BNY Mellon licensed from New York state regulator to handle two cryptocurrencies. Review by Crypto-Upvotes experts

The oldest U.S. bank BNY Mellon began to provide services for cryptocurrency storage, writes The Wall Street Journal. For this purpose, the company received a license from the financial regulator of New York.

Bank will store the keys needed to access and transfer the cryptocurrency. It will also provide accounting services for Bitcoin and Ethereum.

BNY Mellon claims to be the first of eight systemically important U.S. banks to provide custody services for digital currencies. And it allows customers to use one custody platform for both traditional and cryptocurrency assets.

The platform will go live with select investment-fund firms this week. The bank said it expects to expand its crypto custody offerings to additional clients in the future, pending regulatory approvals.

In the summer of 2021, BNY  joined a group of six banks that plan to launch Pure Digital, a digital asset trading platform. At the time, the bank said it would roll out cryptocurrency infrastructure as the legal and regulatory framework emerged.

Thanks to the integration of services of one of largest cryptocurrency exchanges. Some Google customers will be able to pay with cryptocurrency for cloud services, Crypto-Upvotes expert review

Some Google customers will be able to pay for cloud services in cryptocurrency at early 2023. This was announced by representatives of corporation at conference Google Cloud Next, reports CNBC. This will be possible due to cooperation of corporation with one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges Coinbase.

First, corporation will accept payments in cryptocurrency from a limited number of customers through its integrated service Coinbase Commerce. Amit Zaveri, vice president and general manager and head of the Google Cloud platform, told CNBC. Currently, Coinbase Commerce supports 10 currencies, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, Ethereum and Litecoin.

As time goes on, corporation will allow many more customers to use cryptocurrency. Also, corporation is considering using Coinbase Prime service to store cryptocurrency and conduct transactions in it.

At the same time, Coinbase said it will use Google cloud infrastructure for storage. Additionally, Coinbase will migrate its applications from Amazon Web Services cloud service. Also, when making cryptocurrency payments Coinbase will receive a percent of transactions.

A hacker took advantage of a vulnerability in OmniBridge protocol. Hacked and withdrew funds from it in new Ethereum PoW network tokens

The first hack of a smart contract in the new Ethereum PoW network brought a scammer 200 ETHW (about $1,000). Theft of funds was possible because OmniBridge protocol (a bridge to transfer funds between different blockchains) in PoW network. He received a second message about transaction already made in Ethereum network. This was reported on Twitter by BlockSec, a cybersecurity company.

On morning of September 15, The Merge update took place on Ethereum’s main network. It switched altcoin from Proof-of-Work protocol to Proof-of-Stake (PoS). The token of the old version of this network received symbol ETHW.

On September 18, a scammer transferred 200 WETH via the OmniBridge protocol of Ethereum blockchain to Gnosis network. And then he repeated the same transaction message on the new PoW blockchain. To get 200 ETHW from a copy of the OmniBridge smart contract on this network.

Our experts explained that this attack was made possible by a vulnerability in the OmniBridge smart contract. It uses an incorrect unique blockchain identifier. The OmniBridge smart contract mixed up the networks and mistakenly paid a scammer.

The Ethereum PoW network itself was not hacked. The stolen funds belonged to the OmniBridge protocol. However, our experts warn a crypto community. That similar attacks using PoW blockchain and ETHW tokens can happen to other interconnect bridges.

ETHW rate has been falling on centralized exchanges since the start of hardfork. But its price in the old version of the network rose on Friday September 16 to 16,400 USDT on decentralized exchanges.

SEC filed a lawsuit against Ian Balina, a famous member of cryptocurrency community. The lawsuit states that all Ethereum blockchain transactions take place in USA territory

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) claims that transactions on Ethereum are made in United States. Because blockchain validators (network nodes) are clustered more tightly in the United States than in any other country. This claim was made in a lawsuit against famous member of cryptocurrency community Ian Balina.

The lawsuit was filed Monday, Sept. 19. Balina is accused of breaking law while promoting Sparkster Cryptocurrency ICO (SPRK) in 2018. Which raised about $30 million from 4,000 investors.

This is not the first time the agency has initiated such litigation. However, paragraph 69 of this lawsuit states : ” At that point, their ETH contributions were validated by a network of nodes on the Ethereum blockchain,
which are clustered more densely in the United States than in any other country. As a result, those
transactions took place in the United States.”

According to Etherscan, more than 46% of all Ethereum nodes are now operating in the US.

What this means for Ethereum

Our experts think that mentions of transaction processing by US-based nodes in a lawsuit against blogger Ian Balina. It can also be interpreted as the SEC  attempt to extend its jurisdiction over any transactions in Ethereum network according to geographical principle. And in the future, this could become a precedent and reinforce the current fears of transaction censorship. Which have arisen since sanctions were imposed on Tornado Cash mixer.

