SEC
SEC typically refers to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission which "protects investors in the $3.8 trillion municipal securities markets that cities and towns rely on to provide neighborhood schools, local libraries and hospitals, public parks, safe drinking water and so much more". But it can also refer to the security and exchange regulation bodies of other countries.
Animoca Brands refutes claims of scaled back metaverse fund and plummeting valuation
Venture capital firm Animoca Brands denies claims of reducing its metaverse fund target by $200 million and a significant drop in its valuation, citing inaccurate reporting. The firm acknowledges the impact of banking collapses on fundraising but states that the final amount raised for the fund is yet to be determined.
US Crypto Crackdown Could Stifle Innovation and Weaken Dollar
The recent Wells notice issued by the SEC to Coinbase, along with other legal threats against crypto firms, has raised concerns among industry experts that the US crackdown on cryptocurrencies could stifle innovation and weaken the dollar. Some believe that the regulatory environment in the US is driving jobs, investment, and innovation offshore, to countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, and potentially Australia.
ARK Invest Buys Coinbase Shares Despite Wells Notice
Investment management firm ARK Invest, led by Cathie Wood, has resumed buying shares of Coinbase, purchasing 268,928 shares worth $17.88 million through its ARKK Innovation and ARKW Next Generation Internet exchange-traded funds on March 23. This came just a day after Coinbase's stock price fell by 21% due to news of the company receiving a Wells notice from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Binance Insider Allegedly Helps Users Bypass KYC Security Protocols
A report by CNBC alleges that employees and volunteers at Binance have been helping customers in China bypass the exchange's Know Your Customer Controls (KYC). The report points to Binance's Chinese-language chat rooms where users can access shared messages on techniques to bypass KYC, residency, and verification protocols allegedly coming from Binance employees or trained volunteers known as "Angels."
Coinbase CEO Compares SEC to Soccer Refs in Criticism of Lack of Clarity Around Crypto Regulation
Coinbase CEO, Brian Armstrong, compared the SEC to “soccer refs” in a game of pickleball, criticizing the regulator for their lack of clarity around crypto regulation. The comments came after Coinbase revealed they had been issued a Wells notice, which typically precedes an enforcement action. The crypto community has widely condemned the recent notice, with many agreeing that the SEC has reversed its earlier position regarding Coinbase.
USD Coin Chief Strategy Officer Twitter Account Hacked
Circle's USD Coin (USDC) stablecoin chief strategy officer Dante Disparte's Twitter account has been hacked, with the account reportedly promoting fake loyalty rewards to long-time users of USDC.
Coinbase Petitions SEC on Staking
Coinbase has submitted a "Petition for Rulemaking" to the SEC, arguing that staking should not be classified as securities. The petition argues that staking is not a monolithic concept, and core staking services do not meet the criteria of the Howey test. Coinbase cites historical precedents and urges regulators to consider the economic consequences of their actions.
ZenGo uncovers dApp vulnerability
ZenGo has discovered a security vulnerability called the "red pill attack" in decentralized applications or dApps. The vulnerability allowed malicious dApps to steal user assets using opaque transaction approvals. Many leading vendors, including Coinbase Wallet, were vulnerable to such attacks. ZenGo found that developers took a shortcut in setting "Special Variables" to arbitrary values during simulation, leaving the simulation vulnerable to attack. ZenGo said the fix was straightforward and urged developers to populate vulnerable variables with meaningful values.
Euler Finance Audited 10 Times Before $196 Million Attack
Euler Finance, an Ethereum-based lending protocol, underwent 10 audits from six different firms in two years before it suffered a $196 million flash loan attack. Despite this, the audits deemed the platform "nothing higher than low risk" with "no outstanding issues." The attack prompted Euler to launch a $1 million bounty for information leading to the hacker's arrest, only for them to move the funds through crypto mixer Tornado Cash.
SEC Scholars Program Opens Applications for Fall 2023 Internship
The SEC is accepting applications for its Scholars Program for Fall 2023. The program offers internships for undergraduate and graduate students in business and legal programs. The traineeships are paid and range from $15.09 to $35.27 per hour. The SEC encourages students with an interest in blockchain, computer science, and cybersecurity to apply.