Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Saturday Afternoon 7-27-24

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

Cardano Launches Node 9.1.0: The Dawn of the Chang Hard Fork Era

▪️ Cardano’s Node 9.1.0 launch is pivotal for the Chang Hard Fork, marking significant progress in on-chain decision-making.

▪️ While ADA’s price hasn’t surged yet, the upgrade holds potential for a future rally similar to the Alonzo Hard Fork.

Following the innovative launch of Cardano Ogmios v6.4.0, we reported last month, Cardano has launched Node 9.1.0, which is crucial for the upcoming Chang Hard Fork upgrade. This node introduces the final version needed to implement on-chain decision-making within the Cardano ecosystem. The Dawn of the Chang Hard Fork Era is equipped with a crucial feature, the Conway genesis file, which differentiates it from the previous Node 9.0.0.

This launch was announced by Intersect on X and confirmed by Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson on his personal X account. The Chang Hard Fork upgrade, initially scheduled for the first half of 2024, is expected to significantly advance Cardano’s infrastructure and capabilities.

From Intersect on Twitter
Node 9.1.0 is here!

The final version to bring on-chain decision making to Cardano is here. As with all hard-forks, Cardano upgrades when the community is ready.

SPO's ➡️ https://bit.ly/3ycXnVF

However, unlike the previous update, as discussed in the CNF earlier report, which drove ADA price up 10% as 159 projects launched on Cardano, accompanied by 9.62M native tokens and 84.2M transactions, this upgrade is still taking its time to hit the expected surge.

Previous upgrades like the Alonzo Hard Fork in 2021 had a substantial positive impact on ADA’s price, suggesting potential similar outcomes with the Chang Hard Fork.

The upgrade could potentially lead to a price rally, as it is expected to break the upper boundary of the wedge pattern. As of now, according to CoinMarketCap data today, Cardano (ADA) is trading at $0.3966, with a decrease of 2.47% in the past day and 5.75% in the past week. See ADA price chart below.

However, unlike the previous update, as discussed in the CNF earlier report, which drove ADA price up 10% as 159 projects launched on Cardano, accompanied by 9.62M native tokens and 84.2M transactions, this upgrade is still taking its time to hit the expected surge. 

Previous upgrades like the Alonzo Hard Fork in 2021 had a substantial positive impact on ADA’s price, suggesting potential similar outcomes with the Chang Hard Fork.

The upgrade could potentially lead to a price rally, as it is expected to break the upper boundary of the wedge pattern. As of now, according to CoinMarketCap data today, Cardano (ADA) is trading at $0.3966, with a decrease of 2.47% in the past day and 5.75% in the past week.  

UPDATE:  Cardano is trading at $0.4232 today.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Crypto News Flash

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Copper will be the investment of the decade? Kitco Live ‘Copper Masters Panel’ on August 22, 2024

(Kitco News) - Copper presents a generational investment opportunity. A looming supply crunch fueled by high demand required for the energy transition is elevating prices to record highs with a positive outlook for investors.

The copper market is expected to enter into deficit in the near-term, which is forecast to increase to 5-8Mtpa by the end of the decade as new demand gathers pace. Eergy transition applications and the power infrastructure required for the electrification of everything, data centers, and emerging markets such as India are all factors vying for dwindling copper supplies.

The positive market outlook has not garnered a corresponding supply response as few development projects are in the pipeline, and miners are risk-averse due to the increasing economic uncertainty, costs, and timescales of project development.

Hosted by Paul Harris, the ‘Kitco Copper Masters Panel’ will hear from industry leaders Robert Friedland, Kathleen Quirk, and Colin Hamilton discussing why copper may be the natural resources investment of the decade. 

Join us live on Kitco Mining’s YouTube channel on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 3PM ET / 12PM PST for the latest copper investment insights from these copper masters.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Kitco 

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Chinese Firm Boasts of Using Tether Stablecoin to Skirt Russian Sanctions

Chinese-owned import-export firm Qifa specializes in trade between China and Russia, a booming sector. According to Reuters, the company is now using the Tether stablecoin for cross-border payments because of sanctions affecting bank payments.

It’s possible that Qifa spoke to Reuters to boost the price of its IPO on the Moscow Exchange. However, that benefit could prove short lived. Several Russian companies featured in recent press reports have been the subject of sanctions shortly afterwards.

For instance, Reuters reported in April that the Shanghai branch of Russian bank VTB played a key role in facilitating money transfers between Russia and China. In the latest package of sanctions announced on 12 June, OFAC added VTB Shanghai to its sanction list. Within a week this caused problems with money reaching Chinese suppliers.

The reason for using VTB Shanghai is the threat of sanctions on Chinese banks. Hence, any Chinese banks willing to receive payments are smaller ones, and they conduct significant due diligence to ensure that any goods are not dual use for military purposes.

Meanwhile, the use of Tether as a settlement asset may be illegal in both countries. Reuters classed Tether as a Digital Financial Asset. That’s not the case.

Digital Financial Assets
Digital Financial Assets (DFAs) are a specific class of Russian digital assets, including tokenized gold, other commodities and factored invoices. 

There’s a short list of firms that operate platforms approved to issue DFA tokens, and most of them have been sanctioned. Not only does Tether not run an approved DFA issuing platform, but stablecoins are not approved DFA assets.

Originally Russian legislation banned the use of DFAs for payment, but it recently passed a new law allowing them to be used for cross-border payments, precisely to skirt sanctions. Less than two weeks later more DFA issuers were sanctioned alongside some Russian cryptocurrency firms.

That means only those comfortable dealing with sanctioned entities would accept them. There are also practical hurdles we have previously explored.

Tether would be classed as a cryptocurrency rather than a DFA.

Russia is working on legislation to support the use of cryptocurrencies for cross-border payments. Even the central bank governor has agreed it’s a practical move, despite her misgivings about crypto. As of today, using Tether may not be legal in Russia, but the Russians would most likely turn a blind eye.

It’s far less clear that’s the case in China where the use of stablecoins such as Tether is not permitted.

@ Newshounds News™

Read More:  Ledger Insights  

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BLOCKCHAIN and DIGITAL ASSET NEWS  from Ledger Insights

▪️ LUXEMBOURG proposes relaxing DLT laws LINK 

▪️ BNP Paribas hosts issuance of SLOVENIAs digital bond settled in CBDC LINK 

▪️ JP Morgan-backed Ownera partners with Digital Asset’s Canton network LINK 

▪️ Franklin Templeton planning digital-asset joint venture with JAPANs SBI LINK 

@ Newshounds News™

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Thank you Dinar Recaps

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Friday Afternoon 7-26-24

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

UK travellers told to SWAP FOREIGN CURRENCY NOW ahead of coming SWITCH

"If you still have the notes from your travels you may find it hard to swap them back next year."

"UK holidaymakers are being advised to exchange any leftover Bulgarian Levs or Romanian Leu ahead of a significant financial shift which was due next year. Both nations are preparing to adopt the Euro, joining the eurozone, which will render their current native currencies obsolete and potentially complicate the process of converting them back into sterling."

"Bulgaria has been growing in popularity as a family holiday destination for UK travellers since 2018, with its beach resorts being named the most affordable in Europe. Hundreds of thousands of Brits now choose Bulgaria for their annual holiday each year."

"A similar situation is expected for the Lev and Leu, sparking concerns among tourists and expats. Mario Van Poppel, founder of Leftover Currency, said: "With Bulgaria and Romania joining the eurozone, British travellers holding onto Levs or Leu need to act promptly. "Once the Euro is adopted, it will become increasingly difficult and costly to convert these currencies back to sterling."

"He warned: "The window of opportunity is closing fast. If people don't exchange their levs or leu before the transition, they might face significant hurdles. Banks in the UK may no longer accept these currencies, and travellers might find themselves forced to travel back to Bulgaria or Romania just to get their money's worth."

"This is not only inconvenient but can also lead to financial losses."

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Liverpool Echo

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Israel selects 14 participants for Digital Shekel Challenge

In May the Bank of Israel unveiled the Digital Shekel Challenge, inviting participants to propose novel central bank digital currency (CBDC) applications through the use of application programming interfaces (APIs). It was inspired by a similar BIS and Bank of England initiative, Project Rosalind.

Today it announced the selection of 14 teams. Given the deep technical skill base in Israel, it’s not surprising that around a dozen of the teams are Israeli.

We believe just two teams don’t have direct Israeli links. One is IDEMIA France, known for its offline CBDC functionality. The other is OxPay, although there are several companies that go by that name.

Apart from IDEMIA which has more than $3 billion in revenues, two of the larger participants are Fireblocks and PayPal (Israel). Technically Fireblocks is U.S. based but is Israeli founded. It’s best known for its custody technology and the Fireblocks Network and recently has been using that network to target payments. Fireblocks is also a partner of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) in the development of digital government bonds and digital assets.

The full participant list is:

▪️Bits of Gold
▪️Brinks Israel Ltd. + Committed Digital Ltd
▪️COTI
▪️Credics Technologies LTD
▪️Team Energy, led by Viacheslav Pozharskii
▪️Fireblocks
▪️Idemia France SAS
▪️Kima Finance
▪️Open Finance LTD
▪️0xPay
▪️Paypal Israel LTD
▪️Qedit
▪️Shva
▪️Team Levana, led by Doron Asor

CBDC use cases
Meanwhile, the use cases range from connecting the CBDC to other payment systems to split payments, conditional payments and sub wallets. The participants will also explore implementing various technologies while using the digital shekel for payment.

Trials run for three months start in early August.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Ledger Insights 

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RIPPLE- SEC UPDATE ON CLOSED-DOOR MEETING JULY 25

1. SEC did not ask Ripple to pay $102.6 million in penalty, attorney Jeremy Hogan says it was a legal argument.

 
2. SEC vs. Ripple lawsuit awaits final ruling from Judge Analisa Torres.

 
3. XRP hovers around psychological support level at $0.60, early on July 26.

"Pro-crypto attorney says Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) and Ripple could settle in a “compromise” and not a win for the two parties. Attorney Bill Morgan, Fred Rispoli and Jeremy Hogan commented on the recent events in the SEC vs. Ripple lawsuit, the closed-doors meeting and the likelihood of a settlement. "

"Pro crypto attorney Jeremy Morgan says that the SEC did not ask Ripple for $102.6 million in its filing. Instead, the regulator noted that even by Ripple’s argument the fine would be $102.6 million, far exceeding the remittance firm’s $10 million offer. "

"Ripple had argued in its filing that a $10 million fine would be apt for the alleged securities law violation.  

Attorney Fred Rispoli predicted that the SEC vs. Ripple lawsuit will end by the end of July 2024. In a recent tweet attorney Bill Morgan commented on the closed-doors meeting with the SEC and said that a settlement is most likely with a compromise rather than a win for the parties. "

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  FX Street 

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Philippines to launch wholesale CBDC by 2029 latest

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is working on Project Agila for wholesale central bank digital currency trials (wCBDC) trials. During a press briefing on the topic, Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan said he expected the wCBDC to go live within the term of new BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr which runs until 2029. FinTech News reported that the launch would be early in the term.

The purpose of the current trials is to help both the central bank and ten participating commercial banks to go up the learning curve.

The Deputy Governor outlined three uses cases. The highest priority requirement is for interbank settlement on weekends and holidays. Another is the settlement of securities. And a third is cross border payments. Notably, the BSP is an observer of the mBridge project involving the BIS and the central banks of China, Hong Kong, Thailand, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Ledger Insighta

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WHAT IS A NON-MARKET ECONOMY AND WHICH COUNTRIES ARE IN THIS CLASS

Nonmarket Economy Status under U.S. Trade Laws

The Department of Commerce has the authority to designate countries as NMEs for the purpose of U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) laws. An NME is a country that Commerce determines “does not operate on market principles of cost or pricing structures, so that sales of merchandise in such country do not reflect the fair value of merchandise.”

In designating a country as an NME, Commerce considers the extent to which :
(1) the country’s currency is convertible;
(2) its wage rates result from free bargaining between labor and management;
(3) joint ventures or other foreign investment are permitted;
(4) the government owns or controls the means of production; and
(5) the government controls the allocation of resources and price and output decisions.

"Commerce may also consider other factors that it considers appropriate. An NME designation remains in effect until revoked by Commerce. There are currently 12 countries, including Vietnam, designated as NMEs. Commerce designated Vietnam as an NME in 2002 during its antidumping investigation into Vietnamese catfish exports."

VIETNAM
"The U.S. Commerce Department said on Wednesday it has delayed a difficult decision on whether to upgrade VIETNAM to market economy status by about a week until early August, citing IT disruptions from the CrowdStrike software bug.

A decision on the upgrade that Hanoi has long sought had been due by Friday. The upgrade is opposed by U.S. steelmakers, Gulf Coast shrimpers and honey farmers, but backed by retailers and some other business groups."

"VIETNAM has long argued it should be freed of the non-market label because of recent economic reforms, and it said that retaining the moniker is bad for increasingly close two-way ties that Washington sees as a counterbalance to China.

Opponents of upgrading VIETNAM - one of 12 economies labeled by Washington as non-market, including China, Russia, North Korea and Azerbaijan - argue that Hanoi's policy commitments have not been matched by concrete actions and it operates as a planned economy governed by the ruling Communist Party."

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  CRS Reports, Reuters

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Silver Falls As Dollar Index Rebounds Amid Key Economic Data Analysis.

Silver prices experienced a significant decline of 4.2%, settling at 81,331 due to the fluctuating dollar index as traders assessed key economic data. 

