Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, was released from a correctional facility in California on Friday. Zhao had been sentenced to four months earlier this year after admitting to money laundering violations at Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.
Prosecutors accused Binance of enabling criminal activity by failing to report over 100,000 suspicious transactions, including those linked to terrorist groups such as Hamas, al-Qaeda, and ISIS. The platform was also said to have facilitated the sale of child sexual abuse materials and received funds from ransomware activities.
In a settlement with US authorities, Binance agreed to pay a $4.32 billion penalty, while Zhao was personally fined $100 million. It includes a $50 million fine to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, alongside the criminal penalties.
Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) saw a huge influx of liquidity this week, with inflows surpassing $1 billion for the first time since July. The cumulative net inflows across the 12 ETFs have reached a record $18.8 billion. ARK 21Shares and Fidelity led the charge, bringing in the highest figures.
Bitcoin’s price surged past the $65,000 resistance level, sparking a wave of buying driven by fear of missing out (FOMO). Analysts are predicting a significant rally in the final quarter, with some suggesting Bitcoin could push beyond $70,000 and potentially reach new all-time highs sooner than anticipated.
A sharp rise in stablecoin minting and global liquidity injections bolsters market optimism. Some analysts even forecast that Bitcoin could hit $124,000 by the end of 2024, as investor interest continues to climb.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) token has soared in value, rising over 33,000% in September before settling at around $0.02309. The surge followed a playful remark from Elon Musk after a conversation with Donald Trump, who proposed creating a new government efficiency department.
Trump has pledged to appoint Musk as head of this department if re-elected in November. Polls currently show Trump and Kamala Harris in a close race, with Harris holding a slight edge in key swing states. Meanwhile, the DOGE token, often confused with Dogecoin, has seen its popularity grow, with the number of holders climbing to 5,916 and 24-hour trading volume surpassing $10 million.
Meme coins, including politically themed tokens, are enjoying a resurgence. Analysts are predicting a new supercycle, reminiscent of the 2020 crypto bull run, as tokens like MAGA and ConstitutionDAO continue to attract attention.
Cutoshi, a new meme coin, has gained significant attention during its presale phase. Its unique DeFi integration and focus on decentralised finance principles have attracted interest from large investors, or ‘whales,’ who are shifting focus from established tokens like Ethereum and Bonk. With features such as a multi-chain decentralised exchange and a deflationary buyback mechanism, Cutoshi has positioned itself as a potential top performer in the meme coin space.
Currently selling for $0.015, Cutoshi is set to rise to $0.022 in the presale, offering early investors a 46.66% return. While Ethereum has seen outflows from its ETF market and Bonk has struggled to regain momentum, Cutoshi’s utility-driven platform stands out. Inspired by the Chinese Lucky Cat, it aims to boost DeFi participation globally, offering users the ability to earn rewards through its platform.
As Bonk continues to consolidate, Cutoshi’s growing utility and investor interest suggest it may outpace its rivals in the long run. Although Bonk showed a recent weekly price increase of 15%, Cutoshi’s strong start indicates it could surpass Bonk next year.
Former Chinese finance minister Lou Jiwei has raised concerns about cryptocurrency’s potential to destabilise the global financial system during a speech at the 2024 Tsinghua Wudaokou Chief Economists Forum in Beijing. Lou pointed out the risks associated with the volatility of crypto assets, particularly their role in money laundering and threats to anti-terrorism financing efforts. His comments come as cryptocurrencies continue to attract attention for their potential to impact financial stability.
Lou highlighted the US’s recent policy shift towards crypto, particularly the approval of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He urged Chinese policymakers to take note of these global developments and adapt strategies accordingly, stressing that understanding international trends is key to China’s digital economic progress.
Despite China’s 2021 ban on Bitcoin mining and trading, Lou noted that the country still dominates the Bitcoin mining space, controlling over 55% of the global BTC network. However, this stronghold is starting to wane, with US-based mining pools now managing about 40% of global Bitcoin mining operations.
TRON DAO recently took centre stage as the title sponsor at TOKEN2049 Singapore, the largest Web3 conference globally, held at Marina Bay Sands. During the event, Community Spokesperson Dave Uhryniak delivered an enlightening keynote about TRON’s commitment to enhancing blockchain security. He announced the establishment of the T3 Financial Crime Unit (T3 FCU) in collaboration with Tether and TRM Labs, aimed at combating illicit activities involving USDT on the TRON blockchain.
