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

The rise in popularity of distributed networks and blockchain tech is taking the world by storm. Despite recent market events, the interest in cryptocurrencies continues to grow. None more so than in the credit and debit card sector. This report will look at the industry, tell you what you need to know, and examine recommendations for the future.

## How they work

When it comes to finding the best crypto rewards card UK, the idea behind cryptocurrency debit and credit cards is relatively simple. Users preload with their favourite cryptocurrency, enabling them to make purchases online, in-store, or simply to withdraw cash from the ATM. Regardless of whether the merchant accepts cryptocurrency or not, the card will automatically convert the purchase for you and debit the amount from your cryptocurrency balance. Most cards are issued through the Visa or Mastercard networks, so their reach and penetration is vast.

That said, it is important to understand the nature of the crypto wallet. Every crypto card issuer is a digital wallet at heart. The wallet is the power behind the card, providing the access to the merchant.

Many experts believe that in the next ten to 15 years, credit and debit cards will be consigned to history as the online wallet becomes ubiquitous and used for every online and real-world purchase. The intricacies of the digital wallet are vast and too long to go into detail here. Suffice it to say, security, versatility, and power are sure to lead to wide-scale adoption.

The main steps for applying for a crypto debit or credit card usually take the following pattern:

1.	Create a wallet.

2.	Buy your cryptocurrency from a reputable exchange like [Binance](https://www.binance.com/en-GB) or [Coinbase](https://www.coinbase.com/).

3.	Apply for your card.

4.     Connect to your wallet.

5.	Fund the card.

6.	Use the card to make purchases.

## Cashback

Almost all crypto debit and credit cards feature some kind of rewards system, which vary from issuer to issuer. However, the most popular reward systems are cashback on purchases, whether they occur online or in-store.

The range and scope of deals are vast and, as you might expect, very competitive. However, while most offer competitive cashback rewards, the general range lies between 1% and 5% cashback on purchases, online or in-store.

Take [BlockFi](https://blockfi.com/), for example. While BlockFi only offers 15 cryptocurrencies, they do not charge fees to move your crypto in and out of the wallet. When combined with a 1.5% cashback on all purchases made over the Visa network, this makes BlockFi one of the more attractive options available.

However, given [BlockFi’s recent problems](/news/article/is-blockfi-bankrupt), users should proceed with caution.

One of the largest names in the industry, Crypto.com, offers users a whopping 8% on purchases made on the Visa network. Furthermore, with no fees, users can preload their cards with more than 80 different cryptocurrencies.

In comparison, Coinbase has a 2.49% cryptocurrency liquidation fee, but users can earn $4 rewards on all purchases made on the Visa network. However, with only eight supported cryptocurrencies, users may find the Coinbase debit card rather limiting.

As you might expect, the deals on offer are very competitive. Your choice will depend on what you feel comfortable with and what you want to use the card for. However, one core theme throughout is the simplicity to set up and the user-friendliness, which, as we all know, is key in attracting and retaining customers.

## Other rewards

In your search for the best crypto rewards card UK, you'll find that there is a vast array of rewards designed to appeal to customers looking for ways to earn and spend their digital assets. While cashback on purchases may be the most popular, other rewards come in the form of earning APY on your crypto holdings, auto staking on eligible coins, or discount codes and vouchers. 

For example, popular investment platform eToro will automatically stake any coins you hold that are eligible for rewards. While eToro will take a cut of the rewards generated, this is an excellent and hassle-free way to earn passive income from your holdings.

Furthermore, popular wallet Nexo supports 32 coins while allowing users to earn APY on their holdings. While this is a unique idea in the crypto world, Nexo can only be used on the Mastercard network and, therefore, its reach is limited.

A handful of providers give the user a broader array of rewards. [Crypto.com](https://crypto.com/) is a well-known name in the industry, with large sporting sponsorship deals throughout most of 2022. Anyone signing up for Crypto.com’s mid-tier Visa debit card is eligible for a range of free perks, including Amazon Prime, Spotify, and Netflix monthly subscriptions, alongside airport lounge access and many more.

## Reach

When searching for the best crypto rewards card UK and choosing your crypto debit or credit card, there are several considerations you must make before making your decision. The following may help you find one which is best for you:

## Availability

Before looking at other benefits, it is important to find a provider compatible with purchases in your country. Due to crypto's worldwide appeal, this shouldn't be a problem. It is prudent to check the small print just in case they plan to charge you for using the card in your native country.

## Supported coins

With Bitcoin remaining the most popular cryptocurrency, it is easy to see why most cards offer Bitcoin functionality. However, if you decide that you would rather spend or earn other cryptocurrencies, you must choose a card supporting your choice.

## Rewards

As we have already discussed, cashback schemes are the most popular form of reward for using a crypto credit or debit card. Shopping around to find one which offers the best rate is important. Other rewards, such as discount codes and vouchers, are available, but are not as common.

