Cameron Winklevoss, co-founder of crypto exchange Gemini Trust Co with his twin brother, accused CEO of Digital Currency Group Barry Silbert of "bad faith stall tactics" on Monday and demanded that he commit to settling $900 million in disputed client assets by 8 January.

## Winklevoss says Genesis owes more than $900 million

In partnership with DCG's crypto company [Genesis](/news/article/genesis-brokers-owes-gemini), Gemini offers a crypto financing product called Earn. Following the bankruptcy of major cryptocurrency exchange [FTX](/news/article/is-crypto-dead) in November, [they froze customer withdrawals](https://www.reuters.com/technology/crypto-broker-genesis-suspend-redemptions-new-loan-originations-tweet-2022-11-16/). 

Winklevoss stated that Genesis owed about $900 million to around 340,000 Earn investors and that he had been attempting to achieve a "consensual resolution" with Silbert for the previous six weeks. 

"Over the past six weeks, we have done all we can to engage with you in good faith and collaboratively in an attempt to seek a consensual settlement for you to return the $900 million that you owe while also assisting you in the preservation of your business," Winklevoss said in his letter. "However, it is now evident that you have been using deceptive delay tactics. 

## Winkelvoss's open letter to Silbert and his response

"However, it is now evident that you have been participating in bad faith delay tactics," Winklevoss stated in a Twitter https://twitter.com/cameron/status/1609913051427524608?s=20&t=belP_IbOFb4yt9f9xIG4Aw to Silbert. "We are asking you to commit to collaborating to fix this problem by 8 January, 2023," he continued.

The letter should have specified what would happen if an agreement with Silbert was reached by 8 January. Winklevoss responded that DCG owed Genesis $1.675 billion, which Genesis owed to Earn users and other creditors, adding that "this disaster is all of your inventions".

In a [tweet](https://twitter.com/BarrySilbert/status/1609926715454771200), Silbert stated that DCG had not borrowed $1.675 billion from Genesis. In his opinion, DCG has never missed an interest payment to Genesis. 

It has no loans outstanding, adding that on 29 December, DCG delivered a proposal to Genesis and Winklevoss' counsel and has yet to get a response.

Genesis said in a letter to clients on [7 December](https://www.reuters.com/technology/crypto-lender-genesis-tells-clients-it-is-working-preserve-their-assets-2022-12-07/) that it was trying to safeguard client assets and increase liquidity, but that it would take weeks rather than days to develop a plan.


red image oc cameron winklevoss with genesis logo

Winklevoss Claims Genesis Owes Earn Investors

The need for alternative forms of payment has never been greater. The rise of Web3 payment solutions, like Kasta crypto, proves this need is more than just a passing trend.

The Web3 payment provider Kasta was developed to expedite the adoption of decentralisation while providing a viable medium of digital exchange.

Built on the Polygon network, Kasta crypto is an [ERC-20](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethereum#ERC20) token allowing holders to send and receive the same coins instantly and for free. This simplicity and ease of use will make the platform a hit in the digital revolution.

## Simple yet powerful

The project has been designed with simplicity in mind, making the transfer of digital assets safe and convenient. Holders can send tokens via mobile number or by simply scanning the QR code. Using crypto has never been easier.

At its core, the project is a basic wallet application with various features encouraging everyday use. This accessibility means anyone can quickly learn to use the platform for their own benefit.

The application is a powerful all-in-one wallet allowing even the most novice crypto users to enter the Web3 world. While the platform only supports eight coins so far, they include some of the most popular tokens on the market.

## Easy Swap

The platform's native token is the [$KASTA coin](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/kasta/markets/) which is currently available at a wide variety of exchanges, including Gate.io, UniSwap, and ByBit.
With a current circulating supply of 129 million priced at $0.0266 per coin, the total market cap is $3.4 million.

The 'Easy Swap Engine' allows holders to choose which token to receive, regardless of the coin sent. For example, should a friend send Bitcoin, you can simply change your settings to ensure that all crypto is received in Ethereum.

Kasta crypto token forms the backbone of the application, and, alongside P2P payments, it will soon be used for several other purposes.

## Future of Kasta

This project is a shining example of a P2P payment processor and is leading the way in blockchain adoption and Web3 development. The company has ambitious plans for the future, with many features currently in the pipeline. 

In the near term, users will be able to earn passive income by taking advantage of various yield-generating opportunities via the mobile app. Furthermore, platform users will also be able to apply for a debit card, allowing them to spend their crypto holdings in a wide variety of merchant stores. 

Lastly, all application users will be able to choose to stake their idle crypto and earn passive income.

With countries like Nigeria pushing their citizens to adopt [distributed solutions](/news/article/paybis-rewards-customers), the future of cross-border payments is about to change. Applications like Kasta crypto are at the cutting edge of the decentralised revolution and will form the backbone of the future society.


Kasta Crypto - Changing Thinking on Money

Are emissions from the crypto industry a global issue?

The worldwide energy market has been in turmoil for many years. Several European countries, the United States, China, India, and South Korea, are among those worst hit by the ongoing energy crisis. This crisis is a culmination of several issues, the chief of which is the sharp reduction in the use of oil and electricity during the early stages of the [COVID-19 pandemic](/news/article/omicron-variant-crypto).

This led oil and gas companies to limit the production of these resources. However, these companies did not anticipate the global market to recover so quickly from the pandemic. Factor in the Russia-Ukraine War, climate change, greenflation, and geopolitics, and we are in the middle of an unprecedented energy crisis. You must be thinking, what is this to do with cryptocurrencies and crypto emissions?

## Crypto emissions from crypto mining are a problem

Today’s total crypto market cap [is nearly $800B](https://www.tradingview.com/symbols/TOTAL/). Yes, billion. The most popular cryptocurrency, Bitcoin (BTC), boasts a market cap that is almost 40% of the market's total value! BTC is one among [19k+ potential cryptocurrencies](https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2022/05/04/cryptocurrency-energy/) generated on the Proof of Work (PoW) consensus mechanism.

This 'generation' takes place through crypto mining, a costly, time-consuming, energy-consuming, and rewarding (potentially) process. It involves sophisticated hardware and solving complicated computational maths problems. The 'energy-consuming' component of cryptocurrency mining is the real problem.

Crypto mining consumes an ENORMOUS amount of energy. The annualised consumption of [BTC alone is 88.87 TWh](https://ccaf.io/cbeci/index), with an upper limit of 125.93 TWh! That is around 10% of the [total energy consumption of countries](https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/energy-consumption-by-country) like South Korea, Brazil, Germany, and Canada, and much more than Austria as a whole! Now that we have established the amount of energy Bitcoin alone consumes through [Bitcoin mining](/news/article/free-bitcoin-mining), imagine the total energy consumption of all cryptocurrencies.

Also, imagine the massive carbon footprint of crypto. Now that is what is hurting the climate.

## The carbon footprint of crypto emissions

Earlier this year, Ethereum too was a PoW chain. However, the change from PoW to the consensus mechanism of Proof of Stake (PoS), [The Merge](/news/article/the-merge-ethereum-nft-impact), on 15 September, 2022, led to a reduction in energy consumption [by nearly 99.95%](https://ethereum.org/en/upgrades/merge/)!

