Bitcoin News and Finance: What You Need to Know

The share of currencies other than the U.S. dollar and the euro in international reserves is on the rise, according to a Russian representative. The trend is being observed as a growing number of countries try to use their national currencies in foreign trade settlements, the official noted. Russia Sees Alternative Currencies Like Chinese Yuan Replacing U.S. Dollar in Reserves and Settlements The share of the U.S. dollar in international reserves has dropped below 60% amid increasing use of alternative currencies in international settlements, the Spokeswoman of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, pointed out on Wednesday, quoted by the official Russian Tass news agency. The Russian diplomat remarked that this indicator for the status of the greenback was at 72% in 2002. “The euro has now fallen to 19%, from 28% in 2008. By the way, the yuan has risen to 3%, a threefold growth since 2016,” Zakharova added. The report did not mention the source of the data she quo...

Meta’s Horizon Worlds, the metaverse flagship app of the company formerly known as Facebook, is reportedly getting legs as part of users’ avatars in the coming weeks. The functionality is already present in a public test version of the app, but it is only present in Horizon Home, the default space of each user. Meta’s Metaverse Gets Legs for Avatars Horizon Worlds, Meta’s metaverse app, has reached a goal proposed almost a year ago: to give legs to its avatars. According to Uploadvr’s reports, the feature will be included in Horizon Worlds in the coming weeks, with the functionality being present in a public test version of Horizon Home, the default room in which all Quest headset users enter when logging on. The legs donned by the virtual avatars will only be visible in third-person view to avoid the awkwardness caused by leg movements not being accurately represented, as leg tracking hardware and software have still not been included in Quest’s headsets. The legs issue was rais...

Economist Peter Schiff has warned that Bidenomics “will soon be exposed for the fraud that it is, as inflation and unemployment heat up while the economy cools down.” He cautioned: “If Americans think the economy is bad now, just wait until they see what’s coming. Once the dollar cracks, both inflation and interest rates will rise sharply. This will send the economy deeper into recession, causing many people to lose their jobs. That’s the real Bidenomics.” Peter Schiff Calls Bidenomics Fraud Gold bug and economist Peter Schiff slammed President Joe Biden’s economic policy, known as Bidenomics, in a series of posts on social media platform X this week. “If Americans think the economy is bad now, just wait until they see what’s coming. Once the dollar cracks, both inflation and interest rates will rise sharply. This will send the economy deeper into recession, causing many people to lose their jobs. That’s the real Bidenomics,” Schiff detailed on Wednesday. “August consumer confiden...

A global macro strategist has explained that the Chinese yuan is unlikely to replace the U.S. dollar as the global reserve currency. She emphasized that the “weaponization” of the USD is one of the top reasons why Russia, China, and other BRICS nations have been seeking an alternative to the dollar. US Dollar v Chinese Yuan Skylar Montgomery, senior global macro strategist at Globaldata TS Lombard, an independent investment research group focusing on global macro and strategy, explained in a note on Wednesday that the Chinese yuan is unlikely to replace the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency. She detailed that the U.S. dollar’s global reserve currency status “is a privilege that gives the U.S. significant political, economic, and market influence.” However, she cautioned that the U.S. government is using the USD as a political tool, as seen in the West’s action to freeze Russia’s currency reserves in response to the invasion of Ukraine. The strategist described: That we...

On September 1, Arkham Intelligence, a crypto analytics and data tracking agency, reportedly pinpointed the ethereum ( ETH ) holdings of Grayscale for its Ethereum Trust. Arkham reveals that Grayscale’s ether stash is spread across 500 distinct addresses. Grayscale’s Ethereum Holdings Mapped by Arkham According to Arkham, the firm has identified the ethereum owned by Grayscale for the Ethereum Trust fund. The fund’s shares are based on a fraction of ether, and each share represents 0.00963214 ETH on September 1, according to Grayscale’s web portal . Grayscale’s Ethereum Trust was initially introduced in December 2017, and Arkham believes the company is now the second-largest holder of ETH . “Arkham has identified the Grayscale Ethereum Trust onchain,” the firm posted to the social media platform X. “It is now the second largest ETH entity globally with $5B in ETH . This had not been previously reported or publicly identified.” The firm added : The Grayscale funds are split o...

The number of verifications for Worldcoin, the biometric digital ID and wallet project, has soared recently in Argentina, reaching a daily signup record in August. According to data provided by the project, Worldcoin verified 9,500 Argentine users in a single day, with only four verification stations in the country. Wordcoin Popularity Peaks in Argentina; Project Reaches 9.5K Verifications in a Day Worldcoin, the biometric ID and digital wallet project, has recently experienced a surge in popularity in Argentina. According to data provided by the project, Argentina reached a record for signups during August, registering more than 9,500 verifications in a single day. Worldcoin project co-founder and CEO of Tools for Humanity Alex Blania attributed this high demand to the interest Argentine citizens have in crypto and innovative tech tools. At the Ethereum Argentina Mainnet Stage, he stated: I think the first major thing that stands out is that Argentina specifically is one of the...

Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange by volumes traded, has announced the launch of “Send Cash,” a Latam-focused remittance service. The newly launched tool will allow users in nine countries in the region to send crypto to bank accounts of friends or family in Argentina and Colombia directly, bypassing third-party intermediaries. Binance Seeks to Ease Remittances in Latam With ‘Send Cash’ On Tuesday, Binance announced the launch of ‘Send Cash,’ a new service that seeks to ease the burden of Latam crypto users trying to send remittances to friends and family in Latam. In a press release , Binance explained that this new tool will allow users in 9 countries of Latam – Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala, Argentina, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Panama, and Mexico – to send funds directly to the bank accounts of users located in Colombia and Argentina “at the lowest cost in the market.” Binance also hinted at the possible expansion of this program to other countries of ...

Several lawmakers have expressed concerns about the privacy risks of the Federal Reserve issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC). “Americans have a right to financial privacy,” one congressman said, emphasizing: “We do not need a CBDC that can track your purchases like China does with their digital yuan.” Another noted: “CBDC is to sound money what dictatorship is to freedom.” ‘Americans Have a Right to Financial Privacy’ Multiple U.S. lawmakers have warned against the issuance of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) by the Federal Reserve. Congressman French Hill (R-AR), chairman of Congress’ Digital Assets Subcommittee, wrote on social media platform X on Wednesday: Americans have a right to financial privacy. We do not need a CBDC that can track your purchases like China does with their digital yuan. “The authority rests with Congress, not unelected bureaucrats, to create and implement a CBDC. And that’s non-partisan,” the lawmaker stressed. The congressman has been...

A number of U.S. lawmakers have urged regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), to work with Congress on crypto regulation. “Chair Gensler’s regulation by enforcement is unlawful and does nothing to protect consumers. It’s time for Biden’s regulators to work with Congress to provide clear rules of the road and robust consumer protections through legislation,” said the House Financial Services Committee. Lawmakers Urge Regulators to Work With Congress on Crypto Regulation After the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled in favor of crypto asset manager Grayscale Investments against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a number of lawmakers have urged regulators to collaborate with Congress on cryptocurrency regulation. On Tuesday, the Financial Services GOP posted on social media platform X: Chair Gensler’s regulation by enforcement is unlawful and does nothing to protect consumers. It’s time for Biden’s regulators...

Grayscale’s court win over the U.S. securities regulator will help keep crypto innovation in America, Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy is convinced. While praising the “strong decision,” Ramaswamy also commented that the case should have never reached the courts. Federal Courts Are the Only Line of Defense Against Shadow Government, Ramaswamy Says The court ruling in the case of Grayscale Investments against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) clears a path to keep Bitcoin and blockchain innovation in America, according to Vivek Ramaswamy, a candidate for the Republican Party’s nomination for the 2024 presidential election in the United States. Ramaswamy took to social media to share his thoughts on the recent decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in favor of the largest crypto asset manager. Grayscale had challenged the SEC’s move to deny the conversion of its bitcoin trust (GBTC) to a spot bitcoin exchange-traded ...

Nexo has introduced a new “Dual Mode” feature on its cryptocurrency Mastercard, allowing users to switch between debit and credit functions to optimize cryptocurrency spending. Nexo Unveils Dual Mode Card Capabilities to Streamline Crypto Payments Nexo ‘s new feature enables real-time toggling between modes within the Nexo app, providing flexibility based on users’ budgets and purchase needs, according to the company’s announcement on Thursday. Nexo said the newly launched service enhances the capabilities of its cryptocurrency card. “The Nexo Card embodies the pinnacle of customer-centric innovation, cultivated from user-driven needs that Nexo has been diligently addressing over the years,” Nexo co-founder and managing partner Antoni Trenchev told Bitcoin.com News. “By bringing the pioneering Nexo Card with the Dual Mode capability to market, Nexo has further strengthened its position as a leading innovator in the crypto space,” Trenchev added. First introduced in 2022, the Nexo ...

