Aziel Blanco Reyes

CoinShares suggests that the recent price decline in cryptocurrencies, triggered by the significant outflows from Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) in the US totaling $5 billion, has likely resulted in outflows from digital asset investment products in other regions. According to CoinShares' report, digital asset products in Switzerland and Germany were the most affected during the trading week of January 22 to January 26, experiencing outflows of $59.8 million and $31.7 million, respectively. Additionally, Canadian digital asset products have seen the largest outflows for the month at $209.8 million, followed by Germany and Sweden with $124.5 million and $34.2 million respectively. Only digital asset products from Brazil reported a major inflow last week, totaling $10.3 million.

$5B flight from GBTC likely led to outflows in other regions: CoinShares A recent slump in the price of cryptocurrencies, prompted by outflows from the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) could be behind outflows from digital asset investment products in Europe and Canada, according to CoinShares. “Recent price declines prompted by the substantial outflows from the incumbent ETF issuer (Grayscale) in the US totalling US$5bn, have likely prompted further outflows [in] other regions,” CoinShares explained in a Jan. 28 report. Digital asset products from Switzerland and Germany were hit hardest during the trading week of Jan. 22 to Jan. 26, with outflows of $59.8 million and $31.7 million respectively, CoinShares’ data shows. However, Canadian digital asset products have recorded the largest outflows over the month with $209.8 million, followed by products in Germany and Sweden with $124.5 million and $34.2 million respectively. Digital asset products from Brazil were the only major inflow last week, with $10.3 million. #CryptoNews

Join us for an exciting AMA hosted by API3 on January 31st at 16:00 UTC, diving deep into the world of decentralized applications (dApps). Discover how the convergence of data, oracles, and DeFi is shaping the future of the ecosystem. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn more about API3's mission to deliver traditional dAPI services in a fully decentralized manner, tackling issues of transparency, security, and reliability. Engage with network participants and get involved in the governance of the API3 DAO ecosystem using the API3 token. #CryptoNews

API3 to Hold AMA on X on January 31st API3 will host an AMA on X on January 31st at 16:00 UTC. The event will focus on the growing ecosystem of decentralized applications (dApps). The convergence of data, oracles, and decentralized finance (DeFi) will be explored during the session. API3 InfoAPI3 is a project that focuses on delivering traditional dAPI services for Web3 applications. The project is governed by a decentralized autonomous organization DDAO, specifically the API3 DAO.Traditional API services are centralized, meaning they are owned and controlled by individual companies or organizations. This creates a range of issues in terms of transparency, security, and reliability. API3 addresses these problems by offering fully decentralized APIs.The API3 token is used within the project's ecosystem as a means to incentivize network participants, including node operators and developers, to engage in voting and DAO governance. #CryptoNews

The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed charges against the founders of the HyperFund scheme, Xue Lee and Brenda Chunga, for fraud and unregistered securities offering. The scheme allegedly raised over $1.7 billion from investors worldwide, promising profitable mining operations but ultimately operating as a pyramid scheme with no legitimate sources of revenue. The SEC stated that Lee and Chunga either knew or were willfully ignorant of the scheme's deceptive nature. The collapse of the project in 2022 resulted in significant losses for investors. This case highlights the dangers of noncompliance in the crypto space, where promoters take advantage of the allure of quick profits without adhering to the necessary investor protection measures required by federal securities laws. The SEC filed a complaint in federal district court, accusing Lee and Chunga of violating anti-fraud and registration provisions, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland has also pressed criminal charges. Chunga has already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud, agreeing to settle the charges and make court-determined disgorgement and civil penalty payments. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

