Coinbase Derivatives Set to Launch Futures Trading for Dogecoin, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash on April 1

In a move that signals increasing mainstream acceptance, Coinbase Derivatives is set to introduce futures trading for three prominent cryptocurrencies: Dogecoin, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash, beginning April 1.

Using self-certification with the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Coinbase aims to swiftly list these futures contracts while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. These cryptocurrencies, stemming from Bitcoin, which the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) acknowledges as a commodity, have been chosen for futures trading, leveraging their established status within the crypto market.

Dogecoin, initially conceived as a lighthearted meme, is now receiving serious attention as it joins the roster of tradable assets. Coinbase’s announcement to launch monthly cash-settled futures contracts for Dogecoin, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash was communicated to CFTC Secretary Christopher Kirkpatrick in separate letters dated March 7. The letters outlined key details such as contract sizes, settlement methods, and the utilization of a benchmark rate by Market Vector.

Coinbase’s decision to utilize the self-certification route under CFTC Regulation 40.2(a) underscores its commitment to regulatory compliance. This approach allows for the introduction of new offerings without direct CFTC approval, provided the products adhere to the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC regulations.

The regulatory classification of these cryptocurrencies as commodities, rather than securities, raises intriguing questions within the industry. Bloomberg Intelligence ETF research analyst James Seyffart noted the significance of this development, particularly in distinguishing these assets as “commodities futures” rather than “securities futures.” Given their lineage from Bitcoin, arguing for their classification as securities would pose challenges, especially following the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs. Coinbase’s strategic selection of these cryptocurrencies for futures trading reflects a nuanced understanding of regulatory dynamics and market trends.

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Stablecoin Bill’s Passage in 2024 Appears Uncertain as Talks Stall

Discussions among lawmakers have stagnated for months as the upcoming election season draws near, rendering the passage of bills in Washington nearly impossible.

Despite this, lawmakers involved in drafting stablecoin bills express optimism about legislative progress in both the Senate and the House. However, a stablecoin bill, viewed as relatively achievable compared to other crypto-related bills, has encountered obstacles, with time running out to bring it to a vote.

A stablecoin bill spearheaded by House Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., made headway out of the committee over the summer. However, it faced bipartisan contention, with Congressional Republicans attributing opposition to the White House. Notably, top Democrat Maxine Waters of California criticized the bill as “deeply problematic,” citing a provision allowing state regulators to approve stablecoin issuances without Federal Reserve input.

Although Waters and McHenry have increased their interactions since then, discord persists regarding the primary regulator for stablecoin issuers.

McHenry remarked on Wednesday at Coinbase’s Update the System Summit, indicating a “workable frame” for progress. He emphasized the need for a legislative vehicle and a deadline to address unresolved issues effectively.

Cody Carbone, vice president of policy for the Chamber of Digital Commerce, noted ongoing talks between McHenry and Waters’ teams but highlighted minimal progress on substantive issues.

Regarding the bill’s prospects in the House, Carbone suggested a 50% chance of passage but a mere 5% likelihood of enactment into law due to various complexities.

Uncertainty also looms in the Senate, where Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., aim to unveil a stablecoin bill focusing on regulatory clarity and consumer protection. However, uncertainties surround the bill’s details and completion strategy, with discussions facing setbacks.

Lummis expressed optimism about bipartisan efforts, citing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s openness to consider such legislation. She anticipates progress on stablecoins in 2024.

Despite challenges, stakeholders are encouraged by legislative efforts in both chambers, expressing optimism about achieving consensus before the year concludes.

However, hurdles remain, with the Senate Banking Committee prioritizing other issues, potentially impeding progress on stablecoin legislation. Efforts to package bills, such as a potential compromise between stablecoin and marijuana banking bills, offer glimmers of hope, but challenges persist in navigating House gridlock.

Ultimately, lawmakers aim to position themselves for the next Congress, emphasizing the importance of advancing stablecoin legislation despite potential delays beyond the year’s end.

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Ethereum Foundation Faces an ‘Undisclosed’ Investigation 

The Ethereum Foundation, the core entity behind the Ethereum ecosystem, is under scrutiny as reports surface of an ongoing investigation by an undisclosed “state authority.” This revelation comes amidst past legal inquiries, including allegations linked to the 2016 Gatecoin hack.

In a GitHub commit dated February 26, 2024, the Ethereum Foundation disclosed receipt of a voluntary inquiry from a state authority, coupled with a strict confidentiality mandate. Details regarding the nature of the inquiry and the identity of the authority remain undisclosed.

CoinDesk noted the removal of a disclosure from the Ethereum Foundation’s website, previously asserting no contact from any agency necessitating non-disclosure. Additionally, the website’s warrant canary, a signal indicating the absence of covert government subpoenas or requests, was also removed in the same GitHub commit.

The elimination of the warrant canary raises community concerns, as it traditionally serves as a subtle indicator of potential government involvement. Typically, companies employ warrant canaries on their websites to signal receipt of secret government requests.

Previous legal scrutiny faced by the Ethereum Foundation, particularly concerning its alleged involvement in the 2016 Gatecoin hack, adds context to this recent development. Accusations brought forward by on-chain forensic analyst TruthLabs targeted key figures such as Vitalik Buterin and Joseph Lubin, sparking intense community debates and prompting an independent legal investigation.

