News from September 2023

Crypto firms seek growth opportunities beyond U.S. borders due to regulatory crackdown

According to the Wall Street Journal, crypto executives are adapting their growth strategies as the U.S. market becomes a challenging terrain due to increased regulatory scrutiny. This shift is exemplified by major players like Ryze Labs, Ripple Labs, and Zodia Markets, who are now setting their sights on opportunities beyond American borders.

Binance sends funds directly to users affected by flooding in Libya

Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world, announced that it is airdropping funds to users affected by the floods in Libya. Extreme flooding in the eastern city of Derna has left at least 5,000 people dead, while thousands more are still missing.

Renee Haltom: “Both regions have strong tourism potential and have invested significantly in a ‘sense of place’ to retain current residents, interest new workers and capitalize on tourism”

On August 31, 2023, during a Community Conversations visit to rural western Virginia, Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin, Regional Executive Renee Haltom, and Community Development Manager Jarrod Elwell explored the economic potential of Alleghany County and Highland County, bordering the Allegheny Mountains. They discovered that these counties, with their natural beauty and resources, hold promise for attracting both residents and industry.

Carrie Cook: “CDFIs are diverse institutions in how they operate and respond to community needs”

The Federal Reserve's 2023 CDFI Survey, conducted between April 24 and June 2, revealed that community development financial institutions have generally been successful in meeting increased demand for financial products over the past year. However, challenges vary among CDFIs, with loan funds citing rising lending capital costs and operational funding limitations, while credit unions face issues related to hiring, borrower qualifications, and technology.