SEC charges founders of $1.7 billion HyperFund scheme with fraud The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged $1.7 billion HyperFund scheme with fraud and unregistered securities offering, the agency announced. Xue Lee and Brenda Chunga — also known as Sam Lee and Bitcoin Beautee, respectively — raised over $1.7 billion from investors around the globe from June 2020 through early 2022, the SEC said in a press release on Monday. Lee and Chunga advertised HyperFund as an opportunity to invest in profitable mining operations, but in reality, it was a pyramid scheme with no real sources of revenue, the SEC alleged, adding that both Lee and Chunga "knew or were reckless in not knowing." In 2022, the project imploded and investors lost their money. “This case illustrates yet again how noncompliance in the crypto space facilitates schemes where promoters capitalize on the promise of easy money, without providing the detailed investor protection disclosures required by the registration provisions of the federal securities laws,” said Gurbir S. Grewal, director of the SEC’s division of enforcement. The SEC filed the complaint in federal district court in the District of Maryland, charging Lee and Chunga with violating the anti-fraud and registration provisions of the federal securities laws. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland also pressed criminal charges against Lee and Chunga. Chunga has already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud. He also agreed to settle the charges and pay disgorgement and civil penalties in amounts that the court will determine. Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures. © 2023 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. #CryptoNews

The SuperVerse project is set to make a significant announcement on January 30th, aiming to revolutionize the digital space with advanced NFT functionality and blockchain gaming experiences. It caters to both crypto-savvy individuals and newcomers from the Web2 realm, offering a next-generation NFT marketplace and immersive video games. With a holistic approach, the SuperVerse utilizes modern Web3 technology to create an engaging and inclusive ecosystem, bridging the gap between traditional internet users and the emerging Web3 space. The project's driving force is the SUPER token, which governs and supports various tools and features within the SuperVerse ecosystem, enabling innovation and leadership in the Web3 space. Stay tuned for exciting developments in NFT marketplace technology and Web3 gaming! #CryptoNews

SuperVerse to Make Announcement on January 30th SUPER Info The SuperVerse is a Web3-focused project aimed at revolutionizing the digital space with advanced NFT functionality and blockchain gaming experiences. It targets both crypto-savvy individuals and newcomers from the Web2 realm. The project revolves around two primary verticals: a next-generation NFT marketplace and immersive video games. The SuperVerse offers a holistic approach to integrating these technologies and services under one unified framework. The SuperVerse leverages modern Web3 technology to create an ecosystem that’s both engaging and inclusive. Central to its operation are two key products: GigaMart and Impostors. GigaMart is an advanced NFT marketplace offering sophisticated analytics and unique social features, while Impostors is a social-gaming metaverse that adds an interactive layer to the user experience. The platform’s operation is driven by a commitment to bridge the gap between traditional internet users (Web2) and the emerging Web3 space, thereby making blockchain technology and NFTs more accessible and mainstream. SUPER, an ERC-20 token (previously known as SuperFarm), is the driving force behind the SuperVerse. It governs and supports the wide array of tools and features within the SuperVerse ecosystem. The token facilitates various transactions and interactions within the platform, enabling SuperVerseDAO to innovate and lead in the Web3 space. By leveraging the latest scaling technologies and advanced engineering, the SUPER token underpins SuperVerse’s ambition to set new standards in NFT marketplace technology and Web3 gaming. #CryptoNews

Following the US approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs and guidelines from Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission, there is speculation about the launch of a spot Bitcoin ETF in Hong Kong this year. Venture Smart Financial Holdings and Harvest Fund Management have expressed plans to apply for approval. Hong Kong's SFC aims to accelerate the approval process and potentially approve all applications simultaneously. Some experts predict similar performance to the US market, while others believe there may be differences in subscription scale. Hong Kong's spot ETFs may also allow for direct Bitcoin subscriptions. However, no organization has yet applied for a Spot Bitcoin ETF.