It remains unclear whether the ongoing investigation is linked to past incidents or pertains to a separate matter. Concurrently, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continues evaluating multiple applications for an Ether Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF). However, analysts express waning optimism regarding approval, citing limited engagement between applicants and SEC officials.

In response to the news, Ethereum ($ETH) experienced a sudden 3% decline within minutes, currently trading at $3,285 according to CoinMarketCap.

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KuCoin Acclaimed by Forbes Advisor as One of the Best Crypto Apps & Exchanges of March 2024: Leading Platform with Extensive Altcoin Offerings and Competitive Fees

VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — KuCoin, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has been acclaimed by Forbes Advisor as one of “The Best Crypto Apps & Exchanges of March 2024“, a continued honor after being recognized by Forbes as one of the Best Crypto Exchanges in 2023. Forbes Advisor meticulously evaluated key variables encompassing the quality of exchange platforms, ultimately recommending KuCoin as a compelling choice for both new and experienced investors.


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Forbes Advisor recognized KuCoin for its exceptional attributes that distinguish itself within the industry. With over 800 different cryptocurrencies available for trading, earning, and investment, KuCoin has solidified its position as a leading player with an extensive range of altcoins offered at low fees.

Johnny Lyu, CEO of KuCoin emphasized, “KuCoin is honored to receive this prestigious recognition from Forbes Advisor and remains dedicated to delivering innovative solutions and exceptional trading experiences for its customers.”

KuCoin was also named as one of the Best Crypto Exchanges and Best Staking Platform for 2023 by Forbes Advisor, top 50 companies in the 2023 Hurun Global Unicorn List, the Most Recommended Exchange by Finder’s Award 2023, and the Best Crypto App for enthusiasts by The Ascent. Earning this coveted recognition “Best Crypto Apps & Exchanges of March 2024” from Forbes Advisor serves as a testament to KuCoin’s substantial contributions to the crypto trading industry, solidifying its position as a leading platform of choice.

About KuCoin

Launched in September 2017, KuCoin is a global cryptocurrency exchange with its operational headquarters in Seychelles. As a user-oriented platform with a focus on inclusiveness and community action reach, it offers over 800 digital assets and currently provides Spot trading, Margin trading, P2P Fiat trading, Futures trading, and Staking to its 30 million users in more than 200 countries and regions. KuCoin is currently one of the top 8 crypto exchanges. In 2023, KuCoin was named one of the Best Crypto Exchanges by Forbes and recognized as a highly commended global exchange in Finder’s 2023 Global Cryptocurrency Trading Platform Awards. Learn more at https://www.kucoin.com/.

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Flash News: Merlin Chain Now Supported on OKX DEX Aggregator, Expanding Trading Options

SINGAPORE, March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — OKX, a leading Web3 technology company, has issued updates for March 20, 2024.


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Merlin Chain Now Supported on OKX DEX Aggregator, Expanding Trading Options
OKX DEX, a multi-chain, cross-chain decentralized exchange aggregator of 400+ other DEXs and approximately 20 bridges, has added support for Merlin Chain. This integration enables users to trade assets and perform cross-chain transactions on the Merlin Chain through OKX DEX.
OKX also recently announced that it is the first major industry player to fully integrate Uniswap Labs’ trading APIs into its offerings. The integration includes the launch of the ‘Snap’ trading mode feature on OKX DEX to aggregate Uniswap’s industry-leading liquidity, enabling users to swap tokens on Ethereum quickly and intuitively without incurring any gas fees.
Merlin Chain is a leading Layer 2 network in the Bitcoin ecosystem that has implemented ZK-Rollup and has been utilizing fair launches and community-driven native innovations. On February 22, OKX announced that its Web3 Wallet has integrated with Merlin Chain, enabling users to access its advanced blockchain ecosystem via web extension.

For more information, please visit the OKX Support Center.

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Media@okx.com

About OKX

A leading global technology company driving the future of Web3, OKX provides a comprehensive suite of products to meet the needs of beginners and experts alike, including:

  • OKX Wallet: The world’s most powerful, secure and versatile crypto wallet which gives users access to over 80 blockchains while allowing them to take custody of their own funds. The wallet includes MPC technology which allows users to easily recover access to their wallet independently, removing the need for traditional, ‘written down’ seed phrases. In addition, OKX Wallet’s account abstraction-powered Smart Account enables users to pay for transactions on multiple blockchains using USDC or USDT, and interact with multiple contracts via a single transaction.
  • DEX: A multi-chain, cross-chain decentralized exchange aggregator of 400+ other DEXs and approximately 20 bridges, with 200,000+ coins and more than 20 blockchains supported.
  • NFT Marketplace: A multi-chain, zero-fee NFT marketplace that gives users access to NFT listings across seven top-tier marketplaces including OpenSea, MagicEden, LooksRare and Blur.
  • Web3 DeFi: A powerful DeFi platform that supports earning and staking on about 70 protocols across more than 10 chains.

OKX partners with a number of the world’s top brands and athletes, including English Premier League champions Manchester City F.C., McLaren Formula 1, The Tribeca Festival, Olympian Scotty James, and F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo.

As a leader building innovative technology products, OKX believes in challenging the status quo. The company recently launched a global brand campaign entitled, The System Needs a Rewrite, which advocates for a new paradigm led by Web3 self-managed technology.

To learn more about OKX, download our app or visit: okx.com

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