Unfortunately, a move to the PoS model is not viable for Bitcoin. Bitcoin serves as a store of value, much like traditional assets such as gold and silver, and has fundamentals enabling the decentralisation of the chain securely. Moving to the PoS mechanism would undermine the very purpose of the crypto asset and would not be permitted by the Bitcoin mining community anyway. The six largest Bitcoin mining pools [control nearly 95% of the resources](https://definoobs.com/will-bitcoin-move-to-proof-of-stake/) on the chain–the irony!

Let us talk numbers. What impact do crypto emissions led by BTC really have on the environment? Bitcoin's carbon footprint increased a mammoth [126 times between 2016 and 2021](https://www.eco-business.com/news/bitcoin-minings-carbon-footprint-swelled-126-times-in-just-five-years-study/). During this duration, Bitcoin-led crypto emissions caused global climate damages worth an estimated $12B. According to Benjamin Jones, University of New Mexico Assistant Professor of Economics,

*“We find no evidence that Bitcoin mining is becoming more sustainable over time.”*

According to him, Bitcoin-led crypto mining is becoming “dirtier” and even more “damaging to the climate”. In 2021 alone, Bitcoin-caused crypto emissions resulted in 113 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide on average, PER COIN MINED. If we assume one metric tonne of carbon dioxide causes $100 worth of climate damage, each BTC mined led to $11.3k worth of environmental damage (researchers used similar figures). Ouch.

As long as non-renewable resources like coal are used to fuel crypto mining operations, crypto emissions will be a climate problem and an ever-growing one. So is a change to PoS for all PoW chains the answer to reducing crypto emissions for other cryptocurrencies? Changing from one consensus mechanism to another is not easy. 

It is a very time-consuming and complicated procedure.

To put it into perspective, the original date for 'The Merge' was January 2020! The Ethereum community waited more than two years for the change.

Ethereum is backed by the strongest community in crypto and boasts of some of the best talents, led by the charismatic and brilliant Vitalik Bueterin. A change to PoS is not the solution. While cryptocurrencies of the future should look away from the PoW model, for current PoW chains, the solution is a move to green mining. This will help drastically reduce crypto’s carbon footprint.

## A move to green mining will help address the issue of crypto emissions

I'd be lying if I said there are no mining rigs that have turned to green energy sources for crypto mining. Texas, for example, produces the most [renewable energy](/news/article/crypto-mining-farms) in the US, powered by solar and wind farms. A crypto mining data centre in West Texas, called [HODL Ranch](https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2021/08/02/green-bitcoin-mining-the-big-profits-in-clean-crypto/?sh=268943ff34ce), is taking full advantage of the ferocious gusts in the region and mining BTC at the cost of just $2,000 per coin! On today's market, that is a profit of over $14,000 per coin. Insane.

Crusoe Energy Systems has raised $250M to mine Bitcoin in states including Texas, New Mexico, and Dakota. 

This green mining gamble will be fuelled by natural gas that would have either been flared or burnt off. The Scrubgrass Generating power plant in Pennsylvania combusts gob (coal waste) to mine Bitcoin, earning significantly more from mining than selling to the power grid–nearly 15 times more. These are just a few examples from the US.

Several players all over the globe are [turning to green mining](/news/article/norway-bitcoin-mining) to reduce crypto emissions or maximising existing waste to good effect. The problem is that at the current rate of carbon emissions per BTC mined, the green mining initiative of today just is not enough. We need a more drastic change soon.

The fact is that the above-listed 'organisations' can afford to use green energy or combust waste material. Other crypto and Bitcoin miners will always choose the cheapest available fuel source. Dirty fuels like coal will remain cheap for the foreseeable future, and this will prohibit a green revolution.

Banning crypto mining will not solve the issue either. [China banned cryptocurrency mining](https://techstory.in/china-bans-crypto-mining-due-to-huge-power-consumption/) last year, leading to miners fleeing to countries such as the US and Kazakhstan, where they sourced energy for mining from coal power and gas. We have to enforce a change for the betterment of the climate.

It is no longer why but how. How do we enforce a global green mining revolution? How soon can we significantly reduce crypto emissions? We are harming the environment by the day. It is time for the cryptoverse to stand as one and work towards a common goal - a green planet.


image of emissions with cryptocurrency falling from sky

Crypto Emissions: A Growing Climate Problem?

So, Elon Musk finally put pen to paper and bought Twitter. This is probably the highest-profile business deal of 2022.

Long regarded as 'broken', Twitter had fallen into a bad place under previous CEO and founder Jack Dorsey. Users regularly complained of too much spam, counterfeit accounts, and automated reply bots making the platform impossible to use, especially in a business context.

And so, Elon Musk decided to step into the fray with an audacious $44 billion bid. Although initially rejected, it was finally inked on 27 October. 

Let's look at what motivated the Twitter Elon Musk purchase, and what the future may hold for the much-maligned platform.

## Twitter Elon Musk deal

Twitter currently has around 450 million monthly users, with some 237.8 million 'monetizable' daily users. The USA is its most prolific market. Around 24% of all US adults (79m) have accounts, with 40% of all Twitter users aged between 18 and 29, [according to research](https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/twitter-vs-facebook).

Facebook remains the world's largest social networking site, based on user engagement. Twitter languishes at the bottom of a long list, below even the freeware instant messaging app Kik.

This massive user base with declining engagement goes some way to explain Musk's motivation and desire to transform Twitter into the '[de facto public town square](https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1507777261654605828)'.

## Rock solid

Elon Musk is a prolific Tweeter. His average of 16.8 tweets a week compares to the 11.55 from 'similar accounts' (presumably CEOs with large social media presence). Frequent use of the platform may explain the desire behind the Twitter Elon Musk deal, alongside wanting to, in his words, 'help humanity'.

In the three weeks after the deal completed, as promised, a lot happened. First, Musk has committed to firing much of the workforce, with the remaining employees encouraged to quickly 'build and launch new products'.
Secondly, Musk removed the requirement that users validate their accounts in return for the blue check mark. 

Instead, users can purchase this authentication for a monthly fee of $7.99. This encountered myriad problems and, consequently, Musk postponed the rollout until 29 November to 'make sure it is rock solid'.

## Monetization

This may give us an indication of where Twitter could head in the not-too-distant future. The monetization of social media platforms is a hot topic, with many viewing it as an [inevitable step in developing the medium](https://www.disciplemedia.com/community-monetizations/social-media-monetization/).

It is well known that Elon Musk has a strong association with the popular cryptocurrency Dogecoin. Indeed, other than buying a brand-new Tesla, [Dogecoin](/news/article/should-i-buy-dogecoin) is now accepted by a growing number of online and in-store merchants, including GameStop, AMC Theatres, and Twitch. With this information in mind, many believe it has become only a matter of time before Twitter becomes monetized.

Social media monetization has been widely discussed in recent years. It is a concept that spans a wide variety of formats depending on the platform, use case, and audience. Monetization is a huge area and would signify a step change for the industry.

## Micropayments

The potential for users to generate income from their content or producers and suppliers of goods and services to utilise an inbuilt platform payment system has [fascinated the crypto world](https://futuristspeaker.com/business-trends/the-emerging-crypto-micropayments-industry/) for many years.

