Indian Supreme Court Scolds Government over Crypto Regulation Delay

Coti plans transition to Ethereum layer-2 network in 2024Israeli blockchain developer Coti plans to introduce a scalable, privacy-focused Ethereum layer-2 protocol in 2024. This strategic move aims to extend Coti’s privacy-centric features to a wider audience within the Ethereum ecosystem.Photo by Zoltan Tasi on UnsplashIncorporating ‘garbled circuits’Taking to the X social media platform on Wednesday, Coti unveiled its plan to transition from a standalone protocol to an Ethereum layer-2. The centerpiece of the project, which Coti has termed “Coti v2: a privacy-centric Ethereum L2,” is a cryptographic method known as “garbled circuits.”Garbled circuits are a cryptographic primitive that enables two or more parties to evaluate an arbitrary Boolean circuit securely, without revealing any information beyond the output, all while using a constant number of communication rounds. This innovative approach enables the processing of transactions without exposing sensitive information and data, aligning with the platform’s commitment to privacy.Having originated in the 1980s, garbling protocols have evolved into a crucial element of privacy-preserving technologies, excelling in scenarios where confidential data needs to be part of a computation without revealing the information itself.Focusing on privacyCoti CEO Shahaf Bar-Geffen emphasized the significance of this privacy-oriented protocol, stating:“Sensitive data transmitted as public information on a blockchain is a bug, not a feature.”Bar-Geffen highlighted the protocol’s ability to prevent sensitive data from being exposed to competitors, partners and clients engaged in transactions on Coti’s chain. The CEO elaborated on how garbling protocols differentiate Coti v2 by facilitating transactions and smart contract executions where details remain private between involved parties.The Coti CEO emphasized the critical role of such privacy features in decentralized finance applications, where transaction confidentiality is as essential as transaction integrity. Coti claims that other platforms focusing solely on anonymity for privacy may face regulatory challenges and might not provide a compliant foundation for the broader ecosystem.Targeting specific use casesCoti envisions its protocol catering specifically to use cases demanding advanced privacy provisions in finance and healthcare. Currently designed for enterprises, Coti’s existing protocol enables the management of blockchain-based products such as custom-branded tokens, wallets, website integrations and fiat on-and-off ramps.In a blog post on Medium, the blockchain startup outlined that in addition to privacy, v2 will enable smart contracts, EVM compatibility and Solidity programming, alongside the features currently offered by v1. Notwithstanding these new features on the v2 product, the company confirmed to The Block that in respect of Coti’s original Cardano-based product, “Coti’s work with Cardano continues. We have a project built there called Djed, and that will continue to remain on Cardano.” Djed is an ADA-backed stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar.The anticipated release of Coti v2’s developer net in the second quarter of 2024 signals a move towards realizing the potential in advancing Ethereum’s privacy standards. As a layer-1 protocol, Coti presently contributes to Web3 applications by providing digital infrastructure, including tools for wallets, tokens and payment modules, with a total value locked of $31 million.The upcoming integration as a privacy-centric layer-2 positions Coti as a key player in enhancing Ethereum’s capabilities and fostering a more secure and confidential blockchain experience.

