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☆ How a Blind Runner Trains for the New York City Marathon
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Lola Fadulu | More About Lola Fadulu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The woman was briefly furious, but her face softened once she saw the tether connecting the men by the waist. Francesco Magisano, the man who had run into her, is blind, and his guide Nev Schulman nervously apologized for the accident. The men were running together for the first time in preparation for the New York City Marathon on Sunday. Marathons are physically and emotionally challenging, but the New York City Marathon has a unique set of difficulties for blind runners and their guides. The sheer number of screaming spectators and runners — race officials are expecting approximately 50,000 finishers this year — make it difficult for guides to steer blind runners along the tightly packed 26.2-mile course.

Persons: Francesco Magisano, Nev Schulman, Magisano Organizations: New York City Marathon, New York City Locations: Central Park

☆ From Hamas to North Korean Nukes, Cryptocurrency Tether Keeps Showing Up
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Ben Foldy | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Tether, the $84 billion so-called stablecoin bridging the worlds of cryptocurrencies and the dollar, is increasingly showing up in investigations tied to money laundering, terror financing and sanctions evasion. Tether is now the world’s most heavily traded cryptocurrency by volume. The stablecoin, also known as USDT, maintains a 1:1 exchange ratio with the dollar. Traders use it to stash their cash, easily invest in other cryptocurrencies or swap it into traditional currencies such as the dollar.

Organizations: Traders

☆ Most Popular Cryptocurrency Keeps Showing Up in Illicit Finance
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Ben Foldy | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Organizations: Traders

☆ Tether CEO says stablecoin issuer audit process is continuing
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailTether CEO says stablecoin issuer audit process is continuingPaolo Ardoino, the new CEO of Tether, says he supports a full audit of the stablecoin, but "fear" from big firms to take a risk on auditing a stablecoin, is stopping it from happening.

Persons: Paolo Ardoino

☆ Tether CEO discusses tackling terrorist financing through crypto
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailTether CEO discusses tackling terrorist financing through cryptoPaolo Ardoino, the new CEO of Tether, discusses how the company is tackling terrorist financing that is taking place via cryptocurrencies like USDT.

Persons: Paolo Ardoino

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Cryptocurrency issuer Tether has frozen 32 crypto wallet addresses containing a combined $873,118 it said were linked to "terrorism and warfare" in Israel and Ukraine, the company said on Monday. Israeli police said last week they had frozen crypto accounts used to solicit donations for Hamas on social media. Tether said that it is committed to "working closely" with law enforcement agencies globally "to combat cryptocurrency-funded terrorism and warfare." Crypto has been widely used in Ukraine since Russia's invasion last year, with Kyiv raising over $100 million in crypto after appealing for donations. Pro-Russian groups have used crypto for funding in eastern Ukraine, blockchain researcher Chainalysis said last year.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Crypto, Chainalysis, TRM, Elizabeth Howcroft, Tom Wilson, Mark Potter, Rod Nickel Organizations: REUTERS, TRM Labs, Israel's National Bureau for, Reuters, bitcoin, Thomson Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Hamas, U.S

☆ Tether freezes 32 crypto wallets holding $873,118 linked to terrorism and warfare in Israel, Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Mackenzie Sigalos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The world's biggest stablecoin, tether, saw more than $10 billion in redemptions in May, fueling fears of a 2008-style "bank run." Tether froze 32 virtual wallets linked to crypto-funded terrorism and warfare in Israel and Ukraine, according to a media release published Monday. Tether, which issues the world's largest stablecoin of the same name, says it has been collaborating with the National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing of Israel in its efforts. "Tether remains committed to promoting responsible blockchain technology use and standing as a robust defense against cybercrime," continued Ardoino. "We eagerly anticipate continued collaboration with global law enforcement agencies as part of our commitment to global security and financial integrity."