However, for this to become a reality, platforms like Twitter and Facebook need the right micropayment processor for their needs. When you are processing thousands of transactions per minute, it is essential that you not only have the network capability to handle that amount of traffic, but it is also imperative that transaction fees are kept to a minimum.

With this in mind, the close relationship between Twitter, Elon Musk, and [Dogecoin](/news/article/dogecoin-to-gbp) becomes a little clearer. It points a clear path toward the future for both social media and distributed ledger technology.



blue image of the twitter homepage with elon musk standing, arms folded in the foreground. The image represents his acquisition of Twitter

Twitter Elon Musk Acquisition: What Now?

[Nexo](https://nexo.io/) is a blockchain-based ecosystem providing instant crypto loans, supporting more than 20 currencies, including the most prominent like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The platform promotes the seamless acquisition of crypto loans in fiat money without relying on credit score history. It allows users to deposit supported crypto tokens into its blockchain's wallets and then proceed to receive their cash-based loans.

## Next crypto legitimacy

To its credit, Nexo is backed by Credissimo, a fintech team with millions of users and customers. The development team possesses decades of rich experience built on delivering instant customer loans, online payment services, and e-commerce financing. Credissimo seeks to revolve its functionality in digital assets through its modern technology. 

While other projects get stuck battling the scrutiny of regulatory bodies and solid public caution, Nexo crypto is free of worries. The Credissimo team runs under bold supervision from multiple European financial and banking services authorities. It's undoubtedly a legit platform with over four million clients.

## Goals in the crypto world

The base ambition driving the Nexo crypto project is to solve the most pressing problems identified by its developers in the financial industry.

Nexo wants to eliminate the idle state of digital assets, particularly with the proliferation of cryptos. As the mainstreaming of cryptocurrencies is ongoing, early adopters of this technology have accumulated enormous wealth. The developers are looking to touch base with investors, people in business, and non-professional users to let them tap into this wealth. Due to a lack of regulations and inadequate tech infrastructure, the accumulated idle wealth isn't beneficial. With Nexo, users hold crypto assets and secure access to cash in fiat currencies like USD.

Liquidating digital assets is tiresome and Nexo cuts down the process with readily available cash. While there are numerous crypto exchanges, each platform comes with unique requirements that vary drastically across these platforms. Furthermore, their withdrawal limits and slow procedures are unsuitable in a digital economy. Nexo seeks to eradicate these issues, giving more agility for seizing investment asset opportunities and accessing liquidity in less time.

Nexo frees users from the pressure of selling digital assets for fiat. Users profit from future prices tied to digital assets based on time. Crypto loans are an alternative to selling and allow users to keep capital gains while enacting wealth creation activity with their assets.

Fostering transparency and immutability on crypto loans, Nexo crypto loans are deployed on smart contracts in blockchain architecture. Users' funds are held in cold multi-signature wallets with verified custody standards through digital security companies; in this case, it's BitGo. In the preceding blockchain protocols' loan transactions, management was in the hands of peer-to-peer platforms relying on questionable legal agreements and often escalated to fraud. 

With Nexo, transactions' legal status is asserted by blockchain technology and further backed by the [Credissimo team](/news/article/what-is-blockchain).

## The Operation Model

Loans are channeled into users' accounts on the same day or the following through bank transfers involving SEPA, ACH, or SWIFT. If you opt for the instant ones, you get paired with the free Nexo card. The recipient's accounts are flexible – they can either be personal or business.

Loan limits are calculated basing the value of a user’s crypto assets. Moreover, additional credit is available with an appreciation of the assets.

Nexo Oracle, the heart of this platform, manages its operation domains which include the following:

•	Network governance.

•	Monitoring assets in real-time.

•	Analyzing data to manage loan distribution and repayment plans.

•	Determining users' loan limits, borrowing costs, collateral, and repayment period.

To establish clients’ credit worth without needing to check bank accounts’ ratings, Nexo Oracle calculates the Loan to Value (LTV) ratio. For instance, a user with 1000 USD in Bitcoin (BTC) gets assessed by Oracle’s algorithm to receive a 50% LTV ratio; the user can only borrow up to 1000 USD as the minimum fiat loan.

## Accessing and repaying Nexo crypto loans

### To get a loan, follow these steps:

1.	Transfer crypto assets into your Nexo account. After completion, the blockchain system initiates a series of validations for the specific asset. Based on the validity evaluation, Oracle determines your loan limit and prepares to issue it.

2.	You then receive an instant loan in fiat currency through your preferred option – a bank account or Nexo card. Again, you are given the freedom to choose which fiat currency to receive your loan. If your asset appreciates, Oracle increases your limit instantly.

3.	To repay your loan, you can choose between bank transfers and crypto. There would be additional discounts if you decided to repay using Nexo tokens. Alternatively, you can partially repay your loan by selling your account's crypto assets.

4.	Cryptocurrency in a Nexo crypto account can be withdrawn either fully or partially as long as you meet the obligatory limit tied to your account balance.

## Nexo crypto token availability

The native token for Nexo is NEXO, which is traded as a restricted security. Other perks include higher loan limits and a 30% profit share for holding NEXO. The total supply at the market cap is set to 1,000,000,000. It is available for trading on crypto exchanges like HitBTC.

## Final thoughts

As the crypto industry rises and sees mass adoption, crypto lending offers an opportunity for a trillion-dollar venture. If you want to unlock assets’ value without giving out ownership, Nexo is the best option.



What is Nexo Crypto?

Millions are searching for the answer to the question, 'is crypto dead?'. This key phrase brings forth millions of results in articles covered by reputable financial news outlets across the globe because of the liquidity issues that have mired the crypto finance industry in November 2022.

The second-largest cryptocurrency exchange, [FTX](/news/article/ftx-bankrupt-who-to-blame), which recorded at least $1 billion in daily volume and trailed only Binance in exchange rankings, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US on 11 November. Filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy means that FTX has many creditors who have poured liquidity into the company, but it has taken this step so that it can propose a reorganization plan to keep the business alive and pay creditors over a given period. The Sam Bankman-Fried-led company has seen the freezing of its assets by the Bahamas government, while provisional liquidators chosen by the country's securities have agreed to continue the [bankruptcy proceedings](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/22/ftx-lawyer-says-in-first-bankruptcy-hearing-this-is-different-animal.html) in Delaware, US.

Following the collapse of FTX and its bankruptcy filing on 11 November, the total market capitalization of the entire crypto industry plunged by more than $100 billion in 10 days. There was a 13% decrease from 11 November's $840 billion to approximately $728 billion on 21 November. Due to interest in tokens such as Trust Wallet Token (TWT) - which has risen by more than 100% in the last two months due to increased demand for crypto wallets as a result of its self-custody purposes - the markets have made some gains.

It recouped more than $50 billion in the three days towards the close of 24 November, which saw capitalization climb up to $791 billion, data from [Trading View](https://www.tradingview.com/x/4jMz1P1X/) showed. 

![Picture2.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/Picture2_36e7999c8f.png)
 
Despite the billions of dollars of liquidity that poured into the market from 21 November to 24 November, the industry had not accounted for the remaining $50 billion that had left the market.

