Bitcoin News and Finance: What You Need to Know

Robert Kiyosaki, the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, has advised investors to closely monitor Bitcoin’s upcoming halving, emphasizing that the event is fast approaching. The famous author recently revealed that he is $1 billion in debt but does not see it as his problem. He further shared that he uses debt as money to buy assets, including bitcoin, emphasizing that he does not trust the U.S. dollar. Robert Kiyosaki Urges Investors to Pay Attention to Bitcoin Halving The author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, has highlighted the upcoming Bitcoin halving in April as a key event for investors to watch. Rich Dad Poor Dad is a 1997 book co-authored by Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter. It has been on the New York Times Best Seller List for over six years. More than 32 million copies of the book have been sold in over 51 languages across more than 109 countries. In a post on social media platform X Wednesday, the famous author explained that one contributing factor to the financial status ...

Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary, also known as Mr. Wonderful, has emphasized that institutional interest in crypto and bitcoin will remain high regardless of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s decision on spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). “Even a no decision will not change the long-term potential,” he stressed. Kevin O’Leary Discusses Impact of Spot Bitcoin ETFs on Institutional Demand for Crypto Kevin O’Leary, the chairman of O’Leary Ventures, has weighed in on the potential impact of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approving spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on institutional interest in crypto. He shared on social media platform X Wednesday: “Bitcoin has a spectacular appreciation. Why? The anticipation of the SEC approving the first bitcoin ETF before Jan 10th. I’m not so sure. Gary Gensler at the SEC has never confirmed any timetable for a bitcoin ETF.” However, Mr. Wonderful noted: Even a no decision will not change the ...

Five spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) applicants have filed to register their funds as securities with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the approval deadline draws near. While some interpret this development as approval confirmation of spot bitcoin ETFs by the SEC, experts clarify that several steps remain before these ETFs are greenlighted to launch. Vaneck, Valkyrie, Fidelity, Bitwise, and Grayscale File to Register Spot Bitcoin ETFs as Securities With SEC Several asset managers have filed to register their spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as securities with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The first deadline for a spot bitcoin ETF decision is Jan. 10. However, many expect the SEC to make a decision before that date. Vaneck , Valkyrie , and Grayscale Investments filed on Thursday. Fidelity filed on Wednesday, and Bitwise filed last week. Grayscale’s and Bitwise’s spot bitcoin ETFs plan to list on the NYSE Arca exchange. Van...

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has met with officials from major exchanges to discuss spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Sources close to the proceedings say the securities regulator could begin notifying issuers of spot bitcoin ETF approval on Friday and trading could begin as early as next week. “SEC is giving final comments as we speak,” a Bloomberg analyst described, adding that this is “as close to ‘done’ as we’ve been.” SEC Meeting With Exchanges to Discuss Spot Bitcoin ETFs The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s staff attorneys from the Division of Trading and Markets reportedly held meetings with officials from major exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Nasdaq, and Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), on Wednesday. Fox Business reporter Eleanor Terrett shared on social media platform X: The SEC is holding meetings today with the exchanges (Nasdaq, CBOE, NYSE) to finalize comments on the 19b-4s submitted by the B...

Investment bank TD Cowen predicts the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will approve a spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by the Jan. 10 deadline as a “political necessity.” The bank’s analyst believes that the SEC needs to “cement its role as a crypto regulator before Congress consider broader crypto legislation.” ‘This Is a Political Necessity’ Investment bank TD Cowen’s research team expects the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to approve a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) by the Jan. 10 deadline, viewing it as a “political necessity.” This date marks the first decision deadline this year; it’s for a spot bitcoin ETF proposal submitted by Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest and 21shares. In a note published on Tuesday, TD Cowen Washington Research Group, led by financial analyst Jaret Seiberg, explained: To us, this is a political necessity as the agency needs to cement its role as a crypto regulator before Congress consider broader crypto legislat...

Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki has warned that our leaders will drive the U.S. economy into an economic depression and a war. The famous author has reiterated his recommendation to buy bitcoin amid high anticipation of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approving spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Robert Kiyosaki on Depression and War The author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, has warned that our leaders will drive us into an economic depression and a war. Rich Dad Poor Dad is a 1997 book co-authored by Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter. It has been on the New York Times Best Seller List for over six years. More than 32 million copies of the book have been sold in over 51 languages across more than 109 countries. He explained on social media platform X Saturday that the “Definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting things to change.” He emphasized, “Our leaders, the 3 Stooges Biden as President, Yellen as Treasur...

