Market

BlackRock’s IBIT Launch in Chile, and More

Published

9 months ago

June 29, 2024

Coin2049 Newsletter

BeInCrypto comprehensive Latam Crypto Roundup brings Latin America’s most important news and trends. With reporters in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and more, we cover the latest updates and insights from the region’s crypto scene.

This week’s roundup includes stories about BlackRock’s IBIT launch in Chile, Nubank’s partnership with Lightspark, Bolivia’s cryptocurrency ban revoke, and more.

BlackRock Launches IBIT on Santiago Stock Exchange in Chile

BlackRock has introduced its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) to the Santiago Stock Exchange in Chile, managed by BCI Corredores de Bolsa. This launch allows Chilean investors to participate in Bitcoin investments at an institutional level.

Chile now follows Brazil in the region, where BlackRock launched the same ETF earlier in March. According to GTD, 74% of Chileans recognize Bitcoin as the leading cryptocurrency in the market. The ETF, which began trading on June 27, benefits from BlackRock’s technological expertise and its management of approximately 1,300 other ETFs.

This launch fills us with pride, as it is in line with the long history of innovation driven by BlackRock in the financial markets. Now, investors in Chile will have an accessible and efficient digital asset to include in their portfolios, backed by the extensive experience in risk management that our iShares ETFs have,” said Silvia Fernández, the Country Head of BlackRock Chile.

IBIT has established itself as the world’s largest Bitcoin ETF, with over $20 billion in assets since it began trading in January 2024. It was also the fastest ETF to reach $10 billion in assets in history.

Bolivia Authorizes Cryptocurrency Use, Revoking Historic Ban

Bolivia has officially lifted its ban on cryptocurrencies, authorizing their use through Electronic Payment Instruments (IEP). Edwin Rojas, the president of the Central Bank of Bolivia, announced this decision, marking a massive shift in the country’s approach to digital commerce.

The reversal of the 2020 Resolution 144, which previously restricted cryptocurrency transactions, involved the Financial Investigations Unit and the Financial System Authority. Despite this change, the Boliviano remains the only legal tender.

The Central Bank stresses that all risks associated with virtual assets are the user’s responsibility. It highlights that these assets are not considered legal money and are not obligatory for payments. The Central Bank is committed to adapting existing regulations and launching educational campaigns.

Official announcement by the Central Bank of Bolivia on the updated regulations. Source: BCB

This initiative aligns with recommendations from the Latin American Financial Action Task Force. They suggested regulating virtual asset services to meet new financial realities and the expanding use of blockchain technologies.

The recent move modernizes Bolivia’s financial system and opens doors to new digital commerce opportunities and financial inclusion, provided that public education manages the transition responsibly.

Santander Brazil Expands Crypto Trading to Retail Customers via Toro Platform

Santander, the multinational banking giant, has recently announced that it will start offering cryptocurrency trading services in Brazil. Starting this week, Santander’s Brazilian investment platform, Toro, will offer its retail customers access to Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Previously, these cryptoassets were available only to the bank’s private clients through ETFs. This move follows similar offerings by other Brazilian banks such as Itaú, Nubank, Inter, and BTG Pactual.

Toro founder and CEO João Resende explains that negotiations begin with offering the two largest digital currencies to selected clients with an appropriate risk profile for the product.

“The product will be aimed at clients with an aggressive risk profile. Gradually, the new service will be rolled out to the broker’s entire base of more than one million active clients.” Resende says Toro is considering offering other digital currencies in addition to tokenized assets. “It’s a first step we are taking,” he noted.

According to a report by Valor Econômico, the success of this initiative in Brazil might lead to its expansion across other Santander branches worldwide. Santander, also participating in the CBDC project known as Drex, recently conducted the first transaction using Anonymous Zether. The solution, developed by Consensys, allows users to conceal transaction amounts and the parties’ identities using cryptographic proofs.

Costa Rican Authorities Unveil Bitcoin Money Laundering Scheme

Costa Rican authorities have dismantled a sophisticated money laundering scheme involving cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin. After a two-and-a-half-year investigation, police arrested 36 individuals on Tuesday. Among them were judges, lawyers, and two Spanish nationals identified as the ringleaders.

Randall Zúñiga, director of the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), explained that the gang stole properties from Costa Rican residents. They then legitimized these assets through cryptocurrency purchases. In one instance, the organization moved $13 million in Bitcoin in a single day, highlighting the scale of its operations.

