CZ clarifies Binance’s stance on stablecoins. In response to rumors about Binance’s European entity delisting stablecoins by June 30, 2024, CZ explained that a statement made by Marina Parthuisot, Binance’s French legal director, had been misconstrued. Parthuisot’s comment, indicating that the European Union hadn’t granted approval for any stablecoin operations, was taken out of context. CZ affirmed that Binance is, in fact, gearing up to introduce additional stablecoins.

The European Commission toils diligently, crafting the MiCA rules to construct a regulatory scaffold for the realm of crypto assets. These encompass the gamut from the creation and exchange of crypto assets to the activities of crypto asset service providers. Notably, the regulatory framework extends its embrace to stablecoins, which are rumored to encounter a more lenient regulatory landscape compared to their token counterparts.

The regulatory landscape in Europe may serve as a beacon of guidance for other jurisdictions grappling with similar endeavors. In stark contrast, Binance finds itself ensnared in the legal quagmire of a lawsuit brought forth by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, alleging violations of securities laws.

In November of that year, Sam Bankman-Fried, co-founder of Binance’s most formidable rival, FTX, turned to Zhao, seeking his aid to salvage his own exchange. Yet, Zhao chose to decline, thereby sealing FTX’s fate. On the eve of his crypto empire’s bankruptcy filing, which occurred on November 10, Bankman-Fried conceded to his competitor with a tweet: “Well played; you won.”

The collapse of its most significant rival left Binance unrivaled as the primary force in the realm of digital assets, concluding 2022 with a commanding grip on over half of the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency market.

If Binance could weather the storm of regulatory scrutiny that followed the FTX downfall, it had the potential to emerge as the premier platform for cryptocurrency trading. Zhao, in turn, could establish himself as the “acceptable face” of crypto — a sphere of financial markets that many still perceive as the untamed frontier.

“Sam Bankman-Fried was seen by many as the industry’s leader, the potential savior in the eyes of regulators,” remarked Charley Cooper, a former chief of staff at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. “When [FTX] collapsed, everyone turned to Zhao as the prospective future guardian of the industry.”

However, despite the stabilization of major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin in dollar terms after the FTX collapse, Binance found itself grappling with challenges. Its sheer size painted a conspicuous target on its back, inviting the scrutiny of regulators and legislators determined to prevent the broader financial markets from ever being tainted by a crypto exchange deemed “too big to fail.”

In the realm of the United States alone, financial overseers have leveled accusations against Binance, alleging unlawful service to American clientele, undue control over clients’ assets, and a disregard for compliance and anti-money laundering protocols.

However, the predicament of Binance extends beyond mere regulatory scrutiny; it has instilled a deep sense of trepidation among crypto enthusiasts. To them, Binance’s triumph poses an existential threat to an industry that champions the ideals of decentralized finance, a realm where no single entity wields disproportionate influence.

“The struggles of Binance underscore a fundamental quandary faced by the crypto sector,” mused Charles Storry, head of growth at Phuture, a DeFi project and on-chain index fund provider. “The tension between major centralized entities… versus the industry’s original aspiration of forging a new financial order founded on the principles of decentralization, transparency, and a level playing field.”

Binance, in response, expressed a belief in the merits of “healthy competition” within the industry and articulated its dedication to fostering overall industry growth.

The resolution of Binance’s fate will play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of cryptocurrency — whether it integrates into mainstream finance or remains the domain of those seeking financial independence from the confines of traditional systems.

A fervent pursuit of growth pervaded Binance’s ethos from its inception. In a private text message circulated within the company in late 2017, shortly after the birth of the crypto exchange, Changpeng Zhao rallied his employees with a clear directive: “Every action you take should be geared toward expanding our market share,” he declared. “Other considerations such as profit, income, comfort, and the like should take a backseat. When faced with a choice between two courses of action, ask yourself which one will contribute more significantly to our market share and prioritize that.

Binance professed that their initial priority, like any fledgling enterprise, was rapid expansion. However, they now perceive themselves as but a modest component within a vast financial ecosystem.

Changpeng Zhao, a Canadian citizen of Chinese origin, began his journey by studying computer science and immersing himself in trading software, including platforms used by the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In 2013, he transitioned into the realm of cryptocurrencies. In the years that ensued, this individual, widely recognized in crypto circles as “CZ,” became an eminent figure in the digital asset realm.

Under his stewardship, Binance swiftly ascended to become the world’s foremost cryptocurrency exchange. By January 2018, merely six months after its inception, Binance commanded a substantial 26 percent market share. Within a year of its establishment, Binance boasted a global workforce spanning at least 27 countries, as per internal documents unearthed by the Financial Times.

