x
SEC Fast-Tracks Bitwise's Bitcoin-Ethereum ETF, Signaling Broader Crypto Acceptance
The Bitwise fund's asset allocation reflects market capitalization proportions, comprising 83% Bitcoin and 17% Ethereum.
On Thursday, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission expedited approval for the Bitwise Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF, allowing it to be listed and traded on NYSE Arca.
Bitwise’s hybrid ETF will offer investors direct exposure to Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) in a single fund with Coinbase’s custody business to oversee the fund’s holdings.
“I really want to interpret this as a sign the new SEC will be faster, but no way to know really,” Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas wrote on X, following Bitwise dual ETF’s approval.
The SEC’s approval reflects its recent trend of clearing crypto investment products, including Nasdaq and Cboe BZX’s listing of Hashdex and Franklin Templeton ETFs in December, signaling a broader acceptance of digital assets under the Trump administration’s more industry-friendly stance. Read More
Uniswap V4 DeFi Protocol Launches on Ethereum and Beyond—Here’s What's New
Decentralized exchange Uniswap launched its V4 protocol across Ethereum, Avalanche, BNB Chain, and beyond Friday, with various improvements.
Ethereum decentralized exchange Uniswap launched its V4 platform Friday, building upon previous versions by making liquidity pools cheaper and unlocking new development opportunities for builders in the industry.
Built via development contributions of more than 100 community members, the latest version of Uniswap—described by the Uniswap Foundation as “a key milestone in the evolution of DeFi”—is now live on 12 chains, including Ethereum mainnet and layer-2 networks like Arbitrum and Base, plus the likes of Avalanche and BNB Chain too.
Alongside a 99.99% reduction in costs for liquidity pools, Uniswap V4 grants developers and protocols new opportunities thanks to the introduction of hooks, or modular plugins that allow developers to customize pools, swaps, fees, and pool positions.
For example, a dynamic fee hook could enable automatic fee adjustments based on market conditions, while an auto-rebalancing hook would allow for consistent rebalancing and optimization of a liquidity position.
More than 150 hooks have been developed thus far as a part of grants and programs hosted by the Uniswap Foundation. The Foundation said that such upgrades provide strong benefits and open up opportunities to reach multiple demographics in crypto. Read More
Sandwich attacks in crypto, explained: How to stay safe
Sandwich attacks are a form of market manipulation that targets users on decentralized exchanges, exploiting price movements to profit off of a victim’s trade.
It is a type of front-running exploit in which an attacker places two orders around a victim’s trade in a way that profits from price slippage.
In a typical sandwich attack, a malicious actor watches the transaction mempool for large trades that might affect the price of a cryptocurrency.
After being identified, the attacker executes a “back-running trade” by placing a “sell” order immediately following the victim’s trade and a “buy” order just before it.
The victim’s trade contributes to the manipulated price, which is intentionally inflated or deflated to their benefit. The attacker makes money by selling their coins once the victim’s transaction is completed. Read More
Coinbase acquires ads platform Spindl to tackle ‘onchain discovery problem’
Crypto exchange Coinbase has acquired Spindl, an onchain advertising and attribution platform, as part of a broader push to expand the reach for projects built on its Ethereum layer-2 network Base.
“Coinbase has acquired Spindl, an onchain ads and attribution platform (re)building the ad tech stack onchain, to improve the onchain discovery problem for onchain builders,” Coinbase said in a Jan. 31 statement.
Aiming to replicate Facebook ads success, but onchain:
In a Jan. 31 X video, Base creator Jesse Pollak said Spindl’s founder, Antonio García Martínez, was part of the team behind Facebook’s original ads platform, which played an important role in scaling the platform and helping small businesses and “other folks” go viral online.
“Now they’re coming to do it again onchain, and they’ve built it from the ground up in smart contracts all onchain, and they’re helping builders right now go viral,” Pollak said.
Pollak explained that Spindl will give builders “the resources they need” to reach more customers. Read More
Fasanara unveils tokenised Money Market Fund on Polygon
Fasanara, a London-based institutional investment management firm, has launched its first tokenised Money Market Fund, the ‘Fasanara MMF Token’ (FAST), held on the Polygon PoS (Proof of Stake) public blockchain.