This Banking Giant Files For Bitcoin ETF Application In Hong Kong Following the recent approval of spot Bitcoin ETF (Exchange-Traded Funds) in the US and guidelines from Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) published in December of 2023, there has been increasing speculation about the launch of a spot Bitcoin ETF in Hong Kong this year. In a recent development, the first spot Bitcoin ETF application has been filed to the SFC for approval. Chinese Financial Giant Takes The Lead Earlier this month, Venture Smart Financial Holdings Ltd. (VSFG) expressed its plans to apply for a spot Bitcoin ETF with the SFC to be launched this quarter. Similarly, asset management firms like Samsung Asset Management have shown their interest in exploring the possibility in the future. A report from Tencent News revealed that Harvest Fund Management sent the first-ever spot Bitcoin ETF application in Hong Kong to the SFC on January 26, with the possibility of approval coming after the Lunar New Year at the earliest. According to the news site, Hong Kong’s SFC wants to accelerate the approval of the first ETF after the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) authorized the listing of the spot crypto products this month. The regulator’s plan includes listing the first ETF on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange after the Spring Festival. Additionally, the report highlights the possibility of the SFC taking the same route as the US SEC and approving all applications simultaneously. How Will Hong Kong’s Spot ETFs Compare To The US? Regarding the performance of the investment products after the approval, a Hong Kong fund professional told Tencent News that “judging from the performance of the U.S. Bitcoin spot ETF, even if the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission approves multiple institutions at once, it may end up performing about the same as the U.S. market.” However, some family office investor managers in Hong Kong suggested to the news site that “there may be some gap between the scale of Hong Kong spot ETF subscriptions and the United States.” The investor managers added that there’s real interest in subscribing to spot ETFs in Hong Kong, opposite to the “complexity of investment categories and operations” that stopped them from investing in the Bitcoin market before. Moreover, the news sites reported that “compared with spot ETFs in the United States, in addition to accepting legal currency subscriptions, Hong Kong’s spot ETFs may also increase the possibility of direct Bitcoin subscriptions.” Despite the interest and plans previously suggested by other investment and asset management firms, no organization has applied for a Spot Bitcoin ETF yet. Harvest Fund Management and the SFC haven’t issued further comment. #CryptoNews

Merit Circle, a web3 digital ecosystem for the gaming industry, will be hosting an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on January 31st regarding their latest advancements. With a focus on innovation and utilizing blockchain technology, Merit Circle aims to revolutionize the gaming industry by combining cutting-edge solutions with quality gaming projects. Their ecosystem comprises Merit Circle Investments, Merit Circle Gaming, Merit Circle Studios, and Sphere Marketplace, a gamer-optimized NFT platform. At the heart of this ecosystem is the MC token, which empowers holders to influence DAO decisions, engage in games, trade NFTs, and stake their tokens for enhanced voting rights and additional rewards. Stay tuned for the exciting updates and discussions during their upcoming AMA.

Merit Circle to Hold AMA on X on January 31st Merit Circle DAO is a web3 digital ecosystem designed to modernize the gaming industry. Using blockchain technology, it seeks to combine gaming innovation with cutting-edge technology solutions. Merit Circle is organized around four areas: Merit Circle Investments: Financial arm dedicated to investing in web3 technologies. Merit Circle Gaming: focus on the development and integration of quality gaming projects. Merit Circle Studios: A segment dedicated to creating new games and supporting innovative projects. Sphere Marketplace: A gamer-optimized NFT platform. The MC token is central to the ecosystem. Holders can influence DAO decisions, participate in games, exchange NFTs, and use the token for staking, which in turn can enhance their voting rights and provide additional rewards. #CryptoNews

NymVPN, a privacy-enhancing mixnet, will be launching its Alpha version in February. Users will utilize NYM tokens to access the mixnet, which not only improves data privacy but also serves as a reward for mix nodes. Fees collected in NYM are directed towards a reward pool, which will be distributed among mix nodes based on their performance and reputation. Users can also delegate their NYM tokens to mix nodes, validating their reputation and earning a portion of the node's rewards. It is important to note that NYM is not a general-purpose payment mechanism or a traditional cryptocurrency, but rather designed solely for activities within the Nym network. #CryptoNews

