Experts: Defi Thrives Where Banks Falter, Fragmentation a Hurdle

The rise of decentralized finance is particularly strong in regions with weak banking systems, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Experts believe this is because defi offers financial tools and services traditionally unavailable to people in these areas. Experts point to the user-friendliness and security of defi compared to traditional financial institutions … Read more

Fed Report Explores How Crypto Price Changes Affect Ownership

A report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Consumer Finance Institute found that cryptocurrency ownership declined during market downturns, despite price increases in bitcoin. Data from multiple surveys showed that crypto interest and ownership did not rise, even as prices surged. The report suggests further research into consumer behavior in response to market fluctuations … Read more

Nigerian Crypto and Web3 Startup Lazerpay Shuts Down After Failing to ‘Close a Successful Funding Round’

The Nigerian crypto and Web3 startup Lazerpay announced on April 13 that it will cease operations. Co-founder and CEO Njoku Emmanuel said the decision to cease operations was made after Lazerpay failed to successfully close a funding round. The CEO also said he is ready to listen to offers from companies that may want to … Read more

2023’s Bitcoin Obituaries: Bitcoin Defies 6 Death Predictions With 80% Price Increase Since End of 2022

It’s been more than 100 days since the end of 2022, and the price of bitcoin has risen more than 80% since then. Over the past 30 days, bitcoin has increased by more than 45% against the U.S. dollar. Despite its recovery this year, after a long crypto winter in the previous year, the Bitcoin … Read more

P2P Bitcoin Exchange Paxful Suspends Marketplace With Uncertainty of Return

According to a message from Paxful Founder and CEO, Ray Youssef, the peer-to-peer bitcoin trading platform is suspending its marketplace, and the company is uncertain if it will return. Youssef cited challenges such as regulations and some key staff departures, but he also noted that he could not share the full story at this time. … Read more

Nasdaq Aims to Launch Crypto Custody Services in Second Quarter

Nasdaq intends to launch its custody services for digital assets like bitcoin by the end of this year’s second quarter. The exchange operator is among those traditional financial firms that want to play a role as intermediaries in the crypto sector which saw the collapse of some major players. Stock Exchange Nasdaq Seeks Regulatory Approval … Read more

Blockchain.com Shutters Asset Management Subsidiary Amid Crypto Winter and Industry Turmoil

According to reports and a filing that shows its name struck off the U.K. companies’ register list, Blockchain.com is sunsetting its Blockchain.com Asset Management subsidiary. A company spokesperson cited deteriorating “macroeconomic conditions” and the “crypto winter” as some of the reasons for halting the institutional business. The Impact of Crypto Winter on the Cryptocurrency Industry … Read more

Swiss Crypto Company Taurus Raises $65 Million From Credit Suisse, Other Banks

Digital asset infrastructure provider Taurus has secured millions of U.S. dollars in investment from major banking institutions. The successful funding round comes in the aftermath of negative developments in the crypto space, indicating that large players from traditional finance remain engaged with the market despite its woes. Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank Invest in Digital Asset … Read more

Iris Energy Boosts Self-Mining Capacity With 4.4 EH/s of New Bitmain Bitcoin Mining Rigs

Bitcoin miner, Iris Energy, announced plans to increase the company’s self-mining capacity, from 2 exahash per second (EH/s) to approximately 5.5 EH/s, after it receives 4.4 EH/s of new Antminer S19j Pro miners from Bitmain. Iris Energy Leverages $67 Million in Bitmain Prepayments for Latest Mining Expansion Bitcoin mining company, Iris Energy, announced plans […] … Read more