Weekly Crypto News Recap – November 10, 2023

November 10, 2023



TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK


Bitcoin Tops $37K for First Time Since May 2022 as Short Squeeze Bumps Prices Amid BTC ETF Optimism

CoinDesk
Bitcoin topped $37,000 on optimism around a near-term spot Bitcoin ETF approval and a resulting short-squeeze. Regarding an approval, Bloomberg analysts released a report saying that if the SEC wants to approve all spot Bitcoin ETFs at once, it must do so outside of any application comment period, with the first such window currently in effect (Nov 9-17). In addition, the SEC reportedly opened talks with Grayscale regarding the details surrounding its bid to convert GBTC into a spot ETF. Positioning also helped the rally, with nearly $500m in total liquidations on Thursday.


BlackRock’s spot Ethereum ETF plan is confirmed after Nasdaq filing

Cointelegraph
Blackrock’s plans for a spot Ether ETF have now been confirmed, per a 19b-4 form filing submitted to the U.S. SEC on Nov 9. Nasdaq filed the 19b-4 form with the securities regulator on behalf of the $9-trillion asset management firm for a proposed ETF called the “iShares Ethereum Trust.” The move signals BlackRock’s intention to expand beyond Bitcoin with its ETF aspirations. ETH increased 13% on Thursday in response.


U.S. SEC Said to Open Talks with Grayscale on Spot Bitcoin ETF Push

CoinDesk


Bitcoin fees up more than 2000% since August due to renewed interest in Ordinals

CryptoSlate
Bitcoin transaction fees have risen to a six-month high amidst a resurgence in the popularity of Ordinals Inscriptions. Data from BitInfoCharts reveals that Bitcoin’s average transaction fee has reached its highest point since May, now averaging ~$16 per transaction, up over 2,000% since its August low of $0.64.


JPMorgan rolls out programmable payments for institutional blockchain platform JPM Coin

Cointelegraph
Multinational banking firm JPMorgan has rolled out a programmable payment feature for institutional users of its private blockchain platform JPM Coin. The capability is said to enable real-time, programmable treasury functionality and new digital business models.


Celsius to Emerge from Bankruptcy With Repayment Plan Approved

Decrypt
Celsius Network, the failed crypto lending company, is on track to exit bankruptcy after a judge approved its customer repayment plan in a Delaware bankruptcy court on Thursday. The plan, presented to the bankruptcy court on Oct. 2, called for establishing a new entity with $450m in seed funding. Dubbed NewCo, it will focus on Bitcoin mining and staking while being owned by Celsius’ once-spurned customers and creditors.


BITCOIN

Ethereum, Bitcoin users reignite scalability debate as gas fees surge
Crypto ATM Expansion Continues with Bitgamo Set to Install 90 More in 2024
El Salvador Bitcoin ATM network to receive Lightning Network upgrade
Bitcoin Addresses With Over $1K of BTC Hits Record 8M, Data Shows
Institutional custody of bitcoin could kill it, cautions Hayes


ETHEREUM

Scroll Rockets Through Layer 2 Rankings Amid Origins NFT Campaign
Zircuit, New ZK Rollup Backed by Pioneering L2 Research Launches Public Testnet
Ethereum Has Gone Deflationary Again—Here's Why and What It Means
Linea Kicks Off ‘DeFi Voyage’ Campaign
New Ethereum rollup takes a zero-knowledge approach to sharding
LHV Bank Founder Has Lost Private Key to ETH Stash Worth $470 Million