Nym to Release NymVPN Alpha in February NYM Info Users employ NYM tokens to gain access to the mixnet, consequently improving the privacy of their data. NYM is also used as a reward for mix nodes in exchange for their services in traffic mixing and privacy assurance for Nym network users.Fees accumulated in NYM are directed to a reward pool and later distributed amongst mix nodes, based on their performance and reputation. Each mix node's reputation is quantified in NYM tokens.Moreover, users have the option to delegate their NYM tokens to mix nodes. This action serves as a validation of a mix node's reputation and grants the user a portion of the mix node's rewards. Users are encouraged to delegate their NYM to nodes that consistently deliver quality services as it increases their likelihood of earning rewards.However, it should be noted that NYM is not a general-purpose payment mechanism or a typical cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin. Its utilization is exclusively intended for activities within the Nym network. #CryptoNews

Polygon is rolling out a network upgrade on February 6th, which will transition its zkEVM to a Type 2 ZK-EVM. This upgrade empowers developers to effortlessly deploy their Ethereum-compatible code on Polygon zkEVM without making any modifications; it can be simply copied and pasted. The Etrog upgrade is currently being tested on Cardona, the new Sepolia-anchored testnet for Polygon zkEVM, and will go live on the mainnet soon. Users won't need to take any action to continue using Polygon zkEVM once the Etrog upgrade is implemented. Polygon, previously known as Matic Network, is a layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum that aims to enhance scalability for decentralized applications by utilizing a modified version of Plasma with sidechains. The native token, MATIC, is utilized for payment services and settlement within the Polygon ecosystem. The ultimate objective of Polygon is to overcome the limitations of traditional blockchain networks, such as low throughput, subpar user experience, and the absence of community governance, by leveraging an innovative sidechain solution. #CryptoNews

Polygon to Release Network Upgrade on February 6th Polygon is set to upgrade its zkEVM to a Type 2 ZK-EVM. This upgrade will allow developers to deploy their code on Polygon zkEVM in the same way they do on Ethereum, without any modifications. The code can be simply copied and pasted. The Etrog upgrade will be available on February 6th. It is now available for testing on Cardona, the new Sepolia-anchored testnet for Polygon zkEVM. Once the Etrog upgrade is live on the mainnet, end users will not need to take any action to continue using Polygon zkEVM. Refer to the official tweet by MATIC: Polygon (previously known as Matic Network) is a layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum that aims to provide major scalability improvements for decentralized applications by utilizing a modified version of Plasma with sidechains. The Polygon token 📷MATIC is used for payment services on the network and as a settlement currency between users who operate within the Polygon ecosystem. The goal of Polygon is to overcome some of the major limitations of traditional blockchain networks, including low throughput, poor user experience, and lack of community governance, by leveraging a novel sidechain solution. #CryptoNews

Fidelity's Bitcoin ETF, FBTC, has seen impressive daily inflows of $208 million on January 29th, surpassing the outflows from Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) for the first time since their respective launches. The GBTC recorded its lowest daily outflows, totaling $192 million, demonstrating a 25% decrease from January 26th and a significant 70% drop from its peak outflows of $641 million on January 22nd. This positive trend follows a day of minimal outflows of $95 million on January 11th, which coincided with the conversion of GBTC into a spot Bitcoin ETF. Crypto traders eagerly anticipate a slowdown in GBTC outflows as investors capitalize on the chance to cash out their formerly underwater positions. JPMorgan analysts have suggested that the downward price pressure caused by GBTC outflows is likely to subside. Additionally, data from January 29th reveals that the combined volume of the new U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs reached $994.1 million, almost double the volume of GBTC, which recorded $570 million in volume. #CryptoNews

