Bitcoin Futures CME (BTC)

Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC) Common units of fractional undivided beneficial interest (ARCA: BTC)

에 대한 최신 뉴스 Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC) Common units of fractional undivided beneficial interest (ARCA:BTC)

Community Bankers Trust Corporation.

AMEX

Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC) is solely and passively invested in Bitcoin. Its investment objective is to reflect the value of Bitcoin held by the Trust, less expenses and other liabilities.

Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

Cryptocurrency

Sector ETFs

ETFs

$BTC

$ETH

ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF

ARKB

Bitwise Bitcoin ETF Common Shares of Beneficial Interest

BITB

ETHA

ETHV

Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund

FBTC

Fidelity Ethereum Fund Fidelity Ethereum Fund

FETH

IBIT

비트코인(CRYPTO: BTC)과 이더리움(CRYPTO: ETH) 현물 ETF는 지난 4일 동안 각각 32억 6천만 달러와 7,443만 달러의 유입을 기록했다.

비트코인·이더리움 ETF, 시장 변동성과 정책 불확실성에도 기록적 자금 유입 발생

News

Markets

ARKK

BITO

BITX

GBTC

PLTR

TSLA

 아크 인베스트먼트 매니지먼트의 설립자 캐시 우드는 2024년 대선에서 도널드 트럼프가 카멀라 해리스를 물리치고 당선된 이후 인수합병(M&amp;A)이 급증할 것으로 예상했다.

캐시 우드의 예측: 트럼프 2기 M&amp;A 급증, &#34;금보다 더 희귀한 비트코인&#34; 지속 상승

Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC) Common units of fractional undivided beneficial interest

Bitcoin - United States Dollar

Bitcoin 2

BACTOLAC PHARM INC by Bactolac Pharmaceutical, Inc.

Bitcoin BEP2

BTCDOWN - United States Dollar

NEOS ETF Trust NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF

T-Rex 2X Long Bitcoin Daily Target ETF

BIT Mining Ltd

Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF Common Shares of Beneficial Interest

Bitcoin Private

BTCpy - United States Dollar

BTCS Inc

Bitcoin Standard Hashrate Token

BTC Digital Ltd

Bitcoin - TrueUSD

BTCUP - United States Dollar

WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund Common Shares of Beneficial Interest

Bluesky Digital Assets Corp

BLUESKY DIGITAL ASSET CRP by Bluesky Digital Assets Corp.

Biotricity Inc

BitcoinZ

Cathie Wood, the founder of asset management firm&nbsp;Ark Invest, expressed uncertainty about the utility of President Donald Trump&#8217;s coin on Wednesday, adding that her company has avoided memecoin investments.
What Happened: During an interview with Bloomberg TV, Wood labeled the launch of Official Trump&nbsp;(TRUMP)&nbsp;as part of a &#8220;memecoin moment,&#8221; but only time will tell if it becomes useful in some way.
&#8220;I mean there is speculation that you&#8217;ll get to meet President Trump as one of the utilities of owning this coin. I don&#8217;t know if that&#8217;s the case or not. But so far, we don&#8217;t know of much utility for this coin, except that it is a meme coin of President Trump,&#8221; the veteran investor said.
That said, Wood noted that the launch could potentially symbolize the &#8220;next phase of&nbsp;the cryptocurrency revolution.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">.<a href="https://twitter.com/ARKInvest?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ARKInvest</a> CEO and CIO Cathie Wood says we don&#39;t know if President Trump&#39;s memecoin holds much utility, but Trump is &quot;ushering in the next phase of the crypto revolution.&quot; She speaks with <a href="https://twitter.com/scarletfu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@scarletfu</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/kgreifeld?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kgreifeld</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/EricBalchunas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EricBalchunas</a> on &quot;ETF IQ&quot; <a href="https://t.co/YbD2ANk8TA">https://t.co/YbD2ANk8TA</a> <a href="https://t.co/pxlEjL3ZUA">pic.twitter.com/pxlEjL3ZUA</a>
&mdash; Bloomberg TV (@BloombergTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/BloombergTV/status/1882153888981123336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
When asked if she would buy the cryptocurrency, Wood responded that Ark Invest has mostly stayed away from meme coins, focusing instead on the &#8220;Big Three,&#8221; namely Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), and Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>).
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43119637/michael-saylors-proposal-to-increase-microstratagys-share-count-approved-by-shareholders-more-bitcoin-purchases-on-the-cards">Michael Saylor&#8217;s Proposal To Increase MicroStratagy&#8217;s Share Count Approved By Shareholders — More Bitcoin Purchases On The Cards?</a>
Why It Matters: The meme coin, which was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43080060/donald-trump-and-melania-memecoins-combined-market-value-is-now-higher-than-that-of-warren-buffetts-hot-pick">launched last weekend</a>, has seen wild fluctuations in its price and capitalization.
At its peak, the coin spawned a fully diluted valuation of nearly $75 billion, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43080060/donald-trump-and-melania-memecoins-combined-market-value-is-now-higher-than-that-of-warren-buffetts-hot-pick">well over many reputed publicly-listed firms</a>. As of this writing, the valuation has halved to $36.79 billion.
Entities affiliated with The Trump Organization control 80% of the coin&#8217;s supply. When President Trump was asked about the "several billion dollars" the memecoin has raked in, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43118779/trump-memecoin-regains-momentum-rallies-22-as-the-president-calls-billions-earned-through-the-venture-as-peanuts">he deemed them</a> &#8220;peanuts.&#8221;
Price Action: At the time of writing, TRUMP was exchanging hands at $36.59, crashing 11.94% in the last 24 hours, according to data from <a href="https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/official-trump/">CoinMarketCap</a>.
Image via Flickr
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43118234/president-trump-signs-executive-order-to-pardon-silk-road-creator-ross-ulbricht">President Trump Signs Executive Order To Pardon Silk Road Creator Ross Ulbricht</a></li>
</ul>

$SOL

Cathie Wood Was Asked If She Would Buy TRUMP Coin, Here's What She Said

Leading cryptocurrencies dipped on Wednesday, diverging with the stock market rally, as the market expects more from the new Donald Trump administration.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 7:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>-2.33%</td>
<td>$103,392.39</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-2.13%</td>
<td>$3,255.66</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-1.94%</td>
<td>$0.3612</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin steadily fell from the highs of $107,000 tapped the day before. The top cryptocurrency hit an intraday low of $102,561 overnight.
Ethereum followed a similar trajectory, losing more than 2% of its value in the last 24 hours. The second-largest cryptocurrency has suffered losses of more than 5% over the week.
Though the SEC under acting Chairman Mark Uyeda launched a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/25/01/43110946/sec-launches-crypto-task-force-to-establish-clear-regulatory-framework"> dedicated cryptocurrency task force</a> to frame regulations for the industry, investors have been left disappointed due to no cryptocurrency-related executive orders from Trump thus far.
In the past 24 hours, 96,027 traders were liquidated, with total liquidations at $185.56 million. Upside bets worth $133.52 million were wiped out.
Long liquidations likely caused Bitcoin's Open Interest to slip by 3.06% in the last 24 hours.
That said, a rebound to $107,000 could liquidate nearly $565 million worth of short positions.
The market sentiment cooled from "Extreme Greed" to "Greed" over the last 24 hours, according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 7:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>XDC Network (XDC)</td>
<td>+14.13%</td>
<td>$0.1318</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Worldcoin (WLD)</td>
<td>+8.21%</td>
<td>$2.28</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pudgy Penguins (PENGU)</td>
<td>+5.10%</td>
<td>$0.02501</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.62 trillion, expanding by 3.62% in the last 24 hours.
Stocks surged for the second straight trading day of the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 130.92 points, or 0.30%, to close at 44,156.73. The S&amp;P 500 lifted 0.61%, ending at&nbsp; 6,086.37, just below its record closing highs. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 1.28% to close at 20,009.34.
Artificial intelligence players, including Nvidia Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), surged as President Donald Trump announced a $500 billion initiative <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/01/43135764/trumps-500-billion-stargate-ai-plan-puts-3-etfs-in-focus">to bolster the industry</a> in the U.S. Nvidia rallied 4.43% during Wednesday's session.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Widely followed cryptocurrency technical analyst Rekt Capital noted that Bitcoin likely entered a re-accumulation phase before trend continuation to new all-time highs.
"The last time Bitcoin experienced re-accumulation was in the post-halving re-accumulation phase. Bitcoin rallied +46% upon breakout from that phase," the analyst added.
A similar move could propel the apex cryptocurrency to nearly $150,000, Rekt Capital projected.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BTC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BTC</a> Bitcoin is likely experiencing another Re-Accumulation period before trend continuation to new All Time Highs The last time Bitcoin experienced Re-Accumulation was in the Post-Halving Re-Accumulation phase Bitcoin rallied +46% upon breakout from that phase If Bitcoin is… <a href="https://t.co/66cu6CjZmS">pic.twitter.com/66cu6CjZmS</a>
&mdash; Rekt Capital (@rektcapital) <a href="https://twitter.com/rektcapital/status/1882105114707587223?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Popular cryptocurrency trader Michaël van de Poppe made optimistic predictions for Ethereum, owing to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43088676/trump-backed-world-liberty-financial-bags-47-million-each-of-ethereum-wrapped-bitcoin-to-honor-the-new-president">large purchases</a> by World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance platform backed by Trump.
"The fact that World Liberty has been buying so much ETH makes me more bullish on that particular asset," he said. "I think it&#8217;s going to start and make a great revival through 2025."
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The fact that World Liberty has been buying so much <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> makes me more bullish on that particular asset. I don&#39;t think <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> is the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ADA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ADA</a> of this cycle. I think it&#39;s going to start and make a great revival through 2025.
&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1882078516847538192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Photo by Avi Rozen on Shutterstock
Read Next:    
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43119637/michael-saylors-proposal-to-increase-microstratagys-share-count-approved-by-shareholders-more-bitcoin-purchases-on-the-cards">Michael Saylor&#8217;s Proposal To Increase MicroStratagy&#8217;s Share Count Approved By Shareholders — More Bitcoin Purchases On The Cards?</a></li>
</ul>

