The last week of the year saw the SEC taking active steps to tackle all the ETF applications that have been piling up. Crypto firms who have filed for an ETF have been given a deadline to incorporate any last-minute changes, which indicates that the SEC is ready to make its decision. Let’s find out more.
Bitcoin
Indonesian police reportedly shut down ten mining operations, confiscating 1,314 Bitcoin machines, electrical cables, and various computer parts.
The Michael Saylor-led business intelligence firm MicroStrategy has doubled down on Bitcoin, acquiring a further 14,620 BTC for $615.7 million in cash at a price of $42,110.
Cryptocurrency exchange Bitzlato temporarily halted Bitcoin withdrawals just weeks after its founder agreed to dissolve the exchange.
Ethereum
A crypto portfolio believed to belong to former President Donald Trump sold 1,075 ETH over the past three weeks, worth an estimated $2.4 million.
Technology
Interoperability protocol, LayerZero is integrating with the Shimmer Network to facilitate smoother cross-chain communications and enhance DeFi on IOTA’s ShimmerEVM.
Business
Cryptocurrency investment firm Grayscale, the entity behind the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, has announced the resignations of prominent board members in a major leadership reshuffle. The leadership change comes amidst ongoing discussions with the SEC regarding the conversion of the GBTC into a spot Bitcoin ETF.
Tether minted an unreleased 1 billion USDT to enhance liquidity and facilitate future issuance/chain swaps, triggering some skepticism from the community.
Security
After being attacked for $240,000 worth of funds, the Thunder Terminal platform is claiming that the funds are safe. The assailant disputed the platform’s statements as “lies” and claimed to be holding user data.
After staying non-operational for ten years, defunct crypto exchange Mt. Gox is finally repaying its creditors, some of whom have confirmed it on social media.
Regulation
According to reports, officials from the SEC have given the deadline of 29 December 2023 to all crypto firms that have applied for spot BTC ETFs to file any changes to their respective proposals.
Opinion
JPMorgan Chase agreed to play a vital role in BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF despite CEO Jamie Dimon’s vocal anti-crypto stance. Several industry experts have called out Dimon’s hypocrisy on the subject.
Interest in Bitcoin has reached a fever pitch as the positive announcement of a spot Bitcoin ETF looms ever closer. However, will the market sell-off hit heavily when the news drops?
The SEC’s ‘regulation by enforcement’ campaign against crypto has hit the buffers in 2023 as court cases went against them. Will 2024 finally end Chairman Gensler and his “lazy and paternalistic” operating methods?
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
Source: https://cryptodaily.co.uk/2024/01/crypto-weekly-roundup-microstrategy-acquires-more-btc-sec-sets-etf-deadline-and-more