Alternative News for You

by Cointelegraph by Brayden Lindrea on March 13, 2025 at 4:10 am

Hardware wallet provider Trezor has patched up a security flaw in two of its latest models after competitor firm Ledger’s open-source research arm discovered a vulnerability in their microcontrollers. Ledger Donjon acknowledged Trezor has made several security advancements of late but found cryptographic operations could still be performed on the microcontroller of Trezor’s Safe 3 and 5 models, which could make them “vulnerable to more advanced attacks.”Fortunately, Trezor has since addressed the vulnerabilities found, Ledger’s chief technology officer Charles Guillemet said in a March 12 X post.“We believe that making the ecosystem more secure helps everyone, and is critical as we push towards broader adoption of crypto and digital assets,” Guillemet added.Source: Charles GuillemetTrezor had already implemented “Secure Elements” — chips designed to protect the user's PIN code and cryptographic secrets — as some of Trezor’s devices could be tampered with by modifying the software running on it, potentially allowing threat actors to steal user funds.The Secure Elements feature “effectively thwarts any inexpensive hardware attack, in particular voltage glitching,” Ledger said in a March 12 post.“[This] gives users confidence that their funds are safe even if their device gets misplaced or stolen.”However, Ledger found another potential attack vector stemmed from the microcontroller, the other main part of Trezor’s two-chip design for its Safe 3 and 5 models.Trezor implemented a firmware integrity check to detect modified software, but Ledger was able to demonstrate that an attacker could still bypass this security check.This issue has since been resolved by Trezor — though neither Ledger nor Trezor have explained how. Cointelegraph reached out to Trezor but didn’t receive an immediate response.Trezor’s microcontroller in the Trezor Safe 3 model. Source: LedgerTrezor confirmed on X that user funds remain safe and that no action is required.Related: ‘Dark Skippy’ method can steal Bitcoin hardware wallet keysHowever, when asked whether Trezor was able to patch this issue via firmware, the hardware wallet provider responded: “Unfortunately not.”“In cybersecurity, the golden rule is simple: nothing is fully unbreakable. That’s why we have already implemented a multi-layer defense against supply chain attacks and always advise our users to purchase from official sources.”Ledger isn’t immune to security vulnerabilities either.In December 2023, a hacker committed a security breach into Ledger’s connector library and stole $484,000 worth of crypto assets.Another threat actor who breached Ledger’s systems published the mailing addresses of around 270,000 Ledger customers in June 2020.Magazine: Crypto fans are obsessed with longevity and biohacking: Here’s why

by Jared Richards and Dan Condon on March 13, 2025 at 3:58 am

The Australian icons still sound as relevant as ever in 2025. Plus, four more recent album recommendations.

by Maani Truu on March 13, 2025 at 3:56 am

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says it's unlikely the influencer would return to Australia in the future, due to the "level of scrutiny" her visa application would receive. 

by Hannah Jose and Leah Lowonbu on March 13, 2025 at 3:51 am

Lalit Modi was the man who founded the lucrative Indian Premier League, then fled India. Now, he's trying to ditch his Indian passport for Vanuatu's. 

by Elissa Steedman on March 13, 2025 at 3:49 am

Donald Trump turned the White House lawn into a Tesla showroom on Tuesday as he attempted to buoy his ally's brand. But can he even drive the car he bought?

by Victoria Ellis on March 13, 2025 at 3:49 am

Traditional owners say the newly dedicated Central Western Desert IPA has been a long time coming and is another "little jigsaw" piece in their efforts to protect the landscape.

by Cointelegraph by Ciaran Lyons on March 13, 2025 at 3:48 am

Ethereum's value against Bitcoin has hit its lowest level since mid-2020, with a crypto trader suggesting that it might be time to shift into higher-performing altcoins.“If still stuck on ETH, it is likely a good time to dump it to buy a higher beta altcoin,” economist and crypto trader Alex Kruger said in a March 12 X post.ETH/BTC ratio is an altcoin season indicator“If the market goes down, you’ll likely lose equally in both cases, but if it goes up, you’ll likely outperform significantly and can then swap into BTC,” Kruger opined.The ETH/BTC ratio — which shows Ether’s relative strength compared to Bitcoin — is sitting at 0.02281, its lowest level in nearly five years, according to TradingView data. Bitcoin Dominance is 0.02281 at the time of publication. Source: TradingViewBoth the leading cryptocurrencies by market cap are trading below key psychological price levels. Bitcoin is trading at $83,667 — having remained below the $100,000 level since Feb. 5 — while Ether (ETH) is at $1,907, floating below $2,000 since March 10.Meanwhile, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, which measures overall market sentiment, read a “Fear” score of 45, up 11 points from yesterday’s score.The Crypto Fear & Greed Index is reading a “Fear” score of 45. Source: alternative.meMany in the crypto industry see the ETH/BTC ratio “bottoming out” as a sign that altcoin season could kick off. On Feb. 14, Into The Cryptoverse founder Benjamin Cowen said on X to get an altcoin season, “ETH/BTC needs to bottom and start trending higher.”Bitcoin season could dominateHowever, other indicators suggest that altcoin season may not come so soon, and Bitcoin (BTC) may continue to hold market share in the near term.CoinMarketCap’s Altcoin Season Index — which bases the performance of the top 100 altcoins relative to Bitcoin over the past 90 days — reads a score of 13 out of 100, leaning more toward Bitcoin season.Related: Crypto whale liquidated for $308M in leveraged Ether tradePseudonymous crypto trader and Pear Protocol adviser Hansolar said in a March 13 X post that it will be Bitcoin season “all year round.”The trader said altcoin season was only 16 days last year and happened when Bitcoin’s Dominance dropped from 61% on Nov. 20 to 55% on Dec. 5 before rebounding to 59% by Dec. 21.At the time of publication, Bitcoin dominance stands at 62.15%, according to TradingView.When Ether hit its all-time high of $4,800 in November 2021, Bitcoin's dominance was approximately 42%.Magazine: Crypto fans are obsessed with longevity and biohacking: Here’s whyThis article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

by Jamie McKinnell on March 13, 2025 at 3:40 am

A jury has found former Australian cricketer Stuart MacGill guilty of taking part in the supply of cocaine in Sydney.

by Giselle Wakatama on March 13, 2025 at 3:38 am

Serial flasher Peter Bowman, 52, has been taken into custody after he pleaded guilty to exposing his genitals to girls as they walked home from school across Newcastle.

by Eva Blandis on March 13, 2025 at 3:38 am

The mother of William Holdback, who was fatally stabbed on a suburban Adelaide street almost a year ago, has expressed her devastation as the two men charged with his murder enter not guilty pleas in court.

by Isabella Higgins on March 13, 2025 at 3:37 am

Those in the Indigenous community have become used to hearing dire statistics, all for them to be ignored or not acted upon, time and time again.

