[News Brief] Apr 22, morning | U.S. House to Discuss Capital Gains Tax Exemption for Small Bitcoin Payments

U.S. House to Discuss Capital Gains Tax Exemption for Small Bitcoin Payments

The U.S. House is reportedly set to discuss a de minimis exemption for Bitcoin payments, effectively applying a 0% capital gains tax rate to small transactions.

According to source @pete_rizzo_, the core issue is whether to apply a de minimis exemption aimed at reducing the tax burden incurred when using Bitcoin for payments.

If adopted, the measure could lower the tax burden on small Bitcoin payments and increase Bitcoin’s utility as a payment method. However, it remains under discussion, and passage of the bill is not guaranteed.

BlackRock Sells 3,671 BTC, Buys 10,566 ETH

Odaily, citing Lookonchain monitoring, reported that BlackRock recently sold 3,671 BTC.

The sale was valued at approximately $230 million.

During the same period, BlackRock bought 10,566 ETH, valued at about $17.71 million.

Earlier on-chain data showed that a BlackRock-linked address transferred 3,966 BTC to Coinbase. After the transaction, the address purchased more than 10,000 ETH.

Crypto Futures Liquidations Reach $603 Million in 24 Hours, Including $460 Million in Short Liquidations

Source: PANews. According to CoinGlass data, total liquidations in the crypto futures market over the past 24 hours reached $603 million.

Of this total, long liquidations accounted for $143 million, while short liquidations came to $460 million. Bitcoin (BTC) liquidations totaled $279 million, and Ethereum (ETH) liquidations totaled $168 million.

The sharp rise in short liquidations is interpreted as the result of a large number of bearish positions being wiped out during a short-term price rally.

Bitcoin Surpasses $64,000 on OKX

Bitcoin rose above $64,000 on OKX, gaining 3.08% on the day.

According to PANews, OKX market data on the 8th showed Bitcoin trading at $64,015 per coin.

Market participants generally view the recovery of key price levels as a factor influencing short-term investor sentiment.

macOS Malware 'Reaper' Steals Crypto Wallet Data and Browser Passwords

The macOS malware 'Reaper' is reportedly spreading through fake app download pages and stealing crypto wallet data and browser passwords.

According to PANews, Reaper is distributed through download pages impersonating popular apps such as WeChat and Miro. The malware tricks users into launching macOS Script Editor, hides malicious code, and displays a fake Apple security update prompt to induce users to enter their computer password.

Reaper reportedly targets desktop crypto wallet apps including Ledger Live, Trezor Suite, and Exodus by modifying internal code, potentially enabling it to intercept future transactions and steal funds.

It can also steal login credentials stored in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, as well as .docx, .pdf, and .wallet files in the Documents folder. Security experts warn users to verify download links and immediately close any page that unexpectedly requests password entry or asks them to launch Script Editor.

Zcash Developers Agree on Rule Changes for Ironwood Upgrade Targeted for July

According to sources, Zcash developers have agreed to rule changes for the Ironwood upgrade, which is targeted for activation in July.

The upgrade is intended to address a vulnerability found in the existing Orchard pool. The vulnerability was reportedly linked to the possibility that an attacker could mint unlimited counterfeit ZEC, and due to the privacy features of the Orchard pool, it is difficult to determine whether any counterfeit issuance occurred before the patch.

The Ironwood upgrade introduces a new privacy pool based on the Orchard protocol and gradually phases out the existing pool. It also plans to add a control flag to the zero-knowledge proof circuit to encourage transfers of funds from the old pool to the new one.

Circle Launches Ethereum-Based cirBTC for Institutional DeFi

Circle has launched Ethereum-based cirBTC aimed at the institutional DeFi market.

According to PANews, cirBTC is backed 1:1 by native Bitcoin held in custody by Circle, with on-chain reserve information provided through Chainlink Proof of Reserve.

cirBTC is integrated into Circle Mint for issuance and redemption. Circle aims to build an operating model that combines USDC liquidity with Bitcoin collateral and plans to expand to multiple blockchains through Arc in the future.

Janus Henderson Investors Joins Ethena Network Committee

According to PANews, global asset manager Janus Henderson Investors has joined the Ethena Network committee.

Janus Henderson is reviewing the launch of regulated investment products related to the Ethena Labs ecosystem. Ethena has been expanding its ecosystem around stablecoin and yield-bearing digital asset products.

Coinbase: Institutional Investors Buy Bitcoin on Every Dip

Coinbase said institutional investors are buying Bitcoin every time it falls, according to Pete Rizzo in a post on X.

He added that sovereign wealth funds and retail investors are also increasing their BTC purchases, noting that demand continues not only near recent highs but also during correction phases.

The remarks came as the market remains focused on whether institutional demand will persist amid heightened Bitcoin volatility.

Upbit and Bithumb List CTR Token

According to PANews, Upbit will list the CTR token on its BTC and USDT markets, with trading scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. on June 9.

The listing is part of Upbit’s new market support initiative, allowing users to trade CTR on those markets after listing.

Bithumb is also set to list the CTR token on its KRW market.

PANews reported on the 9th, citing Bithumb’s official announcement, that CTR trading is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. local time.

A listing on domestic exchanges’ KRW markets is generally viewed as a factor that can improve a token’s liquidity and accessibility.