maria miley

Despite the ongoing bearish trend in the crypto market, there are strong indications of a bullish reversal. On-chain data suggests that whales, influential investors in Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), and USD Coin (USDC), are likely to begin accumulating these cryptocurrencies. This strategic accumulation by large holders may pave the way for a recovery and potentially reclaim last week's 2-year high. Santiment's analysis also highlights a decrease in shark and whale holdings of Bitcoin, reaching a six-year low. Moreover, the percentage of wallets holding BTC, USDT, and USDC has dropped, indicating potential accumulation by influential investors. With the Bitcoin halving approaching in under 14 weeks, the market is observing the whale accumulation of these cryptocurrencies as a crucial indicator for another bull cycle.

Whale Accumulation Signals Bullish Reversal Amid Ongoing Bearish Trend On-chain data suggests whales may soon begin accumulating BTC, USDT, and USDC. This signals a bullish trend despite the current market downtrend. Shark and whale holdings of Bitcoin have reached a six-year low. Amid the current bearish trend sweeping through the crypto market, leading market intelligence platform Santiment has identified a potential key bullish signal. Santiment sees the optimistic signal in the potential activities of influential investors of Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), and USD Coin (USDC). In a recent tweet, Santiment highlighted that whale accumulation of Bitcoin, USDT, and USDC could be a crucial indicator for a possible recovery. The market sentiment analysis suggested that strategic accumulation by large holders may pave the way for a bullish reversal to reclaim last week’s 2-year high. It examined the current distribution tiers for Bitcoin and the top stablecoins, revealing a slight downturn in the shark and whale holdings. Specifically, Santiment’s analysis highlighted that wallets with 10-10K Bitcoin (BTC) presently constitute 66.27% of the total supply. This marked the lowest percentage since September 26, 2018. Meanwhile, the report underscored that the current supply represents the smallest quantity of BTC since June 20, 2023, with 12.99 million BTC. Notably, these tokens hold a market value exceeding $530 billion. Similarly, the shark and whale tiers for Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) showed interesting dynamics. Wallets holding 100,000 to 10 million USDT represent 33.98% of the supply. Those holding 100,000 to 10 million USDC account for 35.49% of the supply. Over the past six months, these wallets have decreased their holdings by 4.02% and 3.05%, respectively. Despite the current bearish trend, Santiment remains optimistic about the potential for another bull cycle, as witnessed in late 2023. Significantly, with the Bitcoin halving just under 14 weeks away, whales’ accumulation of BTC, USDT, and USDC is a key indicator that many traders are closely watching.

Cryptocurrencies like Solana (SOL), Aptos (APT), Sei (SEI), Xai (XAI), and Blur (BLUR) are emerging as potential alternatives for investors who missed Bitcoin's rise in 2021. These coins offer unique growth prospects and new opportunities in the crypto market. Solana (SOL) is experiencing a notable shift with the Altcoin Season Index indicating the beginning of the next altseason. Aptos (APT) has shown resilience against Bitcoin price fluctuations and boasts the potential for significant growth. Sei (SEI) has witnessed a price rally and bullish sentiment. Xai (XAI) has surged in the gaming blockchain space and has listing on major exchanges. Blur (BLUR) has sustained growth despite token unlocks in the NFT marketplace. Each of these coins presents avenues for investors to explore and capitalize on the crypto market's potential.

Astar (ASTR) has been making waves in the Polkadot ecosystem with solid growth and impressive numbers. Boasting a 650,000-strong community and 3.4 billion staked tokens, Astar showcases its appeal within the Web3 space. Concrete partnerships with industry giants like Toyota and the Japanese Railway operator demonstrate its focus on tangible applications. With dApps bridging the gap between theory and practice, Astar's growth narrative is rooted in consistent user adoption and ecosystem development. The upcoming Astar 2.0 upgrade aims to attract more developers and foster further user engagement, solidifying its long-term aspirations. Astar's journey is far from over, but with its numbers and strategic collaborations, the groundwork for sustained success is undeniably being laid.

