ChainCatcher news, according to Ledger Insights, the German tokenization company Cashlink Technologies has obtained a cryptocurrency custody license issued by the country's regulatory authority BaFin. The company already holds a cryptocurrency securities registrar license.According to German law, when issuing securities on DLT, a registrar can be used instead of a central securities depository (CSD). With the new license, Cashlink can now manage the private keys associated with the tokenized securities it participates in issuing and registering.

ChainCatcher news, citing The Wall Street Journal via Cryptoslate, a new survey shows that among 160 crypto hedge funds, about 120 funds reported issues with basic banking services over the past three years. These funds invest in digital currencies and blockchain technology companies.The other 20 alternative investors surveyed (in areas such as real estate and private credit) reported no similar issues. Banking problems include poor communication and direct termination of partnerships. Among the crypto hedge funds facing issues, more than half were explicitly informed by banks that they would terminate their partnerships.However, the reasons for these decisions are often vague or nonexistent. When banks provide explanations, they state a desire to limit their risk exposure to cryptocurrency clients or the industry.

ChainCatcher news, the German tokenization company Cashlink has obtained a cryptocurrency custody license, having previously held a cryptocurrency securities registrar license. According to German law, when securities are issued on DLT, a registrar can be used instead of a central securities depository (CSD). With the new license, Cashlink can now manage the private keys associated with the tokenized securities it participates in issuing and registering.

ChainCatcher news, according to an announcement from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, Cool River Venture HK Limited, founded by ByteDance co-founder Zhang Yiming, has been granted a Type 9 license (asset management license) to conduct asset management business in Hong Kong.Additionally, according to the official website of the Companies Registry of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, Cool River Venture HK Limited was registered on May 22, 2023.Reports indicate that Cool River Venture is a private limited company, with Zhang Yiming as the sole director and Galaxy LLC as the sole shareholder, registered in the Cayman Islands.

ChainCatcher news, recently, the Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador (Banco Central de Reserva) granted a Bitcoin Service Provider (BSP) license to Bitget. At the same time, Bitget is applying for a Digital Asset Service Provider (DASP) license from the National Commission of Digital Assets in El Salvador to further expand its service offerings. To strengthen its presence in the Latin American market, Bitget plans to establish a local team in El Salvador to support business operations and enhance user experience.Bitget's Chief Business Officer Min Lin stated: "Latin America is a core area for crypto innovation, with immense potential. As the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, El Salvador offers significant insights for advancing the industry. Obtaining the BSP license is an important step in Bitget's globalization strategy. We are committed to promoting the development of the crypto ecosystem in the region by providing secure, convenient, and innovative services, and contributing to financial inclusion and regional economic growth."

ChainCatcher news, Luxor Technology Corporation has signed a $131.4 million agreement with Bitcoin mining manufacturer MicroBT, which includes a confirmed purchase of $93.2 million worth of Whatsminer ASIC Bitcoin miners, with an option to purchase an additional $38.2 million. These ASIC miners will utilize a combination of immersion, air cooling, and water cooling systems designed to improve efficiency.The announcement states that the agreement supports MicroBT's expansion in the United States, where the company has begun assembling miners domestically. Previously, Bitmain also launched a production line in the United States.

ChainCatcher news, cryptocurrency exchange BitOasis has obtained a new license in its home jurisdiction after being acquired by Indian cryptocurrency exchange CoinDCX.BitOasis announced on December 9 that it has received a full Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license issued by the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). The acquisition of the VASP license marks the final step in the BitOasis VARA licensing process, covering a range of crypto trading services, including buying, selling, and trading.

ChainCatcher news, the Civil Court Daily published an article titled "Criminal Qualification of Illegal Theft of Virtual Currency," which points out that the act of stealing virtual currency constitutes theft. As an economic property, it must have value, including utility, scarcity, and disposability. Scarcity is reflected in the constant total supply of virtual currency, which is not infinitely available. Disposability is demonstrated by the use of asymmetric encryption technology for virtual currency, which exists in wallets (i.e., addresses), and once the address and private key are obtained, one can control the virtual currency. Utility is reflected in the fact that virtual currency, as a specific data encoding, must be generated through "mining," which condenses social abstract labor.The article also points out that the act of stealing virtual currency constitutes the crime of illegally obtaining data from computer systems, as virtual currency has data characteristics. The illegal theft of virtual currency constitutes the crime of illegally obtaining data from computer systems. Regarding the determination of the amount of stolen virtual currency, it is more reasonable to set the amount of virtual currency involved in the case at the time the defendant committed the crime rather than when the victim purchased the virtual currency.

ChainCatcher news, according to CoinDesk, based on communication records obtained by a research firm commissioned by Coinbase, it was revealed that in 2022, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) suspended or blocked cryptocurrency banking operations in many U.S. banks.The research institution hired by Coinbase, History Associates Inc., filed a lawsuit against the FDIC and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in June of this year, ultimately gaining access to some internal communication records of the FDIC. A large number of heavily redacted documents released on Friday show that this banking regulatory agency had halted digital asset-related products and services offered or planned by several banks.According to one of the 23 letters shared by the cryptocurrency exchange, the regulator wrote: "We urge you to suspend all activities related to crypto assets. The FDIC will notify all banks under its supervision when it makes a decision regarding the regulatory expectations for engaging in activities related to crypto assets."Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal believes that these letters are conclusive evidence that crypto companies have been systematically cut off from banking services by regulators. Paul Grewal stated, "The FDIC has developed a coordinated plan and executed it without hesitation, depriving a legitimate U.S. industry of banking services. This should give everyone pause."

