CFA Report Pegs US Crypto Fraud Losses at $80.7B

WhiteBIT, a crypto exchange, was blacklisted by Russian authorities for supporting Ukraine's war efforts. The exchange, accused of illegal activities, was designated as an "undesirable organization," facing restrictions within Russia and accusations of aiding the Ukrainian military.

The first U.S. spot Avalanche (AVAX) exchange traded fund (ETF) by VanEck, VAVX, started trading on Nasdaq. The fund provides exposure to AVAX token performance and staking rewards, expanding the range of crypto ETFs for U.S. investors.

Nifty Gateway, a prominent NFT platform, surprised many by announcing its closure on February 23, sparking concerns about centralization and the fate of digital art. The lack of details has left users uncertain about asset withdrawals and artwork accessibility.

River (RIVER) token has surged over 1,900% in the past month, reaching a market cap of $1.6 billion and ranking 67th in the crypto market. Influencers like Justin Sun and Arthur Hayes have supported the token, leading to a 168% increase in the last week.

Tether's recent attestation report revealed a shift towards gold, with 375,000 XAUT tokens minted by Dec. 31, a 38% increase from three months prior. XAUT's supply growth outpaced USDT, reflecting investor interest in gold amid economic uncertainties.

Michael Saylor believes ambitious developers pose the biggest risk to Bitcoin, as they may introduce unknown risks by neglecting cybersecurity while focusing on new features. Saylor emphasizes the importance of defending the network rather than making unnecessary protocol changes.

WhiteBIT, a Ukrainian-founded cryptocurrency exchange, has been banned by Russia for allegedly supporting Ukraine's war effort. The exchange, designated as an "undesirable organization," is accused of channeling funds out of Russia and aiding the Ukrainian military since the war began in February 2022.

The Senate Agriculture Committee postponed a vote on a crypto market structure bill by two days due to a snowstorm affecting travel in Washington. The bill, facing challenges, lacks bipartisan support and may not pass the committee on Thursday.

The UK Cryptoasset Business Council found a rise in blocked or limited bank transfers to crypto exchanges, with one exchange experiencing close to £1 billion in declined transactions. The group is urging for clearer regulatory guidance to address the increasing hostility towards crypto in the UK.

BlackRock plans to launch the iShares Bitcoin Premium Income ETF, which will generate income by selling call options on IBIT shares and ETP indices. The fund's shares will represent fractional interests in the income, Bitcoin, IBIT shares, and cash.