ALTCOINS

Polygon Labs Launches $85 Million Developer Fund to Attract Web3 Talent
Coinbase, Ether Liquid Staking Tokens Lido, RocketPool Surge on BlackRock ETH ETF News
SafeMoon CEO bail release goes on hold after Feds cite flight risk
Illuvium Ethereum Token Surges After Epic Games Store Listing
Solana Tokens Sees Risky Bets Increase After End of Sam Bankman-Fried Trial
Lukso Blockchain Releases Universal Profiles on Mainnet
Near Foundation Joins Celestia in Race to Provide 'Data Availability' for Ethereum Rollups
Arbitrum DAO Considers $24 Million “Backfund” for Projects Overlooked in Grant Selection
Notional Finance brings fixed-rate borrowing to Arbitrum
WstETH gets on Base after LayerZero strikeout
Ripple Capitalizes on SEC Victory, Bolsters Cross-Border Payment Services
Cardano upgrade delays tied to measured academic approach — CEO
Ripple Collaborates to Power Payments Corridors Between Africa and Rest of the World
Toncoin (TON) price skyrockets to 11-month high after Telegram launches ‘Giveaways’
Aave To Vote On Restoration Plan Following Market Freezes
The Graph, Known as 'Google of Web3,' Plans AI-Assisted Querying
Evmos hopes to lure Ethereum developers to IBC by deprecating Cosmos transactions
Ava Labs Cuts Staff by 12% to Reallocate Resources for ‘Growth’ – Here’s the Latest
Arbitrum Governance Divided Over $2.4M Research Coalition
RAILGUN reveals ‘private proof of innocence’ tool
Arbitrum DAO may dip into $3.9B treasury for staking
Cardano Blockchain Plans to Adopt Polkadot's Substrate Framework
Blockchain Integration: A16z-Backed Cryptocurrency Index Platform Unveils V2
Voyager Token Jumps 20% as $7.3M VGX Sent to Burn Address
Aave pauses several markets after reports of feature issue


STABLECOINS

EU Banking Watchdog Seeks Feedback on Draft Liquidity, Capital Rules for Stablecoin Issuers
Stablecoins ‘not a safe store of value’ — BIS
Japanese Megabank Mitsubishi UFJ Teams up with Crypto Exchange for Stablecoin Project
Fed official: Stablecoins pose a threat, but could present innovative opportunities
Wintermute claims Near backed out of $11M stablecoin redemption deal
Stablecoin issuer Circle weighing up 2024 public launch: Report
BUSD supply drops below $2B following regulatory controversies


CRYPTO ECOSYSTEM

Genesis seeks court's approval to reduce 3AC claim from $1B to $33M
Crypto Lender Hodlnaut to Be Liquidated, Court Filing Shows
Coinbase-backed Base TVL decline 30% from September peak
CertiK Data Highlights Significant Slowdown in New Cryptocurrency Launches
Proof of Stake Alliance Updates Best Practices, Signed by Coinbase, Paradigm, and More
Crypto-based Streaming Site Odysee a “Haven” for Extremists, Southern Poverty Law Center Claims
Polygon Labs and Near announce ZK prover for WASM integration
Jump Crypto president pleads the Fifth when asked about alleged Do Kwon bribe
Investment Adviser Two Prime Sees $2B in Demand for Bitcoin-Backed Loans
Crypto banking app Bitwala relaunches via new partnership with Striga
Crypto Broker sFOX Offers Commission-Free Blockchain Staking from Regulated Custody
Avail, Data Availability Solution to Rival Celestia, Unveils 'Incentivized Testnet'
Custodia Bank Launches Bitcoin Custody Service for Businesses
Ex-Cantor execs launch crypto lending platform in expectation of Bitcoin ETFs
SK Telcom to launch Web3 wallet with Aptos and Atomrigs Lab
Roger Ver Pursues Closing Up of Matrixport in Seychelles Lawsuit Over $8 Million Dispute
Blockpit Acquires Rival Tax Platform Accointing to Improve EU Crypto Tax Services
First Mover Americas: FTX Wants to Sell Its GBTC
Conflux multichain protocol shuts down after 2 years
Ben ‘Bitboy’ Armstrong Really Wants His Lambo Back, Files Another Lawsuit
FTX Seeks Court Approval for Sale of $744 Million Trust Assets
ChainLight saved zkSync Era from $1.9B exploit
Coin Center plans to appeal Tornado Cash court loss against US Treasury
BitGo and Copper Combine Crypto Custody Settlement Networks
Trial of Alleged Mango Markets Exploiter Avraham Eisenberg Postponed – Here’s the Latest


