This post was originally published on this site

Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan recently shared insights in an investor note, envisioning a significant drop of 50% in Bitcoin’s volatility alongside increasing institutional involvement leading up to the 2028 halving.

Hougan’s analysis points to Bitcoin’s historical patterns, notably its surge to a new all-time high just weeks before the 2024 halving. He anticipates this trend to persist post-halving, propelling Bitcoin’s value upward, much like its ascent from a modest $13 valuation during its initial halving in 2012.

Reaffirming previous forecasts, Hougan remains confident in Bitcoin’s trajectory toward a $250,000 valuation in the years ahead.

He attributes this sustained growth to Bitcoin’s growing recognition within the financial landscape, particularly following the debut of spot Bitcoin ETFs, which have witnessed remarkable performance since their launch.

Institutional Impact

Highlighting the transformative effect of spot Bitcoin ETFs, Hougan underscores their role in attracting a fresh wave of institutional investors. These entities, including financial advisors and large financial institutions, are known for their disciplined approach to trading, which contrasts with the speculative behavior of retail investors that has historically characterized Bitcoin markets.

Hougan predicts that the influx of institutional capital through Bitcoin ETFs will contribute significantly to the projected 50% reduction in Bitcoin’s volatility by the next halving.

He envisions a future where Bitcoin becomes a standard component in diversified investment portfolios, potentially constituting 5% or more of allocations. This projection reflects a growing confidence in Bitcoin’s maturation and reduced price fluctuations.

$200 Billion AUM

Hougan anticipates that institutional investments in Bitcoin ETFs could surpass $200 billion, driven by increased market accessibility and deeper financial integration. This influx of capital is expected to enhance market stability and cement Bitcoin’s status as a mainstream financial asset.

While acknowledging the inherent risks associated with cryptocurrency investments, including market volatility and regulatory uncertainties, Hougan paints a picture of a future where Bitcoin achieves widespread institutional adoption and emerges as a staple in investment portfolios, fundamentally reshaping market dynamics by the 2028 halving.

Featured Image: Freepik

Please See Disclaimer

This post was originally published on this site

Hong Kong is gearing up to debut its spot bitcoin and ether exchange traded funds (ETFs) on April 30, as announced by three asset managers on Wednesday.

This move positions Hong Kong as a trailblazer in Asia, becoming the first in the region to embrace cryptocurrency products as mainstream investment tools. The regulatory green light from the Securities and Futures Commission, as indicated on the Hong Kong markets watchdog’s website, underscores the city’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for digital asset investment.

While mainland China maintains a ban on cryptocurrency, Hong Kong is actively positioning itself as a global digital asset hub, a strategic move aimed at enhancing its status as a financial epicenter. Over the past decade, Hong Kong has seen the presence of several leading international crypto exchanges and funds, although regulatory requirements have sometimes led to fluctuations in their operations.

The approval of these new products in Hong Kong follows closely on the heels of the United States’ introduction of its inaugural ETFs tracking spot bitcoin just three months ago. The U.S. ETFs have already witnessed significant traction, with approximately $12 billion in net inflows, contributing to a notable surge in bitcoin’s value earlier this year.crypto 

China Asset Management, Harvest Fund Management, and Bosera Asset Management, alongside local cryptocurrency firm Hashkey, are spearheading the launch of these ETFs in Hong Kong, with a target date of April 30. Against the backdrop of bitcoin’s impressive 50% year-to-date appreciation and its record-breaking high of $73,803 in March, the cryptocurrency was trading around $65,000 on Wednesday.

Featured Image: Freepik

Please See Disclaimer

This post was originally published on this site

This post was originally published on this site

Following a brief period of net outflows preceding Bitcoin’s block-reward halving, spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States have returned to net inflows, with Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) leading the way.

On Monday, spot Bitcoin ETFs collectively experienced net inflows exceeding $62 million, with FBTC securing the largest single-day net inflow of $34.83 million. The ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF and The iShares Bitcoin Trust also saw substantial net inflows of over $22.5 million and $19.65 million, respectively.

In contrast, the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust witnessed the largest single-day net outflow, with nearly $35 million exiting the product. However, since their inception, U.S.-traded spot bitcoin ETFs have amassed a cumulative total net inflow of $12.38 billion, indicating continued investor interest.

BlackRock’s IBIT ETF, known for its consistent inflows, extended its streak for the 70th consecutive day on Monday, solidifying its position among the top 10 ETFs with the longest streaks of daily inflows. IBIT currently commands a market share of nearly 54% among spot bitcoin ETFs.

Despite recent fluctuations, the price of Bitcoin remains resilient, hovering above $66,200 as reported by The Block’s Bitcoin Price Page. This stability in bitcoin’s price underscores ongoing investor confidence in the digital asset and its associated investment vehicles.

