Ripple to acquire Standard Custody & Trust Co. to expand US presence

  • Ripple acquires Standard Custody & Trust Co. to bolster US presence and regulatory compliance.
  • The acquisition enables Ripple to expand service offerings, including asset tokenization and custody solutions.
  • The move comes amid reports of an agreed settlement between Ripple and the US SEC.

Ripple has announced the acquisition of Standard Custody & Trust Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of PolySign, marking its second recent purchase of a custody business.

With a focus on regulatory compliance and expanding its service offerings, Ripple’s acquisition aims to pave the way for broader financial capabilities within the United States.

Ripple’s expansion into the US market

Ripple, known for its innovative blockchain-based payment solutions, is strategically positioning itself to further penetrate the US financial sector.

Despite ongoing legal disputes, Ripple remains committed to enhancing its regulatory qualifications and operational capabilities within the country. By acquiring Standard Custody & Trust Co., a company with a New York trust charter, Ripple aims to unlock new opportunities for growth and diversification in the US market.

In a tweet, Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple’s CEO, has reiterated the importance of the acquisition. He has stated:

“With Standard Custody, we’ll be able to improve existing product offerings for our customers, as well as explore new products and use cases, all in a fully compliant way. To date, Ripple has secured: nearly 40 U.S. money transmitter licenses, MPI license from MAS, and VASP registration with Central Bank of Ireland (and counting!)”

Enhancing regulatory compliance and service offerings

The acquisition of Standard Custody & Trust Co. reflects Ripple’s proactive approach to addressing regulatory challenges and tapping into the potential of the US financial landscape.

By obtaining a New York trust charter through this acquisition, Ripple gains the ability to conduct a wider range of business activities within the United States. This includes offering in-house services to financial institutions interested in leveraging blockchain technology for asset tokenization and custody solutions.

With this strategic move, Ripple aims to provide its customers with enhanced flexibility and comprehensive services, positioning itself as a key player in the evolving financial ecosystem.

The post Ripple to acquire Standard Custody & Trust Co. to expand US presence appeared first on CoinJournal.

Ledger and Coinbase forge integration to streamline crypto purchases

  • Ledger and Coinbase streamline crypto purchases with Coinbase Pay integration.
  • Users can now receive crypto purchases directly on Ledger hardware wallets.
  • The collaboration aims to simplify the self-custody process and increase accessibility.

Hardware wallet provider Ledger has joined forces with cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase to simplify the process of purchasing and transferring digital assets.

The collaboration introduces Coinbase Pay into Ledger Live, offering users a seamless way to receive their crypto purchases directly on their Ledger hardware wallets, eliminating additional fees and streamlining the overall experience.

Coinbase Pay integration into Ledger Live

Ledger users can now benefit from a more user-friendly and efficient process, thanks to the integration of Coinbase Pay into the Ledger Live application. The integration addresses the complexities previously associated with transferring crypto assets from exchanges to self-custody wallets, providing a hassle-free solution for users.

Ian Rogers, Chief Experience Officer at Ledger, emphasized the significance of the integration, comparing it to how travel agency Skyscanner simplified travel bookings. The streamlined process not only reduces the risk of errors but also enhances accessibility for both experienced users and newcomers to the world of self-custody.

Acknowledging the ongoing debate among crypto purists about the necessity of self-custody, Rogers emphasized that users now have a choice when it comes to securing their digital assets. The collaboration with Coinbase Pay demonstrates that users can opt for digital ownership through self-custody or choose alternative wallets, mirroring the diversity of bank accounts. The aim is to make the experience simple and appealing, particularly for those who are new to self-custody. With a straightforward and confident tone, Rogers highlighted that this integration is a step toward advancing the narrative of digital ownership, even as centralized exchanges continue to play a role in the crypto landscape.

Anticipating user influx as market enters new cycle

As the crypto space enters a new cycle with the recent launch of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), Ledger anticipates an influx of new users. While these users may initially engage with ETFs, the hardware wallet provider hopes to encourage them to explore and ultimately adopt self-custody solutions.

Ledger sees self-custody as the true use case for cryptocurrencies, emphasizing the importance of user education and providing straightforward options for securing digital assets.

The post Ledger and Coinbase forge integration to streamline crypto purchases appeared first on CoinJournal.

