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2 men from Miami and Los Angeles charged in $230 million cryptocurrency scam, FBI says

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2 men from Miami and Los Angeles charged in 0 million cryptocurrency scam, FBI says

MIAMI — Two men from South Florida and California were arrested by the FBI this week for their alleged involvement in a nearly quarter-billion cryptocurrency scam.

In an indictment unsealed by the federal agency on Thursday, 20-year-old Malone Lam of Miami and 21-year-old Jeandiel Serrano of Los Angeles were charged with conspiracy to steal and launder over $230 million in cryptocurrency from a victim in Washington, D.C., the FBI shared in a statement.

Lam, a Singaporean citizen who went by the online monikers “Anne Hathaway” and “$$$”, and Serrano, who uses “VersaceGod” and “@SkidStar,” were arrested Wednesday night and appeared in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and the Central District of California, respectively, on Thursday.

Videos shared on social media on Thursday showed federal authorities raiding a luxury home in Miami, where CBS News Miami confirmed it was part of the case.

According to the indictment, Lam, Serrano and others allegedly conspired to carry out crypto thefts and to launder the stolen cryptocurrencies through exchanges and mixing services. The conspirators would “fraudulently gain access to victim cryptocurrency accounts and then transfer victim funds into their possession,” the FBI stated.

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The FBI stated that the alleged conspirators laundered the proceeds, including by moving the funds through various mixers and exchanges by using pass-through wallets, virtual private networks (VPNs) and “peel chains” — a technique used to launder a large amount of cryptocurrency through a lengthy series of minor transactions — to mask their identities.

According to the indictment, Lam and Serrano then allegedly spent the laundered crypto proceeds on international travel, nightclubs, luxury cars, watches, jewelry, designer handbags and rental homes in Los Angeles and Miami.

In one instance on Aug. 18, Lam, Serrano and the others allegedly contacted a victim in D.C. and defrauded them of over 4,100 Bitcoin worth over $230 million at the time, the FBI stated.

The case is still under investigation.

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Focus: As bitcoin soars, luxury brands consider accepting crypto payments

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Focus: As bitcoin soars, luxury brands consider accepting crypto payments
Bitcoin’s soaring value has caught the attention of high-end fashion brands and retailers, prompting further interest in offering cryptocurrencies as a means of payment to tap in to fresh pockets of wealth and build loyalty with crypto investors.
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BlackRock releases educational Bitcoin video, indicates cryptocurrency acceptance By Investing.com

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BlackRock releases educational Bitcoin video, indicates cryptocurrency acceptance By Investing.com

Investing.com — BlackRock (NYSE:), recognized as the world’s biggest asset manager, controlling $11.5 trillion in assets, has made a significant move toward embracing cryptocurrencies. The company recently launched a three-minute educational video focused on , the leading digital currency. This move comes on the heels of BlackRock’s recent advice to investors that they could consider allocating up to 2% of their portfolio to Bitcoin.

This suggests an increasing acceptance of cryptocurrencies within conventional financial portfolios. Bitcoin, in particular, has seen a substantial increase in its value this year, with a rise of over 150%.

In addition, BlackRock is the owner of the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF, further indicating its growing interest in and acceptance of the digital currency market.

Link to video

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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DeFi Future of Token Burn Mechanisms in Cryptocurrency Supply Control | Bitcoinist.com

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DeFi Future of Token Burn Mechanisms in Cryptocurrency Supply Control | Bitcoinist.com

Token burn mechanisms are becoming a crucial strategy in the cryptocurrency space for controlling supply, enhancing scarcity, and driving value over time. Projects like the Lightchain AI Presale are leading the way, introducing innovative tokenomics to foster sustainable growth and value creation.

By permanently removing tokens from circulation, burn mechanisms help regulate supply to match demand, benefiting token holders and supporting ecosystem sustainability. This approach has been embraced by major cryptocurrencies like Binance Coin (BNB) and newer initiatives aiming to refine the model with features such as automated burns and community-driven frameworks.

As more projects adopt these mechanisms, token burns are set to play a significant role in building transparent, efficient, and value-driven cryptocurrency ecosystems. The future of token burns holds exciting potential for ensuring long-term growth and sustainability in the crypto world.

Overview of Token Burn Mechanisms

Token burn mechanisms are designed to reduce the circulating supply of a cryptocurrency by permanently removing tokens from circulation. This is typically achieved by sending tokens to an unspendable address, also known as a burn address.

There are various ways in which token burns can be implemented, and each project may have its own unique approach. Some common methods include manual burns, where the project team decides on a set amount of tokens to be burnt periodically, and automated burns, where a portion of transaction fees or network rewards are automatically burned.

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Additionally, community-driven token burns have gained popularity as they involve active participation from token holders through voting or staking mechanisms. By involving the community, these projects can enhance decentralization and transparency while aligning the long-term interests of stakeholders.

Types of Token Burn Mechanisms

This method involves periodic token burns initiated by the project team and can be used to reward early investors, reduce inflation, or align with the project’s roadmap and growth strategy. However, this approach requires a high level of trust in the team’s decision-making process and may not always be perceived positively by the community.

