NewsBriefs - SEC concludes Ethereum 2.0 investigation with no charges against ETH

Jun 19, 1:39 AM Crypto Briefing

SEC concludes Ethereum 2.0 investigation with no charges against ETH

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has concluded its investigation into Ethereum 2.0, determining that Ether (ETH) sales are not securities transactions. This decision, announced by Consensys, signals significant relief for Ethereum stakeholders by dispelling legal uncertainties and fostering continued growth in the crypto sector. Despite the positive ruling, Consensys highlights ongoing challenges in securing clear regulatory guidelines for crypto services like MetaMask Swaps and Staking.

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• Jun 26, 5:20 PM Crypto Briefing

  US government moves 4,000 BTC to Coinbase amid market pressure

  The US government transferred approximately 3,940 Bitcoin, valued at around $241 million, to Coinbase from a wallet associated with the Silk Road seizure. This move, part of broader activities involving large-scale crypto transactions by the government, could potentially influence Bitcoin's market dynamics as it adds to the selling pressure following similar transfers by other entities and ongoing payouts from the Mt. Gox repayment plan.

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• Jun 26, 4:22 PM Cointelegraph

  Animoca Brands eyes 2025 for stock market return, explores new regions

  Animoca Brands, a leading name in gaming and the metaverse, is considering a 2025 return to the public market, focusing on crypto-friendly areas like Hong Kong and the Middle East for its potential listing. The company, delisted by the Australian Securities Exchange in 2020 over crypto compliance issues, is also engaging in new funding strategies, including the tokenization of a historic violin for a multimillion-dollar loan. Amidst a fluctuating valuation, impacted by broader market downturns, Animoca continues to seek investments and adapt its financial strategies to navigate through challenging times in the crypto and gaming industries.

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• Jun 26, 2:20 PM Crypto Briefing

  Ripple Labs CEO claims SEC chairman Gensler's crypto stance could cost Biden the election

  Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse criticized SEC Chairman Gary Gensler's approach to crypto regulation, suggesting it might jeopardize President Joe Biden's reelection. According to Garlinghouse, Gensler's negative remarks about crypto executives and an alleged lack of oversight on major crypto firms represent a failure to protect American investors and could influence the upcoming election outcome.

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• Jun 26, 1:16 PM Defiant

  CertiK faces allegations of front-running bug bounty claims via OpenBounty

  CertiK, a major player in smart contract auditing, is accused of misusing its OpenBounty platform to preemptively access and claim rewards from bug bounty reports, thereby breaching several crypto protocols' terms of service. This controversy follows recent criticism of CertiK for exploiting a vulnerability in Kraken’s system and the perceived inadequacy of their security audits.

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• Jun 26, 12:53 PM Crypto Briefing

  Bitwise CIO predicts $15 billion in inflows to Ethereum ETF by mid-2025

  Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise, forecasts that Ethereum (ETH) exchange-traded products (ETPs) will attract $15 billion in net inflows within the first 18 months post-launch. Despite Ethereum's market cap being a substantial $432 billion, Ethereum ETPs are currently underperforming vis-a-vis Bitcoin ETPs in asset inflows, which are estimated to surpass $100 billion by 2025. Hougan emphasizes the potential for substantial asset inflow into Ethereum ETPs, aiming for an approximate parity with Bitcoin at around $35 billion; however, he notes the diminished profitability of the Ethereum carry trade, prompting a conservative estimation of inflows.

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• Jun 26, 5:41 AM The Block

  VanEck aims to attract Ethereum ETF investors by waiving initial fees

  VanEck plans to waive the initial fees for its upcoming spot Ethereum ETF to become a competitive leader in crypto ETF fees. The firm's strategy includes capturing high decentralized finance volumes to offset early financial losses. This incentive aims to draw more investors to consider Ethereum’s role in their portfolios, following recent US regulatory advancements towards trading approvals.

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• Jun 25, 11:19 PM Cryptoslate

  SEC chair Gensler highlights compliance issues and centralization in the crypto sector

  Gary Gensler, SEC chair, criticized the crypto sector for significant non-compliance with US laws and centralization, contradicting the ideal of decentralization. He mentioned ongoing issues such as trading violations and investor protection concerns, underscoring that many crypto tokens are effectively securities. Gensler’s assertions emphasize the legal actions taken by SEC against various crypto entities to protect public interests.

