#crypto

In collaboration with its subsidiary Zynga, acquired for $12.7 billion last year, Take-Two is launching “Sugartown,” a web3 game built on Ethereum, marking the debut of a “major mobile game developer” crafting a crypto-based game “from the ground up.” Players will utilize Ethereum (or ERC-721) tokens to access the game, stake for energy, and earn in-game currency. Access tokens named Oras will also be minted this year as part of an initial release.

The decision comes as its parent company, Digital Currency Group (DCG), is in talks to bring in strategic investors. CoinDesk's CEO, Kevin Worth, described the move as necessary for a "financially sound business" and to facilitate the sale of CoinDesk Inc. This layoff affects 20 individuals, making up almost half of the editorial team. Earlier reports suggested CoinDesk was close to a $125 million deal led by crypto investor Matthew Roszak of Tally Capital.

Coinbase, the cryptocurrency exchange, has joined forces with Peoples Trust Company. This collaboration facilitates access to the Interac e-Transfers system, streamlining deposit and withdrawal processes for its Canadian user base. What's more, they're gifting users a one-month free gateway into the Coinbase One subscription. This means no trade-related fees, amplified staking profits, and swift client support. "Canada is well positioned to be a global leader in the cryptoeconomy thanks to the high levels of crypto awareness, a passionate local tech ecosystem, and the progress towards a strong regulatory framework," voiced Nana Murugesan, the International Development VP at Coinbase.

John Reed Stark, ex-chief of the SEC's Office of Internet Enforcement, believes the current SEC won't approve a Bitcoin spot ETF due to various reasons. However, Stark suggests that if a Republican wins the 2024 presidential election, the SEC might ease its crypto-enforcement and be more open to a Bitcoin spot ETF. He also speculates that SEC chair Gary Gensler might resign, potentially paving the way for Hester Peirce, known as "Crypto Mom", to take a leading role.

Carlyle Group co-founder David Rubenstein, in an interview with Bloomberg, expressed his regret for missing the opportunity to invest in Bitcoin when a single coin was worth just $100. Not one to dwell on past mistakes, David's currently pouring capital into companies making crypto trading accessible for everyone. Sound familiar? David's story echoes in many of us.

"Simply put, no. Bitcoin raises concerns among both local and European regulators. Our primary business demands our focus, and it wouldn't be rational to jeopardize it by engaging with a high-risk asset like Bitcoin," says Mykhailo Rohalskyi. He believes that cryptocurrency lacks advantages over fiat money, apart from the potential to sidestep local currency regulations. Speaking on Ukraine's crypto landscape, the Monobank co-founder added: "I'm skeptical about the widespread acceptance of cryptocurrencies in our country. The approach of the National Bank of Ukraine to crypto regulation remains uncertain."

This initiative aimed at countering anti-crypto legislation by mobilizing the community. Coinbase’s long-term plan is focused on cultivating a grassroots movement and building an engaged community that advocates for positive legal changes and crypto-friendly regulations. This initiative marks the nation’s first ever independent on-chain advocacy organization, driven by and for crypto enthusiasts. As of now, the initiative boasts 54 161 supporters on its webpage.

A year has passed since WhiteBIT's exchange token was unveiled on August 14th. In this brief time, the team behind it didn't just rest on their laurels; they launched a blockchain, making WBT's first anniversary a celebration of a genuine coin! Facing the challenges of a prolonged bear market head-on, WBT swiftly carved out its own space, gaining a legion of ardent supporters. Its market standing? A noteworthy triple of its inaugural IEO pricing and a 5th rank amidst centralized exchange tokens, as chronicled by CoinGecko. We salute this shining star and hope for further ascent, delighting all crypto enthusiasts who set the level!

The recent debut of PayPal's stablecoin, PYUSD, has drawn concern from Congresswoman Maxine Waters. She criticized PayPal's entry into the cryptocurrency market without a defined federal regulatory structure. Highlighting PayPal's vast clientele, which outnumbers the combined accounts of major banks, Waters stressed the pivotal role of federal oversight in crypto dealings: "As I’ve said for more than a year, without legislation on the books that establishes clear and strong consumer protections at the Federal level, consumers are at greater risk of harm at the hands of bad actors."

After nd4.eth's dramatic incineration of 2500 ETH valued in the millions 15 days prior, the anonymous figure continues to confound the crypto community. This unidentified actor has recently transferred 3 NFTs from top-tier collections BAYC, MAYC, and BAKC to a burn address, with an aggregate value exceeding $88,000. A deliberate obliteration of digital wealth rages on!

US District Judge Analisa Torres in New York had previously indicated that XRP sales to sophisticated investors fulfilled the criteria for an investment contract under federal securities law However, this characterization didn’t extend to programmatic investors, which pertains to the general public buying crypto through exchanges.