Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Wednesday Afternoon 9-25-24

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

ETHEREUM IS A ‘DICTATORSHIP,’ CLAIMS CARDANO FOUNDER CHARLES HOSKINSON

Hoskinson says the Ethereum network is more like a “dictatorship” where Vitalik Buterin exerts too much influence over the development of the decentralized network.

Cardano’s Voltaire-era governance overhaul prevents it from becoming a “dictatorship” like Ethereum and sidesteps the “anarchy” of Bitcoin, its founder Charles Hoskinson said.

Speaking to Cointelegraph at Token2049 in Singapore, Hoskinson attacked Ethereum’s governance model, claiming it relies too heavily on its co-founder Vitalik Buterin for direction.

Hoskinson said that blockchains can elect to keep the protocol forever simple, like Bitcoin, or “pick a king” to run things. However, Cardano’s new governance model solves the “governance trilemma” of “efficiency, effectiveness and integrity” by using delegated representatives and a members-based organization called Intersect to distill complex governance topics down for a vote.  

“If you have those three things, then you have a fair shot of avoiding the anarchy of Bitcoin or the dictatorship of Ethereum, and you actually have something that can move forward with one voice, but it’s still decentralized at the end of the day because it represents everybody.”

Pressed to explain his controversial remark comparing Ethereum to a dictatorship, Hoskinson stated that Ethereum’s “entire vision” starts and ends with the 30-year-old Buterin.

Hoskinson at Token2049 in Singapore. Source: Cointelegraph

“Everybody looks to him for the roadmap. Everybody looks to him for inspiration, and he’s also the only person who has enough power to rally people,” he said. “If you were to remove him from the equation right now, what’s the next hard fork going to look like, and how quickly can they actually get there?” he asked.

Hoskinson said Buterin was primarily responsible for altering the Ethereum roadmap away from sharding-based optimization of the base chain and toward rollups and layer-2 networks for scalability.

In recent months, the Ethereum roadmap has been heavily criticized for empowering “extractive L2s” as fee revenue and activity on the L1 dropped.

“Where does this idea of embracing layer 2s or rollups come from? Was it some random Ethereum engineer — or was it Vitalik Buterin writing a blog post about it, talking about it, and advocating for it?”

Although Hoskinson believes Ethereum is heavily influenced by Buterin’s vision, Buterin does not wield unilateral power in the decentralized network.

The blockchain uses a mix of offchain and onchain governance, including the Ethereum Foundation and community and stakeholder input into Ethereum Improvement Protocols, with critical decisions taken at core developer meetings. Contentious decisions can result in a hard fork, as happened with The DAO hack rollback that resulted in Ethereum Classic.

Hoskinson was one of eight original co-founders of Ethereum and CEO of the Ethereum Foundation, but his for-profit vision for the protocol clashed with Buterin’s and the young creator fired him from the project at a meeting in Switzerland in 2014.

While Hoskinson conceded that he had played a broadly similar role in shaping Cardano since 201, he said the network’s new governance model is designed to ensure that “Charles, alive or dead, doesn’t matter. There’s still going to be innovation on a daily basis.”

Cardano’s Chang hard fork in early September turned its Cardano (ADA) asset into a governance token, enabling holders to elect representatives and vote on development proposals and on funding for community projects. The founding entities that have guided the project so far — the Cardano Foundation, Input Output Global and Emurgo — can no longer trigger forks and upgrades.

Hoskinson said the interplay between the members-based organization of researchers and engineers — dubbed Intersect — and the delegate representatives is a much more “collaborative model” that functions with or without an active founder.

“They can talk to each other, vote, and come up with and use a blockchain-based government to ratify a roadmap on a regular basis,” said Hoskinson.

Cardano is still working on finalizing a constitution that will likely set hard limits on some core issues, such as supply and how governance works.

@ Newshounds News™

Source:  CoinTelegraph

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IRELAND TO STREAMLINE LICENSING PROCESS FOR CRYPTO BUSINESSES

Ireland's Central Bank is enhancing its authorization process for crypto companies as the European Union prepares to implement the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation. Deputy Governor Derville Rowland announced this development during a speech at AFME's 8th Annual European Compliance and Legal Conference on September 23, 2024.

The authorization process, which crypto businesses must complete to operate legally in Ireland, involves regulatory approval of a company's financial stability, risk management systems, and compliance with anti-money laundering regulations. 

Rowland stated, "We have been working to continually improve our authorisation process," adding, "Better risk assessment, better communication and better supervisory outcomes have been the output of that work."

This move comes as part of Ireland's preparation for MiCAR, a EU-wide regulatory framework for crypto-assets. MiCAR aims to establish consistent rules across EU member states for crypto-asset issuers and service providers. "We are working closely with our EU Peers and the ESAs to ensure the necessary coordination and consistency across Europe," Rowland said.

Rowland highlighted the significant potential of blockchain technologies: "We can see the many areas where the blockchain has significant potential to bring about positive change, even transformation, in how we do things. Whether this be tokenisation of investment products or improvements in post-trade infrastructure and interoperability, there are important positive stories to tell."

The Central Bank aims to strike a balance between innovation and risk management. "It is important that these benefits can be realised, whilst also ensuring that the risks are well understood and managed." Rowland also noted the key role of regulation: "Regulation plays a crucial role in the safe, and therefore enduring, adoption of innovation into the system."

Concerns Over Implementation And Compliance
While this move aims to simplify procedures, some industry representatives express concerns about potential challenges during implementation. "Talking about regulations in this industry is good, as governments are getting ready for mass-adoption.

The problem is, how will these regulations hinder development, and most importantly, deployment," says Daniel Logvin, CEO at LedgerByte. "Compliance is a very tough thing to achieve, especially when lots already have systems that work," Logvin adds.

"It provides increased regulatory clarity, which will help support institutional trust, investor confidence and consumer protection," notes Susana Esteban, Managing Director at FTI Consulting. However, she cautions that "It adds more compliance responsibilities (and potentially costs) for crypto companies and traditional financial entities working with digital assets."

Ireland's Potential As A Crypto Hub
According to an October 2023 article by Ben Strack in Blockworks, Ireland's appeal to crypto companies has been growing for years. The Irish government launched an "Innovation Hub" in 2018, facilitating engagement between fintech firms and the Central Bank of Ireland.

Coinbase opened its Dublin office in late 2018, while Gemini became the first Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in Ireland in July 2022. MoonPay gained VASP status in August 2023, and Kraken received E-Money Institution authorization in September 2023.

"We welcome regulatory clarity and continued improvement and enhancements by regulators to adapt regulations to both protect users and markets but also balancing out the need to continue to foster innovation and growth," says Gracy Chen, the CEO of Bitget. 

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"Certainly Ireland is always high on the list for innovative companies to be based there as a global financial centre, its membership and access to the European Union as well as its favourable business environment including its deep talent pool. This certainly helps to encourage crypto-companies to consider Ireland more seriously as a base."

"If Ireland pairs this with tax incentives or a business-friendly environment, it could become a hub for crypto firms, but this legislation is EU wide and it may have some competition for business," suggests Richard Lofthouse the Head of Risk and Data Science at InFlux Technologies.

Balancing Regulation With Innovation In EU
MiCAR regulates previously uncovered crypto-asset activities in the EU, including their issuance, custody, administration, and trading on platforms and exchanges. 

"This could position the EU as a leader in crypto regulation, but being a leader in rules doesn't always translate to success in the market. It's important for the EU to find a balance between strong regulation and allowing room for innovation to stay competitive globally," Logvin states.

Esteban concludes, "Regulatory certainty can be a competitive advantage. MiCAR provides regulatory guidelines, which could make EU-based crypto businesses more attractive to institutional investors and partners, boosting their global credibility."

@ Newshounds News™

Source:  Forbes

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GENSLER IGNORED DIGITAL ASSETS IN CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY BEFORE 4 HOUR GRILLING ON CRYPTO

Gensler defends SEC's stance on crypto amid congressional criticism over lack of clear regulations.

SEC Chair Gary Gensler faced criticism during yesterday’s congressional hearing over the agency’s approach to regulating cryptocurrencies despite omitting any mention of digital assets in his written testimony. 

Lawmakers and SEC commissioners questioned the effectiveness and clarity of current strategies, highlighting concerns about “regulation by enforcement” and the absence of explicit guidelines.

House Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry noted that the House had passed the FIT 21 Act to establish clear rules and robust consumer protections in the digital asset ecosystem. “More than two-thirds of the House, including 71 Democrats, rejected Chair Gensler’s approach to digital assets by supporting clarity and consumer protection,” McHenry stated during the hearing.

The FIT 21 Act’s definition of decentralization was a point of contention. Some lawmakers questioned whether setting a 20% ownership threshold and allowing anonymous self-hosted wallets could hinder enforcement efforts and regulatory oversight.

Commissioner Hester Peirce criticized the SEC’s reliance on enforcement actions without providing clear regulatory guidance. “It’s a very bad approach to trying to regulate an industry if you’re trying to protect investors,” Peirce said. She emphasized that this method is inefficient, leaving market participants uncertain about the SEC’s authority and compliance boundaries.

Commissioner Mark Uyeda echoed the need for the SEC to articulate how existing securities laws apply to digital assets. “The Commission, for instance, could have articulated, specifically in the context of crypto and digital assets, how you apply this test,” Uyeda remarked, referring to the Howey Test used to determine whether an asset qualifies as a security.

Despite these criticisms, Gensler maintained that current laws regarding digital assets are sufficient and explicit. Gensler asserted,

“Regardless of where somebody stores their ledger if they tokenize a security—an equity, a bond, or an investment contract—it’s important to make sure that the investors and the investing public have the disclosures they need.”

He argued that tokenization does not alter the fundamental economics of an asset being a security.

Concerns were also raised about the influence of celebrity promotions and potential “pump and dump” schemes in the crypto space. Representative Bill Foster questioned whether the SEC has adequate authority to address issues where influencers promote investments without disclosing compensation. 

“I’ve heard concerns from industry participants about influencers, bloggers, celebrities, and others that use their celebrity status to promote investments without disclosing that they are, in fact, being paid to do so,” Foster said.

Gensler responded by saying,

“I would say I think the laws are strong. I mean, it’s always gaps in resources and we get, uh, on, on average a year 40 to 50,000 tips, complaints, and referrals. That’s, uh, What, 4, 000 a month or so.

And, uh, we, we have to prioritize those tips and complaints and referrals.”

The divide between the SEC’s current regulatory approach to crypto and the desire for more precise guidelines became evident throughout the hearing. 

While some commissioners believe that statutory definitions from Congress are necessary, others argue that the SEC could utilize its existing authority more effectively to provide clarity for the crypto industry.

The SEC’s written and oral testimony centered on topics like cybersecurity incidents, conflicts of interest in securitization markets, and enhancements to public reporting and data transparency.

However, the agency’s omission of any direct references to cryptocurrencies in its testimony highlights the tension between its priorities and the concerns of lawmakers and industry participants seeking regulatory clarity in the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape.

The call for clear rules of the road and robust consumer protections remains a pressing issue, with stakeholders advocating for a regulatory framework that fosters innovation while safeguarding investor interests.