by Cointelegraph by Stephen Katte on March 13, 2025 at 3:36 am

Onchain activity for Tether has hit a sixth-month high, possibly indicating traders are gearing up to jump back into the market, according to analysts.  Data shared by the blockchain data platform Santiment in a March 12 X post shows Tether’s (USDT) onchain activity has been on the rise, peaking with over 143,000 wallets making transfers on March 11, the highest in six months.“When USDT & other stablecoin activity spikes during price drops, traders are preparing to buy. Added buy pressure aids in crypto prices recovering,” Santiment said.Onchain activity for Tethers USDT has spiked, reaching a sixth-month high. Source: SantimentIt comes as Bitcoin (BTC) dropped to a four-month low of $76,700 on March 11, as the wider crypto market shed even more of the gains made post-US election amid macroeconomic uncertainty and an escalating tariff war.Speaking to Cointelegraph, Vincent Liu, chief investment officer at Kronos Research, said traders often accumulate Tether during dips to position themselves for buying opportunities, adding buy pressure that can help crypto prices recover.He speculates the uptick in USDT wallet activity likely reflects traders capitalizing on recent market volatility.“Possible causes include broader economic uncertainties, crypto-specific events like regulatory developments or post-election sentiment shifts, and Tether’s role as a stable haven, making it an ideal holding for investors preparing to deploy capital strategically,” Liu said.Related: Bitcoin, crypto ‘dip buy hype’ is now at its highest level in 7 monthsLiu says the surge in USDT activity is a bullish indicator, suggesting significant buying power on the sidelines, but the crypto market’s recovery will likely depend on factors like macroeconomic conditions, regulatory clarity, and investor confidence.“However, with the inflation rate easing to 2.8% in February, lower than expected in recent CPI data, this could reduce pressure on crypto prices and signal a more favorable environment,” he said.“Additionally, the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) on March 18th may provide further indications on interest rates and monetary policy, potentially influencing market development and recovery,” Liu added. A key Bitcoin and crypto sentiment tracker, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, hit its lowest score in over two years on Feb. 26 as it slipped deeper into “Extreme Fear,” reaching a score of 10.Crypto sentiment has staged a recovery since, but the index has still registered a score of 45 on March 13, still in fear territory.Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino touring the US Meanwhile, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino is currently on a tour of the US as lawmakers move to regulate the sector. During a March 12 speech at the Cantor Fitzgerald Global Technology Conference, he said that as it stands, around 37% of USDT users are using it as a savings account to store value.“They don’t have bank accounts. The only thing that they have in their life is usually cash,” Ardoino said.“Now they finally can hold the most used and most important stable currency in the world, that is the US dollar, but they keep it in their smartphones as their savings account.”CEO of @Tether_to, @paoloardoino, speaks at Cantor's Global Tech Conference. #CantorTechhttps://t.co/2z8d46WDMG— Cantor (@Official_Cantor) March 12, 2025At the same time, Ardoino said, Tether is acting as one of the “last strongholds for the US dollar” amid growing concerns that the US dollar could lose dominance as the world’s reserve currency and a go-to for international transactions and commodity trades.The stablecoin issuer has also been working to curb bad actors in the space, collaborating on more than 170 law enforcement operations and freezing $2.5 billion in illicit funds, according to Ardoino.Magazine: Crypto fans are obsessed with longevity and biohacking: Here’s why

by Holly Richardson on March 13, 2025 at 3:35 am

Researchers have found crabs are key predators of juvenile crown-of-thorns starfish and could be a hidden link to what controls their destructive spread.

on March 13, 2025 at 3:19 am

The two pilots were charged with criminal negligence over the accidental bombing, which injured at least 29 people.

on March 13, 2025 at 3:11 am

Sam Konstas's state coach believes the headline-grabbing teenager is starting to show signs of heeding lessons around match situations in his batting.

by Ahmed Yussuf on March 13, 2025 at 3:11 am

US President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports to 25 per cent has been placed on some of the country's closest allies. This is how they have responded.

by Joanna Menagh on March 13, 2025 at 3:11 am

The jury in the trial of the four people accused of murdering Perth schoolboy Cassius Turvey visits the bush scene where the 15-year-old was bashed over the head with a metal pole.

by Amy Sheehan on March 13, 2025 at 3:01 am

If your child has started to show an interest in skincare, there are a few things you need to consider before they start using new products.

on March 13, 2025 at 2:57 am

Police say the destruction of a 5.2ha tobacco crop in Victoria will significantly impact the booming black market.

by Nassim Khadem on March 13, 2025 at 2:50 am

An Australian Super member has hit out at the fund for delays in processing an insurance claim for disability related payments. His case comes as corporate watchdog ASIC issues a warning to super funds that delay death and disability payments to their members.  

by Emmy Groves on March 13, 2025 at 2:42 am

The eastern side of London Circuit closed last night until late 2026 to allow for light rail construction and footpath improvements, but the businesses affected are feeling positive about the construction "because we'll have a far more modernised area to work from".

by Alicia Hanson and Nadia Mitsopoulos on March 13, 2025 at 2:42 am

A man who was picked up by a Perth ferry after his dive boat left him behind says failing to account for every diver before leaving a site is unacceptable.

on March 13, 2025 at 2:34 am

Brayden Maynard is expected to line up for Collingwood in round one despite being involved in a car crash days out from the match against Port Adelaide.

by Ria Andriani on March 13, 2025 at 2:30 am

Musicians have been making music about global events and complex societal issues for centuries. What do they bring to the conversation?

by Cointelegraph by Martin Young on March 13, 2025 at 2:26 am

Crypto trading volumes and dwindling digital asset prices are flashing signs of trader exhaustion and potentially weaker market momentum, according to analysts. Crypto-wide trading volume has been dropping since it peaked in February amid dip-buying opportunities. According to CoinGecko data, daily trading volume hit its highest level this year in early February when it reached $440 billion. It has since sunk by 63% to $163 billion on March 12. Market data firm CoinMarketCap has slightly lower figures but they show the same trend — that volume peaked in 2025 in early March before falling back 52% to current levels.  Analytics firm Santiment said on X on March 13 that this decline in volume suggests that trader enthusiasm for the asset class is diminishing.“When trading volume for major cryptocurrencies consistently drops, even during slight price recoveries, it typically points toward diminishing trader enthusiasm.”Santiment added that trader behavior “indicates a mix of exhaustion, hopelessness, and capitulation” following further market capitalization declines over the past fortnight. Declining crypto trading volume. Source: SantimentTotal market capitalization has declined almost 25% since the beginning of February, shrinking by $900 billion as the crypto market correction deepens. Those declines have accelerated over the past 10 days when markets have lost 15% as fears of a recession in the United States increased amid escalating global trade tensions.Santiment stated that traders are becoming cautious, suggesting they might not believe that the current upward price movements will last. “Essentially, reduced trading activity reflects uncertainty, as fewer traders are convinced that buying at current levels will yield profitable outcomes,” the analysts added.Weakening trading volume amid minor price bounces can serve as an “early warning sign of weakening market momentum,” Santiment reported, adding that without robust buying participation, price gains can quickly lose steam, “as there simply isn’t enough underlying support to sustain the upward trend.”“This leads to the possibility that any rebound could be temporary, with prices vulnerable to another downturn.”Related: Bitcoin high-entry buyers are driving sell pressure, price may ‘floor’ at $70KHowever, shrinking volume during minor rebounds isn’t necessarily a direct bearish signal, it said, adding that volume is a metric that measures participation from both retail and institutional traders and it needs to start rising before prices do. “To signal a healthier and more sustainable recovery, bulls generally will want to see both rising prices and rising volumes simultaneously.”Crypto market capitalization is currently around $2.8 trillion, which is where it was this time last year before seven months of consolidation followed. Meanwhile, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index remains in “fear” territory, below 50, where it has been since Feb. 21. Magazine: Mystery celeb memecoin scam factory, HK firm dumps Bitcoin: Asia Express

on March 13, 2025 at 1:43 am

Alex de Minaur was off kilter in his straight sets defeat against Argentine 25th seed Francisco Cerúndolo as his last-16 hoodoo at Indian Wells continues. 

by Thomas Kelsall on March 13, 2025 at 1:41 am

An Australian woman awaiting trial over the death of her stepdaughter is unable to leave jail because her bail has been set at a "terribly unfair" $US500,000, according to her lawyer. 

by Tavleen Singh on March 13, 2025 at 1:24 am

A 91-year-old Victorian woman thought she was handing her bank card over for protection from fraudulent charges, but it was a scam.

on March 13, 2025 at 1:19 am

From transgender rights to gender euphoria, 71-year-old trans liberation pioneer Dr Jess Hooley and 23-year-old musician and trans man Flynn Sant (aka flowerkid) compare being trans in the past and present.

