🌐CryptoQuant CEO: The U.S. Could Reduce Debt by Purchasing 1 Million Bitcoins
Can the U.S. reduce its national debt by hoarding Bitcoin? CryptoQuant's CEO Ki Young Ju recently shared his thoughts on social media. He believes that while politically challenging, it is theoretically feasible.
Ki shared his analysis on social media platform X, stating that over the past 15 years, $790 billion has flowed into Bitcoin, pushing its market cap to $2 trillion. In just this year alone, $352 billion has flowed in, increasing Bitcoin's market cap by $1 trillion.
He also reminded investors that replacing gold or the dollar with a highly volatile asset like Bitcoin could give creditors headaches. After all, Bitcoin's price fluctuates and is not so stable.
However, Ki feels that if the U.S. treats Bitcoin as a strategic asset and completes the plan to buy 1 million Bitcoins by 2050, it could offset 36% of the debt held domestically. This might reduce the U.S.'s reliance on inflationary monetary policy.
Matthew Sigel, the head of digital asset research at VanEck, also joined the discussion, calculating that if the U.S. Treasury accumulates 1 million Bitcoins at a price of $200,000 each over five years, by 2049, the growth of Bitcoin could cover a significant portion of U.S. debt and create new economic buffers for future liabilities.
Although all these analyses are still speculations, they also demonstrate the immense interest in managing national debt with digital assets. Additionally, Bitcoin's decentralization and scarcity are expected to make it an excellent tool for hedging inflation and providing long-term stability for the financial system.
However, to incorporate Bitcoin into national reserves, clear regulatory policies, legal frameworks, and international cooperation need to be established. At the same time, this idea has sparked the public's limitless imagination about Bitcoin's future potential!
💬 Do you think Bitcoin could really be the key for the U.S. to reduce its debt? If Bitcoin were included in national reserves, what profound impacts would it have on the global financial landscape? See you in the comments!
🚨 Montenegro Court Rejects Do Kwon's Extradition Appeal
Recently, the Constitutional Court of Montenegro rejected the appeal filed by South Korean cryptocurrency tycoon and Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon, upholding an earlier extradition ruling. This also means he may soon be extradited back to South Korea or the United States, facing related charges of financial crimes.
Do Kwon was a central figure in the collapse of the TerraUSD (UST) stablecoin and its sister token Luna, an incident that caused losses of up to $40 billion across the financial markets. In light of this situation, both the United States and South Korea are seeking to extradite Do Kwon and accuse him of fraud and market manipulation.
Since the collapse of TerraUSD and Luna last year, Do Kwon has been like an international fugitive, traveling through Singapore, the UAE, Serbia, and ultimately being arrested in Montenegro for attempting to travel with a fake passport.
The latest ruling from the Montenegro court leaves Do Kwon with increasingly few legal options. Analysts predict he is likely to be sent to the United States to face charges related to the collapse of Terra-Luna.
Additionally, in June 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) imposed a hefty civil penalty of $4.47 billion on Do Kwon and Terraform Labs, which includes a significant fine against Kwon personally and prohibits him from engaging in any cryptocurrency transactions, making Kwon's legal situation increasingly dire.
Although the ruling has been made, Do Kwon's legal team is still vigorously opposing the extradition, especially to the United States, given that the charges there are more severe. Meanwhile, South Korea is also urging a swift resolution to this issue, as it fears that delays in the extradition process may infringe on the human rights of its citizens.
In summary, whether Do Kwon will be extradited and the direction of his fate will depend on the final decision of the Montenegro Minister of Justice regarding his next legal steps.
🗣 Conclusion:
There is no doubt that if Do Kwon is extradited to the United States, he will face charges and trials that are more severe than those from the South Korean judicial system.
This also serves as a reminder to all parties in the industry to take legal compliance seriously to avoid falling into similar predicaments.
💬 What do you think about the implications of this event? Where do you think Do Kwon will ultimately be extradited? See you in the comments!
🌐 As Bitcoin investment products continue to heat up, Israel approves the launch of 6 Bitcoin funds
Driven by rising sentiments, global interest in Bitcoin investment products is on the rise. On December 25, the Israel Securities Authority (ISA) approved six new mutual funds that will track Bitcoin prices and are set to officially debut on December 31.
According to Calcalist, the six companies Migdal Capital Markets, More, Ayalon, Phoenix Investment, Meitav, and IBI are expected to launch their respective funds simultaneously, a condition set by the ISA for fair competition.
