Bitcoin

The Argentinian Tax Agency, the AFIP, has ramped up the seizures of digital wallets of taxpayers in the country. The institution managed to seize more than 1,200 digital wallets of taxpayers that had debts and didn’t have a bank account, or other properties available to be collected by the courts. While the organization has yet to order crypto-related seizures, this could be possible in the future. Argentinian Tax Agency Seizes More Than 1,200 Digital Wallets Tax regulators around the world are becoming more and more aware of the different ways in which taxpayers can hide their funds to avoid paying taxes. The Argentinian tax agency, the AFIP, has been busy taking control of the digital wallets of debtors to the institution. These digital wallets are custodial services provided by fintech companies to third parties, that in some ways are not directly related to banks. The basis for the seizures was established in February when the AFIP included these in the list of seizable assets.

Deutsche Bank has predicted that the price of bitcoin will increase nearly 40% from the current level to $28K by the end of the year. The bank’s analysts also warned that “the crypto free fall could continue.” Deutsche Bank’s Bitcoin Price Prediction Deutsche Bank has reportedly predicted that the price of bitcoin will rise to $28,000 by year-end, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing an analysis by the bank’s senior economist and market strategist Marion Laboure and research analyst Galina Pozdnyakova. Based on their analysis, bitcoin’s price will rally 38% from the current price of $20,329 given how closely BTC has been trading with U.S. stocks. They noted that cryptocurrencies have been correlated to benchmarks like the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 and the S&P 500 since November. The S&P 500 is down 21% since the beginning of the year. The Deutsche Bank strategists expect the index to recover to January levels by the end of the year. Laboure and Pozdnyakova liken bitcoin to d

Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has revealed its plan to expand in several European markets. The company is reportedly in the process of registering a crypto exchange in Spain, France, Italy, and the Netherlands. Coinbase Expanding in Europe Coinbase Global Inc. (Nasdaq: COIN) is reportedly planning to expand operations in Europe, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing an interview with Nana Murugesan, Coinbase’s vice president of International and Business Development. Noting that Coinbase is focused on growing its presence in Europe, the executive revealed that the exchange is in the process of applying for a license in various European markets including Italy, Spain, France, and the Netherlands. The Nasdaq-listed company is currently registered in the U.K., Ireland, and Germany, Murugesan confirmed, noting that Coinbase also recently hired its first employee in Switzerland. “In all these markets our intention is to have retail and institutional products,” the executive emphasiz

The Foresight Ventures founding and partnership team includes veterans of some of the top financial and technology firms dedicated to sourcing and supporting the next generation of disruptive innovations across Web3. They believe the future is multi-chain and thus the chains that find product market fit will all need partners to help expand their ecosystems. They hope to become that partner, investing early and supporting their ecosystems by holding and providing resources for growth. Tony Cheng, general partner from Foresight Ventures , recently joined the Bitcoin.com News Podcast to talk about the market: Tony graduated from Nankai University with a BSc in Applied Mathematics, then went on to the University of Oxford for post-graduate studies resulting in a MSc in Financial Economics. After graduation Tony worked as a management consultant at Oliver Wyman in HK, mainly covering financial services and Fintech clients in the APAC region. After doing many consulting projects for F

One of the Onecoin co-founders, Ruja Ignatova, otherwise known as the ‘Cryptoqueen,’ has been added to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on Thursday. In addition to adding the Cryptoqueen to the most wanted list, the FBI is offering a reward of up to $100K for tips that lead to the 42-year-old woman’s arrest. Onecoin’s Cryptoqueen Is Now on the FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted List Ruja Ignatova is well known for her involvement with the Onecoin Ponzi scheme , and it is estimated that the scam allegedly defrauded people out of $4 billion. The pyramid scheme promoted Onecoin as a blockchain project with a native cryptocurrency but there was no blockchain and no real crypto asset behind the scam. However, Onecoin’s management, recruits, and Ignatova promoted the project as if it was a “bitcoin killer.” From late 2014 to March 2016, Ignatova pitched Onecoin sales and recruited members on a regular basis. During the end of the scheme’s functional state,