Persons: Paolo Ardoino Organizations: National Bureau for, Israel, Tether's U.S, cybercrime Locations: redemptions, Israel, Ukraine

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Crypto firm Tether's Chief Technology Officer Paolo Ardoino will also become its CEO from December 2023, the company said on Friday, in a surprise management shake-up for one of the crypto world's top tokens. Current CEO, Jean-Louis van der Velde, will "transition to an advisory role for Tether", the company said in a statement. Tether issues a stablecoin, also called Tether, which is designed to maintain a 1:1 dollar peg and is widely used in crypto-to-crypto trading. Little is known about van der Velde, who keeps a low public profile. Ardoino became chief technology officer of Tether in 2017, the company said.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Paolo Ardoino, Jean, Louis van der Velde, van der Velde, Ardoino, Elizabeth Howcroft, Louise Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Tether's, Twitter, Thomson

☆ Stablecoin Tether promotes tech chief to CEO, taking over from mysterious crypto leader
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Paolo Ardoino, the chief technology officer for Tether, has been promoted to CEO of the stablecoin company, in a surprise move. In a press release Friday, Tether said that Ardoino will lead Tether from December 2023, succeeding van der Velde. Ardoino will still serve as Tether's chief technology officer while taking on his additional duties as CEO, Tether said. He joined Tether as chief technology officer in 2017. The departure of van der Velde, an executive who has barely ever appeared in public, comes as Tether has faced scrutiny over transparency.

Persons: Paolo Ardoino, Ardoino, Jean, Louis van der Velde, van der Velde, Van der Velde, Bitfinex, Tether's van der Velde Organizations: U.S . Locations: Hong Kong

They’re opportunistic and adaptive,” said former CIA analyst Yaya Fanusie, now an adjunct senior fellow with the Center for a New American Security. It’s unclear how much money Hamas has received in cryptocurrency, but there’s evidence they have amassed significant amounts. Another $94 million was allegedly held by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a militant partner of Hamas, according to Elliptic, another analytics firm. Hamas additionally raises funds through informal taxes and smuggling, according to a Congressional Research Service report from May. Investigators were able to seize 150 cryptocurrency accounts “that laundered funds to and from” Hamas accounts, according to a DOJ news release.

Persons: launderers, European Union –, “ There’s, ”, Yaya Fanusie, –, Dmitry Machikhin, Arda Akartuna, Akartuna, Jake Sullivan, Iran “, Sullivan, Asher Perlin, Yitzchak Weinstock, Weinstock, “, al, Perlin Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Justice, Justice Department, European Union, Center, New, New American Security, Department of Homeland Security, ’, Reuters, Wall Street, Brigades, Palestine Islamic, US State Department, US Treasury Department, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Treasury, US Treasury, White, National, Congressional Research Service, US Justice Department, ”, Investigators, DOJ Locations: Iran, cryptocurrency, Israel, Washington ,, United States, New American, New Jersey, bitcoin, Jihad, Palestine, Turkey, Lebanon, Lebanese, Syria, Tehran, Jerusalem

☆ Tether Is Lending Its Stablecoins Again
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Jonathan Weil | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/finance/currencies/tether-is-lending-its-stablecoins-again-b11705f2

Persons: Dow Jones, b11705f2

Sept 19 (Reuters) - Bitcoin isn't the only asset experiencing a late summer slump. It has shrunk by almost a tenth this year, standing at $124.4 billion as of Sept. 14. A jump in the dollar index on interest rate hikes last year was accompanied by a big rise in stablecoin volumes, he added. Yet all is not equal: Dollar-pegged Tether, the biggest stablecoin, is bucking the losing trend. Reporting by Hannah Lang in Washington; Editing by Michelle Price and Pravin CharOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: James Butterfill, CoinGecko, Paolo Ardoino, Paxos, USDC, TerraUSD, Dante Disparte, it's, Hannah Lang, Michelle Price Organizations: U.S ., New York Department of Financial Services, U.S, Silicon, Bank —, Thomson, Reuters Locations: South America, Central Asia, U.S, Washington

☆ A 20-Minute Cleaning Playlist
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Dear listeners,Over the weekend, I got my first cordless vacuum — a truly game-changing invention — and embarked upon an epic cleaning spree of my entire apartment. Or — I think you see where I’m going with this — a cleaning playlist. Today’s playlist is short by design: just six songs, clocking in at a little over 20 minutes. You know what’s even better than a 20-minute timer, though? A 20-minute playlist.

