DeFi
Off to the Races: Crypto Community Flirts With Hamster Race Betting
Blockchain-based platform Hamsters.gg is putting hamsters to the race track, where crypto traders can place BUSD-based bets on who wins. Star hamster racers like “Rocky” and “Buster” are already drawing bets of up to $500 per race. "The Hash" panel discusses how crypto traders have found a novel way to generate returns as bitcoin (BTC) remains flat and the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector fails to fully shake off the bear market lull.
Bipartisan Senate Bill Wants DeFi to Impose Bank-Like Controls on User Base
Some U.S. Senators are introducing a new bipartisan bill that would place stringent anti-money laundering (AML) requirements on decentralized finance protocols. The bill was introduced Wednesday by Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) a member of the Senate Banking Committee. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Mark Warner (D-VA) are co-sponsors. "The Hash" panel discusses details from the description of the bill reviewed by CoinDesk and outlook on U.S. regulation within the crypto sector.
Lack of Advancement in Crypto Regulation Could Make U.S. Less Attractive: Moody's
If crypto legislation in the U.S. remains lacking, it could make the country "comparatively less attractive for both firms and investors," according to a recent report from Moody’s Investors Service. Moody’s Investors Service SVP for DeFi and Digital Assets Rajeev Bamra joins "First Mover" to discuss the takeaways from the report and the outlook for regulatory clarity.
Possible Consequences for Lack of Digital Asset Regulation in the U.S.
Amid rapid evolution in the digital asset ecosystem, Rajeev Bamra, SVP of DeFi and Digital Assets at Moody’s Investors Service, underscores the importance of regulatory compliance. "The recent investigations and regulatory actions highlight the importance of compliance and risk controls," Bamra says, warning that lack of progress could "diminish the attractiveness of the United States for firms and investors."
Bitcoin Breaks $30,000; Fed Chair Powell Says Central Bank Needs ‘Robust’ Role Overseeing Stablecoins
Jennifer Sanansie gives a news update on "CoinDesk Daily." Bitcoin has broken $30,000 for the first time in over a year amid bullish sentiment in the market following a number of traditional finance (TradFi) players pushing further into crypto. Plus, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell argues for strong central-bank oversight in stablecoin regulations, saying "the ultimate source of credibility in money is the central bank," in front of the House Financial Services Committee. Separately, crypto exchange Binance will expand its zero-fee trading promotion to all trueUSD (TUSD) trading pairs starting June 30. And, decentralized finance (DeFi) infrastructure provider, Maverick Protocol, has raised $9 million in funding.
Stablecoins, DeFi Could be in SEC’s Crosshairs Next, Berenberg Predicts
Stablecoins and decentralized finance (DeFi) are likely to become the next targets in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)'s crackdown on the crypto industry, Berenberg said in a research report. This comes after the SEC said earlier this month that it was suing crypto exchange Binance, its founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao and the operating company for Binance.US on allegations of violating federal securities laws. A day later it sued rival exchange Coinbase (COIN) on similar charges. The Hash" panel weighs in on the agency's approach to crypto regulation.
Stablecoins, DeFi Likely to Be SEC’s Next Targets in U.S. Crypto Crackdown: Berenberg
Analysts from Berenberg say that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could bring DeFi protocols and stablecoins, including tether and USD Coin, into regulatory compliance as the agency continues its crackdown on the crypto industry. CoinDesk Managing Editor of Global Policy and Regulation Nikhilesh De weighs in on the report.
CFTC Wins Lawsuit Against Ooki DAO
A federal judge has sided with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in a lawsuit alleging decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) Ooki DAO offered unregistered commodities. CoinDesk's Nikhilesh De discusses what this means for other DAOs and decentralized finance (DeFi) actors in the industry.
Curve Finance CEO Egorov Sued by 3 DeFi-Focused Venture Capital Firms
Michael Egorov, the CEO of decentralized finance (DeFi) firm Curve Finance, is being sued for fraud by venture capital firms ParaFi Capital, Framework Ventures, and 1kx. A complaint filed in the Superior Court of California, San Francisco, alleges Egorov misappropriated trade secrets of the three VC firms, and defrauded the firms out of close to $1 million in funds. "The Hash" panel weighs in on the lawsuit against Egorov and what this means for the exchange.
Treat Crypto as Securities by Default, European Parliament Study Says
Crypto assets should be treated as securities by default, and the autonomous organizations that govern decentralized finance (DeFi) should be granted legal status, according to a study commissioned by lawmakers at the European Parliament published Tuesday. This comes as the EU finalizes its landmark MiCA law. "The Hash" panel discusses the latest in crypto regulation.
