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YouTuber says SEC will recommend dropping lawsuit over 2018 token ICO

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has dropped its lawsuit against a prominent YouTuber accused of unlawfully promoting an initial coin offering (ICO) without proper disclosures. The decision marks a significant development in the ongoing regulatory scrutiny of social media influencers involved in cryptocurrency promotions.

The YouTuber had been targeted by the SEC for allegedly endorsing a crypto project without informing followers of any financial compensation received for the promotion. The case was part of the regulator’s broader crackdown on influencers who promote digital assets without adhering to securities laws.

While the SEC’s decision to dismiss the lawsuit removes immediate legal pressure, it does not indicate a change in the agency’s overall enforcement approach. The regulator has repeatedly warned content creators and social media personalities about their responsibility to disclose financial incentives when promoting crypto investments.

Legal experts suggest that the dropped case may reflect challenges in proving wrongdoing or indicate a shift in enforcement priorities. However, the SEC is expected to continue monitoring influencer-driven crypto promotions, especially as digital asset markets evolve.

The outcome serves as a reminder that regulatory scrutiny remains high in the crypto space, and influencers promoting token sales may still face legal consequences if they fail to comply with disclosure requirements.

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Coinbase Derivatives lists XRP futures

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Coinbase has announced the official listing of XRP futures contracts on its derivatives platform, marking a significant step toward expanding its offerings for institutional investors. The move comes after receiving approval from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), signaling further regulatory clarity for the exchange’s derivatives arm.

The newly listed XRP perpetual futures contracts are now live on Coinbase Derivatives, catering to growing interest in the asset class amid renewed attention on altcoins. Each contract represents 10 XRP and is designed to provide traders with increased exposure and flexibility in managing risk.

Coinbase highlighted that the contracts will be available to both retail and institutional clients through third-party broker intermediaries and its own Coinbase Advanced platform. The exchange cited robust market demand for XRP derivatives as part of its broader strategy to support regulated crypto futures trading in the U.S.

This listing follows similar futures products introduced by Coinbase for Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and other major digital assets, further positioning the platform as a key player in the crypto derivatives space.

Coinbase’s move also comes amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny and legal battles involving XRP and its issuer, Ripple Labs. However, the CFTC-regulated status of the futures contracts is expected to provide additional confidence to traders and institutions exploring XRP exposure.

With the launch, Coinbase continues its push to expand regulated offerings, bridging traditional finance with digital assets and reinforcing its role in shaping a compliant U.S. crypto market infrastructure.

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El Salvador works with Nvidia to develop sovereign AI infrastructure

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El Salvador is embracing artificial intelligence as a key pillar in its national development strategy, announcing plans to leverage high-performance computing infrastructure powered by NVIDIA technology.

The country revealed it is establishing the “National Center for Artificial Intelligence,” a government-led initiative aimed at promoting AI integration across sectors including education, healthcare, and public services. The center will be built around NVIDIA’s DGX SuperPOD—an advanced AI system designed to support large-scale machine learning workloads.

President Nayib Bukele’s administration emphasized that the move aligns with the country’s broader vision of technological modernization. The AI center will be housed within El Salvador’s National Library and is expected to become operational by the end of 2024. According to officials, the facility will enable the government to train AI models locally, process massive datasets, and accelerate digital transformation initiatives.

El Salvador’s adoption of NVIDIA’s platform follows a trend of emerging markets turning to AI and blockchain innovation to leapfrog traditional development paths. The country’s partnership with NVIDIA underscores its commitment to building a high-tech economy and cultivating digital talent.

The initiative will also include educational and research programs to equip Salvadorans with skills in AI and data science. Government officials noted that students, academics, and startups will be given access to the infrastructure, creating a public-private ecosystem around innovation.

As one of the first Latin American countries to formally integrate AI at a national scale—with infrastructure supported by a global tech leader—El Salvador is positioning itself as a pioneer in regional digital transformation.

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CZ receives fake ‘Grok’ coins amid new wave of Elon Musk scam tokens

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Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has issued a strong warning to the crypto community about the proliferation of fraudulent tokens exploiting the names of high-profile individuals and AI ventures—specifically, a fake “Grok” token falsely claiming ties to Elon Musk.

In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), CZ cautioned users to avoid any coin marketed as connected to Musk’s artificial intelligence project, xAI’s Grok chatbot. He emphasized that Musk has not launched any such token and labeled all “Grok” coins as scams. “There is no Grok token,” CZ wrote. “All of them are scams.”

CZ’s statement echoes similar alerts made in the past, including direct posts from Musk, who has repeatedly distanced himself from crypto projects using his name or companies as bait to attract investors. Despite these warnings, scam tokens continue to appear, often taking advantage of trends involving meme coins, AI hype, or celebrity branding.

The rise of fake tokens has become increasingly problematic, particularly on decentralized exchanges where listings are not subject to the same scrutiny as centralized platforms. Many of these coins gain rapid popularity due to viral marketing or misleading claims, only to end in rug pulls or liquidity drains.

CZ’s warning adds to growing calls from industry leaders and regulators for better investor protection and education amid the booming—but often unregulated—crypto landscape. As fraudulent activity rises, users are urged to conduct thorough due diligence and remain skeptical of tokens tied to celebrities or trending tech with no verified backing.

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