Author: Brian Quarmby

Mastercard launches Web3 user verification solution to curb bad actors

Brian Quarmby

Global financial services giant Mastercard has launched a new Web3 solution aimed at enhancing user verification standards and “reducing the opportunities for bad actors” in the digital asset space. The solution is dubbed the “Mastercard Crypto Credential” and its launch was announced on April 29. In an accompanying explainer video shared to Twitter, the firm outlined that its “building a way for Web3 and blockchain service providers to help secure transactions between users, verified according to standards set by Mastercard.” At #Consensus23, we announced how we are instilling trust in…

Polygon becomes second-largest gaming blockchain after user activity surges in March

Brian Quarmby

Surging user activity on Ethereum layer-2 scaling solution Polygon in March saw the network become the second-largest blockchain gaming network in terms of unique active wallets (UAWs). According to the “Blockchain Games Report” published by decentralized application (DApp) analytics platform DappRadar, the number of UAWs engaging with games on Polygon hit 138,081 in March, marking an increase of 53% from February. That figure places Polygon well ahead of third and fourth-ranked Hive and BNB Chain at 84,000 and 80,000 UAWs, respectively, while first-placed Wax is well ahead of the pack…

Congressman Tom Emmer says SEC chair Gary Gensler is a ‘bad faith regulator’

Brian Quarmby

Crypto-friendly Congressman Tom Emmer has slammed U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chair Gary Gensler for his approach to cryptocurrency regulation, labeling him as a “bad faith regulator.” Great interview by @laurashin with @GOPMajorityWhip! Congress is working in their districts this week and next, but expect a VERY busy last 2 weeks of April for crypto policy as legislation and oversight of the regulators ramps up. Stay tuned https://t.co/ZSsTFJ9pt7 — Ron Hammond (@RonwHammond) April 7, 2023 During an April 7 appearance on the Unchained podcast hosted by author and crypto…

US crackdown will push crypto’s ‘center of gravity’ to Hong Kong: Kaiko CEO

Brian Quarmby

The U.S. government’s frosty approach to cryptocurrency regulation could ultimately see the industry’s “center of gravity” shift to Hong Kong, says Ambre Soubiran, the CEO of Paris-based institutional crypto market data provider Kaiko. The U.S. has been at the forefront of the crypto sector for quite some time, however, with the government seemingly adopting a regulation by enforcement approach, there is a growing feeling by some that a significant amount of companies, developers and investors will soon flock elsewhere to work in friendlier environments. 1 million tech jobs are at…

SBF to forfeit $700M worth of assets if found guilty of fraud

Brian Quarmby

According to new court filings, disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) will be subject to the forfeiture of roughly $700 million worth of assets if he were to be found guilty of fraud. In a court document filed on Jan 20, U.S. federal prosecutor Damian Williams outlined that the “government respectfully gives notice that the property subject to forfeiture” covers a long list of assets across fiat, shares and crypto. The filings state that most of the assets were seized by the government between Jan.4 and Jan. 19, while it…

Bluechip NFT project Moonbirds signs with Hollywood talent agents UTA

Brian Quarmby

The NFT-focused company was founded by early-stage Facebook and Twitter investor Kevin Rose, and designer Justin Mezzell in February 2022. The company also has the Proof Collective and Oddities NFT collections in its catalog. Announcing the move via Twitter on Jan. 6, Rose suggested that the goal of the deal is to get the Moonbirds brand known on a “global” mainstream scale, as opposed to just being recognized as a big hitter in the Web3 space. “What does UTA bring to the table? They are 1,400 people strong, with divisions…

SEC approves 9 more WisdomTree ‘blockchain-enabled’ funds

Brian Quarmby

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has given the green light to nine more blockchain-enabled funds from $82 billion asset manager WisdomTree. None of these funds track crypto assets themselves, but the firm does utilize the Ethereum and Stellar blockchains to keep a secondary record of share ownership, thus making them blockchain-enabled or “digital funds” as WidsomTree describes them. The firm announced the SEC’s approval on Dec. 14, and outlined that the nine digital funds offer exposure to a host of different asset classes such as equities, commodities and…

LBRY says it ‘will likely be dead’ following SEC loss

Brian Quarmby

The firm behind the decentralized content platform LBRY said its days are likely numbered following its recent loss against the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in court. It is specifically LBRY Inc that must die, the LBRY protocol and blockchain will continue. pic.twitter.com/SWwbqTq9In — LBRY (@LBRYcom) November 29, 2022 The SEC initially took LBRY Inc to court in Mar. 2021 over its LBRY Credit (LBC) tokens, alleging that the firm had been conducting unregistered securities offerings since 2016. The SEC ultimately won that battle last month on Nov.…