## Fees

The majority of cards available today come with associated fees, whether for use abroad, pre-loading with your favourite cryptocurrency, transferring your crypto, or withdrawing cash from an ATM. Therefore, finding a card with low or zero fees can save you money.

## Five of the best

Let's look at some leading cards on the market today:

- Coinbase

- Crypto.com

- Binance

- eToro

- Nexus	
 
## Conclusion

As we can see, competition among crypto credit/debit card providers and their associated wallets is high. While this may at first appear confusing, it is important to remember that the companies want your business, so each offer should be as competitive as the last.

Applying for and setting up your debit/credit reward card is an excellent way to build your crypto portfolio by earning cashback on your purchases, receiving staking rewards, or generating APY just for holding. Like many other areas of crypto, debit/credit reward cards help to make your money work passively for you, and herein lies their appeal.

With the world becoming increasingly digital and places to use cash becoming scarce, the timing has probably never been better to apply for a crypto rewards card.


blue picture of cryptocurrency reward app mobile phone

Best Crypto Rewards Card UK

[Biconomy](https://www.biconomy.io/) is one of the outstanding companies rooted in India, paving its way into the Web3 space. The company provides a cross-chain layer infrastructure handling transactions and gas payments bridging applications into Web3. It also owns the BICO token, which has been listed on many exchanges.

While many Web3 applications are built on Ethereum, the increased traffic is causing congestion on the blockchain. The congestion significantly raises gas prices forcing developers to seek alternative chains for their applications.

## Impact on Web3

Biconomy's network allows gasless transactions bringing down all costs for decentralized finance (DeFi) applications facilitating Web3 transactions. Some of its well-known products include Mexa, Forward, and Hyphen.

Mexa facilitates gasless transactions in decentralized applications (Dapps). Forward on the hand, allows users to pay their transaction fees using tokens instead of gas. Hyphen, the final product, provides fast and less expensive token transfers through different [blockchain](/news/article/what-is-blockchain) networks.

The combination of these products renders the protocol multiple uses. Users are empowered with the freedom to enjoy seamless gasless transactions while still interacting with layer1 and layer2 solutions. With time, it can be integrated into any Web3 platform with crypto-enabled transactions.

## Developer Perks

Many developers are already leveraging Biconomy and its multi-chain stack, offering a better user experience in Web3 products in de-Fi, NFTs, and gaming, among others. Users are provided with the following:

•	Plug-and-play Application Program Interfaces (APIs) and Software Development Kits (SDKs) – Among the network’s core features are APIs and SDKs that aid developers in building dApps with incredible user experience.

•	Gasless Transactions – With most Web3 apps, users must pay a gas fee for their utility. This cost hinders the mass adoption of Web3 products. As with platforms like Netflix, users do not pay server fees every time they watch movies. Similarly, Biconomy users are free of charge.

•	Multiple Currencies – While most Dapps are built on Ethereum, their dominant payment option is ETH. Biconomy supports multiple tokens and allows users to make payments with their preferred currencies.

•	Simplified User Interface – Interacting with Dapps entails creating blockchain transactions requiring crypto knowledge and technical; experience. In this case, the user interface has been optimized to the highest levels of simplicity.

•	Cross-chain Transfers – It is not easy to make transfers between chains. The inherent multi-chain characteristic facilitates transactions on blockchain arrays and L2s. It also eases communication while securing value from different chains.

## Biconomy Coin Functionality

Biconomy’s native token is BICO, launched last year and runs as an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain. BICO has the following functions:

•	Network Fees – The re-layer infrastructure network is maintained by node operators acting as validators and executors for settling and verifying transactions. Node operators must pay a transaction fee in $BICO when adding new transaction data on the chain and, in return, earn $BICO based on the work done on the chain.

•	Stakeholder Incentives – BICO holders are entitled to earning passive incomes through staking. The Proof of Stake (PoS) and liquidity pool integrated into the network assert high security and 100% uptime.

•	Network Governance (Voting rights) – BICO holders have the right to vote, submit requests, and feedback that, when incorporated, shape the future of Biconomy's milestones and endeavors. The governance operation model entails participating in numerous activities like changing the network code, adding and removing services, and allocating funds from the treasury.

## Who is building the BICO crypto?

Biconomy foundation dates to 2019 with the following founders: Aniket Jindal, Sachin Tomar, and Ahmed Al-Balaghi. The team comprises Indian nationals with a great passion for blockchain technology. Jindal brings a wealth of knowledge after studying at the Prestigious Fudan University and years of experience working with Binance. Balaghi is a seed founder and investor in Polygon (previously the Matic network). Tamar has been an engineer at Samsung Electronics and an early Ethereum blockchain enthusiast.