The management fees for these funds range from 1.5% to 0.25%, with one fund adopting an active management model, initially planning to trade at least once a day. This not only provides flexibility but also demonstrates an active approach to fund management.
As more institutional investors join the cryptocurrency market, Israel's initiative resonates with global trends. In 2024, Bitcoin and cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETP) in the U.S., Europe, Hong Kong, and Australia have made significant progress and are being widely adopted.
Particularly in the United States, this January, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved several spot Bitcoin ETFs, marking the start of this growth trend. According to SoSoValue data, as of December 25, the net assets of U.S. spot BTC ETFs have reached $110 billion, accounting for over 5.7% of Bitcoin's market capitalization, with a cumulative net inflow of $35.49 billion.
In conclusion, Israel's approval of these Bitcoin funds highlights the growing local market interest in cryptocurrency investment tools. The report also mentions that since June, numerous companies have submitted prospectuses for Bitcoin-related products, showcasing the market's enthusiastic pursuit of such investments.
With Israel approving 6 new Bitcoin funds and the significant growth in global demand for cryptocurrency investment products, this reflects the warming demand for Bitcoin products in the Israeli market and is also a sign of the maturation of the global cryptocurrency market.
💬 As more countries and institutions embrace Bitcoin, will it change your view of traditional finance?
🌐Robert Kiyosaki: Bitcoin, the best choice in economic ups and downs🚀
Robert Kiyosaki, author of the best-selling book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad," recently stated that Bitcoin is the best choice regardless of economic boom or bust.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, although GDP in the third quarter of this year increased significantly compared with the second quarter. But Kiyosaki warned that the economy could slip into depression next year.
He even posted on social media
Kiyosaki said that by “money” he meant Bitcoin and gold. He's not the only one worried about the economy. Some analysts worry that Trump's trade policies may slow down the economy and even lead to recession.
Kiyosaki believes that the economic crisis is actually a good time to get rich. He said: "I plan to become richer, and I hope you will become richer and smarter." He predicted that the price of Bitcoin may fall from US$100,000 to US$60,000, but he will not sell. He also predicts that Bitcoin will reach $250,000 in 2025.
Even though most economists predict that business will be booming in 2025, Kiyosaki believes that Bitcoin is your savings tool. He said that no matter what the economy does, the value of Bitcoin will not change. When the economy is bad, people will buy Bitcoin as a hedge; when the economy is good, fiat currency inflation will cause Bitcoin prices to soar.
Kiyosaki also emphasized: "No matter how the economy develops, gold, silver and Bitcoin will retain their value." Therefore, whether you are optimistic about the economy or worried about the economy, Bitcoin may be your safe haven.
🗣 Conclusion:
In summary, Robert Kiyosaki’s concept of “money is Bitcoin and gold” reflects his concerns about traditional fiat currencies in times of economic instability.
He sees the economic crisis as an opportunity to get rich and firmly believes that gold, silver and Bitcoin can retain their value no matter whether the economy is good or bad.
In short, Kiyosaki's views provide investors with new ideas for finding sound investments amid economic fluctuations.
💬Do you agree with Kiyosaki’s point of view? Do you think Bitcoin can become a stable value-added tool amid economic fluctuations?See you in the comments section!
On December 23, MicroStrategy submitted a proxy document to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) seeking shareholder approval to promote its Bitcoin 21/21 plan. The goal of the plan is to deepen the company's investment in Bitcoin and optimize its financing process.
It is reported that MicroStrategy's "21/21 Plan" was disclosed in October and aims to purchase an additional $42 billion worth of Bitcoin within three years. To achieve this goal, the company will raise $21 billion through the issuance of shares and another $21 billion from fixed-income securities to achieve this goal.
This meeting will discuss three core topics:
1. Increase the number of Class A common shares that the company can issue from 330 million shares to 10.33 billion shares to provide greater flexibility for future financing activities.
2. Increase the number of authorized preferred shares from 5 million shares to 1.005 billion shares, thereby opening up more funding channels for the company's strategic actions.
3. Modify the equity incentive plan to allow new directors to receive equity rewards and ensure that their compensation is consistent with the company's Bitcoin strategy.
Since October 2024, MicroStrategy has raised more than $2 billion through equity and debt financing to increase its Bitcoin holdings, and has also consolidated its leadership in digital asset investment. The company said that these proposed amendments are intended to enhance the flexibility of financial strategies to adapt to market fluctuations and ensure consistency with the company's long-term goals.
