Circle Highlights Surge in USDC Use for Asia Remittances in New Report

Since its introduction in 2018, USDC has been used to settle over $12 trillion in blockchain transactions.Source

First Mover Americas: Bitcoin Pulls Back to $42K; Venezuela Shutters Petro Crypto Project

The latest price moves in bitcoin [BTC] and crypto markets in context for Jan. 15, 2024. First Mover is CoinDesk’s daily newsletter that contextualizes the latest actions in the crypto markets.Source

Google Cloud Joins Flare Network as Validator, FLR Jumps 5%

Flare, which calls itself “the blockchain for data,” gives developers access to decentralized data via its Oracle system..Source

Do Kwon Appeals New Montenegro High Court Decision Upholding Extradition Requests, Lawyer Says

Local courts may be facing political pressure regarding Kwon’s extradition to the U.S. or South Korea, his lawyer Goran Rodic told CoinDesk.Source

Bitcoin Traders Eye Support at $40K as ETF Contrarian Bets Prove Right

The approval of spot bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. was much anticipated and well-priced, so the event will likely be a short- to mid-term top for the price, analysts said.Source

JPMorgan Sees Significant Capital From Existing Crypto Products Pouring Into New Spot Bitcoin ETFs

The newly created ETFs could attract inflows of up to $36 billion from other crypto products like Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), the report said.Source

Tokenized Fund Adoption Grows but Brings Technology Risks: Moody’s

Entities providing tokenization tech have a limited track record and may contribute to increased risk, a new report by analysts at the credit-rating agency says.Source

Venezuela Ends Controversial Petro Cryptocurrency: Reports

Venezuela is ending its Petro cryptocurrency on Monday, more than five years after it was first launched, according to multiple reports.Source

In Failed Bitfinex Exploit Attempt, Billions in XRP Moved

The failed token transfers spooked some market watchers as they amounted to nearly half of XRP’s $30 billion market capitalization.Source

Bitcoin’s Technicals Suggests Deeper Pullback to $38K: Analyst

Bitcoin’s RSI divergence signals correction, 10x Research said.Source