Stake Your Way: Enjoy Security & Control with Non-Custodial Staking

Overview of SEC’s Crackdown on Crypto Innovation

• The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently shut down Kraken’s staking program, much to the satisfaction of Chairman Gary Gensler and his team.
• Staking is an important tool for building a better, more secure, inclusive, and profitable crypto ecosystem and overregulation threatens to disrupt all of that.
• We need to make our voices heard and let the powers that be know that staking is here to stay and an essential part of the future of the crypto world.

Balancing Regulation & Innovation in the Crypto World

The act of staking involves retaining a certain amount of cryptocurrency in a wallet in order to take part in validating transactions on the network. It has been promoted as a solution to several issues affecting the cryptocurrency ecosystem such as scalability, decentralization, security etc. However, last week’s SEC’s action against staking services raised questions about regulation versus innovation. Excessive regulation can hinder innovation while stability and security are both essential elements. Therefore it is important to strike a balance between regulation & innovation when it comes to cryptocurrencies.

Consequences of Overregulation

The SEC’s heavy-handed approach will drive innovation offshore where these opportunities are less regulated which ultimately deprives American citizens from benefiting from a thriving crypto ecosystem. This highlights the importance for us all to recognize staking as an integral part of the future digital asset world and speak out against overregulation so that we can reap its benefits without any hindrance from regulatory authorities like SEC.

Striking a Balance Between Regulation & Innovation

We need to ensure that we maintain an optimal balance between regulation & innovation when it comes to cryptocurrencies so that we can continue enjoying its rewards such as increased security, decentralization & profitability without any disruption caused by excessive regulations like those imposed by the SEC on Kraken’s staking program. We must also make sure our voices are heard so that those making decisions related to cryptocurrencies understand how vital they are for their success in order for them not be hindered by overregulation in future developments within this space.

Conclusion: Don’t be Discouraged By Recent Regulatory Actions

Despite recent regulatory actions taken by authorities like SEC, we should not be discouraged when it comes investing or taking part in activities related with cryptocurrencies such as staking which have tremendous potential for growth if not hindered by excessive regulations or other external factors like fear & uncertainty caused due to lack knowledge about digital assets or their underlying technology blockchain etc . So get involved with staking today and help shape the future of crypto!

Australian Govt Taking Steps to Protect Crypto Consumers: Reforming Licensing & Custody

• The Australian government is taking steps to ensure the regulation of crypto assets protects consumers.
• These steps include reforming the licensing and custody of crypto assets and subjecting crypto asset service providers to a set of obligations and operational standards.
• A consultation paper has been released to explore which elements of the crypto ecosystem are sufficiently regulated, as well as to identify and control emerging risks.

Australian Government Regulating Crypto Assets

The Australian government is taking steps to ensure the regulation of crypto assets protects consumers by reforming the licensing and custody of crypto assets, subjecting crypto asset service providers to a set of obligations and operational standards, and releasing a consultation paper which explores which elements of the crypto ecosystem are sufficiently regulated.

Reforming Licensing & Custody

The Anthony Norman Albanese-led government will prioritize protection for consumers by reforming the licensing and custody framework for cryptocurrencies that currently fall outside the financial services regulatory framework. They plan on commencing a public consultation process in mid-2023 in order to allow for sufficient consultation prior to introducing legislation.

Identifying & Controlling Risks

The Australian government has taken immediate steps in order to protect consumers from risks associated with cryptocurrencies, but more needs to be done. This includes identifying emerging risks within the system, as well as controlling them so that customers’ digital funds are safeguarded.

Supporting Innovation

By working closely with stakeholders, Prime Minister Albanese’s government aims to get policy settings right so that they can protect consumers while also supporting innovation within this emerging sector.

Consultation Paper Released

A consultation paper has been released exploring which elements require additional attention in order for regulation of crypto assets to protect consumer interests. This will enable both the government and stakeholders alike focus on regulatory gaps, identify emerging risks, and enact policies accordingly so that customers can benefit from new digital products and services safely.

Cryptocurrency Payments Now Accepted at U.S. Capitol Gift Shops

• US Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has introduced a resolution that encourages Capitol gift shops to accept cryptocurrency payments.
• The Adopting Cryptocurrency in Congress as an Exchange of Payment for Transactions (ACCEPT) Resolution would require the Architect of the Capitol, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives to encourage Capitol gift shops to accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment.
• The resolution aims to increase accessibility and signal support for the burgeoning cryptocurrency industry to those who visit Capitol Hill.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has recently proposed a resolution that encourages Capitol gift shops to accept cryptocurrency payments. This resolution, known as the Adopting Cryptocurrency in Congress as an Exchange of Payment for Transactions (ACCEPT) Resolution, was introduced in order to increase accessibility and signal support for the burgeoning cryptocurrency industry to those who visit Capitol Hill.

