Ethereum’s Surge Signals Potential Shift in Crypto Dynamics as Bitcoin’s Dominance Declines

🚀 Are You Chasing New Coins? Catch the newest crypto opportunities. Be the first to buy, be the first to win! Click here to discover new altcoins! Ethereum’s recent surge

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Roman Storm Faces Potential Five-Year Sentence Following Tornado Cash Conviction Amid Ongoing Legal Controversies

🚀 Are You Chasing New Coins? Catch the newest crypto opportunities. Be the first to buy, be the first to win! Click here to discover new altcoins! Roman Storm, co-founder

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YBTC: Weekly Distribution Serves As A Good Income Stream To Build Bitcoin Exposure

Summary YBTC offers a unique weekly income strategy in the crypto space, boasting over a 40% distribution rate and low expense ratio among peers. Bitcoin's legitimacy is rising, with its market cap surpassing $2.2 trillion and institutional adoption growing, supporting long-term growth potential. YBTC's high distribution helps manage Bitcoin's volatility, enabling investors to build cash reserves for reinvestment and flexible portfolio strategies. I rate YBTC a HOLD with a buy bias, as high distributions may cap price performance and total returns could remain volatile in the short term. I have been looking to find income alternatives to invest in the Crypto asset class this year because the crypto market has grown to over 2 trillion. A market of such size should be able to offer attractive investment opportunities for income. Roundhill Bitcoin Covered Call Strategy ETF ( YBTC ) shows as an effective approach to retrieve the income distribution due to its weekly schedule, which may offer a protection mechanism for cash-in in the volatile bitcoin market. In addition, the over 50% distribution rate allows investors to build a cash reserve quickly for reinvesting purposes. This flexibility is very important in the market where new Bitcoin ETFs or stocks may emerge and offer better investment opportunities. YBTC is a HOLD at the current level and can be considered by income-oriented investors who want to establish some crypto exposure. ETF Overview YBTC is a Bitcoin covered call ETF actively managed by Roundhill, which claims it is the first of its kind listed. The ETF was started on 01/17/2024 and has grown to an AUM of over $250 million. It is a very reasonable-sized ETF with such a short history. YBTC's underlying is called exchange-traded products (“ETPs”). The covered call options are written and sold on Bitcoin Futures ETFs or Bitcoin ETPs to generate income distributed on a weekly schedule. Thanks to the high volatility of Bitcoin, YBTC is offering a Distribution Rate of 55.79%. YBTC ETF Holdings (Roundhill) From the holdings list above, one can see that the main components are around the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF( IBIT ) and Cboe Bitcoin U.S. ETF Index (CBTX). The synthetic positions are established on both ETFs, which are the underlyings. The call options are sold (marked short positions above) for credit as income. FGXXX is the government (treasury) fund that serves the collateral for the short put options. YBTC's expense ratio is 0.99% which is typical for an actively managed ETF based on the complex option strategy. The following is the relevant peer group compiled using the data from Seeking Alpha. Bitcoin Income ETFs (SA) One can see in the list that YBTC has the lowest expense ratio and the highest AUM. The trading volume is over 100K, which offers reasonable liquidity. Digit gold is getting the market vote Bitcoin as an investment asset came into my attention because of Warren Buffett. He has expressed skepticism towards Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for years. For example, in 2018, he commented in an appearance on CNBC that bitcoin is a "mirage", indicating its super speculative nature. Admittedly, I have been hesitant to take a serious look at Bitcoin. Fast forward to 2025, the total bitcoin market has reached the staggering 2.2 trillion , which is as large as the gold market. It is fair to say that the market is starting to buy the digital gold story for Bitcoin. On the other hand, the institutions have 6% allocation. I don't view Bitcoin as something speculative right now. I would like to explore it as a very interesting investment alternative in this huge marketplace. As far as value is concerned, I view Bitcoins as a collection of old stamps or an oil painting. Scarcity is the main property and value anchor for Bitcoin. I will probably let the economists and financial experts figure out whatever values they may come up with in their fields. I used to trade stamps, and I see similar market mechanisms with bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. The