Day: October 21, 2024

The Global Digital Asset & Cryptocurrency Association Announces Proposed Information Guidelines for Certain Tokens Made Available in the United States

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Proposed Voluntary Framework for Digital Asset Tokens Designed to Identify Material Information Enabling the Market to Make Informed Decisions

CHICAGO, Oct. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Global Digital Asset and Cryptocurrency Association (Global DCA), in collaboration with Global Blockchain Business Council (BGGC), The Digital Chamber and the Proof of Stake Alliance, today announced the Proposed Information Guidelines for Certain Tokens Made Available in the United States, a comprehensive, voluntary framework designed to enhance transparency and enable informed decision-making in the rapidly evolving digital asset market.

Prominent attorneys along with distinguished law and finance scholars leading in the fields of blockchain, digital assets and Web3, developed and proposed the Guidelines as members of an impartial Senior Steering Committee:

  • Chris Brummer – Professor of Law, Georgetown University, and Faculty Director, Georgetown’s Institute of International Economic Law
  • Lewis R. Cohen – Partner and Co-Head of the CahillNXT practice, Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP
  • Patrick Daugherty – Partner and Head of Digital Assets Practice, Foley & Lardner LLP; Adjunct Professor of Law at Cornell and Northwestern
  • Daniel Davis – Partner and Co-Chair Financial Markets Regulation, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP; Former General Counsel, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission
  • Zachary O. Fallon – Partner, Ketsal PLLC
  • Merritt B. Fox – Professor of Law & Director of the Program in Law and Economics of Capital Markets, Columbia Law School
  • Carol Goforth – Distinguished Professor of Law, University of Arkansas School of Law
  • Yuliya Guseva – Professor of Law, Rutgers Law School
  • Joel Hasbrouck – Kenneth G. Langone Professor of Business Administration and Professor of Finance, NYU Stern School of Business
  • Lilya Tessler – Partner & Head of FinTech and Blockchain Group, Sidley Austin LLP
  • Yesha Yadav – Professor of Law, Vanderbilt University Law School

The Steering Committee was advised by the Advisory Committee composed of key industry stakeholders:

  • Rachel Barnett – Chief Legal Officer, IEX
  • Jason Civalleri – Product Counsel, Grayscale
  • William Costello – General Counsel, Gemini Trust Company
  • Robert Krugman – Chief Digital Officer, Broadridge
  • Ajay Mittal, CFA – Product Strategy, ConsenSys
  • Nilmini Rubin – Chief Policy Officer, Hedera
  • Craig Salm – Chief Legal Officer, Grayscale
  • Lee Schneider – General Counsel, Ava Labs
  • Annemarie Tierney – Founder and Principal, Liquid Advisors

The proposed Guidelines focus on native distributed ledger technology (DLT) tokens and are informed by U.S. securities, commodities, and consumer protection regulations as well as industry best practice. The framework seeks to align with global standards, including the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), ensuring flexibility for the adoption within different regulatory regimes. Further, the Guidelines do not impose mandatory disclosures but instead provides a fit-for-purpose, comprehensive model that stakeholders may voluntarily adopt.

“Global DCA expresses its sincere gratitude to members of the Steering Committee and the Advisory Committee for their unwavering dedication and leadership in this groundbreaking effort. Your collective expertise, insights, and hard work were instrumental in shaping a framework that will enhance transparency and trust in the Web3 industry,” said Renata Szkoda, the Chair of Global Digital Asset & Cryptocurrency Association.

The Guidelines are open for public comments from October 21, 2024 to January 31, 2025. Global DCA invites feedback from all interested stakeholders. Timely comments will be publicly available and considered by the Steering Committee for inclusion in the proposed Guidelines.

How to Submit Comments:
Interested parties can submit comments via email to: comments@globaldca.org

About the Global Digital Asset and Cryptocurrency Association
The Global DCA is a global leading trade association for the digital asset & cryptocurrency industry. It was established to guide the evolution of digital assets, cryptocurrencies, and the underlying blockchain technology within a regulatory framework designed to build public trust, foster market integrity, and maximize economic opportunity for all participants.