The U.S. economy demonstrated stronger-than-expected growth in the second quarter, with a 2.8% annualized rate increase in GDP, as reported by the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis. 

Despite substantial rate hikes by the Federal Reserve in 2022 and 2023, the U.S. economy remains robust, buoyed by a resilient labor market even though the unemployment rate has risen to a 2-1/2-year high of 4.1%.

Additionally, the Labor Department reported a larger-than-expected decrease in new applications for unemployment benefits, with a drop of 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 235,000 for the week ending July 20. This reduction is partly attributed to the fading impact of weather-related distortions and temporary automobile plant closures.  

The previous week saw a rise in claims due to disruptions from Hurricane Beryl and retooling closures in the automobile sector. In a surprising move, China's central bank reduced its one-year medium-term lending facility rate by 20 basis points to 2.3%, the most significant cut since April 2020. This unexpected rate cut aims to stimulate economic activity amid global economic uncertainties.

From a technical perspective, the silver market is experiencing fresh selling pressure, with a 6.52% increase in open interest, bringing it to 29,188. Prices have fallen by 3,563 rupees, indicating a bearish trend. Currently, silver is receiving support at 79,830, and if this level is breached, it could test 78,330. On the upside, resistance is anticipated at 83,665, with a potential move above this level leading to a test of 86,000.

Silver Price Today

Open 27.99

High 28.22

Low 27.75

Prev close 27.98

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Investing  

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RKF Jr. says he would include Bitcoin, gold, and platinum in a basket to back Treasury bills

(Kitco News) – The list of politicians calling on the U.S. government to purchase and hold Bitcoin (BTC) as a strategic reserve asset continues to grow, with Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. becoming the latest to advocate for holding the top crypto in the Treasury.

Kennedy spoke during industry day at Bitcoin 2024, the annual Bitcoin conference currently underway in Nashville, Tennesse, where he unveiled a plan that could see the U.S. become the world’s largest BTC holder.

During a conference panel with Roundtable’s Scott Melker and Custodia Bank CEO Caitlin Long, RFK Jr. admonished the Federal Reserve, saying the central bank had the interest of bankers, not the general public, at heart.

“The relationship between Congress and the Fed is both parasitical to our country, and it’s a symbiotic relationship,” he said. “The Fed is not a public institution … The decision-makers are appointed by the banking industry. Its function with these cycles of quantitative easing followed by high interest rates are… strip-mining cash and equity from the American middle class and pumping it upward to this new oligarchy of billionaires.”

"The coup de grâce was the lockdowns during Covid, which shut down all the small business in this country, which is what we should be nurturing, and kept open the Walmarts, and the Amazons, and Facebook, and the oil industry, and the processed food industries, and Big Ag, they all flourished during that period,” he added. “And meanwhile, Main Street just got liquidated.”

To help start the process of leveling the playing field and returning the U.S. to a system of sound money, Kennedy recommended the creation of a basket of hard currencies and other assets that could be used to provide solid backing for the U.S. dollar.

“I would be willing to add Bitcoin to the balance sheet. I’m going to do that. I’m gonna actually do a basket of hard currencies of maybe platinum and gold and other hard currencies and begin issuing at least the class of Treasury bills that are anchored to hard currency,” he said. “Let’s say the first year by 1% and then maybe the next year by 2% to watch how that goes because that will inject discipline into the product and ultimately get up to 100%.”

“I would like to have the federal government begin to buy Bitcoin and over my term of office [and] ultimately have an equivalent amount of Bitcoin that we have gold,” he added. “Because Bitcoin is an honest currency, it’s a currency that’s based upon proof of work.”

 The plan, as laid out by RFK Jr., would see the government purchase enough BTC to equal the amount they hold in gold – currently estimated at 8,134 tons worth approximately $615 billion.

According to data provided by Arkham, the Department of Justice currently holds 213,239 Bitcoin that were acquired through various enforcement actions, meaning that to achieve Kennedy’s goal, the Treasury would need to acquire more than 9 million additional BTC at the current market price – equal to 45% of all the BTC that will ever exist.

For perspective, MicroStrategy, the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, owns 226,331 BTC, and BlackRock, the largest spot Bitcoin ETF manager, controls 334,000 BTC.

 Kennedy said the goal of the move is to redefine monetary policy and enhance fiscal discipline within the federal government.

 He also appealed to the crypto community’s ideals of personal freedom, property rights, and governmental integrity, saying, “Bitcoin is not only an offramp to this inflationary highway which is the highway to hell, but it also is a way of restoring integrity to our government. It’s a way of restoring personal freedoms, it’s a way the middle class can isolate itself from inflation, which is just a form of government theft.”

As president, he vowed to reform the Fed, block the creation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC), and end “money printing” to fund budget deficits. 

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Kitco 

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Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Thursday Evening 7-25-24

Good Evening Dinar Recaps,

XRP ETF Expected as Ripple Partner SBI Enters US ETF Market

SBI Holdings plans to enter the US ETF market, sparking speculation of an XRP ETF due to its strong partnership with Ripple and digital asset focus.

Ripple partner SBI Holdings is making headlines as it prepares to enter the ETF market. This move has led to speculation about a potential XRP ETF, given SBI’s strong partnership and association with Ripple, a company that holds the largest share of XRP.

For instance, on July 1, SBI Holdings began minting non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for the upcoming 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan. SBI leaders have also consistently endorsed XRP.

Now, a local report reveals that SBI Holdings plans to establish an investment management company with Franklin Templeton, a major US investment firm. This new venture will focus on digital assets, with SBI holding a 51% stake and Franklin Templeton 49%.

The new company from SBI Holdings and Franklin Templeton, expected to form by the end of the year, will focus on crypto assets, reports suggest. Notably, SBI will hold 51% of the company, while Franklin Templeton will hold 49%.

Launching XRP ETF Makes Sense
In June, Ripple President Monica Long had argued that launching an XRP spot ETF in the US market makes sense.

She highlighted that XRP, consistently among the top 10 cryptocurrencies, meets key criteria for such an investment product. However, Nate Geraci, President of The ETF Store, suggested that the market is not ready for an XRP spot ETF. He noted that an XRP futures ETF must precede a spot ETF, emphasizing the need for a regulated trading history.

Industry Opinions on XRP
Recall Yoshitaka Kitao, Chairman and CEO of SBI Holdings, had shared his optimistic views on XRP’s future, expressing confidence that XRP would benefit significantly if Ripple ultimately wins its ongoing legal battle with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

On his hand, Crypto expert The Bearable Bull predicts that XRP will hit new all-time highs this cycle. He asserts there’s “0% chance XRP won’t go to new all-time highs.” According to him, XRP’s price has often depended on Bitcoin’s rise. With the approval of a BTC ETF and new record values, he expects XRP ETFs in 2025.

The Bearable Bull identifies several bullish catalysts for XRP. These include its relisting on all exchanges, the launch of AMMs, the Xahau sidechain, Ripple’s stablecoin, and the Metaco custody solution. He also mentions a potential Ripple IPO, increased political focus on crypto, and expected regulatory clarity. Additionally, Ripple’s legal case is likely to conclude this summer.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  The Crypto Basic

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Gold price collapses to two-week low amid robust US economic data

—Gold prices fall 5% from July 17 peak of $2,483 to $2,364.
—US Q2 GDP beats expectations, strengthening the US Dollar and impacting gold.
—Market certainty grows for a Fed rate cut in September as Treasury yields decline.

Gold price tumbled to a two-week low on Thursday after the US Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that the economy in the United States (US) fared better than expected in the second quarter of 2024. This weighed on the precious metal, which lost over 1.30%, and XAU/USD trades at $2,364 at the time of writing.

Bullion prices hit their highest level on July 17, at $2,483; since then, they have fallen about 5% toward the current spot price. XAY/USD’s fall is mostly attributed to profit-taking as US Treasury yields also dropped while the Greenback remained firm.

US data revealed that the Gross Domestic Product in Q2 was better than expected, crushing the first-quarter numbers. Meanwhile, the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits dipped compared to the week ending July 30. Durable Goods Orders contracted more than -6%, though excluding aircraft and transport, they recovered from May’s drop.

Despite all that, the US 10-year Treasury note coupon edged lower by more than four basis points (bps) and ended at 4.245% on Thursday. According to the CME FedWatch Tool data, investors seem 100% certain that the Federal Reserve will slash interest rates a quarter of a percentage point at the September meeting.

Daily digest market movers: Gold price on the backfoot as US GDP advances
—US GDP for Q2 2024 jumped from 1.4% to 2.8% QoQ, exceeding forecasts of 2% on its advance reading.
—US Initial Jobless Claims for the week ending July 20 rose by 235K, less than the estimated 238K and lower than the previous week's 245K.
—US Durable Goods Orders plummeted by -6.6% MoM in June, significantly below the estimated 0.3%. However, Core Durable Goods, which excludes aircraft, expanded by 0.5% MoM, up from -0.1% and above the consensus projection of 0.2%.
—The Fed’s preferred measure of inflation, the Core PCE, is expected to dip from 2.6% to 2.5% year-over-year (YoY).

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  FX Street

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Copper: Demand expectations melt down – TDS
7/25/2024

Prices are more likely to overshoot to the downside, notwithstanding the likely overly pessimistic sentiment surrounding demand, TDS senior commodity strategist Daniel Ghali notes.

Demand sentiment may be nearing a local bottom
Our gauge of demand sentiment embedded within the cross-section of commodities prices is now nearing its lowest levels of the year. These levels are now quantitatively inconsistent with recent history, and considering macro vol has been fairly muted, commodity demand sentiment now appears oversold.

This is a massive shift from just a few short months ago when demand sentiment appeared extremely overbought, contributing to the speculative fervor that catalyzed a momentous rally in Copper prices. Today, we now estimate that 80% of discretionary length in the red metal has already been liquidated, and we now see signs that the top traders in Shanghai are notably covering their shorts.

That being said, CTA trend followers still hold a substantial amount of dry-powder to sell and now have only a narrow margin of safety against selling programs. In fact, our simulations of future prices also suggest that a flat tape can now spark large-scale CTA selling activity over the next week. Overall, this suggests that prices are more likely to overshoot to the downside, notwithstanding the likely overly pessimistic sentiment surrounding demand.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  FX Street

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Setting Sail for Success: TLIP and IOTA’s Role in Maritime Advancements through the EU-Funded MISSION Project

—The EU-funded MISSION project aims to address the maritime industry’s challenges by leveraging IOTA’s TLIP infrastructure, which uses distributed ledger technology for secure and seamless data sharing.

—The MISSION project also aims to integrate TLIP with AI-driven smart contracts thereby enhancing responsiveness to exchanged data.

Maritime transport, which accounts for nearly 80% of the global trade has been facing major challenges with the fragmented IT infrastructure. So far, this sector has been using disparate IT systems used by different intermediaries within the supply chain involving port community systems and fleet performance management systems.

Although these systems can automate data for real-time data sharing, they usually operate in isolation and separately leading to resource-intensive efforts in order to maintain essential information. However, this inefficiency in real-time communication largely disrupts the maritime supply chain as all actors are not in sync to receive the updated information.

In the absence of a comprehensive system for planning and monitoring port operations and sea traffic, most maritime ports operate the ships on a first-come-first-serve basis instead of working in a well-orchestrated and planned scheme. this leads to greater inefficiencies and delays within the maritime industry.

In order to address all these challenges, the EU-funded MISSION project is working on a new communication and logistics platform to optimize planning, orchestrate port operations, and coordinate port traffic. Thus, to solve all the crucial challenges associated with the maritime industry, project MISSION will leverage IOTA’s TLIP infrastructure.    

https:///t.co /61tsZqWABe
🚢🚢🚢🚢🚢🚢🚢🚢🚢🚢🚢

🚢🌍 IOTA plays a pivotal role in the EU-funded MISSION project! Using its distributed ledger technology, IOTA ensures secure and seamless data sharing within the Trade and Logistics Information Pipeline (TLIP). This enhances port operations by decreasing traffic, costs, and...

pic.twitter.com/61tsZqWABe
🚢🚢🚢🚢🚢🚢🚢🚢🚢🚢🚢

Leveraging IOTA’s TLIP Infrastructure
The IOTA TLIP infrastructure uses distributed ledger technology to facilitate seamless integration with existing systems while using APIs and state-of-the-art data standards, per the CNF report. TLIP’s role would be very crucial in the implementation of the MISSION project, thereby ensuring the security and auditability of shared data even within complex environments.

One of the key advantages of TLIP is inherent interoperability which facilitates a seamless integration of the MISSION platform into the European Blockchain Service Infrastructure (EBSI), as updated by Crypto News Flash. This integration will boost the platform’s data-sharing capabilities significantly.

Along with being crucial for just-in-time port call optimization, TLIP will improve the planning and alignment of port operations with better coordination of vessel arrivals and departures. It addresses the challenges posed by ships at sea with limited bandwidth and unstable connections, making it an essential component of the MISSION project. TLIP revolutionizes data sharing, fosters collaboration, and propels port operations into a new era of innovation.

Moving ahead, project MISSION is planning to integrate TLIP with AI-driven smart contracts thereby enhancing responsiveness to exchanged data while including alarms for non-compliance and delays. This integration of TLIP in the MISSION project highlights IOTA’s commitment to improving global supply chains via the industrial adoption of its technology, as reported by CNF.

Amid the broader market sell-off, the IOTA cryptocurrency is currently trading 7.1% down at $0.1575 with a market cap of $529 million and daily trading volumes shooting by 53%.  