These metrics have become a major cause for concern for many stakeholders in the industry, prompting the question, 'is crypto dead?'. But the roots of FTX's demise were sown 12 months ago.

## Terra Luna's collapse

The seeds for the contemplation of the question 'is crypto dead?' were sown in 2021. This was a period where sophisticated (traders and investors who conduct fundamental and technical analysis before making decisions) and unsophisticated (those who do NOT) saw multiple percentage gains within a short time. 

Cryptocurrencies such as SAFEMOON and meme-inspired digital currencies such as Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Dogecoin (DOGE) brought more than 10,000% gains to their holders. Low-cap digital assets by market capitalization (coins with less than $2 billion in value) were not the only assets to see gains. Medium (digital assets with more than $2 billion but less than $10 billion in market cap) and large (coins and tokens with more than $10 billion in market value) such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH),

Cardano (ADA), Ripple (XRP), Solana (SOL), Polkadot (DOT), Litecoin (LTC), and Dash (DASH) also brought triple-digital percentage gains to investors.

After the industry reached a peak of $3 trillion in November 2021, the fear of missing out (FOMO) set in. With reports of millions of dollars being made within a short time circulating on pro-crypto news forums and websites across the globe, millions more joined to milk the cow. Unfortunately, whatever goes up also comes down. During the pandemic's peak in March and April, the financial markets were brought to their knees, with BTC trading below $4,000. What followed was a bullish market that saw decentralized finance (DeFi) tokens such as Compound (COMP), Aave (AAVE),

Uniswap (UNI), and Yearn Finance (YFI) lead a turnaround towards the end of 2020. It was that turnaround that led to the record highs achieved by the crypto market in 2021.

At the beginning of 2022, there was the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and this led to a rise in commodity prices. Industry-wide reports of inflation began circulating online in February and March. This was a time when the roots of bearishness which commenced after the highs in November started showing their branches.

What followed was the increase of interest rates by the Federal Reserve in the US. Millions of people jumped onto the crypto bandwagon, and DeFi especially, because of the above-average returns it promised. Since the US is the financial capital of the world, a rise in interest rates in the country led to a significant spike in interest rates in many developing countries whose citizens rely on crypto for passive income. Many of these residents and some crypto holders in developed economies began dumping the highly volatile asset class for safe and risk-free government bills and bonds that can add three, six, nine, and 12 months of passive income to their regular salaries.

In the middle of May, the shaky market saw the collapse of one of its new major assets in the form of [TerraUSD (UST)](/news/article/terra-luna-collapse), an algorithmic stablecoin that supported the Terra project. As one of the major projects in the industry with more than $30 billion in total value locked (TVL), the collapse of the token wiped more than $40 billion off the market within two weeks. 

As of 24 November, around $2.2 trillion had been wiped off the market since November 2021's highs. Holders of BTC, ETH, ADA, the old Terra (LUNA), and now FTX Token (FTT) have taken the biggest hit. The industry-wide bloodbath was captured by [TradingView](https://www.tradingview.com/x/bcnxPIIH/).

![Picture3.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/Picture3_fe5af36b85.png)

## So, is Crypto Dead in 2022?

To outsiders of this broad industry, crypto is on its knees in 2022. Unfortunately for the same outsiders, crypto is more than some virtual assets on screen being traded by millions of people daily. Its underlying infrastructure, blockchain technology, has been tapped by many financial institutions to improve their systems.

A cryptocurrency like Ripple's XRP is used in the company's on-demand liquidity (ODL) feature during cross-border payments. This has helped millions of remittance companies that have partnered with Ripple meet their customers' demands.

One of the emerging sectors of the crypto industry is non-fungible tokens (NFTs). As of 24 November, NFT global market sales had surpassed $40 billion with projects such as [Axie Infinity](/news/article/axie-infinity-coin), Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), CryptoPunks, and NBA Top Shots among highest selling collections. Blockchains such as Ethereum, Avalanche, Binance, and Solana continue to play an integral part in NFT creation and sales. 

Aside from that, sports clubs have also tapped into the industry to improve fan engagement. Global Fan Tokens have surpassed more than $100 billion, with football clubs such as Paris Saint Germain, Lazio, AC Milan, AS Roma, and FC Barcelona among the top teams whose tokens lead the ranks of the most purchased.

Is crypto dead? In a nutshell, no. The market is going through a phase where shady projects are being thrown out, while others are being restructured to protect investors from losing billions of dollars of their hard-earned money.



Is Crypto Dead After FTX Collapse?

MetaMask is a non-custodial Ethereum-based cryptocurrency wallet that encapsulates several features that investors and developers find interesting. Available as a multi-platform wallet (mobile app and browser extension), it allows users to manage their cryptocurrency portfolio on its user-friendly interface. Despite this, there are questions on how to withdraw from MetaMask.

MetaMask allows users to store, buy, send, and swap a wide range of Ethereum-based tokens (ERC-20 tokens), such as USDC, USDT, and ETH. The wallet also paves the way for developers and crypto users to securely connect to the decentralized web and explore several decentralized applications (Dapps).

Having more than [10 million monthly active users](https://consensys.net/blog/press-release/metamask-surpasses-10-million-maus-making-it-the-worlds-leading-non-custodial-crypto-wallet/) and its support for a variety of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) doesn't just prove its popularity. It also demonstrates its centrality among NFT and Web3 enthusiasts.

Unlike centralized wallets, where users can simply convert their tokens to fiat, Metamask's case is quite different since third-party remittance partners aren't supported on decentralized platforms. This guide explores the most popular way of withdrawing funds from this decentralized wallet to local bank accounts.

## How to withdraw from MetaMask to local bank accounts

Being a decentralized wallet, MetaMask users don't have the luxury of directly converting digital assets to cash. However, they can achieve this in several ways, which include withdrawing into a bank account.

To make withdrawals from MetaMask to a bank account, users can follow the steps:

•	Besides having a sufficient number of the coins they desire to withdraw, they must check to ensure they have enough Ether (ETH) to cover gas fees. Since MetaMask is an Ethereum-based protocol, it follows that transactions are facilitated by gas fees.

Should there be insufficient ETH, users can use the “buy button” to buy some ETH.
 
![1.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/1_01731be4d5.png)

•	Search for an exchange that supports the tokens your desire to withdraw. While there are several exchanges to choose from, [Binance](/news/article/guide-to-binance-uk) and [Coinbase](/news/article/coinbase-singapore-approval) are highly recommended due to the simple user interface and wide range of crypto assets supported.

It’s mandatory to create an account and meet Know Your Customer (KYC) verification requirements before accessing the features that both wallets provide.

•	Send the desired tokens from MetaMask to either Coinbase or Binance. This can be done by copying the selected wallet address URL and pasting it into the “recipient address section” on MetaMask. Ensure to confirm the wallet address before sending the coins. Users may find the images below helpful.

![2.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/2_bb02c58185.png)
 
If using Coinbase, click on send/receive to get the wallet address URL.

![3.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/3_23b3dc5ddd.png)
 
You may either copy your wallet address URL or simply scan.

