Cryptocurrency

Fintech CEO: BitMEX Exec’s Surrender Won’t Be Last, as Chickens Come Home to Roost

Published

4 years ago

March 19, 2021

Recent reports note BitMEX co-founder Benjamin Delo has surrendered to authorities after he was charged with helping the company evade AML regulations.

Delo pleaded not guilty and was released on bail. The exchange allowed users to leverage up to 10000% their BTC position, making it popular among speculators.

“What we’re seeing here with BitMEX… it won’t be the last exchange to get hit with AML & KYC violations. Part of that is because some operators intentionally flout the laws. Another part can be traced to technological implementation,” noted Richard Gardner, CEO of Modulus, a US-based developer of ultra-high-performance trading and surveillance technology that powers global equities, derivatives, and digital asset exchanges.

“Many of these exchanges were created using technologies that are antiquated or not well designed for the rigors of regulation. Instead of investing in the proper tools and legal advice to stay well ahead of the law, many exchanges decided to shoestring it, buy inferior technology, and move ahead without fully understanding the risk. Now, those chickens are coming home to roost.”

“During the bull run on cryptocurrency several years back, new operators were itching to get into the game fast. They didn’t have the time to develop their own technology, and they didn’t have the money to pay for quality exchange software that had been tried and true for decades. So, they bought into new white-label software providers that didn’t have any experience building exchanges. Without experience in the space, they never really considered what would happen once regulators caught up with the innovation, and their clients didn’t know enough to ask,” noted Gardner.

“Cryptocurrency exchanges are so complex because they’re regulated so differently across the globe. Planning to be compliant in one country isn’t enough to make you compliant in the next. We’ve always designed software to be compliant in the most restrictive jurisdictions, as well as plan for where they will be in five years’ time. That’s not always possible, as regulators can be reactionary in implementation, but it is the goal. The lowest hanging compliance fruit is being on top of AML & KYL regulations. Exchanges can use geofencing to help ensure compliance. When you’ve decided that you’re going to invest in compliance, there are so many tools available to make sure it is done correctly, so that you don’t end up like the BitMEX co-founders,” explained Gardner.

Modulus is known throughout the financial technology segment as a leader in the development of ultra-high frequency trading systems and blockchain technologies. Several years back, the company launched the Modulus Market Surveillance & Risk Management System, which provides clients with actionable alerts identifying market manipulation, abusive trading behavior, and money laundering to ensure adherence to regulatory guidelines and rules that govern trading conduct.

“We, at Modulus, have always been intent on limiting client risk, and that starts with ensuring their technology stack is compliant with the latest rules and regulations. So many crypto-preneurs see compliance as a cost, but, in truth, it can be the difference between operating profitably and not operating at all,” noted Gardner.

Over the past twenty years, the company has built technology for the world’s most notable exchanges, with a client list which includes NASDAQ, Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Barclays, Siemens, Shell, Yahoo!, Microsoft, Cornell University, and the University of Chicago.

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Samed Olukoya

Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

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Bitcoin

Bitcoin Fails to Hold $63,000 Amid Weak Risk Appetite, Growing Selling Pressure

Published

4 days ago

October 8, 2024

Samed Olukoya

bitcoin to Nigerian Naira - Investors King

Bitcoin remains below $63,000 after failing to hold above it over the past two days while Ethereum is also struggling to reclaim $2,440.

The crypto market has been trading sideways since the beginning of this week.

The cautious moves in the crypto market come amid uncertainty over a range of economic and political factors in the US and geopolitics in the Middle East.

Add to that the potential selling pressure that the US government may exert with its permission to sell around 70,000 Bitcoin.

The Supreme Court has allowed the US Marshals Service to proceed with the sale of 69,370 Bitcoins seized from the Silk Road online store, which would be the largest sale of its kind in history. While the nature and pace of this selling is not yet known, it will not necessarily put downward pressure on prices if it is done in over-the-counter (OTC)
transactions, according to Beincrypto.

As for the economic side, in light of the surprise labor market numbers that were much better than expected and Jerome Powell’s hawkish speech, hopes for a rapid continuation of interest rate cuts this year have diminished. While the relatively high rates remain for a longer period and the continued rise in Treasury bond yields will weaken appetite for risky assets in general, including cryptocurrencies.

Whereas, after the hypothesis of a half-percentage point cut at the next November meeting was the most likely, it has now become excluded in the Fed Fund futures market, and the probability of a quarter-percentage point cut has become 87%, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. The remaining 13% is for the possibility of keeping current rates unchanged.

The state of caution may also prevail in the markets in the coming weeks, as we anticipate the presidential elections in the United States, which will begin next month. While the outcome of these elections could cause a structural shift in the crypto industry.

Far away, in the Middle East, markets are still anticipating the nature of the expected escalation in the region, especially regarding the nature of the Israeli response to the unprecedented attack from Iran and the nature of the counter-response. While one of the most prominent scenarios is targeting energy facilities, which would bring inflation back to the forefront, which in turn may require central banks to keep interest rates high.

