The Stellar blockchain's highly anticipated upgrade to include Ethereum-style smart contracts may experience a delay due to the discovery of a bug. The bug, found in the Stellar Core v20.1.0 software, could potentially impact smart-contract transactions once the upgrade is implemented. After receiving feedback from the developer community, the Stellar Development Foundation decided to disarm its own validators and postpone the network upgrade. However, other validators still have the option to proceed with the upgrade. The bug is expected to be fixed within the next two weeks, and the foundation will coordinate to determine a future vote date if the upgrade is postponed. This upgrade is significant for Stellar, as it aims to add programmability and introduce the concept of smart contracts similar to Ethereum. Traders may be speculating on how this upgrade could positively impact the value of the project's native XLM tokens.
The latest report by Messari highlights the impressive growth of Binance Smart Chain (BSC) in Q4 2023. BSC witnessed a 48% QoQ surge in market capitalization, indicating renewed interest in BNB. Revenue measured in USD also grew by 27%, reaching over $39 million in Q4. Gas fees burned in BNB increased by 21%, reflecting the rising number of transactions and smart contract interactions on the platform. BSC also experienced a 25% QoQ increase in the number of active validators, demonstrating growing trust and decentralization. The network handled heightened activity while reducing costs, with a 35% YoY increase and a 30% QoQ surge in daily transactions. A record-breaking 32 million transactions were processed on December 7, 2023. Impressive achievements for Binance Smart Chain! #CryptoNews
Despite Bitcoin's current 42% dip from its all-time high, historical data from Glassnode and Bitcoin analysts suggest that this could set the stage for a post-halving rally. Comparisons have been drawn to previous halving events, where Bitcoin experienced significant price surges. Speculation arises as to whether a similar upswing will follow, with the potential for Bitcoin to reach a new record high by the end of 2025. Research from CoinGecko adds to this optimism, with 31 fintech executives predicting a value of $87,000 for Bitcoin this year. However, it's important to acknowledge the volatility and unpredictability of the crypto market, making it challenging to precisely predict the outcome of each halving.
According to JPMorgan, profit-taking from Grayscale's bitcoin trust has already occurred, suggesting that most of the downward pressure on bitcoin from that channel should be behind us. The recent selloff in bitcoin, accompanied by significant outflows from Grayscale's bitcoin trust, has resulted in a decrease in GBTC's bitcoin holdings. JPMorgan strategist Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou estimates that $4.3 billion has already been withdrawn from GBTC, indicating that GBTC profit-taking has largely happened. Needham's John Todaro also suggests that the outflows from GBTC might be slowing down. However, another JPMorgan analyst, Kenneth Worthington, cautions that the catalyst of bitcoin ETFs might disappoint market participants. The investment bank has also downgraded Coinbase stock from Neutral to Underweight.
Solana's memecoin WEN has achieved an impressive trading volume of over $55 million in just eight hours, as reported by trading data aggregator Birdeye. The availability of WEN for claim on LFG Launchpad from decentralized exchange Jupiter, where over one million eligible wallets can receive 643,652 tokens each, contributed to this milestone.
During the launch at 3 pm UTC, the WEN tokens distributed to eligible wallets had a potential selling value of around $35. However, those who waited witnessed a remarkable 93% increase in WEN price in the last four hours. Consequently, users who held onto their tokens were able to sell at nearly double the profit compared to early sellers.
While $55 million may appear modest compared to the trading volumes of cryptocurrencies with 10-digit market caps, it is essential to consider that WEN's price currently stands at $0.0001232, with a substantial volume of approximately 503,000 trades. The mention of WEN started with a teaser on X (previously Twitter) on January 22, followed by the official announcement on January 25.
WEN was developed as a meme coin inspired by a poem written by Meow, co-founder of Jupiter, in December 2023. Its purpose is to serve as a community coin to give back and immortalize WEN culture. Originally shared to mock the 'wen token' meme that gained popularity amongst airdrop enthusiasts eagerly awaiting rewards, it has since been transformed into a non-fungible token (NFT). This NFT has been divided into one trillion pieces using Ovols, a tokenization standard that integrates NFTs into decentralized finance (DeFi). Therefore, each WEN token holds a fraction of Meow's tokenized poem.