Movers

Trading Ideas

$DOGE

NVDA

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Drop Amid Stock Rally, Cooling Investor Sentiment On Trump: Analyst Projects BTC At $150K If History Repeats

MicroStrategy Incorporated (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) shares closed down Wednesday, due to a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43142275/bitcoin-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-reel-downwards-but-trader-hints-at-bitcoin-god-candle-loading"> decline in Bitcoin's (CRYPTO: BTC/USD) price</a>, which dropped 1.73% to $104,313.65.
What To Know: Bitcoin transaction volume over $100,000 decreased by 15%, while netflows dropped 307%, signaling a possible cooling of market activity. Over $161 million in liquidations occurred in the past 24 hours, which put additional pressure on the market. 
While BlackRock clients facilitated the purchase of $600 million in Bitcoin via an ETF, market sentiment remains cautious due to the nature of these transactions.
Bitcoin's liquidity is concentrated between $96,000 and $111,000, with support levels between $88,000-$95,000. If these levels fail, Bitcoin could drop further, potentially impacting MicroStrategy's stock as well. 
Despite the short-term volatility, Bitcoin&#8217;s overall bullish trend remains intact as long as it stays above $58,000, which provides some stability for MicroStrategy.
Why It Matters: For MicroStrategy, the company's heavy exposure to Bitcoin potentially means its stock is especially sensitive to Bitcoin's price. The company also recently received shareholder approval for a proposal to increase its share count, which could lead to more Bitcoin purchases in the future. 
MSTR Price Action: Microstrategy shares closed Wednesday down 3.03% at $377.31, according to<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/pro/register/?utm_source=BZprocontent072224&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"> Benzinga Pro.</a>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent012225&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="521" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/22165820/Screenshot-2025-01-22-at-16.57.45-1024x521.png" alt="" class="wp-image-745617" style="width:502px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/22165820/Screenshot-2025-01-22-at-16.57.45-1024x521.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/22165820/Screenshot-2025-01-22-at-16.57.45-300x153.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/22165820/Screenshot-2025-01-22-at-16.57.45-768x391.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/22165820/Screenshot-2025-01-22-at-16.57.45.png 1437w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43138667/donald-melania-trump-meme-coins-are-a-personal-brand-play-says-anthony-pompliano">Donald, Melania Trump Meme Coins Are A Personal Brand Play, Says Anthony Pompliano</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock.

After-Hours Center

MSTR

MicroStrategy Shares Are Down With Bitcoin Today: What's Going On?

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) and Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) spot <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">ETFs</a> registered inflows of $3.26 billion and $74.43 million, respectively, over the past four days.
The surge comes despite President Donald Trump&#8216;s unexpected omission of crypto-talk in his inauguration speech and the following volatility in the cryptocurrency market.
The record inflow occurred on Jan. 17, Sosovalue data shows. Some $1.08 billion flowed into various Bitcoin funds. On Jan. 21, the inflows were $802.5 million. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bitcoin ETFs</h3>
<ul>
<li>BlackRock&#8217;s iShares Bitcoin Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBIT#NASDAQ">IBIT</a>) gained the most with $661.86 million net inflows.</li>
<li>Grayscale&#8217;s Bitcoin Mini Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BTC#NYSE">BTC</a>) saw an inflow of $136.39 million</li>
<li>ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKB#NYSE">ARKB</a>) brought in $8.51 million.</li>
<li>Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FBTC#BATS">FBTC</a>) attracted $6.97 million.</li>
</ul>
Only Bitwise&#8217;s Bitcoin ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BITB#NYSE">BITB</a>) experienced an outflow for the day, with the fund losing $17.41 million. 
Bitcoin spot ETFs collectively manage $123.59 billion net asset value. That&#8217;s equal to about 5.88% of Bitcoin&#8217;s total market value.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/new-etfs/25/01/43129309/new-bond-etf-aims-for-high-income-through-flexible-multi-asset-strategy">New Bond ETF Aims For High Income Through Flexible Multi-Asset Strategy</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ethereum ETFs</h3>
<ul>
<li>BlackRock&#8217;s iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETHA#NASDAQ">ETHA</a>) led the way with $56.31 million. </li>
<li>Grayscale&#8217;s Ethereum Mini Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETH#NYSE">ETH</a>) fund brought in $12.49 million</li>
<li>VanEck Ethereum ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETHV#BATS">ETHV</a>) attracted $3.65 million</li>
<li>Fidelity&#8217;s Ethereum Fund (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FETH#BATS">FETH</a>) gained $3.32 million.</li>
</ul>
Overall, nine spot Ether ETFs now manage $12.07 billion in assets, which is equivalent to about 3% of Ether&#8217;s market capitalization.
Trump&#8217;s reticence on cryptocurrency at his inauguration was blamed for Bitcoin falling from $106,000 before the president&#8217;s address to $101,000 during the speech, It&#8217;s currently hovering at around $104,000. 
Solana was also under pressure and fell almost 10% from its all-time high. Investors may be betting on the long-term vision of the future of crypto and taking this as an opportunity to enter the crypto world.
See Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/01/43135764/trumps-500-billion-stargate-ai-plan-puts-3-etfs-in-focus">Trump's $500 Billion Stargate AI Plan Puts 3 ETFs In Focus</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Bitcoin, Ethereum ETFs Attract Record Inflows Despite Market Volatility, Policy Uncertainty

California Democrat and political commentator Van Jones characterized the act of some people buying Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) as a form of &#8220;prayer,&#8221; reflecting a hope for a better financial outcome amid economic uncertainty and frustration with governmental financial policies.
&#8220;A lot of people are buying crypto as a prayer, as a prayer for a better tomorrow, as a hope that somehow something will go good for them,&#8221; he said on Sunday.
Jones argued that the regulatory approach by the Biden administration has inadvertently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/11/41996491/18-republican-states-sue-bidens-sec-over-harsh-crypto-crackdown">stifled innovation</a> in the crypto space.
He criticized the government&#8217;s crackdown on more useful cryptocurrencies, saying, &#8220;the more useful the coin is, the more they got attacked. 
The more useless the coin is, the less they got attacked.&#8221; 
This, according to Jones, led to the current market being dominated by meme coins, due to the lack of development and innovation stifled by regulation. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43136512/bitcoin-is-no-threat-to-the-us-dollar-goldman-sachs-ceo-says">Bitcoin Is No &#8216;Threat&#8217; To The US Dollar, Goldman Sachs CEO Says</a>
He noted that instead of protecting individuals, this overregulation has led to a negative market dynamic.
Adding to the commentary, Ashley Etienne, former Communications Director for former Vice President Kamala Harris, weighed in, labeling President Donald Trump a &#8220;grifter.&#8221;
She referenced reports alleging Trump&#8217;s family made millions from foreign governments during his presidency, and warned against Trump&#8217;s potential to profit from the crypto industry and how that's an "issue of conflicts". 
Etienne emphasized that, &#8220;there was a reason why he was called the grifter in chief in his first term." 
She went on to add &#8220;the consensus was that Donald Trump can be bought, that he can be bought in influence simply by dangling some money over his head.&#8221; 
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43133561/bitcoin-could-drop-up-to-20-as-trump-hope-fades-standard-chartered-warns">Bitcoin Could Drop Up To 20% As Trump &#8216;Hope&#8217; Fades, Standard Chartered Warns</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

People Buy Bitcoin As 'Prayer For A Better Tomorrow, CNN Pundit Van Jones Says As Former Harris Aide Slams Trump As 'Grifter In Chief'