Economist and gold bug Peter Schiff expects the approval of spot bi tcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to be a nonevent. The crypto skeptic explained that there is “really no need for a bitcoin ETF, as you can buy and store bitcoin yourself for free.” He predicted: “There will be minimal investor demand and the speculators who bought on the news will likely sell on the fact.” Schiff Throws Cold Water on Spot Bitcoin ETF Peter Schiff, chief economist at Euro Pacific Asset Management and founder of Schiff Gold, expressed his view on the expected approval of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in a series of posts on social media platform X this week. The first deadline this year for the SEC to approve a spot bitcoin ETF is Jan. 10 for a joint proposal from Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest and 21shares. “Be careful what you wish for,” Schiff wrote on X Tuesday. “The promise of a U.S...

Microstrategy’s executive chairman, Michael Saylor, is selling $216 million of his company’s shares, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The pro-bitcoin executive intends to use some of the proceeds to acquire additional bitcoin for his personal holdings. Michael Saylor Plans to Buy More Bitcoin for Himself Microstrategy (Nasdaq: MSTR)’s executive chairman, Michael Saylor, plans to sell 315,000 shares of his company’s common stock worth $216 million, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Jan. 2. Microstrategy previously disclosed Saylor’s plan to sell up to 400,000 shares of company stock over four months. In its November 10-Q filing with the SEC, the Nasdaq-listed firm explained that the pre-arranged 10b5-1 trading plan, triggered by a stock option that expires on April 30, 2024, involves daily sales of 5,000 shares contingent on a minimum price condition. During Microstrategy’s Q3 2023 earnings...

A new tax reporting law has entered into force in the U.S. Starting on Jan. 1, all Americans receiving $10,000 or more in crypto in the course of their trade or business must file a report with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) within 15 days. “If you don’t file a report within 15 days of receiving the transaction, you could be found guilty of a felony offense,” Coin Center warned. New Crypto Tax Law Takes Effect on Jan. 1 Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which passed in November 2021, requires “anyone who receives $10,000 or more in cryptocurrency in the course of their trade or business to make a report to the IRS about that transaction,” crypto policy advocate Coin Center explained in a blog post on Tuesday. “The report must include, among other things, the name, address, and social security number of the person from whom the funds were received, the amount received, and the date and nature of the transaction,” Coin Center executive director ...

Anticipation of spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) approvals by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) remains high, but the securities regulator reportedly still has a lot of paperwork to go through. While some speculate on a late-week announcement, others expect it early next week as the Jan. 10 deadline approaches. SEC Still Has Lots of Spot Bitcoin ETF Paperwork to Sort Through Anticipation of an imminent decision by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that could finally unlock the U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) market drove the price of bitcoin above $45,000 on Tuesday. Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart shared on social media platform X details of spot bitcoin ETFs that the SEC is currently considering. “Here’s a view of the Cointucky Derby starting gate as of this morning. We’re focused on these 11 spot bitcoin ETF filers. Expecting most of these N/A’s to be filled over the next ~week.” He added that he is expecting the SEC to appr...

Crypto asset management firm Grayscale Investments has updated its spot bitcoin ETF filing in hope of being included in the initial round of decisions by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). However, the firm has omitted some key information that the SEC reportedly wants included in the filing, which several other asset managers have disclosed, including details relating to authorized participants. Grayscale Files 3rd Amendment to Spot Bitcoin ETF Filing Most asset managers seeking to launch a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) updated their applications with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday, which was the deadline given by the regulator for amended filings. Grayscale filed the third amendment to its S-3 filing to convert its bitcoin trust (GBTC) into a spot bitcoin ETF on Friday. Commenting on Grayscale’s amended filing, Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas shared on social media platform X Tuesday: New Grayscale amendment just dr...

The expected approval of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) applications by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission will see the top crypto asset’s price jumping to $50,000 in January, the latest market preview by Matrixport has predicted. The crypto financial services platform said the approval of ETFs, combined with bitcoin halving, will likely see the price of BTC rising to $125,000. BTC Poised to Break out in Early 2024 Following its now common mid-to-end December consolidation, the USD price of bitcoin is “poised to break out on a robust beginning-of-the-year buying flow.” According to the latest Matrixport market preview , the crypto financial services platform foresees the top crypto asset’s price jumping to $50,000 in January. Matrixport, like many of its peers, said it sees the approval of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as one key event that it expects to fuel bitcoin’s rally. The crypto financial...

