Author: BTCLFGTEAM

  • iDEGEN fires on all cylinders as Bitcoin, Ethereum struggle

    iDEGEN fires on all cylinders as Bitcoin, Ethereum struggle

    Bulls remain in control of the broader cryptocurrency market as investors’ optimism remains pegged on crypto-friendly policy measures, heightened adoption of these digital assets, and central banks’ strategic reserves. Even so, crypto majors have largely stalled in the absence of an immediate catalyst. 

    Amid the pullback, meme coins and particularly AI projects have shown immense growth and indismissible opportunities. iDEGEN, a unique social experiment is one such project. Even before hitting the public shelves, it has the potential to give the likes of Fartcoin and AI16z a run for their money. 

    Bitcoin’s under pressure from bets on fewer rate cuts

    Bitcoin price rebounded on Tuesday after testing the crucial support zone of $90,000 in the previous session. As at the time of writing, the top crypto was at $96,485 as it finds support along the 50-day EMA while hovering around the short-term 20-day EMA. 

    While the bulls are still in control, higher Treasury yields have prompted a sell-off of riskier assets like cryptocurrencies. On Monday, the benchmark 10-year Treasury yields rose to 4.80%, a level last recorded in October 2023.

    The stronger-than-expected US jobs data released late last week further pointed to the Fed easing on its rate cuts in 2025. Notably, riskier assets like cryptos thrive in an environment of lower interest rates.

    In the near term, the range between $93,010 and $97,500 will be worth watching. Beyond that level, the bulls will likely face resistance at $98,500. On the flip side, a pullback past the range’s support zone may see BTC/USD drop to $92,225. 

    Bitcoin Price Chart
    Bitcoin Price Chart

    Bitcoin price chart | Source: TradingView

    iDEGEN marks a new phase for AI meme coins

    As artificial intelligence revolutionizes the crypto market, iDEGEN is marking a new era for AI meme coins. In fact, based on its virality and potential, some analysts view it as a “Bitcoin equivalent”. 

    Unlike other projects, it started on a blank slate with no restrictions or guardrails. By relying on degens to learn, adopt, and formulate tweets, iDEGEN has evolved into a viral sensation whose growth surpasses its creators’ wildest imaginations. 

    So aggressive is the movement that not even a ban on X could curtail it. Based on its virality and active community, the project has the markings of a crypto that will evolve from being a mere joke to a billion-dollar asset. 

    With this immense potential, a rising number of savvy investors are amassing $IDGN tokens with just a few weeks left before its listing on 27th February. Since its launch on 26th November 2024, the project has already raised over $16 million. 

    Early adopters are already sitting on hefty returns at its current price of $0.01. Compared to its initial price of $0.00011, $IDGN holders have raked in 8,991% in returns. At this pace, there are no signs of iDEGEN slowing down. Learn more about iDEGEN here

    Ethereum records surge in outflows amid a shift in investor sentiment 

    Ethereum price

    ETH price chart | Source: TradingView

    After the Bitcoin-led selloff that saw Ethereum price momentarily drop below the crucial zone of $3,000 on Monday, the altcoin rebounded to trade at $3,191 as at the time of writing.  A look at its daily chart highlights the formation of the bearish death cross with the short-term 20-day EMA crossing below the medium-term 50-day EMA to the downside. 

    Besides, ethereum price remains under pressure from the recent surge in outflows. According to SoSoValue, ETH spot ETF recorded daily net outflows of $39.43 million on 13th January. Topping the list was Grayscale Ethereum Trust EFT (ETHE) with a daily net outflow of $14.49 million and cumulative net outflows of $3.70 billion. At the same time, its Mini Trust (ETH) had daily net outflows of $37.84 million.

    In the near term, ethereum price will likely hover around $3,150 as bulls strive to defend the support level of $3,000. Even with furthe rebounding, it will likely face significant resistance at $3,320.  

     

     

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  • Genius Group to raise $33m to buy more BTC

    Genius Group to raise $33m to buy more BTC

    • Genius Group has announced a $33 million rights offering.
    • The company will use net proceeds from the sale to buy Bitcoin.
    • Genius Group holds $35 million in BTC and could see holdings rise to $86 million with plans for additional $20 million loan.