Moreover, just one day before the announcement of this conference, MicroStrategy founder Michael Saylor also announced that they bought another 5,262 BTC, worth approximately $561 million. Now they hold a total of 444,262 BTC, with a total cost of $27.7 billion, and an average cost of $62,257 per BTC. The average price of this purchase is $106,662 per Bitcoin, which is also the most expensive they have ever bought.
💬 Do you think MicroStrategy's Bitcoin 21/21 plan will succeed? In your opinion, is the strategy of increasing stock issuance and authorizing preferred stock an effective means to achieve the company's strategic goals?
🤔 IRS: Rewards generated from cryptocurrency staking should be taxed at market value
The IRS recently clarified that rewards generated from cryptocurrency staking need to be taxed once received. This means that every token earned through staking counts as income and must be taxed at market value.
Imagine that when you lock your cryptocurrency in a network to assist in its normal operation, you subsequently receive some staking rewards. The IRS believes that these rewards do not represent a new category of property and therefore cannot wait until they are sold or exchanged to pay taxes.
This position is related to a legal dispute involving a couple, Joshua and Jessica Jarrett. They staked on the Tezos network and argued that their staking rewards should not be taxed until they are sold or exchanged, similar to a farmer's crops or a writer's books. However, the IRS holds the opposite view, asserting that once these staking rewards are received, they constitute taxable income and must be taxed.
If you are new to cryptocurrency staking, it essentially involves locking your currency in the blockchain network to help validate transactions, after which you can receive some returns. This is typically related to Proof of Stake (PoS), which allows you to earn some passive income through the staked assets you hold, similar to interest in a bank.
The IRS stated in its 2023 guidance that block rewards (including those obtained through staking) should be counted as income when they are generated. Therefore, when you earn token rewards, you need to track their value as this affects how much tax you will owe.
In 2021, the Jarretts sued the IRS over the taxation of the 8,876 XTZ tokens they received in 2019, but the court dismissed the case on the grounds that the IRS had already issued a refund. In 2024, they filed another lawsuit seeking a refund of additional taxes, which is currently under consideration.
Previously, an individual was sentenced to two years in prison for failing to report capital gains from cryptocurrency sales between 2017 and 2019.
💬 What do you think about the IRS's new stance on cryptocurrency staking? What do you believe this means for cryptocurrency investors?
⚒️ Russia extends cryptocurrency mining ban in certain regions until 2031 to address energy challenges
Russia has tightened its restrictions on cryptocurrency mining! Starting from 2025, miners in at least 10 regions will have to suspend mining until March 2031.
This measure is primarily aimed at addressing the surge in domestic energy consumption, especially during Russia's long winters when energy demand is high, prompting the government to decide to restrict mining activities.
Specifically, places like Dagestan and Ingushetia, along with several republics and territories, are prohibited from mining. Furthermore, regions such as Irkutsk and Buryatia must also stop mining during peak energy consumption periods, which occur every year from January to March and from November to March of the following year.
Last year, Russia became the world's second-largest cryptocurrency mining country, consuming at least 16 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Currently, the electricity consumed by mining accounts for 1.5% of the country's total consumption, posing a significant challenge for areas with harsh climates.
The government is also working to address the issue of imbalanced electricity costs. The deputy director of the country's energy department stated that regions with low electricity costs are actually subsidized by producers and consumers from other regions. Now, with the implementation of mining restrictions, these subsidies will gradually be eliminated.
It is noteworthy that although Russia recently legalized cryptocurrency mining and introduced a mandatory registration service allowing the Federal Tax Service to access miners' asset and crypto wallet information,
these new measures indicate that while Russia is promoting transparency in the mining industry, it is also actively controlling its impact on domestic energy consumption.
These changes may have significant implications for the global mining landscape, especially against the backdrop of increasing attention to energy consumption and environmental impact.
💬 What do you think about this series of actions by Russia? Do you believe it will affect the global mining competition landscape? Leave your thoughts in the comments section.
Singapore Leads the Race for Digital Assets in Asia, Regulatory Advantage Surpassing Hong Kong
According to the latest report from Bloomberg, Singapore is rapidly rising and is expected to surpass Hong Kong by 2024, becoming the leader in Asia's digital asset space, particularly excelling in regulatory efficiency and attracting cryptocurrency companies. This year, Singapore significantly increased the issuance of cryptocurrency licenses, reaching a total of 13, more than double that of last year. Well-known international platforms such as OKX, Upbit, Anchorage, BitGo, and GSR have obtained operational licenses, further proving Singapore's strong attractiveness to cryptocurrency firms. In stark contrast, Hong Kong has made slow progress in issuing licenses, with only seven platforms obtaining formal licenses, while several others hold temporary licenses.
