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Bitcoin Drops By 5% Over Rumors Of Massive BTC Dump

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Bitcoin experienced a flash crash before retreating back as rumors of a possible BTC dump by the US gov started making the rounds.

It all began when a Twitter user known as “beetle” posted a now-deleted tweet informing followers that the US government’s BTC wallets were on the move citing an Arkham Intelligence alert.

As the tweet gathered steam, Arkham Intelligence denied the rumor saying that it has not observed funds moving from wallets connected to the U.S. government.

In a series of tweets on May 10, Arkham claimed that the issue stemmed from community labels to which users could manually add labels to wallet addresses and change data groupings known as Entities.

Such manual changes, according to the platform, “do not reflect associations” made by Arkham itself.

Arkham also stated that only seven Bitcoin wallets had been flagged as being connected to Silk Road, the darknet marketplace where the US had seized several crypto addresses.

That said, investors’ fear was exacerbated when the tweet about the suspected sale instantly went viral and was covered by numerous media outlets.

In less than an hour BTC went down from $28305 to $26995 before rebounding back. At press time, the world’s largest crypto is trading at $27453.

As market analysts weigh on the unconfirmed reports, Whale Wire predicted that the price may still fall below $10k if the US government decides to sell the remaining 200k Bitcoins.

Panic Over Possible Bitcoin Sale Reflects “Market Illiquidity”

The US gov already announced months ago that they will liquidate their coins. A selloff this big based on false rumors is also a testament to the illiquidity of the markets after Jump and Jane Street removed their bids.

According to court documents filed a few weeks ago, the Feds allegedly profited about $215 million when they sold the cryptocurrency in April.

The stolen crypto originated from the Silk Road marketplace, where Hacker James Zhong admitted to taking it before being seized by police back in November.

As per the filing, the Feds still have 41,490 Bitcoins worth $1.1 billion to get rid of.

Multiple reports stated that the government intends to dispose of the leftover Bitcoins in four separate batches this year. Whether these events will halt the bull run and cause its price to fall to new lower lows, is still up for debate.

SBF’s Desperate Bid; Files Another Bail Application

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SBF, the former CEO of the now-defunct exchange FTX, has submitted a new bail application after having a previous one denied two days prior, local media on Dec. 15 reported.

In a clear sign of desperation, the disgraced founder submitted a second bail request, which is set for a court hearing on January 17, 2023.

Following his arrest on Dec 12, SBF was being held at Bahamas’ sole penitentiary, Fox Hill Prison. The next day a bail was set at $250,000. Bankman-Fried’s lawyers argued that he should be released as he had no prior convictions and was depressed and sleep-deprived.

The presiding judge rejected the appeal on the grounds of a flight risk. Since then, he has been in the prison’s sick bay where his health and risk of self-harm are being monitored.

However, conditions at Fox Hill prison infamous for its “harsh” conditions and there have been incidences of physical abuse against inmates by correctional officers that have been documented, according to 2021 human rights report.

Investigations shed light on the overcrowded inmates living in the facility along with poor sanitation and lack of adequate medical care.

That said, SBF’s own legal strategy is probably going to make his stay at Fox Hill longer. Here’s why.

SBF Set For A Long-Drawn Legal Battle

Bankman-Fried declined to give up his right to challenge his extradition to the US, where he faces eight criminal accusations, including money laundering, conspiracy, and wire fraud.

The jailed entrepreneur might have to prepare himself for a drawn-out judicial battle that could last months or perhaps over a year by refusing to surrender that right. And for that entire period, he’ll probably be detained at Fox Hill.

On the other hand, Bankman-Fried could not fare much better in the American prison system if he gives in to extradition.

The crypto executive would be lodged at either the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan or the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn while awaiting trial in New York City, where federal charges had been brought against him.

Further, it has been also claimed that those facilities have unsanitary conditions, rodent and bug infestations, poor medical care, and guard aggression and abuse. To add more misery, the conditions have been criticized as being “worse than Guantanamo” and “soul-negating.”

