Bitcoin mining continues to generate controversy due to its environmental impact, and a recent revelation by a Brooklyn bathhouse has sparked mixed reactions among users on social media.
The bathhouse, located in Brooklyn, New York, announced on Instagram and Twitter that it utilizes Bitcoin mining rigs to heat its spa facilities.
In a post made on June 21, the bathhouse explained its process in three steps: the Bitcoin mining rigs generate heat as a byproduct, the heat is then captured by heat exchangers, and finally, it is circulated to heat the venue’s pools.
Bitcoin mining involves the creation of valid blocks that record transactions on the blockchain, but it consumes a significant amount of energy, often derived from fossil fuels.
This high energy consumption contributes to carbon emissions, raising concerns about the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining.
A report from January 2022 estimated that the Bitcoin mining network emits 42 megatons of carbon dioxide annually, accounting for 0.08% of the world’s total production. Instagram users who follow the Bathhouse account expressed mixed opinions.
Some users, like Annalarranaga, voiced their concerns about who benefits from cryptocurrency mining and called for transparency.
Another user claimed that bathhouse customers preferred “pure, unadulterated heat” for their salt baths, rather than heat generated as a byproduct of mining.
However, some individuals reveled in the negative responses, while others welcomed the idea of using mining-generated heat to warm the pools.
The latter group saw it as an innovative way to reduce energy consumption. Despite the specific example of carbon-neutral Bitcoin mining provided by the bathhouse, concerns about the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining persist among certain individuals, leading to unfavorable reactions.
Interestingly, repurposing the heat generated by Bitcoin mining to save energy is not a new concept. In Europe, miners have found creative ways to recycle the heat produced during the mining process.
For instance, in Norway, a Bitcoin miner and data center named Kryptovault uses the hot air generated by mining rigs to dry chopped logs.
As the debate surrounding Bitcoin mining’s environmental impact rages on, the use of excess heat for other purposes serves as a potential solution to mitigate energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions.
However, addressing the concerns of those worried about the ecological consequences of Bitcoin mining remains crucial for the wider acceptance and sustainability of cryptocurrency.
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Credit Agricole’s CACEIS, a leading financial services group, has officially registered as a digital asset service provider (DASP) in France.
This move solidifies the company’s entry into the cryptocurrency custody services market and highlights France’s growing support for the crypto industry.
The Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), the French financial watchdog, has witnessed a steady rise in the number of crypto companies seeking registration, with CACEIS joining the ranks of prominent players.
France has been at the forefront of embracing the nascent cryptocurrency sector, demonstrating its progressive stance.
It notably became the first major European country to grant registration to Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.
The registration of subsidiaries from prominent names in French finance, including Societe Generale and AXA, further underscores the country’s commitment to fostering a favorable environment for crypto-related activities.
CACEIS, which boasted an impressive 4.1 trillion euros ($4.51 trillion) in assets under custody by the end of last year, has Credit Agricole SA as its majority owner, holding a 69.5% stake, while Santander possesses a 30.5% stake in the group.
This influential backing coupled with its new DASP status positions CACEIS as a formidable player in the cryptocurrency custody services space.
The registration of CACEIS as a DASP signifies an important milestone for the company and the broader financial industry.
As digital assets gain mainstream recognition, traditional financial institutions are recognizing the need to adapt and expand their service offerings to cater to the growing demand.
By venturing into crypto custody services, CACEIS aligns itself with the evolving financial landscape and positions itself to meet the needs of institutional and individual clients seeking secure and regulated crypto asset storage.
As the crypto market continues to mature, the involvement of established financial institutions brings increased credibility and stability to the industry.
It instills confidence in potential investors and paves the way for further integration of cryptocurrencies into the mainstream economy.
With its extensive experience and substantial assets under custody, CACEIS is well positioned to play a significant role in shaping the future of the crypto custody services sector.
In conclusion, Credit Agricole’s CACEIS has registered as a digital asset service provider in France, joining the expanding list of crypto companies approved by the AMF.
This strategic move demonstrates the institution’s commitment to embracing digital assets and providing secure custody solutions for the growing crypto market.
By leveraging its substantial assets under custody and the support of its majority owner, Credit Agricole SA, CACEIS is poised to become a key player in the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency custody services.