According to [BybitLearn](https://learn.bybit.com/), on 21 July, 2021, the trio raised $9 million through private funding led by the Mechanism capital. Other companies, like Coinbase ventures, have also invested in Biconomy. Additional significant fundraising includes the recent October, which totaled $11.5 million through the public sale of BICO tokens.

## Biconomy Price

BICO hit its all-time-high (ATH) price, $21.87, in December 2021. While we have seen significant down trends in the market with the crypto winter, BICO is not exceptional. Looking into January 2021, it had dropped to $3.50, and as of the time of writing, it’s at $0.43995.

Biconomy is platform building for the future of DeFi and adoption for Web3. Each day, it onboards new partners and will reclaim its ATH in the coming days.

## Putting it All Together

The performance of BICO has not been stellar. However, the developmental team demonstrates clear use cases for its outstanding innovations. Biconomy is looking to be a worldwide facilitator for Web3 transactions.




blue image of crypto coins and biconomy logo

What is Biconomy?

Microsoft customers now require pre-approved written permission to mine crypto like Bitcoin.
The computing giant introduced the changes earlier this month, revising its Universal License Terms for online services like Windows and Azure.

## New customer terms

A note on the company website states in the Updated Acceptable Use Policy that Microsoft suggests "seeking written pre-approval" ahead of using the company's online services for mining crypto, "regardless of the term of the subscription".

The company continued by saying that "testing and research for security detections may be considered" when giving permission to [mine cryptocurrency](/news/article/mining-farm).

## First notice of Microsoft crypto mining ban

[The Register noticed the Microsoft crypto update first](https://www.theregister.com/2022/12/15/microsoft_online_services_cryptomining_ban/#:~:text=Updated%20Microsoft%20has%20quietly%20banned,into%20effect%20on%20December%201.) and Microsoft explained that it made the change because "cryptocurrency mining can cause disruption and/or even impairment to Online services". The company added that crypto mining is often connected to abuse attacks and cyber fraud like "unauthorised access" to its customer resources. It concluded that the change is to protect customers and "mitigate" risks of disruption and service impairment to the Microsoft cloud.

Last year, Microsoft warned customers about a mining malware that can spread via e-mails and steal credentials easily to fetch security controls of the system.

Some reports claim that as a result of supply-chain constraints, their cloud computing systems have experienced significant capacity shortages in recent years. It is rumoured that the number of Azure data centres will continue to be restricted until the beginning of 2023.

## Joining the team

The Microsoft crypto mining ban means the company joins a large number of other cloud service giants, such as Google, which also forbid users from mining cryptocurrencies without first receiving written consent. Cloud mining is prohibited on some platforms, such as Oracle, while Digital Ocean also demands formal approval.

## Final word

Cloud mining is an alternate strategy for investing in cryptocurrencies that enables users to mine crypto assets without using mining hardware or equipment. Because customers don't have to pay for the equipment and associated fees, cloud mining is one of the most lucrative ways to mine cryptocurrency, according to the blockchain research organisation Blockchain Council.

Keeping all that in mind, it is always advisable to check for safer ways to start the mining journey with lots of research.



red image of microsoft logo. Crpyto coins in foreground

Microsoft Crypto Mining Ban on Cloud Services

According to recent reports, authorities were alerted of the FTX's fraud before it made headlines. [Co-CEO Ryan Salame alerted Bahamian authorities](https://cointelegraph.com/news/ftx-bahamas-co-ceo-ryan-salame-blew-the-whistle-on-ftx-and-sam-bankman-fried) a few days before FTX filed for [bankruptcy](/news/article/ftx-bankrupt-who-to-blame) in November.

He alleged that founder Sam Bankman-Fried might have defrauded investors by [transferring money](https://cointelegraph.com/news/alameda-had-unfair-trading-advantage-special-access-to-ftx-funds-cftc-filing) to his sister company, Alameda Research.

## Ryan Salame takes on FTX and Sam Bankman-Fried

Contrary to the vast majority of market rumours, one of the company's top executives, not Changpeng Zhao (CZ) of Binance, was the one who brought down SBF and FTX. The declaration made on Wednesday is the first time an insider's turn against Bankman-Fried has been acknowledged publicly.

According to Bahamian court documents filed on 14 December, Ryan Salame, the former co-CEO of FTX Digital Markets (FDM), informed the SCB (Securities Commission of the Bahamas) on 9 November that the company was sending client funds to its sister trading company Alameda Research.

Salame claimed that the transfer was neither authorised nor approved by clients and that the money was intended to compensate for Alameda's financial losses. Furthermore, he disclosed to the SCB that only three people had the authority to transfer client assets to Alameda: the engineer Nishad Singh, the former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, and Zixiao “Gary” Wang, the other co-founder of the company.