Developed in collaboration with Apex Group, Tokeny, Chainlink, Fireblocks and XBTO, FAST offers investors a faster, more cost-effective, and transparent way to access money market investments.
FAST integrates the stability of traditional money market investments with the operational efficiency of blockchain technology. By leveraging Polygon’s scalable infrastructure, FAST enables real-time settlement and open distribution, eliminating manual processes and broadening investor access. This digital approach streamlines subscriptions, redemptions, and ongoing fund management, providing investors with a seamless investment experience.
Francesco Filia, founder and CEO of Fasanara, said: “With FAST, we are not only reshaping the future of money market investments but also redefining how investors engage with financial markets. By harnessing blockchain technology, we provide an innovative and compliant investment solution that enables seamless access to liquidity, real-time processing and enhanced transparency – all while maintaining the rigor of traditional asset management practices.”
The launch of Fasanara’s first tokenised Money Market Fund represents a significant milestone for the firm, positioning it as a pioneer in technology-enabled investing. Through FAST, Fasanara is not only modernising fund management but also setting a new benchmark for digital innovation in asset management. By tokenising a stable asset class like a money market fund, Fasanara aims to redefine how investors engage with these investments, making them more accessible and adaptable to today’s digital-first economy. Read More
Could Bitcoin Reach A $1 Million Milestone Sooner Than Later? Here's A Possible Path To Achieving It
In the past half-year, Bitcoin (BTC) has seen remarkable expansion, with its value rising by 50% and breaking the $100,000 barrier for the first time. The cryptocurrency community is bullish on the recent election outcome, expecting President Donald Trump's leadership to fuel further growth and propel Bitcoin to new levels in the years to come. The cryptocurrency space is abuzz with interest, and a recent announcement from the Trump administration, which is seen as more crypto-friendly, has sparked anticipation that it could be a catalyst for even more incredible price appreciation for Bitcoin.
Following Gary Gensler's resignation as the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), known for his negative stance on cryptocurrency, Mark Uyeda has taken on the role of acting chairman. Uyeda is recognized for supporting cryptocurrency and blockchain advancements, marking a notable shift from Gensler's strict regulatory strategies. Uyeda's more favorable stance towards cryptocurrency could potentially lead to less stringent regulations, positively impacting Bitcoin's value. Uyeda will serve as acting chairman until the Senate confirms Paul Atkins, the nominated SEC chairman.
Government Establishes New Task Force to Create Cryptocurrency Guidelines:
Mark Uyeda has recently introduced a new team to create a well-defined set of rules for crypto assets. This move has the potential to enhance the trustworthiness and legality of cryptocurrencies. The task force's role is to establish clear guidelines for the issuance and trading of cryptocurrencies, which could provide more certainty for investors and potentially increase the value of Bitcoin.
Introducing a registration system for new coins could also lower the risks associated with investing in them. Furthermore, it addresses the question of whether cryptocurrencies should be classified as securities by the SEC and outlines the guidelines that issuers of crypto assets must follow.
If the task force were to establish rules that support cryptocurrency, which numerous investors anticipate due to Trump's approving remarks during his campaign and his strong ties with pro-crypto advocate Elon Musk, it could significantly boost the value of Bitcoin in the current year. Read More
Oracle Can Be a Go-To Solution for AML in DeFi – This Is How
It’s no secret that DeFi (decentralized finance) and AML (anti-money laundering) policies are difficult to align.
Regulators and industry players advocate for the importance of regulation, but we face the stark reality – it’s nearly impossible to implement effective oversight in this space.
Meanwhile, stolen funds continue to be laundered through DeFi tools.
How do we balance decentralization with legal obligations? Using oracles becomes an effective solution. Read More
Coinbase Wins Greenlight To Operate in South America’s Second-Largest Economy With 5,000,000 Daily Crypto Users
US-based crypto exchange Coinbase has received regulatory approval to launch in the second-largest national economy in South America.
