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NewsBriefs - Crypto ATM count skyrockets in Australia

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  • Bloomberg

    Crypto ATM count skyrockets in Australia

    Australia now ranks third globally in crypto ATMs, with a sixteen-fold increase over two years. The US leads with 32,000 machines, followed by Canada with 3,000. This surge reflects growing interest in crypto, especially among younger generations. The regulatory environment in Australia has been pivotal in supporting this boom. Clear guidelines have encouraged businesses to invest in Bitcoin infrastructure, including ATMs, ensuring compliance with local laws. However, the rapid expansion of Bitcoin ATMs also brings challenges, such as increased regulatory scrutiny and the potential for misuse in activities like money laundering.

    Bloomberg

    • Latest

    • The Block

      Pump.fun sets July 12 date for PUMP token sale

      Pump.fun, a Solana-based platform for creating meme coins, is set to list its new PUMP token on Gate exchange with a sale beginning on July 12. The sale, scheduled to last 72 hours, will offer 150 billion tokens at $0.04 each in USDT with 15% of the total 1 trillion token supply available. Pump.fun, experiencing significant trading activity on Solana, has until now generated approximately $700 million in cumulative revenue since its inception. The upcoming token sale could potentially implement a revenue-sharing feature for token holders.

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      The Block

    • The Block

      Paradigm leads $11.5 million funding round for Kuru Labs to develop decentralized exchange

      Paradigm has led a Series A funding of $11.5 million for Kuru Labs, which is constructing a decentralized exchange using a hybrid model combining automated market maker (AMM) and central limit order book (CLOB) functionalities on the Monad Layer 1, Ethereum-compatible platform. This architecture merges traditional and crypto exchange features, offering liquidity and enabling placement of limit orders.

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      The Block

    • The Block

      CoreWeave to acquire Core Scientific in $9 billion deal strengthening US data-center capabilities

      CoreWeave has agreed to acquire bitcoin miner Core Scientific in a $9 billion all-stock transaction, providing CoreWeave over a gigawatt of US data-center power for scaling artificial intelligence operations. Core Scientific shareholders will receive 0.1235 CoreWeave Class A shares per Core Scientific share, valuing each share at about $20.40. The deal, expected to close in Q4 2025, comes after Core Scientific filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2022 and will result in Core Scientific shareholders owning less than 10% of the new entity.

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      The Block

    • Decrypt

      SEC pauses Grayscale ETF trading approval, citing regulatory concerns

      Grayscale expressed surprise at the SEC's decision to pause the approval of its Digital Large Cap Fund ETF, which includes cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Cardano. This action reflects an evolving regulatory environment. Despite the setback, Grayscale remains committed to launching its product as an exchange-traded fund and is actively working with stakeholders to fulfill all regulatory prerequisites.

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      Decrypt

    • Bitcoin Sistemi

      KBC to offer Bitcoin and Ethereum purchasing options this fall

      KBC, a leading Belgian financial institution, is set to offer Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) purchasing options through its Bolero investment platform beginning this fall. This makes KBC the first major bank in Belgium to integrate direct crypto transactions. The bank is currently undergoing regulatory processes to become an official crypto asset service provider. Initiatives for user education and secure transaction platforms are highlighted as part of their forthcoming services.

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      Bitcoin Sistemi

    • The Block

      BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF surpasses its S&P 500 fund in revenue

      BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) generates more revenue than its $624 billion iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV), primarily due to a higher expense ratio. Despite being significantly smaller in size with $70 billion in assets, IBIT earns slightly more through its 0.25% expense ratio compared to the 0.03% charged by the S&P 500 ETF. The increase in IBIT's assets under management reflects growing investor interest in Bitcoin and supports the trend of higher fees for niche crypto exposures.

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      The Block

    • The Block

      Standard Chartered projects bitcoin to hit $200K by year-end, driven by ETFs and corporate demand

      Standard Chartered predicts significant gains for Bitcoin, foreseeing a potential rise to $200,000 by the end of 2025, propelled by increased ETF inflows, corporate treasury investments, and favorable policy conditions. The bank's outlook, influenced by current and projected ETF purchases and strategic corporate buying, could outpace previous buying records set by firms like Strategy and boost Bitcoin's price to unprecedented levels.