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The recent surge in Bitcoin's price, surpassing $42,000 after trading below $40,000 for several days, can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the release of the personal income expenditures (PCE) price index, indicating lower inflation than expected in the US, suggests a cooling off of inflation and a potential reduction in aggressive monetary policies by the Federal Reserve. This positive development has likely influenced investors to increase their investments in Bitcoin, leading to the price surge.
Additionally, with the US economy hitting an all-time debt of $34.1 trillion, concerns about the potential devaluation of the US dollar have made Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies an attractive hedge against currency devaluation. Renowned economists like Peter Schiff have predicted an imminent crash of the US dollar, prompting finance author Robert Kiyosaki to advocate for Bitcoin investments to protect against government actions that may result in financial losses.
The expiration of monthly BTC options contracts on Deribit may have also played a crucial role in Bitcoin's recent rally, as the derivatives market was pinpointed as a cause for its decline. Furthermore, the slowing outflow of Grayscale's GBTC in the last four consecutive days indicates that investors may be refraining from taking profits, aligning with the recent trend of reduced outflows from the fund. This is significant because Grayscale's selling pressure has impacted Bitcoin's performance.
Currently, Bitcoin is trading at around $41,700, reflecting a 4% increase in the last 24 hours according to data from CoinMarketCap.
The upcoming Bitcoin halving event, slated to happen around April 20, 2024, has sparked widespread speculation in the crypto community. With the fourth halving approaching, there is a theory circulating about the possibility of a major blockchain reorganization due to the exceptional value of the halving block. Tristan, the founder of https://t.co/IrL2dR8Tnj, discusses this unique nature of the halving in a blog post titled The Next Bitcoin Halving Will be Reorged. The author highlights that block 840,000 is predicted to have the most valuable reward in Bitcoin's history, primarily due to Casey Rodamor's Ordinals protocol, which assigns serial numbers to satoshis, determining their value based on historical importance. This innovation has gained traction among bitcoin enthusiasts, reshaping how BTC's inherent value is perceived. The halving block is expected to include an 'Epic sat,' a rare satoshi created once every halving, with only three in existence so far. To put its significance into perspective, its market value could exceed 1 million dollars, or approximately 25 BTC. The Ordiscan founder also mentions the launch of the Runes protocol alongside the halving, which further revolutionizes the Bitcoin blockchain. The excitement around the first Rune token is immense, considering its potential market impact and historical significance in the evolving Bitcoin ecosystem. However, the unprecedented valuation of block 840,000 raises concerns about potential reorganizations in the Bitcoin blockchain. Tristan speculates that it is almost inevitable to witness the mother of all reorgs this year, given the substantial financial incentive for miners to deviate from standard practices in pursuit of this highly valuable block. Nonetheless, the author acknowledges that while the outcome remains uncertain, the dust will eventually settle, and new blocks will continue to be added. The upcoming Bitcoin halving signifies more than a routine event; it serves as a testament to the ever-evolving Bitcoin protocol and its community. With the introduction of innovative concepts like the Ordinals theory and the Runes protocol, coupled with the potential for significant blockchain reorganizations, this marks a pivotal moment in Bitcoin's history. As the community prepares for these changes, the impact of these developments on the future of Bitcoin remains to be seen.
Analysts are suggesting that Charles Schwab, the multinational financial services corporation, may soon enter the bitcoin ETF market, following the recent success of U.S.-based spot bitcoin ETFs. While Schwab is not typically the first to enter a market, they have a history of making a significant impact when they do. Schwab's potential move is seen as an opportunity to disrupt the bitcoin ETF arena, leveraging their extensive scale and competitive pricing strategy. Experts believe that Schwab's approach is methodical and thoughtful, prioritizing a long-term lineup of products over being the first-mover. ETF Institute co-founder Nate Geraci believes it is a foregone conclusion that Schwab will enter the spot bitcoin ETF race sooner rather than later. With their wide range of brokerage services and experience in dealing with exchange-traded products, Schwab has the resources and motivation to compete, especially considering Fidelity's current lead in the market.