The crypto market, specifically Bitcoin, is showing signs of entering a bull market, supported by on-chain signals and historical trends. As we anticipate this shift, it's crucial to explore promising altcoins for portfolio diversification. One such altcoin is ScapesMania (MANIA), which offers a well-balanced gaming ecosystem and a robust post-listing marketing strategy. With its utility and community-centric approach, ScapesMania has the potential to thrive in the multi-billion-dollar gaming industry. As the presale comes to an end, it is advisable to capitalize on the early bird discount and secure your tokens before they're gone. Another altcoin worth considering is Hashflow (HFT), which has recently launched its 2.0 version, enabling cross-chain trading and introducing DEX aggregation services. These advancements, along with the token's current trading range and moving averages, suggest potential for price appreciation. Similarly, NEAR Protocol (NEAR) has announced its integration with Polygon CDK, aiming to enhance data availability and attract more developers and users. Although volatility remains a risk, the market's response to these integrations could drive NEAR Protocol's (NEAR) adoption and price growth. Cosmos (ATOM) developers have proposed reducing the inflation rate of the token, which could impact its scarcity and value. While the current trading range and moving averages indicate potential growth, the market's response to this proposal will determine Cosmos' (ATOM) future direction. Arbitrum (ARB) has established its position as a leading Ethereum scaling solution, capturing a significant portion of the rollup market share. However, concerns about the upcoming token unlock create uncertainty, and investors should closely monitor the market impact of this event. Similarly, Aptos (APT) is set to unlock a substantial number of tokens, and its price and market dynamics could be influenced by this release. The recent surge in trading volume may indicate investor interest that could mitigate the potential volatility. In conclusion, while Bitcoin shows signs of a bull market, it's essential to explore promising altcoins like ScapesMania (MANIA), Hashflow (HFT), NEAR Protocol (NEAR), Cosmos (ATOM), Arbitrum (ARB), and Aptos (APT). However, investors should exercise caution, monitor market trends, and consider the potential risks associated with each altcoin.

Amid their bankruptcy processes, crypto firms FTX and Celsius Network have been divesting their digital asset portfolios. Celsius Network recently moved 56.8 million MATIC tokens, worth $44.5 million, to crypto exchanges. FTX and Alameda also liquidated $15 million in crypto assets. These moves come after a US Court of Appeal approved an independent examiner to investigate FTX's collapse. The investigation will shed light on FTX's use of its own tokens and potentially uncover credit risks in other crypto companies. The court emphasized the need for transparency and safeguarding the public's interest in the bankruptcy process.

The upcoming Bitcoin halving brings speculation about its impact on altcoins like Ripple, Solana, and Sei. Ripple faces a bearish pattern and uncertain future, with potential for recovery depending on market dynamics and investor sentiment. Solana shows signs of a potential bullish breakout, driven by technical and fundamental indicators. The price trajectory of Solana will be influenced by market dynamics and regulatory developments. Sei maintains a bullish market structure with strong demand, but faces the challenge of market volatility and investor eagerness. The future of these altcoins depends on various factors including market sentiment, macroeconomic factors, and investor confidence. Investors should carefully consider these factors before making any investment decisions.