“There is a whole team dedicated to cryptocurrencies. In one day, they made a $13 million transaction in bitcoins. We have identified 25 properties, but over 100 have been stolen. Conversations suggest they have taken over 300 properties, with one valued at $30 million. This constitutes a multi-million dollar fraud,” Zúñiga stated.

The operation involved around 500 OIJ agents and conducted 47 raids nationwide. Lawyers, notaries, public officials, and five traffic officers were arrested. They face charges of registration fraud, ideological falsehood, and money laundering.

This case in Costa Rica mirrors a similar incident in Venezuela. The Scientific, Criminal, and Criminalistic Investigations Corps (CICPC) captured a criminal operating an illicit cryptocurrency exchange in Chacao, Miranda.

The detainee, Gabriel Bello, enticed victims with offers of currency exchange and cryptocurrencies at affordable prices. He then failed to deliver the promised returns. Bello, who was wanted for continuous swindling and other crimes, is now in the custody of the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Colombia’s Usiacurí Municipality Adopts Bitcoin

The small Colombian town of Usiacurí, home to over 10,000 residents, has embraced cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, USDT, and Tron for tourist transactions. This initiative mirrors El Salvador’s 2021 adoption of Bitcoin and aligns with Colombia’s high rate of Bitcoin utilization. President Gustavo Petro has even explored cryptocurrencies as potential solutions for governmental issues.

This adoption is part of the “Distrito Crypto” project, a collaboration between Usiacurí’s municipality, Universidad de la Costa (CUC), Certika, and Corporación CienTech, exclusive to Usiacurí in the Atlántico department. The program aims to facilitate cryptocurrency transactions for foreign tourists across local hotels, shops, and restaurants.

“The participation of the Universidad de la Costa was fundamental throughout the process, since through its teachers and researchers have been strengthening the research line of blockchain and its applications, as is this tool that allowed us to turn Usiacurí into the first municipality with Cryptocurrency District, generating more sales in its tourism and hotel sector,” explained CienTech.

Read more: Who Owns the Most Bitcoin in 2024?

Further enhancing Colombia’s appeal to crypto investors, the recent introduction of Worldcoin’s World ID verifications in Bogotá and Medellín positions the nation as a hub for digital identity solutions. This system serves as a “digital passport of humanity,” designed to verify unique individual identities securely, meeting growing demands for digital services verification.

Nubank Partners with Lightspark to Integrate Lightning Network in Brazil

Nubank has partnered with Lightspark to deploy the Bitcoin Lightning Network on its Brazilian platform. This alliance will explore potential synergies and development opportunities, with more specific details to be announced later.

Lightspark will provide Nubank with an enterprise-grade gateway to the Lightning Network, facilitating reliable, near real-time transactions for Bitcoin and fiat currencies at reduced costs.

“The partnership with Lightspark, which has developed an excellent technical solution for Bitcoin’s Lightning network, is another step in Nubank’s mission to provide the best solutions for our customers and strengthen our long-term relationship with them. The future integration of Lightning underscores Nubank’s ongoing mission to deliver more efficient services faster and at lower costs through blockchain technology,” stated Thomaz Fortes, CEO of Nubank Crypto.

The collaboration will allow Nubank’s teams to enhance the end-to-end customer experience by focusing on product innovation without the burden of managing a large-scale Lightning deployment. This integration represents a significant advancement in the adoption and efficiency of digital financial transactions, promising a faster, more affordable, and secure service for Nubank’s customers. It’s a significant milestone for the Lightning Network, expected to greatly increase its overall network utilization.

Argentina and Venezuela Face Hyper AI Platform Controversy

The Hyper AI platform, renowned for integrating advanced technologies like AI and blockchain into a metaverse, has recently suspended user withdrawals, alleging a system update. This action has alarmed its investors in Venezuela and caused uncertainty in Argentina. The platform is now accused of operating like a Ponzi scheme, leading many users to organize a protest to file formal complaints with the public prosecutor’s office in Venezuela.

Social media and cryptocurrency forums are buzzing with reactions as users in Venezuela express their frustration over the lack of transparency, accusing Hyper AI of employing common Ponzi scheme tactics. Approximately 20,000 users in Los Teques, El Jarillo, and La Colonia Tovar are reportedly affected. On Wednesday, June 26, a group will officially approach the Superior Prosecutor’s Office of Miranda to denounce the platform.

