🔔 Optimism Launches Airdrop #5, Distributes 10M+ OP to 54K Addresses !
Optimism has announced Airdrop #5, allocating over 10 million OP tokens to more than 54,000 unique addresses. Approximately 550 million OP tokens remain available for future airdrops.
▶️ Check More Details Here:
https://x.com/Optimism/status/1844066394440417398
🔔 Bankrupt FTX Crypto Exchange Granted Approval to Begin Repaying Customers !
FTX has received court approval to fully repay customers after its 2022 collapse, with recoveries potentially reaching $16.5 billion. Repayments will be in cash, and preferred shareholders may receive a portion of seized funds. Payments will begin once a distribution trust is established.
▶️ Check More Details Here:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-10-07/ftx-clear-to-repay-customers-as-firms-seek-slice-of-1-billion
⚡️ News Flash - 04 Oct 2024 !
1️⃣ Hong Kong Approves HKVAX as the Third Licensed Retail Crypto Exchange
HKVAX became the third exchange licensed in Hong Kong to offer crypto services, focusing on security token offerings and real-world asset tokenization.
2️⃣ HBO Joins Search for Bitcoin's Satoshi, Despite Previous Unsuccessful Attempts
HBO's upcoming documentary Money Electric: the Bitcoin Mystery claims to reveal the true identity of Bitcoin's creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
3️⃣ Coinbase to Delist Non-Compliant Stablecoins in EU After MiCA Guidelines Take Effect
Coinbase will delist non-compliant stablecoins in the EU by December 30, 2024, to comply with the Markets in Crypto Assets regulations. Tether has not yet obtained the required e-money license.
4️⃣ Crypto Phishing Scams Result in $46 Million Losses in September
In Q3 2024, over $127 million in cryptocurrencies were stolen, with about $46 million lost in September. Scam Sniffer reported around 10,800 victims of phishing attacks that month, including a significant loss of $32.43 million from a single incident on Sept. 28 involving 12,083 spWETH.
5️⃣ U.S. and SEC Support Class-Action Lawsuit Against Nvidia in Supreme Court
The U.S. Justice Department and SEC have asked the Supreme Court to revive a class-action lawsuit against Nvidia, alleging the company misled investors about sales to crypto miners. They argue the suit has sufficient details to proceed and is vital for regulating securities-related cases. The legal dispute dates back to 2018.
⚡️ News Flash - 02 Oct 2024 !
1️⃣ Indiana Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing $38 Million in Cryptocurrency Through 'Cyber Intrusion'
Evan Light, a 21-year-old from Indiana, pleaded guilty to hacking a financial company and stealing $38M in cryptocurrency. He faces up to 40 years in prison for wire fraud and money laundering.
2️⃣ FTX Estate Plans to Sell $38 Million in Locked Worldcoin Tokens at a Discount
The FTX estate is auctioning 22.3 million locked Worldcoin (WLD) tokens, valued at $37.7 million, at a 40% to 75% discount. Bids are due Wednesday, with results announced Thursday. The tokens unlock daily through 2028. The estate holds $594 million in assets, primarily in illiquid FTT tokens.
3️⃣ Federal Court Approves Kalshi to List Election Betting Contracts, Rejects CFTC's Motion
A U.S. judge ruled that the CFTC failed to prove the public would suffer without a stay in its lawsuit against Kalshi, which the CFTC claims cannot offer congressional control contracts.
4️⃣ Bitwise Officially Files Plans for XRP ETF with SEC
Bitwise has filed an S-1 form with the SEC to launch an exchange-traded fund (ETF) linked to XRP, the cryptocurrency associated with Ripple. CEO Hunter Horsley announced the filing, highlighting XRP's enduring appeal to investors.
5️⃣ PayPal Stablecoin PYUSD Launches on MoonPay in All Supported Countries Except Canada
PayPal USD (PYUSD) is now purchasable on MoonPay using major payment methods in all supported countries, except Canada. The stablecoin is fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits and short-term Treasuries.
⚡️ News Flash - 28 Sep 2024 !