Persons: Dustin ’, don’t, I’ve, Marlen Komar, she’d

☆ Coinbase’s stablecoin bet pegs to wishful thinking
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The crypto exchange will take a minority stake in Circle Internet Financial, issuer of stablecoin USDC. Such tokens, designed to track the U.S. dollar, haven’t delivered on promises of transforming finance. Coinbase already earns interest from reserves backing USDC through a partnership with Circle, and doesn’t expect any new major financial benefit. Meanwhile, U.S. legislation to regulate the tokens is stalled, and PayPal’s (PYPL.O) stablecoin launch last month drew criticism from Representative Maxine Waters, among others. Coinbase, meanwhile, is cozying up to pillars of traditional finance like BlackRock (BLK.N).

Persons: haven’t, Coinbase, Maxine Waters, Brian Armstrong, Anita Ramaswamy, EY’s loveless, Jonathan Guilford, Sharon Lam Organizations: Reuters, U.S ., Wall Street Journal, BlackRock, Twitter, TPG, Thomson

☆ Singapore among world's first to agree stablecoin crypto regulation
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Singapore's financial regulator on Tuesday said it had finalized rules for a type of digital currency called stablecoin, putting it among the first jurisdictions globally to do so. Stablecoins are a type of digital currency designed to hold a constant value against a fiat currency. The stablecoin market is valued at around $125 billion, with two tokens — Tether's USDT and Circle's USDC — dominating roughly 90% of the market cap value. The Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) framework spells out some key requirements:Reserves that back stabelcoins must be held in low-risk and highly-liquid assets. These rules will apply to stablecoins that are issued in Singapore and mimic the value of the Singapore dollar, or of any G10 currency, such as the U.S. dollar.

Persons: — Organizations: Monetary Authority, Singapore's, Singapore, U.S . Locations: Singapore

☆ Bernstein says crypto may finally have its killer application
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

According to Bernstein, stablecoins are "the monster crypto killer-app" and could be a nearly $3 trillion market over the next five years. "Going forward, we expect tokenized stablecoins to be a $2.8 trillion market, led by regulated, onshore stablecoins." The stablecoin market has dropped sharply this year despite bitcoin being up about 75%. In July, it hit an all-time high of $83.8 billion and now accounts for 68.5% of the overall stablecoin market. The crypto market currently awaits a vote in Congress on a key stablecoin bill , which has just advanced to the House with three other crypto bills for the first time.

Persons: Bernstein, stablecoins, Gautam Chhugani, Chhugani, bitcoin, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: U.S .

Da Ponte denied a Bloomberg report that the payments processor paused development of its stablecoin in February. But da Ponte argues this troubled backdrop is exactly why PayPal is poised to succeed. Then there's the hypothetical digital dollar that would be the Fed's take on a central bank digital currency, or CBDC. "We have a large base of consumers; we have a large base of merchants," da Ponte said of PayPal's "two-sided network." Da Ponte sees PayPal's more than 20-year tenure in the payments space as one of the company's chief advantages in the stablecoin market.

Persons: Jose Fernandez da Ponte, PayPal's, Da Ponte, Paxos, it's, Ponte, stablecoins, Nic Carter, Stablecoins, Carter, Andy Bromberg, Andreessen Horowitz, Bromberg, PYUSD, Jeremy Allaire, Allaire, Patrick McHenry, McHenry Organizations: PayPal, CNBC, Bloomberg, SEC, New, Regulators, Valley Bank, U.S ., U.S, Castle, Ventures, Companies, Eco, Coinbase Ventures, Paypal, Facebook, Financial Services, America Locations: U.S, New York, Bromberg, web3, United States, R, DexTools

☆ PayPal bets on crypto's future with US-dollar-backed stablecoin PYUSD
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The stablecoin, PayPal USD, is fully backed by the US dollar and is “designed to reduce friction” for payments within virtual spaces and provide faster, cheaper transfers of money across borders. But PayPal is betting on a future in which digital currency is more mainstream and merchants may request payment in stablecoins to avoid credit card processing fees. In May 2022, the “algorithmic” stablecoin TerraUSD collapsed when the crypto token backing it, Luna, collapsed. The value of PayPal USD, or PYUSD, doesn’t rely on a complex algorithm the way Terra did. In other words: every PayPal USD should be worth $1.00, no matter what.