Is Bitcoin Halving a Threat to Ripple (XRP), Solana (SOL), and Sei (SEI) Holders? In today’s crypto market, Bitcoin (BTC) trades below $43,000 after an 8% price drop. This has ushered in an "altcoin season," with the BTC dominance falling to 47.5%. The upcoming Bitcoin (BTC) halving, which historically influenced price increases, is only 110 days away. The event that will reduce mining rewards to 3.125 BTC per block also sparks speculation about its impact on other cryptocurrencies like Ripple (XRP), Solana (SOL), and Sei (SEI). As the market focus shifts towards these altcoins, the potential effects of halving on their value and investor sentiment remain uncertain. Ride The Wave Of Innovation With ScapesMania As the ScapesMania presale nears its completion in February, the team is working hard to secure a quick listing on tier-1 exchange platforms. There is a good probability that the token's value will increase exponentially after the listing. The team behind ScapesMania, with years of expertise, has crafted a robust post-listing marketing strategy. Buyback, burn, staking, and all the perks for holders keep attracting new adopters. Through DAO governance, backers will be able to influence and benefit from a multi-billion-dollar industry. Moreover, the token's utility is impressive. It's not another meme coin whose success relies heavily on trends and hype. ScapesMania (MANIA) is a well-balanced, meticulously designed project that acts as a gaming ecosystem. As the presale is wrapping up, you need to act fast and grab your discounted tokens now! The countdown is on – don't let this chance pass you by. Presale is Live Now – Join Now for a Chance to Benefit with MANIA ScapesMania, a player in the $376 billion gaming industry, leverages the market's growth potential. Post-exchange debut, holders can anticipate greater liquidity and easier trading. The community's excitement about the project is evident so far, with $4,500,000+ raised to date from crowd/retail contributions alone. Notably, the fundraising amount is growing by $50,000+ daily and the follower count has reached 60K+ and showcases a weekly growth of 12%. The growing interest from crypto whales with checks of $20,000+ might expedite ScapesMania's transition from niche to mainstream. ScapesMania's smart contract has received approval from prominent security-ranking firms, ensuring peace of mind for holders. Additionally, the award-winning team behind ScapesMania secured a prestigious grant from a prominent player in the blockchain industry. Furthermore, ScapesMania is notable for putting its community front and center. Driving customer engagement and making sure that everyone benefits through great tokenomics and generous rewards is where ScapesManias stands out. Make sure you don't pass up the opportunity to get the early bird discount as the presale nears its end. Be quick if you want to get your hands on those lucrative tokens before they're all gone. Presale Closing Soon – Seize Opportunities Now! Ripple (XRP): Facing a Bearish Pattern and Uncertain Future Profit-taking and a broader market’s bearish sentiment caused Ripple (XRP) to drop 10% in January. The price broke below a key support level, forming a descending triangle pattern – a bearish pattern characterized by lower highs and relatively consistent lows, often signaling a downward price movement. Ripple's (XRP) current price fluctuates between $0.563 and $0.683. The 10-day Moving Average is at $0.574, while the 100-day Moving Average stands at $0.599. Support levels are found at $0.391 and $0.511, with resistance levels at $0.752 and $0.872. Ripple's (XRP) future is a mix of growth prospects and challenges. The bearish outlook is partly driven by profit-taking as seen in high-risk profit levels in the market. However, there's still potential for recovery supported by exposure from ETFs and other positive developments. The absence of plans for a spot Ripple (XRP) ETF by major asset managers like BlackRock adds to the cautious sentiment. Ripple's (XRP) future price movement will likely be influenced by overall market dynamics and investor sentiment, with a possibility of recovery if it effectively navigates the current challenges. Solana (SOL): A Path to Potential Growth Solana (SOL) is showing signs of a potential bullish breakout driven by technical and fundamental indicators. The price of Solana (SOL) is now testing the upper trendline of a bull flag pattern, which indicates a potentially positive price movement. As of today, Solana's (SOL) price range lies between $64.84 and $132.36. The 10-day Moving Average is at $96.62, while the 100-day Moving Average is at $65.74. Support and resistance levels are set at $27.97 and $163.01, respectively, with the most ambitious target at $230.54. Solana (SOL) could approach $200 as early as March amidst growing anticipation of a spot Solana ETF and expectations of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. While the approval of Bitcoin ETFs has raised hopes for similar products for Solana (SOL), a dovish Fed could lead to a weaker US dollar, which can also benefit altcoin. However, the price trajectory of Solana (SOL) will be influenced by market dynamics and regulatory developments. Sei (SEI): Bullish Sentiment with a Hint of Caution Sei (SEI) has exhibited a strong bullish outlook on higher timeframe charts, rallying significantly from its December low to an early January peak. Although the price has retraced to a demand zone, the bullish sentiment remains intact. Sei's (SEI) price range is set between $0.582 and $0.808, with the 10-Day Moving Average hovering at $0.758 and the 100-day Moving Average marked at $0.729. Support levels are at $0.244 and $0.471, while resistance levels are at $0.924 and $1.15. Sei (SEI) is expected to continue its bullish trend, with a target of reaching $1 and higher in the coming weeks. The market structure remains firmly bullish, and demand for the token is strong. However, the enthusiasm of market participants could lead to a consolidation phase, potentially trapping Sei (SEI) within a range that could shake out overly eager bulls. The future price movement of Sei (SEI) will depend on market sentiment and the ability of bulls to maintain control amidst short-term volatility. Conclusion The crypto market undergoes significant changes - the coming Bitcoin (BTC) halving is stirring up excitement about its impact on altcoins like Ripple (XRP), Solana (SOL), and Sei (SEI). Ripple (XRP) is currently facing a bearish trend, with technical indicators suggesting a cautious market outlook, but there's potential for recovery highly depending on market dynamics and investor sentiment; Solana (SOL) exhibits signs of a bullish breakout, with expectations of growth driven by market speculation and potential macroeconomic factors; Sei (SEI) maintains a bullish market structure, with strong demand and a positive outlook, though it faces the challenge of market volatility and investor eagerness. Disclaimer: This is a sponsored article and is for informational purposes only. It does not reflect the views of Crypto Daily, nor is it intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice.

The recent dip in Bitcoin price after the approval of Bitcoin ETFs by the SEC was not caused by Grayscale's GBTC selling Bitcoin, according to Julio Moreno, head of research at CryptoQuant. GBTC sold about 60,000 Bitcoins, but other ETFs purchased around 72,000 Bitcoins, offsetting the sales from GBTC. The volatility in Bitcoin's price is attributed to selling by short-term traders and whales who took profits after last year's surge, suggesting that the ETF approval may have been a sell-the-news event. On-chain and derivatives data also indicate that some Bitcoin investors treated the ETF approval as an opportunity to take profits.

