Mediaboss Marketing

Dubai: Investments in cryptocurrencies have been consistently declining after peaking in November 2021, with trading volumes dropping to sizably low levels since then. Is there an end in sight to this prolonged season of, what experts refer to as, crypto winter? If not, should investors be worried?

Cryptocurrencies are still down over $1.5 trillion (Dh5.5 trillion) in value since the height of a massive price rally in 2021, with the total market valuation currently standing at $1.2 trillion (Dh4.4 trillion) along with the volume of daily traded crypto at $70 billion (Dh257 billion).

The crypto winter also wiped out over 67,000 crypto millionaires since peaking at about 100,000 in 2021 and last month alone, trading volume of the worlds largest crypto token Bitcoin, which makes up majority of the overall market, plummeted by almost $700 billion (Dh2.57 trillion).

It is estimated the total market value of cryptocurrencies went down dramatically, particularly between May and June 2021, as the digital coins became less likely of an investment tool, wrote Raynor de Best, a researcher at Statista, an online market and consumer statistics database.

Image Credit: Statista

Is cryptocurrency still valuable as an investment today?

The price of Bitcoin has been erratic, and most other cryptocurrencies follow its larger price swings. This volatility attracts investors who hope to buy when the price is low and sell at its peak, turning a profit, Raynor de Best added. However, this does little for price stability.

Most of the cryptocurrencies still lag much behind their all-time highs. Bitcoin is still down 50 per cent from its record high touched in November 2021 at $69,000 (Dh253,400), and Ethereum, now trading at the levels of $1,900 (Dh7,000), touched an all-time high of $4,000 (Dh14,689) in 2021. But its not all bad news.

Much to the relief of investors, Bitcoin and Ethereum are staging somewhat of a recovery now. Bitcoin has risen almost 80 per cent this year and similarly Ethereum has almost shown a rally of 65 per cent till this time of the year. So the digital investments cannot be written off just yet.

- Brian Deshell

So even though cryptocurrency trading volumes are still far lower than before, the good news is that, 2023 has been able to absorb all the major losses which the market suffered in 2022, said Brian Deshell, a UAE-based cryptocurrency trader and analyst.

If we look at the April figures, then Bitcoin and Ethereum have surged 17 per cent and 46 per cent, which is a remarkable feat. Similarly, rival token Cardano (ADA) has also clocked more than 50 per cent gain in the first four months of this year and has a market value of $13.3 (Dh50) billion.

Why are prices of cryptocurrencies still far lower than before?

The prime reason for the market downturn is the downfall of one of the largest global cryptocurrency exchange, FTX. FTXs bankruptcy has not only triggered a huge sell-off but has also reduced liquidity from the crypto market.

Multiple issues with FTXs finances and regulatory investigations stunned crypto investors and left Bitcoin to tumble to the lowest level in two years, added Deshell. The surprising turn of events also led to a turmoil like situation in the crypto industry.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

This resulted in high level of distrust and skepticism among the investors towards crypto establishments and on the regulation front. The FTX contagion effect is quite evident, several questions have now been pointed out on the survival of other crypto trading firms worldwide.

So while the slump last year was triggered by the collapse of FTX, which handled around $1 billion (Dh3.67 billion) transactions each day, its collapse is having a knock-on effect on other crypto exchanges, and this poses a threat to the pace of recovery of the cryptocurrency market even today.

Verdict: Should you be worried about your crypto investments today?

The bottom line is that the cryptocurrency market has seen worse and the crypto market has literally gone through the roughest storms during the past few years. But as the burnt crypto market now has a fresh start and is showing positive signs of a recovery, should investors still be worried?

If you are an experiences or a seasoned investor, crypto experts widely believes that in this kind of scenario, you can look up to invest in stable digital coins such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, but should only give 5 per cent exposure to cryptocurrencies in their overall investment portfolio.

- Brian Deshell

This is because cryptocurrency prices are still highly volatile and extremely speculative, so it is advisable to invest only an amount which you can afford to lose, particularly if youre an investor new to incredibly risky asset class.

As to whether or not the investment will turn more stable in the near future, while there is still uncertainty on that front among industry analysts, with more global crypto regulation around the corner, the digital currency can get steadier in the months to come. But only time will tell for certain.

With cryptocurrencies, it is always better to not impulsively invest. Moreover, for a new investor, now is also a crucial time to observe how the cryptocurrency market performs, as once this chaos fizzes out, you may be able to find your favorite digital asset at a much fair value, Dshell added.

