Iran is planning to launch its own cryptocurrency: Iran is moving ahead with a plan to introduce a national cryptocurrency, partly as a way of busting U.S. sanctions. The Iranian government said in April that it had developed an experimental domestic cryptocurrency. With the U.S. having since pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal and restored more sanctions—a ban on buying U.S. dollars comes into force next month, and crude oil sanctions will follow in November. https://www.rt.com/business/434537-iran-national-cryptocurrency-oil/1. Iran is planning to launch its own cryptocurrency: Iran is moving ahead with a plan to introduce a national cryptocurrency, partly as a way of busting U.S. sanctions. The Iranian government said in April that it had developed an experimental domestic cryptocurrency. With the U.S. having since pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal and restored more sanctions—a ban on buying U.S. dollars comes into force next month, and crude oil sanctions will follow in November.
Crypto bank Galaxy Digital loses $134M in first quarter: Galaxy Digital, chaired by billionaire investor Michael Novogratz, said it saw a “net unrealized loss” of $85.5 million on digital assets, and a further $24 million loss on investments, totaling $109.6 million overall in its first-ever quarterly earnings report. The firm also spent $11 million in operating expenses and saw a $13.5 million loss from its income, resulting in roughly $134 million lost in the first quarter, according to the report.
‘Crowd psychology’ drives Bitcoin’s price, survey finds: According to a recent survey, more than half (52%) of the respondents said they believe crowd psychology is the main driver of the price of the No. 1 digital currency. “Finance professionals make their livings by analyzing asset values through the lens of fundamental/quantifiable factors. That more than half of respondents believe valuation in the crypto space is ‘purely a function of crowd psychology’ is refreshing in its honesty,” wrote Nicholas Colas, co-founder of DataTrek Research.