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    North Carolina House passes bill banning CBDC payments to the state

    In a May 3 vote, 118 members of the state’s legislative body agreed to pass House Bill 690, with only two representatives absent and none voting against the bill. The latest version of the legislation aimed to prohibit individuals from using CBDCs for any payments to the state, as well as bar the Federal Reserve from using North Carolina as a potential testing ground for its own CBDC pilot.Continue Reading on Coin Telegraph More

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    Bitcoin Surges to $30K Mark Amid Market Tension Over Bank Concerns

    Bitcoin and major altcoins experienced a surge in price over the past 24 hours, with BTC rising by 2.2% and almost nearing the $30,000 mark on Thursday. The primary reason for the spike in price is reported to be the recent rise in tension in the market due to the concerns of banks.PacWest Bancorp has come under scrutiny as part of wider concerns surrounding regional banks in the US, particularly following the recent collapse of three similar California-based institutions. Some supporters of cryptocurrency suggest that decreasing trust in traditional fiat currencies is contributing to the growing appeal of Bitcoin.BTC has risen notably by over 75% year-to-date and even touched a high of $31,000 this year. The price of altcoins, including ETH and SOL, also saw a 2 to 3% spike. In addition, the price of Bitcoin has breached the $30,000 mark several times in the past few weeks.The recent interest rate hike of 25 bps has also favored the cryptocurrency market. The Fed took a neutral approach to raising interest rates. BTC’s recent price movement occurred shortly after the Federal Reserve report speculating that another US bank failure could be imminent. Matrixport, a cryptocurrency services provider, has suggested that if Thursday’s interest rate increase marks the end of the current cycle, Bitcoin may see a 20% surge and reach $36,000.While 2022 witnessed the downfall of prominent cryptocurrency players, 2023 is proving to be similar for banking giants. The collapse of banks is also making cryptocurrencies a favorable and trustworthy store of value.Disclaimer: The views and opinions, as well as all the information shared in this price analysis, are published in good faith. Readers must do their own research and due diligence. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Coin Edition and its affiliates will not be held liable for any direct or indirect damage or loss.The post Bitcoin Surges to $30K Mark Amid Market Tension Over Bank Concerns appeared first on Coin Edition.See original on CoinEdition More

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    ‘Relist XRP on Coinbase’ Trends Again as Legal Officers Hangout

    Crypto users suspect Coinbase may relist XRP after seeing Ripple Chief Legal Officer (CLO), Stuart Alderoty, hanging out with Coinbase CLO Paul Grewal. In a tweet, Grewal thanked Alderoty for having him over and suggested they have more such meetings in the future.Grewal’s tweet, which pictured both CLOs in a close friendly gesture, has increased the energy behind the crypto community’s suspicion that Coinbase may soon relist XRP.While details of their meeting remain unknown, the crypto community is aware of the common adversary between both establishments. Ripple has been in a lengthy legal battle with the US Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) after the regulator accused it of selling XRP in an unregistered security offering. Coinbase, on the other hand, is seeking the SEC to provide clear rules and proper classification for cryptocurrencies.Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the US, delisted XRP in 2021, citing the SEC’s enforcement action against Ripple Labs as the main reason. However, the campaign to relist the token resurfaced last month following a Twitter post by John E. Deaton, the XRP community attorney.In a Twitter thread, Deaton outlined why the definitions of “investment” and a “contract” are fundamental to how the district would rule over the pending legal issue. Grewal responded to Deaton’s explanation, causing the hashtag “Relist XRP” to trend again on Twitter.Grewal’s recent body language suggests improving cordiality between Coinbase and Ripple. He has severally expressed support for Ripple’s legal opinion in recent weeks. His establishment, Coinbase, has also recently filed an amicus brief in support of Ripple. Despite the growing romance between both establishments, the call for relisting XRP remains unanswered.The recent meeting by both CLOs has once again raised users’ hopes, especially those of XRP holders in the US. However, some respondents expressed wariness over the lingering issue, noting that speculations and insinuations make them anxious as the cycle seems endless.The post ‘Relist XRP on Coinbase’ Trends Again as Legal Officers Hangout appeared first on Coin Edition.See original on CoinEdition More

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    Snapmuse.io — A Bridge Between Creators and Fans, Launched by Mariana Avila

