Regulating cryptocurrencies will be a tough job for the SEC, says Gary Gensler
Outgoing SEC Chairman Gary Gensler says regulating cryptocurrencies will be a huge undertaking for the agency. He adds that it is a difficult road with much to do and the performance of the industry complicates the picture.
During an interview with Bloomberg TV, cited by the website, the official expressed his views on this financial sector. He stressed that during his current administration, the necessary steps were taken to protect investors from the dangers of the crypto world. In his opinion, digital currency trading companies, especially exchanges, are not transparent enough.
Under the Gensler administration, about 100 cases were opened against companies in the crypto world. Meanwhile, during the presidency of his predecessor, Jay Clayton, about 80 cases were opened against companies in this particular sector of the innovation field.
One key aspect is that during the Clayton era, the crackdown was focused on companies issuing tokens. The most striking case so far is Ripple. Meanwhile, in the Gensler era, the front line moved towards trading companies.
In any case, Gensler believes that regulating cryptocurrencies will not be an easy task. In his view, current laws are sufficient to force the sector to work without harming investors.
The crypto world wants nothing to do with Gensler
Since 2020, the SEC under Gensler has become an executioner for crypto companies. Legal actions and refusal to engage with companies in the sector have worsened the environment for innovation. Tens of millions of dollars have been lost in court amid an all-out war against the sector.
Crypto experts claim that the application of the law through punishment was not a whimsical strategy by Gensler. On the contrary, it would be part of a deeper plan dubbed Operation ChokePoint 2.0 . Some experts, such as attorney John Deaton, are calling for a federal investigation to get to the bottom of this aggression.
Gensler's aggressiveness against the crypto sector became the main reason for his departure from the SEC. The official recently announced his resignation, which will take effect on January 20, the same day as Trump's presidential inauguration. His colleague Rostin Behnam, president of the commodities futures trading regulatory agency (CFTC), will also resign on the same day.
Despite Gensler's clear defeat in the war against cryptocurrencies, his view on the sector remains unchanged. During the same interview with Bloomberg, he stressed that the crypto world is driven by emotions rather than fundamentals. The resignation of this official became a huge cause for celebration for crypto companies.
The door is now open for new regulations in the sector and is expected to be radically different from current rules. Gensler's post will be filled by Paul Atkins.
"The crypto market is experiencing a sharp downturn following recent remarks by Elon Musk, sparking widespread concern among investors. As one of the most influential figures in the tech and financial world, Musk's comments have once again highlighted the volatility of cryptocurrencies and the power of public opinion in shaping the market. What are your thoughts on this latest market movement? Is this a short-term dip or a sign of deeper trends to come? Let’s discuss the future of crypto in this turbulent time. #CryptoMarkets #ElonMusk #BinanceSquare #marketcrash "
President-elect Donald Trump has recently suggested that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state, a proposal that has sparked significant debate and concern among Canadians. In a December 2024 meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump implied that Canada's economic challenges could be alleviated by joining the United States. He later referred to Trudeau as the "Governor of the Great State of Canada," further fueling the controversy.
Canadian leaders have responded firmly against this idea. Prime Minister Trudeau stated there is "not a snowball's chance in hell" of Canada joining the United States. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre emphasized, "Canada will never be the 51st state. Period. We are a great and independent country." Additionally, New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh remarked, "Cut the crap, Donald. No Canadian wants to join you," later referring to Trump as a "bully."
Public opinion in Canada reflects strong opposition to the idea. A Leger poll found that only 13% of Canadians support merging with the United States, while 82% are opposed. An Angus Reid poll reported even lower support at 6%.
These developments have led to heightened diplomatic tensions between the two nations, with Canadian officials urging citizens to focus on substantive issues like proposed tariffs rather than being distracted by provocative statements.
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Turkey is preparing to implement a stricter regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, with new anti-money laundering (AML) measures set to come into effect on February 25, 2025.
These regulations seek to mitigate the use of digital assets in illicit activities such as money laundering and terrorist financing, marking a significant change in the crypto environment of one of the largest markets globally.
Key points of the new regulations
Among the most notable provisions, transactions over 15,000 Turkish liras (approximately $425) are required to include personally identifiable information of users. Crypto service providers will be required to collect data on the holders of the wallets involved in such transactions. In case the necessary information is not provided, the transaction could be categorized as “risky” and even suspended.