![4.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/4_13a44286eb.png)
 
## Send coins from MetaMask to Coinbase wallet

![5.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/5_48be32b779.png)
 
### Enter the desired number of tokens (e.g., ETH) to send

•	To get details of the transaction, such as timestamp, transaction hash, or transaction block, you simply visit Etherscan and enter your MetaMask wallet address to view the details.

•	Once the coins have been successfully sent to your Coinbase wallet, you can directly convert them into fiats such as the US dollar, Canadian dollar, GB pound, and several others.

•	Once this is done, you can withdraw your funds directly to your local bank account.

Since the MetaMask wallet isn't designed to manage fiat currencies, users will need external centralized exchanges to perform withdrawals. Besides local bank accounts, Gcash and PayPal wallets are excellent methods that can be used for withdrawals. It should be understood that these methods attract certain fees.



How to Withdraw from MetaMask

In Binance news, a US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigation has found that a drug cartel operating in several countries used Binance to move millions of dollars in illegal profits.

## DEA tracks Cartel using exchange in latest Binance news

According to a [Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2022/12/19/mexican-drug-gang-money-laundering-over-binance-crypto-exchange/) report, popular crypto exchange Binance is the subject of a DEA investigation alleging that a Mexican-based international drug cartel used the exchange to funnel millions of dollars in profits.

The report said that the DEA, with help from Binance to identify the suspects, was able to track the gang, which dealt in methamphetamine and cocaine. The gang had operations in the US, Mexico, Europe, and Australia.

The report noted, "Between $15 and $40 million in illicit proceeds may have been funnelled through Binance".

The investigation began in 2020 following a search warrant. Several DEA informants using the crypto exchange localbitcoins.com communicated with users who offered crypto for cash.

The method used by the gang was as follows: a user sends [BTC](/coins/btc) or USDC to the seller's account and then meets in person to take the cash. The DEA identified the Mexican national as Carlos Fong Echavarria.

The report mentioned that the suspect misrepresented the source of the funds, claiming they were coming from family eateries and cattle farms. The arrest was made in 2021 after DEA agents confirmed that the account was used to launder funds.

Matthew Price, Binance's senior director of investigations, told Forbes that the blockchain was key.

He said this was an example of where blockchain transaction transparency "works against criminal actors", adding, "The bad guys are leaving a permanent record of what they're doing."

## Binance under the spotlight

The exchange has been under the spotlight lately. However, its CEO, Changpeng Zhao, reaffirmed in a recent [tweet](https://twitter.com/cz_binance/status/1605828931105435648?s=20&t=V_WM8ww3-B-TTZrIrpbaOA) that "crypto is not a good tool for illicit activities, unlike cash".

In a May blog post, Binance [said](https://www.binance.com/en/blog/ecosystem/crypto-and-money-laundering-an-inconvenient-truth-421499824684903925) that the exchange had helped the US Drug Enforcement Agency seize over 100 accounts connected to illegal drug dealers.

A recent [Reuters report](https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/us-justice-dept-is-split-over-charging-binance-crypto-world-falters-sources-2022-12-12/) also noted that Binance might be the subject of a probe by the US Department of Justice. However, a company spokesperson said any DOJ investigation is fueled by false insinuations.



red image of money laundering with binance logo

Binance News: DEA Uses Exchange to Track Cartel

According to a South Korean intelligence agency statement, state-backed North Korea hackers have stolen an estimated $1.2 billion in crypto assets over the last five years.

Analysts and experts have confirmed that North Korea is supporting a number of fraudulent activities and cybercrimes in order to gain access to foreign currency to help its failing economy, which has been harmed by [UN sanctions](https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/UN-Security-Council-Resolutions-on-North-Korea) and the aftereffects of COVID-19.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service confirmed that North Korean hackers are among the best at stealing crypto assets, owing to the country's focus on cybercrime as an alternative way to aid its failing economy since the height of United Nations economic sanctions in 2017.

In 2017, the United Nations imposed harsh sanctions on North Korean exports such as textiles and coal. The UN, along with its member states, repatriates North Korean workers abroad. The country's economy was unable to withstand harsh sanctions and the aftermath of the COVID pandemic.

According to South Korea's National Intelligence Service, North Korea crypto hackers are responsible for hacking $1.2 billion in crypto assets in the last five years, with more than $626 million in 2022 alone. It was also confirmed that approximately $78 million of the stolen funds originated in [South Korea](/news/article/south-korea-crypto).

## More attacks expected

According to intelligence obtained by the South Korean Government, North Korean hackers will most likely undertake additional cyberattacks this year to gain access to South Korean technologies and private information on national security and weaponry.

Official state diplomats from South Korea, the United States, and Japan joined forces earlier this month to intensify efforts to combat the cybercrime carried out by North Korea. 

According to UN experts, the country will step up its efforts to steal hundreds of millions of dollars from crypto platforms and other financial institutions.

Despite the fact that North Korea's economic situation remains dire, the government conducted a record number of missile tests in 2022. Experts and analysts believe it has a way to gain leverage and improve its weaponry to negotiate with world powers.


red image of hacker with cryptocurrency and North Korean statues falling

North Korea Crypto Hacks Worth $1.2 Billion 

Are you new to the crypto industry and looking to make new connections? UK crypto events could be the key.
Perhaps you're a crypto enthusiast looking for a place to expand your knowledge. Or you could be a crypto veteran looking for a place to hang out with other cryptophiles discussing cryptocurrency.

If you relate to any of the groups above, then crypto events are for you. Like tech events, crypto events are gatherings where other people who love crypto come to learn, hang out, and discuss everything cryptocurrency.
It doesn't matter if you're new to the crypto space and don't know much, there's a place and a benefit for you at these crypto events.

## Why are crypto events important?

If you haven't attended crypto events before. Here are a few things you could be missing out on:

### Networking

Networking is a fancy way of saying that people come to these crypto events to make friends. And isn't it part of the point of these events? Sometimes these friendships could be a source of opportunities down the line. But, even when they aren't, the best part of networking is having a new friend who loves crypto just as much as you do.

### Opportunity to Learn, Unlearn, and Relearn

Most crypto events provide attendees with the opportunity to learn new things and unlearn and relearn outdated information. At each crypto event, the most recent advancements in cryptocurrency are discussed, and attendees contribute their ideas toward solving common crypto problems.

Beginners can learn a lot from attending these events.

### Access to Exciting Opportunities

Crypto events are rife with opportunities if you're looking in the right places. By mingling with people and contributing, your skills and relevance grow, and this could net you an opportunity. You can also meet people with great ideas that you can buy into early. The possibilities are endless at these events.

### Common Ground for Everyone

Although it's been here a while, the crypto industry is still relatively new. Following the recent [growth spurt in 2021](/news/article/2021-cryptocurrency-review), there are many new entrants into the industry trying to understand what the hype is all about.

Crypto events are a good place for everyone, both new and old, to meet and learn.

## How to find crypto events in the UK

There are websites that catalogue all crypto events. [Crypto Events UK](https://cryptoevents.global/blockchain-expo-global-2022/) is one of them. You can find out what crypto events are held in the UK and which ones are close to your location.

They offer information on all big and small crypto events, including workshops, webinars, and conferences. If you're looking for crypto events UK wide to attend, this website can guide you.