This week, the rapper Snoop Dogg spoke about the crypto crash in an interview with CNBC on Tuesday and explained that he believes the cryptocurrency economy will bounce back. Snoop said that he feels like the crash “‘weeded’ out all of the people” that were not supposed to be in the space in the first place. Snoop Says Crypto Crash Is Transitory and Great Choices Will Follow the Aftermath Snoop Dogg thinks the current crypto crash is temporary and in time he believes the ecosystem will bounce back. Speaking with CNBC on Tuesday, the hip-hop recording artist discussed his current perspective on non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and cryptocurrencies. While talking about NFTs, Snoop said that what drew him toward the digital collectibles space was the intellectual property (IP) ideas and “being able to own and control the whole IP and not be used as a face or marketing tool … but to actually be the owner, the CEO.” When Snoop was questioned about the current crypto market drawdown, he resp

Taiwan’s central bank is yet to conclude work on its central bank digital currency (CBDC) and according to the bank’s governor, the institution may need two more years to finish its work, a report has said. Some of the bank’s next tasks include winning the public’s support, ensuring the system is stable, and building the currency’s legal framework. Simulating Use of the CBDC Some two years after work on Taiwan’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) commenced, the governor of the country’s central bank, Yang Chin-long, recently revealed that his organization is still working on the project. Yang warned the central bank may need as long as two years to complete the task. Yang, who spoke at a digital currencies forum, also disclosed the central bank had been simulating the use of the CBDC in what a Reuters report called a closed-loop environment. However, the same report said the central bank now faces three key tasks. These include communicating and ultimately winning the public’s s

E-commerce giant Ebay has filed two trademark applications covering a wide range of products and services relating to the metaverse and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Ebay’s NFT, Metaverse Trademark Applications Ebay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) filed two trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) last week covering a wide range of products and services relating to non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the metaverse. A USPTO-licensed trademark attorney, Mike Kondoudis, tweeted Tuesday: “Ebay Inc. is coming to the metaverse.” He explained that the filings indicate the e-commerce giant’s plans for virtual good marketplaces, online retail stores with actual and virtual goods, NFTs, NFT exchanges, and NFT trading. The applications’ serial numbers are 97473696 and 97473620. One day before Ebay filed the two trademark applications, the company announced that it has acquired NFT marketplace Knownorigin. According to Ebay, the two companies signed and closed the deal

Warren Buffett-backed Nubank, one of the world’s largest digital banking platforms, is now offering cryptocurrency trading to all of its 54 million customers. Nubank also holds bitcoin on its balance sheet. Nubank’s Crypto Service Now Available to All Customers Nubank, one of the world’s largest digital banking platforms, now offers cryptocurrency trading to all clients, according to its blog post, updated Monday. The bank serves around 54 million customers across Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia. “Nubank Cripto is the solution to buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly through the Nu app,” the bank wrote, adding: The option to buy cryptocurrencies through Nubank is now available to all our customers. Update your app. “To help you enter this universe more safely, we decided to offer, first, the largest cryptocurrencies on the market: bitcoin and ether,” the bank added. Nubank further clarified: For this launch, Nubank has a partnership with Paxos, an exchange specializing in cryp

Microstrategy has purchased more bitcoin amid a heavy market sell-off. The announcement followed a clarification by the chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Gary Gensler, stating that bitcoin is a commodity. Microstrategy Buys the Dip The Nasdaq-listed software company Microstrategy has bought the bitcoin dip again. In a Wednesday filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the company declared that during the period between May 3 and June 28, it “acquired approximately 480 bitcoins for approximately $10.0 million in cash, at an average price of approximately $20,817 per bitcoin, inclusive of fees and expenses.” The filing adds: As of June 28, 2022, Microstrategy, together with its subsidiaries, held an aggregate of approximately 129,699 bitcoins. Overall, the company’s BTC “were acquired at an aggregate purchase price of approximately $3.98 billion and an average purchase price of approximately $30,664 per bitcoin, inclusive of fee

