📱Opera Mini is jazzing up its crypto wallet, MiniPay, by integrating bigwig stablecoins Tether USDT and Circle’s USDC. The new feature, Pockets, allows a one-click swap between these stablecoins and Celo dollar (cUSD) with "sub-cent fees and no hidden costs". Just drag and drop! This is a big deal for MiniPay users, who can now switch between USDC, USDT, and cUSD without worrying about gas fees. Since its launch in Africa last year, MiniPay has seen over 3 million wallet activations across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. Talk about a crypto safari! 🦁

📣 Breaking news! An Oregon man, Sam Ikkurty, has been caught running a crypto Ponzi scheme, promising "steady returns" of 15% per year with altcoins Olympus (OHM) and KlimaDAO (KLIMA). The court has ruled these tokens as commodities, putting them in the same class as Bitcoin and Ether.

But here's the kicker: KLIMA is down 99.9% from its 2021 all-time high, trading at a mere $3.55. Talk about a fall from grace!

Ikkurty's tall tales of stable crypto investments and past successes have cost investors a whopping $20 million. The court has ordered him to cough up $120 million in restitution and disgorgement.

Moral of the story: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

🔍 Bitcoin Core developers are stepping up their bug-busting game! They've launched a new disclosure policy to better communicate Bitcoin security vulnerabilities. No, Bitcoin Core isn't bug-free, and yes, they're doing something about it! The policy will categorize bugs into four severity levels, from "low" to "critical". The aim? To disclose bugs two weeks after a fixed version is released. Critical bugs will be handled case-by-case. The policy will be "gradually adopted" in the coming months. So, keep calm and carry on with your Bitcoin transactions! 🐞🔨

🎇 Fireworks weren't the only thing dropping this 4th of July! Bitcoin (BTC) took a brief dip to $57,874, its first sub-$58K performance in two months. But don't worry, it's back to trading at $58,964. This dip saw over $64.2M in Bitcoin long positions liquidated. Other cryptos joined the party too, with Ether (ETH) down 4.5%, Binance Coin (BNB) down 6%, and Solana (SOL) dropping a whopping 10.3%. Remember, what goes down must come up... right? Stay tuned for more updates! 🚀

📉 Bitcoin dipped below $60K, sparking "buy the dip" chatter on Reddit, 4chan, and Bitcoin Talk. Crypto research firm Santiment suggests it's a golden opportunity, but advises waiting for the buzz to simmer down. Meanwhile, Mt. Gox's looming $9 billion Bitcoin offload is causing jitters, but Fundstrat's Tom Lee remains bullish, predicting a $150K Bitcoin before 2024's end. However, with Bitcoin failing to hold above $67.5K since April, some fear a correction to the $48-50K zone. The Crypto Fear and Greed Index is currently in the "Fear" zone. Stay tuned, folks! 🚀

🚀 DWF Labs is launching a $20 million Cloudbreak Fund to support Web3 projects in Chinese-speaking regions. The fund will boost sectors like GameFi, SocialFi, memecoins, derivatives, and layer-1/layer-2 projects. Despite the market turbulence, DWF Labs believes it's the perfect time to launch the fund, hoping to reinvigorate projects' ability to keep building. So, if you're a Web3 project in a Chinese-speaking region, it's time to put on your lucky pants and apply! 🍀

🚀 Bitcoin mining firm Riot Platforms had a "historic month" in June, with a 50% increase in its deployed hash rate and a 20% rise in Bitcoin mined. Despite the Bitcoin halving event, Riot managed to mine 255 Bitcoin, worth a cool $15.3 million. The firm now holds a total of 9,334 Bitcoin, valued at a whopping $561.6 million. Riot is now the second largest Bitcoin miner, trailing only Marathon Digital. The firm is on track to increase its total self-mining hash rate capacity to 31.5 EH/s by 2024 and is eyeing a 100 EH/s target by 2027. Despite the success, Riot's share price fell 1.5% on Wednesday. But hey, you can't win them all!