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Wirex, a crypto payment service, has alerted its customers in the European Economic Area (EEA) that its debit cards may cease to function due to licensing issues with its card provider, UAB PayrNet.
The announcement, made via email on June 23, follows a similar disclosure by Wirex’s competitor, Cryptopay, regarding potential card service disruptions in the region.
Wirex is a popular multi-currency crypto payment app that offers fiat on-ramps and off-ramps, along with debit cards.
With over 3 million users in Europe and Asia, Wirex assured its customers that their funds held in the app are secure.
The email clarified that while the card service interruption caused by UAB PayrNet’s problems will impact EEA customers, it will not affect their ability to access funds through other Wirex services, such as the IBAN service or cryptocurrency transfer and purchase options.
Customers were advised that no action is required on their part.
The underlying cause of the issue lies with UAB PayrNet, not Wirex’s internal system. On June 22, the Bank of Lithuania revoked UAB PayrNet’s electronic money institution license, citing multiple serious violations of legal acts and failures in administering Anti-Money Laundering measures.
However, the Bank of Lithuania reassured that customer funds are safe and held in dedicated accounts.
Attempts to contact UAB PayrNet for comment were unsuccessful. PayrNet’s director, Stephenas Couttie, expressed dissatisfaction with the bank’s actions, suggesting they may be disproportionate to the violations committed.
Wirex disclosed its plan to switch its debit card services to Transact Payments Malta Limited. Although this transition was already in progress, the current situation has expedited the process.
Wirex is collaborating closely with both PayrNet and Transact to restore the debit card system as quickly as possible.
During this interim period, Wirex customers in the EEA may experience card usage limitations.
Over the past two years, Wirex has been expanding its service offerings. In August 2022, it partnered with 1inch to enable wallet-based token swaps for its customers.
Additionally, Wirex integrated with the Avalanche network in February 2022, enabling users to deposit and spend AVAX through their Wirex debit cards.
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The Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange has recently witnessed the introduction of a new equity exchange-traded fund (ETF) that provides investors in the Netherlands with access to a diverse range of Bitcoin-related company stocks.
Melanion Capital, a French investment firm, launched the Bitcoin Equities ETF on June 22, marking a new approach to investing in the Bitcoin ecosystem through equities.
The ETF tracks the Melanion Bitcoin Exposure Index, a custom basket of European and American stocks closely associated with the market price of BTC.
One key advantage of this ETF is its compliance with the European Commission’s Undertakings for the Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) regulatory framework.
This framework ensures that the ETF adheres to established standards for managing and trading mutual funds while providing regulatory and investor protection requirements.
Consequently, investment firms can register and sell trading products across the European Union, offering a secure investment avenue.
Jad Comair, the CEO of Melanion Capital, expressed his enthusiasm about the expansion to the Euronext Amsterdam exchange, emphasizing that Dutch investors now have a “regulated and transparent solution” for gaining exposure to the Bitcoin ecosystem.
Comair acknowledged the significant interest in digital assets within the Dutch market and believes that the ETF presents an exciting investment opportunity within a regulated framework.
The Melanion Bitcoin Exposure Index comprises stocks from companies heavily invested in Bitcoin holdings, cryptocurrency exchanges, and mining operations.
Notable companies included in the index are MicroStrategy, which, under the guidance of Michael Saylor, has amassed over 140,000 BTC valued at more than $12.6 billion as of April 2023.
The index also features prominent exchange platforms like Coinbase and Robinhood, as well as mining firms such as Riot, Marathon Digital, and Hut8.
While the ETF aims to maintain correlation with the market performance of Bitcoin, a specific minimum correlation threshold has not been established.
Melanion’s Bitcoin Equities ETF is also listed on the Euronext Paris and Euronext Milan stock exchanges, further expanding its reach across European markets.
Bitcoin ETFs have been making headlines in June 2023, as BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, filed an application for a Bitcoin spot ETF with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
This move indicates the growing interest and recognition of Bitcoin as a legitimate investment option.
With the introduction of the Bitcoin Equities ETF on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange, Dutch investors now have a regulated and transparent avenue to participate in the Bitcoin ecosystem.
This development reflects the increasing acceptance and integration of digital assets into traditional financial markets, providing individuals with more diverse investment opportunities.
