Category: crypto

Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, has reported its largest quarterly Bitcoin acquisition to date in Q4 of 2024. The company purchased 218,887 BTC, bringing its total holdings to 447,470 BTC. It has a funding strategy to secure $42 billion over three years, with $20 billion already secured. Key performance indicators have been introduced to track…

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino denied rumors of developing a blockchain, emphasizing the company’s commitment to expanding USDT across multiple networks. Tether focuses on partnerships and interoperability rather than centralizing control. They are also developing AI-driven applications to enhance user experience. Tether reported record-breaking profits in 2024.

Bitcoin (BTC) network activity has decreased significantly, leading to its fair value being estimated between $48,000 and $95,000 according to CryptoQuant. The decline in activity is driven by a decrease in the number of transactions, particularly related to the Runes protocol. Despite this, Bitcoin remains resilient and outperformed the broader crypto market in January.

Ransomware payments in the crypto industry decreased by 35% in 2024, falling to $813 million from the previous year’s $1.25 billion. This decline was attributed to stricter law enforcement actions, international cooperation, and growing victim resistance. Attackers adapted their laundering techniques, shifting from mixing services to cross-chain bridges, with a significant portion of ransom funds…

The FDIC is revising its guidelines to allow banks to engage in certain crypto-related activities without prior approval. Some banks are advocating for offering crypto custody services and exploring tokenized deposits. The FDIC released documents related to “pause letters” sent to financial institutions advising them to halt crypto services. Coinbase filed a FOIA request for…

MicroStrategy rebrands to Strategy to focus on being a Bitcoin Treasury Company and a business intelligence firm. The new logo features a stylized “B” representing its Bitcoin strategy. The company’s primary color is now orange, a nod to Bitcoin. Strategy aims to advance Bitcoin and artificial intelligence, with shares seen as a proxy for Bitcoin…

The CFTC has reorganized its Division of Enforcement to focus on combating fraud and protecting victims, aiming to streamline investigations and ensure fair oversight without imposing new compliance standards. Two primary task forces will handle complex fraud and retail investor fraud cases, aiming to maximize resources and adapt to evolving financial markets.

Solana (SOL) currently holds 15% of the smart contract platform market cap, projected to rise to 22% by 2025, potentially reaching $520. VanEck attributes Solana’s growth to developer presence, DEX volumes, revenue, and active users. MEV revenue structure and dapp growth are key factors in Solana’s market expansion.

BlackRock is planning to launch a Bitcoin ETP in Europe, potentially in Switzerland, with marketing starting this month. The European market for crypto ETPs is relatively small compared to the US, with BlackRock’s US ETP having lower fees. BlackRock’s success in Europe may be hindered by investor risk aversion.

MetaMask has introduced a Gas Station feature allowing users to pay network fees using Ethereum-based tokens instead of ETH. This aims to enhance accessibility and streamline transactions, particularly for DeFi users. The feature is integrated with the Swaps function and sources gas fee pricing from multiple sources to provide competitive fees.