See the article here:

As global interest wanes, should you now be worried about your crypto investments? - Gulf News

The rise of cryptocurrencies has sparked a new trend in employee compensation. Businesses across the world are beginning to offer their workers the option to receive payment in Bitcoin, Ethereum and other digital currencies. The idea of cryptocurrency as a part of a benefits package is straightforward: in addition to fiat currency, an organization pays its employees with a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin (BTC). This can be implemented multiple ways, either as a portion of regular pay, bonuses, one-off gifts or in place of a 401k matching plan. Employees can opt-in to allocate a portion of their weekly or monthly earnings to whatever digital asset they like, and it shows up instantly in their wallets.Though the mainstream may view cryptocurrency as an investment, individuals and businesses alike continue to adopt it as an alternative form of payment, whether its to buy consumer goods or pay employees. Internal BitPay data shows that crypto payouts have more than tripled over the past several months.Integrating cryptocurrency into an organizations benefits package brings a slew of benefits for organizations and employees alike.From a branding perspective, payments in crypto shows that an organization is looking towards the future and modernizing. Cryptocurrency users are often young, digitally-savvy and high-income earners. Adding new and attractive benefits like crypto payroll can help entice star-prospects in a competitive field.

Full commentary : Cryptocurrency in the Workplace: An Innovative and Cost-Effective Benefits Strategy.

Read more here:

Cryptocurrency in the Workplace: An Innovative and Cost-Effective ... - OODA Loop

The B.C. Securities Commission alleges a now-defunct cryptocurrency platform based in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island committed a multimillion-dollar securities fraud by diverting customer assets to online cryptocurrency gambling sites.

In a notice of hearing issued last month, the commission says David Smillie and his numbered company, which did business as ezBtc, lied to customers about its crypto asset trading platform.

The commission alleges Smillie and the company diverted about $13 million worth ofbitcoinand ether, another cryptocurrency, to two online gambling sites without authorization from customers.

The regulator says the company was dissolved in October 2022, but between 2016 and 2019 customers transferred 2,300bitcoinand 600 ether tokens into wallets hosted by the platform.

Smillie and the firm allegedly told customers their digital assets were mostly held off-line in so-called "cold storage,"but they never truly maintained enough to cover users' assets.

Smillie and ezBtc were never registered under B.C.'s Securities Act, and the commission claims agreements with customers amounted to futures contracts, which fall under the commission's jurisdiction.

Online court records searches show the company and Smillie face a number of lawsuits in British Columbia dating back several years, and the B.C. Securities Commission's director of enforcement Doug Muir said the hearing notice comes after a lengthy probe into the firm.

"In this case, like in all of our cases, we need time to investigate, so we need to be able to gather evidence that we aresatisfied,"Muir said Tuesday.

"So, that takes time to gather. Our investigations are often time-consuming and complex and this one is an example of that."

Muir said the matter is administrative rather than criminal in nature, meaning the firm and Smillie won't face jail time, but may face monetary penalties or even banishment from public markets should the commission succeed in proving its case.

Const. Gary O'Brien with the Nanaimo RCMP said the detachment's investigation into the company in 2019 didn't find enough evidence to lay criminal charges.

"All I can say is that the matter was investigated and there was insufficient evidence gathered by the primary investigator to pursue criminal matters, so they decided it would probably be best to go from a civil angle,'' O'Brien said Tuesday.

"That's the only information that I could provide at this point."

O'Brien said the file could be reopened should any victims or the securities commission reach out to investigators with new information.

Sergei Goshko, an Ontario-based software engineer, said he used the ezBtc platform for cryptocurrency trading until it stopped allowing him access to his funds before its website "disappeared completely."

Goshko filed a lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court in 2021 through a numbered company, and he said he was out between $70,000 and $80,000.

His lawyers, though, weren't able to find Smillie and he was unaware the B.C. Securities Commission was taking action against ezBtc and its founder.

"I guess it's a good thing, so maybe there'll be some progress,'' Goshko said Tuesday. "Maybe they will finally find him.''

Smillie could not be reached for comment.

Here is the original post:

Securities Commission alleges fraud committed by B.C. crypto firm - CBC.ca

May 2, 2023 3:00 PM | 1 min read

Stacks's (CRYPTO: STX) price has increased 11.49% over the past 24 hours to $0.76. Over the past week, STX has experienced an uptick of over 3.0%, moving from $0.73 to its current price. As it stands right now, the coin's all-time high is $3.39.

The chart below compares the price movement and volatility for Stacks over the past 24 hours (left) to its price movement over the past week (right). The gray bands are Bollinger Bands, measuring the volatility for both the daily and weekly price movements. The wider the bands are, or the larger the gray area is at any given moment, the larger the volatility.

Enter your email and you'll also get Benzinga's ultimate morning update AND a free $30 gift card and more!

The trading volume for the coin has fallen 9.0% over the past week which is opposite, directionally, with the overall circulating supply of the coin, which has increased 0.26%. This brings the circulating supply to 1.38 billion, which makes up an estimated 75.66% of its max supply of 1.82 billion. According to our data, the current market cap ranking for STX is #46 at $1.06 billion.