Fidelity Bitcoin ETF rakes in reported $208M, offsetting Grayscale outflows alone Fidelity's spot Bitcoin 📷BTCUSD exchange-traded fund (ETF) has reportedly managed to pull in $208 million in daily inflows on Jan. 29, outstripping outflows from Grayscale Bitcoin Trust for the first time outside their launch day. According to provisional data from Farside Investors, Fidelity's FBTC raked in $208 million in inflows on Monday, compared to the $192 million outflowed from the GBTC — the lowest daily outflows outside of its re-launch, per BitMEX Research data. The latest GBTC outflows mark a nearly 25% drop from $255 million on Jan. 26, and a 70% drop from the fund’s peak daily outflows of $641 million on Jan. 22. It’s also the second-lowest outflow day for Grayscale’s fund, besides the $95 million that left the fund on Jan. 11 — the day it was converted to a spot Bitcoin 📷BTCUSD exchange-traded fund (ETF). Crypto traders are eagerly watching for signs of slowed GBTC outflows caused by the fund’s investors taking the chance to cash out of their once-underwater positions. JPMorgan analysts noted on Jan. 25 that GBTC outflows have caused downward price pressure on Bitcoin but added that “should be largely behind us.” Meanwhile, Jan. 29 figures show the nine new U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs hit a combined $994.1 million in volume, close to doubling that of GBTC, which saw $570 million in volume, according to data shared to X by Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart. #CryptoNews

Sui has reached a new all-time high, with its token price surging to $1.58, surpassing Coinbase's Base and Cardano in total value locked (TVL). The TVL on Sui has increased by 98% in just one month, reaching $436 million. This growth can be attributed to the expansion of the Sui ecosystem through strategic partnerships with prominent entities such as Alibaba Cloud and Solend. Mysten Labs, the team behind Sui, has partnered with Alibaba Cloud to provide more resources for developers, while Solend has expanded onto the Sui network. Furthermore, the Sui Foundation incentivizes projects and users within the network through infrastructure-friendly tokenomics that utilize SUI tokens. With a market cap of approximately $1.5 billion, Sui has experienced an impressive 80% growth in the past month, according to Token Terminal's statistics. #CryptoNews

SUI hits new all-time high, TVL surges 98% in one month Sui’s token price has broken a new record high, reaching $1.58 earlier today, according to data from CoinGecko. At press time, SUI is trading around $1.5, up 13% in the past 24 hours. The total value locked (TVL) on Sui surged 98% month-to-date, increasing from around $208 million to $436 million, according to data from DeFiLlama. With this surge, Sui has surpassed Coinbase’s Base and Cardano in TVL, with Base experiencing a 9.5% downturn to around $397 million, and Cardano witnessing a nearly 15% decline to $340 million over the last month. This surge is attributed to the growth of the Sui ecosystem, fueled by recent strategic partnerships with prominent entities like Alibaba Cloud and Solend. Mysten Labs, the team behind Sui, recently announced its partnership with Alibaba Cloud to provide more resources for developers using the Move programming language. Additionally, Solend, a lending and borrowing platform on Solana, announced last month its expansion onto the Sui network. In addition to these collaborations, the Sui Foundation motivates projects to participate in the Sui ecosystem with infrastructure-friendly tokenomics that use SUI tokens to incentivize projects and users within the Sui network. Sui’s market cap reached approximately $1.5 billion, up over 80% in the past month, according to Token Terminal’s statistics . #CryptoNews

Star Atlas, the ambitious MMO game on the Solana blockchain, will be hosting a DAC competition on February 29th. This event will bring together various DACs (Guilds) to showcase their unique qualities and compete for the grand prize of over $26,000 worth of Star Atlas land. As players explore space, mine resources, build ships and colonies, and engage in battles, they can tokenize their actions and earn real money through the game's in-game economy based on cryptocurrencies. With the use of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), players can trade unique digital assets on the in-game marketplace, including spaceships and land plots. Powered by the scalability and low fees of the Solana blockchain, Star Atlas creates a seamless and immersive gaming environment, enhanced by the visually detailed game world crafted with Unreal Engine 5 technology. The in-game currency, ATLAS token, empowers players for various activities in the Star Atlas metaverse. #CryptoNews