In addition, platforms will be mandated to monitor and record activity from previously unregistered wallets. If the sender of a transaction does not provide adequate data, providers may limit such operations or, in extreme cases, terminate business relationships with the users involved.
These measures are also in line with global trends that seek to strengthen security in the crypto sector and align with international financial regulation standards.
Russia bets on Bitcoin in foreign trade to face sanctions
A growing crypto market
With Turkey positioned as the fourth-largest cryptocurrency market in the world, these new regulations will have significant repercussions. As of September 2023, trading volume in the country was approximately $170 billion, surpassing major markets such as Russia and Canada.
This scenario illustrates the accelerated growth of cryptocurrency adoption in Türkiye, despite the fact that the use of digital assets as a form of payment has been banned since 2021.
The growing demand is also reflected in the increase in applications for license registration by crypto companies, with 47 applications received since July 2024, following the implementation of the “Act on Amendments to the Capital Markets Law.”
Comparison with global regulations
Turkey’s regulatory approach follows the lines of frameworks implemented in other jurisdictions, such as the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) bill in the European Union. MiCA is set to implement stricter regulations from December 2024, demonstrating a global effort to establish greater controls and standards in the industry.
In addition, the Turkish government is considering introducing a minimum transaction tax of 0.03% on profits generated in cryptocurrencies. While this measure is not yet in force, it could be implemented as an additional resource to increase tax revenues.
Implications for the future
The new regulations underline a stricter and more structured approach to the cryptocurrency industry in Turkey. This could have several effects, from improving the confidence of international investors to ensuring a safer ecosystem for domestic users.
However, it could also present challenges for platforms operating in the country, requiring greater resources dedicated to regulatory compliance.
Ultimately, Turkey is looking to balance the growth of its thriving crypto market with the need for transparency and regulation. As 2025 approaches, it will be key to watch how these policies impact both trading volumes and user perceptions of these measures.
For the global cryptocurrency community, Türkiye could serve as an example of how to regulate a rapidly growing market without stifling innovation.
Solana founder celebrated a recent achievement in a private way
Today, the multipurpose blockchain Solana has reached a new milestone and its founder, Raj Gokal, celebrated it in a curious way. It is important to note that this network is one of Ethereum's main rivals in the world of decentralized finance. In addition, its token is among the largest in market capitalization worldwide.
According to data from Artemis, the network reached a new all-time high of 72.8 million daily transactions over the Christmas period. This is a figure that dwarfs other networks such as Ethereum and its less than 5 million daily transactions.
This is also a huge growth compared to previous months. For example, at the beginning of December this level was approximately close to 50 million daily transactions. As you can see, such an increase made the enthusiasts of this network jump with excitement. At the same time, it becomes a way to silence critics.
This is precisely the direction in which the aforementioned founder of Solana published his post on X, celebrating this ATH with: “ Merry Christmas, filthy animals .” This is an iconic phrase from the filming of Home Alone and was clearly directed at those who profess that “Solana is dead.”
A relative victory for Solana's founder
For Gokal, the fact that the Solana network reached an ATH in daily transactions does not mean a complete victory. During the same day, there was no significant growth in the number of new addresses. This means that there was no record influx of new users, but rather existing users increased their trading pace.
Regardless, the ATH proves that the network is far from the dead status its detractors talk about. Although the blockchain is experiencing a downturn in recent weeks, its rise in 2024 is a truly significant development. Ultimately, this is the source of the growth in demand for the network's native token, SOL.
Despite the sharp drop in recent days, this currency remains the sixth largest in the world in terms of market capitalization. In year-on-year terms, it is up 77%, taking into account the sharp drop it has experienced since reaching its new ATH at the end of November.
At the time of writing, Solana’s native coin is approaching $200 per unit. Its 24-hour performance shows green numbers of +2.37%, which revives optimism to a certain extent about a possible recovery.
Although there is a mixed perception about the token and its network, one thing is clear and that is that it remains one of the great powers of the crypto world. The latter is linked to its enormous capacity, scalability and efficiency, which makes it a favorite for developers and users.
Larry Ellison: The Visionary Leading Oracle's New Era
Larry Ellison has had one of the best years of his career, establishing himself as a key figure in the global technology industry.
Thanks to the impressive rally in Oracle's stock, the company's co-founder has increased his fortune by approximately $75 billion, making him the third richest man in the world, according to Forbes.
