Bitcoin News and Finance: What You Need to Know

Lawyers for Sam Bankman-Fried are making another attempt to have the disgraced FTX founder temporarily released from jail before his October trial, claiming he needs better access to prepare his defense properly. Lawyers Cite Bankman-Fried’s Indispensable Knowledge for Complex Trial Preparation In a letter to U.S. judge Lewis Kaplan filed Monday, Sam Bankman-Fried ’s attorneys argued that the current restrictions on meeting with their client at Manhattan’s Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) are “not workable” for a case this complex. “This case is highly technical and complex, and we need our client to help us understand the facts and explain many of the issues,” lawyers state in the letter. “He alone knows the facts which are also critical in preparing his defense. Unfortunately, his knowledge and insight cannot be replicated by third-party experts as they are not familiar with the underlying facts and cannot provide the necessary help.” Bankman-Fried’s lawyers say they need mo...

Despite the role it has played in narrowing the financial inclusion gap, the e-naira central bank digital currency still poses a risk to financial stability. In addition to bolstering the financial inclusion rate, the central bank claimed that the CBDC would “widen the size and stability of banks’ deposit base.” Nigeria’s Financial Inclusion Rates According to a new Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) study, the country’s nearly two-year-old e-naira central bank digital currency (CBDC) poses a risk to financial stability. This is despite the fact that such a digital currency can potentially help improve Nigeria’s “financial inclusion rate from 64.1 percent recorded in 2021 to the 95.0 percent target for 2024.” Launched in late October 2021, the e-naira, which was championed by former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele, has not been widely received by the Nigerian population. As previously reported by Bitcoin.com News in August 2022, there were fewer than one million downloads of the e-naira ...

Worldcoin, the biometric wallet and ID project, has reported that it has signed up more than 1% of the population of Chile. According to the organization, more than 200,000 Chileans are already using Worldcoin, a popularity uptick shared with other South American countries, including Argentina, where 9,500 Argentines verified their IDs in a day. Worldcoin Achieves Milestone in Chile; More Than 1% of the Population Reportedly Registered Worldcoin, the project that uses biometric iris scanning as “ proof of personhood ,” has reached a milestone in Chile. The organization reported having signed up 200,000 Chileans since its launch. With Chile having approximately 19.5 million residents, this means more than 1% of the population would have signed up to receive Worldcoin’s grant in the form of WLD, the native token of the protocol. This growth signals the popularity rise of the project in South American countries, that have shown interest in the proposal of the World ID app. Due to thi...

A federal judge has issued rulings limiting some arguments the defense can make at Sam Bankman-Fried’s criminal fraud trial next month. However, the judge will allow Bankman-Fried’s lawyers to question witnesses about past recreational drug use. Bankman-Fried Can’t Mention Jail Time at Trial In a 16-page order , Lewis Kaplan, the U.S. District judge presiding over the case granted some of prosecutors’ requests to bar certain defense strategies and evidence at the October trial of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange founder. Kaplan prohibited Sam Bankman-Fried ‘s lawyers from telling jurors he’s been detained pretrial or referencing his family and personal life. The judge also barred arguments over whether FTX customers were negligent in using the exchange or that Bankman-Fried intended to pay back any allegedly stolen funds. Kaplan wrote both are irrelevant or unfairly prejudicial. However, Kaplan declined to prohibit Bankman-Fried’s lawyers from asking witnesses about recreational d...

Bitcoin and crypto asset funds currently represent a niche market with an estimated worth of $50 billion, as highlighted by Bernstein Research. Yet, under the leadership of Gautam Chhugani, Bernstein’s team of analysts anticipates these funds may oversee between “$500-650 billion of assets” in the coming five years. $650B Horizon: Bernstein Envisions Massive Growth in Crypto Funds Over the next five years, the crypto fund management industry could see significant growth, according to Bernstein analysts . Led by Chhugani, Bernstein’s team currently values the sector at $50 billion, describing it as a “cottage industry.” However, they anticipate it will transform into a regulated asset management industry, managing “$500-650 billion of assets” within five years. One reason is they believe regulatory challenges will diminish. “The meat of regulatory backlash is done for now, and the Coinbase case will provide further clarity,” said the Bernstein team in a note to investors on Monday. ...

The U.S. Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about a surge in “money-flipping” crypto investment scams on Tiktok. “They may ask for fees several times,” the BBB cautioned, adding that if you question them, “they may resort to scare tactics, telling you that if you don’t pay, you’ll miss out on the giant return or that they can take legal action.” Crypto Scams on the Rise on Tiktok The U.S. Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued a warning about the rising number of cryptocurrency investment scams on Tiktok. Founded in 1912, the BBB is a private, nonprofit organization focused on advancing marketplace trust. According to the bureau: Money-flipping cons have long been popular on Instagram and Twitter. But as Tiktok’s popularity grows, so do the con artists. Watch out for this Tiktok scam, which promises to turn a few hundred dollars worth of cryptocurrency into thousands in no time. The BBB explained that when browsing Tiktok videos, you may come across some sho...

A controversy surrounding Alex Welch, an alleged spokeswoman of Tether, the company behind USDT , erupted last week as an article in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) quoted her as a source for information on the company’s loans. However, Tether CTO Paolo Ardoino denied any involvement of Welch with the stablecoin company, criticizing the publishing practices of the news outlet. Alleged Tether Spokeswoman Alex Welch Causes Controversy Alex Welch, who has been presented in several articles as a spokesperson for Tether, the stablecoin company behind the issuance of USDT , is at the center of a controversy between the company and mainstream news outlets. Welch was mentioned as a source for allegations regarding the rise in Tether’s outstanding loans in a recent article by WSJ journalist Jonathan Weil, which was criticized as “tabloid-style” reporting in a press release issued by the company. In the article, Welch is reported to have given information regarding these loans, stating that ...

Microstrategy has acquired 5,445 more bitcoin, bringing the company’s total holdings to 158,245 BTC . According to the company’s filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the additional bitcoins were acquired during the period between Aug. 1 and Sept. 24. Microstrategy Adds 5,445 Bitcoin to Its Treasury The Nasdaq-listed software intelligence firm Microstrategy has continued to increase its bitcoin holdings. On Monday, Michael Saylor, founder and chairman of Microstrategy, announced on social media platform X: Microstrategy has acquired an additional 5,445 BTC for ~$147.3 million at an average price of $27,053 per bitcoin. As of 9/24/23 Microstrategy hodls 158,245 BTC acquired for ~$4.68 billion at an average price of $29,582 per bitcoin. $MSTR According to the company’s filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the additional bitcoins were acquired between Aug. 1 and Sept. 24. Microstrategy also announced on Monday that as of Sept. 2...

U.S. presidential candidate Nikki Haley has warned that China is preparing for war and Chinese President Xi Jinping intends to win. “China is an existential threat. It has spent half a century plotting to defeat us,” she stressed, cautioning that China is “building a massive cutting edge military, capable of threatening America and dominating Asia and beyond.” Nikki Haley Warns of China’s Preparation for War U.S. presidential hopeful and former governor of the state of South Carolina, Nikki Haley, warned in a speech at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics on her economic policy Friday that China is preparing for war. “Strength and pride are essential to our national survival, especially in the face of Communist China,” she began, elaborating: China is an existential threat. It has spent half a century plotting to defeat us. “It’s taken our manufacturing jobs. It’s taken our trade secrets. Now, it’s taking control of critical industries — from medicines to advanced technology...

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s former head of internet enforcement has called on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to prosecute more crypto firms. “The stark reality is that the SEC is merely a civil enforcement agency. And until crypto-grifters face the threat of DOJ prosecution (i.e. prison time), they will continue to treat SEC enforcement-related risks … as the cost of regulatory arbitrage and just another liability item on their balance sheets,” he stressed. DOJ Should Prosecute Crypto Cases, Says Ex-SEC Official Former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) official John Reed Stark has called on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to take more action against the crypto industry. Commenting on the fraud case of Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), former CEO of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, Stark wrote on social media platform X Saturday: “For the life of me, I cannot comprehend why the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ha...

San Francisco-based law firm Fenwick & West LLP is denying allegations from FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried that the firm provided legal advice enabling the alleged fraud that led to the cryptocurrency exchange’s collapse. In a recent court filing, Fenwick & West asserts the allegations are “fatally deficient” and should be dismissed with prejudice. Law Firm Challenges FTX Founder’s Claims In a motion to dismiss filed Wednesday in Florida federal court, Fenwick & West argues the complaint fails to state viable claims for conspiracy, aiding and abetting fraud, negligence, or racketeering. The firm asserts the allegations improperly seek to hold it liable based on providing routine legal services to FTX within the scope of representation. Fenwick & West claims the complaint does not show it acted outside its role as legal counsel, an essential element for the asserted causes of action against a law firm. “A lawyer’s representation of a client and knowledge of their emp...

In just five days, liquid staking platforms saw a surge of 370,000 ether in their ethereum holdings, breaching the 12 million ETH mark—rising from 11.94 million to a notable 12.31 million. Interestingly, Binance’s liquid staking token, WBETH, was the powerhouse behind this growth, accounting for over 86% of this week’s increase, swelling by 318,605 ether in the five-day span. Liquid Staking Platforms Leap Over 12 Million Ether As of September 25, 2023, data from defillama.com reveals that Ethereum ( ETH ) holdings in liquid staking derivative protocols have soared past the 12 million mark, reaching an impressive 12.31 million. Rewinding to September 20, historical records indicate that 11.94 million ether was anchored across nearly two dozen of these protocols. Among the 23 contenders, Lido dominates with a staggering 70.90% of the total value locked (TVL). On that same day, September 20, Lido had approximately 8.7 million ether secured in its decentralized finance platform. Fast...