Till then, SBF will likely remain incarcerated in the Bahamas till February 2023 as extradition proceedings with the US continue. 

FTX: SBF’s Arrest Sets The Stage For Extradition To US

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FTX’s former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried or SBF would likely be extradited to the US to face criminal charges after the arrest by the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Confirming the news, attorney Andre Damian Williams Jr stated, the Bahamian authorities took Samuel Bankman-Fried into its custody at the request of the U.S. Government, based on a sealed indictment filed by the Southern District of New York [SDNY].

“We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time,” he added.

Prior to his arrest, Bankman-Fried turned down a request to testify virtually before the House Financial Services Committee on Dec 13.

His reluctance to appear at the scheduled date irked many in the community as they felt he was simply evading to dodge the authorities.

As reported by TronWeekly, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., has earlier extended an invitation to the embattled founder for a hearing on Capitol Hill.

Waters expressed disappointment that Congress will not be able to hear from him and expressed her “surprise” at his arrest.

The 30-year-old crypto billionaire and son of Stanford law professors continued to maintain innocence and deny fraud charges. He recently reached out to the BBC inviting them to his current residence in the Bahamas and said he hoped to find a way to make FTX users whole.

I’m going to be thinking about how we can help the world and if users haven’t gotten much back, I’m going to be thinking about what I can do for them. And I think at the very least I have a duty to FTX users to do right by them as best as I can.

When asked if he intended to launch a new business to generate the funds needed to repay investors, SBF replied: “To be able to do that, I would do anything. And I’ll make an effort if I can.”

With his arrest, SBF’s aim of recovering his customers’ assets is now a distant dream.

SBF Might Face Life In Prison Per Lawyer

FTX’s collapse was sparked by a CoinDesk report which uncovered a highly concentrated holding in self-issued FTT coins, which SBF’s fund Alameda Research utilized as collateral for billions in cryptocurrency loans.

The trading firm froze assets and declared bankruptcy days later. According to legal experts, Bankman-Fried might face life in prison without the chance of supervised release if the federal government pursues accusations of wire or bank fraud. It would be rare but not extraordinary to impose such a harsh penalty.

Ripple (XRP) Is a Security, Says Us Congressman Brad Sherman

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Ripple (XRP) is receiving comments from everywhere citing that it is a security. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), who testified at a recent congressional hearing on the regulation of the Division of Enforcement of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, said that XRP, one of the leading cryptocurrencies by market value, is a security.

Gurbir Grewal, director of the division, was also questioned about why the organization hadn’t taken action against trading sites that provide illicit securities like XRP. Sherman opined that these trading sites function like unauthorized stock exchanges.

Ripple vs. SEC began on the claims that XRP is an unregistered security

In its high-profile action, the SEC sued Ripple in December 2020, claiming that XRP is unregistered security. The court has yet to assess the token’s regulatory status because the case isn’t expected to be resolved until next year.

The general counsel for Ripple, Stuart Alderoty, disagreed with Sherman’s previous assertion that the mere filing of the action does not actually indicate whether or not the token is in fact a security.

This, he said, was “the corrosive consequence of the SEC’s reg by enforcement method – damaging people, markets, and American innovation – with unverified claims posing as regulation.” All of the major U.S. exchanges, including Coinbase, have taken action to suspend XRP trading in response to the lawsuit in order to comply with regulatory requirements.

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Ripple (XRP) Is a Security, Says Us Congressman Brad Sherman 2

Sherman is renowned for being a fierce cryptocurrency critic. He advocated for a total ban on cryptocurrency back in 2018.

In recent news, Reputable trader Peter Brandt called XRP “trash” in response to a tweet on Ripple co-founder Jed McCaleb’s sales. “Just goes to show that even garbage can make a person a billionaire,” the seasoned chartist wrote.

The Allegation That Alex Mashinsky Tried To Flee the US Is False, Says Celsius

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According to the firm, Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky has remained to work on restoring liquidity and operations rather than seeking to flee the country last week.