ChainCatcher news, according to Cointelegraph, the hybrid cryptocurrency exchange GRVT has announced that it has obtained a modified (M) digital asset business license from the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA), allowing the exchange to operate as a regulated decentralized exchange (DEX).GRVT co-founder and CEO Hong Yea stated that after obtaining the initial M class license under the Bermuda Digital Asset Business Act (DABA), its goal is to obtain a full (F) class license by mid-2025 and further expand its business in a sandbox environment.

ChainCatcher news, according to CoinDesk, the tokenized asset exchange 21X running on Polygon has received approval from the German financial regulator BaFin to go live, planning to launch a tokenized financial instruments exchange at its headquarters in the first quarter of 2025. The exchange plans to trade tokenized equities, debt securities, funds, and real-world assets (RWA), such as real estate or artworks that qualify as financial instruments.It is reported that, in addition to BaFin, the Deutsche Bundesbank, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), and the European Central Bank (ECB) were also involved in the approval of 21X.

ChainCatcher news, according to Finance Feeds, Yellow Card has obtained a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) license issued by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa.It is reported that Yellow Card Financial South Africa was established in 2020 and has facilitated over $3 billion in transactions to date. The company plans to leverage its recently completed $33 million Series C funding to enhance its stablecoin channels, infrastructure, as well as B2B APIs and widgets. Yellow Card has also partnered with Fireblocks to improve cross-border transaction capabilities, providing secure and efficient on-chain solutions for the African market.

ChainCatcher news, according to Workers' Daily reports, the People's Court of Changping District, Beijing recently released a case where an employee used their position to obtain virtual currency for profit, constituting the crime of illegally obtaining data from a computer information system. Zhang, a blockchain engineer at a certain internet company, learned that there was a large amount of Ethereum in the account while participating in project development, and planned to attack the company's account to obtain it.Taking advantage of his work, he asked colleagues for program codes and private keys beyond his authority and shared them in a "technical exchange group," inviting group members to crack and attack the company's account, successfully obtaining 106.15 Ethereum and illegally profiting 38,329.76 yuan.The court found that Zhang violated regulations by illegally obtaining Ethereum information from the company's computer system and trading for profit, constituting the crime of illegally obtaining data from a computer information system. Although there were management loopholes in the company, this was not a valid excuse for Zhang's crime. Ultimately, Zhang was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison, fined 60,000 yuan, and ordered to return the illegal gains of 38,329.76 yuan. The second-instance ruling rejected the appeal and upheld the original judgment.

ChainCatcher news, Yellow Card has obtained a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) license from the South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). This license allows Yellow Card (also licensed in Botswana) to expand its operations and meet the growing demand for stablecoin services.Previous news, the African crypto trading platform Yellow Card announced the completion of a $33 million Series C funding round, led by Blockchain Capital.

ChainCatcher news, BlackRock has obtained a commercial license to operate in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.The company is also seeking to obtain an operating license in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), which is an international financial center in Abu Dhabi and home to cryptocurrency companies such as Blockdaemon, M2, and Laser Digital.

ChainCatcher news, according to Cointelegraph, the cryptocurrency payment gateway Alchemy Pay announced that the company has obtained four new Money Transmission Licenses (MTL) in Minnesota, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Wyoming, bringing the total number of Alchemy Pay's state licenses in the U.S. to 8.The latest licenses follow the approval of another license in Arkansas in September 2023, and in Iowa, New Hampshire, and New Mexico in November 2023.

ChainCatcher news, the Web3 payment platform Transak has registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), and in the United States, it has obtained a Money Transmitter License (MTL) in Delaware.The FINTRAC registration recognizes Transak Canada as an MSB, requiring the company to comply with strict Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Anti-Terrorist Financing (ATF) standards.In the United States, Transak USA LLC has obtained its second state-level MTL, this time in Delaware, after the company received its first license in Alabama in September. The Delaware license allows Transak to offer regulated crypto services to residents and businesses in the state, including the purchase and transfer of digital assets.

ChainCatcher news, according to Lookonchain monitoring, 3 hours ago, Pump.fun deposited 15 million USDC obtained from selling SOL into Kraken exchange.

According to ChainCatcher news, the head of a Ukrainian charity organization, Rev Miller, stated that the 400 ETH obtained from Vitalik's previous sale of meme coins (such as MOODENG, EBULL, and DOG) has been donated to Ukrainian charities. Vitalik has confirmed this.Previous report indicates that Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin transferred 100 ETH to 4 addresses (a total of approximately 1.02 million USD).

ChainCatcher news, cryptocurrency exchange Bitstamp has obtained a MiFID MTF license issued by the Slovenian Securities Market Agency. This license allows Bitstamp to offer more complex products, including crypto derivatives, to institutional and retail investors.