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Ripple, the blockchain company behind XRP, has contested the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) request for a hefty $2 billion penalty. In a recent filing, Ripple argued that the proposed fine is excessively punitive and disproportionate to the alleged violations. Instead, Ripple proposed a much lower penalty of $10 million, emphasising that this amount is more in line with the nature of the alleged violations and the company's actual conduct.

Tether Expands Beyond Stablecoins Tether, the pioneering force behind the world's largest stablecoin, USDT, has announced a significant restructuring to accommodate its expanding presence within the digital asset landscape. With a mission extending beyond stablecoins, the company has reorganised into four distinct divisions: Data, Finance, Power, and Education.

UNI Holder Crushed as Market Downturn and SEC Action Amplify Sell-Off The recent crypto market downturn hit UNI holders hard. The United States SEC's impending action against Uniswap Labs exacerbated the situation, triggering panic selling by major UNI holders. Three whales collectively dumped over $20 million worth of UNI, amplifying the price slide.

Spot ETH ETFs Under SEC Scrutiny The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has initiated a comment period for three ether spot exchange traded fund (ETF) proposals, signalling a potential shift in regulatory stance towards Ethereum (ETH). The applications from Grayscale Investments, Fidelity, and Bitwise are now subject to a three-week comment period, as announced by the SEC.

London Stock Exchange's Bitcoin ETN Market Launch The London Stock Exchange is gearing up to launch a market for Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs) in May. Issuers intending to introduce Bitcoin ETNs on the Main Market need to submit their applications by April 15. The exchange has set the date of April 8, 2024, to start accepting applications, following its earlier announcement on March 11 regarding the intention to permit trading of Crypto ETNs in the second quarter of the year.

Latest Developments on the Crypto Market The cryptocurrency market recently witnessed BlackRock, a major asset management giant, delving into asset tokenization by launching a fund on the Ethereum network. This move highlights the increasing interest of traditional finance giants in blockchain technology. Moreover, Starknet, an Ethereum Layer 2 network, plans to introduce "parallel execution" to enhance transaction throughput and speed, mirroring features seen in competing blockchains like Solana.

Latest News and Developments in the Crypto Market In a recent report by blockchain intelligence firm Chainalysis, it was revealed that global crypto gains surged to $37.6 billion in 2023, marking a significant recovery from the losses experienced in 2022. The United States led in total crypto gains, with $9.36

SEC Delays BlackRock and Fidelity Spot Ethereum ETF Proposals The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has once again delayed its decision on spot Ethereum ETF applications from BlackRock and Fidelity, adding another layer of uncertainty to the cryptocurrency market. This delay comes after the SEC approved several spot Bitcoin ETFs earlier, signalling ongoing regulatory scrutiny of cryptocurrency-related investment products.

Bitcoin Miner Sell-Off and Market Dynamics: Bitcoin miners have been actively reducing their inventories amidst a bullish market sentiment. Data from Glassnode indicates a decline of 8,426 BTC (approximately $530 million) in the BTC holdings of miner wallets since the beginning of the year, bringing the total to 1,812,482 BTC.

The crypto market has been abuzz with a flurry of activities and significant developments in recent times. One of the notable developments is Reddit's disclosure of its investment in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin (BTC), ether (ETH), and Polygon (MATIC). This move not only demonstrates Reddit's forward-thinking approach in diversifying its investment portfolio but also signifies a broader acceptance of cryptocurrencies as legitimate assets by mainstream entities.

BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF Inflows Surge BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has made a significant impact in the ETF market just 17 days after its launch. With a staggering $3.2 billion in year-to-date inflows, IBIT has quickly climbed to become one of the top five ETFs of 2024, according to Bloomberg Intelligence data.

Solana has recently achieved a significant milestone with its second smartphone, garnering over 100,000 pre-orders and securing a substantial $45 million for further development. This achievement marks a notable contrast to its first crypto-enabled phone, which took nearly a year to sell 20,000 units.

