The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reportedly loosened its rules for banks facilitating crypto transactions. The new guidelines are designed to establish minimal standards and criteria for virtual asset service providers (VASPs) concerning banking relationships and the initiation of accounts in Nigeria.

Growing demand forces change in Nigeria

In a communication distributed to banks on December 22nd, the CBN acknowledged that the growing global demand and acceptance of crypto make it unreasonable to uphold the strict limitations imposed on financial institutions in 2021. The announcement highlighted that current trends globally have shown that there is a need to regulate the activities of VASPs which include cryptocurrencies and digital assets.

As such, the aforementioned guidelines aim to set forth minimum standards and prerequisites for establishing banking relationships and initiating accounts for VASPs in Nigeria. Furthermore, the new rules strive to guarantee robust risk management practices within the banking industry concerning the operations of licensed VASPs. However, financial institutions are still forbidden to possess, trade, or execute transactions in crypto using their own accounts.

Nigeria could become a financial powerhouse

Back in February 2021, the CBN imposed a ban on all regulated financial institutions when it came to providing services to crypto exchanges in the country. In more recent developments, the local blockchain industry has urged the federal government of Nigeria to implement regulations that would facilitate the widespread integration of the approved blockchain policy in the nation.

Obinna Iwuno, the President of the Stakeholders in Blockchain Association of Nigeria (SiBAN), emphasized the imperative need to establish a regulatory framework to expedite the infusion of blockchain technology into various sectors of the economy. Iwuno conveyed that Nigeria is fully prepared for complete adoption now, and the blockchain policy initiated by the government positions Nigeria as a pioneer in the African digital economy landscape if fully executed.

Diana Mondino, the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Argentina, has affirmed the recent decision taken by the local government to acknowledge Bitcoin (BTC) as a legally sanctioned currency for contractual agreements. This development aligns with recent reports highlighting an ongoing depreciation in the value of the Argentinian currency (ARS).

Argentina goes crypto

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mondino disclosed that Argentinian citizens can now utilize Bitcoin to engage in contractual arrangements within the country. The Minister went on to say that as of this moment, the government has officially affirmed and validated that contracts in Argentina can be formalized using Bitcoin.

This is a first for the country, although Argentina is not the inaugural nation to make BTC legal tender as that honor rests with El Salvador. It is still worth noting that, although the country is adopting a positive stance when it comes to crypto, President Javier Milei has embarked on a series of steps to reinvigorate the local economy since his inauguration on December 10th, which also reportedly involves following through with his promise to dollarize Argentina.

A big step forward

In the backdrop of the notable price surge experienced by the flagship cryptocurrency in recent months, wherein it recorded a surge of approximately 65.6% over the last three months and a 20.4% increase in the past 30 days, Argentina is embracing Bitcoin as a viable option.

Additionally, Mondino expressed that contracts could involve other cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum, Cardano, and more, and even specific commodities such as any other crypto or type of investment asset including but not limited to stocks, metals, and even liters of milk.

Bitcoin (BTC) recently surpassed $44,000 for the first time in over a year. However, the cryptocurrency has since lost some momentum and is currently trading just below this level. Solana (SOL) has demonstrated the most significant increase among larger-cap altcoins, with a daily gain of over 10%, reaching a 19-month peak above $80 and is currently trading at just over $90.

BTC still on track

Bullish activity prevented further declines in the crypto market, as BTC steadily gained momentum when it surged by nearly three thousand dollars within hours and reached above $43,000. Although there was a brief retracement that temporarily pushed the cryptocurrency below $42,000, it quickly rebounded.

SOL, along with a significant portion of its ecosystem, has been leading recent price surges. In the past 24 hours alone, SOL experienced a substantial 11% increase, reaching $85. This marks the highest price since May 2022, and SOL has surpassed XRP to become the fifth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. To be fair, most of the price increase had to do with the recent BONK craze and the Solana Saga Web3 phone.

Other larger-cap altcoins such as Avalanche and Polkadot have also seen gains, with AVAX rising by 8.5% to trade above $45, and DOT nearing $7.5 after a 6% daily increase. Additional gains have been observed in IoTeX (22%), PancakeSwap (20%), Near Protocol (16%), and Neo (11%). The overall cryptocurrency market cap increased by $30 billion overnight, approaching $1.650 trillion on CMC.

