Matt Crook

We are still not talking enough about how big crypto/blockchain could get in the Middle East. The bet is that an influx of sovereign wealth capital and the prospect of working with ostensibly friendlier regulators will result in a better environment for startup business operators. Cointelegraph partnering with DMCC Crypto Centre, the former establishing its regional office in Dubai, is just the latest page in this story as this move adds even more media & marketing opps for companies in the region. Speaking of which, I'm turning my attention to ADFW (Abu Dhabi Finance Week) in December - if you're a reporter or company planning on attending, would love to connect. #crypto #blockchain

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💡Exploring Transparency in the Crypto Market The digital assets ecosystem is a hotbed of innovation and opportunity, yet it faces significant scrutiny due to a lack of transparency. In our latest blog, Valentina Drofa, Co-Founder and CEO of Drofa Comms, and Su Carpenter, Executive Director of CryptoUK delve into why transparency: 🔍 Is fundamental to building trust and credibility in the digital assets industry. 🌍 Is needed in regulatory frameworks to boost interoperability, confidence and adoption. 📢 Can be enhanced by effective communication strategies. 👓 Read the full discussion here: https://shorturl.at/SX7wo #Blockchain #Crypto #DigitalAssets #CryptoRegulation #Regulation #Advocacy

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📣 The European Commission is poised to ensure the FRTB starts in the EU at the same time as other jurisdictions. News is important as the likelihood of the US further delaying its own start date grows. #FRTB #BaselIII #EU #marketrisk https://lnkd.in/eBn-sKF7

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The rise of digital currencies and the success of private digital currencies such as #Bitcoin and #stablecoins have led central banks worldwide to investigate central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). The UK aims to stay at the forefront of financial innovation, ensuring the stability and efficiency of its payment systems and addressing the decline in cash usage. The Bank of England is in the process of examining the feasibility of using existing POS devices to facilitate #CBDC transactions in the event of a roll out of a digital pound roll out. TPA members can read my analysis of how this could impact merchants in this month's #PaymentsIntelligence with commentary from Ripple's Anthony Ralphs, Cohesive Architecture's Sudeepta Das and Xapo Bank's Joey Garcia below 👇

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SGM-FX Daily Analysis 'Reversion' By Charles Porter A defining feature of 2024’s #FXmarket has been the inversion of many #Dollar-termed forward curves. Despite the rising cost of holding #US Dollars against the base of such #currency pairs, the Dollar has remained relatively... Find out more from below! https://lnkd.in/eBZG_dXf

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In the last few years, the UAE (United Arab Emirates) has actively worked to regulate the digital asset currency transparently. The region is termed one of the fastest-evolving cryptocurrency hubs globally. #UAE #CRYPTO #ASSETS #EXCHANGE #BLOCKCHAIN #FINANCE

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Delve into DePIN in our newly published Blockchain Letter, where we discuss the opportunities and challenges in this growing sector. The team shares two case studies on GEODNET and Hivemapper, DePINs focused on satellite-based positioning and mapping. We also discuss highlights from our recent online panel on DePIN, where we hosted speakers from both projects mentioned above, as well as Overclock Labs, creators of Akash Network. Read here: https://lnkd.in/gaaxiS7M

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The April edition of The Otonomist is here! This edition includes a piece on the history of Crypto regulation, a discussion about on-ramping and off-ramping, and this piece by Otonomos's James Kingston about Real World Asset Tokenisation. #web3 #crytpo #defi #blockchain #realworldassets #incorporation #decentralization https://lnkd.in/dChRRZhY

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A reminder that the #Ontology Decentralised Identity Fund is still in full swing. With $10m of $ONT available to drive #DID education and adoption - how could you benefit? Unsure where to start? Check out our useful guide. https://lnkd.in/esUBmxYj

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Suppliers to CogX — one of the UK’s largest tech conferences — have told Sifted they’re resorting to the courts and turning to debt collectors in an attempt to recoup money they say they are owed. Following up on a story we published in April looking into claims that suppliers to CogX were owed "tens of thousands" in unpaid fees, more reached out to Sifted to say they’re overdue payment from the event. Five suppliers have now contacted Sifted to say they were owed money by CogX. Sifted approached a sixth after an anonymous tip off. Many are now intensifying their efforts to recoup debts as CogX gears up for its next London event on October 7. There are currently eight court orders, dating back to 2022, for CogX to pay creditors money — ranging from £2k-£15k — with six issued since the start of this year, according to TrustOnline, a service setup by the Ministry of Justice to provide access to court records. One supplier, which says they are owed “almost six figures", hired a debt collector earlier this year. A CogX spokesperson told Sifted that it acknowledges “a number of suppliers are awaiting payment” and that it apologises for the inconvenience caused. “CogX is in the process of raising a substantial new funding round to clear creditors and provide capital for long term growth of its CogX events business,” the spokesperson said. “We remain firmly committed to making sure that all outstanding invoices are paid in full." Read the full piece from Freya Pratty and myself here:

