Despite not having a clear regulatory framework on cryptocurrencies, the United States has positioned itself as the “most crypto-ready” nation in the world based on several key metrics, such as Google searches, crypto ATM saturation and legislation. The 2021 Crypto-Ready Index, courtesy of research firm Crypto Head, gave the United States a top score of 7.13 out of 10. “In terms of crypto ATMs, the USA is leading the way with over 17,000 which is by far the most in the world, as the next closest country has around 16,000 less,” the results, which were released on Thursday, showed. “US …

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission has appointed New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal as Director of the Division of Enforcement. The appointment will be effective from July 26, with the SEC adding the veteran prosecutor to its ranks to play a key role in regulating financial markets in the U.S. “He has the ideal combination of experience, values, and leadership ability to helm the Enforcement Division at this critical time. I look forward to working closely with him to protect investors and root out wrongdoing in our markets," said SEC Chair Gary Gensler. Grewal is a replacement …

Ark Investment Management has become the latest firm to file for a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). According to a June 28 filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) submitted in partnership with European exchange-traded product issuer, 21Shares, the ETF would be listed on the Chicago Board Options Exchange’s (CBOE) BZX Exchange and trade under the ticker ARKB. The ETF would also track the S&P BTC index, with the trust underpinning the ETF also holding BTC directly. The filing has received praise from the crypto industry. The great folks over at @21Shares_ just filed for a Bitcoin ETF …

The ongoing lawsuit between Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, continues with the regulatory body claiming that XRP token holders are targeting its members on social media platforms with allegedly false statements. In a Thursday motion addressed to Judge Sarah Netburn in the Southern District of New York, the SEC has requested a conference to discuss quashing the motion from Ripple to subpoena the former director of the regulatory body’s division of corporation finance, William Hinman. The SEC argued that Ripple’s motion, if granted, would set a precedent for the company to be allowed “a …

Major cryptocurrency and stock trading app Robinhood is reportedly struggling to move forward with its initial public offering due to an ongoing review from securities regulators. According to a Thursday report by Bloomberg, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission has been questioning Robinhood about its cryptocurrency business, resulting in delays for the firm’s public offering plans. The company has been expanding its cryptocurrency offers since March, increasing its workforce and adding more crypto trading pairs. Citing anonymous people familiar with the matter, the report stated that Robinhood’s IPO plan could be delayed until autumn. As previously reported, Robinhood initially …

Los Angeles-based rapper The Game, also known as Jayceon Taylor, is facing a $12 million judgment for his role in Paragon Coin Inc — a crypto firm alleged to have engaged in an unregistered initial coin offering (ICO) four years ago. Taylor publicly endorsed the Paragon Coin ICO on social media back in 2017. Paragon touted its PRG tokens as a currency for the cannabis industry and raised $70 million from the public between April 15, 2017, and Oct. 15, 2017. Plaintiffs’ first filed a complaint against the offering in 2018, however, Tyler was initially let off the hook as …

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission has postponed its decision on whether to approve a Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded fund. The SEC has delayed its decision on a Bitcoin ETF filing by Texas-based family investment fund Valkyrie Digital Assets after receiving comments on the proposed rule change regarding the new fund. According to an official Tuesday filing by the SEC, the commission has found that it was appropriate to designate a longer period to take action on the proposed rule change regarding the Bitcoin ETF. Valkyrie initially filed its application for the Valkyrie Bitcoin Trust on the New York Stock …

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, has charged a cryptocurrency issuer for “making materially false and misleading statements” in connection with an unregistered security offering conducted between August 2017 and January 2018, offering further evidence that regulators were still targeting initial coin offerings from the last major market mania. Loci Inc., the platform behind LOCIcoin, and CEO John Wise were formally charged on Tuesday. The SEC claims that Loci and Wise misled investors about the company’s revenues, employee numbers and user base during the $7.6 million crowdsale. The regulator also alleges that Wise misused $38,163 in investor …

United States investment management firm VanEck has filed for a new Bitcoin (BTC) futures mutual fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission. According to a prospectus filed Monday, the new “Bitcoin Strategy Fund” will invest in Bitcoin futures contracts as well as pooled investment vehicles and exchange-traded products that provide exposure to Bitcoin. The fund will not invest in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies directly. The fund will have exposure to certain Bitcoin futures through its fully owned subsidiary operating in the Cayman Islands. “The subsidiary has the same investment objective as the fund and will follow the same general investment …

According to a report from blockchain analytics firm Elliptic, unregistered securities offerings represent more than half of all crypto fines handed out by U.S. regulators. In Elliptic’s June 21 Sanctions Compliance in Cryptocurrencies report, the firm's co-founder and Chief Scientist, Dr. Tom Robinson writes that U.S. regulators have handed out $2.5 billion in fines for crypto-related violations since 2014. Out of the total $2.5 billion, unregistered securities offerings accounted for $1.38 billion worth of penalties, or 55.19% of all fines dished out. Fraud was the second biggest crypto violation found in the report, accounting for 37.12% or $928 million worth …

In an interview with CNBC on June 14, legendary investor Paul Tudor Jones sounded the alarm over advancing inflation. After last week's consumer price index (CPI) report showed that United States inflation had hit a 13-year high, the founder of Tudor Investment advocated for a 5% Bitcoin (BTC) portfolio allocation. When combined, the world's 50 largest asset managers oversee $78.9 trillion in funds. A mere 1% investment in cryptocurrencies would amount to $789 billion, which more than Bitcoin's entire $723 billion market capitalization. However, there's a fundamental misunderstanding on how this industry works, and this is what impedes a 1% …

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has issued an order allowing the public to comment on the proposed rule change surrounding the Bitcoin exchange-traded fund from asset manager VanEck. According to a Wednesday filing from the SEC, the regulatory body has not yet reached a decision on whether to approve or disapprove of VanEck’s Bitcoin exchange-traded fund, or ETF, but “seeks and encourages interested persons to provide comments” on the proposal. Specifically, the commission is asking the public to consider whether they believe the Bitcoin ETF would be susceptible to manipulation and designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and …