Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that more than 85% of trade within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is now conducted in national currencies, highlighting a move toward greater financial independence. This development is part of broader efforts by CIS countries to reduce reliance on foreign economic systems, particularly imports, and to build resilient financial…
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Institutional investors and wealth managers anticipate a sharp increase in digital asset fund launches, with 70% of those surveyed expecting a rise over the next 12 months, according to new research by Nickel Digital Asset Management. 92% of respondents also foresee traditional financial institutions entering the sector with their own funds, driven in part by…
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The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Baltimore office has issued a warning about the increasing prevalence of cryptocurrency investment fraud in Maryland. Known as “pig butchering,” scammers trick victims into fake crypto investments, leading to massive financial losses. FBI Warns of Surge in Cryptocurrency Investment Scams in Maryland The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Baltimore…
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Russia is pushing to develop independent interbank networks and payment systems within BRICS to boost the bloc’s financial influence. Moscow aims to expand cross-border settlements and the use of national currencies in BRICS trade, as part of a strategy to reduce dependence on Western financial institutions. These efforts have gained attention during Russia’s BRICS presidency,…
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Coinbase’s chief legal officer has criticized the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its ambiguous position regarding FTX’s proposal to repay creditors using stablecoins or other cryptocurrencies. Although the SEC did not explicitly deem these transactions illegal, it retained the right to contest them, leading to frustration within the crypto community. This uncertainty has…
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Payments in national currencies among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members have reportedly increased from 40% in 2022 to 92%, signaling a move away from reliance on the U.S. dollar. Similar to the BRICS economic bloc, the SCO, which includes Russia, China, India, and recently added Iran, is encouraging the use of local currencies to strengthen…
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The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program to encourage reporting of corporate criminal activities. This three-year program targets financial institutions, including cryptocurrency businesses, to enhance the detection and prosecution of corporate crimes. Whistleblowers who provide non-public information leading to forfeitures over $1 million are eligible for awards. DOJ…
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Billionaire Elon Musk has revealed that he is turning his social media platform X, formerly Twitter, into an all-encompassing financial platform. “When I say payments, I actually mean someone’s entire financial life … If it involves money. It’ll be on our platform,” he claimed, emphasizing: “You won’t need a bank account.” Elon Musk’s Plan for…
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Law enforcement officials and financial regulators in Hong Kong have teamed up to better identify illegal activities on cryptocurrency exchanges. The initiative, which comes in the wake of the crackdown on the JPEX exchange, seeks to improve coordination between the government agencies in similar investigations in the future. Hong Kong’s Financial Watchdog Announces Working Group…
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A study of CME Group’s bitcoin futures and open interest indicates the crypto bear market may be approaching its end, according to JPMorgan analysts led by Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou. The bank’s market experts suggest that there’s “limited downside for crypto markets over the near term.” Reversal on the Horizon? JPMorgan Sees Limited Downside for Crypto Going…
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