The South Korean government is reportedly preparing to introduce a bill aimed at monitoring and freezing North Korean cryptocurrency and virtual assets utilized for funding illicit weapons programs.
As reported by the Korea JoongAng Daily, local media sources have confirmed that the bill is currently in development, with insights provided by multiple unnamed government officials on August 3rd.
The proposed legislation is said to align with the president’s belief that the nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure requires refurbishment.
A government insider, preferring anonymity, indicated that the bill’s revised version includes provisions for the tracking and neutralization of cryptocurrency and virtual assets pilfered by North Korea through hacking and exploitative activities.
This addition had not been present in the initial bill put forward by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) in November 2022.
Beyond the scope of the new cybersecurity legislation, there are purported plans to establish a national cybersecurity committee that would operate directly under the president’s oversight.
This committee is intended to enforce a range of measures aimed at bolstering the country’s defenses against hacking attempts originating from foreign entities.
The National Security Office’s chief is slated to head the committee, with the participation of the NIS director.
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The concerning trend of North Korean hackers targeting victims and amassing digital assets through various exploits has raised alarm.
According to data from blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs on August 18th, it is estimated that North Korean cyberattacks have resulted in a staggering loss of approximately $2 billion since 2018.
Furthermore, statistics from 2023 alone suggest that North Korea was responsible for the theft of $200 million worth of cryptocurrency, constituting 20% of the total stolen funds for the year.
Parallelly, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is actively engaged in efforts to monitor North Korean state-sponsored hackers.
On August 23rd, the FBI issued alerts regarding six Bitcoin wallets linked to the North Korean hacking group Lazarus.
These wallets were found to contain 1,580 Bitcoin (BTC), equivalent to around $40 million, believed to be the proceeds of various hacking operations.
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Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the former chair of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, has emerged victorious in the recent presidential election of the city-state, securing over 70% of the total votes cast.
The election results, announced on September 2, confirm Shanmugaratnam’s win against his opponents, Ng Kok Song and Tan Kin Lian.
The inauguration ceremony is scheduled for September 14, a mere fortnight after the election.
In preparation for his presidential campaign, Shanmugaratnam made the decision to step down from his roles in Singapore’s parliament and at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), where he held the position of chair from 2011 to 2023.
Notably, he also served as the country’s finance minister from 2007 to 2015.
During his tenure, Singapore’s financial regulatory landscape underwent significant events, including the 2022 market crash which saw the collapse of Three Arrows Capital and Terraform Labs.
A distinctive aspect of Shanmugaratnam’s previous stance on financial matters was his perspective on cryptocurrency assets. In 2021, while serving as the chair of MAS, he characterized crypto assets as “highly volatile” and deemed them “highly risky as investment products.”
However, MAS also demonstrated a balanced approach by granting in-principle approval for Crypto.com’s operations in Singapore in June 2022, along with exemptions for Bitstamp, Coinbase, and Gemini Trust.
Taking on the role of the President of Singapore, Shanmugaratnam will assume the position of head of state and will represent the nation in diplomatic engagements, although this role is largely ceremonial.
His ascent to the presidency marks the end of Halimah Yacob’s term, who had held the position since 2017.
In the wake of Shanmugaratnam’s departure from MAS, the regulatory body unveiled a revised framework for stablecoins in Singapore.
This framework was presented as part of a public consultation initiated in 2022.
Furthermore, a significant legal development occurred in July when Singapore’s high court ruled that cryptocurrencies could be treated as personal property, similar to traditional fiat money.
In sum, Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s resounding victory in the presidential election has secured his place as the next head of state for Singapore.
His extensive experience in finance and regulation, coupled with his prior engagements in the government, has positioned him to lead the nation through diplomatic functions in his new ceremonial role.
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FTX debtors have recently unveiled a set of financial documents that shed light on transactions favoring company executives just before the significant downfall of the major cryptocurrency exchange in November 2022.
According to a recent submission to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, a number of payments directly benefiting high-ranking executives at FTX and Alameda Research have been exposed.
These payments or transfers of assets took place within a year leading up to the FTX collapse.
It is important to note that FTX debtors have cautioned about the absolute accuracy and comprehensiveness of the data disclosed, absolving themselves of any responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions.