Cryptomarket Update Amidst the current volatility in the crypto market, Bitcoin has shown resilience by attempting to push past the $46,000 mark, marking a nearly 5% gain for the day. Spot trading volumes on centralised exchanges saw a notable rise in January for the fourth consecutive month, reaching levels last seen in June 2022.

Chainlink's native token, LINK, experienced a notable surge of 16 % over the past 7 days, reaching a 22-month high. This surge comes amidst a relatively stable Bitcoin (BTC) trading around $43,000, while altcoins, including LINK, showed gains. The surge in LINK marks an end to a three-month period of consolidation, positioning it as one of the leading decentralised oracle networks in the cryptocurrency market.

FTX Repayment Expectation and FTT Token Fluctuation FTX is anticipated to repay its customers fully as per a court hearing. However, the full recovery of customer assets hinges on the date of FTX's bankruptcy, sparking debate among claimants due to market fluctuations. While the expectation of full repayment offers a glimmer of hope to affected users, the uncertainty surrounding the timing and method of reimbursement has contributed to market volatility.

BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF Hits $1B AUM in One Week BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has reached a significant milestone, surpassing $1 billion in assets under management within its first week of trading. This accomplishment positions IBIT as the first among the recent wave of Bitcoin ETF providers to achieve such a feat.

Gary Gensler's Cautionary Stance Despite SEC's Approval of Spot Bitcoin ETFs Gary Gensler, the Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), remains cautious about the crypto market, despite the recent approval of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by the SEC. In a statement on the SEC's website, Gensler clarified that the approval does not imply an endorsement of Bitcoin or a shift in the SEC's broader views on crypto assets.

Bitcoin Spot ETF Approval: In an important step that cryptocurrency enthusiasts believe will bring more individual and institutional investors into the market, the US Securities and Exchange Commission has approved the first Bitcoin spot ETFs. Eleven proposals for Bitcoin spot ETFs, including those from BlackRock, Graysclae, Fidelity, and Ark, were authorised by the SEC, and trading could start this week.

Battle for Dominance: Bitcoin ETFs and Management Fees Trillion-dollar asset managers are on the brink of obtaining approval for their Bitcoin ETFs, sparking fierce competition for market share. A pivotal factor in this race is the management fees, representing the annual cost for handling the BTC backing clients' shares.

Ethereum's Dencun Upgrade Targets January Testnet Deployment Ethereum developers are gearing up for a significant milestone in the new year with the Dencun upgrade. Initially slated for the last quarter of 2023, the upgrade has been rescheduled for 2024 due to engineering complexities. The Dencun upgrade introduces "proto-danksharding," a process designed to enhance data storage capacity through layer 2 rollups, reducing fees and scaling the blockchain by accommodating more data "blobs."

Ethereum's Buterin Explores Changes in Layer-2 Functions Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has proposed a shift in the blockchain's computational load, suggesting the integration of some layer-2 functions back onto the main chain. This proposal introduces the concept of an "enshrined zkEVM," combining zero-knowledge cryptography (zk) with Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).

Following the crypto market’s increasing momentum in recent days, 2024 is expected to be a year of excitement for many professionals and businesses; all of whom are looking to keep up-to-date with the rapidly evolving blockchain landscape, and the opportunities on offer with Bitcoin and Ethereum; to name a few.

BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF Gains Momentum with $100K Seed Funding BlackRock is making significant strides in the cryptocurrency space as it recently disclosed receiving $100,000 in seed funding for its proposed Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). The seed investor, who remains undisclosed, purchased $100,000 worth of shares on October 27, 2023, marking a pivotal step in BlackRock's pursuit of launching the "iShares Bitcoin Trust."

Shiba Inu (SHIB) has stood out with an impressive 12% price surge over the last day, as observed on the SHIB/USDT chart. The surge in SHIB's price coincides with a substantial increase in the burn rate volume, potentially marking the most significant burn of the year.

