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NFT Trader Hit by Security Breach, Millions in NFTs Stolen by Hackers

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On December 16, the peer-to-peer trading platform NFT Trader fell victim to a security breach, resulting in the theft of millions of dollars’ worth of nonfungible tokens (NFTs).

NFT Trader officially acknowledged the incident on social media, urging users to take action by revoking delegations to two specific addresses: 0xc310e760778ecbca4c65b6c559874757a4c4ece0 and 0x13d8faF4A690f5AE52E2D2C52938d1167057B9af.

The stolen NFTs encompassed a variety of collections, including at least 13 Mutant Ape Yacht Club tokens, 37 Bored Ape tokens, VeeFriends, and World of Women NFTs, resulting in collective losses estimated at nearly $3 million, as reported by Revoke.cash.

In the aftermath of the hack, social media was flooded with rumors and misinformation.

Furthermore, the full extent of how many hackers exploited the security vulnerability remains unclear.

One of the attackers, in a public message, attributed the initial exploit to someone else and stated their intention to ransom the NFTs for their return.

The attacker’s message revealed a seemingly contradictory motivation, claiming to be initially interested in acquiring “residual garbage” but later realizing the potential value of the NFTs.

Despite this revelation, the attacker declared their indifference to personal gain and expressed a preference for scavenging leftover items.

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Moreover, the attacker admitted to having limited technical skills and proposed that victims pay a 10% bounty in Ether in exchange for the return of their NFTs.

They explained the difficulties they encountered in retrieving all affected NFTs simultaneously, which they claimed required substantial energy and time investment.

Their message emphasized the expectation of a deserving reward for their actions.

In an unexpected turn of events, one of the victims reported receiving a rare NFT along with 31 ETH, which was valued at nearly $70,680 at the time.

This development left the victim astonished, prompting them to question the surreal nature of the situation.

In conclusion, the security breach on NFT Trader on December 16 led to the theft of valuable NFTs, sparking confusion and speculation on social media.

The attacker’s motives remained enigmatic, with their actions blending a pursuit of value with an unconventional preference for “residual garbage.”

As the situation unfolded, victims were faced with unexpected gestures from the attacker, adding further complexity to an already perplexing incident.

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Pro-XRP Lawyer Accuses SEC Chair of Gaslighting Amid Crypto Rule Dispute

In the ongoing legal battle between Coinbase and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), John Deaton, a prominent lawyer supporting XRP, has accused SEC Chair Gary Gensler of manipulating public perception and expressed disagreement with his stance on cryptocurrencies.

The conflict arises as the SEC recently rejected Coinbase’s petition for cryptocurrency rulemaking on three grounds.

First, they argued against applying existing securities laws to cryptocurrencies.

Second, they questioned the SEC’s involvement in the crypto securities markets through regulatory measures.

Lastly, they stressed the importance of preserving the SEC’s discretion in setting its rulemaking priorities.

Deaton took to social media, notably X (formerly Twitter), to highlight Gensler’s rationale behind the SEC’s decision.

Gensler asserted that “there is NOTHING unique or new about cryptocurrencies” and suggested that Coinbase’s request was based on the mistaken belief that the crypto ecosystem was distinct in terms of asset volatility and the classification of all assets as securities under current regulations.

John Deaton challenged Gensler’s current position by recalling his earlier testimony before Congress in 2023.

During that testimony, Gensler had acknowledged the uniqueness of cryptocurrencies and their potential to create a regulatory gap, which contradicts his recent stance.

Deaton argued that Coinbase’s rulemaking petition had relied on the SEC’s previous perspective, as evident in prior communications.

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He attributed Gensler’s apparent reversal on crypto-related matters to political influences and support from Senator Elizabeth Warren.

The SEC’s handling of the cryptocurrency ecosystem has raised questions due to inconsistencies between Gensler’s statements and the commission’s actions.

While they continue to engage in legal disputes with Coinbase and Binance, the SEC chose not to appeal its loss against Grayscale Investments.

This particular case involved Grayscale’s attempt to convert its Grayscale Bitcoin Trust into a spot exchange-traded fund.

In summary, the ongoing legal feud between Coinbase and the SEC has exposed disagreements within the regulatory body regarding cryptocurrencies.

