ZEN INVESTING
Zen Investing is a unique approach to mastering the art of the stock market by combining timeless Zen philosophy with practical investment strategies. This series introduces readers to profound insights, actionable techniques, and a structured framework for navigating financial markets with clarity and discipline. Whether you're a beginner seeking guidance or an experienced trader exploring new perspectives, Zen Investing offers a fresh path to achieving financial success through mindfulness, wisdom, and strategy.
Ripple Acquires Swiss-based Metaco, Sets Sights on $10T Institutional Crypto Custody Market
Ripple, the global provider of blockchain-based payment systems, has announced its acquisition of Metaco, a Swiss provider of digital asset custody and tokenization technology.
Grayscale Launches New Entity to Manage Growing Funds
Cryptocurrency asset manager Grayscale Investments has launched a new entity, the Grayscale Funds Trust, to manage its publicly traded financial products in-house. The company has also filed a registration statement for three new cryptocurrency-focused ETFs, including a Bitcoin Composite ETF, Ethereum Futures ETF, and a Privacy ETF.
Australian Crypto Community Remains Enthusiastic Despite Regulatory Concerns
Despite regulatory concerns dominating discussions at recent crypto conferences in the US and Australia, the crypto community remains enthusiastic about the potential of digital assets. Attendees are more focused on discussing intelligent questions around regulation and tax rather than the extravagances of past events. Interest in crypto remains high, and the rise in the price of Bitcoin is encouraging the crypto-curious to attend conferences and ask beginner-level questions.
AI Chatbots Set to Revolutionize Fast-Food Industry
Wendy's and other fast-food chains are partnering with tech companies to develop AI chatbots that use natural language processing to take drive-thru orders. This technology has the potential to significantly improve customer experience and streamline operations in the fast-food industry.
Marathon Digital and Zero Two Partner for Abu Dhabi Bitcoin-Mining Facility
Marathon Digital Holdings and Zero Two have partnered to create a large-scale immersion Bitcoin-mining facility in Abu Dhabi. The joint venture, based in Mina Zayed and Masdar City, will comprise two mining sites with a combined 250-megawatt capacity. Marathon and Zero Two plan to power the facilities with excess energy from Abu Dhabi’s grid.
Crypto Conferences Scale Back
Crypto conferences have toned down the extravagance in response to the extended crypto winter, with attendees focusing on discussing regulation and tax. The XRP Las Vegas conference for XRP enthusiasts and the “XRP Army” highlighted frustration over regulatory clarity in the United States. Meanwhile, regulation was the primary topic at a recent Binance Australia meetup event, where attendees asked intelligent questions despite the ongoing bear market. Interest in crypto remains strong, even as conferences scale back.
US Regulator Crypto Custody Proposal Opposed
The US SEC's proposal to amend its custody rule has faced opposition from the Blockchain Association and Andreessen Horowitz, who have filed letters criticising the rule's impact on investment advisers and its potential to curtail investment in digital assets. The SEC's proposal would apply more stringent rules on investment advisers in the custody of assets, including crypto.
Coinbase Legal Chief Requests Revisions to SEC Rulemaking
Coinbase's legal chief has urged the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to revise its proposed rulemaking on registered investment advisers' responsibilities to store client assets with qualified custodians. Coinbase has criticized the SEC's proposed custody rule, claiming that it unfairly targets crypto assets and fails to safeguard them properly.
Kraken Fights IRS Over Customer Information
Kraken is contesting the United States Internal Revenue Service's demand for critical exchange user information, citing it as an "unjustified treasure hunt." Kraken has requested federal court intervention, pointing out that the IRS has gone "far beyond" its intrusive summons. The fight against IRS is Kraken's response to the agency's February summons, which demanded additional user information to identify Kraken accounts that did at least $20,000 of cryptocurrency trading in any single year between 2016 and 2020.
Standard Chartered raises $36m for crypto custody platform
Standard Chartered's crypto custody subsidiary, Zodia Custody, has raised $36 million in a series A funding round led by SBI Holdings. Standard Chartered remains the majority shareholder in the firm.