rare ones could be golden, while many with abundant quantities may be just worth pennies, such as the stamp's face value. Market price is determined by supply and demand, with the supply side fixed for bitcoin. Bitcoin has a finite supply, with a maximum of 21 million coins. In other words, the price of bitcoin would have one way to go if the demand holds up. Secular Growth is the story Many believe that the Bitcoin market can grow to 20 trillion in 5 years. This is going to be a significant rate to grow from today's 2.2 trillion. As indicated in the same reference above, there are globally 200 million Bitcoin accounts (wallets) with about 100 million owners at the moment. So it is not difficult to forecast that the user population may go 10 times as large in the future. The newly-passed Geniue ACT is perhaps the most convincing reason why cryptocurrencies are becoming "officially" the real thing backed by the US federal regulating framework, aiming to enhance market stability and protect investors. From a market perspective, the growth potential is increasingly reflected in the market. There are 63 Digital Assets ETFs according to Seeking Alpha class sorting . Some Bitcoin ETFs have grown into ten billion in AUM. The following is a list of some of the largest bitcoin ETFs. Notice Strategy( MSTR ), viewed as a bitcoin proxy, has a market cap exceeding 113 billion. Bitcoin ETFS with billions in AUM (SA) These bitcoin ETFs are expected to grow in size in the next few years, together with the bitcoin market, which could have much bigger space to grow, as indicated earlier. However, the growth pace may vary, and the path may not be a straight line. Show me the money, an income train is more important. Unlike the old paintings or old stamps typically just for store value. I feel more comfortable investing in Bitcoin when I can see real income streams. Thanks to the equity market, a few income-focused ETFs have been created to generate income while tracking bitcoin itself. These become my main areas of investment quickly. The weekly distribution for YBTC seems to fit my investment strategy for Bitcoin or digital currencies based on the following considerations Build a cash reserve very quickly and be ready for deployment and/or reinvestment. Bitcoin is very volatile. I need to monitor it carefully; the high distribution is a way to manage the volatility. It is much safer and easier to reinvest in Bitcoin (asset) based on a more friendly backdrop and supportive market conditions. There are other ETFs designed for different purposes, e.g. ultra-leveraged in both bear and bullish sentiments. So I can opt to use the cash raised from the weekly distribution to seek outsized capital gain during a bullish trend; conversely, I can hedge positions while the trend turns bearish. This may prove to be important, as the growth path of Bitcoin may be bumpy, as mentioned earlier. I plan to establish an initial position with YBTC and gradually build my bitcoin exposure, as the growth projection may become more convincing over time. The high-income distribution of YBTC is a kind of strategic element in my investment portfolio. Risk Analysis The Bitcoin market is very volatile as measured by the 30-day IV level of 34.7 for IBIT, which is one of the key underlyings for YBTC. So YBTC is also more volatile than many option ETFs with equity exposures such as the S&P 500 index. YBTC may suffer worse impacts from the capped gain or NAV loss for the V-shape bounce in the price move. There is also a fair amount of skepticism about the future of Bitcoin, which is the main cause for its high volatility. Interested investors should keep monitoring the market carefully and choose reasonable entry points, which could potentially make a significant difference in total returns. Bitcoin may face competition from other cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum, and or new ones in the future, as the cryptocurrencies continue to evolve. The bitcoin market and its growth trajectory could be affected or even altered. These factors could impact the total returns for YBTC. Closing Thoughts Bitcoin is becoming a more legitimate investment tool as its market size surpasses $2.2 trillion. There is a good probability that the market could grow much bigger in the future. The high volatility may still be a holding factor for many investors. Investors can consider the bitcoin option income ETFs like YBTC as an investing alternative. With a weekly high income distribution, investors could raise cash quickly and build bitcoin positions gradually. I rate YBTC a HOLD with a buy bias. The HOLD reflects the impacts of high distribution at 50% which may affect the price performance to a large degree, and accordingly, the total return could be volatile in the short-term frame.