John Deaton’s accusations of gaslighting against SEC Chair Gary Gensler highlight the evolving nature of crypto regulation and the need for clarity and consistency in the SEC’s approach to this rapidly developing industry.

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Bitcoin Price Plummets as SEC Rejects Coinbase’s Rule Request

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Bitcoin (BTC) faced a tumultuous day in the cryptocurrency market, with its ticker symbol, BTC, declining sharply to $42,882.

This drop of over $1,300, equivalent to 3.2%, occurred on the heels of a brief recovery from recent volatility. Bitcoin struggled to maintain its position above $43,000 as the bulls failed to gain momentum.

The decline in BTC’s price coincided with news that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had rejected a request from major cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase to revise the rules governing crypto.

SEC Chair Gary Gensler expressed his support for the Commission’s decision, emphasizing that existing laws and regulations apply to the cryptocurrency securities market.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining the Commission’s discretion in setting its own rulemaking priorities.

The SEC’s involvement in the crypto market has been closely watched, especially with expectations that it will approve the first U.S. Bitcoin spot price exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in early 2024.

Gensler clarified that the SEC’s actions are based on its authorities and how courts interpret those authorities.

Analyzing the order books, traders noticed an increase in bid support around the $41,000 level, which became a point of interest.

There was also active supply noted around the $44,000 mark, suggesting a key resistance zone.

On the technical side, the four-hour exponential moving averages (EMAs) were once again in play, with the price contesting these levels and the relative strength index (RSI) dipping below 50.

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This setup indicated an impending crucial close in the price action.

Zooming out to a broader perspective, Keith Alan, co-founder of trading resource Material Indicators, observed an ongoing struggle to turn a significant weekly level into support.

This challenge centered around the 0.5 Fibonacci retracement line near $42,500, which represented one of the critical hurdles on the path to revisiting the all-time high of $69,000.

Material Indicators also reported that large-volume traders were showing increased buying activity at the time, suggesting that “Mega Whales” were trying to reclaim the $42,000 price level.

This battle between buyers and sellers indicated the potential for further price volatility in the Bitcoin market.

In summary, Bitcoin faced a downward correction below $43,000, influenced by the SEC’s decision regarding Coinbase’s rule request.

The cryptocurrency market remained dynamic, with traders closely monitoring key support and resistance levels, as well as the actions of significant market players.

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SEC Holds Crucial Talks on Spot Bitcoin ETF Approvals with Leading Asset Managers

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The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has entered into a fresh round of discussions with asset management firms regarding the potential approval of a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the U.S.

These discussions included officials from the office of SEC Chair Gary Gensler, signifying a notable development in the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrency investments.

According to official court filings, on December 14th, the SEC held a meeting with representatives from BlackRock to deliberate over the proposed rule change that would permit the trading of a crypto investment vehicle on major U.S. exchanges.

This marks the third meeting between BlackRock and the SEC, underlining the growing interest and anticipation surrounding this potential approval. ETF analyst Jayme Seyffart from Bloomberg highlighted the significance of these discussions.

In recent weeks, meetings between asset managers and the SEC have intensified. On December 8th, Grayscale and Franklin Templeton also engaged in discussions with regulators regarding their respective ETF applications. Fidelity had a similar meeting a day earlier.

The most recent meeting on December 14th between BlackRock and the SEC, which involved Gensler’s office, underscores the high stakes involved.

In late November, Chair Gensler’s staff met with representatives from Hashdex to address concerns related to market manipulation and investor protection.

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Key topics of discussion included the use of cash creations and redemptions, as well as the acquisition of spot Bitcoin from physical exchanges within the Chicago Mercantile Exchange market.

Several prominent asset managers, including WisdomTree, BlackRock, Invesco, Fidelity, and Grayscale, are actively working towards launching spot Bitcoin ETFs.

Historically, the SEC has denied similar proposals, but it now appears to be deferring its next decisions until early January, coinciding with the expiration of most applicants’ latest deadlines.

If approved, a spot Bitcoin ETF would enable Bitcoin to be traded on major Wall Street exchanges, making it accessible to a wider audience of investors backed by some of the world’s most influential investment firms.

Conversely, if denied, investment managers are likely to appeal the decision, further prolonging the wait.

