Category: crypto

Alex Pertsev, co-founder of Tornado Cash, had his pretrial detention suspended by a Dutch court, allowing him to be under electronic monitoring while preparing an appeal. The news led to a 40% increase in TORN token price. Pertsev was arrested in 2022 for money laundering charges related to Tornado Cash but has maintained that privacy…

Ethereum developers have set key test dates for the upcoming Pectra upgrade, aiming for a mainnet launch in early April. The upgrade includes improvements to wallet functionality and validator efficiency, such as allowing wallets to function more like smart contracts and increasing the validator staking limit. The update comes amidst increased competition and leadership transitions…

The US SEC has acknowledged filings for Grayscale’s Litecoin ETF and BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF. Analysts believe this indicates potential approval. The SEC’s interaction with the applications may lead to regulatory clearance. In-kind redemptions for BlackRock’s ETF could improve efficiency and reduce tax liabilities. The industry expects more crypto ETF approvals.

Gemini is considering an IPO this year, following other crypto firms like Bullish Global. The Winklevoss twins donated excess Bitcoin to Trump’s campaign, hinting at a pro-crypto agenda. Gemini recently settled a lawsuit with the CFTC and is exiting the Canadian market, while expanding in Singapore. Regulatory challenges are driving crypto firms to consider IPOs.

Trump Media and Technology Group Corp. (TMTG) is entering the financial services industry with new investment products, including a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). TMTG, led by former President Donald Trump, has partnered with Yorkville Advisors and plans to offer multiple ETFs and separately managed accounts. This move into Bitcoin ETFs reflects the growing institutional acceptance…

Former Celsius Network CEO Alex Mashinsky’s lawyers have requested a one-month delay in his sentencing, citing the complexity of the case and the volume of material to review. Mashinsky, who pleaded guilty in a fraud case, is scheduled to be sentenced on April 8. The case involves allegations of securities fraud and wire fraud related…

Coinbase has filed an amicus brief in the Prime Trust bankruptcy case to protect customer asset protections. They are urging the court to uphold UCC Article 8, which ensures custodial assets remain customers’ property. Coinbase believes that merging customer funds with the platform’s assets during bankruptcy proceedings could weaken legal protections in both crypto and…

Solana has achieved a full year without block production failure, showing improved network stability. Helius Labs CEO Mert Mumtaz praised Solana for its uninterrupted operation and nearly two years without performance-related failures. The ecosystem has seen significant growth, with a surge in adoption and economic activity, including a 213% increase in total app-generated revenue in…

Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, opposes the US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) and regulatory bill, arguing they would harm the crypto industry. He criticizes the US government for potentially stockpiling Bitcoin, warning of potential political manipulation. Hayes also expresses concerns about regulation benefiting large financial institutions and hindering innovation in the crypto sector.

Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, has reported its largest quarterly Bitcoin acquisition to date in Q4 of 2024. The company purchased 218,887 BTC, bringing its total holdings to 447,470 BTC. It has a funding strategy to secure $42 billion over three years, with $20 billion already secured. Key performance indicators have been introduced to track…