1️⃣ Crypto Whale Loses More Than $32 Million in Suspected Phishing Attack
A crypto whale lost $32 million to a malicious transaction linked to the Inferno Drainer scam, which has stolen over $215 million across 28 blockchains.
2️⃣ Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Advocates for Bitcoin to Be Classified as a Commodity Similar to Gold
Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick urged regulators to classify Bitcoin as a commodity, like gold and oil, during a Fox Business interview on Sept. 27. He called for clearer regulation of the cryptocurrency space.
3️⃣ John Deaton Pledges to Oppose Federal CBDC, Calling It "A Hill to Die On"
John Deaton, U.S. Senate candidate in Massachusetts, opposes a consumer-focused central bank digital currency (CBDC) issued by the Federal Reserve. He emphasized regulatory clarity and government accountability, stating that he is willing to "die on the hill" to oppose such a CBDC.
4️⃣ Crypto Fear & Greed Index Rebounds into Greed Territory
The Crypto Fear & Greed Index hit its highest level since July, recording a score of 64 on September 28, indicating "Greed" as Bitcoin briefly approached $66,000.
5️⃣ Mango DAO and Mango Markets Reach Settlement with SEC Over Unregistered Sale of MNGO Tokens
Mango DAO settled with the SEC for $700,000 over unlawful MNGO token sales and agreed to destroy the tokens, affirming that DAOs are subject to regulatory oversight.
⚡️ News Flash - 27 Sep 2024 !
1️⃣ Ethereum Transaction Fees Soar Amid Increased Blockchain Activity: Coinbase
Ethereum transaction fees have spiked due to increased on-chain activity, says Coinbase. Kraken analysts note Ether's RSI has broken a downtrend since March, indicating a potential bullish momentum shift.
2️⃣ MiCA Poses Risk of Crypto Firms Relocating to Middle East, Warns Regulatory Expert
Europe's MiCA crypto regulations could reduce Web3 firms and raise centralization concerns, pushing companies to the Middle East due to uneven enforcement, says Fideum CEO.
3️⃣ SEC Charges U.K. Citizen in Hacking and Insider Trading Scheme Involving Five U.S. Public Companies
The SEC charged Robert B. Westbrook for hacking U.S. companies to trade on insider info, earning $3.75 million. Despite using VPNs and Bitcoin to hide, investigators uncovered the scheme. He faces civil and criminal charges.
4️⃣ Gensler Warns Crypto Industry Won't Last Without Investor Protections
SEC Chair Gary Gensler stressed that the crypto industry needs investor protections to survive, citing past failures like FTX. He reiterated that most cryptocurrencies are securities, except Bitcoin, which he confirmed is not a security and can be traded through exchange-traded products.
5️⃣ Binance Founder 'CZ' Released from Prison on Friday, Retains $60 Billion Fortune
Changpeng Zhao, or "CZ," will be released from federal custody after a four-month sentence for anti-money laundering violations at Binance. With a net worth of $60 billion, he aims to reconnect with family and focus on philanthropy, while still holding significant influence at Binance as its largest shareholder.
🔔 Caroline Ellison, Ex-Girlfriend of Sam Bankman-Fried, Sentenced to Two Years in Prison !
Caroline Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda Research and associate of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for her role in defrauding investors before FTX's collapse. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan also ordered her to forfeit about $7.11 billion and complete three years of supervised release. Ellison had pleaded guilty to multiple charges and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.
▶️ Check More Details Here:
https://www.foxbusiness.com/business-leaders/sam-bankman-frieds-ex-girlfriend-caroline-ellison-sentenced
🔔 VP Harris to Support Crypto Business and Consumer Protection at Wall Street Fundraiser: Bloomberg !
Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the crypto industry at a Wall Street fundraiser, promoting AI and digital assets as key to her "opportunity economy." She emphasized consumer protection and transparency while leading in election prediction markets ahead of November.
▶️ Check More Details Here:
https://x.com/jeneps/status/1837949775330902498
🔔 JUST IN: SEC Approves Options Trading for BlackRock's Spot Bitcoin ETF !
▶️ Check More Details Here:
https://www.sec.gov/files/rules/sro/ise/2024/34-101128.pdf
⚡️ News Flash - 19 Sep 2024 !