@ Newshounds News™

Source:   CryptoSlate

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HOW PARAGUAY IS REDEFINING BLOCKCHAIN SOVEREIGNTY WITH LEGALEDGER – NO MORE GAS FEES!

▪️Paraguay launches Blockchain Chamber, promoting sovereign blockchain innovation for government, finance, commerce, civil, and military applications.

▪️Legaledger, built on Hyperledger and Besu, eliminates transaction gas fees for military and legal operations under law 6.822/21.

Paraguay has taken a significant step in the blockchain arena by establishing the Paraguayan Blockchain Chamber, aimed at fostering financial innovation on a sovereign blockchain.

The chamber’s spokesperson and director, Ricardo Prieto, discussed the initiative’s main focus: developing blockchain solutions for both public and private sectors, including government, finance, commerce, civil, and military ecosystems.

The project, named Legaledger, is built on the Hyperledger and Besu platforms, marking it as the world’s first third-generation blockchain network with national sovereignty. It uniquely features an exemption from gas fees for transactions involving military and legal security, in accordance with Paraguayan digital law 6.822/21.

Prieto highlighted Legaledger’s innovative fractal architecture design, which is the first to employ a dual blockchain mechanism (Hyperledger Fabric + Besu) and has the capability for regional and global replication.

“The Blockchain Network has an innovative fractal architecture design, the first with a double blockchain mechanism (Hyperledger Fabric + Besu) and regional and global replication capacity, thus achieving frictionless interoperability between all countries,” the director explained.

This design facilitates seamless interoperability across countries. He referenced a recent report from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) on the risks and uncertainties associated with Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), emphasizing the challenge banks face in conducting due diligence and supervision due to reliance on third-party blockchains. The BIS report suggests operating with sovereign blockchain networks to provide legal security within a country.

In 2021, Paraguay enacted Law No. 6.822/21 concerning trust services for electronic transactions, electronic documents, and transferable electronic documents – referred to as the Second Floor Digital Law.

“With the Law, we began to design Legaledger (powered by Hyperledger Foundation + HSM), the first Blockchain Network with national sovereignty, without gas payments, with legal security and with the ability to be replicated in any country in the world with perfect interoperability. Frictions between all participating countries.”

With this law, Paraguay began designing Legaledger, powered by the Hyperledger Foundation and HSM, creating the first blockchain network with national sovereignty that does not require gas payments, offers legal security, and can replicate in any country with perfect interoperability.

“The idea of creating a third-generation blockchain network arises from the need to offer legal security to procedures and transactions carried out on blockchain, something that is practically impossible in global blockchain networks”.

Another benefit of this initiative is the digitization of governmental, civil, and military judicial procedures, and the tokenization of financial assets and real-world assets (RWA), all with absolute legal security. This effectively eliminates identity theft and fraud risks, such as rug pulls, according to Prieto.

Challenges have since the project’s inception in 2021, particularly in tokenizing real estate assets. Discussions with legal advisors revealed potential fraud risks in the approach, highlighting the distinction between possession and ownership.

The public registry, which involves notaries and others to secure transactions on paper, ensures legal security for property ownership, which is not guaranteed by public blockchain tokens alone.

Legaledger is designed to be fractal and can be implemented across companies, conglomerates, states, and countries, maintaining interoperability for what is called sequencing, publishing procedures, or transactions, including international operations.

“No country in the world has the digital law that Paraguay has (Law 6.822/21), however, in many countries apartments and other physical assets were being tokenized that did not actually connect real rights with the tokens created on public blockchains, as we know this is very easy.

Each country has its Public Property Registry Agency, in which notaries and others participate, to control the operation that is carried out on paper, to provide legal security regarding the ownership of the object in question.”

To perfect tokenization with legal security, a unique digital law is necessary to allow digitalization of rights over tangible and intangible assets on a sovereign Blockchain network. 

The resulting tokens must be managed and safeguarded within the network and can be bought, sold, or transferred digitally to anyone or any institution worldwide with legal certainty and without repudiation.

Ultimately, countries implementing a sovereign blockchain network with legal security will become an international digital jurisdiction, meaning the country will achieve a high level of procedure digitalization and asset tokenization within a legal framework and application scope without repudiation, concluded the spokesperson for the Paraguayan Blockchain Chamber.

@ Newshounds News™

Source:  Crypto News Flash

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GCR - RV BREAKDOWN |  Youtube

@ Newshounds News™

Source: Seeds of Wisdom Team Currency Facts 

  ~~~~~~~~~

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Weaponized Dollar Pushing States to Gold and Sound Money

Weaponized Dollar Pushing States to Gold

Kitco News:  9-24-2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of finance and currency, the sound money movement is gaining ground across the United States. Recent conversations about this movement have been invigorated by an enlightening interview between Jeremy Szafron, Anchor at Kitco News, and J.P. Cortez, the Executive Director of the Sound Money Defense League.

This discussion shed light on key legislative victories and the broader implications of an economic shift that champions sound money as a means to secure financial stability for individuals and businesses alike.

One of the most impressive achievements highlighted in the interview is the removal of sales taxes on gold and silver in an astounding 45 states. This critical legislative victory reflects a growing recognition of the role precious metals can play in a sound monetary system.

By alleviating the tax burden on gold and silver transactions, lawmakers are incentivizing citizen engagement with these assets. This not only acknowledges their historical role as money but also empowers individuals with tools to protect their wealth from inflation and economic uncertainty.

The Sound Money Defense League has been at the forefront of these legislative efforts, advocating for laws that support the use of gold and silver as viable alternatives to fiat currencies. Cortez emphasized that reducing the tax burden on precious metals is essential for fostering a broader acceptance of sound money principles, thereby encouraging individuals to consider gold and silver as part of their financial portfolios.

Amidst growing global economic instability, the interview also touched upon the increasingly common trend of de-dollarization. As countries around the world seek ways to reduce their reliance on the U.S. dollar, there is an evident pivot towards alternative currencies, including gold.

This shift signals a fundamental transformation in the financial landscape, as nations explore the limits of fiat currencies and the potential stability offered by sound money.

Cortez rightly pointed out that gold has traditionally served as a hedge against the volatility of fiat currencies. In a world where inflation, fiscal policy missteps, and geopolitical tensions abound, the stability of gold becomes more appealing as individuals and countries alike search for safer investments. The growing recognition of gold’s relevance—both as a long-term investment and as a mechanism for financial resilience—is something Cortez emphasized throughout his discussion with Szafron.

As our economies become increasingly intertwined with technology and digital currencies, the necessity for a stable and dependable monetary system remains paramount. Gold’s status as a tangible asset, which has endured for thousands of years, provides a unique comfort in uncertain times. Whether individuals are investing to protect their savings or nations are re-evaluating their currency strategies, gold is emerging as a pivotal player in the evolving financial narrative.

Cortez’s insights serve as a reminder of the inherent value in diversifying one’s portfolio to include sound money options, especially amid turmoil in traditional financial markets. His belief that a robust sound money framework can lead to a more prosperous economy aligns with the growing awareness of the benefits that gold and silver can provide over ill-defined fiat currencies.

As Jeremy Szafron and J.P. Cortez discussed in their interview, the sound money movement is not just a niche interest anymore; it has grown into a significant movement with far-reaching implications.

The recent legislative victories regarding the sales tax exemptions for gold and silver reflect a shift towards recognizing the importance of sound money principles in everyday financial practices. With the world increasingly embracing de-dollarization and searching for safer investments, the role of gold as a hedge against fiat currency fluctuations has never been clearer.

As this movement continues to gain momentum in the U.S., it holds the potential to reshape the financial landscape in ways we are only beginning to understand. With organizations like the Sound Money Defense League leading the charge, the future of sound money looks not only promising but necessary for a more stable economic environment.

https://youtu.be/iDQS5dyco_8

https://dinarchronicles.com/2024/09/24/kitco-news-weaponized-dollar-pushing-states-to-gold/

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Wednesday Morning 9-25-24

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

SEC Chair Gary Gensler grilled over crypto regulation, handling of DEBT Box case in heated congressional hearing

▪️Republican Majority Whip Tom Emmer got into a heated exchange with SEC Chair Gary Gensler during Tuesday’s hearing.

▪️Some lawmakers have criticized the SEC’s approach to regulating crypto over the years and say rules are not clear for the industry. Others say the SEC is doing its job by protecting investors.

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler took the heat from both sides of the aisle during a congressional hearing over his handling of regulating the crypto industry.

In an intense exchange during a House Financial Services Committee hearing on Tuesday, where all five SEC commissioners were testifying, Republican Majority Whip Tom Emmer asked the SEC chair about its case involving crypto startup DEBT Box.

A federal judge in Utah criticized the SEC's handling of the case and said the agency acted in bad faith. The agency was ultimately ordered in March to pay sanctions, including attorney's fees and costs. The same judge also criticized what he characterized as the SEC's misleading statements, with the agency admitting it had fallen short of expectations.

"Does the fact that we're talking about this today even slightly embarrass you?" the Minnesota Republican asked.

"The matters in that case were not well handled," Gensler responded.

Some lawmakers have criticized the SEC's approach to regulating crypto over the years and say rules are not clear for the industry. Others, including top Democrat Maxine Waters say the SEC is doing its job by protecting investors and "ensuring our capital markets remain the envy of the world."

Tuesday's hearing also comes as elections are just around the corner where crypto has become a hotly contested issue. 

Crypto firms have so far spent $119 million in 2024, with almost all of the funds going into super political action committees, specifically the Fairshake PAC, according to a report last month from consumer advocacy group Public Citizen.

Emmer, who has been critical of the SEC chair, also asked Gensler about Vice President Kamala Harris' comments over the weekend about crypto. Harris said she would "encourage innovative technologies like AI and digital assets while protecting consumers and investors. We will create a safe business environment with consistent and transparent rules of the road," according to Bloomberg.

"Is this your approach too sir, or do you think she's rebuking you because she doesn't think you've done a good enough job establishing these clear rules over the last three years of her administration?" Emmer asked.

Gensler said laws are in place, but that Congress can change them.

Take me out to the ball game
Democrat Ritchie Torres also peppered Gensler with questions about how the agency defines securities, using a New York Yankees ticket as an example. The crypto-friendly lawmaker asked Gensler if selling a Yankees ticket to him would be a security and later pointed out that the ticket would give him "access to a Yankees game."

Torres' line of questioning comes after the SEC has charged multiple entities with unregistered securities offerings, including Stoner Cats 2 LLC for conducting an unregistered offering of NFTs that brought in $8 million from investors.

"From the standpoint of federal securities laws, is there a legal difference between buying a Yankee ticket that offers you the experience of a Yankee game and buying an NFT that offers you the experience of an animated web series?" Torres asked.

Gensler said it's about how something is offered and sold and if people are "looking to a common enterprise anticipating profits," citing the Howey Test. The test is based on a 1946 U.S. Supreme Court case frequently cited by the SEC, to determine if an asset qualifies as an investment contract and, therefore, a security.

"The expectation or promise that an object could appreciate in value or that an object could be sold at a profit in the secondary market, that expectation or profit could be retrospectively attributed to just about any collectible or any consumer good or any piece of art or any piece of music," Torres said.

Gensler said it's about how something is offered and sold and if people are "looking to a common enterprise anticipating profits," citing the Howey Test. The test is based on a 1946 U.S. Supreme Court case frequently cited by the SEC, to determine if an asset qualifies as an investment contract and, therefore, a security.

"The expectation or promise that an object could appreciate in value or that an object could be sold at a profit in the secondary market, that expectation or profit could be retrospectively attributed to just about any collectible or any consumer good or any piece of art or any piece of music," Torres said.

 @ Newshounds News™

Source:  The Block

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BNY nears crypto custody for ETFs after SEC softens SAB 121 stance

Bank of New York Mellon will not be held to SEC accounting practices for client crypto custody after a review.

The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY) is moving toward providing custody services for its exchange-traded fund (ETF) clients’ Bitcoin and Ether after the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) gave it a pass on observing controversial crypto accounting guidelines.

The SEC’s Office of the Chief Accountant conducted a review earlier this year and concluded that the bank did not need to adhere to the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 121, Bloomberg reported.

SAB 121 requires companies safeguarding client crypto assets to list them as liabilities in their accounting. It has been a thorn in the side of the US crypto industry since its introduction in April 2022.

The SEC loosens its grip
Other financial institutions may receive the same break, the SEC hinted. A spokesman told Bloomberg:

“Certain broker dealers and custody banks have sufficiently demonstrated to SEC staff that their fact patterns are different from those described in SAB 121.”

“As long as their customers receive the same protection for the safeguarding of crypto assets as they do in custody arrangements, their balance sheet treatment is also the same as custody arrangements,” the agency continued.

BNY would need the authorization of other regulators in addition to the SEC before it could begin offering custody services. It told Bloomberg:

“BNY has engaged, and will continue to engage, its banking regulators to offer custody services to crypto ETP clients at scale.” Source: Financial Services GOP

 SAB 121 is a source of endless controversy.  

The inconvenient SAB 121 caught the world unprepared. Coinbase’s Q1 2022 financial report led to false speculation that the company was unsound after it incorporated the new accounting.

In June 2022, politicians joined the fray for the first of many times by writing to SEC Chair Gary Gensler complaining of “regulation disguised as staff guidance.”

The Government Accountability Office examined the guidance at the urging of pro-crypto Senator Cynthia. In October 2023, it determined that SAB 121 was subject to the Congressional Review Act, which requires agency rules to be submitted to Congress with a procedure for disapproval.

A coalition of the Bank Policy Institute, American Bankers Association, Financial Services Forum and Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association sent a letter to Gensler in February asking that traditional assets recorded on blockchain be exempted from the requirements of SAB 121.

Despite the pressure, the SEC held tight to the guidance, and legislation was passed to overturn the guidance in May. US President Joe Biden vetoed the legislation the following month.

@ Newshounds News™

Source:  CoinTelegraph

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Gensler grilled as most ‘destructive’ SEC chair during congressional hearing

SEC Chair Gary Gensler faced criticism from lawmakers and agency members during a House Financial Services Committee hearing over his handling of crypto regulation in the United States.

United States Congressman Tom Emmer slammed SEC Chair Gary Gensler during a congressional hearing, calling him the most “destructive” and “lawless” Chair in the regulator’s 90-year history.

“You’ve made up the term crypto asset security. This term is nowhere to be found in statute, you made it up [and] you never provided any interpretive guidance on how crypto asset security might be defined within the walls of your SEC,” Emmer told Gensler before a House Financial Services Committee hearing on Sept. 24.

Emmer said the term had served as the entire basis for Gensler’s “enforcement crusade” against the crypto industry for the last three years. This was up until last week when SEC lawyers retracted the term in a court footnote.

“Your inconsistencies on this issue have set this country back. We could not have had a more historically destructive or lawless chairman of the SEC.”

Emmer also grilled Gensler over his agencies’ handling of the Debt Box case — a case where the SEC sued a crypto startup for an alleged $50 million fraud scheme. The case against Debt Box was dismissed on May 28, and the SEC was ordered to pay $1.8 million in fees.

Emmer said the SEC attorneys crafted a series of lies in the Debt Box case to “effectuate the commands” of Gensler’s “anti-crypto rhetoric” and regulation-by-enforcement agenda.

“The matters in that case were not well handled,” Gensler said in response to Emmer’s questioning.

SEC ‘should have admitted long ago’ that crypto tokens aren’t securities: Peirce

Gensler also faced heat from within his own ranks, with SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce saying the SEC’s move to retract the term crypto asset security in court last week should have happened “a long time ago.”

“[By] tucking into a footnote, we admit that now actually the token itself is not a security. That's something that we should have admitted long ago,” the pro-crypto SEC commissioner explained.

“We’ve fallen on our duty as a regulator not to be precise,” Peirce said.

When asked whether crypto tokens need a statutory definition to ascertain how they apply to securities laws, Peirce responded: “It’s always helpful to have Congress weigh in, but there certainly are some guidelines we could provide in this area that we have chosen not to provide.”

“But a statutory definition would help well I always welcome the input of Congress.”

Gensler confirms SAB 121 rule will stay in place

Despite calls from 42 US politicians to rescind the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121 rule, Gensler said it will remain in effect.

“No, it’s a good accounting bulletin,” Gensler said in response to a question from House Rep. Wiley Nickel about whether the SEC would rescind the rule.

The SAB 121 rule mandates SEC-reporting entities that custody crypto to record those holdings as liabilities on their balance sheets. A SAB 121 repeal bill received bipartisan support in Congress before being vetoed by President Joe Biden in June.

Gensler claims it will help public companies understand the risks associated with holding crypto, pointing to FTX, Terraform Labs and other crypto bankruptcies.

Nickel didn’t bite, claiming that SAB 121 actually makes the digital asset ecosystem “less safe.”

Nickel recently claimed that SAB 121 would prevent US banks from custodying crypto exchange-traded products at scale, creating a “concentration risk” by handing more control over to non-bank entities.

With the rule now in place, Nickel slammed the SEC’s Office of the Chief Accountant for recently exempting Bank of New York Mellon from the balance sheet reporting requirement — arguing that it will lead to “different rules for different folks.”

But Gensler disagreed: “It’s actually the same rules for different folks.”

@ Newshounds News™

Source:  CoinTelegraph

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AHEAD OF TODAY’S CONGRESSIONAL HEARING ON SEC OVERSIGHT, REPUBLICANS URGED GENSLER TO REPEAL  |  Youtube

@ Newshounds News™

Source: Seeds of Wisdom Team Currency Facts 