Leading cryptocurrencies surged Tuesday after the SEC under President Donald Trump launched a dedicated cryptocurrency task force.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:00 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>+4.61%</td>
<td>$105,950.10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+3.83%</td>
<td>$3,353.90</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+3.45%</td>
<td>$0.3707</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin sailed above $107,000 during U.S. afternoon hours, following Day 1 of Trump's presidency, which made no mention of cryptocurrencies.
Profit-taking pulled the apex digital asset to the $105,000 zone in overnight trading.
Ethereum also made strides, rising to an intraday high of $3,360.
The recovery coincided with the formation of a dedicated task force by SEC's Acting Chair, Mark Uyeda, intending to develop a clear regulatory framework for the cryptocurrency industry.
The uptick hit traders betting on price declines in futures markets, with about $133 million in short positions getting liquidated.
Bitcoin's Open Interest jumped 4.71% in the last 24 hours. An increase in Open Interest, coinciding with an increase in the spot price, indicated an influx of new money into the derivatives.
That said, the number of traders shorting Bitcoin rose in comparison to those betting on a price increase, according to the Long/Short Ratio.
The "Extreme Greed" sentiment in the market intensified, according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:00 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ai16z (AI16Z)</td>
<td>+22.01%</td>
<td>$1.13</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Official Trump (TRUMP)</td>
<td>+18.77%</td>
<td>$42.97</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sonic (prev. FTM (S)</td>
<td>+17.69%</td>
<td>$0.608</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.63 trillion, rising by 2.02% in the last 24 hours.
Stocks rallied a day after Trump was sworn in as U.S. president. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lifted 537.98 points, or 1.24%, to close at 44,025.81. The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.88%, ending at 6,049.24, while the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite gained 0.64% to close at 19,756.78.
The rally came as the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/43084601/trump-day-1-executive-order-tsunami-incoming-energy-inflation-immigration-in-focus-but-what-about-tariffs"> president stopped short</a> of imposing new import tariffs on his first day in office, providing temporary relief for the market.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Widely followed cryptocurrency analyst Ali Martinez noted that Bitcoin's network activity was robust, with growth in daily active addresses and whale transactions.
"This trend signals a positive outlook for potential price appreciation," the analyst remarked.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> network activity remains strong, with daily active addresses and whale transactions increasing simultaneously. This trend signals a positive outlook for potential price appreciation. <a href="https://t.co/EMf8uyv3SB">pic.twitter.com/EMf8uyv3SB</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1881806474050941315?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Martinez highlighted whale interest in his other post, showing that over $2.24 billion worth of Bitcoin was snapped by large investors over the last 3 days.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Whales have bought over 22,000 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> in the last 72 hours, worth more than $2.24 billion! <a href="https://t.co/bl87JcROKU">pic.twitter.com/bl87JcROKU</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1881853030582395093?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Popular cryptocurrency trader Michaël van de Poppe issued bold predictions for Bitcoin and altcoins in the ongoing cycle.
"I&#8217;d rather look at valuations similar to the Dot.com bubble. $15-25 trillion of cryptocurrency market valuations. Bitcoin to $300,000+," the trader projected.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I think that this cycle we&#39;ll see <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Altcoins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Altcoins</a> tend to have a 2017-type of cycle. In that sense, $150K isn&#39;t a target for me. I&#39;d rather look at valuations similar to the <a href="https://t.co/GoodB359DI">https://t.co/GoodB359DI</a> bubble. $15-25T of crypto market valuations. Bitcoin to $300K+.
&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1881792381017874591?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Read Next:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43090399/top-crypto-analyst-disappointed-by-ethereums-weak-performance-but-doesnt-rule-out-a-rally-to-7000-heres-why">Ethereum&#8217;s &#8216;Weak&#8217; Momentum Disappoints Top Analyst, But He Doesn&#8217;t Rule Out A Rally To $7,000: Here&#8217;s Why</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Bitcoin, Ethereum Rally Amid SEC's Plans To Establish Crypto Regulations: Top Trader Issues $300,000 Target For BTC This Cycle

Leading cryptocurrencies failed to rally as expected on Monday after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the U.S.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 7:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>+1.57%</td>
<td>$101,346.96</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+1.75%</td>
<td>$3,252.20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-0.76%</td>
<td>$0.3515</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin fell steadily, reaching an intraday low of $100,626 as the top cryptocurrency failed to capitalize on its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43079668/bitcoin-hits-record-109000-ahead-of-trumps-inauguration-sparks-market-rally">surge to fresh highs of $109,000</a> ahead of the inauguration.&nbsp;
Ethereum followed a similar trajectory, retracing from a high of $3,425 to as low as $3,228.
The excitement was likely muted after Trump&#8217;s inauguration address <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43085738/trumps-crypto-silence-inauguration-omission-sparks-questions-after-history-of-mixed-signals">made no mention of cryptocurrency or Bitcoin</a>, contrary to expectations.
Moreover, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43086309/trumps-doge-committee-faces-lawsuit-over-alleged-federal-advisory-violations-and-lack-of-transparency">lawsuits</a> against the new Elon Musk-headed Department of Government Efficiency affected sentiment around Dogecoin.
About $756 million was liquidated from the market in the last 24 hours, including roughly $500 million on upside bets.
Bitcoin's Open Interest rose 1.36% in the last 24 hours, coinciding with a similar rise in the spot price.
That said, over 51% of derivatives traders had short positions opened for Bitcoin, suggesting expectations of further correction in the days ahead.
The market sentiment remained in the "Extreme Greed" zone, according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 7:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Raydium (RAY)</td>
<td>+14.71%</td>
<td>$7.36</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ai16z (AI16Z)</td>
<td>+13.29%</td>
<td>$0.9323</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lido DAO (LDO)</td>
<td>+12.13%</td>
<td>$1.82</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.53 trillion, increasing by 1.36% in the last 24 hours.
Stock futures spiked during Monday evening as President Trump began his second term. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures rose 241 points, or 0.56%, as of 7:30 p.m. EDT.&nbsp; Futures tied to the S&amp;P 500 gained 0.51%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures added 0.56%.
The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq were closed on Monday to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the markets will resume trading on Tuesday.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Widely followed cryptocurrency analyst Rekt Capital drew attention to the successful retest of $101,000 as Bitcoin's support.
"This confluent support may serve as a floor for future price action, enabling consolidation within this current $101,000-$106,000 range," the analyst added.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BTC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BTC</a> Bitcoin never ceases to amaze with its price action Harsh rejection from the Range High but the most important takeaway is this: Bitcoin has successfully retested the red diagonal and black Range Low of $101k as support This confluent support may serve as a floor for… <a href="https://t.co/ZEFwviuIoF">https://t.co/ZEFwviuIoF</a> <a href="https://t.co/MA1Xknbfhf">pic.twitter.com/MA1Xknbfhf</a>
&mdash; Rekt Capital (@rektcapital) <a href="https://twitter.com/rektcapital/status/1881403885484487086?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Another popular on-chain analyst and chartist, Ali Martinez, identified Ethereum&#8217;s $2,700–$3,000 support zone as an area of interest.
"This demand area must hold to maintain ETH's bullish outlook. A breakdown could invalidate the positive momentum," Martinez remarked.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Keep an eye on the $2,700–$3,000 support zone. This demand area must hold to maintain the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ethereum?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ethereum</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> bullish outlook. A breakdown could invalidate the positive momentum.<a href="https://t.co/nzqYWTHqEf">https://t.co/nzqYWTHqEf</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1881338342748647832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Photo by Avi Rozen on Shutterstock
Read Next:    
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43086309/trumps-doge-committee-faces-lawsuit-over-alleged-federal-advisory-violations-and-lack-of-transparency">Trump&#8217;s DOGE Committee Faces Lawsuits Over Alleged Federal Advisory Violations, Lack Of Transparency</a></li>
</ul>

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Retrace From Pre-Inauguration Highs As Trump Skips Crypto Mention: Analyst Highlights BTC Consolidation In $101K-$106K Range

President Donald Trump named Mark Uyeda, a Republican member of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), acting chair of the agency.
What Happened: The White House <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/designation-of-chairmen-and-acting-chairmen/">confirmed</a> Uyedas&#8217;s role as acting chair of the agency. 
Trump picked former SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins to oversee the SEC permanently, but Congress must approve the nomination.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43059401/bitcoin-spikes-to-104000-traders-eye-130000-target-in-late-january" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Traders Eye $130,000 Target In Late January</a>
Uyeda temporarily takes over duties from Gary Gensler, former President Joe Biden&#8216;s SEC chair, who prosecuted cryptocurrency-related companies like Coinbase and Ripple throughout his tenure. 
Gensler also advocated for more cryptocurrency regulation ahead of his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/42120607/gary-gensler-to-step-down-as-sec-chair-on-trumps-inauguration-day">departure from the SEC</a>. 
Uyeda&#8217;s legal career began at Kirkpatrick &amp; Lockhart, which is now K&amp;L Gates. 
In 2004, then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Uyeda as Chief Advisor to the California Corporations Commissioner, the state&#8217;s securities regulator.
By 2006, he joined the SEC and was eventually named commissioner on June 30, 2022.
He also <a href="https://www.sifma.org/people/mark-t-uyeda/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">served</a> as counsel to commissioner Atkins.
Why It Matters: A Trump appointment to the SEC will likely influence the agency&#8217;s policies regarding cryptocurrency regulation, Reuters reports.
Trump&#8217;s business dealings are heavily tied to cryptocurrency. On Friday, he debuted <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43082005/market-to-seek-further-information-on-utilization-of-80-trump-token-supply-says-bernstein">his own meme coin</a> called Official Trump (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TRUMP</a>) and, before that, his family helped launch World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a decentralized finance platform.
According to the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/01/17/us/politics/trump-conflicts-of-interest.html">New York Times</a>, citing 2024 financial disclosures, Trump owns up to $5 million worth of Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>). The new SEC is expected to loosen regulations on crypto and implement new guidelines that could bolster the value of Ethereum, Bitcoin (CRYPTP: BTC) and tokens at WLFI.
Now Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43085738/trumps-crypto-silence-inauguration-omission-sparks-questions-after-history-of-mixed-signals">Trump&#8217;s Crypto Silence: Inauguration Omission Sparks Questions After History Of Mixed Signals</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Politics

