XREX, a cryptocurrency exchange specializing in cross-border payments based in Asia, has received principle approval for a major payment institution (MPI) license in Singapore. XREX stated in a statement that the Monetary Authority of Singapore has granted preliminary approval for the company's license, which will eventually allow it to offer digital payment token products and services in Singapore. Once fully obtained, the license will allow the company to expand BitCheck, a payment tool that supports fiat currencies, stablecoins, and other cryptocurrencies.

On Thursday, prosecutors arrested three individuals who are suspected of stealing over $10 million from banks and financial institutions, then converting the funds into cryptocurrency and transferring them to overseas cryptocurrency exchanges. According to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, Zhong Shi Gao (31), Naifeng Xu (37), and Fei Jiang (41) were arrested and charged with one count each of bank fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution, conspiracy to launder money, and aggravated identity theft. If these charges are combined, they could face up to 82 years in prison. US Attorney Damian Williams stated in a Thursday statement, "These charges should serve as a warning to fraudsters and cybercriminals who think they can hide their identities through cryptocurrency - we will work with our partner agencies to find you and hold you accountable for your crimes." (The Block)

Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, wrote on X platform that since early November, with the decrease in the scale of the Federal Reserve's overnight repurchase agreement (RRP) usage and no change in the balance of the US Treasury Department's general account (TGA), nearly $200 billion in liquidity has been injected into the market. Risk assets such as Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies will continue to soar.

Russian Ministry of Trade has announced that it has developed a tool to help cryptocurrency miners evade Western sanctions. Legislators explain that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has developed a tool for industrial mining activities. Anton Tkachev, the First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Information Technology and Communications, said that the tool will help Russian companies make cross-border payments. The lawmaker did not disclose details about the new tool, but said that Russian companies, including miners, may soon seek to increase their use of cryptocurrencies.

Chief FinTech Officer of the Monetary Authority of Singapore stated that Singapore hopes to play a long-term role in the field of artificial intelligence. Lessons on the importance of innovation were learned from cryptocurrencies.

João Pedro Nascimento, the chairman of the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM), believes that the Brazilian CBDC Drex will "kill" many cryptocurrencies. Nascimento stated that he is not talking about Bitcoin, but Drex will reduce the attractiveness of smaller cryptocurrencies.

AMF's survey of more than 1,000 new retail investors in France shows that 24% of French adults invest in various financial instruments. Among them, a considerable proportion (9%) invests in cryptocurrencies. Although traditional investments continue to dominate investment portfolios, the inclination towards crypto assets, especially among young people, highlights the generational shift in investment preferences and the country's gradual adoption of digital financial solutions. (Bitcoin.com)

On Sunday evening that the latest episode of The Simpsons made special references to NFTs and blockchain. In the Halloween special episode of the iconic animated series, "Treehouse of Horror 34", the show repeatedly mentioned the overvaluation of NFTs on the blockchain in the first chapter titled "Wild Barts Can't Be Tokens". In this episode, Marge fights on the blockchain to rescue Bart, who has now become an NFT, and the city mayor announces that the Springfield Art Museum will be digitized. The episode also features many blue-chip NFTs (such as Beeple, Bored Ape Yacht Club) and second-tier PFPs, which are proven to be almost worthless. Noah Bolanowski, a consultant at the IRL NFT gallery Crypt Gallery, analyzed how the show depicted NFTs on the X platform, saying, "I like the emphasis on art in this episode, where PFPs are portrayed as lowly people and art is placed in a noble position." This episode heavily references last year's NFT crash, and this is not the first time that cryptocurrency (or NFTs) has appeared on The Simpsons. 

Federal law enforcement officials have seized $54 million worth of cryptocurrencies from Christopher Castelluzzo, the leader of a New Jersey drug ring, and his co-conspirators. The funds were discovered in crypto wallets and were the laundered proceeds of the crew's mail-order cocaine and designer drug operations. Castelluzzo had intended to evade taxes and liquidate his holdings outside the country, and had discussed various offshore destinations for the crypto fortune while in prison. The U.S. Attorney's office stated that the forfeiture action should serve as a warning to those who believe their illicit behavior cannot be traced.

US Senator Cynthia Lummis posted on X platform, stating that an inaccurate report last week claimed that Hamas raised nearly $100 million through encrypted assets, when in fact the number was less than $500,000. In fact, cryptocurrency accounts for less than 1% of illegal activity worldwide, and considering it an illegal financial tool is a misunderstanding. Lummis said that there is no doubt that cryptocurrency assets are not the problem, and bad actors exist in all fields. The future of US cryptocurrency assets is brighter than ever.