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Bitwise launches crypto ETF media campaign with ‘The Most Interesting Man in the World’

The ad spot came as the U.S. SEC is looking at multiple spot crypto exchange-traded fund applications from asset managers.

Actor Jonathan Goldsmith, who appeared as “The Most Interesting Man in the World” in an advertising campaign for Dos Equis beer, is reviving his persona to promote Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for Bitwise Asset Management.

In a Dec. 18 post on X (Twitter), Bitwise released an ad spot with Goldsmith showing “The Most Interesting Man in the World” in an upscale bar, as he often did in the beer commercials. However, rather than saying his signature “Stay thirsty, my friends” over a Dos Equis bottle, the actor had a crypto-focused message for viewers:

Goldsmith appeared in multiple ad spots, portraying himself as “The Most Interesting Man in the World” from 2006 to 2018. The commercials included humorous “facts” about his character, including “he is the only man to ever ace a Rorschach test” and “he’s on the upgrade list for flights he hasn’t even checked into.”

Binance, crypto firms optimistic about UAE amid potential US regulatory shift

Ghaf Capital managing partner Feras Al Sadek argued that the UAE’s “regulation by education” sets it apart from other jurisdictions.

Binance and other cryptocurrency firms based in the United Arab Emirates are optimistic that the country will remain a hotspot for virtual assets despite a potential shift to the United States should the Western superpower become a more crypto-friendly jurisdiction.

The “regulation by enforcement” regime in the U.S. has pushed global crypto firms to move to locations such as the UAE, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Singapore. However, the idea that companies could potentially return to the U.S. should there be a change in direction was floated during a panel discussion on Dec. 11 at the Global Blockchain Congress event in Dubai.

Highlighting the UAE’s approach toward technology and innovation, Alex Chehade, Binance’s general manager for the Middle East and North Africa, said the local government has built infrastructures around numerous initiatives that encompass not just AI but also Web3, sustainability, and other verticals:

Coinbase introduces spot crypto trading for institutional investors outside US

Institutional clients on the Coinbase International Exchange will be able to trade Bitcoin and Ether against USD Coin starting on Dec. 14.

United States-based cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase announced that institutional investors on its international exchange can access spot crypto trading services.

In a Dec. 13 announcement, Coinbase said institutional clients based outside the U.S. will be able to trade Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) against USD Coin (USDC). The exchange said the services would launch on Dec. 14 and later expand to include retail investors, additional tokens and “features that enable new trading strategies and enhance capital efficiency.”

“We recognize the hesitancy among some asset issuers and members of the crypto community to engage with U.S. exchanges due to the evolving and uncertain regulatory landscape in the United States,” said Coinbase.

Dubai regulator grants crypto license to Bahrain’s CoinMENA

The permit allows CoinMENA to provide retail and institutional customers in the United Arab Emirates with the ability to deposit and withdraw in UAE dirhams.

Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has awarded a virtual asset service provider (VASP) license to Bahrain-headquartered cryptocurrency exchange CoinMENA to operate and offer services in and from the Emirates.

The license acquired by CoinMENA FZE, the Dubai subsidiary of CoinMENA B.S.C., permits the platform to offer virtual asset broker-dealer services, the Dec. 12 announcement shared with Cointelegraph said. It comes a year after the platform obtained a provisional license from the Dubai regulator.

The exchange said it is already in partnership with digital banking platform Zand.

Animoca Brands to focus on creator economy, interoperability in 2024

CEO Robby Yung outlines the company’s focus on gaming and adjacent sectors to drive Web3 adoption, leveraging NFTs and interoperability.

Animoca Brands’s CEO Robby Yung has affirmed the company’s commitment to supporting the creator economy and advancing Web3 mass adoption through its 2024 initiatives.

Speaking at the 12th Global Blockchain Congress in Dubai to Cointelegraph, Yung highlighted gaming as a primary driver for Web3 adoption, while also exploring education and other sectors to empower creators with efficient infrastructure and network effects.

He emphasized the role of publisher nonfungible tokens (NFTs) in enabling content creators to monetize their work in a decentralized, equitable, and lucrative environment, and cited the example of Animoca’s ed-tech subsidiary TinyTap, which integrates co-publishing rights for educational content. This approach, Yung believes, will allow educators to distribute content directly to students, enhancing peer-to-peer relationships.

Binance says decision to pull Abu Dhabi licensing bid unrelated to US settlement

Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, who pleaded guilty to one felony count in the United States in November, may not be able to return to the UAE before being sentenced.

Cryptocurrency exchange Binance’s unit in Abu Dhabi has pulled an application with the Emirate’s financial regulator, a move it claims was unrelated to the firm’s November settlement with authorities in the United States.

In a statement to Cointelegraph on Dec. 7, a Binance spokesperson said the exchange had chosen not to move forward with an application with Abu Dhabi’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority following an assessment of its “global licensing needs.” The agreement, withdrawn by BV Investment Management in November, would have allowed Binance to manage a collective investment fund.