Cryptocurrency

Will Pump-and-Dump Fun Kill the Meme Coin Frenzy in 2024?

Published

4 weeks ago

September 15, 2024

Temitayo Olukoya

The meme coin market, once dominated by viral hits like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu, is facing a new challenge in 2024: the rise of pump-and-dump schemes masquerading as community-driven fun.

These events, organized on social media platforms, encourage participants to collectively buy a meme coin, inflating its price before early investors quickly sell, leaving many with heavy losses.

While pump-and-dump schemes are not new to crypto, 2024 has seen them take on a new form in the meme coin space, branded as “fun events” or “pump parties.” Communities treat these schemes as a kind of joke, with memes about losing money or rockets crashing back to Earth, softening the blow of financial risk. However, this emerging trend has begun to erode trust in meme coins.

Meme coins, by nature, thrive on internet culture, hype, and community sentiment. Their value is rarely tied to any real utility, making them particularly susceptible to manipulation. As more pump-and-dump schemes surface, many fear that investors, especially newcomers, may begin to associate all meme coins with high risk and fleeting value.

This shift could mark the beginning of the end for the meme coin craze. Established tokens like Dogecoin may survive thanks to their strong communities, but lesser-known meme coins may struggle to gain traction as pump-and-dump events increase skepticism.

The future of meme coins depends on whether the community can move past these schemes and find more sustainable ways to build value—or risk being seen as nothing more than a fleeting, high-stakes game.

Cryptocurrency

Telegram Mini Apps Ushers in a New Era For Airdrop Hunters

Published

4 weeks ago

September 15, 2024

Temitayo Olukoya

Telegram, a social media platform has taken center stage with the rise of a new wave of mini-apps designed specifically to streamline the airdrop process, thereby gaining an increase in momentum within the crypto communities.

The crypto industry had always been about innovation, but airdrops—free token giveaways by blockchain projects—had long been plagued by inefficiencies. Manual distribution was slow and error-prone, scammers frequently exploited the process, and users often struggled to keep track of the numerous airdrops they were eligible for.

However, Telegrams’ simple user interface allowed projects to upload their token pools and define criteria for participants, such as holding specific tokens or completing tasks like following social media accounts, playing games, linking crypto wallets and others for airdrop eligibility.

List of Airdrops for Telegram Users

Fintopia
Blum
X Empire
PocketFi
Hamster Kombat
Hot
Tomarket
OGC
Sidekickfan
Major
TonxDao
Notgram
Memefi
Agent 301
Zesh
Acki Nacki
Vertus
Tapswap
Catizen
Cats
TonStation

Catizen Airdrop
Catizen is set to airdrop its tokens on September 20, 2024. The game focuses on AI-powered cat characters, offering users a play-to-earn experience with dynamic AI interaction. This anticipated airdrop event is expected to increase the game’s player base significantly.

Hamster Kombat Airdrop
Hamster Kombat will have its airdrop on September 26, 2024. As one of the most popular Telegram-based battle games, players engage in competitive combat using unique hamster characters. Don’t miss out on this exciting airdrop before the official listing.

Cats Telegram Airdrop
The Cats Telegram project has announced its airdrop event for the end of September 2024. The game features feline characters, and players can earn tokens through engaging challenges and missions. With an enthusiastic community, the airdrop is expected to boost user engagement.

Major Airdrop
Major, a rising star in the play-to-earn arena, will conduct its airdrop on October 1, 2024. Players can expect immersive gameplay with various missions and rewards. This airdrop will precede its highly anticipated listing, so be sure to participate.

TonStation Airdrop
TonStation, known for integrating the TON blockchain into play-to-earn mechanics, will hold its airdrop on October 6, 2024. The game offers players a chance to earn tokens through interactive station-building tasks. Secure your tokens during this airdrop event!

MemeFi Airdrop
MemeFi’s airdrop will take place on October 9, 2024, offering users a chance to earn valuable tokens. This Telegram-based game merges memes with financial strategies, creating a fun yet profitable play-to-earn experience. Don’t miss this unique opportunity!

X Empire Airdrop
X Empire, known for its competitive empire-building gameplay, will airdrop tokens on October 15, 2024. Players can expect an engaging experience with strategic challenges. This airdrop precedes its listing, offering players an early chance to grab in-game assets.

TapSwap Airdrop
TapSwap is set to host its airdrop in mid-October 2024. This game allows players to earn tokens through quick, tap-based challenges. With its rising popularity, the airdrop is expected to attract a large number of participants. Stay tuned for the exact date!

PocketFi Airdrop
PocketFi’s airdrop is scheduled for Q4 2024. This play-to-earn game combines DeFi features with fun, interactive missions. Players can earn tokens through various in-game activities. The exact airdrop date will be announced soon, so keep an eye out for updates.

Blum Crypto Airdrop
Blum Crypto is set to conduct its airdrop in Q4 2024. This game blends blockchain technology with immersive gameplay, offering players the chance to earn tokens. The airdrop is anticipated to draw significant interest from the Telegram gaming community.