• Prices: Bitcoin drifted lower in Tuesday trading, albeit not by much as crypto prices remain largely frozen near levels they’ve held for a week.
• Insights: CoinDesk’s Chief Insights Columnist David Z. Morris zeroed in on the seriousness of crypto exchange giant FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried’s offenses, leading to the U.S. Department of Justice subsequently charging him with wire fraud and other alleged crimes.
• Catch the latest episodes of CoinDesk TV for insightful interviews with crypto industry leaders and analysis.

Tuesday’s crypto market saw yet another day of relative stability as Bitcoin prices stagnated near their current levels. BTC was recently trading at $16,700, off 1.3% over the past 24 hours, as investors continued their year-end hibernation.

Crypto prices remain frozen near the levels they’ve held for much of the past two weeks. This has been an unprecedented level of stability for the notoriously volatile asset class. It is largely in part to the recent news of a major crypto exchange’s CEO being charged with wire fraud and other alleged crimes.

On November 2020, CoinDesk’s Chief Insights Columnist David Z. Morris wrote a story that led to the implosion of crypto exchange giant FTX. The story zeroed in on the seriousness of CEO Sam Bankman-Fried’s offenses, which prompted U.S. Department of Justice to subsequently charge him with wire fraud and other alleged crimes. After posting bail, Bankman-Fried is confined to his parents California home except to exercise, and must wear a tracking device.

To keep up with the latest news and insights for the crypto market, CoinDesk offers its viewers and readers the chance to watch CoinDesk TV for insightful interviews with crypto industry leaders and analysis. Additionally, CoinDesk also provides its daily newsletter “First Mover” which offers readers with the latest moves in crypto markets in context.

Despite the recent news, Bitcoin remains resilient over the past two months, despite the winter storms plaguing the U.S. and the coronavirus pandemic still raging in many countries. This level of stability could prove to be a promising sign for crypto investors in the upcoming year.

• Decentralized-finance protocol Defrost Finance was hacked on Friday, with blockchain security firm PeckShield estimating that $12 million was taken.
• The attack used a flash loan to drain funds out of the protocol’s V2 product, and a second larger attack used the owner key to exploit V1.
• If the attack is a rug pull, it would be an unusual one, as the team behind the scheme usually goes silent and can’t be contacted.

On Friday, decentralized-finance protocol Defrost Finance was hacked, with blockchain security firm PeckShield estimating that around $12 million was taken. The attack used a flash loan to drain funds out of the protocol’s V2 product, and a second larger attack used the owner key to exploit V1. In a tweet thread posted on Sunday, the Defrost team said it had been working around the clock to find out more details concerning the events of the past 48 hours.

PeckShield’s analysis showed the attack used a fake collateral token together with manipulated pricing. This type of attack is known as a rug pull, or exit scam, which occurs when developers create and establish a liquidity pool and then remove the funds and disappear after investors have bought the related token. The total value of funds locked on Defrost Finance, which peaked at $95 million in February, was about $13 million in recent weeks, according to data from Defi Llama. That figure dropped to less than $93,000 on Sunday.

If the attack is a rug pull, it’s an unusual one. Usually, the team behind the scheme goes silent and can’t be contacted. However, Defrost Finance announced the attack and said in a tweet that it’s willing to negotiate with the people responsible for a return of the funds. Unfortunately, an attempt to reach the firm through Twitter failed because direct messages have been disabled on the account. Certik tweeted on Monday that it tried “to contact multiple members of the team but have had no response.”

The Defrost team has launched an investigation and is working with blockchain security companies to recover the funds and secure the protocol. It is also in contact with major exchanges to freeze the attackers’ addresses and prevent any further losses. While the details of the attack are still being determined, it is clear that the incident has had a major impact on the Defrost Finance platform. The team is still trying to ascertain the full extent of the attack and is encouraging users to remain patient while they work to resolve the issue.

• According to a report by blockchain intelligence firm Crystal Blockchain, the total amount of cryptocurrency payments to ransomware hackers in 2021 was only $16 million, a stark contrast to the nearly $74 million USD in 2021.
• Crystal’s director of blockchain intelligence believes that it is too early to conclude that ransomware attacks are in permanent decline.
• Analysis of on-chain activity shows a decrease in popularity of crypto services with a high money laundering risk score, while those that manage to keep “dirty” crypto out have tightened their anti-money laundering policies, scaring away criminal actors.

Ransomware attacks, which involve hackers holding someone’s data hostage until they receive a payment, have been increasingly on the rise since 2021. A recent report from blockchain intelligence firm Crystal Blockchain has revealed that cryptocurrency payments to ransomware hackers “totaled a mere $16 million, compared to nearly $74 million USD in 2021.”

Nick Smart, Crystal’s director of blockchain intelligence, told CoinDesk that it may be too early to conclude that ransomware attacks are in permanent decline. He noted that because of the way ransoms usually work, it is not possible to tell what is currently happening, as many companies do not disclose payment information publicly.

