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Terra-Luna cofounder Daniel Shin may face fraud charges in South Korea, prosecutors say

South Korean prosecutors may charge Terraform Labs cofounder Daniel Shin with fraud for promoting the Terra stablecoin as a payment method despite multiple warnings from financial regulators that it was against the law.

SEC gets support from New Sports Economy Institute in XRP lawsuit against Ripple

The U.S. SEC has received support from sports investing group New Sports Economy Institute, which submitted its amicus brief on Friday to weigh in on the ongoing lawsuit between the SEC and Ripple.

Ripple gets support from Blockchain Association in XRP lawsuit against SEC

U.S. lobby group Blockchain Association, along with other institutions and firms, have formally filed amici briefs to support Ripple Labs Inc. in the ongoing lawsuit between the U.S. SEC and Ripple.

Coinbase officially enters the fray in XRP lawsuit to support Ripple against SEC

U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has officially submitted its amicus brief to support Ripple in the lawsuit the U.S. SEC filed in 2020 against Ripple.

SEC gets more support in XRP lawsuit against Ripple

Three more companies and organizations have requested to weigh in on the ongoing lawsuit the SEC filed in 2020 against Ripple.

FTX assets frozen by Bahamas securities regulator

The Securities Commission of the Bahamas has frozen assets of FTX and related parties, and has suspended its registration.

US regulators DoJ, SEC, CFTC probe crypto platform FTX

US regulators the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission are probing beleaguered crypto exchange FTX.

SEC gets more time to file reply briefs in XRP lawsuit against Ripple

The U.S. SEC has received approval from the court to extend the time for all parties to submit reply briefs, in the ongoing lawsuit the SEC filed in 2020 against Ripple.

Digital wallet Cryptillian seeks to back Ripple against SEC in XRP lawsuit

Digital wallet service provider Cryptillian Payment Systems has requested to file an amicus brief to support Ripple Labs Inc. in the latter’s ongoing court battle against the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (SEC).

Coinbase seeks to weigh in on XRP lawsuit to support Ripple against SEC

Crypto exchange Coinbase has requested to file an amicus brief in support of Ripple to weigh in on the ongoing lawsuit between the SEC and Ripple.

SBF: FTX stablecoin, ‘Second Great Stablecoin War’ are coming

Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of the crypto exchange FTX, says he hopes FTX will soon join most other major exchanges in having launched a stablecoin.

SEC takes no position on two motions in support of Ripple in XRP lawsuit

The SEC is not taking a position on two motions, submitted by non-profit organization Investor Choice Advocates Network and crypto wallet provider SpendTheBits, which seek to weigh in on the lawsuit between the SEC and Ripple.

S.Korea’s Shinhan Securities lays groundwork toward hoped-for crypto expansion

As a leading financial institution of South Korea, Shinhan is gearing up for business expansion into crypto — while a local ban remains on the books.

SEC asks court to deny Ripple motion for summary judgment in XRP lawsuit

The U.S. SEC has filed a legal rebuttal to Ripple’s motion for summary judgment, a day after Ripple took a similar move against the SEC.

Ripple lawyer says ‘worth the fight’ as SEC hands over Hinman files in court case

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has handed over internal documents to Ripple Labs Inc. containing comments by former SEC Corporation Finance Division director William Hinman on cryptocurrencies, Ripple’s general counsel Stuart Alderoty said on his verified Twitter handle on Friday.

CFTC, SEC investigate if bankrupt 3AC misled investors, failed to register business

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission of the U.S. are investigating whether bankrupt crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC) misled investors about its balance sheet and failed to register with the two agencies, according to a Bloomberg report which cites two people familiar with the matter. See related article: […]

Judge grants amicus requests to support Ripple in lawsuit with SEC

District Judge Analisa Torres of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has granted I-Remit and TapJets’ requests to file amicus curiae briefs in support of Ripple Labs, following a rejection of objection by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). See related article: Ripple slams SEC’s opposition to brief motions in […]

Are NFTs securities? Bored Ape creator Yuga Labs faces SEC probe

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reportedly probing Yuga Labs, Inc., the company behind the top-selling non-fungible token (NFT) collection Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), for its issuance of the digital assets, according to a Bloomberg report.  See related article: SEC fines Kim Kardashian US$1.26 mln for promoting EthereumMax Fast facts The report […]

Ripple slams SEC’s opposition to brief motions in XRP lawsuit

Ripple Labs has spoken against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s opposition to motions from two firms that had requested to file amicus briefs in support of Ripple, in the lawsuit that the SEC filed in 2020 against Ripple. See related article: SEC opposes motions from two firms seeking to back Ripple in XRP lawsuit […]

