Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, a prominent critic of digital assets within the United States government, has recently revealed that five additional senators have pledged their support as cosponsors for her bill, which aims to combat money laundering within the digital asset sphere.
In her announcement on December 11, Senator Warren disclosed that Senators Raphael Warnock, Laphonza Butler, Chris Van Hollen, John Hickenlooper, and Ben Ray Luján have thrown their weight behind the Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act.
This legislation was reintroduced in July and is laser-focused on curbing the illicit use of cryptocurrency for money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Warren expressed her satisfaction with the growing support, stating, “I’m glad that five new senators are joining the fight to take action, including three members of the Banking Committee.”
She emphasized that their bipartisan bill represents the most stringent proposal currently on the table for combating the illicit use of cryptocurrency while also providing regulators with additional tools to enhance their oversight.
Even before this latest support, the bill had garnered backing from both sides of the aisle and received endorsement from various senators and organizations.
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Notable supporters included the Bank Policy Institute, Massachusetts Bankers Association, Transparency International U.S., Global Financial Integrity, National District Attorneys Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Consumer Law Center, and the National Consumers League.
Furthermore, Senator Warren reiterated a claim made during a December 6 hearing before the Senate Banking Committee and subsequent interviews.
She asserted that approximately half of North Korea’s missile program was funded through digital assets, underscoring the urgency of addressing money laundering in the cryptocurrency space.
Critics of the bill have argued that lawmakers should focus their efforts on targeting bad actors who misuse the technology rather than regulating digital assets and their underlying infrastructure.
However, cybersecurity expert Steve Weisman lent his support to the legislation during a Senate hearing in November, labeling it a “no-brainer” in addressing concerns related to money laundering.
In summary, Senator Elizabeth Warren continues to lead the charge in addressing the illicit use of digital assets through her Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act, gaining increased support from fellow senators and organizations, despite some dissenting voices in the ongoing debate.
Bitcoin Core developer Luke Dashjr has refuted any involvement in the inclusion of Bitcoin inscriptions as a cybersecurity concern on the United States National Vulnerability Database’s (NVD) Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) list.
This controversy arose when Dashjr, in a December 6th post on X (formerly Twitter), alleged that inscriptions, utilized by the Ordinals protocol and BRC-20 creators for embedding data in satoshis, were exploiting a Bitcoin Core vulnerability, thus “spamming the blockchain.”
Several days later, Bitcoin inscriptions surfaced on the U.S. vulnerability database as part of the CVE list on December 9th, describing it as a security flaw linked to the development of the Ordinals protocol in 2022.
Nonetheless, Dashjr, despite his vocal criticism of Bitcoin Ordinals, asserted that he played no role in adding inscriptions to the vulnerability database’s CVE list.
The CVE list is structured to allow any developer to report a vulnerability, subject to approval by the CVE Assignment Team for public awareness purposes.
As of December 11th, the NVD updated the listing, assigning inscriptions a base severity score of “5.3 Medium.”
This rating indicates that the exploitation of this vulnerability offers “very limited” access to a network or presents challenging hurdles for executing denial-of-service attacks, according to Atlassian, a software firm.
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Dashjr explained that the CVE list’s 5.3 score primarily resulted from the vulnerability’s minimal impact on the availability of the Bitcoin network.
Nevertheless, he contended that the score might underestimate its long-term consequences, suggesting that if the availability impact were classified as “High,” the CVSS base score would reach 7.5.
The debate surrounding Bitcoin inscriptions continues to unfold on social media platforms.
While some Bitcoin enthusiasts argue that inscriptions are overloading the network, Ordinals proponents, including Udi Wertheimer, co-founder of Taproot Wizards, maintain that Ordinals are essential for the future adoption and revenue growth of the Bitcoin network.
The Bitcoin network has experienced increased congestion in recent months due to heightened interest in Ordinals’ nonfungible token inscriptions and BRC-20 token minting.
Data from mempool.space indicates over 275,000 unconfirmed transactions, with average medium-priority transaction costs surging from approximately $1.50 to around $14.