🌟Trump is optimistic about Bitcoin, emphasizing the importance of electricity production for mining
Trump's recent conversation with Jim Cramer on CNBC has sparked widespread attention. He clearly stated the intention to do great things with cryptocurrency, and the key to achieving this goal lies in producing a large amount of electricity. This perspective also demonstrates Trump's profound understanding of Bitcoin that exceeds our expectations.
Trump declared to Cramer, "We are going to do some great things with cryptocurrency." He emphasized that the United States cannot allow China or other countries to take the lead in this field; whether in artificial intelligence or cryptocurrency, the U.S. must strive to be at the forefront.
He further elaborated on his unique insights regarding cryptocurrency, pointing out the necessity of producing a vast amount of electricity. This understanding stems from his insight into the enormous power demand of Bitcoin mining, and this demand may become a driving force for the production of cheap, abundant, renewable energy.
It is worth noting that since the 1970s, the price of solar panels has been declining, and electricity may become even cheaper in the future. Bitcoin is not only a new internet currency but also has the potential to incentivize people to develop richer energy sources.
As the chip efficiency competition in Bitcoin mining reaches its peak, the core competition among mining machines has already shifted to electricity costs. Miners are actively preparing to take advantage of this cost advantage to expand their profit margins in business models.
In addition, some of the individuals that Trump is about to appoint as Treasury Secretary, SEC Chair, and cryptocurrency advisors are positively inclined towards cryptocurrency. This undoubtedly brings positive signals to the cryptocurrency market and fuels expectations for the future development of the U.S. in the cryptocurrency field.
In summary, Trump's stance suggests that the U.S. may adopt a more proactive strategy in the fields of cryptocurrency and renewable energy. This move is not only an extremely positive signal for the cryptocurrency market but also holds the potential to drive a new process of global energy transformation.
💬Do you agree with Trump's view of linking Bitcoin to energy production? Do you think under Trump's leadership, the U.S. will become a leader in cryptocurrency and renewable energy? See you in the comments!
🎯Metaplanet ignores Bitcoin price pullback and makes the largest BTC purchase in history
Bitcoin prices fell nearly 10% last week, causing market sentiment to be cautious. But Japan's Metaplanet boldly increased its holdings, purchasing nearly 620 bitcoins, doubling the value of its total Bitcoin holdings to $168 million, which is also Metaplanet's largest single Bitcoin purchase to date.
It is reported that Metaplanet raised funds for its Bitcoin investment through a series of capital market activities, including the issuance of stock rights and zero-coupon bonds. In particular, on December 20, 2024, the company successfully raised 5 billion yen, or approximately $31.9 million, through the issuance of the fifth series of ordinary bonds. The company also announced that it would issue a 4.5 billion yen bond, or approximately $28.7 million, which is scheduled to mature on June 16, 2025.
The report stated that between October and December 2024, Metaplanet's Bitcoin yield surged by nearly 310%, and its Bitcoin holdings increased significantly relative to its fully diluted outstanding shares. Despite the overall bearish market sentiment, Metaplanet has positioned itself as a key player in corporate Bitcoin investment.
Metaplanet, known as the "MicroStrategy of the East," has been accumulating Bitcoin since May, following in the footsteps of MicroStrategy. The company revealed that it expects to see its first profit in nearly seven years thanks to its earlier decision to include Bitcoin on the company's balance sheet.
Metaplanet's revenue is expected to increase from 261 million yen to 890 million yen (about $5.8 million) in fiscal 2024, and operating profit will reach 270 million yen. This expectation marks a major financial turnaround for the company after years of losses.
Metaplanet successfully generated 520 million yen in revenue for the company through its innovative use of Bitcoin put option strategies. In addition, the company also benefited from the strong performance of its Royal Oak Hotel in Tokyo.
This series of actions by Metaplanet shows that even in market fluctuations, the company is still optimistic about the potential of Bitcoin and is taking positive measures to enhance its influence in the cryptocurrency field.
🤔Do quantum computers pose a threat to Bitcoin security? Cryptographer Adam Back thinks so!
Recently, discussions about the potential threats that quantum computers may pose to Bitcoin security and the cracking of the founder's wallet have heated up again. In response, renowned cryptographer Adam Back has shared his views, suggesting that we are still decades away from the true era of quantum computers.
Back further pointed out that even if quantum computers become a reality, this may actually be a positive development for the Bitcoin network. Because Bitcoin can leverage quantum computers to upgrade and enhance its defense against quantum attacks.
