January — Week #3
🤑 Markets
- Core CPI Decline Boosts Bitcoin Price: Bitcoin experienced a price increase due to a surprising decline in core Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures. This trend reflects the market's sensitivity to inflation data and economic indicators.
- Spot Bitcoin ETFs Exceed Expectations in 2024: Spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2024 surpassed market expectations, indicating strong investor interest and institutional adoption. The outlook for 2025 suggests continued growth and potential increased acceptance of Bitcoin as an investment vehicle.
- MicroStrategy Acquires 2,530 Bitcoin for $243M: MicroStrategy acquired 2,530 Bitcoin for $243 million, increasing its total Bitcoin holdings to approximately 450,000 BTC. This acquisition continues the company's strategy of accumulating Bitcoin as a primary treasury reserve asset.
- Intesa Sanpaolo Purchases €1 Million in Bitcoin: Intesa Sanpaolo, one of Italy's largest banking institutions, has made a significant move by purchasing €1 million worth of Bitcoin. This purchase reflects a growing interest in cryptocurrency among traditional financial institutions.
- BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF Options Dominate Deribit: Bitcoin options linked to BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF have seen significant growth, accounting for nearly 50% of Deribit's BTC open interest within two months. This surge indicates increasing market interest and speculation surrounding the potential approval and impact of Bitcoin ETFs.
🧑⚖️ Policy & Regulation
- Thailand SEC Considers Direct Bitcoin ETF Approval: Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is evaluating the possibility of approving a direct Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) for local exchanges. This move could provide investors in Thailand with more accessible and regulated investment options in Bitcoin.
- U.S. Prosecutors Seek Return of Stolen Bitcoin: U.S. prosecutors are seeking court approval to return 95,000 stolen Bitcoin to Bitfinex, which was stolen in a 2016 hack. This move follows the recovery of these funds through law enforcement efforts targeting individuals involved in laundering the stolen cryptocurrency.
- Bitfinex Hack: $9 Billion Bitcoin Recovery: The Bitfinex hack, which occurred in 2016, resulted in the theft of nearly 120,000 Bitcoin, valued at around $3.6 billion at the time. Recent developments indicate that authorities have recovered a significant portion of the stolen Bitcoin, worth over $9 billion, primarily through tracking and seizing assets linked to the crime.
- Trump's Treasury Pick to Divest Bitcoin Holdings: A potential Treasury nominee plans to divest from Bitcoin ETF holdings to avoid any conflicts of interest. This move is aimed at ensuring clarity and transparency in their upcoming role.
- Spot Bitcoin ETFs Revolutionize Finance Daily: Spot Bitcoin ETFs have completed one year of trading, marking a significant milestone in the cryptocurrency market. Their performance and the regulatory landscape will continue to shape the future of Bitcoin ETFs and institutional investment in Bitcoin.
🧠 Decentralization
- Bitcoin and Solidarity on the Ark: Arka Noego is an initiative that emphasizes solidarity within the Bitcoin community, focusing on mutual aid and support among participants. It aims to create a strong network that encourages collaboration and promotes the adoption and understanding of Bitcoin.
⚙️ Technology
- Bitcoin Miners Face Economic Irrationality: Bitcoin miners face economic challenges due to the volatility of Bitcoin prices and the costs associated with mining operations. Their long-term profitability can be jeopardized by making irrational financial decisions, especially during market downturns.
- Bitcoin Dominates Crypto Market Amid Bullish Trends: Bitcoin is projected to experience significant growth in 2024, driven by increased demand and institutional adoption. Market factors such as regulatory developments and macroeconomic trends will likely play a critical role in shaping its price trajectory.
- Bitcoin Difficulty Hits All-Time High Again: Bitcoin's mining difficulty has reached an all-time high, reflecting increased competition among miners. The difficulty adjustment has been positive for the eighth consecutive time, indicating a robust mining ecosystem.
- Bitcoiners Should View Quantum Computing as Threat: Quantum computing poses potential threats to the cryptographic security of Bitcoin, specifically targeting the algorithms that protect private keys and transaction signatures. Bitcoin developers and researchers are exploring post-quantum cryptography solutions to safeguard the network against these advancements.