1️⃣ Two Individuals Accused in $230 Million Cryptocurrency Fraud
Federal prosecutors have charged Malone Lam and Jeandiel Serrano with stealing over $230 million in cryptocurrency, following an investigation initiated by blockchain researcher ZachXBT. The stolen funds were allegedly spent on luxury items, and the FBI is continuing the investigation.
2️⃣ Terraform Labs Granted Approval by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge to Start Liquidation Process: Reuters
Terraform Labs has received court approval to shut down, with plans to pay up to $442.2 million to stakeholders, following its stablecoin collapse and an SEC fraud case.
3️⃣ SEC Requests Four-Month Extension to Provide Documents in Coinbase Case
The SEC requested an extension until February 2025 to produce over 133,000 documents in its discovery case with Coinbase, following a court order on securities laws for tokens.
4️⃣ Telegram Bot Banana Gun Users Report Losses Exceeding $1.9 Million
Users of the Telegram trading bot Banana Gun have lost nearly $2 million to attacks by at least 11 individuals, with security firm Cyvers reporting that around $1.9 million has been drained from wallets, affecting hundreds of users.
5️⃣ WazirX Hacker Moves $32 Million in Stolen Ether to Tornado Cash
Hackers from the $230 million WazirX breach have moved 15,000 ether (ETH) to Tornado Cash since Monday. Their wallet still holds over $50 million in tokens.
🚨 Ethena Deactivates Website After Domain Registrar Account Compromised !
https://x.com/ethena_labs/status/1836450334329155787
⚡️ News Flash - 17 Sep 2024 !
1️⃣ Prager Metis Settles with SEC for $745K Over FTX Audit Misconduct Charges
Prager Metis will pay $745,000 to settle SEC charges over its audits of FTX, which allegedly misrepresented compliance with standards and failed to assess risks. The settlement requires an independent review of its audit practices.
2️⃣ Binance Founder CZ Expected to Walk Free Next Week
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao will be released from custody on September 29 after serving a four-month sentence for violating the Bank Secrecy Act. He also paid a $50 million fine and resigned as CEO.
3️⃣ Ripple Co-Founder Heads $10M Investment Round for Decentralized Clearing
Chris Larsen has invested $10 million in Yellow Network, a new decentralized clearing network aiming to enhance crypto market efficiency. Notable supporters include ConsenSys and Moonrock Capital.
4️⃣ Winklevoss Twins' Father Donates $4M in Bitcoin to School Exploring Theory That Influenced Satoshi
Howard Winklevoss donated $4 million in bitcoin to Grove City College, marking its first cryptocurrency gift. The funds will support new business programs.
5️⃣ MicroStrategy Launches Third Debt Offering of 2024, Seeking to Raise $700M
MicroStrategy announced its third 2024 debt offering, seeking to raise $700 million through convertible senior notes due in 2028. The funds will repay $500 million in existing debt and purchase more Bitcoin.
⚡️ News Flash - 13 Sep 2024 !
1️⃣ Danny Ryan, Ethereum Foundation Researcher, Departures After Seven Years of Service
Danny Ryan, a key Ethereum Foundation researcher, is stepping down after seven years. He cited personal reasons and a desire for new opportunities, stating his departure is not a reflection on Ethereum or the broader crypto space.
2️⃣ Sam Bankman-Fried Seeks Appeal of Fraud Conviction and Requests New Trial
Sam Bankman-Fried’s lawyers have appealed his 25-year sentence, claiming trial bias and incomplete evidence. They argue FTX’s insolvency narrative was false and that prosecution and FTX debtors worked unfairly together.
3️⃣ Spanish Crypto Exchange Bit2Me Secures Virtual Asset Service Provider License in Argentina
Spanish crypto exchange Bit2Me has secured VASP approval from Argentina's National Securities Commission (CNV). This move aligns Bit2Me with local regulations and supports its expansion in Latin America.
4️⃣ England’s High Court Rules Tether’s USDT Stablecoin is Considered Property
England's High Court ruled Tether's USDT stablecoin is considered property under English law, allowing it to be traced and held in trust.