S.Korea gov’t failed, special prosecutor needed on Terra-LUNA, lawmaker says

South Korean ruling party lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun asserted that the country needs to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the Terra-LUNA collapse, which affected over 280,000 people locally, in comments at the National Assembly’s parliamentary audit on the Financial Services Commission (FSC), South Korea’s top financial regulator. See related article: South Korea’s investigation of Do […]

SEC opposes motions from two firms seeking to back Ripple in XRP lawsuit

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has objected to motions from two firms that had requested to file amicus briefs in support of Ripple Labs Inc., in the lawsuit that the SEC filed in 2020 against Ripple. See related article: Two firms seek to weigh in on XRP lawsuit between SEC, Ripple Fast facts […]

Privacy vs. security: an international debate on Tornado Cash

Panelists at Forkast’s live-streamed event ‘Crypto Rising: The Role of Law: An International Debate post Tornado Cash’ co-hosted by Crypto Council for Innovation (CCI) said the significance of the sanctions could not be understated.

SEC fines Kim Kardashian US$1.26 mln for promoting EthereumMax

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian has been fined US$1.26 million by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for promoting EthereumMax (EMAX) tokens on her Instagram account without disclosing the US$250,000 payment she received for the endorsement. See related article: Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan ponies up tax on NFT sale Fast facts The SEC said […]

Two firms seek to weigh in on XRP lawsuit between SEC, Ripple

Two companies have sought to be amicus curiae (Latin for friend of the court) in support of Ripple Labs in the lawsuit that the Securities and Exchange Commission filed in 2020 against Ripple. See related article: XRP price surges after U.S. court rejects SEC objection in Ripple lawsuit Fast facts I-Remit Inc., a global payment […]

Markets: Bitcoin, Ether rise; XRP surges following court ruling vs. SEC; gains across top 10 crypto

Bitcoin and Ether rallied in late afternoon trading in Asia to rise over 1% as all top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization gained. See related article: Markets: XRP jumps amid court ruling against SEC, Bitcoin gains, Ether sole loser in crypto top 10  Fast facts Bitcoin rose 1.35% to trade at US$19,569 at 4 p.m. […]

XRP price surges after U.S. court rejects SEC objection in Ripple lawsuit

The price of XRP rose after a U.S. federal judge Thursday overruled the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) objections to orders that asked the securities watchdog to disclose drafts of a 2018 speech made by former agency director William Hinman, in its lawsuit against Ripple Labs Inc. See related article: SEC files brief on Hinman […]

Markets: XRP jumps amid court ruling against SEC, Bitcoin gains, Ether sole loser in crypto top 10

Bitcoin edged higher to remain above US$19,000 in early Friday morning trading in Asia, after fluctuating around that resistance level all week. Ether dipped, while XRP led the gainers among the cryptocurrency top 10 by market capitalization. See related article: Markets: Bitcoin, Ether rise; BNB leads gainers in top 10 crypto, followed by Solana Fast […]

SEC charges Hydrogen Technology for selling unregistered securities 

The SEC has filed charges against Hydrogen Technology Corporation and former chief executive Michael Ross Kane for alleged sales of unregistered “crypto asset securities” in the form of Hydro tokens. See related article: SEC’s Gensler says proof-of-stake cryptocurrencies may be securities Fast facts Moonwalkers Trading Limited CEO, Tyler Ostern, is also being charged for allegedly […]

SEC fines Tether’s former auditor US$1 mln over accounting malpractice

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced Monday it filed and settled a US$1 million fine against Friedman LLP, Tether’s former auditing firm, over “serious violations of the federal securities laws.” See related article: What is the right approach to regulating stablecoins?  Fast facts See related article: Should Tether’s shrinking cash reserves be cause for […]

Interpol issues red notice for Do Kwon, says South Korean prosecutor

South Korea is pursuing different options to get custody of Do Kwon as the Terraform Labs CEO faces charges for his alleged involvement in the multibillion collapse of the Terra-LUNA stablecoin project.

