Crypto
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Bank of Canada emphasizes need for stablecoin regulation as legislation is tabled
Staffers at the Bank of Canada released an analytic note on fiat-referenced crypto assets, otherwise known as stablecoins, Dec. 19. In addition to a review of mechanisms for creating and distributing stablecoins and a list of the potential risks and benefits they involve, the note expressed the authors’ support for further regulation of the crypto asset. The global market for fiat-referenced crypto assets increased 30-fold between the beginning of 2020 and mid-2022, reaching $161 billion in U.S. dollars. They are mainly used on crypto-trading platforms, the note states, but they have the potential for a wide variety of other uses, especially in combination with smart contracts. “These cryptoassets could bring efficiencies and greater competition to payment services, especially in a more di...
$1.7M of Bitcoin tied to QuadrigaCX reawakens after years of dormancy
Five wallets tied to the defunct Canadian cryptocurrency exchange QuadrigaCX, previously thought to be inaccessible, have just been spotted moving around $1.7 million worth of Bitcoin after years of dormancy. Crypto researcher ZachXBT alerted the crypto community in a Twitter post on Dec. 19, highlighting the five wallets have transferred around 104 Bitcoin (BTC) on Dec. 17 to various wallets. Blockchain records show the wallets had not sent BTC since at least April 2018. Five wallets attributed to QuadrigaCX unexpectedly moved ~104 BTC on Dec 17 for the first time in years. 1ECUQLuioJbFZAQchcZq9pggd4EwcpuANe1J9Fqc3TicNoy1Y7tgmhQznWrP5AVLXj9R1MhgmGaHwLAvvKVyFvy6zy9pRQFXaxwE9M1HyYMMCdCcHnfjwMW2jE4cv9qVkVDFUzVa1JPtxSGoekZfLQeYAWkbhBhkr2VEDADHZB — ZachXBT (@zachxbt) December 19, 2022 Once Can...
Axelar launches $60M startup ecosystem program
The proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchain Axelar launched on Dec. 19 a $60 million startup funding program dedicated to accelerating the development of decentralized applications and protocols that can replace centralized exchanges. The initiative is backed by over 15 blockchain investors. Dubbed Axelar Ecosystem Startup Funding Program, the initiative was designed to foster the development of Web3 applications addressing global issues that cannot be solved by the centralized internet. To qualify for funding, projects must also safeguard digital sovereignty, security and privacy, and work to onboard masses easily without unnecessary friction between specific blockchains or tokens, noted the company. Sergey Gorbunov, Axelar co-founder and CEO, told Cointelegraph about the development: “2021...
What is the relationship between blockchain and Web3?
Cryptocurrencies and blockchain are the building blocks of Web3. However, the decentralized web also relies on technologies like AR, VR, IoT and others unrelated to blockchain or digital currencies. The third generation of the internet, known as Web3, is based on blockchain technology. However, technologies like machine learning, big data, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and others enable decentralized apps (DApps) to analyze information in a sophisticated human-like manner in a Web3 environment. For instance, virtual reality headsets will create an exceptional shopping experience, allowing customers to interact with the products before making a purchase. However, these technologies are not based on cryptocu...
Grayscale CEO highlights 20% GBTC share buyback option if ETF conversion fails
The proposed offer would require both SEC relief and shareholders’ approval. According to an end-of-year letter to investors published on Dec. 10, Grayscale Investments’ CEO Michael Sonnenshein said that the firm may consider “a tender offer for a portion of the outstanding shares of GBTC [Grayscale Bitcoin Trust]” if the latter’s exchange-traded fund conversion process is ultimately unsuccessful. Sonnenshein stated that “such tender offer would be for no more than 20% of the outstanding shares of GBTC” and would require both regulatory “relief” from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as well as shareholder approval to approve such offer. Grayscale and its subsidiary over-the-counter traded fund GBTC is currently embroiled in a...
BTC price faces 20% drop in weeks if Bitcoin avoids key level — Analyst
Bitcoin (BTC) stayed rigid below $17,000 at the Dec. 19 Wall Street open as skeptical traders feared more downside. BTC/USD 1-hour candle chart (Bitstamp). Source: TradingView BTC traders call time on upside potential Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC/USD lingering around the $16,700 mark, practically unmoved over the weekend. The pair saw only fractional volatility at the open, as United States equities fell slightly. At the time of writing, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite Index were down 0.5% and 1%, respectively. For Bitcoin traders, there was little to celebrate, with consensus forming around the potential for testing lower levels next. “Bearish as long as it stays below the $19k,” Crypto Poseidon summarized alongside a chart. BTC/USD annotated chart. ...
