Crypto News Updates

The BRICS bloc is now focused on expanding the use of the currencies of its members, according to the representative of one of them. The establishment of a single currency for the group is not an immediate task at this point in time, the diplomat indicated in an interview. Wider Use of National Fiats of BRICS States to Precede Launch of Single Currency Experts at BRICS are putting efforts into deepening ties between the economies and financial markets of its member states, with the aim of creating a common currency. However, its possible introduction is a medium-term and even longer-term task, South Africa’s ambassador to the organization, Anil Sooklal, told Russian media. “Right now we are working on expanding the use of BRICS national currencies in mutual trade. BRICS has a corresponding agreement, and now we are implementing it in practice, so that the trade of the BRICS countries among themselves is increasingly based on our national currencies,” the top representative explaine

Cryptocurrency may be bad for investors but it can be useful in international settlements, according to a top government official in Moscow. Russian authorities intend to set up a special committee that would issue permits to operators employing crypto in foreign trade transactions, he indicated. Russia Plans to ‘Experiment’ With Cross-Border Crypto Payments Amid Sanctions Crypto assets can be used in certain scenarios, Russia’s Deputy Finance Minister Alexey Moiseev commented during an economic forum in Moscow. Speaking at the “Banks. Transformation. Economy. 2.0” conference, he was quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency as saying: Of course, crypto is generally evil. I believe that people who invest their savings there take a very big risk … But there may be individual situations in which crypto can be used. Moiseev made it clear he was referring to Russian foreign trade activities, which are currently restricted by Western sanctions. He also reminded that a draft law designed

BRICS nations can lead efforts to abandon the U.S. dollar in international settlements, according to President Bashar Assad of Syria. At a meeting with China’s top diplomat for the region, the leader of the war-torn Middle Eastern country called for using the Chinese yuan for cross-border trade. Economic Clash With West Requires Discarding Dollar, BRICS Leadership, Syrian President Says Confrontation with the United States and the West in general has been taking place mainly in the economic field and that makes it increasingly necessary to ditch the U.S. dollar as a currency for global transactions, President Bashar Assad of Syria was quoted as saying by Sana, the Syrian state-controlled news agency. Assad emphasized that the BRICS bloc, through the adoption of the Chinese yuan for trade transactions between nations, can play a leading role in that regard. He made the comments during a meeting with the Chinese government’s Special Envoy for the Middle East, Zhai Jun, whom he recei

Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki says the Fed is wiping out regional banks by supporting only big banks, like JPMorgan Chase. Stating that the Fed “is criminal,” he warned that its actions “will bring down” the United States. Robert Kiyosaki Says the Fed Is Criminal The author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, warned in a series of tweets this week that the Fed is wiping out regional banks by supporting only the big banks, such as JPMorgan Chase. Rich Dad Poor Dad is a 1997 book co-authored by Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter. It has been on the New York Times Best Seller List for over six years. More than 32 million copies of the book have been sold in over 51 languages across more than 109 countries. Kiyosaki tweeted Wednesday: “WTF. What The Fed? Why is Fed destroying regional banks across America? Regional banks are [the] heart and soul of [the] economy. Fed via the Repo Market [is] killing regional banks. Is this intentional? Is a depression intentional? WTF is Fed up

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has said it will start issuing gold-backed digital tokens on May 8. The first phase of the launch will see the digital tokens being issued for “investment purposes with a vesting period of 180 days.” The RBZ also revealed that the gold-backed digital tokens “would be used both as a means of payment and a store of value.” Gold-Backed Tokens Additional Value-Preserving Instruments According to the Zimbabwean central bank, it plans to start issuing the recently mooted gold-backed digital currency on May 8. The digital currency, which will be backed by the gold held at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), is expected to complement the physical gold coins that went into circulation in July 2022. The announcement of the digital currency’s issuance date came just a few days after the central bank governor, John Mangudya, was quoted revealing the RBZ’s intention to fight local currency depreciation with gold-backed digital currency. Also, as reported by

United States Senator Ted Cruz has said he remains “incredibly bullish on bitcoin” which he described as the “alpha in the crypto sphere.” According to Cruz, people are attracted to bitcoin because they see it as a hedge against inflation and also as an “important check” against government spending. Bitcoin Is Still the ‘Most Dominant’ United States Senator Ted Cruz has said he is “incredibly bullish on bitcoin” and he still believes the “insight that led to its creation is still extraordinary.” In his remarks at an event organized by the Bitcoin Policy Institute, Cruz insisted bitcoin is the “alpha in the crypto sphere” because it came first and “is the most dominant one.” The remarks by Cruz, a Republican from Texas, came at a time when the Biden administration has upped the ante in its fight against the crypto industry. As has been reported by Bitcoin.com News since the start of 2023, U.S. officials and agencies have targeted crypto entities as part of the so-called Operation