  ~~~~~~~~~

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Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Tuesday Evening 9-24-24

Good Evening Dinar Recaps,

PRO-CRYPTO SENATE CANDIDATE JOHN DEATON SET TO DEBATE ELIZABETH WARREN IN OCTOBER

▪️John Deaton, a pro-crypto lawyer and Senate candidate, will debate Senator Elizabeth Warren on October 15.

▪️The debate will address key issues, though it remains unclear if cryptocurrency will be a topic of discussion.

▪️Deaton already criticized Sen. Warren for shifting from holding bankers accountable to supporting their interests.

Pro-crypto lawyer John Deaton, the Republican nominee for the Massachusetts Senate, confirmed his participation in a debate with Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren on October 15.

This marks the first debate between the two, providing a platform to discuss issues affecting voters.

Deaton Accuses Senator Warren of Big Bank Favoritism
In a post on social media platform X (Twitter), Deaton criticized the Democratic Senator for her shift from holding bankers accountable to supporting their interests. He noted that despite her earlier calls for prison sentences for bankers involved in the 2008 financial crisis, she later backed bank bailouts.

Deaton labeled Warren the country’s top lobbyist for big banks, urging voters to focus on politicians’ actions rather than words. He suggested Warren’s actions contradicted her previous promises.

“[Warren] decried how banking executives deserved prison time for causing the Great Financial Crisis – yet she supported the bailouts. Twelve years ago she promised she would go to Washington to hold those bankers accountable. A decade later, those same bankers write her bills,” Deaton stated.

Notably, Deaton has challenged Warren to five single-issue debates. He proposed topics such as immigration, the economy, income inequality, women’s reproductive rights, and foreign policy. Although Warren’s campaign confirmed two October debates, it’s unclear if cryptocurrency will be discussed.

Deaton’s Senate run stems from Warren’s consistent opposition to cryptocurrencies. Over the years, she has become a prominent figure in the Senate’s anti-crypto stance, even advocating for the formation of an “anti-crypto army” to limit the industry’s influence.

Deaton, a vocal supporter of Ripple and other crypto firms facing legal battles with the SEC, has gained backing from key figures in the crypto industry. His supporters include Gemini co-founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, as well as the Commonwealth Unity Fund PAC.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  BienCrypto

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IOTA Ecosystem Spotlight: The Community Behind Blockchain Innovation

▪️The IOTA ecosystem thrives due to its dynamic community and innovative developer contributions, pushing the boundaries of blockchain technology with groundbreaking projects.

▪️IOTA’s Tangle network relies on nodes and validators for security and stability, while the community extends beyond technology to make significant social impacts.

The IOTA ecosystem has enjoyed major success due to the contributions of the vibrant and dynamic participants. Furthermore, IOTA’s innovative developer community has been driving IOTA’s future by pushing the boundaries of new developments in blockchain technology.

IOTA’s developer community has been working on a few groundbreaking projects shaping the next generation of IOTA tech while boosting the network’s position as a leader in the blockchain space.

▪️IOTA Community Spotlights and Projects @iota

▪️The Power Behind A Successful Blockchain: A Thriving Community.

▪️The secret sauce to every successful blockchain is its vibrant community.

🧵 Let’s dive into IOTA’s dynamic world and the game-changers making waves in the ecosystem. pic.twitter.com/8KbAu7ubBh

▪️— Whiz DeFi (@WhizDefi) September 19, 2024

Another key component of the IOTA ecosystem is its community-driven events, such as meetups and hackathons, that thrive upon new innovations and ideas. 

These gatherings provide a platform for education and collaboration while empowering participants to build new connections and share knowledge.  Besides, they also play a critical role in nurturing the IOTA community while offering opportunities to newcomers and seasoned developers to contribute to the ecosystem’s growth.

As reported by Crypto News Flash, the Tangle community Treasury has introduced “mini-grants” for events to help IOTA-related projects by providing funding for networking and outreach activities.

IOTA Nodes and Validators And Overall Social Impact
As we know, nodes and validators form the backbone of IOTA Tangle while playing a crucial role in ensuring the network’s security, decentralization, and stability.

These nodes and validators are basically individuals and organizations that maintain the integrity of Tangle while keeping the network secure and operational, per the CNF report.

Beyond its technological advancements, IOTA’s community is also making a significant social impact. Many members leverage the platform for philanthropy, sustainability, and other social good initiatives, showcasing the potential of blockchain to drive meaningful change.

By integrating technology with purpose, IOTA is proving that blockchain can be a force for positive societal transformation.

Furthermore, IOTA has been making strong inroads in the European Union and working along with the European Commission for several blockchain-based solutions under the European Blockchain Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) program, per the CNF report.

