Tag Archives: influence

Crypto firms spent $134M on 2024 US elections, raising influence concerns

Crypto firms spent $134M on 2024 US elections, raising influence concerns

Cryptocurrency companies spent more than $134 million on the 2024 US elections, fueling concerns about their growing political influence and potential risks to regulatory stability, according to a report by the Center for Political Accountability (CPA).

The growing connection of crypto firms with US politics is raising newfound concerns for regulators, investors and the wider financial system, according to a report released by the Center for Political Accountability (CPA).

Cryptocurrency firms shelled out a cumulative $134 million on the 2024 US elections in “unchecked political spending,” which presents some critical challenges, the March 7 report stated.

“While the companies making these contributions may be seeking a favorable regulatory environment, these political donations further erode public trust and expose companies to legal, reputational, and business risks that cannot be ignored,” the report added.

Cryptocurrency regulation has taken center stage over the past week following a historic executive order from US President Donald Trump to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve ahead of the first White House Crypto Summit on March 7.

Fairshake, a political action committee (PAC) backed by major crypto firms including Coinbase, Ripple and Andreessen Horowitz, was one of the largest contributors, spending more than $40 million to support candidates aligned with pro-crypto policies.

Fairshake and affiliated PACs were active in key congressional races, attempting to shape legislation favorable to digital assets.

“As the industry continues to seek influence through vast contributions and opaque financial maneuvers, the risks of instability, regulatory backlash, and public distrust only grow,” the report said.

The influx of crypto money into politics did not go unnoticed by regulators. In August 2024, the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), alleging that Coinbase’s corporate contributions to Fairshake and the Congressional Leadership Fund constituted a violation of federal election law due to their status as a federal contractor.

Coinbase has committed an additional $25 million to Fairshake for the 2026 midterm election cycle.

Coinbase commits $25 million to Fairshake. Source: Coinbase

“The stakes are too high for us to stand on the sidelines, and that’s why we at Coinbase are proud to help do our part,” the company wrote in an October 2024 blog post.

Crypto’s political donations may be necessary for regulatory clarity

Despite the risks highlighted by the report, some regulatory experts see the donations as necessary for advancing more innovation-friendly regulations.

“As someone deeply involved in crypto, I see this spending as necessary for regulatory clarity, crucial for stability and growth,” according to Anndy Lian, author and intergovernmental blockchain expert:

“It seems likely to boost investor confidence by reducing uncertainty, as seen in pro-crypto candidate wins boosting market sentiment, like bitcoin’s post-election high.”

Still, risks, including “regulatory capture,” where the interests of large firms take priority, may present challenges and erode crypto investor trust. Still, this is part of the organic growth of the emerging crypto industry, Lian said, adding:

“The crypto community’s transparency and decentralization might mitigate this, ensuring fair regulations. While controversial, I don’t find it problematic, viewing it as the industry’s maturation, though public backlash could destabilize politics if seen as buying favor.”

The debate over crypto’s role in politics follows the high-profile collapse of the Libra (LIBRA) token, a memecoin endorsed by Argentine President Javier Milei. The project’s insiders allegedly siphoned over $107 million worth of liquidity in a rug pull, triggering a 94% price collapse within hours and wiping out $4 billion.

Over 100 governmental fraud complaints have been opened in Argentina since the Libra memecoin’s scandal, illustrating the risks of a country’s executive branch promoting “any kind of unregulated security,” the CPA’s report states.

 

Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/crypto-firms-134m-election-spending-regulatory-concerns

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j

How upcoming CPI data could influence fed policy and cryptocurrency prices

How upcoming CPI data could influence fed policy and cryptocurrency prices

Key points:

– Federal Reserve’s Caution: The Fed, led by Powell, holds rates steady, awaiting CPI data. Strong labor market and slightly high inflation delay rate cut expectations to mid-year.
– Market Shifts: US Treasuries sold off; 10-year yields hit 4.54%, 2-year at 4.28%. US Dollar Index fell 0.3%, gold steady at US$2,900/oz. Consumer staples up 0.9%, Asian markets down.
– Energy Risks: Brent crude rose 1.5% after US inventory increase, but sanctions on Russian oil exports add geopolitical uncertainty.
– Crypto Challenges: Bitcoin at US$97,053.0, down slightly due to tariffs, CPI wait. High US rates pressure crypto; World Liberty Financial’s token reserve aims to stabilize.
– Investment Outlook: Fed caution, trade disputes boost gold, consumer staples. Cryptocurrencies resilient, CPI data key for future strategies.

