NewsBriefs - FalconX completes first CME Group SOL futures trade with StoneX

Mar 17, 4:00 AM PRNewswire

FalconX completes first CME Group SOL futures trade with StoneX

FalconX, a digital asset prime broker, executed the first block trade of CME Group's Solana (SOL) futures with StoneX, marking a significant advancement in institutional crypto derivatives trading. This execution underlines the growing institutional interest in cryptocurrencies beyond bitcoin and ether, offering regulated, capital-efficient trading options. The launch of SOL futures caters to this demand, providing institutional investors with new tools for risk management and portfolio expansion in the crypto space.

Latest

• Mar 17, 5:09 AM OKX

  OKX halts DEX aggregator to curb misuse by Lazarus Group

  OKX has temporarily suspended its decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator to address misuse by the Lazarus Group, a North Korean hacking collective. OKX announced the precautionary measure following the detection of attempts by the group to exploit its decentralized finance (defi) services. The crypto exchange is implementing additional security upgrades during this suspension. Despite the ongoing internal review, OKX will continue providing wallet services, although it will halt new wallet creation in certain markets. The security enhancements aim to better identify and block hacker activities on its platform.

  Expand Hide

  

• Mar 17, 4:00 AM PRNewswire

  FalconX completes first CME Group SOL futures trade with StoneX

  FalconX, a digital asset prime broker, executed the first block trade of CME Group's Solana (SOL) futures with StoneX, marking a significant advancement in institutional crypto derivatives trading. This execution underlines the growing institutional interest in cryptocurrencies beyond bitcoin and ether, offering regulated, capital-efficient trading options. The launch of SOL futures caters to this demand, providing institutional investors with new tools for risk management and portfolio expansion in the crypto space.

  Expand Hide

  

• Mar 17, 3:56 AM The Block

  Bank of Korea rejects Bitcoin for reserve due to volatility and non-compliance with IMF guidelines

  The Bank of Korea has declined to consider incorporating bitcoin into its foreign exchange reserves, citing the cryptocurrency's high volatility and non-compliance with International Monetary Fund guidelines on liquidity and risk management. This decision comes despite recent moves by other nations following US President Donald Trump's creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve from confiscated assets.

  Expand Hide

  

• Mar 14, 9:32 PM Cointelegraph

  VanEck files for an AVAX ETF aiming for direct exposure

  VanEck has filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission to create an Avalanche (AVAX) exchange-traded fund (ETF), intending to offer investors direct exposure to the smart contract platform. The fund aims to reflect AVAX's price performance, less the operational expenses, and will value its shares based on the MarketVector Avalanche Benchmark Rate.

  Expand Hide

  

• Mar 14, 4:55 PM Cointelegraph

  CNV of Argentina finalizes regulations for crypto service providers

  Argentina's National Securities Commission (CNV) has finalized regulations for virtual asset service providers (VASPs), as outlined in General Resolution No. 1058. These regulations establish standards for registration, cybersecurity, asset custody, anti-money laundering practices, and risk disclosure to ensure transparency, stability, and user protection in the crypto ecosystem. Additionally, the rules mandate a separation of company and client funds, regular audits, and monthly reporting. VASPs must comply by staggered deadlines based on their geographical incorporation, with severe penalties for noncompliance.

  Expand Hide

  

• Mar 14, 12:30 PM REX Shares

  REX launches Bitcoin Corporate Treasury Convertible Bond ETF

  REX has introduced the REX Bitcoin Corporate Treasury Convertible Bond ETF (BMAX), a novel fund on NASDAQ offering exposure to convertible bonds from firms using Bitcoin in their corporate treasuries. Designed for easier investment in convertible bonds tailored by companies like Strategy, the ETF is managed actively focusing on issuers well-versed in Bitcoin-backed corporate debt.

  Expand Hide

  

• Mar 14, 11:05 AM The Block

  Russia employs crypto to circumvent sanctions in oil trades with China and India

  Russia is utilizing cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin and ether, through intermediaries to facilitate oil trades with China and India, effectively bypassing Western sanctions. This method helps convert yuan and rupees into rubles more smoothly and uses stablecoins like USDT, although Tether can freeze these funds to comply with regulations. The crypto-based transactions are an operational adaptation in response to sanctions imposed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, highlighting crypto's increasing role in international trade amid regulatory challenges.