Other markets

European and U.S. stock futures declined amid speculation that investors are adjusting positions ahead of the release of a U.S. inflation gauge, which could impact Federal Reserve policy. Shares in Asia also fell following the recent announcement bY China concerning new restrictions on online gaming, affecting major technology shares like Tencent Holdings Ltd. and NetEase Inc.

Oil prices continued their upward trend, with Brent near $80 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate above $74 a barrel, driven by renewed attacks in the Red Sea leading to altered shipping routes. The Southeast Asian stock markets are experiencing a nascent rebound too, attributed to an improving economic outlook which led to an outperformance of broader indexes for Asia Pacific and global stocks.

Finally, the MSCI ASEAN Index rose more than 3% since Fed Chair Jerome Powell made his recent speech, extending gains that began in November after a challenging year due to foreign outflows and a regional slowdown in exports.

BlackRock and Nasdaq have reportedly held multiple discussions with the SEC as of late to explore the possibility of introducing a new Bitcoin ETF (Exchange Traded Fund), with the goal of enhancing Bitcoin investment accessibility and ensuring market security.

Multiple entities meet with the SEC

Representatives via prominent financial entities recently engaged in discussions with the SEC. The purpose of this meeting was allegedly focused around the BlackRock Bitcoin ETF, presenting a novel avenue for individuals to invest in the flagship crypto through the stock market.

The disclosed memorandum in the report indicates that the conversation also delved into the  criteria put forth by Nasdaq for a potential ETF listing, crucial for guaranteeing the secure and equitable operation of the ETF.

These criteria encompass surveillance and compliance measures aimed at preserving market integrity and safeguarding against fraudulent activities. This is particularly pertinent as the SEC expresses concerns about potential market manipulation when it comes to cryptocurrency trading in particular.

Getting closer

BlackRock made a recent adjustment to its Bitcoin ETF proposal, opting for a cash redemption option in alignment with the various preferences established by the regulatory agency. Michael Saylor of MicroStrategy recently suggested that the potential introduction of this Bitcoin ETF could have significant implications for Wall Street, calling it the biggest financial development in over three decades.

Saylor envisions it could result in a substantial increase in the value of BTC in 2024 by facilitating easier access for a broader range of investors. Elsewhere, numerous market and tech analysts have predicted that it is only a matter of time before the ETF is approved.

More than 50,000 developers are actively involved in a local blockchain platform endorsed by the Chinese government. Yin Hejun, representing the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, communicated the significant commitment by the local government to advancing the Web3 industry in a written response to the National Committee of the Chinese People Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) proposal.

China shifting to Web3

Yin emphasized that the suggestions related to enhancing resource support for Web3 technology research and development, fortifying technology supervision and management, promoting international cooperation, and intensifying publicity and promotion exhibit foresight and strategic alignment with the key priorities set forth by the Ministry.

The provided document recognizes the sturdy industrial base of China alongside its substantial potential for Web3, encompassing policy backing, technological exploration, and practical applications. The document highlights official directives on blockchain technology and ongoing innovation pilots exploring diverse applications, such as trade finance and intellectual property. Prominent Chinese technology enterprises like Ant Group, Baidu, and Huawei underscore the pivotal role of the consortium in this sector.

Advancement with a catch

To expedite blockchain adoption, the Ministry of Science and Technology, alongside other governmental entities, has introduced certain policies and standards. Local initiatives in Beijing and Shanghai specifically aim to nurture innovation within the Web3 sphere. Authorities are capitalizing on opportunities in this emerging field by creating a conducive environment through guidelines, committees, and targeted initiatives.

The embracing of Web3 technologies by China indicates a significant shift compared to its previous stance of prohibiting cryptocurrencies and cracking down on mining operations. Nonetheless, concerns linger around the Chinese CBDC, the digital Yuan, which, while positioned as an advanced payment mechanism, enables unprecedented surveillance and control by authorities.

