Category: NEWS

  • Bank of America CEO says banks will embrace crypto with clearer regulations

    Bank of America CEO says banks will embrace crypto with clearer regulations

    • The banking sector could embrace crypto payments if clearer rules are in place
    • Crypto would be another form of payment like Visa and Mastercard, said Brian Moynihan
    • A new crypto task force aims to provide a “clear regulatory framework for crypto assets”

    Bank of America’s CEO said the US banking industry will embrace crypto payments if clearer rules are in place from regulators.

    In an interview with CNBC at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Brian Moynihan said that all banks send money digitally nowadays. He added that if rules come in and crypto payments are made “real,” then “the banking system will come in hard on the transactional side of it.”

    “If you go down the street here and you go in and buy lunch, right, if you can pay with Visa, Mastercard, a debit card, Apple Pay, etc., this would just be another form of payment,” the BoA CEO said.

    To date, US banks have been cautious about offering retail crypto services, instead focusing on providing institutional products such as spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

    Changes under a Trump administration?

    Moynihan’s comments come as President Donald Trump started another term in the White House earlier this week.

    During his election campaign, Trump indicated a pro-crypto stance and has since appointed several pro-crypto candidates to various government positions.

    Introducing a new crypto task force “dedicated to developing a comprehensive and clear regulatory framework for crypto assets” could give banks the push they need to enter the space.

    Speaking to CoinJournal, Tom Kiddle, co-founder of Palisade, a French-regulated digital asset custodian backed by Ripple, said: “So far, the country has done little to advance a clear crypto regulatory framework. However, Trump’s nomination of pro-crypto Paul Atkins could mark the dawn of a new era for the sector.”

    When asked about crypto such as Bitcoin as an investment option during the interview, Moynihan refrained from answering, stating that topic was “really a separate question.”

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  • Remittix (RTX) hits $4m presale as XRP holders take notice

    Remittix (RTX) hits $4m presale as XRP holders take notice

    With the cryptocurrency market eyeing a stellar 2025 amid a new wave of optimism, new crypto project Remittix (RTX) is trending.

    The altcoin looks to have stolen the shine off XRP (XRP) early on as its presale hits $4 million. But what’s driving the interest in this project? Could the new era for crypto under President Donald Trump be the catalyst that pushes RTX to the top of the payments finance, or PayFi world?

    What is Remittix (RTX)?

    XRP and Stellar (XLM) have stood out as crypto solutions aim to revolutionize the remittances and cross-border payments space. XRP’s massive traction in the space means its recent bounce in the market may continue as traditional players adopt crypto.

    Remittix (RTX) is entering this ecosystem with a new Ethereum-based payments network targeted for individuals and businesses.

    The project aims at allowing anyone to benefit from the growing adoption of cryptocurrencies with a novel crypto-to-fiat payments solution. With Remittix, users can send crypto and see their recipients get fiat in their bank account.

    The project taps into the blockchain technology’s features of faster, cheaper and transparent transactions to let users send money across borders. Unlike traditional banking apps and solutions, Remittix provides a  multi-currency wallet that lets users easily send over 50 cryptocurrency pairs. It supports more than 30 fiat currencies.

    Native token RTX attracts $4 million in presale

    Interest in Remittix has picked momentum as the crypto market celebrates the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. Notably, the presale for the native RTX token raced to over $4 million in under 30 days.

    RTX will power Remittix’s payments ecosystem, providing for governance, staking and rewards. Of the limited supply of 1.5 billion RTX, 50% of it (750 million) has been allocated to the community via a presale. The presale soft cap is $18 million and hard cap is $36 million

    Remittix is celebrating Trump’s inauguration with a 30% bonus that runs to Jan. 28. Presale participants can use the promocode TRUMP30 to unlock the bonus.

    With crypto poised for a bullish reset in 2025 and beyond, the presale offers Remittix buyers a chance to get in early. An environment that supports innovation and regulatory clarity means Remittix could be on the cusp of completely redefining cross-border payments.

