Good market/exchange news for STEEM?

So, the price of STEEM was on the rise, and I was looking to see if there was any news to explain it or if it's just a routine pump & dump (I'm guessing the latter). Didn't find much, but I did come across this...

More here:

Bitunix futures will launch STEEM/USDT and VANA/USDT in USDT-M perpetual futures at 08:00 on December 25 2024 (UTC).

The maximum leverage of the trading pair is shown below.

STEEM/USDT: 1x - 50x

It would seem that this is a perpetual futures contract - not a spot market to trade STEEM, itself.

I have virtually no understanding of perpetual futures and no idea at all what "Bitunix" is, so I asked Brave Leo about bitunix. Here's what he said:

Introduction to Bitunix: Bitunix is a global cryptocurrency derivatives trading platform that offers a range of services to its users.

• Founding and Registration: Bitunix was founded in November 2021 and is registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
• Trading Services: The platform specializes in both spot and perpetual futures trading, with over 230+ trading pairs available, including Bitcoin and other altcoins.
• Security and Licenses: Bitunix has acquired several licenses, including the U.S. MSB License, Canada MSB License, and Philippines VASP License, to ensure a secure and compliant trading environment.
• Features and Benefits: The platform offers high liquidity, a user-friendly interface, fast trade executions, and multilingual 24/7 customer support, making it a popular choice for cryptocurrency traders.
• User Base and Trading Volume: Bitunix has attracted over 600,000 registered users from 100+ countries and has facilitated a cumulative daily trading volume that exceeds $1 billion on the platform.

That phrase "U.S. MSB License" caught my attention, so I followed up by asking what that means. Leo said:

Definition of U.S. MSB License: A Money Service Business (MSB) license is an official authorization that empowers a firm or individual to facilitate the movement of capital, handle financial transactions, and provide money services.

Requirements for U.S. MSB License:

• Registration with FinCEN: Every MSB must register with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) by electronically filing FinCEN Form 107, Registration of Money Services Business, within 180 days after the date on which the MSB is established.
• Renewal of Registration: MSBs must renew their registration every two years by filing another Form 107.
• Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Program: MSBs must develop and implement an AML compliance program to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.
• Filing of Reports: MSBs must electronically file FinCEN Form 112, Currency Transaction Report, when they have a cash-in or cash-out currency transaction, or multiple transactions, totaling more than $10,000 during one business day for any one person, or on behalf of any one person.
• State Licenses: Money transmitters must obtain state licenses in order to operate legally, with the exception of Montana.
• Minimum Paid-Up Capital: MSBs must inject a minimum paid-up capital.
• Local Compliance Officer: MSBs must appoint a local compliance officer.
• Local Lease Agreement: MSBs must secure a local lease agreement.
• Background Check: MSBs must undergo a background check.
• Surety Bond: MSBs must obtain a surety bond.
• Business Plan and Financial Statements: MSBs must provide a business plan and financial statements.

Then I followed that with a question about the web site's reputation, and here's Leo's response:

Bitunix.com Reputation Reviews and Ratings 2024: Bitunix.com has received generally positive reviews in 2024, with many users praising its security features, competitive fees, and diverse range of cryptocurrencies.

• Security: Bitunix has been highly rated for its security measures, including two-factor authentication, cold storage for the majority of funds, and regular security audits.
• Fees: The platform’s fees are considered competitive, with a 10% discount on spot and futures trading fees available.
• Cryptocurrency Options: Bitunix offers a wide range of cryptocurrencies, including over 300 spot coins and over 140 USDT-margined contract trading pairs.
• User Interface: Some users have reported that the platform’s interface can be complex for newcomers, but it is generally considered user-friendly.
• Customer Support: Bitunix offers customer support through several channels, including an online help center and email, but some users have reported delays in response times.
• Regulation: Bitunix is a regulated cryptocurrency exchange, with licenses to operate globally, including a United States MSB license and compliance with the Philippines SEC.
• Ratings: Bitunix has received an average rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, with many users praising its security, fees, and cryptocurrency options. Overall, - Bitunix.com has a positive reputation in 2024, with many users considering it a reliable and secure platform for trading cryptocurrencies.

Also, I clicked on the "Sign Up" link and it didn't immediately tell me that US users are banned, so that's something.... I didn't complete the signup process, though, so maybe they would've blocked me later(?).

What's it mean? You're guess is as good as mine, but it seems like it might be good news.