Much like numerous youthful tech enterprises, Binance cultivated an ambitious culture of growth. “We aim to dedicate 2 percent of our time to decision-making and a staggering 98 percent to executing those decisions,” Zhao declared during an internal meeting at Binance’s Shanghai office, a recording of which has found its way to the FT. “Our competitive edge thus far resides in our action-oriented approach. We get things done; it’s all about execution.”

An onboarding document, also disclosed to the FT, sends a resounding message: “Should you merely sit idle, awaiting instructions from others on what needs to be done, you might find yourself waiting indefinitely. Actually, usually, not for long, as someone will likely arrive and instruct you to depart the team.”

Binance refrained from directly addressing Zhao’s statement or the onboarding document, instead referring to a blog post elucidating the company’s principles and culture.

Zhao garnered a steadfast following that staunchly defends him against “FUD,” industry terminology denoting “fear, uncertainty, and doubt.” Central to this following are the so-called Binance Angels, characterized by the company as “volunteers” who champion the Binance community and advance the crypto cause.

However, an insider asserts that Binance Angels are indeed integral to the company’s operation. “They assist us with translations, organize local events, navigate legal nuances, oversee communications, and facilitate the procurement of local company merchandise,” the source disclosed.

Binance conveyed to the FT that its “Angels” served as impassioned advocates supporting the Binance community in diverse capacities.

Binance’s formative years were punctuated by the conspicuous extravagance often associated with optimistic startups aspiring to reshape the world. During the summer of 2018, Zhao, accompanied by the entire Binance workforce at the time, embarked on a journey to Thailand to commemorate the company’s inaugural year.

In footage documenting this excursion, Zhao stood amidst approximately 100 Binance employees on a beach adorned with yachts, unveiling a sign marking the momentous occasion.

Binance now contends that its size precludes such extravagant events. “Back when the company was smaller, organizing such trips was more feasible.”

The company’s rapid ascent in the crypto domain was shrouded in corporate secrecy. During the summer of 2018, a security advisory instructed employees to restrict their social networks to first-degree contacts, deactivate geotagging on electronic devices, and refrain from disclosing personal information to unverified audiences.

“Reserve your social media presence for family and friends. Ensure that your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram accounts do not harbor any suspicious individuals,” cautioned the advisory.

Binance clarified that it had informed its personnel that personal social media profiles posed a higher risk of targeted phishing and other social engineering attacks.

I dare say, my dear fellows, that I harbor a rather firm conviction that the impending cryptocurrency halving shall bestow upon us a most impressive surge in prices. Allow me to elucidate my reasoning.

In the first place, consider that with each halving, the pace at which new Bitcoins are minted dwindles — a phenomenon reminiscent of the rare and foreseeable occurrences in the world of traditional assets. Economic fundamentals postulate that when the supply diminishes, yet the demand remains resolute, prices are wont to ascend. As we draw nigh unto the 2024 halving, it is reasonable to anticipate that this constricted supply shall incite a heightened fervor for Bitcoin among investors.

Secondly, a compelling historical precedent emerges as we peruse the annals of Bitcoin halvings. Both the halvings of 2012 and 2016 were followed by remarkable price surges, creating a palpable expectation within the crypto sphere that the 2024 halving shall usher in analogous outcomes. The very anticipation of such an ascent often kindles augmented buying activity in the lead-up to the event, further cementing the prospects of a substantial and noteworthy price augmentation.

Furthermore, one must acknowledge that the cryptocurrency market has traversed quite a distance from its nascent origins. It has matured substantially and garnered broader acceptance, both among institutional investors and the general populace.

Prominent financial institutions, encompassing hedge funds and asset management entities, have embarked on the allocation of substantial capital into Bitcoin. This burgeoning institutional interest serves to bestow a heightened degree of legitimacy upon Bitcoin as an asset class. Consequently, it stands to reason that as the 2024 halving approaches, an influx of capital from these institutions shall ensue.

Additionally, the intrinsic digital scarcity of Bitcoin, with its maximum supply set at a mere 21 million coins, renders it an alluring asset for safeguarding against the perils of inflation. In an era where major economies grapple with economic turbulence and mounting inflationary pressures, investors are increasingly turning to alternative assets like Bitcoin as a means of preserving their wealth. This pronounced influx of capital into Bitcoin as an inflationary hedge is poised to propel its price skyward in the months leading up to the impending halving.

One cannot help but conjure images of the jubilant gatherings held by countless Bitcoin enthusiasts in cities worldwide to commemorate the 2016 halving. I venture to surmise that the impending 2024 event shall evoke an even grander celebration among the faithful Bitcoiners.

