Marie 🐉

Bitcoin and crypto @DCenter_Explore Ukraine 🇺🇦 Mountains 🏔️ Animals 🐾

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

And just like that.
The biggest and one of the oldest European #crypto exchanges @Bitstamp was sold to the U.S.-based Robinhood.

Founded in 2011(!), this Slovenian exchange was arguably the only European that counted among the industry's leaders like Kraken and Coinbase.

That's gone now, and Europe is falling further behind in the crypto sector. Meanwhile, its politicians congratulate themselves on increasingly strict regulations and tout #CBDC as a groundbreaking innovation that will surpass cryptocurrencies 🤦‍♀️

Does anyone have the Minitel vs Internet déjà-vu already?

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

It’s been a while since we’ve heard much about #DeFi, and yet, it is still alive and kicking.
What's more, it's gaining momentum 📈

However, DeFi in 2024 is much different from DeFi in 2020 -
new protocols (liquid staking and restaking),
new blockchains (#solana, #tron and #bsc),
and new trends emerge, together with the new problems and opportunities.

Here’s what you need to know about the state of decentralized finance 👇

https://t.co/ehMdD52Boi

#crypto #finance

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

#Bitcoin has become a global financial asset, and whether we like it or not, its price is now influenced by a wide range of factors, including financial ones.

We regularly observe market metrics related to bitcoin derivatives - futures, perpetual swaps, and options - because they can give specific insights about the general state of the bitcoin (and even larger #crypto) market.

In our recent newsletter, we demystify this sector and show what some of its indicators can tell us about the market.

Read on 👇
https://t.co/vjhEZgex7T

#cryptomarket #finance

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

We believe that #Bitcoin is poised to dominate the bull market 🐂 agenda for quite some time.

However, now is a good time to start preparing for the "altcoin season" that usually comes when BTC-induced euphoria spills into a larger #web3 space.

Here's our take on the possible timing and the key #altcoin narratives of 2024 👇

https://t.co/0PkZeeuCa0

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

This first little dip since $BTC's new all-time high went well, what do you think? At least the small retail holders played the market just right 👏

The “diamond hands” 💎🤲 narrative and the long-term vision of #Bitcoin are progressively replacing the “paper hands” habits, as small holders stop buying when the price gets high and resume stacking sats during the dips.

Interestingly, the Wall Street guys 💼 who have recently joined the ranks of Bitcoin holders are yet to adopt the same attitude 😅

Read more in our latest newsletter analyzing how different Bitcoin market players reacted to this dip and what this could tell us about this bull run 👇

https://t.co/mvyyOP1V72

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

How did Europe come from the cradle of human rights to the Watchful Eye gazing into our wallets? 👁️‍🗨️

The new #AML rules approved by the EU committee, as reported by the MEP from the @EuropeanPirates @echo_pbreyer , are totally eroding its citizens' #personalfreedom. And this, despite the many demonstrations that this method is spectacularly ineffective in catching real criminals and money launderers.

Just this week @BitcoinMagazine published two articles where we explored the current approach to AML, which - surprise, surprise! - does not work.

But who cares about AML policies' efficiency if there's no mechanism or procedure to measure it? 🤷‍♀️ Let's just ban everything remotely anonymous or pseudonymous... and then introduce a beautiful #CBDC to end all these useless talks about financial freedom.

#crypto #Bitcoin

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

For many years, the main #AML principle was gatekeeping, in the hope that if we don't allow criminals into our money, they will stop their shenanigans and go get a 9-to-5 job.

Breaking news: it didn't work 🫣

https://t.co/UUvFVlyx5N

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

Nowadays the commonly accepted approach to catching criminals is to sacrifice our financial #privacy.

Guess what? This approach doesn't work.

The ever-tightening #AML and #KYC policies help authorities recover <0.1% of criminal funds 🤯

https://t.co/JU1xY99nIW

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

#Bitcoin is a machine that liberates people from the irresistible temptation to debase money,
as put by @BTCPrague, the most European of all big-shot Bitcoin events 🇪🇺💊

We are happy to share a 10% discount for this year's tickets with our friends👇
https://t.co/HeQwLhfgnm

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

Since #Bitcoin broke the previous ATH, we're in unchartered territory, and market swings could be epic 🤠

@coinglass_com data shows that $0.9 bn of shorts will be liquidated if $BTC hits $75.5k 📈, and $2 bn of longs to suffer the same fate if it falls below $67.7k 📉
And this is only on centralized exchanges.

