Previously @Blockworks_. I write journalism and fiction (not at the same time). Ben_Strack on telegram. Sports are fun.
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The world’s largest asset manager is synching its investment management platform with Coinbase Prime.
More details in the latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/blackrock-to-o…
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S-1 for a Bitwise Avalanche ETF just dropped as we're set to get some SEC decisions next month.
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MicroStrategy's Michael Saylor to step out of CEO role and become executive chairman.
The move sets him up to focus more on the company's bitcoin acquisition strategy.
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. @coinbase's partnership with @BlackRock could be a catalyst for bitcoin’s price to rise by up to $500,000, according to Ark Invest.
Details in latest for @blockworks blockworks.co/ark-invest-ana…
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Plenty of chatter about finding out whether MicroStrategy (MSTR) will be added to the Nasdaq 100.
A Nasdaq spokesperson just told me the announcement is set to go out at 8 p.m. ET tonight.
Changes would go into effect on Dec. 23, the representative added.
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“Compute is commoditized mostly. Big models are very much head-to-head.
"So really the biggest differentiating factor is what data you use to train models.”
— @StoryProtocol CPO Andrea Muttoni
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You may have heard about Blockworks shutting down its newsroom. I was among those affected.
I’m really proud of what my colleagues and I built: a newsroom that cared deeply about high-quality journalism (and each other) as we navigated a fast-paced, complex space.
I also loved writing the Forward Guidance newsletter and appreciate those who took the time to read it.
Saddened to see it end this way, but it was a cool 4+ years. Looking forward to what’s next; open to opportunities. I have a feeling you’ll hear plenty more from the talented members of this team soon, within crypto or otherwise.
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I chatted with @cryptocom CMO @skalifowitz about the company's marketing efforts in 2021 and where the firm looks to go from here.
My latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/crypto-com-cmo…
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"I would like to see a chair of the SEC who will stop lying to the American people."
-Coinbase's @iampaulgrewal @Permissionless
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“Web3 could be the biggest anti-poverty initiative in the history of the world.”
-Andrew Yang, speaking at #ETHDenver
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The world’s largest asset manager is “conducting work” on the potential of permissioned blockchains, stablecoins, cryptoassets and tokenization.
Details in my latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/blackrock-laun…
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. @MicroStrategy now holds 125,051 bitcoins.
Opportunities to use its BTC to generate yield, etc., will increase as more banks enter space, according to CEO Michael @saylor.
blockworks.co/michael-saylor…
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“We think games can onboard the next 100 million, even 1 billion people into Web3.”
-@amytongwu, @FTX_Official's new head of ventures, gaming, M&A and commercial initiatives
My latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/ftx-launches-2…
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Given Canary's staked Injective ETF filing, I caught up with @ericinjective about what the blockchain is focused on.
He mentioned the expected tokenized RWA boom, and how regulations will help accelerate work there.
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And there we have it.
US bitcoin ETF launch: Jan. 2024
US ether ETF launch: July 2024
US SOL ETF launch: Oct. 2025
Introducing $BSOL — the Bitwise Solana Staking ETF. Starts trading tomorrow.
- First U.S. ETP to have 100% direct exposure to spot SOL
- Maximizing Solana’s 7%+ average staking reward rate*
- Targeting 100% of assets staked
- Staking through Bitwise Onchain Solutions, powered by @heliuslabs
- 0% fees, with waiver for a limited time**
We believe Solana is a key platform for enabling capital markets to come onchain and is perfectly positioned for this moment.
Now, investors can get exposure to its growth potential and 7% average staking rewards with BSOL.
Solana is headed into the mainstream—and we think it’s just getting started.
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. @BlackRock recently pointed out a program by @energywebx to make bitcoin mining sustainability efforts more transparent.
Find out where the program stands in my latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/transparency-c…
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Another bitcoin exchange-traded product carrying the Fidelity name has launched — just not the one some US investors are waiting for.
The latest coverage from @blockworks
blockworks.co/fidelity-inter…
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Stablecoins will greatly benefit the DeFi ecosystem as they help onboard millions of people, Maelstrom CIO Arthur Hayes told @ForwardGuidance's Felix Jauvin.
But most new stablecoin projects are "zeros" without a distribution moat.
"If you don’t have a distribution arm, you don’t have a social media company, you don’t have a large exchange … then you’ve got a spend to get those clients, spend for that network effect and you’re 10 years behind the curve of Tether and Circle."
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"The day is coming" that Vanguard lifts its crypto ETF trading ban.
“They say everyone gets the bitcoin price they deserve. I’d say every brokerage gets the bitcoin entry point it deserves too."
-@bitwise CIO @Matt_Hougan ... blockworks.co/news/tradfi-cr…
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I spoke with 2020 presidential candidate @AndrewYang about crypto.