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has deferred decisions on seven spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications from Invesco Galaxy, Wisdomtree, Bitwise, Vaneck, Fidelity’s Wise Origin, Blackrock, and Valkyrie. In statements released on Thursday, the SEC underlined the necessity for a more extended timeframe to thoroughly assess the submitted propositions. SEC Delays Spot Bitcoin ETF Decision for 7 Major Applicants On August 31, the U.S. securities overseer resolved to postpone its verdict in order to allocate a lengthier period for scrutinizing the proposed rule amendments for seven distinct spot bitcoin ETFs. The regulator elaborated that this step ensures ample time for the SEC to meticulously examine the proposal and address any worries raised. Decisions for the collection of filings originating from Wisdomtree , Valkyrie , Bitwise, Fidelity’s Wise Origin , Vaneck , Blackrock , and Invesco Galaxy will be extended until mid to late October. Unfortunatel...

The premium on crypto assets listed on South African exchanges briefly surged to 3.5% after Kraken’s abruptly started blocking deposits from users based in the African country. Some South African crypto experts have linked Kraken’s decision to the Financial Action Task Force’s recent addition of the African country to its greylist. Impact of the FATF’s Greylisting According to a report, the U.S.-based crypto exchange Kraken’s recent decision to stop accepting deposits from South African nationals briefly saw the premium on crypto assets like bitcoin surge to 3.5%. Before Kraken’s announcement, the premium or arbitrage, which is the gap between prices of crypto assets on global exchanges and South African exchanges, had reportedly ranged between 0.7% and 1.5%. As explained in a report published by Moneyweb, Kraken made the sudden decision to block South African deposits after its banking partner placed the African country on its anti-laundering blacklist. Some South African comment...

Switzerland-based crypto-friendly SEBA Bank announced it has received an approval-in-principle to operate in Hong Kong. The regulatory nod brings the Swiss bank’s local entity closer to becoming a licensed provider of various services for crypto assets in the Chinese region. SEBA Bank Takes a Step Towards Full Crypto License in Hong Kong SEBA Hong Kong, a subsidiary of the Zug-headquartered crypto bank SEBA Bank, has been issued an in-principle approval by the Securities and Futures Commission ( SFC ) of the Chinese Special Administrative region, the bank said on Wednesday. The approval has been granted for the entity’s application for a license to conduct regulated activities in Hong Kong which will allow it to deal in securities, including crypto-related products such as over-the-counter derivatives and structured products. Backed by the Swiss banking giant Julius Baer, SEBA Bank provides wealth management, investment, and trading solutions for the digital age. A Hong Kong licen...

An Africa-focused remittances platform, Lemfi, recently said it has raised $33 million in a Series A round led by Left Lane Capital. Lemfi said it will use the capital raise to “expand its product offering to the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.” Making Remittances Less Complicated Lemfi, an Africa-focused remittances platform, recently raised a $33 million in a Series A round which was led by Left Lane Capital. In a press statement , Lemfi, which has a presence in Canada and the U.K., said it will use the capital raise to “expand its product offering to the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.” In comments accompanying the capital raise announcement, Ridwan Olalere, a co-founder and CEO of Lemfi, seemingly characterized the successful round as an endorsement of the company’s objective of making financial services more accessible to immigrants. Olalere, who claims to have seen first-hand the challenges faced by migrants, also spoke of how Lemfi’s produ...

In early August 2023, Bloomberg ETF specialists Eric Balchunas and James Seyffart estimated a 65% probability for the approval of a spot bitcoin ETF. However, as August draws to its conclusion, and in light of a U.S. court siding with Grayscale over a legal tussle against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the pair have revised their prediction, now pegging the likelihood at 75%. SEC Decision Looms for Seven Spot Bitcoin ETFs Barring any delays, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is poised to either greenlight or turn down seven distinct proposals for a spot bitcoin ETF. These applications hail from notable names like Blackrock, Wisdomtree, Valkyrie, Fidelity, Vaneck, Bitwise, and Invesco. Bloomberg’s senior ETF analyst, Balchunas, conveyed that he and Seyffart have adjusted the odds from their earlier forecast . “James Seyffart [and] I are upping our odds to 75% of spot bitcoin ETFs launching this yr (95% by end of ’24),” Balchunas posted to the soc...

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Utah-based Nodal Power, which specializes in turning landfill gas into energy for powering bitcoin ( BTC ) mining hubs, recently announced a successful $13 million seed round backed by strategic investors. Bryan Black, Nodal’s CEO, stressed the technology’s “potential to make a significant impact on local energy markets.” Nodal Power Raises $13M to Convert Landfill Gas to Bitcoin Mining Energy; Eyes Local Market Impact Nodal Power , a company that converts landfill gas into energy for Bitcoin mining centers, has secured $13 million in seed funding. This technology reduces methane gas emissions from landfills and uses that energy for mining. Nodal combusts the methane, typically flared or vented, with a generator. The resulting electricity is then provided to local utilities and BTC mining operations. Nodal says a significant portion of the funding has been invested in building and operating two power plants in the United States. The first, in the Southeast, uses landfill gas to pr...

