Archive for the ‘Bitcoin’ Category

Coinbase to Shutter Bitcoin Borrow Service Next Week – Decrypt

Coinbase, the leading cryptocurrency exchange in the U.S. based by volume, announced that it will be discontinuing its lending product, Coinbase Borrow, from next week.

The company will stop issuing new loans from May 10, although current users of the product will not be impacted as their loans will remain active until their maturity.

"We regularly evaluate our products to ensure were prioritizing the offerings that our customers care about most," a Coinbase spokesperson told Decrypt. "Effective May 10, we will stop issuing new loans through Coinbase Borrow. There is no impact on customers outstanding loans, and no action is required from them at this time."

Launched in November 2021, Coinbase Borrow allows users from certain U.S. states to borrow up to $1 million using Bitcoin (BTC) as collateral.

Customers can borrow up to 40% of the value of the Bitcoin in their accounts at an annual interest rate of 8.7%, according to the exchange's website.

The exchange has also indicated that the closure of Coinbase Borrow has nothing to do with the potential enforcement action that may be undertaken following the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) slapping the exchange with a Wells Notice in March.

A Wells Notice is a letter that the SEC sends when it is considering bringing an enforcement action. The notice gives the recipient the opportunity to respond to the allegations made by the agency and explain why they believe enforcement action is not warranted.

In Coinbases case, the Wells Notice alleged that the company's staking products constitute unregistered securities, while also mentioning several other aspects of the exchanges activities, including the Coinbase Wallet.

In response to the SECs Wells Notice, Coinbase stated it does not list securities, its Coinbase Wallet product does not constitute a broker, and the exchanges staking services have nothing to do with a securities offering.

Last week, the San Francisco-based exchange also revealed that it was suing the SEC over its petition for rulemaking that was sent to the regulator last July and still remains unanswered. The legal action aims to get the agency to respond to Coinbases plea for clearer crypto regulations.

In a separate development earlier this week, Coinbase has launched a new international exchange that will initially offer Bitcoin and Ethereum perpetual futures, with trades settled in USD Coin (USDC).

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Coinbase to Shutter Bitcoin Borrow Service Next Week - Decrypt

Binance has resumed Bitcoin withdrawals after temporary disruption – ForexLive

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Binance has resumed Bitcoin withdrawals after temporary disruption - ForexLive

How to Evaluate the Viability of a Bitcoin Investment Opportunity? – Devdiscourse

Bitcoin, a digital currency created in 2009, has become a popular investment opportunity for many. Its decentralized nature, low transaction fees, and potential for high returns have attracted a lot of attention. However, as with any investment, it's crucial to evaluate the viability of a Bitcoin investment opportunity before committing any funds. In this article, we'll discuss how to evaluate the viability of a Bitcoin investment opportunity and make an informed decision. Adding on, try using http://www.altcoinwealthpro.com/ which is an automated trading bot for great results.

Evaluating the plausibility of a Bitcoin investment opportunity is an intricate undertaking that entails a comprehensive examination of various factors that could impact its potential returns. It is essential to approach the investment opportunity from multiple perspectives to obtain a comprehensive understanding of its viability.

Fundamental analysis involves scrutinizing the underlying technology of Bitcoin, its supply and demand dynamics, and its competition in the market. Understanding the technology behind Bitcoin and its potential applications can aid in determining its long-term feasibility. For instance, Bitcoin's blockchain technology has the potential to transform transaction methods, which could have far-reaching consequences for the financial sector. Furthermore, scrutinizing the supply and demand dynamics of Bitcoin can provide insight into its future price fluctuations. If demand for Bitcoin surpasses supply, its value is expected to rise. Finally, examining the competition in the market can assist in identifying potential growth opportunities and risks. If a new cryptocurrency with comparable features to Bitcoin emerges, it may potentially seize market share from Bitcoin.

Technical analysis entails an evaluation of Bitcoin's price trends by utilizing technical indicators like moving averages and oscillators to predict future price fluctuations, as well as an inspection of Bitcoin's trading volume to ascertain market sentiment. This analysis can help determine the short-term feasibility of a Bitcoin investment opportunity. For instance, if Bitcoin's price has been steadily increasing in recent weeks and trading volume is high, it could indicate bullish market sentiment and short-term gains.

