Tag: national

  • Bitcoin trades near $107K despite national guard deployment in Los Angeles

    Bitcoin trades near $107K despite national guard deployment in Los Angeles

    BTC price holds steady above $106K amid US domestic tensions, eyes $107K resistance

    • Bitcoin (BTC) climbed towards $107K over the weekend, trading around $106,332 despite U.S. domestic unrest.
    • President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles amid an immigration-related standoff.
    • BTC showed strong support at $105,400 and broke resistance around $106,100 with strong volume.

    Bitcoin (BTC) continued its steady ascent over the weekend, trading above $105,623.12 and pushing towards the $107,000 mark, even as domestic tensions escalated in the United States, notably in Los Angeles.

    The cryptocurrency market appeared largely unfazed by the unsettling headlines, showcasing a degree of resilience that underscores its growing perception as a hedge against uncertainty.

    The backdrop to Bitcoin’s steady performance was a significant immigration-related standoff in Los Angeles.

    According to a report by CNBC, the situation saw over 100 arrests as clashes persisted between protesters and federal agents.

    This prompted President Trump to authorize the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to the area.

    By Sunday morning, elements of the 79th Infantry Brigade had arrived on-site, as confirmed by Northern Command.

    The potential for further escalation was highlighted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who warned that US Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton could also be mobilized if the violence continued.

    Despite these significant domestic developments, Bitcoin’s price action remained remarkably stable, hovering around $106,332 by Sunday.

    This suggests that crypto investors are, for now, treating the unrest as a localized regional event rather than a systemic crisis capable of derailing the digital asset market.

    Technical picture: consolidation with bullish undertones

    Bitcoin traded within a relatively narrow range over the weekend, fluctuating approximately $1,057 between a low of $105,043 and a high of $106,101, before pushing to its current level around $106,332.

    The price demonstrated a strong rebound after a brief dip below $105,100, with buying interest re-emerging robustly around the $105,400 support level, according to CoinDesk Research’s technical analysis model.

    An early attempt to break out above the $106,100 mark encountered selling pressure, which created a high-volume resistance zone.

    While this upward move was initially short-lived due to some profit-taking, Bitcoin managed to hold onto its gains.

    The overall consolidation structure remains bullish, with a consistent pattern of higher lows hinting at the potential for a sustained push towards the $107,000 level, should the immediate resistance break cleanly.

    This tendency for Bitcoin to attract buyers during dips, despite broader macroeconomic headwinds, further underscores its perceived role as a hedge in times of rising uncertainty.

    Key technical levels and market dynamics

    A closer look at the technical indicators provides further insight into Bitcoin’s recent price action and potential near-term movements:

    • Trading range: BTC traded within a $1,288 range (representing 1.22% of its value) between a low of $105,043.65 and a 24-hour high of $106,332.

    • Resistance break: Initial resistance observed around the 105,900–106,100 zone was decisively broken as prices surged beyond this area with strong trading volume during the early afternoon.

    • Support holds: The support level at $105,400 held firm despite several retests, reinforcing the prevailing bullish sentiment in the market.

    • Breakout and stabilization: A clear breakout to $106,332 occurred around 13:48, which was followed by minor profit-taking activity before the price stabilized above the $106,000 mark.

    • Ascending trend: The hourly chart reveals an ascending trend characterized by consistent higher lows, a pattern that invalidates earlier interpretations of a “pump and dump” scenario.

    • Next target: With current momentum intact, market analysts suggest that BTC may test the $107,000 resistance level, provided that the current support near $105,800 continues to hold.

    This technical picture, combined with Bitcoin’s apparent decoupling from localized domestic strife, paints a cautiously optimistic outlook for the leading cryptocurrency as it navigates a complex global landscape.

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  • Czech National Bank governor wants to invest in Bitcoin

    Czech National Bank governor wants to invest in Bitcoin

    • If the plan is approved, the CNB could hold up to five percent of its €140 billion reserves in Bitcoin
    • Michl believes the Bitcoin trend will continue even without the Trump administration
    • The governor said he’s open to Bitcoin ending up becoming worthless

    The governor of the Czech National Bank has said that he’ll present a plan to the board to invest in Bitcoin as a way for the bank to expand its reserves.

    In an interview with the Financial Times, governor Aleš Michl, who is expected to present the plan on Thursday, said: “For the diversification of our assets, Bitcoin seems good.”

    If the board approves the plan, the bank could hold up to five percent of its €140 billion ($146 billion) reserves in Bitcoin.

    Trump impact

    Michl also pointed to US President Donald Trump’s impact on the crypto market. Last week, Trump signed an executive order for a crypto working group to provide regulatory clarity on crypto. It’s also expected to look into a national Bitcoin stockpile.

    Despite believing that the Trump administration could “create some bubble for Bitcoin,” Michl added that the Bitcoin trend “would be an increase without those guys as well, because it’s an alternative [investment] for more people.”

