Today in Crypto: Bitget Q3 Report Finds BGB Trading Volume Exceeded $1.3 Billion, US Doctor Pleaded Guilty to Hiring Hitman With BTC, Beluga Raises $4 Million

Today in Crypto: Bitget Q3 Report Finds BGB Trading Volume Exceeded $1.3 Billion, US Doctor Pleaded Guilty to Hiring Hitman With BTC, Beluga Raises $4 Million

Exchange news

  • Bitget released a financial report highlighting the platform’s achievements for Q3 2023, stating that, despite the spot trading and derivative trading volume on centralized exchanges (CEXs) declining by 22% and 23%, respectively, Bitget achieved one of the highest increases in market share of 9.43%. It further reported that the BGB token reached the top 5 CEX tokens by market cap, with a 300% year-to-date price growth; the number of BGB holders overpassed 350,000 in Q3; the trading volume for BGB exceeded $1.3 billion; the exchange unveiled its expansion plans into the Middle East region, and it launched the $100 million fund to support the Web3 ecosystem.

Crime news

  • A Georgia, USA, doctor pleaded guilty to using the dark web to hire a hitman to kill his girlfriend, paying over $16,000 in bitcoin (BTC) for the job. According to the US Attorney’s Office, the order included the victim’s name, address, Facebook account, license plate, and car description, with James Wan (54) stating: “Can take wallet phone and car. Shoot and go. Or take car.” In April 2022, Wan transferred a 50% downpayment of approximately $8,000 in BTC to the dark web marketplace, but that payment was lost, so he followed it up with another one. The administrator confirmed the new address was correct and that the BTC had arrived in the escrow account. A week later, he sent another $8,000 worth of BTC to ensure his escrow account contained the total required to complete the order, followed by $1,200 in May after the BTC price had dropped. FBI agents learned about the order, notified the victim, and provided her protection, the press release said.

Investment news

  • Crypto platform Beluga announced a $4 million seed round from crypto and FinTech investors. The round was led by Fin Capital with participation from AnagramUDHCDispersion CapitalAptos Labs2 Punks CapitalBorderless CapitalKyber Capital186 VenturesW11 CapitalRubik Ventures, and more. Angel investors included Charlie Lee, Founder of Litecoin; Mike Lempres, Former Chief Risk and Legal Officer of Coinbase; Brandon Gath, Head of Kraken Ventures; Akash Garg, Former CTO of MoonPay; Salil Pitroda, Former Blockchain.com Board Observer; Howard Lindzon, Co-Founder of Stocktwits; and Jim Robinson, Co-Founder of RRE VenturesAccording to the press release, in the coming months, Beluga plans to launch more tools to help onboard new users and help them find and use the best crypto products.

Regulation news

  • The use of cryptocurrency by Hamas to fund its strike on Israel is likely to raise red flags in Asian countries that are framing regulations to govern the digital currency, the South China Morning Post reported, citing analysts. “It is a kick on the backside for most governments. All regulatory bodies will take a closer look at crypto regulation. Governments will need to start implementing new rules and regulations,” said Raj Kapoor, founder of India Blockchain Alliance. Some countries may even “bring up the narrative that banning cryptocurrencies is the way forward,” argued Anndy Lian, Singapore-based author of the book NFT: From Zero to Hero. He added that banning crypto would just drive terrorist financing underground and make it harder to trace and stop. “Cryptocurrencies can be traced and tracked, while fiat (currency) such as US dollars cannot.” Terrorist financing underscores the need for harmonizing standards across jurisdictions, analysts opined.

AI news

  • ELONN.AI (ENHANCED_LANGUAGE_ORIENTED_NEURAL_NETWORK), backed by SMART VALOR, a Switzerland-based technology company and the only digital asset exchange listed on Nasdaq in Europe, today announced the first stage of its product roadmap and the app launch. Per an announcement, “in a bold pursuit to disrupt the supremacy of Big Tech in the realm of AI, the founders’ vision is to craft an AI companion, elevating every investment experience with heightened intelligence, safety, and effortless simplicity.” Olga Feldmeier, the Chief Evengelizer of ELONN.AI, said that “we believe that the future of AI is decentralized, open-source and does not belong in walled gardens.” As an initiator, SMART VALOR, has funded the initial development of ELONN.AI for the amount of $14 million, with part of the funding stemming from the company’s initial public offering (IPO) on Nasdaq First North last year, it said.