The impending Bitcoin (BTC) Spot ETF applications hold considerable importance for all markets, according to Michael Saylor, the Executive Chairman of MicroStrategy (MSTR), who emphasized this point during a recent Bloomberg TV interview. Saylor has long since been a strong advocate for Bitcoin and its potential, to the point where he has bought a tremendous amount of the flagship crypto for MicroStrategy.

A historic development

Saylor suggested that the potential approval of the exchange traded funds could be the most significant development on Wall Street in three decades, drawing a parallel to the introduction of previous ETFs which helped provide investors with easy exposure to various markets.

Saylor highlighted the current lack of a high bandwidth compliant channel for mainstream investors, both individual and institutional, to invest in Bitcoin. He anticipates a transformative shift with the introduction of the ETF, predicting a surge in demand for BTC, followed by a supply shock during the upcoming halving event, reducing daily Bitcoin production to 450 as compared to its current levels which are at 900.

Saylor remains bullish

Saylor expressed optimism about a major bullish trend for Bitcoin as well as all of the other cryptocurrencies by association in the coming year but did not speculate on the potential price increase and did not provide any specific numbers or predictions.

Moreover, when it came to addressing concerns about whether a Spot ETF might divert investor interest regarding MicroStrategy, often considered a Bitcoin ETF proxy, Saylor clarified that MSTR is an operational company capable of using its cash flow or intelligent leverage to enhance its holdings. He also emphasized the absence of ownership fees for MSTR, which helps provide an important distinction when it comes to ETFs.

The European Union (EU) has introduced its 12th set of sanctions against Russia, concentrating on crypto assets to curtail financial capabilities for the Russians while advocating for peace in Ukraine. This latest package of measures encompasses a broad prohibition on Russian involvement in crypto services, encompassing ownership, control, or participation in the governing bodies of crypto service providers.

Curbing Russia

The sanctions also reportedly include measures to cease the provision of wallets, accounts, or custody services related to crypto by Russians. The EU is implementing these actions to restrict the financial capabilities of Russians while also simultaneously addressing vulnerabilities in digital financial transactions.

Since early 2022, the European Union has been escalating its sanctions against Russia, encompassing various economic and individual measures, with the primary objective of pressuring Russia to cease its military actions in Ukraine.

These sanctions are allegedly designed to promote peace in the region and involve substantial measures such as limiting Russian access to crypto services within the EU. Similar measures have been enacted against Belarus and Iran. The global crypto-asset sector is affected by these sanctions, as the EU focuses on a critical area of finance.

More than meets the eye

Despite its critics, the EU remains adamant in maintaining a steadfast position, utilizing economic sanctions for geopolitical influence, indicating a shift in global power dynamics. This particular development represents a significant initiative by the EU to curtail Russia, particularly in the crypto-assets sector, with the aim of contributing to the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.

Still, some believe that, like most traditional institutions, the EU may be overreaching its influence in order to try and manipulate the global geopolitical situation. After all, a large portion of the Russian population never wanted a war with Ukraine in the first place, and many believe that punishing all Russian citizens for the actions of the government is a tad too far.

The board overseeing Zcash recently acknowledged Zooko Wilcox for introducing the initial real-world implementation of zero-knowledge proofs. Electric Coin Co. (ECC), the primary developer of Zcash, announced that Wilcox is stepping down as CEO, with Josh Swihart taking over. Wilcox has led the project since its inception in 2015 when the company was first established.

A needed change

Swihart, former Senior Vice President of Growth at ECC, will assume the CEO position as aforementioned. He will be responsible for all strategic and tactical decisions going forward. The Board has expressed confidence in Swihart, citing his vision for ECC, passion for Zcash, and a robust background in entrepreneurship, technology, and product development.

Wilcox will retain his position as a Director on the Board of the Bootstrap Project, the parent company of ECC. Wilcox discussed the intertwining of his life and identity with Zcash, expressing the need for separation for the well-being of both himself and the project. He mentioned taking time to contemplate how best to contribute in the future, emphasizing the importance of including Zcash in any future commitments due to its significance in promoting freedom.

