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

Recent blockchain analytics reveal that 4,000 bitcoins, valued at approximately $175 million, have been transferred from addresses believed to be controlled by Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust, commonly referred to as GBTC. Records indicate that these transfers occurred in four separate batches of 1,000 bitcoins each, directed towards Coinbase. Arkham Data Shows Flagged Grayscale Wallets Sent 4,000 Bitcoin to Coinbase The financial world is currently abuzz, especially following the debut of the new spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), which saw a staggering $4.6 billion in trading volume on its first day. Concurrently, bitcoin’s value has experienced a 5.5% decline relative to the U.S. dollar. Amidst these market movements, it was observed on Friday that Grayscale’s reserves diminished by 4,000 BTC , equivalent to $175 million based on the prevailing exchange rates. While there is no absolute confirmation of the specific addresses Grayscale uses for its BTC holdings, Arkham Intelli

Ark Invest CEO Cathie Wood has doubled down on her bullish bitcoin forecasts, now seeing a higher probability of the price of bitcoin soaring to $1.5 million per coin. She emphasized that the approval of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has raised the probability of her bull case prediction. Ark Invest Sees Increased Probability of Bitcoin Reaching $1.5 Million Cathie Wood, the CEO of Ark Investment Management (Ark Invest), doubled down on her bitcoin price predictions on Thursday following the approval of 11 spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Referencing Ark’s Big Ideas 2023 , the asset management firm’s yearly report highlighting “the technological breakthroughs evolving today and creating the potential for super-exponential growth tomorrow,” Wood explained: “Our base case is in the $600,000 range” for the price of bitcoin. Ark’s “bull case” prediction sees

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren has slammed the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for approving spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). She stressed that the securities regulator is “wrong on the law and wrong on the policy with respect to the bitcoin ETF decision.” Senator Elizabeth Warren Unhappy With SEC’s Spot Bitcoin ETF Approvals The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s recent approval of 11 spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) drew immediate criticism from U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), who has long been a vocal skeptic of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The senator wrote on social media platform X Thursday: The SEC is wrong on the law and wrong on the policy with respect to the bitcoin ETF decision. “If the SEC is going to let crypto burrow even deeper into our financial system, then it’s more urgent than ever that crypto follow basic anti-money laundering rules,” she stressed. Several “community notes” were placed on Warren’s twe

Amidst escalating transaction fees, Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin has suggested a substantial gas limit increase, potentially boosting network capacity and reducing user expenses. Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin Advocates for Higher Gas Limit to Improve Network Capacity Ethereum ecosystem co-founder Vitalik Buterin has proposed an increase in the network’s gas limit. This adjustment, aimed at augmenting network capacity, could potentially lower costs for users and enhance transaction efficiency. Ethereum’s gas limit is the ceiling for the total amount of gas allowed in a single block. Gas, a fee necessary for conducting transactions or executing contracts on the Ethereum blockchain, ensures the network’s operational fluidity. Presently, the gas limit stands at 30 million. During an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session with the Ethereum Foundation’s research team on Reddit, Buterin suggested a “modest” gas limit increase, proposing a raise to approximately 40 million. This adjustment represents

Financial research firm Fundstrat’s head of research has predicted that the price of bitcoin is headed for $150K and could hit $500K in five years. Emphasizing the cryptocurrency’s finite supply and “a potentially huge increase in demand with a spot bitcoin approval,” the analyst stressed that it is “definitely achievable” that bitcoin could reach half a million dollars in five years. Bitcoin Expected to Hit $150K Short-Term, $500K Possible Long-Term The head of research at Fundstrat, an independent financial research boutique, Tom Lee, shared his view on the bitcoin price outlook in an interview with CNBC on Wednesday. Replying to a question about what the price of bitcoin will be in one year and five years, he said: I think in the next 12 months, something over $100,000 … maybe over $150,000. Lee expressed the significance of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s approval of 11 spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on Wednesday. The funds started trading o

Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki has revealed that he bought additional bitcoin following the approval of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The famous author is deeply concerned about the U.S. economy, particularly the threat of hyperinflation. Robert Kiyosaki Increases Bitcoin Holdings After SEC Green-Lights Spot BTC ETFs The author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, has revealed that he bought additional bitcoin following the approval of 11 spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 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. The famous author wrote on social media platform X Thursday: “Inflation or deflation? What if the PhDs at [the] White Hou

U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) racked up $4.6 billion in total trading volume on their first day of trading. Blackrock, the world’s largest asset manager, debuted with more than $1 billion in trading volume for its Ishares Bitcoin Trust. Grayscale’s spot bitcoin ETF, which converted from the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, registered a total trading volume of $2.3 billion. This is “easily the biggest Day One splash in ETF history,” said an ETF analyst. $4.6 Billion in Total Trading Volume The long-awaited debut of U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) ignited a trading frenzy on their first day of trading Thursday, reaching a cumulative volume of $4.6 billion. Blackrock, the world’s largest asset manager, debuted with over $1 billion in trading volume for its Ishares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), followed by Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), with a trading volume of $712 million. Grayscale’s spot bitcoin ETF, which was converted from its bitcoin trust (GBTC), had

The chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Gary Gensler, cast the deciding vote approving 11 spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in a landmark decision on Wednesday. Before the approvals, the securities regulator held a vote on spot bitcoin ETFs, with two commissioners favoring and two opposing. Gensler’s vote tipped the scales in favor of approval. Gensler’s Vote Tips the Scales in Favor of Spot Bitcoin ETF Approvals Before approving spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on Wednesday, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) held final votes on the rule changes proposed by NYSE Arca, Nasdaq, and Cboe BZX to list and trade the funds. Two SEC commissioners, Hester Peirce and Mark Uyeda, voted for approval, while Caroline Crenshaw and Jaime Lizárraga opposed it. The vote split at 2-2, with Gary Gensler casting the deciding vote in favor of approving spot bitcoin ETFs. Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart commented on Thursday: For those that

Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki has predicted that the price of bitcoin will hit $150,000 “soon,” as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). He emphasized that he will be buying more bitcoin. Kiyosaki has issued diverse bitcoin price predictions, with his most eye-catching one reaching a staggering $1 million. Robert Kiyosaki Says He Will Buy More Bitcoin The author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, has insisted that the price of bitcoin will hit $150,000 soon. 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. Commenting on the approval of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Kiyosaki said he is glad he bought bitcoin years ago. He emphasized th

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has insisted that bitcoin doesn’t have value, emphasizing that its use cases are sex trafficking, tax avoidance, money laundering, and terrorism financing. However, JPMorgan has teamed up with Blackrock to help the world’s largest asset manager grow its spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) as a lead authorized participant. Jamie Dimon Insists Bitcoin Has No Value The CEO of JPMorgan Chase, Jamie Dimon, still believes that bitcoin has no value even as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved 11 spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on Wednesday. In an interview with Fox Business on Wednesday, Dimon expressed: I’ve always said that bitcoin doesn’t have value … The actual use cases are sex trafficking, tax avoidance, money laundering, terrorism financing. The JPMorgan executive’s comment echoed his statement made during a Senate Banking Committee’s hearing in December last year. In response to a question by U.S. Senator Eliza

Amid the excitement surrounding the approval of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler issued a statement emphasizing that the regulator did not approve or endorse bitcoin by approving spot bitcoin ETFs. Gensler insisted that most crypto assets are securities, warning: “Investors should remain cautious about the myriad risks associated with bitcoin and products whose value is tied to crypto.” SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s Statement About Bitcoin Following Spot Bitcoin ETF Approvals After greenlighting spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler issued a statement clarifying the regulator’s stance on bitcoin and cryptocurrency. “Today, the Commission approved the listing and trading of a number of spot bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) shares,” the SEC chairman began , noting that the agency disapproved more than 20 exchange rule filings for spot bit

