Blockchain Reporter Weekly Review: Binance, BingX, BlackRock, And Bitcoin

This past week in the crypto world has been marked by significant developments across major players. Crypto news websites were filled with news about Binance, BingX, Bitcoin, and BlackRock. These four all starting with ‘B’ clearly dominated the market. From Binance introducing fixed-rate loans to BingX grappling with a multi-million dollar cyberattack, the industry continues to evolve rapidly.

Additionally, Binance’s founder CZ was released after serving a sentence, Litecoin reached a major supply milestone, and BlackRock ramped up its Bitcoin holdings, signaling increasing institutional confidence in the cryptocurrency market. Here’s a brief detail of all these news.

Binance Introduces Fixed Rate Loans for Stablecoin Lending

Binance crypto exchange has launched Fixed Rate Loans, allowing users to borrow and lend stablecoins with predictable interest rates. This service offers stability and reduces risk in an unpredictable financial landscape. Users can borrow stablecoins including $USDC and $USDT with a fixed 30D interest usually starting from 7.2%. Borrowers can secure a fixed interest rate for the loan’s term, ensuring stable payments, while lenders can avoid fluctuating returns.

For this, the platform uses over-collateralization, meaning borrowers must provide collateral worth more than the loan, minimizing liquidation risks. With flexible loan terms and practical tools like auto-repay, Binance makes borrowing and lending efficient and user-friendly. The platform aims to provide financial certainty in a volatile market through its new loan offerings.Top of Form

BingX Loses $43 Million in Cyberattack, Promises Compensation

On September 20th, crypto exchange BingX suffered a cyberattack, losing over $43 million in assets including $USDT, $USDC, $BTCB, $WUSD, and $ZRO, according to on-chain analytics firm Lookonchain. The attacker moved funds from BingX’s hot wallet to an external address, quickly swapping them for Binance Coin ($BNB) and Ethereum ($ETH). BingX responded by suspending withdrawals and launching an emergency investigation.

Chief Product Officer Vivien Lin assured users that most assets, stored in secure cold wallets, were unaffected. BingX has promised to compensate users for the losses.Bottom of Form

Binance Founder CZ Released After Serving Four-Month Sentence

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao aka ‘CZ’ was released from U.S. custody on Friday after completing a four-month sentence in a low-security facility. His sentence followed a federal investigation that revealed Binance’s failure to prevent criminal activity on its platform. CZ pled guilty to the charges, paid a $50 million fine, and agreed to step down as a Binance executive. Binance itself paid a record $4.3 billion settlement to the U.S. government.

Despite this, CZ still holds a 90% stake in the company, maintaining his position as the 25th richest person globally with a net worth of $61 billion. Before his sentencing, CZ announced his next venture, Giggle Academy, an education platform that claims to generate no revenue. He will now focus on growing this project, which is currently hiring.

Litecoin ($LTC) Circulating Supply Reaches 75 Million Milestone

Litecoin (LTC), often compared to Bitcoin ($BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), has reached a circulating supply of 75 million. This figure represents the total number of Litecoin tokens currently available for trading and transactions, excluding coins that are locked or reserved for future use.

This milestone reflects the increasing activity from investors and miners, as well as Litecoin’s growing adoption. With a maximum supply limit of 84 million, Litecoin is edging closer to that cap, which could influence market dynamics, including liquidity, price, and demand. The increase in circulating supply can impact Litecoin’s market value, presenting both risks and opportunities for investors.

BlackRock Increases Bitcoin Holdings, Outpacing ETF Sales

Global asset manager BlackRock has significantly increased its Bitcoin accumulation, surpassing sales from Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). This marks a shift in investment strategy as institutional confidence in Bitcoin $BTC grows. According to Arkham blockchain analytics, BlackRock’s portfolio holds $25.14 billion in assets, with 362,193 BTC valued at $24.01 billion. The firm’s crypto portfolio also includes Ethereum and other digital assets.

BlackRock’s aggressive Bitcoin buying is influencing the market and could encourage other financial institutions to adopt cryptocurrencies, increasing liquidity and institutional investment in the crypto space. These actions highlight BlackRock’s belief in Bitcoin’s long-term value, potentially setting the stage for broader institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies.

Conclusion

As the crypto landscape continues to evolve, this week’s developments involving Binance, BingX, BlackRock, and Bitcoin underscore the dynamic nature of the market. With Binance introducing innovative lending solutions, BingX grappling with security challenges, and BlackRock intensifying its Bitcoin investments, these stories reflect both the opportunities and risks inherent in the cryptocurrency sector. As we move forward, the influence of these major players will likely shape the future of digital assets, paving the way for greater adoption and investment in the space.