Year upon year, Apple ushers forth a fresh iPhone line, a grand spectacle that occupies the paramount position in the Apple calendar. These iPhones, the lifeblood of the company’s vast portfolio, not only commandeer center stage but also orchestrate the destiny of accompanying marvels such as the Apple Watch and AirPods.

Amidst the whimsical affair known as the ‘Wonderlust’ launch event, transpiring on the reverent date of September 12, Apple unveiled four nascent iPhone creations: the illustrious iPhone 15, its grander sibling, the iPhone 15 Plus, the venerable iPhone 15 Pro, and the crowning jewel, iPhone 15 Pro Max. Within these pages, we embark on an odyssey to unveil the quintessence of these marvels, encompassing their birthing dates, financial measures, technical symphony, aesthetic metamorphoses, and a trove of knowledge to satiate the curious soul.

Step into the realm of the nascent iPhone, and traverse the tapestry of impressions and sentiments they’ve woven: “iPhone 15’s Inaugural Glimpse: Is it Time to Retire the Trusty Old iPhone?”

What are the new iPhones called?

Whispers, as elusive as shadows in a moonlit alley, danced through the grapevine, suggesting that Apple might craft a novel nomenclature, the illustrious ‘Ultra’ brand, to grace its pinnacle offerings. Yet, truth be told, this was but a smokescreen, a misdirect in the grand theatrical production orchestrated by Apple. The tech maestro, unswayed by such conjecture, opted to remain steadfast, adhering to the very blueprint that had guided their course the year before.

• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 15 release date

The iPhone 15-series handsets were announced at Apple’s Wonderlust event on September 12. You can pre-order from Apple’s website starting at 5 a.m. PDT, at 8 a.m. EDT, and 1 p.m. in the U.K on Friday, September 15, and they will appear in stores on September 22.

iPhone 15 design

Each of the quartet of iPhone 15 devices has undergone a metamorphosis of design, albeit one not of a revolutionary nature. These changes, though subtle, hold the promise of a refined user experience. Notably, the contours of their rear edges have acquired a gentle curvature, a minor alteration crafted with the comfort of the holder in mind.

Of the iPhone 15 and its more spacious kin, the 15 Plus, a unique transformation has transpired. They have been bestowed with a groundbreaking feature — an exquisitely hued back glass, textured to a matte finish that invokes admiration. This newfound elegance is a departure from the ordinary, accompanied by the integration of the once-exclusive Dynamic Island, now shared among these remarkable siblings.

As you can see, the iPhone 15 comes in black, blue, green, yellow, and pink.

The Pro models, as usual, feature several additional physical upgrades. Most obviously the mute switch has been replaced by a pressable Action button that silences your phone by default but can be customized to cover a range of functions such as opening the Camera app, activating Voice Memos, or triggering Accessibility features. You’ll get haptic feedback when you press the Action button and the Dynamic Island will provide further visual cues.

More fundamentally, the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are made of titanium, a first for the iPhone line. This should provide an improved strength to weight ratio compared to stainless steel, and sure enough, weights are down across both Pro models. (The 15 Pro Max, for example, weighs 221 grams, down from the 14 Pro Max’s 240 grams. That’s a drop of just under 8 percent. The 15 Pro is down 9 percent in weight.)

Behold, the palette of hues adorning the canvas of the iPhone 15 Pro, a selection that graces Apple’s digital atelier. On their website, they bear the monikers of Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, and Natural Titanium. Yet, one cannot help but ponder, why do the Pro progeny perennially shy away from the allure of more captivating shades?

As with 2022’s iPhone 14 line, the U.S. models all feature dual eSIM support and have no physical SIM slot. U.K. customers do get physical nano-SIM slots, but note that if you’ve got a SIM card in there you’ll only be able to use one eSIM.

iPhone 15 new features

The new phones can do a few things that their predecessors couldn’t. The inclusion of USB-C, for instance, makes it a little easier to use a single charger for multiple Apple devices. The Dynamic Island is now on all four models (last year it was just on the Pro handsets) and its functions have been expanded. Perhaps the most interesting upgrade, however, is reverse charging: you can now charge an Apple Watch or a set of 2nd-gen AirPods Pro by plugging them into your phone.

It’s also worth mentioning Apple’s environmental claims. All four iPhone 15 handsets use more recycled materials than previous generations. The standard models boast “100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery and 100 percent recycled copper in the main logic board, copper wire in the Taptic Engine, and copper foil in the inductive charger in MagSafe,” along with impressive claims related to aluminium, gold, and rare earth materials, whereas the Pro models feature “100 percent recycled aluminum substructure and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery–both firsts for Apple.”

