Digital Assets Monthly Report – November 2020 Edition

November was an overwhelmingly positive month for blockchain.  Not only were markets greeted with the entrance of major players, but cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin managed to set new all time highs versus the U.S. Dollar.

These events throughout November seem to have kickstarted interest in blockchain, hopefully allowing for a strong finish to a trying 2020.

Regulations

November was a productive month for the Securities and Exchange Commission – despite news that Chairman Jay Clayton will soon resign.  From punitive actions, resignations, and updated rules, the following are a few recent moves by various regulatory bodies.
Regulators Enforce Punitive Actions Against Various Crypto Projects

Jay Clayton, Chairman of the SEC, Set to Resign at the End of 2020

SEC Expands Reg CF Fundraising Limits from $1.07M to $5M

Alternative Investments

While we love digital securities and blockchain as a whole, there are various other promising technologies worth becoming acquainted with.  The following articles are a few examples of promising alternative investments, detailed by CEO of BlockVentures, Antoine Tardif.

Investing in Genomics and CRISPR – Everything You Need to Know

Investing in Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Everything You Need to Know

Investing in 3D Printing Stocks (Additive Manufacturing)

In the News

Investment Firms Find that Bitcoin is Non-Volatile, Non-Correlated, and in High Demand

With increased attention being paid to Bitcoin, investment firms are looking closely as to why.  With findings by investment firms disproving lingering narratives about the volatility, supply versus demand, and correlation of Bitcoin, expectations surroundings the asset's performance continue to grow.  Read More

“When PayPal went live, volume started exploding…within four weeks of going live, PayPal is already buying almost 70% of the new supply of bitcoins.  PayPal and Cash App are already buying more than 100% of all newly-issued bitcoins.” – Pantera Capital

$1 Billion in Stolen Bitcoin Linked to ‘Silk Road' Seized by DOJ

In November, the Department of Justice (DOJ) proved that the bad guy doesn't always win.  Despite becoming defunct years ago, the DOJ never gave up on retrieving stolen funds from dark-web marketplace ‘Silk Road'.

In what amounted to the largest seizure in its history, the DOJ recovered assets worth roughly $1B at the time.  Read More

“In 2020, law enforcement officers used a third party bitcoin attribution company to analyze Bitcoin transactions executed by Silk Road. From this review they observed 54 transactions that were sent from Bitcoin addresses controlled by Silk Road, to two Bitcoin addresses,” – DOJ

Thought Leaders

Decentralized Finance Holds the Key to Incorporating Blockchain into Conventional Finance – Georgia Rakusen

As the Global User Research Lead at ConsenSys, Georgia Rakusen has unique insights into the challenges that blockchain faces on its road to full adoption.  She argues that the key to overcoming the challenges lies within DeFi.  Read More

“Despite its undeniable role in the future of finance, there remains barriers to blockchain proliferation on a mainstream scale. DeFi is continually breaking down these barriers through effective use of the technology.

DeFi stands to disrupt and revolutionize established financial networks and systems and change the industry for the better. The tools to build the future of the industry are in our hands.”

Interviews

Taras Kulyk, SVP of Blockchain Business Development at Core Scientific

In this interview, we learn more about regulations pertaining to Bitcoin mining, who is leading the space, and more.  With a career spanning from investment banking to Bitcoin mining, Taras Kulyk shares his experiences.  Read More

Around the Web

Bitcoin at $100,000 in 2021? Outrageous to some, a no-brainer for backers – Reuters

Fresh off setting a new all-time high, Bitcoin is garnering attention from some of the world's biggest news outlets.  Reuters recently took a look at the reasons behind the recent Bitcoin run-up, and what can be expected in the coming year.  Read More