TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK
Markets Rally After U.S. Judge Says Ripple Is Not A Security
Crypto markets are soaring after a partial victory by Ripple Labs in its court case against the US SEC, where the SEC had alleged that sales of Ripple’s XRP token constituted a securities offering in violation of US securities laws. While institutional sales of XRP to hedge funds and VCs were found to be illegal, programmatic sales to retail investors directly on digital asset exchanges as well as sales of tokens as a form of payment for services were not found to be investment contracts in violation of the law.
SEC leaves door open for appeal in Ripple case
Following a partial defeat in its longstanding case against Ripple Labs over the company's sale of its native token XRP, a spokesperson for the Securities and Exchange Commission left the door open for a possible appeal of the decision.
Bitcoin, Ethereum Trade Flat as June CPI Report Clocks in at 3%
Leading cryptocurrencies rose slightly following the latest CPI figures, which indicate that inflation in the US continues to cool. Headline inflation in June increased 3.0% over the last year, slightly below the +3.1% consensus and marking the lowest level since March 2021. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, increased 4.8% over the last year, also bettering the consensus estimate of +5.0%. The lower than expected inflation gives the Fed a bit more leeway to raise rates by a smaller amount or more slowly.
Public Good or Panopticon? Arkham’s ‘Dox-to-Earn’ Marketplace Cuts at Heart of Crypto
Arkham announced a new on-chain intelligence exchange, enabling users to
buy and sell information on the owner of any blockchain wallet address anonymously via a smart contract. The announcement, however, was heavily lampooned on social media, with many labeling it a “dox-to-earn program.” Arkham, however, called it a public good, and believes it will reduce the number of hacks, scams and rug pulls.
buy and sell information on the owner of any blockchain wallet address anonymously via a smart contract. The announcement, however, was heavily lampooned on social media, with many labeling it a “dox-to-earn program.” Arkham, however, called it a public good, and believes it will reduce the number of hacks, scams and rug pulls.
Former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky reportedly arrested
The former chief executive officer of now-bankrupt crypto lender Celsius, Alex Mashinsky, was arrested on the morning of July 13. The news broke out minutes after the US SEC filed a lawsuit against the crypto lender on the same day.
BITCOIN
First Bitcoin futures contract debuts in Argentina
US government moves nearly 10K Bitcoin worth over $300M related to Silk Road seizure
New Tool Allows Bitcoin Holders to Store Private Keys as Colors
Lightning Network wallet Phoenix adds ‘splicing’ to reduce payment fees
Bitcoin April 2024 Forecast Raised to $56.6K: Berenberg
Perpetual futures market sees Bitcoin reclaim dominance over Ethereum
Bitcoin Will Reach $120K Before 2025, Standard Chartered Predicts
Bitcoin NFTs Back in Spotlight as Ordinals Cross 350K Daily Inscriptions
Mt. Gox repayment date looming: Is Bitcoin in trouble?
Vitalik Buterin wants Bitcoin to experiment with layer-2 solutions, just like Ethereum
Lightning Labs Enables AI to Hold, Send, and Receive Bitcoin with New Tools
ETHEREUM
Staked Ethereum Now Accounts for 20% of the Total Supply
ALTCOINS
XRP daily volume surges 18-fold following court ruling and exchange relistings
Multichain Operations Halted in Wake of CEO’s Arrest
Worldcoin surpasses 2M signups for its World ID program
Aptos and Pyth team up to deliver sub-second oracle updates
Breaking: Celsius Network fined $4.7B by FTC
Sui Foundation launches order book for building DeFi tools
Fantom Foundation endorses Axelar and LayerZero bridge solutions amid Multichain concerns
LBRY Token Plummets 18% as Firm Behind File-Sharing Project Shuts Down
Celsius Alleges Liquid Staking Platform StakeHound Owes It $150,000,000 in New Lawsuit