Bitcoin Price Action Explained: Here's Real Reason Why BTC Dipped After ETF Approval 2024 has already proven to be a wild trip for Bitcoin investors. In what was likely the most exciting financial product launch in history, the SEC approved 10 spot Bitcoin ETF products for trading in U.S. marketplaces. In reaction, BTC prices rose to a new multi-year high, reaching $49,102. The market then fell 18% over the weekend, reaching fresh year-to-date lows of $40,236. As with any important event, holders of Bitcoins enjoy debating whether it was priced in or not. In this regard, Julio Moreno, the head of research at CryptoQuant, debunks the widely circulated narrative that the Bitcoin price drop was caused by Grayscale's GBTC selling Bitcoin. There's a narrative circulating that the current Bitcoin price correction is due to GBTC selling Bitcoin. IS NOT. GBTC has sold about 60K Bitcoin. The other ETFs combined have net purchased about 72K Bitcoin. The selling has come from Bitcoin holders (short-term traders and…— Julio Moreno (@jjcmoreno) January 19, 2024 Before being converted to an ETF from a trust, Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) was one of the only options for stock traders in the United States to obtain exposure to Bitcoin price swings without having to purchase the actual cryptocurrency. While GBTC has seen remarkable outflows after its uplisting into an ETF, a chunk of these have been from investors moving to lower-fee ETFs. Moreno highlighted that, while GBTC sold approximately 60,000 Bitcoins, other Bitcoin ETFs net purchased roughly 72,000 Bitcoins, thus offsetting the sales of BTC from Grayscale's GBTC. He attributes the volatility in Bitcoin's price to selling by Bitcoin holders (short-term traders and whales) who took profits following last year's surge, noting that the ETF approval might just be the "sell-the-news" event. What on-chain data says According to on-chain analytics firm Glassnode, Bitcoin's price drop might have been driven by both derivatives leverage and spot profit taking. However, several metrics in both the on-chain and derivatives domains suggest that a non-trivial portion of Bitcoin investors did treat the ETF approval as a sell-the-news event. While there are other key driving factors behind the interim volatility, both futures and options markets have seen a meaningful uptick in open interest (OI) since mid-October, according to Glassnode. Open interest in both markets remains around multi-year highs, showing that leverage is rising and becoming a more dominant force in markets. At the time of writing, BTC was up 0.58% in the last 24 hours to $41,543, per CoinMarketCap data.

Chris Brunet, an independent investigative journalist, uncovered the history of plagiarism and data fabrication by former Harvard President Claudine Gay. While Brunet bet on Gay no longer being the president of Harvard by the end of 2023, she did step down a few days into the new year. Brunet admitted that he is better as a journalist than a trader and mentioned that he would love to monetize his impactful work by trading on it if he had more money. However, there are ethical concerns about having personal stakes in the outcome of stories, similar to insider trading. Journalists who bet on the outcome of their stories should be transparent with their readers and employers about their personal stakes. The legality of betting on prediction markets with inside information is also complex, with unclear regulations on whether prediction markets are considered securities and if using insider information would constitute insider trading. Overall, while Brunet believes in monetizing the wisdom of the crowd through prediction markets, there are still ethical and legal considerations to address in the industry.