  Expand Hide

  

• Mar 14, 12:33 AM RWA.xyz

  BlackRock BUIDL fund surpasses $1 billion in investments, propelling tokenized treasury sector to new heights

  One year after its inception, BlackRock's BUIDL, a tokenized treasury fund, has attracted over $1 billion, with recent investments including a $200 million infusion from Ethena Labs. BUIDL, developed in partnership with Securitize, provides crypto investors with exposure to US Treasury bills, cash, and repurchase agreements on the Ethereum blockchain. The broad tokenized treasury market has also expanded, reaching a record $4.4 billion in size, driven by contributions from firms like Franklin Templeton, Ondo Finance, and Superstate. This rise reflects a growing institutional interest in tokenized assets within the crypto landscape.

  Expand Hide

  

• Mar 13, 5:32 PM CoinDesk

  US Senate advances major stablecoin regulatory bill

  The US Senate Banking Committee has advanced a significant stablecoin regulation bill, marking a pivotal step toward potential enactment. The bill, targeting federal regulation of US stablecoin issuers, won committee approval with an 18-6 vote and now moves towards a full Senate vote, paralleling action in the House of Representatives. Despite remaining challenges, including reconciling Senate and House versions, this development signals substantial legislative movement in crypto regulation.

  Expand Hide

  

• Mar 13, 2:00 PM The Block

  Aave Labs launches Horizon to target institutions with real-world asset initiatives

  Aave Labs has introduced Horizon, a new initiative designed to foster the institutional adoption of decentralized finance (DeFi) by integrating traditional finance with DeFi. Horizon will leverage the Aave ecosystem to offer structured real-world asset (RWA) solutions, enabling institutions to use tokenized money market funds as collateral for stablecoin liquidity. The initiative will enhance the role of Aave's stablecoin GHO and aims to bridge the gap between traditional finance and DeFi while addressing the need for compliance and risk management in institutional DeFi engagement.

  Expand Hide

  

• Mar 13, 3:40 AM Página/12

  Argentine lawyer calls for international arrest of LIBRA founder Hayden Davis

  Attorney Gregorio Dalbon has requested the Argentine courts to issue an international arrest warrant for $Libra founder Hayden Mark Davis, citing the risk of him fleeing the US and impeding an ongoing investigation into a major crypto scam. Dalbon argued that Davis's substantial financial resources and critical role in creating and promoting $LIBRA, combined with the scandal's international impact, greatly increase the chance of him evading justice. This legal action follows allegations linking the scam to high-profile Argentine politicians and significant losses for investors.

  Expand Hide

  

• Mar 13, 12:54 AM Cointelegraph

  Crypto trader loses $215K to MEV bot in sandwich attack on Uniswap

  A crypto trader lost $215,500 due to a sandwich attack by an MEV bot during a stablecoin swap on Uniswap, converting $220,764 worth of USD Coin to just $5,271 of Tether in eight seconds. This incident highlights vulnerabilities in decentralized trading platforms against MEV tactics.

  Expand Hide

  

• Mar 12, 4:45 PM Etherlink

  Etherlink launches Calypso upgrade on Tezos L2 to boost dApp development

  The Calypso upgrade has been deployed on the Tezos L2 Etherlink, enhancing functionalities such as speed, efficiency, and resilience for dApp developers. This upgrade introduces significant improvements, including a 30x increase in smart contract storage speed, smaller storage footprint for nodes, and improved governance, which facilitates easier protocol decision-making participation by node operators. Additionally, the update has made Etherlink more robust with better security and infrastructure, supporting faster XTZ withdrawals and other modern enhancements vital for decentralized application development.

  Expand Hide

  

• Mar 11, 10:21 PM The Block

  House passes bill to repeal IRS crypto tax rule, awaits Trump's signature

  The US House of Representatives voted to repeal an IRS rule imposed during the Biden administration, which mandated DeFi brokers to report user data similar to traditional securities brokers. This bipartisan move, pushed by Rep. Mike Carey and Sen. Ted Cruz, aims to foster innovation in the crypto sector in the US and prevent American companies from moving overseas due to stringent tax reporting requirements. The bill, having passed the House, now awaits President Trump's approval.

  Expand Hide

  

• Mar 11, 2:30 PM PRNewswire

  Cantor Fitzgerald collaborates with Anchorage Digital and Copper to expand Bitcoin financing

  Cantor Fitzgerald has partnered with Anchorage Digital and Copper as collateral managers and custodians for its new global Bitcoin financing business. This initiative aims to provide leverage to institutional investors holding Bitcoin, ensuring high security and resilience through Anchorage Digital and Copper's robust security architecture. Anchorage Digital brings expertise from operating the only federally chartered crypto bank in the US, while Copper offers comprehensive digital asset services, including custody, and collateral management. The partnership starts with $2 billion in initial financing, with plans for future expansion.

  Expand Hide