CBDC testing 🧪, Record-breaking US crypto lobby spending 🇺🇸, Ukraine officials receive crypto training 🇺🇦
Daily Crypto, Blockchain & Web3 Update 2023-11-17
CRYPTOCURRENCY
WisdomTree amends S-1 form spot Bitcoin ETF filing as crypto awaits SEC decisions (3 min read)
WisdomTree, a global ETF provider, submitted an updated prospectus for a Bitcoin ETF to the SEC on November 16th. WisdomTree recently made an amendment to its Form S-1 for the spot Bitcoin ETF. Franklin Templeton and Global X have not made any changes to their S-1 filings yet.
AI’s energy consumption concerns echo Bitcoin mining criticisms, says Heatbit founder (3 min read)
Bitcoin miners, both small and large-scale, may not be interested in joining the hype around artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Singapore central bank to trial live wholesale CBDC for settlements (2 min read)
The central bank of Singapore has announced a pilot program for a digital currency called central bank digital currency (CBDC). The program aims to have local banks use the CBDC for settlements.
Crypto lobby spending in US set to beat 2022 record: Report (2 min read)
The United States crypto industry has spent $20 million on lobbying efforts before the end of 2023. In the last year, the total sum stood at $22.2 million.
Ukraine officials get training on crypto and virtual assets investigation (3 min read)
14 Ukrainian officials attended a training course on investigating modern financial crimes in Vienna, Austria from November 14 to November 17. Officials from Ukraine were trained in tracing crypto transactions over different blockchains using specialized analytics software.
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Sushi taps into ZetaChain to begin testing native Bitcoin DeFi swaps (5 min read)
DeFi platform Sushi has partnered with interoperability platform ZetaChain to explore the possibility of native Bitcoin swaps for its users across 30 different blockchain networks.
Brazil’s crypto regulatory environment is driving competitiveness — Coinext CEO (3 min read)
Cryptocurrency may be “out of fashion,” but it still draws new users to Web3 daily—particularly in emerging markets such as Brazil—according to Bitcoin maximalist José Ribeiro, CEO of crypto exchange Coinext.
Polygon gas fees spike 1,000% amid Ordinals-inspired token craze (3 min read)
Gas fees on Ethereum layer-2 Polygon surged to $0.10, a 1,000% increase, due to users minting POLS tokens inspired by Ordinals.
Dubai’s crypto regulator VARA switches leadership as it ramps up operations (2 min read)
Dubai’s dedicated crypto regulator, the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), is switching leaders as it prepares for the next phase of its “ramp up to full-scale market operations” in 2023.
Global securities body IOSCO unveils crypto regulatory framework proposals (2 min read)
The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) — an international regulatory body overseeing global securities markets — has released its conclusive report containing policy suggestions for crypto and digital asset (CDA) markets.