Cryptocurrency lobby group gets court approval to weigh in on SEC vs Ripple’s XRP lawsuit

Cryptocurrency lobby group Chamber of Digital Commerce (CDC) has received approval from a U.S. federal court to be an amicus curiae (Latin for friend of court) in the lawsuit that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed in 2020 against Ripple Labs. See related article: Ripple objects to SEC’s relief suggestion in XRP lawsuit […]

Ripple objects to SEC’s relief suggestion in XRP lawsuit

Ripple Labs Inc. has objected to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s suggestion that it may seek additional time and pages if other amici curiae (Latin for friends of the court) submit briefs, as the lawsuit the SEC filed in 2020 against Ripple drags on. See related article: SEC, Ripple seek summary judgment in attempt […]

Markets: Bitcoin price falls below US$19,000, XRP gains on SEC lawsuit developments, Ether post-Merge slide continues

Bitcoin fell below the US$19,000 resistance level for the second time in a week in early Wednesday trading in Asia. Ether and most other tokens in the cryptocurrency top 10 by market capitalization lost ground. XRP was the exception, gaining on news the token’s issuer, Ripple Labs Inc, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission […]

Binance leads funding round in blockchain specialist Salus Security

Binance Labs, the incubator and investment arm of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, said it invested an undisclosed amount in Salus Security, which provides blockchain smart contract audits and automated smart contract vulnerability detection. See related article: Binance’s US$7.5 billion woman sees plenty of promise in bear markets Fast facts Binance Labs said in a […]

Australia Senator says China’s CBDC may threaten national security

Amid the worsening relationship with China, one Australian Senator is trying to address possible national security concerns that may arise from Beijing’s Central Bank Digital Currency project.

SEC, Ripple seek summary judgment in attempt to speed up XRP lawsuit

The argument centers around if Ripple’s XRP sales were offerings of unregistered securities.

SEC’s Gensler says proof-of-stake cryptocurrencies may be securities

When is a cryptocurrency a security and when is it not? Financial regulators around the world are raising that question. The answer that comes out of the U.S. may set the tone, but South Korea is also ahead in tackling it.

Cryptocurrency lobby group seeks to weigh in on SEC vs Ripple’s XRP lawsuit

Cryptocurrency advocacy group Chamber of Digital Commerce (CDC) has sought to be an amicus curiae (Latin for friend of court) in the lawsuit between the Securities and Exchange Commission and Ripple Labs. See related article: Ripple opposes SEC request to seal expert witness identities in XRP lawsuit Fast facts CDC Wednesday filed several documents in […]

Securities or not? South Korea to evaluate Terra’s LUNA token

Identifying characteristics of securities in Terra’s tokens could help South Korea with new charges on Terraform Labs and CEO Do Kwon.

Ripple opposes SEC request to seal expert witness identities in XRP lawsuit

Cryptocurrency firm Ripple Labs filed a letter of response on Monday to oppose the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s request to seal portions of legal filings that contain information identifying the SEC’s proposed expert witnesses, as the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple Labs drags on. See related article: SEC seeks to seal information exposing expert witness […]

SEC seeks to seal information exposing expert witness identities in XRP lawsuit

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a motion seeking to seal portions of the filings that contain information identifying the SEC’s expert witnesses in its lawsuit against Ripple Labs. See related article: SEC, Ripple take XRP lawsuit battle to media as well Fast facts The SEC wrote in the motion on Friday that […]

SEC to open digital asset office as it cranks up regulatory scrutiny of cryptocurrencies

Amid an increased focus on cryptocurrency among global regulators and lawmakers, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is launching a new office dedicated to reviewing filings related to digital assets. See related article: MicroStrategy and Michael Saylor sued by District of Columbia for evading taxes Fast facts The SEC is adding the Office of […]

S.Korea to set up securities market for crypto tokens

South Korea’s top financial regulator announced Tuesday a plan to open a separate digital securities market similar to the KOSPI (Korea Composite Stock Price Index), in a move to institutionalize and promote cryptocurrencies. See related article: South Korea’s taxman keeps circling crypto – airdrops look to be the next target Fast facts The planned digital […]

Crypto exchange Bybit barred from brokering securities in Brazil

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Brazil (CVM) has banned Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange Bybit from brokering “securities” within the country.   See related article: Thailand mandates warnings on crypto ads Fast facts The CVM released a declaratory act, in an announcement on Monday, that ordered the suspension of Bybit’s security offerings and intermediation services directly or […]

CFTC, SEC seek input on hedge fund crypto reporting rules

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have jointly sought public comments to amend crypto rules for large hedge funds advisers. See related article: New US crypto bill seeks to make CFTC top Bitcoin, Ethereum watchdog Fast facts The CFTC and SEC are jointly proposing to amend the rules […]

Director at China’s Securities Regulatory Commission deep-dives into Web 3.0 in new book, a year after China’s crypto ban

