April 2024
Consensys files lawsuit against SEC over Ethereum status
Software firm Consensys seeks court ruling to stop SEC from classifying Ethereum as a security.
SEC expected to deny Ethereum ETFs: Reuters
The SEC signals a cautious crypto stance, likely rejecting Ethereum ETFs and delaying Bitcoin ETF options.
Samourai Wallet founders arrested for laundering US$100 mln
Samourai Wallet creators face money laundering and illegal business operation charges.
Ex-Binance CEO faces 3-years prison and millions in fines
Changpeng Zhao, the former CEO of Binance, may receive a 3-year sentence and $50M fine for anti-money laundering violations.
SEC postpones Ethereum ETF decisions
The SEC extends review of Ethereum ETFs and requests public comments on BlackRock’s proposal, casting uncertainty on May approvals.
Ripple contests SEC’s US$2 bln fine, suggests US$10 mln
Ripple challenges SEC’s penalty, arguing for a reduced $10 million fine in a legal dispute.
Binance converts US$1 bln fund; eyes India comeback after obtaining Dubai license
Cryptocurrency giant Binance converts $1B safety fund to USDC, signaling a strategic move to enhance transparency and re-enter the Indian market.
US senators unveil stablecoin regulation bill
New legislation aims to enhance financial stability by imposing strict rules on stablecoin issuers.
Hong Kong approves spot Bitcoin ETF
City’s inaugural Bitcoin ETF approval spurs price surge, signaling crypto investment growth.
FTX’s Bankman-Fried appeals 25-year sentence
Disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried challenges his prison term and seeks New York confinement during the appeal.
Hong Kong expected to approve spot Bitcoin ETFs mid-April
Hong Kong’s SFC is set to approve spot Bitcoin ETFs, offering new investment avenues.
Binance exec refutes Nigeria laundering claims
Binance’s Tigran Gambaryan pleads not guilty to money laundering in Nigeria, faces remand.
Singapore strengthens crypto oversight
MAS revises PSA to cover crypto custody, aiming to enhance user protection.
March 2024
FTX executives settle fraud lawsuit for US$1.35 mln
Ex-FTX leaders agree to $1.35M payout in class action settlement after founder’s sentencing.
KuCoin launches US$10 mln airdrop campaign amid legal woes
KuCoin’s $10 million airdrop aims to retain users despite DOJ and CFTC charges.
Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison
Bankman-Fried plans to appeal the conviction and sentence.
DeFi group, apparel company sue SEC over crypto token classification
The DeFi Education Fund and Beba challenge the SEC to clarify the status of their $BEBA token as non-security.
Binance faces ban in Philippines
Binance gets blocked by Philippines financial watch dog as the exchange drops Tron USDC.
SEC subpoenas linked to Ethereum Foundation stir security classification speculation: Fortune
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission intensifies its scrutiny on the Ethereum Foundation through subpoenas, igniting debates over Ether’s classification and casting doubt on spot Ether ETF approvals.
Senators urge SEC to halt crypto ETF approvals amid concerns
U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Laphonza Butler have expressed concerns over the approval of crypto ETFs beyond Bitcoin.
North Korea’s Lazarus allegedly launders US$12 mln via Tornado Cash
Lazarus Group, linked to North Korea, has resumed laundering stolen funds using Tornado Cash, a crypto mixer sanctioned by the U.S.
UK court rules against Craig Wright’s Satoshi Nakamoto claim
Craig Wright is not Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, accourding to the High Court’s ruling.
Terraform Labs retains Dentons as legal counsel amid bankruptcy
Bankrupt Terraform Labs secures court approval to hire Dentons for legal representation, despite SEC objections.
Ex-Binance CEO’s passport confiscated ahead of sentencing
Changpeng Zhao must surrender Canadian passport and stay in the U.S. as part of revised bail conditions.
Ethereum ETF approval odds drop as SEC remains silent
Analysts lower expectations for a spot Ethereum ETF approval by May.
UK regulator permits crypto ETNs for professional investors
The UK’s (FCA) has greenlit crypto asset ETNs for professional investors, with the London Stock Exchange set to accept applications next quarter.
Fed Chair Powell: No immediate plans for US CBDC
Jerome Powell assures Senate Committee that a U.S. central bank digital currency is not forthcoming, prioritizing privacy and banking system integrity.
SEC commissioners criticize unclear crypto enforcement after ShapeShift settlement
Two SEC commissioners express concerns over the agency’s ambiguous approach to cryptocurrency regulation following a recent settlement with ShapeShift.
Montenegro court blocks Terraform Labs founder’s extradition to US
A Montenegro appeals court has invalidated the decision to extradite Do Kwon to the United States.
Spain hits pause on Worldcoin’s data collection over privacy concerns
Spanish regulator orders Worldcoin to stop processing personal data, citing privacy violations.
SEC presses court over Binance.US compliance issues
The SEC alleges Binance.US has not fully complied with information requests regarding customer assets.
Court rules ‘certain’ crypto as securities in Coinbase insider trading case
A U.S. judge’s ruling classifies crypto assets traded in secondary markets as securities.
FTX cautions against unauthorized asset sales
FTX warns public about unauthorized parties soliciting bids for its digital assets, reaffirming Galaxy Asset Management’s exclusive role.
