Bitcoin News and Finance: What You Need to Know

Larry Fink, the CEO of Blackrock, the world’s largest asset manager, says he has become “a big believer” in bitcoin, emphasizing that it is “bigger than any government.” Calling the cryptocurrency “digital gold,” the executive stressed: “Unlike gold, where we manufacture new gold, we’re almost at the ceiling of the most of the amount of bitcoin that could be created.” Blackrock’s chief also sees value in having Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Blackrock CEO Larry Fink Is a ‘Big Believer’ in Bitcoin Larry Fink, the CEO of Blackrock, the world’s largest asset manager, shared his outlook on bitcoin, crypto, and the spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) market, in an interview with CNBC and Fox Business Friday. Blackrock’s spot bitcoin ETF, the Ishares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), was among the 11 spot bitcoin ETFs approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Wednesday. Describing bitcoin, Fink shared with Fox Business: “If you’re in a country where you’re fearful...

U.S. Representative Tom Emmer expects former U.S. President Donald Trump to become “a lot more” friendly toward cryptocurrency if he returns to the White House. Trump has launched three non-fungible token (NFT) collections since leaving office. Meanwhile, some analysts predict that bitcoin’s price could reach record highs if Trump wins the presidential election this year. Donald Trump Expected to Become Much More Crypto-Friendly House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) believes that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House could usher in a regulatory landscape more favorable to the crypto industry. Emmer, who endorsed Trump in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, is a vocal crypto supporter. The congressman was quoted as saying: If the second Trump administration takes place, [the] president will be a lot more friendly to the crypto industry. Trump was no fan of bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies while he was president. “I am not a fan of bitcoin...

Blackrock’s spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) has acquired 11,439 bitcoin, with a market value of nearly $500 million, within two days of trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange. Blackrock’s Ishares Bitcoin Trust was among the 11 spot bitcoin ETFs approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) this week. Ishares Bitcoin Trust’s BTC Holdings Blackrock’s spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), the Ishares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), now holds 11,439 bitcoin. According to Ishares ETFs’ website, IBIT’s holdings comprised 11,439.2198 bitcoin with a market value of $497,994,992.41 as of Jan. 12. The largest cryptocurrency now represents 99.99% of the trust holdings. Blackrock explained: “The value shown for ‘shares’ represents [the] total number of bitcoins held by the Ishares Bitcoin Trust.” Crypto enthusiast known as Martyparty pointed out on social media platform X Saturday that on Jan. 11, Ishares Bitcoin Trust held roughly 50% bitcoin and 50% cash (U.S. dollars), whi...

Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon has requested that the judge in his fraud case delay the trial date, currently set for Jan. 29, 2024, because Kwon is still tied up in extradition proceedings in Montenegro. Terra’s Do Kwon Requests Trial Postponement Due to Extradition Issues In a letter to U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff dated Jan. 11, Kwon’s lawyers said they had hoped he would be extradited in time for the trial but that now appears unlikely until February or March. The letter was first shared by Inner City Press reporter Matthew Russell Lee. Kwon and his legal team said in the letter that he wishes to attend the trial in person but needs more time for the extradition process to play out. “Unfortunately, it now appears that Mr. Kwon is not likely to be extradited until February or March at the earliest. We understand the court cannot put the trial on hold indefinitely, but an adjournment until mid-March would provide a realistic possibility for Mr. Kwon to attend,” the letter ...