    Remittix (RTX) presale price

    So far, savvy crypto investors have scooped nearly 230 million RTX, raising more than $4.1 million as the RTX price jumps to $0.0228.

    The next price increase will push Remittix presale value to $0.0239. RTX presale is 70% sold out in the current stage, which means interested early adopters have a chance to get it at a bargain before price rises.

    Find out more about Remittix and what makes the project stand out by visiting the official website.

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  • Bitcoin hits $109,000 ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration

    Bitcoin hits $109,000 ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration

    • Bitcoin’s new high surpasses its previous all-time high of $108,000 reached in December
    • President-elect Donald Trump was once critical of Bitcoin, claiming it seemed “like a scam”
    • On the eve of his inauguration, Trump and Melania Trump launched their memecoins

    Bitcoin soared to new heights, hitting over $109,000 ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.

    The number one crypto asset reached its all-time high on January 20 as market sentiment remains optimistic about Trump’s plans for the crypto industry. The new high surpasses its previous record of more than $108,000 achieved in December.

    Data from TradingView shows Bitcoin topped $109,036 around 6:55 am before dropping to $107,000 a few minutes later.

    BTC/USD Chart by TradingView

    Trump mentioned Bitcoin in a Sunday speech, highlighting its record performance since the US election.

    “Since the election, the stock market has surged and small business optimism has soared a record 41 points to a 39-year high,” Trump said. “Bitcoin has shattered one record high after another.”

    Support for crypto

    Once critical of Bitcoin who said that it “seems like a scam” a few years ago, Trump has since embraced crypto, showing his support for it during his presidential election.

    During his campaign trail, he vowed to make the US the “crypto capital” of the world and has appointed several crypto-friendly candidates into his incoming administration. Some familiar names include Paul Atkins as the next US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chair and crypto czar David Sacks.

    Trump is also expected to sign an executive order prioritizing crypto when he enters the White House today.

    On the eve of Trump’s inauguration, he launched his $TRUMP memecoin, which, at one point, was valued at $75 per coin, according to data from CoinMarketCap. At the time of publishing, it’s trading at $51 with a market cap of more than $10 billion.

    Incoming First Lady Melania Trump also launched her memecoin, $MELANIA, which was trading at a high of $13. It has since dropped to $10 with a market cap of over $2 billion.

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  • Crypto industry hopes rise as Donald Trump enters the White House

    Crypto industry hopes rise as Donald Trump enters the White House

    Donald Trump's transition team considering XRP, Solana, and USDC strategic reserves
    • A new era is set for the industry with the appointment of crypto-friendly candidates such as Paul Atkins
    • It remains to be seen whether the US will match similar regulatory frameworks like Europe’s MiCA
    • The rise of Bitcoin will be shaped by institutional adoption, increased regulatory clarity, and broader macroeconomic and geopolitical trends

    US President-elect Donald Trump is taking office today with his incoming administration making significant promises for the crypto industry.

    After years of battling with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under outgoing US President Joe Biden’s administration, the crypto market is beginning to feel hopeful.

    Even before entering the White House, a shift has already taken place with the appointment of crypto-friendly candidates including Paul Atkins as the next SEC Chair and crypto czar David Sacks. Trump is also, reportedly, going to sign an executive order making crypto a priority under his leadership.

    “So far, the country has done little to advance a clear crypto regulatory framework,” said Tom Kiddle, co-founder of Palisade, a French-regulated digital asset custodian backed by Ripple, to CoinJournal. “However, Trump’s nomination of pro-crypto Paul Atkins could mark the dawn of a new era for the sector.”

    A similar MiCA framework?

    While a potentially favorable crypto environment is possible with the likes of Paul Atkins, it remains to be seen whether the new administration will match international frameworks such as Europe’s Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulations.