He Exposed Harvard President's Plagiarism, Then Lost Money Betting on the Story Chris Brunet knew he had a big story, so he bet it would make a big impact.The independent investigative journalist uncovered now-former Harvard President Claudine Gay's history of plagiarism in December 2023 and her data fabrication the year before. For many reporters, publishing such explosive exposés would be its own reward, but Brunet wanted to profit from the fallout of his findings.Late last month, he went to Polymarket, the largest prediction market platform, and made a bet. He stood to win $1,400 worth of cryptocurrency if Gay was longer be president of Harvard at the end of the year.Close, but no cigar. In the end, Gay didn't step down as Harvard President by the end of 2023, as the prediction market asked, but rather a few days into the new year. While he had been directionally correct, Brunet lost."I've never made money on prediction markets. I'm down. It's a hobby rather than something I actually make money on," Brunet said in an interview with CoinDesk. "In the past, when I wrote articles, I used to make firm predictions. But I got fooled so many times with prediction markets, so I'm very humble."By his own admission, he's a better journalist than trader. Even so, Brunet said he'd still love to monetize his otherwise impactful work by trading on it."The only reason I don't bet big on Polymarket right now is that I don't have a lot of money. So I can't really justify putting a huge bankroll in Polymarket," he told CoinDesk. "If I did have a huge bankroll, and there were markets about my ongoing investigations, I certainly would be betting on that."If, like Brunet, you're bold enough to write something that might lead to an arrest and federal charges – he was first to name crypto trader Avraham Eisenberg as the alleged exploiter of Mango Markets, which led to Eisenberg’s arrest in Puerto Rico – or the resignation of one of the most powerful figures in academia, why not enjoy some financial upside?After all, if prediction markets are to become, as their proponents claim, the ultimate arbiters of truth because they harness the power of the crowd, giving people a chance to put their money where their mouths are, they will need somewhere to start.There's also an argument that prediction market journalism isn't all that different from what activist short sellers do: use a process similar to investigative journalism to find dirt on a company, take a short position and then publish the results for the market to digest.A future, prediction market-oriented media could even, as Scott Alexander of Slate Star Codex fame writes, do away with the industry cancer of fake news and clickbait."In a prediction market, once you're wrong a couple of times, traders will stop updating on your reports and you'll lose most of your power to move the market," he wrote.A front-running 1980s journalistYet, lingering on Brunet's mind is whether this is all ethical."One big question I have, still somewhat unresolved, is the ethics of having a personal stake in the outcome of your story, akin to insider trading, or knowing information before the markets do," he said.Can you place a prediction market bet on something you're so closely invested in? Could Gay, or the Harvard Corporation board, hypothetically trade on Polymarket a day before she resigned?"It strikes me that betting on the outcome of one's stories presents a conflict of interest. The journalist now has a stake beyond informing the public or serving the public interest," Jane E. Kirtley, a professor of media ethics and law at the University of Minnesota's Hubbard School of Journalism, told CoinDesk in an email interview.Kirtley says she finds it troubling because it "undermines the compact that journalists have with the public: acting independently and putting the interests of the public first and foremost."Kirtley brings up the 1980s-era case of Foster Winans, a former Wall Street Journal reporter who leaked the contents of upcoming, potentially market-moving "Heard on the Street" columns to a stockbroker."I think from an ethical perspective, it is difficult to argue that Winans' conduct was consistent with ethical norms in journalism," she said. "He had a personal financial interest in the impact of the 'Heard on the Street' columns he wrote, and he did not disclose that to his readers or his employer."At a minimum, Kirtley said, journalists who bet on the outcome of their stories "should be transparent about it -- certainly with the journalist's employer (if any), and also with the public."For his part, Brunet is quite clear with his readers about exactly what he's doing. "I don't believe ‘unbiased journalism' exists, hence why the tagline of my Substack is ''opinionated investigative journalism,'" he posted on X in December, while disclosing exactly how much he'd profit should Gay have been fired before the end of 2023."I wear my bias on my sleeve," he continued.What does the SEC think?And how about the legality? That's where it gets complicated.Winans, in the eyes of the court, had breached the duty of confidentiality he owed the WSJ by front-running its daily publication schedule, finding him and his co-conspirators guilty of mail and wire fraud.The information was still confidential until it was published, the court found.(This did raise significant First Amendment concerns at the time, and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, where Kirtley was a director, was part of an amicus brief arguing these issues).For prediction markets, things are more murky."There is no clear answer as to whether betting on prediction markets with inside information constitutes insider trading under U.S. law," Florida-based digital assets attorney John Montague told CoinDesk in an interview."It may depend on whether prediction markets are considered ‘securities’ for the purposes of insider trading law, and whether the person betting on the prediction market is in possession of material, nonpublic information and is using it for personal benefit," Montague continued.Montague said the current statute on the books (15 U.S.C. § 78u-1) imposes civil penalties for insider trading involving securities.But it's unclear if prediction markets are classified as securities under this law, Montague says, and thus under the purview of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (which has signaled it deems most crypto assets to be securities). If so, using insider information in prediction markets could constitute insider trading."I could foresee a situation in which the SEC establishes such marketplaces as unregistered securities and thus expands the SEC’s jurisdiction to prediction markets at which such time some of the insider trading penalties could be available," he said.…or does someone else have jurisdiction?For its part, Polymarket, which runs on the Polygon blockchain network and settles bets in crypto, prohibits U.S. persons from using the platform and isn't available in the country.On Kalshi, which is registered with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission and settles in dollars, there is a prohibition to trade on material nonpublic information."There is currently no specific instance that I am aware of where the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has exerted its authority over insider trading specifically related to prediction markets. It is certainly a possibility that the CFTC could choose to do so in the future," Montague added."Although no precedent exists yet, it is highly likely that prediction markets could fall within the CFTC's jurisdiction, giving it the potential to regulate such activities under its mandate to combat fraud and manipulation," he continued.Kalshi also prohibits employees of data providers (ranging from the National Weather Service to Billboard magazine), which may have a slight lead on getting data before it becomes public, from trading.It should also be noted that the CFTC only got powers in 2010 to pursue insider trading cases under the Dodd-Frank Act, which was meant to limit financial risk.Prior to the act, the CFTC's authority to regulate insider trading in commodities markets was limited, focusing mainly on its own personnel and those of exchanges, but Dodd-Frank expanded the regulator's powers, allowing it to address a broader range of insider trading activities, including those involving use of confidential information.Since then, the CFTC settled its first insider trading case in 2016 and its fourth in 2020. In comparison, the SEC brought 43 insider trading cases against 93 individuals in 2022.Still a believerDespite not making money so far with prediction markets, Brunet said he is still a believer in the idea of monetizing the wisdom of the crowd – the most accurate gauge of truth, according to proponents of prediction markets – and that it's still early for the industry.Losing bet aside, Brunet said his investigation into Gay has done wonders for his subscriber count – much more than his investigation into Mango Markets' alleged exploiter."I got 300 subscribers from the [Mango Markets] story," he said. "And in comparison, for the Harvard story, I went from 5,700 to 8,500."Brunet said he's become “somewhat pigeonholed" after his success in reporting on academia."I almost wish I could return to writing about other topics. However, I receive many tips about academia, and my audience, which is largely academic, seems very interested in this area," he continued.When he eventually branches out, Brunet said, he plans to launch a Substack newsletter covering central bank digital currencies."We're not approaching it from a right-wing conspiracy perspective, but rather from a standpoint advocating the ethos of decentralization, which contrasts with CBDCs," he said. "We are highly critical of CBDCs, and there aren't many publications specifically opposing them." CoinDeskCrypto Read more from CoinDesk