Kava 14 Accelerates Cosmos Ecosystem Expansion
Dapper Labs lays off 51 employees to make business ‘leaner,’ says CEO
BNB Chain to Tackle Blockchain Exploit Risks in Major July Hard Fork
Stader Labs Debuts Ether Staking Product With 6% Yield
Polygon Proposes Token Switch From MATIC to POL for More Utility
Early Shiba Inu Holder With 10% of Supply Moves $30M in SHIB Tokens
Aptos' APT Token Steady After $32M Token Unlock
Cosmos’ largest DEX, Osmosis, adds concentrated liquidity on network
Aptos Voting to Enable Fungible Assets With Network Upgrade
Aave DAO decides to swap to $2 million in Balancer LP tokens
MATIC Soars 9% Ahead of Polygon 2.0 Rollout, Rebounding Network Growth
DeFi Protocol Holding 55% of Algorand Value to Shut Down
Arbitrum DAO locks up $770 million in ARB tokens into vesting contract
Shakeup at Polygon Labs: President will step down and chief legal officer will become CEO
Open-source advocates launch OP Stack testnet to fund public goods
Ripple Labs to revolutionize real estate industry through tokenization
STABLECOINS
Crypto Markets ‘Highly Dependent’ on Stablecoins Lacking Transparency, TUSD Poses Risk: Kaiko
Circle plans policy push as US Congress considers new legislation
Circle Announces Layoffs; to Reduce Investments in Non-core Activities
EU Banking Watchdog Issues Stablecoin Guidance, Urges Compliance Ahead of MiCA
Stablecoin Issuers Circle and Tether Freeze Stablecoins Tied to Multichain Exploit: On-Chain Data
Aave DAO to Vote on Gho Stablecoin Deployment on Ethereum
MiCA’s stablecoin transaction cap stifles crypto adoption, say lawyers
Tether addresses depeg fears as Binance.US faces 8% Bitcoin discount
Crypto, Stablecoins May Pose 'Threat to Financial Stability' if Widely Used: BIS Survey
USDC Issuer Circle Launches Programmable Web3 Wallet
CRYPTO ECOSYSTEM
XRP Ruling a ‘Landmark’ Judgment, Weakens SEC's Stance Against Crypto: Bernstein
‘Ripple’s Win Over SEC Will Shape US Crypto Regulation’: Industry Reacts
FTX, Celsius Bankruptcy Claims Can Now Be Sold on OPNX
Former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky Pleads Not Guilty, Bail Set At $40 Million
Co-founder of Indian Crypto Unicorn 5ire to Depart Amid Internal Dispute – Here's the Latest
SEC files lawsuit against Celsius and ex-CEO Alex Mashinsky
Nexo in Court With a Co-Founder Over $12M in Missing Assets
Coinbase’s Base launches mainnet for builders, will onboard users in August
Celsius Moves $64M in LINK, MATIC, AAVE and Altcoins Following Court Permission to Sell Tokens
Following Biden’s universal internet initiative, blockchain-powered provider World Mobile secures U.S. expansion
Blockchain Association demands probe into SEC approval of Prometheum
Crypto Crime Drops Significantly in 2023 Despite Rising Token Prices
Ethereum scaling protocols drive zero-knowledge proof use in 2023
Safe Adds ERC-4337 Compatibility in Account Abstraction Push
Ajna launches oracle and governance-free lending protocol on Ethereum
Figment partners with Nexus Mutual to enhance Ethereum slashing cover
Possible Ripple Effect? Crypto as Securities in LBRY Case Still Undecided
Ethereum TPS boost? Starknet ‘Quantum Leap’ goes live
Tokenized U.S. Treasurys Surpass $600M as Crypto Investors Capture TradFi Yield
Billionaire Justin Sun's On-Chain Behavior Sparks Concern Among Lido Investors
Crypto industry jobs decline 10% over past year, report finds
Social media discussions play a crucial role in influencing crypto returns: Study
Connext founder proposes ‘Sovereign Bridged Token’ standard after Multichain incident
Crypto custody market reached $448 billion in 2022: Report
Paradigm Files Amicus Brief in SEC’s Lawsuit Against Bittrex
Marex Unveils Bitcoin, Ether-Linked Long Strategy With Dollar Index as Hedge
MetaMask Developer ConsenSys Brings Layer 2 Blockchain ‘Linea’ to Ethereum Mainnet
Mantle Network is voting to form a $200 million ecosystem fund
Arkham Intelligence Rolls Out Crypto Data Marketplace; Privacy Advocates Cry Foul