by Cointelegraph by Brayden Lindrea on March 13, 2025 at 12:54 am

A crypto trader fell victim to a sandwich attack while making a $220,764 stablecoin transfer on March 12 — losing almost 98% of its value to a Maximum Extractable Value (MEV) bot.$220,764 worth of the USD Coin (USDC) stablecoin was swapped to $5,271 of Tether (USDT) in eight seconds as the MEV bot successfully front-ran the transaction, banking over $215,500.Data from Ethereum block explorer shows the MEV attack occurred on decentralized exchange Uniswap v3’s USDC-USDT liquidity pool, where $19.8 million worth of value is locked.Details of the sandwich attack transaction. Source: EtherscanThe MEV bot front-ran the transaction by swapping all the USDC liquidity out of the Uniswap v3 USDC-USDT pool and then put it back in after the transaction was executed, according to founder of The DeFi Report Michael Nadeau.The attacker tipped Ethereum block builder “bob-the-builder.eth” $200,000 from the $220,764 swap and profited $8,000 themselves, Nadeau said.DeFi researcher “DeFiac” speculates the same trader using different wallets has fallen victim to a total of six sandwich attacks, citing “internal tools.” They pointed out that all funds traveled from borrowing and lending protocol Aave before being deposited on Uniswap.Two of the wallets fell victim to an MEV bot sandwich attack on March 12 at around 9:00 am UTC. Ethereum wallet addresses “0xDDe…42a6D” and “0x999…1D215” were sandwich attacked for $138,838 and $128,003 in transactions that occurred three to four minutes earlier.Both transactors made the same swap in the Uniswap v3 liquidity pool as the trader who made the $220,762 transfer. Others speculate the trades could be attempts at money laundering.“If you have NK illicit funds you could construct a very mev-able tx, then privately send it to a mev bot and have them arb it in a bundle,” said founder of crypto data dashboard DefiLlama, 0xngmi.“That way you wash all the money with close to 0 losses.” Related: THORChain at crossroads: Decentralization clashes with illicit activityWhile initially criticizing Uniswap, Nadeau later acknowledged that the transactions didn’t come from Uniswap's front end, which has MEV protection and default slippage settings.Nadeau backtracked on those criticisms after Uniswap CEO Hayden Adams and others clarified the protections Uniswap has in place to fight against sandwich attacks.Source: Hayden AdamsMagazine: Crypto fans are obsessed with longevity and biohacking: Here’s why

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on March 12, 2025 at 10:15 pm

The latest US core Consumer Price Index (CPI) print, a measure of inflation, came in lower than expected at 3.1%, beating expectations of 3.2%, with a corresponding 0.1% drop in headline inflation figures.According to Matt Mena, crypto research strategist at 21Shares, the cooling inflation data adds to the likelihood that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this year, injecting much-needed liquidity into the markets and sending risk-on asset prices higher. Mena added:“Rate cut expectations have surged in response — markets now price a 31.4% chance of a cut in May, up over 3x from last month, while expectations for three cuts by year-end have jumped over 5x to 32.5%, and four cuts have skyrocketed from just 1% to 21%.”Despite the better-than-expected inflation numbers, the price of Bitcoin (BTC) declined from over $84,000 at the daily open to now sit around $83,000 as traders grapple with US President Donald Trump’s trade war and macroeconomic uncertainty.A majority of market participants believe the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates by June 2025. Source: CME GroupRelated: Bitcoin’s ‘Trump trade’ is over — Traders shift hope to Fed rate cuts, expanding global liquidityIs President Trump crashing markets to force rate cuts?Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said on several occasions that the central bank is not rushing to cut interest rates — a view echoed by Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller.During a Feb. 17 speech at the University of New South Wales in Syndey, Australia, Waller said the bank should pause interest rate cuts until inflation comes down.These comments were met with concern from market analysts, who say that a lack of rate cuts might trigger a bear market and send asset prices plummeting.On March 10, market analyst and investor Anthony Pompliano speculated that President Trump was intentionally crashing financial markets to force the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates.The US government has approximately $9.2 trillion in debt that will mature in 2025 unless refinanced. Source: The Kobeissi LetterAccording to The Kobeissi Letter, the US government needs to refinance roughly $9.2 trillion in debt before it reaches maturity in 2025.Failure to refinance this debt at lower interest rates will drive up the national debt, which is currently over $36 trillion, and cause the interest payments on the debt to balloon.Due to these reasons, President Trump has made interest rate cuts a top priority for his administration — even at the short-term expense of asset markets and business.Magazine Elon Musk’s plan to run government on blockchain faces uphill battle

by Cointelegraph by Cointelegraph on March 12, 2025 at 9:53 pm

Today, in crypto, the US Securities and Exchange Commission is reportedly preparing to drop its case against Ripple, while a reintroduced bill in Congress seeks to authorize the US government to purchase 1 million Bitcoin. Meanwhile, the European Union’s retaliatory tariffs have deepened macroeconomic uncertainty, prompting analysts to forecast increased volatility for BTC prices. SEC’s enforcement case against Ripple may be wrapping upThe US Securities and Exchange Commission may be preparing to end its enforcement action against Ripple Labs after more than four years.According to a March 12 X post from Fox Business reporter Eleanor Terrett, the SEC’s case against Ripple was “in the process of wrapping up” after the parties filed an appeal and cross-appeal, respectively, over a $125-million court judgment in August 2024. The civil case against the blockchain firm filed in December 2020 alleged Ripple and certain executives used XRP (XRP) as an unregistered security to raise funds.Ripple chief legal officer Stuart Alderoty told Cointelegraph on March 11 that the SEC civil case was “far more advanced” than many of the others the regulator had dropped following the inauguration of US President Donald Trump and the departure of Chair Gary Gensler. Since January, the SEC has announced it will not pursue enforcement cases against Coinbase, Consensys, Kraken and others.“We do have a judgment, we are on appeal — that presents some additional complexity,” said Alderoty in regard to the case potentially being dropped. “But we remain optimistic that we’ll get to a resolution with the SEC, and if we don’t, we’ll proceed with the appeal.”According to the Ripple CLO, there were several possible outcomes to ending the SEC case if both parties were in agreement that it should wind down. EU retaliatory tariffs threaten Bitcoin correction to $75,000The EU’s latest retaliatory tariffs have deepened macroeconomic uncertainty, prompting crypto analysts to forecast increased volatility for Bitcoin (BTC) prices, which may drop below the critical $75,000 support level.The EU will impose counter-tariffs on 26 billion euros ($28 billion) worth of US goods starting in April, the European Commission announced on March 12, responding to US President Donald Trump’s recent move to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.This move is the latest retaliatory tariff announcement in response to US import tariffs, which may trigger renewed trade war concerns and market volatility in the near term.Announcement of retaliatory tariffs on the US. Source: European Commission“Counter tariffs aren’t a positive signal as they suggest a potential bounce back from the other side again,” according to Marcin Kazmierczak, co-founder and chief operating officer of blockchain oracle solution firm, RedStone.This may see Bitcoin revisit $75,000, he told Cointelegraph, adding that “given stablecoins and RWAs [real world assets] remain at all-time-highs, it has the potential to rebound.”“I don’t believe that news will have a strong impact for now, but we’ll observe the response on the US end,” he added.Related: Bitcoin reserve backlash signals unrealistic industry expectationsOther analysts still eye a temporary Bitcoin retracement below $72,000 as part of a “macro correction” during the current bull market cycle before Bitcoin’s next leg up.Still, import tariffs are not the only factor influencing Bitcoin’s price, Ryan Lee, chief analyst at Bitget Research, told Cointelegraph, adding:“The prices are correlated with wider economic conditions but are also influenced by factors beyond trade policies. Worldwide institutional adoption, regulatory updates and high utility make it more resilient than traditional financial instruments.”Lummis’ revamped BITCOIN Act wants US reserve to buy 1 million BTCUS Senator Cynthia Lummis’ reintroduced her BITCOIN Act on March 11 to allow the government to potentially hold more than 1 million Bitcoin in its newly established reserve.The bill, the Boosting Innovation, Technology, and Competitiveness through Optimized Investment Nationwide (BITCOIN) Act of 2025, was first introduced in a different form in July and would’ve seen the US buy 1 million BTC, split across buys of 200,000 BTC a year for five years.The revamped bill opens the door for the US to acquire and hold in excess of 1 million BTC as long as it is acquired through lawful means other than direct purchase, such as civil or criminal forfeitures, gifts made to the US or transfers from federal agencies.Proud to re-introduce the BITCOIN Act. Let’s secure America’s financial future.pic.twitter.com/jJFmMopP7h— Senator Cynthia Lummis (@SenLummis) March 11, 2025The refreshed bill also now sets a formal evaluation process for Bitcoin forked assets and airdropped assets in the reserve and directs the Secretary after the mandatory holding period to evaluate and retain the most valuable asset based on market capitalization while retaining the “dominant asset.”US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create a “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve” and a “Digital Asset Stockpile,” both of which will initially use crypto forfeited to the government.

