Assad Jafri

StanChart reaffirms $200k year-end projection for Bitcoin as US gov shutdown becomes tailwind

Standard Chartered’s head of digital assets research, Geoffrey Kendrick, reaffirmed his year-end Bitcoin (BTC) price target of $200,000 on Oct. 2. According to Kendrick, fresh ETF inflows and the U.S. government shutdown could drive the crypto to further highs in the weeks ahead. In a note to clients, Kendrick said Bitcoin is poised to break […]
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Cryptocurrency

Investigators find no fraud in Cardano’s decade-old voucher initiative in forensic report

An independent investigation commissioned by Input Output found no evidence to support accusations of fraud or misconduct in Cardano’s decade-old ADA Voucher Program, according to a forensic report released on. The review, conducted jointly by law firm McDermott Will & Emery and accounting firm BDO, examined public claims that insiders misused ADA, manipulated blockchain upgrades […]
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Cryptocurrency

European Central Bank touts digital euro as key to payment security and inclusivity

The European Central Bank said that its proposed digital euro would strengthen Europe’s defenses against cyber and infrastructure disruptions while ensuring broad access to digital payments. Piero Cipollone, a member of the ECB’s Executive Board, told the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee that resilience and inclusiveness must be central features as the bloc […]
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Cryptocurrency

Businesses embrace Bitcoin amid 2025 bull market surge – River

Businesses have become a driving force in Bitcoin’s 2025 bull market, with corporate holdings now accounting for more than 6% of its total supply, according to a new report from River Financial. The report found that in the first eight months of 2025 alone, business inflows into Bitcoin surpassed last year’s total by $12.5 billion, […]
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Cryptocurrency

Bessent backtracks, says Treasury committed to ‘exploring budget-neutral pathways’ to add Bitcoin

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the government may still expand its Bitcoin (BTC) holdings on Aug. 14, backtracking remarks made a few hours earlier. Bessent had told reporters during a television interview in the morning that the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve would remain at its current level. He said the reserve would consist of approximately $15 […]
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Cryptocurrency

Hong Kong regulators warn against hype-driven stablecoin market swings

Hong Kong’s financial regulators cautioned investors to avoid making impulsive bets on stablecoin-linked assets after a spate of sharp price swings tied to speculation, corporate announcements, and unverified claims about licensing plans in the city. In a joint statement, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) said they had […]
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Cryptocurrency

OFAC targets Kyrgyzstan-based firms, stablecoins over Russian sanctions violations

The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned multiple companies and individuals accused of using stablecoins to help Russia skirt international sanctions tied to its war in Ukraine on Aug. 14. The designations target both Russian-linked businesses and foreign intermediaries alleged to have facilitated large-scale cross-border transactions for sanctioned entities. The move highlights OFAC’s […]
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Cryptocurrency

Bank of England advances design phase of ‘digital pound’ CBDC

The Bank of England (BoE) and HM Treasury reported significant progress in the design phase of the digital pound, a proposed central bank digital currency (CBDC) that would complement traditional banknotes and enhance the UK’s payment infrastructure. The update highlighted efforts to align the initiative with the nation’s evolving payments landscape and broader economic goals. The […]
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Cryptocurrency

India partners with tech giants Google, Meta to curb ‘pig butchering’ scams

India has intensified efforts to curb crypto-related scams by collaborating with tech giants Google and Meta (formerly Facebook), according to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ 2024 annual report. The initiative aims to combat the rising threat of “pig butchering” scams, a form of crypto investment fraud targeting vulnerable groups such as unemployed youth, housewives, students, […]
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Cryptocurrency

MARA CEO touts Bitcoin’s long-term benefits for retail holders, predicts $200k by year-end

MARA Holdings CEO Fred Thiel believes institutional involvement will significantly increase Bitcoin’s value, positioning the flagship crypto as a long-term growth asset. Speaking in a Jan. 2 interview with FOX Business, Thiel encouraged retail investors to adopt a steady, long-term investment strategy by regularly purchasing small amounts of Bitcoin. Thiel noted that Bitcoin has only […]
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Cryptocurrency

