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Coinbase CEO Slams DOJ For Alleged Political Polymarket Probe

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Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has criticized the Department of Justice (DOJ) for its recent investigation into Polymarket, a cryptocurrency-based prediction market platform. Armstrong expressed frustration on social media, suggesting that the DOJ’s actions are politically motivated and could inadvertently strengthen Polymarket’s influence. 

The ongoing probe, which involved a search of Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan’s devices, has sparked widespread debate in the cryptocurrency and technology sectors.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong Criticizes DOJ

In a post on X (formely Twitter), the Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, has given his two cents on the Polymarket probe. Amid an FBI raid, Polymarket is said to have violated the terms of its earlier settlements with U.S. regulators by permitting U.S.-based users to place bets, the DOJ probe of the platform suggests. 

A 2022 consent order with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) limited Polymarket’s access to US-based traders and the company paid a $1.4 million penalty. But latest findings suggest that US users might still be using the platform hence raising compliance issues.

The probe has picked up pace after a surge in election-related trades on Polymarket particularly those in favour of Donald Trump’s re-election. Critics, however, despite the Coinbase CEO comments, have expressed fears that such big bets can manipulate the general opinion. 

Polymarket has however said it takes steps to ensure that its services are not used by those based in the United States, but the DoJ’s investigation indicates that the company remains concerned about potential violations.

Polymarket Denies Political Motivations, Defends Its Operations

In reaction to the DOJ’s actions, Polymarket has come forward to explain that its platform is a tool that aids people in gaining information about the world, including elections. 

The company called the DOJ’s actions politically motivated and said that the company would fight for “itself and its community.” Polymarket’s CEO Shayne Coplan commented on the matter stating that it was a disappointing “last-ditch effort” by the current administration to go after companies they feel are linked to political opponents.

He highlighted that Polymarket does not take sides, saying that regulators should instead concentrate on creating a favorable climate for business and startups.

“Polymarket has helped hundreds of millions of people during this election cycle and has not hurt anyone,” Coplan said in a tweet.

The management of Polymarket also emphasized the openness of the platform and the unwillingingness to violate current legislation. Since the CFTC settlement, the company has put in place further measures to check the location of users and to limit the access of suspected US participants.

French Regulators Also Scrutinize Operations

However, there are more regulatory concerns for Polymarket than just the US ones. In France, the country’s gambling regulator, the ANJ, is reportedly mulling over the possibilities of banning Polymarket due to unlicensed gambling services. The French authorities have taken notice of the company after recording a surge in the number of bets placed during the US presidential election.

In particular, the response of Coinbase CEO, to the DOJ investigation has been popular among the cryptocurrency community who consider the probe as a threat to free speech. 

Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko also came out in support of Polymarket, saying that data markets are a form of “political speech” covered by the First Amendment. This view is supported by a number of crypto industry executives who claim that banning platforms like Polymarket hampers people’s ability to discuss political events.

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Kelvin Munene Murithi

Kelvin is a distinguished writer with expertise in crypto and finance, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science. Known for his incisive analysis and insightful content, he possesses a strong command of English and excels in conducting thorough research and delivering timely cryptocurrency market updates.

Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.





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Donald Trump Proposed Crypto Advisory Council To Set Up Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

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Donald Trump plans to establish an advisory council to position the U.S. as a leader in the cryptocurrency space. The council will spearhead policy changes, coordinate with Congress on crypto legislation, and oversee the creation of a strategic Bitcoin reserve.

The advisory council will also operate under the White House’s National Economic Council or a similar executive body. Industry executives have revealed that the council will collaborate with federal agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and the Treasury to streamline regulatory frameworks for the crypto industry.

Donald Trump To Establish Bitcoin Reserve Amid Crypto Council Formation

According to a recent report, Donald Trump’s crypto advisory council will advise on digital asset policies and oversee the creation of a strategic Bitcoin reserve. The reserve aims to position Bitcoin as a core element of the United States’ economic strategy. This will enhance the nation’s leadership in the global crypto space.

The council will work with Congress to draft legislation and coordinate between agencies such as the SEC, CFTC, and Treasury. The initiative seeks to establish clear regulatory guidelines within the crypto sector. More so, the idea of a Bitcoin reserve reflects a commitment to integrating blockchain technology into national economic frameworks.

Additionally, the move comes amid rising discussions on why the United States should consider Bitcoin as part of its national reserves, particularly in light of countries like El Salvador and Bhutan already adopting it. Advocates like Anthony Pompliano stress the urgency for the U.S. to act to maintain its leadership in the evolving digital economy.

