Crypto hardware wallet provider Ledger recently announced a new multisig interface that has been broadly welcomed as a technical improvement but criticized for introducing a new fee structure that some users have called a cash grab. The Ledger Multisig application will charge users a flat $10 fee for all transactions except token transfers, which incur a 0.05% variable fee. These charges come in addition to standard blockchain network gas fees, which are independent of Ledger. Ethereum developer and X user pcaversaccio criticized the move, writing: “You parade as Cypherpunk while…
Category: Bitcoin News
Don’t Just Tokenize Assets, Build The Institutions To Back Them
Opinion by: Alex Zhang, co-founder at Pharos Tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs) is not a self-contained solution to traditional finance problems. To claim such a thing would be one-dimensional. As it stands, RWA tokenization is under immense pressure to perform despite showing clear value and signs of progress. Despite its progressive trajectory, the criticism leveled at RWA tokenization is immense. Critics say that decentralization alone is enough. It’s too complex for the masses. Regulatory hurdles are insurmountable. The infrastructure is lacking. Fraud is rampant. Manipulation is achievable. There’s a lack of…
UK Crypto Investors May Still Owe Taxes Despite No HMRC Warning Letter
UK crypto investors could face tax bills even if they haven’t received warning letters from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), as the agency steps up efforts to track undeclared digital asset income. Last week, the Financial Times revealed that HMRC issued nearly 65,000 “nudge letters” in the 2024–25 tax year, more than double the number sent the year before. The letters urge investors to review their filings and voluntarily declare crypto-related gains before potential audits begin. However, tax experts warn that the agency’s growing use of exchange data and international…
Ferrari to Launch Digital Token for Fans to Bid on Le Mans-Winning 499P
Ferrari is entering the cryptocurrency world with plans to launch a digital token that will allow its wealthiest fans to bid on one of its most iconic racing cars, the Ferrari 499P, a Le Mans-winning endurance model. The Italian carmaker will issue the “Token Ferrari 499P” in partnership with fintech firm Conio, aimed exclusively at members of its Hyperclub, a private network of 100 elite clients with a passion for endurance racing, according to a Saturday report by Reuters. “This is about strengthening the sense of belonging among our most…
Bank of England Probes Data Mining Lending Fueling AI Bets
The Bank of England is investigating the rise of financiers lending to data centers as a way to speculate on the future of AI, Bloomberg said. The UK’s top bank has already been examining market risks that could arise if AI companies fail to meet lofty valuations, warning that many could come crashing down in a correction reminiscent of the dot-com bubble in the early 2000s. Now, it is exploring the relationship between AI companies and financiers that are looking to place bets in the AI market, Bloomberg reported on…
Rumble to Roll Out BTC Tips to Streaming Platform’s 51M Users
Video-sharing platform Rumble is preparing to roll out Bitcoin tipping for its more than 51 million monthly active users, the company’s CEO Chris Pavlovski announced on Friday. Rumble has teamed up with stablecoin issuer Tether to enable Bitcoin (BTC) tipping, Pavlovski said onstage at the Plan ₿ Forum in Lugano, Switzerland. “Right now, we’re in the testing phase [but] we’re going to start rolling that out alongside Tether here in the coming weeks.” Also onstage was Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, who expects a full rollout by early to mid-December once…
Jane Street stakes drive rally in Bitfarms, Cipher and Hut 8 shares
Shares of crypto miners rallied on Friday, with Bitfarms, Cipher Mining and Hut 8 extending gains after trading company Jane Street disclosed sizable positions in all three Bitcoin mining companies. Filings submitted to the US Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday show that Jane Street’s trading affiliates own roughly 5.4% of Bitfarms, 5% of Cipher Mining and 5% of Hut 8, representing passive trading positions rather than activist holdings. Following the news, the stocks rallied 8% to 13% on Thursday, and continued to make gains on Friday. At market close…
JPMorgan Upgrades Coinbase on Base, USDC Potential
Shares of Coinbase Global Inc. (COIN) rallied sharply on Friday after JPMorgan Chase upgraded the cryptocurrency exchange, highlighting new monetization opportunities tied to its Base network and USDC payout strategy. The bank’s analysts lifted their rating to “Overweight” from “Neutral” and raised their price target to $404 per share, implying roughly 15% upside from current levels. JPMorgan said Coinbase is “leaning into” its Base layer-2 blockchain and exploring ways to better capture value from the platform’s growth. The bank estimated that the launch of a Base token could represent a…
Sygnum Bank, Debifi Partner on Multisignature Bitcoin Lending Product
Sygnum Bank has partnered with Bitcoin-backed lending platform Debifi to launch a multisignature lending product that allows borrowers to retain shared control of their collateral. According to the Swiss digital asset bank’s announcement on Friday, the product introduces a Bitcoin-native multisign lending model that allows clients to retain control of their collateral through distributed key management, ensuring that assets cannot be rehypothecated. Sygnum clients can take out fiat loans backed by Bitcoin in a setup that requires three of five key holders to authorize any transaction, allowing borrowers to track…
Whales Trade Bitcoin Keys for Comfort
Bitcoin’s (BTC) long-time whales, once the fiercest champions of self-custody, may be losing some of their grip on the market as more migrate toward the comforts of traditional finance. Earlier this week, a BlackRock executive revealed that several of Bitcoin’s earliest holders are quietly swapping portions of their spot positions for exchange-traded funds (ETFs), gaining access to broader wealth management tools in the process. While ETFs and spot Bitcoin have traditionally served different audiences, onchain data suggests the rise of spot ETFs may be coming at the expense of self-custody.…