by Cointelegraph by Turner Wright on March 12, 2025 at 9:45 pm

Video-sharing platform Rumble says it had purchased more than $17 million worth of Bitcoin as part of a previously announced investment strategy.In a March 12 notice, Rumble said it had added 188 Bitcoin (BTC) to its treasury for roughly $17.1 million. The investment, suggested by CEO Chris Pavlovski in November following Donald Trump winning the US presidential election, was touted as a hedge against inflation and part of a broader move to deepen ties to the crypto industry.The platform hinted it could make additional Bitcoin purchases depending on market factors. Though Rumble did not specifically mention Trump or his attempts to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve and crypto stockpile at the federal level, Pavlovski’s social media posts suggested strong support for the US president’s policies. Rumble’s cloud currently hosts Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social — the president’s primary method for public communications — and entered into an agreement with El Salvador’s government in January to provide services. Cointelegraph reached out to Rumble for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.Related: Tether pours $775M into video-sharing platform RumbleWith Bitcoin on its balance sheet, Rumble joins a list of companies that have invested in crypto following the November election, including AI firm Genius Group and software company Semler Scientific. The share price of Rumble stock has fallen roughly 34% since Jan. 1. US government could soon hodl BitcoinSince Jan. 20, the Trump administration has deepened ties between the US government and the crypto industry through executive action and policies. The US Securities and Exchange Commission, one of the biggest financial regulators in the country, announced it would be dropping investigations and enforcement actions against many crypto firms over allegations of unregistered securities offerings. Trump also hosted many crypto executives and CEOs at the White House on March 7 as part of a summit to discuss a proposed national Bitcoin reserve and crypto stockpile.Trump’s proposed Bitcoin reserve — which could be codified into law if Congress moves forward with legislation — could see all BTC seized by US authorities HODLed rather than sold at auction. It’s unclear how this action may affect the price of the cryptocurrency.Magazine: Bitcoin’s odds of June highs, SOL’s $485M outflows, and more: Hodler’s Digest, March 2 – 8

by Cointelegraph by Alex O’Donnell on March 12, 2025 at 9:35 pm

New US regulatory guidance allowing banks to become validators for blockchain networks is a major step for institutional adoption but worsens centralization risks, Bohdan Opryshko, chief operating officer of staking service provider Everstake, told Cointelegraph. On March 7, the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) eased its stance on how banks can engage with crypto, including permitting banks to participate “in independent node verification networks,” the regulator said. Opryshko said US banks’ increased involvement in proof-of-stake (PoS) networks, such as Ethereum and Solana, could be a “double-edged sword.” “If banks become dominant validators, power could become concentrated, reducing the decentralized nature of PoS networks,” Opryshko told Cointelegraph on March 12.The additional financial inflows into PoS networks could also suppress staking yields, potentially undermining smaller validators, he added.“If major institutional players, such as banks, enter the staking market and suddenly stake large amounts, it could cause a sharp reduction in staking rewards for all other participants,” Opryshko said. Staking yields as of March 12. Source: Staking RewardsRelated: OCC lays out crypto banking after Trump vows to end Operation Chokepoint 2.0As of March 12, Ether stakers earn approximately 5.5% APR, and Solana stakers earn close to 8%, according to data from Staking Rewards. Staking involves securing blockchains by posting crypto as collateral with validators in exchange for rewards. Debanking debacleThe OCC’s announcement came after US President Donald Trump vowed to end a prolonged regulatory crackdown that restricted crypto firms’ access to banking services.Crypto industry outrage over so-called “debanking” reached a crescendo when a June 2024 lawsuit spearheaded by ​​Coinbase resulted in the release of letters showing US banking regulators asked certain financial institutions to “pause” crypto banking activities.In a Jan. 23 executive order, Trump — who has vowed to make America the “world’s crypto capital” — told agencies to prioritize “fair and open access to banking services” for digital asset firms.As of March 12, Anchorage Digital is the only federally chartered US bank to offer cryptocurrency staking. Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

by Cointelegraph by Sam Bourgi on March 12, 2025 at 9:15 pm

Cryptocurrency exchange OKX has acquired a key European Union license that will enable the company to offer derivatives products throughout the region, potentially opening the door to a more advanced segment of the trading community. In a March 12 announcement, OKX’s Europe CEO, Erald Ghoos, confirmed that the exchange acquired a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) license. The license will allow OKX to launch derivatives trading products for institutional investors across the EU.Source: OKXThe announcement came less than two months after OKX secured a preauthorization under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, which allows the exchange to offer localized services across 28 markets within the European Economic Area.Although the MiFID II and MiCA licensing regimes are seen as complementary, they serve different purposes. MiFID II applies to all types of financial instruments and requires crypto derivatives platforms to register. On the other hand, MiCA applies to crypto-asset service providers dealing with cryptocurrencies that are not considered financial instruments. Headquartered in Seychelles, OKX is one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges based on daily volume. According to CoinMarketCap, the exchange processed nearly $3.7 billion worth of spot trades on March 12. Related: Kraken secures MiFID license to offer derivatives in EuropeGrowing demand for derivativesDemand for cryptocurrency derivatives has been on the rise as more institutional investors enter the digital asset space. A November report by CCData placed the centralized crypto derivatives market at nearly $7 trillion, having climbed 89.4% and surpassing the previous peak in March of last year. Crypto derivatives volumes reached all-time highs in the fourth quarter of 2024. Source: CCDataA February 2024 report by EY predicted that the evolution of decentralized finance (DeFi) would continue to catalyze crypto derivatives markets. The report said:“Despite the high-profile crypto firm bankruptcies in the 2022 crypto recession, which have led to increased calls for greater regulation of the crypto asset industry, including the derivatives-trading sector, it is expected that the crypto derivatives market will continue to grow and evolve with the launch of new products that address market participants’ investment and hedging needs.”When Kraken secured its MiFID license last month, it cited Europe as “one of the most active regions for crypto derivatives trading.”Although not referencing solely derivatives trading, CME Group called Europe the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency economy, accounting for nearly 18% of global transaction volumes. Magazine: Block by block: Blockchain technology is transforming the real estate market

by Cointelegraph by Alex O’Donnell on March 12, 2025 at 8:55 pm

Bitcoin’s (BTC) dominance has crested new highs as altcoins’ short-lived rally fizzles, according to data from Matrixport, a cryptocurrency financial services platform. As of March 12, Bitcoin dominance — a measure of Bitcoin’s share of crypto’s overall market capitalization — stands at 61.2%, according to Matrixport. This is up from a cycle low of around 54% in December. Rising BTC dominance is “clear evidence that the altcoin rally was short-lived,” Matrixport said in a post on the X platform. “It lasted barely a month, from [US President Donald] Trump’s election in November to early December, when a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report shifted market focus toward a more hawkish Federal Reserve,” Matrixport said. Bitcoin’s dominance typically wanes near the end of market cycles as capital rotates into altcoins — digital assets besides Bitcoin. Bitcoin dominance is back. Source: Matrixport Related: Bitcoin battles US sellers as CPI inflation sees first drop since mid-2024Eyeing interest ratesIn January, the US Federal Reserve opted to hold interest rates steady instead of starting another round of cuts, citing healthy US jobs data. The Fed’s hawkish tone dealt a blow to stocks and cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin’s spot price has dropped approximately 20% since the central bank’s Jan. 29 announcement. As of March 12, Bitcoin trades at roughly $82,750. It hit an all-time high of more than $109,000 in December. Altcoins are even more sensitive to macroeconomic volatility than Bitcoin. “Savvy traders have rotated out of altcoins and into Bitcoin, which, despite its own decline, has significantly outperformed the broader crypto market,” Matrixport said. The next leg of Bitcoin’s rally depends largely on whether the Fed opts to hike interest rates to stave off inflation, Matrixport noted. On March 12, the February Consumer Price Index — a measure of US inflation — came in lower than expected at around 2.8%. “This marks the first decline in both Headline and Core CPI since July 2024,” The Kobeissi Letter said in an X post. “Inflation is cooling down in the US.”Data from the CME Group, a US derivatives exchange, indicates that markets overwhelmingly expect the Fed to hold rates steady at its next meeting in March.Magazine: Ethereum L2s will be interoperable ‘within months’: Complete guide