The European Blockchain Sandbox initiative, supported by the European Commission, aims to oversee the development of a pan-European framework for regulatory discussions, as recently detailed by CNF. IOTA’s selected solution is an advanced user authentication system designed to address the challenge of secure and reliable identity verification within the Web3 ecosystem.

@ Newshounds News™

Source:  Crypto News Flash

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DOJ FILES ANTITRUST LAWSUIT AGAINST VISA

Visa accused of monopolistic practices, allegedly stifling competition and raising costs for consumers and merchants.

Key Takeaways
▪️Visa controls over 60% of U.S. debit transactions, with the DOJ accusing it of using its dominance to stifle competition and raise fees.

▪️The DOJ accuses Visa of using restrictive agreements to maintain market  dominance.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Visa, alleging that Visa has unlawfully monopolized the debit network market. Visa is accused of using its dominance to suppress competition, inflate fees, and thwart innovation.

“Visa has unlawfully amassed the power to extract fees far beyond what it could charge in a competitive market,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.

According to the DOJ, Visa, which processes over 60% of debit transactions in the US, has engaged in exclusionary practices that prevent smaller competitors and innovative financial technologies from gaining traction in the debit market.

The DOJ’s lawsuit highlights Visa’s stronghold over the debit market, where it charges $7 billion annually in fees for processing transactions. Visa allegedly leverages its scale and central role in the debit ecosystem to impose restrictive agreements on merchants and banks, penalizing those who use competing debit networks and locking out competition.

“Anticompetitive conduct by corporations like Visa leaves the American people and our entire economy worse off,” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer.

Visa has allegedly maintained its monopoly by targeting both smaller debit networks and potential technology entrants. The DOJ claims Visa discouraged competition by coercing banks and merchants into agreements committing large transaction volumes to Visa.

The lawsuit also points to Visa’s strategy of “cooperating” with would-be competitors, particularly in the tech industry, to prevent them from offering disruptive alternatives.

The DOJ claims Visa saw tech companies and fintech startups as an “existential threat” and neutralized them by paying them to partner with Visa instead of competing.

“Visa fears competition and innovation, and instead chooses unlawful cooperation and monopolization,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Doha Mekki of the DOJ’s Antitrust Division.

The lawsuit against Visa is the latest in a series of antitrust enforcement actions taken by the DOJ to protect competitive markets. In 2020, the DOJ successfully blocked Visa from acquiring Plaid, a fintech company that was developing innovative debit payment technologies.

@ Newshounds News™

Source:   Crypto Briefing  

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JUST IN: HEZBOLLAH ASKS IRAN TO ATTACK ISRAEL.   BRICS Post Link

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Source:  BRICS

~~~~~~~~~

UNDERSTANDING ANTI MONEY LAUNDERING RISK AML  | Youtube

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Source: Seeds of Wisdom Team Currency Facts 

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Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Tuesday Afternoon 9-24-24

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BRICS NEWS:

BLOCKCHAIN-BASED BRICS’ INTRA-BANK PAYMENT SYSTEM ABOUT TO BE LAUNCHED

Imagine a world where the financial dominance of the U.S. dollar is challenged not by a single nation, but by a coalition of emerging economies. This is the potential future with the launch of a blockchain-based BRICS payment system — a move that could reshape global trade, financial markets, and even geopolitics.

 But what would this system look like? And what are the broader implications for both BRICS nations and the rest of the world?

The Vision of a BRICS Payment System
The BRICS nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — represent nearly 41% of the global population and around 25% of the global GDP. 

Their growing economic influence has made them seek alternatives to the U.S.-led financial order, which is deeply tied to the dominance of the U.S. dollar.

The idea behind a BRICS payment system is to reduce reliance on the dollar in global trade and financial transactions. Traditionally, the U.S. dollar has been the cornerstone of international trade, but this dependence comes with risks, including vulnerability to economic sanctions and exchange rate fluctuations. 

A blockchain-based payment system offers an alternative — one that is decentralized, secure, and potentially more efficient.

Why Blockchain?
Blockchain technology is the backbone of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, but its potential goes far beyond digital currencies. 

At its core, blockchain offers decentralization, transparency, and security. Transactions are recorded on a distributed ledger that is virtually tamper-proof, reducing the need for intermediaries like banks and lowering transaction costs.

For BRICS, adopting a blockchain-based payment system could revolutionize how they trade, offering several advantages over the current SWIFT system, which is heavily controlled by Western financial institutions.

In addition to being a tool for bypassing sanctions (especially relevant for countries like Russia), blockchain would allow BRICS nations to settle transactions quickly and securely, minimizing the dependency on U.S. financial institutions.

The End of Dollar Dominance?
One of the most profound impacts of a BRICS blockchain-based payment system would be its challenge to the dominance of the U.S. dollar. Today, the dollar serves as the world’s reserve currency, meaning that countries use it as the primary medium for international trade and hold it in reserves. This dominance allows the U.S. to wield enormous influence over global finance.

However, the emergence of an alternative global payment system — especially one that includes major economies like China and India — could weaken this grip. BRICS countries would be able to trade among themselves in their own currencies or via a new BRICS cryptocurrency, reducing their exposure to dollar volatility and circumventing the need for dollar reserves.

While dethroning the dollar won’t happen overnight, a successful BRICS payment system would certainly pave the way for a multipolar currency system, with the dollar, euro, yuan, and a BRICS token all vying for dominance.

This shift could result in reduced demand for the dollar, leading to currency depreciation and potentially higher interest rates in the U.S. as the country faces difficulties financing its deficits.

The Geopolitical Stakes
A BRICS payment system wouldn’t just alter the financial landscape — it would also have significant geopolitical implications. For years, the U.S. and its allies have used the global financial system, particularly access to SWIFT, as a tool for enforcing economic sanctions. 

Countries like Russia and Iran have been cut off from the global financial system for political reasons, which has led to economic hardship and increased tension.

With a blockchain-based payment system, BRICS nations would be far less vulnerable to these types of financial measures. They could trade freely without fear of being shut out of the global banking system, thus diminishing the effectiveness of Western sanctions.

This could embolden BRICS members to pursue more aggressive foreign policies, knowing that their financial systems are insulated from Western pressure.

Challenges to Launching the BRICS Payment System
Of course, launching a blockchain-based BRICS payment system is easier said than done. One of the biggest challenges will be technological infrastructure.

While blockchain is a proven technology, creating a scalable, secure, and interoperable system that can handle the transaction volume of global trade is no small feat.

Interoperability is particularly important. The system would need to work seamlessly with existing payment systems, such as SWIFT and other national systems, to ensure that it is widely adopted. Moreover, there are significant regulatory challenges. Each BRICS country has its own financial regulations, and aligning these to support a unified payment system would require extensive collaboration.

Another challenge is trust and governance. Who would control this new system? While blockchain is decentralized by nature, the question of governance still looms large. Would China, as the largest economy in BRICS, dominate the system? How would decisions be made? These are issues that the BRICS nations would need to resolve before a launch.

Economic Benefits for BRICS Members
Despite these challenges, the potential benefits for BRICS members are immense. A successful payment system would strengthen economic ties between these nations, allowing them to trade more freely and efficiently. This could lead to reduced transaction costs, increased investment, and faster economic growth.

Moreover, a BRICS payment system would give these countries greater control over their monetary policies. Currently, many emerging economies face difficulties when the dollar strengthens, as their debts become more expensive to service. By moving away from the dollar, BRICS nations could reduce their exposure to currency fluctuations and gain more control over their economic destinies.

Impacts on the Global Economy
For the rest of the world, the launch of a BRICS payment system would represent a significant shift in the global financial order. 

Emerging markets that have close ties with BRICS nations, such as those in Africa and Latin America, could benefit from easier access to trade and investment. However, developed nations, particularly the U.S., might see their economic influence wane.

In the short term, we could see increased volatility in global currency markets as countries adjust to the new system. The U.S. dollar may lose some of its luster as a safe-haven currency, while currencies like the yuan could gain prominence. This could lead to higher borrowing costs for the U.S. government and businesses as global demand for dollars decreases.

A Game-Changer in Global Finance?
The launch of a blockchain-based BRICS payment system could be one of the most significant developments in global finance in recent history.

By reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar and bypassing traditional financial systems, BRICS nations could gain more control over their economic futures and reshape the global financial landscape.

 While challenges remain, the potential for a more decentralized, multipolar world economy is becoming increasingly likely. 

Whether this will lead to greater stability or new geopolitical tensions remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the future of global finance is changing, and BRICS is leading the charge.

@ Newshounds News™

Source:  Medium

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JUST IN: 🇹🇷🇮🇱 Turkish President Erdogan says "just as Hitler was stopped 70 years ago, Netanyahu and his murderous netBricwork must be stopped by an alliance of humanity."

BRICS Post Link

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Source:  BRICS

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JUST IN: 🇧🇾 Belarus President Lukashenko orders military generals to "prepare for war."

BRICS Post Link

@ Newshounds News™

Source:   BRICS

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HOW DEMOCRATS HAVE SHIFTED ON CRYPTO

While Democrats are yet to outline much crypto policy, the Democratic National Convention showed a significant change in tone, say Justin Slaughter and Sheila Warren.

There’s nothing quite like a political convention. The pageantry of patriotic songs and speeches. The cavalcade of speeches by party leaders. And, of course, the thousands of balloons dropping like snow on the newly nominated presidential candidate.

Yet, for crypto, August’s Democratic National Convention was an especially auspicious one. Despite the open hostility of parts of the Biden Administration, crypto was for the first time a welcomed participant. It makes sense: crypto owners now comprise about 20 percent of all registered Democratic voters, according to a Paradigm poll of Democratic voters a few days before the convention.

There is severe electoral risk if some of these Democrats deflect to the Republican ticket in a race that could be won in the margins.

Considering that the Republicans have openly and aggressively courted crypto, crypto’s coming out at the DNC signaled that the industry was, finally, beginning to have a truly bipartisan hue. Those on the ground in Chicago got to see this blossoming of Democratic interest first hand.

While most of the crypto-focused conversations were offstage, there was a hint of crypto’s growing importance in the main convention hall too. Young pro-crypto members of Congress and candidates for Congress like Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D.-TX) and congressional candidate Shomari Figures of Alabama both received significant speaking slots.

 Some crypto companies also hosted policymakers for discussions off the convention floor, as other companies and organizations have done for decades. Vice President Harris herself stressed the importance of building an “Opportunity Economy” in her keynote, with a special grace note praising the role of Founders in making America prosperous.

This was just the proverbial tip of the political iceberg, though. It’s easy to forget when you’re watching convention programming during primetime, but political conventions are much more than a few hours of short speeches and slick videos. Conventions are, at base, about letting members of a political party agglomerate in one physical space every few years, both for socialization and for strategizing.

As part of this communal process, the week was filled with panels, meetings, and even press interviews, all of which are designed to help the party build consensus on its policy views, goals, and even beliefs. These are the interstitial material that truly comprises our decentralized political parties. And it’s here that crypto really got to make its voice heard.

Over the week, there were panels on the basics of how crypto works and how Democrats can work to rectify the party’s strained relationship with crypto.

There were discussions about the importance of maintaining the hegemony of the dollar and the role of stablecoins. And there were frequent coffee and water cooler discussions with dozens of policymakers about how they can appeal to crypto owners.

During chats that week with a host of different policymakers and opinion leaders, we were most struck not by the statements of crypto supportive policymakers, but the skeptics. 

Even some ardent crypto skeptics said the current enforcement-only approach at the SEC wasn’t working, and that there was a need for legislation. As two people who have been calling for reasonable legislation for years, this was music to our ears.

The other part that was especially notable was just how normal it was. Policymakers were curious about crypto, both how it worked and its involvement in this year’s elections.

But this curiosity was not hedged with the upturned nose that accompanied some discussions about crypto in DC even last year. Instead, we were seen as just another young and novel industry, one that policymakers were trying to grok.

The Harris campaign underscored this banal normality when it made news of its “support” for crypto’s growth in a press interview with the campaign’s policy director, Brian Nelson. Despite some anxiety about Nelson’s view of crypto given his recent role as Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Nelson announced on the third day of the DNC that a Harris Administration would “support” the growth of crypto in America. 

The statement was remarkable given how much a political war has been waged on crypto, and unremarkable for how basic it was. Why wouldn’t an American president want an industry to stay headquartered in America?

The Harris campaign has since released its platform, which has emphasis on entrepreneurs, small businesses, and American innovators. While crypto and other technologies are not mentioned by name, the rhetoric and tone used in the platform differs significantly from that of the Biden administration.

Since the DNC, both of us have continued to meet with policymakers and candidates from across the political spectrum, and what is remarkable is how similar most conversations are, whether with Democrats or Republicans down the ballot.

Policymakers are tired of (and in some cases, shocked by) the SEC’s approach under Chair Gensler. They want to preseerve and promote American national security and economic interests. And, by and large, they are deeply concerned about inadvertently ceding technological advantages to other jurisdictions, as happened with semiconductors.

More than anything else, an overarching feeling of simple acceptance for crypto pervaded Chicago. There are still many miles to go for the Democrats to actually find workable solutions for how they want to regulate crypto, but the first step to building something is to commit to doing it.

We were pleased to see Vice President Harris acknowledge recently that digital assets technologies need to be encouraged; while we may not have a schematic for how Democrats will execute a reset with crypto, both the DNC and recent Crypto4Harris event showed that Democrats across the ticket no longer question as a default whether crypto has a right to exist. That’s progress worth celebrating with a balloon drop.

@ Newshounds News™

Source:  CoinDesk

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XRP NEWS: RIPPLE’S 1,700 BANK DEALS COULD SEND PRICES SOARING – HERE’S WHY!

XRP is pivotal as bulls fiercely defend the critical $0.5785 support, setting the stage for a potential breakout. With the price consolidating and eyeing key resistance levels at $0.5920 and $0.600, the question is: will bulls take over and drive XRP higher, or is another decline looming? This battle for control could define XRP’s next big move, with significant upside potential if key levels are breached.

Analyst Take on XRP Price
Crypto analyst known as CryptoTank shared a detailed thread on the essential factors that will push XRP’s price in the future, focusing on its utility for settling large-scale transactions between financial institutions.

According to CryptoTank, to understand XRP’s price, it’s critical to distinguish between market capitalization and utility. The value of utility assets like XRP is calculated by the value and volume transacted on the ledger, divided by the circulating supply. This differs from conventional market cap metrics and means that XRP’s price is inherently linked to its usage by institutions, not by retail investors.

Deep Liquidity Is Key for Banks
CryptoTank highlights that banks using XRP for settlements must have deep liquidity. Institutions such as Bank of America, SBI, JP Morgan, and Swift settle a staggering $25–30 trillion daily. 

Even if only 10% of these transactions are conducted using XRP, that’s about $3 trillion on the ledger, requiring an even larger liquidity pool—likely double the transaction amount—to avoid potential failures.

The need for such deep liquidity stems from banks’ inability to afford transaction failures. A failed transaction can lead to costly delays and complications. 

Therefore, liquidity pools must be robust enough to ensure smooth settlements, and this demand will be crucial in driving XRP’s utility and, consequently, its price.

Ripple’s Expanding Network
Ripple’s influence isn’t just limited to a few banks; the company has over 1,700 undisclosed agreements (NDAs), potentially amplifying XRP’s demand and liquidity needs.

CryptoTank emphasizes that the numbers given are just examples of a few key players, and when the full scope of these institutions is considered, the liquidity requirements—and hence XRP’s value—could be even more massive.

One of the major standout points is that retail investors have little to no influence on XRP’s price. The price won’t rise based on retail buying pressure because retail activity pales compared to the daily settlement needs of massive institutions.

Likewise, chart analysis, which many traders rely on, is ineffective for predicting XRP’s price movements because it cannot account for the utility and liquidity requirements that will ultimately determine the token’s value.

@ Newshounds News™

Source:  Coinpedia

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RIPPLE VS SEC: JOHN DEATON BRINGS SEC MISCONDUCT TO LIGHT – XRP NEWS

▪️Pro-crypto attorney John Deaton has slammed the US SEC over the Ripple lawsuit.

▪️Deaton demanded damages for the XRP community and called for mass layoffs.

Pro-crypto attorney John Deaton has shed more light on the recently concluded case between the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Ripple Labs Inc. According to the latest development, Deaton has accused SEC lawyers of intentional misconduct.

John Deaton Accuses SEC of Misconduct
In a recent YouTube interview, Deaton said the SEC exhibited serious misconduct by claiming that XRP is a security. This take comes as the US SEC recently apologized for the confusion caused by using the term “crypto asset securities.”

However, Deaton says the Ripple vs SEC case wasted money, capital, and energy. He said XRP immediately lost $15 billion, and people were liquidated when the markets regulator initiated the lawsuit.

“You shouldn’t be liquidated because of government overreach because the government and these unelected bureaucrats are doing what they are doing,” says Deaton.

According to him, Ripple spent over $100 million on defense. Deaton stated that he and XRP community members demanded that the SEC remove the “XRP is a security” language to resolve the case. He claims the SEC refused and even attacked him.

As a result, he said the SEC’s apology cannot be accepted and claims the lawsuit was intentional misconduct by its lawyers.

“People should be fired, they should lose their jobs if they were in the decision-making process,” Deaton stated.

He added that Ripple and the XRP community deserve compensation for the extensive litigation and expense over the SEC misconduct. Before the interview, Deaton wrote in an X post that the SEC’s crypto overreach has cost retail investors $15 billion. Deaton’s comments resonated with many XRP investors, even beyond the community, fueling ongoing discussions.

Is an Appeal Imminent?
His comments come as discussion grows over whether the SEC will appeal the Ripple decision. As mentioned in our earlier post, former SEC attorneys Marc Fagel and James Farrell are confident that the SEC will file an appeal. Attorney Fred Rispoli added that the SEC is still undecided and may wait until the last minute to make an appeal announcement.

However, Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty confirmed that Ripple does not intend to appeal. He said Ripple had obtained a stay order on a $125 million penalty pending further proceedings.

Meanwhile, investor caution and market volatility could continue to impact XRP negatively if the case drags on. At press time, XRP is trading at $0.5883, down by 0.71% in the past 24 hours. The 24-hour trading volume decreased by 15.5% to $938 million, indicating reduced investor interest.

Despite current challenges, analysts predict a positive breakthrough for XRP as Ripple prepares for the Ripple Swell 2024 event. Another development that could push XRP higher is Ripple’s participation in Project Agora. As CNF noted earlier, this project, led by the Bank of International Settlements (BIS), will help boost Ripple’s global influence.

@ Newshounds News™

Source:  Crypto News Flash

