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Solana-based GameStop meme coin gains traction after retailer pulls plug on crypto

A GME-themed meme coin, not affiliated with the video game retailer GameStop, is replicating the company’s meme stock frenzy on the Solana blockchain.

Floki Inu staking halted in Hong Kong after SFC warning

Floki Inu suspends its staking program in Hong Kong following regulatory warnings.

Solana’s Jupiter trading volume skyrockets ahead of JUP airdrop

Jupiter Exchange experiences a trading boom as the Solana community awaits the upcoming JUP airdrop.

Hong Kong sees first spot Bitcoin ETF application

Hong Kong could welcome its first spot Bitcoin ETF, courtesy of Harvest Global’s recent filing.

Algorand CEO’s social media account hit by hackers

Algorand community warned as CEO’s social media falls prey to hackers.

Swan Bitcoin debuts mining operations ahead of IPO

Swan Bitcoin steps into mining ahead of halving as it prepares for a stock market debut.

SEC postpones verdict on Grayscale’s spot Ether ETF

Ether ETF hopefuls on hold as SEC postpones decision.

JPMorgan downgrades Coinbase to underweight

Analysts at JPMorgan slash Coinbase rating to underweight, questioning ETF impact.

Mt. Gox confirms addresses for BTC repayment plan

Long-awaited Bitcoin repayments closer as Mt. Gox confirms creditor addresses.

Dogecoin soars to weekly peak amid X Payments buzz

Speculative X Payments chatter triggers Dogecoin’s sharp rise.

Terraform Labs Seeks U.S. bankruptcy shield

Do Kwon-founded Terraform Labs files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S.

US, UK, Australia target Hamas-linked crypto networks

Allied nations impose sanctions on entities allegedly aiding Hamas’ crypto transactions.

SEC delays Fidelity’s Ethereum ETF decision

Fidelity’s bid for a spot Ethereum ETF hits a snag as SEC delays decision.

Polygon’s MATIC stirs as US$26 mln moved to exchanges

Celsius Network’s move of US$26 million in MATIC to exchanges raises eyebrows amid market volatility.

Bitcoin mining’s green mile: 54.5% sustainable energy use

Bitcoin mining now more eco-friendly than ever, reaching a 54.5% sustainable energy usage.

Bitcoin spot ETFs break US$10 bln trading barrier

Investors flock to Bitcoin spot ETFs, pushing trading volumes past the US$10 billion milestone.

Solana to launch second crypto smartphone

Solana Mobile hints at second smartphone following surprise success of Saga. 

HashKey joins unicorn club after US$100 mln raise

HashKey Group achieves unicorn status following a US$100 million funding round, reaching a US$1.2 billion valuation.

USDT rises as money laundering tool in SEA, UN says

A UN report reveals USDT’s growing role in money laundering and underground banking in Southeast Asia

CoinShares acquires Valkyrie expands ETF offerings

With the acquisition of Valkyrie Funds, CoinShares aims to strengthen its position in the competitive ETF market.

Ethereum outperforms Bitcoin despite ETF debut

Ether’s price rises sharply, contrasting with Bitcoin’s stagnant performance despite recent ETF launches.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs launch in U.S. markets

Grayscale and BlackRock’s ETFs lead a bullish debut for newly listed Bitcoin ETFs.

USDC issuer Circle attempts public listing again: report

With the filing for an IPO, Circle aims to capitalize on the growing interest in crypto assets, despite recent industry setbacks.

Crypto milestone: SEC approves spot Bitcoin ETFs

SEC’s landmark decision approves 11 Bitcoin ETFs, heralding a new era for digital asset investments.

Ripple to be valued at US$11.3 bln following share repurchase

Ripple Labs’ tender offer aims to repurchase US$285 million shares, valuing the firm at US$11.3 billion and fortifying financial standing.

Restey immortalizes Gensler’s tweet on the Bitcoin blockchain

Billy Restey inscribes SEC’s Gensler tweet on Bitcoin blockchain, ensuring clarity after a false ETF approval claim rattles the crypto market.