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Tokenized Stocks Surge 220% in July, Eyeing $1.3 Trillion Market Potential

Tokenized stocks saw a phenomenal 220% increase in July, indicating sharply increasing interest in equities on the blockchain, according to Binance Research in a report. Market capitalization hit $370 million towards the close of the month, driven primarily by Exodus Movement (EXOD) stocks issued through Securitize. Excluding Exodus, the value of tokenized stocks rose from $16.7 million to $53.6 million within one month. This rapid increase is indicative of the first decentralized finance (DeFi) boom, where overall value locked in DeFi projects skyrocketed from $1 billion to $100 billion from 2020 to 2021. Demand for Tokenized Equities Explodes Blockchain wallet addresses holding tokenized stocks grew to over 90,000 in July from 1,600 in June. The growth indicates growing interest in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, a sector ranked among the most promising ones for blockchain finance. Tokenized stocks, unlike traditional shares, can be traded 24/7, transferred at will, and in some cases, exchanged for free, like on Kraken. $1.3 Trillion Opportunity Ahead If merely 1% of world equities go onchain, tokenized shares may have a market capitalization of $1.3 trillion—a full eight times the size of DeFi when it reached its peak. Binance Research contends that this level of adoption would drive further development of more advanced DeFi infrastructure, generating a cycle of innovation and growth. Over 60 tokenized stocks are currently traded on the likes of Kraken, Bybit, and Solana-based Backed Finance’s xStocks, including Amazon, Tesla, and Apple. Beyond ‘Wall Street on Blockchain’ While the nascent phase of tokenization is still focused on replicating traditional assets, it is the industry leaders who claim that the ultimate goal is something more profound in nature. “Tokenized equities cannot be ‘Wall Street on a blockchain.’ That’s the wrong idea,” says Mark Greenberg, who is the global head of Kraken’s Consumer Business Unit. He imagines an ecosystem that is like the internet—always on, ubiquitously available, and user-driven. Tokenization, if it works, can reshape global financial access and rethink how investors interact with equities in the digital economy.

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Solana Price Prediction: All Eyes on This Support Level – $500 Target is Next

A critical breakout level at $297 is now back in focus, opening the doors for a bullish Solana price outlook going into the final quarter of the year. Fundamentals are warming for a move as the macro backdrop is starting to shift in favor of risk assets like altcoins . Speculators now expect up to three rate cuts before year-end, starting as soon as September. FED CAN NOW DO 3 RATE CUTS BY THE END OF 2025. MORE LIQUIDITY = ALTSEASON pic.twitter.com/0Q8uwjjkrb — Max (@MaxCryptoxx) August 5, 2025 Lower borrowing costs could stimulate new inflows into risk assets like cryptocurrencies, reviving altcoin season sentiment. And Solana stands as a prime beneficiary with the approaching October 10 deadline for a potential spot SOL ETF, which could open the gates to previously untapped TradFi demand. Solana Price Analysis: Does the SOL Bull Run Hinge on $297? Solana could be on track to fulfill the $297 breakout target set by a previous falling wedge, as it now nears the breakout of a 4-month ascending channel. SOL / USDT 4-hour chart, ascending channel aids falling wedge breakout. Source: TradingView, Binance. This 4-month consolidation phase has allowed the wedge pattern to gradually play out—and with market sentiment warming, its full upside potential may finally come into view. With a potential double bottom reversal pattern forming around $157, Solana could reverse to retest resistance at $207, the level that capped its most recent bull run. This comes as momentum indicators still reflect weakness. The RSI hovers just below the neutral line, suggesting sellers maintain short-term control. More so, the MACD teeters on a death cross, with the line moving in close parallel to the signal, pointing to a fragile uptrend. A second bounce off $157 could provide the strength needed to flip the outlook fully bullish. Crucially, $207 marks the final threshold to a breakout of the ascending channel, opening the door for a retest of the $297 resistance. If flipped to support, this level becomes a launchpad for Solana to enter price discovery. With interest rate cuts and a spot ETF approval likely to boost demand going into the final quarter of the year, a 205% rally to $500 could be in play. The Solana Ecosystem Holds Higher Gain Opportunities When it comes to large-cap coins like SOL, gains tend to move slowly. Explosive breakouts can take months to develop, only to play out in a matter of days. That means holders spend most of their time waiting. Meanwhile, the low-cap meme coins in its ecosystem, like TROLL , are posting 2x gains in a single day. That’s where Snorter ($SNORT) steps in. Its purpose-built trading bot is engineered to spot early momentum, helping investors get in before the crowd , where the real gains are made. While trading bots have been around for a while, Snorter is built for a new generation of crypto traders focused on speed, precision, and safety. It offers sniper-friendly limit orders, MEV-resistant swaps, real-time copy trading, and even rug-pull protection to help avoid bad exits. Getting in early is only half the game, Snorter also helps you time your exit like a pro. Snorter Bot vs. other popular trading bots. The project is off to a strong start— $SNORT has already raised over $2.4 million in its initial presale weeks, likely driven by its high 155% APY on staking to rewards early investors. You can keep up with Snorter on X , Instagram , or join the presale on the Snorter website. Click Here to Participate in the Presale The post Solana Price Prediction: All Eyes on This Support Level – $500 Target is Next appeared first on Cryptonews .

