Weekly Update: 22 June 2023
1) BlackRock close to filing Bitcoin ETF [Reuters]
– According to an SEC filing, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust will employ Coinbase Custody for its custodial services.
2) UK set to pass crypto and stablecoin regulations [Decrypt]
– The UK is nearing the final stages of passing new regulations for cryptocurrencies and stablecoins.
3) BNB Chain releases Layer 2 testnet based on Optimism [CoinDesk]
– Binance’s BNB Chain launches a Layer 2 testnet based on Optimism for enhanced scalability.
4) Charles Schwab, Citadel-backed EDX Markets launches [The Block]
– EDX Markets, a non-custodial crypto exchange backed by major financial firms, begins operations.
5) Curve pool imbalance triggers USDT depeg concerns [Cointelegraph]
– Imbalance in Curve’s 3pool leads to concerns about USDT deviating from its dollar peg.
6) Deutsche Bank applies for digital asset license amid growth push [Bloomberg]
– Deutsche Bank seeks regulatory approval for a digital asset custody service, aiming to expand fee income and align with DWS Group.
7) Ethereum developers propose raising validator limit to 2048 Ether [CoinDesk]
– Ethereum developers propose increasing the validator limit from 32 to 2048 Ether.
8) Ethereum scanner Etherscan adds OpenAI-based tool [CoinDesk]
– Etherscan introduces an OpenAI-powered tool to interpret smart contract source code.
9) Gemini expands to Singapore [The Block]
– Gemini plans to hire over 100 employees in Singapore as it expands its operations.
10) Republic, INX join forces to build blockchain infrastructure [The Block]
– Republic and INX collaborate to build blockchain infrastructure and expand asset tokenization.