Bankrupt Voyager experiences $250M withdrawal surge as users move assets to centralized exchanges
Bakkt Targets Hong Kong, UK, and EU for International Crypto Expansion
Three Arrows Capital Liquidator May Try to Claw Back About $1.2B From DCG, BlockFi
DCG Dismisses Gemini Lawsuit As “Publicity Stunt” By Winklevoss
Crypto Code Commits Drop Despite Rising Prices
NFTS / GAMING / METAVERSE
Blockchain gaming platform creates refundable NFT program
The Jackson Pollock Studio Splatters Beyond the Physical, Releases Digital Art Collection
Iconic Notorious B.I.G. Photo Up for Auction—Along With Ethereum NFT
Fractionalized NFT Project Particle Loans $12.9M Banksy Artwork to Global Museums
EU’s Metaverse Vision Focuses on Standards, Governance and Funding
The Latest NFT Trend: Taking Out Loans on Rolexes
'Gran Saga: Unlimited' Is a Promising MMORPG Launching on Aptos
NFT-Powered Dan Harmon Series 'Krapopolis' Finally Gets Premiere Date
OpenSea Now Supports NFTs on Zora's Ethereum Layer-2 Network
MINING
CleanSpark’s Bitcoin mining capacity hits 8 EH/s as new facility goes live
Hive Blockchain Shifts Focus to AI, Rebrands as Hive Digital Technologies
New Research: Bitmain's S19 Miners Hold Majority of Bitcoin Network Hashrate
Vanguard Now Owns $560 Million Worth of Bitcoin Mining Stocks
Bitdeer pushes crypto mining expansion with new Norway, Bhutan data centers
Riot leverages Texas power strategy to fund operations as BTC balance increases
Marathon Digital blames weather conditions for mining 21% less Bitcoin in June
EXCHANGES
Bitso partners with data firm Mobile Streams to offer sports NFTs
Huobi Says It’s Dedicated to User Asset Security, Releases Response on ‘Unsubstantiated’ Claims of Asset Decline
Coinbase stock surges more than 24% following XRP court ruling
Binance faces criticism over handling of rug pull incident and frozen funds
Binance names new general counsel amid heightened regulatory scrutiny
Coinbase Launches Feature Allowing for Direct Messaging Between Ethereum Addresses
Crypto Exchange Digitex Ordered to Pay $16M Following CFTC Charges
FTX Bankruptcy Lawyers Ask Court For $323m Recovery From FTX Europe Leadership
OKX Scoops 10,000 Users in One Month after Hong Kong Legalized Crypto
BitMEX Presents Guilds, a New Idea for Social Trading
Coinbase Cites Supreme Court Student Loans Decision in SEC Legal Battle
Bitget reserves top $1.44B, claims to be debt free
Kevin O’Leary-Backed Wonderfi Closes Merger To Create Largest Crypto Platform in Canada
FTX claims portal becomes unavailable shortly after going live
Coinbase Goes to Court Against the SEC
Dubai Crypto Exchange BitOasis Loses License Over Unmet VARA Conditions
Centralized exchanges lost nearly $11B to hackers over the past decade
Binance marketshare at lowest point since beginning of the year
Binance Lays Off Dozens of Employees With Plans To Trim US Workforce Amid Regulatory Pressure: Report
SEC Says Coinbase Was Well Aware It May Have Been Violating Securities Laws: Court Docs
Spot crypto exchange volumes trending lower
CAPITAL RAISES
Snoop Dogg and a16z Join $20 Million Funding Round for Web3 Music Platform Sound
Get Protocol Secures $4.5 Million Funding to Disrupt Ticketing Industry with NFTs
Tim Draper-Backed Fund Joins $5M Series A for LunarCrush
Brevan Howard Joins $12M Round for Liquid Staking Protocol Alluvial
AI-Backed Web3 Security Firm Olympix Raises $4.3M
NFT Lender Gondi Goes Live, Raises $5.3M Round Led by Hack.vc
Narval raises $4 million for platform that helps firms organize web3 assets
WazirX founder’s Shardeum completes $5.4 million strategic funding round
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
Europe’s first spot Bitcoin ETF eyes 2023 debut after year-long delay
Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest unloads $12M Coinbase shares as COIN rallies to one-year high
Singaporean sovereign fund Temasek exits crypto altogether amid regulatory crackdown
Grayscale resolves lawsuit with Fir Tree over proposed changes to Bitcoin Trust
Cboe refiles 5 Bitcoin ETFs to include Coinbase surveillance agreements
