Category Archives: Cryptocurrency

If youre intrigued by the world of participant airdrops and governance tokens, the r/CryptoCurrency Moons $MOON initiative airdrop is the perfect entry point. In this comprehensive guide, well walk you through the process of participating in the airdrop, explaining what to expect and how to make the most of this exciting opportunity.

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The r/CryptoCurrency Moons $MOON distribution goes beyond acquiring free crypto; it offers the chance to become part of a governance token initiative and contribute to the projects growth. This opportunity provides not just complimentary tokens but a voice in shaping the projects trajectory. By staying informed and actively engaged, you can maximize the benefits of this airdrop and similar opportunities. Moreover, your involvement in decentralized finance will amplify your influence. In the realm of cryptocurrencies, staying well-informed and secure is paramount. Remember, in the world of cryptocurrencies, knowledge and security are your greatest assets.

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Get Your Free r/CryptoCurrency Moons $MOON Tokens Today: The Wealth Path - Medium

U.Today - Samson Mow, major evangelist and boss of the Bitcoin-oriented company Jan3 that intends to help nation-states with Bitcoin adoption, has published a Twitter/X post in which he stressed the role of Bitcoin in the success of such major companies as MicroStrategy and .

At the same time, he took a dig at the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, .

MicroStrategy has been adding large BTC chunks to its balance sheet regularly since August of 2020, and Tether holds Bitcoin among the assets that back the USDT supply issued by it. Michael Saylors business intelligence giant now holds an astonishing $8.7 billion worth of Bitcoin, and this, surprisingly, exceeds the companys market capitalization by $1 billion.

Earlier this week, by the way, Michael Saylor called on the cryptocurrency community not to sell their Bitcoin, despite the continuous BTC price plunge that is taking place despite spot ETF approval by the SEC regulatory agency.

As for Tether, last quarter, it acquired another Bitcoin stash amounting to $380 million worth of Bitcoin. At the time of this writing, Tether holds 66,465 BTC.

Mow stressed the importance of the global flagship cryptocurrency Bitcoin as opposed to the second largest one by market capitalization value Ethereum.

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Mow has recently been tweeting about his expectations for Bitcoin to reach $1 million. Elaborating on that forecast in one of his tweets, the Bitcoiner explained that this prediction should not be expected to be fulfilled instantly, like after the spot Bitcoin ETF was greenlit. What he meant was that the overall market fundamentals for Bitcoin have changed compared to how they stood before.

In a tweet published earlier today, Mow stated that the Bitcoin price does not depend on the ETF approval, and it rises of its own accord and at its own pace.

This article was originally published on U.Today

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Major 'Secret' of MicroStrategy Revealed by Bitcoiner Samson Mow By U.Today - Investing.com

Noah Michael Urban, 19, was briefly held at the Volusia jail after his arrest before his transfer to federal custody, where he remains.

A federal judge in Jacksonville on Monday signed an order to have former Palm Coast resident Noah Michael Urban held in prison until his March trial, and finding him at risk of fleeing if he were released meanwhile.

A federal grand jury in late December indicted Urban, 19, who went by aliases such as Sosa, Elijah, Gustavo Fring and King Bob, on one charge of wire fraud conspiracy, eight counts of write fraud, and five counts of aggravated identity theft. He is alleged to have stolen virtual currency from five victims accounts by fraudulently obtaining their personal identifying information, managing to take control of their cell phone numbers, and gaining access to their online accounts and cryptocurrency exchange accounts.

The alleged fraud took place between August 2022 and March 2023, according to the indictment. On Nov. 2, 2022, for example, Urban transferred 182.1991 Ethereum, a cryptocurrency, or the equivalent of $294,797, from one cryptocurrency account to his own computer. On Nov. 21, he transferred 1.29 bitcoin worth $21,952 from a second victims account to his computer. Subsequent transactions, or thefts, followed, for amounts of $37,742, then $107,230, and in February 2023, a transfer of $374,614.

