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Tabit, an insurance company based in Barbados, has innovatively raised $40 million in Bitcoin to bolster its balance sheet, marking a significant move in the insurance sector's engagement with digital assets. Despite its Bitcoin capital, Tabit's insurance policies are priced in US dollars, providing a regulated dollar return on an alternative asset class. Founded by former Bittrex executives, Tabit positions itself as the first property and casualty insurer to hold its entire regulatory reserve in Bitcoin. This approach not only diversifies the company's capital base but also taps into a new source of insurance capital through digital assets. The broader context includes the growing intersection of blockchain technology and insurance, with companies like Nayms and Ensuro facilitating connections between capital providers and insurance brokers, highlighting the potential for blockchain to revolutionize insurance transparency and efficiency.
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Ethereum developers are currently grappling with the challenges of deploying the Pectra upgrade, which has encountered significant hurdles during its testing phase. Initially planned for a March mainnet launch, the upgrade was first tested on the Holesky testnet on February 24, where it failed to finalize, leading to further investigations. Subsequent tests on the Sepolia testnet on March 5 were also marred by errors, exacerbated by an unknown attacker exploiting an edge case to mine empty blocks. In response, a new testnet named "Hoodi" was introduced on March 17, with the Pectra upgrade scheduled for testing on March 26. Nixo Rokish from the Ethereum Foundation highlighted the exhaustion among developers, particularly those working on the consensus layer, due to these unforeseen issues. Despite these setbacks, Ethereum's development continues to progress, with the recent Dencun upgrade significantly reducing gas fees, showcasing the network's ongoing improvements.
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Google Play has blocked access to 17 unregistered overseas cryptocurrency exchanges in South Korea following a directive from the country's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) under the Financial Services Commission (FSC). This action, announced on March 21, targets exchanges that failed to comply with South Korea's Specified Financial Information Act, which mandates virtual asset service providers (VASPs) to report to authorities. The list of 22 unregistered platforms was published by the FSC on March 26, with 17 of these now restricted on Google Play, preventing new downloads and updates. This initiative is part of broader efforts to curb money laundering and protect local users from potential financial damages. The FIU is also working with Apple Korea and the Korea Communications Standards Commission to extend these restrictions to other platforms. The move reflects South Korea's increasing regulatory scrutiny over cryptocurrency exchanges, highlighted by recent controversies involving major local exchanges like Bithumb.
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The article "How to Bridge to Solana" by Marcel Deer, published on March 25, 2025, provides a comprehensive guide on transferring digital assets to the Solana blockchain. Bridging assets to Solana offers users the opportunity to diversify their digital asset portfolio and engage with Solana's Web3 ecosystem, which includes decentralized applications (DApps), decentralized finance (DeFi), and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The process can be executed through decentralized platforms like Portal, which supports multiple blockchains, or centralized exchanges like OKX and Binance, offering a more familiar interface for those wary of decentralized mechanisms.
The article outlines the steps involved in bridging, from selecting a trusted bridge platform, connecting wallets, choosing assets, to initiating and confirming the transfer. It also highlights the importance of understanding the risks associated with blockchain bridges, such as smart contract vulnerabilities, network congestion, and the potential for irreversible loss of funds due to transaction errors. The guide emphasizes the need for careful preparation, including ensuring wallet compatibility and having sufficient funds for transaction fees. Additionally, it provides insights into the mechanics of crosschain bridges, like the lock-and-mint system, and offers practical advice on mitigating risks through due diligence, testing small transfers, and staying updated with bridge platform communications.
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Bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange Mt. Gox has made its third significant Bitcoin transaction this month, moving 11,501 Bitcoin on March 25. This follows previous transfers of 12,000 Bitcoin on March 6 and 11,833 Bitcoin on March 11. The latest transfer saw 893 Bitcoin sent to a cold wallet and 10,608 Bitcoin to a change wallet, as reported by blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence. These movements have sparked speculation that Mt. Gox might be preparing for creditor payouts, especially since creditors have the option to receive their compensation in Bitcoin. Despite the exchange's bankruptcy in 2014 due to a massive hack, Mt. Gox still holds about 35,000 Bitcoin across various wallets. The trustee managing the bankruptcy extended the repayment deadline to October 31, 2025, citing delays in creditors completing necessary procedures for receiving repayments.