Delhi High Court orders new probe into WazirX amid Binance delisting

Indian crypto exchange WazirX faces mounting challenges after the Delhi High Court ordered a fresh investigation into the platform on Dec. 18 — the same day Binance announced it would delist the exchange’s native token WRX. The probe, spurred by allegations of a prior hack and concerns over financial irregularities, signals intensifying scrutiny on the […]
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Cryptocurrency

Japanese lawmaker urges consideration of Bitcoin reserve in light of US efforts

Japanese lawmaker Satoshi Hamada has called on the government to explore the possibility of integrating Bitcoin (BTC) into its foreign exchange reserves, emphasizing its potential as a strategic asset amid growing global interest in crypto adoption. During a Dec. 11 parliamentary session, Yamada posed questions about Japan’s approach to crypto reserves. He pointed to efforts […]
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Cryptocurrency

VanEck foresees $180k Bitcoin by Q1 2025 in dual-peak bull market

VanEck projected significant developments for the crypto industry in 2025, ranging from a dual-peaked bull market to the US adopting Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset. The firm’s 2025 predictions report envisions milestones that could redefine the role of digital assets in global finance, driven by regulatory clarity and institutional momentum. Bull market peaks and […]
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Cryptocurrency

Congressman French Hill eyeing comprehensive market structure, IPO rules for crypto industry

Congressman French Hill, the newly elected chair of the House Financial Services Committee, has unveiled plans to tackle crypto regulations and reignite public market growth In a Dec. 13 CNBC interview, Hill emphasized the need to end regulatory confusion that has hindered the growth of digital assets. His priorities mark a shift toward fostering innovation […]
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Cryptocurrency

SEC crackdown continues with Immutable latest to receive Wells Notice

The SEC has issued a Wells notice to blockchain gaming platform Immutable in what has become a widespread crackdown on crypto companies ahead of the US election. Immutable said in an Oct. 31 blog post that the move is the latest instance of the SEC’s “regulation-by-enforcement” policy targeting the crypto industry. It added that the […]
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Cryptocurrency

Trump reaffirms support for Bitcoin on Satoshi’s whitepaper anniversary

Former President Donald Trump marked the 16th anniversary of the Bitcoin (BTC) whitepaper with a pledge to end the “war on crypto,” presenting a stark alternative to current policy as he seeks support from crypto advocates ahead of the Nov. 5 election. Trump’s post on social media, which also targeted Democratic rival Kamala Harris, highlighted […]
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Cryptocurrency

StanChart sees high volatility for Bitcoin in lead up to US elections

Standard Chartered’s global head of digital assets research, Geoffrey Kendrick, cautioned that Bitcoin (BTC) may experience heightened volatility in the days before the US presidential elections. Kendrick’s analysis pointed to key metrics indicating an optimistic yet cautious market sentiment among Bitcoin traders as investors brace for economic and regulatory shifts related to the political event. […]
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Cryptocurrency

Transak hit with data breach affecting 1.14% of its user base

Transak, a company providing fiat-to-crypto services, has reported a significant data breach affecting more than 92,000 users. In an Oct. 21 update, the firm revealed that the breach stemmed from a phishing attack targeting an employee’s laptop, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive user information. According to Transak, the attackers exploited the employee’s credentials to […]
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Cryptocurrency

Northern Data embraces AI boom, mulls ditching Bitcoin mining roots

Europe’s largest Bitcoin miner, Northern Data, is exploring the potential divestment of its mining division, Peak Mining, as part of a strategic shift to focus entirely on its rapidly growing AI Solutions business, according to an Oct. 21 press release. The potential sale marks a significant move away from the company’s mining roots as it […]
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Cryptocurrency

Indian regulators to clear offshore crypto exchanges after strict AML review

India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-India) is reportedly set to approve two more offshore crypto exchanges to resume operations in the country by the end of the 2025 fiscal year, following a thorough review of their compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) laws. The development comes as the FIU continues to assess requests from four exchanges previously […]
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Cryptocurrency