~~~~~~~~~

SEC CHAIR GARY GENSLER ADDRESSES CONGRESS ON CRYPTOCURRENCY REGULATION

▪️Gary Gensler will testify before Congress regarding SEC's cryptocurrency policies.

▪️His leadership faces scrutiny from both parties amid upcoming elections.

▪️The SEC's stance on crypto continues to draw significant criticism.

On Thursday at 18:40, Gary Gensler, the Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), will testify before Congress. The cryptocurrency market is focused on Gensler’s upcoming statements and his aggressive stance on altcoins, as the SEC faces increasing scrutiny.

Gensler to Speak Before Committees
On September 24 and 25, Gensler will appear before the Financial Services Committee and the U.S. Senate Banking Committee. His leadership has been under intense review from both partisan and political perspectives, making his statements highly anticipated. Republican committee members have criticized the SEC’s negative stance on cryptocurrencies for years, which has highlighted the Democrats’ anti-crypto position.

As the upcoming presidential elections approach, it is expected that lawmakers will press Gensler on cryptocurrency regulations and the handling of fraud cases such as FTX and Terra. Meanwhile, Coinbase‘s legal counsel received significant backlash for criticizing the SEC’s claims about “crypto asset securities.”

Gensler’s Supporters Decline
Ron Hammond, Director of Government Relations at the Blockchain Association, states that Gensler will face tough questions from both parties. Hammond noted that this session will differ from previous ones.

“Gensler has fewer allies this time; many are dissatisfied with the agency’s recent crypto approach.” – Ron Hammond

This marks the first time Gensler will testify alongside other SEC Commissioners, adding to the significance of the sessions. 

While Democratic leaders are expected to defend their policies, Republicans may question the agency’s direction, potentially aiding their electoral efforts by appealing to cryptocurrency investors.

Under Gensler’s leadership, the SEC continues to face heavy criticism from the crypto community and lawmakers. Recent examples include sharp critiques from House Majority Leader Tom Emmer and Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry regarding the SEC’s classification of crypto airdrops as securities.

The timing of Gensler’s testimony adds fuel to the debate, as he has faced frequent criticism from courts and Congress over the SEC’s aggressive enforcement tactics. Additionally, former President Donald Trump has stated that he would remove Gensler if he wins the upcoming elections.

Gensler’s testimony in Congress could hold critical importance for cryptocurrency regulations and the SEC’s future policies. Market participants and investors are closely monitoring the outcomes of these sessions.