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A recent paper claiming that Bitcoin’s scalability issues would hinder its adoption in the future has been strongly criticized by a team of researchers from the Bitcoin Policy Institute, a nonprofit think tank.
The researchers argue that the conclusions reached in the original paper, titled “Bitcoin’s Limited Adoption Problem,” are based on flawed assumptions about the nature of Bitcoin.
The first assumption challenged by the Bitcoin Policy Institute researchers is that payments on the Bitcoin network necessitate full network consensus for settlement.
They assert that this claim is inaccurate and fails to consider the mechanisms by which Bitcoin achieves consensus.
The second assumption disputed by the researchers is the idea that the addition of miners to the network slows down settlement times by delaying network consensus.
The institute researchers argue that this notion ignores the actual impact of miners on the timing of new transaction blocks and overlooks existing scaling solutions that have been widely implemented.
The third assumption rejected by the think tank is the assertion that there is an upper limit on Bitcoin payments due to the architecture of its blockchain.
The researchers argue that this claim fails to consider the scalability achieved through off-chain payments, which do not require consensus from the entire network and therefore provide greater scalability.
In their published paper titled “Bitcoin works in practice, but does it work in theory?,” the Bitcoin Policy Institute researchers from various reputable U.S. universities challenge the theoretical foundation of the “limited adoption problem.”
They emphasize that this problem is not reflective of how Bitcoin actually operates and criticize the original authors for their faulty understanding of the Bitcoin protocol.
While the institute’s research acknowledges that Bitcoin’s blockchain does face challenges in scaling for on-chain payments, they highlight that these issues have been recognized since Bitcoin’s inception and have been addressed through off-chain protocols.
They argue that Bitcoin scales through off-chain payments rather than increasing throughput at the base layer.
The researchers from the Bitcoin Policy Institute dismiss the original paper’s conclusions as misguided, highlighting that Bitcoin’s scalability concerns have been effectively managed over time.
They assert that the authors of the criticized paper have focused on theoretical obstacles that do not align with the practical realities of Bitcoin’s operation.
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Bitcoin 2023, the annual conference held in Miami, Florida, was relatively subdued this year, lacking the high-profile announcements of previous years. However, a significant partnership with the potential to impact Mexico’s economy went unnoticed.
José Lemus, CEO of Ibex Mercado, made an important announcement during Bitcoin 2023 Industry Day. He revealed a partnership with Grupo Salinas, one of Mexico’s largest corporate conglomerates.
The collaboration aims to enable millions of Mexicans to pay their internet bills at Total Play, a popular telecoms company, using the Bitcoin Lightning Network.
The Salinas Group, owned by billionaire founder Ricardo Salinas Pliego, operates numerous businesses across Mexico and is known for its support of Bitcoin.
This integration not only facilitates Bitcoin adoption for millions of Mexicans but also extends Lightning capabilities to a range of retailers within the vast Salinas conglomerate. Lemus compared it to a scenario where Best Buy, Bank of America, Fox News, and an NFL team were all owned by the same individual, stating that they would all have Lightning capabilities in the future.
Lemus highlighted that this partnership is just the beginning of Lightning functionality across Grupo Salinas.
The conglomerate plans to develop a Lightning app for employees and a super app for soccer teams to enhance fan engagement through innovative ways, similar to the Perth Heat, an Australian baseball team that adopted Bitcoin as a standard currency.
The Lightning Network integration presents opportunities for financial inclusion in Mexico. Lemus emphasized the potential to bank the unbanked and underserved populations, as well as the broader benefits of financial inclusion, such as access to funding and expanded markets.
He expressed his belief that Mexico could become a thriving Bitcoin destination.
While the timeline for complete Bitcoin integration in daily life may still be some time away, Lemus estimated that within 18 months, individuals could conduct most of their activities using Bitcoin.
However, certain areas, such as taxes and rent, might not yet operate on Bitcoin.
The partnership with Grupo Salinas required 18 months of preparation, indicating the complexity of implementing such initiatives. Lemus indicated that more partnerships and projects are on the horizon in Mexico, although details are not yet available.
Overall, 2022 witnessed promising progress in Bitcoin and cryptocurrency adoption in Mexico, including the establishment of crypto remittance companies and the expansion of crypto exchanges.
