Author: Max Bauer

Following Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s speech, which hinted at a potential interest rate cut cycle, Deribit witnessed significant bullish activity in its block trades, particularly for Bitcoin and Ethereum options. In one notable Bitcoin trade, a user purchased call options with a strike price of $80,000 expiring at the end of the year, while simultaneously selling call options with a strike price of $120,000, also expiring at the end of the year. The trade, involving 525 BTC and a premium of $1.844 million, reflects a bullish outlook using a bull spread strategy to reduce leverage and capitalize on potential…

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Nick Tomaino, founder of 1confirmation, boldly asserted that Ethereum’s market cap will surpass Bitcoin’s within the next five years. He believes that while both cryptocurrencies will continue to grow, Ethereum’s unique attributes and potential will ultimately drive it to the top. Tomaino acknowledged Bitcoin’s established narrative as “digital gold,” which has garnered significant institutional investment. However, he pointed out that Ethereum, despite being the most impactful blockchain for the past five years, remains less understood. He described Ethereum as the foundation upon which the most talented developers are building the decentralized internet, with Ether (ETH) serving as the “digital oil”…

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A previously inactive wallet associated with Cumberland DRW, a major digital asset trader and liquidity provider, has transferred a staggering 650.93 BTC to Coinbase. This transfer, valued at $41.96 million at the time of transfer, occurred approximately four hours ago when the BTC price was at its peak. On-chain data analysis reveals that these BTC were acquired from multiple DRW addresses six years ago at an average price of about $4,000. If sold at the current market price, the profit would be approximately 15 times the original investment, yielding a profit of around $39.35 million. Cumberland, a subsidiary of the…

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Bitcoin has staged a promising rebound, breaking through a key resistance range, driven primarily by renewed interest in the spot market. According to a recent report from QCP Capital, Powell’s Jackson Hole speech has acted as a catalyst, sparking optimism about a potential September rate cut. While the exact extent of the rate cut remains uncertain, August’s employment data will play a crucial role in determining the Fed’s decision. A 25 basis point cut is widely anticipated, but a more significant 50 basis point cut could signal that the Fed is taking emergency action to avert economic stagnation. The current…

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Tether Holdings, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin USDT, has abandoned plans to launch its own blockchain. The decision comes as a stark contrast to the prevailing trend of numerous crypto entrepreneurs launching new blockchains, often with questionable use cases. Tether’s CEO, Paolo Ardoino, explained the rationale behind the decision, citing the simple principle of supply and demand. “We are very good in technology, but I think blockchains will become almost a commodity in the future,” Ardoino said in an interview with Bloomberg News. “Launching a blockchain ourselves might not be the right move. There are very good blockchains.”…

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US District Judge William H. Orrick has ruled that cryptocurrency exchange Kraken must face a lawsuit filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC accuses Kraken of operating an unregistered securities exchange, a charge that carries substantial regulatory implications. Judge Orrick stated in his opinion, “The SEC has plausibly alleged that at least some of the cryptocurrency transactions that Kraken facilitates on its network constitute investment contracts, and therefore securities, and are accordingly subject to securities laws.” This ruling highlights the SEC’s stance that many digital assets fall under the purview of securities regulations, requiring platforms like Kraken…

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Seoul prosecutors have launched an investigation into allegations that a senior police officer accepted bribes in connection with virtual asset-related cases. On August 23rd, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office’s Virtual Asset Crime Joint Investigation Unit conducted a raid on the Gangnam Police Station, where the accused officer, identified as ‘A’, is currently stationed. The investigation focuses on accusations that Officer A received money and goods in exchange for favors related to virtual asset cases while working at the Gangnam Police Station. The fact that the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office, which does not have jurisdiction over the Gangnam Police…

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Wyoming is spearheading the charge towards mainstream consumer payments with the creation of its own U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, the Wyoming stable token. Set to launch in early 2025, this initiative aims to provide individuals and businesses with a faster, more cost-effective way to transact while generating new revenue for the state. It’s a vision that Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon believes could serve as a blueprint for a federally-backed digital dollar. “Success means the adoption of a transparent, fully backed stablecoin that relies on the U.S. dollar,” Governor Gordon stated at the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium. He underscored the potential to repatriate…

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The recent success of Bitcoin ETFs has prompted discussions about the future direction of the cryptocurrency investment landscape. While speculation exists about which coin might follow Bitcoin into the ETF world, asset managers are increasingly looking beyond individual coins to provide investors with diverse portfolio construction options. At the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium, Cynthia Lo Bessette, head of digital asset management at Fidelity Investments, emphasized the need to educate investors about the broader crypto ecosystem, focusing on portfolio construction and creating exposures representing different sectors within the industry. Steve Kurz, global head of asset management at Galaxy, highlighted their partnership with…

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