A partnership between crypto e-commerce platform Bitrefill and eSIM Go enables crypto users to buy eSIMs in 140 countries worldwide. Crypto advocates can now swap crypto for data at the checkout, using Bitcoin (BTC), the Bitcoin Lightning Network, Ether(ETH) and stablecoins like Tether (USDT). The move makes it easier to live on crypto and travel…
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The United Kingdom government could rebalance the power between the Bank of England (BoE) and the country’s principal financial regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), in the former’s favor, according to a 40-page consultation response published by His Majesty’s Treasury on Aug. 7. The British government launched the consultation under the headline “Payments Regulation and the…
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Brazilian central bank digital currency (CBDC), previously commonly referred to as “digital real”, gets its official brand name. It would be called Drex. On August 7, the Central Bank of Brazil issued a press release, revealing and explaining the new brand for its CBDC. Developed by the Central Bank, the brand “Drex” is an acronym:…
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Cryptocurrency exchange Binance released its latest proof-of-reserves (PoR) on Aug. 1, offering transparency into its crypto reserves. However, the movement of its USDC reserves at the time of Silvergte’s collapse caught many people’s attention and became a topic of discussion on X. The latest reserve audit suggests Binance holds more than enough crypto and cash…
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Bitcoin (BTC) recovered above $29,000 on Aug. 8 as one trader eyed a potential breakout already underway. BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: TradingView BTC price teases falling wedge breakout Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView followed a modest BTC price rebound after it set local lows of $28,670. Still in a tight range, Bitcoin largely…
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Bitstamp, one of the world’s longest-running cryptocurrency exchanges, is moving forward with its global expansion ambitions, reportedly working to raise new funds to scale operations. Crypto exchange Bitstamp started the fundraising process in late June, with Michael Novogratz’s Galaxy Digital Holdings acting as an adviser, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 7. The firm plans to use…
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Crypto exchange Blockchain.com has been granted a payments license from Singapore’s central bank — the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Blockchain.com announced on Aug. 7 it received its major payment institution (MPI) from MAS on Aug. 1 allowing it to provide what the regulator calls digital payment token services to institutional and accredited investors. The exchange’s…
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Our weekly roundup of news from East Asia curates the industry’s most important developments. Chinese man’s $10M loss as court says Bitcoin lending not protected by law A man in China’s Jiangsu province, identified as Mr. Xu, appears to be out of luck after a court ruled that his 341 Bitcoin loan ($9.9 million) to…
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BlackRock, a multinational investment company, shocked many in the cryptocurrency industry in June when it filed an application for an exchange-traded fund (ETF), the iShares Bitcoin Trust. It’s seeking to overcome 10-year-long opposition from United States regulators to cryptocurrency ETFs. A spot Bitcoin ETF would be tradable on a traditional stock exchange and track with…
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Weekly cryptocurrency asset flows for the week ending Aug. 4 reconciled at $107 million in outflows, continuing a three-week negative trend totaling $134.8 million. Once again, the lion’s share of movement was attributed to Bitcoin (BTC). With $111 million in outflows, Bitcoin funds negated the majority of inflows for the week. According to CoinShares’ Digital…
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