    According to Kiddle the “US is at a crossroads,” adding that “if the SEC adopts a constructive stance, the country could finally reclaim is position as a global leader in blockchain innovation rather than watching talent and capital drain to emerging economies.”

    Several companies, including Bitwise, Coinbase, and Ferrari are already expanding their services into Europe. With a lack of clear crypto regulations, the crypto industry isn’t reaching its full potential in the US.

    Under a Trump administration that could soon change.

    “It’s unclear how closely the administration intends to match international frameworks such as the EU’s MiCA with its regulatory plans,” said Temujin Louie, CEO of Wanchain to CoinJournal. “By closely monitoring the administration’s policies and adapting accordingly, the blockchain industry can remain focused on developing innovative solutions that promote the mainstream adoption of blockchain technology.”

    Market sentiment

    Since winning the US election in November, Trump has helped pushed market prices to new highs. In December, Bitcoin reached an all-time high of over $108,000. However, while some think Trump isn’t the only reason Bitcoin’s is rising, it’s certainly helping.

    Speaking about this to CoinJournal, James Toledano, COO of Unity Wallet, said that “Bitcoin’s price ahead of inauguration day hinges on a mix of market sentiment and speculative optimism,” adding that “the real drivers of Bitcoin’s price include adoption, regulation, and macroeconomic factors.”

    Earlier last week, it was reported that bleak economic expectations were driving the bearish sentiment within the crypto market. At the time, Bitcoin had dropped below $90,000 as Trump’s tariff plans, the US Federal Reserve’s cautious approach to interest rate cuts, and a strong dollar dampened crypto enthusiasm.

    According to Toledano, following Trump’s inauguration, the rise of Bitcoin will be shaped by institutional adoption, increased regulatory clarity, and broader macroeconomic and geopolitical trends.

    At the same time, “as pro-Bitcoin as Trump is, some other major geopolitical or macroeconomic event could knock 40%-50% off the value overnight and we’ve seen this before,” said Toledano.

    Despite this, many are hopeful that positive changes are ahead.

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  • Here’s why OKB price spiked 20% today

    Here’s why OKB price spiked 20% today

    • OKB token surged more than 20% to hit highs of $61.29 on Jan. 17.
    • The altcoin, native to the OKX exchange, rose as the community reacted to news around Azuki’s Animecoin (ANIME).

    OKB registered a price surge 20% higher. The price surge follows OKX adopting OKB as the primary token for mining Animecoin which is their maiden project aimed at revolutionizing the Anime industry.

    On Friday Jan 17, the price of OKB, the native token of the OKX ecosystem rose by 20% posting a high of $58.86. This came after the crypto platform chose it as the primary token for mining Animecoin (ANIME), the Azuki backed token.

    OKX Jumpstart and ANIME tokens

    The OKX Jumpstart staking program  is set to begin mining Animecoin on Jan 20. The OKB users can stake their OKB and BTC tokens to gain Anime tokens.

    The program will run from Jan 20 to Jan 23.

    While there is no minimum limit for staking for the holders of OKB and BTC tokens, maximum staking limit is set at 600 OKB and 0.3 BTC ($30,000). Staking and unstaking is permissible at any given time.

    Of the 10 billion total token reserve, a share will go to the active participants in the OKX Jumpstart event. 50.5% of the total supply will be apportioned to the community. 37.5% of the token will go to the Azuki community who are the very first supporters of Animecoin while Community Cultivation which is held by future AnimeDao will get 13%. The 13% will be used as community incentives and initiatives.

    Partner communities will also get 2% share.

    The Anime token Listing

    The Anime token is set for listing on both the Ethereum and Arbitrum platforms on Jan 23. Sources indicate that the token will stir up great following among the Anime users,its creators and revolutinize the the anime ecosystem to a great deal.



