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Venezuela Bans Crypto Mining to Protect Power Grid

Venezuela has announced an immediate ban on cryptocurrency mining. The decision, revealed by the Ministry of Electricity, aims to address the significant strain that crypto mining has placed on the country’s already fragile energy infrastructure.

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Venezuela has announced an immediate ban on cryptocurrency mining. The decision, revealed by the Ministry of Electricity, aims to address the significant strain that crypto mining has placed on the country’s already fragile energy infrastructure.

The Venezuelan government cited growing concerns over the excessive energy consumption and resulting instability caused by crypto mining operations. These activities, which require substantial computational power, have been blamed for frequent blackouts and power shortages in various regions of the country.

The Ministry of Electricity emphasized that the ban is a necessary step to ensure a stable and reliable power supply for all citizens. “Protecting the integrity of our national grid is paramount,” stated an official from the ministry. “The energy-intensive nature of cryptocurrency mining operations has posed a serious threat to our ability to provide consistent electrical service.”

Crypto mining has surged in popularity in Venezuela in recent years, largely driven by the country’s low electricity costs and the desire to hedge against hyperinflation of the national currency, the bolívar. However, the uncontrolled growth of mining activities has exacerbated the challenges faced by the nation’s energy sector.

The ban is expected to be enforced through strict regulatory measures and increased monitoring of energy usage patterns. Authorities have pledged to take decisive action against illegal mining operations and to penalize those found in violation of the new regulations.

This move is the latest in a series of steps by the Venezuelan government to regulate the cryptocurrency industry. While the country has previously promoted the use of its state-backed cryptocurrency, the Petro, the current focus is on mitigating the adverse impacts of private crypto mining on the power grid.

The ban has sparked mixed reactions within the local crypto community. Some miners express concern over the sudden disruption to their operations and livelihoods, while others acknowledge the need for measures to stabilize the national power supply.

In summary, Venezuela’s ban on cryptocurrency mining reflects the government’s urgent efforts to protect its power grid from further strain. As authorities implement these new regulations, the future of crypto mining in the country remains uncertain, with significant implications for the broader energy and economic landscape.

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Binance tightens South African compliance rules for crypto transfers

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Binance is tightening compliance measures for crypto transactions in South Africa, announcing it will fully implement the country’s Travel Rule requirements beginning January 2025. The move aligns with regulations set by South Africa’s Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and reflects the exchange’s broader efforts to meet global anti-money laundering standards.

Under the new rules, Binance will require South African users to include verified personal information—such as names, addresses, and account details—when sending or receiving crypto between platforms. These changes are designed to increase transparency and traceability of digital asset transfers, making it harder for illicit actors to exploit decentralized networks.

Binance emphasized that users must complete know-your-customer (KYC) verification before transferring crypto to or from external wallets. Transfers to non-compliant platforms may be restricted or flagged, while internal transfers within Binance or to Travel Rule-compliant entities will remain unaffected.

The announcement follows South Africa’s decision in 2023 to designate crypto as a financial product, placing digital asset providers under the supervision of the FIC. The country has since taken steps to integrate crypto into its formal regulatory structure, including licensing requirements and mandatory reporting obligations.

With enforcement beginning in 2025, Binance urged users to familiarize themselves with the new procedures to avoid disruptions. The exchange also plans to provide additional guidance and tools to help users remain compliant as the deadline approaches.

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Ethereum bounces back as market dominance recovers from all-time low

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Ethereum has staged a notable recovery after recently experiencing its lowest market dominance since its early days. The turnaround comes as ETH surged nearly 4% in the past 24 hours, climbing back above the $3,100 mark and narrowing its underperformance gap relative to Bitcoin.

For much of 2024, Ethereum has trailed behind Bitcoin and a growing wave of altcoins, with its market share dropping below 15% — levels not seen since 2015. The slump was driven by investor focus on Bitcoin ETF momentum, lackluster institutional interest in ETH, and rising competition from layer-1 and layer-2 networks offering faster and cheaper alternatives.

Despite these challenges, Ethereum’s fundamentals remain strong. Data shows a healthy uptick in active addresses, transaction volumes, and total value locked in DeFi protocols built on Ethereum. Additionally, hopes remain high for the approval of a spot Ethereum ETF in the U.S., with analysts suggesting a potential turnaround in institutional flows if approved.

Traders are now watching whether this rebound signals a sustained trend reversal or just a temporary relief rally. With key upgrades and ecosystem developments still in the pipeline, Ethereum’s ability to regain dominance may hinge on reigniting both investor confidence and broader developer activity.

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SEC says it won’t re-file fraud case against Hex’s Richard Heart

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has confirmed it will not pursue a retrial in its fraud case against HEX founder Richard Heart, effectively bringing an end to one of the agency’s high-profile crypto enforcement actions.

The decision follows a recent court ruling that dismissed several key allegations against Heart, including claims that he misled investors and violated securities laws through the promotion and sale of HEX, PulseChain, and PulseX tokens. While the SEC initially signaled it would consider further legal options, it has now opted to forgo additional litigation.

Heart, a controversial figure in the crypto world, had long denied the SEC’s accusations, framing the lawsuit as an overreach by regulators. The agency had alleged that Heart raised over $1 billion from investors while misrepresenting how funds would be used and failing to register the offerings.

With the SEC stepping back, the dismissal marks a rare instance in which the regulator has chosen not to continue a crypto-related fraud case, potentially signaling a reassessment of its approach amid growing legal pushback and mounting scrutiny over its enforcement tactics.

Although the case is now closed, legal analysts suggest the outcome could influence future regulatory efforts and may embolden other crypto founders facing similar challenges. Heart, meanwhile, has positioned the development as a vindication, reaffirming his stance that HEX and related projects were never in violation of U.S. securities laws.

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