According to ShibDaily, Simon Gerovich, CEO of Metaplanet, has expressed that President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed Strategic Bitcoin Reserve could trigger a significant shift in Asia, with countries like Japan potentially adopting similar strategies to remain competitive in the digital asset market. During an interview at Michael Saylor’s New Year’s Eve Bitcoin event in Miami, Gerovich discussed the potential global ramifications of a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, suggesting that it is more of an inevitability than a possibility. Gerovich highlighted the influence of the Bitcoin community in Trump’s election, implying that there is an expectation for Trump to follow through with Bitcoin initiatives. He suggested that if the U.S. adopts Bitcoin as a strategic reserve, other nations will likely follow suit. Gerovich pointed out that Japan, viewing the U.S. as a 'big brother,' might replicate such a strategy if Trump proceeds with his plans. He also noted that some Middle Eastern governments have quietly begun acquiring Bitcoin to strengthen their financial reserves, indicating a strategic shift towards cryptocurrency. Gerovich shared insights from a recent Bitcoin conference in Abu Dhabi, revealing that officials from the region are purchasing Bitcoin discreetly. He predicted that once Trump announces a Bitcoin reserve, other countries will publicly acknowledge their Bitcoin holdings. The idea of using Bitcoin as a strategic reserve, once considered speculative, is now being seriously considered by nations looking to diversify their reserves and enhance economic stability. El Salvador was the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in September 2021, under President Nayib Bukele’s leadership. The government has invested in Bitcoin to attract foreign investment, boost tourism, and provide financial inclusion for unbanked citizens. Following suit, the Central African Republic adopted Bitcoin as legal tender in April 2022, citing its decentralized nature as a means to increase economic independence and reduce reliance on traditional financial systems. While the concept of a strategic Bitcoin reserve presents potential advantages, it also involves significant risks. The regulatory environment remains uncertain, and governments would need to establish robust systems to manage their holdings and protect against cyber threats that frequently target cryptocurrency exchanges. This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

According to PANews, a report by Messari reveals that Ethereum and Solana are leading the decentralized science (DeSci) sector, hosting 58% of related projects. Ethereum dominates in categories such as funding, infrastructure, data, and research. Meanwhile, Solana excels in the DeSci memecoin market.

According to Foresight News, blockchain monitoring service Spot On Chain reported that the Ethereum-based charity fund Endaoment sold 3,690 ETH approximately nine hours ago. The transaction was valued at around $12.47 million. The ETH originated from an Ethereum ICO participant who received 100,000 ETH in July 2015.

According to spotonchain monitoring, the Ethereum-based charity fund Endaoment sold 3,690 ETH in a single transaction 9 hours ago, earning $12.47 million. This is their first sale of ETH in 10 months and the largest ever. It is worth noting that these ETHs came from an Ethereum ICO participant who received 100,000 ETH at the creation block in July 2015. So far, the participant has sold 14,990 ETH at an average price of $2,409, of which 13,190 ETH were sold through Endaoment. Currently, the participant still holds 85,000 ETH in two wallets, worth approximately $293.8 million.

According to Cointelegraph, a California resident has initiated legal action against three Asia-based banks, alleging their failure to conduct essential checks allowed crypto scammers to defraud him of nearly $1 million. The lawsuit, filed in a California district court on December 31, 2024, by attorneys representing Ken Liem, claims he fell victim to a 'pig butchering' scam after being approached on LinkedIn in June 2023 with a cryptocurrency investment proposal. Liem's legal team asserts that he was convinced to transfer funds over several months to individuals posing as crypto investors. These funds were reportedly deposited into accounts at Hong Kong's Fubon Bank Limited, Chong Hing Bank Limited, and Singapore's DBS Bank Limited, before being transferred to other third-party accounts. The lawsuit accuses these banks of neglecting to perform adequate Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering checks, which could have flagged concerns about the account holders and potentially prevented the opening of these accounts. The attorneys argue that the banks likely recognized a high probability that the account holders intended to defraud victims, as a basic review would have shown a lack of credible evidence supporting the legitimacy of their business activities. The lawsuit further claims that the banks turned a blind eye to illicit funds moving from the United States to various Asian entities whose accounts they managed, thereby facilitating the extraction of substantial sums that financed pig-butchering scams. Additionally, the suit accuses the banks of failing to adhere to the US Bank Secrecy Act, which mandates financial institutions to maintain detailed transaction records and report suspicious activities to the US Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Liem's attorneys argue that the banks are subject to this Act because DBS operates a branch in California, and Fubon and Chong Hing processed transactions through Liem's account at Wells Fargo, a US bank. The lawsuit also targets Hong Kong-based entities Richou Trade Limited, FFQI Trade Limited, Xibing Limited, and Weidel Limited, accusing them of unlawfully diverting Liem's funds to third-party accounts and falsely claiming the funds would be used for cryptocurrency investments. Liem's legal team is seeking a jury trial and a minimum of $3 million in damages. At the time of publication, Fubon Bank Limited, Chong Hing Bank Limited, and DBS Bank Limited had not responded to requests for comment, and the Hong Kong-based entities could not be reached.

According to the official announcement, OKX will officially launch AIXBTUSDT and ALCHUSDT perpetual contracts on the web, App and API from 3:00-3:15 pm (UTC+8) on January 3, 2025. The specific opening times are as follows: AIXBTUSDT contract trading will open at 3:00 pm (UTC+8) on January 3, 2025, and ALCHUSDT contract trading will open at 3:15 pm (UTC+8) on January 3. (This newsletter is generated by AI)

According to BlockBeats, on January 3, BitFuFu, a publicly listed mining company in the U.S., announced the signing of a two-year framework agreement with Bitmain. The agreement involves the purchase of 80,000 S Series mining machines, including models such as the S21 XP and S21 Pro. This acquisition aims to bolster BitFuFu's self-operated mining operations and cloud mining services.

According to PANews, Frax Protocol has approved a community proposal to utilize BlackRock's BUIDL Fund as collateral for its upcoming frxUSD stablecoin. The BUIDL Fund currently manages assets exceeding $648 million and has expanded its reach to several major blockchains, including Aptos and Polygon.

According to PANews, Frax Protocol has approved a community proposal to utilize BlackRock's BUIDL Fund as collateral for its upcoming frxUSD stablecoin. The BUIDL Fund currently manages assets exceeding $648 million and has expanded its reach to several major blockchains, including Aptos and Polygon. source: https://www.binance.com/en/square/post/18421985782682?utm_source=BinanceNewsRSS

California resident Ken Liem has accused three banks of failing to perform adequate checks that could have blocked the scammers from opening accounts in the first place. source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/california-man-sues-banks-over-1-million-pig-butchering-scam?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound

Chillguy (CHILLGUY) has dropped in value amidst plagiarism allegations involving its meme. Phillip Banks, the alleged creator, hinted at his authorship, while others claim the image may have been AI-manipulated. The debate continues: who truly created the meme?