K33 Research analysts predict that the upcoming launch of spot Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States could lead to Ether outperforming Bitcoin. The ETFs, expected to go live on July 8, are seen as a significant boost for Ether’s price. In contrast, Bitcoin may face sell pressure as $8.5 billion worth of BTC is returned to creditors of the collapsed exchange Mt. Gox this week.

Ether has lagged behind Bitcoin for over a year, with Bitcoin benefiting from over $14 billion in spot ETF flows in 2024. However, analysts Vetle Lunde and David Zimmerman believe Ether’s price could initially dip post-ETF launch but will gain strength from inflows to the spot funds, mirroring Bitcoin’s past performance.

Lunde and Zimmerman maintain a bullish outlook on Ether, expecting net inflows equivalent to 0.75-1% of ETH’s circulating supply in the five months following the launch. Despite market skepticism, they view current ETH/BTC prices as a bargain, suggesting a strong potential for Ether’s relative strength as the summer progresses.

Report

CleanSpark achieved a notable increase in its bitcoin mining activity in June, mining 445 bitcoin compared to 417 in May. This success stems from the acquisition of five new mining sites in Georgia, enabling the company to exceed its mid-year target with an operational hashrate of over 20 EH/s. In June, CleanSpark sold 8.06 bitcoin at an average price of approximately $67,514 per bitcoin.

CEO Zach Bradford highlighted the company’s focused strategy on boosting its bitcoin mining hashrate and revenue, emphasizing efficiency at existing sites and upcoming opportunities in Wyoming and Tennessee. The recent operational gains represent a significant milestone, more than doubling their hashrate since December, despite the April bitcoin halving, which reduced mining rewards by 50%.

Alongside its Georgia expansions, CleanSpark also acquired GRIID Infrastructure for $155 million. The company aims to reach 100 megawatts of operational power by year-end and has mined 3,614 bitcoin so far in 2023, holding 6,591 bitcoin as of June 30.

Source

The Cardano Foundation and Crypto Carbon Ratings Institute (CCRI) have unveiled MiCA-compliant sustainability indicators for the Cardano network. This initiative aligns with the upcoming EU Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, which requires crypto issuers to disclose sustainability metrics. CCRI’s expertise ensured the accuracy and scientific validity of these indicators.

The detailed report highlights Cardano’s energy-efficient consensus protocol, consuming significantly less electricity than Proof of Work systems. Key findings include a total annual electricity consumption of 704.91 MWh and a carbon footprint of 250.73 tCO2e. The report also presents sustainability metrics per the European Securities and Markets Authority’s (ESMA) draft regulatory standards.

Cardano Foundation CEO Frederik Gregaard emphasized the importance of sustainability in crypto, while CCRI CTO Dr. Ulrich Gallersdörfer highlighted the role of scientific methods in environmental impact assessment. This collaboration not only fulfills regulatory requirements but also sets a benchmark for other blockchain networks in transparency and sustainability.

Source

Set against the backdrop of the vibrant Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville, Tennessee, Satoshi Summer Camp is poised to be the highlight for families attending the event. This two-day extravaganza promises to blend fun, education, and community-building in a way that’s never been done before.

At the heart of Satoshi Summer Camp is the Family Fun Zone, a hub of activity where children and families can engage in a variety of enriching experiences. From instructor-led crafts to kid-approved snacks, and even an indoor play space, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy. Parents can relax and connect with other families while their little ones are having a blast in the…

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Standard Chartered forecasts a new all-time high for Bitcoin in August, with a potential surge to $100,000 by the U.S. presidential election in November. Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s head of forex and digital assets research, predicts a favorable scenario if Joe Biden remains in the race, indirectly boosting Bitcoin prices due to perceived positive impacts from a potential Donald Trump victory.

Kendrick highlights a positive correlation between Trump’s electoral chances and Bitcoin prices, noting that under Trump’s administration, regulation and mining would likely receive more favorable treatment. He also mentions an alternative, less likely scenario where Biden withdraws from the race, causing Bitcoin prices to dip to $50,000-$55,000, with prices staying soft if a strong Democratic candidate, like Michelle Obama, steps in.

In early June, Kendrick reiterated his year-end Bitcoin price prediction of $150,000 and an end-of-2025 forecast of $200,000, suggesting Bitcoin could join the $3 trillion market cap club by the end of 2024.

Undemonstrated Effectiveness and Efficiency

I’m not aware of any study establishing the effectiveness of KYC measures in combating money laundering. And it’s not for lack of searching.

Conversely, there are numerous studies tending to conclude the opposite. Ronald Pol, a researcher at La Trobe University in Melbourne, synthesized in a research paper published in 2020, many works: Anand 2011; Brzoska 2016; Chaikin 2009; Ferwerda 2009; Findley, Nielson, and Sharman 2014; Harvey 2008; Levi 2002, 2012; Levi and Maguire 2004; Levi and Reuter 2006, 2009; Naylor 2005; Pol 2018b; Reuter and Truman 2004; Rider 2002a, 2002b, 2004; Sharman 2011; van Duyne 2003, 2011; Verhage 2017.

The main finding of this research paper is captured in a more than eloquent…

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