    Content creation is increasingly skewing towards social networks across the globe, and Mexico has proven no different. The country has a dynamic, diverse, and attractive country in terms of digital content creation, and the latest move aims to boost Snapmuse.io’s presence in the region. Despite the growing presence of content creators on social sites, many creators are unable to keep the connection with their fans, especially when their follower count starts to increase. As such, fostering an authentic community grounded in common beliefs becomes progressively difficult, given the prevailing social media landscape hinders creators from connecting in a mutually beneficial manner.“We know social media very well. Our first venture is a royalty-free music company for social media creators and there our tracks brought life and identity to millions of content, mainly on YouTube,” said Moris Alhale, CEO of Snapmuse.io during the launch. “After working with creators for years, we learned the difficulties creators face when trying to get access to funding to grow their channels and connect with their communities in a more personal way. So we decided to create Snapmuse.io to help them overcome that challenge.”The launch of Snapmuse.io aims to solve this particular challenge, enabling fans and their favorite content creators to connect in an innovative way and create communities that offer real value to both the fan and the creator. The platform allows creators to raise funds and capital through various initiatives on the platform while boosting engagements. Flipping the board, fans are able to acquire ‘CreatorPasses’, which gives them access to exclusive channels of their favorite creators for three months. Additionally, loyal and active fans will receive rewards and benefits as they increase their engagement.To liven up the launch, popular Mexican artist and the first Latin creator to join Snapmuse.io, Mariana Avila will run a live watch party on her exclusive Discord channel, this Thursday, May 4 at 3:00 pm (Central Mexico time). During the live watch party, Avila will celebrate the release of her new music video. The live party will be shown exclusively on Snapmuse.io and all subscribers can follow it live. Additionally, new subscribers will receive a special video message from the artist.“Snapmuse.io will allow me to watch the live premiere of my video ‘Tempura’ with my fans, as well as interact with them. But beyond this beautiful experience, the platform is all about empowering creators and giving us the tools to reward our most engaged fans. For me, the launch is the beginning of a great story and one of the most important stops on my artistic journey; I’m very flattered,” Mariana Avila said.Following the launch of the ‘Tempura’ video, Mariana Avila’s fans will also get a CreatorPass, giving them access to the singer’s exclusive community where they will be rewarded for supporting her and giving them an opportunity to chat with the creator.Apart from fan engagement, Snapmuse.io also aims to help connect Web 2.0 audiences to the growing Web 3.0 ecosystem via several features including building tools, NFTs and blockchain infrastructure with a seamless user experience that facilitates the purchase of digital collectibles.Speaking on the growing Snapmuse.io ecosystem, Alhale said, “What we want is to offer creators a robust new monetization platform, which at the same time incentivizes and rewards fan engagement to foster loyal and highly active communities. Content creators who join this project that we are launching in Mexico, will eventually have the opportunity to fund their channels and projects while interacting with their most loyal followers uniquely. Our main objective is to empower creators and revolutionize the social media experience for millions.”The post Snapmuse.io — A Bridge Between Creators and Fans, Launched by Mariana Avila appeared first on Coin Edition.See original on CoinEdition More

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    SEC has 10 days to respond to Coinbase complaint: Legal exec

    According to Grewal, the court’s response to their complaint against the SEC was a text-only order. The court has instructed the SEC to respond to Coinbase’s writ of mandamus within ten days. A writ of mandamus is a court order addressed to an inferior government official, ordering them to fulfill their official duties properly.Continue Reading on Coin Telegraph More

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    Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc Announces Addition of 400 PH/s through Capital-Efficient Bitcoin Mining Agreement

