ChainCatcher news, according to Cointelegraph, Wyoming Stablecoin Committee Executive Director Anthony Apollo stated that the state's stablecoin project is expected to enter the testnet within the next six weeks and plans to officially launch in the next quarter.The project has shortlisted Ava Labs (Avalanche) and Mysten Labs (Sui) for interviews this week. Securitize, Franklin Advisors, and Northern Trust have been shortlisted for reserve management candidates, while three of the Big Four accounting firms are in the running for internal controls candidates. Blockchain.com will be the first platform to launch the stablecoin.Apollo revealed that the stablecoin will maintain a 102% over-collateralization, fully backed by U.S. Treasury securities, cash, and repurchase agreements to prevent de-pegging risks. The committee is exploring a native yield distribution mechanism for token holders. Additionally, the project plans to use zero-knowledge proof technology to ensure compliance and privacy, and may utilize subnets or layer two networks to achieve permissioned access and transaction privacy protection.

ChainCatcher news, according to Cryptonews, the Wyoming Highway Workers Union has announced that it is exploring the inclusion of Bitcoin in its balance sheet. The Wyoming Highway Patrol Association (WHPA) has partnered with Proof of Workforce to launch an initiative called "Get Off Zero."This initiative is expected to become the first law enforcement association in the United States to hold Bitcoin on its balance sheet. The "Get Off Zero" movement focuses on cryptocurrency investment, encouraging organizations to allocate a small portion of their portfolios to Bitcoin.Founded in 1974, WHPA provides support and resources for its patrol officers, dispatchers, border patrol agents, and civilian staff. Through the "Get Off Zero" initiative, members of the organization can learn how the digital asset ecosystem works. Proof of Workforce is a nonprofit organization that offers free Bitcoin education to workers, unions, pension funds, and municipal authorities. Proof of Workforce founder Dom Bei reported that this "could set a precedent for other law enforcement associations in the United States."

ChainCatcher news, U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis posted on X, stating that Wyoming has taken a bold first step towards a strategic Bitcoin reserve. Representative Wasserburger introduced legislation to allow permanent funds to diversify investments in Bitcoin.

ChainCatcher news, according to Fox Business reporter Eleanor Terrett, the Wyoming-based crypto bank Custodia Bank will further lay off employees to save costs.The oral arguments for Custodia's lawsuit against the Federal Reserve will take place on January 21, coinciding with the second day of Trump's inauguration.Custodia CEO Caitlin Long stated, "I am incredibly proud of the Custodia team, the services we build for our clients, and our resilience during multiple innocent 'debanking' incidents. I especially thank Custodia's clients and shareholders who help us continue to fight for lasting banking access for the compliant U.S. crypto industry."

ChainCatcher news, according to Cointelegraph, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon recently attended the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium, discussing how the state is embracing blockchain innovation and emphasizing that the state plans to issue a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar in 2025.Mark Gordon stated that the state is currently working to support the stablecoin through U.S. Treasury securities and repurchase agreements. The plan is to reach out to trading platform partners for listing sometime in the first quarter of 2025.

ChainCatcher News: After acquiring Riot Platforms, the American mining company CleanSpark has become the second-largest mining company by market capitalization. CleanSpark is continuing its expansion by starting construction on a new facility in Cheyenne, Wyoming, which is expected to be operational by the end of the year.The company is also acquiring a second mining site in Wyoming and will expand into Tennessee through the acquisition of GRIID Infrastructure. CleanSpark has signed a 75-megawatt power contract in Wyoming, with 30 megawatts allocated for operating S21 immersion XP dedicated ASICs in the planned facilities. This will increase the company's hash rate by 2 EH/s. CleanSpark is seeking additional power sources for this facility.

ChainCatcher news, according to Cointelegraph, the University of Wyoming will establish the UW Bitcoin Research Institute in August. The new institute aims to provide high-quality peer-reviewed research on Bitcoin. Bitcoin activist and University of Wyoming associate professor Bradley Rettler will serve as the director of the institute.It is reported that Bradley Rettler believes the existing Bitcoin research outcomes are poor and emphasizes that the industry needs more high-quality peer-reviewed publications to ensure the public correctly understands what Bitcoin is and how it works.

ChainCatcher news, according to Fortune magazine, last Thursday, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed the Decentralized Unincorporated Nonprofit Association Act, a landmark legislation that establishes a framework for recognizing DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations) as legal entities.

ChainCatcher News, the Wyoming House of Representatives has passed a new digital asset bill that will prohibit the state's courts from forcing someone to disclose their digital asset private keys, stating that "no one shall be compelled to produce a private key or disclose a private key to any other person in any civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other proceeding." However, exceptions may apply if the public key is unavailable or if it is impossible to disclose details about digital assets, digital identities, or other interests or rights. The bill will officially take effect on July 1, 2023. (Source link)