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Crypto News Flash

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Charles Hoskinson Envisions Cardano Surpassing Bitcoin: ADA’s Growth Trajectory and Upcoming Chang Hardfork

—Cardano’s founder has unveiled the plans to topple Bitcoin in the near future.

—He believes in giving developers the tools to create usable tools that can add value.

Cardano (ADA) founder Charles Hoskinson is highly optimistic about the blockchain taking up Bitcoin (BTC) position as the leading digital asset. The founder hinted at the disclosure, ADA’s growth movement, and the upcoming Chag Hardfork upgrade in an interview on Altcoin Daily.

Hoskinson Touts Cardano as a Major Bitcoin Contender
The Cardano founder said his interest in crypto stems from the profound effect it has on the economic, and socio-political systems of the world. Hoskinson highlighted that Cardano has lived up to what Satoshi started with the creation of Bitcoin. According to him, the Cardano ecosystem is built on a growth engine that continuously adds people, absorbing the technology of its competitors.

“At some point, you just outgrow, and then you wake up, and it’s a multi-trillion-dollar ecosystem with trillions of dollars of value moving around every single day,” he added.

Hoskinson claims the key to flipping Bitcoin is to enable various teams within the Cardano community with the tooling necessary to get to the next level. He emphasized that Bitcoin has stalled over the years, the only valuable proposition being its size.

“It’s not some new technology, it’s not some new capability, it’s not the fact that it’s super easy to use for something interesting; it’s big and successful,” Hoskinson stated.

He drew historical comparisons between the rise of more flexible and inventive solutions and the demise of companies like Yahoo, Microsoft, MySpace, and BlackBerry. He also cited how Artificial Intelligence (AI) search engines are becoming a huge threat to the usability of Google.

Challenge With Bitcoin Flexibility
Furthermore, Hoskinson claims Bitcoin’s relevance over the last 10 years is due to the simplicity of its model, but like Gold, Bitcoin cannot grow above a certain floor. Cardano, on the other hand, seeks to provide the foundation for international payment networks, credit, and voting systems, offering a higher utility. ☝️

The Cardano founder says the way to remain relevant is to embrace decentralization, preserve the integrity of systems, create the right incentives for users, and embrace new ideas.

Per blockchain, Hoskinson says Ethereum (ETH) is currently suffering from its inflexibility to innovation, with Layer-2s emerging as a major competitor.

“Yeah, I do believe we can do this, this is why we are so focused on the fundamentals because you can’t stop that once it is going fast enough,” stated Hoskinson.

Update on Cardano’s Chang Hardfork Upgrade
Hoskinson also highlighted the relevance of good governance in guaranteeing the long-term viability of blockchain initiatives. His words coincide with anticipation of the Chang Hardfork, which is scheduled for later this year.

He went into further detail on the pros and cons of on-chain governance, highlighting the need for a system that allows for quick decision-making. Hoskinson noted that the Hardfork will be initiated as soon as 70% of stake operators upgrade to the final version of Node 9.0.

Meanwhile, ADA, the native coin of the Cardano blockchain, is currently trading sideways. At press time, ADA declined by 5.6% in the past day to trade at $0.3955, with the market cap pegged at $14 billion. Nonetheless, Cardano’s Total Value Locked (TVL) recently surged by 38%, as noted in our earlier article.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Crypto News Flash

~~~~~~~~~

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Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Wednesday Evening 7-24-24

Good Evening Dinar Recaps,

XRP WHALES Go On $84 MILLION Buying Spree To Lock Down 140 Million Tokens

"XRP whales look to have regained their confidence in the XRP token, with recent data showing an accumulation trend among these investors. This is significant as XRP eyes the $1 mark and as these XRP whales could play a role in facilitating such a price rally. "

"Crypto analyst Ali Martinez recently shared data from the on-chain analytics platform Santiment, which shows that XRP whales bought over 140 million XRP ($84 million) this past week."

"This increase in whale accumulation is also a factor that could contribute to such a rally, as these investors could use their market influence to push XRP’s price to new highs. Santiment recently noted that XRP’s impressive rebound is supported by the rising level of coins held by xrp whales and sharks with over 100,000 tokens. According to Santiment, this category of investors now holds over 51 billion XRP tokens, a new all-time high (ATH).

"n addition to this significant whale accumulation, network activity on the XRP ledger (XRPL) also paints a bullish picture for XRP. Santiment revealed that the XRPL is witnessing a notable increase in new addresses created and total addresses interacting on the network. Both metrics are at their highest levels since March.

"Specifically, data from Santiment shows that 1,721 new XRP wallets were created on July 18 and that 47,363 individual addresses interacted on the network that day. This is also a bullish signal as it suggests that retail investors are also flocking into the XRP ecosystem in anticipation of higher prices from the crypto token. XRP’s technicals also suggest that a significant price rally is on the horizon. "

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Bitcoinist

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South African Startup Neonomad to Launch Rand-Backed STABLECOIN

"South African fintech startup Neonomad, a hybrid exchange platform, is set to launch Zarcoin (ZARC), a rand-backed stablecoin. The goal of Zarcoin is to bridge the gap between traditional and crypto finance while enabling seamless local and cross-border transactions."

"According to a report, the STABLECOIN is set to cater to both unbanked and banked South Africans, utilizing Solana Pay for instant and low-cost transactions."

"For his part, Devon Krantz, COO of Neonomad, stated that the STABLECOIN and the firm’s app are intended to facilitate multiple offerings, even in the decentralized finance (defi) space. He added that Neonomad’s platform is specially designed to transition users from traditional banking platforms to the startup’s “secure STABLECOIN ecosystem.”

"Meanwhile, the report revealed that the hybrid exchange platform also plans to launch an educational program to boost cryptocurrency usage among South Africans. Neonomad aims to achieve this by launching a coworking space for crypto enthusiasts in Cape Town sometime during the last quarter of 2024."

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Bitcoin

~~~~~~~~~

TWO CALLS COMING SOON

1.  A call from ISAAC  -  WHO IS ISSAC -  BIO

Isaac has SKRs, buyers, and contact with the Paymasters' Paymaster and Chinese Dragons.

2. A call with BOB LOCK - COMMON LAW - TRUSTS - ZIM

Read more:  Isaac

Read more:  Bob Lock

Calls are recorded and in the archive room. 

When we have the details they will be shared all over. Stay tuned.

Let's cover the questions you might have.

Where are we with the RV in News?
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What about trust, Zim to RV updates?
▪️Join:  Bob Lock RV - Trust - New Book 

What are the updates on crypto and more?
▪️Join: Start Here

~~~~~~~~~

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Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Wednesday Afternoon 7-24-24

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

PUTIN WANTS RUSSIA TO EMBRACE THE DIGITAL RUBLE

"The digital ruble has proven its viability and it is time to move on to a wider use of the currency, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting about the economy."

"Digital currency works much the same way as national currencies used by central banks of various countries, making transactions more transparent and easier to track. 

Russia is not the first country to think about going digital; the leader in this sphere is China, which was among the first nations to widely introduce digital currency with the digital yuan, Natalya Milchakova, lead analyst at Freedom Finance Global, explained to Izvestia. Only a few countries have fully switched over to using digital currencies, mostly countries in the Caribbean, such as the Bahamas and Jamaica."

""Russia wants to be at the cutting edge of modern technologies, including financial services. The DFA (tokens) market is already taking off in the country, including those issued by major industrial enterprises in order to inject money into promising projects," Milchakova explained.

Putin wants to take this a step further: to move on to a wider large-scale implementation of the digital ruble in the economy, business and finance. This may help the government in terms of controlling the budget, cutting the cost of budget payments and easing trans-border transactions."

"The digital ruble has a chance to become a full-fledged payment instrument for individuals and companies but to make this a reality, the government has a lot of work to do, and it must learn from past mistakes made by other countries when implementing such currencies.

There, people saw certain risks for financial confidentiality or restrictions of financial freedom," the legislator noted in a conversation with Izvestia."

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  TASS

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WHAT IS "JUNK SILVER?"

"United States 90% silver coins were minted to be used as money, were used as money, and could be used as money again.  Minted before 1965, they are called junk silver coins because they have no collector or numismatic value.  The coins are bought and sold for the value of their silver content."

"When minted, a bag of 90% junk silver coins contained 723 ounces of silver, but because of wear a smelted bag of dimes or quarters will net about 715 ounces. A bag of half-dollars will net a little more, maybe 718-720 ounces because half-dollars did not circulate as much as dimes and quarters, and, therefore, did not suffer as much wear."

"Because a “bag” ($1000 face) contains approximately 715 ounces of silver, it tracks the spot price of silver. If silver goes up ten cents, a bag of US silver coins rises $70 or so; however, when junk silver coins are in short supply their premiums can increase."

"Although many investors buy junk silver coins as bullion investments, other investors buy junk US silver coins for “survival purposes.” These buyers fear the worst for the dollar, that it will be printed until it becomes worthless. If this “worst-case scenario” were to become reality, US silver coins would be used for the purpose they were originally minted: as money."

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  CMI Gold & Silver

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STABLECOIN ACTIVITY IN ARGENTINA

"A graph of Bitso crypto exchange activity in Argentina demonstrates the high level interest in stablecoins. Stablecoins entirely dominate the daily volumes as opposed to other cryptocurrencies. It would be easy to assume that Argentinians are not interested in Bitcoin, but that’s not quite true."

"At first we thought there might be a mistake. However, there are several rationales for both these graphs to be accurate. 

Take the scenario of someone who lives in Argentina. When they receive their wages they convert them to dollar stablecoins. Then whenever they want to spend money, they draw down dollars. That would create a lot of stablecoin activity. The same person could still have their savings in Bitcoin. Hence. the daily transactions could be evidence of everyday spending."

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Ledger Insights

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What’s keeping silver down while gold hold above $2,400?

"(Kitco News) - Gold has been able to maintain a solid uptrend, building a new base with each rally; however, this momentum has not filtered through the entire sector as silver struggles to find its footing."

"While gold is fighting for support at higher lows around $2,400 an ounce, silver is struggling around $29 an ounce. Silver's underperformance compared to the yellow metal has pushed the gold/silver ratio to its highest level in two months, back above 82 points."

"Some analysts have said that gold is benefiting as a safe-haven asset because of rising geopolitical uncertainty, fueled by the U.S. elections in November."

“Silver usually follows the price movements of gold disproportionately. However, this has recently only applied to the downside. The previous upward movement in gold following the US inflation figures was more or less ignored by silver,” said Carsten Fritsch, Commodity Analyst at Commerzbank.

“The relative weakness in silver is likely due to the weakness in base metals. This is because industrial applications are expected to account for almost 60% of silver demand this year.”

"Although silver continues to struggle, many investors are still not ready to give up on the precious metal. In a recent interview with Kitco News, Robert Minter, Director Of Investment Strategy at abrdn, said that he expects silver to eventually outperform gold as the Federal Reserve starts to cut interest rates."

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Kitco

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SENATOR CYNTHIA LUMMIS RELEASES REPORT ATTACKING BIDEN'S MINING TAX

The pro-crypto senator claimed that Bitcoin mining consumes as much energy as household appliances such as tumble dryers.

On July 23, Senator Cynthia Lummis released a report arguing against the Biden administration’s proposed 30% excise tax on the energy consumed by Bitcoin miners.

The report, titled "Powering Down Progress: Why A Bitcoin Mining Tax Hurts America", put the Bitcoin
BTC mining industry into sharper focus, highlighting the benefits of the critical mining infrastructure to the United States' energy grid.

Lummis cited the Bitcoin Energy and Emissions Sustainability Tracker as evidence that Bitcoin mining is cleaner than is commonly imagined, noting that up to 52.6% of BTC mining might be emissions-free.

A breakdown of sustainable Bitcoin mining. Source: Batcoinz

The pro-crypto senator then turned her attention to the increasing role of Bitcoin mining facilities in securing the energy grid. Mining facilities represent large, dynamic electrical loads that can be used to balance and redistribute energy to electrical grids during times of need.

Perhaps no other example illustrates this more than the ongoing efforts between the Electrical Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and Bitcoin miners to stabilize electrical grids. The GOP lawmaker explained that in 2022, Bitcoin miners were able to sell 1500 megawatts of energy back to the grid during peak demand. A similar pattern played out in 2024, with Bitcoin mining infrastructure acting as a Controllable Load Resource for Texas’ grid during winter storm Heather.

A 30% tax would hurt the environment that regulators claim to protect
The Wyoming senator explained that levying a 30% excise tax on Bitcoin miners would disincentivize them from seeking sustainable forms of energy and novel energy recycling techniques. Although Lummis gave the example of sequestering methane from trash dumps to mine Bitcoin, similar examples can be seen in El Salvador, where the government mined 474 Bitcoin using volcanic energy.

Another example of the energy efficiencies introduced by Bitcoin mining can be found in the Satakunta region of Finland, where an entire community of 11,000 individuals is warmed by excess heat produced by a Marathon Digital mining facility.

The mining giant also signed an agreement with Kenya’s government earlier this year to further develop the country’s renewable energy sector, a thriving industry already delivering up to 80% of the country’s energy needs.

The Laffer Curve will get the final laugh
Lummis concluded her report by arguing that increasing taxes on Bitcoin miners will lead to the industry leaving the United States, reducing the sought-after tax revenues. This inverse relationship between tax rates and tax revenue is known as the Laffer Curve.

A chart highlighting Bitcoin hashrate dominance between global powers from 2019-2022. Source: Powering Down Progress by Senator Cynthia Lummis

The senator pointed out that this has already happened in China, where the 2021 mining ban drove out the once-thriving mining industry.

Before the ban, Chinese miners controlled a majority of the Bitcoin network’s hashrate.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Coin Telegraph

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What are the strongest currencies in the world? (2024)

Ever wondered which is the strongest currency in the world? There are lots of factors which can push a currency up the global rankings, from low inflation to a strong economy, to interest rates or oil and gas exports.

What is currency strength?
According to Nasdaq a strong currency is:

“A currency whose value compared to other currencies is improving, as indicated by a decrease in the direct >exchange rates for the currency”.

Put simply, the definition of a ‘strong currency’ is when a currency is worth more than another country's currency. ‘Currency strength’ refers to how strong or weak a currency is at any given time.

What are the top 10 strongest currencies?

1. Kuwaiti dinar
The Kuwaiti dinar (KWD) is the world’s strongest currency, and this is for a number of reasons. For starters, Kuwait has one of the largest oil reserves in the world.

It’s also a wealthy country, whose government has prioritised the growth of the country’s private sector, the diversification of the economy and responsible budgetary policies. All of these factors have contributed to the stability and resilience of the Kuwaiti dinar.

Today     1 USD = 0.305640 KWD     

2. Bahraini dinar
The second most valuable global currency is the Bahraini dinar (BHD). Oil and gas again play a part in the Bahraini dinar’s strength, as a major part of the country’s income derives from exports of gas and oil.

Bahrain has also become a regional financial hub, which has attracted international capital and helped to expand the country’s economy.

Today     1 USD = 0.377000 BHD   

3. Omani rial
The Omani rial (OMR) is another of the world’s strongest currencies, again thanks to exports of oil and gas. However, the government in Oman is working on lessening the country’s dependence on oil markets. It has taken steps to support other industries in order to diversify the economy, which should help to sustain the resilience of the rial.

Today    1 USD = 0.385015 OMR   

4. Jordanian dinar
The Jordanian dinar (JOD) is high up the list of the world’s strongest currencies for a combination of reasons. It is an oil and gas exporting nation, but is less dependent on this than some of its neighbours.

Other factors contributing to the dinar’s success include the actions of Jordan’s central bank, which has taken a cautious approach to monetary and fiscal policy. It is dedicated to price stability and exchange rate flexibility, as well as keeping ample foreign exchange reserves to protect against external shocks.

Today     1 USD = 0.708500 JOD

5. British pound
Now we come to a familiar currency - the British pound sterling or GBP. The pound is the fifth-strongest world currency in 2024, despite the turbulence of Brexit and uncertainty surrounding ties between the UK and the EU. The UK has also experienced political upheaval, such as the ‘mini budget’ by then-PM Liz Truss which triggered a major drop in the value of the pound.

While the pound may have experienced volatility over the last few years, it remains one of the most popularly traded currencies. Its strength and resilience is partly down to the UK’s reputation as one of the world’s biggest countries by Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Today    1 USD = 0.773784 GBP

*️⃣NOTE:  Since this article was published the British pound has moved to 6th place and the Gibraltar pound has move up to the 5th position.

6. Gibraltar pound  
In the sixth spot on our list is the Gibraltar pound (GIP). The driving force behind its stability and strength is its relationship to the British pound (GBP). The GIP is pegged to the GBP, and the two countries maintain a close relationship.

Today    1 USD = 0.773754 GIP

7. Cayman Islands dollar    
The Cayman Islands dollar (KYD) derives its strength and stability due to the territory’s status as a leading global financial hub. The islands are home to a wide range of financial institutions, enterprises and investment funds, all attracted by a robust regulatory system, advanced banking infrastructure and advantageous tax policies.

Today    1 USD = 0.820000 KYD

8. Swiss franc
The 8th strongest global currency is the Swiss franc (CHF). The Swiss National Bank (SNB) ensures the stability of the currency with a range of crucial measures. This includes implementing monetary policy, maintaining price stability and supervising banks and the financial sector in Switzerland. All of this bolsters investor confidence in the Swiss franc.

Today    1 USD = 0.884350 CHF

9. Euro
The euro (EUR) is one of the world’s major reserve currencies, whose value is influenced by a large number of variable factors. This is because it is the currency of 20 EU member countries, all with their own economic policies.

However, monetary policy and price stability within the region is overseen by the European Central Bank (ECB). The bank has taken steps to maintain the stability and reliability of the euro, primarily by careful management of inflation.

Today    1 USD = 0.921700 EUR

10. US dollar
Last, we have the US dollar (USD) - the world’s 10th strongest currency. You might be surprised not to see the dollar higher up the list, as it is by far the most traded currency on the planet. Plus, the US economy is the biggest in the world in terms of GDP. The dollar is used to price commodities, and it’s also one of the world’s largest reserve currencies. Major US banks are also global leaders.

However, the strength of a currency is determined by complex factors, including supply and demand in the foreign exchange market.

What is the weakest currency in the world?
The Iranian rial (IRR) is the weakest currency in the world.5

What is the most traded currency in the world?
The US dollar is the world’s most traded currency.²

How is foreign currency priced?
There are two main ways that foreign currency is priced. The first uses a floating rate, which is determined by the open market through global supply and demand. If the currency is in demand, its value usually increases.

The second pricing method is a fixed rate, also known as a pegged rate. This is determined by the government through its central bank, and is set against another major global currency (such as USD or EUR, for example).

What is the most stable global currency?
The Swiss franc (CHF) is generally considered to be the most stable currency in the world in 2024.6

What is the strongest currency pair?
The strongest currency pair is the euro (EUR) and US dollar (USD),7 as it is one of the most commonly traded and both locations have large and strong economies.

How do I know which currency is stronger?
One of the easiest ways to work out which currency is stronger is to compare one currency to another, using exchange rates. A higher exchange rate suggests that a currency is stronger compared to the other.

In what country is GBP worth the most?
To determine where GBP is worth the most, you would typically look at exchange rates against other currencies. But remember that exchange rates fluctuate constantly based on factors such as economic conditions, interest rates and geopolitical events.

This means you’ll need to look at exchange rate data to see which country's currency offers the most favourable exchange rate against the British pound at any given time. When researching, watch out for hidden fees to make sure you’re getting the fairest price. At Wise, we’re transparent and upfront about the cost, we use the mid-market rate, and never hide fees*.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Wise