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How Will Donald Trump’s Tariffs Affect Bitcoin? There May Be a Danger That Is Not Being Discussed Much

New tariffs implemented by US President Donald Trump are shaking up the Bitcoin mining industry within the country. Ethan Vera, Chief Operating Officer of US-based mining services company Luxor Technology, warned that the White House's heavier tariffs on ASIC devices imported from Southeast Asia could slow growth in the sector. Following the expiration of the 90-day tariff pause announced by Trump in April for “Liberation Day,” the White House implemented new tariffs on ASIC devices from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, effective July 31st. The tariffs, which took effect on August 7th, impose a total tariff of up to 21.6% on mining devices imported from these countries. The 57.6% tariff on China has been held steady for now. According to Vera, these new rates make the US an unattractive market for mining equipment: “With tariffs of 21.6%, the US is now among the most uncompetitive countries for device imports. Our customers are shifting equipment purchases to countries with more favorable tariffs, such as Canada.” Related News: Reactions Grow to SEC's Statement Concerning Many Altcoins! Former SEC Chairman Gensler's Chief Advisor Likens It to the Biggest Crash, Warns Furthermore, companies already holding used ASIC stocks in the US are believed to be at an advantage in this environment. As local demand for used equipment increases, prices are expected to appreciate by over 20%. Meanwhile, Leo Lu, CEO of Singapore-based publicly traded Bitcoin mining company BitFuFu, argues that despite tariff pressures, US miners can remain competitive thanks to low energy costs and access to renewable resources. BitFuFu continues to expand its operations through partnerships in states like Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado. Ethan Vera believes Trump's tariffs will impact not only the US but also the global distribution of hash power. Countries with lower import costs, such as Russia, could become new destinations for Chinese capital and mining equipment. Additionally, countries like Canada, Northern Europe, Ethiopia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay are emerging as alternative hubs for investors. *This is not investment advice. Continue Reading: How Will Donald Trump’s Tariffs Affect Bitcoin? There May Be a Danger That Is Not Being Discussed Much

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Ripple Boosts Growth in Korea as BDACS Launches XRP Custody

South Korean-based BDACS has launched official XRP custody services for institutional clients. This marks a significant milestone in the country’s regulated crypto landscape. At the same time, this move strengthens Ripple’s presence in Asia and supports the growing demand for secure, legal access to tokenised assets. XRP Custody Goes Live on BDACS In a recent X post , the regulated digital asset custody provider shared that XRP is now fully supported on its custody platform. This update means institutional investors in South Korea can now store and manage XRP securely, in line with local regulations. In addition, XRP can now be used across the country’s major exchanges like Upbit, Coinone, and Korbit, through the BDACS platform. This makes it easier for institutions to enter and operate within the crypto market legally. This latest rollout builds on BDACS’s earlier partnership with Ripple Labs . This collaboration was formed to support the XRP Ledger ecosystem and help align with South Korea’s long-term crypto regulatory plans. BDACS aims to attract more institutions to explore real-world use cases for tokenised assets on the XRP Ledger. To support this, the company has already integrated with major trading platforms and has joined Busan’s innovation sandbox for blockchain development. The firm is also connected with other major blockchain networks like Avalanche and Polymesh. XRP’s Growing Role in Korean Markets XRP is becoming more popular in South Korea’s crypto market. It is now the most traded digital coin on Upbit , the country’s biggest exchange. This shows that more people trust Ripple’s technology. It also supports BDACS’s plan to help more institutions use XRP. Ripple itself expects the global crypto custody market to exceed $16 trillion by 2030. BDACS’s new XRP custody solution may help speed up this growth by providing secure and compliant access to XRP for institutions. Recent data shows that over 25% of South Koreans between the ages of 20 and 50 own digital assets, with those in their 40s leading the way. Interestingly, 42% of people in a survey said they would invest more in crypto if banks offered these services. BDACS and Ripple are now meeting this need. Their XRP custody service gives institutions a safe, trusted way to enter the crypto market. Ripple’s Expansion Across Asia Ripple is investing heavily in Asia, with South Korea playing a central role in its regional strategy . In Japan, Ripple’s local partner, SBI Holdings, is working to add RLUSD to its SBI VC Trade platform. This move shows Ripple’s effort to partner with major financial firms to grow the use of digital assets. Ripple has also committed over $5 million to academic and technical blockchain research through its University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI). This funding is used to support institutions across South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and Australia. The post Ripple Boosts Growth in Korea as BDACS Launches XRP Custody appeared first on TheCoinrise.com .