Crypto analyst Egrag Crypto has reiterated his prediction that XRP will reach $27 in the near future. He analyzed XRP's moving average and suggested that the altcoin could rise to $27 based on its price position in relation to the 21 Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on the monthly time frame. By referencing past percentage moves, Egrag indicated that XRP could replicate its previous spikes, such as the 4500% increase in 2017. Egrag's recent chart also suggests that this price prediction could materialize this year. Before reaching $27, Egrag predicts that XRP could rise to $1.4 between March and April, leading to further progress towards $5 and beyond. The analyst acknowledges that some XRP investors may be anxious about the stagnant price action, but he advises against letting emotions affect trading decisions, emphasizing the importance of a strategic and disciplined approach in the volatile crypto market.
According to the host of the 'Discover Crypto' YouTube channel, the XRP price could potentially surge by 1000% once the legal battle between Ripple and the SEC is settled. This long-standing conflict has created uncertainty in the XRP market, causing investors to trade with caution. However, the settlement itself, regardless of the fine imposed on Ripple, will be seen as positive news and could act as a trigger for the price surge. Additionally, the analyst highlighted four other reasons for the potential surge. First, a Ripple Initial Public Offering (IPO) could generate significant momentum for XRP, fueled by market makers and whales aiming to create a positive sentiment around the IPO launch. The analyst also pointed out that crypto legislation, which benefits the entire market, could lead to substantial gains for XRP. Institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies, driven by the opening of doors through Spot Bitcoin ETFs, is expected to have a similar effect. Lastly, the analyst predicts that the Bitcoin Halving will cause all crypto tokens, including XRP, to pump in value. With all these factors in mind, the analyst recommends buying XRP at its current price of $0.50, as it presents a great opportunity.
In case you missed it, Saturday in the crypto world was eventful. OpenSea's CEO expressed openness to potential acquisitions, while Sui achieved a significant milestone by entering the top 10 chains by TVL. Drift Protocol addressed an oracle malfunction, assuring users that their funds are safe. Farcaster introduced Frames, allowing developers to create interactive experiences, mint NFTs, and even partake in unconventional activities like frame-by-frame viewing of Tenet. Furthermore, the first full week of Bitcoin ETF trading concluded with modest net inflows. Stay informed with The Block's independent and objective reporting on the crypto industry.
@hvy_gorilla "The uptick in Bitcoin's price is accompanied by a broader recovery in the cryptocurrency market, with altcoins also experiencing positive momentum."
@APfiester "Van de Poppe's bullish perspective suggests that Ethereum's recent price action could serve as a springboard for a potential upward trend."
@bythenight "Investors are closely monitoring regulatory developments regarding Ethereum Spot ETFs, as their approval could signal broader acceptance of Ethereum within traditional financial markets."
@qpz4dy78 "Analyzing the ETH/BTC pair on a weekly timeframe allows for a broader perspective on Ethereum's strength or weakness relative to Bitcoin over longer periods."
@laaaurenbaby_ "Despite the initial boost following news of the Bitcoin spot ETF approval, Ethereum's subsequent downtrend underscores the complex relationship between different cryptocurrencies within the market."
@KainNickrent "The extended deadline for the SEC's decision underscores the need for comprehensive regulatory frameworks that balance innovation and investor protection in the cryptocurrency space."
@mmndmm "The transfer of over $125 million worth of ETH by Celsius Network underscores the need for transparency and accountability within the cryptocurrency lending sector."
@vanessavaquiz "The introduction of spot Ethereum ETFs is seen as a significant catalyst for Ethereum's upward trajectory, potentially attracting more institutional and retail investors to the platform."
@parkerblack102 "The daily addition of 96,300 new members to the Ethereum community further solidifies its position as a leading blockchain platform for decentralized applications and smart contracts."