Nigeria set to pass bill recognizing Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies
The Nigerian government will reportedly soon pass a law that will recognize the usage of Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies as a means to keep up to date with “global practices.” The news was reported by Nigerian-based masthead Punch Newspapers on Dec. 18 following an interview with House of Representatives Committee on Capital Markets Chairman Babangida Ibrahim. The report stated that if the Investments and Securities Act 2007 (Amendment) Bill is signed into law it would allow the local Securities and Exchange Commission to “recognize cryptocurrency and other digital funds as capital for investment.” Ibrahim stressed the need for Nigeria to keep up to date with trends and developments in capital markets: “Like I said earlier during the second reading, we need an efficient and vibran...
Nifty News: Building bridges in the Metaverse, elaborate Apes scam and more
South Korea’s Gyeongbuk Province has announced plans to use Web3 technology to expand its economic relations with Vietnam. In a Dec. 19 announcement, the province’s governor Lee Cheol-woo said the metaverse project would focus on “growing economic, cultural, commercial, and people-centered contacts with Vietnam.” Back in June, the province announced it would invest $13.8 million to establish itself as a hub for metaverse innovation in the hope of growing the local economy. South Korea has been very active in metaverse development since the beginning of 2022 and it aims to become the fifth most metaverse-ready country in the world. It has allocated $186.7 million to create an all-encompassing metaverse platform known as the Expanded Virtual World. 14 Bored Apes stolen in phishing scam ...
Ethereum bulls wake up after four years to transfer 22,982 ETH
At a time of bear market-induced uncertainty, crypto investors often tend to stick with Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) to evade impermanent losses. As a result, the significant movement of such assets intrigues the community as they try and decipher the intent behind the move. Two addresses that have remained dormant for over four years recently came back to life to transfer 22,982 ETH to new addresses — leaving investors scratching their heads. The ETH tokens in question originated from trading platforms Genesis and Poloniex and were found transferring 13,103.99 ETH and 9,878 ETH, respectively. #PeckShieldAlert 2 Dormant addresses transferred 22,982 $ETH (~27.2M) to 2 fresh addresses, their last movement was October 2018 (1,535 days ago). These $ETH originated from Genesis and Poloniex ...
‘Wave lower’ for all markets? 5 things to know in Bitcoin this week
Bitcoin (BTC) starts the week before Christmas with a whimper as a tight trading range gives BTC bulls little cheer. A weekly close just above $16,700 means BTC/USD remains without major volatility amid a lack of overall market direction. Having seen erratic trading behavior around the latest United States macroeconomic data print, the pair has since returned to an all-too-familiar status quo. What could change it? That is the question on every analyst’s lips as markets limp into Christmas with little to offer. The reality is tough for the average Bitcoin hodler — BTC is trading below where it was two years and even five years ago. “FUD” is hardly in short supply thanks to FTX fallout and concerns over Binance. At the same time, there are signs that miners are recovering, while on-chain in...
Bitcoin targets $16.7K amid fear BNB may ‘drag whole crypto market down’
Bitcoin (BTC) looked set to ditch $17,000 after the Dec. 16 Wall Street open as United States equities continued to fall. BTC/USD 1-hour candle chart (Bitstamp). Source: TradingView Analyst: $240 BNB “has nothing but air below it” Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView tracked new intraday lows of $16,743 for BTC/USD on Bitstamp. The pair had abruptly dived nearly 3% earlier in the day, compounding losses, which immediately followed one-month highs. Ongoing concerns over largest global exchange Binance pervaded the mood, these coming despite the best efforts of CEO, Changpeng Zhao, to dispel what he called “FUD.” As Cointelegraph reported, longtime crypto traders were similarly skeptical of the credibility of the “craziest rumors” about the crypto exchange sector. Nonetheless,...
Amazon’s new series ‘NFTMe’ explores NFT culture and disruption worldwide
The capacity to digitally authenticate almost everything, and the possibility of monetizing in ways nobody could even imagine before. These are some of the ways that Amazon’s new documentary series NFTMe introduces nonfungible tokens (NFTs). The show features artists, collectors, and industry professionals across the world sharing their experiences with NFTs and how the merger between art and technology has positively affected their daily lives. In six 30-minute episodes, NFTMe introduces 50 pioneers in the NFT space from four continents, including American singer Susaye Greene of The Supremes; Queen Diambi Kabatusuila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Refik Anadol, a digital artist for SpaceX and NASA; Peter Rafelson, a music producer for Madonna; and Cheryl Douglas of P...