Missed Bitcoin and Ethereum waves? NuggetRush unveils new generation NFT gaming rewards

  • Bitcoin jumps amid rising demand for spot BTC ETFs.
  • Ethereum’s investor sentiment could rise following excitement around its March 13 upgrades.
  • NuggetRush (NUGX) unveils a gaming community where ambitious investors can win gold rewards.

Spot BTC ETF inflows have skyrocketed to over $2.1 billion pushing Bitocin price higher as Ethereum on the other hand gears up for a major network upgrade in March.

NuggetRush (NUGX) is also gaining attention in the digital asset industry after its blockchain ICO sold 171 million tokens. Yet, can this make NUGX one of the best altcoins to buy? Join the discussion.

Bitcoin rises to $50,000 as Spot ETF inflows skyrocket

Bitcoin (BTC) has recovered impressively from its slight fall below the $40,000 range. Its trading activity has grown sharply, pushing BTC to high levels in February. Bitcoin’s (BTC) pump coincides with the sharp increase in demand for its Spot ETFs. 

BTC traded at $44,167 on January 1. It jumped by 4.9% to $46,368 on January 11 after the SEC approved its spot ETFs. BTC fell by 14.7% to $39,507 on January 22 before jumping to $45,301 on February 8 and hitting $50,000 on February 12.

Spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs have been in high demand since their launch. BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF generated the fifth largest inflows among all spot ETFs in January. The total inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs have surpassed $2.1 billion. Daily spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETF inflows also jumped to $400 million on February 8.

Ethereum sets March date for Dencun upgrades

After a call with top developers, the Ethereum (ETH) blockchain announced the launch of its anticipated Dencun upgrades on March 13, 2024. The upgrade will reduce transaction costs for auxiliary layer-2 networks on Ethereum (ETH). Furthermore, it would boost data storage on Ethereum (ETH).

Excitement around the news could help push Ethereum’s price back to the $2,600 range. ETH traded at $2,352 on January 1. As of January 11, ETH jumped by 11.3% to $2,619. ETH’s bullish momentum fell sharply, and the token dropped by 12.8% to $2,282 on January 31. It then recovered by 6.0% to $2,419 on February 7.

Ethereum’s (ETH) Dencun upgrades could help boost development activity on the network. By reducing costs for auxiliary layer-2 networks, more apps and services can leverage Ethereum’s (ETH) technology. This would help Ethereum (ETH) withstand competition from other top altcoins like Solana, possibly pushing ETH’s value up by 8.8% to $2,633.

NuggetRush’s new generation NFT gaming rewards

The launch of NFTs marked a shift in the play-to-earn industry. NFTs opened up the possibilities of participation and earning rewards from gaming networks. Yet, many projects have failed to capitalize on the latent opportunities that come with NFT gaming. One project that is getting recognition for being different is NuggetRush (NUGX).

Combining meme coin benefits with play-to-earn gaming, NuggetRush (NUGX) aims to become a market leader via its mining adventure. Becoming a miner on NuggetRush (NUGX) is akin to mining natural resources in the real world. The game leverages the latest gaming technology to ensure its mining experience is as realistic as possible.

It also features exciting gaming challenges, which include competitions and collaborations. You can compete against other miners in several gaming modes, like tournaments, battles, quests, and ranked play. You can also enjoy its mining experience as part of a team. The game allows the formation of teams and mining collaborations that offer high-value rewards.

NuggetRush (NUGX) has shown immense growth potential. By round five of its presale, NuggetRush had sold over 171 million NUGX tokens, leading to high FOMO. It has also raised over $2.1 million. The current NUGX value is $0.018. After a pump to $0.020, major exchanges will list the coin.

The post Missed Bitcoin and Ethereum waves? NuggetRush unveils new generation NFT gaming rewards appeared first on CoinJournal.

CoinDCX and Koinex merge to propel crypto adoption in India

  • CoinDCX and Koinex have merged to navigate regulatory hurdles in India.
  • Seamless transition for Koinex users to access assets via the CoinDCX platform.
  • CoinDCX reaffirms its commitment to the Web3 community, remaining open to further partnerships.

In a strategic move to navigate regulatory uncertainties hindering the cryptocurrency landscape in India, India’s leading crypto exchanges CoinDCX and Koinex have announced a merger. The collaboration aims to address the challenges faced by users while fostering crypto adoption in the country.