Patching the so-called inscriptions bug could potentially limit future Ordinals inscriptions on the network.
Google, the tech giant, is set to revise its cryptocurrency-related advertising policy to include advertisements for cryptocurrency trusts, starting from the end of January 2024.
This change coincides with the anticipated approval of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States in the same month.
In a policy update dated December 6, Google announced that its advertising policy for cryptocurrencies and related products would be adjusted on January 29, 2024, to permit advertisements from “advertisers offering Cryptocurrency Coin Trust targeting the United States.”
Cryptocurrency coin trusts were mentioned as examples of financial products that enable investors to trade shares in trusts holding substantial amounts of digital currency, which likely encompasses ETFs.
Google emphasized that advertisers must comply with local laws in the regions they target with their ads. This policy will apply universally to all accounts advertising these products.
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Prospective advertisers for cryptocurrency trusts will need to be Google-certified, which involves obtaining the necessary licenses from local authorities and ensuring that their products, landing pages, and ads adhere to the legal requirements of the respective countries or regions where they seek certification.
While Google already allows advertising for certain cryptocurrency and related products, it continues to prohibit ads for cryptocurrency or nonfungible token (NFT)-based gambling platforms, initial coin offerings (ICOs), decentralized finance protocols, and services offering trading signals.
This policy shift aligns with Bloomberg’s ETF analysts’ prediction of a 90% likelihood of the approval of a U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF by January 10, 2024, with the potential for several pending applications to be approved simultaneously.
Currently, there are 13 Bitcoin ETF applicants, and detailed information about their approval processes remains limited.
Numerous fund managers, including BlackRock, Grayscale, and Fidelity, have reportedly engaged with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to discuss crucial technical aspects of their ETF proposals.
The cryptocurrency market is optimistic about these approvals, as evidenced by Bitcoin’s nearly 74% price increase in the past 90 days. Some analysts even anticipate a new all-time high for Bitcoin in 2024.
Google, the tech giant, is set to update its advertising policy related to cryptocurrencies, allowing advertisements for cryptocurrency trusts targeting the United States starting from January 29, 2024.
This policy shift aligns with predictions that spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) will gain approval in the United States in the same month.
In a policy change log dated December 6, Google clarified that it will permit advertisements from “advertisers offering Cryptocurrency Coin Trust targeting the United States.”
Cryptocurrency coin trusts refer to financial products that enable investors to trade shares in trusts holding significant amounts of digital currency, possibly including ETFs.
Google emphasized that all advertisers must adhere to local laws in the areas where their ads are targeted.
This updated policy will apply globally to all accounts advertising these cryptocurrency-related products. To advertise crypto trusts, potential advertisers must be Google-certified, which necessitates having the appropriate license from the relevant local authority.
Their products, landing pages, and ads must also comply with the legal requirements of the specific country or region they wish to target.
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It’s worth noting that Google already permits advertising for certain cryptocurrency and related products but excludes ads for crypto or nonfungible token (NFT)-based gambling platforms, initial coin offerings (ICOs), decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, and services offering trading signals.
This policy adjustment is timely, as Bloomberg’s ETF analysts have assigned a 90% probability of a U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF receiving approval by January 10, 2024.
Multiple pending ETF applications could potentially be approved simultaneously. Currently, there are 13 Bitcoin ETF applicants, and detailed information about their approval processes remains limited.
Several prominent fund managers, such as BlackRock, Grayscale, and Fidelity, have reportedly engaged with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to discuss critical technical aspects of their ETF proposals.
The cryptocurrency market anticipates these approvals with enthusiasm, as Bitcoin has surged by nearly 74% in the past 90 days. Analysts even predict the possibility of a new all-time high for Bitcoin in 2024.
This shift in Google’s advertising policy aligns with the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency investments and reflects the growing interest in digital assets among investors.
On December 11, 2:15 am UTC, the price of Bitcoin briefly dipped below the $41,000 mark, experiencing a sudden 6.5% drop from $43,357 to as low as $40,659 within a mere 20 minutes.