It’s important to note the distinction between spot Bitcoin ETFs and futures Bitcoin ETFs.

The former directly tracks the real-time market price of Bitcoin, holding actual Bitcoin, while the latter invests in Bitcoin futures contracts, which are agreements based on the future price of Bitcoin.

The SEC approved the first futures Bitcoin ETF in 2021, and now the focus has shifted to spot Bitcoin ETFs as the industry eagerly awaits regulatory clarity.

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First Trust Files for Innovative Bitcoin Buffer ETF with SEC

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First Trust, a prominent financial services firm, has made a notable move in the cryptocurrency space by filing for a Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded fund (ETF).

However, this ETF is not the typical spot ETF that tracks the performance of Bitcoin directly. On December 14,

First Trust submitted a Form N1-A filing to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the launch of the First Trust Bitcoin Buffer ETF.

The primary objective of the First Trust Bitcoin Buffer ETF, as outlined in its prospectus, is to participate in the positive price returns of the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust or another exchange-traded product (ETP) that offers exposure to Bitcoin’s performance.

Unlike a spot Bitcoin ETF, which directly follows Bitcoin’s price movements, a buffer ETF employs options to achieve a predefined investment outcome.

Buffer ETFs, often referred to as “defined-outcome ETFs,” are designed to safeguard investors from losses in the event of market declines.

They accomplish this by setting a limit or buffer on a stock’s growth over a specified period, utilizing options to ensure a particular investment outcome and deliver a targeted level of protection against market downturns.

James Seyffart, an ETF analyst at Bloomberg, commented on the First Trust Bitcoin Buffer ETF, highlighting that such funds protect against a predetermined percentage of downside losses while capping potential gains.

He also anticipated the emergence of other unique strategies offering Bitcoin exposure in the coming weeks.

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The First Trust Bitcoin Buffer ETF represents one of the initial filings of its kind with the U.S. SEC.

At the time of writing, there are 139 buffer ETFs actively traded in the U.S. market, with total assets under management totaling $32.54 billion.

Buffer ETFs are available across various asset classes, including equities, commodities, and fixed income.

In recent years, buffer ETFs have gained significant popularity, with industry leader BlackRock introducing its first iShares buffer ETFs in June 2023.

These new products, namely the iShares Large Cap Moderate Buffer ETF (IVVM) and the iShares Large Cap Deep Buffer ETF (IVVB), have shown returns of around 5% and 2%, respectively, since their launch, according to TradingView data.

It’s important to note that despite their protective mechanisms, buffer ETFs do not guarantee complete safeguarding of investments.

Investors should be aware that there is a risk of losing some or all of their capital when investing in these funds.

Both First Trust and BlackRock acknowledge that buffer ETFs may not be suitable for all investors and do not provide principal or non-principal protection, meaning investors could still incur losses up to the entire amount of their investment.

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SafeMoon Token Plummets 31% as Company Files for Bankruptcy Amidst SEC Legal Woes

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The SafeMoon token, a prominent player in the realm of decentralized finance (DeFi), has endured a dramatic 31% plunge within just five hours.

This abrupt downturn was triggered by the revelation that the company responsible for SafeMoon had submitted a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing.

On December 14, SafeMoon initiated its bankruptcy process by officially filing for Chapter 7, also known as “liquidation bankruptcy,” with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah overseeing the case.

Attorney Mark Rose filed the voluntary petition, and Judge Joel Marker was designated to preside over the proceedings.

A purported letter from the firm’s chief restructuring officer surfaced on Reddit, shedding light on the company’s dire financial straits.

The letter explained that the bankruptcy filing had rendered the company unable to meet its employee payroll obligations, advising employees to file claims in the bankruptcy court for unpaid wages.

This unfortunate development follows closely on the heels of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charging SafeMoon, its founder Kyle Nagy, CEO John Karony, and CTO Thomas Smith with violating securities laws. The SEC characterized their actions as part of “a massive fraudulent scheme.”

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SafeMoon’s token (SFM) witnessed a sharp decline from $0.000065 on December 14 at 8:24 pm UTC to $0.000045 over a five-hour period following the bankruptcy news, according to CoinGecko.

However, it displayed a brief resurgence, rebounding to $0.000061 within a rapid 10-minute span. Presently, SFM is trading at $0.00005729, reflecting a staggering 98.2% drop from its peak price of $0.0033 on January 5, 2022.

