[Weekly Readings]Fed Lowered Interest Rate, and LSD Tokens Lead A Bull Market

HuobiPublished on 2023-02-04Last updated on 2023-02-03

Abstract

BTC is rallying again with a bull sentiment

1.Federal Reserve Raises Benchmark Interest Rate by 0.25%, Disinflationary Process 'Early,' Says Powell

The U.S. Federal Reserve raised its benchmark federal funds rate by 0.25% on Wednesday after markets priced in near 100% certainty the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) would codify the quarter-point increase. The FOMC statement is further detailed that ongoing rate increases are anticipated to bring inflation down to the target range of 2%.

Click Here

2.If This Holds True, A Massive Bitcoin (BTC) Price Breakout Is Coming

Crypto experts predict a massive breakout for Bitcoin's (BTC) price as bulls rage over at $23K before tomorrow's interest rate announcement.

Click Here

3.[Featured Research]Liquid Staking Wars Are Just Getting Started

You’ve probably noticed, some of the best-performing tokens like Lido (LDO) and Rocket Pool (RPL) are related to Liquid Staking Derivatives (LSD).

Is the LSD narrative gonna stay with us for a while?

Click Here

4.Ethereum Network Usage Skyrockets As ETH Hits Two-Month High

Despite the crypto market conditions, crypto assets and blockchains have continued to amass new highs pushing the global cryptocurrency market forward.

Click Here

5.Bitcoin (BTC) Completes “Extremely Rare” Chart Pattern, Peter Brandt Says

Peter Brandt, a veteran commodity trader, recently tweeted about his latest analysis of Bitcoin (BTC). He believes that the bottom in the price of BTC has formed a "double-walled fulcrum pattern," which he considers to be an extremely rare occurrence. He also stated that his 2X target for the cryptocurrency is mid-$25,000.

Click Here

Related Reads

Catholic And Law Enforcement Groups Warn CLARITY Act Could Weaken Crypto Crime Safeguards

A coalition of Catholic leaders, law enforcement groups, and anti-trafficking advocates warns that the CLARITY Act could weaken safeguards against crypto-enabled crime. Their criticism focuses on provisions that would protect developers of non-custodial software (like wallets and DeFi protocols) from being regulated as money transmitters. This highlights a core regulatory dilemma: distinguishing neutral software from financial intermediation. Crypto advocates argue such developers should not be treated like exchanges, while critics fear broad exemptions could hinder the tracking of illicit finance, including human trafficking and sanctions evasion. The bill aims to create clearer market-structure rules, but this opposition shows the debate extends beyond investor protection to law enforcement concerns. The pushback means supporters may need to address these issues, potentially leading to amendments or stricter requirements. For the crypto industry, clearer rules could spur U.S. investment, but the bill faces a tougher political path if framed as weakening crime-fighting tools.

bitcoinist2h ago

Catholic And Law Enforcement Groups Warn CLARITY Act Could Weaken Crypto Crime Safeguards

bitcoinist2h ago

The Full Story of How Crypto Unicorn Blockstream Is Mired in Serious Fraud Allegations

This article details serious allegations of fraud against Bitcoin infrastructure company Blockstream, founded by Bitcoin pioneer Adam Back. In June 2024, investigative account NatInfoSec published a report accusing Blockstream's mining note (BMN) program of potentially operating a multi-billion dollar scheme with Ponzi-like characteristics. The core allegations focus on Blockstream Mining Notes (BMNs), which offer investors fixed annual yields up to approximately 20% from Bitcoin mining. NatInfoSec's investigation raises several key issues: 1. **Suspicious Hashrate & Payout Capacity**: The analysis suggests Blockstream would need 20-45 EH/s of mining power to cover its BMN obligations, but its public dashboard shows only around 15 EH/s. Furthermore, no verifiable public evidence (e.g., grid connection records, import data) was found to support the massive mining operation required. 2. **Questionable Payout Source**: The BMN contract allows Blockstream to use Bitcoin from *any source* (Substitute Performance BTC) to fulfill investor payouts, raising concerns that payouts may not come from actual mining revenue. 3. **High-Risk, Fixed Returns**: Offering ~20% fixed yields in the volatile, cyclical Bitcoin mining industry is viewed as highly unusual and requires clear explanation. 4. **Undisclosed Criminal Record of Key Figure**: Christopher William Cook, a key figure in Blockstream's mining operations and CEO of spin-off Exacore, was found to have a federal felony conviction for mail fraud in 2008, a fact not disclosed in BMN offering documents. His background was also allegedly embellished. 5. **Potential Contagion to BSTR SPAC**: Questions were raised about whether these liabilities and Cook's record should have been disclosed in the SEC filings for Bitcoin Standard Treasury Company (BSTR), a separate Adam Back-associated firm planning a SPAC merger. The crypto community is divided. BitMEX Research validated Cook's criminal record and expressed concern over the high yields but found other evidence lacking or misleading, noting the legal separation between BMN, Blockstream, and BSTR. Blockstream defenders, like Samson Mow, argue the mining is real. Critics, however, emphasize the lack of independent, verifiable proof of the mining operation's scale and the true source of investor payouts. The article concludes that BMN remains shrouded in key unanswered questions regarding its actual size, the verifiability of its underlying mining assets and payouts, the source of its high yields, and the full role and disclosure concerning Chris Cook. Blockstream had not issued a comprehensive response at the time of writing.

marsbit6h ago

The Full Story of How Crypto Unicorn Blockstream Is Mired in Serious Fraud Allegations

marsbit6h ago

South Korea Targets 40 Unregistered Crypto Operators in Regulatory Crackdown

South Korea's Financial Intelligence Unit has referred around 40 unregistered virtual asset service providers to the police as part of a regulatory crackdown. Under local law, all crypto exchanges must obtain ISMS certification and FIU registration before operating, yet only 28 entities are currently registered. The FIU identified methods used by offshore platforms to attract Korean users, including advertising on local messaging apps and using private money changers to convert stablecoins. Officials stressed that unregistered platforms are not protected by Korean law. This action aligns with South Korea's push for stricter global crypto compliance through FATF measures. FIU Director Lee Hyung-joo recently urged FATF members to remove transaction thresholds for the "Travel Rule," as South Korea plans to mandate identity checks for all crypto transactions starting in August, expanding from the current 1 million won (≈$730) minimum. Regulatory enforcement has intensified in 2026, with authorities pursuing criminal cases against market manipulation schemes and enhancing cooperation with financial institutions to curb cross-border illegal transactions.

TheNewsCrypto6h ago

South Korea Targets 40 Unregistered Crypto Operators in Regulatory Crackdown

TheNewsCrypto6h ago

Trading

Spot
Futures
活动图片