Check out his thoughts about the regulation and politicization around the industry and the path to mainstream adoption in my latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/andrew-yang-we…
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Visa is doing more as it relates to crypto, this time launching a crypto advisory practice as a way to help its clients pursue potential opportunities in the space.
My latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/visa-launches-…
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Could the potential approval of a bitcoin futures ETF this week strengthen arguments for approving spot funds?
Bloomberg Intelligence analysts believe so.
blockworks.co/sec-ruling-on-…
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FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried said in a Tuesday tweet that his company takes seriously its duty to protect the digital asset ecosystem.
blockworks.co/blockfi-inks-2…
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We at @blockworks are keeping an eye out for the SEC's decision on VanEck's proposed spot bitcoin ETF. The agency's deadline to approve or deny the planned offering is Nov. 14.
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. @trustmachinesco has added Kraken's director of growth marketing as an advisor.
Details via @blockworks below
blockworks.co/bitcoin-focuse…
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Binance will burn trading fees at the exchange’s expense, not users’, CZ says
Latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/luna-classic-u…
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@MicroStrategy has purchased an additional 5,050 bitcoins for about $243 million, according to a Monday SEC filing. The company currently holds 114,042 bitcoins for an average price of $27,713. @blockworks blockworks.co/microstrategy-…
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. @Grayscale has bolstered its legal team as the SEC weighs whether to allow the crypto-focused asset manager to convert its bitcoin trust to an ETF.
More details in my latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/grayscale-inve…
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Your weekly update on crypto hires is here.
The latest appointments from @BinanceUS and other crypto firms in latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/latest-in-cryp…
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Chatted with @OndoFinance CEO @nathanlallman about tokenization.
A bit of a preview to the "Rebooting the Global Financial System" panel I'll be moderating at @Permissionless next week ...
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A new filing for a staked Injective ETF by Canary.
Add it to the list @JSeyff , @EricBalchunas :)
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The Fidelity Advantage Bitcoin ETF (FBTC) is now live on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
It joins other physically backed crypto offerings in Canada, such as Purpose Investments' $1.8 billion (CAD) product, which launched in February.
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Less than a week before the SEC is set to rule on several futures-based bitcoin ETFs, another is added to the pile.
Check out my latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/ark-invest-21s…
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VanEck CEO Jan van Eck "disappointed" by the SEC's decision to deny the firm's spot bitcoin ETF proposal. Read my latest for @blockworks on the ruling. blockworks.co/sec-rejects-va…
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What should you make of BlackRock’s partnership with Coinbase? Industry watchers and executives share what the deal could mean
My latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/industry-watch…
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. @Grayscale has added 25 assets to a running list of investments it is considering making available to investors.
Latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/grayscale-cons…
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SEC no longer pursuing its appeal in the Ripple case, @bgarlinghouse says @blockworksDAS.
Standing ovation.
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Crypto and TradFi will inevitably collide, say execs from Fidelity, HSBC, Bank of America and Credit Suisse.
Latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/banks-are-futu…
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The firm that launched the first bitcoin futures ETF in the US is about to list a product allowing investors to bet against the crypto asset's price.
More details in the latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/proshares-to-l…
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Open interest for SOL futures contracts has grown more than 400% in the past six months, according to a report by crypto investment firm @two_prime.
My latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/solana-volume-…
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. @coinfund 's former head of portfolio growth is set to join VC firm Aglaé Ventures to lead its expansion into web3 investments.
An ex-COO at Aave is joining her.
blockworks.co/vanessa-grelle…
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A rule change proposed by the SEC could be the key to a spot bitcoin ETF approval by the middle of 2023, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analysts.
@ValkyrieFunds CEO @LeahWald and @bitwise CIO @Matt_Hougan weigh in.
blockworks.co/is-a-change-to…
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Roughly 40% of crypto owners around the world surveyed by @Gemini first bought the digital assets in 2021.
Check out the countries with the highest crypto adoption in my latest for @blockworks.
blockworks.co/gemini-report-…
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How big Sam Bankman-Fried's $250 million bail amount was, when compared to Bernie Madoff and other financial fraudsters.
Latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/news/bankman-f…
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The attorney general for Washington, DC alleges bitcoin bull Michael Saylor evaded paying more than $25 million in taxes and claims his company MicroStrategy, conspired to help him do so.
Details in developing story for @blockworks
blockworks.co/michael-saylor…
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Perhaps best known for its Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), @Grayscale has launched its first ETF.
I chatted with Grayscale Global Head of ETFs @dave_lavalle about the new product.
Latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/grayscale-laun…
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Digital asset custodian Copper has hired five former Bank of America Merrill Lynch employees to lead the expansion of its prime infrastructure offerings.