Back also believes that if there is a possibility of quantum computers attacking the Bitcoin network, then there must also be methods to defend using quantum computers.
He emphasized that despite the extraordinary capabilities of existing supercomputers, the Bitcoin network remains one of the most secure networks in the world, and its computing power is the strongest globally. Therefore, the emergence of quantum computers may not be a threat but could allow the Bitcoin network to become even more secure through upgrades.
It is worth noting that the topic of quantum computers has recently become a hot topic again, primarily due to Google’s recent release of its supercomputer chip, coupled with exaggerated media reports, which have sparked some negative concerns in the community.
However, discussions about quantum computers threatening Bitcoin security have not ceased over the past decade, but the negative reports in these years have not had a substantial impact on Bitcoin's multiple market cycles and its current market conditions.
💬Do you think quantum computers will really pose a threat to Bitcoin security? What changes would occur if the Bitcoin network upgrades to counter quantum attacks?
🧐VanEck predicts that if the U.S. implements a Bitcoin reserve, it is expected to reduce the national debt burden by 35% by 2049
The U.S. ETF broker VanEck has proposed a viewpoint that if the U.S. follows in the footsteps of MicroStrategy, purchasing 1 million Bitcoins as national reserve assets according to Senator Cynthia Lummis's proposal, it could potentially reduce the national debt by up to 35% by 2049, offsetting around $42 trillion in liabilities.
By observing the potential impact of different amounts of Bitcoin reserves on U.S. national debt in the diagram below, it can be seen that if the U.S. government adopts the suggestion from VanEck, MicroStrategy, or Senator Cynthia Lummis regarding Bitcoin as a national reserve asset, it may become a unique and effective solution to the U.S. national debt issue in the long term.
It is well known that Bitcoin prices typically follow a four-year cycle pattern, experiencing a bull market for four years and a bear market for four years. During the bull market, the rise is very rapid, and the decline during the bear market is also quite significant. I have seen that the Bitcoin reserve strategy may also change the alternating four-year cycle pattern of Bitcoin.
Once the U.S. adopts Bitcoin as a national strategic reserve asset, the four-year cycle of Bitcoin may be broken. This is because the Bitcoin market may enter a super cycle, and its price trend may become more stable, resembling the long-term and slow rise of the U.S. stock market, rather than experiencing the traditional four-year bull-bear cycle.
This shift could not only change the economic landscape of the United States but could also have a ripple effect on global financial markets. It will also have profound implications for the ecological structure of the entire financial market, the investment strategies of various types of investors, and the global economic landscape.
💬 Do you think incorporating Bitcoin into national reserve assets will affect the global economy and financial landscape? If the four-year cycle pattern of Bitcoin is broken, what opportunities and challenges will it bring to investors and the market?
🌐MicroStrategy increases its holdings of Bitcoin to welcome the Nasdaq 100 Index; Saylor advocates a US Bitcoin reserve plan to eliminate national debt
On the day when its stock (MSTR) joined the Nasdaq 100 Index, MicroStrategy once again purchased 5,262 BTC at an average price of $106,662, bringing the total number of Bitcoins held by the company to 444,262.
It is reported that MicroStrategy has now achieved its seventh consecutive week of Bitcoin purchases. Currently, the total market value of MicroStrategy's Bitcoin holdings is $42.2 billion, and the overall average purchase price is $66,257 per coin.
It is worth noting that MicroStrategy has been purchasing Bitcoin through the ATM custody platform. After the company spent $561 million on Bitcoin this time, the platform still has $7.08 billion in funds available for purchasing Bitcoin.
In the current market, the price of Bitcoin has fallen back by nearly 15% to more than $90,000. In this case, whether MicroStrategy will continue to increase its holdings of Bitcoin is also worth paying attention to.
Michael Saylor suggested that if the United States adopts a Bitcoin strategic reserve strategy, it may solve the serious national debt problem and create up to $81 trillion in revenue for the Treasury. He believes that the United States can effectively solve the national debt problem through this strategy in the next few decades.
Last month, Saylor tried to persuade shareholders at Microsoft's shareholders meeting to support the company's purchase of Bitcoin, but most shareholders did not vote in favor. At that time, only 0.98% of shareholders agreed to Microsoft's purchase of Bitcoin, indicating that the shareholders of these cutting-edge technology giants still did not see the prospects of Bitcoin and its future plasticity.
However, this seems to be a good phenomenon, which means that you and I still have more opportunities to lay out in order to earn wealth within our cognition in the Bitcoin market.