Furthermore, its once-impressive $1 billion market capitalization has dwindled to a mere $34.5 million.

Former SafeMoon supporters have expressed their frustrations on Reddit, accusing the SafeMoon developers of perpetrating a rug-pull scam.

Reddit users lamented their losses and cautioned against holding any hope for SafeMoon’s resurgence.

Santiago Melgarejo, a former nonfungible token analyst and sales specialist for SafeMoon, acknowledged that warning signs were apparent from the beginning, especially when numerous employees were abruptly laid off despite working for a month without receiving their salaries.

It’s worth noting that SafeMoon had previously fallen victim to an exploit in March, resulting in a net loss of $8.9 million.

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SEC Chair Gary Gensler Hints at Revised Approach to Bitcoin ETFs Following Recent Legal Rulings

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United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler has suggested a potential shift in the regulator’s approach to Bitcoin exchange-traded products (ETPs) following a recent legal decision involving Grayscale.

During an interview with CNBC on December 14, Gensler addressed the numerous pending applications for spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs, revealing that the SEC is currently processing “between eight and a dozen filings.”

Gensler acknowledged that the SEC had previously rejected several of these applications but indicated a potential change in their stance, stating, “So we’re taking a new look at this based upon those court rulings.”

When asked directly if he was referring to Grayscale, Gensler avoided providing a specific answer, emphasizing that the SEC operates within the framework of laws enacted by Congress and how the courts interpret them.

The SEC’s decision to deny an ETF offering from Grayscale Investments, involving its Bitcoin trust, was overturned by a federal judge in August.

Subsequently, major asset management firms like BlackRock, Fidelity, Grayscale, Invesco, Galaxy, VanEck, and Valkyrie have entered the race to launch spot Bitcoin ETFs.

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Although these applications have faced delays, some analysts anticipate a potential batch approval in early January 2024.

In another interview with Bloomberg’s Kailey Leinz on the same day, Gensler avoided disclosing the number of spot Bitcoin product filings.

Instead, he highlighted recent developments in the U.S. treasury market as the agency’s current priority.

U.S. Representative Bryan Steil commented on Twitter, criticizing Gensler’s handling of the crypto-related questions:

“Chair Gary Gensler obfuscates on crypto with the press like he does at committee hearings. He does not want to explain his agency’s aggressive regulatory approach which is pushing crypto offshore.”

Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart also remarked, “Gensler very rarely gives clear answers! He’s a master at hedging his words.”

In summary, SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s recent comments have raised speculation about a potential shift in the SEC’s approach to Bitcoin exchange-traded products, following recent court decisions.

This comes as several major asset managers seek approval for spot Bitcoin ETFs, though the regulatory landscape remains uncertain.

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SEC Stands Firm on Cash Redemption Model for Bitcoin ETFs, Invesco and Galaxy Comply

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As Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) issuers work on their filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the regulator is standing firm in its demand for a “cash” redemption model instead of alternatives proposed by issuers like BlackRock.

On December 14, finance lawyer Scott Johnsson revealed that ETF applicants Invesco and Galaxy have now adopted a cash creation and redemption model for their ETFs.

Their updated S-1 filing with the SEC stated, “The trust expects that creation and redemption transactions will take place initially in cash.”

The SEC has been advocating for a cash redemption model for spot Bitcoin ETFs, while some applicants, including BlackRock, have suggested an “in-kind” model.

So, what’s the difference? A cash creation model involves authorized participants depositing cash equivalent to the net asset value of the creation units.

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The fund uses this cash to purchase the underlying asset, such as Bitcoin. In contrast, the in-kind creation model involves participants depositing a basket of securities that match the ETF’s portfolio, allowing the fund to issue creation units without immediately selling the securities for cash.

The cash model may result in slightly wider spreads and potential tax inefficiencies but offers greater flexibility for fund participants.

Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas believes the latest filing indicates the SEC’s determination to allow only cash-created ETFs initially.

He mentioned that many were waiting to see if BlackRock could persuade the regulator to consider in-kind creation, but analyst Seyffart suggests that most issuers may eventually adopt the cash creation and redemption model.