Among the transactions, a transaction of $2.51 million was channeled from the company to the American Yacht Group in March 2022, providing gains to former Alameda Research co-CEO Sam Trabucco.
Shortly following this transaction, Trabucco openly claimed ownership of a boat while announcing his resignation in an August 2022 tweet.
In response, Caroline Ellison, Alameda’s former co-CEO alongside Trabucco, expressed her well-wishes and anticipated Trabucco’s enjoyment of his leisure time on the boat.
Additionally, a series of cash payments were uncovered, directed to former FTX executives including Sam Bankman-Fried and Gary Wang, along with former FTX engineering director Nishad Singh, former chief marketing officer Darren Wong, and former chief operating officer Constance Wang.
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These payments occurred within a year prior to the FTX collapse.
It’s worth noting that the disclosures exclusively focus on fiat currency and the traceability of crypto transactions is limited.
The document clarifies, “Responses to this question do not currently include all transfers of cryptocurrency, other digital assets, or other assets.”
The filing also highlighted the acquisition of Robinhood shares by Bankman-Fried and FTX co-founder Gary Wang in April and May 2022, amounting to $35,185,242 and $19.45 million, respectively.
Bankman-Fried held a 90% stake, while Wang possessed the remaining 10% through their company, Emergent Fidelity Technologies.
However, the U.S. Department of Justice seized these shares from them in January.
In a recent development, Robinhood repurchased all shares previously owned by FTX and Alameda Research.
The company completed the acquisition of 55,273,469 shares for about $606 million, as announced on August 31.
Robinhood’s CFO, Jason Warnick, expressed contentment with the outcome and looked ahead to executing growth strategies for the benefit of customers and shareholders.
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Amidst ongoing speculation surrounding a possible resolution between Ripple and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), attorney John Deaton, a staunch advocate for the pro-XRP camp, has outlined potential courses of action that may unfold if the two parties decide to reach a settlement.
Drawing attention to the ongoing legal battle between Coinbase and the SEC, Deaton underscored the significance of the situation.
He elucidated that should the judge presiding over the Coinbase case grant the motion to dismiss put forth by the exchange, it would signal that transactions involving tokens on the platform aren’t subject to U.S. securities regulations.
It’s important to note, however, that this ruling would not extend to crypto staking activities.
In his words:
“The scenario in which Ripple and the SEC could potentially settle before the year’s end hinges on Judge Failla granting Coinbase’s motion to dismiss or partially granting it.
This would involve a determination that token sales occurring on an exchange through blind bid/ask transactions fall outside the purview of U.S. securities laws.”
Should the motion to dismiss receive approval, the SEC’s scope for pursuing an appeal would be substantially limited, thereby making the prospect of a settlement a plausible option.
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Deaton further clarified that even if the possibility of an appeal remained viable in such circumstances, the agency’s authority would be significantly curtailed.
Ripple’s recent filing on September 1 revealed that the summary judgment had not adequately addressed the foundational basis for an interlocutory appeal.
The opposition from Ripple stemmed from the argument that the SEC had deviated from established legal interpretations, particularly in relation to the application of the Howey test to sales of XRP tokens.
In December 2020, the SEC launched a lawsuit against Ripple, its CEO Brad Garlinghouse, and co-founder Chris Larsen, resulting in the removal of XRP from several exchanges to preempt potential legal ramifications.
However, a favorable ruling by Judge Analisa Torres in July prompted numerous exchanges to express their intentions to relist the XRP token.
Throughout 2023, the SEC has pursued various cryptocurrency firms on allegations of violating securities regulations, including prominent entities such as Binance and Coinbase.
Recent developments saw asset management company Grayscale achieve a legal victory over the SEC through an appeal, compelling a reevaluation of its application for a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund.
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Cathie Wood, CEO of ARK Invest, recently shared an encouraging perspective on the convergence of Bitcoin and artificial intelligence (AI) through an X (previously Twitter) post.
She accentuated the revolutionary potential that arises from integrating AI with Bitcoin, underscoring the boundless prospects and positive impacts they can impart on various sectors and the broader economy.
This upbeat sentiment is corroborated by an ARK Invest research report named “Investing In Artificial Intelligence: Where Will Equity Values Surface?”.
This paper reveals that both Wood and ARK Invest are keenly assessing AI’s value in investment frameworks.