Featured Image: Freepik

Please See Disclaimer

This post was originally published on this site

Bitcoin’s recent halving, completed on April 19, may not immediately impact market dynamics, with analysts suggesting a potential two-month wait for significant effects. Despite an 8% increase in bitcoin’s spot price since the halving, experts anticipate a delay in supply and demand adjustments.

Analysts at QCP Capital suggest that historical patterns indicate a delay of around two to three months before the halving’s supply constraints translate into notable price movements. This suggests that bitcoin bulls may have additional time to build larger long positions.

Bitfinex analysts highlight the post-halving reduction in bitcoin supply issuance, which could stabilize prices and potentially lead to further appreciation. However, they caution that geopolitical turmoil, particularly in the Middle East, could impact Bitcoin’s long-term valuation.

Additionally, the Bitfinex Alpha report notes potential stabilization in demand from spot bitcoin ETFs, which have been a significant driver of market activity. However, recent outflows from ETFs suggest a possible slowdown in demand.

Meanwhile, QCP Capital analysts anticipate a short squeeze in the altcoin and memecoin market in the short term. Persistent negative funding in these markets, coupled with potential fluctuations in demand, could lead to increased volatility.

While the overall memecoin market has seen a slight uptick in market cap, top memecoins like dogecoin, shiba inu, and dogwifhat have experienced minor declines in the past 24 hours, reflecting ongoing market fluctuations.

Featured Image: Freepik

Please See Disclaimer

This post was originally published on this site

Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, is embroiled in a new legal battle in Canada as a class-action lawsuit alleges violations of securities laws. Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice published a certification motion for the lawsuit on April 19, reigniting legal scrutiny against the exchange.

The lawsuit accuses Binance of selling cryptocurrency derivative products to retail investors without proper registration, in violation of Ontario Securities Act (OSA) and federal laws. Plaintiffs represented by Christopher Lochan and Jeremy Leeder seek damages and recissions of unlawful derivative trades for Canadian Binance users, numbering in the tens of thousands.

This legal action comes after Binance announced plans to cease operations in Ontario in response to regulatory warnings from the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) in 2023. Despite this announcement, the OSC’s investigation into Binance remains ongoing, highlighting continued regulatory scrutiny.

The lawsuit further tarnishes Binance’s reputation, already marred by previous controversies, including former CEO Changpeng Zhao’s guilty plea to US anti-money laundering violations in 2021. Although current CEO Richard Teng has made efforts to steer Binance towards regulatory compliance, including securing a Dubai crypto license, the exchange’s past regulatory issues continue to overshadow its progress.

Featured Image: Freepik

Please See Disclaimer

This post was originally published on this site

In the wake of the memecoin frenzy, over $25 million invested in pre-sold Solana memecoins has been left stranded, with more than half of the top projects abandoned within just one month.

ZachXBT’s investigation identified 12 Solana memecoin projects that have been deserted by their founders, leaving investors in the lurch. Solana Co-Founder Anatoly Yakovenko expressed skepticism towards the trend, stating, “Pre-selling a meme doesn’t make any sense to begin with.” Yakovenko previously cautioned against investing in memecoin pre-sales, highlighting the riskiness of such endeavors.

Of the 22 projects initially scrutinized, ZachXBT revealed that 12 have already been deserted within a month. Notable among these are LIKE, MOONKE, FROG, TEMPLE, and SORRY, which collectively raised over $2 million. Other projects, including those like @Jared_eth, raised substantial funds without even launching a token, with one account flagged as compromised by the web3 security platform Pocket Universe.

The memecoin frenzy has now shifted to the Coinbase-backed Base blockchain, indicating a lack of lessons learned from the Solana debacle, according to ZachXBT.

Meanwhile, the price of SOL, Solana’s native token, has witnessed a significant decline since the memecoin boom. Although SOL surged to over $200 during the peak of the frenzy, largely fueled by memecoin speculation, it has since plummeted to $154 as of the latest data. This represents a 23% decrease, despite SOL having already bounced back approximately 30% from its recent low of $117 on April 13.

Featured Image: Freepik

Please See Disclaimer

This post was originally published on this site

As scrutiny over the misuse of Tether’s USDT stablecoin intensifies, the company pledges to take decisive action against addresses linked to sanctions violations.

Tether, the issuer of the popular USDT stablecoin, has announced its commitment to freezing any addresses associated with sanctioned entities. This proactive stance follows reports indicating the exploitation of USDT tokens by certain state actors to evade US sanctions.

A spokesperson for Tether stated, “Tether respects the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) SDN list and is committed to working to ensure sanction addresses are frozen promptly.”

In the past year, Tether has actively frozen addresses holding substantial amounts of its digital assets involved in illicit activities. For example, the company froze 32 addresses containing $873,118.34 linked to unlawful activities in Israel and Ukraine.