Congressman Tom Emmer’s CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act now has 75 cosponsors. “A central bank digital currency is government-controlled programmable money that, if not designed to emulate cash, could give the federal government the ability to surveil and restrict Americans’ transactions,” the lawmaker cautioned. CBDC Anti-Surveillance Bill Gains Support in Congress Seventy-five U.S. lawmakers now support the CBDC (central bank digital currency) Anti-Surveillance State Act. Congressman Tom Emmer (R-MN), who introduced the bill, shared on social media platform X Saturday: My bill to protect Americans’ right to financial privacy, the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act, is up to 75 cosponsors, and we will keep growing support. This bill limits the Fed’s ability to provide direct services to individuals and use a central bank digital currency. “Specifically, the bill prohibits the Federal Reserve and the Federal Open Market Committee from using any central bank digital currency to i...

Vaneck’s director of digital assets strategy has explained why people tend to underestimate the long-term impact of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). He believes that upon the approval of a U.S. spot bitcoin ETF by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), “bitcoin’s price trajectory could follow gold’s blueprint from 2004 and the years after, just much faster.” Market Impact of Spot Bitcoin ETFs Vaneck’s director of digital assets strategy, Gabor Gurbacs, shared his predictions regarding the long-term impact of U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on social media platform X Sunday. Vaneck is among the asset management firms that have applied to launch a spot bitcoin ETF with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). While noting that in his view, “people tend to overestimate the initial impact of U.S. bitcoin ETFs,” which he expects to be only a few hundred million dollars in mainly recycled funds, the Vaneck director said: Long term, people tend ...

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that the U.S. could face a stock market crash worse than that of 1929 and a Great Depression if he doesn’t win the upcoming presidential election. He stressed that the U.S. economy is “terrible” and inflation over the past three years “has totally destroyed the buying power of the consumer.” Trump’s Market Crash and Depression Warnings Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, has sounded the alarm regarding the U.S. economy if he doesn’t win the presidential election this year. The former U.S. president posted on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday: “The economy is terrible & inflation, which by some accounts is more than 30% over the last three years, has totally destroyed the buying power of the consumer. The only thing that is keeping the economy ‘alive’ is the fumes of what we accomplished during the Trump administration.” Trump added: “The stock market is only high because people, & institutions,...

Throughout the past year, enthusiasm and speculation around bitcoin and other crypto assets have surged, particularly as the year drew to a conclusion. The Motley Fool’s forecasts for 2024 strike a pessimistic tone, anticipating a “buy the rumor, sell the news” scenario related to the spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) and further projecting that the crypto market will not decouple from the traditional stock market. In contrast, bitcoin advocates maintain a more optimistic outlook for the upcoming year, estimating the value of bitcoin to range from $80,000 to $120,000. Dueling Visions Set Stage for 2024’s Crypto Saga On the final day of 2023, The Motley Fool, a well known provider of financial and investing advice, released four projections relating to the crypto economy. The writer comments that the “phenomenal 2023” BTC experienced may prove challenging, perhaps even unattainable, to replicate. Regarding the spot bitcoin ETF , the author remarks that it might result in a “...

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could make a decision regarding the approval of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on Tuesday or Wednesday, according to a report. Anticipation for the first-ever U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs intensified last week as prominent asset managers updated their filings with the SEC. Green Light Imminent? SEC Could Make a Decision by Tuesday/Wednesday Market participants are buzzing with anticipation as major asset management firms scramble to secure regulatory approval for the first-ever spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S. Applicants, including Blackrock, Vaneck, Valkyrie, Bitwise, Invesco, Fidelity, Wisdomtree, and the Ark Invest/21shares joint venture all submitted revised filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday. The first deadline is Jan. 10 for the proposed spot bitcoin ETF by Ark Invest/21shares. Many people are expecting the securities regulator to approve multiple spot bitcoin ET...

Crypto exchange Coinbase says that it has “extensively prepared” for spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) approvals by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Most spot bitcoin ETF applicants have named the Nasdaq-listed crypto platform as the custodian for their bitcoin. Coinbase Gets Ready for Spot Bitcoin ETF Launches As the deadline approaches for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to decide whether to approve a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), Coinbase (Nasdaq: COIN) says it has extensively prepared its systems to custody BTC for spot bitcoin ETF issuers. Most spot bitcoin ETF applicants have named the Nasdaq-listed crypto platform as the custodian of their bitcoin, including Blackrock, the world’s largest asset manager, Ark Invest, Bitwise, Wisdomtree, and Invesco. A Coinbase spokesperson told Bloomberg Friday: We have extensively prepared for ETF approval … Our systems have been designed and tested to handle added trading volume, incre...

