1. The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by 25 basis points, concluding its 2024 annual interest rate decision. The Fed decided to reduce the benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to the range of 4.25%-4.50%, marking the third consecutive rate cut in line with expectations. Over eight decisions this year, the Fed has cumulatively lowered rates by 100 basis points, consisting of one 50 basis point cut, two 25 basis point cuts, and five instances of maintaining rates.
2. French legislators urge the EU to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve.
French Member of the European Parliament Sarah Knafo delivered a speech urging the EU to adopt a 'strategic Bitcoin reserve' as part of broader measures to promote financial autonomy and combat inflationary pressures. Knafo is a member of the French local judiciary and audit court, with a background in public service and political consulting. In her parliamentary remarks, Knafo cited global examples, including El Salvador's early adoption of Bitcoin, as well as statements from political figures like Trump and Federal Reserve Chairman Powell, emphasizing that the wave of institutional acceptance of Bitcoin is on the rise.
3. Marathon Digital has increased its holdings by 1,627 BTC, approximately $166 million, in the past 8 hours.
On-chain data shows that Marathon Digital has increased its holdings by 1,627 BTC (approximately $166 million) in the past 8 hours.
4. The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission issues licenses to virtual asset trading platforms through a rapid licensing process.
Today, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission issued licenses to four applicants considered for licensing under the rapid licensing process. The four virtual asset trading platform applicants are Cloud Account Greater Bay Area Technology (Hong Kong) Limited, DFX Labs Company Limited, Hong Kong Digital Asset Trading Group Limited, and Thousand Whales Technology (BV) Limited. The Commission is reviewing the remaining applications under the same rapid licensing process.
5. BlackRock released a 3-minute Bitcoin educational video.
On December 18, according to Bitcoin Magazine, BlackRock released a more than 3-minute educational video explaining the basic concepts of Bitcoin to viewers.
6. MicroStrategy plans to shift to fixed income securities to raise funds for purchasing Bitcoin.
MicroStrategy co-founder and chairman MicroSaylor stated that once the current fundraising plan is exhausted, the company will shift from a leveraged Bitcoin proxy plan to a more focused approach on fixed income securities to raise funds for purchasing cryptocurrencies.
7. BlackRock: Suggests using gold and Bitcoin as a supplement to bond investments.
BlackRock stated in a report that government bonds are no longer a reliable buffer against sell-offs in risk assets like stocks, and investors should consider using gold and Bitcoin as a supplement to bond investments. Economies are undergoing a transformation that may continue to change long-term economic trends. In the face of rising inflation, bonds may not be able to withstand stock market sell-offs. Bonds no longer provide reliable diversification of portfolio risk across a wide range of potential outcomes and scenarios. This requires us to reconsider diversification. Therefore, investors should consider new diversification investment tools such as gold and Bitcoin, even though they will not replace bonds.
8. Survey: One in five American voters has traded, invested in, or used cryptocurrencies.
On December 18, according to Cointelegraph, a recent poll by Emerson College found that approximately one-fifth of American voters (19%) reported that they had invested in, traded, or used cryptocurrencies at some point. The survey data was collected from 1,000 registered voters between December 11 and December 13, revealing that nearly 40% of respondents who used cryptocurrencies had also made purchases with them.