Category: Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency is digital money that works online. It lets people send and receive payments directly without banks. It runs on secure networks called blockchains, making it fast and global.

Arkansas Proposes Ban on Crypto Mining Near Military Bases

The lawmakers of Arkansas have filed Senate Bill 60, which prohibits the setup of cryptocurrency mining operations within 30 miles of any U.S. military facility in the state. Co-sponsored by Senator Ricky Hill and House Speaker Brian Evans, the bill is presented as an amendment to the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023, on matters touching on national security and noise pollution.

The bill targets a crypto mining operation near Cabot that is just five miles away from the Little Rock Air Force Base. This comes weeks after a similar 2024 federal order brought to a halt the operations of a China-linked mining firm that was operating near a military facility in Wyoming.

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Cabot Mayor Ken Kincade and Lonoke County officials don’t want the local mine because of concerns about noise and security. However, that is not the opinion of Dustin Curtis, the vice president of Interstate, behind the project. He said the mine is in compliance with all federal and state regulations, and it generates less noise than that on highways nearby.

Crypto mining operations have been under fire nationwide. For instance, last July, US Senator Elizabeth Warren expressed concern that foreign-owned crypto mines were operating on American soil.

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The proposed bill will now go to committee and may position Arkansas as the only state that will impose restrictions. A very intense debate between innovation and security presses on.

Trump Inauguration Sparks Crypto Volatility Warnings

With the inauguration of Donald Trump mere days away, crypto investors are being warned to expect sharp price swings. Analysts at Singapore-based QCP Capital say they expect “heightened volatility” in the crypto market both in the lead-up to, and following the Jan. 20 ceremony. They liken current market jitters to turbulence seen during the first term of Trump in 2017.

Inflation in the U.S. economy remains a concern. Whereas job growth has been strong-non-farm payrolls were up 256,000 against an expected 165,000-inflation fears have lingered.The consensus for December is for a hotter CPI number than previous readings; something that will keep markets on their toes.

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At the same time, this uncertainty is heightened by the prospect of proposed tariffs on China by Trump, which might also add inflation. Again, these might be introduced piecemeal, not all at once. Also improving bond yields are shifting the market’s expectations, pricing in fewer rate cuts in 2025 and 2026.

Expect higher volatility in the lead-up to and after the inauguration as markets chew and adjust to a new Trump term,” warned QCP Capital.

There is, however, a silver lining: rumors of the Trump administration packed with crypto-friendly officials and, of course, whispers of executive orders that give digital assets relief. This might relieve the market temporarily.

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Still, caution prevails. Bitcoin has repeatedly tested the $90,000 mark, and with rising bond yields, the coming weeks could be anything but predictable for crypto investors.

ANIME Token Unveils Community-Focused Tokenomics

ANIME token’s 10B supply focuses on community-driven growth, with major allocations for grants, Azuki backers, and DAO governance.

Anime Coin is bringing something fresh to the crypto world by launching its own token, ANIME, on Ethereum and Arbitrum. The goal? A community-driven anime ecosystem where both fans and creators have a say in the future of the industry.

Here’s the deal: ANIME has a massive 10 billion token supply, and they’ve just dropped the tokenomics to show how it’ll all be split. A huge chunk—50.5%—is dedicated to grants and programs managed by the Animecoin Foundation. This will support anime creators, developers, and other cool projects within the ecosystem.

Then, there’s the Azuki community—early supporters who’ll get 37.5% of the token supply, all unlocked at launch. If some tokens are left unclaimed, they’ll get sent to the Community Cultivation Fund (13%), which will be governed by the upcoming AnimeDAO. This means holders of ANIME tokens will control where the funds go, shaping the future of the community.

The Animecoin Foundation itself is set to get 24.44% for growth and expansion, helping bring Animecoin to the wider anime industry. Lastly, partner communities like Hyperliquid and Kaito Yappers will get 2%. The future of anime and crypto? Looking bright!

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EigenLayer unveils Protocol Council to enhance decentralized governance efforts

EigenLayer introduces the Protocol Council to enhance security and community-driven growth, while rewarding voters with $EIGEN tokens.