    Since being re-elected to the White House, Trump has appointed several pro-crypto candidates to top positions. Paul Atkins is expected to become the chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a position previously held by Gary Gensler.

    Wider investor interest

    Michl pointed to the increased investor interest, thanks to the introduction of US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) last January.

    Yet, while the governor is presenting a plan to the board, he said that he was open to Bitcoin becoming worthless.

    “It’s possible to have a big range of outcomes, that Bitcoin will have a value of zero or an absolutely fantastic value . . . but in our history we have also had some stocks like Enron or the payment company Wirecard, so we have some experience with bad investments, so, yes, I’m ready [for a possible Bitcoin collapse].”

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  • National Bank of Bahrain launches a Bitcoin investment fund

    National Bank of Bahrain launches a Bitcoin investment fund

    National Bank of Bahrain launches a Bitcoin investment fund
    • The National Bank of Bahrain launches the GCC’s first Bitcoin investment fund.
    • The fund offers accredited investors exposure to Bitcoin as a capital-protecting option.
    • Bahrain ranks fifth globally in Bitcoin holdings, emphasizing its crypto-friendly stance.

    The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has made headlines with the launch of a groundbreaking investment fund aimed at providing accredited investors with exposure to Bitcoin.

    This initiative marks the first Bitcoin-linked structured investment in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, which includes countries such as Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

    National Bank of Bahrain collaborating with APR Digital

    In collaboration with APR Digital, the fund is designed to cater to the growing interest in digital assets, particularly Bitcoin.

    Hisham AlKurdi, Group Chief Executive of Markets & Client Solutions at NBB, in a press release, expressed pride in introducing this innovative product, stating, “We are proud to introduce this bespoke structured investment, which blends the appeal of digital asset exposure with the security of capital protection.”

    This move underscores the bank’s commitment to providing wealth management clients with secure and diverse investment opportunities.

    Boost for Bitcoin adoption in Bahrain

    As Bitcoin continues to gain traction worldwide, the launch of this fund is a significant boost for BTC adoption in Bahrain.

    The country is currently ranked fifth globally for the largest Bitcoin holdings, with a portfolio of approximately 13,166 BTC, valued at around $844 million.

    Unlike some nations that acquire BTC mainly through seizures, Bahrain has been actively accumulating the cryptocurrency, positioning itself as a leader in the digital asset space.

    Furthermore, the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) has implemented a clear legal framework to foster the adoption of digital currencies.

    Recently, the CBB granted a payment service license to the crypto exchange Crypto.com, allowing it to provide crypto services to Bahraini users, further solidifying Bahrain’s status as a crypto-friendly nation.

    With the introduction of this Bitcoin investment fund, the National Bank of Bahrain aims to capitalize on the growing potential of cryptocurrencies, offering clients a unique avenue for portfolio diversification in an evolving investment landscape.

    As interest in digital assets continues to rise, Bahrain’s proactive approach is likely to encourage further investment and innovation in the region.

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  • South Korea’s national pension fund buys $34M of MicroStrategy shares

    South Korea’s national pension fund buys $34M of MicroStrategy shares

    The National Pension Service, South Korea’s national pension fund, has reported purchases of nearly $34 million in MicroStrategy shares.

    NPS is South Korea’s largest public pension fund and the third-largest in the world with over $729 billion worth of assets.

    Wu Blockchain shared the news via X:

    Details filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission indicate the NPS acquired 245,500 of MicroStrategy shares at a total of $33.5 million. The filing relates to the fund’s investments in the quarter ending June 30, 2024.

    According to news outlet Infomax, the National Pension Service’s investment in shares of the US-based MicroStrategy accounts for 0.04% of the fund’s total investment in US stocks.

    Apart from MSTR, the fund also holds more than $51 million in Coinbase shares, $31.5 million in Roblox and over $61 million in shares of Block, Inc. The fund also holds shares of AI-chip powerhouse Nvidia, and tech giants Google and Microsoft.

    MicroStrategy shares up 92% YTD

    While the MicroStrategy stock has plummeted 20% as the crypto market struggles with choppy conditions. Despite falling from highs of $180 in mid-July to currently around $131, MSTR remains more than 92% up year-to-date.

    MicroStrategy, as well as top crypto related companies such as Coinbase, are largely bullish amid growth and projections for Bitcoin. For Michael Saylor-led MicroStrategy, part of the success has come after adopting the strategy of adding BTC to its balance sheet.

    MSTR has soared alongside Bitcoin since MicroStrategy first bought BTC in 2020, the latest surge coming amid Bitcoin’s push to reclaim $60k.

    Saylor said in a recent post on X that MSTR has outperformed 499 of the 500 stocks in the S&P 500.

    The company acquired an additional 12,222 BTC in Q2, 2024, adding more than $805 million in BTC to its haul. Currently, MicroStrategy holds 226,500 BTC worth over $13 billion.



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