For more information, visit https://global-dca.org/proposed-u-s-disclosure-guidelines/

Media Contact:
Christina Sciotto
c.sciotto@globaldca.org
312-593-5119

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SOURCE The Global Digital Assets Cryptocurrency Association

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Ledn Sets Record with $1.6B in Loans Amid Crypto Lending Market Growth

Written by Stephanie Bedard-Chateauneuf on . Posted in Cryptocurrency. Leave a Comment

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Crypto lending is on the rise, with the market experiencing significant growth in 2024. Leading the charge is crypto lending platform Ledn, which has set a new record by processing $1.67 billion in loans as of the third quarter. The crypto lending market is flourishing, driven by increased demand from both retail and institutional investors. Market events such as the Bitcoin halving and the expansion of Ethereum ETFs in Asia have further fueled this demand.

Ledn’s Growth in 2024

Ledn has had an exceptional year, with $1.67 billion in loans processed up to Q3 2024. The loans were split between $258.7 million for individual retail users and $1.41 billion for institutional clients. In Q3 alone, Ledn processed loan transactions amounting to $506 million. The retail sector, in particular, saw explosive growth, with loans increasing by 225% year-over-year. This surge is largely attributed to Ledn’s Celsius refinancing program, the launch of crypto ETFs, and a reduction in market volatility.

Institutional loans accounted for the majority of Ledn’s loan volume, growing to $437.7 million in the third quarter. This increase reflects a broader industry trend, where institutions are seeking digital asset-backed financing as traditional funding avenues become more restrictive due to tight monetary policies.

Ledn’s services include Bitcoin-backed loans, Ether-backed loans, and B2X loans, which allow clients to double their exposure to Bitcoin. The company also prides itself on its third-party proof-of-reserves standard, enhancing transparency and trust in its operations. Since its inception in 2018, Ledn has facilitated over $6.5 billion in loans across both retail and institutional markets.

Bitcoin Halving and Ethereum ETFs Drive Demand

Several market events have contributed to the growth of the crypto lending market, particularly for platforms like Ledn. The Bitcoin halving event, which occurs every four years and reduces the number of new bitcoins generated, has sparked significant interest among investors. Historically, Bitcoin’s price tends to surge following the halving, prompting investors to seek alternative financing options, including Bitcoin-backed loans, to take advantage of the anticipated price appreciation.

Similarly, the rise of Ethereum ETFs, particularly in Asian markets, has driven demand for Ethereum-backed loans. Investors are increasingly using these loans to gain exposure to Ethereum and other digital assets, capitalizing on the growth of crypto ETFs. This trend underscores how traditional financial instruments are blending with the crypto world, offering investors new avenues for participation in the digital asset market.

John Glover, Ledn’s Chief Investment Officer, highlighted this development: “We’ve seen a surge in institutional demand since July, especially as Ethereum ETFs have gained traction. These trends have been critical in driving the growth of our loan volume.”

Institutional Demand Continues to Rise

Institutional investors have been a key driver of the crypto lending market in 2024. As traditional lending options become more expensive and difficult to secure, many institutions are turning to digital asset-backed loans as a viable alternative. The combination of restrictive monetary policies and increased competition for dollar funding has made crypto-backed loans an attractive option for institutions seeking liquidity.

According to Ledn, institutional loans saw significant growth in Q3 2024, with $437.7 million in loan transactions processed during the quarter. This reflects the broader appetite among institutions for digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum, both as a store of value and as collateral for loans.

November Elections: A Catalyst for Bitcoin Prices?

Another potential catalyst for the crypto lending market is the upcoming November elections in the United States. Ledn’s Chief Investment Officer, John Glover, pointed to the elections as a possible turning point for Bitcoin prices, which could further drive demand for crypto-backed loans. “There’s a lot of speculation that the November elections could be the next big event to push Bitcoin past its previous peak,” Glover noted. He added that institutional borrowing demand has been closely aligned with overall ETF demand, with a noticeable jump in July.

If Bitcoin prices surge following the elections, the demand for Bitcoin-backed loans is likely to increase even further, providing a significant boost to platforms like Ledn.

The Future of the Crypto Lending Market

As the crypto lending market continues to grow, Ledn’s record-setting performance in 2024 is a testament to the increasing demand for digital asset-backed loans. Both retail and institutional investors are turning to crypto lending as a way to access liquidity, capitalize on market events like the Bitcoin halving, and take advantage of the growing Ethereum ETF market.