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Jury Finds Tornado Cash Developer Roman Storm Guilty of Money Transmitting Charge

The panel could not reach a verdict on money laundering or sanctions evasion charges.

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Bitcoin Price Analysis: BTC Pinned Below $115,000 As ETFs Lose Millions

Bitcoin (BTC) is struggling to build momentum during the ongoing session, with the price marginally up. The flagship cryptocurrency briefly crossed $115,000 on Tuesday but failed to maintain its upward trajectory, dropping to end the day at $114,135. BTC’s recovery has faced resistance and selling pressure as long-term holders lock in their profits and institutional sentiment cools. Bitcoin ETFs Register Dramatic Selloff Spot Bitcoin ETFs experienced a dramatic selloff, registering over $333 million in outflows, prompting investors to question the longevity and sustainability of the current bull market. BlackRock’s flagship ETFs, IBIT and ETHA, accounted for 84% of total outflows recorded on August 4. “Blackrock institutional clients net sold yesterday. -$292M -$375M. This is the first significant outflow since February.” As a result, BTC retreated below $112,000, dropping to a low of $111,920 before recovering. Fidelity and Grayscale also reported substantial outflows, losing around $49 million in Bitcoin, according to data from SoSoValue. Julio Moreno, Head of Research at CryptoQuant, believes the bull market is not over, adding that BTC is experiencing another wave of profit-taking. According to Moreno, this leads to a period of consolidation and correction before the rally’s next leg. Indonesia Exploring Bitcoin Reserve Bitcoin Indonesia has claimed the Indonesian government is exploring the use of Bitcoin (BTC) as a reserve asset. Bitcoin Indonesia representatives met with government officials to discuss how a Bitcoin reserve strategy could drive economic growth. Bitcoin Indonesia stated in a post on X, “We were invited to the Vice President’s office to present how Bitcoin could benefit the country. We explored a bold idea: Using Bitcoin mining as a national reserve strategy. Yes, seriously. [Indonesia] is looking into how Bitcoin could fuel long-term economic strength.” Bitcoin Indonesia stated that the meeting also focused on Bitcoin mining and educational initiatives. Bitcoin Indonesia’s presentation to government officials included how the country can leverage hydroelectric and geothermal resources to boost economic growth, a strategy that has worked in several other countries. The Bitcoin group also presented Strategy executive chairman Michael Saylor’s prediction that BTC could reach $13 million by 2045. It also discussed the importance of Bitcoin education initiatives to drive adoption, a view one representative agreed with. Bitcoin Indonesia stated, “Indonesia is waking up to Bitcoin. Adhit from the VP office says, " Indonesia must also continue to educate about Bitcoin in the future.” Bitcoin (BTC) Price Analysis Bitcoin (BTC) is up nearly 1% during the ongoing session, trading around $113,950 as buyers attempt to reclaim $115,000. The flagship cryptocurrency started the week in positive territory, registering a 0.69% increase to settle at $115,097. However, it lost momentum on Tuesday, falling to an intraday low of $112,722 before settling at $114,135. BTC is up over 1% during the ongoing session, trading around $115,300. Analysts highlighted two key metrics that indicated a shift in investor sentiment. According to analysts, BTC could pause its upward momentum as long-term holders lock in their profits and adverse market sentiment keeps prices muted, giving sellers an advantage. Bitcoin whales have also started moving their BTC holdings, suggesting that prices have reached a local top. Taker sells volume on futures contracts has also risen. The last time this happened, BTC saw a 6% drop. Options data shows a clear shift in sentiment, with the 30-day skew dropping from +2% to -2%, indicating that investors are paying more to hedge against declines. Institutional interest has also cooled, with $1.2 billion being moved out of spot Bitcoin ETFs over the past two days, adding to the sell pressure. CoinShares believes a trend shift is underway following a hawkish FOMC meeting. Georgii Verbitski, founder of TYMIO, stated, “Sideways trading through August is the most probable scenario before momentum resumes.” Galaxy Digital founder Michael Novogratz added to the adverse market sentiment by warning that the trend of companies being created to accumulate Bitcoin has likely peaked. He added that Bitcoin treasury companies could lock out new entrants by limiting available liquidity. Meanwhile, uncertainty around tariffs and macroeconomic conditions has created a risk-off sentiment, as markets adopt a wait-and-watch approach. Fidelity's director of global macro, Jurrien Timmer, urged investors to exercise caution, highlighting weak market breadth, with gains concentrated in a few stocks. BTC ended the previous weekend in positive territory, rising 1.31% to $119,398. However, it lost momentum on Monday, dropping 1.11% to $118,069. The price encountered volatility on Tuesday as buyers and sellers struggled to establish control. Sellers gained the upper hand as the price registered a marginal decline and settled at $117,925. BTC fell to an intraday low of $115,722 on Wednesday as selling pressure intensified. It rebounded to reclaim $117,000 and settle at $117,783, ultimately registering a marginal decline. Sellers retained control on Thursday as BTC fell almost 2% and settled at $115,800. Source: TradingView Bearish sentiment intensified on Friday as BTC fell over 2% and settled at $113,365. Sellers retained control on Saturday as the price fell 0.67%, dropping below $113,000 and settling at $112,601. Despite the overwhelming selling pressure, BTC recovered on Sunday, rising 1.52% to reclaim $114,000 and settle at $114,311. Buyers retained control on Monday as the price rose 0.69% to $115,067. BTC plunged to an intraday low of $112,722 on Tuesday as selling pressure returned. However, it rebounded from this level to reclaim $114,000 and settle at $114,135, ultimately registering a 0.84% drop. The current session sees the price up almost 1%, trading around $115,235 as buyers look to push the price above a key resistance level. Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