Tether’s CEO, Paolo Ardoino, emphasized that these actions underscore the company’s dedication to establishing robust safety standards within the emerging cryptocurrency industry.

Despite Tether’s compliance efforts, recent reports have highlighted ongoing exploitation of the USDT stablecoin by terrorist groups and sanctioned nations seeking to bypass restrictions. Venezuela’s state-owned oil giant, PDVSA, reportedly utilized USDT for crude oil and fuel exports amid renewed US sanctions. Additionally, Russia has increasingly turned to alternative payment avenues, including Tether’s USDT stablecoin, to evade economic sanctions, according to US Treasury Deputy Secretary Adewale Adeyemo.

A United Nations report also revealed the prevalence of cryptocurrency-based money laundering, with Tether’s USDT on the TRON blockchain being a favored choice, particularly within illegal online gambling platforms.

In response to these developments, US Senator Elizabeth Warren has advocated for stringent regulatory measures, emphasizing the importance of including stablecoin issuers and other decentralized finance (DeFi) intermediaries under anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) requirements in any proposed stablecoin regulations. Excluding such entities, Warren argues, could enable bad actors to exploit the growing crypto trading activities facilitated by the legislation.

Featured Image: Freepik

Please See Disclaimer

This post was originally published on this site

Turnkey, a company specializing in building wallet infrastructure for blockchain developers, announced a successful $15 million Series A funding round led by Lightspeed Faction and Galaxy Ventures.

Founded by former Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) employees who contributed to the development of the U.S. crypto exchange’s custody service, Turnkey aims to assist application developers in constructing user-friendly blockchain wallets. The funding round, disclosed on Tuesday, saw participation from notable investors including Sequoia, Coinbase Ventures, Alchemy, Figment Capital, and Mirana Ventures. This round, finalized last October, follows a $7.5 million seed round in 2022.

CEO Bryce Ferguson explained, “At its simplest level, Turnkey provides secure, flexible, and scalable wallet infrastructure, offering developers a comprehensive toolkit for wallet-related tasks and cryptographic transactions.”

Ferguson highlighted the inspiration behind Turnkey’s inception, stemming from the realization at Coinbase that many crypto custodians treated cryptocurrency solely as a “buy-and-hold investment,” lacking the flexibility for users to actively utilize their assets. Turnkey’s objective is to empower custodians with tools enabling end-users to exercise greater control over their assets securely.

Released to the public in August, Turnkey’s product suite caters to various needs, serving as the backbone for applications requiring wallets and transaction signing, both for individual users and businesses. Notable clients include Alchemy, utilizing Turnkey to power its “wallet-as-a-service” offering, and enterprise-focused wallets like Mural, facilitating user-friendly invoicing and global payments.

Turnkey also caters to financial firms, with trading terminals embedding Turnkey’s wallets for transactional purposes. Additionally, individual users leverage Turnkey for broad transaction signing.

Ferguson emphasized Turnkey’s comprehensive approach, stating, “We built all of the wallet infrastructure from the ground up,” highlighting the platform’s ability to generate cryptographic key pairs and provide extensive tooling for accessing and managing these keys.

Featured Image: Freepik

Please See Disclaimer

This post was originally published on this site

Kenya is preparing to extradite Nadeem Anjarwalla, a Binance executive wanted by Nigerian authorities for alleged involvement in tax evasion and a dramatic escape from custody. Anjarwalla was apprehended in Kenya over the weekend in a joint operation involving several agencies, including the EFCC, Nigeria Police Force, Kenya Police Service, FBI, and INTERPOL, following weeks of search efforts. He is expected to be extradited to Nigeria within the week to face trial on tax evasion charges, with the possibility of additional charges related to illegal passport use and escape from custody.

Anjarwalla, Binance Africa’s regional manager, along with another executive, Tigran Gambrayan, encountered legal issues in Nigeria in February due to their association with the crypto exchange. Anjarwalla evaded custody in March using a Kenyan passport and had been evading authorities until his recent capture.

This development adds to the ongoing tension between Binance and Nigerian authorities. Gambrayan, who has been detained since February, is currently facing trial for alleged tax evasion. However, the proceedings have faced delays, with the court adjourning the case twice due to issues with formally serving charges to the exchange. Binance CEO Richard Teng has expressed willingness to cooperate with Nigerian authorities, but specific efforts to secure the release of the detained executives remain undisclosed.

Similarly, Gambrayan’Kenya to Extradite Binance Executive Linked to Tax Evasion to Nigeria attempts to secure bail have encountered obstacles, with a federal high court in Abuja postponing his bail application hearing. He is presently held at the Kuje Correctional Center pending further legal proceedings.

Featured Image: Freepik

Please See Disclaimer