I watched closely monitoring the global economic landscape and the recent developments, particularly the Federal Reserve’s cautious approach to monetary policy, which provided a compelling narrative regarding the nuanced relationship between central bank decisions, investor sentiment, and the burgeoning sector of digital currencies.

On February 12, 2025, the atmosphere surrounding global risk was notably cautious, a direct consequence of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s recent comments suggesting a period of patience before further interest rate reductions would be considered. This stance has set the stage for investors now eagerly awaiting the release of the upcoming Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, which could offer critical insights into inflation trends, potentially influencing the Fed’s next steps in monetary policy.

The Federal Reserve’s choice to maintain current interest rates is a calculated move, aiming to observe more concrete advancements in reducing inflation before taking action. This decision is set against a backdrop where the labor market remains strong, and inflation, while trending downward, still slightly exceeds the Fed’s target.

It’s understandable, therefore, that market participants have adjusted their forecasts, now anticipating a potential rate cut, perhaps not until mid-year. This shift in expectation was reflected in market movements on Tuesday, where US Treasuries saw a sell-off across various maturities, with the yield on the 10-year Treasury note increasing by 3.9 basis points to 4.54 per cent and the two year note by 0.9 basis points to 4.28 per cent. These yield changes indicate that while money markets still anticipate one rate cut by the Fed this year, the timing has become less certain.

The US Dollar Index experienced a modest decrease of 0.3 per cent, signalling a consolidation phase as the market absorbs the implications of the Fed’s policy direction. Traditionally viewed as a refuge during times of uncertainty, gold held steady near US$2,900 per ounce, demonstrating its resilience despite the Fed’s indication of no immediate rate adjustments.

In the energy market, Brent crude oil prices found stability, rising by 1.5 per cent after reports highlighted a significant increase in US crude inventories. However, this stability was somewhat tempered by US sanctions impacting Russian oil exports, introducing an element of geopolitical risk into the equation.

In the equity markets, the MSCI US index concluded the day unchanged, with the consumer staples sector leading the pack with a 0.9 per cent gain, suggesting a move towards sectors considered less volatile in uncertain economic times. Conversely, Asian stock markets started the day on a lower note, indicative of broader global economic concerns, while US equity futures suggested a flat opening, reflecting an indecisive market sentiment.

Shifting the focus to the cryptocurrency sector, Bitcoin, the leading digital currency, saw a slight decrease, trading at US$97,053.0 by mid-morning. This minor decline continues a trend of subdued performance, influenced by the ongoing trade tensions sparked by tariffs from President Donald Trump and the anticipation of the forthcoming inflation data.

Since last week, when concerns about a global trade war escalated due to China’s retaliatory tariffs and Trump’s subsequent tariffs on steel and aluminium, Bitcoin has been confined to tight trading ranges, signalling investor hesitance. The market’s attention is now fixed on the imminent CPI data release, which could provide clarity on the Federal Reserve’s future rate decisions, particularly after its hawkish posture in December.

This cautious environment has somewhat offset the previous optimism that had propelled Bitcoin to a peak above US$108,000, driven by hopes of a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment under Trump.

A recent article by Reuters indicated that the Federal Reserve might postpone additional rate cuts until the following quarter, driven by concerns over inflation potentially rising due to recent trade policies. Economists, who had previously forecasted a rate cut in March, have revised their predictions, suggesting the Fed might adopt a more conservative approach in response to inflation risks.

Elevated US interest rates can have a dampening effect on cryptocurrencies by diminishing the allure of riskier investments, increasing the cost of holding non-interest-bearing assets like Bitcoin, and bolstering the US dollar, which typically exerts pressure on crypto valuations.

In an interesting development, World Liberty Financial (WLF), a new platform in the cryptocurrency space with a financial interest from President Donald Trump, announced the launch of a strategic token reserve. This initiative is designed to support Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies, positioning them as pivotal in the transformation of global finance.

WLF’s statement on X highlighted that this reserve would help in mitigating market fluctuations, enable investments in cutting-edge decentralised finance projects, and establish a robust financial reserve. Furthermore, WLF plans to forge strategic alliances with financial institutions to enhance its reserve with tokenised assets.