“I entered in the month of February, I started with the minimum investment of 50 dollars. For a while I recovered something, but for example my son borrowed money, he entered with $5,000 and of course he lost all of that. I know many people who sold houses, cars, who were excited because this platform was supposed to last until next year”, Carlos Chavez told the local Venezuelan media Diario Avance.

Read more: 15 Most Common Crypto Scams To Look Out For

The controversy is not confined to Venezuela; it has also touched Argentina. Users have voiced their dissatisfaction and are seeking answers to the ongoing crisis.

“My experience was awful, I entered through my nephew who was also scammed. I invested almost 900 dollars and I could not withdraw anything and it was horrible to know that they played with us like that”, Gabriela Romando told Argentinean media El Diario del Sur.

The situation that all Hyper AI users are going through has exacerbated the distrust in investments related to emerging technologies in the region. This saga is reminiscent of other recent financial collapses of digital platforms such as FTX, BTR, Solesbot, and CowCoin.

As the Latam crypto scene grows, these stories highlight the region’s increasing influence in the global market. From BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF launch in Chile to Brazilian Nubank’s partnership with Lightspark, Latin America is positioning itself as a key player in the tech world. Stay tuned for more updates and insights in next week’s roundup.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

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Trump Family Gets Most WLFI Revenue, Causing Corruption Fears

Published

27 minutes ago

March 31, 2025

Coin2049 Newsletter

A new report claims that President Trump and his immediate family receive most of WLFI’s revenues. The Trumps are entitled to 75% of token sale revenues, about $400 million, and 60% of other incomes.

If these numbers are even partially accurate, they raise significant concerns about potential conflicts of interest. They also raise questions about the broader implications for transparency and accountability regarding Trump’s crypto policies.

Does the Trump Family Receive WLFI Proceeds?

World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a project affiliated with President Trump, has made a lot of waves in the crypto space since the end of last year. After persistent rumors of a Binance partnership, WLFI officially launched a new stablecoin, USD1. There is no clear evidence of Binance’s involvement in this launch. However, a new report from Reuters has disclosed some disturbing details.

Essentially, it claims that it has found evidence of how much of WLFI’s revenues go directly to Trump’s family. Trump will get 75% of revenues from token sales and 60% from subsequent operations. WLFI completed its major token sale, which would, therefore, entitle the Trumps to about $400 million.

Reuters calculates that 5% of proceeds from this token sale would actually fund WLFI’s platform, with the rest going to other co-founders. Further, its buyers are not able to actually resell their tokens, and it’s unclear what governance actions they could influence. There’s not an apparent reason for the average retail trader to actually buy these assets.

If these numbers are true, they could represent a serious conflict of interest and a dire threat to the US economy. First, community leaders like Vitalik Buterin warned of corruption from political meme coins like TRUMP. If Trump gets a cut of WLFI’s token sales, that’s already a huge avenue for misuse.

Additionally, since Trump is making huge changes to US financial regulators, there may not be anyone to investigate WLFI corruption allegations. For example, TRON founder Justin Sun invested $30 million into WLFI, and the SEC settled a fraud case against him months later. The SEC has been settling all its crypto enforcement actions, but this investment still looks relevant.

“You’ve got the guy in charge who is responsible for his own regulation. WLFI tokens would be the perfect vehicle for governments or oligarchs overseas to funnel money to the president,” former regulator Ross Delston claimed.

The biggest danger might not even come from political corruption or fears of centralization in crypto. Trump recently outlined a plan to use stablecoins to promote dollar dominance, and WLFI now has its own stablecoin. It also has around $111 million in unrealized losses due to its crypto investments and claims it will use “other cash equivalents” in USD1’s reserves.

It’s hard to overstate the potential risks involved. Given Trump’s financial stake in WLFI, there’s a clear incentive to promote the firm’s stablecoin as part of his “dollar dominance” agenda. If this leads to widespread investment in USD1 and the peg doesn’t hold, the consequences could ripple across the entire crypto market.

Simply put, this sort of business arrangement is totally unprecedented for a sitting US President. A few Senators are already investigating Trump’s connections with WLFI. However, their lack of political power and defanged federal regulators may hamper their ability to change anything.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

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Market

BNB Breaks Below $605 As Bullish Momentum Fades – What’s Next?

Published

1 hour ago

March 31, 2025

Coin2049 Newsletter

The crypto market just got a shock as BNB plunged below the crucial $605 support level, sending ripples of concern across trading circles. This sudden breakdown comes after weeks of bullish dominance, leaving investors scrambling to answer one critical question: Is this a temporary dip or the start of a major trend reversal?

