Breaking Crypto News: Dogecoin’s Rise with Musk, Satoshi Nakamoto Verdict, and Global Developments

March 15, 2024

Crypto World

Maciej Zerelik

Dive into the freshest perspectives from StealthEX and CryptoDaily! We’re thrilled to present to you a concise, straightforward summary of the key developments influencing the crypto world. Curious about the top stories in the crypto realm this week? Join us as we delve into them immediately!

Dogecoin Soars as Elon Musk Hints It Could Be Used to Buy Teslas

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, hinted at the possibility of Dogecoin being accepted as payment for Tesla cars in the future. This announcement led to a significant surge in Dogecoin’s value, with an 8% increase in just 24 hours, pushing its market capitalization to around $26.5 billion. Musk’s endorsement of Dogecoin, a meme-inspired cryptocurrency, has once again highlighted his influence on the crypto market.

During a visit to the Tesla Gigafactory in Germany, Musk responded to inquiries about accepting Dogecoin for car purchases by stating the company “should enable that…at some point.” He emphasized Dogecoin’s status as “the people’s crypto” and expressed his support for it over other cryptocurrencies. This is not the first time Musk has shown favor towards Dogecoin; he has previously promoted it through social media and public appearances, contributing to its volatile price history.

Musk’s support for Dogecoin comes amid a broader rally in the cryptocurrency market, with Bitcoin reaching a record high and the total market value surpassing $2.85 trillion. As the crypto community reacts to Musk’s hints, the potential for Dogecoin to become a mainstream payment method for Tesla purchases adds an intriguing layer to the evolving relationship between technology, finance, and culture.

UK Court Declares Craig Wright Is Not Satoshi Nakamoto

UK court has definitively stated that Australian computer scientist Craig Wright is not Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin. This verdict comes after the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA) challenged Wright’s claims of being the digital currency’s inventor, aiming to prevent him from asserting intellectual property rights over Bitcoin’s foundational technology.

The court’s decision was swift and unequivocal, dismissing Wright’s long-standing assertion that he authored the 2008 Bitcoin whitepaper. The judge’s ruling addressed several points, firmly establishing that Wright was not the author of the Bitcoin whitepaper, did not operate under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, did not create the Bitcoin system, and was not the author of the initial versions of the Bitcoin software.

This ruling is celebrated by COPA and its members, including notable firms like Block, Coinbase, and MicroStrategy, as a victory for developers, the open-source community, and the truth. It marks the end of Wright’s years-long campaign of using his claim to Satoshi Nakamoto’s identity to intimidate and sue members of the Bitcoin community.

The case also highlighted allegations of forgery against Wright, with COPA accusing him of presenting backdated documents and evidence created with software that did not exist at the time the documents were supposedly made. The court’s decision not only clears the air on Wright’s claims but also sets a precedent for the protection of developers and the integrity of the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

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El Salvador Champions Investment with Zero Income Tax on International Funds

El Salvador has taken a bold step to boost its appeal to foreign investors and expatriates by eliminating income tax on international investments and money transfers. Previously set at 30%, the tax rate has been slashed to 0%, as announced by President Nayib Bukele. This strategic move is aimed at attracting foreign capital and stimulating economic growth within the country.

By removing the income tax barrier, El Salvador positions itself as a more attractive destination for international investment and financial inflows. This policy change reflects the government’s commitment to fostering an environment conducive to economic development and global integration. It’s a significant shift that could lead to increased foreign investment, providing a much-needed stimulus to the local economy.

The decision to axe income tax on international funds is part of El Salvador’s broader strategy to embrace digital innovation and financial inclusivity. As the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, El Salvador continues to demonstrate its openness to unconventional economic policies. This latest tax reform is expected to further enhance its reputation as a forward-thinking and investor-friendly nation, potentially setting a precedent for other countries to follow.

Ethereum’s Dencun Upgrade: A Leap Towards Scalability and Efficiency

Ethereum has embarked on a new chapter with the successful deployment of the Dencun upgrade on its mainnet, marking a significant milestone in the network’s journey towards enhanced scalability and reduced transaction costs. Launched on March 14, 2024, at 9:55 AM ET, the Dencun upgrade promises to revolutionize the way transactions are processed on Ethereum, particularly on Layer-2 networks, by potentially making gas fees a thing of the past.