However, as of the latest TradingView data, Bitcoin has made a slight recovery, trading at around $41,960 after hitting the local low.
Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, also faced a sharp decline during the same timeframe, plummeting by more than 8.9%.
Presently, the price of ETH has stabilized at $2,233, reflecting a 5.3% decrease on the day. Other prominent cryptocurrencies like BNB, XRP, and Solana have also witnessed losses in value.
According to data sourced from CoinGlass, this abrupt drop led to the liquidation of long positions worth more than $270 million.
Additionally, it wiped out approximately $1.2 billion in open interest related to BTC, which currently stands at about $17.9 billion.
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Interestingly, this price decline occurred just moments after Scott Melker of Wolf of All Street had remarked on Bitcoin closing its eighth consecutive green weekly candle, playfully asking, “When correction, sir?”
This recent drawdown constitutes the most significant single-day decline for Bitcoin in over a month, despite the asset’s impressive growth of more than 12% over the past 30 days.
Notably, Bitcoin has seen a remarkable rally of over 150% since the beginning of the year.
This uptrend has been primarily fueled by the anticipation that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will greenlight several spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
This approval would provide large institutions with a substantial avenue for exposure to the cryptocurrency for the first time.
Another contributing factor to Bitcoin’s rally is the prevailing market expectation that the U.S. Federal Reserve will commence interest rate cuts around the middle of 2024.
Investors are also gearing up for the release of the next round of inflation data and the final Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting of 2023.
Analysts largely anticipate improvements in core inflation and are betting on the Fed maintaining the current interest rate levels.
On December 8th, asset management firm VanEck made headlines by filing its fifth amended application for a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF).
This move was submitted to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an update to the VanEck Bitcoin Trust, signaling the company’s continued pursuit of launching a Bitcoin ETF.
A spot Bitcoin ETF is a financial product that enables investors to acquire shares in a fund directly tied to the price of Bitcoin.
One intriguing aspect of VanEck’s application is its choice of ticker symbol for the ETF: “HODL.” This term, derived from a misspelling of “hold” or an acronym for “hold on for dear life,” is widely recognized among cryptocurrency enthusiasts.
It represents a strategy of holding onto Bitcoin without selling, regardless of market fluctuations.
While this ticker symbol may resonate with crypto-savvy individuals, some have suggested that it might be less familiar or clear to older generations, often humorously referred to as “boomers.”
Nate Geraci, the president of advisory firm The ETF Store, opined that those well-versed in the crypto space would appreciate the ticker symbol.
However, he humorously noted that it might leave “boomers” scratching their heads.
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Despite this potential generation gap, the choice of “HODL” could serve to emphasize the long-term holding strategy often associated with Bitcoin.
Eric Balchunas, a senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, highlighted that VanEck’s unconventional ticker symbol stands out in contrast to the more traditional choices made by companies like BlackRock and Fidelity when naming their financial products.
He characterized VanEck’s choice as a unique and creative approach.
VanEck even joined the playful banter, posting a comment on December 8th that humorously stated, “My #Bitcoin ETF will bring all the baby boomers to the yard, *if approved.”
VanEck is not alone in its pursuit of a spot Bitcoin ETF. Several other companies, including BlackRock, Fidelity, Valkyrie, and Franklin Templeton, are also vying for approval from the SEC to launch their own Bitcoin ETFs.
While the SEC has not yet expressed its support for these filings, it has engaged in discussions with the applicant firms to address technical aspects of their fund proposals.
VanEck remains optimistic about the prospect of SEC approval for its Bitcoin ETF, with expectations set for January.
If approved, the company estimates substantial inflows of approximately $2.4 billion in the first quarter of implementation.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently engaged in discussions with Fidelity Investments to gain further insights into its spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) application.
A recent filing, dated December 7, revealed that the meeting included two representatives from Cboe BZX Exchange, six SEC personnel, and nine representatives from Fidelity. The focal point of this meeting was the Wise Origin Bitcoin Trust.