With the Lightning partnership between Ibex Mercado and Grupo Salinas, the path to wider Bitcoin adoption in Mexico seems increasingly favorable.
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BlackRock’s recent filing for a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) has sparked a wave of optimism in the investment industry, leading to new filings by other firms. WisdomTree, an asset management fund based in New York, is the latest company to file for a spot Bitcoin ETF.
In its filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on June 21, WisdomTree requested permission to list its “WisdomTree Bitcoin Trust” on the Cboe BZX Exchange with the ticker symbol “BTCW.”
This marks WisdomTree’s third attempt at obtaining approval for a spot Bitcoin ETF, with previous applications being rejected due to concerns of fraud and market manipulation. WisdomTree currently oversees approximately $83 billion in assets.
One notable difference between BlackRock’s filing and previous attempts is its intention to enter into a “surveillance sharing agreement” with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) futures markets. BlackRock’s proposal references the SEC’s approval of a Bitcoin futures fund by Teucrium, highlighting the CME’s ability to surveil and prevent price distortions caused by manipulative efforts.
WisdomTree’s filing also includes a willingness to enter into a similar surveillance agreement with a US-based spot trading platform for Bitcoin.
Shortly after WisdomTree’s filing, global investment manager Invesco “reactivated” its application for a spot Bitcoin ETF. Invesco’s filing requests the listing of its “Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF” on the Cboe BZX exchange.
The company emphasizes that a spot Bitcoin ETF utilizing professional custodians and service providers eliminates the need for investors to rely on loosely regulated offshore vehicles, thereby offering better protection for their investments.
While the SEC has yet to approve a spot Bitcoin ETF, the recent activities by WisdomTree and Invesco have reignited the race for approval. Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas expressed optimism and attributed the renewed interest to BlackRock’s involvement.
Balchunas also highlighted BlackRock’s §impressive track record, with a success rate of “575-1” in obtaining ETF approvals from the regulator.
Furthermore, rumors are circulating that Fidelity Investments, a multi-trillion-dollar fund manager with $4.9 trillion in assets under management, may join the race for a spot Bitcoin ETF. Speculation suggests that Fidelity Investments may file for its own ETF or consider acquiring Grayscale’s GBTC ETF product. However, there has been no official confirmation from Fidelity regarding these rumors.
Overall, BlackRock’s filing for a spot Bitcoin ETF has spurred optimism within the investment industry, leading to new filings by WisdomTree and Invesco.
The potential entry of Fidelity Investments further indicates the growing interest in spot Bitcoin ETFs and their potential benefits for investors.
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Valkyrie, a cryptocurrency fund manager, has joined the rush of financial firms applying for a Bitcoin spot exchange-traded fund (ETF).
This move comes as several other companies have recently filed similar applications with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). On June 21, Valkyrie submitted an S-1 registration form for a Bitcoin spot ETF, with plans to list the fund on the Nasdaq under the symbol BRRR.
Valkyrie is no stranger to the world of Bitcoin futures ETFs. In October 2021, it launched the Valkyrie Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BTF), becoming the second BTC futures ETF in the U.S. Later in December, the firm introduced the Valkyrie Balance Sheet Opportunities (VBB), which it eventually liquidated in October 2022. Valkyrie also manages the Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF (WGMI), which tracks companies that generate revenue or profits from BTC mining.
The recent activities of its competitors seemingly motivated Valkyrie to take action.
In a podcast interview with Cointelegraph’s Hashing It Out in March, Steven McClurg, Valkyrie Investments’ chief investment officer, expressed his belief that a BTC ETF would only be possible “in a future administration after the next elections or through legislative action.”
However, Valkyrie’s move comes amidst a flurry of ETF applications. BlackRock applied to list a BTC spot ETF as a trust on the Nasdaq on June 15, while WisdomTree and Invesco followed suit with similar applications on June 20.
Additionally, there are unconfirmed reports that Fidelity is also preparing to file an application for a BTC spot ETF. As these developments unfold, the price of BTC continues to rise, currently up 6.41% at the time of writing.
With the growing interest in cryptocurrency investments, financial firms are recognizing the demand for regulated investment vehicles like ETFs.
These funds provide investors with exposure to Bitcoin without having to directly hold the digital asset. While the SEC has yet to approve any Bitcoin spot ETF applications, the increasing number of filings indicates a growing push for such investment products in the market.