Nearly a year after China banned crypto trading and mining, the director of the Technology Supervision Bureau at Chinaøs Securities Regulatory Commission has published a book discussing Web 3.0 and blockchain technology. See related article: Shanghai turns to metaverse, NFTs to counter lockdown economic fallout Fast facts Yao Qian’s book “Web 3.0: Changes and Challenges […]

Bitcoin mining difficulty at its second highest on record, rises over 9%

Bitcoin mining difficulty rose by 9.3% on Wednesday, marking the biggest jump since January and the second highest level on record, according to data from BTC.com. See related article: Chinese mining rig maker Canaan says global expansion on track despite ‘crypto winter’ Fast facts The mining difficulty reading was at 30.98 trillion, as of block […]

SEC, Ripple take XRP lawsuit battle to media as well

The ongoing battle between the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Ripple Labs over the latter’s token XRP is playing out not just in a courtroom but in media channels as well. See related article: SEC files no objection to Ripple request to seal non-party identities in XRP lawsuit Fast facts Stu Alderoty, general counsel […]

SEC files no objection to Ripple request to seal non-party identities in XRP lawsuit

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has decided not to object to Ripple Lab’s request to seal identities of certain non-parties and Ripple employees in the Daubert motions, as its lawsuit against Ripple drags on. See related article: SEC seeks to file up to 90-page long reply to motion in XRP lawsuit Fast facts The […]

Grayscale says XLM, ZEC and ZEN may be securities after SEC inquiry

In recent filings, the crypto asset management firm has said Stellar (XLM), Zcash (ZEC) and Horizen’s (ZEN) native cryptocurrencies may be securities. Grayscale was responding to questions from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding the company’s crypto trusts. See related article: Grayscale sues SEC over spot Bitcoin ETF rejection Fast facts In its […]

SEC seeks to file up to 90-page long reply to motion in XRP lawsuit

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is requesting to file a lengthy reply to its motion that seeks to exclude the testimony of Ripple Labs’ witnesses, as the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple drags on. See related article: Judge grants Ripple’s request to review videos of SEC officials Fast facts The SEC filed the request on […]

OSL Digital placed a ‘tokenized bond’ in July — what’s next for blockchain securities?

Financial instruments sold and traded on a public blockchain could be the next big thing, so Forkast caught up with OSL to hear about what’s planned.

Coinbase hit with lawsuit over allegedly poor security

U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has been hit with a class action lawsuit last week over claims the firm allegedly failed to properly secure customers’ accounts, leaving them vulnerable to unauthorized activity. See related article: Coinbase under investigation by SEC, quarterly report reveals Fast facts Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of […]

SEC files brief on Hinman speech as XRP lawsuit drags on

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has fought back in its lawsuit against Ripple Labs with a reply brief in support of its objections to orders that asked the SEC to disclose drafts of a 2018 speech made by former SEC director William Hinman. See related article: Judge grants Ripple’s request to review videos of […]

Judge grants Ripple’s request to review videos of SEC officials

U.S. judge Sarah Netburn on Sunday granted Ripple Labs’ motion to serve two subpoenas to authenticate seven video recordings in which U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissions officials made public remarks. See related article: XRP trades down 3.5% after Ripple unlocks 1 billion tokens from escrow Fast facts The judge’s order comes in response to Ripple’s […]

Coinbase under investigation by SEC, quarterly report reveals

Nasdaq-listed Coinbase Global is under investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its token listing processes and its staking programs and yield-generating products, according to the company’s most recent quarterly report. See related article: Former Coinbase manager arrested on insider trading charges Fast facts “[Coinbase] has received investigative subpoenas and requests from […]

Lido community passes second proposal for token sale to Dragonfly Capital

The Lido decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) almost unanimously approved the sale of about US$25 million worth of treasury tokens to venture capital firm Dragonfly Capital on Thursday.  See related article: Lido Finance floats 2nd proposal to sell LDO to Dragonfly Capital Fast facts The voting page shows over 99% of the community members voted in […]

Bitcoin mining difficulty rises 1.74% after three consecutive drops

Bitcoin mining difficulty rose by 1.74% on Thursday following three consecutive drops in previous adjustments, according to data from BTC.com. See related article: Chinese mining rig maker Canaan says global expansion on track despite ‘crypto winter’ Fast facts The mining difficulty reading was at 28.17 trillion, as of block height 747,936, the data showed. The […]