@ Newshounds News™

Source:  Coin-Turk

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TALIBAN INVITE TO BRIC? WHAT?  |  Youtube

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Source: Seeds of Wisdom Team Currency Facts   

~~~~~~~~~

Jim Rickards: This is MONUMENTAL! Nobody is PREPARED for What's Coming  |  Youtube

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Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Monday Evening 9-23-24

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TURKEY TENDS TO VIEW BRICS AS A POLITICAL TRUMP CARD AGAINST THE WEST — EXPERT

Turkish economist Bartu Soral noted that when looking at "the global distribution of power, it is clear that huge changes have occurred since the early 2000s"

ANKARA, September 23. /TASS/. Turkey's interest in BRICS has economic considerations, but purely political motives are also strong, Bartu Soral, one of the country’s leading economists, said in an interview with TASS.

"The decline of the West's dominance in the international system brings BRICS to a leading position in production and export. In this context, Turkey values its relations with the Turkic countries and with Russia, which is active in the region. There are many points of contact here.

Nevertheless, I think that the interest in BRICS declared by the Turkish government is an attempt to gain a trump card against the West and has political motives," he believes.

The expert noted that when looking at "the global distribution of power, it is clear that huge changes have occurred since the early 2000s. The G7 countries used to dominate, while today, for example, the EU and Japan have lost power."

"On the contrary, the BRICS countries are leaders in global exports and production. China has acquired significant production and technological power, including thanks to its excellent education system. Russia is strong in the defense industry. Brazil ranks second in the world in food exports. The Anglo-Saxons, who dominated in the 1990s, are losing ground," Soral noted.

Touching upon Turkey's political motives, the economist noted that BRICS is an economic association that needs to be approached in this spirit.

"We need a national program, a roadmap for interaction with BRICS, a production program in various industries in the context of the BRICS economy. Personally, I do not see such plans from the government and I think that Turkey's application does not have a serious economic basis," the economist believes.

Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that Ankara was assessing its participation in BRICS from the point of view of economic cooperation opportunities, but said that "the association itself is currently searching for an identity, options for institutionalization" and therefore it is difficult to say to what point the republic's interaction with BRICS may reach.

 Nevertheless, Fidan noted that "if Turkey's integration with the EU had ended with full membership in the union, then perhaps Turkey would not be looking for other options on many issues.".

@ Newshounds News™

Source:  TASS

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QATAR LAUNCHES DIGITAL ASSETS LAB

Last week the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) unveiled the first participants in its Digital Assets Lab, “powered” by the Qatar Central Bank. The QFC avoided using the term sandbox, although the Lab’s aims sound similar, but broader. 

The goal is to encourage innovation and development in the distributed ledger technology (DLT) space. Plus, it provides regulatory support and is one of the pathways for landing a license to operate in Qatar.

It follows the recent launch of Qatar’s Digital Asset Regulations at the start of the month.

The creation of the Lab involved partnering with Google Cloud, local bank Masraf Al Rayan, The Hashgraph Association (THA) and enterprise blockchan firm R3.

“As the base product for the QFC ecosystem, R3’s Corda will power tokenization projects across Qatar’s financial industry, supporting the issuance, transfer, and redemption of digital assets,” said R3’s CEO David E Rutter.

However, some applications are likely to be deploy on the public Hedera DLT. In May the affiliated Hashgraph Association (THA) announced a $50 million Digital Assets Venture Studio in Qatar which is part of the Lab.

THA is planning to work in five areas:

▪️Equity Tokenization
▪️Sukuk (Islamic Bonds) Tokenization
▪️Real Estate Tokeniszation
▪️Sustainability/ESG – Carbon Credits
▪️Consumer engagement and loyalty programs

The Middle East is becoming a hotbed for tokenization, with multiple regulatory enclaves within the UAE alone, never mind Saudi, Qatar and elsewhere. Qatar’s banking sector is already internationally diversified, with around 30% of deposits from foreigners.

The Qatar Central Bank, which is involved in the Digital Assets Lab, completed its central bank digital currency infrastructure in June.

Digital Assets Lab participants
The Digital Assets Lab isn’t purely for new startups. We’ve regularly covered several of the participants, including Partior, Polygon, Settlemint, Taurus and Citi-backed xalts.

The full list of initial participants are: AISCIA, ALT DRX, arca-x, AssetShare, Audtye, Blade Labs, BlockStead, DMZ, evergon, Finrock, Falcon Nest Labs, itoo technologies, mintus, oori, Partior, Polygon, PropTech, ScieNFT, SettleMint, SidraChain, Skargard, Taurus, xalts, and Verity.

@ Newshounds News™

Source:  Ledger Insights

~~~~~~~~~

Telegram may hand over user data of rule violators to authorities

The Telegram team has removed all problematic content from there in recent weeks, Pavel Durov said, without giving any details

MOSCOW, September 23. /TASS/. Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov said that the messenger can disclose user IP addresses and phone numbers in response to legitimate requests from the relevant authorities. He clarified that this measure concerns violators of Telegram rules and is being introduced to deter criminals from abusing the messenger's internal search function.

"We have clarified that the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate our rules can be disclosed to the relevant authorities in response to justified legal requests," Durov said, specifying that Telegram has updated its terms of service and privacy policy, bringing them to uniformity worldwide.

As Durov explained, some users were abusing Telegram’s search function to sell illegal goods. The Telegram team has removed all problematic content from there in recent weeks, he said, without giving any details.

"Over the past few weeks, a special team of moderators has used artificial intelligence to make the Telegram search much safer. All problematic content that we identified in search is no longer available," Durov said. He also called on users to report illegal content.

@ Newshounds News™

Source: TASS

  ~~~~~~~~~

Who Are These Mysterious People? Discover The Power Of Discernment  |  Youtube

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Thoughts From DJ “Gold” 9-23-2024

DJ: DID YOU KNOW?

The statutory value of gold refers to the price or value of gold as established or fixed by law or government regulation, rather than being determined by market forces like supply and demand.

 Historically, statutory values of gold were set by governments to define the exchange rate of gold with their national currency, often in the context of the gold standard, where currencies were pegged to a specific amount of gold.

This fixed legal value contrasts with the market value of gold, which fluctuates based on trading in the global gold markets. Today, most countries no longer have a statutory value for gold since currencies are not tied to gold, but the concept remains relevant in legal contexts, such as central banks’ gold reserves and specific fiscal policies.

In the context of the U.S. gold reserves, the statutory value of gold is a fixed price set by law, which is significantly lower than the current market value of gold. The U.S. Treasury still maintains this statutory value for accounting purposes, despite the fact that the U.S. dollar is no longer backed by gold (since the U.S. abandoned the gold standard in 1971).

Application to U.S. Gold Reserves:

• Statutory Value: The official statutory price of gold in the U.S. is set at $42.22 per troy ounce under the Gold Reserve Act of 1934. This price is used by the U.S. Treasury for accounting and reporting purposes when valuing the gold held in the U.S. Treasury’s reserves. This figure has remained unchanged since 1973, even though the market price of gold has risen significantly.

• U.S. Gold Reserves: The U.S. holds a substantial amount of gold (over 8,100 metric tons) in its reserves, primarily stored in locations like Fort Knox and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The value of this gold is reported using the statutory price of $42.22 per ounce, which leads to an official accounting value of U.S. gold reserves that is far below its actual market worth.

• Difference from Market Value: The market price of gold is determined by global trading on commodities exchanges and typically fluctuates based on supply and demand. As of 2024, the market price of gold is around $2,500 to $2,600 per ounce, much higher than the statutory price. This means that while the gold reserves are valued at billions of dollars under the statutory rate, their true market value is in the hundreds of billions of dollars.

• Purpose: The statutory value is a historical relic from when the U.S. dollar was backed by gold, and it now serves primarily for internal accounting within the U.S. Treasury. It simplifies the bookkeeping of the government’s gold holdings but does not reflect the actual economic value of those reserves. While the statutory value of U.S. gold reserves is used for government reporting, it vastly underestimates their real market value.

Title of U.S. Gold Reserves:

• The title to the gold in U.S. reserves is held by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, specifically under the legal jurisdiction of the U.S. government. This gold is primarily stored in places like Fort Knox, the U.S. Mint at West Point, and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The gold reserves are part of the national assets, managed and accounted for by the Treasury, but owned by the U.S. federal government on behalf of the public.

What Would Happen if the Statutory Value Was Changed to $500 per Ounce:

• If the statutory value of gold were changed from the current $42.22 per ounce to $500 per ounce, several significant financial and accounting impacts would occur:

1. Increase in the Official Valuation of U.S. Gold Reserves:

• The U.S. Treasury currently holds over 261 million troy ounces of gold.

• At the statutory value of $42.22 per ounce, these gold reserves are valued at approximately $11 billion.

• If the statutory value was raised to $500 per ounce, the official accounting value of these reserves would increase to about $130.5 billion (261 million oz × $500).

1. Impact on the U.S. Federal Balance Sheet:

• This change would boost the official assets of the U.S. government by reflecting a closer (though still undervalued) estimate of the gold’s worth. It would improve the appearance of the U.S. Treasury’s balance sheet, reducing the ratio of debt to assets, which might affect perceptions of U.S. fiscal health.

• However, since this is an accounting change rather than an actual sale or use of the gold, it wouldn’t directly affect the national debt or reduce federal deficits.

1. No Immediate Effect on the U.S. Dollar or Monetary Policy:

• Since the U.S. no longer operates under the gold standard, the statutory value of gold is primarily an accounting mechanism. A change in this value wouldn’t directly affect the dollar’s value or the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy.

• The market price of gold would still be far higher than the new statutory value ($500 per ounce is still below the current market price of ~$2,600 per ounce). The dollar remains a fiat currency, meaning its value is not tied to gold reserves.

1. Potential Legal or Political Implications:

• Increasing the statutory value of gold could spark political debate, especially regarding government transparency and the actual economic utility of the gold reserves.

• There may also be calls to further increase the statutory value to align it more closely with the actual market value, though doing so could have broader economic and financial consequences.

1. Impact on Gold-Backed Securities or International Confidence:

• An increase in the statutory value might suggest to some observers that the U.S. is acknowledging the potential for gold to play a larger role in its balance sheet. However, unless there’s a broader shift toward gold-backed currency (which is unlikely under orycurrent economic systems), the change would remain symbolic and largely administrative.

Changing the statutory value of gold to $500 per ounce would increase the U.S. Treasury’s reported assets significantly, but it wouldn’t directly affect the economy, the dollar’s value, or debt levels. The gold reserves would remain an underutilized asset held by the U.S. government unless furthermost.

DJ

https://dinarchronicles.com/2024/09/23/the-office-of-poofness-weekly-report-update-from-poof-and-dj-9-22-24/

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Monday Afternoon 9-23-24

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

HONG KONG MONETARY REGULATOR LAUNCHES SECOND PHASE OF CBDC PROJECT

The HKMA has engaged 11 firms for advanced e-HKD+ digital currency trials, so far.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has announced the launch of the second phase of its central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot program, known as e-HKD, according to a Sept. 23 statement.

The second phase will delve into advanced use cases for digital money, emphasizing e-HKD and tokenized deposits for individuals and businesses. The first phase focused on testing CBDC applications in domestic retail payments, offline transactions, and the settlement of tokenized assets.

The HKMA stated that the initiative has evolved from its original e-HKD focus and is now rebranded as Project e-HKD+ to align with the changing fintech landscape.

e-HKD Applications
The HKMA has engaged 11 firms from various sectors to investigate e-HKD applications in three main areas, including tokenized asset settlement, programmability, and offline payments.

Some of the participants reportedly involved in phase 2 include ANZ, Airstar Bank, Aptos Labs, BlackRock, Bank of Communications (Hong Kong), ChinaAMC, China Mobile, DBS, Fidelity International, Kasikornbank, and Sanfield.

The HKMA stated that these firms will evaluate the commercial viability of new digital money forms within real-world settings, aiming to enhance accessibility for individuals and corporations.

The results of Phase 2 will provide insights into the practical challenges of creating a digital money ecosystem that integrates both publicly and privately issued digital currencies. Project e-HKD+ will further develop the necessary technology and legal framework to support potential future issuance of e-HKD for both individuals and businesses.

To foster collaboration, the HKMA will establish the e-HKD Industry Forum. This platform will enable participating institutions to discuss common challenges and explore the scalable implementation of new digital money forms. Industry-led working groups will address specific topics, initially focusing on programmability.

Similar to Phase 1, an e-HKD sandbox will be available for pilot participants to facilitate prototyping, development, and testing of use cases. During Phase 2, the HKMA will collaborate closely with the selected firms over the next 12 months to share key findings with the public by the end of next year.

HKMA chief executive Eddie Yue stated:

“Project e-HKD+ signifies the HKMA’s commitment to digital money innovation.  The e-HKD Pilot Programme has provided a valuable opportunity for the HKMA to explore with the industry how new forms of digital money can add unique value to the general public.  The HKMA will continue to adopt a use-case driven approach in its exploration of digital money.”

@ Newshounds News™

Source:  CryptoSlate

~~~~~~~~~

RIPPLE VS SEC: IS THE SEC PREPARING A LAST-DITCH APPEAL?

