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Former Congressman Wiley Nickel emphasized the necessity of enacting crypto regulations through Congress to ensure lasting change, rather than relying on executive orders which can be easily reversed by future administrations. In an interview with Cointelegraph, Nickel highlighted the importance of bipartisan efforts to pass comprehensive crypto legislation, referencing the instability seen with SEC actions under Gary Gensler. Recent legislative activities include Rep. Tom Emmer's reintroduction of a bill banning CBDC, Senator Cynthia Lummis' Bitcoin Act of 2025, and efforts by Rep. Byron Donalds to codify President Trump's Bitcoin strategic reserve into law. Additionally, the House of Representatives voted to repeal an IRS rule affecting decentralized finance platforms. Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna expressed optimism about passing comprehensive crypto regulation, including stablecoin and market structure bills, by 2025. These actions underscore a growing recognition in Congress of the need for clear, permanent crypto regulations.
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Bitcoin experienced a notable surge, reaching two-week highs on March 20, driven by rumors of an impending major update to US cryptocurrency policy. This news came alongside a Federal Reserve meeting where officials decided to keep interest rates unchanged, with hints of potential cuts by the end of 2025. Fed Chair Jerome Powell's comments on inflation easing and a cautious policy stance provided relief to both Bitcoin and US stocks, with the S&P 500 gaining around 1% and adding $500 billion in market cap. The market's reaction was further fueled by expectations of a policy shift from quantitative tightening to easing, as suggested by former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes. Additionally, traders were particularly focused on potential changes in US crypto policy, with whispers of an announcement expected on March 21. This anticipation was set against the backdrop of President Trump's recent executive order establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, although markets remained relatively cool to this news initially.
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Aleksei Andriunin, the Russian founder of the Gotbit market maker platform, has entered into a plea agreement with Massachusetts federal prosecutors, agreeing to forfeit approximately $23 million in Tether USDt and USDC. This deal comes after Andriunin was charged with manipulating cryptocurrency markets through Gotbit, which was accused of orchestrating a widespread market manipulation scheme from 2017 to 2024. The plea includes guilty pleas to three counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and market manipulation. Despite the agreement, it does not bind the US Attorney General or other prosecuting entities, and the court is not obligated to follow the sentencing guidelines proposed by the prosecutors. Andriunin was extradited to the US in October 2024 following his arrest in Portugal and has since appeared in a Boston federal court where he remains detained. The case also involves other Gotbit employees, highlighting the broader implications of the company's activities in the cryptocurrency market.
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The recent decision by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to drop its appeal against Ripple Labs has been interpreted by crypto lawyer John Deaton as a definitive sign that XRP tokens are digital commodities rather than securities. This development potentially gives Ripple leverage to renegotiate its $125 million settlement with the SEC, which was initially imposed due to improper sales of XRP. Despite this progress, Ripple faces challenges with an injunction from Judge Analisa Torres that restricts sales of XRP to institutional investors, a hurdle that needs to be overcome for Ripple to expand its market in the U.S. Deaton, who has been a vocal advocate for XRP holders, sees this case as part of a broader regulatory assault on the crypto industry by traditional finance and regulatory bodies. He highlights Ripple's resilience in staying in the U.S. despite the legal battle, suggesting that this could positively influence public and regulatory perceptions of the company.
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In his opinion piece, Georgii Verbitskii discusses how the crypto industry has evolved into a speculative arena dominated by memecoins, which he compares to a global casino. He highlights the stark contrast between investing, which focuses on long-term value preservation, and speculation, where memecoins thrive due to their lack of intrinsic value and the promise of quick profits. Verbitskii points out that while traditional investments like stocks or Bitcoin grow based on fundamental economic factors, memecoins rely on hype and psychological triggers, often leading to significant losses for the average trader while insiders profit. He critiques the regulatory environment, noting that the absence of clear rules has allowed for the unchecked growth of memecoins, likening the situation to an unregulated gambling scene. However, he sees a potential shift with the current US administration's crypto-friendly stance, suggesting that forthcoming regulations could introduce stricter controls on token launches and exchange listings, potentially curbing the memecoin frenzy. Verbitskii concludes by advising caution in memecoin investments, treating them like casino visits, and advocating for more stable, long-term investments like Bitcoin for those serious about wealth preservation.