Analysis of on-chain activities has shown that crypto services with a high money laundering risk score – meaning they receive funds from scams and cybercrime more often than other services – are seeing a drop in popularity. This is likely due to increased regulation, registration, and client expectations.

At the same time, crypto exchanges and services that manage to keep “dirty” crypto out have been further tightening their anti-money laundering policies, effectively scaring away criminal actors. This has resulted in a 24% decrease in the volume of funds sent to low-risk exchanges from scams in 2022 compared to 2021.

The report from Crystal Blockchain sheds light on how the cryptocurrency ecosystem is evolving, with many entities taking steps to reduce the risk of money laundering and criminal activity. Companies are increasingly aware of the need to take steps to protect their customers, and this is resulting in increased security and trust.

• The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board issued a 14-page report outlining the risks associated with investing in cryptocurrency.
• The report outlines standards for financial advisors to abide by when giving advice on cryptocurrency investment, including adhering to Fiduciary Duty and possessing competency in the topic.
• The report does not require advisors to give advice on crypto, but it does provide guidance on how to do so if they choose to.

The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board recently released a 14-page report outlining the risks associated with investing in cryptocurrency and providing guidance for financial advisors on how to handle such investments. The report, titled “Notice to CFP Professionals Regarding Financial Advice About Cryptocurrency-related Assets,” explains the CFP Board’s Code and Standards, which do not prohibit advisors from giving advice on crypto but also do not require them to do so.

The report outlines a series of risks associated with cryptocurrency investment, such as volatile market prices and the potential for fraud. It also emphasizes that financial advisors must abide by Fiduciary Duty when giving advice on crypto by taking into account the goals, risk tolerances and personal/financial circumstances of the client. It also underscores the standards of competency necessary for giving crypto-related advice.

The CFP Board’s report is designed to help advisors understand the risks associated with cryptocurrency, as well as provide guidance on how to properly provide advice on crypto-related investments. It stresses the importance of transparency and disclosure, as well as the importance of understanding the risks associated with the investment. The report also provides guidance on the types of questions advisors should ask themselves before giving crypto-related advice, such as whether the client is able to bear the potential losses of the investment and whether the client has the necessary technical knowledge to understand the risks.

Ultimately, the CFP Board’s report provides a comprehensive overview of the risks associated with cryptocurrency investments, as well as guidance for advisors on how to properly handle such investments. While it does not require advisors to give advice on crypto, it does provide guidance on how to do so if they choose to. By adhering to the principles outlined in the report, financial advisors can ensure they are providing their clients with the best advice possible when it comes to cryptocurrency investments.

• Paul Hastings LLP has been chosen to represent FTX creditors in the crypto exchange’s bankruptcy proceedings.
• The court document filed on the same day shows the New York law firm, along with Delaware-based Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP, will be handling “all papers served or required to be served,” in the bankruptcy case on behalf of creditors.
• At a meeting of FTX creditors held Tuesday, U.S. Trustee Juliet Sarkessian urged creditors looking to secure their representation in the case to reach out to the committee’s counsel once formally in place.

The popular crypto exchange FTX has tapped Paul Hastings LLP to represent its creditors in the bankruptcy proceedings. The court document filed on the same day shows the New York law firm, along with Delaware-based Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP, will be handling “all papers served or required to be served,” in the bankruptcy case on behalf of creditors. A creditor committee chose Paul Hastings from among a number of firms that pitched for the role. The creditors’ committee was formed last Thursday to gather over $1 billion in cash assets scattered across the globe.

At a meeting of FTX creditors held Tuesday, U.S. Trustee Juliet Sarkessian urged creditors looking to secure their representation in the case to reach out to the committee’s counsel once formally in place. Sarkessian, a U.S Department of Justice official charged with overseeing bankruptcy cases, noted that the lawyers may be able to provide some help though, and they may even create their own website potentially for information for creditors.

The bankruptcy proceedings come amidst the scandal surrounding FTX’s founder Sam Bankman-Fried. On Wednesday, Bankman-Fried was set to be extradited from the Bahamas to the U.S. to face criminal charges. Meanwhile, two executives in his inner circle, Caroline Ellison and Gary Wang, agreed to a plea deal with the Justice Department.

Overall, the bankruptcy proceedings of FTX are complicated and have been ongoing for some time. With the appointment of Paul Hastings LLP, creditors can now have more confidence in the process. The law firm will be handling all papers served or required to be served in the bankruptcy case on behalf of creditors. Additionally, U.S. Trustee Juliet Sarkessian has urged creditors to reach out to the committee’s counsel once formally in place for any help or information.

• The crypto market has been experiencing a period of stability as Bitcoin is locked in a narrow range amid macroeconomic uncertainty and FTX contagion fears.
• Bitcoin’s realized volatility has hit a two-year low, indicating a period of calm before a sharp move.
• Low realized volatility combined with an uptick in implied volatility is a sign of upcoming wild price fluctuations.