~~~~~~~~~

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Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Tuesday Evening 7-23-24

Good Evening Dinar Recaps,

BRICS IS MAKING PREPARATIONS FOR A US DOLLAR COLLAPSE

"According to a Russian IMF representative, BRICS is ready to offer an alternative to the US Dollar amid the currency’s collapse, and the bloc must prepare for such an instance. The alliance, consisting of Russia; India, China; Brazil; South Africa; and supporting nations, has been working to abandon the US Dollar for some time."

"The BRICS bloc is working to develop a new BRICS currency to replace the US dollar, alongside local currencies between nations. In an interview with RIA Novosti published on Friday, Russian IMF rep Alexey Mozhin noted that the shortcomings of the current financial system are becoming more apparent.

Furthermore, he points out that many publications have started to mention BRICS as a group that will offer a successful alternative to the greenback."

“Such a proposal is being discussed,” the director told RIA Novosti. “In the event of the collapse of the dollar and the international monetary system, it will be necessary to turn the said BRICS accounting unit into a real currency, backed by exchange goods.”

BRICS CURRENCY TO SERVE AS SUBSTITUTE IF US DOLLAR COLLAPSES

"The BRICS bloc has turned to blockchain technology for its brand-new payment system, according to reports. Indeed, its efforts have sought to build a competing currency built on digital assets."

"The US Dollar is still a ways away from crashing altogether, however, the path is there for BRICS to do damage. The greenback is still the global reserve, but a mounting US Debt has ensured that it won’t remain a fact forever.

"Furthermore, support around the BRICS bloc has grown over the past few years, with more countries likely to receive invites to join in 2024.
With more support in numbers and finances, BRICS could develop a strong contending currency to fight the US dollar."

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  The Republicans Voice

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GOLD, SILVER: India's TAX CUT to Offer a Bullish Boost for the Metals?

"Today, India slashed its import tax on gold and silver, a move that could further boost demand for both precious metals in the world’s second-biggest gold market and support higher prices globally. The move will cut taxes on gold and silver imports by more than half, lowering duties from 15 percent to 6 percent."

"India will also lower the import tax on platinum to 6.4 percent."

"World Gold Council Indian operations CEO Sachin Jain told Reuters the tax cut is “a massive step in the right direction.”

“It will reduce the incentives for smuggling of gold. It will create a level playing field for honest industry stakeholders.”

"Gold was up about $14 in overseas trading after officials announced the tax cut. Even with the high import taxes, Indian gold demand has been strong. Through the first five months of 2024, gold imports into India increased by 26 percent year-on-year, with 230 tons of gold flowing into the country. This is despite record-high prices."

"Indians have historically had an affinity for gold. Indian households own an estimated 25,000 tons of gold, and that likely understates the amount given the large black market in the country. Gold is deeply interwoven into the country’s marriage ceremonies and cultural rituals. Indians have long valued the yellow metal as a store of wealth, especially in poorer rural regions."

"Gold isn't considered a luxury in India. Even poor Indians buy gold. According to a 2018 ICE 360 survey, one in every two households in India had purchased gold within the last five years. Overall, 87 percent of Indian households own some gold. Even households at the lowest income levels in India hold some of the yellow metal. According to the survey, more than 75 percent of families in the bottom 10 percent of income managed to buy some gold."

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Investing

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146 TRILLIONpic

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Read more:  https://x.com/SMQKEDQG/status/1780670320522747961

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Warren Buffett Dumps $1.5 Billion Worth Bank of America Shares

Ace investor Warren Buffett’s investment arm Berkshire Hathaway has dumped $1.5 billion worth of Bank of America (BAC) shares. The recent regulatory filings show that the billionaire offloaded 33.9 million Bank of America shares. The BAC stocks were sold at an average price of $43.56 per share. After the sale from Berkshire Hathaway, BAC stocks fell to $42.30 with a decline of 1.40%.

The reduction is significant and has come as a surprise to the US stock market. Warren Buffett is known to hold stocks for the long term and not offload them mid-way. However, despite the sell-off, Warren Buffett is still the second-biggest holder of Bank of America stocks. Berkshire Hathaway holds a 10.8% stake in BAC after falling from the top position to the second due to the sell-off

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Watcher Guru

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IS TRUMP RIGHT TO WORRY THAT CHINA COULD TAKE OVER CRYPTO?

Does China regret banning Bitcoin mining in 2021? Could it opt back in? Can a single nation even control decentralized assets like BTC?

It’s only recently that Donald Trump has paid any attention to crypto. But now he wants to be the “crypto president,” and he’s raising digital assets as a geopolitical issue.

Asked on July 16 why he’s suddenly embracing the crypto community, he told Bloomberg:

“If we don’t do it, China is going to pick it up and China’s going to have it—or somebody else, but most likely China.”

In the interview, Trump explained how the recent experience with his “Mugshot” NFT Collection “opened my eyes” to cryptocurrencies, saying, “80% of the money [from the NFT sale] was paid in crypto. It was incredible.”

“So we have a good foundation [i.e., crypto]. It’s a baby. It’s an infant right now. But I don’t want to be responsible for allowing another country to take over this sphere,” he added.

His remarks raised several interesting questions — and not just whether China, which banned crypto trading and Bitcoin mining in 2021, is even interested in reentering the crypto trading and mining markets.

It touches on the relationship between governments and the crypto/blockchain sector generally.

To what extent can any single sovereign nation control decentralized and diversified digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Is it even possible?

Why China?
China was once a major crypto player. The largest crypto exchanges, such as Binance, were located in China, and as much as 75% of Bitcoin mining took place on the Chinese mainland, according to estimates.

But in 2021, China cracked down on crypto trading and mining, and by July of that year, Bitcoin mining had essentially vanished on the mainland.

Recent developments, however, have raised speculation “that the Chinese government may be warming to cryptocurrency and that Hong Kong may be a testing ground for these efforts,” noted Chainalysis in October.

Indeed, in April 2024, the central government approved the launch of several Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in Hong Kong. Some observers think China wants to make Hong Kong a crypto hub — despite a continued trading ban on the mainland.

China’s Bitcoin ban a “strategic blunder”

“Absolutely,” Daniel Lacalle, chief economist of Tressis, told Cointelegraph.

“Beijing’s 2021 mining crackdown was a strategic blunder,” Emiliano Pagnotta, associate professor of finance at Singapore Management University, told Cointelegraph.

China wants to maintain tight control of capital outflows on the mainland, Wang, assistant professor in the economics department at the University of Essex, told Cointelegraph, which is why it banned crypto trading.

But Hong Kong, while controlled by China, has a different economy. It has always had open market policies and free capital flow, and crypto might find a natural home in the former British colony. Wang added:

“Hong Kong serves as the hub to allow some capital flow in and out of mainland China, which is important for Hong Kong and also for mainland China.”

“The digital asset ETF market in Hong Kong has indeed seen substantial growth since its launch in April 2024,” Patrick Pan, chairman and CEO of OSL — a crypto-exchange now operating in Hong Kong — told Cointelegraph.

Pan added that mainland China “has maintained a stringent stance against cryptocurrency trading and speculations.”

Pan points out, however, that China has largely accepted the importance of cryptocurrencies’ underlying blockchain technology.