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• Jun 25, 8:20 PM Cointelegraph

  Ava Labs introduces blockchain IP management for K-pop artists

  Ava Labs is utilizing its Avalanche blockchain technology to provide intellectual property management for K-pop artists in South Korea. This innovation aims to improve transparency and efficiency in protecting artists' rights against underpayment and unauthorized use, amidst the music industry's evolution with technologies like artificial intelligence. The adoption of blockchain for digital rights management reflects a broader trend where recording artists can better control their creations, enhancing autonomy and revenue protection in a market projected to be worth $20 billion by 2031.

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• Jun 25, 6:10 PM Decrypt

  VanEck prepares for imminent US Ethereum ETF launch

  VanEck has filed an 8-A form for their Ethereum ETF, indicating a potential launch could happen within a week as similar timing was observed with their earlier Bitcoin ETF launch. With Ethereum ETFs approved to list on national exchanges, the launch is expected soon, with SEC chairman Gary Gensler noting approvals anticipated "over the course of this summer." Companies are actively promoting Ethereum’s potential, suggesting strong market readiness for these funds.

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• Jun 25, 3:24 PM Blockworks

  Ethereum experiences longest inflationary phase post-Merge due to low base fees and increased layer-2 activity

  Ethereum has entered its longest period of inflation since the Merge, lasting nearly 72 days and adding approximately 50,000 ETH to its supply. This inflationary trend is attributed to significantly lowered base fees following the Dencun update and a surge in layer-2 activity. Although the base fee reduction enhances user affordability and network efficiency, it simultaneously diminishes the deflationary mechanisms put in place post-Merge, resulting in a net increase in the total ETH supply.

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• Jun 25, 2:54 PM The Block

  Core Scientific expands partnership with CoreWeave for 70 MW infrastructure boost

  Core Scientific will enhance its infrastructure to provide an additional 70 MW to CoreWeave for hosting NVIDIA GPUs aimed at high-performance computing. This expansion is part of a larger 12-year, 200 MW agreement designed to bolster CoreWeave's computing capabilities, with all capital investment funded by CoreWeave. The modification aligns with Core Scientific's strategic direction to develop application-specific data centers that support advanced, high-density chip technologies.

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• Jun 25, 6:00 AM Phantom

  Phantom wallet from Solana adds Bitcoin support

  Solana's Phantom wallet has expanded its compatibility by adding support for Bitcoin, with a notable inaugural Ordinal mint event scheduled in the Gamma market. The event will start on June 27 and end on July 1, during which users will only be required to pay the Bitcoin network fees. Phantom recommends users maintain $10-20 in BTC in their Native Segwit addresses to cover these fees.

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• Jun 25, 6:58 AM Ronin Network

  Ronin launches zkEVM testnet for Layer 2 solutions

  Ronin has announced the launch of its zkEVM testnet, marking a significant development in its Layer 2 offerings. Users can now access the testnet block explorer, query RPC endpoints, and obtain testnet RON tokens and developer documentation. This launch aims to enhance the platform's efficiency and robustness, underscoring Ronin’s commitment to innovation in the blockchain space.

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• Jun 24, 8:40 PM Cointelegraph

  Jump Crypto president resigns amid CFTC probe and company turmoil

  Kanav Kariya, President of Jump Crypto, has resigned amidst a CFTC investigation and a series of challenges faced by the firm, including a significant hack and legal issues related to the Terra collapse. Kariya plans to focus on personal development post-resignation. Jump Crypto, known for its financial stability, has confronted controversies ranging from a $321 million hacking incident to allegations of market manipulation linked to the Terra ecosystem.

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• Jun 24, 8:10 PM The Defiant

  Certik faces backlash for minimal audit efforts and holding Kraken funds hostage

  Certik, a prominent crypto security firm, is under scrutiny for its audit methods and recent controversies, including holding $3 million from Kraken hostage. The company, known for auditing numerous significant projects, has been criticized for inadequate review processes and its role in substantial exploit losses, topping $1.22 billion. Recent client experiences and expert comments suggest systemic issues with Certik's approach to crypto project audits, impacting its reputation and reliability in the blockchain community.

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