NFTS / GAMING / METAVERSE

China’s surprise NFT move, Hong Kong’s $15M Bitcoin fund: Asia Express
Roblox CEO Envisions In-Game NFTs as Part of Open Ecosystem 'Dream'
Gaming Giant WeMade’s ‘Controversy-hit’ Token ‘Relisted’ in South Korea
AAA studio Ubisoft to develop Web3 gaming experience with Immutable
Yuga Labs says ultraviolet lights ‘likely’ cause of eye pain at ApeFest Hong Kong
Gucci Cosmos Land Opens in The Sandbox Metaverse Game
Ethereum Gaming Sidechain Ronin Is On Fire—Here's Why
OpenSea Investor Coatue Cuts NFT Marketplace's Valuation by 90%: Report
Final Fantasy Publisher Square Enix Reveals How to Obtain NFTs for Upcoming Game Symbiogenesis
Blockchain game Illuvium goes mainstream with looming Epic Games Store listing
Sui Taps Space and Time, Bringing Zero-Knowledge Tools to Web3 Games
Animoca Brands Japan and KLKTN Partner with Cool Cats for Web3 Expansion into Japanese Anime Market
NFT Volume Hits 3-Month High—You Can Thank This Massive CryptoPunks Sale
Founder who suffered eye damage at Bored Ape Yacht Club event sends ‘formal legal notice’ to Yuga Labs
Free NFT Inspired By The Simpsons Crosses $2M In Trading Volume
Yuga Labs Social Lead Resigns After Racist, Antisemitic Tweets Resurface
Bart on Blockchain: The Simpsons Weaves NFTs into the Show Again
Nike-RTFKT NFT Collections Generate $1.4 Billion in Trading Volume
Gaming corners 62% of active wallets in ‘Uptober’ as DappRadar reveals wall of bullish metrics
NBA Star Victor Wembanyama NFT Sells for $110,000+ in Record-Breaking Auction
NFT Marketplace OpenSea Cuts Staff
Yuga Labs, Magic Eden team up on new NFT marketplace to ensure creator royalties
ApeFest attendees report vision problems and ‘extreme pain’ after event


MINING

Marathon Digital pushes into Paraguay amid ongoing expansion
Marathon, Riot among most overvalued Bitcoin mining stocks: Report
Luxor refutes claims its Bitcoin hash rate-backed product is BlockFi, Celsius 2.0


EXCHANGES

Binance to terminate Russian ruble deposits next week
CME says crypto ‘flight’ helped drive record futures volume as exchange leapfrogs Binance
Head of South Korea’s Biggest Crypto Exchange ‘Not Guilty’ of Data Manipulation
Binance Arguments to Dismiss Lawsuit Lack Merit, SEC Argues In New Filing
Bitget integrates DeFi aggregator into crypto exchange app
JPEX Saga Deepens with Emergence of New Suspects
Huobi Token Jumps 25% as HT Trading Volume Surges Overnight
FTX's FTT Token Jumps 90% on Gensler Comments
OPNX gets EU spot crypto trading license in Lithuania
First Mover Americas: Binance Unveils Self-Custody Wallet
OKX Launches Signal Trading with TradingView Integration
Gemini to limit crypto transfers in the UK to TRUST companies
Coinbase Taps National Security Experts to Navigate Crypto's Regulatory Landscape
Coinbase Blocked in Kazakhstan for Breaking New Digital Assets Law: Report
Multiple buyers consider purchase and relaunch of ‘irreparable’ FTX
Kraken Said to Seek Partner to Help Build It a Layer 2 Blockchain Network
Coinbase Warns Bitcoin SV Holders: Withdraw or Be Liquidated
Supreme Court to resolve Coinbase arbitration dispute with users in Dogecoin sweepstakes lawsuit


