XRP Price Set Theory Debunked, Here’s What It’s About

In a recent series of exchanges on X, prominent XRP community influencer, Crypto Eri, addressed the controversial theory that the XRP price can be artificially set by a central authority. The debate has ignited discussions among enthusiasts, experts, and Ripple insiders. Eri’s initial tweet emphasized the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies, stating, “Decentralized crypto-assets like XRP, cannot be ‘price set’. Price is determined by supply & demand dynamics in the global open market, sometimes with Influence factors like trading, sentiment, adoption, news & liquidity.” She further warned against the “deceptive false…

Meta Unveils WhatsApp Channels to Over 150 Countries after Successful Test

The WhatsApp Channels will allow users to receive important updates from people and organizations amid the changing regulatory landscape. Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: META) shares closed Wednesday trading at $305.06, having gained 1.23 percent from the day’s opening price. The gains are likely to be attributed to Meta’s announcement that the WhatsApp Channels feature on WhatsApp is now available to over 150 countries. Initially, Meta introduced the WhatsApp Channels to about ten countries to test the functionality and obtain feedback from the users. Having successfully conducted the beta stage of…

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher’s ‘Stoner Cats’ Indicted by SEC Over Unregistered Securities Offering

The SEC said Stoner Cats violated the Securities Act of 1933 by selling NFTs that qualify as investment contracts. Stoner Cats has agreed to a refund. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continues its widespread crackdown by going after “Stoner Cats”, an NFT-based web series from Hollywood couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis. According to the SEC, the NFTs qualify as unregistered securities. An SEC press release states that Stoner Cats sold over 10,000 NFTs for about $800 each. Upon purchase, the owner of the NFT exclusively accessed all six…

Thailand’s KBank to Target AI and Web3 Investments With $100M Fund

The fund that was created out of KBank’s investment budget will aim to serve traditional financial stakeholders in the consumer, corporate and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a special focus on consumer and problem-specific AI, cybersecurity, nodes validators, ZKP, wallets and consumerization of NFTs. It is also targeting investments in over 30 startups and funds focusing on the U.S., EU, Israel and APAC. Source

Ukraine probes local crypto exchanges for tax dodging

The Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine is conducting a pretrial investigation against local crypto trading platforms suspected of tax avoidance. Ukraine’s Economic Security Bureau (ESB) is investigating local crypto exchanges after the bureau found that non-regulated exchanges operating in the country cost over $80 million in lost taxes. In an interview with Forbes Ukraine, ESB head Andriy Pashchuk said the investigation is being conducted only against trading platforms whose beneficiary is a citizen of Ukraine. He revealed that analysts at ESB are using data services like Chainalysis and Crystal Blockchain…

Sui Network launches Google, Twitch and Facebook logins for DApps

Layer-one blockchain Sui Network has taken a step towards simplifying Web3 onboarding, allowing users to sign up for Sui-powered apps without having to manage an external crypto wallet or seed phrase.  In a Sept. 13 press release the Sui Foundation shared that users would be able to login into decentralized applications (DApps) by using Google, Facebook, and Twitch login details via a new zkLogin (Zero Knowledge login) feature. Instead of dealing with pesky Web3 wallets, users can log in the same way they’re used to on other areas of the…

Californian lawmaker proposes legislation to protect actors from AI clones

A Californian lawmaker has introduced a bill to protect actors, artists, and entertainers from artificial intelligence, by mandating employment contracts to include informed consent when it comes to digital replicates. Ash Kalra, an Assembly Member of the State of California — the lawmaker behind the bill — argued that generative AI presents a “real threat” to workers in the entertainment industry and its use should be banned unless a bargaining agreement between the parties is made. The legislation, Assembly Bill 459, will eventually be assigned to a committee whose members…