We have now seen 9 consecutive weeks of positive institutional inflows into digital asset-related investment products, indicating a strong demand for digital assets at the institutional level. This year, more than $1.5 billion of institutional liquidity has flowed directly into Bitcoin-related investment products.

BlackRock's Revised Bitcoin ETF Model: A Strategic Compromise with the SEC BlackRock, a global asset manager, recently engaged in discussions with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding its application to launch a Bitcoin spot ETF in the United States. In response to SEC concerns, BlackRock has adjusted its ETF blueprint to find common ground on the Bitcoin redemption model.

In a significant milestone, Dogecoin (DOGE) has exceeded five million wallet addresses with a balance, aligning with a surge in user activity. Over 168,000 active addresses in the last day mark the highest level of involvement since March 2022. While the total number of addresses with a balance provides a positive outlook, concerns about ownership concentration persist.

Binance Faces Landmark $4.3 Billion Settlement and Leadership Change Binance is criminally charged with breaking sanctions and money-transmitting laws. The exchange agrees to a historic $4.3 billion settlement, marking one of the largest penalties obtained by the U.S. from a corporate defendant. Founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) pleads guilty, agreeing to pay a $50 million fine and step down as CEO.

The crypto market has experienced significant movements and developments in recent days, with Bitcoin prices surging to near $38,000. This rally probably triggered a "short squeeze," leading to the liquidation of just under $50 million in Bitcoin shorts within a four-hour period. The short squeeze phenomenon occurs when short sellers, anticipating a price drop, are forced to cover their positions, further driving the prices higher.

Bitcoin ETF Prospects: One of the most highly anticipated developments in the crypto market is the potential approval of a Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF). This financial product could provide a significant boost to Bitcoin's adoption among both retail and institutional investors. The involvement of major market-making firms like Jane Street, Virtu Financial, Jump Trading, and Hudson River Trading in discussions with BlackRock is a clear signal of growing interest in cryptocurrencies.

The market has been a hotbed of activity in recent times, with a series of significant developments and events making headlines. From regulatory challenges and legal battles to market optimism and technological advancements, the crypto industry is in a constant state of flux. We will delve into some of the latest news and developments in the crypto space, shedding light on their implications and what they mean for the future of digital assets.

Ethereum's Surging Supply Concerns: Ethereum has seen a significant increase in its circulating supply, with over $47 million worth of Ether tokens added within the last month. This development has stirred concerns, especially among those who anticipated Ethereum's shift to proof-of-stake to render it a deflationary asset.

The crypto market in Q3 2023, echoing the broader mood of the year, has been steeped in challenges and caution. The year began with the crypto market recovering from significant losses in 2022, where Bitcoin dropped 64% and many tokens saw a decline of 80-90%.

Ethereum Futures ETFs Debut with Caution The cryptocurrency community witnessed the launch of the first Ethereum futures ETFs, marking a significant step in bringing more institutional investment to the world's second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap. However, these ETFs did not have a dazzling debut, with some of them experiencing a decline in value and limited trading volume on their first day of trading.

Litecoin (LTC), one of the first, if not the first, altcoin, has experienced a remarkable resurgence in value, bouncing back from a 2023 low of $58 to retest the $70 mark on October 2, 2023. This resurgence is a noteworthy development in the world of digital currencies and has drawn attention to the role of influential investors known as "whales."

Binance's Russian Riddle A major development that grabbed headlines is Binance's decision to exit the Russian market amidst looming reports of a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into sanctions violations. Binance's decision has left many in the crypto world puzzled, especially given the emergence of CommEX.

