Bitcoin News and Finance: What You Need to Know

Ripio, an Argentinian cryptocurrency exchange, has announced concrete actions regarding its expansion to Colombia. The company will offer a new option for cryptocurrency users and traders in Colombia, and will also offer a financial education proposal that is yet to be revealed. This launch will crystallize in the following two months with the opening of an office in the country. Ripio to Officially Launch in Colombia The Argentinian exchange Ripio has offered more details when it comes to its expansion in Colombia. The company has declared it will offer a new proposal for Colombian traders and cryptocurrency users focused on other services like its digital wallet. The exchange, which raised $50 million last year in its Series B funding round led by DCG, told Criptonoticias it is planning to open an office in Bogota in less than two months, with the objective of offering a yet unannounced financial education proposal. On this new expansion plan, and what they offer Colombians, Ri

A number of cryptocurrency exchanges in India are disabling rupee deposits, particularly payments using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system. This followed a statement issued by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) regarding the usage of the UPI system by crypto exchanges. Indian Exchanges Stop Offering Major Payment Options Options to deposit Indian rupees at cryptocurrency exchanges are dwindling. A growing number of cryptocurrency exchanges have disabled INR deposits using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system, which is the most widely used retail payment method. Crypto exchange Wazirx is not offering UPI support. The exchange tweeted Wednesday, “Currently, UPI is not available.” Coindcx is also not supporting payments by UPI, saying on Twitter Monday, “UPI is temporarily unavailable.” Coinswitch Kuber went even further and reportedly suspended all INR deposit services Wednesday, including UPI and bank transfers via NEFT, RTGS, and IMPS. Coinswitch is

Mastercard has filed 15 trademark applications covering a wide range of services relating to the metaverse and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). “We are continually looking for opportunities to deliver new and unique experiences to our customers and cardholders,” Mastercard said. Mastercard’s NFT, Metaverse Trademark Applications Payments giant Mastercard filed 15 trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) last week covering a wide range of products and services relating to non-fungible tokens and the metaverse. A USPTO-licensed trademark attorney, Mike Kondoudis, noted that the trademark applications are for Mastercard, Priceless, and Mastercard’s circles logo. Priceless is a Mastercard campaign that provides cardholders with everyday discounts. The trademark applications indicate Mastercard’s plans for a wide range of NFT projects, such as NFT-authenticated downloadable music files and marketplaces for digital goods and NFT-backed media. They a

On Wednesday, the firm Blockchain.com announced it inked a deal with the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys as the team’s “exclusive digital asset partner.” The deal will bring Blockchain.com a great deal of exposure in terms of television, signage, and radio and the digital currency company will also have its own club space inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Blockchain.com Becomes the ‘Exclusive Digital Asset Partner’ for the Dallas Cowboys Blockchain.com is joining a large swathe of digital asset companies targeting sports as the firm that was founded in 2011 is now partnering with the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. According to reports from Dallas, Blockchain.com will become the team’s “exclusive digital asset partner.” Blockchain.com follows a number of crypto companies entering the sports industry like FTX and Crypto.com. The company founded by Peter Smith, Nicolas Cary, Antony Jenkins, and Jim Messina will enjoy a number of sponsorship opportunities like advertising and branding. Blockc

Following the controversial bank bailouts and Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in 2008, reports show in late 2019 and 2020, the U.S. Federal Reserve participated in providing trillions of dollars in secret repo loans to megabanks. At the end of March, investigative journalists, Pam and Russ Martens from Wall Street on Parade, uncovered $3.84 trillion in stealth repo loans from the Fed to the French financial institution, BNP Paribas in Q1 2020. Additional data indicates that the U.S. central bank leveraged secret repo loans to provide a whopping $48 trillion to megabanks in late 2019 and into 2020. Reports Show the Fed Funneled Tens of Trillions to Megabanks in 2019 and 2020 While Wall Street eagerly awaits the Federal Reserve’s next benchmark rate hike decision, a number of investigative reports show the U.S. central bank participated in massive bank bailouts that are of biblical proportions. The first report stems from Wall Street on Parade’s Pam and Russ Martens, which accus

PRESS RELEASE. The global cryptocurrency market is experiencing an unprecedented boom. The market is at $2 trillion dollars and growing. MappedSwap is launching a promotional campaign from April 13th – May 12th. During that period they plan to give more than 800,000 MST in total as well as provide referral and staking rebates in MST to users. MappedSwap also has plans to lower the barrier to entry for new users and referrers to earn MST during this campaign period while attracting users to leverage 10x margin trading function to boost trading and earning possibilities. Participants will also hope to cast a larger net through referrals, by sharing their very own referral code to their audiences to improve individual earnings. Making an entrance into this market is MappedSwap Protocol, a decentralized, on-chain cross-margin trading swap exchange built on Eurus Blockchain, a layer-one, decentralized and secure inter-transfer network based on Ethereum side-chain. To put this growth in