Attending events is an important part of the growth of any industry. It's even more critical in nascent industries like the crypto industry. So, head to crypto events UK to get the scoop on all upcoming crypto events.


blue image of crypto event with people sat in lecture hall

Crypto Events UK to Attend

United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and Roger Marshall [have proposed](https://fortune.com/crypto/2022/12/21/elizabeth-warren-new-crypto-bill-shockwaves/) the Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2022.
The move comes while crypto players are focused on the turmoil surrounding FTX and the contagion that followed its collapse.
What does the bill state?

The seven-page bill, introduced on 14 December, would regulate digital asset kiosks, also known as automated teller machines or ATMs, and expand the classification of money service businesses (MSBs).

MSBs would be required to have and implement written Anti-money laundering policies. The bill would finalise FinCEN's proposed reporting requirements and impose new ones, such as reporting transactions exceeding $10,000 under the Bank Secrecy Act.

In addition, the bill will direct the Treasury Department to develop a rule prohibiting financial institutions from interacting with "digital asset mixers, privacy coins, and other anonymity-enhancing technologies".

It would necessitate the establishment of review processes for the entities regulated by the [Securities and Exchange Commission](/news/article/sec-crypto-enforcement-warning), the Treasury Department, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

Finally, the bill would impose reporting requirements on digital asset kiosk owners, FinCEN, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

## Patrick Daugherty view

Patrick Daugherty is a lawyer at Foley & Lardner, where he directs the digital assets and Web3 practice, and teaches at Cornell Law School. He has commented on the bill's pros and cons.

According to him, on the positive side, it grants federal financial regulatory agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Treasury Department, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission the power to audit "money services businesses" for compliance.

However, Daugherty also believes the bill goes too far in defining a "money service business". According to Warren and Marshall, this could include [miners](/news/article/best-crypto-miner), validators, and [wallet](/news/article/best-cold-crypto-wallet-uk) providers.

## Peter Van Valkenburgh view

According to Coin Center's Peter Van Valkenburgh, the recent Elizabeth Warren and Roger Marshall bill may be unconstitutional.
He pointed out that the anti-privacy measures it outlines, making it impossible for users to make anonymous payments, such as political donations, would violate the First Amendment.

Plus, he added, the bill may be unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment by "deputising" miners and software developers to collect and report private information with a warrant.

## What's next for the bill?

Elizabeth Warren and Roger Marshall introduced the bill in the Senate Banking Committee, intending to reintroduce it during the next congressional session, which begins in January.

According to a spokesperson, Senator Warren will continue to work in the next Congress to pass this bipartisan legislation into law.
The bill will be added to an already crowded field of [crypto](/news/article/best-crypto-rewards-card-uk) legislation. Rather than placing investor protection against free market ideals, Hilary Allen, a law professor at American University and one of the witnesses at last week's Senate Banking hearing, claims that the bill could bring in bipartisan support by focusing on national security.


yellow image of crypto coins and legal gavel with elizabeth warren in foreground

Elizabeth Warren Crypto Regulation Bill

Two top officials of Sam Bankman-Fried's cryptocurrency empire have admitted to committing fraud. [The Southern District of New York US Attorney announced on Wednesday night](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/21/technology/ftx-fraud-guilty-pleas.html) that two former employees of Sam Bankman-Fried crypto businesses had pled guilty to federal criminal fraud charges and are collaborating in prosecuting the disgraced crypto entrepreneur.

Gary Wang, 29, founded the exchange FTX, and Caroline Ellison, 28, ran the cryptocurrency hedge fund Alameda Research. They played pivotal roles in the development of the global Sam Bankman-Fried crypto empire, which he launched with the creation of Alameda and FTX.

Following last week's fraud complaints against Mr. Bankman-Fried, two federal regulatory agencies, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission), filed civil fraud charges against Mr. Wang and Ms. Ellison and Mr. Wang on Wednesday.

## Facing further legal trouble as former employees plead guilty to fraud

[Mr. Bankman-Fried is in detention](/news/article/former-ftx-ceo-sbf-arrested) in the Bahamas after agreeing to be extradited to face trial in the US. The 30-year-old is in an especially precarious legal position due to the criminal and civil allegations leveled against the former top executives.

The US Government has accused him of perpetrating a massive fraud lasting for years that led to FTX filing for bankruptcy last month.

Two of his closest advisors are now helping federal prosecutors with their investigation. The friendship between Mr. Bankman-Fried and Mr. Wang and Ms. Ellison extended beyond that of close colleagues. He lived with them in a lavish condominium on Paradise Island, the Bahamas, where FTX was headquartered.

Prosecutors and regulators have filed charges against Mr. Bankman-Fried, alleging that he misappropriated billions of dollars from his customers to fund his activities. These include purchasing real estate in the Bahamas, trading cryptocurrencies at Alameda, funding political campaigns, and investing in other cryptocurrency companies. They say he bilked crypto trading company clients, financiers, and lenders.


Sam Bankman-Fried's Crypto Execs Admit Fraud

BlockFi, a cryptocurrency [lender](/news/article/crypto-lender-voyager-sells-assets) that declared bankruptcy on 28 November, has filed a plea with a US court to allow withdrawal for clients who have crypto locked in its wallet accounts.

The [bankrupt](https://www.forbes.com/sites/ninabambysheva/2022/12/20/blockfi-motion-to-allow-withdrawals-for-some-customers-poised-for-success/) firm filed the request with the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey on 19 December. If authorised, members can withdraw the cryptocurrency stored on the site. According to the motion, cryptos are kept in wallets belonging to consumers, and the firm has had no legal or equitable interest since it ceased operations on 10 November.

In addition to permitting withdrawals from clients' wallets, the crypto lender is working to enhance the user interface to display transactions accurately. The corporation also intends to perform routine account reconciliation.

## BlockFi withdrawal request applies to particular customers

To clear up any confusion, the firm aims to erase any "attempted" withdrawals from the user interface following the platform pause. The business also noted in the statement that to avoid all doubt, the debtors do not seek to reverse any customer deposits from outside the platform to wallet accounts received post the Platform Pause Time Stamp. 

According to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/TiffanyFong_/status/1604994112943374337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1604994112943374337%7Ctwgr%5Ee9d42b4167970655ff8ca4c0ccc32bd1b7282d29%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https://cointelegraph.com/news/blockfi-files-motion-to-return-frozen-crypto-to-wallet-users), the crypto company issued an email informing users of the recent court filing. It further stated that it believes clients clearly control their wallet accounts' digital assets. 

“We will seek similar action from the Supreme Court of Bermuda concerning BlockFi Wallet Accounts maintained at BlockFi International Ltd”, the crypto lender added. This motion does not affect withdrawals or transfers from Interest Accounts currently in suspension.

## BlockFi withdrawal halt stems from crypto crash

BlockFi was one of the first companies to fall victim to the early November crypto crash headed by crypto exchange FTX. The crypto lender arranged a $680 million transaction with [FTX](/news/article/ryan-salame-exposed-ftx-truth). As FTX's financial situation deteriorated, the impact on the US grew. 

According to the company's bankruptcy filing, the corporation claimed more than 100,000 creditors and $1 billion to $10 billion in assets and liabilities.


blue image of blockfi logo on image of someone withdrawing crypto

BlockFi Withdrawal Could Resume

Sam Bankman-Fried, the detained founder of the bankrupt crypto exchange FTX, reportedly signed documents on 20 December that will see SBF handed over to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents and taken to the United States, where he will face criminal charges.