Wood’s investment history reflects her confidence in AI. She has consistently channelled funds into AI-centric stocks over the years, showcasing her commitment to this emergent technology.
Moreover, Wood’s fervor for Bitcoin is unmistakable.
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This is showcased by ARK’s pursuits related to a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). ARK’s acumen in digital assets is further manifested by their considerable investments in platforms like Coinbase and Robinhood.
Highlighting ARK Invest’s successful strategies, their investments in AI tech stocks have borne fruit.
The ARK Disruptive Innovation ETF, which is centered on AI and other groundbreaking technologies, has surpassed the Nasdaq 100 Index, registering an impressive mid-year gain of 41.2%.
Wood’s commentary, complemented by ARK’s insightful research, underscores AI’s escalating prominence in the investment domain.
The amalgamation of Bitcoin and AI is poised to instigate a seismic shift in corporate functionalities, possibly revolutionizing productivity and cost structures.
With investors continually scouting for novel growth trajectories, the interplay of Bitcoin and AI, championed by Wood, could witness heightened investment interest in the coming times.
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New blockchain technologies have brought new earning opportunities. Interest in cryptocurrencies has spread to all corners of the planet, but many do not fully understand how to use them. This article will briefly review the basic principles of making money in the crypto field, using useful facts and vivid examples.
Ways to Make Money in Crypto
The number of cryptocurrencies has long crossed the 10,000 mark. Each platform releases its product and brings its unique features. Despite this, several categories are implemented on almost every top platform.
Crypto Mining
The most popular way to earn is Mining. It’s the process of creating new Blockchain blocks. Earlier, it used to be possible to get a huge amount of BTC and other currencies. Unfortunately, nowadays, you can’t get away with one pick… High power consumption and expensive equipment that performs complex calculations complicate the process. To enter the Mining market effectively, you need at least 50 units of modern devices with a total value of more than $500,000! Therefore, many crypto enthusiasts are involved in Staking, as this alternative suits beginners and experienced investors.
Crypto Staking
It’s a currency lock for security in the Blockchain network. The more you hold cryptocurrencies, the more you help the system. Then, you receive various rewards in the form of passive income.
Choosing a reliable platform with excellent conditions for Staking is the main goal. There are some important criteria: the minimum threshold, profit, and the number of currencies. The minimum threshold is the amount of crypto on the balance required to start Staking. Profit is calculated based on APY (annual percentage of net income with compound interest) and APR (annual percentage with fees).
For example, on BetFury – an ecosystem of crypto products, Staking is implemented with up to 50% APY, and passive income is paid daily. You must have 100 at least BFG (BetFury’s native utility tokens) to receive rewards. You can withdraw funds in BFG tokens and five popular coins (USDT, ETH, BTC, BNB, and TRX). When you choose BFG, your payout increases each time you wager more BetFury tokens. You can trade cryptocurrencies like BFG on popular exchanges and win them by playing on the platform. In addition, BetFury has Fury Wheel – a free wheel with rewards of up to 1 BTC.
Such a staking system is quite profitable and simple since you can quickly start the path of an investor and withdraw funds at will.
Blockchain Games
In 2017, CryptoKitties was launched. It was the first game related to Blockchain technologies. Many companies around the world picked up this baton. Crypto enthusiasts quickly mastered these entertainments and learned how to earn money by playing! Then, the Metaverses were created, and Blockchain games related to the casino theme appeared. Someone played Poker for cryptocurrency, and someone liked Slots. This industry has gained momentum and has become a great option to make money while enjoying the process.
For example, BetFury, which we discussed above, is also an iGaming platform. It offers over 8,000 Slots and Original games with one of the highest RTPs on the market (up to 99.02% RTP). Regarding the variety of crypto, you can choose BTS, ETH, TPX, USDT, and other top currencies for the game.
Affiliate Program
If you are an influencer and have a wide audience in the social media space, take advantage of the Affiliate Program. It generates income for each attracted user. Although, the conditions of the system also depend on the choice of platform. Affiliates on BetFury receive up to 60% RevShare. It is the case when working together brings excellent benefits to both parties.
In conclusion, earning on cryptocurrency has become much more interesting and easier due to the huge variety of options. The most important thing is choosing the right currency and platform because your profit depends on it. Start your journey right now, invest in crypto smartly, and enjoy making money!