by Cointelegraph by Christopher Tepedino on March 12, 2025 at 8:18 pm

Blockaid has announced a partnership with the Sui Foundation to enhance the Sui ecosystem’s security. According to the announcement, Blockaid will add protection to Sui wallets and respond to smart contract exploits, offchain threats and operational faults on Sui.The Sui Foundation supports the growth of Sui, a layer-1 blockchain launched in May 2023 with the goal of creating a decentralized network that can manage a high volume of transactions with minimal delay. According to a blog post, the total number of accounts on the blockchain reached 67.3 million in 2024. As of March 11, Sui had $1.1 billion in total value locked, down from $2 billion on Jan. 6, according to DefiLlama.Blockaid, which in February announced a $50 million Series B funding, offers security tools in the Web3 space to clients like Stellar, Avalanche and Coinbase. In November 2024, Blockaid partnered with Backpack to prevent $26.6 million in potential losses from decentralized finance attacks on Solana.Users on the Sui network had been recently targeted by malicious actors. On Jan. 26, crypto sleuth ZachXBT reported an attack that led to a $29 million loss for a user on the Sui network, with the stolen funds mixed using Tornado Cash. The investigator noted that current limitations in the Sui blockchain explorer and analytics tools made the theft hard to trace. In June 2023, Sui issued a $500,000 bounty to blockchain security firm CertiK for discovering another threat to the network.Related: WLFI’s DeFi credentials under fire after Sui partnershipSui programming language reduces threats but audits still needed — SlowMistIn a September 2024 post on Medium, blockchain security firm SlowMist did a detailed analysis of the Sui network, writing that there is still a need for coding audits even though Move, the Sui programming language, mitigates many of the problems facing blockchains that use other languages.“Compared to other blockchain platforms, the Move language excels at preventing common smart contract vulnerabilities, making Sui more robust and reliable from a technical standpoint,” SlowMist wrote. “However, developers must still pay attention to business logic security, particularly in areas such as permission management, object type usage, and token consumption, to avoid asset loss due to coding errors or improper design.”According to Sui, while the Move design can prevent many common vulnerabilities seen in other networks, it could still be vulnerable to protocol-level attacks, including “threats like timestamp dependence, logic errors, insecure randomness, and gas limit vulnerabilities.”Related: Crypto mixers and crosschain bridges: How hackers launder stolen assets

by Cointelegraph by Alex O’Donnell on March 12, 2025 at 7:20 pm

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has postponed ruling on whether or not to permit Cboe BZX Exchange to list options tied to asset manager Fidelity’s Ether (ETH) exchange-traded fund (ETFs). The agency has given itself until May 14 to approve or disapprove of Cboe BZX’s request to list options tied to Fidelity Ethereum Fund (FETH), according to a March 12 SEC filing. Cboe BZX initially requested to list options on Fidelity’s Ether ETFs in January, the filing said. Listing options on Ether funds is an important step in attracting institutional capital to the cryptocurrency. Ether ETFs by net assets. Source: VettaFiRelated: SEC acknowledges slew of crypto ETF filings as reviews, approvals accelerateFlurry of filingsIn February, the SEC acknowledged more than a dozen exchange filings related to cryptocurrency ETFs, according to records.The SEC’s acknowledgments highlight how the agency has softened its stance on crypto since US President Donald Trump started his second term on Jan. 20.On March 11, Cboe BZX asked regulators for permission to incorporate staking into Fidelity’s Ether ETF. Staking is not yet permitted by any publicly traded US Ether fund. Staking Ether enhances returns and involves posting ETH as collateral with a validator in exchange for rewards.Fidelity’s FETH is among the more popular Ether ETFs, with around $780 million in net assets as of March 12, according to data from VettaFi. In February, the SEC delayed deciding on similar rule changes proposed by Nasdaq ISE and Cboe’s affiliate, Cboe Exchange — both US-based securities exchanges. The agency intends to decide by April if Nasdaq can list options tied to BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA). BlackRock’s fund is the largest ETH ETF, with more than $3.7 billion in net assets, VettaFi’s data shows.It will rule on Cboe Exchange’s bid to list options on Fidelity’s Ether fund in May. Spot Ether ETFs were listed in July 2024 and have proceeded to attract nearly $7 billion in net assets, according to VettaFi’s data. Options are contracts granting the right to buy or sell — “call” or “put,” in trader parlance — an underlying asset at a certain price.Magazine: MegaETH launch could save Ethereum… but at what cost?

by Cointelegraph by Turner Wright on March 12, 2025 at 7:03 pm

The US Securities and Exchange Commission may be preparing to end its enforcement action against Ripple Labs after more than four years.According to a March 12 X post from Fox Business reporter Eleanor Terrett, the SEC’s case against Ripple was “in the process of wrapping up” after the parties filed an appeal and cross-appeal, respectively, over a $125-million court judgment in August 2024. The civil case against the blockchain firm filed in December 2020 alleged Ripple and certain executives used XRP (XRP) as an unregistered security to raise funds.Ripple chief legal officer Stuart Alderoty told Cointelegraph on March 11 that the SEC civil case was “far more advanced” than many of the others the regulator had dropped following the inauguration of US President Donald Trump and the departure of Chair Gary Gensler. Since January, the SEC has announced it will not pursue enforcement cases against Coinbase, Consensys, Kraken and others.“We do have a judgment, we are on appeal — that presents some additional complexity,” said Alderoty in regard to the case potentially being dropped. “But we remain optimistic that we’ll get to a resolution with the SEC, and if we don’t, we’ll proceed with the appeal.” According to the Ripple CLO, there were several possible outcomes to ending the SEC case if both parties were in agreement that it should wind down. If Ripple and the SEC agreed independently to drop their appeal and cross-appeal in the Second Circuit, then the $125-million judgment in the lower court would stand. If there were a dispute over the monetary judgment, then the blockchain firm and the commission would have to go “hand-in-hand” to request any modification from a judge. Related: Why is the Ripple SEC case still ongoing amid a sea of resolutions?The SEC v. Ripple case involved one of the first significant court rulings favoring the crypto industry when Judge Analisa Torres said the XRP token was not a security under the regulator’s purview — but only in regard to programmatic sales on exchanges. At the time of publication, no filing suggesting the SEC intended to drop the case appeared on the docket for the US District Court for the Southern District of New York or the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Change of tone at SEC under TrumpThough the SEC filed the Ripple case under Trump’s former chair, Jay Clayton, the commission stepped up the number of enforcement actions following Gensler’s confirmation in 2021.Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said in an interview aired in December 2024 that the firm may not have gotten as involved in US politics if the commission had been led by someone other than Gensler. Under Garlinghouse, Ripple contributed $45 million to the political action committee Fairshake for the previous election cycle and donated another $25 million in November 2024. Ripple pledged $5 million in XRP to Trump’s inauguration fund following his election victory, and both Garlinghouse and Alderoty attended Washington, DC events on Jan. 20 as official guests. The chief legal officer personally donated more than $300,000 to fundraising and political action committees supporting the US president.The correlation between political contributions to Trump and Republicans and the SEC dropping enforcement actions has many critics pointing to potential conflicts of interest in the administration. Coinbase, another major Fairshake backer that donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration, had its SEC civil case halted in February. Its CEO, Brian Armstrong, also attended a March 7 crypto summit at the White House, along with Garlinghouse and others. Alderoty suggested that the SEC dropping cases was “independent” of any political donations and more reflective of Acting Chair Mark Uyeda’s perspective on the industry and related regulations. At the time of publication, the US Senate has not scheduled a hearing to consider the nomination of the potential next head of the commission, Paul Atkins. Commissioner Hester Peirce said in February that the SEC would be more likely to wait on setting a crypto regulatory agenda after a new chair took office. Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