    Publicly-listed artificial intelligence firm Genius Group plans to raise $33 million to buy additional Bitcoin (BTC) as part of its BTC treasury.

    Genius Group announced on Jan. 14 that the company’s board of directors had approved a rights offering plan for $33 million. The company will use net proceeds from the shares sale to purchase more Bitcoin.

    As well as the rights offering, Genius Group is eyeing further financing, with one or more loan options aggregating to $20 million on the table. The company’s current BTC treasury stands around $35 million, which means successful raises from the offering and via the loans option could see Genius Group’s total Bitcoin haul rise to $86 million.

    Bitcoin strategy

    AI-powered Genius Group’s move to add to its Bitcoin treasury comes amid a broader surge in public and private companies buying BTC to add to their balance sheets. This trend picked momentum in 2024 following major expansion efforts by the leading corporate holder of BTC MicroStrategy.

    Having inspired other companies like Metaplanet, KULR Technologies and multiple Bitcoin mining companies, MicroStrategy’s playbook is now a major talking point in boardrooms. Nasdaq-listed Heritage Distilling recently adopted the Bitcoin strategy.

    Despite shareholders of Microsoft down voting a proposal that sought to have the tech giant add BTC to its treasury, experts are upbeat tha its early days. Meta is facing a similar proposal.

    The approval of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the U.S., with BlackRock’s IBIT currently holding billions of dollars in BTC is another big development in the past year.

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  • Italy’s largest bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, buys $1M Bitcoin

    Italy’s largest bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, buys $1M Bitcoin

    Italy's largest bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, buys $1M Bitcoin
    • Intesa Sanpaolo Bank buys $1 million in Bitcoin
    • The bank is the first Italian bank to invest in crypto
    • The move is a low-risk experiment with digital assets in preparation for potential client demand

    In a pioneering move for Italy’s financial sector, Intesa Sanpaolo, the country’s largest bank, has ventured into the cryptocurrency market by purchasing $1 million worth of Bitcoin (BTC).

    This acquisition marks a significant milestone as the first direct cryptocurrency purchase by a major Italian bank, reflecting the growing acceptance of digital assets in traditional finance.

    A test in preparation for potential client demands

    The transaction, which netted Intesa Sanpaolo 11 Bitcoin, underscores a cautious yet optimistic approach towards cryptocurrencies.

    According to an internal memo and subsequent reports by Reuters, this investment is seen as an experiment within the bank’s vast portfolio, which includes over $100 billion in securities.

    The bank’s CEO Carlo Messina described the purchase as a test, emphasizing the minimal risk involved due to the relatively small amount compared to the bank’s total assets.

    Messina further elaborated that this move is not just about dipping toes into the digital asset pool, but also about preparing for potential client demands. “This shows there can be some attention to digital channels, but with very limited investment amounts,” he commented.

    Such a strategy could signal to other financial institutions that there’s room for cryptocurrencies in traditional banking, especially if sophisticated clients show interest in these novel investment options.

    Intesa betting on a favorable crypto environment in 2025

    The timing of this investment is noteworthy. Following the US approval of its first crypto-based ETF at the start of 2024 and the election of a pro-crypto US government-in-waiting at the end of the year, Bitcoin’s price soared to unprecedented heights, reaching six figures by late 2024.

    With expectations of favorable regulatory changes under the new US administration led by President-elect Donald Trump, the market anticipates further growth in 2025. Intesa Sanpaolo’s move could be seen as strategic, capitalizing on what many consider an opportune entry point into the cryptocurrency market.

    This groundbreaking step by Italy’s leading bank not only highlights a shift towards embracing digital assets, but also sets a precedent for other banks in Italy and potentially across Europe to consider cryptocurrencies as part of their investment strategies.

    As the financial world watches, this could lead to more integrated and innovative services blending traditional banking with the burgeoning world of digital currencies.