Noah was arrested on Jan. 9 in Deltona, where Urban was known to have a residence, according to his drivers license (on Glenwood Plantation Road). He was booked at the Volusia Branch Jail and transferred the next day to federal custody.

Urban tested positive for Covid soon after his arrest and sought to have his detention hearing delayed past Jan. 16, through a motion filed by his attorney, Assistant federal Defender Kathryn Sheldon. Judge Joel Toomey granted the motion. He was arraigned on Jan. 19 and pleaded not guilty on all 14 counts. The prosecution moved to keep Urban in prison, citing various reasons.

Urban had no fixed address at the time of his arrest and was using an alias to stay at Airbnbs, all the while aware that he was under investigation. In March 2023, when a search warrant was executed at his home, he was downloading software to delete computer files. He has never been employed but appears to be self-supportive, the order states. In May 2023, he told authorities that he would no longer have contact with co-conspirators, some of whom are overseas. But he did so anyway. Taking those reasons into account, along with the likelihood of a lengthy period of incarceration if convicted, the judge agreed to keep Urban in detention.

Urbans trial is scheduled forMarch 4 at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger.

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Palm Coast's Noah Michael Urban, 19, Faces 14 Counts of Cryptocurrency Fraud in Federal Indictment - FlaglerLive.com

Binance coin and XRP, two of the largest cryptocurrencies on the market, are diverging.

Only $2 billion separates BNB and XRPs market caps now $35.7 billion to $33.2 billion.

That puts XRP squarely in flipping distance: If BNB stays flat, XRP could firmly eclipse it with just an 8% price rally.

The two were way further apart at the start of the year. BNBs market cap was more than double XRPs back then long before Changpeng Zhaos forced resignation as CEO of Binance last week.

In fact, XRP briefly flipped BNB in July when a US federal court ruled Ripples XRP sales to retail werent securities. The news ballooned its price by 75% and once again made XRP the fourth-biggest cryptocurrency on the market, behind bitcoin (BTC), ether (ETH) and tether (USDT).

XRP one of the oldest cryptocurrencies, initially issued in 2012 had handed fourth place back to BNB by the next month. The token is the native asset of the Ripple Ledger now stylized as the XRP Ledger pitched as a low-cost intermediary asset cross-border remittances.

BNB, on the other hand, is the native token for Binance Smart Chain, a network similar to Tron. The network supports its own bevy of tokens and applications, including typical cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, wrapped tokens, memecoins, decentralized exchanges and DeFi protocols. Traders can also use BNB to reduce trading fees on Binance.

BNB first overtook XRP in February 2021, as the last bull market was picking up steam. Sans for a brief moment a few months later, BNB has been valued above XRP ever since.

All that could change for good if both cryptocurrencies keep their current trajectories. BNB has been retracing ever since its all-time high in November 2021 now 67% below that point.

XRP meanwhile has been on the mend, now up by more than three quarters since it bottomed out in September. BNB is only up 6% across that time.

Granted, both cryptocurrencies face existential threats. While the US has dropped claims against Brad Garlinghouse and Chris Larsen, a jury trial in spring next year will decide whether Ripples XRP sales to hedge funds and other institutional investors violated securities law.

Ripples future will stay in the balance until that matter is settled.

Binances problems are more pressing: it must fork out $4 billion to US authorities, its founder Zhao has been forced to step down and prosecutors are pushing for 18 months in prison for Bank Secrecy Act violations.

In response, BNB has sunk more than 10% since Zhaos guilty pleas were confirmed last Tuesday. XRP is about even.

Granted, Binance is still the worlds largest crypto exchange by reported volume by far.

But between the lost billions and the three-year market surveillance program forced on the exchange, the case for Binance losing ground to other prominent global platforms seems a lot stronger.

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XRP threatens to flip Binance's cryptocurrency once and for all - Blockworks

An Overview Of Cryptocurrency Regulations In South Korea | Credit: Shutterstock

Key Takeaways

Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology are fast becoming a significant topic of conversation in the global market, with South Korea emerging as a key player.