🌈 Adoption
- Why Hundreds of Companies Will Buy Bitcoin: In 2025, a growing number of companies are expected to adopt Bitcoin as a part of their treasury strategy, driven by increasing institutional interest and regulatory clarity. This trend may lead to greater mainstream acceptance and usage of Bitcoin as a legitimate asset class.
- Corporate Bitcoin Adoption Forges Ahead Rapidly: Corporate adoption of Bitcoin is increasing as more publicly traded companies integrate it into their financial strategies. This trend reflects a growing acceptance of Bitcoin as a legitimate asset for investment and balance sheet diversification.
- Fidelity Forecasts Accelerated National Bitcoin Adoption: Fidelity projects that national adoption of Bitcoin will accelerate in 2025, driven by increasing institutional interest and infrastructure development. This growth is expected to enhance Bitcoin's legitimacy and usage in various sectors.
- Bitcoin Adoption Surpasses Internet and Mobile Phones: Bitcoin adoption is increasing rapidly, outpacing the early adoption rates of the internet and mobile phones. This trend highlights Bitcoin's growing acceptance and utilization as a financial asset worldwide.
- Syria Explores Embrace of Bitcoin: Bitcoin is being adopted in Syria as a means of overcoming economic challenges and access issues related to traditional banking systems. Its decentralized nature offers a potential solution for individuals seeking financial stability amid ongoing conflict and sanctions.
📅 Bitcoin Events Coming Up
International Conference on Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies (ICBC) - San Diego
🗓️ When: January 16, 2025
📍 Where: San Diego, United States
This conference is part of a series of events focused on blockchain and cryptocurrencies. It will bring together experts, researchers, and practitioners to discuss the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in the field of blockchain and cryptocurrencies. The event will include presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities, making it a valuable experience for those interested in the technical, economic, and social aspects of these technologies.
International Conference on Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies (ICBC) - New York
🗓️ When: January 30, 2025
📍 Where: New York, United States
Similar to the San Diego event, this conference in New York will delve into various aspects of blockchain and cryptocurrencies. It will feature presentations from industry experts, researchers, and innovators, providing a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and discussions on the future of blockchain and cryptocurrency.
International Conference on Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies (ICBC) - Houston
🗓️ When: February 10, 2025
📍 Where: Houston, United States
This event in Houston is another installment of the ICBC series. It aims to gather professionals and enthusiasts to explore the latest trends, innovations, and challenges in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space. The conference will include a range of topics, from technical advancements to regulatory issues, and will offer opportunities for networking and collaboration.
Catholic/Crypto Virtual Meetup
🗓️ When: February 10, 2025
📍 Where: Online
Hosted by the Catholic/Crypto Network, this virtual meetup is designed to explore the intersection of faith and digital currency. The event will feature discussions, networking opportunities, and possibly some friendly debates among participants. It is open to both devout Catholics and crypto enthusiasts, providing a unique platform for those interested in the philosophical and ethical aspects of cryptocurrencies.
International Conference on Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies (ICBC) - New York
🗓️ When: February 17, 2025
📍 Where: New York, United States
This is another ICBC event in New York, focusing on blockchain and cryptocurrencies. It will include presentations, panel discussions, and networking sessions, covering a wide range of topics related to the industry. This event is part of a series that aims to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration among professionals and enthusiasts.
International Conference on Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies (ICBC) - Washington
🗓️ When: February 24, 2025
📍 Where: Washington, United States
The ICBC event in Washington will continue the series of conferences aimed at discussing the latest developments in blockchain and cryptocurrencies. The event will feature expert presentations, discussions on regulatory frameworks, and opportunities for networking, making it a valuable experience for those involved in or interested in the industry.
Santa Cruz Bitcoin & Cryptocurrency Meetup
🗓️ When: February 19, 2025
📍 Where: Santa Cruz, CA, United States
This is a monthly in-person meetup for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency enthusiasts. The event includes informal networking, snacks, and drinks from 6:30 to 7:00 PM, followed by presentations and general discussions on cryptocurrencies. It also offers assistance with setting up wallets and other practical aspects of using cryptocurrencies. The meetup is open to a diverse group of individuals, including techies, activists, scholars, and more.
🤔🤔 Wanna learn more? Check out the BLOCKTALK!