LATEST: SEC Ends Ethereum 2.0 Investigation, Declares No Legal Action on ETH Sales

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has concluded its investigation into Ethereum 2.0, deciding not to pursue legal action alleging that ETH sales are securities transactions, as announced by Consensys Software Inc. This decision is seen as a significant victory for Ethereum developers and industry participants, alleviating a major uncertainty that could have impeded Ethereum’s growth.

The investigation, initiated by the SEC’s Enforcement Division under Gurbir Grewal in March 2023, examined Ethereum transactions dating back to 2018. The probe gained attention in March when an update on the Ethereum Foundation’s GitHub revealed scrutiny from an unnamed “state authority,” later identified as the SEC. Consensys had filed a lawsuit against the SEC in April, seeking a ruling that Ether (ETH) is not a security. The SEC’s decision to close the investigation followed a letter from Consensys, which argued that the approval of spot Ethereum ETFs implied ETH is a commodity, not a security.

While this development is a positive step, Consensys continues to seek broader regulatory clarity, particularly regarding services like MetaMask Swaps and Staking. The quest for definitive guidelines from the SEC remains crucial for the ongoing development and regulation of the cryptocurrency industry.

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NEW: Bitcoin Miner Expands with 5 New Bitcoin Mines in Georgia

CleanSpark, a prominent Bitcoin mining firm, has strategically acquired five turnkey bitcoin mining facilities in Georgia for $25.8 million. This significant expansion is set to increase the company’s operating hashrate to over 3.7 exahashes per second, aligning with the introduction of the latest S21 pro miners. The acquisition not only boosts CleanSpark’s capacity but also marks a significant step towards achieving its mid-year goal of 20 EH/s.

CEO Zach Bradford emphasized the acquisition’s benefits to both CleanSpark and the local communities, stating, “These sites enhance our load balancing capabilities and confirm our commitment to scaling sustainably.” The company’s strategy focuses on integrating these new facilities seamlessly into its efficient mining model, commonly referred to as the CleanSpark way.

This development follows CleanSpark’s recent purchase of two additional sites in Wyoming and the achievement of mining 417 bitcoins in May alone. Currently holding 6,154 bitcoins, CleanSpark continues to fortify its presence in the industry, underscoring its robust growth trajectory and commitment to enhancing its infrastructure across the United States.

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On the Margin Newsletter: The Fed balance sheet is bottoming

Today, enjoy the On the Margin newsletter on Blockworks.co. Tomorrow, get the news delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe to the On the Margin newsletter.

The Fed pivot no one’s talking about

Despite the action-packed June FOMC meeting last week, there was very little talk about the major shift in balance sheet policy by the Fed that began this month.

After running the balance sheet up from $4 trillion to $8.9 trillion during the COVID-era quantitative easing campaign, the Fed has been employing quantitative tightening since 2022 to decrease the size of its balance sheet and lower the total amount of bank reserves within the system.

There are two ways QT can work: “soft” or…

Read more on Blockworks

LATEST: Peter Brandt Signals Big Bitcoin Rally, Compares to Historical Gold Trends

Veteran trader Peter Brandt has sparked excitement among his 729,500 followers on X by comparing Bitcoin’s current market behavior to key periods of Gold’s past performance. Brandt highlights an emerging ‘inverse head and shoulders’ pattern on Bitcoin’s chart, an optimistic technical indicator historically preceding significant price surges in Gold during similar formations in 2008-2009 and 2020-2024. This pattern suggests a potential reversal from the recent downtrend to an upcoming robust uptrend.

As Bitcoin forms what Brandt identifies as the ‘right shoulder’ of the pattern, the crypto community is abuzz with speculation about a possible price explosion resembling Gold’s past breakouts. These comparisons come at a crucial time when Bitcoin has dropped to a one-month low amid market uncertainties, including investment outflows and concerns over prolonged high U.S. borrowing costs.

Despite the recent dip, the alignment of Bitcoin’s chart with Gold’s successful periods could herald a promising horizon for the cryptocurrency. This pattern, combined with the historical resilience shown during similar market conditions, positions Bitcoin potentially on the brink of a significant breakthrough.