Specifically, the discussion revolved around Cboe BZX’s proposed rule change aimed at listing and trading shares of the Wise Origin Bitcoin Trust under Cboe BZX Rule 14.11(e)(4). In addition to verbal discussions, Fidelity presented a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation during the meeting, shedding light on the operational framework of their Bitcoin ETF.
A key highlight from the meeting was the emphasis on the efficiency of arbitrage and hedging through physical creations and redemptions.
Fidelity underscored the importance of permitting physical creation and redemption, asserting that it is critical to enhance trading efficiency and secondary market pricing for all participants.
Fidelity had initially submitted its spot Bitcoin ETF application to the SEC on June 19, closely following similar submissions by BlackRock and several other asset managers.
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However, it’s noteworthy that the SEC had previously rejected Fidelity’s application for a spot Bitcoin ETF in 2022.
This recent engagement with Fidelity follows a pattern of the SEC meeting with various spot Bitcoin ETF applicants to explore the nuances of their applications.
According to reports, these meetings have delved into “key technical details” associated with U.S. exchanges listing shares of a spot Bitcoin ETF.
In addition to Fidelity, the SEC has also held separate meetings with representatives from BlackRock and Grayscale, adding to the growing interest and scrutiny surrounding the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States.
While the exact timeline for the approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF in the U.S. remains uncertain, industry participants and analysts have shared differing views.
Hashdex, one of the 13 asset managers in the running, anticipates the first U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF to materialize by the second quarter of 2024.
However, the consensus appears to be shifting towards a matter of “when” rather than “if,” with industry experts increasingly optimistic about the eventual approval of these ETFs.
Bloomberg ETF analysts Eric Balchunas and James Seyffart are particularly confident that January 10 could witness the simultaneous approval of all spot Bitcoin ETFs, aligning with the SEC’s deadline to either approve or deny ARK Invest’s application.
Despite the government of El Salvador’s continuous endeavors to foster widespread cryptocurrency adoption within its borders, a recent report from CoinGecko has shed light on the limited number of cryptocurrency owners in the nation.
The report, released on December 7, reiterates that El Salvador remains the only country in the world actively using cryptocurrencies as legal tender, specifically Bitcoin.
However, it reveals that only a relatively small percentage of its population currently holds Bitcoin.
According to data sourced from Triple-A, approximately 109,175 individuals own Bitcoin in El Salvador, a number that pales in comparison to the nation’s total population of 6.36 million, representing approximately 1.72% of the populace.
This statistic highlights the challenges the country faces in achieving widespread cryptocurrency adoption, despite its groundbreaking legislative efforts.
Furthermore, El Salvador finds itself ranked 55th on the global cryptocurrency adoption index. Surprisingly, even countries that have imposed bans on cryptocurrencies are witnessing a faster growth rate in terms of ownership.
In a stark contrast, China, which has implemented a ban on cryptocurrencies, reports a higher percentage of its citizens owning digital assets.
The CoinGecko report suggests that an estimated 4.08% of China’s total population, equivalent to 58 million people, currently own cryptocurrencies.
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This discrepancy underscores the disparities in cryptocurrency ownership and adoption between these two nations.
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele recently announced that the country’s combined Bitcoin investments have reached $131 million.
As of December 4, this translated to a net profit of $3.6 million, resulting in a total gain of 2.84%.
These numbers highlight the potential for growth and financial benefits associated with cryptocurrency investments, despite the relatively low ownership rates.
Meanwhile, the government of El Salvador remains committed to bolstering efforts to increase cryptocurrency investment within the nation.
On December 8, reports emerged of a fresh citizenship-by-investment initiative launched by the country.
This initiative offers a residency visa and a path to citizenship for individuals willing to invest $1 million in Bitcoin or Tether within El Salvador’s borders.
This move underscores the government’s determination to promote cryptocurrency adoption and attract investment, even as ownership rates continue to lag behind their expectations.
Bitcoin made a remarkable move, surging to $44,000 following the Wall Street opening on December 8, as the latest United States employment data quashed market speculations of imminent interest rate cuts.