Bankman-Fried was [reported](https://cointelegraph.com/news/sbf-signs-extradition-papers-set-to-return-to-face-charges-in-the-us) to have agreed to be [extradited](/news/article/former-ftx-ceo-sbf-arrested) to the US just hours after his lawyer told a judge in the Bahamas that he was not ready to consent.

## SBF is to be taken to the US to face criminal charges

According to Bahamas Acting Commissioner of Corrections Doan Cleare, Bankman-Fried signed his surrender documents on Tuesday. Today, SBF will sign separate papers finalising his waiver of rights to fight extradition at the Magistrate's Court in Nassau.
[Bankman-Fried](/news/article/sam-bankman-fried-lost-billions) is expected to be accompanied by FBI agents on a private flight back to the US, where he faces eight counts in an accusation by the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. 

According to the [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/20/technology/sam-bankman-fried-bail.html), Bankman-Fried's legal team is negotiating with federal prosecutors to allow him to be released on bail if he is extradited to the US.

According to sources, the agreement, which requires the approval of the federal judge overseeing the SBF case, could include highly restrictive conditions such as home custody and electronic monitoring.

## Allegations on SBF 

The Department of Justice has accused SBF of campaign finance violations, commodities and securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire and money laundering, and wire fraud.

If found guilty of all charges, he could face up to 115 years in prison.

[The Commodity Futures Trading Commission and SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) have filed additional charges](/news/article/ftx-boss-denied-bail-in-bahamas) against the founder of FTX for allegedly breaking commodity laws and defrauding investors.

After three years of rapid growth, FTX and numerous related companies filed for bankruptcy last month. The exchange was worth US$32 billion at its peak.

Authorities in the Bahamas and the US continue to investigate the involvement of SBF in FTX's collapse last month. The exchange was headquartered in the Bahamas.



SBF Agrees to Return to US to Face Fraud Charges

Cold crypto wallets stand out due to their security. The wallets are especially recommended for long-term crypto investors and those holding on to huge sums of cryptocurrencies. This article focuses on some of the best cold crypto wallet options for UK crypto investors.

While they all offer exceptional security features, they differ on a few things, including build and design, price, and the number of cryptocurrencies and blockchains they support.

So, let's look at the best cold crypto wallet UK options.

## Trezor Model T

[Trezor Model T](https://trezor.io/trezor-model-t) is among the best cold crypto wallets in the UK for long-term cryptocurrency investors. It features a simple design that enables it to serve everyone, regardless of their expertise level.

Its security features, which include PIN and passphrase, enable it to stand out as one of the most highly secure hardware. A built-in SD-card slot helps with PIN encryption.

Users also benefit from a recovery seed phrase. The phrase helps those who’ve lost access to their funds, either by losing or damaging their wallet or forgetting their PIN, regain access.

The wallet supports more than 1,000 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple. It uses the Trezor Suite app to enable coin management.

Trezor is available for purchase on its official website and other platforms. On its official site, it is worth £181.27.

## Pros

- 	Easy to set up and use.

- 	Highly secure offline storage.

- 	Supports more than 1,000 cryptocurrencies.

## Cons

- 	A bit pricey.

- 	Not great for active crypto traders.

## Ledger Nano X

[Ledger Nano X](https://shop.ledger.com/products/ledger-nano-x) is another highly secure hardware wallet that stands out as one of the best cold crypto wallets in the UK for large crypto holders.

The wallet is equipped with industry-leading security, including a CC EAL5+ Certified secure element chip for crypto security. It also features a PIN set by the owner. The PIN confirms outgoing transactions.

It has Ledger Live Software that enables holders to check their balance and to send and receive cryptocurrencies. Ledger Live Software also supports coin staking, one of the best ways to earn from crypto holdings passively.

The wallet supports more than 5,500 cryptocurrencies. It can be integrated with Web3 wallets like MetaMask to allow holders access to various DeFi platforms. It is worth around £135.35 through its official site.

## Pros

- 	Highly secure hardware wallet.

- 	Access to Ledger Live.

- 	Supports more than 5,500 tokens.

## Cons

- 	Pricey.

- 	Not the best option for active traders.

## Ellipal Titan

[Ellipal Titan](https://www.ellipal.com/) is the world’s first air-gapped cold storage wallet. It uses QR code technology to achieve its air-gapped status.
The wallet is a bit bulky, much like the 2009-era iPhones. It features a large touch screen and a built-in camera for scanning the QR codes. It supports more than 10,000 tokens and connects with the Ellipal App, which enables holders' to trade, exchange, stake, and buy NFTs, among other activities.

Although big compared to other hardware wallets, Ellipal Titan is quite sturdy. It is designed to detect considerable damage, which initiates the deletion of all private keys.

Ellipal Titan is selling for £118.21 through its official site.

## Pros

- 	Uses QR code technology.

- 	Sturdy and tamper-proof.

- 	Supports more than 10,000 tokens.

## Cons

-	Bulky.

-	More expensive than most hardware wallets.

## Safepal S1

[Safepal S1](https://store.safepal.com/safepal-s1-hardware-wallet.html), like Ellipal Titan, does not rely on connections such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or USB. It uses QR codes for data transmission.
Its security features include a PIN code, two-factor authentication, and recovery seed. It also features multiple layers of security sensors and a self-destruct mechanism. It has no wired connections, except for the one used to charge its 400mAh battery.

The wallet supports more than 34 blockchains and in excess of 30,000 tokens. Holders can add and delete tokens as they like. Holders also benefit from 24/7 customer support.

On its official site, Safepal S1 is selling for around £42.51.

## Pros

- 	Multiple layers of security sensors and self-destruct mechanism.

- 	Supports more than 34 blockchains and 30,000 tokens.

- 	Uses QR code technology.

## Cons

- 	Not completely air-gapped (must be plugged into a computer for firmware upgrade).

-	Not the easiest wallet to carry around.

## KeepKey

Launched in 2015, [Keepkey](https://shapeshift.com/keepkey) was bought by Shapeshift in 2017. The purchase saw the wallet gain full integration with the Shapeshift platform and exchange, which is non-custodial.

The wallet features PIN and passphrase protection for security. It also features a 12-word recovery phrase generated during initialization that helps retrieve private keys in case they get lost or broken. Users manage funds through the Shapeshift platform when plugged into a computer via USB.

KeepKey supports more than 40 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. It can be paired with MyEtherWallet to support more ERC-20 tokens.

Keepkey is available for purchase on Shapeshift and third-party marketplaces like Amazon. On Shapefift, its listing price is £41.67.

## Pros

- 	Highly secure with a durable design and build.

- 	12-word recovery phrase.

- 	Cheaper than most hardware wallets.

## Cons

-	Supports a limited number of coins.

-	Only supports Android devices.

## NGRAVE ZERO

[NGRAVE ZERO](https://www.ngrave.io/) is marketed as the most secure cryptocurrency wallet ever made, and for good reason. It is 100% air-gapped and is the only hardware wallet that reaches the highest security level certification standard possible, EAL7. It is also ROHS and CE-certified.