Cardano, the eighth-largest cryptocurrency, is experiencing significant growth with numerous developments and upgrades. The latest report by Cardano builder Input Output Global (IOG) reveals that 157 projects have been launched, with 1,319 projects currently under development on the Cardano platform. Additionally, the network has seen 9.45 million native tokens across 93,021 token policies, with Plutus v1 and v2 scripts reaching 6,332 and 17,531, respectively. There have been a total of 83.4 million transactions on the Cardano network. Notable recent releases include Marlowe 0.3.0 and Hydra 0.15.0, along with node v.8.7.3 and the Lace wallet version 1.8 upgrades. The ledger team has introduced new features, and the Mithril team has finalized the client's implementation in Explorer, enabling direct certificate verification from the browser. Project Catalyst is nearing the end of its community review moderation period, with over 70,000 moderations submitted by active level 2 moderators. In collaboration with the School of Informatics Edinburgh, IOG will support a workshop on quantum-enhanced protocols in financial systems. At the time of writing, Cardano's ADA coin has seen a 3.62% increase in the past 24 hours and is trading at $0.516.

What's Going On With Cardano (ADA)? This Latest Report Says Lot Cardano, the eighth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, is booming with several developments and new upgrades. According to the most recent weekly report released by Cardano builder Input Output Global (IOG), 157 projects have been launched, with 1,319 projects now being built on Cardano. What’s going down on Cardano? Check out this week’s development update on Essential #Cardano and stay abreast of all the latest developments in core technology, wallets and services, smart contracts, and scaling and governance. t.co/QfHIL2yUTV— Input Output (@InputOutputHK) January 19, 2024 Native tokens total 9.45 million across 93,021 token policies. Plutus v1 scripts are at 6,332, while Plutus v2 scripts are now 17,531. Total transactions on the Cardano network are now 83.4 million. The beginning of 2024 has seen new releases and upgrades. The Marlowe team just announced the release of Marlowe 0.3.0, which includes many milestones. The first Hydra release of 2024, version 0.15.0, has gone live. Cardano also released node v.8.7.3, which fixes a minor issue with the Ouroboros network. The Lace wallet has also been upgraded to version 1.8. According to IOG, the ledger team has introduced several features in recent weeks, including new ledger events, an increase in the URL length limit, consensus queries and JSON instances. The Mithril team has also finalized the client's implementation in Explorer, allowing for direct certificate verification from the browser. In addition, the team upgraded the devnet to support the Conway era and enabled the Mithril era marker reader on the Cardano chain during the end-to-end testing. In addition, Project Catalyst is nearing the end of its community review moderation period. More than 70,000 moderations have been submitted by around 250 active level 2 moderators. In the last 15 years, a rush of advancements in the field of quantum-enhanced protocols has proposed new ways in which financial systems may benefit from quantum technology. In this regard, IOG will support an upcoming collaborative workshop with the School of Informatics Edinburgh, IOG Chief Scientist Aggelos Kiayias, Ethereum researcher Justin Drake and other prominent industrial and academic specialists. At the time of writing, Cardano's ADA coin was up 3.62% in the last 24 hours to trade at $0.516.

