Author: Michelle Lazo

Bitcoin mining companies are reducing their operational scale as revenues have significantly decreased, following a recent industry adjustment known as the “halving,” according to a May 13 Coinshares report. The Bitcoin network’s seven-day rolling average hash rate, which measures the computing power used to mine Bitcoin, showed a sharp decline from an all-time high of approximately 650 exahashes per second (EH/s) on April 19 to 586 EH/s by May 11.

The halving event, which occurred on April 19, cut the reward for mining a block of Bitcoin from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC, effectively slashing the miners’ revenue by nearly half. This reduction has forced miners to adopt cost-cutting measures such as optimizing energy expenditures, enhancing mining efficiency, and securing better terms for hardware procurement.

Despite these challenges, CoinShares’ analysis based on Q4 2023 figures suggests that publicly listed Bitcoin mining firms, like Marathon Digital Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:MARA) and Riot Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:RIOT), are still profitable, with the average production cost per Bitcoin estimated at $53,000, while Bitcoin traded at $63,000 on Monday. However, profitability has diminished compared to pre-halving levels.

Additionally, new Bitcoin applications such as Ordinals and Runes have increased on-chain activity and network transaction fees, offering another revenue stream for miners. According to Ki Young Ju, CEO of CryptoQuant, transaction fees now constitute 7% of miner revenue, a significant increase from 1% two years ago. This change reflects the evolving landscape and adaptation strategies within the Bitcoin mining industry.

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Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has taken significant steps toward resuming its operations in India by registering with the country’s Financial Intelligence Unit, as confirmed by a senior FIU official. The registration comes after Binance was suspended from operating in India this past December due to non-compliance with local regulations, amid a broader crackdown by the financial watchdog on offshore crypto exchanges operating without proper registration.

To operate legally, virtual digital asset service providers, such as cryptocurrency exchanges, are required to register with the FIU and adhere to the country’s anti-money laundering regulations. Although Binance has now registered, it must still resolve pending penalties for its prior non-compliance before it can restart operations, with the exact fines yet to be finalized, according to Vivek Aggarwal, director of the FIU.

In addition to Binance, the FIU issued show cause notices to nine other offshore cryptocurrency exchanges in December 2023 for similar compliance failures. Moreover, the FIU had requested the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to block online access to these platforms.

Another crypto exchange, KuCoin, has successfully navigated this process, having registered with the FIU and resumed operations after settling a fine of 3.45 million rupees (approximately $41,313). KuCoin made its registration public in March but had initially withheld details regarding the penalty.

As of now, representatives from Binance and KuCoin have not provided any comments regarding these developments.

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Elon Musk has been a vocal advocate of Dogecoin since his initial tweet in 2019, and his recent actions suggest he’s gearing up to expand DOGE’s utility further into his business ventures. Notably, Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) has started accepting DOGE as payment for its merchandise, a move following Musk’s visit to the Berlin gigafactory where the idea gained traction. This quiet rollout on Tesla’s website saw the DOGE price surge over 20% shortly after enthusiasts noticed the update.

In parallel, Musk’s social media platform, X, previously known as Twitter, is also setting the stage for broader cryptocurrency use. X has been actively acquiring payment licenses across the U.S., now holding 25, with more expected. This development is crucial for facilitating peer-to-peer  transactions akin to those on Venmo or Cash App, paving the way for potential DOGE integration.

Musk’s interest in integrating DOGE into X was hinted at in a retweet he made, featuring a comparison of the old and current X.com logos and the caption “The Everything App.” This retweet, originally posted by a user associated with DOGE’s UX/UI design, suggests a full-circle vision for Musk’s involvement in online payments, tracing back to his early career at X.com, which later evolved into PayPal(NASDAQ:PYPL).

While the roadmap towards DOGE integration on X appears promising, it faces regulatory challenges. Despite these hurdles, Musk’s efforts to acquire the necessary licenses indicate a strong commitment to transforming X into an ‘everything app’ and possibly making DOGE a key element of this transformation.

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The landscape of cryptocurrency investment is witnessing a shift with the rise of Key Opinion Leaders, who are not only investing in crypto startups but also promoting them, often with advantageous conditions. Recently, major social media figures have transformed into influencer-investors, receiving perks such as discounted valuations and early selling options, a trend becoming increasingly common in crypto’s evolving ‘KOL’ economy.

KOL rounds have emerged as a cost-effective strategy for crypto startups to market their projects. This method contrasts sharply with traditional paid promotions, offering a way to leverage the KOLs’ extensive social media reach to attract investors and users. Platforms like YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) are popular stages for these promotions, influencing retail traders’ decisions.

However, the transparency of these financial arrangements often remains murky. Several insiders, preferring to remain anonymous, have raised concerns about the disclosure of these agreements to the public, potentially breaching U.S. consumer protection laws. According to Ariel Givner, a lawyer specializing in crypto law, the failure to disclose these financial ties could mislead the audience, many of whom rely on such endorsements for investment decisions.

Moreover, the structure of these deals frequently allows KOLs to sell their stakes soon after a token launches, potentially undermining the long-term stability of the project in favor of immediate gains. This practice, while lucrative for KOLs and beneficial for the initial marketing push of a project, might result in significant losses for retail investors who remain unaware of the behind-the-scenes arrangements.

As the creator economy continues to reshape online interactions, crypto startups are increasingly opting for influencer-led funding rounds, which promise wider exposure and potentially higher initial buy-in rates without the upfront costs of traditional marketing campaigns.

While this model offers a modern twist on raising capital, it also introduces complexities and ethical considerations regarding investor protection and market transparency. The debate continues on the need for clearer regulations and disclosures to safeguard the interests of all parties involved in such transactions.

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