South Koreas Financial Services Commission (FSC) has recently announced, in 2023, the passage of the Act on the Protection of Virtual Asset Users (referred to as the Act) in the National Assemblys latest plenary session.

This law focuses on safeguarding the assets of virtual asset users, outlining unfair practices in the virtual asset market, and granting the FSC comprehensive oversight and punitive powers.

Since March 2021, Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) have been governed by the revised Act on Reporting and Using Specified Financial Transaction Information. VASPs are entities involving cryptocurrency exchanges, wallet providers, and various platforms specializing in digital asset services, including transactions and storage.

This regulatory framework aims to oversee and standardize the operations of VASPs in the digital asset domain. However, this frameworks limitations in addressing unfair transaction activities and protecting users led to a call for more robust regulations.

In response, the government formed a joint public-private task force in August 2022 to develop a more robust regulatory framework, focusing on phased regulation, consistency, and global standards alignment.

This initiative culminated in the National Policy Committees legislative subcommittee enacting essential measures on April 25, 2023, leading to the passage of a comprehensive legislative bill on June 30, 2023, integrating nineteen pending bills to enhance the supervision and protection of virtual asset users.

Recognizing the risks yet understanding the potential of cryptocurrencies, the South Korean government has begun to regulate the market.

First, it introduced Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and securities regulations enforced by the Financial Services Commission (FSC). The governments approach evolved from observation to active rule, reflecting a paradigm shift in policy toward digital assets.

Yes, it is possible to buy cryptocurrencies in South Korea. The current regulatory framework is characterized by stringent measures aimed at investor protection and market stability.

Cryptocurrency exchanges are required to register with the FSC and adhere to strict AML guidelines. The Electronic Financial Transactions Act and the Act on Reporting and Use of Specific Financial Information form the backbone of these regulations, defining cryptocurrencies as electronic assets and outlining rules for their use.

The Act introduces significant measures to regulate and safeguard the virtual asset sector, focusing on three key areas:

The Act sets forth User Asset Protection Rules for VASPs, which include several key measures. Firstly, it requires the separation of customer transaction deposits from VASP assets, ensuring distinct storage of customers virtual assets. VASPs are also mandated to hold the types and quantities of virtual assets entrusted by users, with a significant portion in cold wallet storage, the details of which will be specified in a presidential decree.

Additionally, VASPs must have insurance or reserves for scenarios like hacking or network failures and are required to maintain transaction records for fifteen years for tracking and verification purposes.

The second major aspect of the Act involves Regulations on Unfair Transaction Activities. This includes a prohibition on the use of undisclosed material information, manipulation of market prices, and engagement in fraudulent activities such as false reporting.

VASPs are also restricted from trading self-issued virtual assets and are obligated to monitor and respond to abnormal activities, like transactions with extreme price or volume volatility. Furthermore, there is a mandatory requirement for VASPs to report suspicious transactions to financial and investigative authorities.

Finally, the Act grants Supervisory and Sanctions Authority to the FSC. Under this provision, unfair transaction activities are subject to stringent penalties, including a minimum of one year of imprisonment or fines ranging from three to five times the amount of illicitly gained profits.

Additionally, the Act allows for the confiscation of gains from unfair activities, or in cases where direct confiscation is not feasible, the collection of an equivalent amount.

Yes, cryptocurrencies are legal in South Korea and are regulated under precise AML and securities regulations. However, cryptocurrencies are not considered legal tender in South Korea.

The legal framework is complex but fundamentally aims to ensure the safe operation of the cryptocurrency market. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are subject to these regulations, reflecting the governments cautious yet supportive stance on digital assets.

Cryptocurrency exchanges in South Korea operate under guidelines that, while not laws, are crucial for understanding market regulation. These guidelines include licensing requirements for VASPs, which cover a broad range of services related to virtual assets. Exchanges must comply with these regulations to operate legally in South Korea.

