illicit use of digital assets as well as provide public awareness information on digital asset security and how to ensure it remains secure.” Secret Service’s Crypto Awareness Hub The U.S. Secret Service announced last week that it “has launched a cryptocurrency public awareness hub.” Established in 1865 as a bureau in the Treasury Department to suppress widespread counterfeiting, the Secret Service is now under the Department of Homeland Security. Its website states: “We have an integrated mission of protection and financial investigations to ensure the safety and security of our protectees, key locations, and events of national significance.” The announcement details: The new website will feature the latest in the agency’s work combating illicit use of digital assets as well as provide public awareness information on digital asset securi...

On Wednesday, the team behind Solana-based decentralized finance (defi) margin protocol Marginfi, announced Mrgn Labs has raised $3 million in seed funding from investors. With the recently acquired funds, Marginfi aims to build the first cross-margining engine on the Solana blockchain. Mrgn Labs Gets $3 Million in Funding From Strategic Investors Mrgn Labs has revealed the company has raised $3 million from investors in order to bolster defi margin trading, according to a press release announcement on Wednesday. Mrgn Labs is the team behind the defi margin protocol called Marginfi , a protocol that allows traders to access margin in a decentralized fashion. Mrgn Labs disclosed that the funding round was co-led by Multicoin Capital and Pantera Capital. Furthermore, Solana Ventures and Sino Global Capital participated in the fundraising as well. “In 2021, we saw an explosion of innovative financial products emerge across defi,” Edgar Pavlovsky, the founder of Mrgn Labs explained dur...

Authorized crypto mining businesses have already taken a third of their coin minting hardware out of Kazakhstan, according to the country’s mining association. The news comes amid electricity shortages and upcoming tax hikes that are turning miners away from the Central Asian nation. Bitcoin Miners Start Pulling Machines Out of Kazakhstan Companies, legally operating mining facilities in Kazakhstan, have already relocated around 30% of their mining equipment elsewhere. The President of the National Association of Blockchain and Data Center Industry of Kazakhstan Alan Dorjiyev told Forklog about the migration. The executive noted that miners have been influenced by the persisting issues with energy supply and an expected tax increase. His organization represents major companies involved in the extraction of digital currencies accounting for 70% of Kazakhstan’s crypto mining sector. The report quotes legislative documents indicating that Kazakhstan’s parliament prepares to impose o...