Author: Max Bauer

Bitcoin’s recent surge has been notable for a surprising absence: retail investors. Data from consumer platforms like PayPal and Coinbase, along with research from CryptoQuant, confirms muted retail activity in the cryptocurrency market. Instead, whales and institutional investors are driving Bitcoin’s momentum, now accounting for a larger share of the market. This shift is evident in the significant inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US, with large investors responsible for two-thirds of the $24 billion invested since inception. Several factors contribute to this retail absence:

Binance Research has released a study examining the explosive growth of memecoins, highlighting their nature as high-risk, high-reward investments in the current financial landscape. The report links the rise of memecoins to the expansion of global money supply and the increasing appetite for risk-on assets. While traditional investments like the S&P 500 and real estate absorb the majority of this capital, a portion flows into cryptocurrencies, with memecoins representing the most speculative end of the spectrum. The study also points to a shift in retail investor behavior, with many seeking alternative wealth generation avenues outside traditional finance. Memecoins, built on…

BlackRock’s BUIDL, the asset management giant’s first tokenized fund issued on a public blockchain, is expanding its reach beyond Ethereum. On-chain data reveals that Securitize, BlackRock’s partner in this venture, has deployed BUIDL on the Avalanche blockchain. Here you can see the contract adress of the reported development and below you can see the screenshot. BUIDL, which stands for BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund, was initially launched on the Ethereum network, offering qualified investors access to US dollar yields. The fund allows investors to subscribe through Securitize Markets, LLC. Robert Mitchnick, BlackRock’s Head of Digital Assets, previously stated that…

The State of Michigan Retirement System has become the first pension fund to publicly disclose holdings in Grayscale’s Ethereum exchange-traded fund (ETF), a significant milestone for the Ethereum-based financial instrument that launched in July. Michigan Pension Fund’s Ethereum Investment Beats Bitcoin According to a recent 13F filing, the Michigan pension fund holds 460,000 shares of the Grayscale Ethereum Trust (ETHE), valued at approximately $10 million as of the end of the third quarter. This makes Michigan one of the top five holders of the fund, according to VanEck’s Matthew Sigel. The filing also revealed a holding of 460,000 shares in…

Cryptocurrency analytics firm Santiment reports that Bitcoin whales are exhibiting decreased activity ahead of the US election results, suggesting they are “expecting the unexpected” in this highly polarized political climate. While crypto traders anticipate heightened volatility, large Bitcoin holders have shown a decline in large transactions since a spike last week. Santiment highlights that spikes in whale Bitcoin transactions often signal potential price reversals for the broader cryptocurrency market. However, the current passivity among whales doesn’t necessarily indicate an impending price drop, a common misconception according to the firm. Instead, Santiment suggests that this behavior indicates whales are likely observing…

Cryptocurrency analyst James Van Straten believes Bitcoin is likely to rally after the US election, regardless of the winner, based on historical patterns. While short-term volatility is expected around the election results, Van Straten points to Bitcoin’s performance following previous US elections as a bullish indicator. Bitcoin Price Rallied After All Previous US Elections Bitcoin has witnessed three US elections since its inception in 2009, and each time, its price has rallied significantly, never returning to its pre-election day level. If this trend continues, Van Straten predicts a peak in Bitcoin’s price approximately one year after the election. Historical Precedents:…

The US presidential election could significantly impact Bitcoin’s price, according to market analysts. With over $133 million invested in lobbying efforts by the crypto industry, the stakes are high for the digital asset sector. Experts predict drastically different outcomes for Bitcoin depending on who wins the presidency. A Donald Trump victory is viewed by some as potentially bullish for Bitcoin. Trump has expressed support for halting the SEC’s crypto crackdown, releasing Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, and establishing a national Bitcoin reserve. Joshua de Vos, Research Lead at CCData, anticipates a short-term rally if Trump wins, citing “increased certainty and…

Former US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) official Marc Fagel has raised concerns about the agency’s recent Wells Notice issued to Ethereum-based Web3 gaming company, Immutable. The notice, which signals potential enforcement action, was reportedly delivered without the customary preceding investigation, a departure from standard procedure that Fagel characterizes as “risky.” Immutable claims the notice arrived with limited explanation and without prior communication from the SEC. This contradicts the typical process, which involves months of interviews and communication between the agency and the company under scrutiny before a Wells Notice is issued. Fagel emphasized the unusual nature of this approach,…

Conflicting reports about cryptocurrency exchange listing fees have ignited a debate within the crypto community. Simon, CEO of Moonrock Capital, recently claimed that Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, demanded 15% of a “Tier 1” project’s total token supply in exchange for a listing. This revelation followed a tweet from Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong asserting that listing assets on Coinbase is free. However, prominent DeFi developer Andre Cronje disputed both claims, adding further fuel to the fire. Simon detailed the alleged Binance incident, stating that the unnamed project, which raised close to nine figures in funding, endured over…

Howard Lutnick, CEO of the $13.2 billion financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald, has revealed a substantial personal investment in Bitcoin, predicting its value will surge into the billions. In a recent podcast appearance, Lutnick disclosed his current exposure to Bitcoin is in the “hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars,” and confidently stated, “It will be billions.” While declining to reveal the exact figures for fear of divulging too much information about his holdings, Lutnick hinted at his substantial wealth, referencing his stake in public companies and Cantor Fitzgerald’s overall worth, both of which he implied are in the billions…