The struggling platform is doing everything it can to restore operations with CEO Alex Mashinsky, who is now based in the United States.

A representative for the platform has refuted claims that the Celsius Network’s persistent liquidity issue caused the company’s CEO to attempt to leave the country last week.

https://twitter.com/mikealfred/status/1541233082514124800?s=20&t=J_Yo8N-6UAJ9Tf6yevdHBQ

Celsius and Alex Mashinsky is doing everything to stabilize liquidity

“All our employees including our CEO are focused and hard at work in an effort to stabilize liquidity and operations. To that end, any reports that the CEO has attempted to leave the U.S. are false.”

After Mike Alfred, co-founder of the cryptocurrency analytics company Digital Assets Data claimed on Twitter on Sunday that Mashinsky attempted to leave the nation last week via Morristown Airport in New Jersey. Celsius made its statement shortly after.

According to Alfred, the CEO was attempting to travel to Israel, citing an unnamed source. He said, “Unclear at this time if he was arrested or just prevented from leaving.”

Alfred’s comments came after Celsius saw a significant “short squeeze” akin to that of GameStop, with the native token Celsius (CEL) rising by 300 percent in only one week by June 21.

On June 14, the price of CEL also rapidly rose by more than 600%, with observers attributing the occurrence to an exchange error or the liquidation of short speculators.

According to CoinMarketCap, CEL is now trading at $0.7299, down about 9% over the previous 24 hours. Over the last 14 days, the native token of Celsius has increased by more than 160 percent.

PayPal Enables Crypto Transfer For US Customers

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American multinational fintech firm PayPal finally announced that its users will now be able to transfer cryptocurrency from their accounts to other wallets and exchanges. The recent move came amidst growing customer demand, it said.

As per the press release, the new functionality will allow PayPal customers to transfer supported coins into their own, move crypto from its app to external crypto addresses including exchanges and hardware wallets and send crypto to other users “in seconds.”

Customers, however, have to bear the network fees for external transfers, which depend on the blockchain and vary depending on the crypto asset. Internal transfers will carry no fees, it added.

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PayPal Enables Crypto Transfer For US Customers 4

Jose Fernandez da Ponte, SVP and general manager of blockchain said, “If users have crypto somewhere else and want to consolidate, they can bring it to PayPal from external addresses. They can also send crypto to anyone who is in the PayPal system.”

PayPal’s tryst with crypto began in October of 2020 enabling users to buy, sell, and hold crypto.

At Consensus last year, Fernandez da Ponte confirmed that offering its users the ability to transfer would be next and termed a natural conversion in a fast-changing fintech landscape.

PayPal To March Ahead Undeterred By Market Turmoil

Despite the rough market condition in the crypto space, Fernandez da Ponte believes that the payment giant is moving in the right direction “as people are still adopting cryptocurrencies.”

“This move shows we’re in this for the long term,” Fernandez da Ponte added. “I think it’s important to stay the course and continue to invest in the space.”

The latest feature is currently available to US users and for security reasons, the platform has implemented an additional identity verification process for users before they can transfer any crypto.

Additionally, the rollout will be a gradual one and would be extended to others who have completed the identity verification process in the coming weeks.

According to sources, PayPal was able to offer the new functionality after transitioning from a “conditional” BitLicense to a “full” one after obtaining permission from the New York Department of Financial Services.

Dissecting US’s Leaked Crypto Draft Bill; The Good & Not So Good

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The 600-page copy of the US’s leaked bill focuses on regulators’ concerns surrounding decentralized finance [DeFi], stablecoins providers, decentralized autonomous organizations [DAOs], and crypto exchanges.

The documents titled “EMBARGOED” were posted on Twitter by a user Slam and soon became a hot topic among crypto Twitterati. Some users however pointed out that the draft was earlier reported by local news outlet Barron’s a few days back.