Authorities in Uzbekistan have drafted and put forward for public consultations a set of rules for crypto miners operating in the country. Companies that want to mint digital currencies will have to register with the government and use renewable energy. Uzbekistan Discusses Draft Regulations for Crypto Mining Sector Entities involved in cryptocurrency mining will need to register and renew their certificate every year, according to a draft decree by the director of Uzbekistan’s National Agency for Perspective Projects. NAPP is the country’s main crypto watchdog, which is directly subordinated to the administration of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The document was recently published for public consultations that will continue until July 9 and have already attracted a number of suggestions. It introduces key definitions pertaining to the industrial activity of digital currency extraction, including for the terms crypto mining, miner, and mining equipment. The decree states that cr

Circle Internet Financial has revealed a usd coin custody partnership with the American bank holding company New York Community Bancorp (NYCB). Under the agreement, NYCB’s subsidiary, New York Community Bank, will become a custodian for the company’s stablecoin reserves. Circle Partners With New York Community Bancorp On Tuesday, Circle announced that it is collaborating with NYCB, the parent company of the U.S. Bank National Association. According to the announcement, NYCB’s subsidiary, New York Community Bank, will custody reserves for Circle’s popular stablecoin usd coin (USDC). USDC is the second largest stablecoin today with a $53.9 billion market capitalization. During the past 24 hours, Circle’s USDC stablecoin has seen $5 billion in global trade volume. New York Community Bank will also work with Circle in order to provide unbanked communities with access to low-cost financial solutions. The companies’ strategies will leverage blockchain solutions and stablecoin systems. S

The chairman of China’s Blockchain Service Network (BSN) Development Alliance Shan Zhiguang, and his colleague, insisted in a recently published op-ed that virtual currency is “undoubtedly the largest Ponzi scheme in human history.” However, they have said the “value of blockchain technology should not be ignored because of virtual currency.” Opinion Piece Claims 90% of 100 Richest People Have Bad-Mouthed Virtual Currency The chairman of the Chinese Blockchain Service Network (BSN) Development Alliance, Shan Zhiguang, and executive director He Yifan, have said virtual currency is “undoubtedly the largest Ponzi scheme in human history.” They also claimed that this Ponzi scheme has since morphed into one that is “no longer just about cash.” In a recent opinion piece published by the People Daily Online newspaper, the BSN chairman and his colleague begin their attack on virtual currency and bitcoin by pointing to the fact it has been “bad-mouthed” by at least 90% of the 100 richest p

PRESS RELEASE. With crypto markets down around 50% in the past month and over 70% from their highs in late 2021, many crypto investors are searching for answers after their profits from the last few years have evaporated into the ether. Following the incredible bull market, crypto investors enjoyed over 2020 and 2021; you may now find yourself nursing losses rather than gains ahead of the upcoming tax season. Crypto tax platform Koinly shares 5 little-known tax hacks you need to know after the crypto crash. 1. Pay less tax by holding Want to avoid paying tax on crypto? While you can’t dodge your tax obligations entirely – there are quite a few ways you can optimize your tax position. But here’s the catch, you’ll need to do it before the end of the financial year to pay less tax overall. You’ve probably heard it before, but the easiest way to pay less crypto tax is to simply HODL. In many jurisdictions, holding your crypto investment (or other assets like shares) for longer than