EigenLayer just dropped big news: they’ve formed the Protocol Council to boost security and keep the protocol running smoothly. The council’s main job is to review and approve upgrades to the EigenLayer system, making sure everything aligns with long-term goals and supports decentralized growth. And it’s not just about tech—this move opens up more opportunities for the community to get involved.

If you don’t know, EigenLayer is a protocol built on Ethereum that’s all about restaking. Basically, if you’ve staked ETH to help secure Ethereum’s network, you can also use that staked ETH to back other decentralized services like oracles, sequencers, and data availability layers. This helps secure a bunch of decentralized applications, opening the door for more cool projects to thrive.

To keep the community in the loop, EigenLayer launched the Eigen Council Telegram group. This is where anyone can vote on proposals, share ideas, and even get rewarded with $EIGEN tokens for being active voters.

On top of that, EigenLayer also supports using any ERC-20 token for restaking, letting you use assets like AVS, stablecoins, or even Bitcoin-denominated tokens to secure more networks and earn rewards. Big moves for decentralized growth!

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Crypto Market Surges Following US CPI Data Release: What Lies Ahead?

Bitcoin hit $99K, altcoins soared as lower core CPI fueled Fed rate cut hopes, but inflation risks still linger.



Bitcoin smashed through $99K for the first time since Jan 7, climbing 10% from its monthly low. This crypto glow-up wasn’t just Bitcoin flexing—altcoins joined the party too. Virtuals Protocol skyrocketed by 25%, ai16z surged 17%, and Algorand jumped over 13%.

But the hype isn’t limited to crypto. Wall Street got its own glow-up: Dow Jones futures popped 700 points, S&P 500 futures climbed nearly 100 points, and bond yields dipped. The 10-year, 30-year, and 5-year yields are now chillin’ at 4.66%, 4.90%, and 4.48%.

What’s the tea? U.S. core inflation dropped from 0.3% to 0.2% last month, and yearly, it’s down from 3.3% to 3.2%. This got everyone hoping for juicy Fed rate cuts—maybe more than two this year. Core CPI is a big deal since it skips food and energy prices and is the Fed’s main squeeze.

Still, it’s not all sunshine. Inflation is above the Fed’s 2% goal, and some wildcards could stir the pot—like LA fires pushing up costs or Trump-era policies hiking inflation.

TL;DR: Crypto’s thriving, markets are vibing, but keep an eye on inflation drama—it’s far from over.

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Dubai Plans 17-Story Crypto Tower to Boost Web3 Innovation

In yet another leap into the future, a 17-story Crypto Tower is to be constructed in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai. This ultra-modern building, by DMCC and REIT Development, will house the innovation of blockchain, DeFi, and AI.

Measuring at 150,000 square feet, Crypto Tower is reportedly set to host offices of crypto startups, blockchain firms, and even AI innovators. It comprises nine floors housing offices, three of blockchain incubators and venture capital firms, and one special hub of AI innovation tstered by Chatoshi.ai.

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What really sets this tower apart, however, is the inclusion of blockchain-powered tenant services, ranging from on-chain voting to smart contracts; the building will make use of advanced tech to bring in more transparency and efficiency.

Other highlights include a 10,000-square-foot event space, an NFT art gallery, a gold bullion shop, and a swanky three-floor crypto club. Secure vault storage will also be made available for high-value assets.

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Set for completion by early 2027, the Crypto Tower reflects Dubai’s commitment to becoming a global leader in Web3 innovation. Ahmed Bin Sulayem, CEO of DMCC, stated, “This tower embodies our vision for the future of Web3 and strengthens Dubai’s position as a world-class innovation hub.”

Court Sides with Coinbase in SEC Crypto Regulation Dispute

Coinbase scored a major legal victory yesterday in its ongoing fight with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over crypto regulations. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit sided with Coinbase, rebuking the SEC’s denial of Coinbase’s request for clear digital asset rules as “arbitrary and capricious.”.

It was a part of the increasing list of court losses that the agency has faced regarding crypto-related cases, ordering the SEC to give a more detailed explanation for its denial. Coinbase initially sought guidance from the regulator in 2022, requesting clarification on when digital assets were considered securities—a fundamental question for the crypto industry.

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In 2023, the SEC rejected Coinbase’s petition on the basis of no need for specific rules. However, the court disagreed, labeling the SEC’s reasoning as insufficient and lacking detail. Judge Thomas Ambro called the SEC’s response “conclusory,” while SEC Judge Stephanos Bibas warned that the agency’s approach of strict enforcement without clear guidelines could harm the entire crypto sector.

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Although the ruling does not force the SEC to write new rules, it does force the agency to be more specific. Coinbase’s Chief Legal Officer, Paul Grewal, hailed the decision as a move toward ending the regulatory uncertainty that has dogged the crypto industry.

BlackRock Unveils Bitcoin ETF for Canadian Investors

BlackRock has introduced the iShares Bitcoin ETF in Canada and is now available to trade on Cboe Canada. The fund will be listed under the ticker IBIT for CAD and IBIT.U for USD, which provides an easy and regulated manner in which Canadians can invest in Bitcoin.

The fund employs a “fund-of-funds” approach by holding shares of the U.S.-listed iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF, which physically holds Bitcoin. Coinbase Prime, a trusted digital asset custodian, provides the ETF with secure and cutting-edge technology to manage Bitcoin holdings safely.

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As such, Helen Hayes, Head of iShares Canada at BlackRock, said, “The iShares Bitcoin ETF provides a cost-effective way for Canadian investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin without the complexities of direct ownership.”

Trading on Cboe Canada, which handles about 15% of securities traded on Canadian exchanges, is also in keeping with the exchange’s reputation for introducing innovative financial products.

As of January 10, 2025, the ETF has net assets of approximately $701,338 with 25,000 outstanding units. The management fee is 0.32%.

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In short, by offering the Bitcoin ETF, BlackRock commits itself to make it easier and more convenient for resident Canadians to invest in Bitcoin, thus further fortifying its commitment to leading financial innovation.

North Korean Hackers Stole $659 Million in Crypto Last Year

In a rare joint statement, South Korea, the U.S., and Japan blamed North Korean hackers for stealing a record $659 million in cryptocurrency previous year. The stolen funds are believed to be going toward North Korea’s illegal weapons programs.

This marks the first time any three nations have blamed North Korea and that also directly for such insane large scale crypto robbery. Among the major targets were India’s WazirX exchange, losing $235 million, and Radiant Capital, which suffered a $50 million hack. An additional $374 million was stolen from platforms like DMM Bitcoin, Upbit, and Rain Management, according to industry reports.

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Hacking groups like Lazarus, linked to North Korea, are behind these thefts. They executed sophisticated cyberattacks, often employing malware to breach systems. “The DPRK’s cyber program poses a serious threat to global financial stability,” the statement warned.

The statement urged blockchain firms and crypto exchanges to bolster their defenses and avoid unknowingly hiring North Korean IT workers. “Our governments are committed to preventing thefts by the DPRK and recovering stolen funds,” it added.

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North Korea has a long history of using cybercrime to fund its missile and weapons programs. As these attacks grow in frequency and scale, the three nations pledged to work together to counter these rising cyber threats.

JP Morgan predicts XRP ETF could draw $8 billion in investments

JPMorgan predicts XRP ETFs could pull $3-8B. Ripple’s CEO sees approval soon, especially with SEC shakeups and crypto buzz.

JPMorgan’s dropping some serious predictions—XRP could bring in anywhere between $3 billion and $8 billion if it gets its own spot ETF. This is based on how well Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs did last year, with Bitcoin’s ETFs already owning around 8% of its market value and Ethereum ETFs taking a smaller chunk at 3%. The big question? Could XRP join that lineup soon?

Monica Long from Ripple is betting on it. She thinks once Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs are fully approved, XRP will be next. And it’s not just Ripple that’s pushing for this—big players like Bitwise and WisdomTree are already trying to get their own XRP ETFs out there.

Top ETF analyst Nate Geraci is also calling it—XRP’s spot ETF might get approved this year. In fact, users on Polymarket give it a 59% chance of happening by 2025. And the buzz is real, with some saying there’s even a 50% chance it gets approved by July 31.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse is all in on XRP ETFs, though he thinks the SEC might approve Litecoin ETFs first. But with a new pro-crypto administration on the horizon and SEC chair Gary Gensler stepping down, it’s looking promising for XRP.

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