Beldex, a hub for privacy ecosystem based in Mahe, Seychelles, has secured $3 million in funding from Block Alpha, a transparent and collaborative Web3 market maker. The investment will be used for research and development of Beldex's blockchain infrastructure and ecosystem. Beldex, led by Chairman Afanddy Bin Hushni, is committed to developing a private Web3 environment that protects user data and identity in the digital domain, as evidenced by its extensive Web3 ecosystem that includes BChat, BelNet, the Beldex browser, and its privacy protocol.

Coinbase has criticized a recent proposal from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that aims to define crypto brokers and instruct them on tax payments. The exchange has argued that the proposal would lead to “unchecked and unlimited tracking” of Americans’ daily lives, and create an “incomprehensible and unduly burdensome set of new reporting requirements”. The Blockchain Association has previously warned that the provisions could kill the industry in the US. However, Democratic senators, including Elizabeth Warren, have advised the IRS to impose the rule “as swiftly as possible” to prevent the loss of billions of dollars in tax revenue.

Privacy Layer 1 network Swisstronik has announced on social media that it has completed a $5 million seed round of financing. Two investors, Constantin Guggi and Anton Polianski, have joined the team as co-founders and executives.

A report has predicted a rise in digital currency transactions, as 105 countries are currently developing central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). However, concerns have been raised about the potential negative impacts of CBDCs on privacy and monetary policy transmission channels. Some central bank officials have questioned the necessity of CBDCs.

Institutional investors are showing increasing interest in cryptocurrency and investing in it, but some are concerned that this could lead to Bitcoin losing its anti-establishment roots. BlackRock, a major asset manager, recently applied for a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund, causing the price of Bitcoin to rise. While cypherpunks originally created Bitcoin to avoid government surveillance, institutional investors are focused on making money, which could lead to stricter regulations and a loss of privacy in the crypto space.

Sam Altman, a prominent investor, has been busy with the launch of the Worldcoin crypto project and his involvement in Vital Biosciences' $48 million funding round. Worldcoin's World ID platform uses blockchain technology to create unique digital identities by scanning people's eyes with a small orb, raising concerns about AI, data, and privacy.

A survey conducted by the CFA Institute on its members' perceptions of central bank digital currency (CBDC) found a wide range of opinions, with varying levels of support depending on the location and age of respondents. While 42% of respondents believed that central banks should launch digital versions of fiat currencies, support was lower among investment professionals in the United States at 31%. Privacy was the most common objection to CBDCs, with 50% of respondents expressing concern. The survey received the most responses from the United States and had a response rate of 5%.

Worldcoin, a controversial cryptocurrency and ID project, is under scrutiny from data regulators in the UK due to concerns over privacy and biometric data safety. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) will examine the project and initiate further inquiries to ensure compliance with data laws. Despite securing $115 million in funding from major investors, Worldcoin has faced criticism for its onboarding practices, which reportedly involved deception and exploitation of workers in developing countries. The project's native token, WLD, will not be launched in the US due to regulatory concerns and speculation about its classification as an unregistered security.

Worldcoin's WLD token saw a surge in value after being listed on major crypto exchanges, but concerns have been raised about the project's future. The project aims to revolutionize identity verification using a hardware unit called the Orb, which scans individuals' irises. However, there are concerns about potential abuses of the system, as well as issues regarding privacy, centralization, and security.

Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency project co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has launched with a token and "World ID" designed to act as a digital passport. However, the project is not available to US citizens, residents or companies. Worldcoin has included American cities in its "Orb tour" to educate and answer questions about the protocol and facilitate sign-ups for World ID using the Orb, but anyone who completes an Orb scan in the US will not be able to participate in the token drop. The project hopes to increase economic opportunity and enable global democratic processes, while preserving privacy.