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In a recent interview with Yahoo Finance, Robbie Mitchnick, BlackRock's head of digital assets, discussed the potential impact of a US recession on Bitcoin. He highlighted that Bitcoin is designed to perform well in environments characterized by high fiscal spending, low interest rates, and monetary stimulus, conditions typically seen during recessions. Mitchnick emphasized that while many view Bitcoin as a risk-on asset, its fundamentals suggest otherwise, presenting an educational opportunity in the market. Despite some outflows from Bitcoin ETFs, BlackRock's clients, particularly those with a long-term investment strategy, see current market conditions as a chance to accumulate Bitcoin. This perspective contrasts with Coinbase's more cautious outlook, which noted a shift in sentiment due to recession fears and recent economic policies. BlackRock's involvement in Bitcoin through its iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF underscores its commitment to integrating Bitcoin into institutional and wealth advisory portfolios.
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Cybersecurity experts from Malwarebytes have uncovered a sophisticated scam involving a "cracked" version of TradingView Premium, a popular tool for financial market analysis. This version, promoted as free on Reddit, is actually embedded with malware designed to steal cryptocurrency and personal information. The malware includes Lumma Stealer, known for targeting crypto wallets and 2FA extensions, and Atomic Stealer, which captures sensitive passwords. Scammers not only distribute this software but also engage with users, providing assistance to ensure the malware is installed, thereby increasing the scam's effectiveness. The distribution site is linked to a Dubai cleaning company, with the malware's control servers located in Russia. This incident highlights the ongoing risks associated with downloading cracked software, as noted by Malwarebytes, where the promise of free premium features often leads to significant security breaches. The scam underscores the professionalization of cybercrime, as reported by Chainalysis, with an estimated $51 billion in illicit crypto transactions in the past year.
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The European Union is intensifying its regulatory scrutiny on tech giants Google and Apple, citing violations of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The European Commission has found Alphabet, Google's parent company, guilty of self-preferencing in its Search and Google Play services, practices that unfairly favor its own products over competitors. Google has responded by arguing that the EU's demands could negatively impact consumers and businesses by complicating search results and increasing costs. Similarly, Apple has been instructed to improve interoperability within its iOS platform to foster competition, a move Apple claims could stifle innovation and burden them with unnecessary regulations. Amidst these regulatory actions, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on the EU, accusing it of unfairly targeting American tech firms. This tension highlights the ongoing global debate over how to regulate tech giants to ensure fair competition while fostering innovation.
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On February 10, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at fulfilling a campaign promise to dismantle the Department of Education. The order, detailed in a White House fact sheet, instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to oversee the department's closure and ensure the smooth transition of educational services back to state control. This move is intended to decentralize education governance, returning authority to individual states. Additionally, the order specifies that any remaining federal education funds should not be used to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives or gender ideology, signaling a shift in educational policy focus. This executive action marks a significant change in the federal government's role in education, potentially affecting how educational programs and policies are administered across the United States.
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Bitcoin's price trajectory is closely tied to the outcomes of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting and the signals from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Amidst concerns over a potential end to the current Bitcoin bull cycle, there's optimism that Bitcoin could recover to above $90,000 due to easing inflation concerns in the U.S. Markus Thielen from 10x Research suggests that while this isn't a major bullish development, it could lead to a counter-trend rally as prices are currently oversold. Investors are particularly focused on whether the Fed will maintain its current stance or signal a shift towards more dovish policies, which could enhance liquidity and support risk assets like Bitcoin. However, persistent inflation or tight financial conditions could limit Bitcoin's upward potential. The market currently anticipates that the Fed will keep interest rates steady, but broader economic concerns, including fears of a recession, might still impact Bitcoin's price action.
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Elon Musk, in a recent podcast episode with Senator Ted Cruz, revealed his discovery of what he calls "magic money computers" within the U.S. federal government. These computers, found in various departments including Treasury, Defense, and Health and Human Services, have the capability to issue payments and essentially create money out of thin air. Musk pointed out that these systems are not synchronized, leading to potential discrepancies in financial reporting, which could be off by as much as 5-10%. In response, Jameson Lopp from Bitcoin custody company Casa suggested that Bitcoin could address this issue due to its fixed supply, contrasting with the unlimited potential of fiat currency printing. Musk's investigation also uncovered significant government overspending on unnecessary subscriptions and payments without proper oversight, often due to administrative errors rather than malicious intent. This revelation comes amidst Musk's broader efforts with DOGE, which have faced backlash, including vandalism at Tesla facilities as part of a "Take down Tesla" movement.