$TRUMP

Trump Names Uyeda Acting SEC Chair, Regulators Get Ready For Crypto Makeover

In a moment keenly watched by the global financial community, Donald Trump&#8216;s inauguration address on Monday notably <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43065423/donald-trump-to-mention-bitcoin-or-crypto-at-the-inauguration-polymarket-traders-say-theres-a-chance">omitted any mention of cryptocurrency</a>. 
The speech was in contrast to Trump&#8217;s often vocal, and at times contradictory, stance on the burgeoning digital asset class.
Trump delivered a speech focusing on national issues such as immigration, economic policies, and energy production. Conspicuously absent was any reference to cryptocurrency, despite his recent support for digital assets.
This silence has sparked questions and speculation, particularly given Trump&#8217;s history of both criticizing and engaging with the crypto world.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43065531/coinbase-launches-bitcoin-backed-loans-for-us-users">Coinbase Launches Bitcoin-Backed Loans For US Users</a>
Trump&#8217;s relationship with cryptocurrency is a complex one. During his initial term as president, he was a vocal skeptic.
In 2019, he famously <a href="https://x.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1149472282584072192">tweeted </a>about his distaste for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>). The then-45th president called it &#8220;based on thin air&#8221; and not &#8220;money,&#8221; expressing his preference for the U.S. dollar.
Trump, at times, expressed concern that cryptocurrencies could potentially undermine the dollar. This skepticism led to policies that observers viewed as overly cautious in regulating the nascent industry.
Trump&#8217;s personal actions have sometimes painted a different picture.
After leaving office in 2021, Trump embraced crypto to a degree that was not expected given his earlier criticisms. He <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/12/30135978/trumps-nft-collection-accused-of-using-stock-and-copyrighted-images">launched his own NFT</a> (non-fungible token) collections, a move widely seen as a personal endorsement of the digital asset technology.
These digital collectibles have garnered millions, demonstrating his willingness to participate in the crypto space. 
However, during his 2024 presidential campaign, he adopted a more favorable view. He also proposed the establishment of a federal &#8220;Bitcoin stockpile&#8221; and accepting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43059401/bitcoin-spikes-to-104000-traders-eye-130000-target-in-late-january">digital assets for campaign donations.</a>
Furthermore, his venture into using cryptocurrencies to engage with his base during fundraising efforts has further blurred the lines between skepticism and adoption.
Prior to the inauguration, Bitcoin prices surged past $108,000, driven by anticipation of pro-cryptocurrency policies under the new administration.
The lack of any mention of crypto during the inauguration ceremony comes at a crucial time for the digital asset industry, which has continued to mature and become a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43035888/donald-trump-reportedly-open-to-us-crypto-reserve-as-bitcoin-reserve-chatter-gathers-steam">relevant player in global financial markets.</a>
Trump has recently intensified his engagement with the cryptocurrency sector through the launch of the Trump (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TRUMP</a>) meme coin and the family&#8217;s investment in World Liberty Financial (WLF).
On Jan. 17, Trump introduced the TRUMP meme coin, which <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43083490/melania-rise-and-trumps-fall-signal-crypto-mainstreaming-and-potential-blow-to-tradfi-experts-note">experienced a rapid surge in value. </a>
Initially priced at approximately $3, the coin&#8217;s value escalated to $76.94, briefly achieving a market capitalization of $15 billion. 
Notably, around $12 billion of this valuation is linked to three wallets associated with Trump.
The TRUMP coin is built on the Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) network, with a total supply of 1 billion tokens. 
Eighty percent of these tokens are held by Trump-affiliated entities, including CIC Digital LLC, subject <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43082005/market-to-seek-further-information-on-utilization-of-80-trump-token-supply-says-bernstein">to a three-year unlocking schedule.</a>
The Trump family&#8217;s involvement in the cryptocurrency space extends to WLF, a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform.
WLF has successfully raised $1 billion through token sales, surpassing its initial goal of 20 billion tokens sold. 
An additional 5 billion tokens have been made available, according to <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/trump-world-liberty-financial-token-sale-extended-sold-out-presale">Cointelegraph</a>. 
To diversify its digital asset holdings, WLF plans to acquire a significant amount of Tron (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/trx/usd">TRX</a>) tokens for its treasury.
This acquisition aims to strengthen ties between WLF and the Tron ecosystem, especially considering that Tron&#8217;s founder, Justin Sun, serves as an advisor to the project.
Trump&#8217;s involvement in cryptocurrency has also raised ethical and regulatory concerns.
Critics highlight potential <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/01/17/us/politics/trump-conflicts-of-interest.html">conflicts of interest</a>, particularly with the possibility of foreign entities purchasing the TRUMP coin, which could violate the Constitution&#8217;s foreign emoluments clause.
Ethics experts have described the venture as &#8220;predatory.&#8221; SkyBridge founder Anthony Scaramucci likened it to &#8220;Idi Amin level corruption,&#8221; emphasizing the risks of allowing individuals worldwide to deposit money directly into accounts<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43062997/exclusive-how-donald-trumps-crypto-plans-will-bitcoin-xrp-solana"> associated with the President of the United States.</a>
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The Trump meme coin stuff is bad for the industry. Don't delude yourself. It's Idi Amin level corruption.
&mdash; Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scaramucci/status/1880570676043727354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43033465/solana-is-a-stronger-investment-than-bitcoin-ethereum-crypto-asset-management-firm-states">Solana Is A Stronger Investment Than Bitcoin, Ethereum, Crypto Asset Management Firm States</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

$TRX

Trump's Crypto Silence: Inauguration Omission Sparks Questions After History Of Mixed Signals

Digital asset investment products recorded $2.2 billion in inflows last week, driven by market optimism <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43076428/trump-inauguration-to-trigger-250k-bitcoin-rally-or-a-plunge-below-100k-analysts-weigh-in">surrounding Donald Trump's inauguration</a>.
What Happened: Total assets under management propelled to a record $171 billion, marking the largest weekly inflow of the year.
According to a Coinshares <a href="https://blog.coinshares.com/volume-217-digital-asset-fund-flows-weekly-report-02c0bf3c093d">report</a>, the significant surge in digital asset investment owes credit to investor enthusiasm for Trump's inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20.
Last week, inflows reached $2.2 billion, a yearly high, bringing year-to-date (YTD) inflows to $2.8 billion. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43083490/melania-rise-and-trumps-fall-signal-crypto-mainstreaming-and-potential-blow-to-tradfi-experts-note">Melania Rises, Official Trump Falls: Experts Say Meme Coins Signal &#8216;Paradigm Shift&#8217; And Potential Blow To TradFi</a>
Total assets under management (AuM) for digital asset products also hit a new all-time high of $171 billion.
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) led the inflows, attracting $1.9 billion, which brings its YTD inflows to $2.7 billion.
"Bitcoin's performance remains the dominant force in the market, with substantial institutional interest driving these record inflows,&#8221; the report noted.
Ripple (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) also saw notable gains, with $31 million in inflows last week. This brings its total inflows since mid-November 2024 to $484 million.
Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), after weeks of outflows, managed to attract $246 million, though it remains one of the weaker performers in the YTD flow data.
Unusually, despite Bitcoin's price rally, short Bitcoin products saw minor outflows of $0.5 million, contrasting typical trends where short positions attract inflows during periods of positive price momentum.
Regionally, the U.S. accounted for the lion's share of inflows, contributing $2 billion.
Switzerland and Canada followed, with inflows of $89 million and $13 million, respectively. 
Trading volumes on exchange-traded products (ETPs) globally surged to $21 billion last week, representing 34% of Bitcoin's trading volumes on trusted exchanges. 
Why It Matters: President Trump&#8217;s pro-cryptocurrency stance bodes well for the sector.
"The Trump inauguration appears to have reinvigorated market sentiment, driving this unprecedented level of inflows. Investors are clearly optimistic about the administration's potential crypto-friendly policies," CoinShares Head of Research James Butterfill, said.
The report also highlighted the implications for broader markets, suggesting that this surge reflects growing institutional confidence in digital assets. 
"We're seeing strong signals that institutional players are increasingly viewing digital assets as a vital component of their portfolios," Butterfill added.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43082005/market-to-seek-further-information-on-utilization-of-80-trump-token-supply-says-bernstein">Market Seeks Further Information On Utilization Of 80% TRUMP Token Supply: Report</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