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Bitcoin Education Can Change The World

Company Name: Mi Primer Bitcoin

Founder: John Dennehy

Date Founded: August 2021

Location of Headquarters: El Salvador

Amount of Bitcoin Held in Treasury: Approximately 0.5 BTC

Number of Employees: 21

Website: https://miprimerbitcoin.io/

Public or Private? Private (Non-profit)

John Dennehy wants to change the world — and he believes that Bitcoin education is a means to do so.

Dennehy sees Bitcoin as a tool to help individuals reclaim agency in their lives, and he understands that education is integral to helping people use this tool.

So, in late-2021, he created a Bitcoin education platform called Mi Primer Bitcoin (My First Bitcoin) as a means to empower everyday Salvadorans.

He believes that…

Read more on BitcoinMagazine

LATEST: Bitcoin and Ether Boost to Portfolio Performance, Says BBVA

Philippe Meyer, the head of digital and blockchain solutions at BBVA, highlighted the advantages of cryptocurrencies during the Web3 Corporate Innovation Day. He argued that including Bitcoin and Ether, the top two cryptocurrencies by market cap, could dramatically enhance the performance of traditional investment portfolios. Meyer noted the substantial benefits when a modest percentage of these digital assets is added to the mix.

According to Meyer, incorporating a small allocation of 3% to 5% of cryptocurrencies into an investor’s portfolio can significantly boost returns. This strategy has proven to greatly improve investment outcomes, providing a compelling reason for investors to consider digital assets.

For those looking to optimize their return on investment, Meyer’s insights suggest that even a minimal investment in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum can make a significant difference, urging investors to consider this evolving asset class.

Top Trending Crypto Coins of The Day

BIGCAP COINS:

  1. Bitcoin: Market Cap of $1.3 Trillion.
  2. Polygon: Market Cap of $5.3 Billion.
  3. Solana: Market Cap of $62.5 Billion.

MIDCAP COINS:

  1. zkSync: Market Cap of $749 Million.
  2. Notcoin: Market Cap of $1.5 Billion.
  3. Super Trump: Market Cap of $24.2 Million.

RISING COINS:

  1. Biaoqing: Market Cap of $27.6 Million.
  2. Mog Coin: Market Cap of $278 Million.
  3. Non-Playable Coin: Market Cap of $117 Million.

Disclaimer: Market capitalizations can vary in real-time. The information provided here is intended purely for educational purposes and should not, under any circumstances, be construed as financial advice.

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Hashdex plots ETF that would hold both BTC, ETH

With US spot bitcoin ETFs trading and ETH funds set to follow soon, Brazilian asset manager Hashdex looks to launch a fund that would hold both assets.

The approval of such a fund in the US would mark another milestone during a year with already a few crypto fund firsts.  

The first US spot bitcoin ETFs received the Securities and Exchange Commission’s long-awaited blessing in January. Spot ether ETF launches are imminent as the agency currently works with fund issuers to finalize the planned funds’ registration statements. 

While the proposed Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF would invest in BTC and ETH, a filing indicates it makes clear it would not invest in “crypto…

Read more on Blockworks

Bridging Bitcoin & Ethereum: BOB’s Hybrid Layer Two Solution

Bitcoin & Beyond is an educational series by the team at The Rollup focused on a new and emerging class of builders in the Bitcoin ecosystem. Through spaces, panels, and interactive presentations, the objective is to provide deep technical insights into innovative scaling projects.

In our latest feature for Bitcoin & Beyond, we’re exploring BOB, a novel, hybrid, layer solution that aims to marry Bitcoin’s robust security with the agility of Ethereum. We caught up with Dom, co-founder of BOB, to understand BOB’s staged approach to development and their new merged-mining protocol, Optimine. 

Reigniting Innovation in Bitcoin Through Layer 2 Solutions

From the onset, Dom was clear that…

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Marketing Bitcoin to Gen-Z

Gen-Z is, without a doubt, the most tech-savvy generation. Growing up with technology from day one, they possess an innate understanding of digital platforms and navigate the online world with ease. This generation’s familiarity with technology makes them naturally inclined towards innovations like Bitcoin, often dubbed the “Internet of money”. However, traditional marketing strategies such as print ads, billboards, and TV commercials will fall flat with this audience, so how do you reach them?

Understanding Generational Differences

Before diving into effective marketing strategies for Gen-Z, let’s compare them with previous generations.

… Read more on BitcoinMagazine