Crypto
The long‑awaited Glamsterdam network upgrade for Ethereum has been rescheduled for the third quarter of 2024, pushing back the planned increase to the blockchain’s gas limit. The postponement adds uncertainty for developers and investors as the ecosystem seeks to alleviate congestion and improve scalability.
Crypto
In a two‑day span, Bitcoin exchange‑traded funds shed $731 million before posting a net inflow, underscoring the fickle nature of institutional interest. Analysts say soaring ETF inflows may not fully reflect Bitcoin’s broader market dynamics.
Crypto
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission has issued an interim proposal that would bring event‑type contracts tied to sports, politics, culture and weather under its swaps regime, while explicitly carving out casino‑style gambling. The move, driven by recent appellate decisions, could reshape the regulatory landscape for prediction‑market platforms and spark further clashes with state gambling authorities.
Crypto
The U.S. Treasury moved roughly $1.5 billion in seized digital assets over two days, prompting speculation that the government may liquidate the holdings. The transfers come amid broader crackdowns on Iran‑linked crypto, with amounts cited ranging from $61 million to $1 billion.
Crypto
U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange‑traded funds saw net outflows exceeding $1 billion following the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network withdrawing a proposed crypto‑wallet rule. The sell‑off coincided with Bitcoin slipping toward $82,500 and more than $2.4 billion in long‑position liquidations.
Crypto
Meanwhile, a Bitcoin life insurance company backed by Sam Altman, has successfully closed a $37.5 million funding round. The new capital comes as the Bermuda-regulated insurer experiences growing international demand for its Bitcoin-denominated policies.
Crypto
Bitcoin's perceived volatility has decreased, yet the frequency of extreme price swings has risen significantly since 2018, presenting new challenges for institutional risk assessment. This divergence poses a potential blind spot for traditional Wall Street risk models as the cryptocurrency market matures.
Crypto
An emergency software amendment closed a flaw in the XRP Ledger that, if exploited, could have created unbacked XRP worth billions of dollars. The fix sparked market volatility and renewed debate over the network’s decentralisation and security transparency.
Crypto
Senator Richard Blumenthal is investigating financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald's relationship with stablecoin issuer Tether, following allegations that Tether's USDT is being utilized in Iran's shadow banking operations. The probe by the prominent Democrat highlights increasing scrutiny on the cryptocurrency sector's role in global finance.
Crypto
Cryptocurrency markets recently experienced a significant liquidation event, with over $1 billion in leveraged positions wiped out as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) prices fell. Ether saw six times the liquidation rate of Bitcoin, despite its smaller market capitalization.
Crypto
Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission has finalized guidelines that will allow Bitcoin and Ether exchange‑traded funds to list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand from Oct. 16. The move marks the region’s first regulated crypto‑ETF offering amid a volatile market for digital assets.
Crypto
Athens plans to introduce a 10% tax on cryptocurrency capital gains, with an annual exemption of €500 per individual. The draft legislation, due in parliament in November, also exempts crypto‑to‑crypto swaps.