The crypto market has recently been experiencing a period of stability, with Bitcoin locked in the narrow range of $16,000 to $18,000 amid lingering economic uncertainty and FTX contagion fears. This tranquility is illustrated by the ultra-low realized volatility of Bitcoin, which has reached a two-year low. Realized volatility refers to the magnitude of daily price movements, irrespective of direction, over a specific period. It is a backward-looking metric, while the implied volatility is forward-looking, revealing options traders’ expectations for price turbulence over the coming week or month.

According to Blockware’s weekly report, this low volatility is the lowest level for realized volatility since the third quarter of 2020, just before the last bull run. Prior to that instance, volatility was this low at the bottom of the 2018 bear market. This low volatility combined with an uptick in implied volatility is a sign of upcoming wild price fluctuations. As such, investors should be prepared for a sharp move soon, as the crypto market does not stay tranquil for long.

The Dec. 12 issue of Bitfinex’s Alpha report stated that an extended period of low realized volatility is usually followed by wild price fluctuations. As such, investors should be prepared for a swift move in the market. This low volatility may be due to the ample capital supply from investors, who are waiting to accumulate coins.

Overall, the crypto market is currently in a period of tranquility, with Bitcoin’s realized volatility reaching a two-year low. However, investors should be prepared for a sharp move soon, as the crypto market does not stay tranquil for long. Low realized volatility combined with an uptick in implied volatility is a sign of upcoming wild price fluctuations. Thus, investors should be prepared for a swift move in the market.

• British Columbia has become the third Canadian province to impose restrictions on crypto mining, with a 18 month moratorium on new connections to the power grid.
• The move is intended to preserve electricity for electric vehicles and heat pumps, and for businesses and industries that are undertaking electrification projects.
• Currently, 21 projects are requesting a total of 1,403 megawatts (MW) in the province, equivalent to the energy needed to power approximately 570,000 homes, or 2.1 million electric vehicles.

British Columbia has become the third Canadian province to restrict the crypto mining industry, with a new 18-month moratorium on new connections to the province’s power grid. This moratorium comes after similar restrictions have been imposed by utilities in Quebec and Manitoba due to the high demand for power. The province hopes that this measure will help preserve electricity for electrification projects that reduce carbon emissions, create jobs, and generate economic opportunities.

The announcement was made by Josie Osborne, British Columbia’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, in a post on the provincial government’s website. The post states that currently, 21 projects are requesting a total of 1,403 megawatts (MW) in the province, equivalent to the energy needed to power approximately 570,000 homes, or 2.1 million electric vehicles.

The province has made it clear that the moratorium will not affect existing mining operations and that it will be managed on a case-by-case basis. In addition, the government plans to work with the mining industry to ensure that they are able to remain competitive and find ways to reduce the amount of energy they consume.

The government also plans to use this time to ensure that the industry is operating responsibly and in compliance with environmental regulations. This includes working with the mining industry to ensure that they are using renewable energy sources and not relying on fossil fuels.

The province of British Columbia is taking a bold step in putting restrictions on crypto mining and is making a clear statement that this industry will not be allowed to consume large amounts of energy without being held accountable. This move is being applauded by environmental activists and those who are concerned about the impact of crypto mining on the environment.

It remains to be seen how this moratorium will affect the crypto mining industry, but it is clear that the province is taking steps to ensure that the industry is operating responsibly and in compliance with environmental regulations. This moratorium is an important first step in ensuring that the industry is using renewable energy sources and not relying on fossil fuels.

• Twitter has integrated cryptocurrency prices into its search results using a plug-in from charting platform TradingView.
• This integration allows users to type crypto or stock tickers into the search bar to generate the current value and a price chart.
• The social media giant has had several ties to the crypto industry over the past few years.

Twitter, the popular social media platform, recently announced their integration of cryptocurrency prices into their search results using a plug-in from charting platform TradingView. This integration allows users to easily access the current value and a price chart of various crypto and stock tickers, providing a more convenient and user-friendly experience.

The integration is the most recent of the social media giant’s ties to the crypto industry. In September 2021, Twitter added a tipping feature, allowing users to easily send cryptocurrency to each other. More recently, the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, spearheaded plans to invest $1.5 billion of electric-car maker Tesla’s balance sheet into bitcoin, most of which has now been sold.

In order to ensure the best user experience, Twitter plans to refine the current user experience and expand its coverage of symbols in the near future. This development will make it even easier for users to search for cryptocurrency-related data and prices, encouraging more involvement in the industry.

The integration of cryptocurrency prices into Twitter’s search results is an important step in the development of the industry. This integration allows users to access the most up-to-date information on various crypto and stock tickers with ease, making the industry more accessible to a wider range of users. By continuing to refine the user experience, Twitter is helping to drive the industry forward and making it easier for users to engage with the world of cryptocurrency.