$XRP

Euphoria Over Pro-Crypto Trump Fuels $2.2 Billion Inflow Into Digital Asset Products, Bitcoin Dominates

Markets in the U.S. will pause on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, even as political and financial tensions mount ahead of<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/donald-trump"> Donald Trump's presidential inauguration.</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">US Stock And Bond Markets Are Closed</h3>
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq will not operate on Monday, in line with standard market holidays. Trading will restart on Tuesday with regular hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.
Last Friday, the S&amp;P 500 index — tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) — closed 1% higher at 5,996 points, now hovering at less than 2 percentage points below record highs.
The Treasury market is also closed, leaving investors to digest potential policy shifts from the incoming administration without access to U.S. government bond trading.
Futures markets will observe an early close at 1:00 p.m. ET. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Commodities Futures On Alert Amid Trump Measures</h3>
Futures on precious metals, such as gold and silver, will wrap up slightly later at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Energy contracts, including crude oil and natural gas, will follow normal trading hours. Futures on the West Texas Intermediate light crude traded 0.4% higher to $78 a barrel during early morning trading in New York. 
Energy markets will be on high alert as President-elect Trump announces his first economic policies.
 The incoming administration is expected to roll back regulations on U.S. oil and gas production, potentially unleashing a surge in domestic output, while also adopting a more aggressive stance against Iran and Russia.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">FX Traders On Edge As Trump Eyes Tariff Blitz</h3>
Currency trading remains open, with forex traders preparing for potential dollar swings. 
Trump has signaled a hardline <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/42988641/trump-wants-trade-partners-to-start-paying-announces-external-revenue-service-for-tariffs">stance on trade policies</a>, with the possibility of steep tariffs on Chinese goods — up to 60% — and additional levies of 10% to 20% on imports from other countries, including neighbors such as Canada and Mexico.
The dollar's reaction could set the tone for global markets in the weeks ahead. Should Trump confirm his aggressive trade agenda, analysts expect increased demand for the greenback.
The U.S. dollar slightly weakened by 0.4% against the euro, while inching 0.1% higher vis-à-vis the Japanese yen. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bitcoin Hits Record High As Crypto Speculation Heats Up</h3>
Unlike equities and bonds, the cryptocurrency market never sleeps. 
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) surged to an all-time high of $109,350 overnight, riding a wave of speculation that Trump's administration may usher in an era of deregulation for the crypto sector.
Adding fuel to the fire, Trump floated the idea of a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, a controversial move that has drawn both praise and skepticism from market participants. 
According to CFTC-regulated platform Kalshi, betting markets price in a 63% chance that Trump will create a National Bitcoin Fund by the end of the year.
Over the weekend, the President-elect launched his own meme coin, TRUMP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TRUMP</a>), which rapidly soared to a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43076559/donald-trumps-meme-coin-trump-rallies-103-in-a-day-creates-billions-out-of-thin-air">$15 billion market capitalization.</a> It has since been on a downtrend, plummeting to a $9.3 billion market cap at last check Monday. 
First Lady Melania Trump also introduced her own digital asset, MELANIA (CRYPTO: MELANIA), which amassed a $2 billion valuation within hours. 
Read Now: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/43068639/betting-markets-brace-for-wave-of-executive-orders-on-trump-day-1-immigration-tariffs-top-issues-on-the-table">Betting Markets Brace For Wave Of Executive Orders On Trump Day 1: Immigration, Tariffs Top Issues On The Table</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Commodities

PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund

Is The Market Open On Martin Luther King Jr. Day? Here's What Investors Need To Know

Jamie Dimon, the CEO of banking behemoth JPMorgan, has maintained a divergent view about cryptocurrencies.&nbsp;
While he frequently disses Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), the most valued cryptocurrency, he appears to have a favorable view of blockchain technology in general and projects based on smart contracts.
What happened: During an interview with CNBC in January 2023, Dimon made a clear differentiation between the two types of cryptocurrencies.
"There&#8217;s a cryptocurrency which might actually do something. Think of a cryptocurrency that has an embedded smart contract in it and that we can use it to buy and sell real estate and move data. That may have value," the CEO of the world&#8217;s most valuable bank said.&nbsp;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon on bitcoin: My personal advice is don&#039;t get involved" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eneB3s9bCdI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
</figure>
Though Dimon did not identify a specific cryptocurrency, the word &#8220;smart contract&#8221; possibly referred to Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) and blockchains and decentralized applications built on the network.
Smart contracts are self-executing computer programs that facilitate transactions without a central authority. Ethereum is well-known as the largest smart contract-enabled platform.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42994641/italys-largest-bank-leaps-into-bitcoin-trading-with-1-million-test-investment-but-ceo-says-he-doesnt-invest-in-btc-personally">Italy&#8217;s Largest Bank Leaps Into Bitcoin Trading With $1 Million &#8216;Test&#8217; Investment But CEO Says He Doesn&#8217;t Invest In BTC Personally</a>
When Dimon made this assertion, Ethereum traded at $2,531.26 a piece. So, if you invested $1000, you&#8217;d have received 0.3950 units of ETH.&nbsp;
Today, one Ethereum was exchanging hands at $3,443.36. This meant that the original investment would have turned $1360.33, reflecting a return of 36%.
Why It Matters: Dimon&#8217;s opinions suggested that he supported cryptocurrency projects that have utility and could solve real-world problems, unlike Bitcoin, which is speculative and relies on expectations of long-term value growth.&nbsp;
Dimon <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42940832/jamie-dimon-says-hes-not-against-blockchains-but-trades-guns-on-bitcoin-again-it-has-no-intrinsic-value-i-just-dont-feel-great-about">reaffirmed this attitude</a> earlier this month, stating that blockchains will have long-term use. In the same breath, he linked Bitcoin with illicit activities like s&#x2A;x trafficking and money laundering.
Interestingly, JPMorgan has invested in Ethereum exchange-traded funds, with a significant stake in Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETHE#NYSE">ETHE</a>) and its miniature version, Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETH#NYSE">ETH</a>).
Price Action: At the time of writing, Ethereum was exchanging hands at $3,422.62, up 4.43% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42993521/michael-saylors-microstrategy-not-alone-in-bitcoin-acquisition-says-bitwise-chief-investment-officer-its-a-bona-fide-megatrend">Michael Saylor&#8217;s MicroStrategy Not Alone In Bitcoin Acquisition, Says Bitwise Chief Investment Officer: &#8216;It&#8217;s A Bona Fide Megatrend&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

ETHE

If You Invested $1,000 In Ethereum When Jamie Dimon Said Cryptos With Smart Contracts Have Value, Here's How Much You'd Have Today

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) tapped a new record high of $109,000 past Sunday midnight ahead of Donald Trump&#8217;s presidential inauguration
What happened: The world&#8217;s largest cryptocurrency briefly touched $109,000, bettering its previous record at $108,135. However, the coin couldn&#8217;t sustain its rally and retraced to the $107,000 zone as of this writing.
The spike spurred a broader market rally, causing large-cap cryptocurrencies like Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) and XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) to trade in the green.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42994641/italys-largest-bank-leaps-into-bitcoin-trading-with-1-million-test-investment-but-ceo-says-he-doesnt-invest-in-btc-personally">Italy&#8217;s Largest Bank Leaps Into Bitcoin Trading With $1 Million &#8216;Test&#8217; Investment But CEO Says He Doesn&#8217;t Invest In BTC Personally</a>
Why It Matters: The record-breaking surge comes hours ahead of the presidential inauguration of Trump, who championed the industry's cause during his election campaign.
The market has been brimming with optimism, as reports have indicated that the president-elect would&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43047039/trump-planning-to-declare-cryptocurrency-as-national-priority-increase-engagement-with-industry-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announce several measures</a>&nbsp;to help the digital asset industry expand, including declaring cryptocurrency a national priority.
The rally also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43078226/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-plunge-as-trumps-official-memecoin-loses-way-analyst-underlines-importance-of-btcs-weekly-close-above-this-resistance-level">reversed losses incurred Sunday evening</a> following the dramatic dump of Trump&#8217;s official meme coin, OFFICIAL TRUMP.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at $107,955.61, up 3.25% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42993521/michael-saylors-microstrategy-not-alone-in-bitcoin-acquisition-says-bitwise-chief-investment-officer-its-a-bona-fide-megatrend">Michael Saylor&#8217;s MicroStrategy Not Alone In Bitcoin Acquisition, Says Bitwise Chief Investment Officer: &#8216;It&#8217;s A Bona Fide Megatrend&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Bitcoin Hits Record $109,000 Ahead Of Trump's Inauguration, Sparks Market Rally

