2024-01-08 18:00

LONDON - In a strategic move to bolster its finances, Argo Blockchain PLC has successfully raised £7.8 million (approximately $9.9 million) from institutional investors. This fresh capital infusion comes through the issuance of new ordinary shares, which are slated to join the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange on January 11, 2024. The newly raised funds are earmarked for a variety of corporate objectives. Specifically, Argo Blockchain intends to allocate the proceeds towards enhancing its working capital, reducing outstanding debts, and supporting other corporate endeavors. With the admission of the new shares to the market, the company's total share count will rise to 577,001,363. Argo Blockchain, known for its commitment to environmental sustainability, is a participant in the Crypto Climate Accord. The company maintains its eco-friendly approach by continuing to power its cryptocurrency mining operations with renewable energy sources. https://www.investing.com/news/cryptocurrency-news/argo-blockchain-secures-99-million-through-share-issuance-93CH-3269730

2024-01-08 17:50

Copyrighted Image by: Reuters. ROATAN - Próspera ZEDE, a special economic zone on the Honduran island of Roatan, has embraced Bitcoin as a unit of account to bolster financial freedom. The initiative, announced by Jorge Colindres, aims to provide residents and businesses within the zone greater monetary choice. This move allows for transactions and tax obligations to be carried out using the cryptocurrency. On Sunday, Colindres reinforced Próspera's dedication to monetary choice via social media, highlighting the zone's progressive stance on digital currencies. Despite the innovative step, the current eGovernance system requires tax calculations in Bitcoin to be reported in traditional currencies, either US dollars or Honduran lempira. Próspera is actively seeking solutions to facilitate full transactional and reporting functionality in Bitcoin. Since its inception in May 2020, Próspera has become a hub for investment and employment opportunities. However, the Central Bank of Honduras maintains a cautious approach to the adoption of cryptocurrencies on a national level, signaling a conservative stance amid the growing global interest in digital assets. https://www.investing.com/news/cryptocurrency-news/prospera-zede-integrates-bitcoin-for-financial-transactions-93CH-3269727

2024-01-08 17:45

Copyrighted Image by: Reuters NEW YORK - Grayscale Investments, the asset management firm with $27 billion in assets under management (AUM), announced today a reduction in the management fee for its Bitcoin spot ETF. The fee will decrease from 2% to 1.5%, a strategic move intended to enhance the fund's liquidity and accessibility for investors. The decision to lower fees reflects Grayscale's effort to remain competitive in an increasingly crowded ETF market. Firms like BlackRock (NYSE:BLK), Ark, 21 Shares, VanEck, and Bitwise have been vying for market share with lower fee structures, prompting Grayscale to revisit its pricing strategy. Grayscale has broadened its network of authorized participants. This expansion is part of a larger initiative to bolster investor confidence in its financial products and to adapt to the dynamic cryptocurrency landscape. https://www.investing.com/news/cryptocurrency-news/grayscale-cuts-bitcoin-etf-fee-to-15-amid-competition-93CH-3269725

2024-01-08 17:33

Copyrighted Image by: Reuters. An anonymous entity has transferred approximately $1.2 million in Bitcoin to the Genesis wallet, which is historically associated with the cryptocurrency's creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. This transaction, involving 26.9 BTC, has led to a flurry of speculation among crypto enthusiasts. The Genesis wallet, which has been dormant since Nakamoto's last known activity in December 2010, now holds a total of 99.67 BTC. The transfer, which occurred on January 5th, has been interpreted by some in the cryptocurrency community as either a tribute to Nakamoto or an attempt to provoke a response from the mysterious figure. This event has not only stirred conversations online but has also drawn attention to the activity of historical Bitcoin wallets. The identity of the sender remains unknown, and there has been no activity from the wallet to suggest a response from Nakamoto. The cryptocurrency community continues to watch closely for any movements or signs that could shed light on the intentions behind this transfer. https://www.investing.com/news/cryptocurrency-news/bitcoin-worth-12-million-sent-to-satoshi-nakamotos-genesis-wallet-93CH-3269708

2024-01-08 14:39

Copyrighted Image by: Reuters LONDON - Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN), a major player in the cryptocurrency exchange market, announced today plans to acquire a Cyprus-based entity that holds an EU MiFID license. The acquisition is currently pending regulatory approval and is projected to be completed within the year 2024. This strategic move is expected to broaden Coinbase's product offerings, enabling it to include derivatives such as futures and options alongside its existing Bitcoin spot trading services. The acquisition aligns with Coinbase's 'Go Broad, Go Deep' strategy and is designed to comply with European Single Market regulations. These include stringent Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) standards, as well as adherence to sanctions laws. By expanding its services to cover a wider range of crypto asset classes, Coinbase aims to enhance its competitive edge against other key market players like Binance and OKX. Coinbase has chosen Ireland as its main European Union base, a decision that follows the acquisition of a French license in December. The company’s establishment in Ireland is part of its broader efforts to comply with regulatory frameworks across Europe, including the upcoming Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulations (MiCA). The MiCA is set to enable more streamlined operations for crypto businesses across major European markets. Additionally, Coinbase has introduced a comprehensive 5-point Global Compliance Standard. This framework is expected to support the company's expansion goals while ensuring adherence to the strict regulatory environment governing financial and crypto asset services in the EU. https://www.investing.com/news/cryptocurrency-news/coinbase-set-to-acquire-cyprusbased-entity-with-eu-licence-93CH-3269635

2024-01-08 14:35

Copyrighted Image by: Reuters. NEW YORK - Major financial institutions, including BlackRock (NYSE:BLK) and Fidelity, have updated their filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the regulator approaches a decision on Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The SEC is set to review the applications for Bitcoin ETFs, with a deadline to vote on these submissions by Wednesday, January 10, 2024. Approval from the SEC could lead to the immediate trading of these financial products. The outcome of the SEC's review is highly anticipated by the investment community, as it could mark a significant milestone for the integration of cryptocurrencies into mainstream financial portfolios. If approved, these Bitcoin ETFs would provide investors with exposure to Bitcoin without the need to directly purchase and hold the digital currency, potentially broadening its appeal and accessibility. https://www.investing.com/news/cryptocurrency-news/blackrock-fidelity-update-filings-ahead-of-sec-bitcoin-etf-decision-93CH-3269634