Bitcoin Price: US$ 61,349.91 (-3.97%)
Ethereum Price: US$ 2,985.41 (-3.20%)
The Arkansas State House has passed two bills aimed at potentially restricting cryptocurrency mining within the state, pending further legislative action. These bills address concerns such as noise reduction, foreign ownership, and residential proximity of crypto mines. Debate surrounds the potential amendment of Act 851, with discussions ongoing in committees to determine the scope of amendments and potential laws, either in the current or upcoming fiscal session. Meanwhile, in Paraguay, lawmakers have proposed a temporary ban on crypto mining due to concerns about power theft and supply interruptions, though discussions have shifted toward exploring the possibility of selling excess energy to miners. In India, Binance plans to return after a four-month ban by paying a $2 million fine, signalling a shift in regulatory compliance for overseas exchanges. Additionally, Binance has made significant regulatory strides, securing a virtual asset service provider license in Dubai after co-founder Changpeng Zhao relinquished his voting power within the exchange’s Dubai-based entity. This move comes amidst Binance’s ongoing regulatory scrutiny, including a recent settlement with U.S. authorities related to anti-money laundering violations. Despite these challenges, Binance’s expansion efforts in Dubai signal its commitment to establishing a foothold in regions embracing cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
Magic Eden, a Solana-based NFT marketplace, experienced a surge in trading volume in March, surpassing industry leader Blur for the first time. CoinGecko’s Q1 2024 report highlighted Magic Eden’s 194.4% increase in trading volume to $756.5 million, partly attributed to its Diamond reward program and continued partnership with Yuga Labs. This marks the sixth consecutive month of trading volume growth for Magic Eden. Meanwhile, the overall NFT trading volumes across the top 10 marketplaces reached $4.7 billion in Q1 2024, a 51.6% increase from the previous quarter. However, despite the rise in trading volume, the floor prices of top NFT collectibles like Bored Ape Yacht Clubs and CryptoPunks have significantly declined. In another development, crypto exchange Kraken introduced its self-custody wallet for digital assets, joining other exchanges in offering this service amid tightening regulations. The wallet, supporting assets on eight blockchains and boasting enhanced security features, reflects exchanges’ shift towards self-custody solutions amidst regulatory challenges. Additionally, the Deutsche Bundesbank has teamed up with MIT’s Digital Currency Initiative to research central bank digital currency (CBDC) privacy measures, highlighting the ongoing global interest in digital currencies and their potential impact on financial systems.
Hong Kong’s recent approval of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has elicited mixed reactions from industry players. While some view it as a significant milestone that could facilitate greater participation from traditional financial institutions and retail users, others express caution, citing potential market risks such as inflation and geopolitical tensions. The unique features of these ETFs, including subscription and redemption options, differentiate them from their US counterparts. Meanwhile, US Senators Gillibrand and Lummis introduce the Payment Stablecoin Act, aiming to regulate payment stablecoins to protect consumers and prevent illicit finance. Additionally, Worldcoin launches its “human-centric” blockchain network, prioritising users over bots and aiming for efficiency in Web3 applications, amidst scrutiny over privacy practices and government oversight.
Bitcoin Runes, a protocol introducing fungible token issuance on the Bitcoin network, is poised for launch alongside the Bitcoin halving, with expectations of significant market opportunities emerging in the wake of the initial investor frenzy. Despite the hype surrounding Runes and its counterparts like Ordinals, which have seen a surge in trading volume, experts anticipate a possible cooling-off period post-launch, potentially leading to a drop in Rune floor prices and a shift in attention to other assets. Concurrently, Grayscale’s spot Bitcoin ETF holdings have halved, indicating a pre-halving market adjustment, while Upbit’s decision to suspend large deposits and withdrawals reflects evolving regulatory dynamics in South Korea, where stricter guidelines for token listings are imminent.
Source: https://cointelegraph.com
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