5️⃣ Kraken Requests Jury Trial to Dispute SEC's Unregistered Securities Exchange Allegations
Kraken has denied the SEC's claims of operating as an unregistered securities exchange and is seeking a jury trial. The SEC's lawsuit includes allegations about several tokens being unregistered securities. Kraken argues the SEC has obstructed regulatory clarity.
🔔 JUST IN: MicroStrategy Acquires 18,300 BTC for $1.11 Billion, Holds 244,800 BTC !
MicroStrategy has bought 18,300 Bitcoin for $1.11 billion, bringing its total holdings to 244,800 BTC, acquired for $9.45 billion. The company has a Bitcoin yield of 4.4% this quarter and 17% year-to-date.
▶️ Check More Details Here:
https://x.com/saylor/status/1834564555944481227
🔔 Ethereum Foundation-Linked Wallet Deposits 2,500 ETH to Bitstamp, Originally Received 51,251 ETH in 2015 !
A wallet linked to the Ethereum Foundation deposited 2,500 ETH (about $6.06 million) to Bitstamp, according to Lookonchain. The wallet initially received 51,251 ETH from the foundation in November 2015, which was worth $51,200 at the time and is now valued at $124.5 million.
▶️ Check More Details Here:
https://x.com/lookonchain/status/1843581418456383717
🔔 ZachXBT Accuses Crypto Influencer Ansem of Memecoin "Pump and Dump" Scheme !
ZachXBT has accused crypto influencer Ansem of running "pump and dump" schemes involving memecoins. Ansem allegedly promoted numerous low-cap memecoins, many of which, like BODEN, HOBBES, ZEUS, and WYNN, have lost up to 99% of their value after being promoted to his 507K followers.
▶️ Check More Details Here:
https://x.com/zachxbt/status/1842618673174814970
⚡️ News Flash - 03 Oct 2024 !
1️⃣ Bitcoin Dominance Approaches 3-Year High Amid Altcoin Weakness; Aptos Surges While SUI Declines
Bitcoin hovered around $60,700, up 1%, while altcoins fell. Aptos rose 7% after Franklin Templeton's blockchain move. Bitcoin dominance hit 58%.
2️⃣ Chainalysis CEO Steps Down for 'Personal Issue' After 10 Years of Service
Michael Gronager, CEO of Chainalysis, has stepped back from his role for personal reasons, according to a company spokesperson. Sari Granat, the firm's president and COO, is serving as interim CEO. It remains uncertain if or when Gronager will return.
3️⃣ PayPal Completes First Business Transaction Using PYUSD Stablecoin: Bloomberg
PayPal completed its first business transaction using its PYUSD stablecoin by paying an invoice to Ernst & Young, showcasing the stablecoin's potential for seamless commercial transactions.
4️⃣ Binance Derivatives Market Share Drops to 2020 Levels Amid Decline in CEX Trading
Binance saw a 21% drop in derivatives trading volume to $1.25 trillion in September, the lowest since October 2023. Spot trading fell 22.9% to $344 billion, reducing its market share to 27%. Overall, Binance's market share fell to 36.6%, the lowest since September 2020, but it remains the leader in global spot trading.
5️⃣ Ethereum FUD Resurfaces as ICO Whale Sells Additional $47 Million
Ethereum prices are falling as a whale from the 2014 ICO sold 19,000 ETH for about $47.5 million in two days. The selling started in late September when over 12,000 ETH was moved to Kraken. Originally acquiring 150,000 ETH, the whale’s total stash is now valued at nearly $400 million.
🔔 Crypto Billionaire Zhao Pledges Increased Tech Investments After Release from U.S. Custody !
Changpeng Zhao, after his release from U.S. custody, pledged to continue investing in blockchain, AI, and biotechnology, emphasizing his focus on impact over returns.
▶️ Check More Details Here:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-30/crypto-mogul-zhao-vows-more-tech-investment-after-leaving-us-custody
⚡️ News Flash - 26 Sep 2024 !
1️⃣ Bitcoin ETF Demand Rises Among U.S. Investors as China Weighs $142 Billion Capital Injection
Bitcoin traded above $63,000, up 2% this week, supported by positive inflows into ETFs. Asian stocks surged as China considered a $142 billion capital injection into state banks.
