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New BRICS payment platforms, which offer alternatives to the US dollar and the euro, are attracting global attention, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. These systems allow countries to conduct economic activities without relying on currencies used as political tools by Western powers. The Russian official noted that there is growing interest in these platforms as a way to avoid US and Western sanctions, with some countries joining BRICS initiatives in search of financial independence.

The Bank of Russia aims to open its payment infrastructure for Russia’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital ruble, by July next year. Larger banks will offer digital ruble accounts and services by that date, with smaller institutions to follow. The initiative is aimed at improving payment efficiency and reducing costs, with retailers also being asked to accept the digital ruble. A pilot program is currently underway involving banks, individuals and businesses.

In the second playthrough of the new series, Regina continues playing Spellborne. She tackles the remaining main quests from Spellborne's Season 1.
Regina takes on the remaining main missions of Part 1: Epic Battles and Mystery Exploration
Quick recap from last time
We kicked off the first live stream of Spellborne, an immersive MMORPG that takes you on an epic adventure unlike any other. In Spellborne, players embark on an exciting journey filled with quests, intense battles, and deep strategic gameplay. You begin by choosing one of three distinct characters—Atom, Bellatrix, or Cosmo—each with unique abilities that will shape your entire experience. But that's not all! The game also introduces a play-to-drop-in-the-air system, where your in-game activities can earn you points and valuable NFT assets like apartments, monsters, and characters.

Bitcoin layer two (L2) solutions and sidechains have gained incredible traction this year, with the top ten Bitcoin-based sidechains or L2 protocols now controlling a combined $1.31 billion in value locked (TVL). The latest figures show that over 56% of this total is held in two prominent networks: Core and Bitlayer.
Core and Bitlayer Dominate Bitcoin-Centric Protocols, Holding 56% of Value

DBS Bank, Singapore’s largest bank, has announced plans to launch over-the-counter (OTC) cryptocurrency options and structured bonds trading for institutional clients in the fourth quarter of 2024.
The new service will give institutional investors access to bitcoin and ethereum, the two largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
The initiative aims to provide sophisticated tools for managing digital asset portfolios, including hedging against market volatility.

Brazilian Tax Watchdog Uses AI Tool to Identify Activities Linked to Over $180 Million in Cryptocurrency-Related Tax Fraud

The Federal Revenue Service, Brazil’s tax watchdog, recently revealed that it has been using an internal tool that leverages AI to detect money laundering and tax evasion transactions involving cryptocurrencies. The tool has proven useful in identifying more than $180 million in funds related to the illegal use of cryptocurrencies.

Ron Paul, former US representative and presidential candidate, has argued that even when it comes to proposals from the highest levels of power, government efficiency is a paradox. Paul explains that government is impersonal and cannot be rationally economized, because its decisions are based on politics and can never be “efficient”.
Ron Paul Criticizes Proposed Musk-Led Efficiency Commission: Government Can Never Be Efficient

Etoro Restricts Crypto Trading in the US for 3 Cryptocurrencies Following $1.5 Million SEC Fine

Etoro USA has agreed to pay $1.5 million to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to settle charges that it operated as an unregistered brokerage and clearing house for cryptocurrency trading. Etoro will limit U.S. customers’ trading options to bitcoin, bitcoin cash, and ether, with a 180-day window to sell other cryptoassets. If certain cryptoassets cannot be returned to customers, Etoro will liquidate them within 187 days and return the proceeds.

Openai, the company at the center of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, is reportedly seeking to raise $6.5 billion from investors at a valuation of $150 billion. The money will be used to support its need for computing power and other expenses, according to a memo sent to employees last month, according to Bloomberg.
AI Pioneer Openai Seeks to Raise $6.5 Billion in Funding to Expand Demand for Computing Power

As of September 9, 2024, bitcoin is trading at $55,321, recovering from recent lows but facing strong resistance around the $56,000 mark. Oscillators and moving averages show a mixed picture, with signals divided into sell and buy actions.
Bitcoin
Bitcoin price has recovered in the short term, rising from a low of $53,636 on September 8 to $55,614. The 1-hour chart shows a bullish move as several rallies prevail after a dip, supported by increased buying pressure. Volume spiked during the rally, signaling support for the uptrend.

Washington state’s financial regulator has issued a warning about potential cryptocurrency fraud involving mining platforms and wallets. A Washington investor was defrauded of more than $750,000 after investing. Although the investment reportedly grew to $1.4 million, the investor has continued to face tax and fee demands.
Washington Investor Defrauded Out of Over $750,000 in Cryptocurrency Mining Scam

A Nigerian anti-corruption agency has frozen bank accounts (over $330,000) belonging to suspected cryptocurrency users on global platforms such as Kucoin and Bybit. The agency believes that these users have been manipulating the Nigerian currency (naira) through their trading activities. The exchanges have also been accused of failing to comply with anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing regulations.

Economist and gold bug Peter Schiff has sounded a note of caution about the Federal Reserve's latest actions, linking the dramatic rate cut to rising gold prices and a weakening US dollar. His warnings of a deeper recession and rising inflation add to concerns about future economic stability. "Game over for the Fed," Schiff stressed.

The Nigerian government has filed criminal charges against four individuals and several companies for allegedly conducting illegal cryptocurrency transactions, including converting USDT to naira, without a banking license. The four are Ejiogu A.
Chinedu, Nnamdi F. Okereke, Oty Ugochukwu Stanley and Chukwuebuka F. Ogumba. The defendants are accused of violating the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act and the Foreign Exchange Act.

Missouri resident Lyell Champagne Jr. was sentenced to three years in federal prison for fraud and tax violations related to cryptocurrency. He and an accomplice attempted to steal money by accessing victims’ bank accounts and filing fraudulent tax returns. Law enforcement has recovered most of the stolen funds. Champagne pleaded guilty to multiple charges in June, while his accomplice awaits sentencing in September.

China’s digital yuan initiative has progressed significantly, backed by more than a decade of research and four years of pilot testing, according to Lu Lei, deputy governor of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC). Trials for China’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) have been conducted in 17 different regions, accumulating a total transaction value of 7 trillion yuan (nearly $1 trillion). In addition, China is collaborating with several countries on a cross-border digital currency project, aimed at improving the global payment system.

Cathedra Bitcoin Inc. has announced a significant shift in its strategy, shifting from bitcoin mining to focusing on increasing its bitcoin holdings. The company aims to increase bitcoins for its shareholders per share through a strategy similar to Microstrategy, which has been recognized for its bitcoin buyback policy.
Bitcoin Cathedra Abandons Mining to Strategically Hoard Bitcoin