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      The Block

    • Bloomberg

      Binance maintains Singapore-based staff amid new crypto regulations

      Despite stringent regulations by the Monetary Authority of Singapore requiring unlicensed crypto operators to cease activities by June 30, Binance plans to keep its hundreds of remote workers in Singapore. The new regulations are said to have minimal impact on Binance's operations in the region as these employees mainly engage in non-client-facing roles such as compliance and technology. Binance has emphasized a remote-first working strategy and does not solicit customers in Singapore, aligning with the local regulatory frameworks.

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      Bloomberg

    • Cointelegraph

      Paxos launches MiCA-compliant Global Dollar stablecoin in the EU

      Paxos has launched its Global Dollar (USDG) stablecoin in the European Union, ensuring compliance with the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) and oversight from both the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority and Singapore's central bank. The stablecoin, available through partners such as Kraken and Gate, is part of a broader push into European markets, aligning with MiCA norms including reserve requirements and audit protocols. The launch is supported by the Global Dollar Network, an infrastructure project backed by financial and fintech giants like Kraken, Robinhood, and Mastercard.

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      Cointelegraph

    • The Block

      Strategy acquires 4,980 more bitcoins, expands portfolio to 597,325 BTC

      Strategy recently purchased 4,980 bitcoins for about $531.9 million, increasing its total holdings to 597,325 BTC, valued over $64 billion. The funds for the latest acquisition came from ATM sales of its various stocks including MSTR, STRK, and STRF preferred shares. With this addition, Strategy's BTC totals more than 2.8% of the total circulating supply, reflecting significant paper gains. The company leverages its '42/42' capital raise plan aiming for extensive BTC acquisitions by 2027.

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      The Block

    • The Block

      Metaplanet surpasses Tesla with a new bitcoin purchase, becoming seventh-largest corporate holder

      Metaplanet, a Japanese investment firm, has purchased an additional 1,234 BTC for approximately $132.7 million, raising its total holdings to 12,345 BTC. With this acquisition, Metaplanet's holdings are valued at about $1.3 billion and the company now ranks as the seventh-largest publicly listed corporate holder of bitcoin, surpassing Tesla. The purchase followed a recent $515 million fundraising aimed to expand its bitcoin portfolio as part of its plan to secure 1% of bitcoin's supply.

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      The Block

    • The Block

      Invesco and Galaxy propose Solana ETF in new SEC filing

      Invesco and Galaxy Digital have submitted a registration statement for a Solana ETF named 'Invesco Galaxy Solana ETF' to the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The ETF, set to trade under the ticker 'QSOL' on Cboe BZX if approved, will have Invesco Capital Management as the sponsor, with Galaxy Digital handling token acquisition and Bank of New York Mellon as the administrator. Coinbase Custody Trust Company will act as custodian for the Solana tokens.

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      The Block

    • The Block

      Bernstein increases Coinbase price target to $510, citing growth and market strength

      Bernstein has raised its price target for Coinbase to $510, up from $310, attributing the increase to enhanced earnings forecasts, emerging growth avenues, and a new valuation approach. Coinbase, which is part of the S&P 500 index, benefits from its diversified services including US crypto trading leadership, custody for most Bitcoin ETFs, and its involvement in Base, Ethereum's growing Layer 2 system. The firm's recent agreements, like acquiring Deribit and earning from USDC transactions, align with US crypto legislation, predicting significant revenue growth. Despite competitive pressures, Coinbase maintains its market share and pricing, with projected revenues of $9.5 billion by 2025 and gains in profitability leading to higher earnings per share estimates.

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      The Block

    • Grayscale

      Grayscale launches Space and Time Trust to invest in blockchain data convergence

      Grayscale introduced the Grayscale Space and Time Trust, targeting investments in the Space and Time blockchain which addresses blockchain's computational limits. Space and Time integrates blockchain reliability with high-performance data capabilities to support Web 3.0 and AI, providing scalable, transparent data access. The trust allows accredited investors to gain exposure to SXT tokens, which support network security and data transactions, supporting crucial verifiability and auditability for decentralized finance and AI.

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      Grayscale

    • The Block

      Federal Reserve modifies bank examination guidelines, removing reputational risk

      The Federal Reserve has revised its bank examination process by removing 'reputational risk' and focusing on more specific financial risk assessments. This change is intended to provide clearer guidance for banking supervision and may enable banks to more freely serve crypto industry entities, who have previously voiced concerns over debanking practices hindering crypto adoption in the US. The alteration aligns the Federal Reserve with actions taken by the OCC and FDIC and supports ongoing legislative efforts to refine risk evaluation in banking.

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