According to the June 3 coverage, the bill contains substantial changes co-authored by Senators Cynthia Lummis [Wyo.] and Kirsten Gillibrand [N.Y.]. It is unclear at the moment if the leaked bill is the newest spin of the earlier versions or is completely different.

Having said that Adam Cochran, Partner at Cinneamhain Ventures tweeted a detailed thread highlighting the key aspects of the draft as well as offered his insight.

In the latest draft, regulators seemed to put more emphasis on all crypto-related firms to get legally registered, or else, it will be viewed as “personally taxable”.

Cochran also cautioned that anon-run projects, non-regulated DAOs, and DeFi might face difficulties to comply with the law.

The bill seeks to offer more clarity on securities laws. Under the Commodity and Futures Trading Commission or CFTC definition -“If there is any debt, equity, profit revenue, or dividend of any variety, then it is now expressly not a digital asset commodity”.

The exec pointed out that strict regulatory oversight might lead to an increase in compliance costs which according to Cochran might, in turn, ensure a better listing and prevent trading violations.

US Draft Bill would provide clarity on a lot of things?

“Bankruptcy definition changes are a win for users making it clear assets deposited would get returned to users and not liquidate,” he added.

Another aspect, the expert noted is the proposed bill would grant depository institutions the right to issue stablecoins which he claimed would provide much-needed clarity on compliance requirements and penalties.

Cochran then concluded his post by saying that the draft bill is still incomplete and there would be further inputs from various lobby groups who would help stitch it into its final shape.

He then stated, “If it passed in this form it’s good in the LONG term for big entities, but super painful near term for 99% of crypto.”

US: Fidelity Investment’s Bitcoin Retirement Plan Stirs Political Storm

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In the US, Cryptocurrency has become the latest political flashpoint. Last month Fidelity Investments’ announcement of offering bitcoin as an investment option in its 401(k) plans by the middle of the year, ruffled a few feathers.

One of them is the long-time crypto critic Sen. Elizabeth Warren who expressed concern that the investment firm might be exposing clients to a “risky and speculative gamble.” 

Republicans defended Fidelity by accusing Democrats of “governmental overreach and infringing on Americans’ free-market rights.”

On 20th May, Republicans floated a new bill dubbed “The Financial Freedom Act” which aimed at preventing the Labor Department from restricting investment options available to employees in self-directed retirement accounts.

The proposed bill if passed might enable Americans to add cryptocurrency to their 401[k] plans if they choose to do so. 

Interestingly, the decision by Fidelity followed after the Labor Department warned that firms investing their employees’ contribution plans in digital assets including Bitcoin, would invite legal action.

In a notice dated March 10, the DOL Employee Benefits Security Administration said fiduciaries “must exercise extreme care” before including direct investment options in crypto. 

Fidelity objected to that guidance, and shot out a letter saying that the DOL failed to provide information on how fiduciaries can “fulfill their fiduciary duties in assessing cryptocurrencies.”

US’s DOL vs Fidelity

Remaining defiant, the investment firm has announced that it will allow customers to put 20% of their savings into bitcoin; other cryptocurrencies will likely be added later. 

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala who also oversaw similar crypto-friendly legislation stated,

“The government has no business standing in the way of retirement savers who want to make their own investment choices,” Tuberville said. “When you’ve earned your paycheck, how you invest your money should be your decision. Our legislation makes sure that is the case.”

While Republicans and Democrats might exploit crypto for political mileage, one thing is certain, crypto has broadened the scope of investment among individuals of all ages.

Not just biggies but even lesser-known firms have been instrumental in making virtual currencies more mainstream.

A Nebraska-based crypto wallet firm Exodus pays its staff in bitcoin. One of its employees, Denver native Alyssa Howell managed to finance a house and save for retirement with her cryptocurrency earnings.

Latest Russian Sanctions Round by the US Goes for Bitcoin Mining Company

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The US Treasury Department stated on Wednesday that it had broadened its list of sanctions to include firms and persons who are suspected of assisting Russia in evading the impact of economic sanctions placed on the country.