Following the Ethereum move to Proof-of-Stake. And given its high level of centralization, Coinbase, Kraken and Binance are estimated by Nansen to account for 30.25% of ETH blocked in stacking. The U.S. government could seriously consider bringing this space under its control.

In future case law, similar lawsuits from the SEC may await other cryptocurrencies. Which work on the Proof-of-Stake algorithm.

New White House directives are aimed at developing financial services industry. As well as to simplify unlimited transactions and fight against scammers in cryptocurrency world

The White House presented first ever concept of regulation of cryptocurrency market in USA, writes CNBC. The new proposals had been under development for six months. This came after President Joe Biden called on authorities in March to study risks and benefits of cryptocurrencies and submit official reports.

One of points of concept is aimed at combating illegal activities in cryptocurrencies. In particular, it is proposed to consider amendments to Bank Secrecy Law. These are laws prohibiting disclosure of information and against money transfers without a license. It is necessary that they are directly related to providers of cryptocurrency services.

The White House proposals also specifically mention potential for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC). The concept states that digital dollars can make the U.S. payment system more efficient. And creating a basis for further technological innovations that will allow for faster trans-border transactions.

Our experts also noted that the U.S. government believes that digital currencies, especially stablecoins, need to be strictly regulated. Otherwise, they can lead to “devastating effects. This concept points to a collapse of cryptocurrency TerraUSD, which resulted in a series of bankruptcies. And cumulative damage of which amounted to almost $600 billion.

Our experts talked about chances of ETH becoming such an asset after the network update. As well as to what implications this may lead to

The migration of Ethereum from PoW (Proof-of-Work) to PoS (Proof-of-Stake) is complete. Among the possible threats is not only the loss of part of the community represented by miners. But also the risk of recognition of ETH as a security with stricter regulation.

Thus, head of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Gary Gensler once again said. That vast majority of cryptocurrencies qualify as securities. And are subject to the relevant laws. Companies that conduct transactions in the cryptocurrency market. Are required to register with the SEC, just like other market brokers.

However, the position of the SEC has not been fully clarified. The agency has expressed its willingness to interact with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on this issue. Because control over virtual asset service providers (VASP) could be passed on to the second of these regulators. That, in turn, would lead to the recognition of leading cryptocurrencies as commodities.

Recognition of ETH as a security would be a disaster for ordinary users. If that happens, the token would likely face large fines. Which ETH may not survive. As well as delisting from 90% of centralized exchanges. This will cause irreparable damage to both user base. And also price, which is likely to go down sharply.

Specific coins that are being considered as candidates for recognition as securities include. Such as Ripple, Stellar (XLM), Zcash (ZEC) and Horizen (ZEN) could include Ethereum in the near future.

Probability of recognition of ETH as a security

Recognition of Ethereum as a security seems unlikely. However, after moving to Proof-of-Stake algorithm, chances for recognition of such status can definitely become higher.

Our experts explain that Howey Test serves this purpose. According to this test, an investment contract is “an investment of money in a common enterprise with a reasonable expectation of profit solely from the efforts of others.” Regarding Ethereum, blockchain coins can be recognized as “money.” And a “common enterprise” is a system of validators in stacking. And the “expectation of profit” is rewards from stacking.

However, our experts pointed out that Ethereum still does not “risk” to move into the category of securities. SEC head Gary Gensler said he would support a bill that would give the CFTC a right to supervise BTC and ETH. In case such law is passed, ETH will actually receive a status of “exchange commodity” officially.

Also our experts say that on another hand, in this case all tokens on Proof-of-Stake can be considered as securities. And regulated in the same way as shares, which is unlikely.

Our experts told how anonymous cryptocurrencies are affected by stricter regulation. And their delisting from CEX exchanges, as well as prospects for such projects.

Main goal of anonymous cryptocurrencies is to ensure confidentiality of financial transactions. However, with such coins, scams and financial manipulation of cryptocurrencies have increased significantly. Cybercriminals often use these tokens to conceal movements of stolen funds.

In this regard, governments of different countries have a negative attitude to anonymous cryptocurrencies. And they take various measures to limit their use. Some cryptoplatforms are also refusing to work with confidential tokens. Thus, one of the recent negative events was the delisting of Monero (XMR) and another six tokens from this category on major cryptocurrency exchange Huobi.

Trend on delisting of anonymous cryptocurrencies increases

Currently, we are seeing a steady trend towards increased regulation of cryptocurrency. And also drive for large CEX exchanges to get as many licenses as possible in different jurisdictions.

And understanding of anonymous coins by financial regulatory authorities of leading economies is very negative. Anonymous coins are seen as a threat, a tool for scammers. And as a consequence, we see a “world war” against anonymous cryptocurrencies, our experts note.

Demand for anonymous cryptocurrencies is growing

After starting sanctions war between Russia and the West, interest in confidential cryptocurrency increased rapidly. This was due to their ability to circumvent restrictive regulations.