More details in my latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/copper-hires-f…
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. @Hut8Mining is not selling its bitcoin anytime soon, and seeks to build up its uncorrelated computing business.
Other miners have started to sell, or are considering it.
Details in my latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/crypto-mining-…
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Sweden-based Vinter has DeFi, lending, staking and centralized exchange indices. It will soon offer products for energy-conscious investors, its CEO said.
My latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/crypto-index-p…
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A fund group with $81B in AUM has gotten the OK to launch nine more funds that record share ownership on the blockchain.
Latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/news/wisdomtre…
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This 25-5 vote in favor comes after similar efforts
failed in five states (Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota).
Keeping an eye on Utah, Oklahoma and others.
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Still digesting what exactly @Grayscale's lawsuit against the SEC means?
Check out my latest for @blockworks. And then have a great long weekend.
blockworks.co/grayscale-face…
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Circle just revealed a layer-1 blockchain called Arc.
USDC will be the native gas fee currency.
Set to launch by the end of the year.
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"If we see incredible companies in this space, we’re going to try to acquire them.”
-@coinbase President and COO @emiliemc
blockworks.co/coinbase-presi…
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Coinbase's @iampaulgrewal said he won't just be watching the presidential results.
"Congress is going to matter. They're going to matter a lot here."
He noted that getting FIT21 through the House was "no small feat." #Permissionless
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Though @vaneck_us still believes a spot bitcoin ETF is a superior product, the firm will launch its bitcoin futures ETF on Tuesday.
It will have a lower management fee and a different tax structure than similar products by ProShares and Valkyrie.
blockworks.co/vanecks-bitcoi…
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Enjoyed chatting with @JSeyff for this.
He told me he thinks bitcoin ETFs will grow to triple the size of gold ETFs within the next 3-5 years.
It’s been exactly a year since the SEC approved spot bitcoin ETFs. Let’s reflect on the last 12 months:
blockworks.co/news/one-year-…
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Analysts say Voyager Digital's exposure to Three Arrows Capital “raises survivability questions” for the publicly-traded cryptocurrency firm.
More details in latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/three-arrows-c…
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Some industry watchers criticized the White House's crypto framework, as one called it "a missed opportunity."
Details in my latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/white-houses-l…
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"[Blockchain technology is] clearly evolving fast and we are paying close attention to how the regulatory structure unfolds around it.”
-Mark Jones, co-head of macro at Wells Fargo Corporate & Investment Bank
blockworks.co/wells-fargo-an…
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ProShares could be the first to launch a bitcoin futures-based ETF.
The firm's product is set to be 95 basis points, said Bloomberg Intelligence Analyst @JSeyff, who expects it could be used more as a trading vehicle than a long-term holding.
blockworks.co/proshares-set-…
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The Financial Stability Board has labeled crypto as a potential threat, citing its scale, structural vulnerabilities and increasing ties to traditional finance.
My latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/world-financia…
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Binance US and JPMorgan Chase revealed new leaders, while venture capital firms add talent to focus on Web3.
All the crypto hires you may have missed this week: blockworks.co/latest-in-cryp…
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Assets under management in bitcoin products stand at $24.5 billion — the lowest point since the beginning of 2021, according to @CoinSharesCo
More details in my latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/bitcoin-invest…
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Will a Wall Street bank buy a firm like @coinbase? Or will it be the other way around? Check out my latest on what industry watchers think could be ahead in terms of crypto M&A blockworks.co/are-tradfi-and…
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UPDATE: @SBF_FTX was filmed for this crypto course, but was removed after FTX's crash, a MasterClass spokesperson told Blockworks.
blockworks.co/news/mastercla…
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It's Friday, which means @blockworks has rounded up the latest hires in crypto.
It also means the weekend is near, of course.
blockworks.co/latest-in-cryp…
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Grayscale wants a Solana ETF on the market too.
Add it to the pile ... blockworks.co/news/planned-c…
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Spoke to Kevin O'Leary today about his new relationship with crypto exchange FTX. Check back at Blockworks.co tomorrow to read more from my interview with him. blockworks.co/ftx-partners-w…
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“I expect more interest from investors in the metaverse ETFs than in crypto-related offerings, particularly in [the] absence of spot crypto ETFs."
-Neena Mishra, director of ETF research for Zacks Investment Research
My latest for @blockworks blockworks.co/metaverse-etp-…
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Crypto continues to infiltrate the sports world.
As part of the deal, the Warriors will offer exclusive collectibles on @ftx_us’s NFT platform.
blockworks.co/ftx-us-partner…
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ProShares, Direxion and AXS Investments each filed to launch ETFs that would short bitcoin futures contracts this week.
blockworks.co/issuers-race-t…
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“It makes it a harder market to short because we could wake up at any moment and the US could be establishing a strategic bitcoin reserve. Or another country could be front-running the US establishing a strategic bitcoin reserve."