Terra Bridge, the cross-chain bridge protocol now supports Solana, Fantom, Moonbeam, Osmosis, and Avalanche according to Terraform Labs CEO Do Kwon. “Easiest way to move funds in crypto,” the Terraform Labs CEO explained in a tweet. Terra Bridge Adds 5 New Chains On April 12, 2022, Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon told his 352,800 Twitter followers that Terra Bridge, otherwise known as bridge.terra.money , now supports five new blockchain networks. Cross-chain bridge technology has come a long way over the last 12 months and in mid-September 2021, there was over $7 billion total value locked (TVL) across several bridges to Ethereum. Today, cross-chain bridges to ethereum hold $19.51 billion in value across over a dozen blockchain networks. “Bridge.terra.money now supports Avalanche, Solana, Osmosis, Fantom, and Moonbeam Network. The easiest way to move funds in crypto,” Do Kwon said on Tuesday. The Terraform Labs co-founder also shared a screenshot of the protocol in actio

Blackrock, Fidelity, Marshall Wace, and Fin Capital are investing in crypto firm Circle. In addition, Blackrock, the world’s largest asset manager, has entered into a broader strategic partnership with the crypto firm. Blackrock, Fidelity, Marshall Wace, Fin Capital to Invest in Circle Circle Internet Financial announced Tuesday that it has entered into an agreement for a $400 million funding round with investments from Blackrock Inc., Fidelity Management and Research, Marshall Wace LLP, and Fin Capital. Circle is the issuer of USD Coin (USDC). The stablecoin USDC has a market cap of about $51 billion and market dominance of about 2.58% at the time of writing, based on data from Bitcoin.com Markets. Expanding on its partnership with Blackrock, the world’s largest asset manager, Circle detailed: In addition to its corporate strategic investment and role as a primary asset manager of USDC cash reserves, Blackrock has entered into a broader strategic partnership with Circle, which

An Ethereum developer, Virgil Griffith, has been sentenced to five years and three months in U.S. prison after he pleaded guilty to a charge brought on by speaking at a crypto conference in North Korea. According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), his presentation provided the Kim Jong Un regime with “technical advice on using cryptocurrency and blockchain technology to evade sanctions.” Ethereum Developer Virgil Griffith Going to Prison for Violating North Korean Sanctions Virgil Griffith, an Ethereum developer, was sentenced to 63 months in prison Tuesday by U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel in Manhattan. Griffith pleaded guilty in September last year to one count of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The charge carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison. However, in a plea deal, prosecutors agreed to seek no more than six and a half years. The Ethereum developer was arrested in November 2019 in Los Angeles. He is charged wi

With the rapid technological advancements, digitalization has witnessed a golden age in the past few years. Concepts we never even heard of are now becoming mainstream. One such example is NFT domains, rising as new web extensions. Quik.com is launching NFT domain names like .doge, .shib, .metaverse, .blockchain, .bored and .vr that are linked to the blockchain via smart contracts. The main characteristic of NFT domains that differentiates them from traditional domains is their decentralized nature. Traditionally, when we purchase a domain name, we are merely renting it for a certain period controlled by centralized servers. However, decentralized domains allow us to maintain self-custody and completely control our assets. NFT domains, like any other cryptocurrency, are verified on the blockchain and stored in a digital wallet. These domains, in addition, offer advantages like the ability to support decentralized internet portals, offer full ownership control of domain managemen

Hacktivist collective Anonymous claims it has already published millions of leaked Russian emails. The group has been waging a cyberwar on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, carrying out attacks on government institutions, state-run television channels, and the central bank. Russia’s Culture Ministry Becomes Latest Target of Anonymous Anonymous has released well over two million emails obtained in cyberattacks on Russian organizations, the decentralized hacking group announced through social media. “This is just the beginning,” read a message posted on Twitter by the affiliated Anonymous TV account this past Sunday. #OpRussia : Since declaring ‘cyber war’ on Kremlin’s criminal regime, #Anonymous has released over 2 million Russian emails via #DDoSecrets and this is just the beginning. In the coming days #Anonymous collective will release other data related to Russian entities. #FreeUkraine pic.twitter.com/f1povI6uF1 — Anonymous TV 🇺🇦 (@YourAnonTV) April 10, 2022 In th