The Best Report Benzinga Has Ever Produced

Massive returns are within possible within this market! For a limited time, get access to the Benzinga Insider Report, usually $47/month, for just $0.99! Discover extremely undervalued stock picks before they skyrocket! Time is running out! Act fast and secure your future wealth at this unbelievable discount!

Claim your $0.99 offer NOW!

Powered by CoinGecko API

This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Follow this link:

Cryptocurrency Stacks's Price Increased More Than 11% Within 24 hours - Benzinga

Cryptocurrency is a decentralized digital form of currency that operates on a peer-to-peer network. However, not all countries have embraced this new form of currency, and some have even decided to ban it outright. In this article, we provide an overview of the countries that have banned cryptocurrency and the reasons behind their decisions.

China, the largest crypto market in the world, has taken a hard stance against cryptocurrency since 2017 when it banned initial coin offerings (ICOs) and domestic crypto exchanges. In 2021, China intensified its crackdown by banning crypto mining, citing concerns about carbon emissions and financial stability. The country has also banned financial institutions and payment platforms from providing crypto-related services and warned its citizens against engaging in crypto transactions. Chinas primary motivation for banning crypto is to maintain its financial stability and control over its monetary system, as well as to curb illicit activities such as money laundering and tax evasion.

Egypt has declared cryptocurrency as forbidden under Islamic law, citing speculation, gambling, and interest as the reasons for the ban. The Grand Mufti issued a fatwa in 2018 that prohibited the use of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, saying they are harmful to individuals, groups, and institutions. Egypts central bank has also warned against dealing with crypto, citing security and legal risks.

Iraq has banned cryptocurrency on religious grounds and for security reasons. In 2018, Iraqs central bank issued a statement that prohibited the use of crypto in any form, citing that it violates the principles of Islam and poses a threat to the stability of the national currency and the financial system. Iraq also fears that crypto could be used to fund terrorism and extremism in the region.

Qatar has banned cryptocurrency trading and payments since 2019, when its central bank issued a circular that prohibited financial institutions from dealing with any digital asset. Qatars main concern is that crypto could facilitate money laundering, terrorism financing, and tax evasion, as well as undermine its efforts to combat inflation and preserve the value of its currency, the Qatari riyal.

Oman has also banned cryptocurrency, following in Qatars footsteps in 2019 by issuing a similar circular that forbade financial institutions from dealing with any virtual currency or token. Omans central bank cited the same reasons as Qatar for banning crypto, namely the high risks of fraud, cybercrime, and volatility.

Morocco has banned cryptocurrency transactions since 2017 when its foreign exchange regulator issued a notice that warned against the use of any digital currency that is not backed by legal tender. Moroccos primary reason for banning crypto is to protect its citizens from potential losses and scams associated with unregulated and anonymous transactions.

Algeria has banned cryptocurrency since 2018, when it passed a law that prohibited the possession and use of any virtual currency. Algerias law stated that any violation of this ban would be punishable by fines and imprisonment. Algerias main reason for banning crypto is to prevent its citizens from evading taxes and capital controls, as well as to protect them from the high volatility and security risks of crypto markets.

Tunisia has banned cryptocurrency since 2018, when its central bank issued a statement that warned against the use of any digital asset that is not authorized by the state. Tunisias central bank said that crypto poses a threat to the stability of the national currency and the financial system, as well as to the security of consumers and investors. Tunisia also cited the lack of regulation and supervision of crypto activities as a major concern.

Bangladesh has banned cryptocurrency since 2017, when its central bank issued a notice that prohibited the use of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for any purpose. Bangladeshs central bank said that

Although cryptocurrency has gained popularity among enthusiasts, it has faced opposition and bans from several countries. The reasons for these bans range from maintaining financial stability to religious and legal grounds. As the cryptocurrency landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether more countries will follow suit and ban it outright.

Every Wednesday going forward, you can tune in to the Podcast onSpotify,AppleandYouTube. The episodes are perfectly tailored for a duration of 20-30 minutes to quickly and effectively familiarize you with new topics in a fun setting on the go.

Spotify Amazon AppleYouTube

May 2023 has not been kind to Bitcoin prices. Will Bitcoin crash to 20K? Let's analyze in this Bitcoin price

What is the Bitcoin price forecast for the second quarter of 2023? Can BTC reach $50,000? Let's analyze in this

Trading Bitcoin can follow many strategies. Do you use FA or TA? Are you a day trader, swing trader, scalper,

More here:

List of Countries Banning Cryptocurrency - CryptoTicker.io - Bitcoin Price, Ethereum Price & Crypto News