FTX Reaches Settlement With IRS on $24 Billion Tax Claim

Crypto exchange FTX has reached a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), reducing its $24 billion claim to $200 million to be paid within 60 days after the company’s restructuring plan is approved. Additionally, the U.S. tax authority will receive a $685 million lower priority claim, payable only if funds are available after satisfying … Read more

Deutsche Bank and Bitpanda Collaborate Amid Crypto Banking Challenges

Deutsche Bank is collaborating with Bitpanda to manage customer fiat deposits and withdrawals for the Austrian crypto broker. This collaboration addresses the challenges crypto platforms have faced in securing banking partners after the 2023 collapse of key crypto-friendly banks. Deutsche Bank will issue local bank account numbers to Bitpanda users in Germany, facilitating fiat currency … Read more

Woman Pleads Guilty to Using Bitcoin for Dark Web Hitman

In Salt Lake City, Krista Renae Stone, 23, pleaded guilty to using the dark web to arrange a murder-for-hire in 2023. According to court documents, Stone utilized bitcoin to pay $5,000 for the hit. Between March and September 2023, she accessed a website offering “hitman for hire” services, providing detailed information about the intended victim, … Read more

Dubai Financial Services Authority Updates Regulatory Framework for Crypto Tokens

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) announced amendments to its crypto token regime on Monday, enhancing the regulatory environment for crypto tokens in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone. The amendments address investment in recognized and unrecognized crypto tokens, custody and staking of crypto tokens, compliance with financial crime regulations including … Read more

Binance Announces Restrictions on Unauthorized Stablecoins in EU to Comply With MiCA Regulations

Crypto exchange Binance announced Monday its strategy to comply with the forthcoming Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCA) stablecoin rules, set to take effect on June 30 across the European Economic Area (EEA). These regulations will restrict the issuance and offering of stablecoins to regulated companies, categorizing them as “Regulated Stablecoins.” Binance will make phased … Read more

Okx Launches Crypto Exchange and Wallet in the Netherlands

Global crypto trading platform Okx has launched its centralized exchange and wallet in the Netherlands. Dutch customers can now engage in spot trading and convert services for over 150 cryptocurrencies, including more than 60 crypto-Euro pairs. The platform integrates with Ideal, a popular online payment system in the Netherlands, for instant, fee-free deposits, and offers … Read more

Australia’s First Spot Bitcoin ETF Launching Tomorrow

Australia-based Monochrome Asset Management is set to debut its spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), IBTC, on the Cboe Australia exchange this Tuesday, June 4. This will be Australia’s first ETF to directly hold bitcoin. Previously, Australian investors were limited to indirect bitcoin ETFs or offshore options, which did not offer the same investor protections established … Read more

Hong Kong Police Warn of Spike in Counterfeit Banknotes Used in Cryptocurrency Scams

Hong Kong police have issued a warning over the rise in counterfeit banknotes, with many cases linked to cryptocurrency scams. Between January and April, authorities seized 3,396 fake notes valued at HK$2.55 million (US$326,130), a significant increase from last year’s 553 notes worth HK$166,220. Three major cryptocurrency-related fraud cases led to the confiscation of 1,693 … Read more

Coinbase’s Legal Chief: SEC Is Bent on Choking the Digital Asset Industry

Coinbase’s chief legal officer, Paul Grewal, announced that the crypto exchange has filed a closing brief in the Third Circuit challenging the SEC’s denial of their rulemaking petition. The brief argues that the SEC’s order, which disagrees with claims that SEC rules are unworkable for digital asset firms, lacks reasoned decision-making. Grewal asserts that the … Read more

Banking Associations Support Resolution to Overturn SEC’s Controversial Crypto Rules

The American Bankers Association, Bank Policy Institute, Financial Services Forum, and Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association sent a letter to President Joe Biden on May 31, urging him to sign the resolution passed by Congress to overturn the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 (SAB 121). The letter outlines that SAB 121, issued without regulatory … Read more