Standard Chartered has obtained a license to provide crypto custody services in Luxembourg, according to a Jan. 9 statement. The approval falls under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, which provides a unified regulatory approach for crypto businesses across the European Union.

As volumes for spot bitcoin ETFs soared last year, the number of financial advisors adding crypto to client portfolios doubled, according to a survey released on Thursday.

Gemini crypto exchange appointed Mark Jennings as head of Europe, Daniel Slutzkin to lead its UK operations, and Vijay Selvam as international general counsel.

UAE conglomerate DAMAC Group, with investments in property development, hospitality, and data centres, has announced plans to tokenize $1 billion worth of its assets for financing purposes in early 2025. The tokenization will be done in collaboration with UAE-based MANTRA, a layer 1 blockchain platform for tokenizing real-world assets.

Eligible clients can receive up to $105 in Kraken trading fee credits upon receiving their funds. Clients must complete onboarding and verification to access the fee credits on Kraken Pro.

On January 7, Canadian politics experienced a seismic shift: Justin Trudeau, in power since 2015, announced his resignation following the abrupt departure of his Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland. Since then, all eyes have turned to Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party, whose popularity is skyrocketing as the October 20 elections approach.

The cryptocurrency market has witnessed a precipitous contraction, with $350 billion exiting the market in the last 48 hours.

Crypto, often criticized for lacking real-world applications, is proving to be a tool for positive change in Tanzania and Kenya. These countries are facing environmental challenges like plastic pollution, which is hitting hard.

To compete in the fast-growing crypto ecosystem, Standard Chartered has launched a new offshoot in Singapore.

TL;DR Grayscale has rebalanced several of its investment funds, adding tokens like Livepeer, Curve, and Cardano to diversify portfolios for 2025. The focus on decentralized AI technologies and the DeFi sector reflects market trends and adapts to new opportunities.

This is a segment from the Empire newsletter. To read full editions, subscribe.

Kraken, one of the biggest crypto exchange, has announced FTX creditors will be able to trade for free, up to $50,000, if they select Kraken for the distribution of funds.

Banking giant Standard Chartered is debuting crypto services in Europein Europe via its new Luxembourg entity after securing a digital asset license under the MiCA framework.

Bhutan continues to leverage new technologies, particularly Bitcoin and the blockchain, to boost its economy. According to multiple reports, Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) is ready to integrate digital assets like Bitcoin, BNB, and Ethereum into its strategic reserve.

With MiCA now live, what changes should crypto users and investors expect when using platforms or buying tokens in the EU? MiCA fully comes into force On December 30, 2024, the European Union rolled out the Markets in Crypto-Assets framework,

The IMF has recommended immediate reforms to mitigate risks and strengthen oversight in Kenya's cryptocurrency market.

A new year, a new batch of red-hot crypto presales. Which ones are winners?

Coinbase and the CFTC might be at loggerheads amid issued subpoena in Polymarket probe.

Sonic and Galaxy Interactive have launched the G.A.M.E. Fund 1, providing up to $1 million per project to advance Web3 gaming, AI integration, and social media innovations.

The ownership of FTX EU has become a point of contention between Backpack Exchange and the FTX estate.

According to PeckShieldAlert, a blockchain security platform, the crypto industry suffered significant losses in 2024, with hacks and scams totaling $3.01 billion, marking a 15% increase from the $2.61 billion lost in 2023, highlighting a concerning rise in cybercrime targeting digital assets. The post Crypto Hacks and Scams Cost the Industry over $3 Billion in 2024: Report appeared first on Cryptonews.

Traders can now use USDT, USDC, ETH, and BTC as margin currencies to trade any derivatives contract on BitMEX, with the list set to expand in the near future. The post BitMEX Launches Multi-Asset Margining appeared first on Cryptonews.

Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, has announced new listings for particular crypto assets, while also planning to delist three trading pairs. The listing move is part of the exchange's ongoing efforts to expand the trading choices offered on Binance Spot and enhance users' trading experience.

A comprehensive guide of the AlphaX exchange. Find more about the project: https://alphax.com/ ** This video has been sponsored by AlphaX Exchange.

Here is a 2-minute breakdown of everything important that happened in crypto today.

What does APY mean in crypto? If you are taking part in yield farming, you might have already heard of APY or APR.