The Avalanche Foundation, an institution that funds avalanche initiatives, has recently announced that it will start investing in meme coins. These purchases will be made using funds from the $100 million Culture Catalyst fund launched in 2022, and the tokens will be selected based on their number of holders, liquidity thresholds, and project maturity, among other elements. Avalanche to Invest in Meme Coins Using $100 Million Culture Catalyst Fund The Avalanche Foundation has announced that it is taking a position in meme coins. In a recent X post, the foundation revealed that it will invest in selected meme coins, broadening its portfolio as part of a comprehensive move to embrace “a more complete spectrum of possibilities.” This investment will be made using Culture Catalyst, a fund launched in 2022 during the Avalanche Summit in Barcelona. The institution will use part of the $100 million fund, initially focused on “helping to cultivate and support the many new forms of creati...

Arthur Hayes, CIO of Maelstrom and former CEO of Bitmex, discussed the eventual demise of Tether and other stablecoin companies. Hayes explained that Tether’s business model, which consists of taking dollars and investing in treasuries, will eventually be cannibalized by big banks like JPMorgan when they get allowed to issue fiat-backed stablecoins. Arthur Hayes Warns About Banks Replacing Tether and Other Stablecoin Companies Arthur Hayes, the former CEO of Bitmex and CIO of Malestrom, a crypto-focused early-stage investment fund, has stated that he expects big banks to take over the stablecoin business, now dominated by Tether, the company behind USDT . At Laura Shin’s Unchained podcast, Hayes explained that while Tether has configured itself to be a great product in the crypto market, it has only achieved its status due to the refusal of the U.S. banking system to offer a similar product. On Tether’s business model, Hayes declared: The people who own Tether make something li...

Mark Cuban, a Shark Tank star and the billionaire owner of the NBA team Dallas Mavericks, says the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) doesn’t protect anyone, calling the regulator “the Quickbooks of financial regulation.” He stressed that the Howey Test isn’t enough to cover every crypto situation. Mark Cuban Slams SEC: They Don’t Protect Anyone Shark Tank star and the owner of the NBA team Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, slammed the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in a post on social media platform X Thursday. Regarding whether the current securities law is sufficient to regulate crypto, Cuban said: “All you need to know is that Howey was not enough to cover every situation, so Reves came along.” Reves v. Ernst & Young is a Supreme Court case related to the definition of an “investment contract” under the Securities Act of 1933. The billionaire added: Now there’s a need for a crypto complement to Howey and Reves. The owner of the Dallas Mavericks op...

Bitwise has revealed in an amended filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a plan to seed its spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) with $200 million. This significantly exceeds Blackrock’s $10 million seed commitment for its spot Bitcoin ETF that’s planned for Jan. 3. Bitwise’s $200 Million Plan to Seed Spot Bitcoin ETF Bitwise is one of the spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) applicants that submitted an amended filing (S-1) to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday. Once launched, Bitwise’s spot bitcoin ETF will trade under the ticker symbol BITB. According to the firm’s filing with the SEC, an unnamed entity “has indicated an interest in purchasing an aggregate of up to $200 million of shares in this offering from authorized participants or in the marketplace through broker-dealers.” Commenting on the asset manager’s filing, Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas pointed out on social media platform X: Bitwise S-1 has been file...

Blackrock, the world’s largest asset manager, has named JPMorgan as a lead authorized participant for its spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). This followed JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon stating in a congressional hearing that bitcoin and cryptocurrency are used primarily for criminal purposes and that he would close down crypto if he were the government. JPMorgan Named Authorized Participant by Blackrock for Spot Bitcoin ETF On the final day of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s deadline , Blackrock, the world’s largest asset manager, submitted an updated filing for its spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). The SEC gave spot bitcoin ETF applicants until Friday to submit their amended filings in order to be included in the first batch of decisions in early January. Moreover, the securities regulator reportedly said it wants authorized participants (APs) named in amended filings. Blackrock’s latest amended filing shows that it has named JPMorgan and Jane Street as...