Welcome to Latam Insights, a compendium of Latin America’s most relevant crypto and economic news during the last week. In this issue: a Bitcoin mining farm is discovered during a raid on a Venezuelan jail, a bill that protects crypto from seizure advances in Brazil, and the Chilean police find a Bitcoin farm during a drug raid. Bitcoin Farm Found in Venezuelan Jail A Bitcoin mining farm was dismantled during a mega raid on the Venezuelan penitentiary center of Tocoron, located in the Aragua state. The raid, which involved the participation of more than 11,000 officers, found an undisclosed number of Bitcoin miners inside a makeshift mining farm, which was allegedly operated by the gang that held control of the national jail, called “Aragua’s Train.” During the raid, the police also found drugs, rifles and ammo, C4 explosives, and more eccentric elements, like a disco where events were held, a swimming pool, a baseball stadium, and even a zoo. Authorities have not issued statemen...

U.S.-based crypto exchange Coinbase has obtained a registration in Spain that will allow it to offer a range of services for digital assets. The authorization fits into the company’s current strategy for global expansion through acquiring local licenses and tailoring products for specific markets. Cryptocurrency Exchange Coinbase Registers With the Central Bank of Spain Leading U.S. digital assets trading platform Coinbase has registered as a crypto exchange and custodian wallet provider with the Bank of Spain. The firm said this week the registration will allow it to offer its full suite of products and services to both retail and institutional customers in compliance with in Spain’s laws and regulations. In an announcement on Friday, Coinbase emphasized the development is a milestone in the execution of its “Go Broad, Go Deep” strategy for international expansion. In a recent blog post , the American crypto firm said it’s launching its second phase and shared details about its p...

A London-headquartered law firm is preparing a lawsuit against the fugitive mastermind of the Onecoin crypto pyramid scheme, ‘Cryptoqueen’ Ruja Ignatova. Its lawyers intend to file a class action suit in the United Kingdom’s High Court, the British press revealed. Fugitive Cryptoqueen May Face U.K. High Court Lawsuit Over Investor Losses Mishcon de Reya, the elite British law firm that once had Princess Diana among its high-profile clients, is now working on a lawsuit against the founder of the notorious crypto scam Onecoin, the still “missing Cryptoqueen” Ruja Ignatova. The lawyers are planning a class action lawsuit in Britain’s High Court, the Mail on Sunday reported. Mishcon seeks to recover funds lost by investors in the Ponzi scheme. Claimants can sign up on a “no-win, no-fee” basis, the newspaper detailed. Mishcon partner Rhymal Persad elaborated: The claim aims to achieve at least partial redress for investors taken in by the deception and who suffered losses as a result....

Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit is suspending services in the U.K. next month in order to comply with the new rules set by Britain’s top financial regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). “The suspension will allow the company to focus its efforts and resources to best meet the regulations outlined by the U.K. authorities in the future,” Bybit explained. Bybit Halting UK Services Crypto exchange Bybit announced Friday that it is suspending services in the U.K. in order to comply with the new rules on marketing and communications for crypto businesses set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The new rules are outlined in Policy Statement PS23/6 , titled “Financial promotion rules for cryptoassets,” which the FCA published in June. “It has always been Bybit’s primary objective to operate our business in compliance with all relevant rules and regulations in the U.K.,” the announcement details, adding: Bybit has made a choice to embrace the regulation proactively and paus...

Venezuelan authorities found weapons of war, a discotheque, pools, a zoo, and even a makeshift Bitcoin mining farm in a raid completed on a national jail. The raid, executed in the Tocoron National Penitentiary Center, located in the Aragua state, mobilized 11,000 military officers to take control of the center. Bitcoin Miners, Grenades, and Weapons Found in Venezuelan Jail Raid Venezuelan authorities found Bitcoin miners among a series of irregular items during a raid executed on a national jail on September 21. 11,000 military and police officers participated in this action to liberate the Tocoron National Penitentiary in the Aragua state from the control of Aragua’s Train, the gang that managed the complex. In a video detailing the aftermath of the raid, where an officer died in the line of duty, an undisclosed number of Bitcoin miners can be seen in a room that served as a mining farm. During the raid, the authorities found weapons of war, including rocket launchers, grenades,...