In late November, BlackRock met with the SEC to discuss ETF share creation and redemption mechanisms, presenting a revised hybrid in-kind model that favored this method over cash creations.

Bitwise has also shifted towards cash-only creation and redemption since December 4, despite initially having both in-kind and cash options in their documents.

The SEC recently delayed its decision on approving a spot Ether ETF for Invesco and Galaxy Digital.

Representatives from asset managers like BlackRock, Grayscale, and Fidelity have been meeting with the SEC to finalize details for their spot BTC products, with analysts anticipating batch approvals in early January.

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Philippines SEC Clarifies Three-Month Timeline for Binance Ban Following Advisory

The head of the Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Kelvin Lee, provided clarification during a panel discussion on December 13th regarding the timeline for the ban on Binance, a popular cryptocurrency exchange.

The ban, which was initiated following an advisory issued by regulators on November 28th, is set to take effect three months after the advisory’s issuance.

There had been widespread confusion on the internet about the ban’s implementation, prompting Lee to address the matter.

He specified that the ban was originally intended to begin three months from the date of the advisory, which was issued on November 29th. Lee also indicated that, depending on feedback and circumstances, the timeline could potentially be extended.

He noted that the initial recommendation had suggested a much shorter one-month or even one-week transition period, but he decided to grant more time due to the upcoming Christmas holiday season, to avoid inconveniencing Filipino investors.

In addition to Binance, Lee disclosed that two other exchanges, OctaFX and MiTrade, had also received advisories for operating without the necessary licenses and would face bans after a three-month grace period.

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The local SEC stated that it possesses a substantial list of unregistered exchanges operating within the country and would be monitoring their response to the actions taken against Binance.

Lee faced criticism for the Binance ban, with some individuals suggesting that the exchange’s services were more affordable compared to registered exchanges.

In response, he emphasized that Binance was cheaper precisely because it had not gone through the registration and compliance process required in the Philippines, unlike registered entities that incurred compliance costs.

Lee cautioned local investors to opt for registered entities, highlighting that there were 17 virtual asset service providers in the country that offered fiat-to-crypto services while adhering to regulatory standards.

He stressed the importance of registration and consumer protection, urging investors to collaborate with registered entities.

Cointelegraph sought comment from Binance regarding the situation and any potential actions or plans in response to the ban in the Philippines.

The regulatory landscape in the cryptocurrency space continues to evolve, with governments and agencies working to establish clear guidelines and ensure compliance within the industry.

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SEC Extends Decision Timeline for Invesco Galaxy Ethereum ETF Approval

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced a delay in its decision-making process regarding the approval or disapproval of a spot Ether exchange-traded fund (ETF) proposed by Invesco and Galaxy Digital.

In a notice dated December 13, the SEC revealed its intention to extend the evaluation period for a proposed rule change that would permit the Cboe BZX Exchange to list and trade shares of the Invesco Galaxy Ethereum ETF.

This proposed ETF represents just one of several cryptocurrency investment vehicles currently under the SEC’s consideration. Up to this point, the SEC has never granted approval for an ETF with direct exposure to Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies.

The initial deadline for the decision on this proposed rule change was set for December 23, 2023, but the SEC has now designated February 6, 2024, as the new deadline for either approval, disapproval, or the initiation of proceedings to determine whether to disapprove the proposed rule change.

Invesco and Galaxy Digital submitted their application for a spot ETH ETF in September, following the reactivation of their application for a spot Bitcoin ETF in June.

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Some experts have speculated that if the SEC eventually approves a spot crypto ETF, whether it involves Bitcoin or Ether, it may lead to simultaneous approvals of similar funds from various other financial firms.

As of the latest available information, multiple firms have submitted applications for spot crypto ETFs, including BlackRock, Hashdex, ARK 21Shares, VanEck, and Fidelity.

The SEC has been actively engaged with these asset managers, as evidenced by recent memos released over the past 30 days, which indicate that representatives from these firms have met with SEC officials to discuss their ETF offerings.

In summary, the SEC’s decision to delay the approval or disapproval of the Invesco Galaxy Ethereum ETF highlights the ongoing regulatory scrutiny and careful evaluation of cryptocurrency-based financial products in the United States.

The outcome of this decision could potentially set a significant precedent for the future of cryptocurrency ETFs in the country.

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