Author: Roland Guirdonan

Article written by Roland Guirdonan

Defunct crypto exchange Mt. Gox pushes its repayment deadline to October 2025

October 12, 2024 1 min read

The defunct cryptocurrency exchange Mt. Gox has extended its repayment deadline to October 31, 2025, pushing it back by a year from the previous date. This decision was made with court approval, as the Rehabilitation Trustee aims to ensure that repayments to creditors are carried out as smoothly as possible. This marks the second postponement of the repayment timeline; earlier in 2023, the deadline was shifted from October 31, 2023,

Bitnomial challenges SEC’s classification of XRP as a security

October 11, 2024 1 min read

Bitnomial, a crypto derivatives exchange based in Chicago, has taken a bold step by filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The exchange is contesting the SEC’s claim that XRP futures should be classified as “Security Futures.” This legal move comes on the heels of another lawsuit from Crypto.com, which accuses the SEC of overreaching by labeling all crypto assets as securities. Bitnomial operates under the

Former Alameda to hand over bulk of her assets to settle FTX lawsuit

October 10, 2024 1 min read

Caroline Ellison, the former co-CEO of Alameda Research, has reached a settlement with the FTX bankruptcy estate, agreeing to transfer most of her assets to help resolve a lawsuit stemming from FTX’s collapse. In a recent court filing, it was revealed that Ellison will hand over nearly all her assets, excluding those already forfeited to the government or used for legal expenses. Additionally, she has committed to cooperating fully with

VanEck Ventures launches $30M fund to support fintech, digital assets, and AI startups

October 9, 2024 1 min read

VanEck, a prominent global investment management firm, has launched VanEck Ventures, a $30 million early-stage fund aimed at investing in innovative startups within the fintech, digital assets, and artificial intelligence sectors. This move signifies VanEck’s strategic foray into venture capital, aligning with its historical approach of identifying transformative investment opportunities early on. The fund is exclusively available to Qualified Purchasers and carries significant risks, making it essential for potential investors

Binance launches $10M traders league

October 9, 2024 1 min read

Binance has unveiled the Binance Traders League, an exciting new trading competition featuring a staggering prize pool exceeding $10 million. This event is designed to engage traders of all skill levels, allowing retail participants to join by achieving a minimum trading volume of $500. The Traders League aims to enhance the trading experience through a variety of challenges that cater to individual preferences. It includes both team contests, which foster

Vitalik Buterin donates 100 ETH to support Tornado Cash developers in their legal fight

October 8, 2024 2 mins read

Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, has recently made headlines for his generous donation of 100 ETH to aid the legal defense of Tornado Cash developers, Alexey Pertsev and Roman Storm. This significant contribution comes on the heels of Buterin selling off various memecoins from his personal collection, including Neiro, MOONDENG, DEGEN, and KABOSU, as well as USDT tokens from the CATE project, which he converted into ETH. Buterin’s support

The UAE exempts crypto transactions from VAT starting November 15

October 8, 2024 1 min read

Starting November 15, 2024, the UAE will eliminate Value Added Tax (VAT) on cryptocurrency transactions, a strategic move designed to invigorate the sector and enhance the nation’s appeal to crypto businesses and investors. This policy shift, announced by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), removes the previous 5% tax that posed challenges for market entry, thereby reinforcing Dubai’s status as a global crypto and blockchain hub. The UAE’s proactive approach to

Tether (USDT) celebrates its 10th anniversary

October 7, 2024 1 min read

On its 10th anniversary, Tether, the issuer of the USDT stablecoin, announced the release of a documentary highlighting the role of USDT in combating inflation. The trailer features interviews with users from countries like Argentina, Turkey, and Brazil, showcasing how they have utilized the stablecoin to navigate high inflation rates. Notably, the teaser emphasizes that USDT accounts for 90% of Brazil’s daily transactions, with 80% of the country’s cryptocurrency transactions

Cardano founder applauds Sui’s fast growth and unique approach

October 6, 2024 1 min read

Charles Hoskinson, the founder of Cardano, recently commended the Sui Network for its impressive advancements and innovative contributions to the blockchain industry. He particularly recognized George Danezis, co-founder of Mysten Labs, for his pivotal role in developing Sui, which has the potential to achieve notable success in the sector. Launched in 2023, Sui is a Layer-1 blockchain designed to streamline and improve the development of Web3 applications. It employs the

Brazil’s Central Bank is integrating DeFi elements into its Drex CBDC project

October 5, 2024 1 min read

Brazil’s Central Bank is making significant strides in its Drex central bank digital currency (CBDC) project by incorporating decentralized finance (DeFi) elements. Currently in its second pilot phase, the initiative aims to boost financial inclusion and enhance transaction efficiency in Brazil’s digital economy. The pilot will test various applications, including the tokenization of real estate and the establishment of liquidity pools for public securities trading, utilizing smart contracts and decentralized

BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s FBTC are the top-performing Bitcoin ETFs of the decade

October 4, 2024 1 min read

BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s FBTC are emerging as leading Bitcoin ETFs, each surpassing $10 billion in assets under management despite recent market volatility. IBIT has shown remarkable growth, achieving $1 billion in trading volume shortly after receiving SEC approval for options trading, which is expected to attract institutional investors. In contrast, FBTC has faced challenges, including significant outflows, indicating investor uncertainty. Bloomberg’s Senior ETF Analyst Eric Balchunas noted that IBIT

A former Chinese finance official urges the government to rethink its strict crypto ban

October 3, 2024 1 min read

In a recent forum in Beijing, former senior finance official Zhu Guangyao urged China to reconsider its stringent ban on cryptocurrencies, highlighting their potential role in bolstering the nation’s digital economy. His remarks come at a time when the U.S. is adopting a more crypto-friendly approach, igniting discussions within China about the implications of its current policies. Since its initial crackdown on crypto in 2017, which included banning initial coin