According to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing today, Michael Saylor's MicroStrategy purchased an additional 5,445 bitcoins for $147.3 million, at an average price of $27,053 per bitcoin, between Aug. 1 and Sept. 24. With this recent purchase, the company's bitcoin holdings total roughly 158,245 bitcoins, valued at approximately $4.1

Crypto Happenings in early September MetaMask Scams Targeting Government Websites: One of the most concerning developments was the discovery of MetaMask scams infiltrating government-owned websites across multiple countries, including India, Nigeria, Egypt, Colombia, Brazil, and Vietnam. Scammers took advantage of these official platforms to deceive unsuspecting visitors.

The UK Crypto Travel Rule came into effect on Friday, 1st of September 2023. As a part of these guidelines, you may have noticed changes in cryptocurrency deposits and withdrawals to and from your ICONOMI account. ICONOMI once again stands at the forefront of compliance.

The past week in the cryptocurrency market has been marked by relatively stable prices. This sustained period of price consolidation could indicate an accumulation phase, potentially setting the stage for a significant price movement in the near future. While Bitcoin remains in a balance between bullish and bearish forces, there have been several noteworthy events and developments within the crypto market.

The Argentine Peso collapsed an additional 22% yesterday, in one day! Year-on-year inflation in Argentina has hit 115%, poverty has soared, and the value of the peso has plummeted. Yesterday, the Argentine central bank made a desperate effort by raising interest rates from 97% to 118% while simultaneously cutting the official dollar exchange rate by 22%.

Here's what's moving the cryptocurrency market this week 📊 Digital assets are historically known for increased volatility, however, the market is currently experiencing an extreme volatility compression. Fewer than 5% of trading days have a tighter trade range. Bitcoin and the overall cryptocurrency market are in a consolidation phase.

Dogecoin (DOGE) has been making waves in the market, attracting attention from investors, enthusiasts, and the broader public. This playful and meme-inspired digital currency emerged in 2013 and was initially considered a joke. However, its popularity skyrocketed due to widespread social media exposure and the support of influential figures like Elon Musk.

We saw a remarkable surge in assets under management (AUM) for crypto funds in recent years. From 2018 to 2022, these funds have experienced substantial growth, and the trend continued with a significant spike in AUM in July 2023. Since the beginning of 2018, the AUM of crypto funds has been on an upward trajectory, reflecting the increasing interest and investment in the digital asset space.

Bitcoin Under Pressure Since Bitcoin printed a new yearly high at roughly $31,800, downside pressure has moved into the cryptocurrency market. Bitcoin is down roughly 2% from Monday's open and 9% since the new yearly high on the 13th of July. At the same time, a rotation into the US Dollar Index can be observed.

▶ Institutional Inflows: Over the previous four weeks, institutional inflows into digital asset investment products have increased by more than US$742 million, marking the longest streak of inflows since the fourth quarter of 2021. Last week, Bitcoin witnessed inflows of US$140 million, or 99% of all inflows.

🚀 XRP Takes Center Stage: XRP HODLERS have finally been rewarded, with the crypto closing almost 70% higher than it opened yesterday. XRP touched highs of USD 0.945 before marginally retreating to USD 0.7735. The case between the SEC and Ripple has finally concluded.

Digital Asset Institutional Inflows Following 8 weeks of institutional withdrawals from digital asset-related investment products, the market experienced its greatest institutional weekly inflows in over a year, totalling U$199 million. Because of the several Bitcoin spot ETF applications in the US, institutional inflows have recovered to the tune of $334 million in the last two weeks (data courtesy of Coinshares).

The cryptocurrency market in the first half of 2023 has been a whirlwind of volatility and regulatory scrutiny. Despite the challenges, digital currencies have managed to hold their value and deliver positive price movements. One of the significant events shaping the crypto market was the increased regulatory oversight by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

After strong gains across the cryptocurrency market the week previous, Bitcoin is currently consolidating around the 31,000 level of resistance. However, over the past week, roughly US$200 million of institutional liquidity flowed into digital asset investment products, the largest weekly inflow since July 2022. The inflows offset more than half of the institutional outflows over the past 9 weeks.