Ripple’s legal representatives, amidst the ongoing legal battle with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), have put forth a contention suggesting that the regulatory body lacks the necessary grounds to pursue an appeal.
The legal team for Ripple filed a document on September 1 with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, asserting that the SEC’s motivation for seeking an appeal predominantly stems from dissatisfaction with a judge’s prior decision.
This decision had ruled that the XRP token did not meet the criteria to be classified as a security in relation to sales directed at retail investors.
Ripple’s lawyers emphasized that the requisites for an “interlocutory appeal,” which demands exceptional circumstances, are conspicuously absent in this particular case.
The legal representatives urged the presiding judge to dismiss any request for an appeal or a stay based on these grounds.
In unity with the Individual Defendants, who are also part of the lawsuit, Ripple vociferously opposed the SEC’s appeal request.
This development follows a sequence of events where the SEC attempted to contest and postpone a July ruling by Judge Analisa Torres.
The July decision concluded that XRP did not primarily qualify as a security as outlined by the SEC’s guidelines.
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The regulatory agency had then asserted that substantial differences of opinion on the relevant laws justified their pursuit of an appeal.
The lawsuit, initially initiated by the SEC against Ripple, CEO Brad Garlinghouse, and co-founder Chris Larsen in December 2020, led to a wave of delistings of the XRP token from various exchanges.
However, Judge Torres’ subsequent ruling prompted some of these exchanges to consider relisting the token in light of the evolving legal situation.
Brad Garlinghouse expressed disappointment with the need for legal action to rectify what he perceives as the SEC’s flawed understanding of facts and regulations within the U.S. cryptocurrency community.
Throughout 2023, the SEC has been actively pursuing various cryptocurrency entities for alleged securities violations, including prominent platforms like Binance and Coinbase.
In a recent victory for the cryptocurrency industry, asset management firm Grayscale achieved success in court against the SEC.
An appeal prompted the court to mandate a review of Grayscale’s application for a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF).
As the legal proceedings between the SEC and Ripple continue, Judge Torres has proposed a jury trial slated to commence in the second quarter of 2024.
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Warren Buffett, the celebrated investor and Berkshire Hathaway’s chairman, marked his 93rd birthday on Aug. 30. Over his extensive career, he’s adhered to a value investing strategy akin to the “buy and hold” approach seen with cryptocurrencies.
However, Buffett’s focus lies in assets with robust earnings potential, investing in sectors where he and his team possess in-depth insights into associated risks, competition, and advantages.
The question arises whether such a focused strategy can surpass Bitcoin’s performance in the long term.
Additionally, it’s worth pondering why one of the greatest stock pickers, Buffett, currently holds significant cash and short-term bonds as the second-largest position in his portfolio.
A notable instance of his approach is Berkshire Hathaway’s top holding, Apple (AAPL) shares. Despite acquiring them in 2016 when Apple was valued at over $500 billion, far from being an early investor, Berkshire Hathaway continued adding to its AAPL investment in 2022, despite the stock rallying over 500% since the initial purchase.
This showcases Buffett’s dedication to long-term investment strategies, regardless of recent price fluctuations.
In a February 2012 shareholder letter, Berkshire Hathaway expressed concerns about currency devaluation and the limitations of gold as a store of value.
It argued that gold lacks practical utility, with demand falling short of production for industrial and jewelry purposes.
Gold’s price primarily relies on fear-based sentiment, leading to temporary price spikes. Conversely, investments in productive companies generate substantial returns.
Unfortunately for Buffett, Bitcoin’s price surged by 683% in the year following his skeptical comments on nonproductive commodities’ value storage potential. Over four years, Bitcoin’s gains reached a staggering 9,014%.
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To compare Berkshire Hathaway’s stock performance with Bitcoin, considering Buffett’s focus on earnings and yield, an analysis simulated Berkshire Hathaway’s stock performance using a factor of three to mimic a leveraged position.
If one invested $1,000 in Bitcoin (spot) and initiated a leveraged long position in Berkshire Hathaway shares in early 2019, they’d have seen a $7,020 return in BTC versus $5,623 in Buffett’s holding company.
