TokenPost reporter
Mark Jason Alcala
Stories by Mark Jason Alcala
- Bitcoin and Ether recovers as Russia announces troops withdrawal from Ukraine’s border
More than 100,000 Russian troops have been deployed near Ukraine’s border fueling fears of an imminent invasion.
· Insights & Views
- India’s Finance Minister says RBI agreeable to new crypto rules but bank official wants to impose a crypto ban
RBI's deputy governor T Rabi Sankar expressed his preference for imposing a ban on cryptocurrencies.
· Regulation
- DBS to expand crypto trading to retail investors in 2022
The Development Bank of Singapore, which is already offering crypto trading services to institutional clients, wants to expand the services to retail investors by the end of this year.
· Business
- Bitcoin, crypto market dragged down by Russia-Ukraine tensions and Fed official’s hawkish remarks
After climbing above $45,000, Bitcoin was sent tumbling below $43,000 on Friday as tensions between Russia and Ukraine appeared to escalate.
· Insights & Views
- Chainalysis expects crypto payments in ransomware attacks in 2021 to rise higher than the $600M currently tracked
The average ransomware payment size continued to increase since 2018 and reached a record high of $118,000 in 2021, a 26 percent increase from the average payment size of $88,000 in 2020.
· Technology
- Crypto exchange Binance makes a $200M strategic investment in Forbes
Binance is making a $200 million strategic investment in Forbes, which would make the crypto exchange one of the two biggest owners of the publication.
· Business
- Crypto regulation could generate up to $13B in tax for Russia
Instead of banning crypto trading and mining, Russia is opting to regulate the industry.
· Regulation
- US seizes $3.6B in Bitcoin linked to the 2016 hack of crypto exchange Bitfinex
The seized crypto is part of the 119,754 Bitcoin stolen in the 2016 Bitfinex hack.
· Regulation
- Crypto and blockchain investments drive the growth of Singapore’s fintech sector in 2021
Crypto and blockchain-related projects are among the largest recipients of funding and raised $1.48 billion spread across 82 deals.
· Insights & Views
- Bitcoin could rally to $200K and Ether to $12K this year, says FSInsight
The research firm predicts that BTC could rally to $200,000 due to increased inflows from the legacy markets into crypto, while ETH could soar to $12,000 after Ethereum's transition to proof-of-stake.
· Insights & Views
- India’s crypto tax could keep speculation in check and encourage institutional participation
While there are those who expressed concerns that the taxation scheme could discourage participation from retail investors, there are also those who believe that it is ultimately beneficial to the industry as it may h…
· Regulation
- Portugal’s 0% tax on crypto attracts ‘Bitcoin Family’
The “Bitcoin Family” traveled the world and has been to 40 countries before deciding to call Portugal their new home.
· Investing
- Coinbase users can opt to automatically convert their tax refunds to Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptos
Coinbase has partnered with TurboTax making it possible for its users’ tax refunds to be automatically deposited to their Coinbase accounts.
· Business
- MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin stash rises to more than 125K BTC after its $25M crypto purchase last month
MicroStrategy bought the dip and added around 660 BTCs to its holdings last month.
· Business
- India's 30% crypto tax could be the first step towards the legalization of cryptocurrencies in the country
Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that a 30% tax will be levied on any income from the transfer of virtual digital assets.
· Regulation
- Thailand abandons 15% withholding tax on crypto transactions
The announcement came as the planned taxation scheme received heavy opposition from industry participants.
· Regulation
- Bitcoin’s recent decline is within historical norms, says Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley pointed out that there have already been 15 bear markets since Bitcoin was created in 2009.
· Insights & Views
- Bitcoin could set a new ATH at around $94K this year and reach more than $400K in 2030
The panel also predicted that the crypto will continue to soar higher and eventually hit $406,400 by the end of 2030.
· Insights & Views
- Robinhood eyes international expansion of its crypto trading services
The company wants to serve crypto investors across the globe as it sees huge potential in the global crypto market.
· Business
- Bank of Russia’s plan to ban most crypto activities could backfire, warns Dmitry Medvedev
The Central Bank of the Russian Federation, also known as the Bank of Russia, is proposing to ban an array of crypto activities, such as its issuance, exchange, and mining.