A historic rally on Wall Street
2024 marked Oracle's biggest stock growth since 1999, during the dot-com boom.
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While the S&P 500 index rose 27%, Oracle shares soared 63%. This performance boosted Ellison's wealth to more than $217 billion, behind only Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.
At 80, Ellison continues to prove his relevance in an industry dominated by younger leaders. Yet far from being left behind, he has found renewed energy to lead Oracle into the future.
Oracle's growth is linked to its foray into the artificial intelligence (AI) market. The company has strengthened its cloud infrastructure and made its databases more accessible. Companies such as OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT, and Meta already use Oracle's technology for their operations.
Innovative startups are also betting on Oracle. For example, Genmo, an AI-based video generation company, opted for Oracle’s cloud to train models and produce content more efficiently. Its CEO, Paras Jain, highlighted that Oracle’s “bare metal” solutions offer superior performance compared to traditional options on the market.
Multicloud collaboration strategies
In 2023, Oracle took a major step by partnering with Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, allowing its databases to run on these companies’ cloud platforms.
This multicloud strategy seeks to expand its market share in database software, where it remains the leader with a 17% global share.
Larry Ellison has also pushed for collaboration with Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, making its databases more accessible to large companies. In September, Oracle finally signed a deal with Amazon Web Services, putting years of rivalry behind it.
Oracle is focused on leading the growth of generative AI. At its latest meeting with analysts, Ellison highlighted that its cloud infrastructure is “faster and cheaper” than its competitors. Although the company missed analysts’ expectations in its latest earnings report, Ellison remains optimistic about the future.
The company expects revenue growth of 10% in fiscal year 2024, marking its second-best performance since 2011. This growth is due, in part, to agreements with companies such as OpenAI and innovative startups that trust Oracle's capabilities for their AI projects.
New opportunities in the health sector
Oracle is also looking to lead in healthcare following its $28.2 billion acquisition of Cerner in 2022.
The company is using AI to rewrite all of Cerner’s code, a strategy that promises to transform electronic health record systems.
Evercore analysts suggest the division could benefit from Ellison's connections to key figures in the U.S. government.
The legacy of a visionary leader
Larry Ellison not only seeks to lead technologically, but also to consolidate Oracle as one of the most important companies in the world.
With his direct style and ability to generate strategic alliances, Ellison continues to demonstrate that age is no impediment to innovation and leadership.
Oracle is ready to meet the challenges of the future, and Ellison is determined to leave an indelible legacy in the history of technology. His leadership and strategic vision continue to be an example for the industry.
Mark Zuckerberg sells $153 million worth of Meta shares, netting more than $2 billion this year
Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder and CEO of Meta Platforms, recently completed a $153 million stock sale in the company. This move brought its total stock sales in 2023 to over $2 billion, an impressive figure that matches the all-time high reached by Meta stock this year.
This performance reflects both the company's financial strength and investors' confidence in its business model.
Meta and its rise in the technology market
Meta’s success in the market is attributed to key strategies that have redefined its position within the tech industry, such as its investment in artificial intelligence, the ongoing development of the Metaverse, and significant cost-cutting measures. This approach has allowed Meta to not only improve its profitability, but also establish itself as one of the strongest players in its sector, attracting both small and large investors.
What do these sales mean for Meta and the market?
Zuckerberg's decision to sell a portion of his shares, while retaining majority control over the company, raises interesting questions about personal wealth management in the face of financial market dynamics. Moreover, the fact that the sales do not negatively impact Meta's valuation highlights its liquidity and market attractiveness. This reinforces the perception of Meta as a solid option in long-term technology portfolios.
For investors, these sales could have a mixed impact. On the one hand, deals of this magnitude typically put some pressure on valuations in the short term. On the other, Zuckerberg's ability to execute these transactions without disrupting the stock price demonstrates the continued demand and stability the company enjoys among investors.
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Challenges and opportunities for stakeholders
With Meta shares reaching historic highs, a crucial question arises for current and potential investors: will the stock continue to rise, or are we nearing a peak? Whatever the case, it is imperative to closely monitor the company's financial performance and future strategic plans in order to make informed decisions.
A benchmark for the technology market
While these sales represent a significant personal achievement for Zuckerberg, they also serve as a barometer for the technology sector as a whole, highlighting the impact that business leadership has on market dynamics. This scenario underscores the importance of carefully assessing both risks and opportunities in a constantly evolving market.
