Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase is acquiring a minority stake in Circle Internet Financial, dissolving their partnership and bringing the stablecoin USD Coin fully in-house, while also adding native support for USDC on six additional blockchains, bringing the total to 15.
Coinbase receives approval for futures trading in the US and the SEC is considering approving an Ethereum ETF, signaling progress in the crypto industry.
China's historical dominance in the crypto industry persists despite periodic crackdowns, with many crypto companies still earning a significant portion of their revenue from the country and maintaining unofficial channels of liquidity; China's economic uncertainty, including concerns about future crackdowns and a collapsing real estate market, can impact global crypto markets.
A new study by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) suggests that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have not reduced financial risks but rather amplified them in emerging market economies, leading to potential policy options ranging from bans to regulation.
Coinbase may be misrepresenting itself as an exchange and could be violating state money transmitter licenses, according to allegations made by ChainArgos' CEO and General Counsel. The company argues that Coinbase is legally an over-the-counter (OTC) broker rather than an exchange operator, and it may be in violation of its licenses with its Ethereum platform, Base.
Coinbase is in talks with major Canadian banks to gain support for the crypto industry in Canada as it faces regulatory uncertainty in its home country, aiming to have the banks participate in the crypto economy in the near future.
Summary: Coinbase and Circle have dissolved the Centre Consortium due to regulatory clarity issues surrounding stablecoins, with Coinbase taking an equity stake in Circle and Circle assuming enhanced responsibilities for the USD Coin (USDC) stablecoin; Binance.US partners with MoonPay to use Tether (USDT) as its new "base asset" for transactions, while Binance faces challenges with fiat withdrawals in Europe; Shopify now accepts USDC payments on its platform, and Solana Pay plans to add additional altcoins; China launches a blockchain-powered data exchange with over 300 participating enterprises.
Crypto-related stocks soar as the chances of fund companies offering Bitcoin ETFs increase, though Coinbase Global faces obstacles.
The lack of a fully regulated financial market in the US contradicts global economic interdependence, and as a result, the crypto industry is moving offshore rapidly; however, the US government is likely to eventually establish a clear regulatory framework and invest in blockchain R&D, thus strengthening the industry.
Coinbase has launched a crypto lending service for institutional investors in the US, aiming to capitalize on failures in the crypto lending market.
Crypto exchange Coinbase plans to focus on non-U.S. markets, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, Singapore, and Australia, due to their clearer crypto laws, as it seeks to expand its operations and establish partnerships with global and local banks and payment providers while ensuring compliance with governance systems. The company also aims to intensify its lobbying and visibility efforts ahead of the EU elections and engage with the G20 to create global crypto standards.
The lack of clear crypto regulations in the US has caused significant issues for the industry, leading to collapses and a weakening of America's position as a financial hub, according to Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong. He emphasizes the need for clear rules that recognize the innovation potential of the technology while protecting consumers. Armstrong also highlights the potential benefits of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and Coinbase's role as custodian in many ETF applications.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong predicts that cryptocurrencies will be a prominent topic in the 2024 US elections as the gap between current crypto policies and the needs of Americans becomes more apparent.
Major cryptocurrencies declined as investors awaited regulatory developments, including the SEC's ruling on a Bitcoin ETF, while Coinbase revealed plans for international expansion and focus on obtaining licenses in key financial jurisdictions.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler continues to emphasize the importance of crypto companies complying with securities laws, despite recent setbacks in court cases against the industry. Gensler will discuss recent enforcement actions and proposals related to cryptocurrency firms but will avoid discussing ongoing litigation, including high-profile cases against Coinbase and Binance.
The market is underestimating the potential impact and value of Spot Bitcoin ETFs, with analysts arguing that approval would lead to significant financial inflows and buying pressure, and that it is a good time to enter the market and start building a crypto portfolio, despite regulatory challenges. Ethereum could also benefit from a futures-based ETF listing, but there is caution about the SEC potentially classifying ETH as a security. Overall, the global crypto adoption is dependent on market maturity, regulatory intervention, and consistent long-term adoption.
Crypto analyst Will Clemente suggests that the US economy's need to issue more dollars to service its debt will inevitably lead to significant currency debasement, making Bitcoin the most promising asset for investors looking to protect their wealth. With the growing digital trend and a wave of Bitcoin adoption, Clemente believes that alternative monetary systems will become increasingly favorable.
Coinbase, the largest U.S. cryptocurrency exchange, is actively engaging with Ohio voters through events, ads, and lobbying efforts, highlighting the potential economic benefits of the crypto industry to the state. They are pushing for the passage of the FIT21 Act, which would provide regulatory clarity for cryptocurrency exchanges. However, the legislation's fate is uncertain, as there are differing opinions among lawmakers regarding crypto regulation.
The Federal Reserve's decision to maintain interest rates and raise its long-term forecast for the Federal Funds Rate surprised many market participants, causing a slight pullback in the stock and cryptocurrency markets while highlighting the need for investors to focus on the actual health and viability of companies and the utility of the crypto ecosystem. Additionally, the article speculates on the impact of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's ruling on Bitcoin spot ETF applications and the potential for cryptocurrency to become a mainstream alternative investment.