In short, I believe that as more and more listed companies, venture capital and large institutions join the Bitcoin hoarding army, Bitcoin's future development prospects and value-added space are very considerable.
💬 Do you think MicroStrategy will continue to increase its holdings of Bitcoin? Can the Bitcoin strategic reserve strategy reverse the situation of US national debt?
💰The U.S. Bitcoin Spot ETF has seen a net outflow of funds for 3 consecutive days, while the Ethereum Spot ETF has welcomed its first day of net inflow after two days of net outflow.
According to the latest data from SoSoValue, the Bitcoin Spot ETF experienced a total net outflow of nearly $227 million yesterday, marking three consecutive days of net outflows.
In terms of outflows, Fidelity's Bitcoin Spot ETF FBTC, Grayscale's Bitcoin Trust ETF GBTC, Invesco's Bitcoin ETF BTCO, Bitwise's Bitcoin ETF BITB, and Ark 21Shares' ETF ARKB are the top five, with single-day net outflows of approximately $146 million, $38.39 million, $25.56 million, $23.75 million, and $15.75 million, respectively.
It is noteworthy that BlackRock's Bitcoin Spot ETF IBIT had a net inflow of $31.66 million yesterday, bringing its cumulative net inflow to $37.36 billion.
Currently, the total net asset value of Bitcoin Spot ETFs has reached $105 billion, accounting for 5.70% of Bitcoin's total market capitalization, with a cumulative total net inflow of $35.83 billion.
On the same day, the Ethereum Spot ETF, after two consecutive days of net outflow, saw a total net outflow of nearly $13.1 million yesterday, welcoming its first single-day net inflow.
In terms of inflows, BlackRock's Ethereum Spot ETF ETHA, Fidelity's Ethereum Spot ETF FETH, and Bitwise's Ethereum ETF ETHW achieved net inflows of $89.51 million, $46.37 million, and $0.9637 million, respectively, in a single day.
Meanwhile, Grayscale's Ethereum Trust ETF ETHE had a net outflow of $6.09 million, achieving a cumulative net inflow of $599 million.
Currently, the total net asset value of Ethereum Spot ETFs stands at $12.05 billion, accounting for 2.94% of Ethereum's total market capitalization, with a historical cumulative total net inflow of $2.46 billion.
In summary, the U.S. Bitcoin Spot ETF has experienced net outflows for three consecutive days, while the Ethereum Spot ETF welcomed its first day of net inflow after two days of net outflow. This change in fund flow not only reflects fluctuations in market sentiment but may also imply differing expectations from investors regarding the future trends of the cryptocurrency market.
💬What are your views on the fund flow trends of the U.S. Bitcoin and Ethereum Spot ETFs? Should investors adjust their cryptocurrency investment strategies?
🚀 Elon Musk: I would be "shocked" if Biden does not pardon SBF
In November 2023, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) was sentenced to 25 years in prison for seven charges including fraud and embezzlement. However, due to his close ties with politicians, rumors about a possible pardon for him continue to circulate.
As one of the largest donors to the Democratic Party, SBF has close relationships with key political figures, particularly Biden, which leads many to question whether his political influence can play a role in securing a pardon. Musk stated on X that he would be "shocked" if U.S. President Joe Biden does not grant a pardon to the infamous SBF.
This statement aligns with the trending probabilities on prediction platforms regarding a potential pardon. After the news broke, the prediction probability of SBF being pardoned on the PolyMarket platform surged from 4% to 13%, currently stabilizing at 8%, indicating that people increasingly believe SBF's connections with political elites may influence his fate.
At his peak, SBF was hailed as a leading figure in the cryptocurrency industry, having founded FTX in 2019 and quickly turning it into one of the largest exchanges in the world. He established a public image as a tech innovator and committed to social causes, gaining widespread recognition outside the cryptocurrency sphere.
In the 2020 election, SBF donated over $5 million to Biden and the Democratic Party. However, the collapse of FTX exposed an $8 billion hole in customer funds, shaking the financial world. Despite SBF's conviction, there are still speculations that a presidential pardon could help the Biden administration escape this scandal.
Meanwhile, the probability of Biden pardoning Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht is currently at 10%. Trump had promised to pardon Ulbricht if elected president; Ulbricht was sentenced to life in prison in 2015 for multiple charges including drug trafficking and money laundering.
Some liberals and cryptocurrency advocates view Ulbricht as a symbol of free trade and express dissatisfaction with his harsh sentencing. In contrast, opponents link Silk Road to drug-related deaths and accuse Ulbricht of orchestrating murders to maintain his trading platform.