Persons: ”, Dan Schulman, Stablecoins, Stablecoins aren’t, TerraUSD, Luna, Kwon, Charles Cascarilla Organizations: New, New York CNN, PayPal, Securities, Exchange Commission, Paxos Trust Locations: New York, cryptocurrencies, Venmo, Terra

☆ The stablecoin market has shrunk this year while bitcoin has rallied — What investors should know
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Bitcoin is up more than 75% this year, but the market capitalization for stablecoins has dwindled during the same period. "This is unusual as often the market capitalization of stablecoin increases during rallies and decreases during downturns, matching the trend of the overall crypto market," JPMorgan analyst Steven Alexopoulos said in a note Thursday. "An explanation for the decline of the stablecoin market may be due to investors preferring the higher returns of bitcoin and Ethereum or even traditional assets (benefiting from a rise in interest rates)." In July, it hit an all-time high of $83.8 billion and now accounts for 68.5% of the overall stablecoin market. Tether's prominence Instead of focusing on declines in USDC, investors could point to Tether's growth as evidence of stablecoin inflows, for example.

Persons: Bitcoin, Steven Alexopoulos, bitcoin, USDC, Steven Lubka, Swan, David Wells, Coinbase, Lubka, Michael Bloom Organizations: U.S ., JPMorgan, Drivers, Bank, U.S, Services, Enclave Markets, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission Locations: New York, Silicon, SVB, U.S, USDC

Stablecoins are a type of cryptocurrency which aim to keep a constant value and are usually backed by traditional assets such as dollars. Tether's reserves report, signed off by accountants BDO Italia, says Tether's assets rose to $86.5 billion in the three months to June 30, 2023, up 5.7% from the previous quarter and a record high, according to previous reports on its website. Tether is a key cog in global digital asset trading, with many crypto-to-crypto trades denominated in the stablecoin. U.S. regulators have warned banks that stablecoin reserves could be subject to rapid outflows, for example if holders rushed to exchange such tokens back into traditional currency. Tether's holdings of U.S. Treasury Bills hit $55.8 billion, up 5.2% from the end of March, while non-U.S. Treasury Bills rose to $62.9 million, up more than 30% from the previous quarter, the report said.

Persons: Elizabeth Howcroft, Christina Fincher Organizations: BDO Italia, Treasury Bills, U.S . Treasury Bills, New York Attorney, Thomson Locations: . U.S, U.S

☆ Across rural America, data center development booms as investors race to cater to artificial intelligence
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Daniel Geiger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Data center development is booming and AI is expected to stoke already growing demand. Demand is sapping power grids in major markets and pushing data center development across the US. The project's neighbors include Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon – all of whom have similar plans, or are already underway with major data center projects. The message came after a torrid period of growth by the data center industry in that region. Wes Swenson, Nova's CEO, said the Reno region was becoming increasingly popular for data center development because of its access to power.

Persons: Matt McCollister, Martin Peck, Lincoln Rackhouse, Peck, Blackstone, Jonathan Gray, Drew Angerer, Bard, Gray, Pat Lynch, Robbie Sovie, Sovie, Georgia Power, Skybox, Rob Morris, Morris, George Frey, Novva, Wes Swenson, Nova's, Swenson, CBRE, Lynch Organizations: stoke, Lincoln Property Company, Harrison Street, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, Lincoln, Carrier, QTS, Dominion Energy, Dominion, Washington DC, APS, QuadReal, Georgia, Reuters, Data Centers, CIM Group Locations: Ohio, New Albany, Columbus, Northern Virginia, Dallas, Phoenix, Silicon Valley, Chicago, Virginia, Loudoun County, Washington, Arizona, Southwest, Lithia Springs , Georgia, Atlanta, Vancouver, Hutto , Texas, Austin, Eagle Mountain , Utah, Reno , Nevada, Storey County, Reno, Silicon, Salt Lake City, West Jordan , Utah, CBRE

☆ Indonesia launches new crypto bourse, clearing house
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration//JAKARTA, July 21 (Reuters) - Indonesia has launched a national crypto asset bourse to provide regulators with transaction records and better protect crypto investors, the government announced this week. The launch of the exchange and clearing house is also intended to strengthen monitoring of the booming sector amid a transition in regulatory oversight, according to the Commodity Futures Trading Regulatory Agency (Bappebti). Rising global interest rates have, however, dampened demand for crypto assets in recent months. The new bourse will list existing licensed crypto companies, such as Binance's Tokocrypto, Indodax and others as traders. PT Bursa Komoditi Nusantara will run the bourse and PT Kliring Berjangka Indonesia will clear transactions there, Bappebti chief Didid Noordiantmoko said in a statement.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Didid Noordiantmoko, Bernadette Christina Munthe, Gayatri Suroyo, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Commodity, Trading Regulatory Agency, Bursa Komoditi Nusantara, bourse, Kliring Berjangka, Tennet Depository Indonesia, Financial Services, Thomson Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Indodax, Bursa, Kliring Berjangka Indonesia, Bappebti