The merger ensures a seamless transition for Koinex users to access their assets through the CoinDCX platform, emphasizing support for the Web3 community and commitment to regulatory compliance.

Seamless transition for Koinex users

Existing Koinex users can expect a smooth transition process as they migrate to the CoinDCX platform. With a focus on user convenience, assets will be automatically transferred for those with existing CoinDCX accounts and matching KYC details.

For users requiring KYC verification or without matching details, a straightforward onboarding process is in place to facilitate access to their assets. A dedicated customer support desk has also been established to provide personalized assistance throughout the integration process, ensuring a hassle-free experience for users.

CoinDCX, as India’s leading and FIU-compliant exchange, reaffirms its commitment to fostering a secure and transparent Virtual Digital Asset (VDA) ecosystem in the country. The merger with Koinex underscores CoinDCX’s dedication to providing a robust platform for crypto enthusiasts while navigating regulatory challenges. Moreover, the company remains open to further partnerships that enhance value for users and contribute to ecosystem growth.

By merging forces, CoinDCX and Koinex aim to not only address the immediate concerns of users but also to contribute to the long-term growth and development of the cryptocurrency ecosystem in India. This strategic move emphasizes the importance of collaboration and innovation in overcoming regulatory hurdles, paving the way for broader acceptance and usage of cryptocurrencies in the country.

The post CoinDCX and Koinex merge to propel crypto adoption in India appeared first on CoinJournal.

Bitcoin Dogs: What to know about this historic BRC-20 presale

  • Bitcoin Dogs (0DOG) will launch its highly anticipated BRC-20 token presale on February 14, 2024.
  • The 0DOG presale, the first ever ICO on Bitcoin, will last 30 days.
  • The project offers a gaming and NFT ecosystem on the Bitcoin blockchain.

Bitcoin Dogs will be the first ever presale on the Bitcoin blockchain when its ICO goes live on February 14th, 2024. The project will bring a new NFT and gaming ecosystem to Bitcoin and its native token 0DOG is currently one of the hottest upcoming token sales.

Scheduled to launch at 11 am GMT on Wednesday, Bitcoin Dogs is attracting incredible attention from the cryptocurrency community.

What is Bitcoin Dogs?

Bitcoin Dogs is a cryptocurrency project set to launch on the Bitcoin blockchain. It combines the allure of crypto gaming and NFTs into a powerful ecosystem that taps into Bitcoin’s pioneering network. While a few other projects have debuted as layer-2 chains with the introduction of Ordinals, none has handled a BRC-20 presale on the original blockchain.

As such, Bitcoin Dogs’ native token 0DOG is the first ever token to achieve this. With an engaging metaverse game featuring virtual pets, this project is also doubling up as a potentially huge investment opportunity.

With the innovative Ordinals technology, Bitcoin Dogs offers its community a dog lovers’ paradise on the blockchain. While users will be able to store their NFT collection on Bitcoin, there’s an attractive side to acquiring, training and raising pets in a play-to-earn (P2E) ecosystem – the chance to earn 0DOG.

This BRC-20 project is thus taking user experiences and features that have elevated P2E blockchain games like Axie Infinity to the next level. This will include key partnerships across the gaming industry as well as a cross-chain bridge.

0DOG presale

The 30 days from February 14, 2024 are all Bitcoin and dog lovers have to be part of the exciting project that Bitcoin Dogs promises. The 0DOG token will debut at $0.015 in stage 1, before a programmed three-day increase culminates in the final stage 10 end date of March 15, 2024.

Going by the details in the Bitcoin Dogs whitepaper, the $0DOG presale price will rise to $0.0404 at the presale’s final stage. The presale will offer 810 million tokens, or 90% of the total supply, to the community. When the presale ends, any unsold 0DOG tokens will be burned.

Bitcoin Dogs’ imminent presale launch comes at a time the crypto market is reveling in the latest bounce that saw BTC price record its best weekly returns in over four months. The spot Bitcoin ETFs sentiment remains a big catalyst as is the upcoming halving set for April.

Can Bitcoin Dogs ride these catalysts as well its historic launch to overtake Bitcoin Cats? The buzz around the 0DOG presale suggests so. 

If you are after a detailed look at Bitcoin Dogs, check out their whitepaper. Alternatively, join the waitlist to get all key updates and events.

The post Bitcoin Dogs: What to know about this historic BRC-20 presale appeared first on CoinJournal.