SEC Hits Record $8.2B in 2024 Fines, Led by Terraform Case
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) achieved a record-breaking $8.2 billion in financial remedies during its 2024 fiscal year, despite filing fewer enforcement cases. The agency initiated 583 cases this year, a 26% drop compared to 2023, but landmark penalties like the Terraform Labs case propelled the total to unprecedented levels.
A $4.5 billion judgment against Terraform Labs accounted for 56% of the SEC's total penalties. This case stemmed from the 2022 collapse of Terra/Luna,
Trump Media & Technology Group is exploring a new crypto payment platform called TruthFi, according to a recent trademark filing. The application, submitted on Monday, outlines plans to offer services such as digital wallets, cryptocurrency payment processing, and digital asset trading.
This marks an ambitious step for Trump Media, which initially focused on its social media platform, Truth Social, launched in 2022 after Donald Trump’s ban from major social networks. Expanding into crypto payme
Chris Giancarlo, the former chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), is rumored to be a leading candidate for the role of the White House’s first crypto czar under President-elect Donald Trump. Known as “Crypto Dad” for his advocacy of blockchain and the Digital Dollar Project, Giancarlo is a favorite among cryptocurrency supporters.
Since Trump’s election victory, Giancarlo has been a key member of the transition team, aligning with the president-elect’s pro-crypto agenda.
Bitcoin, Ethereum Options Expire, Market Braces for Moves
The crypto market is bracing for significant price movements as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) options worth billions are set to expire today. This event is expected to bring volatility, with the combined value of these contracts exceeding $3 billion. Bitcoin accounts for the majority, while Ethereum contributes a smaller, yet substantial, portion.
Market sentiment shows mixed expectations. Bitcoin’s put-to-call ratio is above 1, signaling a bearish outlook with more traders betting on price
Bankrupt crypto exchange FTX has announced that its court-approved reorganization plan will take effect in January 2025, focusing on reimbursing creditors, especially those overseas. The company aims to finalize agreements with fund distributors by December and begin payouts early next year, marking a significant step in resolving the fallout from its collapse.
John J. Ray III, CEO and Chief Restructuring Officer of FTX, said the company is "working full steam ahead" to return funds to customer
President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to establish a “Crypto Advisory Council” is making waves in the financial world. According to a recent report from Reuters, this council will oversee crypto policy, collaborate with Congress on legislation, and work towards creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, an idea Trump championed during his campaign. The council would mark a significant step forward for the crypto sector, which has grown rapidly since Bitcoin's launch in 2008.
Welcome to our new series called Spicy Projects! In this series, we’ll highlight the spiciest and most interesting projects in the Web3 space. Each article will introduce you to a unique project, explain what it’s all about, and share insights directly from the creators. If you're curious about what’s happening in Web3, this is your place to find out.
Our first feature? A creative memecoin project called Department Of Government Inefficiency - D.O.G.I.N..
Chinese Court Declares Bitcoin and Crypto Ownership Legal
China's High Court has clarified its stance on cryptocurrencies, acknowledging their "property attributes" under Chinese law. This means cryptoassets can be treated as commodities but are not recognized as currency or business instruments. While this recognition offers limited legal protections, the court emphasized that raising funds through token issuance or circulation remains illegal.
The ruling came during a case involving two businesses embroiled in a fraud dispute over a failed token lau
The $SUI blockchain has faced a significant disruption, remaining inactive for 51 minutes with no blocks produced during this time. This unexpected downtime has raised concerns within the crypto community, as block production is vital for processing transactions and maintaining the network's functionality. The prolonged pause has left users questioning the reliability of the blockchain and eagerly awaiting updates from the development team about the cause of the issue and the steps being taken t
Bitwise Pushes for Solana ETF Amid Crypto Optimism
Bitwise Asset Management has filed for a Delaware trust as part of its plans to launch a Solana ETF (exchange-traded fund). This move signals the company’s strategy to expand its crypto offerings, capitalizing on the growing popularity of blockchain assets like Solana. The filing is a step toward submitting the ETF for approval to the SEC, though challenges remain.
The proposed Solana ETF aims to track the price of Solana (SOL) and is part of Bitwise’s broader expansion efforts. This year, the
President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly planning to create a new role in the White House: a permanent crypto advisor. This position would act as a link between Congress, regulators, and the White House to shape and oversee cryptocurrency policies. While no official candidates have been named, rumors suggest Brian Brooks, a former Binance.US and Coinbase executive, is being considered.