by Cointelegraph by Ezra Reguerra on March 12, 2025 at 7:00 pm

In this week’s newsletter, check out non-fungible token (NFT) gaming project Axie Infinity’s new trailer for its upcoming Web3 game, Atia’s Legacy. In other news, luxury fashion giant LVMH has been sued for NFT patent infringement, and NFT sales have tumbled by 63% since December 2024. Axie Infinity teases new Web3 game as NFT outlook turns positiveBlockchain gaming project Axie Infinity released a trailer for its new Web3 game Atia’s Legacy. The game is a massively multiplayer online (MMO) video game in the Axie universe. Axie Infinity developer Sky Mavis gave a sneak peek of the game’s next chapter, highlighting that the project continues to provide true asset ownership to its players. The new development comes as the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dropped investigations into major NFT projects. In addition, a Trump-owned company registered trademarks for an NFT marketplace. In a statement, Sky Mavis co-founder Jeffrey Zirlin told Cointelegraph that these are promising updates because they may further unlock the power of tokens. Continue readingLuxury fashion giant LVMH sued over NFT patent tech for watchesSmartwatch face design firm Watch Skins sued luxury brand LVMH and accused it of patent infringement. Watch Skins claimed it developed a system that lets users display verified NFTs on smartwatches. The company alleged that TAG Heuer, an LVMH-owned watch brand, unlawfully used its patented NFT display tech in a smartwatch. The company claimed that TAG Heuer encouraged its users to infringe on the patents by giving instructions for using the NFT display features. Watch Skins requested a trial and compensation for lost royalties and profit and a court order to prevent LVMH from further using the patented NFT tech. Continue readingNFT trading volume has tumbled 63% since DecemberDespite some positive regulatory developments and interest in the US, NFT trading volume momentum slowed in the first quarter of 2025. NFT trading volumes have dropped by over 60% since December 2024. In December, total trading volumes for blockchain-based digital collectibles hit $1.36 billion but fell 26% in January, according to DappRadar analyst Sara Gherghelas.The trend continued through February, with volumes falling 50% month-on-month. Gherghelas attributed the downturn in NFT values to their connection with crypto prices. “While NFTs had been showing signs of a comeback in recent months, their momentum has slowed since the start of the year,” she said. Continue readingThanks for reading this digest of the week’s most notable developments in the NFT space. Come again next Wednesday for more reports and insights into this actively evolving space.

by Sundance on March 12, 2025 at 6:49 pm

President Trump hosts Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin in celebration of St Patrick’s Day and takes questions from the traveling press pool and DC stenographers. WATCH: . Posted in Big Government, Economy, European Union, media bias, President Trump, Trade Deal, Uncategorized The post President Trump Hosts Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Takes Press Questions from The Oval Office appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Sundance on March 12, 2025 at 6:44 pm

We should keep in mind; a potential ceasefire carries with it a potential benefit for Russia in that a cessation of hostilities provides the opportunity for Ukraine to hold elections.  There is a strong sense that current Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would not win if elections were held in the embattled country. During his trip The post Secretary of State Marco Rubio Outlines Next Steps Toward Ukraine-Russia Ceasefire appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on March 12, 2025 at 6:36 pm

The Chicago Board Options BZX Exchange (Cboe) has submitted an application on behalf of asset manager Franklin Templeton to list a Solana (SOL) exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the United States.According to the March 12 filing, Franklin Templeton’s proposed ETF will hold spot SOL, and the filing encouraged the Securities and Exchange Commission to allow the fund to stake its underlying crypto for additional rewards.“Not staking the Fund’s SOL would amount to waiving the Fund’s right to free additional SOL, an act analogous to an equity ETP refusing dividends from the companies it holds,” the filing read.Franklin Templeton registered a Solana trust on Feb. 10, joining the ranks of Grayscale, Bitwise, VanEck, 21Shares and Canary Capital, who have all applied to list Solana-based investment vehicles.Solana was one of the digital assets US President Donald Trump named for inclusion in the US crypto stockpile before pulling back to include only tokens seized through enforcement actions. The Solana ETF application filed on behalf of Franklin Templeton. Source: CboeRelated: Franklin Templeton launches US gov’t money fund on SolanaDecisions on crypto ETFs delayedFormer SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s resignation in January 2025 sparked a torrent of crypto ETF filings, including several Solana-based products from asset managers anticipating a more relaxed regulatory climate.However, on March 11, the SEC announced it had delayed the decision on several altcoin ETFs, including applications for Solana, Litecoin (LTC), Dogecoin (DOGE) and XRP (XRP) products.The financial regulator said it needed more time to evaluate the rule change approving the proposals.According to Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart, this extended deliberation was standard procedure, and he argued that this doesn’t affect the high likelihood of the ETF applications being approved.The analyst added that the final approval deadline for these altcoin ETFs wasn’t until October 2025.Franklin Templeton CEO Jenny Johnson believes the Trump administration will follow through on the president’s pro-crypto agenda and integrate traditional financial systems with crypto.“I do think that it’s likely that ETFs and mutual funds will ultimately be built on blockchain just because it’s an incredibly efficient technology,” Johnson told Bloomberg in a Jan. 21 interview.Magazine: Bitcoin ETFs make Coinbase a ‘honeypot’ for hackers and governments: Trezor CEO

by Cointelegraph by Christopher Tepedino on March 12, 2025 at 5:21 pm

Binance announced on March 12 that its Alpha platform has implemented a new comprehensive token review framework that will aim to remove tokens that don’t meet certain quantitative and qualitative criteria.The quantitative metrics include trading volume stability, liquidity depth, frequency of onchain transactions and distribution of tokenholders. The qualitative metrics include project team credibility, adherence to regulatory compliance, community popularity and more. Tokens that don’t meet these standards will be removed from Binance Alpha, the announcement said.Binance Alpha is a platform within the company’s Wallet service that highlights new and early-stage crypto projects that “may have the potential for growth,” according to a Binance article about the platform. The platform launched in December 2024 with the goal of showcasing five tokens per day.According to CoinGecko, the Binance Alpha Spotlight coins have a market capitalization of $6.4 billion, with a 24-hour rise of 3.7% at the time of this writing and a trading volume of $1.4 billion. Flood of new coins shaking up listing proceduresCrypto exchanges, including Binance, are retooling their listing process to account for the rise in tokens, which has boomed to over 10 million in the past three years and continues to grow. On Feb. 8, 2025, the total number of coins listed on CoinMarketCap was nearing the 11 million mark. At the time of this writing, the number listed has risen to 12.5 million.Related: Abu Dhabi’s MGX backs Binance with $2B stablecoin investmentOn March 9, Binance announced a new community vote mechanism to help determine what coins would be listed on the exchange. Under the new rules, users will be able to vote on which tokens to list or delist, although Binance still has final approval on what tokens will be listed.Coinbase is rethinking its token listing procedures as well. In a Jan. 24 X post, the exchange’s CEO, Brian Armstrong, said, “We need to rethink our listing process at Coinbase, given there are ~1 million tokens a week being created now, and growing.”Armstrong called for regulators to take a more pragmatic approach, adding that “it needs to move from an allow list to a block list and utilize customer reviews and automated scans of onchain data to help customers sift through.”Many of the new tokens have come from the memecoin craze, which has seen a daily issuance of around 40,000 coins or more just on Solana from November 2024 to February 2025. However, the memecoin market has cooled as of late, with new launches on Pump.fun down 80% since its peak as of Feb. 27. Magazine: X Hall of Flame: DeFi will rise again after memecoins die down: Sasha Ivanov

