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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) secured a $1.1 million default judgment against Keith Crews on June 3 in a Georgia federal court after he failed to respond to a lawsuit filed in August 2023. The SEC accused Crews of orchestrating a crypto fraud scheme through his companies, Four Square Biz and Stem Biotech, between 2019 and 2021. He allegedly raised $800,000 from around 200 investors, many from African-American and church communities, by selling a fraudulent crypto asset named “Stemy Coin.” Crews made false claims about the token being backed by stem cell technology and gold, despite having no labs, products, or partnerships. The court ordered him to pay $530,000 in disgorged profits, nearly $51,000 in prejudgment interest, and a $530,000 civil penalty, while also banning him from future securities law violations. This ruling marks a rare crypto-related win for the SEC, which has reduced its crypto enforcement actions under the current administration.
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North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis has issued a stark warning that Congress must act by early 2025 to pass critical cryptocurrency legislation, or risk it being derailed by political gridlock and the 2026 midterm elections. Speaking to Bloomberg, Tillis highlighted the urgency as the government shutdown, ongoing since October 1, and disputes over funding have stalled progress on key bills like the CLARITY Act, which seeks to clarify regulatory oversight of digital assets between the CFTC and SEC. Despite bipartisan support—evidenced by the House passing the CLARITY Act and the earlier GENIUS Act becoming law—Senate discussions have faltered due to a leaked DeFi proposal and the shutdown. Recent closed-door meetings with industry leaders show renewed bipartisan efforts, with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong noting 90% of issues resolved and a potential Thanksgiving deadline. However, skepticism persists, with Polymarket data indicating only a 20% chance of passage by 2025. As other nations advance their digital asset frameworks, the U.S. risks falling behind if it cannot overcome political paralysis. Tillis emphasized that failure to act by February could render the current push for crypto reform effectively “dead,” underscoring the fragile momentum in Washington.
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The Morning Minute newsletter by Tyler Warner highlights significant developments in the crypto market, with a focus on the launch of the first U.S. spot Solana ETFs, including the Bitwise Spot Solana ETF (BSOL) and Grayscale Solana Trust, alongside Litecoin and Hedera ETFs. This marks Solana’s entry into the ETF space, following Bitcoin and Ethereum, with BSOL uniquely offering staking to compound yields. Trading near $200, Solana’s momentum as a top-5 crypto by market cap is bolstered by this move, enhancing liquidity and access for institutional and retirement accounts. However, the absence of BlackRock, a dominant player in BTC and ETH ETFs, suggests tempered expectations for inflows. Other news includes slight declines in major cryptos like BTC (-1% at $114,500) and ETH (-1% at $4,120), a $500M raise by MegaETH in its ICO, and political moves to ban crypto trading for U.S. elected officials. Additionally, Ethereum treasury stock ETHZ surged 14% after a $40M ETH sale, while NFT and memecoin markets showed mixed results. France’s potential Bitcoin Strategic Reserve and Mt. Gox’s delayed repayments also made headlines, reflecting the dynamic and evolving crypto landscape.
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Tesla Chair Robyn Denholm has issued a urgent plea to shareholders to approve CEO Elon Musk’s unprecedented compensation package, potentially worth $1 trillion, warning that his departure could jeopardize Tesla’s future. In a letter to shareholders, Denholm emphasized Musk’s indispensable role in driving Tesla’s success across automotive, robotics, and autonomous driving sectors, arguing that without an equitable pay-for-performance plan, Tesla risks losing his leadership and significant value. The package, linked to ambitious targets like a $8.5 trillion market cap, faces opposition from proxy advisers Glass Lewis and ISS, who deem it excessive. Musk, embroiled in a legal battle over his 2018 pay package, has criticized these advisers harshly. Despite concerns over Musk’s political engagements harming Tesla’s brand, analysts like Dan Ives predict shareholder approval at the November 5 meeting, viewing it as crucial during a critical phase for Tesla. Denholm insists Musk alone can lead Tesla to new heights in growth and societal impact.