CAPITAL RAISES

Ritual Raises $25M for AI Decentralization, Targets Universal Access with DeFi Integration
Protocol Village: EigenLayer, Cubist in New 'Secure Staking Alliance' for Anti-Slashing Standards
Crypto VC firm Spartan Capital invests in Pendle to drive DeFi growth
Investors Bet $5.5 Million on Stackr to Onboard JavaScript Devs to Crypto
Euro Stablecoin Startup StablR Secures €3.3 Million in Seed Funding
Llama raises $6M for role-based governance platform


INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

12 Bitcoin ETFs Have 'Brief Window' for SEC Approval Starting Tomorrow
Standard Chartered and SBI Holdings Collaborate on $100 Million Crypto Investment Venture
Japanese banking giant Nomura launches ETH fund via crypto unit Laser Digital
Lightspeed Faction launches $285M startup fund for crypto projects
"I Don't See a Reason for the SEC to Deny the ETH ETF," said Bloomberg Analyst Eric Balchunas
UBS Allows Crypto ETF Trading for Select Hong Kong Clients
Standard Chartered, SBI Holdings Establishing $100M Investment Firm Targeting Crypto Startups
ARK Invest and 21Shares partner to launch digital asset ETF suite
HKEX-listed tech firm launches $15M Bitcoin fund
UK Web3 Firm Pimlico Secures $4.2M Seed Investment Led by a16z Crypto
Grayscale’s Chainlink Trust shares is trading 200% higher than LINK’s spot price
Vietnamese Web3 coalition Ninety Eight launches $25M ecosystem fund
Sizing the Massive Spot Bitcoin ETF Opportunity
Crypto Funds See $767M Six-Week Inflow, Best Since 2021 Bull Market: CoinShares
SEC's Plan to Expedite Trades Casts Uncertainty over ETFs: Report


TRADFI / TECH

Bakkt Expands Crypto Capabilities into International Markets
MicroStrategy up $1.2B on its holdings as Bitcoin rallies
Frankfurt Stock Exchange includes crypto trading facility in ‘Horizon 2026’ strategy
HSBC Announces Plans to Launch Digital Asset Custody Service in Partnership with Metaco
Robinhood to Expand Crypto Trading Into EU, Plans to Start UK Brokerage
Moody’s unveils service that uses AI to predict stablecoin depeggings
Vertu’s Luxury Crypto Phone is ‘Passport to the Web3 World’: CEO
Elon Musk denies that X, Tesla, or SpaceX will ever issue crypto tokens
London Stock Exchange seeks digital assets director
Germany’s Third-Largest Bank Unveils Blockchain-Based Digital Custody Platform for Institutional Investors