Salame claimed that he informed Bankman-Fried and Alameda executives that it was against "normal corporate governance" for client funds to have been mixed with Alameda's.

Following that, Christina Rolle, executive director of the SCB, requested an [investigation](/news/article/ftx-exchange-under-investigation) from the commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force because the information “may have held misappropriation, theft, fraud, or some other crime".

The following day, 10 November, the [SCB froze FDM's assets](https://cointelegraph.com/news/bahamas-securities-regulator-freezes-ftx-assets) and suspended its registration in the country. A provisional liquidator was appointed by the Bahamian Supreme Court to try to save the company's assets.
According to the filings, Salame is believed to be in Washington, DC, and has not spoken publicly since the exchange's downfall.

His most recent public tweet was on 7 November, when he responded "lol" to Binance co-founder Yi He after He explained why the exchange [sold its FTX Token FTT holdings](/news/article/ftx-vs-binance-liquidate-funds).

## The collapse of FTX has had an absurd impact on the industry

Mixing SBF's companies' funds was a significant issue in the FTX scandal. In recent weeks, another former executive from FTX's affiliated companies is thought to have been assisting authorities.

On 4 December, images purportedly showing Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison in a coffee shop near the US Attorney's Office fueled rumours. Following the company crash, the cryptocurrency community believes she may have made a deal with authorities. 

Bankman-Fried is, to date, the only person charged in connection with FTX and Alameda so far. He is [accused](/news/article/ftx-boss-denied-bail-in-bahamas) of money laundering, political campaign finance violations, and wire and securities fraud.

Bankman-Fried, Wang, Singh, and Ellison are said to have run a "wirefraud" group chat on Signal, the encrypted messaging app, to send sensitive information about FTX and Alameda's operations. Bankman-Fried denied any knowledge of or participation in the group.


red image of ftx logo on mobile phone. Ryan Salame sitting in foreground. 

Co-CEO Ryan Salame Exposes FTX Truth

France is under pressure to fix a loophole in upcoming crypto legislation that would give an extended grace period to encourage digital asset businesses to set up shop in the nation with less regulatory monitoring.

Hervé Maurey, a member of the Senate's key finance committee, has offered an amendment to legislation that would remove a provision allowing registered crypto firms to operate in the country without a complete regulatory licence until 2026.

His action puts more pressure on the French Government and regulators over the country's crypto-friendly posture. More rigid EU standards will take effect in 2024, but France plans to keep its existing framework in place for another 18 months.

Critics' fears have grown this year as the values of popular tokens have plummeted, worsened by the collapse of  [Sam Bankman Fried's cryptocurrency enterprise, FTX,](/news/article/ftx-boss-denied-bail-in-bahamas) last month. On Tuesday, US authorities charged Bankman-Fried with crimes, including fraud.

## France crypto position

France has attempted to position itself as one of the most appealing nations for crypto businesses to set up their office, bringing companies such as exchange operator Binance to Paris.

The existing approach permits crypto firms to register in the country without obtaining a full licence, allowing them to operate with limited oversight.

## France crypto firms need to get a licence from regulator

Hervé Maurey’s plan would require corporations to get a licence from the French regulator, the [Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF)](https://www.amf-france.org/en), beginning in October next year. Licencing, as opposed to registration, protects consumers and forces corporations to reveal more information about their financial health and control mechanisms. There are more than 50 cryptocurrency firms registered, but none have been awarded a licence.

According to critics, the France crypto existing setup may lead customers to believe regulators actively control crypto enterprises. "The safety afforded by this registration is deficient, if not non-existent," said Thierry Philipponnat, a former AMF board member who left in October.

The Senate approved the proposal on Tuesday. It will be considered by France's parliament in January next year. So far, the French Government has resisted the document, claiming that hastening regulatory requirements could scare away investors.

According to France's Adan, the proposed revisions indicate that the country is "renouncing its desire" to become a crypto centre, and the government is "abandoning an industry of the future" as a result of [FTX's](/news/article/former-ftx-ceo-sbf-arrested) failure.



yellow image of Eiffel tower with crypto falling

France Crypto Rules Under Pressure

It's common knowledge that financial regulators are pushing hard for the regulation of cryptocurrencies. And it's no surprise that one question on the minds of crypto investors is, "Are crypto gains taxed in the UK?".

In this article, we explain all you need to know about getting taxed on your crypto in the UK. Let's dive in and answer ‘when are crypto gains taxed?’.

## Are crypto gains taxed in the UK?

Yes, crypto gains are taxed for most crypto investors in the UK. In the eyes of HMRC, your crypto assets are not considered to be currency or money, nor does it consider crypto trading to be gambling as in some forms of forex trading. However, it considers crypto as tokens and classifies it under the capital asset (like shares) or property class. And this makes them liable for capital gains or income tax depending on their disposal (more on this in a moment).