Conducting a risk assessment is also pivotal in assessing the viability of a Bitcoin investment opportunity. This involves recognizing possible hazards such as regulatory shifts, market volatility, and security breaches. Regulatory changes, such as increased government oversight of cryptocurrencies, can pose a threat to Bitcoin's long-term viability. Market volatility, which is inherent in the cryptocurrency market, can lead to significant price fluctuations that can have an adverse impact on investments. Security breaches, such as hacking attacks on Bitcoin exchanges, can potentially result in substantial losses. Evaluating the potential rewards of the investment opportunity and weighing them against the recognized hazards can aid in determining the overall risk vs. reward ratio of the investment opportunity.

Once an investor has evaluated the viability of a Bitcoin investment opportunity, the next step is to choose the specific opportunity to invest in. There are several types of Bitcoin investment opportunities, including ICOs (Initial Coin Offerings), Bitcoin mining, and Bitcoin trading.

ICOs involve investing in new cryptocurrencies or tokens that are being launched. It's important to research the ICO thoroughly before investing, including assessing the legitimacy of the project, the experience of the team, and the potential market for the new cryptocurrency or token.

Bitcoin mining involves using specialized hardware to verify transactions and earn newly minted Bitcoins. This can be a profitable investment opportunity, but it requires significant upfront costs and ongoing expenses. Investors should consider the cost of the mining equipment, electricity costs, and the overall profitability of mining.

Bitcoin trading involves buying and selling Bitcoin on exchanges in an attempt to profit from price movements. This can be a more accessible investment opportunity for those with less capital than mining or ICOs. However, trading requires a significant amount of knowledge and experience to be successful.

When choosing a Bitcoin investment opportunity, it's crucial to conduct due diligence. This involves researching the investment opportunity thoroughly, including examining the business model, assessing the management team, and understanding the potential risks and rewards. It's important to choose a reputable and reliable investment opportunity to minimize the risk of loss.

In summary, choosing a Bitcoin investment opportunity requires a thorough understanding of the different types of opportunities available, as well as conducting due diligence before making any investments. By choosing a reputable and reliable investment opportunity and understanding the potential risks and rewards, investors can make informed decisions and potentially maximize their returns.

Evaluating the viability of a Bitcoin investment opportunity is crucial for any investor looking to enter the cryptocurrency market. By conducting a fundamental analysis, a technical analysis, and a risk assessment, investors can make informed decisions and potentially maximize their returns. Additionally, choosing a reputable and reliable Bitcoin investment opportunity and conducting due diligence can further minimize potential risks and losses.

(Devdiscourse's journalists were not involved in the production of this article. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Devdiscourse and Devdiscourse does not claim any responsibility for the same.)

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How to Evaluate the Viability of a Bitcoin Investment Opportunity? - Devdiscourse

Binance Reportedly Investigated in US for Russia Sanctions … – Bitcoin News

Cryptocurrency exchange Binance is facing a U.S. probe over suspected violations of sanctions against Russia, according to a media report. The inquiry is looking into whether the trading platform was used by Russians to circumvent financial restrictions imposed over Moscows invasion of Ukraine.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is trying to establish if Binance Holdings, the operator of the worlds largest crypto exchange, has been used to allow Russians to evade Western sanctions, Bloomberg revealed, quoting multiple sources familiar with the matter.

According to five people who chose to remain anonymous, the Departments national security division is looking at whether the company or its officials have violated restrictions introduced in relation to Russias invasion of Ukraine as part of a confidential investigation.

The probe, which hasnt previously been reported, is moving on a parallel track with an existing inquiry by the criminal division, one of the people said, the report detailed, noting that the move adds another layer of scrutiny of the troubled industrys leading exchange.

The news comes after Russian crypto media reports in late April suggested that Binance has quietly lifted some restrictions on Russian users. According to the information published by different news outlets, Russians can again use their bank cards to make deposits and the trading platform has canceled a limit on their balances introduced in compliance with EU sanctions.

Binance has been in talks with the DOJ in an attempt to resolve complaints related to previous allegations that it was used to bypass sanctions against Iran before introducing stricter compliance controls, Bloomberg added, quoting another person familiar with these developments. In a statement, the company emphasized it complies fully with all U.S. and international sanctions, elaborating:

In 2021, Binance launched an initiative to completely overhaul its corporate governance structure, including bringing in a world-class bench of seasoned executives to fundamentally change how Binance operates globally.

It also pointed out that its know-your-customer protocols rival any in the traditional banking system and every Binance user is required to pass these procedures which include verifying country of residence and checking personal identification.

Our policy imposes a zero-tolerance approach to double registrations, anonymous identities, and obscure sources of money, the exchange stressed. The U.S. Justice Department has so far declined to comment.

