Tag: crypto rates

Why Crypto Is Watching Ethereum’s ‘Shanghai’ Upgrade
Technology

Why Crypto Is Watching Ethereum’s ‘Shanghai’ Upgrade

[ad_1] The Ethereum network is set to undergo a technical revamp on April 12 that will allow users to withdraw tens of billions of dollars of its native token, Ether. Known as the “Shanghai” upgrade, it's a necessary step after the world's most commercially important crypto platform shifted to a less power-hungry process for ordering transactions. Investors burned by recent turmoil in crypto markets will be wondering if, presented with their first opportunity to withdraw their tokens, some Ether holders will run for the hills. 1. What is Ethereum?It's a computer network that hosts what are known as smart contracts — self-executing software agreements in which a chain of actions can flow from defined conditions and contingencies. Since it was introduced by crypto entrepreneur Vitalik But...
Germany shuts down ‘world’s largest’ crypto launderer
Technology

Germany shuts down ‘world’s largest’ crypto launderer

[ad_1] German authorities said Wednesday they had taken down the "world's largest" money laundering site for cryptocurrency, seizing millions of euros' worth of bitcoin in the process.Law enforcement officials secured around 44 million euros ($46 million) of the digital currency in the move against online platform ChipMixer, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and Frankfurt prosecutor's office said in a statement. Working together with authorities in the United States and Europol, investigators also seized the servers belonging to the "darknet" site. ChipMixer's operators are suspected of "commercial money laundering and running a criminal trading platform on the internet", the German authorities said.The site is said to have accepted criminally obtained bitcoin to pay it out agai...
Billions Worth of Crypto Trades at Risk as Bank Shutdowns Take Toll
Technology

Billions Worth of Crypto Trades at Risk as Bank Shutdowns Take Toll

[ad_1] The digital-asset market is coming off of a turbulent year featuring a number of high-profile blowups. Now, two shutdowns in the banking industry — SVB Financial Group's Silicon Valley Bank and Silvergate Capital Corp. — have set off a fresh set of stresses. SVB's failure triggered a knock-on effect in the crucial market for stablecoins after digital-asset giant Circle Internet Financial Corp., one of the biggest issuers of the widely used tokens known for their perceived safety, revealed it had $3.3 billion of reserves with the bank. The news caused Circle's token, USD Coin, to slip below its intended 1-for-1 peg with the dollar, sending a shock through the market. As concerning as USD Coin's de-peg was, it is the shutdown of crypto-friendly bank Silvergate...
Cryptoverse: Hooked on growth, bitcoin investors turn to smart tokens
Technology

Cryptoverse: Hooked on growth, bitcoin investors turn to smart tokens

[ad_1] For investors living on the digital edge, bitcoin is starting to look a little old-fashioned.Hooked on high growth, some are turning away from the original cryptocurrency - designed as an alternative to regular cash - in favor of its descendants created as native tokens of blockchain platforms that host smart contracts and apps. MarketVector's Smart Contract Leaders Index, which tracks major tokens of this kind - including ether, dot and solana - is up 36% in 2023, outpacing even bitcoin's 33% rise. Solana's token is up 76% this year. Bundeep Rangar, CEO of crypto-focused investor Fineqia, said he expected the biggest crypto returns to come from smart contract tokens on platforms that support decentralized finance (DeFi) apps."Those are ones that you will find capital appreciati...
How The FTX Collapse Shook The Bahamas
Technology

How The FTX Collapse Shook The Bahamas

[ad_1] It's been three months since one of the most influential crypto exchanges collapsed into bankruptcy. FTX's demise brought with it a wave of financial uncertainty and distress across the crypto industry. But it also had an effect on the small island nation where the crypto exchange had established its headquarters: The Bahamas. This is not the Caribbean's first financial crisis. History suggests it won't be the last. But it is perhaps one of the highest profile losses, and potentially the most damaging. It comes as islands across the region try to diversify away from tourism revenue. The Bahamas had high hopes that an ambitious financial sector would achieve that. But crypto was a big part of the game plan, and now that vision is crumbling. Can the Bahamas fill the gap left ...