Hodler's Digest, Aug. 5-11: Naughty North Korea, India's Bombshell, LTC Flops

U.S. Federal Reserve launching payment system, crypto bulls nonplussedThe United States Federal Reserve left some crypto enthusiasts unimpressed this week when it unveiled plans to release a real-time payments and settlements service.

North Korea stole $2 billion in cryptocurrency from exchanges, says U.N.Long faced with punishing sanctions that have exacerbated the desperate poverty faced by millions of North Koreans - and stymied the development of its weapons of mass destruction programs - Pyongyang has turned to hacking crypto exchanges in recent years to fund its regime.

Crypto tax bill introduced in the U.S. House of RepresentativesA bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that aims to stop crypto transactions from being taxed twice.

If successful, Budd's bill could have huge ramifications for the crypto world, and it's the latest attempt to try to achieve tax code clarity for investors.

Fifteen countries to develop crypto transaction tracking system, reportBig news this week as reports emerged that 15 global jurisdictions - G-7 countries among them - are developing a system to track crypto transactions.

For more info on crypto prices, make sure to read Cointelegraph's market analysis.

"You can very clearly see some macro correlation there. I think the broader theme of, you know, Bitcoin specifically, crypto more broadly participating in these global macro forces is becoming more and more clear. Rising nationalism, rising amounts of currency conflict, trade wars, these all obviously are supportive of a non-sovereign, highly secure digital store of value."

Okay, John!FUD of the WeekExpert: India will lose an almost $13 billion market by banning cryptoThe warnings about India's tough stance on crypto - which could see those caught dealing in digital currencies jailed for up to 10 years - have long been ringing in our ears.

Texas securities watchdog shuts down Craigslist crypto scammerAn investment provider that claimed to offer returns of 900% on crypto within 14 days has been slapped with a cease-and-desist order by officials in Texas.

Following on from LTC's second halving, Cointelegraph takes a look at the aftermath, the impact it has had on prices, and reaction from the crypto community.