This Week in the News- January 16

1. MetaMask Partners With Lido, Rocket Pool To Enable ETH Staking– blockchain software developer ConsenSys' portfolio company, MetaMask, is partnering with liquid staking providers Lido and Rocket Pool. This partnership will allow MetaMask users to directly stake crypto through its browser-based and mobile wallets. Staking is the process of holding a certain amount of a cryptocurrency in a wallet for a certain period of time to validate transactions on a blockchain network and receive rewards. By partnering with liquid staking providers, MetaMask aims to make it easier for its users to participate in staking and earn rewards. (source)

2. Brazil’s Second-Largest Private Bank Launches First Tokenized Credit Note–Brazil's second-largest private bank, Itaú Unibanco, has launched its first tokenized credit note. The digital securities platform, which is based on blockchain technology, will enable the bank to issue and trade debt securities in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. The platform, called "Itau Blockchain Ledger," was developed in partnership with the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other financial institutions. This move is a part of Itau's strategy to use blockchain technology to improve its operations and better serve its customers. (source)

3. Lazarus Group Moves 41,000 Ethereum Nabbed From Harmony Bridge Hack–The Lazarus Group, a hacking organization, has moved 41,000 Ethereum from an address associated with a hack of the Harmony Bridge decentralized finance protocol. The group is known for their association with North Korea and has been involved in several high-profile hacks in the past. The move of these funds suggests that the group may be looking to cash out their ill-gotten gains. The hack of the Harmony Bridge protocol resulted in the loss of $7.5 million in Ethereum for users. (source)

4. Victims of ‘Textbook Ponzi’ BitConnect to Receive $17 Million in Restitution–Victims of the old-school Ponzi scheme, BitConnect, will receive $17 million in restitution. The restitution will be paid by the company's main promoter, Trevon Brown, who has agreed to settle the charges brought against him by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). BitConnect was a cryptocurrency-based Ponzi scheme that defrauded thousands of investors out of millions of dollars. The company promised high returns on investments but ultimately failed to deliver on those promises, resulting in significant losses for investors. The SEC's enforcement action is a reminder that fraud and deception in the crypto industry will not be tolerated. (source)

5. IRS sets January 23 as official start to 2023 tax filing season; more help available for taxpayers this year–The IRS has announced that the official start date for the 2023 tax filing season will be January 23rd. The agency will begin processing tax returns on this date and will continue to do so until the tax filing deadline, which is typically April 15th. The IRS also stated that they will be providing more help and support for taxpayers this year, including additional resources and assistance for those who may be experiencing financial difficulties. (source)

6. Trump Organization fined $1.6 million for tax fraud–Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.'s office has subpoenaed former President Donald Trump's accounting firm for eight years of personal and corporate tax returns. The article states that the subpoena is part of an investigation into possible financial misconduct by Trump and his business organization. It also mentions that it's not clear what specifically the investigation is looking into, but the probe has been ongoing for at least two years and has previously focused on hush-money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign. (source)