Bitcoin could experience significant inflows from China in the coming months due to a weakening Chinese yuan and increasing capital flight, with Chinese investors turning to Bitcoin as a familiar investment in times of economic uncertainty, according to experts. The recent data shows that China's capital outflow reached its highest level since 2015 in August, potentially putting further pressure on the yuan. While Chinese capital controls may limit investment options, cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin, is seen as a viable alternative. However, analysts caution that the impact of Chinese capital flight on Bitcoin may not be as significant as it was in 2017 due to changes in regulations and crackdowns on certain practices.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong believes that the crypto industry needs to enhance its lobbying efforts before the 2024 elections in order to address the unfair regulatory environment faced by US-based crypto firms.
Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the United States, holds around $25 billion in Bitcoin reserves, a sum comparable to the holdings of Bitcoin's enigmatic founder, Satoshi Nakamoto.
Cryptocurrency faces regulatory challenges that could shape its future, but despite these challenges, the industry holds promise with developments such as increased institutional adoption, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), DeFi innovation, interoperability, and expected regulatory clarity.
Coinbase is looking to diversify its revenues, but for now, it remains heavily reliant on Bitcoin trading.
Crypto exchange Coinbase has registered with the central bank of Spain, making it mandatory for the company to comply with anti-money laundering standards and paving the way for implementation of the European Union's MiCA regulation in 2024.
The U.S. SEC and Coinbase are in conflict over Celsius' request to use Coinbase as a distribution agent, with the SEC arguing that this would go beyond the scope of a distribution agent and involve brokerage and trading services; Coinbase's Chief Legal Officer questions why the SEC would object to a trusted US company taking on this role.
Coinbase is leading a major lobbying effort in Washington D.C. to garner support for new regulations in the cryptocurrency industry.
Coinbase International Exchange, the Bermuda-based subsidiary of Coinbase, has received regulatory approval to offer perpetual futures trading to non-US retail customers, providing them access to the derivatives market dominated by institutions.
Europe is seen as a favorable environment for the cryptocurrency ecosystem due to its regulatory clarity and adoption by institutional players, in contrast to the uncertain regulatory landscape in the United States.
Crypto investment firm CoinShares is optimistic about cryptocurrency regulation in the United States as it enters the market and believes that the US is a global leader in digital asset development.
The market capitalization of stablecoins has dropped by 35% in the past 18 months due to factors such as reduced retail participation, surging US treasury yield, and high opportunity cost, with only a few stablecoins like USDT remaining resilient and dominant in the market. The decline is attributed to traditional finance rates exceeding crypto-native yields, and the market share decline of US-native stablecoins is seen as a result of U.S. regulation hostility. Stablecoins are considered the "killer app" of the crypto industry, comprising a significant portion of settlement activity on public blockchains. The trend is expected to reverse when there is revived interest in crypto trading, steady interest rate cuts, and a pro-crypto regulatory environment.
Crypto exchange Bitstamp is in talks with several big European banks to offer cryptocurrency services, indicating that the European Union's regulatory framework is enabling traditional financial institutions to enter the digital asset space, in contrast to the US where regulators are cracking down on crypto.
Coinbase is facing a legal battle with federal regulators over its operation as an unregistered securities exchange, with three new legal filings supporting the SEC's argument that it has the authority to regulate cryptocurrency under existing laws.
Coinbase, the largest US crypto exchange, argues that a proposed IRS rule to define crypto brokers and regulate tax payments will threaten the industry and invade Americans' privacy.
Crypto finance, despite its claims of decentralization and independence from state-backed money, is heavily dependent on centralized platforms and is a vehicle for financial speculation rather than a means of escape from state control, according to Ramaa Vasudevan, professor of economics. Moreover, the growth of crypto will compound the volatility of global capitalism and its environmental impact is significant due to the energy-intensive process of mining and validating crypto tokens. The rise of stablecoins has been crucial in the development of crypto finance, but it is ultimately dependent on conventional currencies for stability. The recent crash of crypto finance has revealed its fragility and the absence of central banks as lenders of last resort exacerbates financial instability. Crypto finance fits into the wider picture of financialization and asset-price bubbles, promoting inequality and concentration of wealth. Ultimately, the politics of money and its relationship with the state are contested in the crypto sphere, as it neither depoliticizes nor democratizes money. Finally, crypto finance has become a battleground in the economic competition between the United States and China, with both countries striving for dominance in the digital currency space.
The crypto industry in Asia is flourishing as it attracts projects and investors looking to avoid regulatory uncertainties in the US, leveraging favorable policies and growing crypto adoption in the region.
The Australian Treasury has proposed new regulations to regulate cryptocurrency exchanges under existing financial services rules, receiving praise from crypto exchanges for providing regulatory certainty and promoting industry growth and innovation. However, some express concerns about fitting the crypto industry into existing financial services regulation.
Cryptocurrency exchanges and businesses are being attracted to the UAE, Dubai, and Bahrain due to their progressive regulatory approaches, offering regulatory certainty and clarity for the industry.
Coinbase has chosen Ireland as its regulatory hub in the EU, positioning itself to take advantage of the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) laws which will allow crypto service providers to operate across the bloc.
The lack of regulatory clarity for stablecoins in the U.S. could lead to the migration of the industry to Europe, where comprehensive regulations are already in place, potentially diminishing the U.S. dollar's demand and hegemony in global transactions.
Coinbase's chief legal officer is optimistic that bitcoin spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications will be approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, potentially boosting the price of bitcoin and benefiting crypto-linked stocks.
