From Bitcoin spot ETFs reaching $10b trading volume to Argentine President green-lighting provincial currencies, here's what happened in crypto today!
The crypto crowd is still abuzz about last week's long-awaited launch of Bitcoin spot ETFs in the US. Over $10 billion in trading volume poured into these funds within the first 3 days - an insane pace signaling intense interest.
Yet even as the ETF continues capturing attention on Crypto Twitter, the broader industry keeps pushing adoption forward elsewhere. From regional expansion plays to unicorn valuations, positive momentum carries crypto growth in 2024.
With that in mind, let's dive into today’s top stories:
- Binance reaches Thailand through a new joint venture 🇹🇭
- OKX secures regulatory approval for UAE operations 🇦🇪
- Jupiter hints at upcoming airdrop and memecoin launch 🪙
- Argentina's president gives the green light for provincial currencies 💶
- Hong Kong's HashKey exchange becomes a crypto unicorn after $100M funding 🦄
Now let's explore the details behind each headline...
Binance Lands in Thailand 🇹🇭
Binance activated expansion mode this week - stepping into the promising Thai crypto markets!
Through a joint venture with Gulf Innova, the top exchange birthed Binance Thailand - a new fortress catering to local crypto users!
Binance Thailand already integrated local bank transfers and Thai Baht trading pairs - crucial plumbing for regional adoption.
It also tapped technical and compliance support from Binance Kazakhstan to meet all regulatory checkboxes. Read the full story!
And OKX Goes to Dubai… 🇦🇪
The Dubai crypto frontier also expanded this week, courtesy of OKX!
The exchange secured a VASP license from the region's blockchain overlords - VARA.
This clearance permits OKX Middle East to enable spot trading and asset services for qualified retail and institutions once conditions are met.
While crypto exchanges are aiming for other Asian countries now, isn’t OKX a little too late to the party? Read the full story!
Airdrop Incoming! 🪙
The Solana DeFi aggregator confirmed its long-awaited JUP token airdrop launch on January 31st.
Distributing 1 billion JUP tokens to almost 1 million wallets based on past platform activity.
But that's just the first stage booster detached. Because Jupiter also plans a memecoin launch next week!
While barely a few details have emerged, the project views it as a "testing ground" for their new launchpad.
Interested in these tokens? Check out the full story!
Local Currencies Are Coming to Argentina! 💶
President Milei dropped a currency bomb this week that could dramatically reshape Argentina's monetary landscape.
When asked if he would interfere with provinces rolling out their own tender alternatives, Milei gave a laissez-faire thumbs up.
Opinions fiercely split on this unexpected reveal.
Some economists are freaking out due to the possible risks complicating Argentina's already complex monetary conditions.
However, supporters argue that increased regional autonomy allows better economic self-determination for individual provinces.
So will Argentina become home to new state-controlled digital currencies? Read the full story!
Crypto Exchange Becomes a Unicorn! 🦄
A new crypto unicorn emerges from Hong Kong this week as HashKey vaults the billion-dollar valuation mark!
The Hong Kong exchange closed a $100 million Series A funding round backed by institutional whales.
As one of few exchanges holding regional licenses, HashKey finds itself riding a surging crypto adoption wave in APAC markets.
And the exchange is planning on investing this capital in a few rising trends! Read the full story!
That wraps up the key crypto developments over the past 24 hours. We will be back tomorrow with more updates!
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