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In his opinion piece, Michael Amar explores the historical parallels between the California gold rush of the 19th century and the current rise of Bitcoin, suggesting that Bitcoin could usher in an economic revolution akin to the one sparked by gold. He highlights how the discovery of gold transformed the American economy by creating wealth, altering financial systems, and driving infrastructure development. Similarly, Bitcoin, with its blockchain technology and decentralized nature, is reshaping global finance. Early Bitcoin adopters, like those who struck gold, have become millionaires and billionaires, using their wealth to further expand the cryptocurrency landscape. The article also discusses the broader implications for international finance, including monetary sovereignty, where Bitcoin serves as a hedge against inflation and political instability. Despite skepticism from some quarters, influential figures like Larry Fink of BlackRock have begun to recognize Bitcoin's potential, indicating a shift in perception. Amar concludes that Bitcoin is poised to take over some of gold's traditional roles in the global economy.
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Bitcoin and Ethereum are facing their worst first quarter performance in years, with Ether experiencing a significant 37.98% drop and Bitcoin declining by 6.49% in the first quarter of 2025. According to Swyftx lead analyst Pav Hundal, a dramatic recovery in the remaining days of the quarter is unlikely. The crypto market's downturn can be attributed to unexpected macroeconomic conditions, including uncertainty around US federal interest rates and President Trump's tariff plans. Despite the current bearish trend, some analysts remain optimistic, predicting potential significant rallies for Bitcoin in the near future. Historically, the first quarter has been a strong period for both cryptocurrencies, with Ether averaging a 78.23% gain since 2017 and Bitcoin a 51.62% gain since 2013. However, the market sentiment remains neutral, with the Crypto Fear & Greed Index indicating a score of 47 as of March 26.
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North Carolina is exploring the integration of cryptocurrencies into its financial systems through several legislative proposals. Two bills, the Investment Modernization Act in the House and the State Investment Modernization Act in the Senate, propose the creation of an independent investment authority to manage up to 5% of state retirement funds in digital assets like Bitcoin, stablecoins, and NFTs. These bills do not specify market cap requirements for the assets, focusing instead on risk assessment and secure custody solutions. Additionally, another bill, the Bitcoin Reserve and Investment Act, suggests investing up to 10% of public funds specifically into Bitcoin, with stringent conditions for its storage and potential liquidation. This legislative activity reflects a broader trend across the U.S., where 41 similar bills have been introduced in 23 states, aiming to leverage cryptocurrency as part of financial innovation strategies.
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Ripple Labs' legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) appears to be nearing its end after over four years, with Ripple agreeing to drop its cross-appeal in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. This decision follows an August 2024 judgment where Ripple was found liable for $125 million, but the SEC will retain only $50 million, with the remainder being refunded to Ripple. The SEC is also expected to request the lifting of an earlier imposed injunction. Ripple's Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, indicated that this could be his final update on the case, subject to court approval. The case, initiated under former SEC Chair Jay Clayton, has seen Ripple becoming politically active, contributing significantly to political action committees and Trump's inauguration fund. This political involvement was highlighted by Ripple's CEO Brad Garlinghouse, who suggested that the firm's political engagement might have been different under different SEC leadership. The case's resolution comes amidst discussions on crypto regulation, with former SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins potentially returning to chair the agency.
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Bitcoin's price has shown resilience, opening the week with a rally to $88,804, driven by a combination of structural and narrative factors. The market's strength was further bolstered by President Trump's indication of a more lenient tariff policy, which led to an increase in Bitcoin futures open interest, suggesting traders were leveraging new margin-long positions. Additionally, the return of the Coinbase Premium and continuous inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs signal a return of spot demand and an improvement in market sentiment. Despite these positive developments, the question remains whether this bullish momentum can propel Bitcoin past the $100,000 mark. Analysts have noted an alignment of both structural and narrative factors, with on-chain metrics indicating long-term investor accumulation rather than divestment. However, Bitcoin's price action remains below the resistance levels that have defined its trading range since November 2024, with technical indicators showing a bullish trend but still facing significant resistance at the $89,500 to $90,000 level.
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The acting chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mark Uyeda, reportedly voted against suing Elon Musk over his alleged failure to disclose Twitter stock ownership. Despite Uyeda's dissent, the SEC proceeded with the lawsuit, alleging that Musk did not disclose his purchase of Twitter shares within the required 10-day window after surpassing the 5% ownership threshold, which allowed him to continue acquiring shares at lower prices. This delay reportedly saved Musk an estimated $150 million. The lawsuit was filed in January 2023, following Musk's $44 billion acquisition of Twitter in 2022, which he later rebranded to X. Musk and his legal team have criticized the SEC, with Musk calling it a "totally broken organization" and highlighting other instances of what he perceives as inefficiency and political motivation within the agency. Amidst this, President Trump has ordered a review of politically motivated investigations at the SEC and other federal agencies.
