Hey there, PoI readers! 💫

It's your favorite crypto connoisseur, Mochi, back with another electrifying edition of Proof of Intel. Today, we're diving deep into the wild world of digital assets, regulatory shakeups, and tech innovations that are reshaping our digital landscape. 🌐 From Binance's stablecoin shuffle to DeepSeek's profit projections, we've got a lineup that'll make your brain cells do a happy dance. Get ready to ride the waves of cutting-edge crypto and tech insights – no life jacket required!

INTEL BRIEF

🟧 Binance takes bold regulatory action by delisting multiple non-MiCA compliant stablecoins across the European Economic Area, signaling a significant shift in cryptocurrency market compliance.

🟧 Metaplanet accelerates its Bitcoin acquisition strategy with ambitious global expansion plans, meeting with major stock exchanges and positioning itself as a pioneering investment firm.

🟧 UK hands down first criminal sentence for illegal crypto ATM operations, sending a stark warning to crypto entrepreneurs.

🟧 Chinese AI startup DeepSeek claims astronomical 545% theoretical profit margins, raising eyebrows in the tech world.

Binance Shakes Up Stablecoin Market with Regulatory Move

Binance is about to perform a stablecoin disappearing act that would make Houdini proud. On March 31, the crypto exchange will be waving goodbye to nine stablecoins in the European Economic Area (EEA), all in the name of regulatory compliance.

The Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) is the puppet master behind this digital drama. Tether's USDt, Dai, and seven other stablecoins are getting the boot from spot trading. But don't panic just yet! Binance isn't leaving users high and dry. Users can still convert these digital coins using Binance Convert, ensuring nobody's crypto gets left in the cold.

Good news for some stablecoins: Circle's USDC and Eurite (EURI) are riding high, remaining unaffected by these regulatory waves. Binance has made one thing crystal clear: while spot trading is out, custody of these non-MiCA stablecoins continues. Users can still deposit and withdraw these coins.

Binance is actively working on obtaining its MiCA license, showing the crypto world that playing by the rules is the new cool. They've already started adjusting their operations in Poland to align with the MiCA framework in January 2025.

Binance delisting 9 stablecoins in Europe on March 31

Users can still convert and custody non-MiCA stablecoins

Regulatory compliance driving the change

Metaplanet Continues Bold Bitcoin Buying Spree

The firm has just scooped up 156 Bitcoin for a cool $13.4 million, bringing its total Bitcoin treasure chest to a whopping 2,391 BTC. At an average purchase price of $82,100 per coin, Metaplanet is sitting pretty with a 13% gain since launching its Bitcoin strategy in April last year.

CEO Simon Gerovich isn't just buying Bitcoin – he's playing 4D chess. Last week, he took a strategic tour of the financial world's big leagues, meeting with officials at the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq. The mission? To explore ways of making Metaplanet's shares more accessible to global investors.

Talk about a stock market glow-up:

• MTPLF shares have skyrocketed 530% from $3 to $18.9 since November

• The company has been a rock star on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, increasing a mind-blowing 1,800% in the last 12 months

• Currently ranking as the 14th largest corporate Bitcoin holder worldwide

Gerovich has big dreams, aiming to accumulate 21,000 Bitcoin by 2026 and lead Japan's Bitcoin renaissance. While a US listing is being explored, it's not a done deal – but the OTC Markets platform is already making the company's shares available to international investors.

Pro tip for crypto watchers: Metaplanet is proving that sometimes, the best investment strategy is simple – just keep buying Bitcoin!

Metaplanet buys 156 Bitcoin for $13.4 million

Exploring potential US stock listing

Currently holding 2,391 BTC with impressive stock performance

UK Sends Crypto ATM Operator to Prison in Landmark Case

United Kingdom just dropped the regulatory hammer in a landmark case that's making waves across the digital finance landscape. Olumide Osunkoya is now experiencing the harsh reality of operating outside the law – a four-year prison sentence that screams "don't mess with financial regulations".

Osunkoya ran a network of 28 crypto ATMs without a shred of regulatory permission. From December 2021 to March 2022, his company GidiPlus processed a mind-boggling 2.6 million British pounds ($3.14 million). But the plot thickens – when initially caught, he tried to dodge detection by transferring ATMs and operating under a fake name and company.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) wasn't playing around. Therese Chambers, joint executive director of enforcement, made it crystal clear: break the rules, face the consequences.

Osunkoya's criminal rap sheet is impressive (and not in a good way):

• Operating illegal crypto ATMs

• Forgery of bank statements

• Using a fake identity to create a company

• Possessing £19,540 in illicit cash

Judge Gregory Perrins didn't mince words, calling Osunkoya's actions "deliberate and carefully planned" – this was no simple regulatory slip-up.

The FCA's crackdown has been intense. They visited 38 locations, took down 30 machines, and reduced crypto ATM listings from 80 in 2022 to zero this year. Their blunt message? "If you buy crypto, be prepared to lose all your money".

First UK criminal sentence for illegal crypto ATM operations

Olumide Osunkoya sentenced to 4 years in prison

FCA demonstrates zero tolerance for unregistered crypto activities

DeepSeek Reveals Incredible Theoretical Profit Margins

DeepSeek, the Chinese AI darling, just dropped a mathematical bombshell that's part bold claim, part mathematical magic trick.

A jaw-dropping 545% "cost profit margin" – but here's the catch: it's purely theoretical. In their GitHub post, DeepSeek painted a tantalizing financial picture. If all their V1 and R1 model usage were billed at full price, they'd be looking at a whopping $562,027 in daily revenue, with GPU leasing costs sitting at a modest $87,072.

The company is the first to admit this is more of a "what-if" scenario than a bank statement. Their actual revenue is "substantially lower" due to:

• Nighttime discounts

• Lower pricing for V3 models

• Free web and app access

But DeepSeek isn't just about numbers. They've been making waves in the AI ocean, briefly toppling ChatGPT from the Apple App Store's top spot and challenging OpenAI's dominance – all while navigating strict U.S. trade restrictions that limit access to top-tier chips.

Currently ranked #6 in productivity behind giants like ChatGPT, Grok, and Google Gemini, DeepSeek is proving that sometimes, David can throw some serious computational stones at Goliath.

This number-crunching comes amid broader debates about AI's cost and profitability. Tech stocks might be trembling, but DeepSeek is serving up some serious computational confidence.

DeepSeek claims 545% theoretical profit margin

Actual revenue substantially lower due to various discounts

Challenging big tech with innovative AI approach

And that's a wrap, my lovely PoI readers! I hope this edition left you feeling informed, entertained, and maybe even a little bit richer (in knowledge, of course). 💡 Remember to stay curious, stay informed, and keep spreading the love. Until next time, this is Mochi, signing off with a virtual high-five!

P.S. Don't forget to share your thoughts, questions, and favorite crypto puns with us. very voice matters in the PoI community! 📣❤️ Share the newsletter

🍨📰 Catch you in the next issue! 📰🍨