Our expert pointed out that in Q2, anonymous coins showed outperformance compared to the market as a whole.
Whether delisting from exchanges will affect prices of these coins, now it is difficult to say. Such actions by regulators could have collapsed prices in 2017. But now the market has become less susceptible to such news for many reasons.

Given the fact that these cryptocurrencies remain in high demand. Including due to sanctions that have reached cryptocurrency market as well. And wait for a fall in prices for XMR and other anonymous coins from these events should not be our experts’ opinion.

Anonymous cryptocurrencies may lose their capitalization, but not their real value.

EthereumPoW supporting mining concept will start working after main network upgrade

EthereumPoW (ETHW) team has announced plans to launch a blockchain. Which will support mining, within 24 hours after main Ethereum network moves to Proof-of-Stake protocol.

Ethereum update is expected to take place on September 15 and will mean the end of ETH mining. And part of participants support stacking concept proposed by developers. And the other part remains committed to a version of network based on mining.

EthereumPoW project was initiated by famous Chinese miner Chandler Guo. Who announced development of a hardfork back on July 27 of this year. This is not the first time he has supported the preservation of old Ethereum. In 2016, when hardfork resulted in Ethereum Classic (ETC). And here as well, Chinese miner was the main supporter of its creation.

At the time of launch, EtherumPow will make public final code, program files, system configuration, node data, and other information about the blockchain. EthereumPoW will first launch 2048 empty blocks. This will ensure a successful switch to new network. And prevent duplicate blocks on ETH and on ETHW.

Some crypto exchanges have already supported PoW trading of Ethereum tokens. Poloniex and MEXC have announced launching ETHS and ETHW trading. And BitMEX has launched a futures product based on ETHPoW tokens.

DAXA Alliance, which includes leading Korean crypto exchanges Upbit, Gopax, Bithumb, Coineone and Korbit. They also announced support for PoW version of Ethereum after blockchain update.

“The Merge” update – this update will mean the merger of Beacon Chain and the main Ethereum network. Which are currently operating separately from each other. This will end the use of Proof-of-work algorithms in Ethereum. And will start era of new Ethereum technology based on Proof-of-Stake technology.

Tens of thousands of viewers watched fake Apple streams with interviews of Tim Cook and Elon Musk promoting cryptocurrencies

Crypto Scammers took advantage of the fact that Apple was holding a presentation of a new phone on September 7. And launched parallel streams on YouTube promoting cryptocurrencies, allegedly on behalf of their company. Tens of thousands of viewers watched live spoofed old interviews with Tim Cook and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Currently, these videos have been deleted.

Scammers on YouTube was live streaming an old interview with Tim Cook. That was seemingly being used to attract attention to a crypto scam. And when it was live, tens of thousands of viewers were tuning.

If you’ve seen crypto scams on YouTube before. You would have recognized a lot of hallmarks of what was going on. The fake live stream was getting attention by filling its description with an array of Apple keywords in both the title and description. But when you actually opened it up, it was filled with odd messages linking to a shady-looking crypto site.

One video titled “Apple Event Live. Ceo of Appl Tim Cook: Apple & Metaverse in 2022” aired an old interview from 2018. Bitcoin and Ethereum logos were added to this video. The number of viewers was up to 70,000.

Our experts have noticed that at the same time, more than 10 thousand people watched another stream on a channel called “Apple Inc”. Allegedly, it was supposed to contain an interview with Tim Cook and Elon Musk about Apple and the metaverse. But in fact it was a faked interview about bitcoins with CEO of Tesla and ex-Chief Twitter Jack Dorsey.

Five of Korean largest crypto exchanges, united in DAXA alliance. Decided to support Merger of Ethereum and airdrop new tokens

DAXA alliance, which includes leading Korean cryptocurrency exchanges. Announced support for PoW version of Ethereum after blockchain update, decenter.kr reported. Platforms are considering listing and delisting the new asset, as well as its airdrop.

DAXA alliance, created in June this year, united 5 largest South Korean exchanges: Upbit, Gopax, Bithumb, Coineone and Korbit. So far, apart from a statement of support, no action has been taken. But our sources confirmed that the exchanges will try to avoid loss of assets by their customers.

Updating Ethereum blockchain will consist of two phases. The first will be an update called Bellatrix, which began on September 6. If it is successful, “Paris” update will be launched. As a result of this update, a split (hardfork) of network is possible. ETH could split into PoS-version (new) and PoW-version (old). If this happens, two Ethereum tokens will arise, for each version of their network.

Earlier, other crypto exchanges have already supported trading in such tokens. Poloniex and MEXC announced launching ETHS and ETHW trading. And BitMEX has launched a futures product based on ETHPoW tokens. Binance also announced that it will consider supporting new Ethereum tokens.

Currently, Ethereum network is facing a problem after a Bellatrix update. Blockchain has seen a noticeable spike in the “number of missed blocks” – the rate at which network does not process blocks of transactions assigned for verification. That rate has increased by about 1,700%. Before this update, this rate was about 0.5%. And after Bellatrix, it jumped to 9%.