2️⃣ South Korea Fines Worldcoin and Tools For Humanity for Violating Data Privacy Laws
South Korea fined Worldcoin $830,000 for improper data handling, including iris scans and overseas transfers, without proper user notification.
3️⃣ Singapore Court Approves Four-Month Conditional Moratorium for WazirX
A Singapore court granted Indian crypto exchange WazirX a four-month moratorium after a $234 million hack, imposing conditions like disclosing wallet addresses and financial records. Customers may not recover their losses.
4️⃣ Coinbase-Backed Truflation Confirms Hack Estimated at Approximately $5 Million
Truflation, a blockchain inflation data platform, confirmed a malware attack resulting in losses of up to $5.2 million. The team is monitoring the situation, collaborating with law enforcement, and seeking to negotiate with the hacker while offering rewards for white hat help.
5️⃣ SEC Delays Decision on Spot Ethereum ETF Proposals from BlackRock and Bitwise
The SEC has postponed its decision on Nasdaq's proposed options for BlackRock and Bitwise's spot Ethereum ETFs to November 10. A similar delay for NYSE American's proposal is set for November 11.
⚡️ News Flash - 23 Sep 2024 !
1️⃣ Celestia Foundation Secures $100 Million in Funding Round Led by Bain Capital Crypto
Celestia Foundation raised $100 million to support its modular blockchain network, which helps other blockchains scale by offloading data. It plans to scale to 1-gigabyte blocks.
2️⃣ Telegram to Share User Data with Authorities Following CEO's Arrest in Crime Crackdown
Telegram will now share user details with authorities if rules are violated, following CEO Pavel Durov's arrest. The platform also updated its terms to block searches for illegal content.
3️⃣ $80 Million Crypto Fund Backed by Bill Ackman Shuts Down After Forbes 30 Under 30 Founder Disappears in China
David Gan, founder of Inception Capital (formerly OP Crypto), faced a crisis after his father's investigation caused a month-long disappearance. The firm is now in a controlled wind-down, planning to unveil a new investment strategy in October amid staff cuts and uncertainty about its remaining capital.
4️⃣ OpenSea Users Assert NFTs Are Securities in Proposed Class Action Lawsuit
Two users have filed a class-action lawsuit against OpenSea, claiming it sells unregistered securities. They argue that the NFTs they bought, including from the Bored Ape Yacht Club, are worthless due to their illegal nature, citing a recent SEC Wells notice as evidence.
5️⃣ Bittensor's TAO Sparks AI Token Rally with 56% Surge Amid Market Recovery
The GMAI index, tracking top AI tokens, surged over 30% last week, while the GM30 index rose 9.8%. Bittensor's TAO token jumped 56%, with FET and RENDER increasing by 20% and 14%, respectively.
⚡️ News Flash - 21 Sep 2024 !
1️⃣ Coinbase Unveils Plan to Launch cbBTC on Solana Network
Coinbase plans to launch its cbBTC token on the Solana blockchain, following its debut on Ethereum and Base. The token, backed 1:1 by bitcoin, aims to provide liquidity for DeFi protocols. No launch date for Solana has been given yet.
2️⃣ Indian Supreme Court Recovers YouTube Account Hijacked by XRP Scammers
The Supreme Court of India recovered its YouTube account after it was hijacked by scammers promoting fake XRP investments. The account was rebranded and used for a livestream, but YouTube swiftly took it down, and it has since been restored.
3️⃣ Plume Network Announces Tokenization of Over $1 Billion in Real-World Assets
Plume Network plans to tokenize $1.25 billion in assets like solar farms and Medicaid claims, offering yield to investors, with a goal of eventually reaching $3 billion.
4️⃣ Shezmu, a Crypto Lender, Successfully Recovers Hacked Funds Through Negotiations
Shezmu recovered nearly $5 million after negotiating with a hacker who exploited its stablecoin vault, offering a 20% bounty. Some funds are still missing, and users are advised to avoid the Oasis vault for now.
