Ben Strack

Ben Strack

Ben Strack is a Denver-based reporter covering macro and crypto-native funds, financial advisors, structured products, and the integration of digital assets and decentralized finance (DeFi) into traditional finance. Prior to joining Blockworks, he covered the asset management industry for Fund Intelligence and was a reporter and editor for various local newspapers on Long Island. He graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in journalism. Contact Ben via email at [email protected]

article-image

As Japan takes important step forward on stablecoins, industry participants say, proposed US laws around such crypto assets remain in flux

article-image

Working with the racing organization allows company to introduce Web3 technology capabilities to a new audience, exec says 

article-image

Amplify Investments’ BLOK ETF now allocates roughly 21% to bitcoin mining companies — up from an all-time-low of less than 10% at the end of 2022

article-image

The weaknesses of large language models like ChatGPT are “too great to use reliably for security,” OpenZeppelin’s machine learning lead says

article-image

Crypto exchange re-evaluating whether it has the right talent in top roles, but looks to continue hiring, according to spokesperson

article-image

After deal with GEM Mining, Sabre56 CEO discusses the firm’s seven-year bitcoin plan with Blockworks, which includes geographic expansion

article-image

Several firms have sought to launch leveraged bitcoin futures products, and one such company intends to launch its proposed ETF on June 13

article-image

Bloomberg found that nearly half of crypto companies recently surveyed receive audit services from Deloitte, EY, PwC or KPMG

article-image

The largest ticket operator for Grand Prix events has partnered with an NFT marketplace and a web3 firm to launch a new platform

article-image

The certification initiative is set to counter mining’s “pariah” status by some environmentalists by offering transparency into firms’ decarbonization initiatives

article-image

The crypto exchange that filed for bankruptcy last November would endure a long road to raise funds, clear debts and gain trust, law pros say

article-image

Rules to bolster blockchain security critical to crypto adoption, says former head of digital assets technology at BNY Mellon

article-image

AI tools are “only as effective as their latest update, training, and the data they’ve been fed,” Bitget executive Gracy Chen says

article-image

The largest publicly traded holder of bitcoin has recorded total digital asset impairment charges of nearly $2.2 billion

article-image

The company expects to “weave” artificial intelligence into its exchange, trading products and apps over time to help it keep up with industry’s development

article-image

After Grayscale and Bitwise paused plans for such funds Wednesday, industry watchers point to ETH’s futures market liquidity and asset classification

article-image

VanEck and ProShares withdrew applications to launch similar products in August 2021 just days after filing

article-image

The crypto marketplace seeks to expand internationally and ramp up its custody business after enduring a net loss of $45 million in the first quarter

article-image

FTX’s collapse, exchange fees and the pullback by certain market makers have contributed, and a rebound could hinge on regulation and other macro factors

article-image

BlackRock, Fidelity launched blockchain ETFs a year ago — how’s that going?

article-image

Analyst at Berenberg Capital Markets, which started its coverage of Coinbase on Monday, says the exchange replacing its US revenues would be a “tall order”

article-image

Survey results come as fund groups seek to launch new bitcoin-related offerings, as well as ether futures ETFs

article-image

Galaxy Digital is working with crypto investment firm CoinFund to alleviate credit risk and boost transparency with on-chain trading

article-image

SEC should focus on “bad actor” fraud cases rather than targeting crypto industry writ large, securities lawyer says

article-image

Though cause was initially unknown, “decentralization on all levels limits the impact of these events,” according to the pseudonymous superphiz.eth

article-image

While comprehensive crypto regulation is likely far off, a neighboring country could serve as the model of what to do in the meantime

article-image

Fund groups “don’t want to be left out in the cold” if the SEC is forced to take a more permissive approach to crypto ETFs, analyst says

article-image

The SEC approving a fund that holds bitcoin ETPs — products it has previously denied — would make it look silly, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst says

article-image

One of the three funds proposed by the crypto asset manager would invest in companies and digital assets focused on privacy

article-image

Wealth management firm founder says deal is “a strong bullish signal” that more institutional money managers are set to jump into crypto

article-image

The company turned profitable in the first three months of 2023 after its trading business notched a 257% quarter-over-quarter increase

article-image

Payment giant’s programmable finance platform prototype for Brazilian farmers shows one use case that could be foundation for others in different regions

article-image

62% of the firms surveyed by Goldman Sachs don’t want to get involved in the space — up from 39% two years ago

article-image

Montana bill protecting crypto miners from discrimination was signed this week amid broader state-level push on the topic

article-image

The exchange’s net revenues and operating expenses beat many analyst estimates, and Coinbase seeks to continue its business diversification

article-image

The crypto exchange’s adjusted EBITDA returned to a positive number in the first quarter, totaling $284 million

article-image

Large asset allocators could show interest in an opportunity that mixes carbon-conscious building with low energy costs, industry participants say

article-image

MarketVector Indexes exec says crypto product development involves tension between capturing current client demand and looking to push space forward

article-image

As the amount of bitcoin sold from some of the largest public miners is trending downward, some say hardcore HODLing could resume in time

article-image

Analyst price targets for the stock vary as Coinbase has looked to combat the SEC and expand globally

article-image

The Kraken-IRS battle represents “the first real judicial look” at changes to John Doe summons guidance, according to one tax attorney

article-image

The IMF is engaged with roughly 50 countries about CBDCs and has increased staff focused on digital money

article-image

The payments giant is teaming up with Aptos Labs, Ava Labs, Polygon and the Solana Foundation to reach application developers

article-image

The crypto exchange’s chief legal officer said in a Thursday blog post the Coinbase team “will vigorously defend ourselves”

article-image

Latest proposal could be part of a “getting in line process” ahead of an anticipated court ruling, one industry watcher said, though competing issuers may wait to re-file

article-image

The company’s latest efforts to reach younger investors “where they are” come after its debut in the sector last year

article-image

The tech giant’s Reality Labs unit has now lost roughly $17.7 billion since the start of 2022

article-image

Galaxy Digital is no stranger to partnering with huge asset managers — this time they’re working with DWS to go after the European market

article-image

New proposal “a significant improvement” over other state laws that essentially define DAOs as LLCs, a16z crypto’s General Counsel Miles Jennings tells Blockworks

article-image

Legal challenges are likely imminent, as one lawyer argues the US securities regulator is “exceeding its statutory authorization”