Do Kwon and five associates linked to Terraform face allegations of fraud and the collapse of its digital currencies in May 2022. The US federal indictment has leveled eight charges against the 31-year-old, including securities fraud, commodities fraud, and wire fraud.

Kwons TerraUSD, envisioned as a stablecoin pegged to assets like the US dollar to maintain price stability, experienced a significant drop, wiping out around $40 billion in market value for holders of TerraUSD and its related currency, Luna. The US SEC accuses Kwon of orchestrating a multi-billion-dollar crypto asset securities fraud.

The taxation of cryptocurrencies in South Korea is a rapidly evolving area. Cryptocurrencies held as investments may be subject to capital gains tax, while those used as a means of payment could be liable for value-added tax (VAT). The government continues to revise its tax policies in response to the changing landscape of cryptocurrency usage.

President Yoon Suk-yeol has deferred taxation on crypto investment gains until the enactment of the Digital Asset Basic Act. This act is expected to impose a 20% tax on crypto gains above a certain threshold, reflecting the governments effort to create a fair and transparent taxation system for digital assets.

Recent legislative and financial developments are shaping the future of digital assets in South Korea. This evolution, marked by significant steps toward integrating blockchain technology into the financial sector to address regulation and market stability challenges, is seen as a net benefit and positive toward onboarding more investors into a safe space to invest in the crypto market.

A significant development for the crypto industry is South Korea passing the Digital Asset Basic Act (DABA), as reported in the Polymesh report titled Regulatory Developments in Digital Assets.

This Act, comprising 17 legislative proposals, is designed to balance blockchain development and investor protection. Set for implementation in June 2024, DABA includes critical measures like capital reserve requirements for exchanges and creating a separate market for digital securities.

Shinhan Bank, South Koreas oldest bank, has taken a notable step by becoming an equity investor in the Korea Digital Asset Custody Co. (KDAC). This consortium is pivotal in providing digital asset custody solutions.

The journey toward digital asset regulation in South Korea has faced hurdles. A notable conflict has arisen between the FSC and the Bank of Korea (BoK) over who should hold regulatory supremacy over digital assets. The BoK has been assertive in demanding access to data from digital asset service providers, citing potential threats to financial stability.

South Koreas journey in cryptocurrency regulation is a testament to the dynamic and complex nature of this emerging financial sector.

The countrys approach, characterized by a cautious yet supportive stance, offers valuable insights into how regulatory frameworks can evolve to support the growth of the cryptocurrency market while ensuring investor protection and financial stability.

As the digital currency landscape continues to evolve, South Koreas regulatory policies will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the future of this dynamic industry.

What is the Digital Asset Basic Act (DABA) in South Korea?

The Digital Asset Basic Act (DABA) in South Korea, set for implementation in June 2024, includes 17 legislative proposals focusing on balancing blockchain development with investor protection, including capital reserve requirements for exchanges.

What are the tax implications for cryptocurrency users in South Korea?

In South Korea, cryptocurrencies held as investments may face capital gains tax, while those used for payments could incur VAT. The government is actively revising tax policies to adapt to the evolving cryptocurrency usage.

How is South Koreas approach to cryptocurrency regulation evolving?

South Koreas approach to cryptocurrency regulation is evolving from observation to active regulation, with stringent measures for investor protection and market stability, reflecting a shift in policy towards digital assets

How is Shinhan Bank involved in South Koreas digital asset market?

Shinhan Bank, South Koreas oldest bank, has become an equity investor in the Korea Digital Asset Custody Co. (KDAC), indicating its significant role in providing digital asset custody solutions amid regulatory challenges.

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An Overview Of Cryptocurrency Regulations In South Korea - CCN.com

Nov 28 (Reuters) - Despite growing excitement that spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) will soon win regulatory approval, some cryptocurrency ETF pioneers plan to sit out what is expected to be a fierce industry battle for market share.