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Bitcoin's price has surged past $88,000, closely following the upward trend in U.S. stocks, as traders eye a significant resistance at $90,000. This movement comes amidst a broader market recovery, spurred by optimism around U.S. trade tariffs set to begin on April 2. The market's sensitivity to these tariffs has been somewhat alleviated by President Trump's hints at possible exemptions or reductions, which have calmed investor nerves. Historical data indicates that April is typically a strong month for Bitcoin, with average returns around 13% over the past eleven years. However, the path to reclaiming the $90,000 level is fraught with challenges, including significant sell-side liquidity and potential market manipulation by a trader known as "Spoofy the Whale." Despite these hurdles, the overall market sentiment remains cautiously optimistic, with traders and analysts like Daan Crypto Trades and Keith Alan from Material Indicators closely monitoring price action and liquidity levels.
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Since Donald Trump's inauguration, Bitcoin has experienced significant volatility, dropping from a record high of $109,000 to below $78,000 due to tariff announcements and global retaliatory measures. The uncertainty around Trump's trade policies has left markets in a state of limbo, with investors hesitant to make bold moves. By mid-March, there were signs of recovery as the White House hinted at a more measured approach to tariffs, but the looming threat of "reciprocal tariffs" on April 2, dubbed "Liberation Day," continues to cause market jitters. Events like the tariff standoff with Colombia, the rise of Chinese AI firm DeepSeek, and the Bybit hack further contributed to Bitcoin's volatility. Despite some recovery, the market remains fragile, with investors bracing for potential new tariffs on automobiles, aluminum, and pharmaceuticals, which could lead to inflation spikes, supply chain disruptions, and economic slowdowns.
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Mt. Gox, once a prominent Japanese cryptocurrency exchange, has recently made headlines again by transferring significant amounts of bitcoin to different wallets. According to data from Arkham Intelligence, the exchange moved 893 BTC to its hot wallet and 10,608 BTC to a change wallet during early Asian trading hours when bitcoin was trading above $87,000. This marks the third major on-chain movement of funds by Mt. Gox within a month, following transfers of over $900 million and $1 billion in BTC earlier in March. Despite these large transactions, the spot price of bitcoin has remained stable, contrasting with previous instances where similar movements led to market volatility due to fears of creditor liquidations. Additionally, Mt. Gox has extended the deadline for complete creditor payouts to October 31, 2025, to accommodate ongoing verification and processing needs.
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Donald Trump's brand has evolved from real estate to encompass media and cryptocurrency, significantly boosting his net worth. His presidency was marked by conflicts of interest, but his post-presidential ventures have opened new avenues for wealth accumulation with less public scrutiny. Trump's empire now includes Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), which launched Truth Social and other digital businesses, and crypto projects like World Liberty Financial and the $Trump memecoin. Despite financial challenges, TMTG holds substantial cash reserves and aims to expand into new sectors. Trump's real estate holdings, managed by his sons, still form a significant part of his wealth, though exact valuations are obscured by complex corporate structures. His crypto ventures, particularly the $Trump coin, have seen fluctuating market caps but offer potential for substantial profits. Critics argue these projects could facilitate foreign investments with minimal oversight, highlighting the unique blend of marketing genius, greed, and potential grift in Trump's business strategies.
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BlackRock Inc., the world's largest asset manager, is expanding its cryptocurrency offerings by launching a Bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) in Europe. This move follows the success of its $48 billion US fund tracking Bitcoin. The new iShares Bitcoin ETP will be listed on major European exchanges like Xetra, Euronext Paris, and Euronext Amsterdam, with the ticker symbols IB1T and BTCN. To attract investors, BlackRock has introduced a temporary fee waiver, reducing the expense ratio to 0.15% until the year's end. This launch is significant as it represents BlackRock's first crypto-linked ETP outside North America, potentially marking a pivotal moment in the industry with increased professional engagement. The product will be backed by physical Bitcoin held by Coinbase Global Inc., and it targets both institutional and informed retail investors. This initiative underscores the growing acceptance and integration of cryptocurrencies into traditional investment portfolios.