“China’s development and gradual rollout of the digital yuan showcase an interest and capacity to embrace blockchain technologies, which bring long-term benefits to the country’s financial infrastructure through enhanced efficiency and security of its financial systems,” said Pan.

China may be softening its stance on crypto
Chinese government decision-making is opaque, so one may never know if China truly regrets its 2021 crypto ban. But what is clear is that “the country is reassessing its approach, especially as it sees the strategic value in digital assets,” Zennon Kapron, founder and director of consulting firm Kapronasia, told Cointelegraph, adding:

“The softening stance in Hong Kong could be a strategic move to remain competitive in the fintech and digital finance space without fully reversing its mainland policy.”

But is it too late?

“China still has advantages, such as access to cheap hardware and electricity in certain regions,” Kapron allowed. “If the government were to provide incentives or loosen restrictions, it’s conceivable that some level of dominance could be reestablished.”

It wouldn’t be easy, though. “The global mining landscape has become more diversified, making it harder for any single country to dominate,” observed Kapron.

“Bitcoin mining is not like making CPUs, but more similar to producing solar panels, building railways, etc. China has the capacity and even the comparative advantage in this type of mass production.”

Crypto trading may be a different matter, though. China is unlikely to change its trading ban on the mainland unless it first changes its capital markets policy, said Wang.

Pagnotta, by comparison, said China could still be a force within the crypto sector, particularly if it demonstrates more pragmatism and regulatory clarity.

“China now seems more open to the crypto industry and has allowed the launch of Bitcoin and ETH ETFs in Hong Kong,” said Moreno.

“Despite China’s ban on Bitcoin mining, Chinese mining pools still hold nearly 54% market share,” CryptoQuant founder Ki Young Ju posted on July 1. “While not all participants in these pools are Chinese, some mining farms might still be operating covertly in China, with authorities possibly concealing data.”

China’s central government also remains a Bitcoin “whale” as a result of its past activities — holding 190,000 BTC, or about 1% of the Bitcoin currently in existence. This is not a trivial amount.

Could China dominate crypto again?
Wang, for his part, believes that if China really sets its mind to it, it could still “play a super important, if not dominating, role” in the global crypto sector.

Not only does it have natural advantages, but there is a huge demand for using cryptocurrencies to send Chinese assets abroad, Wang added, especially given China’s tight capital market controls.

The biggest cryptocurrency exchange platform in the world in terms of trade volume is still Binance, “which is a company started in China by a Chinese but later moved abroad, and still 20% of Binance’s trade comes from China,” noted Wang.

As per Trump’s remarks, is crypto really emerging as a new theater of competition between the great powers? According to Pagnotta:

“Trump wants votes, and he understands that tens of millions of Americans hold digital assets and see it as an important electoral issue. Drawing a contrast to Biden or China in this regard is politically astute.”

“At a more profound level, Trump does not want a Chinese/BRICS [i.e, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa]-led central bank digital currency [CBDC] to become dominant. Even if he did not suddenly become a genuine Bitcoiner, he surely comprehends enough game theory to realize that Bitcoin is the politically neutral global property rights system in the 21st century,” added Pagnotta

In doing so, the former US president could simply be applying the ancient wisdom that “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

Still, others believe the suggestion that China may once again try to gain dominance in the global crypto market is just plain wrong. Leading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether are too diversified and decentralized now to allow control by any one sovereign state.

“China’s influence in the crypto market may grow, particularly through initiatives like the digital yuan,” said Kapron, “but achieving dominance over decentralized cryptocurrencies is a different challenge altogether.”

Trump’s recent utterances may reflect a strategic concern, continued Kapron, “but the reality is that the decentralized and diversified nature of these digital assets acts as a significant barrier to dominance by any single nation.”

Added economist Lacalle:
“There is no such thing as nationalist crypto. The beauty of the crypto market is that it is completely diversified and decentralized. The concept of government control of crypto makes no sense to anyone that understands independent currencies.”

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  COIN TELEGRAPH

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Seven-State Coalition Opposes SEC’s Cryptocurrency Regulation

The Office of the Attorney General of Iowa announced earlier this month that Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird led a seven-state coalition in filing an amicus brief opposing the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) attempt to regulate cryptocurrencies. The amicus brief, supported by Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, was filed on July 10 to challenge the SEC’s overreach.

“SEC’s power grab may stop states from protecting their citizens from scams, and it hurts the free market,” the announcement details, adding:

SEC’s policing of cryptocurrency will stifle innovation and devastate the cryptocurrency industry.

States like Iowa, which have been at the forefront of protecting scam victims and prosecuting scammers, view the SEC’s actions as a significant overreach.

“The Biden SEC is trying to prevent states like Iowa from doing their job to hold robbers to the law and protect families from the dangers of cryptocurrency scams. This power grab will also hurt the free market and allow the SEC to take the regulatory reins over the cryptocurrency industry with no accountability,” the announcement continues.

Noting that the SEC’s “bypassing Congress to give itself new power is illegal, stifles innovation, and will let scammers off the hook,” the Iowa Attorney General’s Office noted, emphasizing:

The Biden SEC is attempting to abuse its power and put itself in charge of regulating cryptocurrency, bypassing state consumer-protection laws.

“Congress never gave the SEC power to regulate cryptocurrency, and there is no accountability to ensure the actions the SEC takes are legitimate and necessary,” the Iowa Attorney General’s Office stressed.

The amicus brief explains that the SEC is violating the Administrative Procedure Act and the Major Questions Doctrine by bypassing Congress. The states argue that typical cryptocurrencies are not investment contracts under the Securities Act of 1934, urging the court to prevent the SEC from exceeding its authority.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Bitcoin 

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Japan’s Fast And Early Approach To Crypto Regulation Is Paying Off

Japan was a rare exception when it came to regulating crypto. Following the catastrophic collapse of Mt.Gox in 2014 – a Japan-based company – the government moved fast and early to clamp down on what was seen as an excessively risky industry. It introduced strict rules for operators, putting them under the oversight of the country’s financial regulator.

That decision means that ten years on, Web3 in Japan is evolving quite differently compared to the startup culture that’s characterized the sector in other countries. Instead, we’re seeing a more prevalent trend of large corporations levering their way into Web3 via strategic M&A and investment activities.

To date, banking giant Softbank has been one of the
most active players, acquiring a controlling stake in crypto trading platform BITPoint in 2022 and becoming a key investor in a dedicated Web3 venture fund initially set up by Deutsche Bank.

However, the latest news, that Sony is gearing up to launch a rebranded crypto exchange called. S.BLOX, as a result of a 2023 acquisition of local platform Whalefin, has created a froth in the crypto community.

I recently spoke to Mai Fujimoto, co-founder of INTMAX, who was fresh from the Japan Blockchain Week Summit which she hosted in early July. She confirmed that, based on the lineup of this year’s event, the corporate move into Web3 is becoming a trend:

“This [Sony] is just one such example. We just hosted many speakers from large corporations [at Japan Blockchain Week], which stood out on the Web3 conference circuit. I believe this is unique to Japan. In the United States, Coinbase and Base

Chain have significantly contributed to the penetration of Web3 in the country, so we can expect similar synergies to occur in Japan as well.”

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Forbes

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IOTA’s Product Passport Could Be Used by Tesla, Audi, Porsche, BMW, and VW After Eviden Partnership

—IOTA’s Product Passport with Eviden enhances transparency for Tesla, Audi, Porsche, BMW, and VW, letting consumers track vehicle history and build trust.

—IOTA’s Digital Product Passports optimize production, maintenance, and recycling, improving supply chains for major automotive brands.

When it comes to cutting-edge data solutions while securing privacy to the highest level, IOTA is at the forefront as highlighted in one of our previous coverages. 

According to the latest update from IOTA on the newly established partnership, the IOTA Foundation and Eviden, a subsidiary of Atos, are collaborating on the Eviden Digital Passport Solution (EDPS), which is “Powered by IOTA.”

EDPS is one of the first ready-to-use, DLT-based Digital Product Passports (DPPs) on the market and the first at this scale to utilize IOTA technology.  

This upgrade provides detailed lifecycle information about products, enhancing transparency, traceability, and sustainability. Dominik Schiener, Co-Founder and Chair of the IOTA Foundation, stated:

This partnership leverages our unique joint benefits and creates a strong combination of capabilities, ready for the market to use. This is a long-term collaboration between Eviden and the IOTA Foundation, and we will work closely together to explore further use cases in domains such as construction materials, textiles, and consumer electronics, amongst others. We expect millions of passports to be registered on the IOTA network by the end of the decade.

IOTA and Eviden Enhancing Transparency and Traceability for Major Automakers

Eviden, with leading positions in computing, security, AI, and digital platforms, provides expertise across various industries in more than 47 countries. Importantly, the collaboration with the IOTA Foundation is expected to significantly impact major automakers, including Tesla, Audi, Porsche, BMW, and Volkswagen.

This partnership will enhance transparency and traceability throughout their supply chains, allowing consumers to track the origin and history of their vehicles, building trust in these brands. At the same time, manufacturers can optimize production processes, streamline maintenance, and improve recycling efforts.

At the time of writing, IOTA is trading at $0.1769, with a decrease of 0.43% and a surge of 7.48% in the past week.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Crypto News Flash

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WHAT IS A CURRENCY RE-DENOMINATION?

"Redenomination is the recalibration of a country's currency, typically due to hyperinflation and currency devaluation, whereby an old currency is exchanged for a new one at a fixed rate. "

"While significant inflation is the main reason for a country to redenominate its currency, other reasons include decimalization or joining a currency union. When redenomination occurs, old banknotes and coins are typically taken out of circulation and a new currency is issued. Sometimes, the old currency continues to circulate at a fixed value against the new notes. "

"When redenomination occurs, a new value is established for the new banknotes and coins. For example, in 2006, Zimbabwe redenominated its currency at a rate of 1,000 old Zimbabwe dollars to one new Zimbabwe dollar."

"When hyperinflation is involved, redenomination becomes necessary because it requires too many old notes to facilitate commerce. Small bills essentially become useless if you need a wheel barrel of them to buy a loaf of bread. "

" Probably the most famous redenomination has been the Zimbabwean dollar, which circulated in Z$100 trillion bills—the largest denomination of currency ever issued—thanks to an annual inflation rate of more than 231 million percent.

The Zimbabwe government redenominated its currency several times starting in 2006. In that year, the country's first currency reform was launched in an effort to contain inflation. The Zimbabwean dollar was redenominated at a rate of 1,000 to one."

" In August 2008, the government launched another redenomination. Old notes could be exchanged for new ones at a rate of 10 billion to one. Inflation continued unabated, and new issues of currency with staggering face amounts continued to appear. In January 2009, Z$10 trillion, Z$20 trillion, Z$50 trillion, and Z$100 trillion notes were issued.

In February 2009, the government redenominated a third time. Old currency could be exchanged for new currency at a rate of one trillion to one. By then, most people had quit the Zimbabwe dollar in favor of the U.S. dollar and South African rand."

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Investopedia

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CFTC Chairman Behnam Urges Congress For Increased Crypto Regulation: We Are 'On The Front Lines' |  Youtube

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Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Sunday Afternoon 7-21-24

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SOUTH KOREA'S STRICT LAWS ON CRYPTO EXCHANGES COME INTO FORCE

The new regulations issued by South Korea’s watchdog to protect user assets on crypto exchanges went into effect on July 19.

The much-talked-about new regulations from South Korea’s financial security regulator, designed to protect users buying and storing crypto assets with virtual asset service providers (VASPs), came into force on July 19.

Titled the “Virtual Asset User Protection Act,” VASPs must take several steps to ensure the protection of user’s crypto, according to a July 17 statement from South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC).

These include:  
1. taking out insurance against hacking and malicious attacks against the user’s crypto assets,
2.  keeping the customer’s crypto assets separate from the exchange’s assets, and
3.  a requirement to keep customer deposits “safely kept in banks.”

VASPs are also required to maintain a certain level of due diligence to prevent money laundering on their platforms and must report any suspicious transactions to the regulator.

“VASPs should maintain a surveillance system for suspicious transactions at all times and immediately report suspicious trading activities to the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS),” it stated.

“After going through investigations by the financial and investigative authorities, those who are found to have engaged in unfair trading activities may be subject to criminal punishment or penalty surcharge,” it added.

Concerns among South Korean crypto exchanges
Crypto exchanges in South Korea have recently voiced concerns that the rules would result in them simultaneously delisting a mass of tokens.

On July 3, Cointelegraph reported that a group of 20 South Korean crypto exchanges will review a total of 1,333 cryptocurrencies over the next six months as part of the new crypto user protection laws, meaning “the possibility of mass delisting occurring all at once is unlikely,” according to the Digital Asset Exchange Alliance (DAXA).

Meanwhile, South Korea’s ruling party, the People’s Power Party, officially proposed delaying the implementation of the country’s tax on crypto trading profits.

On July 12, the party submitted the proposal and noted that current sentiment toward crypto assets was deteriorating. The description stated that rapidly imposing taxes on virtual assets is “not advisable at this time.”

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Crypto Telegraph

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CDP  ISSUES DIGITAL BOND ON POLYGON BLOCKCHAIN USING NEW ITALIAN LAW 

Italy’s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti Spa (CDP) issued a €25 million digital bond on the Polygon public blockchain, which was underwritten by Intesa Sanpaolo as the sole investor. 

The issuance is part of the European Central Bank’s (ECB’s) wholesale DLT settlement trials. 