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  • Bitcoin price drop caused by profit-taking and macroeconomic conditions

    Bitcoin price drop caused by profit-taking and macroeconomic conditions

    BTC drops below $70k
    • Bitcoin dropped to $89,900 on January 13, its lowest decline in two months
    • James Toledano, COO at Unity Wallet, said one of the reasons for the drop is profit-taking after Bitcoin hit $108,000 in mid-December
    • The inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump could spark renewed buying interest, Toledano said

    Bitcoin fell below $90,000 for the first time in two months, dropping 3.6% in 24 hours as the market experienced selling pressure.

    Data from CoinMarketCap shows that Bitcoin’s price dropped to around $89,900 on January 13. However, at the time of publication, it’s trading over $95,000.

    Bitcoin drops below $89,000. Source: CoinMarketCap

    According to James Toledano, COO at Unity Wallet, there are several reasons why Bitcoin’s price fell.

    “The first is profit-taking, after hitting a peak of around $108,300 in mid-December, the market has seen a massive amount of it, particularly following the election of pro-crypto President-elect Donald Trump,” he said to CoinJournal, adding:

    “Secondly, while institutional buying has continued contributing to Bitcoin reserves on exchanges hitting a seven-year low, trading volume remains subdued and this could simply be down to a seasonal slow-down.”

    Macroeconomics weigh on the market

    Recent analysis suggests that bleak economic expectations drive this bearish sentiment. This includes Trump’s tariff plans, the US Federal Reserve’s cautious approach to interest rate cuts, and a strong dollar.

    Zach Pandl, head of research at Grayscale Investments, said to CNBC that:

    “I would attribute the drawdown in the last two days largely to the market starting to appreciate that not every aspect of the Trump policy agenda is going to be positive for Bitcoin – and tariffs do introduce some new uncertainty.”

    As questions surround Trump’s forthcoming policies, it may have dampened enthusiasm, which can “lead to short-term volatility for an already highly volatile asset,” said Toledano.

    Some analysts believe Bitcoin can reach between $140,000 and $200,000 by mid-2025, so the current price action may appear concerning. Yet, it doesn’t necessarily signal the end of the bull run.

    “The inauguration of President-elect Trump is just seven days away and could be a pivotal moment, with markets anticipating announcements of pro-crypto policies that might spark renewed buying interest,” said Toledano. “Institutional accumulation, as reflected in falling exchange reserves also supports the view that demand remains strong despite low trading volumes.”

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  • Weekly price analysis: prices decline on risk-off sentiments

    Weekly price analysis: prices decline on risk-off sentiments

    • The crypto market trended lower last week, driven largely by risk-off sentiments on newly released Fed meeting notes and economic data
    • The Fed expressed caution around inflation, especially as President-elect Donald Trump’s policies will kick in after his inauguration on January 20
    • Meanwhile, spot crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) logged outflows from Wednesday, January 8

    Bitcoin

    Bitcoin’s price logged a negative week falling from a high of $102,733 to a low of $91,188 before eventually closing at $94,547.

    Technical analysis shows a break above the last lower high and a push back down into the H4 demand zone, which means that although the price took a bearish turn, it is still in overall bullish territory.

    BTC/USD Chart by TradingView

    Much of this bearish sentiment is driven by bleak economic expectations. The US Federal Reserve meeting minutes, released on January 8, showed that the reserve bank is cautious about inflation it expects will follow President-elect Donald Trump’s policies.

    As such, the likelihood of continued rate cuts has dwindled, with some analysts seeing an end to cuts early this year. The market’s reaction reflects this updated risk-off sentiment.

    Bitcoin’s open interest chart shows a decline in open contracts between Wednesday and now. Open interest hit a weekly high on Tuesday at $18.16 billion on the CME, fell to a low on Thursday ($16.55 billion), and mellowed out the rest of the week.

    CME BTC Futures Open Interest (USD) Chart by Coinglass

    Meanwhile, spot Bitcoin ETFs logged outflows after the release of the Fed’s meeting minutes on Wednesday. Outflows totalled $718.20 million while inflows totalled $1.03 billion.