The responsibilities of this role remain unclear, but some speculate that the advisor could play a significa
The SEC has distributed $4.6 million to investors affected by the failed BitClave ICO in 2017. The payout includes principal amounts and interest for those eligible, marking a major step in compensating participants impacted by the collapse of the blockchain startup. BitClave, which raised $25.5 million through its Consumer Activity Token (CAT) ICO, faced a lawsuit from the SEC in 2020 for violating federal securities laws.
The funds for the distribution came from the BitClave Fair Fund, establ
MicroStrategy Surges to Top 100 US Firms with Bitcoin Bet
MicroStrategy has climbed into the top 100 public companies in the United States, driven by a 915% surge in its stock price. The company, led by CEO Michael Saylor, adopted a bold Bitcoin-focused strategy that has propelled its market value to over $110 billion. This milestone follows a series of massive Bitcoin purchases, including $4.6 billion worth of BTC acquired through funds raised from convertible senior notes. The company’s recent success puts it ahead of notable firms like Intel and Del
Trump Eyes Crypto-Czar: Coinbase CEO Backed for Key Role
The cryptocurrency world is buzzing with discussions about a potential "Crypto-Czar" role in the White House. President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering creating this position to guide US policy on blockchain and digital assets, signaling an effort to modernize crypto regulations. Among the names suggested, Charles Hoskinson, the founder of Cardano and co-founder of Ethereum, has proposed Brian Armstrong, the CEO of Coinbase, for the role.
The campaign to adopt Bitcoin (BTC) as a strategic reserve asset is gaining momentum in the United States, with new endorsements from influential figures and organizations. VanEck, a major asset management firm, has openly backed the idea, calling for Bitcoin to be integrated into state and national reserve strategies. VanEck’s support highlights growing institutional interest in Bitcoin’s potential as a modern reserve asset.
Michael Saylor and prominent politicians like Senator Cynthia Lummis
Michael Saylor, Chairman of MicroStrategy and a prominent advocate for Bitcoin, is set to deliver a brief pitch to Microsoft's board of directors, urging them to consider investing in Bitcoin. Saylor revealed that he has been granted just three minutes to make his case, during which he will outline how adding Bitcoin to Microsoft's portfolio could make the company’s stock more stable and less risky.
Set a reminder for this post-US election bombshell discussion with @SenLummis, @saylor, @matthew
President-elect Donald Trump is continuing to embrace cryptocurrency, making it a prominent focus of his agenda. Trump Media & Technology is reportedly close to acquiring Bakkt, a cryptocurrency trading and brokerage firm. The deal, which is said to be in advanced stages, highlights Trump's increasing involvement in the digital asset world. While the financial details remain unclear, the potential acquisition aligns with Trump's broader crypto strategy, which includes building a bitcoin reserve
Trump Picks Business Leader Lutnick for Commerce Secretary
Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump as the next Secretary of Commerce. If confirmed, Lutnick will oversee a broad department responsible for managing trade, economic data, technology funding, and even weather monitoring. His close connections to top business leaders make him a strategic choice for this role.
Lutnick, a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, has been part of Trump’s inner circle and once appeared on The Apprentice. This nomi
Bitcoin Odds Soar: 72% Chance of Hitting $100K This Year
The probability of Bitcoin (BTC) reaching $100,000 by the end of this year has surged to 72% on Polymarket, a popular platform for predicting future events. This marks a significant rise in optimism around the world’s largest cryptocurrency, driven by several factors influencing its recent rally.
Bitcoin’s price has been on an upward trend, supported by growing interest from institutional investors and increasing speculation about regulatory clarity in key markets. Analysts point to improving m
Pros and Cons of NOW Wallet: What You Need to Know to Get Started in 2024-2025 (Sponsored)
In this guide, we’ll take a close look at what makes NOW Wallet such a standout option as well as possible drawbacks. We’ll also cover what you need to know to get started with NOW Wallet in 2024-2025. Let’s get right into it.
Pros and Cons of NOW Wallet
NOW Wallet is a non-custodial crypto wallet. It has been around since 2021 and is an offering of the team behind ChangeNOW, an instant crypto exchange service. The wallet is handy and combines cross-platform access with select, advanced functi