Leading cryptocurrencies fell sharply Sunday evening amid the launch of meme coins tied to President-elect Donald Trump and his family.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>-3.89%</td>
<td>$100,239.24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-4.61%</td>
<td>$3,189.30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-12.44%</td>
<td>$0.3505</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin plummeted from $106,180 to $99,622 in three hours, eroding $130 billion worth of investors' wealth.
Similarly, Ethereum tanked from $3,414 to $3,150, marking a 4.61% decline in the last 24 hours.
The broader market slump coincided with a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43078040/trump-coin-tanks-36-even-as-melania-trump-launches-her-own-token-top-analyst-says-his-short-is-going-very-very-well">significant drop</a> in the OFFICIAL TRUMP token launched a couple of days ago.&nbsp;
The enthusiasm linked with the coin evolved into negativity as incoming First Lady Melania Trump launched her own meme coin on Sunday.
Over $1 billion was liquidated from the cryptocurrency market in the last 24 hours, with long liquidations accounting for $925 million.
Bitcoin's Open Interest fell 2.05% in the last 24 hours to $66.77 billion. That said, the majority of derivatives traders were bullish on the asset, as indicated by the Long/Short Ratio.
That said, more than half of derivatives traders on Binance placed short bets on Bitcoin, expecting a correction.
The market sentiment entered the "Extreme Greed" zone, according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index, sparking concerns of further market correction.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OFFICIAL TRUMP (TRUMP)</td>
<td>+74.00%</td>
<td>$46.06</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fartcoin (FARTCOIN)</td>
<td>+9.95%</td>
<td>$1.92</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DeXe (DEXE)</td>
<td>+2.10%</td>
<td>$17.55</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.45 trillion, contracting by 5.15% in the last 24 hours.
Stock futures edged slightly lower Sunday evening. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures fell 30 points, or 0.07%, as of 9 p.m. EDT.&nbsp; Futures tied to the S&amp;P 500 dipped 0.07%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures slipped 0.13%.
The moves come after major averages posted their biggest weekly gain since the presidential elections in November. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&amp;P 500 rose 3.19% and 3.40%, respectively.
The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will remain closed on Monday to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Widely followed cryptocurrency analyst Rekt Capital identified $104,500 as a crucial resistance level for Bitcoin.
"Weekly close above red [$104,500] followed by a successful retest would likely confirm the breakout to new ATHs," the analyst stated, adding a caveat.
"However, a weekly close below red and it&#8217;s possible BTC could pullback again, however likely for a shallower retrace compared to the one of mid-December 2024."
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BTC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BTC</a> Bitcoin is trying to assert itself relative to this final major Weekly resistance before new All Time Highs Weekly Close above red followed by a successful retest would likely confirm the breakout to new ATHs However, a Weekly Close below red and it&#39;s possible BTC could… <a href="https://t.co/WTKEEpziNt">pic.twitter.com/WTKEEpziNt</a>
&mdash; Rekt Capital (@rektcapital) <a href="https://twitter.com/rektcapital/status/1881009268293251171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Meanwhile, Michaël van de Poppe, another popular cryptocurrency market commentator, maintained his bullish view on altcoins.
"I expect that we&#8217;ll see strength on Ethereum, Chainlink, Aave, and a lot of altcoins in the coming week as yields are going down and the DXY becomes weaker," he added. "Great times are ahead of us."
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">A tremendous weekend with <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TRUMP&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TRUMP</a> and a cascade on the altcoins. I expect that we&#39;ll see strength on <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24LINK&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$LINK</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24AAVE&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$AAVE</a> and a lot of altcoins in the coming week as Yields are going down and the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24DXY&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$DXY</a> becomes weaker. Great times are ahead of us.
&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1881090758167474264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Photo by CMP_NZ on Shutterstock
Read Next:    
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43035888/donald-trump-reportedly-open-to-us-crypto-reserve-as-bitcoin-reserve-chatter-gathers-steam">Donald Trump Reportedly Open To US Crypto Reserve As Bitcoin Reserve Chatter Gathers Steam</a></li>
</ul>

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Plunge As Official Trump Memecoin Loses Way: Analyst Says 'Great Times Are Ahead' For These Coins As Dollar Index Weakens

The cryptocurrency market saw a notable surge on Saturday. Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) and Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) all experienced a rise in value, as traders anticipate a potential <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42379899/trump-fuels-bitcoin-rally-but-where-will-it-go-next-year">&#8216;Trump bump&#8217; with the upcoming second Donald Trump presidency.</a>
What Happened: The crypto market sprung to life on the final trading day before the Trump&nbsp;administration takes over. Bitcoin spearheaded the rally, surging 2.81% and almost touching&nbsp;$104,987 per token. Ethereum (ETH&nbsp;-0.22%) and Dogecoin (DOGE -0.16%) also saw gains.
There is widespread speculation that President-elect Trump will prioritize cryptocurrency, with rumors of an executive order on his first day in office. This might include the appointment of a more crypto-friendly chairman for the Securities and Exchange Commission.
However, traders are advised to be cautious of the speed of policy changes in Washington. While changes to the industry&#8217;s rules may require congressional action, this doesn&#8217;t necessarily translate to a direct value gain for meme coins and blockchain tokens.
Instead, it could lead to&nbsp;assets like stocks and bonds&nbsp;trading&nbsp;on the blockchain and more&nbsp;business formation taking place on the blockchain.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42499633/exclusive-eric-trump-declares-bitcoin-the-future-details-tax-free-crypto-goals-for-trump-presidency">EXCLUSIVE: Eric Trump Declares Bitcoin The Future, Details Tax-Free Crypto Goals For Trump Presidency</a>
Despite the current speculation-driven surge, the market may face disappointment if the news doesn&#8217;t meet high expectations. 
The Federal Reserve cannot&nbsp;make Bitcoin or any other&nbsp;cryptocurrency a reserve currency without&nbsp;Congressional action, which seems unlikely in the current political climate.
The market movement today is largely driven by speculation that Trump will be beneficial for the crypto market. However, similar speculation in 2021 led to a market crash in 2022, cautioning investors against buying tokens based solely on speculation.
Why It Matters: The potential for a &#8216;Trump bump&#8217; in the cryptocurrency market is significant, given the President-elect&#8217;s rumored focus on this sector. 
However, the history of speculation-driven surges and crashes in the crypto market serves as a warning to investors. The potential for policy changes under the new administration could have far-reaching implications for the industry, but these changes are uncertain and could take time to implement. 
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/40001426/trump-aims-to-make-us-crypto-capital-of-the-planet-well-get-it-done" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Aims To Make US ‘Crypto Capital Of The Planet': ‘We'll Get It Done'</a>
Image: Midjourney

Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin Spike on Optimism Over New Trump Presidency