In a landmark decision, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved 11 spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), a move long anticipated by crypto enthusiasts. Despite this historic regulatory nod, the price of bitcoin witnessed stale action over the past 24 hours. In striking contrast, ethereum rallied, marking a 9.1% rise on Wednesday, overshadowing bitcoin’s underperformance. Ethereum Rises as Bitcoin Sees Muted Impact After ETF Approvals The SEC’s decision marks a significant turn in the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies. Six years after the Winklevoss Bitcoin Trust became the first Bitcoin ETF to be rejected in March 2017 , the approval of these 11 ETFs represents a watershed moment. However, the market’s response was unexpectedly muted. While such approvals typically fuel bullish sentiments, bitcoin’s price movement remained tepid, suggesting a more complex market dynamic at play. Bitcoin chart by TradingView Experts have been pondering the r

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler has advised investors to be cautious when considering crypto investments. His advice followed a series of warnings he issued the day before regarding the risks of crypto investing. The SEC is expected to green-light multiple spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on Wednesday. Gary Gensler’s Advice to Crypto Investors The chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Gary Gensler, released another statement regarding crypto investing Tuesday, amid market expectations of imminent approval for spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). In a post on social media platform X, Gensler urged investors to be cautious if they are considering an investment involving crypto assets. He warned: “Crypto asset securities may be marketed as new investment opportunities but there are serious risks involved.” The SEC chairman posted a link to an article by Lori Schock, Director of the SEC’s Office of Investor

Bitcoin’s value experienced a turbulent Tuesday, largely due to a rogue post from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s hijacked X account, mistakenly proclaiming the green light for all spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). False Spot ETF Approval Post Causes Chaos in Bitcoin Markets This erroneous message from the official Twitter of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sparked a rapid increase in bitcoin’s price, soaring close to $48,000 per unit. Yet, this surge was short-lived as the price promptly dropped to around $45,000 once the market recognized the false nature of the announcement. This event stirred unease among investors and crypto enthusiasts, with some drawing parallels to a pump-and-dump strategy. Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty demanded clarity from the SEC, pointing to possible market manipulation. Hagerty stated : Just like the SEC would demand accountability from a public company if they made such a colossal market-moving mistake, Con

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s X account announced the approval of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on Tuesday. However, minutes later, SEC Chairman Gary Gensler claimed that the agency’s social media account was compromised and the post was unauthorized. Some suspect an internal SEC error behind the premature bitcoin ETF announcement. SEC’s ‘Unauthorized’ Spot Bitcoin ETF Announcement Amidst soaring anticipation for potential spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) approval, an official U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) account on social media platform X announced on Tuesday that the regulator has approved spot bitcoin ETFs for trading on all registered national securities exchanges. As excitement surged across the crypto industry and social media went wild over the fake news, SEC Chairman Gary Gensler quickly took to X platform to clarify that the SEC account was compromised and an unauthorized post claiming spot bitcoin ETF approval was

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is expected to green-light “a handful” of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on Wednesday, potentially unleashing a wave of trading this week. On Monday, 10 applicants submitted their final amendments, including Blackrock, which also filed to register its Ishares Bitcoin Trust as a security. SEC Expected to Green-Light Spot Bitcoin ETFs on Wednesday Monday was filled with anticipation in the spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) race as 10 applicants filed final amendments with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), meeting the regulator’s 8 a.m. deadline. Market expectations of potential approvals sent BTC soaring past $47,000 . As investors eagerly await the SEC decision on spot bitcoin ETFs, CNBC reported Monday that the securities regulator could unlock the gates for several applicants on Wednesday. Reporter Kate Rooney detailed: Bitcoin ETF is now widely expected to get the green light this week. Two so

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler has issued warnings about crypto investing amid soaring anticipation for potential spot bitcoin ETF approvals. The SEC chief stressed that crypto investors “should understand they may be deprived of key info” and “other important protections” in connection with their investment. Gary Gensler’s Crypto Warnings The chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Gary Gensler, raised concerns about investing in crypto assets in a series of posts on social media platform X Monday. His warnings came amid heightened anticipation for spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) approvals. “Some things to keep in mind if you’re considering investing in crypto assets,” the SEC chief began . Firstly, Gensler warned, “Those offering crypto asset investments/services may not be complying w/ applicable law, including federal securities laws,” elaborating: Investors in crypto asset securities should understand they m