USDT News & Analysis
4 articles
Market Mood
Sberbank Plans to Accept Bitcoin and Ethereum as Loan Collateral
Sberbank, Russia's largest bank, plans to accept Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), and Tether (USDT) as collateral for loans, according to deputy chairman Anatoly Popov. This follows the country's digital currency law signed on August 4, which takes effect on September 1, prohibiting payment with crypto. While corporate borrowers can utilize these digital assets without limits, non-qualified investors are capped at 300,000 rubles (approximately $3,632) annually. The acceptance of crypto as collateral is contingent on approvals from the Central Bank, which has yet to provide a launch date or interest rates.
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Iran Warns Ships on Hormuz Route Amid Tripled Transit Volumes
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued warnings against any shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz established without its coordination. Despite this, ship transits reportedly tripled to 93 last weekend compared to the previous period, though they remain significantly lower than pre-war levels of over 100 ships per day. The IRGC stated that only designated routes are allowed for passage. Additionally, the U.S. Treasury has sanctioned Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority, emphasizing a crackdown on any tolling system in Hormuz, which could impact future oil flows.
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Morpho (DeFi) Raises $175 Million for Expansion and Infrastructure
Morpho has raised $175 million in new funding, making it one of the largest funding rounds for a DeFi platform. The protocol currently holds $11 billion in user deposits and aims to develop infrastructure and commercial integrations. The funding round was co-led by Paradigm and Andreessen Horowitz, with participation from firms including Apollo Funds and Circle Ventures. Notably, French bank Société Générale is utilizing Morpho's platform, illustrating the potential for collaboration between traditional finance and DeFi solutions.
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Tether (USDT) Gold Purchases Slow to 6 Tons in Q1 2023
Tether (USDT) reported acquiring 6 tons of gold in the first quarter of 2023, a decrease compared to previous quarters. This reduction reflects Tether's adjustment strategy in its reserve assets amid fluctuating market conditions. The move may impact market confidence in Tether's liquidity and its backing. The decision to limit gold purchases could also influence the dynamics within the cryptocurrency space as market participants assess Tether's financial health.
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