Benzinga examined the prospects for<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas"> many investors&#8217; favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here&#8217;s a look at some of our top stories.
The Dow, S&amp;P 500, and Nasdaq gained 3.7%, 2.9%, and 2.5% this week, respectively, with all three posting their strongest advances in weeks. 
A December inflation report, showing a 2.9% rise <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43003047/stocks-rise-on-core-inflation-slowdown-banks-rally-after-strong-q4-earnings-treasury-yields-plummet">and softer core inflation</a>, fueled optimism for potential Fed rate cuts this year. Financial stocks surged 6% as major banks reported stellar earnings, with Goldman Sachs jumping 11% to record highs. 
Meanwhile, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) crossed $100,000 amid optimism surrounding crypto-friendly policies expected under the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43068335/wall-street-rallies-as-inflation-fears-recede-banks-smash-earnings-bitcoin-reclaims-100000-this-week-in-the-markets">incoming Trump administration.</a>
Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week&#8217;s most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Bulls</h3>
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43036902/tesla-stock-valuation-analyst-flags-long-term-growth-opportunities-robotaxis-fsd">Tesla Stock &#8216;Valuation Is Full&#8217;: Analyst Flags Long-Term Growth Opportunities With Robotaxis, FSD</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/chris-katje">Chris Katje</a>, discusses a Goldman Sachs analyst&#8217;s insights on Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), forecasting $115 million in 2027 revenue from robotaxis as Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology advances.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42993997/dogecoin-to-hit-new-all-time-high-after-trump-is-sworn-in-influencer-says-pattern-nearly-identical-to-last-inauguration">Dogecoin To Hit New All-Time High After Trump Is Sworn In? Influencer Says Pattern &#8216;Nearly Identical&#8217; To Last Inauguration</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/aniket-verma">Aniket Verma</a>, highlights speculation among influencers that Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) could replicate its post-inauguration rally from 2021, with one suggesting DOGE might double to $0.73 if historical patterns repeat.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/initiation/25/01/43010706/doge-fears-for-defense-contractors-lockheed-martin-northrop-grumman-overblown-analyst-says">DOGE Fears For Defense Contractors Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman &#8216;Overblown,&#8217; Analyst Says</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/erica-kollmann">Erica Kollmann</a>, features an analyst initiating coverage on Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>) and Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>) with Buy ratings and targets of $579 and $544, dismissing concerns tied to Donald Trump's proposed Department of Government Efficiency as exaggerated.
For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42948649/goldman-sachs-warns-of-90-oil-risk-trump-may-not-ease-sanctions-once-he-takes-office">Oil Could Hit $90, Goldman Sachs Says: &#8216;Trump May Not Ease Sanctions&#8217; On Russia</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42692787/private-prisons-poised-to-prosper-in-second-trump-term">CoreCivic, Geo Group Rally By Double Digits Since Election Day: Why Trump Boosts Private Prison Stocks</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43035566/taiwan-semiconductor-projects-ai-revenue-to-double-in-2025-highlights-advanced-packaging-as-growth-driver-analyst">Taiwan Semiconductor Projects AI Revenue To Double In 2025, Highlights Advanced Packaging As Growth Driver: Analyst</a>
The Bears
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42960291/metas-content-moderation-changes-alarm-advertisers-as-zuckerberg-aligns-with-trump-and-musk">Meta&#8217;s Content Moderation Changes Alarm Advertisers as Zuckerberg Aligns with Trump and Musk</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/anusuya-lahiri-0">Anusuya Lahiri</a>, reports on Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) adopting a &#8220;free speech&#8221; content moderation style inspired by Elon Musk&#8217;s X, raising advertiser concerns over harmful content.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/short-ideas/25/01/43037214/drone-maker-red-cat-set-to-be-blown-out-of-the-sky-short-seller-claims-management-set-almost-impossible-expectations">Drone Maker Red Cat &#8216;Set To Be Blown Out Of The Sky&#8217;: Short Seller Claims Management Set &#8216;Almost Impossible&#8217; Expectations</a>,&#8221; by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/adam-eckert">Adam Eckert</a>, covers Kerrisdale Capital's short position on Red Cat Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RCAT#NASDAQ">RCAT</a>), arguing the company&#8217;s valuation is inflated by unrealistic expectations surrounding its U.S. Army SRR drone contract, which the firm says bears &#8220;almost no relationship to reality.&#8221;
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42986042/apple-sees-market-share-decline-in-2024-as-chinese-smartphone-brands-surge-globally-idc">Apple Sees Market Share Decline in 2024 as Chinese Smartphone Brands Surge Globally: IDC</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/anusuya-lahiri-0">Anusuya Lahiri</a>, highlights Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) losing global market share to Chinese competitors like Xiaomi Corp. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XIACF#OTC">XIACF</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XIACY#OTC">XIACY</a>) as smartphone shipments grew 6.4% in 2024, driven by affordable premium offerings and aggressive pricing in emerging markets.
For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42970112/nvidia-order-delays-and-ai-sanctions-threaten-global-sales-offer-growth-opportunity-for-us-tech-giants">US Semiconductor Sanctions Spell Trouble for Nvidia, But May Benefit Big Tech</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/43017875/southwest-airlines-is-sued-by-department-of-transportation-over-chronically-delayed-flights">Southwest Airlines Is Sued By Department Of Transportation Over &#8216;Chronically Delayed&#8217; Flights</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42938301/michael-saylors-microstrategy-will-struggle-when-bitcoins-volatility-falls-says-arthur-hayesi-would-not-trade-mstr-at-all">Michael Saylor&#8217;s MicroStrategy Will Struggle When Bitcoin&#8217;s Volatility Falls, Says Arthur Hayes — I Would Not Trade MSTR At All</a>
Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following<a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga"> Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga"> on Twitter</a>.
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Long Ideas

Short Ideas

AAPL

RCAT

XIACF

XIACY

Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Tesla, Apple, Meta And Dogecoin Influencers See Pattern For Post-2025 Inauguration Rally

Despite his well-known disdain for cryptocurrencies, the &#8216;Oracle Of Omaha&#8217; &#8211; Warren Buffett&#8216;s Berkshire Hathaway Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) has invested in a company that supports the cryptocurrency market and has soared by 27.43% in 2024.
What Happened: Buffett&#8217;s Berkshire had <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/05/39093145/berkshire-hathaway-profits-f[%E2%80%A6]to-despite-warren-buffets-stance-on-not-buying-even-if-all-w">initially</a> invested $500 million in a Series G funding round and subsequently another $250 million in Nu Holdings Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NU#NYSE">NU</a>). 
Nu, a Brazilian digital banking company launched its cryptocurrency platform, Nubank Cripto, in 2022. Berkshire has since added 0.3% of this company&#8217;s shares in 18 months as of the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2024. 
Berkshire increased its holdings from 0.1% in the fourth quarter that ended Dec. 31, 2022, to 0.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2025.
Initially supporting Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>), Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), and Polygon (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/matic/usd">MATIC</a>), the platform, Nubank Cripto, now includes Uniswap (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/uni/usd">UNI</a>) and Chainlink (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/link/usd">LINK</a>). It allows users to send, receive, and convert cryptocurrencies, including stablecoins like USD Coin.
In 2018, during Berkshire Hathaway Inc.&#8217;s annual <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/03/37513063/warren-buffett-says-he-wouldnt-pay-25-for-all-the-bitcoin-in-the-world-he-considers-crypto-rat-poiso">shareholder</a> meeting, Buffett famously described Bitcoin as &#8220;probably rat poison squared&#8221;. On the contrary, Berkshire has profited substantially through its investment in Nu.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42908280/intel-aims-for-cpu-market-share-growth-ai-breakthroughs-citi-reiterates-neutral-as-new-ceo-appointment-expected-in-coming-months">Intel Stock Has Fallen Over 58% In 1 Year, But Citi Maintains &#8216;Neutral&#8217; Rating On Expected Replacement Of Pat Gelsinger In A &#8216;Couple Of Months&#8217;</a> 
Why It Matters: According to its 13F filings, Berkshire held 86.438 million shares of Nu valued at $1.179 billion, as of the end of the third quarter.
With data for the fourth quarter not available at the time of writing, assuming that Berkshire&#8217;s holdings in Nu don&#8217;t change during this period, the value of these shares would have declined by 24.10% as of the quarter ended Dec. 31, when the share price was $10.36, as compared to $13.65 on Sept. 30, 2024.
However, Nu&#8217;s shares have risen by 27.43% in 2024, according to the data compiled by <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/13074755/nu-in-2024-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-730370" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/13074755/nu-in-2024-1024x576.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/13074755/nu-in-2024-300x169.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/13074755/nu-in-2024-768x432.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/13074755/nu-in-2024-1536x864.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/13074755/nu-in-2024.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
While Nu offers cryptocurrency services, one can argue in favor of Buffett that it&#8217;s not primarily a cryptocurrency company.
However, back in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/03/37513063/warren-buffett-says-he-wouldnt-pay-25-for-all-the-bitcoin-in-the-world-he-considers-crypto-rat-poiso">2018</a>, Buffett also said &#8220;In terms of cryptocurrencies generally, I can say almost with certainty that they will come to a bad ending.&#8221;
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/01/42938954/michael-saylors-microstrategy-faces-risk-if-mstrs-0-convertible-bond-lenders-recall-non-recourse-loans-due-to-covenant-breach-heres-what-it-means-for-investors">Michael Saylor&#8217;s MicroStrategy Faces Risk If MSTR&#8217;s 0% Convertible Bond Lenders Recall Non-Recourse Loans Due To Covenant Breach: Here&#8217;s What It Means For Investors</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Equities

Financing

Management

$LINK

$MATIC

$UNI

LINK

Warren Buffett Openly Called Bitcoin A 'Rat Poison' In 2018. 7 Years Later, He Is Invested In This Crypto-Linked Stock Which Soared 27% In 2024