After the American financial technology giant Paypal rolled out crypto payments last year, the company is now introducing cryptocurrency transfer services to Venmo users. The firm detailed that Venmo customers will be able to send funds to an existing Paypal account, an external wallet, or a crypto exchange platform. Venmo Customers Can Now Transfer Cryptocurrency to Paypal Users, External Accounts, and Exchanges On April 28, the payments services company Paypal announced that Venmo’s 60 million customers can now enjoy cryptocurrency transfers. The rollout follows Paypal’s crypto transfer launch last summer after initially introducing the product without the ability to transfer to external accounts. Similarly, up until now, Venmo only allowed its customers to buy, hold, and sell after integrating crypto in 2021. “Crypto transfers will be rolling out to Venmo customers over the coming weeks starting in May 2023,” Paypal said on Friday. In a bid to gather more insights into the be

At 11:06 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on April 29, 2023, at block height 787,500, the number of blocks left to discover until the next Bitcoin blockchain halving is now fewer than 52,500 blocks. This means the network has progressed 75% through the 210,000-block halving cycle, which will ultimately result in a reduction of the block reward from 6.25 bitcoins per block to 3.125 bitcoins per block. Bitcoin Halving Countdown: Fewer Than 52,500 Blocks Left to Discover On Saturday morning (ET), the Bitcoin network progressed 75% of the way toward the next block reward halving, with fewer than 52,500 blocks left to discover until the event occurs. This milestone marks another step in the ongoing evolution of the Bitcoin network as it progresses toward its eventual maximum supply of 21 million bitcoins. The Bitcoin blockchain halves its block reward every 210,000 blocks, which occurs roughly every four years. ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░ 75% 365 days and 52503 blocks left $29385 per #bitcoin — Progress

U.S. Senator Rand Paul has warned that the U.S. dollar could lose its status as a global reserve currency. “For a variety of reasons, both foreign policy as well as fiscal irresponsibility, yes, the dollar is in a precarious position,” said the lawmaker. Senator Rand Paul on U.S. Dollar Losing Reserve Currency Status U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) shared his concerns about the growing de-dollarization trend and the USD losing its global reserve currency status in an interview with Fox Business Thursday. He was asked: “Is king dollar going to be tossed off of its throne because of bad fiscal and monetary policies? Is it going to lose its world reserve status in your judgment?” The senator from Kentucky replied: I am concerned about it. “I think our foreign policy has something to do with that … We’ve pushed all of our adversaries farther and farther away from us and closer and closer together. It’s not just Russia and China being pushed together by foreign policy and obviously, s

Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio has warned that the U.S. and China are “on the brink of war” and “are beyond the ability to talk.” The billionaire added that their relations “are getting so bad” that U.S.-China trade could collapse. He cautioned that the next 18 months “will be a very risky period.” U.S. and China on the Brink of War, Says Dalio Ray Dalio, the founder of the world’s largest asset manager, Bridgewater Associates, warned in a Linkedin post, published Wednesday, that the U.S. and China are on the brink of war. The billionaire, who has visited China for almost 40 years and has built close friendships there, shared his perspectives from his recent 13-day trips to China, as well as from meetings with Chinese citizens, experts on China residing outside the country, and policymakers in other countries, including the U.S. Regarding U.S.-China relations, Dalio stressed: The United States and China are on the brink of war and are beyond the ability to talk. He no

According to regulations published by the country’s treasury secretary, global crypto exchanges used by Kenya’s estimated 4 million users will start paying a 1.5% tax on revenues earned. Tax-Avoiding Digital Asset Platforms The Kenyan Treasury has said it will start levying taxes on revenues earned by cryptocurrency exchanges used by an estimated 4 million local residents. According to a report by Business Daily Africa, Kenyan authorities will rely on the 1.5% digital tax service that became effective on Jan.1, 2021. Initially proposed in 2020, the digital tax is the Kenyan government’s attempt to extract revenue from leading crypto exchanges and tax-avoiding digital asset platforms. As reported by Bitcoin.com News in early January 2021, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) said it expected to get $45.5 million (5 billion Kenyan shillings) from the tax. Meanwhile, as shown in the 2023 regulations’ value added tax (electronic, internet and digital marketplace supply) published by Tr

