Category: crypto

The Federal Reserve is considering a proposal to allow fintechs and crypto platforms direct access to payment rails, eliminating the need for banks. This new system would involve “skinny master accounts” that provide access to payment rails but do not offer interest or emergency borrowing. This change could reduce reliance on traditional banking intermediaries for…

North Korea has stolen $2.8 billion in cryptocurrency since 2024, with the funds supplying nearly a third of its foreign currency earnings. State-backed hacking groups targeted digital assets through advanced attacks, laundering the funds through mixers and Chinese brokers. This illicit cash flow supports North Korea’s weapons and missile programs.

Valour Inc., a subsidiary of publicly traded DeFi Technologies, has launched an exchange-traded product for the cryptocurrency Sky on the Swedish exchange Spotlight. This marks the 100th ETP by Valour Inc. The product, Valour Sky (SKY) SEK ETP, allows investors regulated access to the DeFi token and its ecosystem.

Hyperscale Data’s Bitcoin holdings now make up 66% of its total market capitalization, with a value of around $60 million. The company aims to reach $100 million in Bitcoin holdings, representing 100% of its market cap. They plan to continue purchasing Bitcoin using a dollar-cost averaging approach.

Coinbase is acquiring blockchain platform Echo for $375 million to enhance on-chain fundraising tools. This move follows recent investments in CoinDCX and potential acquisition of BVNK, reflecting the exchange’s global expansion strategy in the crypto sector. The deal with Echo aims to provide transparent on-chain financing solutions for crypto businesses.

Trezor has launched the Safe 7 hardware wallet with a transparent secure element and quantum-ready architecture. The device offers touchscreen confirmation, wireless charging, and broad crypto support. This comes as quantum threats rise in the industry, prompting the need for future-proof security against potential attacks. Other companies are also exploring quantum-resistant solutions.

Aave and Maple have partnered to bring structured-yield tokens backed by real-world assets to Aave’s lending protocol. The collaboration will start with syrupUSDT launching on Aave’s Plasma, attracting institutional capital to DeFi. This move aims to bridge the gap between traditional finance and decentralized finance, creating opportunities for institutional lending in the DeFi space.

SharpLink Gaming increased its Ethereum holdings to 859,853 ETH valued at $3.5 billion after purchasing 19,271 ETH in October. Despite the increase, the company’s stock fell 2.1%, extending a 66% decline from July highs. SharpLink’s ETH concentration doubled to 4.0, with staking operations generating 5,671 ETH in rewards.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 190 points as U.S. stocks were poised to rise following strong earnings reports from Coca-Cola and GM. Despite a lackluster performance overall, positive earnings results from major companies like GM and Coca-Cola boosted investor sentiment. The market is expected to remain bullish with upcoming earnings reports from tech…

Tether invests in Kenya-based Kotani Pay to expand digital payments in Africa, reducing cross-border transaction costs. With over 500 million users globally, Tether aims to empower SMEs and individuals in Africa through its USDT stablecoin. The investment aligns with Tether’s goal to reduce friction in cross-border transactions and promote financial inclusion.