WAO ART #383

24 companies, including Bybit, OKX, and Crypto.com, applied for crypto exchange licenses in Hong Kong. Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken were absent from the list of applicants. Most of the $64 billion in crypto that flowed into Hong Kong was traded over-the-counter (OTC).

BlackRock launches IBIT, a Bitcoin ETF, in Brazil. This marks a milestone in the acceptance of cryptocurrencies as a legitimate asset class. IBIT democratizes access to Bitcoin, making it more accessible to retail investors. The launch has the potential to bring stability and growth to the crypto market in Brazil.

Jeff Bezos sold $8.5 billion in Amazon stock, sparking rumors about his connection to crypto. Speculation suggests Bezos sold his stock to buy Bitcoin due to "billionaire FOMO." There is no solid evidence or public records supporting this claim.

Whales are shifting their attention from PEPE to SHIB in the meme coin battle. A whale sold a significant amount of PEPE tokens and made a profit of $3.49 million. The whale then invested in SHIB, acquiring 75.9 billion tokens. Despite whale interest, PEPE experienced a notable price correction.

FMAS:24, the Finance Magnates African Summit, is returning for its second year in May 2024. The event will be held at the prestigious Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. Attendees can expect to network with leading talent, local providers, and experts from around the world.

Eurozone inflation dipped to 2.6% in February, slightly above predictions. Core inflation, excluding food and energy, remained stubborn at 3.1%. The European Central Bank (ECB) is unsure whether to cut interest rates amidst economic stagnation.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is ending the Facebook News tab in the US and Australia in early April. The decision is part of an effort to align investments with products and services that users value the most.