▪️Legal experts believe the SEC will file an appeal, but the regulator remains undecided, creating uncertainty for XRP.

▪️Ripple is confident in its legal position, and analysts foresee a potential bullish breakout for XRP despite the looming appeal.

Following the development of the SEC’s appeal against Ripple, CNF highlighted its effect has put the XRP community on edge, current updates in the ongoing Ripple vs. SEC lawsuit suggest that an appeal from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is expected. According to legal experts, the SEC seems poised to challenge Judge Torres’ rulings on the XRP case.

As shared on his X account, former SEC attorneys Marc Fagel and James Farrell have expressed confidence that the SEC will file an appeal, emphasizing that not doing so would reflect poorly on the regulator. The SEC has two weeks left before the deadline to submit the appeal.

As the deadline approaches, the XRP community is growing anxious. Attorney Fred Rispoli speculates that the SEC remains undecided about the appeal and could wait until the last minute to make an announcement. 

Meanwhile, Ripple’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse and Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty have confirmed that Ripple does not plan to appeal and has secured a stay order on a $125 million penalty until further proceedings.

Interestingly, recent SEC actions in the Binance case suggest the agency may not appeal Judge Torres’ ruling regarding XRP’s programmatic sales, where the judge stated that buyers in programmatic sales were no different from secondary market purchasers.

XRP Price Surges Despite Legal Uncertainty
However, the trading volume has dropped by 25%, hinting at decreased activity among traders. Analysts are predicting a potential bullish breakout for XRP as Ripple prepares for its Ripple Swell 2024 event. The possibility of an SEC appeal could push XRP beyond its current $0.65 resistance level.

As of today, Ripple (XRP) is trading at $0.5897, with a loss of 1.09% in the past day and a 4.92% increase over the past week. See XRP price chart below.

@ Newshounds News™

Source:  Crypto News Flash 

~~~~~~~~~

CARDANO FOUNDER RESPONDS AS DEVELOPER INTRODUCES BITCOIN TO CARDANO BRIDGE

Cardano’s Charles Hoskinson reacts with surprise as a Bitcoin developer unveils a seamless bridge between Bitcoin and Cardano apps.

A Bitcoin developer, known as elraulito, has announced a breakthrough in blockchain interoperability, revealing a seamless bridge between Bitcoin and Cardano applications.

The developer showcased a smart contract on Plutus V3, allowing Bitcoin wallets to interact directly with Cardano’s ecosystem. This enables users to send ADA, manage tokens, and stake in Cardano pools without requiring a new wallet.

Notably, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson reacted with surprise as the innovation could mark a new phase in cross-chain connectivity.

Smart Contract Capabilities Explained
The developer detailed how the smart contract was built using a combination of tools and protocols. Notably, the contract employs aiken, a Cardano smart contract language, and CIP69, which enhances the address’s programmability.

A multivalidator enables transactions, delegations, and reward withdrawals, while MeshJS manages off-chain transactions. Mesh, an open-source library, supports Web3 app development and currently offers one of the few implementations compatible with Plutus V3.

This bridge allows Bitcoin users to engage in Cardano’s ecosystem without additional software, providing a straightforward onboarding process. As the developer noted, these capabilities could potentially extend to every EVM chain, broadening blockchain usability and functionality.

Community Reactions and Technical Insights
The announcement generated questions among enthusiasts, eager to understand the mechanics and applications of the new bridge.

One user asked how Cardano actions could be sent from a Bitcoin wallet, to which the developer responded that Bitcoin users can sign Cardano actions from their existing wallets.

If the signature is verified, the action is executed by Cardano nodes. This functionality opens doors to onboarding users from outside the Cardano ecosystem, facilitating interactions like airdrops and liquid staking without changing wallets.

Further discussions focused on the validation process. The contract validates the signature by checking the UTXO, receiver, amount, and asset details against its outputs. This validation ensures that transactions align with predefined rules set within the smart contract, providing secure cross-chain operations.

@ Newshounds News™

Source:   The Crypto Basic

  ~~~~~~~~~

BRICS News:

THE TALIBAN MOVEMENT SUBMITS APPLICATION TO ATTEND THE BRICS SUMMIT IN KAZAN

Representatives of the Taliban movement have sent an application to Moscow to attend the BRICS summit which is being held Kazan, the capital of Russia’s Tatarstan Republic on October 22-24, RIA Novosti reported on September 21.

As it has become known, the Taliban want to be represented at the BRICS summit by the acting deputy prime minister of the country, the head of the political wing of the Taliban terrorist movement, Abdullah Ghani Baradar.

"We express our interest in the participation of a high-level delegation in the summit, in particular, Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan Abdul Ghani Baradar, as well as myself along with other participants," says an application sent by Nooriddin Azizi, the Taliban’s acting Minister of Commerce and Industry, to Yuri Ushakov, the Aide  to Russian President.  

BRICS is an intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. 

Originally identified to highlight investment opportunities, the grouping evolved into an actual geopolitical bloc, with their governments meeting annually at formal summits and coordinating multilateral policies since 2009.  Bilateral relations among BRICS are conducted mainly based on non-interference, equality, and mutual benefit.

The founding countries of Brazil, Russia, India, and China held the first summit in Yekaterinburg in 2009, with South Africa joining the bloc a year later.  Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates joined the organization on January 1, 2024. 

Saudi Arabia is yet to officially join, but participates in the organization's activities as an invited nation.  BRICS is an informal group of countries that includes Russia, Brazil, India, China, and South Africa.

@ Newshounds News™

Source:  Asia-Plus

~~~~~~~~~

BREAKING NEWS Israel Intercepts Missiles from Iraq  |  Youtube

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Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Monday Morning 9-23-24

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

Ripple CLO Talks Congress Insights on SEC and XRP

▪️Professor Reiners emphasized the need for Congress to address the regulatory gap in the crypto spot market.

▪️Ripple’s argument against XRP being a security aligns with Reiners’ testimony on investment contracts.

Stuart Alderoty, Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, has responded to Professor Lee Reiners testifying before Congress, which provided an illuminating viewpoint on the continuing legal dispute between Ripple and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Reiners, known as both a pro-SEC and anti-crypto advocate, acknowledged the SEC’s recent setback in the Ripple case, underscoring three key factors with substantial significance for the crypto industry and Ripple’s journey.

Questioning the Regulatory Gaps and Decentralization in Crypto Laws
To begin, Reiners identified a significant regulatory gap in the crypto spot market, pointing out that neither the SEC nor the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) currently regulate this sector. This observation highlights an obvious flaw in the current regulatory framework for cryptocurrency.

Reiners believes Congress should take a more active role in closing this regulatory hole. Ripple’s Alderoty agreed, emphasizing the importance of legislative action to better address the changing crypto ecosystem.

Another key argument addressed by Reiners was the concept of decentralization in relation to securities legislation. He criticized the idea that securities regulations should be predicated on a “mystical” decentralization threshold, alluding to a 2018 speech by former SEC Director William Hinman.

This statement has sparked debate within the crypto community, particularly because it hinted that certain cryptocurrencies could be immune from securities restrictions if they achieved a sufficient level of decentralization.

Reiners’ stance is consistent with the broader crypto industry, which has long stated that decentralization should not be used to determine whether an asset is a security.

Reiners also addressed the topic of investment contracts, citing analogies to the landmark Howey Test case concerning orange groves. He underlined that the object of an investment contract, such as orange groves, is not a security in and of itself. A management contract must be present when something is considered security.

This viewpoint is consistent with Ripple’s central argument that XRP should not be categorized as a security since it does not meet the criteria for being an investment contract.

The Impact of SEC Changing Leadership on Crypto Regulation
One of Reiners’ most memorable comments was that “SEC chairs come and go,” implying that regulatory landscapes might move dramatically with changes in leadership.

This insight serves as a reminder of the transient nature of regulatory interpretations, implying that Ripple’s case may result in different consequences if future SEC leadership takes a fresh perspective on cryptocurrencies.

While the crypto community eagerly monitors these events, doubt remains over XRP’s future, notably whether the SEC would appeal the Ripple case verdict before the deadline of October 7, 2024.

This lingering uncertainty is currently placing downward pressure on the XRP price, which was $0.5843 at the time of this post, representing a slightly 0.55% fall over the last 24 hours.

On the other hand, Ripple’s partner, SBI Holdings, has made substantial progress in researching the integration of token-based bank deposits with central bank digital currencies. According to a CNF report, SBI Holdings has joined Project Agora, which aims to examine how tokenized commercial bank deposits might be integrated with wholesale CBDCs on a single ledger.

@ Newshounds News™

Source:  Crypto News Flash

~~~~~~~~~

AUSTRALIA TIGHTENS GRIP ON CRYPTO STARTUPS WITH CORPORATE LAW CHANGES

Key Takeaways

▪️Australia wants all crypto exchanges to hold financial services licenses.
▪️The country has so far had limited success in its crackdown on the crypto industry.
▪️As of 2022, over one million Australians held at least one form of cryptocurrency.

Australia is set to further enhance the regulation of the cryptocurrency industry by requiring all crypto exchanges to hold financial services licenses.

The move will see the country’s corporate watchdog push for updated regulations to be enforced over the next two months, the Australian Financial Review reported.

Australia Tightens Grip on Crypto
The new licensing requirements are required as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) considers most major crypto assets to be relevant under the country’s Corporate Act, according to ASIC commissioner Alan Kirkland.

Crypto developers in the country have been confused about whether or not they should obtain an Australian Financial Services (AFS) license.

An AFS is needed for a “financial product,” which is when an individual takes on a financial risk or makes an investment.

ASIC is currently embroiled in two major court cases involving two crypto startups that have not obtained a license.

“ASIC’s message is that a significant number of crypto-asset firms in the Australian market are likely to need a license under the current law. This is because we think many widely traded crypto assets are a financial product,” Kirkland said.

ASIC Has Had Limited Success
ASIC will update its “Information Paper 225” for a November release. The regulatory paper will clarify how cryptocurrencies and other financial products should be treated.

So far, ASIC has had limited success penalizing crypto exchanges without a license.