A growing number of banking institutions in Russia are offering customers the option to save in Chinese yuan. The trend coincides with declining demand for U.S. dollar and euro deposits amid currency restrictions that triggered a flight of funds to bank accounts abroad. Demand for Dollar, Euro Accounts Expected to Drop Further, Requests for Yuan Deposits Surge in Russia Fewer Russians want to open local bank accounts in major Western currencies amid restrictions on what they can do with their money. Data from the Bank of Russia shows that about half of all foreign currency savings in Russian banks have been transferred to foreign bank accounts in 2022, and interest in new deposits has noticeably dropped, the daily Izvestia wrote in an article. A “massive decline” in demand for deposits in U.S. dollars and euros is to be expected, according to Anna Romanenko, director of communications at the financial marketplace Vbr.ru. The number of banks supporting deposits in these foreign cur

The economy minister of Argentina, Sergio Massa, announced that starting this month, payments for imports coming from China will be settled using the Chinese yuan. The agreement, which will allow the country to safeguard its dwindling dollar reserves, involves the disbursement of more than $1 billion in April. Argentina to Settle Bilateral Transactions With China in Chinese Yuan Argentina, one of the big three economies in Latin America, will use the Chinese yuan to pay for certain imports. According to statements from Argentine Economy Minister Sergio Massa, the country will begin settling payments for Chinese imports using the Chinese yuan, in the context of saving the scarce dollars that the country still has left. The agreement is perceived by analysts as a positive pact for the nations, as China deepens the penetration and usage of the Chinese yuan in Latam, and Argentina manages to leverage $5 billion of the “swap” reserve that was approved between Argentine President Alfred

A federal judge in Brazil has ordered the temporary suspension of Telegram in the country and established hefty fines due to the supposed lack of collaboration of the company in a national crusade against school violence. Telegram failed to deliver information regarding the actions it is taking against neo-Nazi groups, and now it has been blocked by most internet providers in Brazil. Brazil Blocks Access to Telegram Apps A federal judge ordered a nationwide ban on Telegram, the popular messaging app, on April 26, due to its perceived lack of collaboration in a push against school violence. The company behind the app failed to turn over documents regarding the existence of neo-Nazi groups and the measures it is taking against them on Telegram, according to reports from the local journal O’Globo. In addition, the Brazilian justice system is also fining Telegram for this lack of collaboration to the tune of 1 million Brazilian reals (approx $200,000) for each day that passes without

Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, has slammed the actions of the elites in the U.S. and Europe, stating that they do not always act in the best interest of their own people. “It will backfire on them,” he said. Putin also called for a cohesive response to the West’s economic aggression, emphasizing that Russia will strengthen its partnerships with friendly nations and collaborate with foreign partners. Putin Plans to Expand Partnerships With Friendly Countries Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed policies in the U.S. and Europe while calling for a cohesive response to the West’s economic aggression at a meeting with the Council of Legislators on Friday, Russian news outlet Tass reported. “We are not going to isolate ourselves. On the contrary, we will expand pragmatic, equitable, mutually beneficial relations that are nothing less than partnerships with friendly countries in Eurasia, Africa, Latin America,” Putin said, adding: In the United States, by the way, we have a lot

A Russian official has revealed that regular discussions are being held between Russia and other BRICS member nations regarding the expansion of the economic group. “This requires a thorough analysis and delicate internal work by the five countries to reach a consensus,” according to Russia’s Foreign Ministry. Member Countries Discuss BRICS Expansion Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated during a news briefing on Thursday that Russia has been holding regular negotiations with its BRICS partners regarding the group’s possible expansion, local news outlet Tass reported. The BRICS nations comprise Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Zakharova explained: The entire range of issues associated with this is being discussed at BRICS sherpas and sous-sherpas meetings, and, of course, this requires a thorough analysis and delicate internal work by the five countries to reach a consensus. The Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson added that while