    Outlook

    Bitcoin’s price currently hovers around the bottom of the demand zone. If it breaks below, its price could be pushed down to $85,100 where a fair value gap could act as support.

    BTC/USD Chart by TradingView

    BTC trades at $91,622 as of publishing.

    Ethereum

    Ethereum’s price also logged a negative week, falling from a high of $3,744 to a low of $3,157 before closing at $3,236. ETH price action tested March 2024’s high of $4,089  in early December 2024, but failed to break above and has been logging lower lows since.

    ETH/USD Chart by TradingView

    Open interest dropped from a January 7 high of $3.50 billion and continued to decline until it was $2.63 billion as of this publication.

    CME ETH Futures Open Interest (USD) Chart by Coinglass

    Meanwhile, Ethereum spot ETFs logged a weekly net outflow of $186.00 million following risk-off sentiments in the market.

    Outlook

    As Ethereum’s price continues to trend lower, the next technical level that could provide support is the fair value gap at the $2,893 price level.

    ETH trades at $3,071 as of publishing.

    Solana

    Solana’s price fell from a weekly high of $223 to a weekly low of $181 before eventually closing at $188, logging a total loss of 12.53%. SOL continues to trend lower after failing to close above its all-time high of $260.

    Open interest data shows a steep fall from $1.89Bn on Binance on Jan. 7 to $1.58Bn on Jan. 10. As of this publication, OI levels have improved to $1.63Bn.

    Outlook

    The next technical support zone is at the $164 price level. However, although the order block is a support, it is a poor low that could be taken out even if price reverses from that zone.

    SOL trades at $176 as of publishing.

    Ripple

    Ripple’s price fared better last week, closing higher at $2.55 from $2.38 at the start of the week as price continued to log higher highs. Zooming out, the price continues to range between $1.90 and $2.90 as the market cools.

    Open interest rose on Bitget, the exchange with the highest XRP derivative trading volume, over the last week, supporting upward price movement as positive news around Ripple’s case with the SEC boosted sentiments.

    Outlook

    Ripple’s price is buoyed by news around the SEC’s lawsuit against its parent company, a case which could be thrown out with the outgoing administration.

    However, technical analysis shows that XRP trades at a premium and a pullback is expected. The most likely levels are the fair value gap at $1.75 and the order block at $1.46.

    XRP trades at $2.37 as of publishing.

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  • Nasdaq-listed Heritage Distilling adopts Bitcoin strategy

    Nasdaq-listed Heritage Distilling adopts Bitcoin strategy

    • Heritage Distilling Company has announced a Bitcoin treasury strategy.
    • The Nasdaq-listed company will accept BTC for its products and services.

    Heritage Distilling, a publicly-traded company listed on NASDAQ, is the latest to adopt Bitcoin as a reserve asset.

    The distiller announced on Jan. 10, 2025 that its board of directors had approved a proposal to add Bitcoin as a treasury asset. Heritage Distilling plans to accept bitcoin payments for its products and services as part of the BTC treasury policy that will see the company acquire and hodl BTC.

    “As noted in our policy statement, unlike traditional investors who purchase bitcoin with cash and are immediately subject to potential pricing volatility, as a company producing goods for sale, acceptable margins between the retail price of our products and their cost of production is expected to offset potential fluctuations in the value of bitcoin we accept as payment. This provides us considerable financial flexibility as we develop product offerings for users and enthusiasts of bitcoin,” Justin Stiefel, chief executive officer of Heritage Distilling, noted,

    HDC board to approve BTC policy

    Heritage’s technology and cryptocurrency committee is expected to outline a formal BTC treasury policy, which it will present to the company’s Board for approval. The next steps will see Heritage begin to accept, acquire, hold and use Bitcoin across its operations.

    Bitcoin adoption as a treasury asset has gathered pace among public and private companies, the former led by MicroStrategy.

    After acquiring over $100 million worth of BTC this week, MicroStrategy has increased its total Bitcoin holdings to 447,470 BTC. The company is the world’s largest corporate holder of BTC.

    Other companies have drawn inspiration from the Michael Saylor-led US-listed company, many announcing Bitcon strategy policies in 2024. These include KULR Technology, Thumzup, and Genius Group, which announced on Jan. 10 that it had added $5 million BTC to its holdings.