From my perspective, this cautious economic climate presents a complex scenario for investors. The Federal Reserve’s deliberate approach, combined with uncertainties arising from international trade policies, creates an environment where traditional safe-haven assets like gold and sectors like consumer staples gain traction.

However, initiatives like WLF’s strategic token reserve could signify a maturation in the cryptocurrency market, offering stability against volatility and encouraging innovation in decentralised finance, potentially offsetting some negative impacts of higher interest rates on digital currencies.

Moreover, the ongoing trade disputes highlight the necessity for alternative financial systems, which cryptocurrencies are well-poised to fulfil. Despite its recent subdued performance, Bitcoin’s resilience in facing macroeconomic pressures is noteworthy. It continues to act as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation, especially in a global economy where traditional financial policies might struggle under geopolitical strains.

In summary, as we approach the release of the CPI data on February 12, 2025, the financial markets are in a state of watchful anticipation, balancing between conventional economic indicators and the potential of digital currencies.

The Fed’s cautious stance, alongside geopolitical manoeuvres, crafts an investment landscape that demands vigilance, flexibility, and an openness to the evolving story of global finance, where cryptocurrencies might increasingly play a significant role. This intricate relationship between policy decisions, market sentiment, and technological innovation continues to redefine investment strategies, presenting both challenges and opportunities.

 

Source: https://e27.co/how-upcoming-cpi-data-could-influence-fed-policy-and-cryptocurrency-prices-20250212/

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j

Revitalizing NFTs: The Influence of ERC-6551

Revitalizing NFTs: The Influence of ERC-6551

The NFT market is experiencing a resurgence in 2023 after a period of decline and stagnation in late 2022. I see a bounce back right now as we speak. Most of us will think that Ethereum dominates the NFT space. But according to various online platforms, the last 24 hour NFT sale volume leader is Bitcoin. Bitcoin has the most amount of sales at $33,269,180, and Ethereum is second at $8,701,553. At the same time, the recently hyped Solana is not in the third place with $2,699,854.

What is driving this renewed interest and activity in the NFT space? And what are the next trends and innovations that will shape the future of NFTs and Web3?

One of the main factors behind the re-rising of the NFT market is the introduction of a new token standard for NFTs: ERC-6551. This standard, proposed by Future Primitive, a team of experienced NFT developers and enthusiasts, aims to enhance the functionality and value of NFTs by giving them smart contract capabilities. ERC-6551 tokens, also known as token-bound accounts (TBAs), function as smart contract wallets that can hold tokens and other NFTs, as well as interact with other smart contracts and applications. Each TBA is permanently bound to a single ERC-721 NFT, and the control of the TBA is granted to the holder of that NFT. This means that every NFT can have its own on-chain identity and agency without requiring any changes to existing NFT smart contracts or infrastructure.

ERC-6551 opens up a whole new world of possibilities for NFTs, as they can now evolve and change over time based on external factors or user inputs. For example, an NFT representing a character in a role-playing game can accumulate assets and abilities based on their actions, or an NFT representing a piece of art can generate royalties for the artist or the collector. It also enables new use cases and business models for NFTs, such as:

  • Composability: TBAs can own and compose other TBAs, creating complex and dynamic NFTs that can represent real-world assets or concepts. For instance, an NFT representing a car can own and compose other NFTs representing its parts, such as the engine, the tires, or the paint. This way, you can easily check where the car came from and who owned it before, as well as change or improve it as you wish. Or, a TBA that looks like a portfolio can have other TBAs inside it that look like different investments, such as stocks, bonds, or cryptocurrencies. This way, you can easily manage and diversify your money, as well as adjust or sell it as you need. TBAs are not just simple pictures or videos but complex and dynamic NFTs that can represent real-world assets or concepts.

  • Identity: TBAs can act as verifiable and portable identities for their owners, as they can sign messages and verify signatures on behalf of the NFT. This allows for seamless and secure access to various Web3 applications and services, such as decentralized exchanges, social networks, or gaming platforms. For example, an NFT representing a membership card can grant access to an exclusive club or community and record a history of past interactions. Similarly, an NFT representing a diploma or a certificate can prove the credentials and achievements of the owner, as well as provide feedback or endorsements.

  • Provenance: TBAs can track and record the history and ownership of the NFT, as well as the interactions and transactions that have occurred with it. This allows for increased transparency and trust in the NFT market, as well as the possibility of creating value-added features or services for the NFT. For example, an NFT representing a rare collectible can show the origin and rarity of the item, as well as the previous owners and prices. An NFT representing a digital artwork can show the creation and modification process of the artist, as well as the appreciation and criticism of the audience.

