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Tether Poses Major Audit Risks

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Renowned advocacy organization Consumers’ Research raised concerns about Tether, criticizing the USDT stablecoin issuer for exposing users to significant risks due to its business model.

Despite these concerns, Tether has recently emerged as one of the most profitable crypto companies globally, reporting massive quarterly profits.

Consumers’ Research Slams Tether for Audit Risks

In a letter aimed at protecting consumers, addressed to Washington Governor Jay Inslee, Consumers’ Research criticized Tether for failing to conduct an audit to prove that its USDT stablecoin is backed 1:1 by the US dollar, despite promises dating back nearly 10 years.

The report described this failure as a serious risk, calling Tether and USDT a “disaster for consumers waiting to happen.”

“Tether’s continual failure to undergo an independent audit raises a distressing red flag for the company and its USDT product. Tether has promised that it would conduct a full audit since at least 2017 but has still failed to do so. In August 2022, its CEO stated that an audit was ‘likely months away.’ Years later, there is still no audit,” read a paragraph in the letter.

In addition to the lack of audits, Consumers’ Research criticized Tether for its history of doing business with bad actors, including sanctioned crypto exchanges like Garantex and BitPapa. The report also referenced a recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ) article, which accused Tether of “enabling a parallel economy that operates beyond the reach of US law enforcement.”

Read more: 9 Best Crypto Wallets to Store Tether (USDT)

The Consumers’ Research also detailed Tether’s “history of false claims,” mentioning key red flags, including but not limited to:

  • In 2018, the US Department of Justice investigated Tether and Bitfinex’s involvement in crypto market manipulation.
  • In 2019, New York determined that Tether moved hundreds of millions of dollars to conceal the loss of $850 million in client money.
  • In 2021, Tether ceased trading activity in New York and paid $18.5 million in penalties.
  • In 2022, Tether settled charges stemming from false statements allegedly made regarding its backing of USDT with US dollars with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
  • Also, in 2022, the SEC fined the law firm that claimed the US dollar-backed USDT for improper accounting purposes.

These reports, which raise concerns about Tether’s financial safeguards, accuse the firm of undermining America’s efforts to fight illicit entities.

“Tether has many of the same issues that FTX and Celsius had before their collapse – potentially costing consumers billions of dollars using deceptive and misleading marketing tactics that are inconsistent with the truth,” the report concluded.

Amidst these claims, it is worth mentioning that Tether is collaborating with Tron and TRM Labs to combat USDT criminal activity.

Tether Relies on Attestations for its Reserves

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino stated in an April interview that the company relies on attestations for its reserves. He also revealed that Tether is seeking an auditor from among the top global accounting firms. However, the Big Four — Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG — are reportedly hesitant, fearing potential damage to their reputations.

“So you are a Big Four auditing firm, and you have the entire banking industry that is your customer. Why would you risk 100,000 customers for a couple of stablecoins? Between the FTX disaster and the hacks, heists, and regulatory crackdowns in crypto, it hasn’t been easy to sign on as a client for one of those top accounting outfits,” Ardoino said.

Despite these concerns, Tether remains highly profitable. A recent report revealed that Tether outperformed BlackRock, with earnings of $6.2 billion compared to the asset manager’s $5.5 billion.

“How is it possible that a stablecoin issuer with around 100 employees made more money than the largest mutual fund company in 2023? You give them dollars. They give you Tether tokens, which are essentially entries on the blockchain. They use your dollars to buy US bonds yielding 5%. They use the yield to buy Bitcoin for their balance sheet. You do not need many people to do this, and it is an extremely profitable business model. Now you understand why BlackRock has taken an interest in crypto,” crypto analyst Frederik Lund explained.

Read more: A Guide to the Best Stablecoins in 2024

Indeed, Tether’s profits are bolstered by income from US Treasuries and mark-to-market gains on its Bitcoin and gold holdings, according to a recent blog post, which suggests these factors inflate the company’s financials. A quarterly attestation showed $118.44 billion backing Tether-related stablecoins — over $5 billion more than the circulating supply — indicating the stablecoins are fully backed by reserves.

In a recent legal victory, a UK court ruled that Tether’s USDT stablecoin qualifies as property. This decision, made by the High Court Justice for England and Wales, follows the UK Parliament’s move to recognize crypto, NFTs, and carbon credits as personal property under British law.

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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 ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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Ethereum Price Recovery Stalls—Bears Keep Price Below $2K

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Ethereum price attempted a recovery wave above the $1,880 level but failed. ETH is now trimming all gains and remains below the $1,880 resistance zone.

  • Ethereum failed to stay above the $1,850 and $1,880 levels.
  • The price is trading below $1,850 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average.
  • There was a break below a key bullish trend line with support at $1,865 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken).
  • The pair must clear the $1,865 and $1,890 resistance levels to start a decent increase.

Ethereum Price Fails Again

Ethereum price managed to stay above the $1,800 support zone and started a recovery wave, like Bitcoin. ETH was able to climb above the $1,850 and $1,880 resistance levels.

The bulls even pushed the price above the $1,920 resistance zone. However, the bears are active near the $1,950 zone. A high was formed at $1,955 and the price trimmed most gains. There was a break below a key bullish trend line with support at $1,865 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD.

A low was formed at $1,781 and the price is now consolidating near the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $1,955 swing high to the $1,781 low.

