In this last edition for the year, we will do a whirlwind tour of what changed this year, on-chain. We will explore how the Bitcoin, Ethereum, Derivative, and Stablecoin landscapes have evolved in 2023, and how this sets up the space for an exciting road ahead.

The Central Bank of Brazil is preparing to release final rules for virtual asset service providers (VASPs) operating in the country. Based on feedback received after the approval and recognition of the Cryptocurrency Asset Law in December 2023, the institution has begun publicly soliciting opinions from market participants and individuals to develop rules that VASPs must comply with. The bank has launched a survey consisting of 38 questions that respondents can choose to answer in full or in part, and indicate the numbers and themes they would like to see addressed in their statements.

Crypto has been around for 15 years now - an absolute eon in the digital age. It’s now a valuable, maturing space, even if the loudest narratives are still maddeningly degenerate. In this post, I’ll offer my personal perspective of the various eras in crypto.

Paul Brody, the global blockchain leader at EY, stated that from punishing bad actors to expanding the Ethereum network, 2023 is preparing for bigger things, and 2024 will mark the beginning of a new era of cryptocurrency and blockchain regulation. The US market will add ETFs, and Europe will open up regulated trading based on the MiCA legislation for the crypto asset market.

According to legal expert John E. Deaton, 20% of the US Senate has agreed to support Senator Elizabeth Warren's bill to tighten regulations in the cryptocurrency industry. Deaton also noted that the danger lies in the national narrative regarding crypto that is being controlled and framed by the bill, rather than the bill itself. While none of Warren's bills related to crypto have passed in Congress since 2015, she has recently announced an expanded coalition of support for the Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act. Ryan Selkis, CEO of Messari, warns that the crypto industry should not underestimate Warren's potential to harm the industry.

Minor outflows of US$16m, more profit-taking than a swing in sentiment

Lookonchain has monitored that a certain address has purchased MUBI worth $1.41 million at an average price of $0.2541.

Continued inflows at US$43m, Blockchain equities see largest inflows on record

Four individuals in Los Angeles have been charged by the U.S. Department of Justice for allegedly laundering over $80 million of victims' funds obtained through crypto investment scams. The scheme involved opening shell companies and bank accounts to conceal the proceeds of fraudulent activities, including "pig butchering" scams. The accused face charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, concealment money laundering, and international money laundering. Two of the accused, Lu Zhang and Justin Walker, could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Gary Gensler, the Chairman of the US SEC, stated that many investors have suffered losses in the cryptocurrency market.