💬 Do you think SBF will be pardoned? What will happen to Ulbricht? What are your thoughts on the influence of financial tycoons in politics?
📈 CryptoQuant Analyst: Key Indicators for Ethereum Indicate Potential Uptrend
Recently, analysts at CryptoQuant have been quite optimistic about the future trajectory of Ethereum (ETH) in the coming weeks. They believe that although Ethereum's current performance appears somewhat lackluster, several key indicators suggest that ETH is likely on the brink of an upward trend.
Analyst EgyHash notes that the current funding rates and estimated leverage for Ethereum are performing exceptionally well. This indicates that there is strong confidence among investors in Ethereum. Additionally, Ethereum's high leverage means that investors are willing to take on greater risks for higher returns, which is typically a positive sign.
Moreover, Ethereum's funding rate also shows that bulls are currently in the lead, but it hasn't reached extreme levels, suggesting that there is still room for ETH prices to rise, and there's no need to worry about large-scale liquidations.
EgyHash also mentioned the Korean Premium Index, which is currently positive, indicating that Korean investors are increasingly interested in Ethereum, which is another positive market signal.
Furthermore, Ethereum's fund holdings are steadily increasing, and the U.S. Ethereum ETF market has recently maintained a positive inflow of funds. Large investors and whales are also actively accumulating ETH, with supply demand reaching historical highs, demonstrating growing confidence from both institutions and retail investors in ETH.
Overall, according to CryptoQuant's analysis, the outlook for Ethereum is quite promising. Market participants seem prepared, with the potential for sustained capital inflows into Ethereum and a trend towards increased investment in ETH.
According to data from CoinMarketCap, Ethereum's current price is $3,370, with a 24-hour increase of 2.91%.
💬 What do you think? Do you agree with CryptoQuant's analysis? Are you also looking forward to ETH's upcoming trends? Leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments!
🎉Trump appoints Bo Hines as executive director of the Cryptocurrency Committee
The recent developments of the new administration under Trump are expected to bring new changes to the cryptocurrency field. Bo Hines, a 29-year-old Yale graduate and former football player, was selected to become the executive director of the newly established "Crypto Committee".
Trump announced this major news through his Truth Social social media account, which is also an important step in shaping the new government's attitude towards cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
Bo Hines will work with "Crypto Tsar" David Sacks, who will serve as the head of the advisory group, and David Sacks was also appointed as the "Crypto Tsar". Their goal is to stimulate the spirit of innovation in the digital asset industry. Trump emphasized that the establishment of this committee is to ensure that the United States maintains technological leadership in a rapidly changing financial environment.
Bo Hines said that it is the honor of his life to serve President Trump during this period, and he looks forward to seeing a strong Bitcoin market, which is crucial to the country's technological progress.
Trump's strategic layout is not just Hines and Sacks. Michael JK Kratsios was also appointed as the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Lynne Parker as the executive director of the President's Council of Science and Technology Advisors, and Sriram Krishnan will serve as the senior policy advisor for artificial intelligence.
The establishment of this committee means that the connection between the government and the cryptocurrency field will be closer, promoting innovative standards and open policies. At a time when the cryptocurrency market is volatile, it may bring much-needed stability to the market.
In summary, President Trump's emphasis on blockchain technology and artificial intelligence clearly shows that he will continue to make innovation a core element of US policy in his second term.
With the addition of these heavyweights, the impact of US domestic policies and global technology leadership will gradually emerge in the coming months.
At the same time, the public also has high hopes for Hines and Sacks, and looks forward to their important task of promoting the stability and prosperity of digital asset prices under the leadership of the Trump administration.
💬What do you expect from Hines and Sacks? What changes can the new crypto committee bring to the cryptocurrency field?
🕵 Before and after the Christmas holiday: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and altcoin market sentiment observation
On December 23, Ki Young Ju, founder and CEO of CryptoQuant, shared a set of eye-catching data, pointing out that the total amount of Bitcoin held by ETFs, governments, and MicroStrategy has accounted for 31% of all known Bitcoin holdings, which is higher than 14% last year. Ki Young Ju also emphasized that this 31% is based on data from known Bitcoin holders, not 31% of all Bitcoin.
On the same day, analyst @ai_9684xtpa reviewed the historical performance of Bitcoin during the Christmas holiday and found that in the past five years, except for 2020, the probability of Bitcoin rising within two months after the holiday was as high as 80%. If investors choose to buy the bottom within a week after New Year's Day, the probability of profit is about 60%. Although the market is affected by the flow of BTC ETF funds, the Christmas holiday does not show the threat of "Christmas robbery".