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  • Trump to make crypto a priority with executive order

    Trump to make crypto a priority with executive order

    Ein Foto von US-Präsident Donald Trump
    • President-elect Donald Trump could sign the executive order on January 20 when he’s sworn in
    • The order may also create a crypto advisory council
    • People familiar with the matter said the order isn’t final and could change before it’s made public

    US President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly planning to sign an executive order designed to prioritize crypto as his inauguration day approaches.

    Citing people familiar with the matter, the order enables industry insiders to work with agency regulators. It could also create a crypto advisory council, reports Bloomberg.

    An earlier report from The Washington Post suggests Trump is expected to sign executive orders – on the first day of his presidency – focusing on crypto de-banking and the repeal of crypto accounting policies requiring banks holding digital assets to count them as liabilities.

    Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20, has enjoyed strong support from the crypto industry. During his campaign trail, he promised to make the US the “crypto capital” of the world, and was the recipient of a $2 million Bitcoin donation from Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss and a $1 million Ethereum donation from Jesse Powell, co-founder of Kraken.

    Since winning the US election in November, the crypto market has rallied with Bitcoin hitting a new all-time high of over $108,000.

    Trump has also selected several pro-crypto candidates within his incoming administration, including crypto czar David Sacks, Bo Hines as executive director of the Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets, and Paul Atkins as the next US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chair.

    Earlier this week, Republican commissioners at the SEC indicated they were set to revise the agency’s crypto policies as Trump prepares to enter the White House next week.

    Pushing American tech

    Despite facing regulatory hurdles, the crypto market has also seen positive growth under President Joe Biden’s administration.

    At the beginning of 2024, for instance, the SEC approved the first US spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which have since expanded the market. BlackRock’s IBIT Bitcoin ETF currently accounts for more than 559,000 Bitcoin, valued at $56.2 billion, according to iShares data.

    However, with the new incoming administration, Trump is keen to push American technology companies to the front.

    Speaking on this, Kara Calvert, vice-president for US policy at Coinbase Global, said: “What I think Donald Trump is going to do is signal that the United States is back and we are ready to lead in this industry. What it’s signalling to other countries is to be careful, or you won’t keep up.”

    At the time of publishing, Bitcoin is back within the $100,000 territory, trading at around $102,000.

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  • Oklahoma introduces strategic Bitcoin reserve act

    Oklahoma introduces strategic Bitcoin reserve act

    • Oklahoma joins Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Hampshire and North Dakota in having Bitcoin reserve proposals.
    • State savings accounts and pension funds will have the nod to invest in BTC if the bill passes.

    Oklahoma is the latest US state to eye a strategic Bitcoin reserve after Rep. Cody Maynard officially introduced a ‘Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act.’

    On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, Rep. Cody Maynard, announced the introduction of the groundbreaking proposal that could see Oklahoma embrace sound money with addition of BTC to state’s strategic reserve.

    “Bitcoin represents freedom from bureaucrats printing away our purchasing power,” Maynard said. “As a decentralized form of money, Bitcoin cannot be manipulated or created by government entities. It is the ultimate store of value for those who believe in financial freedom and sound money principles.”

    Sixth US state with a BTC reserve proposal

    The announcement follows similar initiatives in Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Hampshire and North Dakota. With Oklahoma taking this step, six US states are now actively looking at bills aimed at incorporating BTC into their financial systems.

     “This bill is about protecting the hard-earned money of Oklahoma’s citizens,” Maynard continued. “By diversifying our state’s savings and pension funds into digital assets, we are not only securing a stronger financial future for our state but also demonstrating Oklahoma’s leadership in adopting innovative fiscal policies.”

    President Donald Trump supports the idea of a US bitcoin reserve, a move that has legislators optimistic the new administration will make America the hub of crypto and BTC. US Senator Cynthia Lummis recently introduced the Bitcoin Act, which seeks to have the US government add BTC to its strategic reserve.

    Oklahoma’s new bill seeks to have the state’s savings accounts and pension funds invest in Bitcoin.

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  • 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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