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  • Bitcoin price analysis: economic headwinds push price lower

    Bitcoin price analysis: economic headwinds push price lower

    • Bitcoin tested the $92,000 level yesterday after falling from a weekly high of $102,000 as sell pressures mounted
    • Macroeconomic factors cause doubts about the market strength as sticky inflation becomes a concern
    • Spot crypto ETFs logged large outflows on Wednesday following the release of the Fed meeting notes

    Bitcoin’s price has fallen from a high of $102,667 reached on Tuesday, January 7 to $94,890.00 as of publishing, but remains within the last H4 demand zone.

    BTC/USD Chart by Trading View

    While the demand zone between $92,000 and $97,000 may be the last support level on the H4 timeframe, a broader market view shows that BTC is in a premium zone on the daily timeframe. As a result, a push below $92,000 still puts the price in bullish territory.

    BTC/USD Chart by TradingView

    The best technical buy levels would either be at the last break of structure on the daily timeframe or at the 50% Fibonacci level from the lowest point to the break.

    BTC/USD Chart by TradingView

    There are two fair value gaps from which the price could react. While they are not major zones, they could support a continuation back to the external high at $108,000 or a brief relief rally before continued sell to the first probable support zone as noted in a recent TradingView analysis of BTC.

    BTC/USD Chart by TradingView

    This is all predicated on Bitcoin breaking below the $91,000 level.

    Meanwhile, spot crypto ETFs recorded outflows on Wednesday, January 9 after the release of the US Federal Reserve’s meeting minutes. These showed that the Fed is cautious about inflation and the effects of Trump’s incoming policies.

    BTC ETFs bled $568.8 million on Wednesday while ETH ETFs lost $159.4 million with the biggest outflows from Fidelity ($258.7 million for BTC and $147.7 million for ETH).

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  • Russia confiscates $10M Bitcoin from former law enforcement official

    Russia confiscates $10M Bitcoin from former law enforcement official

    Russia confiscates $10M Bitcoin from former law enforcement official
    • Russia seizes 2,718 Bitcoin worth $10M from ex-ICRF official.
    • The ex-official was involved in what has been termed the largest bribery case in Russia.
    • The confiscated bitcoins will be added to the state revenue.

    Russian authorities have seized approximately $10 million worth of Bitcoin from Marat Tambiev, a former employee of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation (ICRF).

    The seizure, reported by the local news agency TASS, involved the confiscation of 103 Bitcoin, stored in a Ledger Nano X hardware wallet, marking a significant moment in Russia’s handling of digital assets in legal contexts.

    The largest bribery scandal in Russian history

    Tambiev’s conviction stems from what has been described as the largest bribery scandal in Russian history, involving a staggering 2,718 BTC bribe, which was valued at around $258 million at the time of sentencing.

    The Nikulinsky District Court of Moscow had previously ordered the seizure of 1,032 BTC from Tambiev in 2023, citing the assets as derived from unconfirmed income.

    The case against Tambiev came to light after his arrest in March 2022, where investigators discovered the private keys to his Bitcoin wallet in a folder named “Retirement” on his laptop.

    The source of the bribe was traced back to the Infraud Organization, a notorious hacker group. Members from Kazakhstan and Estonia allegedly bribed Tambiev in exchange for favourable judicial decisions, including efforts to halt their own criminal prosecutions and hide assets worth over $138 million in cryptocurrency.

    This case not only showcases the scale of corruption within certain sectors of Russian governance but also reflects the country’s evolving stance on cryptocurrency.

    The confiscated Bitcoin to be integrated into Russia’s state revenue

    As part of the legal proceedings, the confiscated Bitcoin will now be integrated into Russia’s state revenue, a move that signals how the nation is dealing with digital currencies in official capacities.

    This development comes as Russia is increasingly considering cryptocurrencies for international trade, especially as a means to circumvent Western sanctions.

    The finance minister has indicated openness to using Bitcoin in foreign trade, showcasing a potentially dual approach to crypto — one of regulation and integration, alongside stringent action against its misuse in criminal activities.