Demand for a bitcoin ETF, which would allow retail and institutional investors to easily bet on the price of the world's biggest cryptocurrency, is expected to draw in as much as $3 billion from investors in the first few days of trading and pull in billions more thereafter.

Yet some established names in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space - including ProShares, Amplify Investments and Roundhill - are so far steering clear of launching a bitcoin ETF. They worry that the field is too crowded, the regulatory and marketing costs too high, and that demand will not be strong enough to compensate for that.

Though they remain a small minority in a race where both big and small players are diving in, their skepticism suggests the hype over a spot bitcoin ETF may be misplaced and that the products could prove unprofitable for some issuers rushing into the space.

"This could be the most successful ETF launch in history, but it's still going to be intensely competitive, requiring a lot of investment up front," said Dave Mazza, chief strategy officer at Roundhill Investments, which hopes to launch cryptocurrency ETFs but has no plans for a spot bitcoin ETF.

"You have to weigh the odds that you'll end up as one of the winners or an also-ran."

The SEC has long rejected spot bitcoin ETF applications on the grounds they do meet its investor protection requirements.

Industry hopes that position would shift surged in June when BlackRock (BLK.N), which has an almost unbroken record of SEC ETF approvals, filed for a spot bitcoin ETF. Then in August, a court ruled that the SEC wrongly rejected Grayscale Investments' application to convert its Bitcoin Trust (GBTC.PK) into a spot bitcoin ETF and must review Grayscale's filing.

SEC chair Gary Gensler said last month the agency's commissioners will consider as many as 10 bitcoin ETF filings, but could not provide guidance on timing.

Even so, ProShares CEO Michael Sapir said he is not convinced the SEC will approve a filing soon. The company's ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF , based on bitcoin futures, was one of the most heavily-traded new ETFs when it first launched in 2021, pulling in $1 billion in its first few days.

ProShares also has a suite of other cryptocurrency ETFs tied to futures, offering options to clients without the need for a spot ETF, said Sapir.

When it does approve a bitcoin ETF, executives expect the SEC to approve several at once, so no one has a first-mover advantage.

That would drive up marketing expenses, one of the biggest costs of an ETF debut. Combined with legal, SEC filing, and listing costs, the bill for launching even a simple ETF rings in at about $100,000, according to lawyers. That can climb to millions of dollars if the product is complex and takes a long time to secure SEC approval.

"Having the resources and expertise to file for something that doesn't exist yet in the U.S.," is costly, said Roxanna Islam, associate director of research at VettaFi, a data firm.

The only prospective issuer to disclose proposed investor fees so far is Ark Investment, which last week announced its spot bitcoin ETF would charge a fee of 0.8%.

"This seems to be strategically priced to attract assets" rather than to cover upfront costs, said Aisha Hunt, a fund lawyer at Kelley Hunt LLC.

To be sure, issuers hoping to launch spot bitcoin ETFs have a more bullish outlook than those sticking to the sidelines. Some of the largest ETF providers, like BlackRock and Invesco, can cross-subsidize costs, and have the marketing scale to reach millions of potential customers.

But it's unclear to some ETF providers outside of the top two dozen or so, like Amplify, that they would be able to grab sufficient market share to make the economics work.

"It will be a game-changer in terms of demand and crypto's evolution into an asset class, but that doesn't mean we'd be able to benefit directly," said Christian Magoon, founder and CEO of Amplify ETFs, whose Amplify Transformational Data Sharing ETF invests in bitcoin miners and other crypto firms.

Both Amplify and Roundhill said they will focus instead on other cryptocurrency ETF opportunities.

Roundhill last month filed an SEC application to issue an ETF that seeks to generate income and bitcoin exposure through bitcoin-linked options. Mazza said he is optimistic the product could debut as early as January.

Magoon hopes the buzz surrounding a spot bitcoin ETF will draw more assets to Amplify's BLOK ETF. That $472 million fund has holdings in crypto companies like Coinbase (COIN.O), as well as CME Group (CME.O), the exchange where crypto futures trade.