🌞 Summer's here and the time is right for dancing in the crypto legislation streets! Over 30 bills impacting digital assets have been enacted at the state level in 2024, more than double last year's count. States are seeing the crypto light ahead of November's elections. New Hampshire is doing the digital asset shuffle, expanding its regulatory framework to include "virtual currency" transmission. Meanwhile, Maine's got the crypto blues with some problematic provisions for self-hosted wallets. Massachusetts is also joining the crypto party, advancing legislation to modernize how fiduciaries manage digital assets. And let's not forget Louisiana, encouraging Bitcoin mining and saying "No, thank you" to CBDCs. With more than 50 million Americans owning crypto, these swing state crypto voters could turn the tide in tight races. So, candidates, put on your dancing shoes and embrace the crypto beat! 💃🕺🏽

🏦 The Basel Committee has been busy! They've been cooking up some new rules for banks' crypto exposure as part of the Basel III reforms. The goal? More transparency and market discipline. 🕵️‍♂️

The committee proposed a framework in December 2022, and after some tweaks and revisions, it's set to be published later this month. The framework includes a 1,250% risk weight for crypto, meaning banks need to have capital equal to their crypto exposure. 🏦💰

Stablecoins get a new designation, but those with "ineffective stabilisation mechanisms" get lumped in with the high-risk assets. The committee also discussed the implications of banks issuing stablecoins. 🪙

In addition to Basel's new standards, stablecoin issuers must also meet new MiCA regulations. Changes to the Basel III standards will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. So, buckle up, crypto world! It's gonna be a bumpy ride! 🎢

📣 News Flash! The Basel Committee has been busy, folks! They've been making policy decisions about banks' crypto exposure. It's all part of the Basel III reforms, aimed at making EU banks tougher than a two-dollar steak. They've proposed a disclosure framework for banks' crypto assets, with the goal of boosting transparency and encouraging market discipline.

Crypto is now in the high-risk Group 2 set of assets, meaning banks need capital equal to their crypto exposure. Stablecoins? They've got a new 1b designation, but if they've got "ineffective stabilisation mechanisms", they're in Group 2.

The committee also discussed the implications of banks issuing stablecoins, concluding that the risks are broadly covered by the Basel Framework. But they'll keep an eye on it, just like a hawk on a mouse.

In addition to the Basel standards, stablecoin issuers have to meet new Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations. Changes to Basel III standards will kick in on Jan. 1, 2026. So, buckle up, crypto world! It's going to be a wild ride! 🎢

📉Bitcoin's price may be on a rollercoaster ride, but don't let that fool you! Despite the recent slump, onchain metrics suggest a "larger move" is on the horizon. Glassnode reports that Bitcoin investor profitability remains robust, with the average coin still holding a two-time profit multiple. 🎢

The market's current "apathy and boredom" could just be the calm before the storm. Glassnode notes that Bitcoin's volatility is compressing, often a precursor to significant market movement. So, buckle up, folks! This rollercoaster might just be getting started.

Remember, though, the $50,000 mark is crucial for Bitcoin to keep the bull market alive. If it dips below $60,000, we could see a rapid descent to lower support levels. But hey, who doesn't love a good thrill ride? 🎡

Disclaimer: This isn't investment advice. Do your own research and hold on tight!

🎉 Bitwise is gearing up to launch a spot Ether (ETH) ETF, amending its S-1 registration with the SEC ahead of schedule. No specific launch date was given, but it's expected to be "as soon as practicable" post-registration. The SEC is still playing hard to get, taking its sweet time with final approvals, but all signs point to a launch this month. Meanwhile, crypto investors are playing the waiting game, eagerly anticipating the SEC's green light. Will it be Bitcoin or Ether? Only time will tell. For now, we wait, with bated breath and wallets at the ready!

🚀 Softbank's stock hit an all-time high, rising 1.5% on Tuesday, July 2. This comes after a rough patch with failed tech startups and a tech crackdown in China. The bounce back is largely attributed to the company's pivot towards artificial intelligence (AI) and the performance of its computing subsidiary, Arm Holdings. Despite initial skepticism and a temporary 3% drop in shares following the AI announcement, the company's stocks quickly recovered. However, there are concerns that the AI market could be another bubble about to burst. Remember the dotcom bubble? Softbank does, having lost 99% of its total value back in 2000. But hey, they're still here, reaching new highs!

