Putin Reveals Over 85% of CIS Trade Now in National Currencies

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that more than 85% of trade within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is now conducted in national currencies, highlighting a move toward greater financial independence. This development is part of broader efforts by CIS countries to reduce reliance on foreign economic systems, particularly imports, and to build resilient financial … Read more

Institutional Investors Predict Surge in Digital Asset Fund Launches, Research Finds

Institutional investors and wealth managers anticipate a sharp increase in digital asset fund launches, with 70% of those surveyed expecting a rise over the next 12 months, according to new research by Nickel Digital Asset Management. 92% of respondents also foresee traditional financial institutions entering the sector with their own funds, driven in part by … Read more

Wazirx Granted 4-Month Moratorium, Will Make Wallet Addresses Public

Indian crypto exchange Wazirx has secured a four-month moratorium granted by a Singapore court, providing time for the company to address its financial obligations while crafting a resolution plan. Wazirx explained that as part of the court’s conditions, it will “make wallet addresses public via a court affidavit, respond to user queries raised in the … Read more

FBI Warns of Growing ‘Pig Butchering’ Crypto Schemes in Maryland

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Baltimore office has issued a warning about the increasing prevalence of cryptocurrency investment fraud in Maryland. Known as “pig butchering,” scammers trick victims into fake crypto investments, leading to massive financial losses. FBI Warns of Surge in Cryptocurrency Investment Scams in Maryland The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Baltimore … Read more

Russia Pushes for Sustainable BRICS Interbank Networks and Payment Systems

Russia is pushing to develop independent interbank networks and payment systems within BRICS to boost the bloc’s financial influence. Moscow aims to expand cross-border settlements and the use of national currencies in BRICS trade, as part of a strategy to reduce dependence on Western financial institutions. These efforts have gained attention during Russia’s BRICS presidency, … Read more

Coinbase Legal Chief Criticizes SEC’s Vague Position on FTX Plan — Says Investors Deserve ‘Way Better’

Coinbase’s chief legal officer has criticized the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its ambiguous position regarding FTX’s proposal to repay creditors using stablecoins or other cryptocurrencies. Although the SEC did not explicitly deem these transactions illegal, it retained the right to contest them, leading to frustration within the crypto community. This uncertainty has … Read more

Payments in National Currencies Surge to 92% Among SCO Members

Payments in national currencies among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members have reportedly increased from 40% in 2022 to 92%, signaling a move away from reliance on the U.S. dollar. Similar to the BRICS economic bloc, the SCO, which includes Russia, China, India, and recently added Iran, is encouraging the use of local currencies to strengthen … Read more

DOJ Launches Whistleblower Awards Program to Tackle Crypto Crimes

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program to encourage reporting of corporate criminal activities. This three-year program targets financial institutions, including cryptocurrency businesses, to enhance the detection and prosecution of corporate crimes. Whistleblowers who provide non-public information leading to forfeitures over $1 million are eligible for awards. DOJ … Read more

US Government Plans to Sell Over 41,000 Bitcoins Confiscated from Silk Road Hacker

According to a court document filed on March 31, 2023, regarding the sentencing of James Zhong, who stole over 50,000 bitcoin from the Silk Road marketplace, the U.S. government plans to liquidate 41,490 bitcoin “over the course of this calendar year.” U.S. Government Discloses Strategy for Selling Confiscated Bitcoin The U.S. government, one of the … Read more

Central Banks Continue to Show Strong Demand for Gold in 2023, Says World Gold Council Report

Central banks show continued demand for gold in 2023, as per a recent report from the World Gold Council (WGC), which noted that the world’s central banks accumulated 31 tons of the precious metal in January. Turkey was the largest gold buyer, adding 23 tons to its central bank’s stash, while the People’s Bank of … Read more