REGULATORY / COUNTRIES

US and Allies to Intensify Sanctions Against Hamas, Targeting Crypto Assets to Cut Funding
Institute for blockchain and crypto research opens in France
China declares stealing digital collections like NFTs liable for criminal theft sentence
International Deal to Combat Crypto Tax Evasion to Start 2027 as 48 Countries Sign Up
Slow regulation. Build blockchain instead, European officials urge
Gemini Adapts to UK’s Travel Rule, Implements Outward Transfer Restrictions to Comply
Cryptocurrency Adoption Skyrockets in South and Central Asia, Driven by Real-World Use Cases: Chainalysis
Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan awards first securitized token license
Failure to ‘Properly’ Regulate Crypto Has Cost Ukraine $49bn – Study
Gemini’s Travel Rule measures reflect ‘worrying creep’ of overregulation
India's Central Bureau of Investigation Appoints Liminal to Manage Seized Digital Assets
EU passes Data Act critics fear may drive DeFi out of Europe
India Trains Around 3,000 Officials in Cryptocurrency Forensics and Investigation
India's Controversial Crypto Tax Should Be Cut After Failing to Achieve Aims, Think Tank Urges
US lawmakers introduce CLARITY Act to limit federal ties with Chinese blockchain
Chinese AI chip market finds expansion paths despite US export restrictions
Spanish Watchdog Initiates Sanctions Against Miolos for Violating Crypto Ad Rules
France pushes DeFi to redo smart contracts and create ‘safe zone’ for European crypto users
Tom Emmer sneaks crypto provision into House budget bill
UAE Shows Red Flags to Illicit Virtual Asset Service Providers
Swiss Crypto Bank SEBA Wins Hong Kong License
Kenyan Blockchain Association to Issue First Draft of The Country’s Crypto Regulation
Crypto Hits ‘Record Number of Cases’ This Year, Says CFTC Chair
U.S. Consumer Finance Watchdog Wants to Oversee Major Tech, Some Crypto Payments
Biden Administration Seeks Crypto Oversight Amid Hamas Concerns
Kenyan lawmakers ask local Blockchain Association to come up with crypto bill
Crypto Firms in Dubai Have Until Nov. 17 to Clear all Licensing Requirements: VARA
Senator Ted Cruz Now Accepts Campaign Donations in Bitcoin
SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda Calls for Regulatory Rules on Crypto
SEC Inspector General says prohibition on crypto ownership hinders agency hiring
India’s Central Bank Governor Warns Crypto Poses Higher Risk to Emerging Markets
Hong Kong regulator issues tokenized investments requirements amid demand
China ‘does not want to miss out’: Community reacts to HK spot Bitcoin ETF news
Mauritius mulls wrapping metaverse into financial services
Ripple Achieves Key Regulatory Milestone in Dubai: XRP Approved under New Crypto Regime
UK Regulator Publishes Guidance for Crypto Marketing Regime
Hong Kong Will Allow Some Tokenized Securities-Related Activities


ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, GOVERNANCE

Nigeria and UK foundation launch Code Clubs for digital literacy
Crypto charities can exploit ‘gambler’s fallacy’ to reap larger donations — Study
Blockchain’s positive impact on sustainable development: Solana Breakpoint
The Human side of web3: Empowerment, community, and new frontiers


SURVEYS, HACKS, MISC

Cryptoqueen’s OneCoin legal chief pleads guilty to fraud
Australian Crypto Wallet CoinSpot Hacked for $2.4 Million Worth of Ether – Report
Oracle Employee Allegedly Involved in $54 Million Crypto Laundering Scheme
Famous Economist and Crypto Hater Nouriel Roubini Launches His Own Cryptocurrency
South Korean Police Shut Down ‘International Crypto Fraud’ Ring, Freeze $1.2m
Indian Police Arrest 8 More in $300M Crypto Scam: Report
Darknet Drug Operations Hit as Feds Move to Seize $54 Million in Crypto Crime Bust
Monero’s community wallet loses all funds after attack






Sign up to conveniently receive GSR crypto content in your inbox.

View Weekly Crypto News PDF

This material is provided by GSR (the “Firm”) solely for informational purposes, is intended only for sophisticated, institutional investors and does not constitute an offer or commitment, a solicitation of an offer or commitment, or any advice or recommendation, to enter into or conclude any transaction (whether on the terms shown or otherwise), or to provide investment services in any state or country where such an offer or solicitation or provision would be illegal.  The Firm is not and does not act as an advisor or fiduciary in providing this material.

This material is not a research report, and not subject to any of the independence and disclosure standards applicable to research reports prepared pursuant to FINRA or CFTC research rules. This material is not independent of the Firm’s proprietary interests, which may conflict with the interests of any counterparty of the Firm. The Firm trades instruments discussed in this material for its own account, may trade contrary to the views expressed in this material, and may have positions in other related instruments. 

Information contained herein is based on sources considered to be reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. Any opinions or estimates expressed herein reflect a judgment made by the author(s) as of the date of publication, and are subject to change without notice. Trading and investing in digital assets involves significant risks including price volatility and illiquidity and may not be suitable for all investors. The Firm is not liable whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from the use of this material. Copyright of this material belongs to GSR. Neither this material nor any copy thereof may be taken, reproduced or redistributed, directly or indirectly, without prior written permission of GSR.