Even Tom Staudt, chief operating officer of Ark Investments, whose spot bitcoin ETF filing is due for an SEC decision in January, said the excitement has caused some people to lose sight of the bigger picture.

"It will solve some real problems for investors. But it won't solve all problems," Staudt said, noting that is why Ark recently launched five ETFs offering various cryptocurrency investing approaches.

"The future is about more than just spot bitcoin," he added.

Reporting by Suzanne McGee; editing by Michelle Price and Deepa Babington

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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In spot bitcoin ETF race, some pioneers stick to the sidelines - Reuters

Interactive Brokers has become the first SFC-licensed securities broker to receive approval to allow retail clients to trade cryptocurrencies in Hong Kong.

Eligible clients of Interactive Brokers Hong Kong trading cryptocurrencies will now be able to transact and manage their portfolio through a single platform with a unified view.

The development will also allow clients to benefit from centralised cash management with the ability to trade cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum alongside stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, event contracts, cryptocurrency futures and futures options all from a single account and interface.

As demand for cryptocurrency exposure as a means of diversification continues to rise, we are pleased to offer investors in Hong Kong a straightforward and cost-effective way to allocate a portion of their portfolio to digital assets, said David Friedland, head of APAC at Interactive Brokers.

Our single unified platform lets clients worldwide easily invest across a broad range of global products, and the retail investor community in Hong Kong will benefit from the ability to access digital currency markets without opening and maintaining different accounts at multiple brokers and exchanges.

Interactive Brokers launched cryptocurrency trading in Hong Kong with the first SFC-licensed digital asset trading platform in Hong Kong, OSL Digital Securities.

Cryptocurrency trading for eligible professional investor clients of Interactive Brokers Hong Kong was introduced on 14 February.

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Interactive Brokers gets regulatory green light for new ... - The TRADE News

BOSTON The United States Attorneys Office filed a civil forfeiture action to recover cryptocurrency alleged to be proceeds of a pig-butchering fraud scheme targeting Massachusetts residents and involved in money laundering. Specifically, the government seeks to forfeit 204,315.87 Tether (USDT) and 18.9649 bitcoin (BTC) seized from two accounts located at Binance.com, a cryptocurrency exchange and custodian. Collectively, this cryptocurrency has a current estimated value of approximately $900,000.

In September 2022, an investigation began into a pig-butchering scheme targeting a Massachusetts resident. In a pig-butchering scheme, scammers obtain funds from victims using manipulative tactics. The scammer establishes a level of trust with a victim in online communications and then entices the victim into investing in a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme. Often the victim is enticed to make additional payments before realizing they are a victim of fraud.

As alleged in court documents, after targeting a Massachusetts victim and fostering an online relationship, scammers claiming to have access to profitable investment opportunities, induced the victim to invest personal funds into a fake cryptocurrency investment platform. During the investigation additional victims of the pig-butchering scheme were identified. Law enforcement traced cryptocurrency involved in the fraud and money laundering schemes to two Binance accounts, where it was seized.

It is a violation of federal law to use wire communications as part of a scheme to defraud or to obtain money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses. It is also a violation of federal law to conduct, or attempt to conduct, a financial transaction involving property which is known to represent the proceeds of some form of unlawful activity, knowing that such transaction is designed to conceal or disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, or control of those proceeds of unlawful activity. The complaint alleges that the cryptocurrency is traceable to proceeds of wire fraud and was involved in money laundering. A civil forfeiture action allows third parties to assert claims to property, which must be resolved before the property can be forfeited to the United States and returned to victims.

This is one of several civil forfeiture actions the U.S. Attorneys Office has filed seeking to forfeit cryptocurrency traced to fraud schemes targeting Massachusetts victims.

Members of the public who believe they are victims of a cybercrime including cryptocurrency scams, romance scams, investment scams and pig-butchering fraud scams should contact USAMA.CyberTip@usdoj.gov.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Andrew Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. The civil forfeiture action is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Raquelle L. Kaye of the Asset Recovery Unit.

