Russia

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says he is “inclined to propose and support a 25-basis-point rate hike" in March. In addition, Powell stated that “war underscores need” for crypto regulation as the Russia-Ukraine conflict unfolds. "The Hash" team reacts to Powell's comments.

Mar 2, 2022

By Adrian Blust, Adam B. LevineMar 2, 2022

Knox Ridley, I/O Fund portfolio manager, joins “First Mover” to share his analysis on the crypto markets, looking at price actions and the increased corporate and institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. Ridley explains how macro factors influence the markets as crypto demand rapidly increases in Russia and Ukraine.

Mar 2, 2022

Crypto support for Ukraine grows as Animoca halts Russian services. Super-rich Indians gaining crypto confidence. Could the age of South Korean crypto investors swing an election? Hacking group gives Nvidia an ultimatum. We’ll have more on those stories -- and other news shaping the cryptocurrency and blockchain world -- in this episode of “The Daily Forkast.”

Mar 2, 2022

Policy 4.0 Founder and CEO Tanvi Ratna weighs in on the crypto censorship debate as politicians push exchanges to restrict Russian accounts, fearing that cryptocurrencies can be used to circumnavigate economic sanctions. Ratna explains the ability of forensics to analyze blockchain transactions and the ethical dilemma of government oversight in decentralized technologies.

Mar 2, 2022

Anthony Saccaro, Providence Financial and Insurance Services founder, discusses the macro factors currently driving the bitcoin markets, including the Russian ruble's devaluation amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the prospect of interest rates hikes in the United States, and bitcoin's recognization as an alternative asset class during wartime.

Mar 1, 2022

In today’s “Chart of the Day” segment, Christine Lee presents a chart from Kaiko showing bitcoin trading at a 6% premium on Binance’s Ukrainian hryvnia market, compared to bitcoin’s price in the U.S. dollar market following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Mar 1, 2022

Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov sent official letters to eight cryptocurrency exchanges, requesting them to stop servicing Russian users because of concerns that digital currencies are being used to evade sanctions. Binance Chief Communications Officer Patrick Hilmann addresses questions over whether Binance should block usage of the Russian ruble. Plus, Hilmann sheds light on Binance’s $10 million donation to Ukrainian refugees and their ambitions with the Humanity First – Ukraine Emergency Relief Fund initiative.

Mar 1, 2022

As Russia continues its invasion into Ukraine, Visa and Mastercard have blocked several Russian banking services, restricting transactions for many everyday people in Russia. “The Hash” discusses the weaponization of financial institutions, drawing attention to cryptocurrency’s independence from centralized entities.

Mar 1, 2022

Payment technology provider Shift4 announced its recent acquisition of crypto donation marketplace The Giving Block, paying $54 million upfront with a potential future payment of up to $246 million. “The Hash” discusses the intersection of crypto and charity and how third-party platforms like The Giving Block can streamline crypto donations for users, as well as the utility of decentralized philanthropy as seen in the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine. 

Mar 1, 2022