    Canaan Bitcoin Mining AgreementOn April 27, 2023, the Company signed a two-year hosting agreement with Cantaloupe Digital LLC, a subsidiary of Canaan, whereby Stronghold will operate 2,000 A1346 (110 TH/s per miner) and 2,000 A1246 (90 TH/s per miner) Bitcoin miners supplied by Canaan (the “Canaan Miners”), with total hash rate capacity of 400 PH/s (the “Canaan Bitcoin Mining Agreement”).The Canaan Bitcoin Mining Agreement has the following key terms:“While we have emphasized our necessary deleveraging efforts over the last ten months, we think that the most meaningful measure of our work is the capital efficiency of our mining fleet today,” said Greg Beard, chairman and chief executive officer of Stronghold. “Since August, we have received or procured approximately 22,000 incremental miners, with hash rate capacity of approximately 2.2 EH/s, while investing approximately $15 million of incremental capital, which is approximately $7 per TH/s. We achieved this through opportunistic purchases of Bitcoin miners in a distressed market and through unique hosting agreements where we retain exposure to Bitcoin mining economics and power upside, consistent with our vertically integrated business model.“Our previously announced consensual return of approximately 19,000 delivered and approximately 26,000 total miners, with hash rate capacity of approximately 1.8 EH/s and 2.5 EH/s, respectively, to our lender in August, in exchange for the extinguishment of $67 million of debt, understandably caused investors to question our growth prospects. Our recent actions should help to alleviate those concerns. We shed approximately 2.5 EH/s of hash rate capacity—that cost approximately $90 million and was financed with approximately $67 million of debt—and nearly replaced that capacity with more efficient miners, amounting to hash rate capacity of 2.2 EH/s, with only $15 million of incremental capital. Replacing $90 million of miners with $15 million of miners, while ending up with similar hash rate, dramatically improves capital efficiency and return on equity, all else equal. This Canaan agreement will bring us to approximately 3.6 EH/s of delivered hash rate capacity and leaves us with only a few thousand unutilized miner slots at our wholly owned data centers left to fill.”William Spence RetirementAs previously disclosed, on March 29, 2023, the Company’s co-founder and former co-chairman, William “Bill” Spence, announced his retirement and resignation from the Company’s board. Bill will continue to work with the Company in a reduced capacity via a recently agreed to consulting arrangement focused primarily on supporting the Company’s efforts related to reclamation, beneficial use ash, and carbon sequestration. Bill intends to spend his retirement with his family, including one grandchild and two more on the way.“A native of Pennsylvania who grew up surrounded by the waste coal piles, Bill is a pioneer in the coal refuse-to-power and beneficial use ash markets and has spent decades trying to clean up one of the most environmentally neglected regions in the United States,” commented Mr. Beard. “We are extremely grateful for Bill’s vision, service, and leadership. We wish Bill all the best in his deserved retirement as he focuses on his family and health, but we are grateful that he will continue to work with Stronghold in areas that are passions for Bill and that represent significant opportunities for the Company.”About Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc.Stronghold is a vertically integrated Bitcoin mining company with an emphasis on environmentally beneficial operations. Stronghold houses its miners at its wholly owned and operated Scrubgrass Plant and Panther Creek Plant, both of which are low-cost, environmentally beneficial coal refuse power generation facilities in Pennsylvania.Investor Contact:Matt Glover or Alex KovtunGateway Group, [email protected] Contact:[email protected] Looking Statements:The information, financial projections and other estimates contained herein contain “forward-looking” statements as that term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to statements regarding the anticipated performance of the Company as a result of the restructuring of the Company’s debt contemplated by the Amended Credit Agreement and closing of the previously announced exchange agreement with certain noteholders. Such projections and estimates are as to future events and are not to be viewed as facts, and reflect various assumptions of management of the Company concerning the future performance of the Company and are subject to significant business, financial, economic, operating, competitive and other risks and uncertainties and contingencies (many of which are difficult to predict and beyond the control of the Company) that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements and information included herein. Forward-looking statements concern future circumstances and results and other statements that are not historical facts and are sometimes identified by the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “intend,” “expect,” “endeavor,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “overestimate,” “underestimate,” “believe,” “could,” “project,” “predict,” “continue,” “target” or other similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are based upon current plans, estimates and expectations that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Forward-looking statements may include statements about various risks and uncertainties, including those described under the heading “Risk Factors” as detailed from time to time in Stronghold’s reports filed with the SEC, including Stronghold’s annual report on Form 10-K, periodic quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed with the SEC. Such risk and uncertainties are not exclusive. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or development, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. Additionally, descriptions herein of market conditions and opportunities are presented for informational purposes only; there can be no assurance that such conditions will actually occur or result in positive returns. Recipients of this communication should make their own investigations and evaluations of any information referenced herein. More