Good Morning Crypto

In recent news, Binance is considering legal action after parting ways with payment processor Checkout.com. Additionally, the hacker responsible for the $560 million BSC bridge hack has been liquidated on the Venus lending protocol. DeFi protocols Exactly and Harbor also experienced separate attacks on August 18. Meanwhile, analyst Marcel Pechman discusses the potential impact of China's deflation on Bitcoin in the latest episode of Macro Markets. In Argentina, the severe devaluation of the Argentine Peso has prompted residents to turn to stablecoins for financial safety.

Mastercard joins hands with blockchain companies, including Ripple and Consensy. Taiwan explores the addition of a new business category to enable crypto firms to establish industry associations and self-regulatory guidelines. NFT marketplace OpenSea discontinues its royalty enforcement tool, citing lack of support and concerns from creators. The SEC gains approval to question Terraform Labs' co-founder as part of its case against the company. Bankrupt Celsius advances its restructuring plan, sending creditors a proposal to sell assets to the Fahrenheit Group.

Colombia's central bank explores potential privacy and security enhancements through limits on CBDC transactions. FTX's $176 million settlement proposal with Genesis entities faces opposition from creditors and regulatory concerns. CME Group's introduction of tailored reference rates indicates a growing interest in cryptocurrencies from the Asia Pacific region. BitExchange enables XRP options trading, allowing users to engage without the need for owning the cryptocurrency. Tether discontinues USDT support on select blockchains while remaining committed to the Bitcoin ecosystem.

Uzbekistan's Kapital Bank and Ravnaq Bank are set to introduce crypto cards as part of the country's progressive regulatory approach. Dubai's regulatory authority enforces fines on cryptocurrency entities while maintaining a strict stance. Hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger's integration with PayPal aims to streamline cryptocurrency transactions in the US. Virtual asset firm M2 has gained approval from Abu Dhabi's FSRA to launch a platform for buying, selling, and holding digital assets like Bitcoin. Adidas Originals and BAPE launch a unique limited-edition sneaker collaboration, embracing the concept of digital twins.

Singapore introduces stablecoin regulatory framework to ensure stability and differentiate regulated stablecoins. First EU spot Bitcoin ETF, Jacobi FT Wilshire Bitcoin ETF, launched on Euronext Amsterdam, backed by BTC, emphasizing environmental friendliness. Dubai offers 90% subsidized licenses for AI and Web3 businesses to foster tech hub growth. New Zealand's Dasset crypto exchange goes into liquidation, customers denied fund access due to banking issues. Ex-FTX exec Ryan Salame won't testify in Bankman-Fried's alleged campaign donation case, invoking Fifth Amendment right.

Apple Pay's user-friendly one-click feature has been reintroduced to MetaMask, enhancing the ease of purchasing cryptocurrency directly within the platform. Coca-Cola has ventured into the NFT space, unveiling its "Masterpiece" collection on Ethereum's Layer 2 network, showcasing a blend of classic artworks and the iconic Coca-Cola bottle. The US Federal Reserve's FedNow has featured a DLT-powered micropayments platform called Dropp as a service provider. CoinDesk, a prominent crypto media company, has undergone substantial layoffs amid its parent company's pursuit of strategic investors. In a surprising twist, former US President Donald Trump is revealed to hold a significant amount of digital assets, indicating a shift in his stance on cryptocurrencies.

Crypto custodian Prime Trust faces potential layoffs amid financial and regulatory difficulties, raising questions about the industry's complexities. Bitcoin's network achieves a milestone with over 800,000 blocks processed, showcasing its resilience and collaborative nature. Binance partners with biometrics firm Liquid for enhanced identity verification, highlighting a commitment to compliance and user security. Despite setbacks, the metaverse concept retains appeal, as companies explore unique experiences while ensuring regulatory adherence and responsible growth.

Today we explore how Indonesia embraces NFTs and cryptocurrency to safeguard cultural heritage, while Argentina confronts economic turmoil by curbing currency destruction and witnessing a surge in crypto adoption. Brazil is escalating crypto wave, where millions join the digital frontier, and uncover the legal battles, from the CFTC's pursuit of deceptive traders to US Senator Cynthia Lummis challenging the SEC alongside crypto advocates.

FC Barcelona secures a significant investment for its blockchain and NFT venture, Barça Vision. Visa tests a solution allowing users to pay blockchain gas fees with a Visa card, simplifying transactions. The SEC settles with Bittrex over allegations of unregistered exchange operations, highlighting the importance of compliance. The Worldcoin project introduces token reservations but faces regulatory issues and mixed responses. California's FPPC outlines rules for reporting cryptocurrency contributions in political campaigns, ensuring transparency.

India is embarking on a project to create a national web browser with crypto token capabilities, while Ripple joins the Bank for International Settlements' task force to enhance cross-border payments. France is aligning its crypto licensing regime with European standards, and Nigeria is turning to blockchain to secure and validate national service certificates. Meanwhile, the US SEC is appealing a court ruling in its ongoing case against Ripple Labs.