In presenting the resolution, Senator Cruz highlighted the many benefits of utilizing cryptocurrency, such as generating new jobs, encouraging entrepreneurs to invent new values, creating new hedges against inflation, and presenting new opportunities. He noted that cryptocurrency is increasingly being used as a secure form of payment for goods and services, and that the Capitol should not be left behind in this regard.

The proposal seeks to require the Architect of the Capitol, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives to encourage Capitol gift shops to accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment. It also seeks to enter into contracts with vendors who accept cryptocurrency as payment for food service and in vending machines within the Capitol complex.

In addition, the resolution aims to provide foreign tourists who visit the nation’s capital each year with a safe and secure payment option without the need to pay unnecessary and often expensive exchange rates. It also aims to reduce the costs associated with providing payment options for Capitol gift shops.

Overall, the resolution is a promising step forward in ensuring that cryptocurrency is being accepted as a legitimate form of payment in the United States. It is also a sign of progress in the cryptosphere, as more and more businesses are beginning to recognize the potential of digital assets. By introducing the resolution, Senator Cruz is sending a message to the American public that the U.S. Capitol is open to the use of cryptocurrency and is actively encouraging its use.

NYDFS Releases Guidance to Protect Crypto Customers‘ Funds

• The New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) recently released guidance on custodial structures in order to protect customers‘ money in the event of a crypto firm bankruptcy.
• The guidance stresses that businesses should not commingle customer funds and that customer funds should be segregated with separate accounting.
• The NYDFS guidance provides a summary of four different policies and standards that virtual currency entities (VCEs) should adhere to, including segregation of and separate accounting for customer virtual currency, VCE custodian’s limited interest in and use of customer virtual currency, sub-custody arrangements, and customer disclosure.

The New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) recently released guidance on custodial structures in order to protect customers’ money in the event of a crypto firm bankruptcy. The guidance comes after the recent collapse of FTX and allegations directed at its co-founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, and top deputies. The guidance was issued by Adrienne Harris, the superintendent of the NYDFS, and the regulator insists that virtual currency custodians need to apply a “safe regulatory framework” to protect customers and preserve trust.

The NYDFS guidance provides a summary of four different policies and standards that virtual currency entities (VCEs) should adhere to in order to properly custody customer virtual currency and maintain appropriate books and records. The four policies are as follows: Segregation of and Separate Accounting for Customer Virtual Currency, VCE Custodian’s Limited Interest in and Use of Customer Virtual Currency, Sub-Custody Arrangements, and Customer Disclosure.

The first policy, Segregation of and Separate Accounting for Customer Virtual Currency, states that customer virtual currency must be segregated from the corporate assets of the VCE custodian and its affiliated entities, both onchain and on the VCE custodian’s internal ledger accounts. The second policy, VCE Custodian’s Limited Interest in and Use of Customer Virtual Currency, instructs VCEs to ensure that customer virtual currency is only used for purposes that benefit the customer, such as to facilitate a customer’s transaction or to settle customer obligations. The third policy, Sub-Custody Arrangements, requires VCEs to only enter into sub-custody arrangements with entities that are subject to similar regulatory requirements and are of comparable financial strength. Finally, the fourth policy, Customer Disclosure, requires VCEs to provide customers with clear and concise disclosure about the details of their custodial services.

The NYDFS guidance is an important reminder that businesses must take appropriate measures to protect customer funds and ensure that customer funds are properly segregated and accounted for. By adhering to the four policies outlined in the NYDFS guidance, VCEs can help protect customers’ money and ensure that customer funds are safe.

Efficiency and Cost Savings with Metaverse Technology in Industrial Environments

– The World Economic Forum (WEF) predicts that metaverse tech will impact industry first, before moving into the consumer space later.
– This implementation will involve digital twins and extended reality technologies, which are already being adopted by companies like Renault.
– The use of metaverse tech in industrial environments will help companies complete tasks more efficiently and save money in the long run.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has recently released an article predicting how metaverse technology will evolve and be implemented in different sectors, particularly industrial environments. Metaverse technology is a combination of digital twins and extended reality technologies, which are already being adopted by companies like Renault to save money and become more efficient.