The developments were closely monitored using data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView, as the crypto market reacted to fresh signals of inflation in the US economy.
The official release from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that nonfarm payrolls exceeded expectations, with 199,000 jobs added compared to the anticipated 190,000.
Additionally, the unemployment rate was lower than forecast, coming in at 3.7% instead of the predicted 3.9%.
These figures suggested that the full impact of the Federal Reserve’s monetary tightening had yet to materialize, leading to a nervous response from the markets.
Before the release of the November jobs report, there was a 60% likelihood of rate cuts commencing in March 2024.
However, after the latest data, the odds of rate cuts starting in January 2024 plummeted from 16% to just 6%.
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Notably, data from CME Group’s FedWatch Tool indicated that the probability of any changes to the interest rate at the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting was almost zero.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) experienced significant volatility in response to the data, briefly reaching its highest levels since November 20 before retracting gains and trading at 103.8 at the time of reporting.
Interestingly, while gold prices dipped by 0.8%, Bitcoin managed to hold its ground despite reduced expectations of imminent interest rate cuts.
The largest cryptocurrency remained within a multi-day trading range as traders monitored for signs of a continuation in the current trend.
Prominent analyst Matthew Hyland commented on the situation, stating, “Bitcoin still consolidating in an uptrend and holding strong after the recent move,” with clear support seen around the $43,000 level.
Another trader and analyst, Daan Crypto Trades, pointed out significant liquidity zones surrounding the current Bitcoin price, particularly at $42,900 and $43,800.
Furthermore, the crypto market’s attention remained focused on altcoins versus Bitcoin, with Ether (ETH) and Solana (SOL) taking the lead overnight.
There was renewed anticipation of a potential “alt season” making a comeback, with Michaël van de Poppe, the founder and CEO of MN Trading, highlighting that “Bitcoin still consolidating around $43K, while Ethereum is gaining more momentum.”
El Salvador has introduced a new citizenship-by-investment program, known as the “Adopting El Salvador Freedom Visa Program,” which offers residency and a path to citizenship for 1,000 individuals willing to invest $1 million in either Bitcoin or Tether within the country.
While this program represents a unique opportunity, it comes with a steep price tag compared to neighboring Caribbean nations, where citizenship programs can start as low as $100,000.
The initiative, announced on December 7th, is a collaboration between the Salvadoran government and the stablecoin issuer, Tether.
To participate, potential investors are required to make an initial nonrefundable deposit of $999, which is credited toward the total $1 million investment.
If all 1,000 spots are filled, El Salvador stands to generate $1 billion in revenue, a substantial income source reminiscent of countries like Vanuatu, which annually earns millions through its own citizenship-by-investment program.
Critics, including Alistair Milne, the founder of crypto hedge fund Altana Digital Currency, have deemed El Salvador’s offering as “uncompetitive in the global market.”
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Comparatively, other options exist, such as Malta, which offers citizenship by investment for €750,000 ($810,000), providing access to the EU’s visa-free Schengen Area covering 23 countries.
Additionally, neighboring Caribbean nations like Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and St. Lucia grant citizenships in exchange for a $100,000 contribution to sovereign development funds.
Grenada and St. Kitts and Nevis offer similar programs with contributions starting at $150,000 and $250,000, respectively.
Despite the higher price point, El Salvador’s unique appeal lies in its pro-Bitcoin policies initiated by President Nayib Bukele.
These policies include recognizing Bitcoin as legal tender and eliminating income and capital gains taxes for tech companies investing in the country for the next 15 years.
These incentives may attract crypto investors to consider relocating to El Salvador.
However, it’s essential to note that President Bukele’s tenure has also faced controversy, with concerns raised about human rights violations and arbitrary detentions during his efforts to reduce the country’s high murder rate.
Bukele stepped down from the presidency on December 1st to focus on his reelection campaign ahead of the general election scheduled for February 2024.
El Salvador’s new citizenship-by-investment program, while notable, comes with mixed reviews due to its relatively high cost compared to other options and ongoing concerns about governance.