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Binance Under Investigation in France for 'Aggravated' Money Laundering
Crypto exchange Binance's French unit is under investigation by local authorities for the "illegal" provision of digital asset services and "acts of aggravated money laundering," according to the Paris public prosecutor's office. Separately, Binance is leaving the Netherlands, after failing to persuade the Dutch regulator to issue a virtual asset service provider (VASP) license, which attests that it meets anti-money laundering (AML) guidelines. "The Hash" panel breaks down the latest developments.
BlackRock's iShares Files Paperwork for Spot Bitcoin ETF; Binance Global Fallout
The iShares unit of fund management giant BlackRock (BLK) filed paperwork Thursday afternoon with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the formation of a spot bitcoin (BTC) ETF. Separately, Binance's French unit undergoes investigation by local authorities for potential money laundering. The exchange is also leaving the Netherlands after failing to acquire a license from the Dutch regulator. "First Mover" hosts weigh in.
French Regulator Says Fleeing U.S. Crypto Firms ‘Welcome’
100-odd crypto companies fleeing U.S. regulatory uncertainty are "welcome" in France and could be registered in the country as the just-agreed MiCA EU crypto legislation beds in, Financial Markets Authority officials said. "The Hash" panel discusses what this means for the global crypto industry.
The Sandbox Co-Founder Addresses AI's Impact on the Metaverse
Sebastien Borget, co-founder and COO of The Sandbox, joins "First Mover" to discuss the benefits and possible risks of artificial intelligence in the metaverse. Plus, Borget's reaction to the French Economy Ministry aiming to stop dominance by international internet giants in the metaverse.
French Central Bank Says DeFi May Be Forced to Incorporate and Certify
Projects in decentralized finance (DeFi) could be forced to incorporate or prove that they meet governance and security norms, a report by the French central bank said, as regulators seek to extend planned crypto laws to cover more kinds of blockchain-based structures. CoinDesk Global Policy and Regulation Managing Editor Nikhilesh De discusses what this means for the sector as lawmakers in the EU are due to vote on the Markets in Crypto Assets regulation, or MiCA, next week.
Duo Involved in Platypus Crypto Exploit Arrested by French Police
Two people alleged to be behind an attack on the decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol Platypus have been arrested, according to a tweet by France's police department. The flash loan exploit drained the protocol of over $9 million in assets and knocked Platypus USD (USP) off its peg. "The Hash" panel shares their insights as French police aren’t naming the suspects or announcing the charges at this time.
Zuckerberg’s Horizon Worlds Teaser Lacks Creativity: Sandbox Co-Founder
Sandbox Co-Founder Sebastien Borget reacts to Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement of a new Horizon Worlds release in France and Spain, where the Meta CEO was mocked online for posting a screenshot of his digital avatar standing in front of the Eiffel Tower. Borget adds, “it seems he doesn’t make anyone dream about possibilities” for the metaverse.
Facebook Parent Meta Mocked Online After New Horizon Worlds Rollout
Meta's launch of "Horizon Worlds" in Spain and France this week has been mocked online, after CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared his avatar from the platform that revealed graphics of a questionable quality. "The Hash" panel discusses the latest in Meta's virtual ambitions and whether it's paying off.
French Fintech Lydia Taps Bitpanda to Let 5.5M Users Trade Crypto
Austrian crypto exchange Bitpanda, the country's first tech unicorn, has teamed with French mobile payments app Lydia to offer its 5.5 million users the ability to invest in over 170 crypto assets. Bitpanda Chief Product Officer Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad shares insights into the partnership, France's regulatory reception to crypto, and the state of DeFi in Europe.