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Mastercard's New Peer-to-Peer Network: A Turning Point in #Crypto Transactions? ✅ Mastercard's recent announcement of the launch of its peer-to-peer (P2P) network for sending & receiving #digitalassets across borders marks a significant milestone in the evolution of crypto transactions. This initiative, known as Mastercard Crypto Credential, is poised to revolutionize the way we handle cross-border payments, particularly within the rapidly expanding remittances market. ⁉️ Simplifying Cross-Border Transactions ✅ The Mastercard Crypto Credential network, set to serve users in #Europe & #LatinAmerica, introduces a wallet labeling feature that significantly simplifies the process of sending and receiving digital assets. As claimed, by replacing the traditionally complex blockchain addresses with easy-to-use aliases, this new system not only enhances user convenience but also ensures a higher level of transaction security & trust. This innovation aligns perfectly with the increasing demand for streamlined, secure digital asset exchanges in the global remittances market. ⁉️ Aimed at Capturing the Remittances Market ✅ According to data from the IOM - UN Migration, migrants sent an estimated $831 billion in remittances worldwide in 2022, a substantial increase from $717 billion in 2020. #India #Mexico & #China were the top three remittance recipient countries, with India leading by a significant margin. The #UnitedStates remains the top remittance-sending country, with an outflow of $79 billion in 2022. Mastercard's entry into this space is strategic & timely. By leveraging its new #P2P network, Mastercard is well-positioned to capture a significant share of the remittances market, which is a core focus of its crypto strategy. The network’s ability to handle cross-border & domestic transfers across multiple currencies & blockchains ensures that users can transact seamlessly & securely, fostering greater trust & adoption of digital assets. ⁉️ A Traditional Finance Company Driving Innovation in the VDA Ecosystem ✅ Mastercard is also developing its Multi Token Network (MTN), designed to scale & secure blockchain technology. This network aims to address key industry needs, including effective identity management, compliance with regulatory standards & the scalability of blockchain networks. By providing a trusted framework for digital transactions, MTN complements the Mastercard Crypto Credential network & supports the broader digital asset ecosystem​. ✅ Mastercard’s launch of its P2P network for digital assets is surely a new & exciting update for the crypto & remittances markets, largely simplifying cross-border transactions & enhancing security. **Image for illustration purposes only.

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Big day for FinCEN’s Global Investigstions team, with Treasury’s rollout of coordinated action targeting PM2BTC, a Russian virtual asset service provider, and related illicit crypto actors. The PM2BTC action finds this VASP to be a primary money laundering concern in connection with Russian illicit finance for its role in facilitating Russia-related ransomware payments, darknet market and another illicit activity, and prohibits domestic financial institutions from transmitting funds involving PM2BTC. This is FinCEN’s second action under section 9714 of the Combating Russian Money Laundering Act, and was taken in conjunction with complementary action by the U.S. Secret Service and DOJ as part of Operation Endgame, a coordinated international law enforcement effort targeting cybercrime and botnets. We’re all stronger when we work together! #GID #aml #fincen #crypto #cyber #USSS #DOJ Learn more about the action/efforts here: Press Release: https://lnkd.in/ezV8hrMm Order: https://lnkd.in/ehnzEpWK Operation Endgame: https://lnkd.in/emSQUhET

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⚖️The Trial of the Pyx, a centuries-old tradition ensuring the quality of coinage, finds its modern counterpart in Project Pyxtrial.   🔍Pyxtrial, a joint initiative between Bank for International Settlements – BIS Innovation Hub and Bank of England, showcases how Digital Token Identifiers (DTIs) are being used to address the challenge of accurately monitoring specific stablecoin tokens across multiple ledger implementations.   📖Read more, along with other exciting adoption stories in the article below.   https://lnkd.in/gcwrUSiU   #CryptoAssets #DigitalAssets #DTI #ISO                

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Our Risk Quantum team has noticed the switch to the FRTB's standardised approach has led to a drop in risk-weighted assets for some banks compared to the old IMA. Where's all the risk gone? #BaselIII #FRTB #marketrisk https://lnkd.in/eUyfR89z

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As we highlighted early on in the session in our daily brief yesterday, the path of the #Fed was in focus over the weekend. Click on the link below to read more from Charles's Daily Brief! https://lnkd.in/ePJ4jftJ

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The #LabourParty is set to lead the #UKgovernment after a #landslidevictory on July 4. #Advocates are urging the new #administration to continue the #progress made by the #Conservatives on #crypto and #blockchainregulation. With key #appointments like Rt Hon Rachel Reeves as #ChancelloroftheExchequer, the future of #digitalassets in the #UK is at a pivotal moment. How will Labour's #leadership shape the #cryptolandscape? Read about the latest #insights and potential #impacts. #Cryptonews #Blockchainnews #blockchain #cryptocurrency #UKPolitics #UKelections CryptoUK https://lnkd.in/deFNDD64

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MiCA regulations as they relate to stablecoins are set to come into effect this week. We speak to Fireblocks Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Jason P. Allegrante, on the potential impacts this will have on stablecoin companies. More below. #Crypto #Stablecoins #Regulation

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The process of linking a CBDC, tokenized asset, digital wallet, and bank account is what governments need to envision as the goal of any CBDC initiative, argues Ariel Shapira. https://lnkd.in/g7bFWk5C

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