S.Korea’s Bithumb links system with Samsung Securities, mobile apps

South Korea’s leading digital asset exchange Bithumb is linking its system with mobile applications from three major domestic financial institutions — Samsung Securities, NH Nonghyup and KB Kookmin Bank, Bithumb announced Thursday. See related article: Scarred by Terra-LUNA, South Korea moves ahead with digital asset reform Fast facts Bithumb users can now check up-to-date crypto […]

Philippines’ SEC warns public not to invest with Binance

The Philippines’ Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has cautioned the public not to invest with Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, in response to think tank Infrawatch PH’s request to ban Binance in the Philippines. See related article: Philippines think tank calls for ban on Binance Fast facts In a letter responding […]
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Amid Ripple XRP, Coinbase wrangles, Gary Gensler flexes SEC muscle

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler Friday reiterated the agency’s attempt to bring cryptocurrency exchanges under oversight and “register where appropriate as securities.” See related article: US crypto bill leaves ‘open question’ on securities: Tessler Fast facts See related article: SEC fails to block XRP holders from aiding in Ripple case

SEC fails to block XRP holders from aiding in Ripple case

A U.S. federal district court dismissed the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s motion to revoke the “amici curiae” or “friends of the court” status granted to XRP holders in an order on Tuesday.  See related article: SEC wins time to resist crucial document handover to Ripple in XRP lawsuit Fast facts In a letter to […]

HK crypto exchange OSL sells security tokens to institutional investors

Hong Kong-based digital asset trading platform OSL has started selling security tokens to institutional investors via a private placement, with the first purchasers including blockchain game company Animoca Brands, according to a press release on Tuesday. See related article: Chinese logistics network plans US fundraise via tokenized offerings Fast facts Each security token represents a […]

SEC says 9 out of 25 assets in crypto insider trading case are securities

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) alleged in a civil suit filed last week that nine of the 25 crypto assets traded in the first-ever cryptocurrency insider trading case were securities and that leaking confidential information, therefore, amounted to securities fraud.  See related article: Former Coinbase manager arrested on insider trading charges Fast facts […]

South Korean prosecutors said to have raided Terra cofounder Shin’s residence

South Korean prosecutors’ search and seizure campaign on Terra-LUNA and affiliates includes raiding the private home of Terraform Labs cofounder Daniel Shin, or Shin Hyun-seung, among others on Wednesday, local media reported. See related article: S.Korea prosecutors raid crypto exchanges as part of Terra-LUNA investigation Fast facts Shin, who founded Terraform Labs with current chief […]

Thai SEC seeks additional clarification from Zipmex

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand (Thai SEC), has sought clarification from cryptocurrency exchange Zipmex on its decision to freeze withdrawals, according to a statement on its website.  See related article: Celsius bankruptcy deepens chill over crypto sector Fast facts The regulatory authority for Thailand’s capital markets, in a letter dated July 20 issued […]

S.Korea prosecutors raid crypto exchanges as part of Terra-LUNA investigation

South Korean prosecutors raided 15 companies, including seven cryptocurrency exchanges, on Wednesday as part of their investigation into the Terra-LUNA debacle. See related article: Terra subsidiary used as funds channel for overseas affiliates: report Fast facts “[The search and seizure] is to secure any physical evidence needed to prove the allegations,” Choi Sung-kook, prosecutor in […]

Celsius bankruptcy deepens chill over crypto sector

Top blockchain and crypto news: Celsius plunges into Chapter 11. Otherside’s promised land. Mixed picture for Chinese NFTs.

Vitalik Buterin defends Ethereum ahead of merge; ‘not a security’

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin tweeted a defense of the network’s transition to proof of stake (PoS) on Tuesday, responding to arguments suggesting assets secured by such consensus mechanisms are a security. See related article: Ethereum one step closer to Eth2 with Ropsten testnet merger Fast facts “The fact that you can vote on something to […]

Grayscale sues SEC over spot Bitcoin ETF rejection

Grayscale Investments filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) within an hour of the markets regulator rejecting an application that would have allowed its spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) to trade on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). See related article: Bitcoin ETF rejection could trigger Greyscale to sue the SEC […]

Sam Bankman-Fried agrees second bailout; Pride in the metaverse

Cryptocurrencies return to the red as inflation in the UK soars. Meanwhile, Sam Bankman-Fried agrees to bail out BlockFi for the second time.

Hong Kong to research retail CBDC cybersecurity with Israel, BIS

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced a joint research project with the Bank of Israel (BOI) and the Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub (BISIH) Hong Kong Centre to study cybersecurity issues in retail central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). See related article: Hong Kong now exploring retail CBDC in upcoming Project Aurum Fast facts […]