The results of a new report commissioned by the CNMV, the securities watchdog in Spain, have found that three out of four citizens have heard about cryptocurrencies. However, the report, which included opinions from 1,500 participants, also found that this knowledge is still minimal, and that less than 10% have actually purchased cryptocurrency as a means of investment. CNMV Reveals Results of Crypto Study The CNMV, the institution that oversees the securities markets in Spain, has revealed the results of its latest cryptocurrency report. The study , commissioned by the institution and carried out by a company called “Grupo Analisis e Investigacion,” surveyed 1,500 participants and an alternative sample of 300 cryptocurrency investors to take a snapshot of the penetration that crypto has had regarding Spanish investors. One of the most relevant results of the study has to do with the popularity of crypto in the country. According to the numbers released, three out of every four Spa

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has reportedly revealed that more than 400 crypto ads violated its guidelines so far this year. The majority of complaints the ad council received are directed at influencers. “Some influencers talk so confidently about crypto without fully understanding it.” 419 Ads in Violation — Most Complaints Concern Influencers The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has reportedly revealed that it received 453 complaints relating to crypto ads between January and May. The council added that out of all complaints, 419 cryptocurrency advertisements required modifications, the Economic Times reported Monday, noting that most complaints concern influencers. Manisha Kapoor, CEO of ASCI, described: Some influencers talk so confidently about crypto without fully understanding it. It does create an impression that it is safe, it’s fine and a cool thing. She explained that the council will continue to focus on adequate disclosures and r

The famous author of the best-selling book Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, says he’s waiting for the price of bitcoin to test $1,100. He added that he will buy more if the cryptocurrency recovers from that price level. Robert Kiyosaki on Bitcoin Testing $1,100 The author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, has returned with a new bitcoin outlook. Rich Dad Poor Dad is a 1997 book co-authored by Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter. It has been on the New York Times Best Seller List for over six years. More than 32 million copies of the book have been sold in over 51 languages across more than 109 countries. The famous author tweeted a “Rich Dad lesson” Monday night. He explained that “losers quit when they lose,” but “winners learn from their losses.” Asserting that “Bitcoin losers are quitting,” he said he is waiting for BTC to test $1,100, adding that he will buy more if the crypto recovers. “If it does not, I will wait for losers to ‘capitulate’ quit then buy more,” he further sta

Nigerian author and crypto advocate Nathaniel Luz has said his recently published book represents his attempt to remind people of the initial reason why bitcoin was created. He said bitcoin is the summation of over three decades of research and experimentation. Noise of Other Cryptos Drowning Out Message of Bitcoin A Nigerian author and crypto advocate, Nathaniel Luz, has published a new book on bitcoin wherein he reminds readers of the reasons why the cryptocurrency was created. Luz also uses the book to highlight the fact people now use bitcoin to “transact globally without restrictions of age, gender, race or location.” According to Luz, the release of the book is coming at a time when many — particularly those new to crypto — appear to be attracted more by the promise of an “infinite percentage of returns” than by BTC ’s primary selling points. He also said seeing the noise of various cryptocurrencies drowning “the message of bitcoin” motivated him to write a book that explains

The crypto economy has slipped under the $1 trillion mark to the $970 billion range, as a large number of digital currencies have lost more than half their USD worth since November 2021. Bitcoin is down 70% from the all-time high last year, and a new report from Glassnode Insights calls the current bear market “a bear of historic proportions,” while highlighting that “it can reasonably be argued that 2022 is the most significant bear market in digital asset history.” Glassnode Researchers: ‘Bitcoin Is Currently Experiencing the Largest Capital Outflow Event in History’ Many people understand that the crypto economy is currently in a bear market but no one knows where it will lead or when it will end. Bitcoin and the crypto economy, in general, have been through several bear markets and a recent Glassnode Insights report claims it just might be the worst on record. The analytics company Glassnode provides an analysis of bitcoin’s (BTC) current price drop and how the digital asset s