Chamber of Progress demands clarity on crypto from presidential hopefuls

The Chamber of Progress, a technology industry coalition advocating for digital innovation, has urged moderators of the upcoming ABC presidential debate to include a critical question on crypto regulation. In a letter sent to moderators Linsey Davis and David Muir on Sept. 5, the organization highlighted the growing role of digital assets in the US […]
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Cryptocurrency

Bitfarms refutes ‘misleading claims’ made by Riot Platforms in open letter

Bitcoin miner Bitfarms issued a statement addressing what it called misleading claims by rival Riot Platforms amid ongoing tensions over the latter’s amended acquisition proposal. In the Sept. 4 press release, Bitfarms emphasized that Riot’s proposal is not about corporate governance but rather an attempt to acquire it at a discounted price. The firm further […]
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Cryptocurrency

CFTC’s $175,000 fine on Uniswap Labs sparks dissent over stifling DeFi innovation

Commissioner Summer K. Mersinger voiced strong opposition to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) decision to impose a $175,000 fine on Uniswap Labs for its illegal digital asset derivatives trading. In her dissent, Mersinger criticized the agency’s reliance on “regulation through enforcement,” arguing that the approach risks stifling innovation in DeFi and driving developers out […]
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Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin Fog founder argues 30-year sentence ‘vastly exceeds’ similar cases

Roman Sterlingov, the man behind the crypto mixer Bitcoin Fog, is contesting a potential 30-year prison sentence following his conviction on several money laundering charges. In a 37-page sentencing memorandum submitted to the US District Court for the District of Columbia, Sterlingov’s defense team contends that the recommended sentences of 30 and 20 years by […]
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Cryptocurrency

Franklin Templeton files S-1 application for crypto index ETF offering BTC, ETH exposure

Franklin Templeton has filed an S-1 application with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch a crypto index exchange-traded fund (ETF). According to the Aug. 16 filing, the proposed fund — dubbed “Franklin Crypto Index ETF” — aims to offer investors exposure to the performance of Bitcoin and Ethereum through a regulated financial […]
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Cryptocurrency

Dubai approves crypto salaries in landmark court ruling

The Dubai Court of First Instance has affirmed the legality of crypto payments for salaries under employment contracts in a landmark ruling on Aug. 15. The ruling, issued in case number 1739 of 2024 (Labour), marks a significant shift in the UAE’s judicial approach to digital currencies, reflecting the growing acceptance of crypto in the […]
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Cryptocurrency

Trump’s transition team signals strong pro-Bitcoin direction, contrasting Harris’ regulatory approach

Former President Donald Trump’s campaign has appointed chairs for the presidential transition team, which is drawing attention for its strong pro-crypto stance. According to an Aug. 16 announcement, Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick, a well-known Bitcoin advocate, and Linda McMahon, WWE co-founder and a prominent entrepreneur who has criticized central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), will […]
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Cryptocurrency

Trump reiterates support for Bitcoin during livestream with Adin Ross

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump reiterated his support for Bitcoin and crypto during an interview with popular live streamer Adin Ross on Aug. 5. The former President reaffirmed statements made during his recent keynote at the Bitcoin2024 conference, saying that the US needs to foster innovation in the digital asset sector. He further stated that […]
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Cryptocurrency

US legislators call for CFTC crackdown on election gambling as Polymarket betting hits ATHs

A coalition of US lawmakers has called on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to prohibit gambling on American elections. Several legislators endorsed the letter, including Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), along with Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and John Sarbanes (D-MD). […]
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Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin falls to $57k as market bleeds amid fears of recession, war

Bitcoin (BTC) fell below key support levels as markets continued to bleed over the weekend due to fears of an impending global recession and escalating tensions in the Middle East. The flagship crypto has fallen more than 8% since the start of the weekend to $57,040 —  the lowest price recorded in almost three weeks. […]
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