Michaël van de Poppe, a highly followed crypto trader, anticipates a significant bullish surge for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) in the near future, as the apex cryptocurrency crossed the $100,000 mark once again ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.
What Happened: Van de Poppe predicted a forthcoming bullish move for Bitcoin. However, he suggests that altcoins, particularly those in the Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) ecosystem, will likely outperform Bitcoin.
"Very likely we&#8217;ll see a new impulse on #Bitcoin in the coming period," he said.
Factors such as lower yields, a weaker dollar, and progressive crypto regulation are propelling the market momentum, according to van de Poppe. He also notes that&nbsp;the current crypto cycle is&nbsp;more &#8220;complex&#8221; than the previous one, a trend that has been ongoing since the last cycle.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Very likely we&#39;ll see a new impulse on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> in the coming period. However, I think it&#39;s more likely that we&#39;ll see <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Altcoins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Altcoins</a> outperform Bitcoin, especially the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> ecosystem. Lower yields, weaker Dollar, progressive crypto regulation all fueling the market momentum.
&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1880229332347445430?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Van de Poppe plans to increase his exposure to altcoins, expecting a breakout. He stated, &#8220;At this point: I'd like&nbsp;to be maximally exposed to&nbsp;risk as we're literally on&nbsp;the start of that upwards&nbsp;move for altcoins."
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073027/trump-plans-crypto-friendly-executive-orders-in-early-days-of-presidency-report">Trump Plans Crypto-Friendly Executive Orders In Early Days Of Presidency: Report</a>
Why It Matters: The crypto market has been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/01/43047598/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-steady-as-market-expects-trumps-pro-crypto-bonanza-analyst-says-btc-could-hit-all-time-high-if-it-breaks-this-resistance">experiencing a surge of optimism</a> following signals of a pro-crypto policy shift from the incoming administration under Trump.
Key figures and investors in the crypto space have expressed relief at the anticipated policy change, buoyed by appointments of crypto-friendly individuals to prominent positions, including David Sacks as AI and crypto czar, and Paul Atkins as the nominee for SEC Chair.
These moves, coupled with expectations of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43035888/donald-trump-reportedly-open-to-us-crypto-reserve-as-bitcoin-reserve-chatter-gathers-steam">executive orders designed to establish a Bitcoin reserve</a>, signal a new era for the industry in the U.S.
Furthermore, leading coins remained steady on Thursday amid reports that President-elect Donald Trump may announce several pro-cryptocurrency measures after being sworn in. Bitcoin wiggled in the $100,000 region, a day after reclaiming the psychologically important level on softer inflation data.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $102,403, gaining 0.6% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42931869/jeff-bezos-amazon-to-pay-40-million-for-melania-trump-documentary-report">Jeff Bezos&#8217; Amazon To Pay $40 Million For Melania Trump Documentary: Report</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Bitcoin Set For Major Bullish Surge, Says Popular Crypto Analyst As BTC Crosses $100,000 Ahead Of Trump Inauguration

President-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;is reportedly preparing to issue executive orders aimed at fostering a more favorable environment for cryptocurrency firms. These actions are anticipated to occur shortly after he assumes office, marking a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for digital assets.
What Happened:&nbsp; Trump intends to utilize executive powers to ease regulatory burdens on cryptocurrency companies and promote the adoption of digital assets, according to a report by Reuters.
Trump, who has openly supported cryptocurrency,&nbsp;is expected to sign an&nbsp;executive order to establish a crypto advisory council, a concept he initially proposed in July, according to two anonymous sources familiar with the discussions.
Media reports earlier Trump&#8217;s plan to create&nbsp;a crypto council, which would&nbsp;provide guidance on crypto-friendly policies.
The council may consist of up to 20 members, as per one source.
Additionally, Trump&#8217;s advisers are considering an executive order directing the&nbsp;Securities and Exchange Commission&nbsp;to revoke the 2022 accounting guidance &#8220;SAB 121,&#8221; which has been costly for some companies, especially banks, to hold cryptocurrencies for third parties.
Trump is also poised to terminate &#8220;Operation Choke Point 2.0,&#8221; a term used by crypto executives to describe alleged efforts by bank regulators to exclude crypto companies from traditional financial systems. Bank regulators have denied such claims.
If executed, these policy directives could significantly advance cryptocurrency into the mainstream, contrasting with President&nbsp;Joe Biden&#8216;s administration&#8217;s strict regulatory stance.
Why It Matters: The potential executive orders align with Trump&#8217;s broader strategy to prioritize cryptocurrency as a national focus. Trump plans to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43047039/trump-planning-to-declare-cryptocurrency-as-national-priority-increase-engagement-with-industry-report">declare cryptocurrency a national priority</a>, encouraging government agencies to engage with the growing industry.
This comes as Bitcoin&#8217;s (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) market valuation recently surpassed $2 trillion, highlighting the sector&#8217;s increasing significance.
Furthermore,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43062997/exclusive-how-donald-trumps-crypto-plans-will-bitcoin-xrp-solana">cryptocurrency experts</a>&nbsp;are divided on the likelihood of immediate executive orders but remain optimistic about the market&#8217;s near-term outlook.
The potential for Trump to mention cryptocurrency during his inauguration speech is also being speculated, with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43065423/donald-trump-to-mention-bitcoin-or-crypto-at-the-inauguration-polymarket-traders-say-theres-a-chance">Polymarket traders</a>&nbsp;giving it a 31% chance of happening.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42931941/mark-zuckerberg-critiques-culturally-neutered-companies-advocates-for-masculine-energy-as-meta-cuts-dei-programs-post-joe-rogan-appearance">Mark Zuckerberg Critiques &#8216;Culturally Neutered&#8217; Companies, Advocates For &#8216;Masculine Energy&#8217; As Meta Cuts DEI Programs Post-Joe Rogan Appearance</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image created via photos on Shutterstock

Trump Plans Crypto-Friendly Executive Orders In Early Days Of Presidency: Report

Digital Currency Group (DCG), a prominent player in the cryptocurrency industry, on Friday agreed to settle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for misleading investors.
What Happened: DCG, founded by&nbsp;Barry Silbert, and its former executive,&nbsp;Soichiro &#8220;Michael&#8221; Moro, will collectively pay $38.5 million to the SEC. This settlement is to resolve charges of providing false information about the financial state of Genesis Global Capital, a crypto lending unit once under DCG.
The SEC&nbsp;found that DCG and Moro&nbsp;misrepresented Genesis&#8217;s financial condition during a period of instability caused by the collapse of FTX in 2022. This included downplaying the impact of a major Genesis borrower&#8217;s default on the company&#8217;s business.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42994641/italys-largest-bank-leaps-into-bitcoin-trading-with-1-million-test-investment-but-ceo-says-he-doesnt-invest-in-btc-personally" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Italy's Largest Bank Leaps Into Bitcoin Trading With $1 Million ‘Test' Investment But CEO Says He Doesn't Invest In BTC Personally</a>
The SEC noted that DCG and Moro agreed to pay the penalties without admitting or denying the allegations of violating the Securities Act of 1933. This settlement comes after a separate agreement in May 2024, in which New York Attorney General Letitia James reached a $2 billion settlement with Genesis to compensate defrauded investors.
Why It Matters: The cryptocurrency industry has been under increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies. This settlement comes in the wake of similar actions taken against other financial firms.
Earlier this month,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/42971991/robinhood-agrees-to-45-million-sec-settlement-over-past-violations">Robinhood agreed to pay $45 million to the SEC</a>&nbsp;for a series of regulatory violations. The charges were related to failures in trading activity reporting, cybersecurity practices, recordkeeping, and customer communication.
Additionally, a group of financial firms, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/42966800/blackstone-kkr-among-12-firms-to-pay-63-million-to-sec-after-recordkeeping-violations">Blackstone and KKR, settled with the SEC for $63.1 million</a>&nbsp;over recordkeeping violations. These firms were accused of using unauthorized communication methods to exchange messages that were required to be preserved under securities laws.
Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43009858/elon-musk-slams-sec-as-totally-broken-organization">Elon Musk criticized the SEC</a>&nbsp;for focusing on trivial cases and ignoring more significant crimes. This came after the SEC sued Musk for allegedly failing to disclose a substantial stake in X (formerly known as Twitter) before his acquisition of the platform.
Price Action: At the time of writing, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) was exchanging hands at&nbsp;$103,660.11, up 2% in the last 24 hours, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data from Benzinga Pro</a>. During the same period, Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) lost 0.46%, Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) shed 1.39% and Litecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ltc/usd">LTC</a>) was down 8.29%. 
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42993521/michael-saylors-microstrategy-not-alone-in-bitcoin-acquisition-says-bitwise-chief-investment-officer-its-a-bona-fide-megatrend" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michael Saylor's MicroStrategy Not Alone In Bitcoin Acquisition, Says Bitwise Chief Investment Officer: ‘It's A Bona Fide Megatrend'</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

General

$LTC

Crypto Firm DCG Settles With SEC For $38.5M Over Misleading Investors

Markets Weekly Outlook - Trump 2.0 Takes Flight As BoJ Decision Looms

The Bitcoin Spot ETFs, one of the most exciting financial markets at the moment, closed out another week with net inflows resulting in three consecutive weeks of gains.

Bitcoin Spot ETFs See $1.86 Billion Inflows, Extend 3-Week Positive Streak

Bullish Counterattack - Technical Bounce Or New Trend?

Bullish Counterattack: Technical Bounce Or New Trend?

Crypto stocks rose ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration as traders prepare for a crypto-friendly administration.

MARA, MSTR, COIN: Crypto Stocks Are Ready for Trump to Take the White House

Strong Earnings And Easing Inflation Propel Market Higher Year To Date

President-elect Donald Trump launched a TRUMP crypto before his inauguration and some traders wonder if the token is worth investing in.

Is TRUMP Token Worth Investing In Ahead of the Inauguration?

The crypto space is having one long extended moment and none more so than Ripple (XRP). The cross-border payments-focused coin has been on an absol...

Comments

Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC) Common units of fractional undivided beneficial interest

뉴스

에 대한 최신 뉴스 Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC) Common units of fractional undivided beneficial interest (ARCA:BTC)

목요일, 1월 23, 2025

금요일, 12월 20, 2024

뉴스

파트너 / 기고자

벤징가 글로벌