A Twitter account has accused the Bulgarian co-founders of the Swiss-based cryptocurrency lender Nexo of misappropriating funds from a charity platform. The company has rejected the allegations in the anonymous attack, which comes after Nexo offered a buyout deal to troubled rival Celsius. Anonymous Allegations Against Co-Founders Circulated on Social Media A Twitter user going by the handle @otteroooo has drawn attention to media reports about misuse of donations to a charity allegedly linked to the people behind Nexo, a major provider of crypto-backed loans. In a thread published on Sunday, the unidentified author accuses Nexo co-founder Kosta Kantchev and his family of siphoning money from the Helpkarma foundation which raises funds for various goodwill causes. Another two co-founders — former Member of Parliament and managing partner at Nexo Antoni Trenchev and Georgi Shulev — have been mentioned as well. NEXO FOUNDER & FAMILY SIPHONED FUNDS FROM CHARITY FOR SICK KIDS, U

After seeing the country’s inflation rise to 191.6% in June, Zimbabwean monetary authorities said they have resolved to increase the benchmark interest rate to 200% per annum. In addition, the central bank said it will introduce gold coins which will act as an instrument that will “enable investors to store value.” Discouraging Speculative Borrowing Monetary authorities in hyperinflation-stricken Zimbabwe reportedly plan to hike the benchmark interest rate to 200% per annum, one of the highest in the world. According to an official quoted by Bloomberg, this plan is expected to help put the brakes on the country’s runaway inflation. The latest data from Zimbabwe’s statistical body shows the country’s inflation rate now stands at 191.6%. Explaining the rationale behind the planned move, Persistence Gwanyanya, a member of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ)’s monetary policy committee, said that by hiking the benchmark rate the central bank will discourage speculative borrowing. Gwany

Cryptoys, an NFT-based startup, announced it has raised $23 million in a Series A funding round led by a16z. The company, which seeks to mix NFTs with the world of gaming and virtual toys, will create what it calls a “cryptoyverse,” in which it will also implement play-to-earn features and issue its own tokens. Cryptoys Raises $23 Million in Series A Round The NFT market is facing a slump phase that is affecting prices and the popularity of NFT projects recently. However, there are projects that have managed to stay afloat and even thrive. One of them is Cryptoys, an NFT startup that has announced the completion of a successful funding round. The Series A funding round, which raised $23 million, was led by a16z crypto , with the participation of other companies and firms including Mattel, Dapper Labs, Draper & Associates, Acrew Capital, Coinfund, Animoca Brands, and Sound Ventures. The company will use these funds to further develop its own platform, dubbed “cryptoyverse,” whi

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested two men who participated “in a violent plan to break into a family’s home in the middle of the night” to steal bitcoin worth tens of millions of dollars,” according to the U.S. Department of Justice. They could go to prison for 20 years. 2 Men Charged for Planning to Steal Bitcoin The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Friday the unsealing of an indictment charging Dominic Pineda and Shon Morgan with a “plan to commit home invasion robbery for tens of millions of dollars in bitcoin.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested the two on Thursday in Virginia. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams detailed: The defendants participated in a violent plan to break into a family’s home in the middle of the night and force its residents to provide the code to what the defendants believed was tens of millions of dollars in bitcoin currency. According to the court document, the defendants participated in the plan from May 1

The chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Gary Gensler, says bitcoin is a commodity. He emphasized that the SEC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and banking regulators will collaborate to oversee the crypto sector. Gary Gensler: Bitcoin Is a Commodity SEC Chairman Gary Gensler clarified his position on cryptocurrency, particularly bitcoin, in an interview with Mad Money host Jim Cramer on CNBC Monday. “This is a highly speculative asset class. We’ve known this for a long time,” Gensler said when asked about cryptocurrency. Citing the “ups and downs of this speculative asset class,” he explained that when people invest in “bitcoin and hundreds of other crypto tokens,” they hope for a return, “just like when they invest in other financial assets” that are securities. Chair Gensler stressed that many of these “crypto financial assets” have “the key attributes of a security.” He added: “Some of them … are under the Securities and Exchange Comm