-@bitwise's @Matt_Hougan
Bitwise’s @Matt_Hougan chatted with @blockworks’ @strack_ben about institutional crypto adoption in what is shaping up to be a friendlier environment for the space
blockworks.co/news/matt-houg…
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A class action lawsuit alleges that Stronghold Digital Mining's IPO registration statement was “materially false and misleading.”
The company posted a fourth quarter net loss of $17.5 million.
blockworks.co/stronghold-min…
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Crypto summit attendees get to see the World Cup trophy, whether they want to or not ...
Michael Saylor is capturing the moment.
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It wouldn't be Friday without a @blockworks hiring roundup.
MoonPay grabs the headline as it adds a COO, CTO and others.
blockworks.co/latest-in-cryp…
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With 220 million users engaged in building in and interacting with crypto, it’s important to offer products for new technologies like Solana to increase user adoption, a Grayscale spokesperson said.
Follow @blockworks for more crypto news.
blockworks.co/grayscale-laun…
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Trading volumes in crypto investment products fell to roughly $900 million last week — less than half of the year-to-date weekly average, @CoinSharesCo data shows.
More details in my latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/trading-volume…
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Coinbase is set to reveal its Q3 earnings today.
In case you missed it, read up on what analysts will be watching for: blockworks.co/coinbase-earni…
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Grayscale CEO @Sonnenshein said a bitcoin ETF is what investors deserve.
Morningstar's Bobby Blue says the firm should launch a redemption program while it seeks to convert GBTC to an ETF. The fund's shares have traded at a discount for much of 2021.
blockworks.co/grayscales-mic…
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Chatted with execs at the Exchange conference last week about when a spot bitcoin ETF will be approved.
Check out what they said in the latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/crypto-execs-r…
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The victims of a hack of DeFi platform bZx are vying for the return of their funds in a rare attempt to hold a DAO liable in court.
More details in my latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/hacked-dao-fac…
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. @BlackRockCEO Larry Fink in his 2025 investor letter:
"The US has benefited from the dollar serving as the world’s reserve currency for decades. But that’s not guaranteed to last forever.
"If the US doesn’t get its debt under control, if deficits keep ballooning, America risks losing that position to digital assets like Bitcoin."
He goes on to say:
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Canary Capital Group continues its crypto ETF filing spree.
The firm has filed previously for ones that would hold XRP, SOL, HBAR, LTC and AXL ...
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Grayscale Investments CEO @Sonnenshein once again urged the SEC to allow GBTC's conversion to an ETF when futures-based bitcoin ETFs are approved to ensure an "even playing field"
Check out my latest for @blockworks: blockworks.co/grayscale-ceo-…
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This will be worth the long flight from NY.
Looking forward to hearing from @StoryProtocol about the future of IP on the blockchain.
And connecting with speakers from Morgan Stanley, Grayscale, etc. Let me know if you'll be there too.
In partnership with @StoryProtocol, we are excited to announce Origin Summit
An event at the center of blockchain, AI, finance and media during @kbwofficial
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FTX’s ad, which starred Larry David, came around 7:55pm ET.
Thus, the company is giving away 7.55 BTC to the four winners of its contest.
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How much did Friday’s liquidations affect this crypto cycle?
Not much, if at all, @bitwise CIO @Matt_Hougan says.
“The people driving the market can’t pronounce solana.”
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Another ETF from @ValkyrieFunds is set to launch tomorrow.
This one focuses on miners using renewable energy. More details in my latest for @blockworks
blockworks.co/valkyrie-rolls…
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My latest crypto ETF check-in rounds up a week+ of developments.
-@REXShares & @OspreyFunds floating ETFs linked to TRUMP, BONK, DOGE, etc.
-@Grayscale proposes litecoin and solana ETFs
-@CoinSharesCo lays out XRP fund plan
-Tuttle Capital's trying for leveraged crypto ETFs
-@bitwise's DOGE fund filing
-@CBOE re-filed its 19b-4s for various SOL ETFs.
One ex-SEC senior counsel expects there'll be “a case by case evaluation” of proposed crypto ETF products
blockworks.co/news/sec-posit…
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Truly delighted and grateful for those who took a moment these last couple days to share kind words about the Blockworks news team and our work.
More importantly, the support people are vocalizing for journalism more broadly is encouraging. Thanks all 🙏.
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I'm super excited to start the "On the Margin" newsletter with @caseywagnerr and @fejau_inc next week.
A daily read, it will delve into the intersection of crypto and finance, policy developments, etc.
Subscribe here: blockworks.co/newsletter/ont…
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Dan Tapiero calls the US’s crypto stance “the most dramatic about-face … on any subject.” @blockworksDAS
And his view on people thinking BTC at $80k means the bull market is over:
“Very funny.”
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