Day: January 19, 2021

While bitcoin and a variety of digital currencies have swelled in value, a number of critics have spread fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) in regard to the energy consumption proof-of-work (PoW) cryptocurrencies leverage to produce new units of currency. Just recently the software engineer Stephen Diehl expressed his dissatisfaction over the environmental cost of bitcoin. However, cryptocurrency supporters believe Diehl failed to mention the amount of renewable energy used by a great number of mining facilities, alongside the insurmountable cost to operate today’s banking system. Bitcoin’s Waste of Energy Argument…

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PRESS RELEASE. ZK International Group Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: ZKIN) (“ZKIN“, “ZK International” or the “Company”), a designer, engineer, manufacturer, and supplier of patented high-performance stainless steel and carbon steel pipe products primarily used for water and gas supplies, is pleased to announce its ETF-like decentralized fund and platform, which is the second DeFi project in xSigma’s ecosystem. The project’s website: https://xsigma-etf.com. The announced ETF-like protocol will be a decentralized fund based on Ethereum blockchain, that will diversify between major crypto assets related to the DeFi space. In addition, it will…

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An Australian bitcoin trader has filed a lawsuit against two of the country’s biggest commercial banks, accusing them of systematic discrimination when they closed his accounts on short notice. Allan Flynn is demanding compensation of AU$250,000 ($193,000) from ANZ and Westpac banks for closing his accounts immediately after they had been opened, the Australian Financial Review reported on Jan. 18. Flynn, who operates a registered bitcoin (BTC) exchange, has started proceedings against both banks at the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The trader alleges he is the victim of unlawful…

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Bitcoin options open interest has reached $9.6 billion according to derivatives market data as the metric is nearing the high captured on January 7, 2021. Moreover, the aggregate open interest in bitcoin futures is steadily nearing all-time highs. While cryptocurrency spot markets have consolidated, bitcoin-based derivatives markets have seen continuous action. At the time of publication, both bitcoin futures and options open interest has been rising significantly. For instance, researchers at skew.com recently tweeted that “bitcoin futures open interest [is] quickly bouncing back to a new all-time high.” Skew also…

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The Russian cryptocurrency exchange Livecoin has shut down amid accusations that it has pulled an exit scam. Customers are unable to withdraw their funds and have been asked to provide extensive identifying information which they fear would lead to identity theft. The exchange claims that it was hacked in December. Livecoin Crypto Exchange Closes Down The Russian cryptocurrency exchange Livecoin announced Saturday the decision to close down its platform. The exchange claimed in December that it was hacked. As news.Bitcoin.com reported, hackers supposedly manipulated the prices of several major cryptocurrencies,…

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PRESS RELEASE. 19th January 2020, St Kitts & Nevis & Atlanta – The Foundation for Economic Education (FEE.org) announced today that Bitcoin.com founder and early cryptocurrency investor Roger Ver has made two gifts totaling $2,000,000 in Bitcoin Cash (BCH) to support FEE’s work in advancing individual liberty and educating students around the world on the moral and economic foundations of a free society. The first $1 million gift supports FEE’s marquee events in 2021–FEE’s 75th anniversary year–as well as additional student programs, including online educational content and books. The second…

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A petition has been submitted to the European Parliament, asking to implement a scheme to compensate crypto-related victims. The crimes mentioned in the petition 0421/2020 include fraud, piracy, and extortion. Petition’s Author Represents Victims in the Bitsane Alleged Scam Case According to the author, lawyer Jonathan Levy, the petition asks the bloc to implement a series of regulatory schemes to “compensate victims” of crypto-related crime activities. He pointed out that, to date, “no crypto asset funding has been set aside to compensate the victims of directly related criminal activities” in…

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In a possible first for Spanish football, DUX Internacional de Madrid, a lower division side says it has used crypto buy a new player. The player, David Barral moved to his new club after Criptan, the new club sponsor facilitated the acquisition. Criptan is a cryptocurrency trading company that is registered in Valencia, Spain. Meanwhile, following the player’s move, a Spanish football news site quotes Barral, who is now aged 37, expressing his eagerness to continue playing for what will be his seventh club. Barral says: I am happy to…

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The European Union (EU) is reportedly planning to reduce its reliance on the U.S. dollar-based financial system, after American sanctions on Iran exposed the vulnerabilities of the bloc’s financial infrastructure. According to officials, who are now determined to challenge the dollar’s supremacy, the renewed desire to boost the role of the euro currency is also partly inspired by “lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic.” The US Dollar Domination In sentiments expressed in the draft European Commission (EC) policy paper, officials warn of the current over-reliance “on the US dollar to…

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