Cleanspark to raise $550 million via note issue, but won't buy Bitcoin
Bitcoin mining giant Cleanspark has announced a round of capital raising through the issuance of debt. Notably, the firm emulates its rivals MARA and RIOT in privately issuing convertible notes to select investors. However, the company will not be purchasing Bitcoin with these funds.
Basically, the capital raised will be injected for other purposes. This is a decision that contrasts with its rivals, which announced massive purchases of the leading cryptocurrency to incorporate it into their reserves. This strategy, promoted mainly by MicroStrategy, has the vision that the price of BTC will appreciate permanently.
In that sense, safeguarding corporate capital in other assets such as the dollar or Treasury bonds is something similar to throwing them away. Unlike these assets, companies can preserve BTC for thousands of years without it suffering any type of wear and tear related to assets composed of matter.
With this ideology in mind, the number of companies converting to the Bitcoin standard is constantly growing. However, Cleanspark does not seem to be one of them for now. The fact that the company will not buy Bitcoin does not mean that its management has no confidence in the currency. The reason is that the firm has more pressing financial matters.
Why Cleanspark won't buy Bitcoin?
The fact that Cleanspark is moving away from the Bitcoin standard is due to the fact that the capital to be raised already has a destination. According to the company, in total the mining company will raise $550 million with the issue. It is worth mentioning that the convertible notes are at 0% and mature in 2030.
Some interesting details involve the company capping the notes' prices at $24.66 per share. This represents a 100% premium over the closing price on December 12. But probably the most attractive move is that the firm could give up to 13 days to repurchase up to $100 million principal amount of the notes.
If investors take advantage of this offer, the company could raise a total of $633 million. On the other hand, the company reported that $145 million of the capital raised will be used to buy back shares from investors who participated in this fundraising.
Another portion of the funds will be used to repay its line of credit with Coinbase. The remainder will be used for capital expenditures, equipment purchases and other miscellaneous corporate expenses, according to the miner's report.
The decision that the company will not purchase additional Bitcoin for its reserves can be considered surprising, considering that its direct rivals, Marathon and Riot, also issued notes to raise approximately $500 million each and the destination of those funds is the purchase of BTC.
Millions of dollars in cryptocurrencies flow into Donald Trump's inauguration
Millions of dollars in cryptocurrencies flow into Donald Trump's inauguration
Donald Trump, the new President of the United States, will officially take office on January 20, in an inauguration ceremony that aims to be global thanks to the presence of numerous international leaders. The tycoon intends to make his return to office a grand event and to do so he already has the support of the big technology companies.
Indeed, businesses and tycoons are showing their unconditional support for future President Donald Trump by making generous donations to the inaugural fund. These funds will be used to organize a memorable inauguration ceremony and the accompanying collateral events.
Now, Donald Trump has made good on some of his promises to support the crypto industry since his election on November 5, including nominating Paul Atkins as the next chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. He also named David Sacks as the first “czar” of cryptocurrencies and Artificial Intelligence, while also chairing the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
Trump, in particular, has assembled a pro-cryptocurrency cabinet, including Scott Bessant, a staunch advocate of the technology, and Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, a well-known Bitcoin investor.
The most funded takeover in history: The power of cryptocurrencies
🚨 BREAKING NEWS:
RIPPLE IS ABOUT TO MAKE A $5 MILLION DONATION TO TRUMP'S INAUGURATION IN ITS NATIVE TOKEN #XRP 🇺🇸
For example, crypto exchange Kraken has donated $1 million to Trump Vance’s Inaugural Committee. Ripple will also contribute $5 million in its native token XRP.
Additionally, according to Fox Business, MoonPay, a digital asset payments provider, indicated that it would also contribute to the fund, but declined to disclose the exact amount.
Commenting on the matter, Kraken CEO Arjun Sethi said: “ Innovation in the crypto space is shaping up to be as big, if not bigger, than the software and internet revolutions. For the first time, we have a president who truly understands the potential of disruptive technology and embraces the crypto sector. We are excited to continue working with President-elect Trump and his administration to drive long-overdue regulatory clarity and unlock this next wave of innovation .”
