🏆 TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK
🔹 Trump Media and Technology Group Files for ETFs, SMAs
U.S. President Donald Trump’s Truth Social parent company, Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), announced Thursday, February 6, 2025, that it applied for several brand-specific trademarks in the vein of ETFs and SMAs.
🔹 MicroStrategy Renames to Strategy with Bitcoin Logo, Reports Q4’s Largest BTC Acquisition
Largest corporate Bitcoin holder MicroStrategy (MSTR) has been rebranded to ‘Strategy’, as the company’s primary focus is Bitcoin and AI. The company unveiled its new Bitcoin logo signifying its unique position as a BTC Treasury Company.
“Strategy is innovating in the two most transformative technologies of the twenty-first century – Bitcoin and artificial intelligence,” said Phong Le, President and CEO at Strategy.
🔹 Tornado Cash Developer Alexey Pertsev Granted Supervised Release from Prison
Alexey Pertsev, a developer associated with the cryptocurrency-mixing service Tornado Cash, is set to be released from pretrial detention on Friday, February 10, 2025, under electronic monitoring. He continues to contest money laundering charges in the Netherlands.
His release comes ahead of his appeal against a 64-month prison sentence handed down in May 2024.
🔹 Ransomware Payments Drop 35% in 2024 as Victims Refuse to Pay Hackers: Chainalysis
The global ransomware landscape saw a huge shift in 2024, with total ransom payments decreasing by approximately 35% year-over-year, according to a Chainalysis report.
🔹 Rep. French Hill Outlines US Plans to Replace Heavy-Handed Crypto Enforcement
Rep. French Hill, a Republican who chairs the House Financial Services Committee, outlined an ambitious plan to reshape US crypto regulation, asserting that new legislation will replace heavy-handed enforcement with clear, investor-friendly guidelines.
🔹 US SEC Scales Back 50-Member Crypto Enforcement Team: Report
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reportedly downsizing its crypto enforcement unit of over 50 lawyers and staff. Per a New York Times report, the members are reassigned to other departments in the SEC, sources noted.