Quick Look
- U.S. banking groups lobby the SEC for updated rules to allow banks to custody Bitcoin ETFs.
- Bitcoin ETFs drive 75% of new investments in the crypto sector, with significant acquisitions by U.S. funds.
- BlackRock and Fidelity’s Bitcoin trusts dominate, with over 184,000 BTC held.
- KSI faces allegations related to pump-and-dump schemes in the crypto space.
- Coinbase reports a substantial increase in fourth-quarter revenue, reaching $953 million, and updates its fair value estimate.
The cryptocurrency landscape is witnessing significant regulatory and financial shifts, particularly in the United States. On February 14, a pivotal moment unfolded. A coalition of banking and financial services groups urged the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to revise regulations. Their goal? To enable American banks to serve as custodians for Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Therefore marking a potential breakthrough in the integration of traditional banking with cryptocurrency assets.
This move comes a year after the introduction of Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 (SAB 121) in March 2022. Moreover, it offered much-needed guidance on accounting for crypto asset custody obligations. These regulatory developments underscore the growing recognition and integration of cryptocurrencies within the established financial system.
Bitcoin ETFs: $2.3B U.S. Fund Crypto Investments
Bitcoin ETFs have emerged as the powerhouse of new investments in the cryptocurrency domain, accounting for 75% of the fresh inflows. This surge in investment has significantly buoyed Bitcoin’s market capitalization, with U.S. funds acquiring an impressive 43,300 BTC, valued at approximately $2.3 billion. Leading the charge are BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust and Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Trust, holding over 105,000 BTC and 79,752 BTC, respectively. These figures highlight the increasing institutional confidence in Bitcoin as a viable investment asset.
KSI’s $1.2M Crypto Scheme Allegations
Amidst this growth, controversies have not been absent. Notably, KSI (Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji) has been embroiled in allegations related to pump-and-dump schemes on the XCAD Network. Transactions involving $850,000 in XCAD tokens and $350,000 in ERN tokens from Ethernity Chain in 2021 have drawn scrutiny, highlighting the challenges of ensuring transparency and fairness in the rapidly evolving crypto market.
Coinbase Hits $953M Revenue, 64% Trade Boost
In the corporate sphere, Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has showcased remarkable financial performance. The company’s fourth-quarter revenue soared to $953 million, marking a 38% increase from the previous year and a 42.5% rise from the preceding quarter. This resurgence in GAAP profitability, with diluted earnings per share of $1.04, is attributable to a 64% increase in trading revenue year-over-year and an 83% sequential rise to $529.3 million.
Retail trading volume surged by 45%, significantly bolstering revenue due to the higher fees compared to institutional clients. Additionally, subscription and service revenue grew by 32.7% to $375.4 million, with interest income from USDC participation climbing by 17.8% to $171.6 million. These achievements reflect Coinbase’s robust position in the crypto market, alongside an upward revision of its fair value estimate to $110 from $100.