Author: Leslie Stewart

Receive the latest updates for freeSimply subscribe to the Cryptocurrency myFT Digest and get fresh content delivered directly to your inbox.The writer is a software developer and the author of “Popping the Crypto Bubble”.Do you remember when cryptocurrencies were hailed as a possible replacement for traditional finance? It seems that history has taken a different route. With Bitcoin now exceeding $85,000 and effectively doubling in value over the last year, we are confronted with what can be termed the “institutional legitimacy paradox.”It’s intriguing to note how history has unfolded. Initially designed as a peer-to-peer electronic currency system that aimed to…

As Thanksgiving approaches, a series of weather systems are anticipated to bring rain and snow to regions across the Midwest, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast, coinciding with one of the busiest travel days of the year.Currently, over 25 million individuals are under advisories from the National Weather Service due to potential winter storms, which include warnings for wind, flooding, and icy conditions.On Monday, severe thunderstorms and rain are predicted for areas in the south-central Plains, with flood warnings spanning from northwest Texas to central Oklahoma affecting around 4 million residents.Forecasters at NBC News have indicated that extreme weather could produce winds…

Authorities in Las Vegas are probing a tragic incident in which a police officer fatally shot a 43-year-old man, Brandon Durham, who had dialed 911 seeking assistance during an alleged home invasion.According to police reports, Durham made the emergency call early Tuesday morning, indicating that two individuals were attempting to break into his residence while firing weapons. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Undersheriff Dori Koren mentioned that Durham’s call was among several 911 reports concerning gunfire in the Sunset Park area of the city.Durham’s partner revealed that on the day of the incident, she was inside the home with their…

Senator Sherrod Brown, who leads the Senate Banking Committee, has consistently challenged powerful lobbying groups and industries throughout his career. Now, he appears to be facing his most significant battle yet regarding the oversight of cryptocurrency firms. These companies contributed $40 million to the campaign of his Republican challenger, Bernie Moreno, who emerged victorious in the recent elections. The cryptocurrency sector has actively lobbied both parties to maintain a hands-off approach to regulation. Notably, it has supported various candidates from both sides of the political spectrum, including Democrat Elissa Slott, who secured a Senate seat in Michigan. Funds from the…

Bela Karolyi, a legendary figure in American gymnastics coaching, has passed away at the age of 82, as confirmed by a spokesperson for USA Gymnastics on Saturday evening.Jill Geer, a representative for the national governing body of the sport, announced Karolyi’s death on Friday, although the cause has not been revealed.Karolyi played a pivotal role in transforming USA Gymnastics into a formidable presence in both Olympic and international competitions, a journey that spanned from the 1980s to the 2010s, culminating with his wife Marta taking on many coaching responsibilities.Following Nadia Comaneci’s remarkable achievements in Romania, the Karolyis nurtured the careers…

In 2012, compliance lawyer Alexandra Lage found it unexpected to be a guest on CNBC’s Squawk Box to discuss anti-corruption measures. With a hint of humor, she wondered, “Has anyone found someone to make a pro-corruption argument?”The program featured the chairman of the Trump Organization right before Donald Trump began his presidential campaign. Trump had previously criticized the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), labeling it a “horrible law.”Enacted in 1977, the FCPA made it illegal for U.S. companies to offer bribes to foreign government officials. This legislation was a pioneering move in global anti-corruption efforts, inspiring similar laws in…

The much-anticipated boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, streamed on Netflix, faced significant backlash not for the fighters but due to streaming issues.Before the main event kicked off at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, viewers expressed frustration over poor video quality, including pixelation, interruptions, and even crashes, which marred the excitement of the undercard fights.As reported by downdetector.com, complaints about Netflix’s service surged just before 8 PM local time, peaking around 9:30 PM with over 88,700 reports of problems.The headline match between boxing icon Tyson and social media star-turned-boxer Paul began shortly after 11 PM.Users on X shared…

The Texas Supreme Court has allowed the execution of a death row inmate to proceed by ruling against lawmakers who attempted to use their subpoena authority to delay the execution related to the tragic death of the inmate’s daughter.Robert Roberson, 58, is set to be questioned by the House Criminal Justice Committee, which had previously issued a congressional subpoena for him to provide testimony regarding his case amid ongoing litigation. The execution was briefly put on hold for a few hours in May leading up to the scheduled date.In a decision made on Friday, the court asserted, “Robust legislative subpoenas…

Brad Garlinghouse, the CEO of Ripple, has proposed to the NYSE the listing of the Bitwise 10 Crypto Index Fund (BITW) as an Exchange Traded Product (ETP). In a lighthearted note, he remarked on the response he received when presenting this to Arca. Yesterday, Bitwise announced that its filing with the US SEC through NYSE Arca is aimed at listing BITW as an ETP. The firm characterized this filing as an important step towards transforming the world’s first and largest crypto index fund into an ETP format. Overview of BITW Launched in 2017, the Bitwise 10 Crypto Index Fund encompasses…

Michael Saylor, the CEO of MicroStrategy, has forecast that Bitcoin could soar to $100,000 by December 2024, attributing this growth to the upcoming political landscape influenced by the US election. During a November 14 interview with CNBC, Saylor emphasized the importance of the election, noting, “The 2024 election is the biggest thing that has happened to Bitcoin in the last four years.” He even plans to celebrate with a $100,000 party at his home on New Year’s Eve, stating that he wouldn’t be surprised if his company expended at least that amount in November or December. Saylor Remains Optimistic Amid…