#cryptocurrency

Terraform Labs was looking to the positive verdict in the "SEC versus Ripple" litigation as a precedent for its own safeguard against allegations from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Yet, Judge Jed Rakoff has dashed such hopes. The crux of the matter is a substantial divergence in the judge's view concerning the Howey Test, which assesses whether an asset is a security. Terraform Labs' token purchases were clearly carried out by users with profit expectations - a paramount criterion for securities. Therefore, it renders the precise method of purchase irrelevant. The dichotomy between the two judges' decisions underscores the persisting uncertainty in the landscape of cryptocurrency regulations.

Brian Armstrong has publicly urged US residents to actively support the 21st Century Financial Innovation and Technology Bill, which promises to bring much-needed clarity to cryptocurrency regulation. Armstrong emphasized that it is ordinary Americans who can have a decisive impact on the outcome of the vote by sending an email to their representatives asking them to support the bill. In a more detailed statement, Coinbase added that the bill, in addition to protecting consumer rights and enhancing national security, has the potential to spur job creation in the US.

Yesterday, reports surfaced suggesting that KuCoin had dismissed 30% of its employees due to declining profits. However, the cryptocurrency exchange's representatives debunked these claims today, explaining that there was just a slight downsizing in line with their routine organizational strategy. "To stay on top, we regularly evaluate our org structure based on employee performance and company development. So it is not layoffs, and it is all about making the organization more dynamic," asserted Johnny Lyu, the Chief Executive of KuCoin.

Raoul Pal, once at the helm of Goldman Sachs, envisions a steep rise in the global count of cryptocurrency users. He drew parallels between the initial decade of digital assets and internet evolution, leading to the conclusion that the tally of cryptocurrency enthusiasts could hit the 1.2 billion mark by the end of 2025. His projections suggest this number could catapult to a staggering 5.1 billion by 2030. The key drivers in achieving such an extensive digital asset adoption, he believes, will be Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and NFTs.

US presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. disclosed that he invested in Bitcoin earlier this year, buying two BTC for each of his seven children. This move came after facing criticism for promoting the cryptocurrency without having any personal stake in it. Kennedy clarified that he made the investment right after attending a Bitcoin conference where he announced his decision to accept campaign donations in Bitcoin. “Right after that Bitcoin conference, I got a big check, and I said, okay, you know, I’m going to put my money where my mouth is.” During the conference, he denied having any personal investment in the cryptocurrency. However, he later decided to invest in Bitcoin to demonstrate his commitment to the technology and its potential.

In a pivotal ruling on July 25, Judge Philip Jeyaretnam of the Singapore High Court declared cryptocurrency as personal property, placing it on par with fiat money. Judge Jeyaretnam's elucidation is notable for the legal status of digital assets. It was stemmed from a case where ByBit accused its former employee, Ho Kai Xin, of illicitly transferring approximately 4.2 million USDT from the company's coffers to personal accounts. The court mandated Ho to return the funds to cryptocurrency exchange.