Civilization VII Datamine Reveals Unused Civilizations and Potential Fourth Age

Civilization VII datamining has revealed unused assets, including several civilizations like the Ottomans and Maori, and new leaders such as Edward Teach and Sayyida al-Hurra, the latter known as the Pirate Queen of the Mediterranean. Additionally, hints of a potential fourth age, the Atomic Age, have surfaced, suggesting future content. The game is set to release on February 11, 2025, and has received a favorable score of 81/100 on Metacritic.

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Deribit exits Russian market due to EU sanctions and regulatory challenges

Deribit has exited the Russian market due to EU sanctions, restricting services to Russian nationals unless they hold citizenship in an EEA country or Switzerland. Russian companies are entirely barred from the platform, while those in the UAE remain excluded. The move follows increased regulatory challenges and the impact of sanctions on Russia’s economy and cryptocurrency sector.

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DeepSeek AI Faces Global Backlash Over Privacy and Security Concerns

Italy’s data protection authority, the Garante, has ordered the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek to cease operations in the country due to inadequate responses regarding its data collection practices. Despite being removed from local app stores, the app remains functional for users who previously downloaded it. Concerns over privacy and potential espionage have led to investigations by multiple countries, as DeepSeek’s low-cost AI model challenges established tech giants and raises national security alarms.

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Kraken to Delist USDT and Other Stablecoins in EEA by March 2025

Kraken will delist Tether (USDT) and four other stablecoins in the European Economic Area (EEA) by March 31, 2025, to comply with MiCA regulations. The delisting process starts on February 13, 2025, with trading restrictions and automatic conversions of remaining holdings by the deadline. Users are encouraged to convert affected tokens to MiCA-compliant assets before the end of Q1 2025.

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ABN AMRO Completes Tokenized Trading Pilot with 21X on Ethereum

ABN AMRO, the Netherlands’ third-largest bank, has successfully completed a pilot for tokenized trading using stablecoins in collaboration with German exchange 21X. The trial involved on-chain settlement for tokenized securities, with ABN AMRO issuing an ERC-3643 token on the Polygon Amoy Testnet. Following the pilot, the bank plans to enhance its offerings with secondary market capabilities through partnerships with European DLT systems. In Jakarta, police dismantled a crypto romance scam syndicate that targeted professionals from Southeast Asia, arresting 20 suspects linked to a fraudulent trading platform. The scheme promised high returns and has been active for over two months, with ongoing investigations into the total losses incurred.

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Hong Kong Flags 33 More Crypto Scam Platforms Impersonating HashKey

Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has flagged 33 additional fraudulent websites impersonating HashKey, bringing the total to 45. HashKey, which obtained a crypto license in November 2022, has distanced itself from these scams, while the SFC continues to monitor suspicious platforms, having identified at least 91 since November 2021. As Hong Kong aims to become a digital assets hub, it has recently expanded its list of licensed crypto platforms, now totaling nine.

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Ripple Secures Money Transmitter Licenses in New York and Texas

Ripple has secured Money Transmitter Licenses in New York and Texas, increasing its total to over 50 in the US and more than 60 globally. The company processed $70 billion in payments volume, doubling last year, and is expanding its US presence with significant hiring and new offices. This growth aligns with rising interest from financial institutions in leveraging crypto for efficient cross-border payments.

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The Risks of UBS Relocating Its Headquarters from Switzerland

The integration of Credit Suisse has raised concerns about UBS’s risk to Switzerland, with some experts suggesting relocating its headquarters abroad as a potential solution. However, such a move could lead to significant job losses, a diminished reputation for Switzerland as a financial center, and tax revenue declines. Instead, fostering competition among banks and ensuring a balanced regulatory approach may better address the “too-big-to-fail” dilemma.

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CRH Stock Performance and Earnings Outlook for Investors

CRH (CRH) closed at $100.33, up 1.05%, outperforming the S&P 500’s 0.61% gain. Over the past month, CRH shares rose 4.79%, exceeding the Construction sector’s 4.32% increase. The upcoming earnings report is anticipated to show a 14.73% EPS growth, with revenue projected at $9.27 billion, a 6.76% rise year-over-year. Currently, CRH holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) and trades at a Forward P/E of 16.41, below the industry average of 18.11.

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UAE Crypto Firm Admits to Wash Trading in FBI Sting Operation

A UAE-based crypto firm, CLS Global, has admitted to conducting a wash trading scheme on Uniswap, generating millions in fake trading volume. Following an FBI sting operation, the company is set to plead guilty to market manipulation and wire fraud, facing penalties exceeding $428,000 and exclusion from U.S. crypto markets. The operation, which involved sophisticated algorithms to create artificial market activity, marked a significant crackdown on fraudulent practices in the crypto industry.

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Trump’s Presidency: A Shift in US-Europe Relations and Economic Policies

Donald J. Trump, the 47th President of the USA, snubbed European leaders during his inauguration, inviting only Giorgia Meloni, while Olaf Scholz and Emmanuel Macron were excluded. His administration favors individual deals over traditional diplomacy, encouraging European companies to relocate to the US amid a backdrop of deregulation and tax cuts, which he believes will stimulate economic growth and reduce national debt. As a result, Swiss and European businesses must adapt to a new political climate that prioritizes American interests over longstanding diplomatic norms.

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Gemini Selects Malta for MiCA Compliance and EU Expansion

Gemini has selected Malta as its hub for compliance with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, following its sixth VASP registration from the Malta Financial Services Authority. While Malta’s supportive regulatory environment is seen as ideal for expansion, Gemini is still awaiting its MiCA license. The implementation of MiCA is prompting crypto firms to ensure compliance, with ongoing uncertainty surrounding stablecoin regulations, particularly for Tether’s USDT.

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