With over $1.6 billion in loans processed so far this year, Ledn is positioned to continue leading the crypto lending market. As the year progresses, factors like the November elections and further developments in the digital asset space could push demand even higher, making crypto lending an increasingly integral part of the broader financial ecosystem.

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Bitcoin Price Surge Nears $70K as Risk-On Sentiment Grows

Written by Stephanie Bedard-Chateauneuf on . Posted in Cryptocurrency. Leave a Comment

This post was originally published on this site

Bitcoin is once again making headlines as its price approaches $70,000, driven by growing risk-on sentiment across the crypto market. The Bitcoin price surge is not an isolated event; it reflects the increasing demand from both institutional and retail investors, who are positioning themselves for potentially higher returns. This trend has been bolstered by several key factors, including exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows, rising interest in crypto-related equities, and the renewed popularity of memecoins.

Institutional Demand and ETF Inflows

One of the primary drivers behind the Bitcoin price surge is the significant inflow of funds into Bitcoin ETFs. Since the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs earlier this year, these financial instruments have seen cumulative inflows of over $21 billion, according to Farside data. This influx of capital has pushed the net asset value (NAV) of Bitcoin ETFs to a record $66 billion, accounting for nearly 5% of Bitcoin’s total market value.

Institutional investors have played a crucial role in this trend, with asset managers now focusing on wealth advisers and broader investor groups rather than just hedge funds. This shift has made Bitcoin more accessible to a wider range of investors, further fueling its price momentum. According to analysts Min Jung and Rick Maeda from Presto Research, the growing interest in Bitcoin ETFs has been a key factor in pushing the cryptocurrency closer to the $70,000 mark.

Crypto Equities Ride the Bitcoin Price Surge

The bullish momentum in the cryptocurrency market has also spilled over into crypto-related stocks, particularly those involved in Bitcoin mining. Over the past 30 days, stocks like Riot Platforms (NASDAQ:RIOT) and Marathon Digital (NASDAQ:MARA) have seen substantial gains, rising by 37% and 21%, respectively. CleanSpark (NASDAQ:CLSK) has also benefited, gaining 43% during the same period.

The rising prices of crypto equities reflect the broader optimism in the market. As Bitcoin’s price continues to climb, these companies are seeing increased profitability, further boosting their stock prices. The Bitcoin price surge has given miners a renewed sense of confidence, as their operations become more lucrative with each price increase.

Retail investors are also jumping into the mix. Trading platforms like Robinhood have reported a 10% increase in active traders compared to the previous quarter, with crypto trading revenue surging by 160% since last year. This resurgence of retail interest suggests that the optimism surrounding Bitcoin and crypto-related stocks is not limited to institutional investors, but is also being driven by everyday traders.

Memecoins Make a Comeback

In addition to Bitcoin and crypto equities, memecoins have made a dramatic resurgence in recent months. These coins, often driven by internet trends and social media hype, have attracted a new wave of retail investors hoping to capitalize on the next big trend. Bernstein analysts have pointed out that the combined value of memecoins has tripled to $66 billion over the last six months, making them one of the fastest-growing categories within the crypto market.

A standout example of this is the GOAT memecoin, rumored to have been created by artificial intelligence (AI). The token’s value soared to over $500 million within just five days, thanks to endorsements from an AI bot on social media. Although the price has since fallen back to $370 million, the rapid rise of the GOAT token highlights the speculative nature of memecoins and the influence of AI-driven trends on the crypto market.

While memecoins can be highly volatile, their recent resurgence underscores the broader risk-on sentiment that is driving the entire crypto market, including the Bitcoin price surge. Retail investors, in particular, are flocking to these assets in the hopes of achieving outsized returns, even as the risks remain high.

Outlook for the Bitcoin Price Surge

As Bitcoin inches closer to the $70,000 mark, the question remains: can this momentum continue? Analysts are cautiously optimistic, pointing to the strong demand from both institutional and retail investors as a key factor in sustaining the rally. However, concerns about market volatility and potential regulatory hurdles still loom.

For now, the Bitcoin price surge seems to be driven by a perfect storm of factors, including ETF inflows, rising crypto equities, and the renewed popularity of speculative assets like memecoins. Whether this rally will lead to new all-time highs or a period of correction remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the market’s appetite for risk is far from waning.

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