DeFi was the most targeted sector in 2024.

Jacob Gadikian, CEO of the blockchain services firm Notional Labs, has recently alleged that Terra's downfall and UST's dollar depeg were not caused by Do Kwon, the disgraced founder of the project. Gadikian stated that the real culprit behind this fraud, an unidentified attacker, remains at large.

24-year-old law student accused of defrauding nearly 300 investors in multi-million-dollar crypto scheme.

Mastercard has launched Crypto Credential in the UAE and Kazakhstan to allow crypto exchange users to send and receive cryptocurrencies using simple aliases instead of complex blockchain addresses. The solution is making its debut in Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa.

The data shared by PeckShield shows that hackers were behind the majority of the losses that the crypto industry saw in 2024.

An exciting update for online gaming enthusiasts emerges as the CryptoCasinos.com platform announces a redesign of its site. The redesign brings gamers seamlessly closer to accessing the best casinos where cryptocurrency is used.

Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is a central part of the wider digital asset ecosystem. As such, it is often in the crosshairs of cybercriminals — ranging from the lowliest of script kiddies to state-sponsored and sanctioned outfits like the notorious Lazarus Group.

Backpack Exchange and the FTX estate are in dispute over certain details surrounding Backpack's acquisition of FTX EU.

The CFTC has reportedly issued a subpoena to U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, seeking customer data in connection with the crypto-based prediction market platform Polymarket. The post Coinbase Reportedly Subpoenaed by CFTC for Customer Data in Polymarket Investigation appeared first on Cryptonews.

Backpack has addressed the controversy surrounding its acquisition of FTX EU, asserting that it finalized the purchase and will return funds to former customers, despite conflicting claims from the FTX estate regarding ownership and responsibilities. The post Backpack Addresses FTX EU Acquisition Controversy, Plans to Return Customer Funds appeared first on Cryptonews.

Crypto stakeholders have criticized the outgoing Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler for his continued hostility toward the crypto industry. In a recent Bloomberg interview, Gensler reiterated his concerns about the emerging industry, claiming that it was “rife” with bad actors.

Standard Chartered has launched a new entity in Luxembourg to provide crypto custody services across the European Union under MiCA regulation.

The CEO of world's largest exchange Binance, Richard Teng, recently revealed a rather ambitious mission of his own. The essence of Teng's mission is to onboard one billion users to the black and yellow exchange.

Bitcoin (BTC) has reentered the six-digit range, maintaining its recovery from early 2025. The biggest cryptocurrency rose to almost $102,000 on Tuesday, achieving its first resurgence to a six-digit value since December 19, 2024, and kicking off the year with momentum. As of today, Bitcoin was priced at $101,780, marking a 1.

The IMF has urged Kenya to establish a robust regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies to protect consumers and address risks. The post IMF Urges Kenya to Establish Clear Crypto Regulations to Tackle AML/CFT Risks appeared first on Cryptonews.

Portugal's largest bank Banco de Investimentos Globais (BiG) has recently taken the step of blocking fiat transfers to cryptocurrency platforms, citing compliance with new European Union regulations. This marks a significant shift for Portugal, once regarded as a haven for crypto enthusiasts.

This year, crypto is pulling out all the stops. Technological development is the name of the game in 2025.

Standard Chartered has formed a new entity in Luxembourg to offer crypto and digital asset custody services in the European Union, as the global lender looks to cash in on the growing demand for digital security.

The Nigerian securities regulator has cautioned that some applicants for virtual asset service provider (VASP) licenses do not meet regulatory requirements.

Backpack Exchange's claim of acquiring FTX EU faces sharp opposition from the FTX bankruptcy estate. The Dubai based exchange announced a $32.7 million acquisition of FTX EU to boost its derivatives offerings but FTX's US estate claims ownership of the European unit remains unresolved.

Mastercard brings its Crypto Credential solution to the EEMEA region, starting with the UAE and Kazakhstan. Payments processor Mastercard has rolled out its Crypto Credential solution in the UAE and Kazakhstan, marking its first move into the EEMEA region.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended that Kenya create a clear regulatory framework for its cryptocurrency market. This call comes after rising concerns about consumer protection, anti-money laundering (AML), and combating terrorism financing (CFT). The IMF's advice highlights the growing need for Kenya to update its outdated laws to evolve its crypto sector.