The conference brought together prominent figures from the crypto industry, fostering discussions on innovation and growth in the digital asset space. TRON founder Justin Sun delivered opening remarks at multiple events, including an afterparty co-hosted with HTX DAO, which featured live music, complimentary refreshments, and a lively atmosphere for attendees to network and celebrate.
In addition, TRON DAO supported Google Cloud’s event titled ‘AI and Web3: Building a Trusted Digital Future,’ where Sun discussed the transformative potential of merging AI and blockchain technologies. The DAO also participated in Crypto Fight Night, highlighting the resilience of builders in the TRON ecosystem through a unique boxing tournament that integrates cryptocurrency.
TRON DAO’s involvement in TOKEN2049 emphasises its dedication to community empowerment and innovation, positioning the organisation as a leader in the evolving blockchain landscape.
Guggenheim Treasury Securities (GTS) has entered the blockchain arena by issuing $20 million in Digital Commercial Paper (DCP) on Ethereum, receiving a strong P-1 credit rating from Moody’s. This move is facilitated through the AmpFi.Digital platform, developed by Zeconomy, which focuses on tokenisation services for qualified investors. Zeconomy’s CEO, Giacinto Cosenza, expressed excitement about addressing the need for secure blockchain solutions, especially as the market for tokenised US treasuries now exceeds $2 billion.
The increasing interest from traditional finance firms highlights a shift towards digital assets, with significant participation from players like BlackRock and Franklin Templeton. BlackRock’s tokenised fund BUIDL has a market cap of over $513 million, while Franklin Templeton’s FOBXX follows closely behind. Cosenza noted that recent developments, such as the approval of crypto exchange-traded funds in the US, underscore a growing institutional demand for crypto solutions.
Ethereum continues to play a key role, with nearly $1.6 billion of all tokenized US treasuries issued on its platform. Meanwhile, Solana is making strides in the space, holding 5.5% of the tokenised US government securities market. Firms like Franklin Templeton and Citigroup are now looking to Solana for future financial products, indicating the blockchain’s potential for growth and innovation in digital finance.
While Bitcoin offers an alternative way to purchase goods and services, most countries do not recognise it as legal tender. Only two countries, El Salvador and the Central African Republic, have officially adopted Bitcoin. El Salvador’s adoption, in particular, has seen economic improvements in areas like tourism and public investment, with the country’s Bitcoin treasury currently $58 million in profit.
Experts suggest that Bitcoin’s widespread use could reshape global economies, especially in regions like Africa and Latin America, where multiple currencies complicate trade. However, researchers caution that the financial system would need a major overhaul before Bitcoin could be used effectively as a mainstream currency.
Despite challenges such as volatility, some analysts believe Bitcoin’s mainstream adoption would bring benefits, including increased financial inclusion and reduced payment-processing costs. However, widespread acceptance is still dependent on Bitcoin first establishing itself as a store of value.
Worldpay, the global payment giant, is set to enter the blockchain space by verifying transactions, aiming to enhance its understanding of how funds flow through digital ledgers. According to a Bloomberg report from 26th September, the payment provider is in discussions with various blockchains to become a validator—an entity responsible for monitoring and confirming transactions on digital networks. Sanchit Mall, Worldpay’s web3 and crypto lead for the Asia-Pacific region, emphasised the company’s desire to be involved at the foundational level of blockchain ecosystems.
In 2024, Worldpay has already processed stablecoin transactions worth $1.3 billion, a notable increase from less than $1 billion in 2023. However, this still represents a small fraction of the total $2.3 trillion in annual transactions handled by Worldpay. As a validator, the company will need to stake a portion of the blockchain’s cryptocurrency, earning fees for its transaction verification efforts.
Worldpay’s move into blockchain validation marks a significant step, joining a competitive field that includes well-known validators like Coinbase and Galaxy Digital. Previously, the company has engaged in crypto-related initiatives, such as partnering with web3 payment provider Wert to improve access for cardholders and participating in trials for Fireblocks’ cryptocurrency custody solutions.
BNY Mellon, one of the largest US banks, is moving closer to offering custody services for Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded fund (ETF) clients. This follows a decision by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to ease requirements surrounding Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 121, which had imposed strict guidelines for companies holding client Bitcoin.
SAB 121, introduced in 2022, required firms to list Bitcoin assets as liabilities, causing frustration in the industry. However, after reviewing the matter, the SEC’s Office of the Chief Accountant determined that BNY Mellon did not need to comply with SAB 121, allowing the bank to advance its crypto services.
Despite this progress, BNY Mellon still needs additional regulatory approval to offer these services at scale. The bank has stated that it continues to work with its banking regulators to fully roll out its custody offerings for crypto ETFs.
