Empire Newsletter: A busy crypto lawsuit season looms

Another one bites the dust

And then there were three. 

Robinhood has become the latest company to receive a crypto-related Wells notice from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

If you don’t know what a Wells notice is, you might be new to crypto. The notice is basically a heads-up given to a company that the SEC completed an investigation and may pursue an enforcement action against them. 

The notice doesn’t always mean that legal action will play out, but this is crypto.

This time last year, for example, we were playing the waiting game after Coinbase was served with a Wells notice in March. The SEC then filed a suit against the exchange company in June. 

As I previously…

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LATEST: South Korea’s Democratic Party Reportedly Pushes for Spot Bitcoin ETFs Following Election Win

Following a decisive win in April’s general election, South Korea’s Democratic Party is moving forward with its campaign pledge to enable the local issuance and trading of spot bitcoin ETFs. The party, which secured 175 of the 300 seats in the National Assembly, is set to challenge the current stance of the Financial Services Commission (FSC), which has so far denied the legalization of spot bitcoin ETFs citing a lack of legal framework for cryptocurrencies as underlying assets.

The Democratic Party plans to formally request that the FSC reevaluate its position on spot bitcoin ETFs when the 22nd National Assembly convenes in June. This initiative is part of a broader agenda to make these financial products accessible to retail investors through tax-exempt accounts, thereby fostering a more inclusive financial environment for cryptocurrency investment in the country. Additionally, the party is prepared to propose amendments to existing financial regulations if the FSC maintains its reluctance to authorize bitcoin funds, demonstrating a significant shift in legislative intent to support the growth of the cryptocurrency sector in South Korea.

Source

Sovereign Wealth Funds’ Interest in Bitcoin

Institutional interest in Bitcoin is on the rise, with asset management giant BlackRock noting a significant uptick in attention from sovereign wealth funds, endowments, pensions, insurers, and other institutional investors towards Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs).

The recent reports shed light on the evolving landscape of Bitcoin investments, signaling a broader acceptance of digital assets within traditional finance.

According to Robert Mitchnick, BlackRock’s head of digital assets, there’s a notable surge in interest from institutional players like sovereign wealth funds and pension funds.

Mitchnick emphasizes that the firm has been actively engaging in…

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NEW: $130B Asset Manager Hightower Holds $68M in Bitcoin Through 6 ETFs

Leading wealth management firm Hightower, with a portfolio worth over $130 billion, has revealed its significant investment in Bitcoin through six exchange-traded funds (ETFs), amounting to a total of $68.3 million. This strategic allocation reflects the growing institutional interest in digital assets, as the firm seeks to capitalize on the evolving financial landscape.

Hightower’s largest allocation is in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, holding $44.8 million across 709,956 shares. The Fidelity Bitcoin ETF comes in second with $12.4 million in 200,084 shares, followed by BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF with $7.6 million across 188,397 shares. ARK Bitcoin ETF holds $1.7 million in 23,964 shares, Bitwise Bitcoin ETF manages $988,000 with 25,449 shares, and Franklin Templeton Bitcoin ETF has $788,000 invested in 19,129 shares.

This move underscores Hightower’s confidence in Bitcoin as a viable asset class and highlights the growing acceptance of cryptocurrency ETFs among traditional investors. The firm’s substantial investment reflects a broader trend of institutional adoption, further cementing Bitcoin’s role in modern investment portfolios.

SEC Filing

Check Out the Top Crypto Gainers of the Day

$1M – $10M MarketCap:

  1. Augur (REP): 29%
  2. GPTVerse (GPTV): 11%
  3. Playbux (PBUX): 8.3%
  4. Ready to Fight (RTF): 6.3%
  5. Dovi (DOVI): 5.1%

$10M – $100M MarketCap:

  1. catwifhat ($CWIF): 79%
  2. Eesee (ESE): 27%
  3. Catamoto (CATA): 23%
  4. Synesis One (SNS): 20%
  5. Index Cooperative (INDEX): 15%

$100M – $1B MarketCap:

  1. Shadow Token (SHDW): 18%
  2. Tellor Tributes (TRB): 16%
  3. Powerledger (POWR): 43%
  4. Ultra (UOS): 11%
  5. Aleph Zero (AZERO): 10%

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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