Bitfinex, a cryptocurrency exchange, and Tether, issuer of USDT , the largest stablecoin by market cap, have partnered to launch a cryptocurrency fund to support Salvadoran families affected by gang violence. The two companies have donated 25 BTC to start the initiative, and expect many more will join. The President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, declared a state of emergency two weeks ago. Bitfinex and Tether Bootstrap Charity Campaign for Salvadoran Families Bitfinex and Tether are worried about the destiny of the Salvadoran people. The two companies have recently announced a crypto fund directed to help Salvadoran families affected by the violence happening in the country. This has been caused by the exacerbation of gang violence that started two weeks ago, when on March 26 more than 60 Salvadorans died as a consequence of gang violence. The two companies have already bootstrapped the aforementioned fund with 25 BTC , almost $1 million at the time of the donation, and expect ma

The Bank of Ghana has warned businesses and the public against the practice of demanding or making payments in foreign currency without its authorization. The central bank’s warning comes just over a month after Ghana’s currency was rated the worst performing among Africa’s top currencies. Violators Face Possible Prison Time The Ghanaian central bank has reminded the public that the practice of receiving or making payments for goods and services in foreign currency without its express authorization is still prohibited. The bank also similarly warned businesses against “engaging in foreign exchange business without a license issued by the Bank of Ghana.” In a statement, the Bank of Ghana (BOG) said those caught on the wrong side of regulations face hefty fines. Alternatively, those in violation of the respective regulations face “a term of imprisonment of not more than eighteen (18) months or both.” Citizens Urged to Report Violations According to the BOG, only the local currenc

Epic Games, the game developing studio, and Lego, the famous construction block company, have announced a partnership to develop a metaverse designed for kids. This metaverse world aims to allow kids of all ages to become builders and design their own experiences while protecting their right to play by putting online safety as one of its main objectives. Epic Games and Lego to Launch Joint Metaverse Epic Games, the developer behind Fortnite, and Lego, the famous toy building block company, have inked a partnership to produce a joint metaverse. The metaverse initiative will be designed from the ground up to be suitable for kids of all ages who, according to the press release issued on the Epic Games website, will be able to create their own experiences. The press release detailed: The family-friendly digital experience will give kids access to tools that will empower them to become confident creators and deliver amazing play opportunities in a safe and positive space. Neither o

Cryptocurrency trading volumes in India have plunged further across exchanges as traders mull over the 30% crypto taxation. In addition, popular payment service provider Mobikwik has stopped service to exchanges. Crypto Trading Volume in India Plunges Further Cryptocurrency trading volume in India continues to slide after the government began taxing crypto income at 30% without allowing any loss offsets or deductions. According to crypto research firm Crebaco, cryptocurrency trading volumes have fallen from last week across all major exchanges, Moneycontrol reported. Wazirx suffered a 72% drop in trading volume, Coindcx 52%, and Zebpay 59%. In addition, MobiKwik reportedly withdrew its services across exchanges on April 1 amid unclear regulations. Mobikwik was one of the preferred methods of payment to purchase cryptocurrencies at exchanges. A crypto exchange executive was quoted by the publication as saying: Mobikwik did not give any specific reason for withdrawing its service

David Rubenstein, the founder of Carlyle Group, one of the largest investment firms managing over $300 billion, says he was skeptical of crypto but now believes that “the genie is out of the bottle” and the crypto industry is not “going to go away anytime soon.” David Rubenstein on Crypto David Rubenstein, co-founder of Carlyle Group, one of the largest private equity firms in the world, has shared why he changed his mind about crypto in a recent interview by Colossus . Rubenstein co-founded the Carlyle Group in 1987. Since then, the company has grown into a firm managing $301 billion from 26 offices around the world. Among many credentials, Rubenstein is chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations, a trustee of the Brookings Institution and the World Economic Forum; and a recipient of the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy. “I was skeptical of crypto in the beginning because I figured there’s nothing underlying this,” he began, elaborating: But it’s clear to me now that many youn

Iran will not recognize cryptocurrencies as a means of payment, a high-ranking government official has indicated. His statement came as the Central Bank of Iran announced rules for the issuance of digital coins in the country. These are meant, however, for its own “crypto rial,” the pilot phase of which should start in the near future. Accepting Cryptocurrency for Payments Is a Red Line, Iranian Minister Says Cryptocurrencies like bitcoin will not be treated as legal tender in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Discussing regulatory matters related to the storage and exchange of cryptocurrencies, Iran’s deputy minister of communications, Reza Bagheri Asl, emphasized: We do not recognize payments with cryptocurrencies. The government official was commenting on the latest resolution by the Digital Economy Working Group regarding crypto assets. He pointed out that the use of any foreign currency is outside the sovereignty and against the monetary and banking law of Iran. “So, we will b