Blockchain news

  • Q Development AG, the company supporting the decentralized Q Protocol, which works to strengthen the governance of blockchain-based projects, announced the beginning of stage two of its Saving & Borrowing Incentive Program. Per the press release, the initiative is designed to encourage the use of Q’s Saving and Borrowing platform, which enables users to borrow QUSD stablecoins against collateral such as WBTCDAI, and USDC. Users receive Q tokens for asset bridging when assets are transferred from Ethereum to Q; locking collateral assets into a Q vault; and parking QUSD stablecoins within Q’s Saving Portal. The initiative comprises three phases, each lasting three weeks, with subsequent phases only commencing should a pre-set total value locked (TVL) goal be met. The current phase requires users to lock a total of $500,000 by October 29, it said.

 

 

Source: https://cryptonews.com/news/today-in-crypto-bitget-q3-report-finds-bgb-trading-volume-exceeded-13-billion-us-doctor-pleaded-guilty-to-hiring-hitman-with-btc-beluga-raises-4-million.htm

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”.

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Why regulated decentralized exchanges are the wave of crypto trading’s future

Why regulated decentralized exchanges are the wave of crypto trading’s future

The world of cryptocurrency trading is undergoing a profound metamorphosis, fueled by a growing wave of investors seeking alternatives to the well-established centralized exchanges (CEXs) that have long reigned supreme. These CEXs have traditionally acted as intermediaries, facilitating transactions between buyers and sellers of digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. While CEXs offer certain advantages such as liquidity, convenience and security, they also carry significant downsides, including hefty fees and privacy concerns as well as susceptibility to hacking and fraud.

Rise of decentralized crypto trading

Crypto’s shifting landscape has propelled decentralized exchanges (DEXs) into the limelight. DEXs are platforms that empower users to engage in direct peer-to-peer trading of crypto assets, eliminating the need for intermediaries. Harnessing the power of blockchain or distributed ledger technology, DEXs introduce a range of advantages over their centralized counterparts, including:

1. Lower fees: DEXs typically impose more favorable fee structures than CEXs, which often burden users with high commissions, spreads and withdrawal charges.

2. Enhanced privacy: Unlike CEXs, which demand personal information and identity verification, DEXs operate with greater privacy, sidestepping anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations.

3. Greater control: DEXs empower users by allowing them to maintain full control over their crypto assets and private keys, unlike CEXs that hold users’ funds in their own wallets or custodial services.

4. Fostering innovation: DEXs provide access to a broader spectrum of crypto assets and services, including lending, borrowing, staking, yield farming, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and more.

Nonetheless, decentralized exchanges grapple with their own set of challenges, such as:

1. Limited liquidity: DEXs often face lower trading volumes and liquidity compared to CEXs, resulting in higher price slippage and longer transaction processing times.

2. Increased complexity: DEXs may require users to possess a higher degree of technical expertise compared to CEXs, potentially discouraging novice or casual traders.

3. Security concerns: DEXs are not immune to cyberattacks or technical glitches, posing risks to the platform’s integrity and the functionality of underlying smart contracts.

4. Regulatory uncertainty: Operating within a legal gray area, DEXs often lack clear definitions or regulations in most jurisdictions, raising questions about their compliance.

The birth of RDEXs

Is it possible to marry the strengths of centralized exchanges and decentralized exchanges? Can we envision a decentralized exchange that adheres to regulatory standards? The answer is affirmative. Enter the regulated decentralized exchange (RDEX). An RDEX allows users to engage in direct crypto asset trading while adhering to relevant laws and regulations in its jurisdiction of operation. It preserves the fundamental tenets of decentralization — transparency, immutability and censorship resistance — while bolstering them with legitimacy, accountability and security.

So, how does an RDEX function? It achieves this delicate balance by incorporating a regulatory framework into its protocol design, employing smart contracts to enforce user and transaction rules and standards. For instance, it may mandate user registration with real identities and source of funds verification before permitting trading. It may also impose limits on trade amounts or frequencies and report transactions to authorities for tax and compliance purposes.

Some of them will adopt a hybrid approach, blending on-chain and off-chain components. By leveraging off-chain service providers for KYC/AML checks and liquidity pools, they maintain decentralization and security through cryptographic proofs, ensuring the honesty and integrity of these services.

Value of RDEXs

Why are RDEXs so vital in the crypto space? It presents a pragmatic solution to one of the crypto industry’s foremost challenges: regulation. As governments and regulators worldwide grow increasingly concerned about the economic and societal implications of crypto activities, regulation becomes inevitable. While constructive regulation can offer clarity, security and recognition, excessive restrictions can stifle innovation and growth.

RDEXs can serve as a bridge between the crypto industry and regulators. They demonstrate that crypto activities can be conducted in a responsible, compliant and transparent manner, preserving decentralization’s core values. By fostering trust among users, investors and authorities, RDEXs mitigate the risks of fraud, manipulation and abuse.