Ethereum price is now trading below $1,850 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. On the upside, the price seems to be facing hurdles near the $1,850 level. The next key resistance is near the $1,865 level and the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $1,955 swing high to the $1,781 low.

Ethereum Price
Source: ETHUSD on TradingView.com

The first major resistance is near the $1,920 level. A clear move above the $1,920 resistance might send the price toward the $1,950 resistance. An upside break above the $1,950 resistance might call for more gains in the coming sessions. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $2,000 resistance zone or even $2,050 in the near term.

Another Decline In ETH?

If Ethereum fails to clear the $1,865 resistance, it could start another decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $1,800 level. The first major support sits near the $1,780 zone.

A clear move below the $1,780 support might push the price toward the $1,720 support. Any more losses might send the price toward the $1,680 support level in the near term. The next key support sits at $1,620.

Technical Indicators

Hourly MACDThe MACD for ETH/USD is gaining momentum in the bearish zone.

Hourly RSIThe RSI for ETH/USD is now below the 50 zone.

Major Support Level – $1,780

Major Resistance Level – $1,865



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Cardano (ADA) Downtrend Deepens—Is a Rebound Possible?

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Cardano price started a recovery wave above the $0.680 zone but failed. ADA is consolidating near $0.650 and remains at risk of more losses.

  • ADA price failed to recover above the $0.70 resistance zone.
  • The price is trading below $0.680 and the 100-hourly simple moving average.
  • There was a break below a connecting bullish trend line with support at $0.6720 on the hourly chart of the ADA/USD pair (data source from Kraken).
  • The pair could start another increase if it clears the $0.70 resistance zone.

Cardano Price Dips Again

In the past few days, Cardano saw a recovery wave from the $0.6350 zone, like Bitcoin and Ethereum. ADA was able to climb above the $0.680 and $0.6880 resistance levels.

However, the bears were active above the $0.70 zone. A high was formed at $0.7090 and the price corrected most gains. There was a move below the $0.650 level. Besides, there was a break below a connecting bullish trend line with support at $0.6720 on the hourly chart of the ADA/USD pair.

A low was formed at $0.6356 and the price is now consolidating losses near the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the recent decline from the $0.7090 swing high to the $0.6356 low. Cardano price is now trading below $0.680 and the 100-hourly simple moving average.

On the upside, the price might face resistance near the $0.6720 zone or the 50% Fib retracement level of the recent decline from the $0.7090 swing high to the $0.6356 low. The first resistance is near $0.6950. The next key resistance might be $0.700.

Cardano Price

If there is a close above the $0.70 resistance, the price could start a strong rally. In the stated case, the price could rise toward the $0.7420 region. Any more gains might call for a move toward $0.7650 in the near term.

Another Drop in ADA?

If Cardano’s price fails to climb above the $0.6720 resistance level, it could start another decline. Immediate support on the downside is near the $0.6420 level.

The next major support is near the $0.6350 level. A downside break below the $0.6350 level could open the doors for a test of $0.620. The next major support is near the $0.60 level where the bulls might emerge.

Technical Indicators

Hourly MACD – The MACD for ADA/USD is losing momentum in the bearish zone.

Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for ADA/USD is now below the 50 level.

Major Support Levels – $0.6420 and $0.6350.

Major Resistance Levels – $0.6720 and $0.7000.



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XRP Price Under Pressure—New Lows Signal More Trouble Ahead

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Aayush Jindal, a luminary in the world of financial markets, whose expertise spans over 15 illustrious years in the realms of Forex and cryptocurrency trading. Renowned for his unparalleled proficiency in providing technical analysis, Aayush is a trusted advisor and senior market expert to investors worldwide, guiding them through the intricate landscapes of modern finance with his keen insights and astute chart analysis.

From a young age, Aayush exhibited a natural aptitude for deciphering complex systems and unraveling patterns. Fueled by an insatiable curiosity for understanding market dynamics, he embarked on a journey that would lead him to become one of the foremost authorities in the fields of Forex and crypto trading. With a meticulous eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Aayush honed his craft over the years, mastering the art of technical analysis and chart interpretation.
As a software engineer, Aayush harnesses the power of technology to optimize trading strategies and develop innovative solutions for navigating the volatile waters of financial markets. His background in software engineering has equipped him with a unique skill set, enabling him to leverage cutting-edge tools and algorithms to gain a competitive edge in an ever-evolving landscape.

In addition to his roles in finance and technology, Aayush serves as the director of a prestigious IT company, where he spearheads initiatives aimed at driving digital innovation and transformation. Under his visionary leadership, the company has flourished, cementing its position as a leader in the tech industry and paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in software development and IT solutions.

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Aayush’s journey to success is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a steadfast commitment to continuous learning and growth. His academic achievements are a testament to his dedication and passion for excellence, having completed his software engineering with honors and excelling in every department.

At his core, Aayush is driven by a profound passion for analyzing markets and uncovering profitable opportunities amidst volatility. Whether he’s poring over price charts, identifying key support and resistance levels, or providing insightful analysis to his clients and followers, Aayush’s unwavering dedication to his craft sets him apart as a true industry leader and a beacon of inspiration to aspiring traders around the globe.

In a world where uncertainty reigns supreme, Aayush Jindal stands as a guiding light, illuminating the path to financial success with his unparalleled expertise, unwavering integrity, and boundless enthusiasm for the markets.



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