The spokesperson said Binance’s decision was “unrelated” to a $4.3 billion settlement with U.S. authorities, in which Changpeng “CZ” Zhao pleaded guilty to one felony charge and stepped down as CEO. Binance’s former head of regional markets, Richard Teng, succeeded CZ and told Cointelegraph the exchange was “totally different” following the deal.

US crypto firms spent more on lobbying in 2023 than before FTX collapse: Report

Government transparency group Open Secrets reported U.S. crypto firms spent roughly $19 million on lobbying from January to September 2023.

Companies connected to the crypto and blockchain industry in the United States reportedly spent roughly $3 million more on lobbying in the first three quarters of 2023 than over the same period in 2022.

According to a Dec. 5 Reuters report citing data from U.S. government transparency group Open Secrets, crypto firms spent roughly $19 million on lobbying from January to September 2023, roughly 19% more than they did over the same period in 2022. Coinbase reportedly led the spending on lobbying at more than $2 million, followed by Crypto.com, Blockchain Association and Binance.

Before its collapse in November 2022, FTX had been one of the biggest spenders in the crypto space on donations to U.S. lawmakers’ campaigns and marketing efforts. Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, who was found guilty of seven felony charges related to fraud at the exchange, used customer deposits to donate millions to political campaigns.

Binance VIP traders got sneak peak of US settlement: Report

At an exclusive dinner in Singapore, certain Binance executives reportedly told traders about the pending settlement with U.S. officials, allowing the exchange to stay in business.

Executives of cryptocurrency exchange Binance reportedly gave a heads-up to its top market makers regarding a potential $4.3-billion settlement with authorities in the United States.

According to a Dec. 1 Bloomberg report, Binance traders at an exclusive September dinner in Singapore were informed about a tentative deal the crypto exchange had with U.S. Some Binance executives reportedly told certain traders at the event that the exchange could easily afford the $4.3-billion penalty to stay in business.

Then Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao was reportedly not in attendance at the event, but Richard Teng, who succeeded Zhao following the settlement, was mingling with guests.

According to Teng’s posts on X (formerly Twitter) from September, the then head of regional markets was in Singapore for the Token2049 conference, the Milken Institute Asia Summit, the Singapore Grand Prix for Formula 1 and “plenty of side events.” Cointelegraph will release an exclusive interview with the Binance CEO at 6:00 pm UTC on Dec.

Glad to be speaking at Ethereum_sg. Busy week in Singapore with Token 2049, Milken, plenty of side events and rounded up by Singapore F1 night race https://t.co/FBirPWgRLg

— Richard Teng (@_RichardTeng) September 12, 2023

As part of its settlement, Binance must pay $4.3 billion to various U.S. at the time of publication, as a court considered his request to return to the United Arab Emirates before sentencing in February.

Binance VIP traders got sneak peek of US settlement: Report

At an exclusive dinner in Singapore, certain Binance executives reportedly told traders about the pending settlement with U.S. officials, allowing the exchange to stay in business.

Executives of cryptocurrency exchange Binance reportedly gave a heads-up to its top market makers regarding a potential $4.3-billion settlement with authorities in the United States.

Then Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao was reportedly not in attendance at the event, but Richard Teng, who succeeded Zhao following the settlement, was mingling with guests.

Glad to be speaking at Ethereum_sg. Busy week in Singapore with Token 2049, Milken, plenty of side events and rounded up by Singapore F1 night race https://t.co/FBirPWgRLg

— Richard Teng (@_RichardTeng) September 12, 2023

KuCoin pledges $20K grant to TON Foundation for ecosystem development

The funding will support TON ecosystem projects, research and development efforts, community-building and marketing activities.

KuCoin Ventures, the venture arm of Seychelles-registered crypto exchange KuCoin, will provide grants to The Open Network (TON) blockchain platform, including an initial $20,000, to support the growth and expansion of the TON ecosystem.

According to a Dec.

Ian Wittkopp, accelerator head at TON Foundation, said the grants from KuCoin aid them in continuing to support real-world blockchain solutions in payments and gaming within its ecosystem.

“Today’s partnership with KuCoin Ventures is an acceleration point in the momentum of mini-app development on the The Open Network… KuCoin Ventures’ efforts align with TON’s vision of a more accessible and decentralized digital future for everyone.”

Alicia Kao, managing director of KuCoin, attributed the move to the company’s belief in TON’s potential in the blockchain industry.

“This strategic alliance aligns with our mission of promoting further development of the crypto and blockchain industry through tighter cooperation.”

“We believe this signifies a fresh synergy between exchanges and the blockchain landscape, and we aspire that this joint effort will serve as a motivating example, spurring further similar ventures,” she added.

A KuCoin spokesperson told Cointelegraph that the partnership is in its first phase.

“This partnership is just the beginning. We plan to leverage this collaboration for deeper cooperation and communication… We are making all the necessary preparations for this… collaboration.”

Besides supporting the expansion of the TON ecosystem, KuCoin seeks to replicate its success with other blockchain collaborations “to facilitate the transition of cryptocurrency from a niche interest to mass adoption.”