In this week’s review, we spotlight significant shifts and developments within the cryptocurrency and blockchain sectors. Most significantly, BlackRock’s ETFs have surpassed Grayscale’s in on-chain holdings, signaling a potential change in market dynamics. Binance continues its global crypto expansion by registering with India’s Financial Intelligence Unit soon after facing strict action by the Indian authorities. Tether faces a legal battle with Celsius Network over a disputed 2022 agreement, while Worldcoin partners with Malaysia’s MIMOS to enhance digital identity verification. Lastly, Bifrost announces a major Q4 upgrade, introducing a revenue-sharing tokenomics model. Details of all these shortlisted news have been provided below.
BlackRock Surpasses Grayscale in On-Chain Crypto ETF Holdings
In a significant development within the cryptocurrency asset management industry, BlackRock’s Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) have overtaken Grayscale’s in on-chain holdings for the first time. BlackRock’s ETFs, particularly IBIT and ETHA, now hold a total of $21.2 billion, slightly surpassing Grayscale’s $21.2 billion in holdings, which includes GBTC, BTC Mini, ETHE, and ETH Mini. BlackRock has recently been accumulating digital assets by leaps and bounds.
This shift positions BlackRock as the leading ETF provider by on-chain holdings, a role Grayscale had dominated for years. The change could influence investor confidence and market dynamics, with institutional investors potentially gravitating towards BlackRock’s offerings. As competition between these two giants intensifies, the market will closely watch their next moves in the evolving crypto ETF space.
Binance Officially Registers with India’s Financial Intelligence Unit
Binance has successfully registered as a reporting company with India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). Now, the total number of Binance’s international registrations has reached 19. This registration underscores Binance’s commitment to anti-money laundering (AML) compliance in India and aligns with its global standards for safety and transparency.
Binance CEO Richard Teng highlighted the significance of this milestone, noting that compliance with Indian regulations allows Binance to better serve Indian users. India, a leader in grassroots cryptocurrency adoption, presents significant opportunities. As Binance enters this vibrant market, it commits to maintaining rigorous AML policies and a comprehensive framework for combating terrorist financing (CFT).
Tether Faces Lawsuit from Celsius
Celsius Network has filed a lawsuit against Tether Limited and its affiliates through Blockchain Recovery Investment Consortium, LLC. Tether has responded positively, stating on its official X account that it will vigorously defend itself in this ‘Shake Down’ lawsuit. The lawsuit is being handled in the US Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York.
The lawsuit links to a 2022 agreement in which Tether provided USD₮ to Celsius, with Celsius depositing Bitcoin as collateral. As Bitcoin’s value dropped in June 2022, Celsius was required to provide more collateral but refused and instead demanded Tether sell the Bitcoin, worth about $815 million USD₮ at the time. Celsius is now seeking $2.4 million in Bitcoin from Tether, despite having directed its liquidation in 2022.
Worldcoin Partners with MIMOS to Enhance Digital Identity in Malaysia
In a move to advance digital identity verification, MIMOS Berhad, the Malaysian Government’s R&D arm, has partnered with the Worldcoin Foundation, Tools for Humanity (TFH), and e-government services provider MyEG. This partnership aims to integrate Worldcoin’s technology into Malaysia’s digital infrastructure, focusing on digital proof of humanness.
The partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will leverage Worldcoin’s iris imaging technology to enhance Malaysia’s digital identity landscape. The initiative also explores potential collaborations in technology manufacturing and integrating Worldcoin into Malaysia’s national blockchain infrastructure. This partnership aligns with Malaysia’s digital transformation efforts, ensuring secure, privacy-focused identity verification.
Bifrost Introduces Revenue-Sharing Tokenomics in Q4 Upgrade
Bifrost, a leading liquid staking protocol on the Polkadot, is set to launch a major upgrade in Q4, named Bifrost 2.0. This upgrade will introduce a new revenue-sharing model, aiming to attract long-term investors and strengthen the crypto protocol’s economic stability.
Central to Bifrost 2.0 is the introduction of bbBNC (Buy Back BNC), a new tokenomics mechanism. Users can lock Bifrost’s liquid staking token, vBNC, in exchange for bbBNC, gaining access to staking rewards, governance rights, and a share of 90% of the protocol’s revenue. This shift aligns Bifrost with a growing trend in DeFi, where projects emphasize revenue distribution to enhance user engagement.
In conclusion, this week’s review highlights pivotal moments and evolving trends within the cryptocurrency and blockchain sectors. BlackRock’s new leadership in ETF holdings could reshape market dynamics, while Binance’s latest regulatory milestone underscores its commitment to global compliance. Tether faces legal scrutiny from Celsius Network, adding to its ongoing challenges. Meanwhile, Worldcoin’s partnership with MIMOS signifies a major advancement in digital identity verification in Malaysia. Lastly, Bifrost’s upcoming Q4 upgrade promises to enhance its tokenomics and investor engagement. As these developments unfold, they will likely have significant implications for the broader crypto landscape.