Apple removes Binance, KuCoin apps in India

Major crypto exchanges vanish from Apple’s App Store in India, adhering to FIU mandates.

SEC decision looms: Cboe pushes for Bitcoin ETFs

Cboe appeals to SEC for fast-tracking Bitcoin ETFs.

Bitcoin ETF applicants make swift amendments to filings following SEC’s response

Imminent SEC decision on Bitcoin ETFs could mark a watershed moment for crypto, spearheaded by industry giants BlackRock and VanEck, reshaping the investment world.

Upbit Singapore secures coveted MPI license

Upbit joins 15 other crypto firms permitted to provide digital payment token services in Singapore.

SEC’s Gensler warns of crypto risks amid Bitcoin ETF buzz

SEC Chair Gary Gensler cautions about cryptocurrency volatility, highlighting investor protection concerns, as his agency nears a decision on spot Bitcoin ETF applications.

MakerDAO’s Christensen wants to make DAOs fun again. He’s not alone.

Projects are rethinking how to make DAOs more fun and less disappointing.

From Silicon Valley to Sand Dunes: Why Indian crypto firms eye Dubai expansion

Indian crypto companies flock to Dubai, escaping high local taxes and finding solace in the emirate’s favorable regulatory environment.

Blockchain can transform the real estate business — if we remove the roadblocks in its way

From reducing paperwork to verifying title quickly, blockchain technology promises to overhaul the age-old industry. But it faces regulatory hurdles and resistance by those who profit from inefficiency.

Why a16z chose London for its first non-US office

Silicon Valley venture giant Andreessen Horowitz plants flag in London: fuels UK’s ascent as a Web3 innovator.

Blackrock files for Ether ETF: ETH tops US$2,100

BlackRock’s Ether ETF filing comes as the U.S. SEC entered an eight-day window to potentially approve pending Bitcoin ETF applications.

Ether breaches US$2,000 as BlackRock registers iShares Ethereum Trust entity

Ether rose to an over six-month high of US$2,045.

FTT up 65% after SEC’s Gensler hints FTX restart

FTT rose over 65% despite FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s guilty verdict last week.

Taiwan identifies new suspects in alleged JPEX fraud case: report

Prosecutors have reportedly identified new suspects after searching nine locations related to JPEX.

Can spot Bitcoin ETFs push Hong Kong to the crypto throne?

Top blockchain and crypto news: Hong Kong mulls Bitcoin ETFs, Ordinals flip Ethereum NFTs, IPO comes full circle.

Grassroots crypto adoption to follow real-world use cases, says Chainalysis APAC policy lead

Blockchain-based gaming and remittances among top drivers toward adoption in central and South Asia.

Bitcoin breaks US$36,000 as SEC enters potential ETF approval period

Bitcoin is up over 32% in the past month.

Binance introduces self-custody Web3 wallet

Binance said it aims to onboard the next billion Web3 users with its new wallet.

What we can learn from the sunsetting of Reddit’s crypto rewards program

Reddit’s shortsightedness and fixation on profits ultimately led it to pull the plug on Community Points. But here’s why Reddit should still be commended.

Proof Group among three top bidders for FTX relaunch: report

Proof Group is also part of the group that won the bid for bankrupt crypto lender Celsius.

SBF conviction closes “dark chapter” in crypto: Yat Siu

Siu said this marks the crypto industry’s evolution from the FTX collapse and the Terra-Luna meltdown.

SOL up over 21% in a year since Alameda’s balance sheet hole came to light

SOL rose over 319% in 2023 so far, despite concerns around FTX’s lawsuit.

XRP approved by Dubai’s Financial Services Authority

The XRP token now stands to benefit from legal and regulatory clarity in the DIFC, according to the announcement.

Sam Bankman-Fried found guilty on all charges

Bankman-Fried’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 28, 2024.

PayPal subpoenaed by SEC over PYUSD Stablecoin

PayPal said that it is collaborating with the SEC’s request.

PayPal registers crypto service with UK FCA

The registration enables PayPal to advertise its crypto services to U.K. customers.

