Worldcoin, the digital biometric identification project, has rejected the claims made by Buenos Aires regarding possible infringements of customer protection laws. The organization told local sources that it answered Buenos Aires’ requirements since January to show the transparency it exercises in its operations. Worldcoin might face a deeper investigation if a local proposal gets approved. […]
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Silver Left Behind as Gold Claims the Spotlight With Record Price Spike to $2,233 per Ounce
This week, the value of gold soared to an unprecedented peak, hitting ,233 per troy ounce as of March 29. In contrast, silver has not exhibited the same level of brilliance, with its value standing at .97 per troy ounce, a significant 91% decline from its all-time high of .91 on March 31, 2011. Gold […]
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Ripple Provided Major XRP Price Discounts To Select Investors, SEC Claims
In the XRP lawsuit, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed its motion for remedies and entry of final judgment against Ripple, proposing a suite of penalties that includes injunctive relief, disgorgement of profits, and a notable billion in civil penalties today. But that’s not the whole story as the 210-page document contains some interesting statements and assertions.
#XRPCommunity #SECGov v. #Ripple #XRP The @SECGov has filed its Motion for Remedies and Entry of Final Judgment, its Memorandum of Law in Support of that Motion, and its "Proposed" Judgment.https://t.co/uPlpJ7Tmon
— James K. Filan (@FilanLaw) March 26, 2024
Did Ripple Favor Select Institutional Investors?
One of the assertions made in the SEC document and pointed out by XRP community lawyer Bill Morgan was a key revelation that Ripple engaged in discriminatory pricing practices, offering substantial discounts on XRP tokens to a select group of institutional investors. This practice, the SEC alleges, created an uneven playing field, benefiting certain “favored” investors at the expense of others.
XRP community lawyer Bill Morgan provided a summary of this aspect, highlighting the potential damage to Ripple’s standing in the eyes of institutional investors. “The SEC’s brief is a possible problem for Ripple beyond this case. The SEC is able to argue that there were two groups of institutional sales investors (it calls them favored and unfavored) and Ripple offered one group significant discounts in XRP price over the other group that did not receive them,” Morgan noted via X (formerly Twitter).
He further delved into the SEC’s claim that such practices harmed the “unfavored” group of investors to the tune of 0 million, a figure based on assumptions that Morgan suggests need thorough examination. “The evidence of causation of this alleged harm seems thin,” he added.
The SEC’s filing goes on to argue that Ripple’s sales tactics, specifically the discounted sales to certain investors, directly contributed to downward pressure on the overall market price of XRP. This point is not just a matter of regulatory compliance but also raises the specter of legal action from those institutional investors who may feel aggrieved by not being privy to the same discounts.
Morgan also touched upon the ramifications of these actions being classified as investment contracts by the SEC, saying, “As these sales to institutions were found to be investment contracts, it means that this offering of discounts to some but not other institutions is the very disclosure according to the SEC that should have, and would have been made to the institutions, if the sales to institutions had been registered.”
He further noted that these claims by the SEC are also not great for the reputation of Ripple. “Not sure this revelation is great for Ripple’s reputation with institutional investors,” Morgan remarked.
Ripple CLO Alderoty Responds
Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, also issued a broad response to the SEC’s filing via X, vehemently disputing the narrative presented by the regulatory body. Alderoty stated, “Our response will be filed next month, but as we all have seen time and again, this is a regulator that trades in statements that are false, mischaracterized and designed to mislead.”
He further attacked the SEC for its illegitimate reasoning, stating: “They stayed true to form here. Rather than faithfully apply the law, the SEC remains bent on wanting to punish and intimidate Ripple – and the industry at large. We trust the Court will approach the remedies phase fairly.”
At press time, XRP traded at .64365.
FTX Bankruptcy Claims Surge in Value: Bids Now Approach 93 Cents on the Dollar
Half a year ago, firms specializing in acquiring troubled companies and their debts were actively accumulating FTX bankruptcy claims worth millions, offering .33 for every dollar of claim. Presently, the valuation of these claims has significantly appreciated, with buyers now prepared to offer .93 on the dollar for each claim. FTX Bankruptcy Claims Now Worth […]
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FTX CEO Disputes Sam Bankman-Fried’s Claims of Solvency and No Harm to Creditors
John J. Ray III, the chief executive officer of FTX Trading Ltd., has issued a strong rebuttal against former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried’s assertions regarding the company’s financial state and the impact on its creditors. FTX Chief Restructuring Officer and CEO Debunks Bankman-Fried’s FTX Solvency Claims John J. Ray III outlined the extensive efforts made to […]
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Gold’s Price Surge to Nearly $2,200 Overshadowed by Bitcoin’s ‘Speculative Mania,’ Peter Schiff Claims
In a manner similar to bitcoin and the overall crypto market, gold’s value has climbed, nearly touching ,200 per ounce this week. This uptick is widely attributed to demand from central banks, with surveys indicating both Wall Street and Main Street anticipate higher prices in the upcoming week. At the same time, gold enthusiast Peter […]
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Binance Claims Ignorance of $10 Billion Fine Imposed by Nigerian Government
Binance, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has denied allegations made by a Nigerian government official that it is facing a billion fine. While Binance maintains its commitment to fostering a positive relationship with the Nigerian government, it firmly states that it will not succumb to pressure to pay for the release of its detained executives. […]
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Crypto Exchange Kraken Shares ‘Real Story’ of SEC Lawsuit — Claims SEC Seeks ‘Boundless Authority’ Over Commerce
Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has shared what it called “the real story” of the lawsuit against it by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Kraken also explained why it is moving to dismiss the case. “Crypto innovators in the United States should not have to fear retaliation for their political speech. They should be free […]
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Cryptographic Clarity: Unmasking Satoshi Nakamoto Demands Ironclad Evidence Amid a Sea of Claims
In the past seven years, the crypto world has witnessed various individuals claiming to be the true Satoshi Nakamoto, the mastermind behind the Bitcoin white paper and the initiator of the first blockchain. Yet, despite their efforts, none have managed to convince the community of their authenticity as the creators of Bitcoin. It appears there […]
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Craig Wright’s Satoshi Claims Challenged in Intense UK Court Cross-Examination
Craig Wright, the Australian computer scientist claiming to be Satoshi Nakamoto, faced a rigorous week-long cross-examination. The proceedings, which unfolded in the U.K. High Court, saw Wright defending his assertion against the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA) and a coalition of Bitcoin developers, raising serious doubts about his narrative. Craig Wright’s Battle to Prove He […]
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