Hence, the payment was made in central bank money using the Bank of Italy’s TIPS Hash Link solution, which provides connectivity between a DLT and the TARGET2 system for wholesale payments.

CDP is a development bank majority owned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

The settlement of a public blockchain bond issuance with central bank money wasn’t the only novel aspect of the digital bond. It is also the first to use Italy’s ‘Fintech decree’ law. 

This was Italy’s enactment of the DLT Pilot Regime, but also applies to DLT issuances that are not part of the Pilot Regime (like this one), provided they take some extra steps.

There must be a Digital Register maintained by a Digital Register Manager which is authorized by Consob, Italy’s securities regulator. The Register is a log of the real names and details of the owners of the securities.

“This transaction represents a significant step for CDP in capital market innovation through the pioneering adoption of blockchain technology for bond issues,” said Fabio Massoli, CDP’s Director of Administration, Finance, Control and Sustainability.

“The promotion of a new market ecosystem and the implementation of an innovative, efficient and secure market infrastructure will provide added value to issuers and investors alike, opening up new opportunities for other players, including SMEs.”

Fintech Decree Digital Registers
The Digital Register is similar to Germany’s eWpG law. In both cases they support direct securities issuances and transactions without requiring central securities depositories (CSDs) or bank intermediaries. However, we believe Italy may have gone a step further because it allows issuers to be the Digital Register Manager for their own securities. 

That’s the case here – CDP had the role of the Market DLT Operator and also the Consob authorized Digital Register Manager. But we believe this also applies where the issuer/manager is not a bank.

“We are particularly pleased to have been the first in Italy, together with CDP, to carry out an operation that is intended to be the point of reference for future issuers in a totally new legal and regulatory framework,” said Massimo Mocio, Deputy Chief and Head of Global Banking & Markets, IMI CIB Division of Intesa Sanpaolo.

A key goal of the ECB wholesale settlement trials is to test the interoperability between DLT networks and central bank money, both conventional and CBDC. Hence, the transactions involve delivery versus payment in most cases. However, CDP said the settlement for its digital bond was ‘same day’.

Meanwhile, the digital bond has a four month term. It was rated A-2 by S&P, F-2 by Fitch and S-2 by Scope.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Ledger Insights

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Silver (XAG) Forecast: Gold Divergence Widens; Is Silver Undervalued or Overextended?

Key Points:
—Silver prices struggle as gold reaches new heights. The widening gold-silver ratio suggests potential undervaluation of the white metal or gold overvaluation.

—Silver's break below the 50-day moving average at $30.19 signals a technical breakdown. Sellers target $28.57, with further decline possible to $27.22-$26.60 zone.

—Weak Chinese manufacturing data raises concerns about silver's industrial demand. This aspect contributes to silver's underperformance compared to gold.

—Fed rate cut expectations drive precious metals. A 98% probability of a September cut may create a buy the rumor, sell the fact scenario for silver and gold.

—Asian physical demand for silver remains sluggish. Customers capitalize on high prices by selling existing holdings rather than making new purchases.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  FX Empire

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NIGERIA EMBRACES BLOCKCHAIN NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE GAINS MOMENTUM  
Government Pushes for Data Security and Privacy

The Nigerian Federal Government’s initiative to develop an indigenous blockchain infrastructure has garnered substantial support from the National Blockchain Policy Implementation Steering Committee. Two weeks prior, the government revealed its plans to establish a homegrown blockchain, emphasizing the importance of data security and privacy in this endeavor.

Endorsement from Key Stakeholders
Chimezie Chuta, Chairman of the Committee, expressed strong approval of the initiative during a discussion with The PUNCH. He regarded the concept of a national blockchain infrastructure as a significant and positive step forward. 

Chuta highlighted that other countries, including India, China, the UAE, South Korea, and Singapore, have already established their blockchain infrastructures, suggesting that Africa’s third-largest economy should not lag behind.

Comparative Analysis and Future Prospects
In comparing Nigeria’s blockchain aspirations to those of other nations, Chuta underscored the potential for significant advancements in data security, economic efficiency, and technological innovation. By establishing a national blockchain, Nigeria aims to join the ranks of countries that have successfully integrated this technology into their national frameworks.

Broader Implications for the Nigerian Economy
The push for a national blockchain infrastructure is a move that could bring benefits to the Nigerian economy. The implementation of such technology promises to streamline various sectors, improve transparency, and foster a more secure and efficient data management system. This could potentially attract foreign investment and bolster confidence in Nigeria’s technological capabilities.

Moreover, the development of a national blockchain could provide a platform for various industries to innovate and collaborate more effectively. By supporting smart contracts and offering a scalable and efficient infrastructure, the blockchain could facilitate new business models and drive economic growth.

Addressing Regulatory and Compliance Challenges
A consortium-based blockchain model, as advocated by Chuta, would also address regulatory and compliance challenges more effectively. By involving multiple stakeholders in governance, this model ensures that the blockchain operates within a framework that supports regulatory oversight and compliance, thereby enhancing its credibility and reliability.

Conclusion: A Strategic Move Towards Technological Advancement
The Nigerian government’s initiative to establish a national blockchain infrastructure represents a strategic move towards embracing advanced technology for national development. With strong backing from key stakeholders and the potential for significant economic and technological benefits, this initiative is poised to position Nigeria as a leader in blockchain technology within Africa and beyond.

As the country moves forward with this ambitious project, the focus will be on ensuring that the infrastructure is robust, secure, and capable of meeting the demands of a modern digital economy.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Coin Trust

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PHYSICAL CARDS: The Unexpected Frontier in Digital Security

Dr. Adam Lowe, chief product and innovation officer at CompoSecure, hears it all the time from banking executives when the topic is securing payments: “We cannot introduce friction.” But the balancing act is a tough one. Challenge a user too much and they’ll switch to a competitor. Challenge them too little, and the customer’s financial injury may be calamitous.

In this age of digital attacks and global hacks, banks, FinTechs and platforms face a dilemma. One need only look at the size and scope of the AT&T breach to see that hackers have been able to access, co-opt and use all manner of data to power their scams, and perhaps, cobble together synthetic identities. SMS texts are not as secure as they once were, given the fact that imposters can be the ones behind the SMS missive that seeks user confirmation to complete a transaction.

Among the best lines of defense and security, he said, is something that just about everyone has in their possession: a tangible, physical card. And the card, he said, ticks all the boxes of a robust and usable form of identity protection, as the technology has proven simple enough that even his mother feels comfortable using it, and as tap-to-pay has become a feature ingrained in daily financial life.

CompoSecure’s digital security platform, Arculus, streamlines digital authentication processes and secures digital assets, underpinned by the blockchain. CompoSecure, he said as part of the “What’s Next in Payments” halftime report, “essentially invented the metal card,” and now, with the digital Arculus platform, has extended the capabilities of a payment card.

“We’re seeing more customers rolling out our Arculus technology,” he said, “whether it be the wallet technology, and having digital assets alongside a payment card … or whether it’s the authenticate technology, which is for more traditional banks and for FinTechs.”

A Pocket-Sized Cryptography Engine
With enhanced digital security features, he said, the card “essentially becomes a cryptography engine in your pocket.”

The chip that’s embedded in the card, he said, serves as that aforementioned engine. To enhance the digital experience, he said, the company debuted the Arculus Cold Storage Wallet, which is the digital asset hardware wallet, which puts “keys” on the card for any user to store and use those keys for security to support and pay with crypto assets.

In addition, leveraging similar key technology, Arculus Authenticate allows users to tap their cards to authenticate themselves via a passkey that’s stored on those cards. These cards with Arculus Authenticate can also accept payments, so consumers can login, sign and approve payments.

“Instead of being synched to the cloud,” he said, of the data, “where it can be ‘ripped’ out of the cloud by bad actors, your passkeys are safe in your pocket the same way your keys to the front door of your house are safe in your pocket.”

And, he added, “whether it’s signing Visa transactions, or MasterCard, FIDO 2, or whether it’s signing Bitcoin and Ethereum transactions, that cryptography engine is happy … we can serve whatever market segment needs to be served by design, and we can make it all interoperable.”

That interoperability, he said, is a bit like bridging all the railroads back in the 1890s, as a range of different track gauges knit together to make everything work, east to west and vice versa. In this case, the various parties in a transaction using zero trust architecture standards as transactions move along various conduits. 

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, zero trust architecture is the term for “an evolving set of cybersecurity paradigms that move defenses from static, network-based perimeters to focus on users, assets and resources.” It assumes no implicit trust based on physical or network location.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  PYMNTS

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JORDAN LAUNCHES NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY NETWORK

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship in Jordan has launched a national blockchain technology network in partnership with Jordanian blockchain company Blockexe. The implementation of blockchain technology in Jordan’s government sector aligns with the Jordanian Digital Transformation Strategy (2021-2025).

Enhancing Trust in Government Services

On July 17, the Jordanian Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship announced its partnership with local blockchain company Blockexe to launch a national blockchain technology network called Modee Dlt. This protocol aims to enhance trust and transparency in government services.

The blockchain network has been integrated with the Jordanian government portal, allowing for decentralized and verifiable digital records of all Sanad transactions. According to a report, this implementation aligns with the Middle Eastern nation’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2021-2025), which focuses on strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure.

Under Jordan’s ambitious strategy, innovation, as well as private and public sector partnerships, are seen as key enablers; hence, they are encouraged. Investments in critical information technology infrastructure, including broadband expansion and 5G deployment, are similarly viewed as important enablers. When achieved, these and five other enablers help Jordan improve the quality of life for its citizens.

Meanwhile, the Ministry emphasized that utilizing the blockchain network across various government sectors will create a reliable digital environment, supporting the Kingdom’s broader goals of achieving a robust and trustworthy digital economy.

In addition to enhancing trust in government, this initiative aims to streamline the integration of e-government services, making them more transparent, efficient, and competitive both locally and internationally.

@ Newshounds News™

Read More:  Bitcoin News

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BANK OF INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENTS ISSUE NEW RULES FOR XRP

"The BIS, which positions itself as a bank for central banks globally, has introduced new regulations governing banks’ exposure to Group 2 cryptocurrencies. Notably, the BIS had in the past defined what Group 2 crypto assets are in an effort to separate them from other cryptocurrencies."

"Group 2 assets include unbacked crypto assets such as XRP, Bitcoin (BTC), and Ethereum (ETH). The category also contains stablecoins that lack effective stability mechanisms. According to the BIS’ classifications, these assets are riskier due to their volatility."

"In the latest requirements, the BIS has stipulated that a bank’s total exposure to all these Group 2 assets must not exceed 1% of its Tier 1 capital. For the uninitiated, the Tier 1 Capital represents a bank’s core capital."

"This capital is the primary financial buffer that absorbs losses, ensuring the bank’s stability. Per the BIS requirement, if a bank with $1 trillion in Tier 1 Capital seeks to hold XRP and other assets in Group 2, the combined worth of all assets must not be more than $10 billion."

"Crypto regulations have taken focus in recent times as the industry pushes further into the mainstream scene. For instance, the European Union recently enacted the first part of its MiCA regulations, affecting stablecoins.

"Mainstream banks have begun gaining exposure to crypto assets. Recall that last December the Basel Committee disclosed the crypto holdings of 19 banks across different regions. The disclosure confirmed that these banks held $205 million in XRP at the time.

Despite this, XRP has not commanded as much adoption from banks and financial institutions due to the ongoing SEC lawsuit. Anderson, a crypto researcher, argued in February that XRP might not see increased adoption by banks until the U.S. SEC publicly declares it is not a security."

"Per the publication, the BIS’ recent requirements are set to take effect on JANUARY 1, 2026"

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Crypto News

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THE CENTRAL BANK OF THE UAE (CBUAE) and NATIONAL BANK OF ETHIOPIA (NBE) have signed an agreement to enhance financial and commercial co-operation between the two nations, in a deal worth AED 3 billion.

"Both parties also entered into two Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a framework for the use of LOCAL CURRENCIES in settling cross-border transactions and for linking their payment and messaging systems.

The agreement allows the CBUAE and the NBE to SWAP LOCAL CURRENCIES with a nominal value of up to AED 3 billion and ETB 46 billion, supporting the financial and commercial cooperation between the UAE and Ethiopia through the provision of LIQUIDITY IN LOCAL CURRENCIES to financial markets, enabling more effective and efficient settlement of cross-border transactions."

"Both parties will cooperate under the second MoU in the areas of PAYMENT PLATFORM SERVICES and ELECTRONIC SWITCHES, by interlinking their instant payment systems, national card switches UAESWITCH and ETHSWITCH, and messaging systems in accordance with the regulatory requirements of each country, in addition to the cooperation in the field of financial technology and CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCIES."

"“The bilateral CURRENCY SWAP AGREEMENT and the MoUs signed today reflect the robust economic cooperation between the UAE and Ethiopia, specifically in the areas of trade and investment. SWAPPING THE CURRENCIES of the two countries and utilizing LOCAL CURRENCIES to settle cross-border transactions and enhancing the cooperation in interlinking instant payment systems, electronic switches and messaging systems will enhance economic, trade, and investment prospects. "

"The currency swap arrangement provides an important funding opportunity for Ethiopia and helps diversify the range of currencies at its disposal to facilitate the growing volume of trade and investment transactions expected over the coming years."

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  ARN News Center

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Currency Swaps: Definition, How and Why They're Done

"A currency swap involves the exchange of interest—and sometimes of principal—in one currency for the same in another currency.