History maker

Zcash, launched in 2016 as a fork of the Bitcoin (BTC) blockchain, is renowned for its z-addresses, enabling encryption on one or both sides of a blockchain transaction. The network utilizes zk-SNARK, a type of mathematical proof derived through zero-knowledge cryptography, a prominent trend in blockchain architecture in 2023.

The technical documentation explains that owners of z-addresses can share transaction details with trusted third parties using a view key, allowing auditable transactions while maintaining participant control. Electric Capital credited Wilcox for successfully delivering, through Zcash, the first real-world application of zero-knowledge proofs.

Aurory gaming, a Solana-based platform, has experienced a significant security breach resulting in an 80% liquidity loss in the AURY-USDC pool. Acting swiftly, the team disabled SyncSpace to safeguard funds and stabilize the market.

Damage control

The security incident involved the SyncSpace Aurory Bridge on the Camelot DEX known as Arbitrum. The hacker exploited this bridge, enabling the withdrawal of approximately 600,000 AURY tokens to Arbitrum, which were subsequently sold. In response, SyncSpace was promptly deactivated to prevent further complications and protect user funds and NFTs.

Notably, the pilfered tokens originated via the team rather than user funds. The team took immediate measures to stabilize the market, repurchasing tokens and planning security enhancements. Following the breach, AURY declined to $1.17, but it later recovered some of its value. The team continues to repurchase tokens as they conduct an ongoing investigation.

Fueled by hype and trends

The breach has sparked discussions about decentralized ecosystem security. The Aurory team assures a comprehensive analysis post-issue resolution, and SyncSpace is anticipated to resume operations soon, accompanied by plans for an upcoming user event.

Elsewhere, people all over the world are clamouring to get their hands on the new Solana Saga Web3 phone. Most are not actually interested in the phone itself, but rather the free 30 million BONK tokens which come with it. One person even reportedly paid a whopping $5,000 for the device.

BONK is a meme coin, which means it lacks a solid foundation or tangible assets, making it susceptible to sudden and drastic price fluctuations driven primarily by social media trends rather than fundamental value. The hype surrounding meme coins like BONK, DOGE, SHIB, and more can often lead to rapid and unpredictable market movements, exposing investors to the potential for significant financial losses. 

Solana Saga faced challenges meeting sales expectations initially but recently experienced a global sellout. Meme coin enthusiasts discovered that the flagship Web3 phone included a substantial amount of one of the most popular Shiba-Inu-themed tokens, BONK. As the meme coin gains momentum, traders are fervently pursuing the Web3 phone to capitalize on the surging demand. The Saga phone includes various complimentary items, such as free NFTs, merchandise, and more.

An insane price tag

Unexpectedly, Solana dropped a bombshell as the Saga phone sold out in the US, leaving only a few available in Europe. The spike in demand was surprising, given the revelation by Anatoly Yaovenko in early December that only 2,500 units were sold, significantly below the 50,000 target.

The sudden interest in the phone coincides with the explosive rise of BONK. Each Solana Saga phone includes 30 million BONK tokens, currently valued higher than the $599 price tag for the device itself. Recognizing this opportunity, traders are rushing to acquire the phone worldwide.

With escalating demand, the flagship Web3 phone is now reselling for up to ten times its original price on secondary marketplaces like eBay. Research indicates that the Solana Saga is attracting bids ranging up to a whopping $5,000, with reports of two phones selling at the higher end.

Unrealized success

The main reason for these high prices is the physical possession of the phone by sellers. Although online sales are depleted, traders must await the physical arrival of the phone to access and sell the free BONK tokens. Due to the infamous volatility associated with meme coins, prices can fluctuate significantly before the phone arrives.

Moreover, despite BONK experiencing an astonishing 800% surge in December, surpassing a market cap of $1.6 billion, it remains vulnerable to extreme volatility. It has already recorded a 20% decrease over a 24 hour period. Solana Saga initially distributed the 30 million BONK tokens through an airdrop in June.

In any case, BONK has been a significant success this year, attracting heightened demand due to its remarkable performance. Recognizing the long-term profit potential of the asset, traders are actively seeking the meme coin, leading to a global sellout of the phone as aforementioned.

