Good Morning Crypto

Swiss crypto bank SEBA's Hong Kong subsidiary obtained a license from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). Ripple and Onafriq partner to create new payment corridors connecting 27 African countries with Australia, the UK, and the Gulf region. OPNX, a crypto exchange, secures a virtual asset service provider license in Lithuania, enabling spot crypto trading services across the European Union. Circle, a stablecoin issuer, is considering an IPO in early 2024 after a failed merger attempt in 2021. Athena Bitcoin is upgrading 100 crypto ATMs in El Salvador with the Lightning Network for faster and more cost-effective Bitcoin transactions, aligning with the country's adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender.

Kenyan lawmakers have taken a proactive approach by asking the local Blockchain Association to create a crypto regulatory bill. Meanwhile, the crypto intelligence company Glassnode has shifted its focus towards institutional investors and DeFi, divesting its tax software business to Blockpit. In Asia, South Korea's SK Telecom is breaking new ground with the launch of a Web3 wallet, in collaboration with Aptos Labs and Atomrigs Lab, indicating a growing interest in the integration of traditional business with blockchain technology. Over in Central Asia, Kazakhstan has tightened its crypto regulations, effectively blocking access to Coinbase for non-compliance, signaling a firm stance on digital currency operations within its borders. Finally, in the United States, Custodia Bank has commenced its Bitcoin custody services, overcoming previous regulatory challenges and marking a notable step forward for Bitcoin's institutional adoption.

Conflux Foundation's ShuttleFlow is shutting down, handing over to Zero Gravity to ensure asset safety until 2024. NFT sales volumes surged to $129 million in Ether, with NFT marketplaces like Blur and collections such as Bored Ape Yacht Club leading the trend. FTX is seeking to sell $744 million worth of trust assets amidst bankruptcy proceedings, while Germany's DZ Bank enters the crypto custody space for institutional clients. In regulatory news, the Hong Kong SFC has set guidelines to oversee tokenized securities, balancing market development with investor protection.

The Monero CCS wallet hack saw the loss of over 2600 XMR, with Moonstone Research employing advanced tracking tools to follow the stolen funds, facing the intrinsic privacy features of Monero. In a bold move, Unicoin, known as "Unicorn Hunters," has ventured into real estate, purchasing the Eden Grand Resort with its cryptocurrency, and merging digital with physical assets in a historic transaction. Meanwhile, Block Inc. celebrates a surge in quarterly earnings, driven by robust Bitcoin revenue, and is strategically eyeing long-term growth and profitability targets. On the cautionary side, a new scam has surfaced with a fake Ledger app on the Microsoft App Store, defrauding users of significant Bitcoin amounts.

The US Supreme Court will hear a Coinbase arbitration case. Shiba Inu's BAD and BONE tokens struggle despite new listings. ApeCoin remains bullish pre-token unlock. OneSpan introduces quantum-resistant blockchain storage. OpenSea is cutting half of its staff and shifting focus to OpenSea 2.0, enhancing its NFT platform to better serve users and regain market leadership.

Marathon Digital has initiated a green Bitcoin mining project in Utah using landfill methane. The US Justice Department has seized $54 million in Ethereum linked to illegal drug sales. The SEC is pursuing a legal case against Terraform Labs for securities violations. Abu Dhabi is making strides in blockchain regulation, particularly for DAOs, and Ripple Labs is partnering with the National Bank of Georgia to develop a CBDC, showcasing the rapid evolution of cryptocurrency integration into traditional finance and governance.

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) providing additional guidance to crypto firms on new promotional rules, extending compliance deadlines to January 2024. Switzerland launching a pilot project (Helvetia Phase III) for a wholesale central bank digital currency (wCBDC) for settling digital securities transactions. The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) establishing a dedicated team to address crypto-related crimes and enhance cybersecurity. Tether providing a $610 million debt financing facility to German Bitcoin mining firm Northern Data AG to support its expansion. Switzerland's St.Galler Kantonalbank (SGKB) partnering with SEBA Bank to offer Bitcoin and Ether trading services, reflecting a trend in Swiss banks embracing cryptocurrencies.

Turkey is spearheading new crypto regulations to exit the Financial Action Task Force's "grey list", reflecting its commitment to global anti-money laundering standards. Meanwhile, wallets associated with FTX and Alameda Research transferred a significant sum in altcoins, amidst FTX's ongoing court-directed phased liquidation. Across the waters, PayPal's UK branch has achieved a significant milestone by gaining approval from the UK. Financial Conduct Authority as a crypto service provider. In the US, Coinbase Advanced has expanded its offerings, introducing futures trading for retail investors. Finally, reinforcing the importance of regulatory adherence, US-based BitGo has fortified its European presence by obtaining a license from Germany's Federal Financial Supervisory Authority.

PancakeSwap collaborates with Bril Finance to unveil a portfolio management feature, promising enhanced returns and a strengthened position in the DeFi sector. Meanwhile, Istanbul gears up for ZkDay, a significant event spotlighting the advancements in ZK-proof scalability, offering unparalleled networking and learning avenues for crypto enthusiasts. As digital currencies gain traction, the UK charts a clear roadmap for fiat-backed stablecoin regulation by 2024, emphasizing oversight by the FCA. On the other side of the globe, Thailand's banking giant Kasikornbank ventures deeper into the crypto realm with a strategic acquisition of Satang, a local crypto exchange. Lastly, Singapore's MAS joins forces with international counterparts, aiming to bridge gaps in digital asset projects,

In the US, a Coinbase study highlights the changing perceptions of crypto among different generations, potentially influencing future political decisions. Concurrently, the resilience of the crypto market, exemplified by Polygon's recent trends, contrasts with the broader economic and geopolitical challenges. As environmental concerns loom, crypto miners rally in Washington, emphasizing the sector's potential synergies with America's energy objectives. On the international front, Taiwan's proactive regulatory approach with the Virtual Asset Management Bill underscores efforts to foster a secure and transparent crypto ecosystem.