  • Dependency: Think about how you can create and collect digital items that are not only unique and valuable but also connected and responsive. These items are called TBAs, and they are a new kind of NFTs that can do amazing things on the blockchain. For instance, a TBA that looks like a plant can have a relationship with other TBAs that look like the soil, the water, or the sunlight. This way, you can see and feel how the plant grows and changes and take care of or use it. Or, a TBA that looks like a social movement can have a relationship with other TBAs that look like the supporters, the opponents, or the media. This way, you can understand and experience what the movement is about, as well as join or change it. TBAs are not just static pictures or videos but interrelated and interactive NFTs that can represent dynamic and emergent phenomena or systems.

These use cases and business models are just some of the examples of how ERC-6551 can revolutionize the NFT space and Web3. However, ERC-6551 is not without its challenges and limitations. Some of the potential issues and risks that need to be addressed are:

  • Fraud Prevention: TBAs can be used to create fake or fraudulent NFTs, as they can mimic or impersonate other NFTs or TBAs. This can lead to confusion and deception in the NFT market, as well as the possibility of losing money or reputation. For example, a TBA representing a fake artwork can copy or modify the metadata or the image of a genuine artwork and try to sell it as the original. Likewise, a TBA representing a fake identity can copy or modify the signature or the message of a genuine identity and try to access or use its privileges or resources.

  • Ownership Cycles: TBAs can create ownership cycles, where an NFT owns itself or another NFT that owns it. This can lead to paradoxes and inconsistencies in the NFT market, as well as the possibility of losing control or access to the NFT. For illustration, a TBA representing a self-owning NFT can transfer itself to another owner and then transfer itself back to itself. In the same way, a TBA representing an NFT that owns another NFT that holds it can transfer the other NFT to another owner and then lose its ownership.

These challenges and limitations are not insurmountable and can be mitigated or solved by various methods and techniques, such as:

  • Verification: TBAs can be verified by checking the source and the authenticity of the NFT and the TBA, as well as the validity and the integrity of the metadata and the image. This can be done by using various tools and services, such as NFT scanners, NFT validators, or NFT oracles. Again, citing an example, a TBA representing a genuine artwork can be verified by scanning the NFT and the TBA, and comparing them with the original artwork and the artist. A TBA representing a genuine identity can be verified by validating the NFT and the TBA, and checking them with the credentials and the achievements of the owner.

  • Governance: TBAs can be governed by setting and enforcing rules and policies for the creation and management of the NFT and the TBA, as well as the interactions and transactions that can occur with them. This can be done by using various mechanisms and protocols, such as NFT standards, NFT registries, or NFT DAOs. For example, a TBA representing a self-owning NFT can be governed by following the ERC-6551 standard and registering the NFT and the TBA in the ERC-6551 registry. Similarly, a TBA representing an NFT that owns another NFT that owns it can be governed by joining an NFT DAO and following its rules and policies.

In conclusion, ERC-6551 is a new token standard for NFTs that gives them smart contract capabilities, allowing them to own assets and interact with applications without requiring changes to existing smart contracts or infrastructure. This enables new use cases and business models for NFTs, such as composability, identity, provenance, and dependency.

Yet, the horizon of ERC-6551 is not bereft of challenges and limitations. Issues surrounding fraud prevention and ownership cycles within TBAs pose intricate obstacles to address and overcome. Fraudulent activities leveraging TBAs to mimic genuine NFTs or generate ownership paradoxes in cycles necessitate thorough solutions. These hurdles aren’t insurmountable. Verification mechanisms and governance protocols stand as potential solutions, verifying TBAs’ authenticity and setting robust governance rules to navigate and resolve these complexities.

In the ever-evolving landscape of NFTs and Web3, ERC-6551 beckons us to a frontier where digital assets transcend static representations to become vibrant, interactive entities. It prompts us to question traditional paradigms and heralds a new era where ownership, identity, and interaction with digital assets metamorphose into fluid, dynamic experiences.

As we journey further into this transformative realm, may we embark with a curious mind, exploring the uncharted territories of ERC-6551’s impact, unraveling the mysteries, and shaping a thought-provoking future for NFTs and Web3.

 

 

 

Source: https://hackernoon.com/revitalizing-nfts-the-influence-of-erc-6551

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j