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Solana, a blockchain network, faced significant backlash and subsequently deleted an advertisement from its X account that was criticized for its handling of gender identity issues. The ad, which was part of a promotional campaign for the Solana Accelerate conference, depicted a man in a therapy session discussing his thoughts on innovation, only to be redirected by the therapist to focus on gender pronouns. This portrayal was seen as making light of a serious and divisive political topic, especially at a time when transgender rights are under scrutiny. The ad, which had garnered over 1.2 million views, was met with widespread criticism for being tone-deaf and insensitive. Critics like Adam Cochran suggested that the ad's removal was motivated by business concerns rather than a genuine acknowledgment of the issue's gravity. The controversy was further fueled by recent political actions, such as President Trump's revocation of executive orders aimed at protecting gender and sexual orientation rights, highlighting the ad's poor timing and insensitivity.
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A recent report by Coinbase and EY-Parthenon, released on March 18, 2025, highlights a significant shift in institutional investment towards cryptocurrencies. The survey, which included over 350 institutional investors, revealed that 83% plan to increase their crypto allocations in 2025, driven by the belief that cryptocurrencies offer the best opportunity for attractive risk-adjusted returns over the next three years. Notably, nearly three-quarters of these firms already hold cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin and Ether, with XRP and Solana being particularly popular. The report also points to a growing interest in decentralized finance (DeFi), with expectations that up to 75% of institutions might engage with DeFi platforms within two years, attracted by opportunities in derivatives, staking, lending, and yield farming. Additionally, stablecoins are gaining traction for uses beyond mere transactions, such as yield generation and internal cash management, signaling a broader acceptance and integration of digital assets into traditional financial systems.
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Volatility Shares LLC, a Florida-based ETF firm, is set to introduce the first-ever ETFs tracking Solana futures, named SOLZ and SOLT, which will offer investors direct and leveraged exposure to the cryptocurrency. This move comes after the successful launch of Bitcoin ETFs and amidst a backdrop of market volatility affecting Ether ETFs. The ETFs are seen as a precursor to potential spot Solana ETFs, with industry experts estimating a high likelihood of approval by the end of 2025. The launch is part of a broader trend where ETF firms are targeting speculative investors, despite recent market downturns, and reflects a strategic push by the Trump administration to maintain U.S. leadership in financial technology. Solana, which has regained investor interest after the FTX collapse, is viewed as a promising candidate for spot ETFs due to its institutional appeal and lower transaction fees compared to competitors.
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On March 19, Republican senators in North Carolina introduced Senate Bill 327, aiming to make the state a pioneer in cryptocurrency adoption by mandating the State Treasurer to invest up to 10% of public funds in Bitcoin. The bill stipulates stringent security measures, including multi-signature cold storage and monthly audits, to ensure transparency and security of the Bitcoin reserves. It also outlines conditions under which the state's Bitcoin could be liquidated, requiring a significant majority approval from the General Assembly in times of financial crisis. Additionally, the legislation proposes the formation of a Bitcoin Economic Advisory Board to guide the management of these reserves and allows for Bitcoin-related financial activities like staking and lending. To further bolster its Bitcoin strategy, the bill encourages the establishment of Bitcoin mining operations within the state. This move comes in the wake of President Trump's executive order to create a federal strategic Bitcoin reserve, with North Carolina joining 18 other states in legislative efforts to establish similar reserves at the state level. However, not all states have been receptive, with some bills facing rejection or stalling.
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In a discussion on the Roundtable with host Rob Nelson, JAN3 CEO Samson Mow emphasized the importance of Bitcoin's self-custody principle, despite acknowledging that many users prioritize convenience over complete financial control. Nelson highlighted that while Bitcoin's ideal scenario involves individuals managing their own assets, most people seek ease, speed, and a safety net due to a lack of trust in their own financial management capabilities. Mow agreed, noting that while self-custody might not be for everyone, it's essential in regions with unstable financial systems or where government asset seizures are a risk. He referenced historical events like the U.S. government's gold seizure in 1933 to underline the importance of holding one's own keys. Additionally, Mow discussed the integration of Layer 2 technologies like Liquid and Lightning, which provide faster transaction capabilities while maintaining the security of Bitcoin's main chain, addressing issues like fee spikes during high network congestion. However, Nelson pointed out that for the average user, understanding these technical layers isn't necessary, as the infrastructure should work seamlessly in the background, much like the internet.