by Cointelegraph by Turner Wright on March 12, 2025 at 4:41 pm

Officials with India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) announced the arrest of Lithuanian national Aleksej Bešciokov, who was alleged to have operated the cryptocurrency exchange Garantex. In a March 12 notice, the CBI said police in the Indian state of Kerala had coordinated with national authorities to arrest Bešciokov. The Lithuanian national was reportedly vacationing in India with his family and planning to leave the country. The arrest of the alleged Garantex founder was based on US charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business and conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.Aleksej Bešciokov’s “most wanted” page. Source: US Secret ServiceAccording to an indictment filed on Feb. 27 in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Bešciokov, Aleksandr Mira Serda and others operated Garantex to “launder the proceeds of criminal activity, including ransomware, computer hacking, narcotics transactions, and sanctions violations, and profited from the laundering” between 2019 to the present. Bešciokov is expected to be transferred to US custody in accordance with India’s Extradition Act of 1962.The alleged Garantex founder’s arrest followed Tether’s freezing of $27 million worth of USDt (USDT) on the platform. The crypto exchange announced on March 6 that it had temporarily suspended all services, including withdrawals. US authorities also seized three website domain names “used to support Garantex’s operations” as part of a judge’s order in the criminal case.Related: US sanctions crypto addresses linked to Nemesis darknet marketplaceThe US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control added Garantex to its list of sanctioned entities in April 2022 for “willfully disregard[ing] Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) obligations and allow[ing] their systems to be abused by illicit actors.” The European Union also imposed sanctions against the platform in February as part of sanctions on “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.”Serda, a Russian national and Garantex’s co-founder and chief commercial officer, was seemingly still at large at the time of Bešciokov’s arrest. A Garantex spokesperson declined to comment. Delays returning to the United States?It’s unclear what legal recourse Bešciokov could have in fighting US extradition from India should he choose to do so. Lawyers for Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon, who was arrested in Montenegro in March 2023 on unrelated charges, repeatedly appealed court decisions regarding US extradition before he was finally handed over to officials in December 2024. Former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, who was in the Bahamas when crypto exchange FTX collapsed in November 2022, was extradited from the island nation to the US to face charges. He was later convicted of seven felony counts and sentenced to 25 years in prison but filed an appeal. Magazine: Meet lawyer Max Burwick — ‘The ambulance chaser of crypto’

by Sundance on March 12, 2025 at 4:21 pm

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick appears on CBS News to outline how the MAGAnomic tariff program immediately creates positive outcomes when President Trump identifies the specific targets. As Lutnick appropriately notes, the EU has received one-way tariff benefit since the creation of the Marshal Plan in 1945.  President Trump is on track to finally end this The post Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick Outlines Global Impact and Response from USA Tariff Hammer appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Biraajmaan Tamuly on March 12, 2025 at 4:19 pm

Ethereum’s native token, Ether (ETH), dropped below $2,000 on March 10, and the altcoin has struggled to regain a position above the psychological level. While Bitcoin (BTC) and XRP (XRP) exhibited minor recoveries over the past 24 hours, Ether prices failed to display bullish momentum in the charts. The altcoin plummeted to a multi-year low of $1,752 on March 11. However, onchain data and technical analysis indicate that the price could drop an additional 15% in the coming weeks. Ethereum dips below realized price after 2 yearsThe current price deviation below $2,000 carried onchain implications for the altcoin. According to Glassnode, a data analytics platform, ETH dropped below its realized price of $2,054 for the first time since February 2023. Ethereum realized price and MVRV. Source: X.comETH realized price calculates the average price of each ETH last moved, representing the average cost basis of the total circulating supply. The current drop below the realized price indicates widespread unrealized loss for all ETH holders. The market value to realized value (MVRV) ratio also dropped to 0.93, indicating a 7% average loss for all ETH holders across the network. However, it is important to note that the realized price reflects the weighted average of all historical transactions. Hence, it encompasses the cost basis of every ETH holder, not a specific timeframe like 2023 to 2025.Ethereum’s TVL chart. Source: DefiLlamaMeanwhile, Ethereum’s total value locked (TVL) dropped to a six-month low of $45.6 billion on March 12, down 41% from its peak of $77 billion on Dec. 17, 2024.Additionally, the total fees users paid to use Ethereum fell to $46.28 million—the lowest level since July 2020—further signaling weakening network engagement.Related: Starknet to settle on Bitcoin and Ethereum to unify the chainsEther price between $1.6K-$1.9K is “attractive”In a recent X post, Glassnode explained how Ethereum’s cost-basis distribution could be useful in identifying potential support levels for ETH. Based on a weekly outlook, Ether’s recent drop below $1,880 led to an accumulation of 600,000-700,000 ETH around $1,900. The post states, “This suggests $1.9K could establish itself as a support if $ETH consolidates at current levels. Above spot, $2.2K (465K $ETH) is the potential next resistance. The supply gap between $1.9K and $2.2K remains thin, making a short-term move towards resistance plausible.”Ethereum weekly analysis by Ninja. Source: X.comAt the same time, anonymous analyst Ninja believes that the floor price for Ethereum remains between $1,600 and $1,900. The trader added that the above range is an “attractive region for commercial money” and set a high swing target at $2,500. Related: Bitcoin whales hint at $80K ‘market rebound’ as Binance inflows coolThis article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