If you get paid in crypto for work or business activities, you’ll be taxed an income tax. But if you use it as a form of personal investment, the capital gains tax law applies.

## HMRC further defines disposal as:

•	Exchanging crypto for other cryptos/tokens.

•	Mining crypto.

•	Trading it for financial gain.

•	Gifting tokens to someone who’s not your spouse or civil partner.

•	Paying for goods and services.

When your questions is 'are crypto gains taxed in the UK', keep in mind that this rule doesn’t apply to all crypto investments. You can avoid paying crypto tax in the UK when you:

•	Buy crypto using fiat pound sterling.

•	Transfer crypto between wallets you own.

•	HODL crypto.

•	Donate crypto to charity.

•	Gift crypto to your spouse.

•	Earn less than £1,000 in crypto income.

•	Invest your crypto into a pension scheme.

You are only liable to pay crypto tax in certain scenarios, which include paying:

•	Capital gains tax when you make a profit of more than £12,300 for selling, exchanging, gifting, or spending your crypto.

•	Income tax if you earn more than £12,300 in income.

To put these into context, let’s dive deeper into the scenarios where you’ll have to pay crypto tax in the UK.

## When will you pay tax on crypto gains?

When are crypto gains taxed? The UK crypto tax law applies when you earn an income or capital gain in crypto. The scenarios of income and capital gain are explained thus:

## Paying capital gains tax on your crypto

### Trade crypto

You’ll pay capital gains tax when you sell your crypto and make a profit. The rule only holds for the profit made.

### Swap crypto

Swapping/exchanging crypto assests will incur capital gains tax as you'll be selling to other crypto investors or a liquidity pool.

### Gifting crypto to people other than your spouse

HMRC requires you to pay capital gains on the profit you made between buying crypto and before gifting it. This tax rule doesn't apply when gifting crypto to your spouse or civil partner.

### Paying for goods and services

Spending crypto on goods and services attracts capital gains tax on the profit you made before spending it.

## Paying income tax on your crypto

### When you get paid in crypto

"But crypto payment isn't cash payment, at least in the eyes of HMRC. So why's it taxed?" Well, HMRC considers it an income, so income tax and national insurance contributions apply. And should you receive airdrops and dispose of the tokens, you'll pay income tax.

### Mine crypto

The crypto income tax also applies when you verify transactions on the blockchain and earn rewards. Also, if you dispose of the cryptocurrencies at any point, you'll be taxed. However, you won't be taxed if you declare mining as a hobby.

### Inherit crypto

As earlier stated, crypto assets are classed as property in the UK. Hence, you'll be required to pay inheritance tax if the value is worth more than £325,000. So if you inherit £425,000 worth of crypto assets, you'll be taxed on the £100,000.

### Stake crypto

The rewards you earn from staking your crypto are considered miscellaneous income by HMRC, so it's taxed.

## How much will I be taxed?

Since not all of your crypto is liable for taxation, find out the ones that can be taxed and write them down.
When calculating your capital gains tax, first calculate the cost basis for each transaction – the amount paid for the crypto and the transaction fees. For example, if you bought 1 ETH for £15,000 and paid £50 in transaction fees, your cost basis will be £15,050.

Then work out the value of your crypto at the time you disposed of it and deduct your cost basis. So if you sold your ETH at £17,000, you'd have made a capital gain (profit) of £1,950. You can then pay your tax based on the applicable income tax band.

## Capital gains tax rate	                                                                          and Income tax band

10%	                                                                                                     Basic rate (up to £50,270)

20%	                                                                                                     Higher rate (up to £150,000)

20%	                                                                                                     Additional rate (over £150,000)

As we established earlier, £12,300 of your capital gain is tax-free. So if you earn £20,000 in crypto profit, deduct the tax-free allowance from it, leaving you with £6,700, which you’ll pay 10% tax.

For calculating your income tax, first, work out the Fair Market Value (FMV) of your crypto income – this is the value in pounds at the time you received it. Thereafter, add it to your other earnings and pay the tax required for your taxpayer band. Better still, calculate the amount using the HMRC pay calculator.

Let’s assume you earn £12,570 from your day job and £3,500 freelancing and getting paid in crypto, you’ll pay 20% on your £16,070 income.

You can learn more about crypto tax compliance in HMRC’s Cryptoassets Manual.

## How does HMRC know about my crypto transactions?

HMRC has a data-sharing arrangement with UK exchanges where they get customer information. Also, they have your KYC records when you signed up for a wallet or UK exchange.

## How do I pay crypto tax?

You’ll have to declare your crypto profit to HMRC in your Self Assessment tax return. To do this, you must keep an accurate record of your earnings.