With automated burns, a portion of transaction fees or network rewards are automatically sent to a burn address, reducing the circulating supply over time. This is often seen as a fairer approach as it eliminates human bias in determining when and how much to burn.

By involving token holders in the decision-making process through voting or staking mechanisms, community-driven burns can enhance decentralization and transparency. This approach also aligns with the interests of stakeholders and can foster a more engaged and active community.

Benefits of Token Burn Mechanisms

Token burn mechanisms offer significant benefits in cryptocurrency supply control by enhancing scarcity, stabilizing tokenomics, and boosting long-term value. By permanently removing tokens from circulation, burns reduce overall supply, creating deflationary pressure that can increase token value, benefiting investors and holders. This controlled scarcity aligns with economic principles similar to stock buybacks, fostering confidence and attracting demand.

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Token burns also stabilize ecosystems by addressing inflation and oversupply concerns, particularly in projects with high token issuance rates. Additionally, burn mechanisms tied to transaction fees or usage, like Ethereum’s EIP-1559, incentivize network activity and promote sustainability.

Community-driven burns foster decentralization and governance participation, strengthening trust. Projects like Lightchain AI (LCAI) leverage innovative burn strategies to optimize tokenomics while integrating with presale dynamics, highlighting their utility as a transparent, strategic tool for long-term ecosystem health and growth.

Obstacles to the Adoption of Burn Mechanisms

While token burn mechanisms have clear benefits, their adoption is not without challenges. One of the main obstacles is developing a fair and transparent process for implementing burns that align with stakeholders’ interests. Additionally, determining the right amount to burn can be a delicate balance as too much can harm ecosystem growth, and too little may not have a significant impact on supply control.

Another challenge relates to regulatory concerns surrounding token burns, particularly in jurisdictions where cryptocurrencies are still in a grey area or strictly regulated. Projects must navigate these complexities while ensuring compliance and transparency to avoid potential legal issues.

Emerging Alternatives to Traditional Burn Models

As the cryptocurrency space continues to evolve, innovative alternatives to traditional burn models are emerging. For example, proof-of-burn protocols like Counterparty use token burning as a way to validate transactions and secure networks, creating more utility for burned tokens.

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Projects are also experimenting with creative ways to integrate burns with other features such as staking, liquidity mining, and gamification. These initiatives aim to incentivize participation while promoting sustainability and value creation in the long run.

Future Implications and Innovations

Token burn mechanisms are an essential tool for managing cryptocurrency supply and promoting sustainability. As the industry continues to mature, we can expect to see more projects adopting these mechanisms in innovative ways to optimize their ecosystems’ health and growth.

Innovations such as decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and smart contracts will offer new opportunities for community-driven burns, enhancing decentralization and transparency even further. With the potential for cross-chain compatibility and interoperability, token burn mechanisms may also have a more significant impact on the broader crypto ecosystem beyond individual projects.

The Role of Lightchain AI (LCAI) in Burn Innovations

Lightchain AI (LCAI) is pioneering token burn innovations to enhance cryptocurrency supply control. Its deflationary model burns a portion of transaction fees and AI task payments, reducing token supply over time and increasing scarcity.

This strategy aims to boost token value and incentivize network participation. Additionally, LCAI’s Proof of Intelligence (PoI) consensus mechanism rewards nodes for performing AI computations, promoting meaningful contributions to AI development while maintaining network security.

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These combined approaches position LCAI as a leader in integrating AI with blockchain technology, offering a sustainable and efficient ecosystem for decentralized applications. As of December 2024, LCAI has raised over $2.2 million in its ongoing presale, reflecting growing investor confidence in its innovative model.

How Lightchain AI (LCAI) is Addressing Challenges and Innovating in Token Burning

Lightchain AI (LCAI) has addressed challenges in implementing fair and transparent token burns by involving community members through staking mechanisms. Token holders can stake their LCAI tokens, locking them up for a set period, and participating in voting on burn proposals.

Additionally, LCAI’s deflationary model includes a built-in mechanism to adjust the burn rate based on market conditions, creating a more dynamic approach to supply control. This flexible approach aims to ensure that the project’s growth and ecosystem health are always top priorities.

Through its innovative Proof of Intelligence consensus mechanism and integration with AI development, LCAI is pushing the boundaries of traditional token burn models. By promoting network activity while maintaining scarcity, LCAI is creating a sustainable ecosystem for the future.

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To Recap

Token burn mechanisms offer significant benefits for cryptocurrency ecosystems, including enhancing scarcity, stabilizing tokenomics, and boosting long-term value. Despite challenges in adoption and potential regulatory concerns, projects like Lightchain AI (LCAI) are pioneering innovative burn strategies to optimize ecosystem health and growth.

With continued advancements and integration with emerging technologies, token burns will continue to play a vital role in the evolution of the crypto space. So let’s keep an eye on how this technology develops and the impact it will have on the future of cryptocurrencies.

https://lightchain.ai

https://lightchain.ai/lightchain-whitepaper.pdf

https://x.com/LightchainAI

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https://t.me/LightchainProtocol

 

Disclaimer: This is a paid release. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily represent those of Bitcoinist. Bitcoinist does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of information available in such content. Do your research and invest at your own risk.

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