Block Earner, an Australian crypto startup founded in 2021, was taken to court by ASIC, which alleged that the company was working unlawfully without a license. The Federal Court sided with Block Earner, claiming the startup had been operating lawfully.

ASIC sued Finder Wallet for not registering as a financial service. The court ultimately ruled that the startup did not need a license to operate.

The Australian watchdog is appealing both court decisions.

Australia and Crypto
Like the rest of the world, Australia has an evolving relationship with cryptocurrency.

In 2022, research firm Roy Morgan found that over one million Australians own at least one form of cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Cardano.

A 2023 study by the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) found nearly 3 in 10 Aussie investors plan to buy crypto in the next year, with 15% already holding digital assets.

However, While Australia has generally welcomed innovation in the crypto space, a strong emphasis on consumer protection has remained.

According to a Finder report powered by Coinbase, 50% of Australian owners said the security and reputation of an exchange are the most important features to them.

Last month, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) found that half of crypto-related Facebook ads were scams.

The ACCC alleged that Meta was aware of crypto scams in its ads for the past six years.

“Meta has been aware that a significant proportion of cryptocurrency advertisements on the Facebook platform have used misleading or deceptive promotional practices,” the company said in a court ruling.

@ Newshounds News™

Source:  CCN

~~~~~~~~~

GOLD FOLLOWS BITCOIN PRICE RALLY TO NEW RECORD HIGHS, WILL MOMENTUM CONTINUE?

Inflation hedges, such as gold, have emerged as a more attractive option for diversification along with Bitcoin which is nor preparing for a mega rally in Q4.

Key Notes
▪️Gold has surged to a record high of $2,629 per ounce, gaining 5% in the past two weeks, following Fed rate cuts.
▪️Rising geopolitical risks, including conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have increased the appeal of gold as a safe-haven asset.
▪️Goldman Sachs forecasts further growth in gold prices, projecting a surge to $2,700 by early 2025.

The gold price has been hitting new highs following the Fed rate cut last week while following the Bitcoin price trajectory recently. Over the past week, the BTC price has surged over 8.5% moving all the way to $64,000.

On the other hand, the gold price touched a record high of $2,629 per ounce on September 23. Within the last 15 days, the yellow metal has registered strong 5% gains. The major boost comes following the 50 bps rate cut by the Federal Reserve which served as the tailwind for the yellow metal.

A decrease in interest rates diminishes the appeal of assets linked to Fed-determined returns, like short-term government bonds, while making inflation hedges, such as gold, a more attractive option for diversification.

Furthermore, the appetite for gold investments has been growing recently amid rising geopolitical risks such as the ongoing wars between Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Hamas. On the other hand, the uncertainty around the 2024 US elections is also another factor contributing to this.

Furthermore, banking giant Goldman Sachs recently reported that the gold purchases by central banks have tripled following the last two years of the Russia-Ukraine war. With more Fed rate cuts expected this year, Goldman Sachs researchers predict that the gold price will surge to $2,700 by early next year.

Gold Rally Isn’t Ending Anytime Soon
Peter Boockvar, chief investment officer at Bleakley Financial Group, noted that gold has yet to surpass its inflation-adjusted peak of $3,200, set in 1980. Meanwhile, gold advocate Peter Schiff took the opportunity to criticize digital assets in a post on X on Sept. 23. Schiff noted:

“Gold just hit another record high, but few investors notice or care. With so much attention focused on Bitcoin, investors are not only missing out on gold’s gains but the significance of the rise.”

On the other hand, Bitcoin is also showing strength gearing up for a mega rally moving ahead in Q4 2024. 10x Research founder and CEO Markus Thielen noted that the chances of a major breakout increase as we approach the October-to-March period.

“Bitcoin’s 2024 performance has once again followed its seasonal pattern – just as it did in 2023. This is why traders should anticipate a major breakout, potentially reaching new all-time highs in Q4 2024,” he added.

@ Newshounds News™

Source:   CoinSpeaker

 ~~~~~~~~~

ARE WE THERE YET ROADMAP AND TIMELINE? #rv #gcr #roadmaptosuccess | Youtube

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Source: Seeds of Wisdom Team Currency Facts 

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Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Sunday Afternoon 9-22-24

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

IMF STAFF PROPOSE REDI FRAMEWORK TO CATALYZE CBDC ADOPTION

IMF staff members have introduced a high-level four-stage framework emphasizing regulation, education, design and incentives to enhance CBDC adoption.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff members have issued a guide for policymakers and banking institutions on ways to increase the uptake of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) globally.

The IMF issued the “Central Bank Digital Currency Adoption Inclusive Strategies for Intermediaries and Users” paper on Sept. 21. 

The paper recommended implementing inclusive strategies for intermediaries and end-users.

It introduced a high-level framework for regulation, education, design and deployment and incentives (REDI) to help spur CBDC adoption.

According to the IMF staff members, successful CBDC adoption will require proactive strategic policy and design choices that benefit end-users and intermediaries. Therefore, they urged central banks to focus on stakeholder engagement.

The REDI framework is curated by IMF staff members to help central banks improve CBDC adoption in their respective countries.

REDI framework for central banks to help CBDC adoption. Source: IMF

As shown in the above image, the REDI framework focuses on four key pillars. The first sub-section, regulation, involves policymakers exploring potential regulatory and legislative measures to nurture CBDC adoption.

The education sub-section recommends developing communication strategies to build CBDC awareness, with central banks acting as a central point of communication. Thirdly, the paper highlighted the need for strategies targeting specific user groups and creating an extensive network of intermediaries.

The final sub-section recommended the introduction of monetary and non-monetary incentives to encourage the mass adoption of CBDCs. Subsidizing setup costs, transaction fees and taxes for merchants are some of the recommendations made by the IMF staff.

The paper also encouraged further discussions around pre-existing concerns:

“Certain policy issues, including sustainability of the CBDC system, ensuring integrity of the system, and balancing adoption with financial stability, will need to be explored further.”

In August, two IMF executives said that increasing the average crypto-mining electricity costs globally by as much as 85% through taxes could significantly reduce carbon emissions.

According to IMF Fiscal Affairs Department’s deputy division chief Shafik Hebous and climate policy division economist Nate Vernon-Lin, a tax of $0.047 per kilowatt hour “would drive the crypto mining industry to curb its emissions in line with global goals.”

@ Newshounds News™

Source:  CoinTelegraph

~~~~~~~~~

ALGORAND FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES BUILD-A-BULL HACKATHON IN COLLABORATION WITH AWS
NOTE:  ALGORAND IS ISO 20022 COMPLIANT

September 20, 2023 – Singapore, Singapore

Registration is now open for global hackathon with $200,000 in prizes across five tracks.

The Algorand Foundation – the organization focused on growing the ecosystem for the world’s most advanced, secure and reliable layer-one blockchain – announces the opening of registration for Build-A-Bull, a global virtual hackathon with $200,000 in prizes.

The hackathon, powered by Algorand Ventures and in collaboration with AWS (Amazon Web Services), will run from October 18 through November 15, 2023. Registration is free and open to anyone.

Build-A-Bull is a hackathon to create consumer-friendly applications using the power and scalability of the Algorand blockchain.

Spanning four weeks, the hackathon offers an opportunity for committed developers and entrepreneurs to conceive a business concept, accelerate it though the development phase and to ultimately present a final product to a panel of expert judges.

Throughout the process, participants will receive matchmaking, tooling, support and mentorship to help bring their ideas to life.

Ryan Terribilini, EVP of Algorand Ventures, said,

“With Build-A-Bull, we expect to attract a new wave of promising builders to come into the Algorand ecosystem.

“We are looking for high-potential, investible startups and founders to bring innovative projects to the Algorand blockchain, and we are confident that the resources and exposure of participating in Build-A-Bull will catalyze this next generation of Algorand builders.”

The hackathon includes five tracks.

▪️DeFi, presented by Circle
▪️Gaming, presented by Unity
▪️Consumer, presented by AWS
▪️Interoperability, presented by Wormhole
▪️Impact, presented by Algorand Foundation

The winner of each track will receive $25,000 and will be invited to pitch to investors on a ‘demo day,’ with a public on-chain vote determining an additional $10,000 grand prize, as well as $25,000 in AWS credits.

The second and third-place winner of each track will receive $10,000 and $5,000 respectively. A bonus ‘university prize’ of $5,000 will be awarded by the judges.

The judging panel is comprised of industry leaders and investors including QCP Capital, DWF Ventures and Blockchain Capital.

Projects will be evaluated by the following criteria – the skillset and strength of the team, the design and interface of the project, the quality of the pitch and the viability of market adoption.

For more information, and to register, please visit here.

About Algorand Foundation
The Algorand Foundation is dedicated to helping fulfill the global promise of the Algorand blockchain by taking responsibility for its sound monetary supply economics, decentralized governance and healthy and prosperous open-source ecosystem.

Designed by MIT professor and Turing Award-winning cryptographer Silvio Micali, Algorand achieves transaction throughputs at the speed of traditional finance – but with immediate finality, near zero transaction costs and on a 24/7 basis.

Newshounds News™

Source:  DailyHodl

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CONSUMERS PREFER CASH OVER CBDC: DEUTSCHE BANK SURVEY

Most respondents chose private crypto like BTC over government-backed digital currencies.

While several central banks across the globe are actively exploring the feasibility of launching a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), a recent survey has revealed that cash will not be going away anytime soon as a majority of consumers are not enthusiastic about using those products.

The survey, conducted by Deutsche Bank, Germany’s leading investment bank, polled 4,850 respondents from Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States. A majority of the respondents stated that they prefer conventional payment methods like cash and debit or credit cards.

Cash Reigns Supreme
According to the study, 59% of the respondents believe cash will always be useful, with 44% stating that they would prefer using cash for payments rather than CBDCs. Only a small percentage of respondents, 16%, expect CBDCs to become mainstream payment options.

Deutsche Bank analysts, Marion Laboure and Sai Ravindran, noted in the report, “While 59% of consumers believe that cash will always be relevant, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift toward digital payments, particularly among Gen Z.”

Although most of the respondents were hesitant about using a CBDC, about 31% said they would rather use a cryptocurrency managed by the government than one backed by private institutions.

Privacy Concerns Remain
The survey further revealed that privacy concerns significantly affect the adoption of CBDCs. Most of the participants, especially in the U.S., believe that general cryptocurrencies offer better privacy than government-backed digital currencies. About 21% of the respondents said they preferred a private cryptocurrency like Bitcoin.

On the other hand, most European respondents showed stronger preference for cash, due to the anonymity it offers, than those in the U.S. and the U.K.

Per the survey, central banks are increasing exploring wholesale CBDC use cases, however, user skepticism remains a major issue affecting mainstream adoption. A report by the Bank of Canada revealed that 86% of Canadians are opposed to CBDCs, with a whopping 92% preferring cash over a digital Canadian dollar (CAD).

@ Newshounds News™

Source:   Crypto Potato

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MANAGING SUDDEN WEALTH THROUGH SMART TEAM BUILDING BOB LOCK  |  Youtube

@ Newshounds News™

Source: Seeds of Wisdom Team Currency Facts 

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