Blockchain News - Bitcoin

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Swiss crypto bank Sygnum bags $41m to expand services, acquisitions

 Swiss crypto bank Sygnum bags $41m to expand services, acquisitions




Switzerland-based crypto bank Sygnum AG has secured over $40 million in a funding round led by asset manager Azimut Holding. The Zurich-headquartered crypto-friendly bank Sygnum AG is set to double down on its acquisition plans and expansion, with the latest.

Switzerland-based crypto bank Sygnum AG has secured over $40 million in a funding round led by asset manager Azimut Holding.

The Zurich-headquartered crypto-friendly bank Sygnum AG is set to double down on its acquisition plans and expansion, with the latest funding round valuing the lender at about $900 million. In a blog post on Jan. 25, the bank said it has raised $41 million against an initial target of $35 million in an interim close of its latest funding round, which is named the Strategic Growth Round.

While Sygnum did not disclose the full list of backers, it noted that the latest funding was supported by new investors and led by Azimut Holding, a global asset management group. Sygnum employees — who also participated in the funding — together with the co-founders, board members, and management team continue to hold majority ownership of the company, the blog post reads.

The proceeds are expected to help Sygnum expand its services into new markets and further extend its suite of regulated products and services in order “to take advantage of the increasingly positive market developments in the digital asset industry.”

Founded in 2018, Sygnum says its assets under administration have surpassed the $4 billion mark as it boasts a clientele exceeding 1,700 from over 60 countries. The current team size is close to 250 members.

The bank offers services in Switzerland, Singapore, and holds licenses to operate in the UAE and Luxembourg. In an interview with Bloomberg, Sygnum Singapore CEO Gerald Goh said in 2024 the bank wants to enter “one more European jurisdiction as well as one more Asian jurisdiction.”

North Korea set new record by number of crypto hacks in 2023, data shows

North Korea-linked hackers stole nearly $430 million from decentralized finance and also targeted centralized services, exchanges, and wallet providers in 2023.



Chainalysis, a blockchain forensic firm, says North Korea-affiliated hacking groups hit record in terms of attempted attacks against decentralized finance (defi) as well as centralized platforms like exchanges in 2023.


According to the firm’s latest report, hacking groups Kimsuky and Lazarus Group have deployed 20 successful attacks against various platforms, netting around $1 billion worth of crypto in 2023, a 41.7% decrease in terms of stolen money compared to 2022.




 North Korea-linked hackers stole nearly $430 million from decentralized finance and also targeted centralized services, exchanges, and wallet providers in 2023. Chainalysis, a blockchain forensic firm, says North Korea-affiliated hacking groups hit record in terms of attempted attacks against decentralized…


SEC delays decision on BlackRock’s Ethereum spot ETF launch

 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has delayed its decision on BlackRock’s application to launch a spot Ethereum (ETH) ETF to March.


According to a document on the SEC website, a new decision on the application, which was supposed to be made on Jan. 25, is now expected on March 10, 2024. SEC representatives explained their decision due to the lack of time to review all the application details.


On Jan. 19, 2024, the Commission postponed the decision on the application to launch a spot Ethereum-ETF from Fidelity. A new deadline has also been set for March.


Several companies, including BlackRock, have filed papers to open an Ethereum-based spot fund. Company CEO Larry Fink said he supports the launch of this product category. JPMorgan Chase noted that the SEC will unlikely approve this class of funds in the spring of 2024. Among other things, they also pointed out the uncertain status of Ethereum.


The media expects the SEC to approve the launch of spot Ethereum ETFs by the end of summer 2024. In citing her sources, Fox Business journalist Eleanor Terrett noted that Ethereum’s “opaque” status may complicate the process. However, her source doesn’t think so. According to him, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission already positions the asset as a commodity.

Friday, July 7, 2023

Work News

 

European shares inch lower ahead of U.S. jobs report
European shares inch lower ahead of U.S. jobs reportBy Reuters - 33 minutes ago

(Reuters) - European shares edged lower on Friday, following sharp losses in the previous session, after U.S. data that showed a still strong labor market, while investors await a...

Tesla offers cash rebate on top models in China
Tesla offers cash rebate on top models in ChinaBy Reuters - 34 minutes ago

BEIJING (Reuters) - Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) on Friday said it would offer new buyers of its top-selling electric vehicles in China a cash bonus equivalent to almost $500 if they have a...

Latest News

 

Dollar retreats ahead of key payrolls data
Dollar retreats ahead of key payrolls dataBy Investing.com - 28 minutes ago

Investing.com - The U.S. dollar retreated in early European hours Friday, but is still on course for small gains this week after robust labor data, with the monthly payrolls report...

Top Cryptocurrencies

Woman Follows Bear into the Forest After It Unexpectedly Approaches Her at Bus Stop

 Samantha had never been so up close to a bear before, and the experience was nothing short of surreal. At first, trepidation gripped her he...