Ripple has strongly objected to the SEC's request for post-complaint discovery, arguing that the demands are unnecessary and an attempt to subvert the legal process. They highlight that the SEC had ample opportunity to seek the requested discovery during fact discovery but chose not to, and now lacks good cause to do so. Ripple also emphasizes that the SEC's requests seek irrelevant information to remedies. Additionally, Ripple points out that the SEC's demands are unreasonable, exceeding the allowed number of interrogatories and including irrelevant requests related to post-complaint conduct. They raise concerns that addressing the legality of Ripple's post-complaint sales could lead to lengthy ancillary litigation. The XRP community has reacted positively to Ripple's resistance, hoping for a favorable conclusion to the lawsuit in 2024.

Bitcoin BTCUSD experienced a 14.3% decline after reaching a two-year high due to anticipated ETF approvals in the U.S. Despite some investors cashing out below $50,000, experts believe that the overall bullish trend remains strong. Gabor Gurbacs, a cryptocurrency veteran and advisor at Tether Limited and VanEck, mentioned that the transfer of Bitcoin from weak hands to strong hands is normal and not surprising. He further highlighted his excitement about the potential increase in accessibility of Bitcoin as an investment instrument through approved ETFs. Additionally, on-chain analysts have determined that long-term holders typically hold their assets for 1.5-2 years before taking profits. This pattern has been consistent for at least the past 10 years. Overall, analysts view these trends positively given the profitability of long-term holdings in current market conditions.

Bitcoin (BTC) Leaving Weak Hands, VanEck's Gabor Gurbacs Says Bitcoin 📷BTCUSD, the largest cryptocurrency, lost 14.3% after setting a two-year high inspired by the long-anticipated ETFs approval in the U.S. Despite some investors deciding to take profits in sub-$50,000 waters, the core bullish trend remains unchallenged, analysts and traders say. Bitcoin 📷BTCUSD flows to strong hands: VanEck's, Tether advisor is not surprised As Bitcoins 📷BTCUSD are changing owners, "strong hands" allocate the coins being sold by weak ones. This situation does not look unusual to cryptocurrency veteran Gabor Gurbacs, strategy advisor at Tether Limited and VanEck, he said on Jan. 19 on X. Bitcoin is flowing from weak hands to strong hands. Same old. Nothing new.— Gabor Gurbacs (@gaborgurbacs) January 19, 2024 The whole situation demonstrates "nothing new," he admitted. As covered by U.Today previously, Gurbacs is excited by the potential effects of Bitcoin ETFs being green-lit by the U.S. regulators. He foresees a 10x-50x increase in the accessibility of Bitcoin 📷BTCUSD as an investment instrument for various classes of asset managers within a single year. As of printing time, Bitcoin 📷BTCUSD is changing hands at $41,539, being up by 0.9% in the last 24 hours. The BTC trading volume saw a 17% decline in the corresponding period. How strong are these hands? Meanwhile, on-chain analysts managed to estimate the "strength" of long-term holders' hands. As per the research of a pseudonymous Bitcoin 📷BTCUSD analyst who goes by @TXMCtrades on X, most of them hold their assets for 1.5-2 years before taking profits. The typical age of a coin (how long it sits idle) spent by a Long-Term Holder is about 1.5 to 2 years old, and it has been this way since as early as 2014. Some of this is an artifact of bull runs being 3.5-4 years apart but the consistency is still interesting IMO. #BTC pic.x.com/7pmufvmexd— 𝐓𝐗𝐌𝐂 (@TXMCtrades) January 20, 2024 The author and host of Alpha Beta Soup channel on trading indicated that this pattern has been valid for at least the past 10 years. By contrast, taking profits after 3.5-4 years of HODLing is an "artifact of bull runs." As covered by U.Today previously, the average long-term holder enjoys a 55% profit on their deposit given the current prices, Glassnode researchers said. This metric looks "meaningfully positive" to analysts in January 2024.

@GreySt2662 "Wombat Exchange's 'WomPets' experiment is a bold step towards innovating in the DeFi and GameFi space. Can't wait to see the impact!"