The upgrade introduces a series of Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs), including the much-discussed EIP-4844, also known as Proto-Danksharding. This feature establishes a dedicated data channel for Layer-2 solutions, drastically cutting down transaction fees on rollups. With a total of nine EIPs rolled out in this single fork, Dencun ties for the largest number of improvements introduced in one go within the Ethereum ecosystem.

Developers and users alike are poised to see immediate benefits from the upgrade, as “data blobs” introduced by EIP-4844 significantly reduce transaction fees. This reduction is expected to be so substantial that, once settlement contracts across Layer-2 networks incorporate Dencun, gas fees could drop by 75%. This upgrade is not just about cost reduction; it also expands Ethereum’s capabilities, making it a more robust and efficient platform for developers and users.

The Dencun upgrade is hailed as a transformative step for Ethereum, likened to the shift from country back roads to a four-lane highway in terms of transaction processing efficiency. It builds on the momentum of previous upgrades, including the landmark Merge of 2022, and sets a new precedent for the network’s evolution towards a future where transaction fees are minimal, ensuring Ethereum remains at the forefront of blockchain innovation.

Coinbase Embarks on $1 Billion Convertible Debt Offering

Coinbase, the leading cryptocurrency exchange in the U.S., has announced its plan to raise $1 billion through a convertible debt offering. This strategic move is designed to capitalize on the recent surge in digital asset markets without diluting the ownership interests of current shareholders. By opting for convertible bonds, which can be converted into company shares or cash by 2030, Coinbase is following a path similar to that of Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy, which has successfully funded its Bitcoin acquisitions through convertible notes.

The offering includes a special feature known as “negotiated capped call transactions.” This provision aims to minimize dilution during the conversion of debt to equity, a concern for investors wary of their share value being diluted. Such financial instruments allow companies to hedge against dilution, ensuring that existing shareholders’ interests are protected even as the share price rises above the conversion price.

Coinbase’s decision to tap into the debt market comes amidst a bullish trend in the cryptocurrency sector, with Bitcoin reaching an all-time high above $73,000. The company’s stock has also seen a significant uptick, rising by 48% in the same period. The funds raised through this offering may be used for various purposes, including debt repayment, financing potential capped call transactions, and possibly acquiring other companies.

This move by Coinbase has been met with optimism, as evidenced by the recent upgrades from Wall Street analysts who had previously been bearish on the stock. Analysts from Raymond James and Goldman Sachs have revised their outlooks, buoyed by the robust rally in digital asset markets.

VanEck Waives Fees for Spot Bitcoin ETF Until 2025

VanEck has announced the elimination of all trading fees for its spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), HODL, until March 31, 2025. This decision marks a significant shift in strategy for VanEck, whose HODL ETF has gathered just over $305 million in assets, trailing behind its competitors.

Previously charging a modest fee of 0.2%, VanEck’s fee was already lower than many of its rivals, such as BlackRock, Invesco, and Fidelity, which charge around 0.25%. The fee waiver is a clear attempt to boost the fund’s attractiveness and asset under management by making it more cost-effective for investors to hold Bitcoin through the ETF.

However, there’s a catch to this generous offer: the fee waiver will apply only until the ETF reaches $1.5 billion in assets or until the specified end date, whichever comes first. Should the fund’s assets exceed $1.5 billion before March 31, 2025, a fee of 0.20% will be charged on the excess assets.

VanEck’s decision is not just about fee reduction; it’s a statement of confidence in Bitcoin’s future. By removing the barrier of entry fees, VanEck aims to make Bitcoin investment more accessible to a broader audience. This move could potentially shake up the competition among Bitcoin ETFs, especially as the cryptocurrency continues to gain mainstream acceptance and investment.

This strategic fee waiver comes at a time when Bitcoin has been experiencing a resurgence, recently surpassing the Swiss Franc to become the third-largest currency by market value. With its ETF shares physically backed by Bitcoin and securely stored in cold storage, VanEck is positioning itself as a leading choice for investors looking to gain exposure to Bitcoin without directly purchasing and holding the cryptocurrency.

This article is not supposed to provide financial advice. Digital assets are risky. Be sure to do your own research and consult your financial advisor before investing.