Treasury sources said the agency is now focusing on Russian commercial bank Transkapitalbank and a network of more than 40 people, including tycoon Konstantin Malofeyev, who they say helped the Kremlin avoid a wave of economic sanctions.

The Biden administration also stated it is tightening down on enterprises that help Russia monetize its exports and other natural resources, such as Bitriver, that operate in the virtual currency mining sector.

US sanctions the first Russian Bitcoin mining company

Since the war on February 24, the United States has implemented multiple rounds of sanctions. Sanctions have been imposed on the country’s top banks and lenders, as well as cryptocurrency exchanges. “Having operated in the Russian Federation economy’s technology sector,” Bitriver was labeled.

Bitriver claims to be the world’s largest provider of environmentally-friendly cryptocurrency mining, having been created in 2017. It boasts a 100-megawatt renewable energy data center in Bratsk, Siberia, with 75,000 miners.

According to the Treasury Department, the company sold mining capacity to overseas clients, allowing Russia to “monetize its natural resources.” It went on to say:

“Russia has a comparative advantage in crypto mining due to energy resources and a cold climate. However, mining companies rely on imported computer equipment and fiat payments, which makes them vulnerable to sanctions.”

Anti-industry lawmakers in the United States have been increasing their rhetoric, believing that the country exploits crypto assets to dodge sanctions.

The Treasury Department defined crypto transactions to be “deceptive or organized transactions or deals” that might be exploited in sanctions evasion just days after the invasion in February.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) echoed this opinion this week, warning that nations such as Russia and Iran may utilize cryptocurrencies to circumvent sanctions.

However, economists and industry experts have slammed the idea that the country will turn to crypto to dodge sanctions.

Crypto Is Now Accepted at a Singapore Luxury Car Company

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EuroSports Global, a Singaporean luxury automobile dealer, has begun taking crypto payments for Lamborghini and Alfa Romeo vehicles.

EuroSports has collaborated with Fomo Pay, a digital payments startup, to take payments in BTC, ETH, USDT, and USDC for its cars. The startup sees a need to meet “the rising need for flexible and easy-to-use crypto payments” while also lowering transaction fees and simplifying international transactions utilizing crypto.

According to Fomo Pay CEO Louis Liu, the MAS granted the company a digital token payment license in September 2021. 2Tone Antique, a merchant, specializing in vintage high-end timepieces, and Luxehouze, a renowned marketplace for luxury commodities in Asia, use the firm’s intermediary services.

2Tone Vintage intends to attract new customers using Fomo Pay, while Luxehouze wants to prevent currency swings.

Despite the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s warnings that bitcoin trading is dangerous, several establishments in the region are already taking cryptocurrencies as payment.

“Singapore is one of Luno’s main markets, given its position as a worldwide financial center with a progressive business climate,” Sherry Goh, country manager for Singapore at London-based crypto exchange Luno, said.

“Between March 2021 and February 2022, our client base increased by more than 40% year over year,” he added.

Porsche Towson now accepts crypto

Porsche now accepts digital assets payments in the form of Bitcoin, Ethereum, Shiba Inu, and other cryptocurrencies.

On Twitter, Bitpay announced cooperation with Porsche Towson. Users may pay for a Porsche automobile using digital assets, thanks to Bitpay’s integration.

Porsche Towson is a Porsche dealership located in Twoson, Maryland. The store sells both new and used Porsche vehicles. BitPay was founded in 2011 with the goal of making bitcoin payments easier for companies. BitPay now has over 10,000 businesses that utilize it to make bitcoin transactions easier.

Companies like BitPay, which allow retailers and even real estate brokers to accept payments in numerous digital assets, are poised to pull business away from traditional banks.

According to Deloitte, firms may handle crypto payments without keeping bitcoin on their balance sheet by using an intermediary that converts back and forth between cryptocurrencies and fiat.

This helps to attract new clients in the near term, with the third party considering most of the risk and regulatory requirements.