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PayPal held $604M in Bitcoin and other crypto by the end of 2022

Bitcoin and Ether have the largest share in PayPal’s crypto assets, accounting for $291 million and $250 million in the asset breakdown, respectively.

Crypto projects respond to privacy coin ban in Dubai

Christopher Goes, co-founder of privacy protocol Anoma, pointed out that privacy is a basic human right and a ban demonstrates a lack of consideration for the public.

Community urges Coinbase to relist XRP as CEO fights for staking

The community wonders whether delisting XRP in 2020 was due to Coinbase’s willingness to protect customers from “government overreach.”

China to launch national blockchain research center

The goal of the new state-supported institution is to speed up the country’s industry through blockchain technology.

Bitcoin price taps 3-week lows as SEC fears liquidate $250M of crypto longs

Bitcoin (BTC) fell to bearish target zones on Feb. 10 as bulls failed to hold important support above $22,000.

BTC/USD 1-day candle chart (Bitstamp). Source: TradingView

Crypto wipeout mounts as BTC price loses $22,000

Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC/USD dropping to $21,633 on Bitstamp.

The pair reacted badly to regulatory fears from the United States but had already faced days of bearish sentiment, with traders expecting a retest of $21,000 or even lower.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin traded at around $21,800, down around 7% in February so far.

“Bear market back or are we just having a slight correction?” Cointelegraph contributor Michaël van de Poppe, founder and CEO of trading firm Eight, queried on the day.

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Bitcoin price taps 3-week lows as SEC fears liquidate $250M of crypto longs

Panic over regulatory enforcement sees Bitcoin and altcoins give up recent gains, costing long traders over a quarter of a billion dollars in a single day.

Bitcoin price taps 3-week lows as SEC fears liquidate $250M of crypto longs

Bitcoin (BTC) fell to bearish target zones on Feb. 10 as bulls failed to hold important support above $22,000.

BTC/USD 1-day candle chart (Bitstamp). Source: TradingView

Crypto wipeout mounts as BTC price loses $22,000

Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC/USD dropping to $21,633 on Bitstamp.

The pair reacted badly to regulatory fears from the United States but had already faced days of bearish sentiment, with traders expecting a retest of $21,000 or even lower.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin traded at around $21,800, down around 7% in February so far.

“Bear market back or are we just having a slight correction?” Cointelegraph contributor Michaël van de Poppe, founder and CEO of trading firm Eight, queried on the day.

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South Korea sets independent sanctions for crypto theft against North Korea

The sanctions against several well-known individuals and hacking groups came just hours after S. Korea announced a joint cyber venture with U.S. intelligence agencies against ransomware threats.

South Korea sets independent sanctions for crypto theft against North Korea

The sanctions against several well-known individuals and hacking groups came just hours after S. Korea announced a joint cyber venture with U.S. intelligence agencies against ransomware threats.

Bitzlato co-founder released from brief arrest and questioning: Report

The co-founder of cryptocurrency exchange Bitzlato was briefly detained for questioning in Moscow at the request of Interpol, after which he was released.

Ethereum price risks 20% correction amid SEC's crackdown on crypto staking

Ethereum may experience a drop in user activity alongside ETH price with crypto staking in the crosshairs of the SEC.

Ethereum price risks 20% correction amid SEC’s crackdown on crypto staking

Ethereum’s native token, Ether (ETH), saw its worst daily performance of the year as the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) stopped Kraken, a cryptocurrency exchange, from offering crypto staking services.

On Feb. 9, Kraken agreed to pay $30 million to settle the SEC’s allegation that it broke securities rules by offering crypto staking services to U.S. retail investors.

In particular, the news pushed down the prices of many proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchain project tokens. Ethereum, which switched to a staking-based protocol in September 2022, also suffered.

On Feb. 9, ETH’s price plunged nearly 6.5% to around $1,525, the largest single-day decline since Dec. 16 of last year.

ETH/USD daily price chart. Source: TradingView.com

Will Ethereum staking survive the SEC crackdown?

The SEC's crackdown on crypto staking begins as Ethereum awaits the release of its key network upgrade, dubbed Shanghai, in March. 

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Stablecoin issuer Paxos reportedly probed by New York regulators

Paxos Trust Company — the New York-based stablecoin issuer behind Binance USD (BUSD) and Paxos Dollar (USDP) — is reportedly being investigated by the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS).

A “person familiar with the matter” told Bloomberg in a Feb. 10 report that the exact motive behind the probe is currently unclear.

An NYDFS spokesperson declined to comment on ongoing investigations but noted that the department is broadly working to protect consumers from risks associated with investing in the cryptocurrency market:

“The department is in continuous contact with regulated entities to understand vulnerabilities and risks to consumers and the institutions themselves from crypto market volatility we are experiencing.”

Paxos has issued BUSD — a U.S. Dollar-collateralized stablecoin — since the firm struck a partnership with Binance in September 2019. It is the third largest stablecoin, with a market cap currently exceeding $16 billion.

Stablecoin issuer Paxos reportedly probed by New York regulators

While the exact reason for the investigation hasn’t been revealed, it has been reported that the New York regulator plans on upping its efforts to protect consumers this year.

Bitcoin price more correlated to FTX developments than macro events: Research

While inflation has an effect on the price of Bitcoin, researchers were bewildered by bitcoins resilience to other macroeconomic factors.

BTC miner CleanSpark on the hunt for further crypto miner fire sales

The mining firm is not fearful of the bear market and plans to “pick off infrastructure and assets at good deals” this year.

‘Agent of an anti-crypto agenda’ — Community slams Gensler over Kraken crackdown

SEC's recent charges against crypto exchange Kraken over its staking program have sent tremors through the crypto industry.

‘Agent of an anti-crypto agenda’ — Community slams Gensler over Kraken crackdown

SEC's recent charges against crypto exchange Kraken over its staking program have sent tremors through the crypto industry.

‘Kraken Down’ — SEC commissioner rebukes own agency over recent action

"Today, the SEC shut down Kraken’s staking program and counted it as a win for investors. I disagree and therefore dissent," said commissioner Hester Pierce.

Ethereum co-founder Joe Lubin says no chance ETH is classed as security

The ConsenSys founder and Ethereum co-founder said it’s as unlikely as ride-sharing service Uber becoming illegal.

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