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Marcus Lee

Reports on custody, compliance, and the infrastructure behind digital assets.

LATEST BY MARCUS LEE

Germany's Proposed 25% Crypto Tax: A Game Changer for Investors

Regulation

Germany's Proposed 25% Crypto Tax: A Game Changer for Investors

Germany's Finance Ministry is reportedly pushing for a 25% tax on cryptocurrency gains starting in 2028, a significant departure from its current policy that exempts gains after a one-year holding period. This move could reshape investment strategies and set a new precedent in European crypto regulation.

Marcus Lee·4w ago
Audit Reveals $7M Custody Gap, Forces Tether-Backed Orionx Exchange Shutdown

Markets

Audit Reveals $7M Custody Gap, Forces Tether-Backed Orionx Exchange Shutdown

Crypto exchange Orionx, which received investment from Tether, is permanently ceasing operations after an audit uncovered a $7 million shortfall in customer assets moved to external wallets.

Marcus Lee·4w ago
Japanese Conglomerate Remixpoint Goes Bitcoin-Only, Sells $5.5M in Altcoins

Markets

Japanese Conglomerate Remixpoint Goes Bitcoin-Only, Sells $5.5M in Altcoins

Japanese firm Remixpoint has divested its entire altcoin portfolio, including ETH, SOL, XRP, and DOGE, to consolidate its crypto holdings into a single bet on Bitcoin, netting a $736,000 profit.

Marcus Lee·1mo ago
Bitcoin Stumbles Below $80K as Fed's Warsh Dampens Inflation Optimism

Markets

Bitcoin Stumbles Below $80K as Fed's Warsh Dampens Inflation Optimism

Bitcoin struggled to hold key resistance after Federal Reserve official Kevin Warsh's remarks at Jackson Hole signaled a cautious stance on recent inflation data, impacting market sentiment.

Marcus Lee·1mo ago
Bitcoin Spot ETFs Surge Past $3 Billion in August, Halving Year-to-Date Outflow Deficit

Markets

Bitcoin Spot ETFs Surge Past $3 Billion in August, Halving Year-to-Date Outflow Deficit

Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds have recorded over $3 billion in inflows this August, significantly narrowing their year-to-date net outflow deficit and approaching October 2025's record figures.

Marcus Lee·1mo ago
Bybit Bridges TradFi and Crypto: Tokenized Nvidia, Apple, Tesla Stocks Now Loan Collateral

Markets

Bybit Bridges TradFi and Crypto: Tokenized Nvidia, Apple, Tesla Stocks Now Loan Collateral

Crypto exchange Bybit has announced the integration of tokenized shares from tech giants Nvidia, Apple, and Tesla, among others, as collateral for its margin trading and lending products. This move allows eligible retail and institutional users to leverage their traditional stock holdings within the crypto ecosystem, m

Marcus Lee·2mo ago
ARK Invest Analyst Predicts Crypto's "Biggest Consolidation Phase" Yet

Markets

ARK Invest Analyst Predicts Crypto's "Biggest Consolidation Phase" Yet

ARK Invest's Lorenzo Valente suggests the crypto market is on the cusp of an unprecedented consolidation, driven by revenue concentration and signaling a wave of mergers, acquisitions, and exchange closures.

Marcus Lee·2mo ago
DeFi's New Frontier: Three Young Protocols Distribute $96M to Token Holders, Shifting Value Metrics

DeFi

DeFi's New Frontier: Three Young Protocols Distribute $96M to Token Holders, Shifting Value Metrics

Hyperliquid, EdgeX, and Pump.fun have collectively returned $96 million to token holders in just 30 days, signaling a critical shift in how DeFi protocols are valued and what truly drives investor interest.

Marcus Lee·5mo ago
Block Inc. Stock Jumps 8% on Q1 Earnings Beat Despite Bitcoin Revenue Dip

Markets

Block Inc. Stock Jumps 8% on Q1 Earnings Beat Despite Bitcoin Revenue Dip

Block Inc. surprised analysts with a strong Q1 earnings report, sending its stock up 8%, even as its Bitcoin revenue saw a 26% decline due to strategic shifts in Cash App's transaction fees and trading dynamics.

Marcus Lee·5mo ago
OFAC's 'Iranian' Crypto Seizures Questioned by Analyst, Pointing to Evolving State Actor Tactics

Regulation

OFAC's 'Iranian' Crypto Seizures Questioned by Analyst, Pointing to Evolving State Actor Tactics

A new analysis by blockchain intelligence firm Nominis casts doubt on the U.S. Treasury's attribution of recently seized crypto wallets to Iran, suggesting the funds may belong to other state actors employing more sophisticated blockchain strategies.

Marcus Lee·5mo ago
UK Regulator Greenlights On-Chain Registers for Tokenized Funds, Streamlining Asset Management

Regulation

UK Regulator Greenlights On-Chain Registers for Tokenized Funds, Streamlining Asset Management

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued new guidance, PS26/7, allowing regulated funds to maintain investor registers on blockchain and introducing a 'Direct-to-Fund' dealing model, signaling a significant step towards integrating tokenized finance within existing regulatory frameworks.