Similarly, for investments beginning in 2017, the returns would have been $3,798 in BTC versus $1,998 using the leveraged long strategy in Berkshire Hathaway’s shares.
Buffett’s investment thesis faces a potential loophole: Berkshire Hathaway currently holds a record-high $147 billion in cash equivalents and short-term investments, comprising 18.5% of its market capitalization.
This raises queries about whether it seeks better entry points into stocks or finds the 5.25% returns on fixed-income investments satisfactory.
This scenario underscores that even accomplished investors may hesitate to deploy their cash, prompting questions about whether funds on the sidelines, including $5.6 trillion in money market funds, might seek alternate protection against resurging inflation.
While Bitcoin isn’t a flawless store of value and its volatility is a concern, it’s important to note that it hasn’t yet faced a global economic recession.
Nonetheless, Bitcoin consistently outperforms Berkshire Hathaway shares, implying that investors increasingly see it as a viable alternative store of value.
Considering this, Berkshire Hathaway’s substantial cash position serves as a cautionary note for Bitcoin skeptics.
With Bitcoin’s market capitalization at $500 billion, it signifies untapped potential for it to play a more significant role in finance.
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A substantial acquisition of Ripple’s XRP token has been identified by Whale Alert, a prominent crypto tracking platform.
The platform noted a transfer of 66,666,659 XRP, equating to approximately $33,065,809, from Binance to an undisclosed wallet.
This transfer has ignited discussions about the potential ramifications for its market value.
In recent times, noteworthy transfers of significant XRP amounts have taken place within Ripple’s ecosystem, as sizeable quantities of XRP have been deposited into secure escrow accounts.
Notably, these include 300,000,000 XRP, valued at approximately $146,927,854, and an additional 500,000,000 XRP, with an approximate worth of $244,748,526.
These developments transpire amidst the ongoing legal dispute between Ripple and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Ripple’s legal representatives have presented a response to the SEC’s appeal following Judge Analisa Torres’ July verdict that XRP does not qualify as a security during public sales.
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In their response, Ripple’s legal team contended that the criteria for an interim appeal were not met.
They urged the court to either dismiss the appeal or institute a stay on proceedings.
Recent activity has shown notable increases in the utilization of XRP, as evident in a seven-month peak in on-chain transactions and a three-month high in circulation.
These metrics indicate heightened engagement and activity within the XRP ecosystem, which could potentially lead to an upsurge in demand.
The trajectory toward achieving a $1 valuation for XRP remains uncertain.
Nevertheless, the ongoing developments within the XRP ecosystem continue to exert an influence on the token’s value and spark conjecture among investors.
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A cohort of influential Members of Parliament (MPs) in the United Kingdom has recommended that the government collaborate with democratic allies to address potential misuses of artificial intelligence (AI), underlining London’s aspiration to play a pivotal role in advancing this burgeoning technology.
The Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee (SITC), an advisory body to the government, released a report on August 31 urging Britain to align itself with like-minded nations.
This collaborative effort aims to collectively counteract any misuse of AI by state-affiliated or non-affiliated entities that may have ulterior motives.
In a bid to establish AI guidelines, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak plans to host a summit at Bletchley Park, a historically significant World War Two code-breaking center, in early November.
This summit will bring together global leaders and tech influencers to not only regulate AI more effectively but also position the UK as a central hub for the AI industry.
The interim report from the SITC highlights the potential for AI to propagate deepfakes, deceptive content that could mislead the public.
Additionally, it underscores the risks posed by malevolent actors who might exploit AI to create novel biological and chemical weaponry.
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The House of Commons Culture, Media, and Sport Committee has recently advised the government to reconsider granting AI developers unrestricted access to employ existing music, literature, and art in their training datasets.
An alternate report issued on August 30th raises concerns that excluding AI-driven text and data mining from copyright protections could devalue arts and culture, relegating them to mere resources for AI’s progress.
Discussions within the government have surfaced regarding the participation of China in the November meeting.
The gathering will convene leaders from the Group of Seven nations and industry leaders, as reported by Bloomberg, citing informed sources.
The SITC report has advised the government to draft an AI bill for deliberation during the upcoming parliamentary session on November 7.
The report emphasizes that failing to do so could cause the UK to lag behind other legislative endeavors, especially the ongoing discussions concerning the EU’s AI Act.
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