### Follow these steps:

1.	Register for Self Assessment tax return by 5 October.

2.	Keep a detailed record of your crypto transactions and declare the following: 

    2.1.	Type of tokens

    2.2	Date you disposed of them

    2.3	Number of tokens disposed, the remainder, and their value in pounds

    2.4	Cost of the tokens before and after disposing of them

    2.5	Wallet addresses

    2.6	Bank statements

3.	Calculate the tax payable and prepare the bill.

4.	Pay the tax by 31 January.


yellow image of bitcoins on a laptop with a sign that says "taxes"

Are Crypto Gains Taxed in the UK?

The largest crypto exchange, [Binance](https://www.binance.com/en), suffers massive withdrawals as the platform experiences outflows of more than $1 billion in 24 hours.

Currently, it is surrounded by [FUD](/news/article/ftx-vs-binance-liquidate-funds) and rumours that are affecting its position in the market. 

Binance CEO and co-founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) took to Twitter to clarify the situation. He said his firm saw more than $1.14 billion of withdrawals on Tuesday. He further stated that these outflows were not the highest they processed and called it "business as usual." Meanwhile, customers are continually removing their assets from their accounts.

![binance1.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/binance1_b1ba9c605d.png)
 
## Binance suffers highest daily withdrawals since June

Analysis by blockchain analytical firm [Nansen](https://www.nansen.ai/) shows that this is the highest level of withdrawals in a day for Binance since June. The report also claims that the total withdrawals for the exchange have been more than $3 billion.

![binance2.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/binance2_5f30c95f24.png)

[Source](https://twitter.com/nansen_ai/status/1602618067598442503)

It is contrary to the figure that CZ announced on Twitter. It could be an act of downplaying the situation like FTX previously did. Nonetheless, Binance is currently fighting against investor jitters in this crypto winter.  

## FUD in the market

Since the collapse of Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX, FUD has taken over the market. On Tuesday, Sam was [arrested for fraud](/news/article/former-ftx-ceo-sbf-arrested), considered one of the largest-scale financial scandals in US history. The FTX contagion has spread over the entire crypto market. It has damaged many digital asset firms like [BlockFi](/news/article/ftx-collapse-blockfi-suspend-withdrawals), [Gemini](/news/article/gemini-crypto-exchange-falls-prey), and [Genesis](/news/article/genesis-brokers-owes-gemini). 

Moreover, an ongoing investigation for money laundering against CZ’s firm is also making headlines. According to a [report](https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/us-justice-dept-is-split-over-charging-binance-crypto-world-falters-sources-2022-12-12/), the US Justice Department is contemplating filing a case against the exchange’s executive body, including CEO CZ.

People are hesitant to invest and are withdrawing their assets in panic. As Binance suffers, the market is continually seeing a [downward trend](/news/article/crypto-market-crashing). Amid this scenario, outrageous outflows from the largest exchange signify a long winter.


red image of woman holding binance coin. 

Binance Suffers $1 Billion in Withdrawals

A [judge in the Bahamas has refused bail for Sam Bankman-Fried](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63967010.amp), the founder and former boss of the bankrupt crypto exchange FTX. According to the most recent sources, he will be detained by Bahamian authorities following his [arrest](/news/article/former-ftx-ceo-sbf-arrested) on 12 December, 2022.

Joyann Ferguson-Pratt, the judge in the case, has scheduled an extradition hearing for 8 February, 2023. The hearing was arranged in response to the decision to deny the former FTX boss bail.

## Ex-FTX boss in court

During the hearing, the attorney for the former FTX boss asked the judge whether SBF might be released on a $250,000 bond. The lawyer argued that his release is required since he requires daily medication.

Prosecutors in the Bahamas resisted the proposal, claiming it violated a treaty with the United States. The attorneys also stated that defendants should be imprisoned while extradition procedures were underway under the treaty provisions.

Bankman-Fried notified the judge that he would not forgo his right to contest the extradition. He then hinted that he could desire to stay in the Bahamas on purpose.

Bankman-Friend, wearing a blue suit without a tie, dropped his head and hugged his parents when the judge ruled that his danger of flight was "very severe". The judge ordered him to be detained in the Bahamas until 8 February.

## Allegations on FTX boss

After the Royal Bahamas Police was informed of a secret indictment by US prosecutors, they arrested SBF on Monday. The arrest was sparked by an unsealed indictment which included eight charges against SBF. These included conspiracy and wire fraud, for allegedly abusing billions of dollars in client payments before his cryptocurrency empire's stunning collapse last month.

Furthermore, the [SEC](/news/article/sec-crypto-enforcement-warning), CFTC, and the US Department of Justice filed complaints against Bankman-Fried on Tuesday for suspected securities and commodities fraud. Bahamas government officials are conducting civil and criminal investigations against him and FTX.

The day's events concluded a remarkable fall from grace for SBF, who created a fortune worth more than $20 billion as he rode a cryptocurrency boom to grow FTX into one of the world's largest exchanges.


red image of bankman fried in front of image of man in handcuffs. 