☆ The 'Bitcoin Family' has a special algorithm that tracks moon cycles — and it's helped them gain 50% since the bear market bottom
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Mackenzie Sigalos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +13 min

Didi Taihuttu in Lagos, Portugal MacKenzie SigalosTaihuttu's indicator considers a mix of inputs, including directional trading data and moon cycles. Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) compares two moving averages of a cryptocurrency's price by subtracting the 26-period exponential moving average (EMA) from the 12-period EMA. When the 50-day moving average crosses below a falling 200-day moving average, it is known as the Death Cross , signaling a bear market may be imminent. When the 50-day moving average crosses below a falling 200-day moving average, it is known as the , signaling a bear market may be imminent. Price chart showing the 'Didi BAM BAM' market indicator Didi TaihuttuAnd then there are the intangible price influencers — like moon phases.

Persons: Thailand Didi Taihuttu LAGOS, Didi Taihuttu, Portugal MacKenzie Sigalos Taihuttu's, Bitcoin, Taihuttu, DAI —, Didi, Portugal MacKenzie, Portugal —, Portugal Didi Taihuttu, Mayer, It's, Price, —, I'm, Didi Bam Bam, Thailand Didi, ChatGPT, Goldman Sachs, Marco Argenti, Goldman, Louisa, David Solomon, Morgan Stanley, Morgan, Jeff McMillan, — CNBC's Ryan Browne Organizations: CNBC, Didi BAM, BAM, Bollinger Bands, Bollinger, Lightning Networks Locations: Phuket, Thailand, PORTUGAL, Lagos, Algarve, Taihuttu, bitcoin, Portugal, cryptocurrency, ChatGPT

☆ Russia's near-mutiny just cratered its currency against the dollar
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The near-mutiny in Russia this weekend had some unexpected consequences for currencies — more on that below. And yet — the Russian ruble still plunged 3% to a 15-month low on Monday, trading at one point near 87 per dollar. The Kremlin said there was a huge uptick in foreign currency demand across 15 regions in Russia, per Reuters. During the mutiny, Russian banks had cut their ruble exchange rates to over 100 per dollar, though they've since eased prices. What's your outlook for the Russian ruble by year-end?

Persons: Phil Rosen, You'll, Vladimir Putin, GAVRIIL, Yevgeny Prigozhin's, Wagner, Prigozhin, Andrei Belousov, Putin hasn't, Spencer Platt, Morgan Stanley, Billionaire Ron Baron, Warren, there's, Goldman Sachs, Elon, Max Adams, Hallam Bullock Organizations: SPUTNIK, Getty, Reuters, Wall Street Journal, Manchester United, Walgreens, Alliance Inc, Billionaire, Dow, Harvard, Bank of America, Elon Musk's Locations: New York, Russia, Moscow, Ukraine, —, Voronezh, Rostov, Lipetsk, London

☆ I'm the 'Car Mom' and review family cars for a living. Here's my favorite models and why 100,000-mile vehicles shouldn't scare you.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Kelly Stumpe, also known as the Car Mom, has test-driven and toured 65 family cars. The problem with buying a family car is, it's not just a matter of: "I don't like the drive." It is not as simple as if it has a seatbelt, it can fit a car seat. In the Sequoia, I can only put it in the middle seat, so I could not have another child in this car who would still be in a car seat. It actually allows you to access the third row when a car seat is still installed.

Persons: Kelly Stumpe, Alexa St, Stumpe reevaluated, St . Louis, there's, I've, shouldn't, Joe Raedle, it's, Stumpe, It's, they're, I'm, Sienna Organizations: Morning, Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan, Ford Expedition, Toyota Sequoia, Leasing, Ford The Ford Expedition, General Motors, Honda, VW Locations: John, St, Louis , Missouri, St ., Florida, Hyundai Santa Fe, Autotrader, Edmunds, Yukon

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