We can see some dramatic volatility ahead🍿

So let's remember how FTX's Caroline Ellison once said "Stop-losses are useless" 🙃
Don't be like Caroline.

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

In life, there is no such thing as a free lunch. In #crypto, there is no such thing as a no-fail investment.

Yet, crypto's unique nature and needs have led to the emergence of #airdrops - free token distribution to early users 🪂

Here's a short guide explaining different types of airdrops and how you might qualify for them, as well as a list of some of the most expected crypto giveaways of 2024 👇

https://t.co/uqLfmcSfe8

Lire en français: https://t.co/Zty2y1eWSP

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

#Crypto assets under management are back to December 2021 levels - practically an all-time high 👀

Even with continuous outflows from Grayscale (-$1.3 bn monthly), BlackRock and Fidelity are going for it (+$2.5 bn and +$1.3 bn, respectively), as well as smaller asset managers (+$1.2 bn).

Last week's record flows of $2.45 billion show that institutional investors are very serious about crypto, and this cycle will see another all-time high of #Bitcoin and Co.

Well, mostly Bitcoin so far to be honest 😉

#ETF #finance

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

#Gold ETFs lost $2.4 billion since the beginning of 2024 📉

#Bitcoin ETFs gained $3.9 billion in the same period 📈

The car 🚗 is replacing the horse 🏇 in the safe-haven investment class?

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

Oligopolies are rigged with flaws - and yet, most of the crucial infrastructure sectors - be it physical 📡 or digital 📱 - are often a highly concentrated market.

#Web3's alternative to this situation is #DePIN - a rising trend that is reaching a scale that can make it one of the key #crypto narratives of 2024.

Indeed, a viable decentralized alternative to cloud computing ☁️ (@Filecoin , @rendernetwork ), data mining and #AI 🤖 (@Hivemapper ), wireless services 🛜 (@helium ), and other infrastructure-related endeavors is much needed.

According to @Messari and @EV3ventures, who have recently released a riveting report on DePIN, it could add +$10 trillion to global GDP over the next decade.

Here's an overview of the main DePIN sectors, examples of their most notable protocols, and the impact this sector can have on the crypto markets 👇

https://t.co/WUqzAsereb

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

There has recently been a spike in concerns about the "institutionalization" of #Bitcoin and its impending fall into the all-devouring maw of Wall Street 🐺💼

Yes, TradFi is eyeing Bitcoin (and other #crypto).
Yes, the amount of BTC in funds and companies' treasuries has spiked.

But if we take a step back and look at the big picture, we can see that this "institutional" Bitcoin represents only 11% of the current supply of 19.6 million BTC.
Of this amoung, only 1/3 is held by funds - i.e. 4% of the current supply.

Bitcoin is not, and very unlikely to ever be, the prerogative of the corporate elite.

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

NFT volume 🖼️, DeFi activity 📊, User activity 👾:
#Ethereum seems to be losing its leading position on all fronts.

And still, ETH is flowing into its staking contract 💸

Let's see what place Ethereum is holding in #web3 in 2024 👇

https://t.co/v6n5YEEvgo

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

#Bitcoin #ETF is here: wen God candle? 🧐

Last week, Bitcoin markets seemed to have finally found their Holy Grail – the spot Bitcoin ETF approval by the fervently anti-crypto SEC. It has sent ripples of excitement across crypto twitter, with "God candle" memes and moon-bound predictions.
However, Bitcoin's price didn't soar but instead took a 12% nosedive 📉

Hold on, don't write off the Bitcoin ETF just yet. The launch was nothing short of spectacular, with a record-breaking $4.6 billion in trading within the first 24 hours alone 🚀 To put that into perspective, the next most successful launch only hit $1 billion on day one.

