Consob has blocked more illegal websites: 1,853 since 2019, and 242 of them involve crypto-assets. We review the October notices and look at the red flags of five websites with impossible names. Then we see how to check a provider, spot cloned websites and what to do if you’ve been scammed.
The Dutch central bank has authorized Qivalis, the company owned by 37 European banks (including UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo, BPER and Banca Sella) that will issue a euro stablecoin. The token isn’t in circulation yet. Let’s see how it differs from the digital euro, who will be able to use it and what protections MiCA provides.
Some Ledgers sold by the Asian reseller CryptoBilis hid a spy chip that read the 24 words of the recovery phrase and sent them over the mobile network. Let’s see how the attack works, what to do if you own a Ledger, why MediaWorld pulled two models and what the Cyber Resilience Act says.
With Ondo’s tokenized portfolios, based on BlackRock models, an entire investment strategy becomes a single ERC-20 token. It moves between wallets and trades on crypto exchanges. But buyers own an offshore debt security with no shareholder rights. It has low liquidity and an uncertain profile for Italian savers.
The piece discusses the risks of using cryptocurrency exchanges, highlighting recent incidents that involved thefts and security failures. It suggests keeping only limited funds on exchanges, while it is preferable to hold most cryptocurrencies in personal wallets, where only the user has control.
Blockchain provides a way to trace products along the supply chain, as shown by the QR code on Peroni beer. Three players (Peroni, pOsti and Ernst & Young) manage on-chain and off-chain data to guarantee authenticity and transparency. The technology doesn’t replace traditional systems, but it provides a certified, unalterable memory.
The analysis compares the USDT and USDC stablecoins, highlighting their significant differences in terms of issuers, transparency and liquidity. While USDC is more compliant and transparent, USDT wins on reach and liquidity. In Europe, regulation has limited access to USDT, making USDC the preferred choice for regulated platforms.
In the coming years, Web3 could become populated by artificial intelligence agents using stablecoins to make payments. This shift calls for understanding the difference between paying for services and paying network fees. The x402 protocol will enable instant, hassle-free payments, transforming the digital economy.
Over the past three years, the crypto market has become increasingly concentrated: the top ten now controls 90-92% of total capitalization. Bitcoin and Ethereum remain dominant, while Cardano has dropped out of the ranking. The market’s maturing reflects dynamics similar to traditional markets, with a small number of players capturing the value.
Il Digital Euro è una moneta digitale progettata dall’Eurosistema per modernizzare il denaro pubblico in Europa. Sarà utilizzato principalmente per pagamenti retail, offrendo transazioni sicure e a basso costo. Parallelamente, i progetti Pontes e Appia svilupperanno soluzioni wholesale per la tokenizzazione degli asset finanziari, mantenendo il controllo centralizzato.
Annual Percentage Yield (APY) represents a more complex aspect of compound interest, crucial in decentralized finance (DeFi). While it offers enticing rates, it can mislead about actual returns due to varied compounding frequencies. As DeFi favors quick capital gains, APY aligns with its dynamics, making it a notable standard for assessing investment returns.
A cryptocurrency airdrop is a mechanism where cryptocurrencies are distributed for free, primarily as a marketing strategy to promote projects and increase user engagement in a crowded market. Various airdrop types exist, including standard, holder, task-based, retroactive, and exclusive airdrops, each serving distinct promotional purposes.
The cryptocurrency Fear & Greed index, similar to the one for stocks, measures market sentiment with values from 0 (Extreme Fear) to 100 (Extreme Greed). It is based on five components: price, volatility, the derivatives market, market composition and CMC data, helping investors assess possible undervaluation or overvaluation in the market.
The debate over whether Bitcoin is digital gold or a tech stock is a complex one. A comparison with the performance of gold and of the main US tech companies shows that, over the long term, Bitcoin has posted distinct gains. This debate is relevant for today’s investment strategies.
The financial power of the United States, embodied by the central role of the dollar, is crucial in the global system. Dollar-backed stablecoins are raising concerns in Europe, where regulation is trying to close the gap. Minister Giorgetti warns that these cryptocurrencies could threaten the role of the euro, calling for greater protection and for the development of the digital euro.
In his annual letter, BlackRock chairman Larry Fink highlights the power of tokenization, which turns assets into tradable digital tokens. This innovation democratizes investing, simplifying shareholder access and voting and speeding up transactions that can move billions through the economy. BlackRock is a crypto pioneer, with a Bitcoin ETF approved in 2024.
The FT article of March 25 analyzes Ethereum’s midlife crisis, highlighting the significant drop in the value of Ether compared with Bitcoin and other competitors. Despite the promises of DeFi and the switch to PoS, interest seems to be waning, with practical challenges and systemic resistance still prevailing.
Bitcoin distribution worldwide shows North America in the lead with almost 11% of owners, followed by South America (over 6%) and Asia (3.6%). Europe stands at 3.4%, while Africa is at 1.6%. South America uses Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation, while North America could benefit from any rise in the value of the cryptocurrency.
The post discusses the launch of meme-coins such as Trump$ and Melania$, as well as Fabrizio Corona’s $Corona, by public figures. While creating these cryptocurrencies is simple, making the tokens tradable is more complex. It points out that meme-coins have no blockchain of their own but rely on existing ones, raising doubts about the wisdom of such initiatives and their appeal to investors.
XRP is a unique cryptocurrency, launched in 2013 by Ripple Inc., which differs from Bitcoin and the like in its consensus protocol that requires no mining. With fast, scalable transaction validation, XRP is often considered an alternative to Swift for international transfers. However, its centralized management by Ripple Inc. raises transparency concerns, complicated by the SEC lawsuit.
The recent strategy of the second Trump administration marks a significant shift towards cryptocurrencies, with the announcement of a Crypto Strategic Reserve. The plan includes Bitcoin, Ether, Solana and ADA for smart contracts, and XRP for its unique approach. This initiative could revolutionize the sector and America’s geopolitical dominance.
Tether has acquired a 5% stake in Juventus FC, drawing attention to the link between cryptocurrencies and sport. The USDT stablecoin enables secure transactions without going through banking networks, attracting interest and concern from the authorities. A sponsorship on Juventus’s shirts could further boost Tether’s visibility.
Bitcoin at a million dollars could create around 40,000 new millionaires, profoundly affecting the social distribution of wealth. These millionaires would have a different kind of liquidity from traditional ones, creating an emulation effect and potential stagnation for the lower economic classes. The volatility of crypto contributes to this dynamic.
The number of cryptocurrency holders in Italy is estimated at between 1.5 and 3.5 million, around 2 million people, or 7.1% of the population aged 20 to 60. Only 2% of them own a Bitcoin. Bitcoin at a million would increase the number of millionaires under 60 by 20%.
Bitcoin recently hit $100k, prompting reflections on its potential social consequences should it rise to a million dollars. Most cryptocurrency investors are young, tech-savvy men, and a rise in value would further benefit those who already enjoy high socioeconomic status.