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  • UK judge says there’s no “reasonable grounds” for success with Bitcoin landfill hard drive case

    UK judge says there’s no “reasonable grounds” for success with Bitcoin landfill hard drive case

    • Upon hearing the judge’s decision, Howells said “it’s the great British justice system striking again”
    • Howells lost his hard drive in 2013 when it was accidentally thrown away at the tip
    • He has been trying to engage with Newport City Council for 12 years to recover his hard drive, but says he’s been “largely ignored”

    James Howells has lost his case to recover a lost Bitcoin hard drive from a Welsh landfill that’s now worth around $740 million.

    Howells accidentally threw out his hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin in 2013 during a household clearout. At the time, he had two hard drives of the same size: one was blank while the other contained his Bitcoin.

    He mistakenly put the one containing the Bitcoin into a black bin bag, which his then-girlfriend took to the tip. At the time of his loss, his assets – that he mined in 2009 – were worth around $1.3 million.

    In October, Howells sued Newport City Council for $646 million in damages after being denied access to the landfill due to environmental concerns.

    Now, Judge Keyser KC, the Circuit Commercial Judge for Wales, has dismissed Howells’ case, stating that there are no “reasonable grounds” for succeeding at a full trial, reports the BBC.

    A 12-year battle

    Upon hearing the decision, Howells said he was “very upset,” adding “it’s the great British justice system striking again.”

    Over the past 12 years, Howells said he has been trying to engage with Newport City Council to recover his lost hard drive, but has been “largely ignored.”

    A court filing states Howells hard drive is located in Cell 2, Area 2 of the Docksway landfill. Yet, despite promises to safely excavate the Newport site and to modernize the landfill, the council have rejected Howells’ requests to dig due to “environmental concerns.”

    Howells’ lawyers claim that the council have “simply ignored” that 10% of Bitcoin could bring “a huge and desperately needed investment in the local community.”

    The judge’s decision comes as Bitcoin soared past $100,000 for the first time at the beginning of December, pushing to an all-time high of more than $108,000.

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  • Oklahoma senator files Bitcoin Freedom Act enabling wages in BTC

    Oklahoma senator files Bitcoin Freedom Act enabling wages in BTC

    metaplanet-buys-bitcoin
    • The Bitcoin Freedom Act lets Oklahomans accept their wages in Bitcoin
    • Oklahoma State Senator Deevers said Washington is “ruining the US dollar”
    • The Bitcoin Freedom Act is eligible for consideration in the 60th legislative session beginning on February 3

    Oklahoma State Senator Dusty Deevers has filed legislation allowing employees to receive wages in Bitcoin and businesses to accept Bitcoin payments.

    Introducing the Bitcoin Freedom Act, Deevers said: “In a time when inflation is eroding the purchasing power of hard-working Oklahomans, Bitcoin provides a unique opportunity to protect earnings and investments.”

    Deevers continued: “As Bitcoin continues to rise and the value of the dollar continues to be printed away in Washington D.C., Oklahoma must act to protect our people.”

    The bill, known as SB325, states under section 4 that: “Any employee of this state, business, corporation, other entity, and resident of this state may negotiate and receive payment and compensation, including salaries, wages, and other forms of compensation, in Bitcoin.”

    Embracing the future of finance

    Deevers pointed out that Bitcoin is becoming increasingly seen as a hedge against inflation, unlike traditional currencies such as the US dollar. Taking to X, Deevers posted: “If Washington DC can ruin something, it likely will. And it is certainly ruining the US dollar.”

    Continuing, Deevers wrote: “This small but possibly revolutionary change has the potential to offset the harms suffered due to inflation and make Oklahoma a national leader who embraces the future of financial technology.”

    Deevers also praised President-elect Donald Trump who spoke at Bitcoin events during his presidential election.

    “Bitcoin has arrived into the mainstream of our economy and is unquestionably a significant part of the financial future,” he added.

    The Bitcoin Freedom Act is eligible for consideration in the 60th legislative session beginning on February 3.



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