📈 Institutions are BULLISH on BTC: This week, Bitcoin exploded to the 31K USD resistance level due to news of institutions piling into the cryptocurrency market, despite the ongoing legal battles between the SEC, Binance and CoinSpot. The largest fund on the planet (BlackRock) applied for Bitcoin Spot ETF, highlighted last week.

🏢 Is the FED pivot here? This week, the Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates on hold for the first time in 15 months. There have been 10 consecutive interest rate hikes in the US. Jerome Powell stated that there would be another 2 possible rate hikes later this year, with analysts calling it a "Hawkish Pivot".

Here are some of this week's crypto headlines! XRP Gaining Momentum: XRP is on the cusp of another bullish breakout from a bull flag formation. The CEO of Ripple believes that the payment industry giant will win the SEC lawsuit in a landmark manner. In an interview, Brad Garlinghouse expressed his confidence that the SEC vs.

📉 Technical Analysis BTC At $30,000, Bitcoin has attained its first significant milestone. As we can identify an important resistance level, a bearish divergence on the 2-day chart, and a negative trend line resistance, this level may come under renewed selling pressure. Although BTC's 100% YTD gain is encouraging, a stop or correction is likely in the next few days or weeks due to the technical structures.

There are countless scenarios in crypto where you would like to have as much control over your investment as possible. We’re giving you just that with Smart Rules, opening up the automated features of ICONOMI to all investors on the platform. There are two parts to Smart Rules; one set of them allows you to invest gradually, and the other gives you even more control over the funds copying Strategies.

BitCourier is an independent UK crypto community sharing content, information and interviews about happenings, events, and with people within the blockchain and fintech fields. They are the first crypto enthusiast community in the United Kingdom. They were kind enough to sit down with Peter, ask a few questions, and post the conversation on their blog.

Our first major update of the year comes quite early, and it’s a big one - an update which will enhance the user experience while reducing risks. In short, these updates focus on improvements to our trading engine, a commitment to further investing in compliance and risk management, a partnership with Elliptic, and the verification of our proof of reserves and proof of liability by a reputable external auditor.

On Friday, 23 September, 2022, we had an AMA on our Discord channel. We'd like to share with you some of the questions our users had for us. If you would like to see all questions answered, please check out our Discord channel!

There are a few things as exciting as launching a new currency. Good news for users in the UK and the rest of Europe! ICONOMI is rolling out British Pound Sterling (GBP) payments for users. This means that you can process GBP payments through your account without the cost and complexity of foreign exchange processes.

One of the biggest crypto chains, Ethereum, is switching from PoW (Proof of Work) to PoS (Proof of Stake). The Ethereum merge will greatly lessen Ethereum’s carbon emissions, but there may be some price deviations during and right after The Merge. By current estimations, The Merge will happen on the 15th of September.

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COSMOS and CARUS-AR behind the scenes Introduction Ever wondered how Strategists achieve amazing returns and always know which asset to add at the right time? Well, a lot of it has to do with the day to day market monitoring and technical analysis.

Here you form a long-term connection. Instead of an upfront reward for others to the platform, ICONOMI’s Affiliate Program is designed around our product: Crypto Strategies. Each Strategy has a fee system. We split ICONOMI’s gains with the users under the Affiliate Program.

On 4.3.2021 we participated in an online Zoom event, hosted by one of our Strategists. The 100 participants had several good questions about our product so we decided to follow up with a short transcript. Does ICONOMI provide any videos that explain how to create and lead Crypto Strategies? Great question!

Rebalance Filtering & Weight spread In the rebalance process, users may now expand the filter field beneath the input and filter coins by specific categories. This is especially useful for creating category-based Strategies like “DeFi Strategy” or “Infrastructure Strategy.” Besides that, users may now use ‘Fill Equally’ or ‘Fill Proportionally’ functions to spread the remaining weight among assets that are already included in the Strategy.