Jamie Coutts, an analyst from Bloomberg Intelligence, has predicted that stablecoin adoption will grow significantly once the issue of hostile regulations in the U.S. is put aside, noting “adoption under the hood is exploding.” Coutts believes that stablecoin usage may overtake bitcoin usage as more companies like Paypal integrate such assets in their payment structures. Analyst Says Stablecoin Adoption Set to Grow While the stablecoin market has been hammered recently due to the lack of clear regulations in the U.S., the adoption of these tools is set to boom enormously in the future. At least, this is the opinion of Jaime Coutts, a Bloomberg Intelligence analyst, who believes that even in the face of “U.S. boomer” regulations, these payment methods are likely to be adopted by companies like Paypal and credit giants like Visa and Mastercard. In his analysis, Coutts acknowledges that the growth of the stablecoin market was significant during 2022, with total payments of stablecoi...

In a lawsuit filed by a Nigerian human rights activist, the country’s central bank is accused of failing to stop the dollarization of the economy. According to the activist, the central bank’s unwillingness to stop economic agents from demanding U.S. dollars for domestic transactions has “resulted in the constant devaluation, depreciation and unending plunge of the naira.” Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange Woes A Nigerian lawyer and human activist, Femi Falana, is suing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for allegedly dollarizing the economy. In his suit filed with a Lagos High Court, Falana also alleged that the CBN’s failure to perform its statutory obligations had “resulted in the constant devaluation, depreciation and unending plunge of the naira.” As has been reported by Bitcoin.com News in the past few months, the Nigerian currency has been losing ground against major currencies. Many Nigerian economic commentators attribute the naira’s constant depreciation to the ongoing U.S. doll...

Crypto exchange Binance considers exiting Russia amid increased scrutiny over its services for users in the sanctioned nation. The news of the potential move comes after the exchange delisted several sanctioned Russian banks from its peer-to-peer (P2P) platform and restricted fiat payment options for Russian traders. Full Russia Exit Is on the Table, Binance Representative Says The world’s leading exchange for digital assets, , is currently reevaluating its Russian business, the Wall Street Journal reported . The process includes the possibility of a full withdrawal from what was an important market for the crypto giant. A spokesperson for the company told the publication: All options are on the table, including a full exit. The statement comes after a WSJ article suggested last week that Binance is facing legal risks over allegedly helping Russians move money abroad despite the platform claiming it has been abiding by Westerns sanctions rules since last year. Following the pu...

The Shiba Inu development team has announced that Shibarium is now fully functional after recent challenges where funds became inaccessible in the bridge. Shiba Inu’s Shytoshi Kusama thanked Sandeep Nailwal, the co-founder of Polygon Labs, who stepped in with crucial resources to address the issue. Shibarium Back Online After Resolving Bridge Glitch, Team Thanks Polygon Co-Founder Two weeks prior, Shibarium had faced difficulties with over $2 million in cryptocurrency deposits trapped in its bridge. However, on August 28, an update was shared via a blog post confirming that Shibarium’s layer two (L2) was back in action. It highlighted that Sandeep Nailwal and the Polygon team were instrumental in resolving the situation. “Quickly after the incident began, I called Sandeep from Polygon directly and without a second thought, he helped provide additional resources to ensure a perfect outcome to the situation,” remarked Shiba Inu’s Shytoshi Kusama. The blog further specified that tr...

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s former head of Internet enforcement suspects that the SEC’s “secret” filing in the Binance case is a “rare” tactic that could relate to the Department of Justice’s criminal investigation against the crypto exchange. He stressed that the securities regulator’s “seal-seeking filing is unusual, odd, and uncommon,” emphasizing that the move “cannot be overstated.” SEC Takes ‘Rare’ Move in Binance Case Former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) official John Reed Stark shared his perspective Tuesday regarding what he called a “secret” SEC filing in its litigation against cryptocurrency exchange Binance in a lengthy post on social media platform X. 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 former SEC official explained that the securities watchdog filed ...

Members of the U.S. Congress have expressed concerns about the possible problems that implementing the newly proposed crypto tax reporting requirements could create in the entire industry. Patrick McHenry, Cynthia Lummis, and others reacted differently to the potential effects of these proposals on decentralized finance platforms and stablecoins. U.S. Congress Members Concerned Over New Tax Obligations for Defi Exchanges and Stablecoins Several U.S. Congress members have expressed concerns over the newly proposed crypto-related tax reporting rule revealed recently by the U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and its possible effect on several elements of the cryptocurrency industry. In a recent post on social media, Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis stated that while she was encouraged by the exclusion of significant parts of the crypto machinery, including miners, stakers, validators, and wallet providers, others were still included in the proposal. Lummis,...