by Cointelegraph by Rakesh Upadhyay on March 12, 2025 at 4:03 pm

Bitcoin (BTC) bounced from $76,606 on March 11, but the bulls could not sustain the price above $84,500 on March 12. Nansen principal research analyst Aurelie Barthere told Cointelegraph that Bitcoin is in a macro correction in a bull market, with the next crucial level being “$71,000-$72,000, top of the pre-election trading range.”Glassnode also projected a similar target in its March 11 market report. The onchain analytics firm said the recent sell-off had been triggered by the short-term holders who may have purchased near the peak in January. Glassnode added that Bitcoin could bottom out near $70,000 if selling persists.Crypto market data daily view. Source: Coin360It is not only the crypto markets; even the US stock market has been under pressure in the past few days. However, a silver lining for the bulls is that the US Dollar Index (DXY) has corrected from its multi-year high above 110 to under 104. Bitcoin generally moves in inverse correlation with the dollar, suggesting that a bottom may be around the corner.Could Bitcoin retest the support at $76,606 or rise above $85,000? What are the important support and resistance levels to watch out for in altcoins? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.Bitcoin price analysisBitcoin broke below the $78,258 level on March 10 and fell to $76,606 on March 11, but the bears could not sustain the lower levels. This suggests solid buying by the bulls.BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe relief rally is facing selling near the 20-day exponential moving average ($87,262), but a minor positive in favor of the bulls is that the relative strength index (RSI) is showing a positive divergence. Buyers will have to drive the price above the 20-day EMA to suggest that the correction could be ending. The BTC/USDT pair may then ascend to the 50-day simple moving average ($94,654).On the downside, the bulls are expected to defend the $73,777 level with all their might because a break below it may sink the pair to $67,000.Ether price analysisEther (ETH) fell below the $1,993 support on March 9 and extended the decline, reaching $1,754 on March 11.ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe bulls are trying to start a recovery, which is expected to face significant resistance at the breakdown level of $2,111. If the price turns down sharply from $2,111, it will signal that the bears have flipped the level into resistance. That heightens the risk of a break below $1,754. The ETH/USDT pair may then slump to $1,500.Conversely, a break above the 20-day EMA ($2,235) suggests that the markets have rejected the break below $2,111. The pair may then climb to $2,800, where the bears are expected to step in.XRP price analysisXRP (XRP) fell below the $2 support on March 11, but the bears could not sustain the lower levels, as seen from the long tail on the candlestick.XRP/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe bears are trying to stall the recovery at the 20-day EMA ($2.35). If the price continues lower, the possibility of a break below $2 increases. If that happens, the XRP/USDT pair will complete a bearish head-and-shoulders pattern. There is minor support at $1.77, but if the level cracks, the decline could extend to $1.28.Contrary to this assumption, if the price breaks above the 20-day EMA, the pair could rise to the 50-day SMA ($2.58) and later to $3. BNB price analysisBNB (BNB) turned up from $507 on March 11, indicating that the bulls are aggressively defending the $500 to $460 support zone.BNB/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe relief rally is expected to face selling at the 20-day EMA ($592). If the price turns down sharply from the 20-day EMA, the bears will try to sink the BNB/USDT pair below $500. The pair may drop to $460 if they can pull it off.Instead, if the price rises above the 20-day EMA, it will signal that the pair may remain inside the $460 to $745 range for a while longer. The bulls will be back in the driver’s seat on a break and close above the 50-day SMA ($628).Solana price analysisSolana (SOL) turned up from $112 on March 11, signaling that the bulls are fiercely defending the $110 support.SOL/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe RSI shows early signs of forming a positive divergence, indicating that the bearish momentum could weaken. The first sign of strength will be a break and close above the 20-day EMA ($145). If the price turns down from the current level or the 20-day EMA, it suggests that every minor rally is being sold into. That increases the risk of a break below $110. The SOL/USDT pair could tumble to $98 and subsequently to $80.Cardano price analysisCardano (ADA) rebounded off the uptrend line on March 11, suggesting that the bulls are trying to stop the decline.ADA/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe bears are unlikely to give up easily and are expected to sell at the moving averages. If the price turns down from the moving averages, it will signal selling on rallies. The bears will then try to strengthen their position by pulling the price below the uptrend line. If they do that, the ADA/USDT pair could drop to $0.60 and then to $0.50.Contrary to this assumption, a break and close above the moving averages suggests that the bulls are back in the game. The pair may then rally to $1.02.Dogecoin price analysisDogecoin (DOGE) continued its slide and reached the $0.14 support on March 11. The bulls are trying to defend the level but may face selling at higher levels.DOGE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIf the price turns down from the 20-day EMA ($0.20), it will suggest that the sentiment remains negative and traders are selling on rallies. That increases the risk of a break below $0.14. The DOGE/USDT pair may descend to $0.10 if that happens.Related: Here’s what happened in crypto todayOn the contrary, a break and close above the 20-day EMA suggests that the bears are losing their grip. The pair could climb to the 50-day SMA ($0.25), which may pose a solid challenge again.Pi price analysisPi (PI) is taking support at the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level of $1.20, indicating buying at lower levels.PI/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe relief rally is expected to face resistance at the 20-day EMA ($1.69) and then again at $2. If the price turns down from the overhead resistance, the PI/USDT pair could range between $2 and $1.20 for some time.A break and close above $2 suggests that the correction may be over. The pair could rally to $2.40. Alternatively, a break and close below $1.20 could sink the pair to the 78.6% retracement level of $0.72.UNUS SED LEO price analysisUNUS SED LEO (LEO) has been consolidating just below the $10 level for several days, indicating that the bulls are holding on to their positions as they anticipate another leg higher.LEO/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe LEO/USD pair has formed an ascending triangle pattern, which will complete on a break and close above $10. If that happens, the pair could resume the uptrend toward the target objective of $12.04.This positive view will be invalidated in the near term if the price turns down and breaks below the uptrend line. That will negate the bullish setup, starting a drop to $8.84 and later to $8.30.Hedera price analysisHedera (HBAR) bounced off the $0.17 support on March 11, indicating that the bulls are aggressively defending the level.HBAR/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe recovery is facing selling at the 20-day EMA ($0.22), as seen from the long wick on the candlestick. If the price continues lower, the bears will make one more attempt to sink the HBAR/USDT pair below $0.17. If they succeed, the pair could plunge to $0.12.Contrarily, a break above the 20-day EMA suggests that the selling pressure is reducing. The pair could rise to the downtrend line, which is an important level to watch out for. If buyers push the price above the downtrend line, the pair could rally to $0.29.This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on March 12, 2025 at 4:00 pm

The recent GENIUS stablecoin bill is merely a thinly veiled attempt to usher in central bank digital currency (CBDC) controls through privatized means, according to Jean Rausis, co-founder of the Smardex decentralized trading platform.In a statement shared with Cointelegraph, Rausis said that the US government will punish stablecoin issuers that do not comply with the new regulatory framework, similar to the European Union Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations. The executive added:“The government realizes that if they control stablecoins, they control financial transactions. Working with centralized stablecoin issuers means they can freeze funds anytime they want — essentially what a CBDC would allow. So, why bother creating a CBDC?”“With stablecoins under the government’s control, the result is the same, with the false veneer of decentralization added as a bonus,” the executive continued.Decentralized alternatives to centralized stablecoins, such as algorithmic stablecoins and synthetic dollars, will prove to be a valuable bulwark against this creeping government control over crypto, Rausis concluded.First page of the GENIUS Act. Source: United States SenateRelated: America must back pro-stablecoin laws, reject CBDCs — US Rep. EmmerRevamped GENIUS bill to include stricter provisionsThe Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, introduced by Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty on Feb. 4, proposed a comprehensive framework for overcollateralized stablecoins such as Tether’s USDt (USDT) and Circle’s USDC (USDC).The bill was revamped to include stricter Anti-Money Laundering, reserve requirements, liquidity provisions and sanctions checks on March 13.These additional provisions will presumably give US-based stablecoin issuers an edge over their offshore counterparts.During the recent White House Crypto Summit, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US would use stablecoins to ensure US dollar hegemony in payments and protect its role as the global reserve currency.Largest holders of US government debt. Source: Peter RyanCentralized stablecoin issuers rely on US bank deposits and short-term cash equivalents such as US Treasury bills to back their digital fiat tokens, which drives up demand for the US dollar and US debt instruments.Stablecoin issuers collectively hold over $120 billion in US debt — making them the 18th-largest buyer of US government debt in the world.Magazine: Bitcoin payments are being undermined by centralized stablecoins

by Cointelegraph by Sam Bourgi on March 12, 2025 at 3:39 pm

Abu Dhabi-based investment firm MGX has invested $2 billion in cryptocurrency exchange Binance, potentially marking one of the biggest funding deals in the industry’s history.In a March 12 announcement, Binance said the transaction was the first institutional investment in the cryptocurrency exchange. Once finalized, the deal will be funded entirely through stablecoins.Binance declined Cointelegraph’s request to disclose what stablecoin was used in the transaction.  The deal marks MGX’s first foray into the cryptocurrency sector. The investment company has carved out a niche in emerging technology, with a focus on data centers, clean energy and AI.Source: BinanceBy investing in Binance, MGX wants to “enable innovation at the intersection of AI, blockchain technology and finance,” the announcement said.Binance is the world’s largest crypto exchange based on users and daily transaction volumes. The company claims to have more than 260 million registered users. According to CoinMarketCap, there are 466 cryptocurrencies currently available on Binance. As Cointelegraph recently reported, the exchange is considering quality control changes to its listing process following the explosion of altcoins over the past year.Related: VC Roundup: Investors continue to back DePIN, Web3 gaming, layer-1 RWAsVenture capital funding on the rise2025 is shaping up to be a strong year for crypto venture capital deals. In February, 137 crypto companies raised a cumulative $1.11 billion in funding, according to data from The TIE. After raising a combined $13.6 billion in 2024, crypto firms are expected to raise more than $18 billion this year, according to PitchBook. Much of that growth is tied to positive regulatory developments in the United States and the anticipation of more favorable financing conditions. “As we enter into a supportive macro environment driven by stimulative US policies and the formalization of crypto regulatory frameworks, these macro tailwinds are set to drive more VC investments heading into 2025,” HashKey Capital CEO Deng Chao told Cointelegraph.The US manufacturing PMI, long seen as a reliable predictor of the business cycle, has turned positive for the first time in more than two years. Source: Trading EconomicsSo far this year, the macro environment has been far from supportive as trade-war tensions and recession fears triggered a significant pullback in asset prices. However, conditions are forecast to improve in the coming months as the business cycle accelerates and global liquidity spikes pour into risk assets.Magazine: The secret of pitching to male VCs: Female crypto founders blast off