US holds $5B in BTC 🇺🇸, Solana-Dubai partnership 🤝, Tether freezes $873K USDT 🧊
Daily Crypto, Blockchain & Web3 Update 2023-10-16
CRYPTOCURRENCY
Crypto payment option for Honda cars only works via third-party platform (4 min read)
Honda does not accept cryptocurrency payments as a direct payment method. However, it is possible to buy a Honda car using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin through a third party.
US government among largest Bitcoin hodlers with over $5B in BTC: Report (2 min read)
The US government now owns more than 200,000 BTC, which is worth over $5 billion. They sold a few thousand BTC earlier this year but still hold a significant amount.
Solana becomes ecosystem partner of Dubai free zone (2 min read)
The Solana Foundation partnered with the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) in a strong alliance within one of the United Arab Emirates' important free economic zones.
EtherHiding: Hackers create novel way to hide malicious code in blockchains (3 min read)
Cybercriminals found a new method to distribute malware to users. They manipulate BNB Smart Chain (BSC) smart contracts to hide and spread malicious code.
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South Korean exchange Upbit gets initial license nod from Singapore (2 min read)
Upbit, the largest exchange in South Korea, has received preliminary approval for a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license in Singapore. Upbit Singapore received initial approval for a local cryptocurrency license from the country's central bank and financial regulator.
Crypto yield platform Haru Invest to suspend server (3 min read)
The troubled cryptocurrency platform Haru Invest intends to suspend its server temporarily following its decision to halt withdrawals in June 2023. Haru Invest might shut down the server to cut costs, CEO Hugo Lee said on Oct. 16.
Grayscale GBTC discount falls to 16% as markets bet on Bitcoin ETF approval (3 min read)
Grayscale's Bitcoin investment vehicle, Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), has the smallest discount in almost two years. This is because spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are getting closer to being approved in the United States.
Australia open to idea of CBDC as future of money — RBA (2 min read)
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is thinking about using a digital currency called central bank digital currency (CBDC) as the future form of money. This means that state-issued digital money would represent a tokenized form of central bank reserves.
Scammers prefer banking customers over crypto investors in Ireland: Report (3 min read)
In Ireland, fraudsters focus on traditional banking customers rather than cryptocurrency investors, especially during a two-year bear market. Irish authorities have recovered 4 million euros of the 20 million euros lost in banking scams since January 2023.
KYC hook for Uniswap v4 stirs community controversy (2 min read)
A new hook available on an open-source directory for Uniswap v4 hooks is sparking controversy within the crypto community. The hook enables users to be checked for Know Your Customer (KYC) before they can trade in token pools.
Tether freezes $873K USDT linked to terrorist activity in Ukraine, Israel (2 min read)
Stablecoin issuers froze $873,000 USDT addresses tied to illicit activity in Israel and Ukraine. Tether, a company that issues stablecoins, has blocked 32 addresses related to terrorist actions in Israel and Ukraine. This action was taken in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies.