1. Home
  2. Crypto asset

Crypto asset

Russia’s Yandex Search Engine Adds Cryptocurrencies to Its Converter

Russia’s Yandex Search Engine Adds Cryptocurrencies to Its ConverterYandex, the largest Russian search engine, has updated its currency converter, adding cryptocurrencies. The widget now shows the rates of these coins in a number of fiat currencies, with plans to introduce crypto-to-crypto pairs in the future as well. Yandex Integrates Leading Cryptocurrencies Into Its Currency Converter Users of Russia’s leading search engine, Yandex, can […]

Wall Street Giant Engages Tether on Pivotal Bitcoin Lending Plan

Leaked bids: Binance, Galaxy Digital among secret bidders for Celsius assets

Crypto blogger Tiffany Fong has shared documents she claims to have obtained in late December detailing several bids for Celsius' crypto assets.

At least five firms placed bids on Celsius Network’s crypto assets, including Binance, Bank To The Future and Galaxy Digital, according to leaked information shared by crypto blogger Tiffany Fong. 

Fong, a follower of Celsius developments who shot to fame after several exclusive interviews with Sam Bankman-Fried following its collapse, has leaked information from documents she says were obtained on Dec. 20 “detailing the bids on Celsius Network’s crypto assets.”

In a Substack post, Fong explained that she initially refrained from leaking the bids to avoid disrupting the bidding process but was prompted to do so after recent commentary from a lawyer representing Celsius.

"I refrained from sharing the bids publicly to avoid disrupting the bidding procedures or negatively impacting customer recoveries; however, in yesterday’s Celsius Network court hearing (1/24/23), Kirkland & Ellis attorney Ross M. Kwasteniet proclaimed the bids 'have not been compelling,” Fong explained.

Among the bidders revealed by Fong include crypto exchange Binance,  online investment platform Bank To The Future, digital asset investment manager Galaxy Digital, crypto trading company Cumberland DRW and digital asset investment firm NovaWulf.

According to Fong, the proposals from these crypto firms were submitted in November 2022, with Fong noting that they are "for the most part, abandoned."

The blog stated that Binance proposed a bid of $15 million for the assets, stating that $12 million wouldgo to the Celsius estate and $3 million would be distributed to “migrated users on a pro-rata basis.”

In the purported Summary Term Sheet from Binance, it said that it intends to “acquire and transfer all liquid and certain illiquid crypto” at the fair market value to Binance’s platform.

Galaxy Digital proposed to acquire all illiquid and staked Ethereum (ETH) assets as sough to be “designed stalking horse bidder" — a name given to the initial bidder for the sale of distressed assets — for the amount of approximately $67 million.

Meanwhile, Bank To The Future's bid stated in its transaction structure that all liquid crypto assets and collateral to be returned to creditors pro rata, under the management of Bank To The Future.

In a Jan. 26 tweet, CEO of Bank To The Future Simon Dixon has since confirmed that the contents of the leaked bids relating to his firm were accurate.

Fong noted in the blog post that she is “only aware of these five bids” on Celsius’ crypto assets.

She added that Novawulf’s bid was “particularly interesting,” due to having a vague resemblance to “Celsius Network’s newly-proposed restructuring plans.”

In comments to Cointelegraph, Fong said that she has had conversations with “multiple Celsius Network employees” and to her surprise, most employees “were not even made privy to the bids.”

She added “not even those in upper-level management,” were aware of this information.

Related: Celsius amasses 30 potential bidders for its assets, withdrawal motion approved

Fong said that creditors and “even most employees” have been left in the dark about the bids on crypto assets that investors deposited onto the platform.

Fong is not sure how “things will unfold,” but thinks that creditors deserve “more transparency” and have a right to see the bids on assets that “we deposited onto the platform.”

Cointelegraph has reached out for comments from Binance, Galaxy Digital, BnkToTheFuture, NovaWulf and Cumberland DRW.

Wall Street Giant Engages Tether on Pivotal Bitcoin Lending Plan

Axie Infinity’s Monthly Player Count Drops to Low Not Seen Since November 2020

Axie Infinity’s Monthly Player Count Drops to Low Not Seen Since November 2020After recording $4.26 billion in total non-fungible token (NFT) sales, the play-to-earn game Axie Infinity’s monthly player count has dropped to levels not seen since November 2020, a period of 26 months. Despite the low player count, the project’s native token, AXS, has climbed 62% higher against the U.S. dollar in the last 30 days. […]

Wall Street Giant Engages Tether on Pivotal Bitcoin Lending Plan

Wrapped Bitcoin Project Sees 18% Redemption of Circulating Supply in 54 Days

Wrapped Bitcoin Project Sees 18% Redemption of Circulating Supply in 54 DaysStatistics show over the course of 54 days, the number of wrapped bitcoin (WBTC) hosted on the Ethereum network has decreased by 40,156. This equates to a more than 18% redemption of the circulating supply of WBTC since Nov. 27, 2022. WBTC Remains Largest Operation in Terms of Bitcoin Custody Despite Recent Redemptions The […]

Wall Street Giant Engages Tether on Pivotal Bitcoin Lending Plan

South African Government to Add Crypto Entities to ‘List of Accountable Institutions’

South African Government to Add Crypto Entities to ‘List of Accountable Institutions’According to the South African government, crypto entities — or businesses whose activities include the exchange or transfer of crypto assets — are set to be included in the list of so-called accountable institutions starting Dec. 19. Businesses that convert one crypto asset to another or that conduct transactions where a crypto asset is transferred […]

Wall Street Giant Engages Tether on Pivotal Bitcoin Lending Plan

Terra Supporters Hope to ‘Defy the Odds’ by Pumping the Now-Defunct Stablecoin USTC Back to $1 Parity

Terra Supporters Hope to ‘Defy the Odds’ by Pumping the Now-Defunct Stablecoin USTC Back to  ParityIt’s been six months since Terra’s algorithmic stablecoin UST (now USTC) depegged from the U.S. dollar and the price has remained depegged from the greenback since May 9, 2022. Currently, the former stablecoin is exchanging hands for $0.02 per unit, but a number of Terra Classic supporters believe there’s a chance USTC can regain its […]

Wall Street Giant Engages Tether on Pivotal Bitcoin Lending Plan

ASIC fires industry warning shot as it sues BPS Financial over crypto promo

The Australian securities regulator is pursuing BPS Financial Pty Ltd for allegedly making false and misleading representations and engaging in unlicensed conduct.

Australia’s financial regulator has issued a stark warning to Australian crypto asset providers amid launching civil proceedings against Australian firm BPS Financial Pty Ltd (BPS) over “misleading” representations concerning its Qoin token. 

In an Oct. 25 announcement, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) said it has commenced civil penalty proceedings against BPS Financial for making “false, misleading or deceptive representations” to its 79,000 users about its token Qoin.

It alleges the company engaged in “unlicensed conduct” relating to Qoin, a digital currency launched in Oct. 2019 which allows participating merchants to accept as payment for goods and services.

ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court said this case should serve as a warning to all crypto issuers that ASIC is monitoring the crypto market for misconduct.

“Where it falls within our remit, ASIC will take targeted action against unlicensed conduct and misleading promotion of crypto-asset financial products that could harm consumers — this is a key priority for ASIC.”

She further explained its crucially important that consumers and investors are “provided with honest and accurate information” because, “Crypto-assets are highly volatile, inherently risky, and complex. Every crypto-asset is different, often making it difficult to compare with each other - or anything else.”

The court said they were particularly concerned over BPS Financial’s alleged misrepresentation that the Qoin Facility is regulated in Australia, and that the token can be used to purchase goods and services from an increasing number of merchants registered with BPS.

“We believe the more than 79,000 individuals and entities who have been issued with the Qoin Facility may have believed that it was compliant with financial services laws, when ASIC considers it was not.”

 BPS has denied all wrongdoing in an Oct. 25 statement on the Qoin website, saying they disagree with “ASIC’s position” and “will be defending the matter.”

“Before it started, BPS consulted with ASIC in late 2019 regarding the structure of the Qoi project and did so again in early 2021. BPS will keep the community updated as it is able to.”

ASIC is seeking declarations, pecuniary penalties, injunctions and adverse publicity orders from the Court, but the date for the first case management hearing has not been scheduled.

Related: 1M Aussies will enter crypto over the next 12 months — Swyftx survey

The Australian regulator has ramped up scrutiny over the crypto sector over the last few months. In August, ASIC chief Joe Longo raised the alarm over the number of people that invested in “unregulated, volatile” crypto assets during the COVID-19 crisis.

At the time, he said considering there are “limited protections” for investors, the lack of understanding among retail investors makes “a strong case for regulating crypto-assets to better protect investors.”

The corporate regulator isn’t the first to pursue legal action against BPS.

In late 2021, Queensland-based law firm Salerno Law accused BPS of engaging in misleading and deceptive conduct and sought $100 million in damages on behalf of merchants, investors and holders who suffered losses after acquiring the Qoin utility token.

Cointelegraph reached out to BPS for further comment about the case, but did not receive a reply before publication. 

Wall Street Giant Engages Tether on Pivotal Bitcoin Lending Plan

South African Financial Sector Regulator Declares Crypto Assets a Financial Product

South African Financial Sector Regulator Declares Crypto Assets a Financial ProductAccording to a general notice published in a government gazette, crypto assets are now treated as financial products under South Africa’s Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act. Declaration of the crypto assets as financial products means crypto asset service providers (CASP), such as exchanges, must apply for a license. Declaration Applicable to Any Digital […]

Wall Street Giant Engages Tether on Pivotal Bitcoin Lending Plan

Basel Study Shows World’s Largest Banks Are Exposed to $9 Billion in Crypto Assets

Basel Study Shows World’s Largest Banks Are Exposed to  Billion in Crypto AssetsA first-of-its-kind study published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision details that the world’s largest financial institutions are exposed to roughly €9.4 billion (US$9 billion) in crypto assets. The research paper authored by the Basel Committee’s secretariat Renzo Corrias further explains that out of all the banks’ total risk exposure, cryptocurrency exposure is estimated […]

Wall Street Giant Engages Tether on Pivotal Bitcoin Lending Plan