BITCOIN
Bitcoin (BTC) is the world’s first open-source, peer-to-peer cryptocurrency developed by a pseudonymous person or group of people under the name of Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008. The identity of Satoshi Nakamoto remains a mystery. The crypto is run on distributed ledger technology, also known as blockchain. Bitcoin allows for lower transaction fees than traditional online payment systems, and is decentralized, unlike government-backed currencies. Bitcoin is the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization and has a limit of 21 million coins. The cryptocurrency uses a proof-of-work protocol to enable security, privacy, and legitimacy of monetary transactions. The issuance of Bitcoin requires mining, where programmers solve a difficult cryptographic puzzle to be able to mine Bitcoin, which earns them a reward. Bitcoin remains the most popular cryptocurrencies, all other cryptocurrencies are known as altcoins.
SEC Rejects VanEck Spot Bitcoin Trust Proposal
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission has denied the proposal for a spot Bitcoin trust by investment manager VanEck. This decision follows a trend of the SEC denying every application for a spot Bitcoin trust over the last six years. Two SEC commissioners have released a statement criticizing the decision and alleging a double standard in the Commission’s approach to commodity-based exchange-traded products (ETPs).
BitMEX Co-Founder Proposes Bitcoin-Backed Stablecoin
Arthur Hayes, the co-founder and former CEO of BitMEX, has proposed creating a new stablecoin called the Satoshi Nakamoto Dollar (NUSD) or NakaDollar. Unlike major reserve-backed U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoins, the proposed NakaDollar would be pegged to the sum of $1 worth of Bitcoin and one inverse perpetual swap of BTC against USD, without relying on any USD reserves. The stablecoin's peg to the U.S. dollar would be maintained via mathematical transactions between the new decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) authorized participants and derivatives exchanges.
$1 Billion Worth of Bitcoin Moved from US Law Enforcement Seized Wallets
Over 50,000 Bitcoin, valued at $1 billion, were transferred from multiple wallets linked to US law enforcement seizures. Approximately 9,861 BTC was sent to Coinbase, while the rest were internal transfers. The BTC was seized from the Silk Road marketplace, one of the first darknet markets to accept Bitcoin payments.
Bitcoin Ordinals: Controversial but Here to Stay
Bitcoin Ordinals, the ability to permanently store data on the Bitcoin blockchain, are a controversial topic within the cryptocurrency community. However, builders and CEOs of Bitcoin-focused companies see potential for the technology, despite concerns over blockchain congestion and offensive content. Ordinals offer a new use case for the Bitcoin network beyond peer-to-peer cash, allowing for permanent and censorship-resistant storage of culturally significant events and data.
European Asset Manager Believes Bitcoin is Not Doomed Despite Industry Collapse
A European asset manager, Amundi, believes that the ongoing cryptocurrency industry collapse does not mean that digital assets like Bitcoin are doomed to fail. Despite BTC's inability to protect investors from rising inflation, its limited supply may still attract attention if inflation remains high.
NFT Firm Yuga Labs Faces Criticism Over Bitcoin Auction Plan
Yuga Labs has come under fire from the cryptocurrency community for its plan to auction its new Bitcoin NFT collection. The company's plan requires participants to send their entire bid amount in Bitcoin to a unique BTC address controlled by Yuga, and winners would pay up the BTC they bid while Yuga said it would return BTC to those unsuccessful in placing a top bid. The manual refund process for unsuccessful bids and the potential for significant price discrepancies in the top 288 bids have led to criticism from some within the crypto community.
Bitcoin Core Developer Luke Dashjr Calls Out Misleading NFT Auction
Bitcoin core developer Luke Dashjr called out an auction site for using his name and code without consent to create and sell a misleading NFT. The NFT, which featured a picture of code Dashjr wrote, was sold for 0.41 Bitcoin or roughly $9,500. Dashjr clarified that he was not involved in the creation or sale of the NFT and had not given consent for his name or code to be used.
Grayscale CEO Calls on SEC to Protect Investors
Grayscale Investments’ CEO Michael Sonnenshein has called on the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to protect Grayscale investors by returning the true asset value to them. Sonnenshein stated in a recent interview that the SEC acted arbitrarily by denying approval for the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) to be a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) in June 2022, while approving Bitcoin Futures ETFs. He explained that the SEC violated the administrative procedures act, and that Grayscale is suing the SEC over the denial of its initial application. Grayscale has over a million investor accounts, and Sonnenshein called on the SEC to protect investors and return the value to them.
Cash App Integrates TaxBit for Streamlined Crypto Tax Reporting
Cash App has integrated TaxBit into its services, allowing Bitcoin holders to easily report their taxes. Cash App users can track their Bitcoin transactions for tax reporting purposes through TaxBit’s platform. TaxBit simplifies tax reporting for everyone who has integrated digital assets into their portfolio. The IRS set Jan. 23 as the start of the 2022 tax filing season and reminded taxpayers of their crypto income reporting obligations, including capital gains from trading, mining, and staking activities.
Crypto Lawyers Dispute SEC Chief's Jurisdiction Claims
Lawyers for the cryptocurrency industry have challenged recent comments made by the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Gary Gensler, in which he claimed that all cryptocurrencies except Bitcoin fall under the agency's jurisdiction. The lawyers argue that the SEC must prove its case in court for each token individually before it can claim jurisdiction over them.
BitCard® and Blackhawk Network (BHN) to Offer Bitcoin Gift Cards at Select U.S. Retailers
BitCard® has announced a new relationship with Blackhawk Network (BHN), one of the world's leaders in branded payment technology. Through this groundbreaking commercial relationship, BitCard® will offer its Bitcoin Gift Card at select U.S. retailers in BHN's vast network of retailers and B2B channels.
IMF Urges Countries to Consider Banning Cryptocurrencies
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen underlined the need for effective cryptocurrency regulation.
Grayscale CEO challenges SEC's denial of application
If GBTC becomes a spot BTC ETF, Grayscale Investments CEO Michael Sonnenshein stated investors will get a "few of billion dollars" back.
BlueWallet is Sunsetting Its Lightning Node Connection to Lndhub
Don't worry—BlueWallet is just another step toward self-custody and lightning nodes.
Former facilities worker who allegedly set up a secret cryptocurrency mining operation
After skipping a court arraignment session, Nadeam Nahas faces arrest for using a school's energy for bitcoin mining.