Web3 venture funding dropped 80% in first quarter
Distressed Crypto Specialist Thomas Braziel Sets Up Investment, Advisory Firm
Another Massive Wave of Capital From Institutional Investors Hits Bitcoin and Crypto Markets: CoinShares
Bitcoin ETF approval could be ‘hard to resist,’ ex-SEC chair Jay Clayton says
Grayscale Cries Foul Over SEC Approval of a Different Kind of Bitcoin ETF
Nomura’s Laser Digital adds new partner as it expands crypto VC arm
TRADFI / TECH
Google Play updates terms to allow blockchain content for Android in Play Store
Report: Meta to release commercial AI tools to rival Google, OpenAI
Telegram Merchants Gain Access to In-App Crypto Payments for First Time
Microsoft partners with Axelar on blockchain interoperability solutions
Apple vs. Zapple Pay: Bitcoin Tipping on Damus App Challenges App Store Policies
4OTC and Quod Financial to Offer Crypto Liquidity for Institutional Clients
MicroStrategy chief revenue officer resigns after nearly seven years there
Google Cloud furthers Bitcoin Lightning ambitions with Voltage partnership
CBDC
Russian Parliament Passes Vital “Digital Ruble” Legislation With Plans To Start Tests In August
XRPL at the Forefront of CBDC Explorations by Governments, Says Analytics Firm Messari
Bank of China tests SIM card NFC payments for digital yuan
Bank for International Settlements Says DeFi To Act As Starting Point for CBDC Security Systems
Brazil’s CBDC pilot contains code that can freeze or reduce funds, dev claims
BIS unveils 7-step security framework for blockchain-based CBDCs
REGULATORY / COUNTRIES
India Central Bank Official Warns of 'Existential Threat' from Stablecoin
Texas Blockchain Council director announces run for State House
SEC’s Gensler pushes back on industry’s call to recuse from crypto actions
IRS investigating crypto traders using Puerto Rico tax breaks: Report
US industry watchdogs oppose draft bill on crypto market structure
UK's New Online Safety Bill Applies to the Metaverse, Lawmakers Agree
Lummis-Gillibrand crypto bill faces Congress hurdle, yet could shape future legislation
US GAO explores blockchain for SBA’s small business programs oversight
EU Securities Agency Issues First Batch of Detailed Crypto Rules Under MiCA Law
US Senators Cynthia Lummis and Kirsten Gillibrand Propose Legislation to Regulate Digital Assets
Hong Kong's Grey Zone Crypto Stores Draw in Chinese Visitors
South Korea to ask firms to disclose crypto holdings from 2024
Bank for International Settlements Urges G20 to Dismiss Crypto
U.S. charges Solana attacker with money laundering in first enforcement action of its kind
Parliamentary report recommends Canada recognize, strategize about blockchain industry
US lawmakers allege CCP connection in calling for SEC, DOJ investigation of Prometheum
BRICS Planning To Replace US Dollar With New Trading Currency Backed by Gold: Report
UK Regulator Ramped Up Campaign Against Crypto ATMs in May and June
Report: China to tighten rules around releasing generative AI tools
Crypto and Stablecoins Are Not Money, Says Bank of England Governor in Favor of 'Enhanced Digital Money'
UK Treasury Starts Consultation on Five-Year Digital Securities Trial
US Still 'Center of Gravity' for Crypto Industry, Says K33 Research
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, GOVERNANCE
Ethereum Tops New Crypto ESG Ranking, Bitcoin Slammed for Heavy Energy Usage
Eco-Friendly Crypto Ecoterra Raises $6 Million as Global Investors Flock to the New Recycle2Earn Platform – Less Than 48 Hours Left
SURVEYS, HACKS, MISC
Brazil Police Take Down ‘Crypto-powered Money Laundering Rings’
FTX Exec Investigated for Illegal Donations to Girlfriend's Congressional Campaign: WSJ
Multichain’s ‘mysterious withdrawals’ have whiffs of a ‘rug pull’ — Chainalysis
Arbitrum-based Rodeo Finance loses $1.5 million in latest DeFi exploit
Seoul court holds first hearing for Terra co-founder Daniel Shin
DeFi Protocol Hack Drains $455K from Arcadia Finance
Multichain attack triggers Twitter phishing scheme for FTM distribution