🚨Crypto users, beware! The Authy Android app, a favorite for 2FA among crypto exchanges, has had a data breach. But don't panic! Your accounts aren't compromised, but your phone numbers might be. Twilio, the app's developer, warns users to be extra vigilant about the texts they receive. The culprit? The notorious ShinyHunters group, who previously leaked AT&T customer data. The silver lining? Twilio has secured the breach and beefed up security in their latest app version. So, keep calm, update your app, and carry on trading! 😎

🇺🇸 US crypto venture capitalists are feeling the political winds shift in their favor. The swift approval of Ethereum ETFs in May was a confidence booster, with market optimism skyrocketing from 6% to a whopping 100% in just 2 weeks! The House of Representatives also passed the FIT21 bill, aiming to clarify the role of government agencies in regulating digital assets. But don't pop the champagne just yet! The industry still needs time to recover from a prolonged crackdown. The upcoming election results could either be a game-changer or a party pooper, but no contingency plans are being made. Instead, investors are focusing on new business trends and the convergence of technologies like AI and blockchain. Let's keep our fingers crossed for a crypto-friendly future! 🤞

📉 BNB price takes a tumble, falling to $552 after a three-day rally. The decrease in onchain activity and a 12% drop in total value locked on the network over the last month are potential factors. BNB Chain's DApp volume has also decreased by 25% in the last week, suggesting less user engagement. Meanwhile, Binance's market share is slipping, with competitors Bitget, Crypto.com and ByBit seeing upticks of 38.4%, 24.6%, and 22.2% respectively. Binance's daily trading volume has also dropped by over 83%. This all comes amidst regulatory challenges in the US and Nigeria. BNB, hang in there buddy! 😅

🔒 Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan is still in hot water in Nigeria! He's been detained since February on money laundering charges, while his co-accused, Nadeem Anjarwalla, did a Houdini and reportedly fled to Kenya. Gambaryan's health is on the decline, with double pneumonia, malaria, and aches and pains. His wife, Yuki, is rallying support, with a petition nearing its 5,000 signature goal. Meanwhile, U.S. officials are stepping up their efforts, and the crypto community is echoing calls for his release. As for Anjarwalla, he might be facing a return trip to Nigeria. Stay tuned for the next episode of "As the Crypto World Turns"!

📉 NFT sales took a 44% nosedive in Q2, with memecoins stealing the limelight. But don't start writing the NFT obituary just yet! Experts say the market is just maturing, not dying. Meanwhile, Logan Paul is suing YouTuber Coffeezilla for defamation over his failed CryptoZoo NFT project. In a plot twist, a Japanese village is using NFTs to support its aging population. So, are NFTs down for the count or just getting started? Stay tuned to find out! 😎

🌐 Cambodia is set to become the testing ground for a UNDP-backed blockchain platform, Universal Trusted Credentials (UTC). The Dfinity Foundation, creators of the Internet Computer blockchain, will provide the infrastructure for this digital credentialing system. Aimed at boosting the participation of micro, small and medium enterprises in the digital economy, the UTC initiative is expected to roll out in ten countries. The Cambodian government's open stance towards digital innovation, including agreements with Binance and a CBDC-like currency, makes it an ideal partner for this digital leap. So, buckle up, folks! Blockchain is going global, one country at a time! 🚀

📉 Bitcoin's flirtation with $60,000 continues, but the bears are playing hard to get. The Mt. Gox creditors might stir the pot, but US-based Bitcoin ETFs are ready to swoop in with a $14.8 billion safety net. Meanwhile, Ether, BNB, and Dogecoin are all having a tough time wooing the 20-day EMA. Solana and Toncoin are playing hard to get, while Cardano and Avalanche are stuck in a love-hate relationship with their respective resistances. Shiba Inu, on the other hand, is on thin ice with the bears. Stay tuned for more crypto soap opera! 🍿