Author: Max Bauer
The possibility of a Solana (SOL) exchange-traded fund (ETF) launching in the U.S. by the end of 2025 is looking increasingly likely, with several key developments pointing towards regulatory approval. Cboe BZX Exchange recently filed four applications for spot Solana ETFs, submitted by VanEck, 21Shares, Bitwise Asset Management, and Canary Capital. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reportedly engaging with these applications, with a final deadline expected around early August 2025, according to Bloomberg Intelligence ETF analyst James Seyffart. The shift in regulatory sentiment following the election of President Trump and a pro-crypto Congress, coupled with the resignation of…
Kraken, the second-largest cryptocurrency exchange in the United States, has unveiled an ambitious roadmap for listing 19 new tokens, signaling a potential surge in activity following the recent presidential election. The move suggests a more permissive regulatory environment under the Trump administration, easing restrictions on token listings within the U.S. Kraken’s roadmap outlines plans to integrate new blockchains and list their native tokens for trading, including BNB Smart Chain (BNB) and Arweave (AR). Additionally, the exchange intends to list various tokens on pre-existing supported blockchains. This expansion encompasses a diverse range of projects, from decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols to meme…
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commissioner Jaime Lizárraga has announced his resignation, effective late January 2025. This follows the announcement of SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s departure, also scheduled for January, leaving the commission with only one Democratic commissioner, Caroline Crenshaw. Lizárraga cited personal reasons for his departure, stating his desire to spend more time with his family, particularly his wife, who is battling breast cancer. In a statement released Friday, he expressed gratitude for the support received during this challenging time and hope for his wife’s full recovery. Lizárraga’s announcement, initially reported by Bloomberg Law, marks another significant shift in…
Investment management firm VanEck has released a bullish report predicting Bitcoin’s price could reach $180,000, fueled by the pro-crypto stance of the Trump administration. The firm believes the recent post-election rally, mirroring a similar surge in 2020, marks the beginning of the next phase of a Bitcoin bull market. VanEck cites several factors contributing to this optimistic outlook. First, the removal of regulatory hurdles is expected to drive significant growth. The report anticipates that the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT21) will be rewritten with market- and privacy-friendly terms. Furthermore, new stablecoin legislation is expected to…
Intelligent Alpha, a $30 million investment fund managed by a trio of artificial intelligence systems, has set a bullish target of $140,000 for Bitcoin. The fund’s AI investment committee, comprised of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude, has demonstrated impressive performance in traditional finance and has recently turned its attention to the cryptocurrency market. Intelligent Alpha’s founder and CEO, Doug Clinton, revealed in an interview with CoinDesk that the AI committee has been experimenting with Bitcoin price predictions over the past five months. Based on a scenario involving a Trump victory and a favorable regulatory environment, the AI has…
The ME Foundation is poised to launch its Solana-based ecosystem token, ME, on December 10th, according to a representative speaking to Decrypt. The token, closely aligned with the leading NFT marketplace Magic Eden, is generating significant anticipation with a pre-market valuation estimated to exceed $500 million. The airdrop will reward users of Magic Eden’s Bitcoin exchange and cross-chain NFT marketplace, claimable exclusively through the Magic Eden Wallet app. While the exact conversion rate of Magic Eden Diamonds, the platform’s current rewards program, to the ME token remains undisclosed, the spokesperson indicated that allocation will be based on several factors. These…
Incoming Charles Schwab CEO Rick Wurster revealed the company’s intentions to offer direct cryptocurrency trading, pending regulatory adjustments expected under the incoming Trump administration. This announcement coincides with Bitcoin reaching a new all-time high. In a recent interview, Wurster outlined Schwab’s three main priorities: client growth, delivering reliable service and technology, and enhancing scale and efficiency. He acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the future of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, particularly in light of the recent surge in Bitcoin ETF activity and the influence of major players like BlackRock. While Schwab clients currently have access to crypto exposure through ETFs, Bitcoin…
Former Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Chris Giancarlo, affectionately known as “Crypto Dad,” has emerged as a leading candidate for a potential “crypto czar” position within a new Trump administration, FOX Business has learned. This position, currently under consideration by the Trump transition team, aims to promote growth within the burgeoning $3 trillion digital asset market. Giancarlo, a seasoned lawyer who headed the CFTC during Trump’s first term, has been an active member of the transition team both before and after the recent election. Trump’s platform resonated with voters by promising a more regulatory-friendly environment for cryptocurrencies and blockchain…
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler, known for his ambitious and often controversial regulatory agenda, will step down from his position on January 20th. His departure marks the end of a tenure marked by significant policy changes that have drawn both praise and fierce opposition from Wall Street and the cryptocurrency industry. In a statement released Thursday, Gensler praised the SEC as a “remarkable agency” with a “deeply mission-driven” staff focused on investor protection and efficient capital formation. Gensler’s exit leaves the SEC in the hands of an acting chair, likely to be either Republican Commissioner Mark Uyeda…
Weeks after the HBO documentary “Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery” controversially pointed the finger at developer Peter Todd, filmmaker Cullen Hoback stands firm in his assertion, despite widespread backlash from the Bitcoin community. The documentary’s climactic “reveal” ignited immediate criticism. Crypto experts labeled the claim “foolishness” and “dangerous,” while Todd himself dismissed it, stating, “For the record, I am as Satoshi as you are.” However, Hoback remains unconvinced by Todd’s denials. “The evidence simply led me to Todd,” he insists, suggesting that Todd’s rebuttals are a deliberate attempt to maintain Satoshi’s anonymity. Hoback further claims that Todd “has done an…