Companies doing business abroad often use currency swaps to get more favorable loan rates in the local currency than if they borrowed money from a local bank.

Considered to be a foreign exchange transaction, currency swaps are not required by law to be shown on a company's balance sheet.

Interest rate variations for currency swaps include fixed rate to fixed rate, floating rate to floating rate, or fixed rate to floating rate."

" Currency swaps were originally done to get around exchange controls, governmental limitations on the purchase and/or sale of currencies. Although nations with weak and/or developing economies generally use foreign exchange controls to limit speculation against their currencies, most developed economies have eliminated controls nowadays."

"So swaps are now done most commonly to hedge long-term investments and to change the interest rate exposure of the two parties. Companies doing business abroad often use currency swaps to get more favorable loan rates in the local currency than they could if they borrowed money from a bank in that country."

"Currency swaps are important financial instruments used by banks, investors, and multinational corporations."

"In a currency swap, the parties agree in advance whether or not they will exchange the principal amounts of the two currencies at the beginning of the transaction. The two principal amounts create an implied exchange rate. For example, if a swap involves exchanging €10 million versus $12.5 million, that creates an implied EUR/USD exchange rate of 1.25. At maturity, the same two principal amounts must be exchanged, which creates exchange rate risk as the market may have moved far from 1.25 in the intervening years. "

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Investopedia

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DIGITAL RUSSIAN RUBLE CBDC

"Putin wants to speed up deployment of Russia’s CBDC.
During a meeting on economic issues earlier this week, Vladimir Putin seemed keen for Russia’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilots to accelerate, according to Russian news agency TASS.

“Now we need to take the next step, namely to move to a broader, full-scale implementation of the digital ruble in the economy, in economic activity and in the field of finance,” he said. Digital ruble trials started in August last year after months of delays waiting for supporting legislation.

The first wave of tests involved a dozen banks, with a second wave due to start in September with up to 19 additional banks, including Russia’s largest, Sber."

"“It is important for Russia to ‘seize the moment’, as they say, to create the legal framework and regulation in a timely manner, to develop infrastructure, to create conditions for the circulation of digital assets, both within the country and in relations with foreign partners,” he said."

"Russia already has a digital financial asset (DFA) framework for tokenized assets, including commodities such as gold. The usage of DFA such as tokenized gold for payments is banned. However, the country recently passed legislation supporting their use for cross border payments. Plus, Iran said it was working with Russia on CBDC and tokenized asset payments."

"Likewise, the central bank governor recently said that it was acceptable to use cryptocurrencies for international payments if it helps address sanctions"

"This underlines Putin’s desire to accelerate other modes of payment, particularly new digital technologies such as CBDC and digital assets that sidestep the West."

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Ledger Insights
https://www.ledgerinsights.com/putin-wants-to-speed-up-deployment-of-russias-cbdc/

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CBDC ADOPTION IS A MATTER OF "WHEN" NOT "IF"

"RESERVE BANK OF INDIA (RBI) released a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) called the Digital Rupee in 2022. The Digital Rupee is supposed to carry the same force as traditional currency. Pati mentioned that the regulator sees CBDC as a product for the future, with 140 countries exploring CBDC at various stages. “At some point of time, we would see that CBDC provides a good, safe and secure alternative to cash, and reduces our dependence on currency. This would also reduce the need for printing, distributing, retrieving back those currency notes and replenishing them,” Pati pointed out."

"RBI’s Chief General Manager for the Fintech Department, Suvendu Pati, said during Assocham’s India International Fintech Festival. “We didn’t want to impinge on fintechs because they are at different stages of development and they require treatment that improves their innovation,” Pati mentioned."

Pati emphasized the utility of CBDCs for cross-border money transfers. He said that cross-border payments have three challenges—
1. High remittance costs
2. Timelines for payments/ time zone restrictions
3. The lack of adequate transparency in tracking money back to the receipt

"“CBDC through its technology and tokenized way of transfers offers to break all these barriers and restrictions,” he mentioned. He added that India has entered into pilot agreements with a few countries and joined multi-lateral projects to this effect.

“This is one area where I would encourage apart from the traditional banks which are a part of the [CBDC] distribution systems, fintechs and NBFCs should also enter this segment because the potential for innovation is immense,” he said, adding that the regulator has started programmability as a part of CBDC to monitor the end use of the currency."

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Read more:  Currency Insider

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Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Friday Afternoon 7-19-24

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

State Street Panning Tokenized Deposits and Stablecoin – Report

Today Bloomberg reported that State Street is exploring participating in various digital currency initiatives. The bank is already an investor in Fnality, the interbank DLT payment solution backed by 20 institutions. Bloomberg cited a source saying it was exploring participating in other DLT payment consortia, as well as tokenized deposits and a stablecoin.

While the mention of tokenized deposits is no surprise, it’s the stablecoin plans that stand out. It’s highly unlikely that U.S. banking regulators would sanction the bank issuing a stablecoin. However, State Street has a significant asset management subsidiary, so that could be a different story.

State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) recently partnered with Galaxy Asset Management to launch crypto-related ETFs. Notably, Galaxy is collaborating on the AllUnity Euro stablecoin with another bank-affiliated asset manager, Deutsche Bank’s DWS.

The need for asset manager stablecoins
The settlement of tokenized assets triggers the need for a stablecoin. It’s likely SSGA may want to tokenize funds. Many of the incumbents that have launched tokenized funds on public blockchain support settlement using stablecoins, including Franklin Templeton.

ETF issuer WisdomTree, which is also a Fnality stockholder, is planning to issue its own stablecoin and recently received a trust license to do so.

If asset managers are willing to offer redemptions using stablecoins, then they ideally have to have a significant stablecoin balance. However, stablecoins don’t pay interest. On the other hand, if the asset manager has its own stablecoin, it will earn the interest on the Treasuries that back the stablecoin.

While BlackRock doesn’t have its own stablecoin, stablecoin issuer Circle has offered to buy back any BlackRock BUIDL tokens – BUIDL is the asset manager’s tokenized money market fund. BlackRock is both an investor in Circle and manages most of its reserves.

Tokenized deposit initiatives
Turning to tokenized deposits, JP Morgan has its JPM Coin and Citi has its Citi Token Services. That’s useful for multinational companies that deal with the same bank in different countries. But the interesting work is happening for payments involving more than one bank.

There are numerous initiatives, but State Street isn’t involved in the high profile ones. For example, in the U.S. there Regulated Settlement Network is starting another round of trials co-ordinated by SIFMA. Participants include JP Morgan, Citi, Wells Fargo, Visa and Mastercard. State Street’s biggest competitor, BNY Mellon, is a project contributor.

Time will tell which projects State Street plans to join.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Ledger Insights 

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IS THE RUSSIAN RUBLE PEGGED TO GOLD?

Vladimir Putin’s gold strategy explains why sanctions against Russia have failed.

"In early 2022, Russia pegged its currency, the ruble, to gold, and 5,000 rubles will now buy an ounce of pure gold. The plan was to shift the currency away from a pegged value and into the gold standard itself so the ruble would become a credible gold substitute at a fixed rate."

"Since 2013, Russia has been preparing for western sanctions and managed to isolate its economy from transactions requiring American dollars. There are more than 16,000 sanctions imposed against Russia. "

"The U.K., the United States and Canada will not touch Russian gold. But others will. The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) imported 96.4 tonnes (US$6.2 billion) of Russian gold in 2022 following the British sanctions. That’s up 15 times from the 2021 imports of only 1.3 tonnes (US$84.5 million)."

"The other big client of Russian gold is Switzerland.

In 2022, Switzerland imported 75 tonnes of Russian gold (US$4.87 billion). In 2023, it imported about US$8.22 billion in gold from the U.A.E., which doesn’t produce its own but buys enormous sums from Russia, and US$3.92 billion from Uzbekistan, Russia’s next-door neighbor. Billions upon billions of dollars of Russian gold is being freely traded at top dollar while avoiding every one of those 16,000 sanctions."

"That’s why global sanctions against Russia haven’t derailed a thing. In order for Putin’s plan for economic resilience through gold to work, however, gold needs to increase in value. His long-term goal is that gold, not the U.S. dollar, will be the global trading currency."

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  The Conversation

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Fact Check: Is The Russian Ruble Already Backed By Gold?

"Russia’s central bank has resumed buying gold at a set fixed price of 5,000 rubles ($52) per gram and analysts say this could be the starting point for a shift to a new gold standard across the world."

"Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Finance also referred to gold as an “ideal alternative” to the U.S. dollar.

“This is potentially a very big deal. This is basically pegging the ruble to gold,” said Joseph Brown of Heresy Financial in a YouTube video. If Russia is at the point of having enough gold to back up the ruble, “then they can price oil in gold and then accept gold or the ruble for payment,” Brown said. “They can literally take this, in just a few steps, and force the whole world into a new gold standard. Like a new Brenton Woods.”

"Russia’s fixed price for gold is reminiscent of what the U.S. did during the “gold standard” years — 1879 to 1914 — when one ounce of gold would represent $21. In the 1930s, the U.S. banned gold ownership and raised the value of the dollar in gold from $20.67 to $35 per ounce."

"In 1971, Richard Nixon put a halt on the U.S. dollar’s convertibility into gold, making it difficult for other countries to redeem dollars for gold. This marked the end of the gold standard."

"By pegging its currency to gold, Russia has effectively ratcheted up the ruble’s value against the dollar. Pegging one gram of gold to 5,000 rubles means one troy ounce of gold (32 grams) would now cost 158,183.78 rubles in Russia. At the current exchange rate, 32 grams of gold would cost roughly $1,600 in Russia instead of the $1,928 it cost outside Russia."

"“Russia’s intention would be for the value of the ruble to be linked directly to the value of gold,” Gainesville Coins precious metals expert Everett Millman told Kitco News. “Setting a fixed price for rubles per gram of gold seems to be the intention. That’s pretty important when it comes to how Russia could seek funding and manage its central bank financing outside of the US dollar system.”

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Moguldom 

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EU, UK regulators launch consultations on digital asset data reporting and wallets

Tech consultation season has kicked off in Europe, with regulators from the United Kingdom and the European Union seeking feedback on digital asset-related issues.

On July 15, the European Banking Authority (EBA), an independent EU Authority in charge of prudential regulation and supervision across the European banking sector, launched a consultation on draft guidelines for digital asset issuer reporting requirements.

The same day, the U.K. Payments Systems Regulator (PSR) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced they were jointly seeking views on the benefits and risks digital wallets bring to people and businesses.

EBA guidelines on reporting requirements

The EU banking regulator is seeking feedback on draft guidelines aimed at ensuring that “competent authorities” have enough information to supervise the compliance of digital asset issuers with the Markets in Crypto Asset Regulation (MiCAR)—parts of which came into force this June, with the full provisions scheduled to kick in by the end of the year.

The landmark MiCAR provides rules for offering and admission to trading asset-referenced tokens (ARTs), e-money tokens (EMTs), and other types of digital assets, as well as rules for those providing digital asset services in the EU. It sets out a range of regulatory requirements, including authorizations, conduct, and prudential requirements for issuers and mandates for issuers of certain tokens to report “data points” to the authorities.

When MiCAR’s stablecoin rules came into force on June 30, issuers of ARTs—stablecoins that purport to maintain a stable value by referencing another value or right—and EMTs—stablecoins pegged to a fiat currency—had several new obligations, including a requirement to be authorized by the Central Bank, prudential requirements, and conduct and governance requirements around marketing, dealing with conflicts of interest, and disclosure of information.

Regarding this latter obligation, the EBA has decided that the reporting requirements placed on issuers of ARTs and EMTs were “not enough to allow competent authorities and the EBA to discharge their supervisory tasks and the significance assessment tasks under MiCAR.”

Having identified these so-called “data gaps,” the banking regulator is consulting on draft guidelines specifying common templates and instructions for issuers to provide the necessary information to fill the gaps.

In addition, the draft guidelines include common templates and instructions that issuers should use to collect the data they need from the relevant Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASPs).

The EBA said it would accept comments on the consultation paper up to October 11, 2024.

PSR and FCA call for information on digital wallets

Meanwhile, across the pond, the FCA—the U.K.’s top finance sector watchdog—and the PSR—its independent subsidiary focused on payment systems—are seeking views on the benefits and risks of digital wallets.

Building on the PSR’s previous work on contactless mobile payments and the FCA’s work on big tech activity in financial services, this consultation aims to better understand the impact on consumers and businesses that digital wallets’ increasing popularity creates.

“The use of digital wallets has grown rapidly over the last few years, and it’s likely that more than half of UK adults now use one. With Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal being three of the most widely used digital wallets in the UK today” said Monday’s announcement.

The PSR said it was particularly interested in understanding how digital wallets impact consumers’ choice of payment options at checkout.

“Digital wallets are steadily becoming a go-to payment type and while this presents exciting opportunities, there might be risks too,” said David Geale, the PSR’s Managing Director.

“ We look forward to hearing views and evidence from a wide range of stakeholders throughout this process.”
The regulators hope to hear from stakeholders across the payments and wider financial services landscape, including digital wallets, technology providers, and their service users.

The call for information is open until September 13. After that, the regulators said they would analyze all responses received and provide an update by Q1 2025.

FCA Chief Executive Nikhil Rathi stated. “We want to make sure we can maximise the opportunities and benefits for consumers and businesses while protecting against any risks this technology may present.”