Moreover, RDEXs empower the future of decentralized trading by granting access to a broader array of crypto assets and services. These include the trading of security tokens, which represent real-world assets like stocks, bonds, real estate or art. While security tokens promise to revolutionize the financial industry, their strict regulations demand compliant platforms, which RDEXs can provide.

Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are another facet of the crypto landscape that RDEXs can facilitate. CBDCs, digital versions of fiat currencies issued by central banks, promise faster, cheaper and more secure transactions but pose unique challenges for the crypto industry. It can integrate CBDCs with other crypto assets and services, ensuring privacy, interoperability and competition.

RDEXs in action

RDEXs are not just theoretical concepts; they are tangible realities. Projects like eToroX, backed by eToro and licensed by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission, is an example of the RDEX in action — enabling users to trade crypto assets, including security tokens and stablecoins pegged to fiat currencies while adhering to regulatory frameworks.

Injective Protocol, supported by Binance, another major player in the crypto space, offers a layer-2 DEX built on Ethereum. It facilitates the trading of crypto assets, including derivatives, futures, options and synthetics, and collaborates with central banks on CBDC integration.

Projects like Bitverse, supported by Bybit and the Mantle Network, are pioneering a credit rating system. This system allows users to leverage their crypto assets and reputation to access a range of financial services and products in the Web3 space. Regulators could explore such platforms to verify user creditworthiness, both on and off-chain. (I do not have any ties to any of the projects or companies mentioned in this piece.)

On the horizon

In summary, RDEXs represent a new breed of decentralized exchanges that adhere to regulation. They bridge the gap between the crypto industry and regulators, providing platforms that cater to both sides’ needs. It unlocks access to a broader spectrum of crypto assets and services, empowering the future of decentralized trading.

However, RDEXs are not the final destination of crypto’s evolution. Numerous challenges and questions remain, including those related to interoperability, scalability, security and the ever-growing complexity of crypto assets and services.

Furthermore, the crypto industry continues to dream beyond RDEXs. Web 4.0, the hypothetical next chapter of the internet, hints at an even more immersive, intuitive and intelligent way of interacting with information and value in the most decentralization manner governed by artificial intelligence may be the way forward. While Web4 remains speculative, it underscores the crypto industry’s relentless pursuit of innovation, openness, fairness and decentralization. This concept also works well with RDEXs, where no single person is running the exchange, it is run by codes and AI.

The crypto industry’s evolution is far from over, with more innovative solutions and revolutionary ideas on the horizon, all aimed at shaping a more decentralized future.

 

Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-regulated-decentralized-exchanges-wave-090100997.html

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”.

j j j

Why regulated decentralized exchanges are the wave of crypto trading’s future

Why regulated decentralized exchanges are the wave of crypto trading’s future

The world of cryptocurrency trading is undergoing a profound metamorphosis, fueled by a growing wave of investors seeking alternatives to the well-established centralized exchanges (CEXs) that have long reigned supreme. These CEXs have traditionally acted as intermediaries, facilitating transactions between buyers and sellers of digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. While CEXs offer certain advantages such as liquidity, convenience and security, they also carry significant downsides, including hefty fees and privacy concerns as well as susceptibility to hacking and fraud.

Rise of decentralized crypto trading

Crypto’s shifting landscape has propelled decentralized exchanges (DEXs) into the limelight. DEXs are platforms that empower users to engage in direct peer-to-peer trading of crypto assets, eliminating the need for intermediaries. Harnessing the power of blockchain or distributed ledger technology, DEXs introduce a range of advantages over their centralized counterparts, including:

1. Lower fees: DEXs typically impose more favorable fee structures than CEXs, which often burden users with high commissions, spreads and withdrawal charges.

2. Enhanced privacy: Unlike CEXs, which demand personal information and identity verification, DEXs operate with greater privacy, sidestepping anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations.

3. Greater control: DEXs empower users by allowing them to maintain full control over their crypto assets and private keys, unlike CEXs that hold users’ funds in their own wallets or custodial services.

4. Fostering innovation: DEXs provide access to a broader spectrum of crypto assets and services, including lending, borrowing, staking, yield farming, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and more.

Nonetheless, decentralized exchanges grapple with their own set of challenges, such as:

1. Limited liquidity: DEXs often face lower trading volumes and liquidity compared to CEXs, resulting in higher price slippage and longer transaction processing times.

2. Increased complexity: DEXs may require users to possess a higher degree of technical expertise compared to CEXs, potentially discouraging novice or casual traders.