The details contained in the civil forfeiture complaint are allegations. The United States Attorneys Office has not filed a corresponding criminal action on the matter.

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United States Files Forfeiture Action to Recover Cryptocurrency ... - Department of Justice

Choking off Hamass money sources is just as crucial to defeating the terror group as waging war on the battlefield in Gaza, says cryptocurrency expert Bezalel Eithan Raviv, who has declared war on the organizations secret digital avenues of funding.

Raviv is the founder and CEO of Lionsgate Network, a relatively new, Tel Aviv-based company that helps clients retrieve their swindled cryptocurrencies. And so far, Lionsgate Network has used its sleuthing skills to track down $90 million worth of cryptocurrency owned by Hamas.

Lionsgate Network was drafted by the Defense Ministry to track down the digital funds covertly raised by Hamas following the October 7 massacre in southern Israel carried out by the terror group.

We are a young startup, 14 months old, Raviv tells NoCamels. People from all over the world who have lost access to their crypto assets contact us to figure out where their money is, who it is with and how they can get it back.

He was contacted through a friend whose work at the ministry involved the aftermath of the October 7 attack, in which 1,200 people were murdered, thousands more wounded and hundreds abducted to Gaza.

She informed Raviv that the authorities had identified a number of crypto wallets believed to belong to Hamas and that contained funds for the terror group.

A crypto wallet is an app that works as a virtual wallet for cryptocurrency. And just as a real wallet holds your cash and credit cards, the virtual version contains the passkeys needed to gain online access to your cryptocurrency and the transactions you carry out with it.

According to Raviv, the methods that his company uses to track down stolen currencies are just as useful in hunting illicit Hamas funds.

There are 13 different scenarios that we take care of, he says. The thirteenth was added in the past few weeks and deals solely with Hamas.

We use the same process that we do all the time. We take our wallet and look into first of all what kind of money is accepted, when it was transferred, who is the identity sending the funds, he explains.

This is a tricky, complex thing, he says, as a wallet address is essentially random numbers and letters.

Raviv tells NoCamels that Hamas is indeed raising money via cryptocurrency, and is using fake charities abroad to do so.

We were able to cross reference that campaigns to aid Gaza and its poor people [were] a terror operation to raise funds through the naivety of people in Europe and the United States, he says.

Inside Gaza, he explains, Hamas officials can go to a bureau, access the wallets and exchange the crypto funds for cash, which they then use to buy goods and pay the groups members.

From Composing To Crypto

It was Ravivs previous career as a musician including his experience as a pop sensation in Tunisia a decade ago that led to him becoming a crypto expert.

As a singer-songwriter, he realized that he would have to take steps to ensure that his music was owned by him alone and decided that blockchain technology would be the best way to go.

A blockchain is a digital ledger that records transactions, including cryptocurrency. It is all public and decentralized across multiple computers so that the records of those transactions cannot be altered retroactively by just one source, making any nefarious activity extremely difficult.

This process led Raviv to understand that there were people who had been duped into handing over their crypto assets. He was determined to help them, and so Lionsgate Network was created.

It is quite an interesting process, to be honest, he says.

In cryptanalysis and blockchain analysis you see things that are not transparent to the naked eye.

Lionsgate Network uses a range of methods to identify the owners of these wallets, including scouring the web for any digital link to suspicious wallets, such as social media mentions or even Linkedin accounts to uncover the identity of the owners.

But the company really relies on what Raviv describes as its secret sauce a proprietary method it has devised to help its clients.

Were using everything that we can and a very specific tactic to figure out the person behind the numbers and the figures, he says.

When we do that and it is a successful operation, then you can either claim the funds back, activate sanctions or seize the funds.

According to Raviv, this means that once the owner of a wallet is solidly proven to be connected to Hamas, the Defense Ministry can ask a judge to authorize the confiscation of the funds.