SEC’s Hester Peirce calls for clear crypto regulation
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce urges for sensible crypto regulation to support innovation and protect U.S. industry interests.
SEC scrutinizes Terraform Labs’ US$166 mln legal retainer
The financial watchdog contends the payment may be intended to avoid future judgments and should instead aid investors and creditors.
Gemini to reimburse US$1.1 bln to Earn customers after settlement
Gemini exchange reaches a settlement to return funds to users affected by the Genesis bankruptcy.
February 2024
FTX founder seeks reduced sentence of under 6.5 years
Sam Bankman-Fried’s legal team argues for a lighter prison term, criticizing the 100-year recommendation as excessive.
HTX resubmits Hong Kong crypto license application
After a brief withdrawal, HTX reapplies for a Hong Kong crypto trading license.
China warns of counterfeit digital yuan app scam
The Chinese government alerts citizens to a fraudulent app imitating the official digital yuan platform.
Wright submits 164,000 pages in an attempt to prove he’s Satoshi
Craig Wright’s claim as Bitcoin creator faces scrutiny in court with new evidence and testimonies.
UK moves to classify cryptocurrencies as property
The UK Law Commission proposes a new legal framework to recognize cryptocurrencies as property, aiming to provide clarity and protection for digital assets.
SEC sued over crypto regulation authority
Crypto group and digital asset firm challenge SEC’s authority in Texas lawsuit.
Do Kwon to face US extradition for Terra collapse charges
Montenegro court approves extradition of Terraform Labs’ Do Kwon to the US, where he faces fraud charges.
SEC’s crypto enforcement lawyer joins private law firm
Former SEC attorney Ladan Stewart transitions to White & Case, a firm known for defending crypto companies.
US Treasury: crypto’s role in Hamas funding minor
“Terrorists” still prefer to use traditional finance products, according to U.S. Treasury’s Brian Nelson.
Binance founder’s court date pushed back to April 30
Zhao has pleaded guilty to money laundering charges in November.
Montenegro court overturns extradition of Terra founder Do Kwon
International tug of war over Kwon’s fate takes a new turn with Montenegro court’s reversal on extradition.
South Korean crypto criminals to face life sentence
Crypto criminals with more than US$3.76 billion in profits may face life in South Korea.
Unlicensed crypto exchanges face shutdown in Hong Kong
Only two exchanges are licensed to provide crypto trading services to Hong Kong’s retail sector so far.
Genesis proposes US$1.6 bln asset sale amid bankruptcy
Genesis, in bankruptcy, seeks court approval to sell Bitcoin and Ether trust assets worth US$1.6 billion.
OPNX exchange to cease operations
OPNX, founded by Su Zhu, ceases operations due to FTX estate’s recovery claims.
US charges trio in FTX crypto exchange hack
The mystery of the FTX hack unfolds as the DOJ charges three unnamed suspects for the US$400 million theft in November 2022.
Bybit eyes Hong Kong license: crypto expansion plans
Crypto derivatives exchange Bybit seeks to enter Hong Kong’s market with a new license application.
Celsius Network’s US$3 bln repayment begins
Celsius Network starts repaying $3 billion to creditors, marking a step towards resolving its bankruptcy.
FTX expects to repay customers, no exchange relaunch
FTX plans to repay customers amid bankruptcy proceedings, rules out exchange relaunch.
January 2024
Floki Inu staking halted in Hong Kong after SFC warning
Floki Inu suspends its staking program in Hong Kong following regulatory warnings.
Hong Kong sees first spot Bitcoin ETF application
Hong Kong could welcome its first spot Bitcoin ETF, courtesy of Harvest Global’s recent filing.
SEC postpones verdict on Grayscale’s spot Ether ETF
Ether ETF hopefuls on hold as SEC postpones decision.
Terraform Labs Seeks U.S. bankruptcy shield
Do Kwon-founded Terraform Labs files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S.
SEC delays Fidelity’s Ethereum ETF decision
Fidelity’s bid for a spot Ethereum ETF hits a snag as SEC delays decision.
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.
SEC’s cybersecurity in question after ETF tweet blunder
Following a misleading tweet about Bitcoin ETFs, Senators Vance and Tillis demand answers from the SEC regarding its cybersecurity measures.
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.
November 2023
UK & EU push ahead on stablecoins, HK approves another crypto exchange & Apefest marred by complaints
The UK’s crypto hub dream is coming to life while some attendees of Apefest 2023 in Hong Kong complaint on severe eye pain post-event.
EBA proposes new liquidity guidelines for stablecoin issuers
The proposed guidelines will work as a liquidity stress test for stablecoin issuers, according to the EBA.
Dubai calls on crypto firms to finalize applications by Nov. 17
Over 1,000 crypto firms will have to complete their applications by Nov. 17 to avoid regulatory consequences.
Mitsubishi UFJ launches joint stablecoin study with Ginco, Progmat
The joint study aims to create the infrastructure for issuing regulatory-compliant stablecoins for improved cross-border settlement.
Bank of England, FCA to regulate sterling-denominated stablecoins
The central bank expects to release the final set of regulations by 2025.
Sam Bankman-Fried found guilty on all charges
Bankman-Fried’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 28, 2024.