Binance has been in the focus of other U.S. investigations, including a probe into its compliance with anti-money laundering requirements led by the Internal Revenue Service and a lawsuit filed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The Securities and Exchange Commission has been examining if the platform supported the trading of unregistered securities.

What are your thoughts on the report about another investigation against Binance in the United States? Share them in the comments section below.

Lubomir Tassev is a journalist from tech-savvy Eastern Europe who likes Hitchenss quote: Being a writer is what I am, rather than what I do. Besides crypto, blockchain and fintech, international politics and economics are two other sources of inspiration.

Image Credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons, salarko / Shutterstock.com

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.

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Binance Reportedly Investigated in US for Russia Sanctions ... - Bitcoin News

Bitcoin Set New Record of Daily Transactions the Same Day the U.S. Government Quietly Engineered a Bank Buyout – CoinDesk

On Sunday, as the U.S. government worked behind the scenes with two major banks to engineer the latest financial rescue plan, the Bitcoin network hit a new all-time high for the number of daily transactions processed. There were more confirmed transactions than it ever had in its 14-year history, beating the previous record set during the 2017 bull run. Today, JPMorgan Chase has acquired First Republic after the distressed banks assets were seized by regulators, becoming the second-largest bank failure in U.S. history.

While the two events Bitcoins surging use and the latest example of U.S. financial calamity are not exactly related, the timing here does suggest something about the future of the crypto industry and bitcoins possible place in an evermore-dysfunctional economy. At the same time regulators and legislators are working to lessen cryptos inroads into the wider economy, the private banking sector is showing itself to be unable to manage itself.

This article is excerpted from The Node, CoinDesk's daily roundup of the most pivotal stories in blockchain and crypto news. You can subscribe to get the full newsletter here.

After weeks of uncertainty and a slumping stock price, First Republic was taken over by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in a bid to prevent a possible bank run, further contagion and a drawdown of the insurance funds reserves. The federal banking watchdog immediately sold all of [First Republics] deposits and substantially all of [its] assets to JPMorgan Chase, the largest U.S. bank, which was also provided $50 billion in financing to complete the deal. Democratic politicians are likely to challenge the sale, which was reportedly rushed through to close before markets opened on Monday.

Our government invited us and others to step up, and we did, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said. Crypto fans may know Dimon as one of the highest-profile advocates of blockchain and long-time bitcoin critic. First Republics failure is second only to Washington Mutual, which failed during the Great Financial Crisis that also gave rise to bitcoin. While some amount of blame could be put on First Republics management, economists are largely aligned in thinking its collapse is at least partially due to rising interest rates and the Federal Reserves hawkish monetary policy that also brought down the Silvergate, Silicon Valley and Signature banks early this year.

Where this situation aligns with bitcoin in particular is that the crypto industry is part and parcel of a wider political realignment towards populism. Crypto is not the only movement challenging the authority of central banks and established powers, as many people will see the First Republic bailout as another example of profits being privatized while losses are socialized. In trying to prevent a massive drawdown on FDIC reserves, political operators have essentially said that all U.S. banks are too big to fail a type of moral quandary that protects a certain class from the consequences of their decisions.

Bitcoin has emerged as an alternative monetary system, which many think could eventually serve as a legitimate global reserve currency like the U.S. dollar is today. The system is attractive to some because it follows prewritten rules, including a fixed monetary issuance schedule set by social consensus (unlike the political and monied interests that rule the greenback). Bitcoins price rose steadily during the last cycle of banking failures, and might also catch a wave up this time. This doesnt necessarily mean bitcoin is a hedge against financial calamity, or that people are choosing trustless financial systems over increasingly untrustworthy banks.

The timing of the Bitcoin blockchains latest milestone is purely incidental. Bitcoin transactions have been trending up since the launch of Bitcoin Ordinals, which enabled the network to support non-fungible tokens (NFT). More than 2.39 million Ordinals have been inscribed to date, according to Glassnodes data cited by Blockworks. But, even though Bitcoin NFTs now account for roughly half of the transactions on the network (rewarding bitcoin miners with increased transaction fees, and potentially helping secure Bitcoins long-term security budget), not all bitcoiners are aligned in thinking this is a worthwhile feature.

There are many bitcoin purists who think the network should be preserved for monetary uses and that tradable digital collectibles are frivolous. Sorry for them, Bitcoin is an open-source network meaning people are free to use the technology as they please. If Bitcoin has a role to play in the future global economy, its only because people are free to use it how they want.

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Bitcoin Set New Record of Daily Transactions the Same Day the U.S. Government Quietly Engineered a Bank Buyout - CoinDesk