Raviv is now lobbying for those confiscated funds to go to the Israeli communities where Hamas terrorists went on the rampage on October 7 killing and wounding civilians, blowing up and burning down houses and even stealing their property.

He believes that the terror group has reserves of cryptocurrency worth billions of dollars, spread across multiple wallets and those are in his crosshairs.

There are big wallets that are funding terror in the Middle East, and were definitely putting an eye on those wallets, he says.

The wallets are not making any movements, but we have tactics to get them to basically expose themselves. Were working on this as we speak.

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Cryptocurrency Sleuth Is Waging War On Secret Hamas Funding - NoCamels - Israeli Innovation News

In a recent analysis, ChatGPT highlights a promising future for VC Spectra (SPCT) against its competitors Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). With soaring to new heights in its presale, VC Spectra continues to attract investors. Additionally, the positive developments for Bitcoin and Ethereum further contribute to the overall optimistic outlook for the crypto market.

What insights does ChatGPT offer on these top crypto coins? Lets explore the details!

>>BUY SPCT TOKENS NOW<<

ChatGPTs analysis points to a promising future for VC Spectra (SPCT) when compared to its competitors, Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). This decentralized hedge fund has made significant strides during its public presale, positioning itself as one of the best DeFi projects in the market.

VC Spectra (SPCT) has garnered recognition as a standout option for long-term crypto investors, and its growth potential is evident. The platform offers a range of features that prioritize transparency and user control, making it an attractive choice for investors seeking stability and substantial returns.

The platforms governance token, the SPCT token, plays a crucial role in facilitating various functions within the VC Spectra ecosystem. Compatible with most Ethereum wallets, the BRC-20 token allows holders to actively participate in voting, staking, and receiving rewards such as quarterly dividends and access to new ICOs.

Notably, VC Spectras (SPCT) presale journey has been remarkable, adding to its allure for investors. Starting at $0.008 in Stage 1, the SPCT token has experienced a staggering 862.5% increase, reaching an impressive $0.077 by Stage 5. As a result, ChatGPTs forecasts suggest that VC Spectras upward trajectory is expected to persist, with the potential to surpass its projected value of $0.080 by the conclusion of its presale.

>>BUY SPCT TOKENS NOW<<

Recent data from CryptoFees indicates a significant surge in Bitcoins daily transaction fees, averaging $10.65 million between November 16, 2023, and November 20, 2023, outpacing Ethereums fees of $6.9 million during the same period.

Upon the release of this news, an optimistic BTC price prediction emerged. Within 24 hours, Bitcoins price increased from $37,879.98 to $37,934.63.

Bitcoins positive upward trend continued in the subsequent days. The price of Bitcoin further escalated by 1.27%, reaching $38,415.34 before experiencing a slight retracement to $37,892.43 on November 26.

Despite this minor pullback, ChatGPT maintains an optimistic outlook regarding the Bitcoin future. According to ChatGPTs BTC price prediction, the price of Bitcoin is anticipated to reach $109,364 next year.

On November 20, 2023, Santander Private Banking International, the global division of Banco Santander, a Spanish financial institution, introduced an exciting new feature. It allows customers with Swiss accounts to invest and trade in two popular cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).

This announcement generated significant enthusiasm within the crypto community, leading to a positive ETH price prediction. As a result, the price of Ethereum (ETH) experienced a 2.71% increase from $2,011.85 to $2,066.41 within 24 hours.

The upward trend for Ethereum persisted in the subsequent days. The price of Ethereum (ETH) climbed by an additional 3.19%, reaching a peak of $2,132.48 before retracing to $2,091.34 on November 25.

Given the growing adoption of Ethereum and its increasing popularity, ChatGPT anticipates a further rise in its value. In fact, the ChatGPTs ETH price prediction suggests an Ethereum max price of $6,380.55 in 2024.

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Cryptocurrency Outlook: ChatGPT Foresees a Promising Future for ... - Analytics Insight