Industry Leaders Compete for Seats on Trump’s Crypto Council

Several players in the industry, including Ripple, Kraken, Coinbase, and Circle, are vying for a position on Donald Trump’s council. These companies aim to influence the administration’s approach to crypto regulation and advocate for pro-industry policies. Executives from Paradigm and Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto arm, a16z, are also expected to play key roles in shaping the council.

Ripple and Circle, represented by their executives, have already expressed interest in contributing to the council. Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire recently emphasized the importance of building a robust, crypto-friendly infrastructure under Trump’s administration. Industry leaders hope this council will bring an end to enforcement actions seen under the previous administration.

Most recently, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson endorsed Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong for the potential White House crypto role under Donald Trump’s administration. Hoskinson praised Armstrong’s neutrality and deep understanding of the crypto industry, emphasizing his ability to guide regulatory progress.

Meanwhile, this major push comes as the current SEC Chair, Gary Gensler, announced he is set to resign on January 20, 2025, coinciding with Donald Trump’s inauguration as U.S. President. Ripple’s CLO, Stuart Alderoty, emphasized the need for a new Chair who will establish clear rules for crypto. 

Notably, former regulators, including Heath Tarbert, former CFTC Chair and now Circle’s chief legal officer, and Brian Quintenz, a16z’s head of policy, are reportedly advising Donald Trump’s transition team. These individuals bring extensive regulatory experience to the development of the Crypto Council and its proposed Bitcoin reserve.

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Ronny Mugendi

Ronny Mugendi is a seasoned crypto journalist with four years of professional experience, having contributed significantly to various media outlets on cryptocurrency trends and technologies. With over 4000 published articles across various media outlets, he aims to inform, educate and introduce more people to the Blockchain and DeFi world. Outside of his journalism career, Ronny enjoys the thrill of bike riding, exploring new trails and landscapes.

Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.





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Gary Gensler To Step Down As US SEC Chair In January

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In a recent development, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that Gary Gensler will step down from his position next year. This follows calls for Gensler to resign since Donald Trump won the US presidential elections.

Gary Gensler To Step Down As US SEC Chair

The US SEC announced in a press release that Gary Gensler will depart the Agency on January 20, 2025. The US SEC Chair also confirmed this development in an X post. Interestingly, this comes on the same day that Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States.

Following the announcement, Gensler also used the opportunity to reflect on his time at the Commission. He remarked that it has been an “honor of a lifetime” to serve alongside those at the SEC. He also thanked President Biden for the opportunity to serve in the position. Gensler has been the US SEC Chair since April 2021. During his time, he has spearheaded several litigations against the crypto industry.

This includes the long-running legal battle with Ripple, which Gensler took over from his predecessor Jay Clayton, which bordered on whether XRP was a security. Up till now, the Agency continues to reiterate this ‘digital asset securities’ claim.

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Boluwatife Adeyemi

Boluwatife Adeyemi is a well-experienced crypto news writer and editor who has covered topics that cut across DeFi, NFTs, smart contracts, and blockchain interoperability, among others. Boluwatife has a knack for simplifying the most technical concepts and making it easy for crypto newbies to understand. Away from writing, He is an avid basketball lover and a part-time degen.

Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.





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Bitcoin Miner MARA Holdings Raises $1B To Buy More Bitcoin

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Bitcoin Miner MARA Holdings has raised approximately $1 billion through the sale of its convertible notes. The Bitcoin miner revealed that some of the proceeds from this sale would be used to buy more BTC, although they didn’t mention the exact amount.

Marathon Digital Raises $1B To Buy More Bitcoin

In a press release, the Bitcoin miner revealed that it had raised net proceeds of $980 million from its convertible notes sale after deducting the initial purchaser’s discounts and commissions but before the estimated offering expenses payable by the company.

This development is significant as MARA Holdings revealed that it will use some of the net proceeds to acquire additional BTC. It is worth mentioning that the Bitcoin miner already holds around 27,000 BTC and is the public company with the second-largest Bitcoin holdings.

This development comes as MARA also recently unveiled plans to raise $700m through convertible notes, which will mature in 2030. Meanwhile, the Bitcoin miner looks to be going head-to-head with MicroStrategy, which also recently upsized its private offering to $2.6 billion. The software company will use some of the proceeds to buy more BTC.

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Boluwatife Adeyemi

Boluwatife Adeyemi is a well-experienced crypto news writer and editor who has covered topics that cut across DeFi, NFTs, smart contracts, and blockchain interoperability, among others. Boluwatife has a knack for simplifying the most technical concepts and making it easy for crypto newbies to understand. Away from writing, He is an avid basketball lover and a part-time degen.

Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.





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