A Bank of America (BOFA) commodity strategist has postulated that gold, should it continue to flourish in 2023, could pave the way for a climb to $2,500 per ounce. Presently priced at $1,983 per unit, the precious metal remains just shy of the $2,000 threshold. However, if it were to achieve the projected $2,500 target, its value would need to rise by more than 26% against the U.S. dollar. ‘Non-Commercial Purchases Do Not Need to Increase Materially to Justify Gold Hitting $2,500,’ Says BOFA Commodity Strategist In 2023 thus far, gold has demonstrated admirable performance, with its price soaring by over 19% in the span of six months. The past 30 days, in particular, have seen a noteworthy 1.33% spike in the price of this treasured metal. Furthermore, a recently-released memo from a BOFA commodity strategist opines that, to realize the envisioned $2,500 per ounce milestone, gold need not scale much further in value. “Bottom line: non-commercial purchases do not need to increase m

Cybercriminals have reportedly breached AT&T email accounts and are using the access gained to steal crypto assets from their victims. While a spokesperson for AT&T has denied claims that hackers have gained access to the company’s internal systems, a report suggests that as much as $20 million worth of crypto may have been stolen. Criminals ‘Used an API Access’ Cybercriminals have reportedly gained access to AT&T email accounts and are using this to hack into targeted victims’ crypto exchange accounts. According to a Techcrunch report, the criminals using this modus operandi may have stolen crypto assets worth between $15 million and $20 million. Although two victims are said to have confirmed the theft, a spokesperson for AT&T has in the meantime rejected suggestions that criminals have gained access to the company’s internal systems. “There was no intrusion into any system for this exploit. The bad actors used an API access,” said Jim Kimberly, the spokesperson

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has spoken on the current shift to national currencies and the de-dollarization international markets are currently experiencing. In a press conference after addressing the UN Security Council on April 25, Lavrov stated this shift could not be stopped, and that the future of traditional international institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was uncertain. Russian FM Sergey Lavrov Thinks De-Dollarization ‘Can No Longer Be Stopped’ Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov referred to the current shift that international markets are taking away from the U.S. dollar in favor of national currencies. In a press conference after having addressed the UN Security Council, which he chaired, Lavrov stated that this movement to other currencies was unstoppable and that it would likely affect traditional finance institutions. According to the Russian news Agency TASS, Lavrov declared : The shift to settlements in national currencies bypassin

Micheal Saylor, the founder of Microstrategy, has told people living in inflation-stricken Argentina that they now “need bitcoin.” While many bitcoiners have welcomed Saylor’s suggestion, a few critics have said the top crypto asset’s volatility makes it an unsuitable alternative for the faltering local currency. The Dollarization Option As the Argentinian currency — the peso — continued with the slide that has seen it depreciate by more than 40% over the past twelve months, Micheal Saylor, the founder of Microstrategy, has chimed in by tweeting that people living in the South American country now “need bitcoin.” In a subsequent tweet , Saylor, a bitcoin critic turned advocate, also shared news about the South American country’s inflation rate after it topped 7.58% per day. If you live in Argentina🇦🇷 right now, you need #bitcoin . — Michael Saylor⚡️ (@saylor) April 22, 2023 The tweets by Saylor, whose firm is one of the largest corporate holders of BTC , came as reports sug

Donald Trump has warned that the U.S. dollar is crashing and soon will “no longer be the world standard.” The former president of the United States further warned that “we are very close” to a third world war happening. “Joe Biden has led us to the very brink of World War III,” he stressed. Trump on Inflation, Dollar Crashing, World War III Donald Trump released a video Tuesday following Joe Biden’s announcement that he is running for the president of the United States in 2024. The former U.S. president began by outlining the damage to the U.S. economy caused by Biden in a few short years, including his “spending calamity.” Trump described: American families are being decimated by the worst inflation in half a century. Banks are failing, our currency is crashing, and the dollar will soon no longer be the world standard, which will be our greatest defeat in over 200 years. “Joe Biden has led us to the very brink of World War III,” Trump continued. However, he clarified: “I’m not

Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki has warned of economic chaos, a war breaking out, hyperinflation, and rising starvation. Commenting on de-dollarization on a “massive scale,” he stressed: “It’s a weaponization of our U.S. dollar against the world … It’s all coming down fast right now.” Robert Kiyosaki on De-Dollarization on ‘Massive Scale’ The author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, is back with more dire predictions about the U.S. economy, the dollar, and global economic chaos. Rich Dad Poor Dad is a 1997 book co-authored by Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter. It has been on the New York Times Best Seller List for over six years. Over 32 million copies of the book have been sold in over 51 languages across more than 109 countries. During his Rich Dad radio show, which aired last week, Kiyosaki discussed de-dollarization with Andy Schectman, CEO of Miles Franklin Precious Metals Investments. Schectman began by highlighting recent events that led to what he described as “de-