Author: Ethan Carter
Ethan is a seasoned cryptocurrency writer with extensive experience contributing to leading U.S.-based blockchain and fintech publications. His work blends in-depth market analysis with accessible explanations, making complex crypto topics understandable for a broad audience. Over the years, he has covered Bitcoin, Ethereum, DeFi, NFTs, and emerging blockchain trends, always with a focus on accuracy and insight. Ethan's articles have appeared on major crypto portals, where his expertise in market trends and investment strategies has earned him a loyal readership.
The narrative surrounding Bitcoin’s year is often framed through the dollar chart, highlighting a tumultuous fourth quarter where BTC fluctuated wildly over two chaotic months. The price surged to nearly $124,700 in late October before plummeting to the mid-$80,000s in November, a drop that wiped out more than $40,000 from its peak to its lowest point. This volatility led traders to debate throughout the autumn whether the market’s overall structure remained stable, even as it sought to recover from the initial shock. However, when examining the same time frame in ounces of gold, a different perspective emerges. This approach reveals…
Originally a standout non-fungible token (NFT) venture during the 2021 cryptocurrency surge, Pudgy Penguins is now gaining real-world exposure through a prominent advertisement at the Las Vegas Sphere during the Christmas season.Only a select few crypto brands have secured advertisements at the Sphere, a colossal venue adorned with LED displays, renowned for hosting immersive shows by artists like U2 and the Eagles. A bitcoin-centered campaign took place in July, making other instances quite uncommon.The Pudgy Penguins advertisement is set to run for several days commencing December 24, featuring multiple animated segments, as disclosed by a source familiar with the arrangement.…
Brazil’s leading privately-owned asset manager, Itáu Asset Management, suggests that investors consider allocating between 1% and 3% of their portfolios to bitcoin BTC$90,258.44.In a year-end report, Renato Eid, the head of beta strategies and responsible investment at Itaú Asset Management, noted that bitcoin’s low correlation with traditional local assets makes it a beneficial diversification strategy.This recommendation aligns with suggestions from other prominent asset managers. Earlier this month, Bank of America empowered wealth advisors to suggest a BTC allocation of up to 4%, while BlackRock confirmed a 2% recommendation.Eid stressed the importance of a cautious approach, advising against making crypto the…
Investment products in traditional finance are experiencing unprecedented levels, yet interest in speculative assets remains low within the cryptocurrency sphere.Crypto investors are showing diminished interest in speculation, with the dominance of memecoins over altcoins reaching its lowest point in nearly two years, a level last seen in February 2024, according to crypto analytics firm CryptoQuant.“Memecoin markets are lifeless,” commented CryptoQuant co-founder and CEO Ki Young Ji in a post on X on Thursday. Memecoin dominance within altcoin markets. Source: Ki Young JuConversely, equity investors are exhibiting a rising appetite for speculation, as traditional leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) reached an all-time…
The news that MSCI — one of the leading global index providers — is considering the exclusion of digital asset treasuries (DATs) from its indexes has sent shockwaves through the crypto community. JP Morgan’s mention of this in their research note on Strategy only intensified the discussion, bringing the term “Operation Chokepoint” back into focus on Crypto Twitter. Yet, MSCI might have a legitimate concern regarding DATs.MSCI ranks among the largest index providers globally, managing over $18 trillion in ETFs and institutional assets linked to its benchmarks. Therefore, safeguarding investors is a critical component of their role — they emphasize…
Bitcoin (BTC) faced persistent horizontal resistance on Friday, with $94,000 being the next target for bullish traders.Key points:Bitcoin continues to test known resistance levels as optimism about market stability grows.The recent dip was attributed to “manipulative” influences, according to analysts.Gold approaching new all-time highs poses an “extremely bearish” macro challenge for Bitcoin.BTC price: Days or weeks until “upward breakout”Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView indicated fluctuating BTC price movements following a peak at $95,500 the previous day. BTC/USD one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewFacing various resistance levels on the daily chart, BTC/USD prepared for what some believe will be a breakout.“Bitcoin…
CoinDesk has kicked off its annual Most Influential list this week, highlighting individuals and groups that significantly impacted the crypto industry over the past 11+ months. U.S. President Donald Trump is at the forefront as the first recognized individual by CoinDesk, along with others who have influenced crypto legislation.You’re reading State of Crypto, a CoinDesk newsletter focused on the interplay between cryptocurrency and government. Click here to subscribe for future editions.The narrativeThis year, U.S. President Donald Trump has arguably exerted the most substantial influence on the crypto industry and its surrounding discourse. He has signed executive orders, urged Congress to…
Strategy maintained its position in the Nasdaq 100 during this year’s rebalancing, marking its first successful evaluation in the benchmark since its entry into the index last December.The firm, formerly known as MicroStrategy, has become the leading corporate holder of Bitcoin (BTC). Following its recent acquisition of 10,624 Bitcoin for approximately $962.7 million last week, Strategy’s total Bitcoin holdings have reached 660,624 BTC, valued at nearly $60 billion.The latest reconfiguration of the Nasdaq 100 resulted in the removal of Biogen, CDW, GlobalFoundries, Lululemon, On Semiconductor, and Trade Desk from the tech-focused index. Conversely, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Ferrovial, Insmed, Monolithic Power Systems,…
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) is anticipated to increase interest rates for the first time since January, raising the policy rate by 25 basis points to 0.75% from 0.50%, as reported by Nikkei. This decision, expected on December 19, would bring Japanese interest rates to their highest in about three decades.The potential repercussions for global markets are unclear; however, changes in Japan have historically been bearish for bitcoin BTC$90.378,26 and the broader cryptocurrency market. A stronger yen has often associated with downward pressure on bitcoin, while a weaker yen has been favorable for price increases. Yen strength restricts global liquidity…
Europe’s cryptocurrency regulatory landscape is facing increased scrutiny as policymakers deliberate whether the enforcement of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation should be retained by national authorities or centralized under the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).MiCA, which is set to largely take effect at the start of 2025, aims to establish a cohesive rulebook for crypto-asset service providers throughout the European Union.As implementation advances, the growing discrepancies between member states are becoming increasingly evident. Some regulators have issued numerous licenses, whereas others have granted only a few, raising concerns regarding uneven supervision and potential regulatory arbitrage.This week, Cointelegraph’s Byte-Sized…