The wallet also stands out with its sleek design and durable build. It is made from military-grade premium materials with a metal case, and security features include light sensors, biometric scanners, and pin protection. It is 100% tamper-proof.

NGRAVE ZERO features a built-in camera for QR scanning. It works with the NGAVE LIQUID app to allow holders securely sign, manage, and transfer their assets.

As a relatively new addition to the crypto hardware space, NGRAVE ZERO does not support many cryptocurrencies. However, it does support most of the well-known cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin. It also supports NFT storage.
NGRAVE ZERO is another great option for the best cold crypto wallet for UK long-term crypto investors. It can be bought for £348.32 on its official site.

## Pros

-	Sturdy construction.

-	Plenty of security features.

-	Uses QR code technology.

## Cons

-	Does not support a lot of cryptocurrencies.

-	Expensive.


## Best cold crypto wallet UK options: Conclusion

There you have it, some of the [best hardware wallets](/news/article/best-crypto-wallet) for UK crypto investors. This should be helpful when looking for the best cold crypto wallet UK options.

Each wallet has its pros and cons, offering good points to consider before investing in any of them. However, they all offer great security, making them worthy of inclusion on the list.


blue image of thermostat showing cold temperature. Person holding empty wallet. 

Best Cold Crypto Wallet UK

Despite the downturn of the cryptocurrency market, there are still remarkable innovations. A recent one has come to light in a [blog post](https://usa.visa.com/solutions/crypto/auto-payments-for-self-custodial-wallets.html) written by Visa crypto thought leaders. In the blog post, they outlined a proposal for a Visa crypto wallet powered by the Ethereum blockchain for Web3 auto payments.

Users could automatically pay for transactions without signing off on each one individually.

This proposed solution was based on a February internal hackathon among Visa employees aimed at solving the problem of how an Ether owner can pay bills with cryptocurrency in the future without an internet connection. 

The proposal for the Visa crypto wallet comes at a much-needed time due to the loss of investor's confidence in cryptocurrency caused by situations including the downfall of [Luna](/news/article/terra-luna-collapse) and, more recently, [FTX](/news/article/ftx-bankrupt-who-to-blame), the second biggest exchange leading to losses worth billions of dollars in customer funds. The crypto wallet proposed by Visa would use the "Account Abstraction" process proposed by Vitalik Buterin, the founder of Ethereum, in 2015.

## How does account abstraction fit into Visa's vision?

[Account abstraction](https://eips.ethereum.org/EIPS/eip-2938) refers to converting a smart contract into a wallet, also known as "delegable wallets". It was formalized in 2017 as an Ethereum improvement proposal (EIP-86). To realize the concept of an AA-based self-custody wallet or delegable account, the Visa team proposes that user accounts function like smart contracts. This would allow people to schedule transactions automatically and without the involvement of a central entity.

"This application could allow a user to set up a programmable payment instruction that can push funds automatically from one self-custodial wallet account to another at recurring intervals, without requiring the user's active participation each time," the blog post said.

The team has begun work on the Visa crypto wallet, claiming it has successfully created delegable accounts on a private chain using Starknet. This Layer 2 scaling solution supports the account abstraction concept.



Visa Crypto Wallet Plans Outlined

Karl Sebastian Greenwood, the co-founder of the fraudulent cryptocurrency OneCoin scam, has pleaded guilty to charges brought by the United States Department of Justice (DoJ).

[He faces a maximum of 60 years in prison](https://cointelegraph.com/news/4b-onecoin-scam-co-founder-pleads-guilty-faces-60-years-jail) if convicted of all charges. The DoJ said on 16 December that Greenwood had entered a guilty plea in a federal court in Manhattan to charges of money laundering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and wire fraud conspiracy. Each charge carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison.

With the OneCoin scam, Greenwood is alleged to have operated "one of the greatest worldwide fraud schemes ever committed", according to US Attorney Damian Williams. 

## OneCoin Scam Promoted as a 'Bitcoin Killer'

Williams further asserts that Greenwood promoted the OneCoin sam as a "Bitcoin killer" despite the tokens being "totally worthless". Greenwood and "Cryptoqueen" Ruja Ignatova were the founders of OneCoin. It was a Bulgarian company that sold a cryptocurrency with the same name, and Greenwood was the CEO of the OneCoin scam.

According to emails that the DoJ collected between the two parties before the company's establishment in 2014, the individuals referred to it as a "trashy currency". Outwardly, it appeared to be a multi-level marketing company, with members earning commissions for allegedly selling cryptocurrency bundles containing OneCoin and the capacity to mine more cryptocurrency. This was the company's stated intention.

OneCoin could only be converted into fiat currency through the Xcoinx exchange, a private platform. It was a [combination of a pyramid and a Ponzi scheme](/news/article/bitcoin-motion-trading-bot-scam) since investors could bring in new members without a tangible product on offer. Later investors were compensated with the money from the initial investors. 

According to the DoJ, Greenwood's position as the "global master distributor" of the fake cryptocurrency enterprise resulted in him collecting around $21.2 million (€20 million) monthly. On 5 April, 2023, Greenwood is scheduled to appear in front of District Judge Edgardo Ramos to receive his punishment.


red onecoin store boarded up with karl sebastian greenwood in foreground

OneCoin Scam Co-Founder Admits Fraud

The Central Bank of Kazakhstan has recommended rolling out its in-house CBDC in 2023. The expansion will be done in phases with the goal of introducing it into commercial operations by the end of 2025.

Kazakhstan, the world’s third-biggest [Bitcoin mining](/news/article/how-to-mine-bitcoin-cash) hub, is now all set to launch its Central Bank Digital Currency, or CBDC, which is a digital tenge. The central bank revealed plans for the launch after the second testing phase was completed.

## Central Bank reveals initial studies on the CBDC

Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, CEO of [Binance](/news/article/guide-to-binance-uk), also revealed that Kazakhstan's CBDC will be integrated with BNB Chain, [the blockchain](/news/article/what-is-blockchain) built by the crypto exchange. Kazakhstan's primary motive for conducting studies and launching its CBDC is to improve financial inclusion in the country, promote competition, encourage innovation in the payment industry, and increase the nation's overall global competitiveness.

The initial studies conducted by Kazakhstan's central bank focused mainly on programmability and offline payment methods. It was then recommended that market participants and infrastructure players be included in different scenarios and clarified language be used by the country's regulators. The latest [research paper](https://nationalbank.kz/file/download/85770) on the matter reveals that the CBDC is recommended to roll out in phases due to the potential for infrastructure preparation, technological improvements, the development of an operating model, and a regulatory framework.

As Russian citizens continue to pour into neighbouring countries due to the war, Kazakhstan has announced its plans to legalise mechanisms for converting crypto into cash.

During the international forum Digital Bridge 2022, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President, stated that the country is ready to go further with the crypto-to-cash mechanism and even give it full legal recognition, given that the financial instrument continues to show its relevancy and security.

In addition, the neighbouring country, Georgia, also has plans to introduce new crypto regulations to become a global crypto hub.


yellow image of kazakhstan with central bank of kazakhstan logo in foreground

Central Bank of Kazakhstan CBDC Rollout