FTX asset sales challenged by U.S. Trustee: Report

Bankrupt crypto exchange FTX’s plans to sell its digital currency futures and clearinghouse LedgerX, among other businesses, were challenged by the U.S. Trustee on Jan. 7, according to Reuters. As per the filing, U.S. Trustee Andrew Vara called for an independent investigation before any sale, claiming that valuable information related to the exchange’s bankruptcy could be compromised. The document states: “The sale of potentially valuable causes of action against the Debtors’ directors, officers and employees, or any other person or entity, should not be permitted until there has been a…

Wyre Announces Modification of Withdrawal Policy, Pushing Topps to Temporarily Suspend NFT Marketplace Transactions – Bitcoin News

Following reports that the crypto payments firm Wyre was shutting down operations, CEO Ioannis Giannaros offered a contradicting story, stating that the firm was merely “scaling back.” Wyre has now announced that it is “modifying” its withdrawal policy, citing the crypto industry downturn and the “macroeconomic climate” as factors that have affected the company. On Friday, Wyre stated that it is now “exploring strategic options.” Crypto Industry Turmoil: Wyre Modifies Withdrawal Policy, Topps Suspends NFT Marketplace Transactions Three days ago on Jan. 4, Bitcoin.com News reported that crypto payments firm…

SBF pleads not guilty, layoffs, and bank run on Silvergate: Hodler’s Digest, Jan. 1-7

Top Stories This Week Sam Bankman-Fried enters not guilty plea for all counts in federal court Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried (has pleaded not guilty to all charges related to the collapse of the crypto exchange, including wire fraud and securities fraud. He faces eight criminal counts, which could result in 115 years in prison if convicted. Furthemore, a petition has been filed by Bankman-Fried’s legal team asking a court to redact and not disclose certain information on individuals acting as sureties for his $250-million bond, alleging threats against his…

Digital Asset Exchange Giant Huobi Plans To Lay Off 20% of Its Staff Amid Ongoing Crypto Winter: Report

The Seychelles-based crypto exchange giant Huobi is reportedly planning to lay off 20% of its staff as the ongoing bear market continues to thrash companies across the industry. Reuters reports that Huobi says “a very lean team will be maintained going forward” amid the crypto winter. Tron (TRX) founder Justin Sun, a member of the Huobi advisory board, tells the outlet that the workforce reduction is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of this year. The exchange’s planned layoffs are the latest in a series…

Sberbank Analyst’s Editorial Delves Into the ‘Tremendous Potential’ of a BRICS Reserve Currency Fueling De-Dollarization – Economics Bitcoin News

During the last month, Russia’s ruble has dropped 16.48% against the U.S. dollar as energy and commodity prices have slowed over the last few weeks. Russia’s central bank revealed two weeks ago that it is further distancing itself from U.S. dollar dependence by purchasing the Chinese yuan on foreign exchange markets. Roughly around the same time, on Dec. 21, 2022, Sberbank executive and Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) member, Yaroslav Lissovolik, published an opinion article that talks about exploring the pathway toward a new BRICS reserve currency. Russia’s Central Bank…

Hedge funds subpoenaed by U.S. prosecutors as Binance probe unfolds: Report

United States prosecutors are investigating hedge funds’ relationships with cryptocurrency exchange Binance for money-laundering violations. According to anonymous sources cited by the Washington Post, the U.S. attorney’s office for the Western District of Washington in Seattle subpoenaed investment firms to provide records of communications with Binance in the past months. The allegedly subpoenas do not mean prosecutors are bringing charges against the crypto exchange or hedge funds, as authorities are still evaluating evidence and a possible settlement with Binance, according to legal specialists. Binance did not immediately respond to Cointelegraph’s…

U.S. Investigators Subpoena Hedge Funds in Binance Money-Laundering Probe: Report

Recently, Binance has made efforts to increase its commitment to compliance, growing its security and compliance staff by 500% in 2022. Additionally, last fall the company assembled a global advisory board chaired by Max Baucus, a former Democratic senator from Montana. Meanwhile, the exchange seems eager to improve its relations with the U.S. government, recently becoming active in crypto lobbying in Washington, DC. Source