Ben Strack

6 days ago | blockworks.co | Ben Strack

Coinbase's agreement to acquire crypto options giant Deribit affirms the trend of industry players flocking to a fast-growing derivatives market. Industry observers expect more deals to come in this sub-sector, as the changing regulatory landscape empowers crypto giants to capitalize on heightened institutional demand. The crypto exchange is set to pay roughly $2.9 billion for the Panama City-based company - $700 million in cash and 11 million shares of COIN stock.

1 week ago | blockworks.co | Ben Strack

New Hampshire has won the race among US states mulling laws to allow digital assets investments and/or create reserves. How quickly should we expect a wave of others to follow suit? Headed to Arizona Gov.

1 week ago | blockworks.co | Ben Strack

A US litecoin ETF - and other altcoin products - will have to wait at least a little longer. But the chance such products see the light of day still appears quite good - and issuers continue plotting more crypto ETFs.The SEC decided on Monday to delay its ruling on Canary Capital's proposed spot LTC offering. It requested the following: We might not get a ruling until the agency's final deadline in October.

1 week ago | blockworks.co | Ben Strack

Roads that people drive fast on sometimes get speed bumps. I live in Queens, so I'd know. While pro-crypto developments have quickly proliferated this year, we've seen a couple legislative slowdowns in recent days. Nine Democratic senators - Digital Assets Subcommittee ranking member Ruben Gallego among them - noted they would not vote for the current version of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act. If it gets to the floor, that is.

1 week ago | blockworks.co | Ben Strack

Financial giants mulling ways to better serve clients clamoring for crypto is no longer surprising. That doesn't exactly make it any less significant, though. First up is Morgan Stanley, which is reportedly working on adding crypto trading to its E*Trade platform (possibly next year). A spokesperson declined to comment when I requested for details. This report - citing people familiar - doesn't shock us, given our own reporting in recent weeks and months (even years).