Marcus Lee·5mo ago
CFTC Escalates Prediction Market Battle, Sues Wisconsin Over Jurisdiction

Regulation

CFTC Escalates Prediction Market Battle, Sues Wisconsin Over Jurisdiction

The CFTC has filed its fifth lawsuit against a U.S. state, this time targeting Wisconsin, in an ongoing effort to assert federal jurisdiction over prediction markets and prevent states from regulating them as illegal gambling.

Marcus Lee·5mo ago
Banking Circle Enters Europe's MiCA-Regulated Stablecoin Settlement Race, Intensifying Institutional Competition

Infrastructure

Banking Circle Enters Europe's MiCA-Regulated Stablecoin Settlement Race, Intensifying Institutional Competition

MiCA-licensed Banking Circle is launching stablecoin settlement services in Europe, joining a competitive field of traditional financial institutions vying for a share of the burgeoning digital asset payments market.

Marcus Lee·5mo ago
US DOJ Seizes $701M in Crypto, Dismantles Southeast Asia Scam Infrastructure

Regulation

US DOJ Seizes $701M in Crypto, Dismantles Southeast Asia Scam Infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Justice's strike force has "restrained" over $700 million in cryptocurrency as part of an ongoing crackdown on sophisticated scam operations originating from Southeast Asia, highlighting intensified global efforts against crypto-enabled financial crime.

Marcus Lee·5mo ago
Bitcoin Eyes $80K as Derivatives Data Signals Strong Bullish Momentum

Markets

Bitcoin Eyes $80K as Derivatives Data Signals Strong Bullish Momentum

Bitcoin's recent surge past $79,000 is backed by robust derivatives market activity, suggesting a sustained bullish trend as key resistance levels loom.

Marcus Lee·5mo ago
Bitcoin Eyes $81,000 'Final Boss' Amidst Geopolitical Jitters and ETF Inflows

Markets

Bitcoin Eyes $81,000 'Final Boss' Amidst Geopolitical Jitters and ETF Inflows

Despite escalating US-Iran tensions, Bitcoin closed its weekly candle in the green, setting the stage for a potential push towards new highs. Analysts pinpoint $81,000 as a critical resistance level, influenced by Elliott Wave analysis and institutional cost bases, while geopolitical events continue to shape short-term

Marcus Lee·5mo ago
SEC Charges Donald Basile in $16M Bitcoin Latinum 'Insured' Token Fraud

Regulation

SEC Charges Donald Basile in $16M Bitcoin Latinum 'Insured' Token Fraud

The SEC has filed a lawsuit against crypto executive Donald Basile, alleging he orchestrated a $16 million fraud scheme involving false claims of an "insured" Bitcoin Latinum token and diverted investor funds for personal luxury.

Marcus Lee·5mo ago
Naver and Dunamu Chart IPO Course for Fintech Unit, Signaling Upbit Parent's Listing Intent

Markets

Naver and Dunamu Chart IPO Course for Fintech Unit, Signaling Upbit Parent's Listing Intent

A corrected regulatory filing from Naver and Dunamu reveals plans for an IPO committee for Naver Financial within a year, setting a five-year listing timeline for the fintech group that will eventually include Upbit's parent company.

Marcus Lee·5mo ago
Bitcoin's $50K Question: Analysts Eye Final Flush Before Sustained Recovery

Markets

Bitcoin's $50K Question: Analysts Eye Final Flush Before Sustained Recovery

Despite recent market volatility, several prominent crypto analysts anticipate a final capitulation event, potentially driving Bitcoin to the $50,000 mark, which they view as a critical accumulation zone before a significant rebound.

Marcus Lee·5mo ago
Macro Analyst Jordi Visser Identifies Key Bitcoin, Ethereum Levels for Sustainable Trend Reversal

Markets

Macro Analyst Jordi Visser Identifies Key Bitcoin, Ethereum Levels for Sustainable Trend Reversal

Macro analyst Jordi Visser suggests Bitcoin and Ethereum are within striking distance of critical price levels that could signal a sustainable market reversal for 2026, challenging prevailing bearish sentiment.

Marcus Lee·6mo ago
Federal Agencies Challenge Arizona's Kalshi Crackdown, Asserting CFTC Jurisdiction Over Prediction Markets

Regulation

Federal Agencies Challenge Arizona's Kalshi Crackdown, Asserting CFTC Jurisdiction Over Prediction Markets

The U.S. Justice Department and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have moved to block Arizona's criminal action against prediction market platform Kalshi, arguing that federally regulated event contracts fall under exclusive federal oversight, setting up a critical jurisdictional battle.

Marcus Lee·6mo ago
XRP Faces Steep Correction as On-Chain Metrics Signal Capitulation and Technical Breakdown Targets $1.10

Markets

XRP Faces Steep Correction as On-Chain Metrics Signal Capitulation and Technical Breakdown Targets $1.10

XRP is showing significant bearish momentum, with its supply in profit hitting a 17-month low of 43% and a rising wedge breakdown pointing to a potential drop toward $1.10. On-chain data indicates widespread investor capitulation and a low MVRV, suggesting further downside pressure.

Marcus Lee·6mo ago