South Korea’s largest crypto exchange, Upbit, suffered a security breach on Nov. 27 that resulted in the theft of 44.5 billion won ($30.4 million) in digital assets, all taken from the exchange’s hot wallets. The stolen tokens were all Solana-based, and Upbit CEO Oh Kyoung-suk said in a statement that no users will incur losses, as the company will cover the full amount with its own reserves.Photo by FlyD on UnsplashHot-wallet breach hits 24 tokensThe exchange said in a statement that the compromised tokens were transferred to an unknown external wallet at around 7:42 p.m. UTC on Nov. 26. In total, 24 cryptocurrencies were affected, all within the Solana ecosystem. The stolen assets ranged from infrastructure tokens such as Solana (SOL) to staking-related assets like Jito (JTO), along with the stablecoin USD Coin (USDC) and memecoins including Bonk (BONK), Moodeng (MOODENG), and Official Trump (TRUMP). According to Oh, the breach was followed by an emergency security review of the affected networks and wallets. He added that all remaining assets were moved to cold storage to prevent further unauthorized transfers. Oh also said the exchange is working to trace the stolen assets and block on-chain movements wherever possible, noting that Solayer (LAYER) tokens worth 2.3 billion won ($1.6 million) have already been frozen. Upbit is also reaching out to relevant projects and institutions for assistance. This marks Upbit’s second theft case. The first took place on Nov. 27, 2019, exactly six years ago to the day, according to News1. Authorities focus on Lazarus’ involvementFinancial authorities are investigating the incident, and North Korea’s Lazarus Group is being treated as the leading suspect, the Maeil Business Newspaper reported. Lazarus is also believed to have been behind the 58 billion won ($40 million) worth of Ethereum (ETH) stolen from Upbit in 2019. A government official told the paper that the latest breach did not appear to stem from a server intrusion but may have involved a stolen administrator account, allowing the attackers to impersonate internal staff and move assets—similar to the method used in the 2019 case. Security analysts echoed that assessment. One investigator said the stolen funds moved through exchange wallets before being mixed, a pattern often linked to Lazarus. He added that mixers, which are prohibited in Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-member jurisdictions, make tracing difficult and that attackers typically route assets through countries outside that framework, further pointing to North Korea. Following the incident, Upbit suspended deposits and withdrawals for all assets and said services will resume once security is fully verified. The halt has also affected trading dynamics on the exchange, with CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju noting that retail investors are fueling altcoin spikes as arbitrage bots remain offline. Dunamu, Naver set $6.8B growth planThe security crisis struck at a particularly sensitive moment for Upbit’s operator, Dunamu, overshadowing what was intended to be a celebratory corporate milestone. On that same day, Dunamu, Naver, and Naver Financial held a joint press conference to outline their global expansion strategy. Dunamu brings its blockchain and crypto infrastructure, Naver contributes its position as Korea’s dominant search engine, and Naver Financial adds its payment platform serving 34 million users. The event came after reports that Naver Financial and Dunamu had approved a merger plan through a comprehensive share swap, with the ratio set at 2.54 to 1. The three companies said they will combine their respective strengths to invest 10 trillion won ($6.8 billion) over the next five years in building an ecosystem centered on Web3 and artificial intelligence (AI).During the press conference, Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon said no decisions have been made on a Nasdaq listing for the newly combined Naver Financial–Dunamu entity or on whether it might eventually merge with Naver, according to TechM. She said dual listings remain a matter requiring national consensus. Choi also noted that while Naver Financial is a Naver subsidiary, Dunamu is the larger partner, and a later merger between the combined entity and Naver is unlikely.

Hong Kong’s Bricks-and-Mortar Crypto Shops Attract Chinese VisitorsHong Kong has become a thriving destination for cryptocurrency enthusiasts, particularly mainland Chinese visitors, due to the ambiguity surrounding the regulatory status of these crypto shops.Despite the illegality of cryptocurrency transactions on the mainland and the ban on overseas exchanges serving onshore clients, Hong Kong allows legal crypto trading, and according to a recent report published by the Financial Times, the autonomous Chinese territory is being accessed by residents of the Chinese mainland for the purpose of trading crypto.Photo by Chapman Chow on UnsplashSurging demandBricks-and-mortar crypto shops, lightly regulated and scattered across the city’s popular tourism and shopping districts, have flourished thanks to the surging demand from mainland Chinese visitors. These stores offer customers the convenience of purchasing digital assets with cash, often without the need to disclose the source of funds or personal information.In contrast to the strict licensing requirements imposed on online exchanges in Hong Kong’s push to become a virtual assets trading hub, these over-the-counter (OTC) crypto stores provide customers with the opportunity to buy large volumes of cryptocurrencies with minimal or no verification checks.Before the border between China and Hong Kong reopened fully in February, mainland Chinese customers accounted for less than 5% of customers at Crypto HK, an OTC crypto outfit with two branches in the city. However, this figure has now increased significantly, making up around half of their customer base.Similarly, One Satoshi, a crypto store with nine branches in Hong Kong, reported trading volumes between January and May 2023 that were 20–25% higher than the same period the previous year. They anticipate a 35–40% increase in trading for the entire year.While some store owners, like Roger Li of One Satoshi, currently decline mainland Chinese customers due to Beijing’s crypto ban, they remain optimistic that restrictions will ease. This belief is prevalent among the crypto community in Hong Kong following the city’s announcement to become a virtual assets hub in October.Regulatory anomalyHong Kong introduced a new regulatory framework for cryptocurrency exchanges in June, requiring all online platforms operating in the city to apply for a license. However, most OTC stores still operate outside the purview of Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), presenting an area of further consideration for the government.OTC stores primarily serve as a simple way for users to convert money to and from unlicensed online exchanges, according to Carlton Lai, head of blockchain research at Daiwa Capital Markets. Hong Kong’s lenient regulations and ease of starting such businesses, as long as there is sufficient capital, contribute to the higher number of OTC stores compared to other locations.While some shops welcome increased regulation in the sector, others do not require customers to provide identification, promoting quick and anonymous transactions. However, this falls short of the investor protection measures mandated for online platforms seeking licenses to trade cryptocurrencies to retail clients.The lack of scrutiny faced by Hong Kong’s OTC shops, coupled with their proximity to mainland China — a market that ranked fourth globally for crypto trading in 2022 — makes them appealing to Chinese citizens still interested in the asset class.