Digital twins are digital versions of real-world elements which can be used to test functionality, examine the inefficiencies of an assembly line, or prototype a model without having to build it physically. Extended reality is the combination of real-world elements and digital elements to examine interactions between the two. According to the WEF, the implementation of metaverse technology will have a bigger impact on industrial environments than on consumer spaces. This is because companies will be able to save money and more efficiently complete tasks with the help of metaverse technology.

The automotive company Renault, for example, launched its industrial metaverse in November 2020, with the hopes of saving $330 million by 2025. This is just one example of the many ways metaverse technology can help companies become more efficient and cost-effective.

The WEF predicts that metaverse technology will continue to evolve and become more widely used in industrial environments, before moving into the consumer space later on. With the implementation of digital twins and extended reality, companies will be able to save money and complete tasks more quickly and efficiently. This will be an important development in the coming years, as companies look for new ways to become more efficient and cost-effective.

Korean Kimchi Premium Linked to Chinese Remittances: Study

• A newly-released study published in December 2022 reveals that South Korea’s „kimchi premium“ is strongly linked to an influx of international remittances to China.
• The research team analyzed financial data concerning overseas remittances to China from approximately 1,211 foreign exchange businesses between Jan. 2016 and May 2021.
• The researchers noted that on May 19, 2021, the kimchi premium jumped by more than 20% higher than the price on Western cryptocurrency trading platforms.

A new study conducted by Jangyoun Lee, an assistant professor at Incheon National University, and Taehee Oh of the Bank of Korea, has revealed a strong correlation between South Korea’s „kimchi premium“ and the influx of international remittances to China. The kimchi premium refers to the divergence in cryptocurrency valuations on Korean exchanges compared to Western trading platforms.

The team analyzed financial data concerning overseas remittances to China from approximately 1,211 foreign exchange businesses between January 2016 and May 2021. It was found that the first instance of the kimchi premium in South Korea occurred in 2016, when there was high demand for bitcoin among Korean investors but a limited supply of BTC. This caused the premium to peak at close to 55% before subsiding.

However, the kimchi premium reemerged during the first quarter of 2021, and the study’s authors noted that on May 19, 2021, the premium jumped by more than 20% higher than the price on Western cryptocurrency trading platforms. This indicates that Chinese arbitrageurs were using Korean financial institutions as bitcoin-cashing outlets, converting virtual currencies into cash.

The study’s authors concluded that the kimchi premium is strongly associated with increased international remittances to China, as it serves as a driving factor for Chinese investors to purchase cryptocurrencies in South Korea rather than in other countries. This is due to the fact that the kimchi premium offers a much higher return for their investments.

Overall, the study provides further evidence that South Korea’s kimchi premium is strongly linked to international remittances to China. This could have significant implications for the cryptocurrency market, as it serves as an indicator of the potential profitability of investing in virtual currencies.

Ethereum Classic and Polygon Surge on the Weekend, 10-Day MA Crosses 25-Day MA

• Ethereum Classic (ETC) surged 14% to a 6-week high on Saturday.
• Polygon (MATIC) also moved higher, racing towards a recent price ceiling.
• Both tokens saw their respective 10-day (red) moving averages cross over their 25-day (blue) moving averages.

The weekend saw some major movements in the crypto market, with Ethereum Classic (ETC) and Polygon (MATIC) being two of the biggest movers. Ethereum Classic (ETC) surged 14% to a 6-week high on Saturday, pushing the token to a peak of $20.68. This move saw the token break out of a key resistance level of $20.00, and its highest point since November 26. This surge was also helped by the 10-day (red) moving average crossing over its 25-day (blue) counterpart.

Polygon (MATIC) also experienced some significant gains, with the token climbing for a second straight day. MATIC/USD raced to a high of $0.8105, over 3% higher than Friday’s low of $0.774. This move pushed polygon closer to a key resistance level of $0.8200, which was last hit on December 27. MATIC/USD also saw its 14-day relative strength index (RSI) hit its resistance of 49.00.

Despite this, earlier gains have somewhat eased, and as of writing, ETC/USD is trading at the $20.38 point, while MATIC/USD is trading at the $0.8039 point. It remains to be seen if either token can extend their recent gains, but for now, it looks like the markets may be taking a breather before making their next move.

Onchain Researchers Uncover Suspicious Transactions Linked to Sam Bankman-Fried

• Onchain research has revealed previously unreported transactions across various blockchains linked to Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced co-founder of FTX.
• The transactions were discovered by Conor Grogan, a director at Coinbase, and most of them took place on Dec. 28.
• The tokens were moved across various blockchains such as Polygon, Binance Smart Chain (BSC), Arbitrum, and other platforms.

Onchain researchers have recently uncovered a significant number of previously unreported transactions across various blockchains linked to Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced co-founder of FTX. The transactions were discovered by Conor Grogan, a director at Coinbase, and while most of them took place on Dec. 28, there was some recent activity in the first few days of the new year.

The onchain investigation revealed that wallets connected to Bankman-Fried transferred tokens across various blockchains such as Polygon, Binance Smart Chain (BSC), Arbitrum, and other platforms. The movement of the funds occurred while Bankman-Fried was on house arrest, and two days later he tweeted that he had no access to the funds.

The news of the suspicious transactions came just a week after onchain investigators discovered that a number of funds linked to FTX and Alameda Research wallets moved. Bankman-Fried was immediately bombarded with questions when he tweeted on Dec. 30, and he offered to help advise regulators if needed.

Grogan’s discovery of the transactions has prompted speculation on whether Bankman-Fried is still connected to the funds, or if the tokens were moved by other parties. The news of the transactions has been met with a mixture of shock and confusion, with many asking why Bankman-Fried would risk transferring the tokens while he was on house arrest.

The onchain research into Bankman-Fried’s activities has only just begun, and it remains to be seen what other revelations will come to light. In the meantime, regulators and law enforcement agencies will be keeping a close eye on any further movements of the funds, as they continue their investigation into the case.

Hospital in Romania Hit by Ransomware Attack, Staff Denied Salaries

• A hospital in Romania was targeted by a ransomware attack, with perpetrators demanding payment in cryptocurrency.
• The attack locked the medical records of the Saint Gheorghe Recovery Hospital in Botoşani, Romania, and demanded 3 BTC in ransom.
• The hospital cannot file reports and receive payments due to the hack, leaving the medical staff without salaries.

The Saint Gheorghe Recovery Hospital in Botoşani, Romania, was recently hit by a ransomware attack that has left the medical institution unable to file reports to the country’s health insurance fund and receive due payments. According to reports from Romania Insider, the hackers locked the medical records from December and left a message in English, demanding a ransom of 3 BTC (over $50,000 at current exchange rates).

The attack was well-prepared and neither the computer specialists from the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism nor experts working for the Romanian cybersecurity firm Bitdefender were able to decrypt the information. Dr. Cătălin Dascălescu, the hospital’s managing director, revealed that law enforcement authorities have launched an investigation.

The attack has left the hospital unable to file reports for the services performed in the last month of 2022 and receive the respective payments. As a result, the medical staff are unable to receive their salaries. However, officials at Romania’s National Health Insurance House have stated that they are working on a solution to resolve the issue.

Investigators believe that the hackers accessed the data remotely, although they do not yet know how they were able to do so. This is not the first time a healthcare institution has been targeted by cyber criminals, as the number of such attacks have been steadily increasing. These incidents highlight the need for better security measures in order to protect sensitive information and prevent such malicious activities.

Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried Pleads Not Guilty, Judge Protects Bond Signees

• Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) pleaded not guilty to eight criminal charges on Jan. 3, 2023.
• The judge granted SBF’s request to keep the names of his $250 million bond signees redacted.
• SBF’s attorneys filed a motion to protect the guarantors of his bond from any risks associated with the case.

On Jan. 3, 2023, the former CEO of FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), attended a court hearing in front of judge Lewis Kaplan and pleaded not guilty to the eight criminal charges against him. This included two counts of wire fraud and six counts of conspiracy. Outside the Manhatten courthouse, SBF’s SUV was swarmed by the press and reports say the crowd was so large „Bankman-Fried’s mother was unable to exit the vehicle.“ His bodyguard and security team then escorted the former FTX executive into the courthouse.

During the hearing, SBF’s attorneys filed a motion in order to keep the names of the two signees who signed SBF’s $250 million bond sealed. The attorneys insisted that SBF’s parents were already dealing with risks from their son’s case and the legal team wanted to make sure the bail bond’s guarantors don’t suffer the same fate. SBF’s judge Lewis Kaplan granted the defendant’s request, thus protecting the bond signees from any risks associated with the case.

The bond was interesting because the former FTX executive didn’t have to pay any money at all. His parents had to secure the bond with their house in Palo Alto and four people co-signed the bond. The deal was if SBF did not appear in court or if he broke his bail conditions, his parent’s Palo Alto home could be on the hook, and the signees could be forced to cover the bond.

The court hearing was a culmination of months of investigation into SBF and his ties to FTX. After pleading not guilty to the eight criminal charges, SBF’s case will now proceed to the next phase which will involve a trial and a potential conviction. Despite the criminal charges against him, SBF remains adamant that he is innocent and has vowed to fight the charges in court.