In a statement, Coinbase says it is expanding its reach to Argentina after securing a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) registration from the country’s National Securities Commission (CNV).
Coinbase says the development will allow it to better serve Argentina’s crypto users by providing localized services, which include local payment methods and customer support.
The exchange says it is bringing its platform to Argentina to help locals navigate inflation and financial stability.
Research commissioned by Coinbase shows that 87% of Argentinians believe that crypto and blockchain can help them achieve greater financial independence while 76% see crypto as a solution to some of their financial frustrations.
Says Fabio Plein, Director for the Americas at Coinbase,
“For many Argentinians, crypto isn’t just an investment, it’s a necessity for regaining control over their financial futures.” Read More
Kraken Announces New Onchain Crypto Staking Program for US Clients Two Years After SEC Crackdown
One of the top US-based crypto exchanges is launching a revamped crypto staking program two years after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) forced a similar initiative to shutter.
According to Kraken, US clients in 37 states and two territories can stake 17 assets onchain starting today.
Kraken clients residing in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico can now stake Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Cosmos (ATOM) and 14 other Proof-of-Stake tokens through the exchange.
Says Mark Greenberg, Kraken Global Head of Consumers, of the staking re-launch,
“Launching this new staking product in the US is an overwhelmingly positive development, not just for Kraken but also for the entire US crypto space.
We are excited to bring back a brand new product enabling US clients to resume staking with Kraken and play a significant role in bolstering the underlying security of blockchain networks.” Read More
Crypto on-ramps and off-ramps, explained
Crypto on-ramps make it easy to buy cryptocurrencies and enter the market without technical expertise.
Crypto on-ramps are services that help people buy cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin using traditional currencies, such as dollars or euros. These on-ramp services can take various forms, such as websites, crypto exchanges, ATMs, brokers or apps where people can exchange their regular money for digital currencies.
Crypto on-ramps allow you to purchase crypto using familiar payment methods like credit cards and bank transfers. Additionally, crypto on-ramps offer various cryptocurrencies, including Ether and stablecoins like Tether.
Crypto on-ramps make it easy for individual investors and institutions to enter the cryptocurrency market. Individuals can simplify buying crypto with familiar payment methods, while institutions get features like higher transaction limits and special compliance support.
One of the easiest ways to use crypto on-ramps is to sign up with a trusted exchange and follow this step-by-step guide to convert your fiat currency into cryptocurrency.
Let’s imagine Alice wants to buy some BTC for the first time. Alice chooses a crypto exchange as an on-ramp service as it offers a user-friendly platform, making it an easy starting point for newcomers to crypto investing. Read More
Here’s why DeepSeek crashed your Bitcoin and crypto
DeepSeek may have “nothing to do” with crypto, but its sudden entrance on the scene affected crypto prices.
The Bitcoin price dropped 6% on Jan. 27 when stock markets responded to the debut of China’s open-source, highly efficient AI model that investor Marc Andreessen dubbed “AI's Sputnik moment.”
DeepSeek spooked US markets on news that the model’s developers were able to produce a worthy competitor to American AI firms like OpenAI at a fraction of the cost. The firm claims it was able to develop its AI model on a shoestring budget of just under $6 million using less advanced hardware from semiconductor manufacturer Nvidia.
Tech stocks took a beating. All of the “Magnificent Seven” — Apple, Nvidia, Tesla, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta and Alphabet (Google) — saw losses, with Nvidia breaking a Wall Street record and dropping nearly 17% on the day.
The cheaper and more energy-efficient DeepSeek even sent energy utility stocks spiraling — as they were counting on revenues from more power-intensive computing of US-based models like ChatGPT.
Crypto wasn’t spared either; major coins like Bitcoin and Ether saw 6% and 7% losses respectively, while some altcoins suffered losses in the double digits.
Seasoned crypto traders are no strangers to double-digit price swings, but the coinciding drop in price shows that cryptocurrencies are indeed a risk-on asset and are subject to the same market forces that impact traditional finance. Read More
Disclaimer: These articles are provided for informational purposes only. They are not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other advice.
Featured Image Source: Pixabay
