North Dakota Takes First Steps Towards State Bitcoin Reserve

Nifty Island is set to launch its ISLAND utility token on December 17, rewarding various community participants. The token will have a total supply of one billion and will utilize LayerZero's omnichain technology for Ethereum layer-2 network Base and Solana. ISLAND holders will benefit from in-game utility and rewards.

Exodus Movement (EXOD) has received approval to list on the NYSE American, with trading set to begin on Dec. 18. The company's uplisting may signal a shift in regulatory sentiment towards cryptocurrency, following President-elect Trump's pro-crypto stance.

Traders with short positions on Bitcoin and Ethereum are facing losses as both cryptocurrencies reach new all-time highs. Bitcoin hit $107,822 and Ethereum reached $4,081, causing short liquidations of over $133 million and $68 million, respectively.

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority warned that "Retardio," a Solana-based meme coin, is not authorized in the country, prompting a meme response. The token's market cap surpassed $100 million after the announcement.

FTX, the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange, plans to start repaying creditors and customers in early 2025, following the approval of its reorganization plan. The initial distribution of repayments is expected within 60 days of the plan becoming effective on January 3, 2025.

Ripple announced the upcoming launch of its U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin, RLUSD, backed by various assets. The token will be tradable on platforms like MoonPay and Uphold, available on Ethereum and XRP Ledger.

MicroStrategy has purchased 15,350 Bitcoin between December 9 and December 15, bringing its total holdings to 439,000 BTC valued at $46.6 billion. The company's stock (NASDAQ: MSTR) demand has surged, leading to increased Bitcoin purchases this year.

Catherine Colivas, along with three others, kidnapped a Saudi royal, extorted $40,000 in Bitcoin, and threatened to cut his fingers off. Despite pleading guilty, she received a community corrections order due to "exceptional circumstances" cited by the judge.

Nuruhussein Hussein, posing as an Uber driver, stole $300,000 in cryptocurrency from passengers in Scottsdale, Arizona. He tricked them by borrowing their phones and transferring funds from their Coinbase accounts to his own. Hussein was arrested by U.S. Secret Service agents and faces charges of theft, fraud, and money laundering.

Mark Longo, caretaker of Peanut the Squirrel, issued a cease-and-desist order to Binance for listing the PNUT meme coin without authorization. Longo's legal counsel asserts violations of U.S. copyright and trademark laws by Binance.