Matrixport analyzed the market performance of Ethereum and other altcoins, pointing out that although the launch of the Ethereum ETF has attracted billions of dollars in inflows, its dominance rate continues to decline, and the market lacks enough positive news to support its rebound. Matrixport predicts that Ethereum investors may need to wait until 2025 for a more favorable market environment, when there may be a new round of upside opportunities.
In addition, Santiment's analysis also posted a post on the same day, pointing out that the cryptocurrency market sentiment quickly turned from bullish to bearish in two weeks, especially after the market value adjustment, and altcoins were significantly affected. However, Bitcoin's attention is recovering, while interest in Meme coins has declined. Santiment believes that this market panic and pessimism are normal in the cycle, and it also provides patient traders with opportunities to invest in market panic.
In summary, these analyses and data have brought us deep insights into the cryptocurrency market. This also reminds us that in a constantly changing market environment, it is crucial to find the right entry time.
💬What do you think of these market dynamics and point of view analysis? Do you think Bitcoin can avoid the threat of "Christmas robbery" this time? Can altcoins usher in a strong recovery in 2025?
🚀SpaceX adopts a stablecoin strategy to mitigate foreign exchange volatility risks💰
Silicon Valley venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya revealed on the All-In podcast that SpaceX has implemented a strategy to reduce potential financial losses from international currency exchange rate fluctuations by converting revenue from "long tail countries," which refers to those from so-called "developing countries" or "emerging market countries," into stablecoins.
Starlink, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of SpaceX, provides satellite internet services to customers worldwide. SpaceX is mitigating the risks of foreign exchange fluctuations by converting Starlink's revenue into stablecoins.
Palihapitiya emphasized that stablecoins have the potential to become a primary tool for cross-border transactions in the U.S., gradually phasing out outdated banking infrastructure, which should not be the subject of taxation.
He further pointed out that stablecoin providers, such as Tether and Circle, are fiercely competing with traditional financial institutions in terms of funds storage and transfer services, even competing with payment giants like Mastercard and American Express.
Aaron Levie, CEO of enterprise cloud company Box, also supports this viewpoint, believing that it is reasonable for stablecoins to replace traditional mediums of exchange.
This strategy by SpaceX, along with Musk's preference for cryptocurrencies, also highlights the growing influence of stablecoins in global economic activities.
In summary, SpaceX's strategy not only demonstrates its foresight in financial management but also reflects the increasing influence of stablecoins in global economic activities.
With Tesla's investment in Bitcoin yielding billions in returns and the X platform exploring cryptocurrency payment capabilities, the future of stablecoins is filled with limitless possibilities.
💬 What do you think about SpaceX's strategy of using stablecoins to mitigate foreign exchange risks? Does this indicate that the role of stablecoins in the global financial system will become increasingly important?
👀Changpeng Zhao talks about the UAE's Bitcoin holdings, sparking heated discussions in the community
Changpeng Zhao, the boss of Binance, recently shared an article on the UAE's Bitcoin holdings on social media X, and wrote that the UAE may have $40 billion worth of Bitcoin.
As soon as the news came out, everyone was furious, especially cryptocurrency lawyer Irina Heaver, who doubted the credibility of the number and felt that it sounded like AI made it up.
In response to everyone's questions, Changpeng Zhao also responded that the number was indeed a bit beyond his expectations, but he felt that considering the large number of rich people in the UAE, the number was reasonable. He also said that although he did promote cryptocurrency in the UAE, he himself could not tell how much of this huge number was his credit.
Changpeng Zhao also mentioned that Dubai has changed a lot from a few crypto companies in 2021 to thousands of blockchain companies now. Dubai's various policies and government efforts have successfully attracted many international crypto companies to do business there.
Now, everyone is discussing the UAE's Bitcoin holdings, which happens to be when the UAE is striving to become a global cryptocurrency center. Although the specific figures have not been confirmed, this topic does make the UAE's influence in the cryptocurrency world more prominent.
In short, in the era of information explosion, the cryptocurrency market is susceptible to rumors and false information, and the anonymity and decentralization of cryptocurrency transactions make information verification more difficult. Investors and market participants should learn to distinguish between truth and falsehood, rely on reliable data sources and professional analysis, rather than blindly follow the trend.
💬Finally, what do you think of the UAE's claim of Bitcoin holdings? Do you think this number is likely to be true? Leave your opinion in the comment section!