Hong Kong, Hong Kong, January 12th, 2024, Chainwire – Addressing the major challenges of user onboarding and maintaining sustainable liquidity incentives in DeFi, alongside the difficulties of retaining users and offering stable incentives outside the gaming environment in GameFi, Wombat Exchange unveils its innovative experiment, “WomPets.” This Gamified DeFi Bribe Market aims to seamlessly blend DeFi and GameFi, resolving these longstanding challenges. #Bitcoin

@asdfglkjhg2 Your dedication is truly inspiring.

BlackRock has reportedly bought a staggering 11,500 Bitcoin from the available supply during the latest dip since the launch of its spot Bitcoin ETF. This amount is significant, considering that only 900 BTC are issued daily. The purchase by BlackRock effectively represents about 13 days’ worth of Bitcoin production being absorbed by a single player. #Bitcoin

@AlexReyes10126 The SEC's active engagement with major cryptocurrency exchanges like Coinbase, Kraken, and Binance/Binance.US reflects a heightened regulatory focus on the industry's compliance.

Court cases Obviously the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has had a pretty active year, with lawsuits against Coinbase, Kraken and Binance/Binance.US over the past 12 months (really the past seven). While the regulator's case against Ripple shows us that it may take a while for these cases to resolve, we'll still start seeing how the courts view the arguments being made. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission will likewise have an interesting role next year. CFTC Chair Rostin Behnam has said on a number of public occasions that he's proud of how many enforcement actions his agency's taken, and that's not likely to let up next year. Beyond that, there's also the national security and criminal cases. USA v. Avi Eisenberg, Roman Storm, Alex Mashinsky, Changpeng Zhao and even Samuel Bankman-Fried (round 2) will see federal prosecutors raise some interesting legal questions for the crypto industry. Bankman-Fried and Zhao both have sentencing hearings coming up in the first half of the new year. Zhao is looking at 10-18 months or so when he's sentenced in late February 2024 after pleading guilty to one charge of violating the Bank Secrecy Act as the former CEO of Binance. Bankman-Fried, of course, faces a much longer sentence after a jury convicted him on seven different charges in early November. He also faces a potential second trial. We may not know for a few more months whether the DOJ intends to proceed on the second trial, which is currently scheduled to begin in early March. If prosecutors move forward, Bankman-Fried's sentencing, currently set for later in March, will probably be delayed.

@vanessavaquiz In the first trading session of the year, sugar experienced gains along with an upward movement in arabica prices.

Sugar gains in the year's 1st trading session, arabica also up #Futures

@marinastoll15 The offshore yuan weakened, trading at approximately 7.13 against the US dollar, as investors responded to contrasting manufacturing data in China, causing it to retreat from its seven-month peak.

Chinese Yuan Slips Amid Mixed Data The offshore yuan slipped to around 7.13 per dollar, moving away from seven-month highs as investors reacted to mixed factory activity data in China. #Forex

According to the latest update, it is expected that US oil prices may find some support within the range of $69.71 to $69.87. This suggests that there could be a potential level where the market might be interested in buying, potentially influencing the future direction of the oil market.

US oil may seek support in $69.71-$69.87 range #Futures

@GreySt2662 Dogecoin has gained significant attention in recent times with its skyrocketing value and popularity among investors. Its journey to the moon seems promising, attracting a wide range of enthusiasts who believe in its potential for growth and success in the cryptocurrency market.

Dogecoin To The Moon 🌙✨

Starting in 2024, new regulations under the infrastructure bill signed by President Joe Biden mandate that any digital asset transactions exceeding $10,000 must be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in compliance with IRS rules. This development marks a significant step towards increased transparency and regulation in the cryptocurrency space. #Bitcoin #Crypto

IRS rules require reporting data from $10k crypto transactions in 2024 Aspects of the infrastructure bill signed into law by United States President Joe Biden are now in effect — including provisions requiring many digital asset transactions worth more than $10,000 to be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). #Bitcoin #Crypto

In December, Paypal and the first digital stablecoins emerged as dominant players, surpassing $131.69 billion in market capitalization. Surprisingly, only two out of the top ten stablecoins experienced an increase in their 30-day supply. Tether, the leading U.S. dollar-pegged crypto, saw a modest 2.5% growth, while the newcomer, first digital usd, enjoyed an impressive 85.7% surge. These trends indicate a potential shift in the stablecoin landscape, with Binance USD possibly heading towards extinction. #ETH

Paypal and First Digital Stablecoins Dominate in December as Binance USD Heads Toward Extinction The leading stablecoins, in terms of market capitalization, concluded 2023 with a combined value of around $131.69 billion, yet only two of the top ten experienced increases in 30-day supply. Data reveals that tether, the leading U.S. dollar-pegged crypto asset, observed a 2.5% uptick in its supply, while the newcomer, first digital usd, enjoyed a substantial 85.7% rise. #ETH