5️⃣ Bank of Canada Rejects Retail CBDC Amid Shift in Priorities
The Bank of Canada is scaling back its research on a retail CBDC and shifting focus to broader payment system issues, while continuing to explore wholesale CBDCs.
🚨 Crypto Exchange BingX Hit by Estimated $43 Million Security Breach: PeckShield !
BingX was hacked, losing an estimated $43 million from its hot wallet. The exchange called it "minor" and paused withdrawals, assuring most assets are safe in cold wallets and promising a compensation plan.
▶️ Check More Details Here:
https://x.com/PeckShieldAlert/status/1836998485364650161
🔔 Federal Reserve Lowers Interest Rates by 50 Basis Points !
The U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 50 basis points to 4.75%-5%. Bitcoin briefly rose to $61,000, and U.S. equities also gained. More rate cuts are expected by year-end.
▶️ Check More Details Here:
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20240918a.htm
🚨 Ethena Frontend Reportedly Compromised, User Claims on X !
A user on X has reported that the Ethena frontend has been compromised. Users are advised to avoid interacting with the Ethena UI or clicking on any Ethena links until further notice. Stay cautious!
▶️ Check More Details Here:
https://x.com/pcaversaccio/status/1836448216004329561
🔔 Binance to List Neiro (NEIRO), Turbo (TURBO), and Baby Doge Coin (100000BABYDOGE) with Seed Tag Applied !
Binance will list Neiro (NEIRO), Turbo (TURBO), and Baby Doge Coin (100000BABYDOGE), with spot trading for these pairs starting on September 16, 2024, at 10:00 UTC.
▶️ Check More Details Here:
https://www.binance.com/en/support/announcement/4336ae4908154736acff8302509f7a05
⚡️ News Flash - 14 Sep 2024 !
1️⃣ Norwegian Town Pushes to Shut Down Bitcoin Mine as Electricity Costs Rise 20%
Hadsel, Norway, shut down a Bitcoin mine due to noise complaints, causing residents' electricity bills to rise. The closure cut 20% of local power revenue, increasing costs for households by $235–$280 annually.
2️⃣ Chinese Government Considers Anti-Money Laundering Law to Monitor Emerging Fintech
China is revising anti-money laundering laws to improve monitoring of risks from emerging technologies like cryptocurrencies. Regulators and financial institutions will collaborate to manage these threats.
3️⃣ Stablecoin Issuers Freeze $5 Million Connected to Lazarus Group After ZachXBT Probe
Four stablecoin issuers Paxos, Tether, Techteryx, and Circle have frozen nearly $5 million in stablecoins tied to North Korea's Lazarus hacking group after an investigation by ZachXBT. ZachXBT criticized Circle for taking 4.5 months to freeze its portion of the funds.
4️⃣ US Spot Bitcoin ETFs Record Highest Daily Inflows in Two Months as BTC approaches $60,000
US-based spot Bitcoin ETFs saw their highest single-day inflows since July 22, with Bitcoin nearing $60,000. Spot Ether ETFs also had modest inflows.
5️⃣ Crypto Millionaire Faces $43 Million Loss in Ether-Bitcoin Trading Bet
Crypto millionaire James Fickel lost over $43 million since January, with his Aave debt reaching $132 million. He bet on Ether rising against Bitcoin, but the strategy backfired.
🔔 Catizen (CATI) Farming Starts On Binance Launchpool From 16 Sep !
▶️ Token Info:
▪️Ticker: $CATI
▪️Max Token Supply: 1B $CATI
▪️Launchpool Rewards: 90M $CATI (9% of total token supply)
▶️ Staking Info:
▪️ Token staked: BNB, FDUSD
▪️ Farming period: 16 Sep ~ 19 Sep
▪️ Hourly Hard Cap per User:
▫️ BNB: 79,687 $CATI
▫️ FDUSD: 14,062 $CATI
▶️ Listing Info: Binance will list $CATI on 20 Sep, 10:00 (UTC)
▶️ Check More Details Here :
https://www.binance.com/en/support/announcement/03b4921a44644da2880a290c0e254140
🔔 JUST IN: Trump Set to Launch 'World Liberty Financial' on Sept 16 via X's Spaces !
▶️ Source: https://x.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1834311432982135015