Valkyrie’s decision to apply for a BTC spot ETF aligns with its existing offerings in the cryptocurrency space.
If approved, the ETF would provide investors with another option to gain exposure to Bitcoin’s performance. The SEC’s review process will determine the fate of these applications and shape the future of cryptocurrency investment opportunities for retail and institutional investors alike.
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According to new research by analytics firm Glassnode, Bitcoin investors may face a period of “sideways boredom” that could last up to 18 months.
Despite a 70% gain in the first quarter of 2023, Bitcoin has struggled to maintain its momentum, leaving investors uncertain about its future price action.
Glassnode suggests that a classic pre-bull market phase is currently unfolding, but long-term holders will need to exercise patience.
The research examines the “liveliness” of the Bitcoin supply, which refers to the tendency of holders to spend or hold their coins. It reveals a trend of mass accumulation as coins gradually migrate into cold storage, effectively reducing the available supply.
The study estimates that this steady and gradual accumulation began over two years ago and predicts that it may continue for another 6 to 12 months.
Meanwhile, short-term holders, who have held their coins for a maximum of 155 days, form the more speculative end of the investor base and are being closely monitored.
While whales, the largest-volume holders, are currently net distributors, Glassnode suggests that there is an undercurrent of demand despite recent regulatory pressures on major exchanges.
The research concludes that digital asset markets are currently displaying low volatility, volumes, and realized value, indicating a period of investor apathy.
Nevertheless, the pattern of wealth transfer to the price-insensitive hodler cohort remains intact, suggesting that a phase of sideways boredom may lie ahead, potentially lasting between 8 to 18 months, based on historical cycles.
In summary, Glassnode’s research suggests that Bitcoin investors should prepare for a potentially long and uneventful period before significant price movements occur.
While the market is currently characterized by accumulation and decreasing liquidity, the research indicates that the underlying demand for Bitcoin remains, despite the regulatory challenges faced by the industry.
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Cathie Wood, CEO and chief investment officer of ARK Invest, has expressed her bullishness on Coinbase stock and her belief that Bitcoin will reach $1 million.
Wood’s fund, Ark Innovation (ARKK), recently added to its position in Coinbase shares following the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) lawsuit against Binance, one of Coinbase’s main competitors.
ARKK purchased nearly 330,000 shares of COIN on June 6, 2023, totaling around $17 million. Two other ETFs, Ark Fintech Innovation ETF and Ark Next Generation Internet ETF, also increased their positions in Coinbase. Currently, the average entry price for all three funds ranges from $272.75 to $282.93, with a total position value of $1.77 billion.
However, the trade has resulted in significant losses so far, as COIN is currently trading at $53.90.
Wood’s optimism stems from the belief that the SEC’s enforcement actions will make Coinbase the dominant cryptocurrency exchange in the United States.
She argues that the allegations against Coinbase and Binance differ, with Binance potentially facing more serious charges related to the violation of the Commodity Exchange Act and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Wood believes that Coinbase will emerge victorious, positioning itself as the leading player in the market.
While some analysts share Wood’s view, others do not.
The consensus among analysts is a Hold rating, with an average price target of $58.49, representing a potential 12% increase from current levels. Notable analysts such as John Todaro and Atlantic Equities have provided more bullish price targets of $70 for COIN.
Coinbase also faces a lawsuit from the SEC regarding the trading and staking of unregistered securities.
There are concerns that the exchange may have engaged in illegal activities, including investing in projects it planned to list on its platform before their public availability.
Regarding Bitcoin, Wood reiterated her belief that it serves as a hedge against inflation and holds a $1 million price target. Despite concerns about deflation, she remains bullish on Bitcoin due to its function as an antidote to counterparty risk in the traditional financial system.
Wood highlighted the upcoming Bitcoin halving event and the current accumulation phase in the market.
In summary, Cathie Wood’s bullishness on Coinbase stock and her $1 million Bitcoin price target are based on her expectations of Coinbase becoming the dominant U.S. cryptocurrency exchange and Bitcoin’s ability to outperform in different market environments. However, analysts’ opinions on COIN vary, and there are potential legal and regulatory challenges for Coinbase to overcome.
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