The company further claims numerous achievements related to energy efficiency and the removal or reduction of plastic and harmful chemicals, and has pledged to “no longer use leather in any new Apple products.” You can read all about this on Apple’s environment page.

iPhone 15

• A16 Bionic processor (6-core CPU, 5-core GPU)
• 6.1-inch 2556×1179 460ppi Super Retina XDR display
• Dual-lens rear camera: 48MP f/1.6 Main, 12MP f/2.4 Ultra Wide; up to 2X optical zoom
• 12MP f/1.9 front camera
• Smart HDR 5
• 128/256/512GB storage
• Estimated battery life: Up to 20 hours video playback
• Fast charge: Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter
• Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G
• USB-C charging/data connection
• IP68 dust and water resistance (maximum depth 6m up to 30 minutes)
• 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm)
• 6.02 ounces (171 grams)

iPhone 15 Plus

• A16 Bionic processor (6-core CPU, 5-core GPU)
• 6.7-inch 2796×1290 460ppi Super Retina XDR display
• Dual-lens rear camera: 48MP f/1.6 Main, 12MP f/2.4 Ultra Wide; up to 2X optical zoom
• 12MP f/1.9 front camera
• Smart HDR 5
• 128/256/512GB storage
• Estimated battery life: Up to 26 hours video playback
• Fast charge: Up to 50% charge in 35 minutes with 20W adapter
• Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G
• USB-C charging/data connection
• IP68 dust and water resistance (maximum depth 6m up to 30 minutes)
• 6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 inches (160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8mm)
• 7.09 ounces (201 grams)

iPhone 15 Pro

• A17 Pro processor (6-core CPU, 6-core GPU)
• 6.1-inch 2556×1179 460ppi Super Retina XDR always-on display with ProMotion
• Triple-lens rear camera: 48MP f/1.78 Main, 12MP f/2.2 Ultra Wide, 12MP f/2.8 Telephoto; up to 3X optical zoom
• 12MP f/1.9 front camera
• Smart HDR 5
• 128/256/512GB/1TB storage
• Estimated battery life: Up to 23 hours video playback
• Fast charge: Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter
• Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Thread, 5G
• USB-C charging/data connection (supports USB 3)
• IP68 dust and water resistance (maximum depth 6m up to 30 minutes)
• 5.77 x 2.78 x 0.32 inches (146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25mm)
• 6.60 ounces (187 grams)

iPhone 15 Pro Max

• A17 Pro processor (6-core CPU, 6-core GPU)
• 6.7-inch 2796×1290 460ppi Super Retina XDR always-on display with ProMotion
• Triple-lens rear camera: 48MP f/1.78 Main, 12MP f/2.2 Ultra Wide, 12MP f/2.8 Telephoto; up to 5X optical zoom
• 12MP f/1.9 front camera
• Smart HDR 5
• 256/512GB/1TB storage
• Estimated battery life: Up to 29 hours video playback
• Fast charge: Up to 50% charge in 35 minutes with 20W adapter
• Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Thread, 5G
• USB-C charging/data connection (supports USB 3)
• IP68 dust and water resistance (maximum depth 6m up to 30 minutes)
• 6.29 x 3.02 x 0.32 inches (159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25mm)
• 7.81 ounces (221 grams)

The switch from Lightning to USB-C as the charging and data-transfer port, across all four models, is highly significant. (Apple talked this up as a beneficial move, and in many ways it is, but the company was obliged to make the change by looming regulation.) Data transfers will be faster on the Pro models because they support the USB 3 standard.

Phone 15 price

Here are the full prices of the new iPhones. You can check further details and (from September 15) pre-order on Apple’s website. Note that the 15 Pro Max starts at 256GB of storage, so it isn’t quite as expensive as it seems.

Want to buy a new iPhone 15? Don’t pay more than you need to! We have also collected the best deals for the iPhone 15-series in the U.K. and the best deals for the iPhone 15-series in the U.S. in separate articles.

iPhone 15

• 128GB: $799 / £799 / AU$1,499
• 256GB: $899 / £899 / AU$1,699
• 512GB: $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$2,049

iPhone 15 Plus

• 128GB: $899 / £899 / AU$1,649
• 256GB: $999 / £999 / AU$1,849
• 512GB: $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,199

iPhone 15 Pro

• 128GB: $999 / £999 / AU$1,849
• 256GB: $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$2,049
• 512GB: $1,299 / £1,299 / AU$2,399
• 1TB: $1,499 / £1,499 / AU$2,749

iPhone 15 Pro Max

• 256GB: $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,199
• 512GB: $1,399 / £1,399 / AU$2,549
• 1TB: $1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,899

In some cases these prices are better than the 2022 equivalents. In 2022 the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus cost more, and while the Pro and Pro Max have stayed the same in the U.S., it has been reduced in the U.K., but gone up in Australia.