PRESS RELEASE. GREENSBORO, April 11, 2022 — DAO Maker, a leading launchpad for cryptocurrency projects, is launching an NFT collection celebrating the late Argentinian football hero Diego Maradona this month. It is the first official Maradona-licensed NFT project and has the backing of all five of the athlete’s heirs. The football legend’s daughter Jana Maradona stated, “Maradona D10S NFTs is the first time all heirs have come together in a creative collaboration since Diego’s passing.” The collection comprises 5,000 profile pictures of Maradona, which fans can use as avatars and support nearly any blockchain. The token is Ethereum-based and launches with the opening of the 2022 FIFA season to memorize the global icon. It is also an opportunity for DAO Maker to impact the industry positively. Per CEO Christoph Zaknun, “The NFT space quickly became toxic and full of fraudulent activity. We are entering this market with an aim to fix these problems while offering a venue for celebri

The digital currency trading platform Coinbase is producing a three-part film series with the popular non-fungible token (NFT) project Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC). The films will be crafted by Coinbase Entertainment and feature select BAYC NFT characters that will be crowdsourced from the Bored Ape NFT community. Coinbase Entertainment Is Working on a Three-Part Film Series That Will Feature Crowdsourced Bored Apes On April 11, Coinbase announced it has plans to release a film trilogy dedicated to the Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT collection. A report stemming from one37pm.com indicates that the crypto exchange is “celebrating and amplifying the BAYC community” via the film trilogy. Coinbase confirmed the films on Twitter after publishing a teaser tweet that said something was coming. A few hours later, Coinbase tweeted again and said: Definitely something. We’re creating an interactive three-part film featuring the [Bored Ape Yacht Club] & Apecoin communities. Come build wit

Officials from Tanzania’s financial sector have called for a clearer global consensus on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and crypto-assets. The officials agreed that more discussions still need to be carried out before a final decision is made. Interoperability of CBDCs Just under a year after the Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan asked the country’s finance chiefs to prepare for cryptocurrencies, officials from the country’s financial sector are now calling for a clearer global stance towards central bank digital currencies (CBDC) and crypto-assets. The officials, the Finance and Planning Minister, Mwigulu Nchemba and the central bank governor, Florens Luoga, have both reportedly agreed that further discussions around the two topics are needed before any decision is made. According to a report published by The East African, the two officials said this while addressing a virtual summit organized by the Bank of Tanzania (BOT) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

The global crypto community has actively supported humanitarian efforts in Ukraine and two crypto exchanges are also looking to help Ukrainian refugees abroad. Binance, the largest coin trading platform, and the Ukrainian Whitebit have turned their attention to the Ukrainians who had to leave their country as a result of Russia’s invasion. Binance to Launch Charity Crypto Card for Ukrainian Citizens Escaping Conflict The world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, will launch a “charity crypto card” this month for those who have been forced to leave Ukraine and need help, Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov announced on Telegram, following a conversation with the company’s CEO Changpeng Zhao. “This is an important support for our citizens during the war,” the government official stated, quoted by the crypto news outlet Forklog. He noted that the exchange continues to work with his department on cryptocurrency adoption and plans to support educationa

Left your crypto taxes until the last second? Here’s how to get your crypto taxes done by April 18 with the least amount of friction possible. The IRS has been really clear that cryptocurrency is definitely taxed – and that they’re able to track crypto investments through various channels. In brief, crypto is subject to Capital Gains Tax and sometimes Income Tax. You’ll pay long-term Capital Gains Tax between 0% to 20% or you’ll pay short-term Capital Gains Tax or Income Tax between 10% to 37%, depending on your Income Tax bracket. Let’s just cut to the chase with what you need to do to report your crypto tax by April 18. Get a comprehensive view of all your crypto dealings, from every exchange – and the very beginning of your trading journey. Aggregate your complete trading history into a single chronological record – and in US dollar terms. Identify your capital gains and separate the total into long-term and short term gains. Identify your income from crypto. You can file

Britain’s top financial regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has allowed five crypto firms to continue to operate in the U.K. with temporary registration. The deadline for crypto firms to register with the FCA was last week but these five firms’ applications are still pending. Five Crypto Firms Can Continue to Operate in the UK With Temporary Registration The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) updated its list of crypto asset firms with temporary registration Thursday. There are now five firms on the list: Cex.io Ltd., Copper Technologies (UK) Ltd., Globalblock Ltd., Revolut Ltd., and Moneybrain Ltd. At the end of March, the British financial regulator said that it extended the registration deadline for some crypto firms to meet its regulatory requirements. At that time, there were 12 firms on the temporary registration list. Companies that are not on the latest list cannot continue to operate after April 1. The financial regulator has registered 33 firms altoge