SBF trial drama fails to dampen Bitcoin’s meteoric October

Top blockchain and crypto news: Bankman-Fried’s memory lapses, betting on the return of NFTs, ETF dreams and Bitcoin’s Uptober

Circle to cease USDC minting for retail customers

Circle said the account closures do not apply to businesses or institutional Circle Mint accounts.

Mad Lads creator Backpack to launch licensed crypto exchange in Dubai

Backpack said it also secured operational licenses in other jurisdictions.

‘Uptober’ narrative saved by spot Bitcoin ETF bounce

Often dismissed as coincidence, October has once again produced an upswing in the crypto market, with excitement around a potential U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF to thank for this year’s ‘Uptober.’

Sam Bankman-Fried’s credibility questioned by prosecutors during cross-examination

Prosecutors pointed out inconsistencies in Bankman-Fried’s public statements before FTX collapsed in a four-hour grilling.

UK plans to introduce fiat-backed stablecoin rules in early 2024

The U.K. intends to introduce rules on fiat-backed stablecoins in early 2024, according to the government’s latest cryptocurrency policy update published on Monday.  See related article: Singapore, Thailand clarify crypto rules; NFTs become new cultural frontier Fast Facts See related article: Blockchain tech in Thailand gets boost from new pro-crypto lead

Standard Chartered’s Zodia Custody to launch in Hong Kong

The move is part of an Asia Pacific expansion effort by the cryptocurrency custodian.

Thailand’s Kasikorn Bank buys majority stake in Satang crypto exchange

The lender, known as K-bank, said it will also open three additional crypto subsidiaries.

Neo sets sights on DeFi, unveils EVM-compatible sidechain

Neo’s new sidechain hopes to counter MEV attacks to mitigate exploits and manipulations.

Sam Bankman-Fried’s testimony gets a test run as the defense presents its case

In a rare move, Judge Lewis Kaplan sent the jury home early so he can decide what is and isn’t admissible in FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s testimony.

Bitcoin soars amid buzz of potential ETF approval: Is a crypto renaissance on the horizon?

Top blockchain and crypto news: Bitcoin ETF potential pumps life in markets. Ethereum NFTs back on rise. Major industry layoffs continue.

Mastercard explores partnerships with crypto wallets MetaMask, Ledger: CoinDesk

Mastercard’s potential tie up with custody service providers may turbocharge crypto wallets’ growth with its global payments prowess.

US spot Bitcoin ETFs — crypto’s silver bullet?

Amid news, fake or otherwise, of an imminent approval for at least one spot Bitcoin ETF, Bitcoin’s price has skyrocketed. Could a year of pain in the crypto industry be over?

Parity Technologies, Polkadot blockchain developer, lays off 30% of staff

Parity CEO Björn Wagner said that despite the need for layoffs, the company’s financial health “remains robust.”

Dark Side of the $MOON: What the collapse of Reddit Community Points teaches us about Web3 tokenomics

To quell the uproar over the imminent death of a popular rewards program, Reddit is blaming ‘scalability’ and regulatory woes. But the real culprit is Reddit itself for failing to make its tokens sustainable, writes Fabio Galbi, CEO of VSC.

Binance loses two more top execs in UK and France

Global regulatory pressure on the world’s largest exchange continues to take its toll.

Binance challenges CFTC’s global reach in legal clash

Binance hits back at CFTC, stating U.S. laws can’t police global crypto operations; claims Binance.US operates separately.

Bitcoin ETF fever sends BTC to heights not seen since May 2022

As Bitcoin breaks past $35,000, optimism brews in the crypto market. Is this the end of the prolonged ‘crypto winter’ investors have dreaded?

North America retains crypto crown even as US regulatory clouds loom: Chainalysis

The United States is the region’s top driver of crypto activity.

China’s central bank to ‘resolutely curb’ crypto speculation; Hong Kong updates regulations

PBOC to crack down on crypto speculation, as Hong Kong restricts access to certain “complex” virtual asset products.

Philippines’ Coins.ph may have lost US$6 million worth of XRP in hack: The Block

Coins.ph, a cryptocurrency exchange based in the Philippines with millions of users, appeared to have lost 12.2 million XRP tokens, The Block reported on Friday.