Former FTX Boss Denied Bail in the Bahamas

Complying with crypto regulations got easier thanks to Accointing.

[Accointing](https://www.accointing.com/) is your solution for tax filing on crypto gains. It doesn't matter which regulations you fall under or which country you live in. Your short-term and long-term gains will be calculated separately once you connect your trading accounts with Accointing. One can also connect their wallets like [Metamask](/news/article/what-is-metamask) and know how much they owe on their gains.

![Picture1.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/Picture1_f28af7c806.png)
 
Now several countries have implemented different tax slabs on crypto gains. Accointing solves this problem intrinsically by already complying with most of the regulations. A recent push by various governments towards crypto regulation has resulted in the need for such tools.

Accointing was founded in 2018 when crypto laws were not as strict as today. Many countries didn't even have guidelines on how to file these taxes in 2018. From there, the company has grown tremendously to include every user base under its umbrella. 

Accointing.com was also recently acquired by an industry-leading analytics platform, Glassnode. Now with all the expertise Glassnode has to offer combined with the experience Accointing has in this space, it's fair to state that these guys will be the flag bearers once crypto tax filing goes mainstream.

## How does Accointing help you?

Now let's suppose you're a day trader, opening and closing many trades in a day. Your turnover every day surpasses multiple thousands of dollars. It'd really be a task to audit hundreds of trades on a daily basis. Your CA will probably run for their lives taking printouts of your trade reports.

Accointing.com has got all this sorted and gives out calculations within seconds. You don't even have to click twice and you already have your taxes calculated. One can get their reports in FIFO, LIFO, and HIFO formats to file their taxes properly.

You can connect most of the centralised exchanges via API keys and have your trading reports generated. You just need to give access to 'read-only' APIs and you'll be good to go. Tax reports will be generated, and, from there on, you can select via which channel you want to submit your taxes. You can file your taxes yourself or via online tools, or you can have your CPA file it for you. All these options are available on the platform.

With crypto regulations becoming a thing we all have to comply with, having tools like Accointing helps us have peace of mind while trading and even afterwards.


blue image of accountants and bitcoins falling 

Accointing: A One-Stop Crypto Tax Solution

The founder and disgraced CEO of the failed crypto exchange FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried, was arrested on Monday after the US Government filed a criminal indictment.

These charges follow weeks of speculation that the FTX CEO misused customer funds.

## FTX CEO arrested

Sam Bankman-Fried, popularly known as SBF, was arrested by the Royal Bahamas Police Force. The police said that the arrest was initiated following receipt of formal notification from the US Government that it filed criminal charges and is likely to request that SBF be extradited.

In a statement, the Bahamas Police confirmed that Bankman-Fried was taken into custody without a hitch at his Albany apartment complex at 6pm.

SBF's arrest resulted from financial offences alleged in the US which would also be offenses in the Bahamas, the statement said.

A sealed indictment filed by the Southern District of New York was the basis for the arrest. US Attorney Damian Williams confirmed this in a [tweet](https://twitter.com/SDNYnews/status/1602451395910803457). 

Last month, the exchange filed for bankruptcy in the US after it imploded [almost overnight](/news/article/sam-bankman-fried-lost-billions), leaving customers unable to access their funds. According to court filings, FTX owed its largest creditors around $3.1 billion.

The dramatic fall from grace has been the talk of the market. The exchange's CEO was expected to testify about the [company's collapse](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/09/technology/ftx-text-messages.html) in Congress on Tuesday.

## Bankman-Fried future looks clouded

According to the [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/12/business/ftx-sam-bankman-fried-bahamas.html), the charges filed against Bankman-Fried include wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, securities fraud, security fraud conspiracy, and money laundering.

However, it's still unclear whether customers will be able to recover some, if not all, of their funds. A 2 November report on ties between FTX and Alameda, a trading company also controlled by the FTX CEO, exposed that Alameda's balance sheet was overexposed to FTT currency (FTX's token).

According to the extradition treaty between the US and the Bahamas, defendants may be returned to the US provided their offenses carry a minimum one-year sentence in both countries.

The 30-year-old has recently disregarded legal counsel and increased his public appearances, providing his version of his company's abrupt failure and typically portraying himself as an inept CEO.

"I didn't knowingly commit fraud," he said during a BBC at the weekend. SBF told the interviewer he didn't want any of this to happen and added that he was "not nearly as competent" as he believed himself to be.



red image of crime scene with pictures of Sam Bankman-Fried and a sign that says "bahamas"

Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried Arrested

The Bank of Spain aims to launch a wholesale central bank [digital currency](/news/article/which-uk-banks-allow-cryptocurrency-purchases) programme and has requested bids from financial institutions and technology suppliers by 31 January.