Star Atlas to Hold DAC Competition on February 29th Star Atlas is hosting a competition among its DACs (Guilds) on February 29th. The event will see various DACs competing against each other, each striving to prove their superiority. The competition is set to be a showcase of the unique qualities that make each DAC stand out. The stakes are high, with over $26,000 worth of Star Atlas land being the grand prize. ATLAS Info Star Atlas is an ambitious MMO game built on the Solana blockchain. It serves as a true metaverse, combining elements of strategy, exploration, and combat in a world filled with cosmic science fiction. Star Atlas offers players the opportunity to explore space, mine resources, build ships and colonies, and engage in battles with other players. The in-game economy is based on cryptocurrencies, enabling players to earn real money through their participation in the game. Every action, from resource mining to construction and battles, can be tokenized and exchanged for real-world currency. Star Atlas utilizes non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to create unique digital assets that can be traded on its in-game marketplace. These NFTs encompass a wide range of items, including spaceships and land plots on various planets. By leveraging the scalability and low fees of the Solana blockchain, Star Atlas establishes a seamless, dynamic, and immersive gaming environment. Additionally, the project incorporates Unreal Engine 5 technology to craft a visually detailed game world. The ATLAS token serves as the in-game currency within the Star Atlas metaverse. It is a cryptocurrency that players can utilize for various purposes within the game. #CryptoNews

Join us on January 31st at 17:00 UTC for a Hedera community call on Discord. This event will feature Hedera's COSO Andrew Aitken discussing our open source strategy, along with Christian Hasker from Swirlds Labs and Solo Ceesay from Calaxy, who will be discussing Davos2024. Hedera HBAR is a decentralized public network that empowers individuals and businesses to create powerful dApps. With its native cryptocurrency HBAR, the network facilitates peer-to-peer payments, micropayment models, and ensures security against malicious actors. What sets Hedera apart is its innovative use of hashgraph consensus, combining the benefits of blockchain with enhanced speed and efficiency to process thousands of transactions per second. This makes Hedera an ideal choice for enterprise use cases. #CryptoNews #Hedera

Hedera to Host Community Call on January 31st Hedera will host a community call on Discord on Janaury 31st at 17:00 UTC. The event will feature Hedera’s COSO Andrew Aitken discussing the company’s open source strategy. Additionally, Swirlds Labs' CMO Christian Hasker and Calaxy Co-Founder Solo Ceesay will be discussing Davos2024. Refer to the official tweet by HBAR: Hedera 📷HBAR is a decentralized public network that allows individuals and businesses to create powerful decentralized applications (dApps). Its native cryptocurrency is HBAR, used to power decentralized applications, build peer-to-peer payment and micropayment business models, and protect the network from malicious actors.Hedera stands out from other blockchain technologies due to its use of hashgraph consensus, which promises the benefits of blockchain – decentralization, distribution, and security through hashing – with enhanced speed, efficiency, and scalability. This technology enables Hedera to process thousands of transactions per second in contrast to traditional blockchains, making it an appealing option for enterprise use cases. CoindarCrypto Read more from Coindar #CryptoNews

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has charged the founders of HyperVerse, Sam Lee and Brenda Bitcoin Beutee Chunga, with crypto fraud amounting to a $2 billion Ponzi scheme. According to the lawsuit, the founders operated a pyramid and Ponzi scheme under different names since 2020, with fake crypto mining operations and even hiring an actor to play the CEO. The SEC alleges that investor withdrawals were paid using newer victims' deposits, as the venture had no legitimate revenue. The founders also created Blockchain Global, which went bankrupt owing $58 million. Chunga spent $3.7 million on luxury purchases, while Lee transferred illicit funds to his wallet. The US District Court in Maryland has indicted Lee and Chunga on conspiracy charges, and the SEC has demanded the return of ill-gotten gains. Rodney Burton has also been arrested for his involvement in the fraudulent schemes, with claims of funneling $7.85 million into HyperFund accounts.