Charles Hoskinson once again dominates the headlines due to his comments. Members of the community questioned his position on potential collaborations with Ripple and XRP. Unsurprisingly, the Cardano founder remained firm in his opposition to such partnerships, as the dynamic between Hoskinson and the XRP community is one of the most intriguing in the crypto space, characterized by an enduring feud with both sides constantly expressing dissenting opinions.

Hoskinson will not play ball

In the latest chapter of the ongoing saga, Charles Hoskinson finds himself once more in disagreement with the XRP community. On Sunday, an X user brought attention to a comment made by Hoskinson a year ago, where he heavily criticized the XRP community by calling them toxic and petty.

Despite Ripple CTO Ripple Schwartz urging him to reconsider his stance, the recent response remained a resounding no to potential partnerships. Hoskinson defended his position by pointing to two years of what he perceived as blatant harassment by the XRP community. Still, most spectators simply wish for the two parties to get along for the betterment of crypto in general.

A different purpose

Hoskinson elaborated that XRP served a different market purpose, emphasizing its role as an interbank settlement system and CBDC stack, distinct to decentralized smart contract systems like Ethereum, Polkadot, and Algorand. He expressed skepticism about collaborating with the XRP community, citing constant personal attacks, harassment, and an apparent inability to have a conversation.

The comments made by the Cardano founder reflected his overall frustration, prompting a response by the XRP community through memes and allegations of corruption. Hoskinson, in turn, dismissed them as conspiracy theorists, particularly in response to their ETHGate theory.

At any rate, the ongoing hostility between Charles Hoskinson and the XRP community leaves the duration of this feud uncertain. As long as the animosity persists, the situation becomes increasingly complex.

On behalf of the Web3 community, we would like to extend our warmest congratulations to the companies that announced their success in fundraising between 12th December and 18th December 2023. We are thrilled to see such tremendous support from all involved. Well done! 

Matr1x raised $20M - Matr1x hopes an esports scene springs up for its namesake game, which is still in development. The studio has meanwhile released two NFT collections and plans to release a third collection.

AIT Protocol raised $300K - The AIT Protocol stands as a trailblazer in the domain of Web3 data infrastructure, placing a significant emphasis on the annotation of data and the training of AI models.

Hackless.io raised $1.2M - Hackless, a company specializing in blockchain security solutions, has successfully concluded a private funding round, securing $1.2 million in investment.

Realtime raised $10M - This endorsement and financial support have been received for Reltime's three-year development initiative on &ldquoUsing 5G Mobile Handsets as node validators in Reltime's Layer 1 Blockchain for Microtransactions."

G.U. Technologies raised $2.9M - G.U. Group, the promoter of Japan Open Chain, has raised a 420 million yen ($2.9m) funding. Japan Open Chain is an Ethereum compatible public blockchain with enterprises running the validator nodes.

NFTScan raised $2.05M - NFTSCAN is a professional NFT asset browser and data analysis platform. Provide developers with a professional NFT API, and provide ordinary users with concise retrieval services.

Line Next raised $140M - LINE NEXT Raises USD140 Million to Expand Web3 Ecosystem. Investment is led by Crescendo Equity Partners. LINE NEXT aims to use funding to introduce a new platform and services.

Spielworks GmbH raised an undisclosed amount - Crypto startup Spielworks, which focuses on DeFi and gaming, has completed a strategic funding round with participation from the Swiss non-profit organization, The Hashgraph Association (THA).

Enphyr raised $1M - Enphyr, a Layer 2 solution that is built on the Ethereum network, has secured a $1 million in seed funding round at a $10 million valuation.

Dynamic raised $21M - Web3 authentication and authorization platform Dynamic Labs on Wednesday announced that it's raised $13.5 million in a round led by a16z crypto and joined by Founders Fund.

NodeKit raised $1.2M - NodeKit, the team working on Avalanche-based network SEQ, has raised $1.2M in a pre-seed round led by Borderless Capital, with participation.

Andalusia Labs raised $51.25M - Andalusia Labs, formerly known as RiskHarbor, the global leader in risk management infrastructure for digital assets, has successfully raised $48 million in Series.

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