3. Security concerns: DEXs are not immune to cyberattacks or technical glitches, posing risks to the platform’s integrity and the functionality of underlying smart contracts.

4. Regulatory uncertainty: Operating within a legal gray area, DEXs often lack clear definitions or regulations in most jurisdictions, raising questions about their compliance.

The birth of RDEXs

Is it possible to marry the strengths of centralized exchanges and decentralized exchanges? Can we envision a decentralized exchange that adheres to regulatory standards? The answer is affirmative. Enter the regulated decentralized exchange (RDEX). An RDEX allows users to engage in direct crypto asset trading while adhering to relevant laws and regulations in its jurisdiction of operation. It preserves the fundamental tenets of decentralization — transparency, immutability and censorship resistance — while bolstering them with legitimacy, accountability and security.

So, how does an RDEX function? It achieves this delicate balance by incorporating a regulatory framework into its protocol design, employing smart contracts to enforce user and transaction rules and standards. For instance, it may mandate user registration with real identities and source of funds verification before permitting trading. It may also impose limits on trade amounts or frequencies and report transactions to authorities for tax and compliance purposes.

Some of them will adopt a hybrid approach, blending on-chain and off-chain components. By leveraging off-chain service providers for KYC/AML checks and liquidity pools, they maintain decentralization and security through cryptographic proofs, ensuring the honesty and integrity of these services.

Value of RDEXs

Why are RDEXs so vital in the crypto space? It presents a pragmatic solution to one of the crypto industry’s foremost challenges: regulation. As governments and regulators worldwide grow increasingly concerned about the economic and societal implications of crypto activities, regulation becomes inevitable. While constructive regulation can offer clarity, security and recognition, excessive restrictions can stifle innovation and growth.

RDEXs can serve as a bridge between the crypto industry and regulators. They demonstrate that crypto activities can be conducted in a responsible, compliant and transparent manner, preserving decentralization’s core values. By fostering trust among users, investors and authorities, RDEXs mitigate the risks of fraud, manipulation and abuse.

Moreover, RDEXs empower the future of decentralized trading by granting access to a broader array of crypto assets and services. These include the trading of security tokens, which represent real-world assets like stocks, bonds, real estate or art. While security tokens promise to revolutionize the financial industry, their strict regulations demand compliant platforms, which RDEXs can provide.

Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are another facet of the crypto landscape that RDEXs can facilitate. CBDCs, digital versions of fiat currencies issued by central banks, promise faster, cheaper and more secure transactions but pose unique challenges for the crypto industry. It can integrate CBDCs with other crypto assets and services, ensuring privacy, interoperability and competition.

RDEXs in action

RDEXs are not just theoretical concepts; they are tangible realities. Projects like eToroX, backed by eToro and licensed by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission, is an example of the RDEX in action — enabling users to trade crypto assets, including security tokens and stablecoins pegged to fiat currencies while adhering to regulatory frameworks.

Injective Protocol, supported by Binance, another major player in the crypto space, offers a layer-2 DEX built on Ethereum. It facilitates the trading of crypto assets, including derivatives, futures, options and synthetics, and collaborates with central banks on CBDC integration.

Projects like Bitverse, supported by Bybit and the Mantle Network, are pioneering a credit rating system. This system allows users to leverage their crypto assets and reputation to access a range of financial services and products in the Web3 space. Regulators could explore such platforms to verify user creditworthiness, both on and off-chain. (I do not have any ties to any of the projects or companies mentioned in this piece.)

On the horizon

In summary, RDEXs represent a new breed of decentralized exchanges that adhere to regulation. They bridge the gap between the crypto industry and regulators, providing platforms that cater to both sides’ needs. It unlocks access to a broader spectrum of crypto assets and services, empowering the future of decentralized trading.

However, RDEXs are not the final destination of crypto’s evolution. Numerous challenges and questions remain, including those related to interoperability, scalability, security and the ever-growing complexity of crypto assets and services.

Furthermore, the crypto industry continues to dream beyond RDEXs. Web 4.0, the hypothetical next chapter of the internet, hints at an even more immersive, intuitive and intelligent way of interacting with information and value in the most decentralization manner governed by artificial intelligence may be the way forward. While Web4 remains speculative, it underscores the crypto industry’s relentless pursuit of innovation, openness, fairness and decentralization. This concept also works well with RDEXs, where no single person is running the exchange, it is run by codes and AI.

The crypto industry’s evolution is far from over, with more innovative solutions and revolutionary ideas on the horizon, all aimed at shaping a more decentralized future.

 

Source: https://forkast.news/egulated-decentralized-exchanges-crypto-future/

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”.

j j j