SEC charges HyperVerse founders with crypto fraud after $2 billion Ponzi scheme US authorities charged leaders of the cryptocurrency investment scheme HyperVerse with defrauding investors of as much as $2 billion by touting fake crypto mining operations, even hiring an actor to pose as CEO. The Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit alleges HyperVerse founders Sam Lee and Brenda "Bitcoin Beutee" Chunga operated a "pyramid and Ponzi scheme" under shifting names like HyperFund and HyperTech since 2020. They stand charged criminally with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. "HyperFund even hired an actor to pretend to be the new CEO when HyperVerse was launched," the SEC said, referring to a Thailand-based TV presenter who spoke at the brand's debut. With no legitimate revenue, regulators claim investor withdrawals were paid with deposits from newer victims. The venture's founders and a business partner named Ryan Xu also created Blockchain Global. This project went into bankruptcy by 2021, owing creditors $58 million. Blockchain Global was the parent company of ACX, a defunct Melbourne-based crypto exchange. Authorities said Chunga spent over $3.7 million of investor money on luxury purchases like a BMW and a million-dollar Dubai condo. At the same time, Lee transferred at least $140,000 of illicit funds to his wallet. The collapse echoes other failed crypto investment ploys. The US District Court in Maryland indicted Lee and Chunga on Jan. 25, charging the founders with conspiracy to commit wire fraud through the crypto Ponzi scheme. Meanwhile, the SEC demanded all ill-gotten gains be returned. If approved by the court, Chunga has already agreed to a settlement, including banning future questionable deals and fines of an undisclosed amount. "Lee and Chunga attracted investors with the allure of profits from crypto asset mining, but the only thing that HyperFund mined was its investors' pockets," states Gurbir Grewal, director of the SEC's enforcement division. Earlier in January, authorities also arrested Rodney Burton for allegedly defrauding from the same sham investments. The US Internal Revenue Service brought forward claims of Burton's complicity in the fraudulent schemes of Lee and Chunga that collectively netted close to $2 billion. The claims indicate that Burton collected substantial commissions for funneling over $7.85 million into fraudulent HyperFund accounts over 20 months ending in January 2022. After receiving a three percent referral cut, Burton is accused of fleecing unsuspecting investors who deposited dollars falsely marketed as fueling HyperTech's cryptocurrency ventures. #CryptoNews

@ajsmxsx Join us in Tokyo for CoinDesk’s On Tap event on Monday, October 14th! We’d love to meet up.

Join Us in Tokyo for a CoinDesk On Tap Event We'll be in Tokyo on Monday, October 14 and we'd love to meet up. RSVP today.

@TumblrMichelle “State-owned bank Bpifrance is making waves in the world of crypto with its first investment in lightning-focused bitcoin startup ACINQ.

@Rapettah12 Chinese Banking Giant CCB is making waves in the blockchain industry with its trade finance platform expansion1

Chinese Banking Giant CCB Expands Blockchain Platform as Volume Breaks $53 Billion Chinese banking giant CCB has expanded its trade finance blockchain platform with cross-chain and inter-bank transactions.

@TumblrMichelle B2C2’s new gold derivative product is a must-have for traders looking to capitalize on a growth in haven assets. #B2C2 #GoldDerivative #Bitcoin

@TumblrMichelle Get ready to trade your Russian rubles for your favorite cryptocurrencies! Binance is launching its first fiat-to-crypto trading pairs, and the Russian ruble is leading the way. #Binance #cryptocurrency #RussianRuble #tradingpairs

@NatalieBrenda17 The world needs a standardized regulatory framework for crypto assets, according to a French central banker. This will help prevent regulatory arbitrage and ensure consistent regulation across jurisdictions. #Crypto #Regulation #Standardization

French Central Banker: The World Needs to Standardize Crypto Regulations A French central banker is calling for a global regulatory framework on crypto assets.

@pelusithaxadoer The filing of 19b-4 amendment forms by all 11 spot ETF Bitcoin issuers is a promising development for the approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF! 🤞🤞🤞 #Bitcoin #ETF #Approval #Crypto

All the 11 spot ETF Bitcoin issuers have filed their respective 19b-4 amendment form this Friday, adding momentum to potential approval