Crypto

Despite exiting its position on BlackRock’s IBIT, the agency still holds over $34 million in Coinbase, Robinhood, and Marathon Digital shares.

The son of U.S. President Donald Trump spoke at CoinDesk's Consensus conference in Toronto, Canada on Friday.

A fintech in the South American nation copied the Strategy—formerly MicroStrategy—playbook.

Asset prices across markets largely shrugged off surging Inflation expectations, with crypto prices consolidating sideways.

Authorities in Paraguay deported three individuals and arrested another in connection with a May 15 attempted robbery at a crypto mining operation in Coronel Bogado, a town and district in Paraguay. According to statements by prosecutor Irene Rolón made during a May 15 interview on local news outlet Monumental TV, the group allegedly targeted computer […] The post Paraguay law enforcement thwarts crypto miner heist, deports arrested suspects appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Bitcoin margin longs dropped, but options and ETF flows point to strong bullish sentiment from professional investors. Key takeaways: Bitfinex margin longs fell 18%, despite Bitcoin price rising 24% in 30 days. $6.8 billion in long positions far outweight the current $25 million in shorts. Read more

The DOJ has charged 12 people aged 18-21, plus one older defendant, with a cyber racketeering scheme that netted $263 m in cryptocurrency. Prosecutors say the group laundered funds through mixers before converting them to cash for luxury cars, watches, rentals and $500 k nightclub tabs. The post DOJ Busts Crypto Ring: $263M RICO Scam Fueled Supercars, $500K Parties appeared first on Cryptonews.

Ethereum insiders pushed back on criticism of the network’s leadership and roadmap, arguing that the ecosystem is built for long-term value.

Lawyers for the crypto platform tied to the president's family said a call for an investigation and oversight was "fundamentally flawed." Zach Witkoff, one of the co-founders of the Donald Trump family-backed crypto platform World Liberty Financial (WLFI), has rebuffed efforts by US lawmakers to investigate the president’s potential conflicts of interest. In a May 15 letter to Senator Richard Blumenthal, lawyers for World Liberty Financial claimed a call to investigate the crypto platform was based on “fundamentally flawed premises and inaccuracies.” Witkoff did not specifically address any allegations, claiming that WLFI was “too busy building” for oversight. “The Company rejects the false choice between innovation and oversight,” said the letter. “What it opposes is the misuses of regulatory authority and uncertainty to suppress lawful innovation.” Read more

Lawyers for Eric Council Jr. had requested a sentence of one year and one day, while the US government asked for two years. A federal judge sentenced Eric Council Jr., who participated in posting a fake announcement on the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s X account saying it would approve spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs, to 14 months in prison. Following a May 16 hearing in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, the Justice Department announced that Council would serve 14 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft and access device fraud. “Schemes of this nature threaten the health and integrity of our market system,” said Jeanine Pirro, interim US Attorney for the District of Columbia. “SIM swap schemes threaten the financial security of average citizens, financial institutions, and government agencies.” Read more

Christy Goldsmith Romero reportedly said she only planned to leave the financial regulator once Brian Quintenz had been confirmed as CFTC chair. Christy Goldsmith Romero of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will step down on May 31, leaving three seats open at the financial regulator. In a May 16 announcement, Romero said her last day at the agency would be on May 31, ahead of her reported initial plans to leave if the Senate confirmed former commissioner Brian Quintenz as the new chair. Her departure will come a day after Commissioner Summer Mersinger is expected to step down to join the crypto advocacy organization the Blockchain Association as CEO. “It has been a tremendous honor to conclude my 23 years of federal service at an agency with such an important mission to ensure that financial markets perform their critical role in the US and global economies,” said Romero. Read more

Singapore-based Basel Medical Group said it is in “negotiations” to put $1 billion in Bitcoin on its balance sheet as it pursues an “Asia growth strategy.”

The healthcare company said that a Bitcoin treasury will help finance its expansion plans. Shares of Basel Medical Group are down around 15% after the healthcare company announced plans to buy $1 billion in Bitcoin for its corporate treasury.  On May 16, Singapore-based Basel said it was “in advanced discussions with a consortium of institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals […] to acquire a US$1 billion BTC through an innovative share-swap arrangement. The company said the benefits of its planned purchase include creating “one of the strongest balance sheets among Asia-focused healthcare providers” and providing “unmatched financial flexibility for mergers and acquisitions.” Read more

CryptoQuant has reported that the ETH/BTC price ratio has surged 38 % from a January 2020 low, placing Ethereum in what the firm calls an extreme undervaluation zone. Rising ETF allocations and the lowest ETH exchange inflow ratio since 2020 point to stronger demand and lighter selling pressure. The post Ethereum Flashes Extreme Undervaluation – CryptoQuant Eyes 38% ETH/BTC Rally Soon appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitcoin price breakouts have been capped at $104,000, but a rally through the resistance could open the door for a run to $130,000. Key points: A Bitcoin price close above $105,000 could accelerate momentum and trigger a rally to $130,000. Ether continues to gain strength, which is being mirrored by many altcoins. Read more

World Liberty Financial has publicly rebuffed a Senate investigation into the USD1 stablecoin’s governance, security risks and alleged Trump links. The firm, via BakerHostetler, has said USD1 is fully backed by U.S. Treasuries, transparent, and not connected to the Trump meme coin. The post WLFI Slams Senate’s USD1 Stablecoin Inquiry as Trump Links Spark National-Security Alarm appeared first on Cryptonews.

Nyan Heroes, a Solana game featuring cats in robot suits, is coming to an end. The price of NYAN is now down nearly 99% from peak.

France is deploying new security measures to protect crypto entrepreneurs after a rash of violent kidnapping attempts raised alarm across the country’s tech sector and ignited political pressure on Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, AP News reported on May 16. The ministry confirmed that Retailleau met privately with crypto founders to discuss personal safety. According to […] The post France ramps up efforts to tackle rising crypto kidnappings after failed attempt goes viral appeared first on CryptoSlate.

ChatGPT maker OpenAI is pushing software development into new territory with cloud-based AI agents that work while you're at lunch.

Regulatory filings show that Nvidia increased its stake in CRWV by the end of the first quarter to 24.2 million shares from 17.9 million shares. Shares of AI cloud computing company CoreWeave (CRWV) surged on May 16 after chip giant Nvidia revealed a large ownership stake, signaling growing corporate and institutional interest in the newly public company. CRWV stock climbed as much as 26.3% in New York trading, pushing its market capitalization above $38 billion. Trading volumes were more than double the daily average, according to Yahoo Finance data. The stock was last seen trading around $81, up 23% on the day. Read more