Olivier Acuna
A breaking news reporter and generalist at Coindesk, Olivier has been a journalist since 1984. He worked for UPI, AP, the Guardian, ITV News and several other major news organizations, covering everything from sports, finance, business to global affairs, politics, elections, economy and organized crime. He dove into crypto and Web3 in 2018 and has been intensely involved in the space since. He holds a MA in Broadcast Journalism from U.K.’s Birmingham City University and a postgraduate marketing diploma from King’s College London. He holds XION and AP3X.
127 articles
Ripple Receives Full MiCA License to Operate Across Europe
Ripple has obtained a full Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) license from Luxembourg, enabling it to offer crypto services across the European Economic Area. This upgrade from a preliminary license positions Ripple as one of the few digital asset firms fully compliant under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets regulations, according to CoinDesk.
4 hours ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Olivier Acuna
Banks Shift Focus to Integrating Stablecoins into Financial Systems
Financial institutions, including Standard Chartered and BNY Mellon, are moving from debating the role of stablecoins to exploring their integration into banking infrastructure, as reported by CoinDesk. This shift highlights the increasing importance of stablecoins like USDC in finance, with projections indicating significant growth in digital asset volume by 2030.
yesterday·CoinDesk·Reported by Olivier Acuna
Changpeng Zhao Proposes Freezing Satoshi's 1.1 Million Bitcoins Amid Quantum Concerns
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao suggests freezing Satoshi Nakamoto's estimated 1.1 million bitcoins to prevent potential theft from quantum computing threats, a proposal that has generated debate among industry figures, as reported by CoinDesk.
2 days ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Olivier Acuna
Dispute Arises Over Usage Claims of Russian Stablecoin A7A5
A7A5, a ruble-pegged stablecoin linked to Russian sanctions evasion, asserts high trading volumes, but blockchain analysts challenge this. According to CoinDesk, the token reportedly claims over $200 million in daily volume, while analysts argue actual activity is significantly lower due to inflated trading figures.
3 days ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Olivier Acuna
Binance Withdraws MiCA Application Amid Regulatory Uncertainty
Binance has withdrawn its Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license application in Greece, citing delays and regulatory challenges, according to CoinDesk. European head Gillian Lynch argues that the MiCA framework's effectiveness should be evaluated based on the number of firms it regulates rather than those it excludes from the market.
3 days ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Olivier Acuna
Europe Implements MiCA Regulation Amid Industry Concerns
The European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation comes into full effect, requiring crypto firms to hold a MiCA license to operate. Industry leaders express mixed opinions on its impact, noting that while compliance promotes transparency, it may disadvantage smaller firms compared to larger competitors, according to CoinDesk.
5 days ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Olivier Acuna
Poland's Crypto Firms Lack Access to MiCA Licenses Amid Regulatory Deadlock
Poland remains the only EU country without a functional domestic licensing system for crypto firms under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, leaving around 2,000 companies in limbo, according to CoinDesk. President Karol Nawrocki's repeated vetoes on enabling legislation force local firms to seek licenses abroad or risk shutting down operations.
5 days ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Olivier Acuna
Dubai Attracts European Crypto Firms Ahead of MiCA Deadline
As the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation deadline approaches, European crypto founders increasingly seek to relocate to the UAE for more favorable regulations. CoinDesk reports that inquiries to Dubai's NeosLegal, particularly from Europe, have surged, highlighting concerns over a potential brain drain from the EU.
6 days ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Olivier Acuna
MiCA Deadline Forces 10 Million Crypto Users to Search for New Platforms
The upcoming July 1 deadline for the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation may result in over 10 million crypto users needing to find new platforms, according to SwissBorg's Alex Fazel, as reported by CoinDesk. Many unlicensed exchanges are halting services to comply with the new rules, raising concerns about user displacement.
7 days ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Olivier Acuna
Michael Saylor Confirms More Bitcoin Purchases Despite Stock Decline
Michael Saylor indicates further bitcoin purchases as Strategy holds 847,363 bitcoins valued at about $50.9 billion, according to CoinDesk. Despite bullish intentions, the firm's stock faces challenges amid scrutiny over its funding model and recent drops in share price.
last week·CoinDesk·Reported by Olivier Acuna
Samson Mow Claims Bitcoin Bottom Is Reached Despite Analysts' Doubts
Samson Mow argues that Bitcoin's price bottom has been established, asserting that the traditional four-year halving cycle is changing, as reported by CoinDesk. However, many analysts disagree, indicating potential for further price declines based on various technical indicators.
last week·CoinDesk·Reported by Olivier Acuna
Polymarket Hack Estimated Losses Reach $3.1 Million Amid Ongoing Investigation
Hackers have stolen approximately $3.1 million in Polymarket's PUSD token from 11 wallets, prompting the platform to promise full refunds to affected users, according to CoinDesk. The attack, linked to a compromised third-party vendor, is part of a broader investigation into the platform's marketing practices.
last week·CoinDesk·Reported by Olivier Acuna
Coinbase and OKX Court Binance's EU Users with New Bonuses After MiCA License Issues
Coinbase and OKX introduce sign-up bonuses for new users in the EU after Binance announced it would suspend services due to not obtaining a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license. This development comes as Binance continues to pursue licensing in the EU but has withdrawn its application in Greece, according to CoinDesk.
last week·CoinDesk·Reported by Olivier Acuna
Binance Suspends EU Services After Failing to Secure MiCA License
Binance has informed users across the European Union that it will suspend certain services due to its failure to obtain a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license by the July 1 deadline. After withdrawing its application in Greece, the exchange intends to pursue authorization in France, maintaining that it still aims to secure a license, according to CoinDesk.
last week·CoinDesk·Reported by Olivier Acuna
Story Protocol Rebrands as DATA Foundation, Targets AI Copyright Issues
Formerly known as Story Protocol, the startup rebrands to DATA Foundation and shifts its focus to AI training data. Backed by Andreessen Horowitz, it aims to provide blockchain solutions for verifying the origins and licensing of datasets used in AI, as reported by CoinDesk.
2 weeks ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Olivier Acuna
Circle and Nomura Team Up for Digital FX Settlements in Japan
Circle and Nomura Holdings announce a partnership to launch a USD Coin-based settlement service for cross-border transactions in Japan, potentially rolling out in 2027. This initiative aims to improve efficiency in Japan's foreign exchange market, which currently handles approximately $440 billion in daily transactions, according to CoinDesk.
2 weeks ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Olivier Acuna
Binance Withdraws Greek MiCA Bid, Pursues Alternative EU License
Binance has officially withdrawn its application for a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license in Greece and will seek authorization in another EU member state, as reported by CoinDesk. The company faces a deadline of July 1 to secure a license or cease operations across the European Union.
2 weeks ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Olivier Acuna
Ex-FCA Insider Discusses UK Crypto Policy Challenges
Isadora Arredondo, a former UK Financial Conduct Authority official, discusses the challenges and competing priorities hindering the UK's ambitions to establish itself as a crypto hub, according to CoinDesk. She highlights a significant gap between policy intentions and actual implementation, which complicates the regulatory landscape for startups compared to larger institutions.
2 weeks ago·CoinDesk·Reported by Olivier Acuna