The selected proposals must be completed in at least nine months, beginning on 3 April, with a completion date of 29 December, 2023. According to the selection process paper, they can offer an extension depending on many circumstances.

## CBDC programme aim, according to the Bank of Spain

According to an [official statement](https://www.bde.es/f/webbde/GAP/Secciones/SalaPrensa/NotasInformativas/Briefing_notes/es/notabe051222.pdf) from the financial institution, the initiative aims to imitate the usage of a CBDC in wholesale transactions. In wholesale transactions, monies transfer between banks and financial institutions. 

The bank claims the [wholesale CBDC](/news/article/reserve-bank-of-india-cbdc) initiative is unrelated to the European Union's study on a retail digital euro. Separately, Banque de France announced two studies in September to evaluate the feasibility of a wholesale CBDC.
 
According to a translated 5 December announcement, it would use the programme to experiment with financial asset liquidation, simulate money movement, and assess the merits and downsides of incorporating a wholesale CBDC into its present procedures and infrastructure.

While a retail [CBDC](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spain-central-bank-opens-call-174249256.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJJPnYxvXtv0yecmihYLiCclqtZ_YZnB-kJYsxLfIQm1jiSb5dIREbPFcJxBwVc4aS-0gMBYy0dbGQsBohlMMORhi92GPbxcavqroNpkM-nn9OlnzxFMqpZi2y-W8lRLendbL9TJ7k2yDHAxEj4cMLZ_qUF8mljP4vJWpI7zU4C2) is available to the general public, a wholesale CBDC is a digital currency primarily used by financial institutions to keep reserves with a central bank.

The programme is unique to the BDE and is unrelated to work being done in the European Union to investigate the usage of a [digital euro](https://www.ecb.europa.eu/paym/digital_euro/html/index.en.html).

## Reason for undertaking study

In justifying the initiative, the BDE stated that studying CBDCs can assist in assessing how much they can contribute to adapting to the requirements and expectations of an increasingly digital society. 

CBDCs are also being "analysed and experimented" within various jurisdictions, with the primary focus being retail use. However, it claimed that more corporations are venturing into those of a wholesale or interbank kind".


Bank of Spain Proposes CBDC Project

While Crypto.com, one of the top cryptocurrency exchanges, may be in ‘fine health’, [according to CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/09/cryptocom-kris-marszalek-involved-bankruptcy-offshore-holdings-client-money-monaco.html), there are questions about the Crypto.com CEO.

In a report which mentions that, due to inadequate and incomplete proof of reserves, it was discovered that roughly 20% of customer cash was held in a meme token known as Shiba Inu. the history of CEO Kris Marszalek comes under scrutiny.

Marszalek's past in business is littered with warning signs, such as a multimillion-dollar settlement for defective items, corporate bankruptcy, and the failure of an e-commerce company immediately after a blowout marketing campaign.

## Crypto.com CEO history raises concerns

[Marszalek responded to CNBC's demands by publishing a 16-tweet thread](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/09/cryptocom-kris-marszalek-involved-bankruptcy-offshore-holdings-client-money-monaco.html) in which he discussed how the personal bankruptcy he had previously experienced and the sudden shutdown of his e-commerce business should be viewed as learning experiences.

In 2009, Marzsalek's business settled with a customer for $5 million due to a dispute regarding a defective shipment of flash drives. Marszalek and his business partner were each given roughly $3 million in payments from Starline, with Marszalek receiving $1 million for his personal use and his business partner receiving $1.9 million.

By the year 2009, Starline had gone bankrupt as a result of the inability of its clients to repay the credit lines that the company had granted to them during the economic crisis that occurred in 2007 and 2008.

The court dismissed Marszalek's argument that he was reimbursed for debt after determining that the transfer of $300,000 to Tekram was "in actuality a payment" to Marszalek.

Marszalek and his business partner were back in the game shortly after the company declared bankruptcy. They established a holding company in an offshore jurisdiction in the Cayman Islands, which was revealed in the publication of the Paradise Papers. Buy Together, owned by Middle Kingdom, was the owner of BeeCrazy, an online retail business that offered intense discounts on the products it sold. Both purchasers and vendors were driven to the website by the substantial price reductions offered on various goods, ranging from spa tickets to USB power banks.

The corporation invested $700 million in the stadium and signed a contract with LeBron James to advertise during the Super Bowl. The severe decline in the market that occurred in 2022 was devastating for all the major players.

As a result, [Crypto.com had to let go of hundreds of staff](/news/article/crypto.com-under-investigation) in the most recent few months. Cronos, the native token of Crypto.com, has seen its value drop from $3 billion to $1.6 billion as investors have become less confident in the cryptocurrency.



red image of trading graph with crypto.com ceo in foreground

Crypto.com CEO Past Includes Bankruptcy