Following a decisive vote by the Terra Classic community, an initiative to halt the creation of the previously termed stablecoin, terra usd (commonly referred to as UST or USTC), has been approved. Despite 40.56% opposition, 59.42% of the vote gave the nod for the software update. Minting Freeze for USTC Approved USTC , which sits at the 200th spot among 10,000+ crypto assets in the crypto economy, has seen its value jump by 4% in just the last day. As of 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on September 24, 2023, a single USTC is fetching $0.0127. Flashback to before the Terra ecosystem’s downturn in May 2022: this stablecoin held firm at a solid $1 per unit, maintaining its peg to the USD for a long duration. On May 9, 2022 , USTC drifted away from its peg to the U.S. dollar and the peg never returned. While the Terra blockchain ecosystem shuddered, a community of users and developers continued to persevere. The Terra blockchain is known for facilitating trades between the once-stable coin an...

Exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, that track the price of bitcoin have become a popular means for mainstream investors to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency market without directly owning bitcoin. Though the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved a spot bitcoin ETF in the U.S., futures-based and international bitcoin ETFs are offering investors new participation methods. The Basics: Defining a Bitcoin ETF An ETF is an investment fund traded on stock exchanges, similar to stocks. A bitcoin ETF doesn’t directly trade bitcoin; rather, it tracks bitcoin futures contracts or holds private keys associated with the cryptocurrency. This setup grants regular investors and institutions access to bitcoin exposure without dealing with cryptocurrency exchanges or wallets. There are two main types of bitcoin ETFs: futures-based and spot bitcoin ETFs. Futures-based bitcoin ETFs, such as the Proshares “Bitcoin Strategy ETF ,” which debuted in 2021, don’t directly invest in bitcoi...

Aleksey Bilyuchenko, co-founder of Wex, the successor of the infamous Russian crypto exchange BTC-e, will spend only a couple of years in prison. The Russian, who is charged in the U.S. with money laundering, has been sentenced in his homeland as the only defendant in a case over the collapse of Wex which brought heavy losses to its customers. Wex Co-founder Admits Guilt for Exchange’s Crash, Asks Putin to Be Sent to Ukraine One of the founders of the crypto exchange Wex, which succeeded once the largest coin trading platform in Russia, BTC-e, received three and a half years of prison time and 500,000-ruble ($5,000) fine for his role in its operation, Russian crypto news outlet Bits.media reported, quoting a Telegram post by journalist and blogger Irek Murtazin. The mild sentence comes after Aleksey Bilyuchenko, who has been accused in Russia of embezzling several billion rubles in customer funds, sought leniency from Russian President Vladimir Putin while the state prosecutor aske...

Leading U.S. crypto exchange Coinbase pursued the acquisition of failed coin trading competitor FTX’s European subsidiary, a media report revealed. The move has been seen as proof of the growing importance of derivatives for the American platform’s plan to expand business globally. Coinbase Held Talks to Acquire FTX Europe After Bankruptcy and in September Coinbase has looked into the potential acquisition of FTX’s entity in Europe, according to documents seen by Fortune. The U.S.-based digital assets exchange explored the option to buy the Cyprus-licensed platform both right after FTX filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States last November and as recently as early September. “Coinbase’s interest in FTX Europe demonstrates the growing importance of derivatives to its global business plan as spot trading volumes have tumbled during the bear market,” the magazine commented while noting the talks never reached a late stage and quoting a person familiar with the matter who s...

Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki has advised investors to buy bitcoin today before stock, bond, and real estate markets crash and people rush to buy BTC alongside gold and silver. The famous author has predicted that bitcoin’s price will reach $500,000 by 2025, with gold soaring to $5,000, and silver reaching $500. However, he anticipates BTC reaching $1 million in the event of a global economic collapse. Robert Kiyosaki Recommends Buying Bitcoin Today The famous author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, has urged all investors to buy gold, silver, and bitcoin today before the stock, bond, and real estate markets crash and people rush to buy those three assets. Rich Dad Poor Dad is a 1997 book co-authored by Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter. It has been on the New York Times Best Seller List for over six years. More than 32 million copies of the book have been sold in over 51 languages across more than 109 countries. Kiyosaki shared on social media platform X on Tuesday th...

Skybridge Capital founder Anthony Scaramucci has explained why he is still bullish on bitcoin. Emphasizing that every Wall Street firm is going to have a bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) in their arsenal that they will sell to their clients, he predicted: “The next 10 to 20 years are remarkably bullish.” He added: “If you got your bitcoin, I wouldn’t sell your bitcoin, you made it through winter.” Scaramucci Remains Bullish on Bitcoin Skybridge Capital founder Anthony Scaramucci explained why he remains optimistic about the future of bitcoin during a fireside chat, titled “Why I’m still bullish,” at the Messari Mainnet conference in New York on Thursday. Nothing that he believes the worst of the bitcoin bear market is over, he advised: If you got your bitcoin, I wouldn’t sell your bitcoin, you made it through winter … The next 10 to 20 years are remarkably bullish. He believes that young people “will be mainstreaming bitcoin” in the same way his generation “mainstreamed the i...