With weakening momentum and key technical indicators flashing red, BNB charts are telling a worrisome story. The once-steady uptrend now faces its toughest test as the token struggles to maintain its footing in a suddenly bearish market.

Bearish Pressure Builds: Are BNB Sellers Gaining Control?

BNB’s price is facing growing bearish pressure after slipping below the crucial $605 level, signaling a potential shift in market momentum. The failed attempt to hold this key support has allowed sellers to take control, pushing BNB lower and raising concerns about a prolonged decline.

Technical indicators further confirm the increasing strength of sellers. The MACD has turned negative, indicating a loss of upward momentum, while the RSI is trending downward, suggesting that buying pressure is weakening. Additionally, trading volume remains low on attempted rebounds, highlighting a lack of conviction from bulls.

If sellers maintain their grip, BNB could extend its decline toward the next major support zone around $531, which previously served as a short-term bounce level during past corrections. A break below this zone would solidify bearish dominance and cause a deeper decline to $500.

Below $500, the next key level to watch is $454, representing a technical support area. Pushing below this level may trigger an extended sell-off, driving BNB toward other key support levels where traders may look for signs of reversal.

What Needs To Happen For A Rebound

For BNB to stage a meaningful recovery after breaking below $605, the bulls must reclaim key levels and generate strong buying momentum. Its first crucial step is stabilizing above $530, a short-term support zone that could provide the foundation for a reversal. Holding this level would signal that buyers are stepping in, preventing more declines.

A sustained move back above $605 would be the next major confirmation of a recovery. Reclaiming this level as support might shift market sentiment in favor of the bulls and trigger renewed buying interest. Additionally, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) needs to rebound from oversold conditions, while the MACD crossover into bullish territory would reinforce an upside move.

For a stronger bullish outlook, BNB would need to push past $680, a level that previously acted as resistance. Breaking above this zone with increasing volume could confirm a trend reversal toward $724 and $795, marking a full recovery from recent losses.

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Market

Pi Network Struggles, On Track for New All-Time Low

Published

2 hours ago

March 31, 2025

Coin2049 Newsletter

Pi Network continues to struggle in the market as its price remains on a downward trajectory. Despite earlier optimism, investors have been increasingly skeptical of the coin, contributing to a prolonged downtrend.

The uncertainty around its value suggests Pi Network may be headed for a new all-time low (ATL).

Pi Network Witnesses Outflows

The ADX (Average Directional Index) has recently crossed the 25.0 threshold, indicating that the current bearish trend is gaining momentum. This is a concerning signal for Pi Network’s price, as the rising bearishness suggests that it will be increasingly difficult for the cryptocurrency to recover in the short term. With the ADX pointing towards sustained negative market forces, the pressure on Pi Network’s price will likely intensify as the token nears its previous ATL.

The growing strength of the bearish trend is compounded by investor uncertainty, with many questioning the token’s long-term viability. This uncertainty can lead to further selling and a lack of fresh buying support, making it even harder for Pi Network to find a solid foundation for recovery.

Pi Network’s macro momentum also paints a grim picture for the altcoin. The Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) indicator, which measures the volume of money flowing into and out of a coin, has been deeply negative. Although there has been a slight uptick, the indicator remains in the negative zone, signaling that investors are still reluctant to buy into the token.

The slight increase in CMF reflects minor capital inflows, but this could be short-lived if the skepticism persists. With investors hesitating and outflows continuing, Pi Network’s price faces significant challenges. The current trend suggests that more outflows could occur if the coin reaches a new ATL.

PI Price Nears New Low

Pi Network is currently trading at $0.70, just above its ATL of $0.62. The altcoin saw a 12.8% decline over the past 24 hours after failing to reclaim $0.87 as support. This failure to regain previous support levels shows the continued lack of investor confidence.

If the bearish trend persists, Pi Network is likely to fall through the $0.62 support level, potentially dropping to $0.50. A new ATL could be set as the market sentiment continues to weigh heavily on the price, leading to further losses for existing investors.

PI Network Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

The only way to reverse the bearish outlook is for investors to change their approach and capitalize on low prices. Increased inflows could potentially drive Pi Network’s price back above $0.87, and if it surpasses the $1.00 level, it would reclaim critical support and signal a possible recovery for the altcoin.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

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