@ Newshounds News™ 

Read more:  CoinGeek

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ASSET TOKENIZATION TODAY AND TOMORROW

The estimated worth of asset tokenization today is as much as $3.5 billion. And with projections that it could reach $16 trillion by 2030, the tokenization market represents a massive opportunity. So, what’s holding the technology back from fully realizing its potential? That was the question posed during the London Tokenization Policy Summit held earlier this year hosted by Ripple and the Imperial College Business School’s Centre for Financial Technology.

Tokenization Use Cases: The “Real Deal” of Digitization

With a promise to remove payment gateway intermediaries; improve payment processor efficiencies; ensure data protection, data privacy and transparency; and enable real-time settlement, tokenization is championed as the “real deal” function of blockchain technology. It's potential for significant impact across a broad range of sectors is massive.

Tokenized mortgages, consumer loans and microloans have all helped make private credit and debt the second fastest growing sector, while property purchases and treasury notes also stand to benefit. Additional tokenization use cases include enhanced capital flows for small- and medium-sized enterprises, improved efficiencies in carbon credit trading and better price discovery compared to traditional assets.

But despite tokenization’s potential as a new asset class, challenges to mainstream adoption persist. A lack of well-established Special Purpose Vehicles makes it difficult to tokenize real-world assets. Cross-chain protocols are needed to improve interoperability. Limited liquidity in secondary markets means an elevated risk on investment. And there is a clear need for providers that can simplify tokenization into a single offering to help break down silos between financial ecosystems.

To overcome these hurdles and scale tokenization, there are three key areas of emphasis: 1. collateralization, 2. valuation and 3. passkeys. Ensuring that tokens are backed by sufficient reserves, hold the same value internationally and are protected through secure passkeys and proper key management will help to foster trust and—ultimately—adoption.

A New Financial Framework
Central to the topic of tokenization is the importance of a robust regulatory framework to underpin the tokenized economy. Once in place, this framework would provide the necessary structure, safeguards and confidence needed for sustainable growth and development.

Looking Ahead
One thing is abundantly clear: tokenization is more than just a buzzword, it’s a rapidly growing movement that is poised to reshape the financial landscape.

Banks, traditional finance players and regulators are all key to furthering this adoption of tokenization.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Ripple

~~~~~~~~~

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Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website

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Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Thursday Evening 7-18-24

Good Evening Dinar Recaps,

An Update on Vietnam’s Quest for Crypto Regulation

An article by Hudson Reporter dated April 21, 2024 titled:  Vietnam’s Path to Crypto Regulation by 2025:  A Governmental Necessity, gives an update on Vietnam's quest for Crypto Regulation.

The article states that Vietnam plans to develop a legal framework for cryptocurrency regulation by May 2025 to address ownership risks and prevent illegal activities such as money laundering

Key Takeaways from the article:

1.  Cryptocurrencies are not banned in Vietnam but regulation is urgently needed.
2.  The Finance Ministry has been tasked to draft a regulatory framework by May 2025.
3.  Measures against misuse, like money laundering, are also being studied.

@ Newshounds News™

To learn more:  Hudson Reporter

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DE-DOLLARIZATION CONTINUES TO BE THE THEME OF BRICS NATIONS

"All are trying to make themselves safe. Information leaked not long ago that in the environment when the United States and the whole collective West want to steal Russian money Saudi Arabia is thinking how to reduce dependence on the dollar. THE PROCESS OF DE-DOLLARIZATION IS UNDERWAY, IT CANNOT BE STOPPED, he said."
Quote from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  X

~~~~~~~~~

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Crypto Regulations in Vietnam 2024

The post Crypto Regulations in Vietnam 2024 appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Vietnam, a socialist country in Southeast Asia, has a population of 99.46 million and covers 331 thousand square kilometers. It has developed a strong market economy with socialist influences, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in terms of GDP. This economic growth has attracted significant foreign investment.

Vietnamese Government on Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrency is not banned in Vietnam, but a legal framework is needed to ensure its proper development and mitigate risks, according to a representative from the Ministry of Justice. Cao Dang Vinh, Deputy Director of the Department of Economic and Civil Legislation, noted on April 12 that there are varying understandings of virtual assets, digital currencies, and cryptocurrencies, with different countries adopting diverse management approaches.

Cryptocurrency is not banned in Vietnam: Ministry Cao Dang Vinh noted global variations in cryptocurrency perspectives and the absence of specific regulations in Vietnam. Vietnam lacks a legal framework for cryptocurrencies, stressing the need for regulation.

Cryptocurrencies carry risks that can lead to appropriation or money laundering. Vietnam currently lacks regulations to manage their development, and cryptocurrency is not considered a legal asset. Vinh emphasized the need for a legal framework to prevent these risks and illegal activities. The Ministry of Finance will provide specific proposals, and the Ministry of Justice will offer detailed opinions accordingly.

In addition to this, the Vietnamese state authorities are working on the possible applications of blockchain technology in the country.

Blockchain for Vietnam’s Cashless Society

The deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, Vuong Dinh Hue signed out a policy decision in 2017,  setting out the government’s plan to reduce the cash transactions in the country to less than 10%. The State Bank of Vietnam also announced the development of $700 million cashless payment network in collaboration with South Korean payment service provider Alliex.

Another bank, Tien Phong Commercial Joint Stock Bank(TPBank) moving one step further in the use of blockchain technology, joined hands with Japan’s SBI Ripple Asia to develop Ripplenet blockchain-based global payment network for processing cross-border transactions.

Launch of the First Money Transfer Service between Japan and Vietnam that Utilize Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT).  TPBank is the latest financial institution supported by SBI Ripple Asia to leverage Ripple

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Cryptocurrencies law

In Vietnam, cryptocurrencies were not considered legal means of payment but could be bought, held, and traded. The government continued to reevaluate its approach to the crypto space, with the central bank maintaining that cryptocurrencies were not legal tender.

Cryptocurrencies were categorized as assets or goods under the 2015 Civil Code and the Commercial Law of 2005. These laws defined property broadly to include objects, money, valuable papers, property rights, and movable property, including future assets, allowing cryptocurrencies to be traded within the country.

What led to look over the need of Regulations?

The government of Vietnam cites many official reasons for the need for regulations and ban them as a means of payment,

—The crypto industry has no government supervision and therefore prone to illegal activities.

—Cryptocurrencies lack customer protection as they are volatile in nature which leads to price instability, security concerns, and market manipulation.

—Cryptocurrencies are open to illegal activities such as tax evasion, money laundering, terrorist funding and hacking.

The cryptocurrencies might possess the capacity to destabilize existing financial systems which can affect the nation’s economy.

Regulatory RoadMap of Cryptocurrencies

Vietnam has made several efforts to regulate the country’s cryptocurrency space. On 21 August 2017, the Prime Minister, Nguyen Xuan Phuc approved a project to complete the legal framework for managing digital assets and their activities.

On April 11, 2018, a directive was issued to the relevant authorities to manage crypto transactions in order to analyse the negative impact on the nation’s economy. In the directive, Bitcoin and similar cryptocurrencies were banned for using them as a mode of payments for any goods or services. But the users were free to invest in Cryptocurrencies. Those who found guilty would be penalised with a fine up to VND 200 million ($ 9,000).

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In February 2019, The Ministry of Justice also filed a report that reviewed the current legislation on crypto-related business in the country. They proposed three different policies that the government could consider and start working on the policy selected by the government. They are:

1.  Floating and lax Regulatory approach

2.  Straightforward approach

3.  Legislation of digital Assets transactions under specific conditions.

Recently on May 11 2020, the Vietnamese Finance Ministry has approved to establish a research group to review, analyse and develop various regulatory policies around crypto-assets.  The research group would be comprised of nine members of the group of the following departments,

—General Department of Taxation

—National Institute of Finance

—General Department of Vietnam Customs

—Department of Banking and Financial Institutions of the State Bank of Vietnam

The research group would be led by the Vice-Chairman of State Securities Commission, Pham Hong Son.

Authorities in Vietnam to Establish Crypto Research Group to Evaluate Policy. On May 11, the Ministry of Finance in Vietnam said it will come up with a research group responsible for examining & making policy proposals about crypto and virtual assets

1.  Taxation and Mining

2.  Taxes on Cryptocurrencies

As you have already aware of the fact that, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are not considered as legal tenders and are banned to use them as a mode of payment, the tax policies are also not framed yet. Cryptocurrency taxation in Vietnam remains uncertain due to the lack of a clear legal framework.

The tax authorities have lost a lawsuit against a local citizen who was been taxed on the Bitcoin earnings. As the cryptocurrencies are not considered as a legal asset under Vietnamese law, the court ruled the authorities that they have no right to tax him.

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Mining of Cryptocurrencies

The Cryptocurrencies remain illegal as of now and restricted with the use of payment methods and so the mining. It is also considered illegal  The government has also has passed a law which bans the import of bitcoin mining equipment into Vietnam.

However, the Ministry of Industry and trade expressed displeasure towards the ban and also showed concern over the decline in the mining business. The ministry sent a proposal to the Prime Minister of Vietnam, called the Document 5964 / BTC – TCHQ, mentioning that the mining pieces of equipment are not listed in the banned list of import or unsafe list. Hence the import should be allowed which was accepted by the government.

12-04-2024: Vietnam Does Not Ban Cryptocurrency, Confirms Ministry of Justice

A Ministry of Justice representative clarified that while cryptocurrency isn’t banned in Vietnam, there’s a need for a legal framework to guide its development and mitigate risks. Cao Dang Vinh, Deputy Director of the Economic and Civil Legislation Department, noted varying global perspectives on virtual assets, digital currencies, and cryptocurrencies.

Concluding Note

The Vietnamese Government has now acquired a progressive approach towards regulating the cryptocurrencies and initiated various steps. The various other approaches, however, are still vague and lack clarity.

More laws and reforms are required to ascertain the secured flow of cryptocurrency transactions in the country so that no scams or fraud occur risking the investor’s funds. The future of the cryptocurrencies are more secure and reliable in the country when these regulatory frameworks are put in place.

Read more:  Binance

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BASEL 3 AND GOLD REGULATIONS

"Basel III is a set of financial reforms developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. It introduces stricter capital requirements to increase the resilience of banks. The main focus is on improving the quality of capital, particularly Tier 1 capital, which is essential for absorbing losses."

The Significance of Gold in Basel III Regulations

"Gold’s role in Basel III significantly changes how banks handle this asset. With the new Basel III Bank Accords, gold is taking center stage again as an important asset for financial institutions. The most significant change is that Basel III regulations treat gold held in vaults as a zero-risk asset, a status previously reserved for cash. This change elevates gold’s importance in ensuring the stability and liquidity of banks."

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Impact on Liquidity and Stable Funding

"Gold significantly impacts banks’ liquidity. Under Basel III’s measures, banks must maintain a specific Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) to ensure they have enough high-quality liquid assets to survive financial stress. Gold can be considered part of these High-Quality Liquid Assets (HQLA)"

"Basel III regulations make gold a more attractive asset for banks by allowing bullion held in vaults or on an allocated basis to be treated as cash with a 0% risk weight. "

"Basel III demands that financial institutions hold a higher proportion of physical gold, rather than trading in derivatives. This change increases financing costs and demands more robust liquidity buffers. Banks must now hold physical assets to meet liquidity requirements, pushing the preference for tangible gold. As a result, this regulation stabilizes the gold market by reducing reliance on paper gold and emphasizing the importance of physical gold holdings. This shift supports higher demand and potentially boosts the price and stability of gold in the long term."

"With Basel III, gold is now considered a High-Quality Liquid Asset (HQLA)"

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Metals Edge

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BASEL 3 ENDGAME

"Many parts of Basel III are already in place worldwide, including the U.S. However, the final changes, called Basel III Endgame and agreed upon in 2017, have been delayed for years by the COVID-19 pandemic and banks calling for more time to adjust to and lobby against the new regulations."

"12 Deadlines have come and gone, with mid-2025 the latest date for when the rules are supposed to go into effect in the U.S., which means announcing them months earlier to provide regulators, banks, and other stakeholders the time needed to prepare to meet the new standards. Banks would start using the rules on July 1, 2025, with the goal of having them fully in place three years later."

What Affect Would Basel III Have on Small and Medium-Sized Banks?
"While Basel III primarily targets very large, internationally active banks, critics charge that its regulations would also affect small and medium-sized banks. "

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When Does Basel III Go Into Effect?

"Since the Basel III Endgame process began, bank requests for more time to digest and comment on the plans, COVID-19, and shifts in the post-pandemic economy have all pushed back the deadlines. As it stands now, the regulations should start taking effect July 1, 2025, followed by a three-year phase-in period to give banks time to transition to the new rules. While previous deadlines have come and gone, the commentary period is over, which offers U.S. federal regulators more room to maneuver in going ahead with implementation."

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Investopedia  

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Chainlink’s tokenization sandbox cuts trials to days instead of months

The sandbox could lead to more financial institutions adopting asset tokenization solutions.

Chainlink is ushering in a new turnkey solution for institutions looking to conduct tokenization trials in the latest development for the tokenization industry.

Chainlink has introduced its new Digital Assets Sandbox (DAS) for financial institutions, which aims to accelerate digital asset innovation.

DAS will enable financial institutions to quickly experiment with new revenue-generating opportunities, like bond tokenization, with improved time-to-market and greater overall efficiency.

According to Angela Walker, the global head of banking and capital markets at Chainlink Labs, the new sandbox was born due to institutional demand for secure digital asset experimentation environments.

@ Newshounds News™

Read more:  Coin Telegraph

~~~~~~~~~

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