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Roman Storm Guilty of Unlicensed Money Transmitting Conspiracy in Partial Verdict

NEW YORK — Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm has been found guilty of conspiring to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, a Manhattan jury decided Wednesday. The jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the remaining charges, conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to violate international sanctions, despite four days of deliberations after the three-week trial. A sentencing date has not yet been set, and it is currently unclear whether prosecutors will elect to re-try Storm on the remaining charges. Prosecutors told the court on Wednesday afternoon that they will confer internally and decide. Storm was arrested in 2023 and charged with helping hackers and other cyber criminals, including North Korea’s famed hacking squad, the Lazarus Group, launder more than $1 billion in dirty money through Tornado Cash, the crypto privacy tool he helped develop. After the jury read the verdict, prosecutors moved for Storm, who is currently out on bail, to be remanded to prison to await sentencing, arguing that “he is from Russia” (Storm was born in Kazakhstan and is a U.S. citizen who has lived in Seattle, Washington for over a decade), “has advised people how to cheat the immigration system” and has the financial means to flee the country, according to reports from Inner City Press. Storm’s lawyers pushed back, arguing that the developer is not a flight risk. Keri Axel, a partner at Waymaker and a lawyer for Storm told District Judge Katherine Polke Failla of the Southern District of New York (SDNY) that Storm surrendered his passport and has deep family ties — including joint custody of a five-year-old daughter in Washington state, where he lives, and extended family in Sacramento, California — to the United States. Failla ultimately sided with Storm’s lawyers, arguing that she did not think Storm was a flight risk since he was only convicted on one charge. “He may appeal, he has every incentive to stay and fight,” Failla said. “He is not a risk of flight, given the size of the bond. There is a lot of fighting left in this case before sentencing, and I think Mr. Storm will stay for it.” The verdict in Storm’s case comes just a week after the developers of Samourai Wallet, a Bitcoin-focused privacy tool similar to Tornado Cash, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. The developers, Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill, changed their initial ‘not guilty’ pleas after reaching a deal with prosecutors that saw the heftier money laundering conspiracy charges dropped.

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