Half of this astounding volume came from GBTC, the Grayscale trust that once enjoyed a near-monopoly and charged a hefty 2% in fees. Post-approval, the landscape has shifted dramatically, with ten other ETFs in the mix, most charging just around 0.25%.

Bloomberg's Eric Balchunas reports that $GBTC saw a staggering -$579 million outflow in the two days following the approval, while other funds witnessed a combined inflow of $1.4 billion. The net result is a positive influx of $819 million into Bitcoin, led by BlackRock's $IBIT and Fidelity's $FBTC, both channeling a massive $918 million of new cash into the market 💰

So why did BTC fall?

"Buy the rumor, sell the news" might be one reason.
Another could be the unreported outflows from GBTC, due to their reporting delays.
But here's the kicker: the crypto market is a battleground of strategies and patience. Arrogance and impatience often lead to losses, while those who can bide their time tend to come out on top.

The Bitcoin ETF is only starting to influence the market.
hashtag#BlackRock has just released its Bitcoin ETF advertising that calmly (calmly!) explains the asset to its core clientele of wealthy boomers and officially poses its “serious grown-up financial guys” 💼 stamp on the asset that had been associated with over-exited crypto bros for far too long.

This is only the beginning. Stay wise, stay patient 😉

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

Happy New Year, dear readers! 🎇

2024 promises to be an exciting year, full of potential for #Bitcoin and the #crypto space.

Let's kick it off by assessing the current situation and the perspectives for this year 👇

https://t.co/W8yKp1Pvhw

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

#Crypto space loves its memes.

Born in 2013 as a joke to mock crypto speculations, Dogecoin has ironically become a currency itself. Carried by its community and sometimes even by extravagant tech billionaires, it hit its peak of $88 billion market cap in 2021, showing just how serious #memecoins can be.

Since then, many others have emerged, with 🐕 Shiba Inu ($SHIB) or 🐸Pepe the Frog ($PEPE), both Ethereum-based tokens, being the main contenders.

This month, we are witnessing a stunning rise 🚀 of new memecoins:

🐶 @bonk_inu : 7d +100%

Launched in December 2022 on #Solana, it was off to a bad start following the FTX-induced reputational damage, but it saw an impressive recovery recently, gaining 650% this month (before correction).

It now boasts an impressive $1.1 billion market cap.

$BONK has also boosted the so far stagnant sales of Solana’s Saga smartphone: its buyers received a free airdrop of 30 million BONK, which at their peak were worth over $800, more than the $599 price of the phone itself.

🐶 🧢 @dogwifcoin : 7d +1,100%

Launched at the end of November – also on Solana - $WIF has reached its current market cap of $221 million by being “literally just a dog wif a hat”.

🐔 @CoqInuAvax : 7d +810%

Solana is not the only chain hosting the memecoin frenzy. Avalanche has received a noticeable boost from the new hen-themed memecoin $COQ, spiking 100% this mont now has a $186 million market cap.

The memecoins frenzy is a good indicator that the new growth cycle is well underway. However, don’t forget that with great reward comes great risk, and venturing into the memecoins land could be dangerous.

[Marie from D.Center @DCenter_Explore]

#Ledger is once again embroiled in scandal 🤦‍♀️

Yesterday a hacker - who is rumoured to have used an ex-employee’s access - injected a wallet drainer into the Github library for Ledger Connect Kit.
This library is used by numerous #DeFi DApps, and some $610k have already been stolen.

The Ledger device itself is not impacted, nor are its Bitcoin-related functions. However, any #web3 DApp that uses Ledger’s llibrary is at risk. MetaMask, SushiSwap, and other players have already warned their users to stop using DApps.

Indeed, even after Ledger updated its own code a couple of hours after revealing the exploit, this was not enough. Every protocol using its Connect Kit now also has to manually update their version of the library.

Resuming Ledger’s latest misadventures:

- in November, a fraudulent Ledger app on Mocrosoft Store stole $1 million from users,

- this summmer a major controversy surrounding Ledger Recovery revealed that private keys can indeed leave the device’s Secure Element,

- in 2020, Ledger’s client database was compromised, with over a million clients’ emails leaked.

For a company working in the trust sector, this is starting to get complicated.
On the other hand, innovating always is.

What do you think?

#cryptosecurity