· Regulation
- Belgian lawmaker opts to receive his salary in Bitcoin
The Brussels MP hopes that through his move, he could inspire his colleagues and other politicians in the region to show interest in nascent financial technology.
· Insights & Views
- Volume for crypto-linked Visa cards soars to $2.5B for Q1 for the fiscal year 2022
The first quarter 2022 figure is almost three-fourths of the crypto volume for the entire fiscal year of 2021, which ended on September 30.
· Business
- Bitcoin could reach $500K in 4 to 5 years, says Anthony Scaramucci
Scaramucci is not concerned by Bitcoin's 50 percent price decline saying that it has happened multiple times in the past.
· Insights & Views
- Puerto Rico attracts Bitcoin investors looking for tax breaks
However, locals are concerned that the influx of crypto millionaires has driven real estate prices and the cost of living on the island.
· Insights & Views
- Rio plans to become a crypto hub like Miami and Zug
Facing high inflation rates, some of the city’s residents have learned to use cryptos such as Bitcoin as an inflation hedge.
· Regulation
- 98% of American crypto investors say they’ll likely buy more coins this year
Americans remain bullish on crypto and even expect token prices to rise this year.
· Insights & Views
- MicroStategy will continue buying more Bitcoins this year
The company's CFO said that their strategy with Bitcoin has been to buy and hold, and to invest in BTC if they have excess cash.
· Insights & Views
- Bitcoin and Ethereum could set new ATHs by 2030, says ARK Invest
The investment firm predicted that BTC could reach $1 million per coin while Ethereum's market cap could rise to $123 million.
· Insights & Views
- El Salvador buys 410 BTCs as the IMF urged it to stop using Bitcoin as legal tender
El Salvador purchased 410 BTC when the crypto plunged below $37,000 last week.
· Regulation
- Stablecoins to continue to flourish until the U.S. introduces its CBDC, says Bank of America
The bank pointed out that the combined market value of the two largest stablecoins, tether and USD coin, has already reached $121 billion as of January 21.
· Insights & Views
- South Korean presidential candidate wants to raise the threshold for taxes on crypto earnings
Presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea’s conservative People Power Party said that he plans to raise the threshold for taxes on crypto earnings to 50 million won (around $42,000).
· Regulation
- MicroStrategy won’t sell its Bitcoin stash as it is the best defense against inflation
Despite falling around 43 percent from its November 2021 all-time high, Michael Saylor said that even an extended bear market would not tempt him to sell the crypto.
· Insights & Views
- Bitcoin could reach $100K as it transitions from a risk-on to a risk-off global store of value
McGlone believes that the crypto has the potential to reach $100,000, surpassing its all-time high set in November 2021 above $67,000.
· Insights & Views
- Bitcoin investment allowed Canadian restaurant chain to expand even during the pandemic
While many businesses in the food industry are currently facing difficulties due to the pandemic, Tahini plans to increase its number of locations to 25 by the end of 2022.
· Business
- Countries might start acquiring Bitcoin as a form of insurance, says Fidelity
Fidelity believes that most countries won’t go for an outright ban on crypto.
· Insights & Views
- The UK ranks 3rd in Ethereum adoption but Bitcoin remains the country’s most popular crypto
While U.K.’s crypto adoption is lower than the global average, crypto ownership in the country rose by 1 percent since the previous survey in October 2021.
· Insights & Views
- Crypto exchange Bitfinex appears to be closing its Ontario operations
Bitfinex said that effective immediately, it will close accounts of Ontario-based customers that do not have balances.
· Regulation
- Niederhoffer sees Bitcoin as the ultimate inflation hedge that could soar to $100K in 2022
While Bitcoin has declined since the start of 2022, Niederhoffer is confident that the crypto will eventually recover and might even potentially set a new all-time high this year.
· Insights & Views
- 68% of American crypto investors started in 2021, says Huobi survey
While crypto adoption soared last year, there’s still a lot of skepticism surrounding the industry with 42 percent of the respondents saying that it was too risky to invest in crypto.
· Insights & Views
- Crypto exchange Gemini adds wealth management services with its acquisition of BITRIA
Gemini intends to pair its crypto exchange and custody services with BITRIA’s portfolio management programs giving investors the capability for doing tax-loss harvesting and other tools.
· Business