Indeed, the contributions from crypto elites, many of which are going to a presidential inauguration fund for the first time, reflect the industry's enthusiasm for Donald Trump, who has promised lighter regulation than his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Unprecedented donation: Crypto and Tech join forces for millions
Aside from digital currencies, big tech companies and their executives also contributed to Trump's inauguration fund. They included Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, Uber's Dara Khosrowshahi, and OpenAI's Sam Altman. Each contributed $1 million to the fund. Additionally, Vlad Tenev, CEO of Robinhood, said the company plans to contribute $2 million to the inaugural committee.
Incidentally, according to the New York Times, Trump is offering additional benefits to donors who contribute at least $1 million to his inaugural fund. These include several tickets to activities planned around the event, such as dinners with Trump and his cabinet nominees.
I close with this quote from Donald Trump: “ The United States must be a leader in the crypto industry .”
Peter Schiff has an alternative to strategic reserves in Bitcoin Renowned investor and financial analyst Peter Schiff has put forward an idea to counter Donald Trump's Bitcoin strategic reserve plan. As is well known, the expert is one of the biggest detractors of cryptocurrencies and constantly calls for their ban. The latter has made him one of the most popular arch-enemies of the crypto community. In a recent post on X, the investor suggested that instead of adding BTC to the country's reserves, one should think about something different. In that sense, he proposed creating a currency called USAcoin, which can be turned into a national treasure. Schiff's coin idea would also have a limited supply of 21 million units. In addition, it would have to work through the blockchain to ensure its usability as a currency of exchange. According to the expert, this initiative would allow the country to get rid of what he considers a mistake in entering BTC into the US reserves. So far, the investor has not clarified whether his posts are a joke to make fun of BTC or are a serious proposal. Apparently, this is the former case, considering later posts with image design proposals for that hypothetical currency. Instead of creating a #Bitcoin strategic reserve, the US could save a lot of money by creating #USAcoin . Just like Bitcoin, the supply can be capped at 21 million, but with an upgraded blockchain to make USAcoin actually viable for use in payments. This way we can all get rich. Schiff doesn't like Bitcoin entering US strategic reserves Peter Schiff is one of the biggest critics of cryptocurrencies, while also being a fan of gold investments. That is why he is not at all happy about the proposal to incorporate Bitcoin into the United States' strategic reserves. In his opinion, placing BTC next to gold in the reserves is equivalent to sacrilege. Hence, he constantly tries to ridicule or demonstrate (with his opinions) the supposed inconvenience of adopting Bitcoin. Recently, he called on the outgoing US authorities to carry out a scorched earth act before handing over power and selling the government's BTC. In his opinion, this would cause a collapse of the cryptocurrency, which would help to kill the myth of its followers that it is a store of value. On the other hand, it is noteworthy that Schiff is one of the first to consistently react to Michael Saylor's posts. The latter is one of the world's biggest Bitcoin evangelists. Schiff's USAcoin proposal, if not sarcastic, would be a huge contradiction. In short, he is practically proposing the creation of BTC, but with a different name and centralized. This is made more curious considering that he calls himself a defender of real money and decentralization based on metals. Peter Schiff's USAcoin design features the faces of Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
Altcoin season moves forward after BTC fails to break $100K
Bitcoin's performance against the rest of the cryptocurrency market assets has deepened over the past few days. This lagging performance has caused the crypto world to enter an altcoin season that is becoming more and more pronounced. Is a bull run coming among altcoins?
According to data from Blockchaincenter.net 's index , altcoin season started a few days ago when BTC started losing ground. Altseason is determined by the performance of the top digital currencies in market capitalization in contrast to BTC. Basically, if 75% or more of these tokens outperform Bitcoin in 90 days, then an altcoin season is in effect.
On the other hand, if only 25% (or less) of these assets outperform, then we can talk about a Bitcoin season. For most of November, the index remained neutral, i.e. above 25%, but below 75%. As far as 2024 is concerned, neutrality was also the constant.
However, there were short periods. At the beginning of the year, the first altcoin season took place between January 14 and 29. Then, on March 6, the 75% mark was exceeded again, but only for one day. On the other hand, between June 6 and September 5 (with a break in mid-July), there was a Bitcoin season.
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The altcoin season seems to have decisive force
As you can see in the image above, there were two episodes of altcoin season this year . However, they were inconsistent, which led to them being short-lived. Meanwhile, the current momentum for altcoins looks solid and is expressed by a formidable 90%.
Another element that shows BTC's lag compared to altcoins is shown in dominance. Since reaching the recent peak in this area on November 21 until now, Bitcoin has lost 10.67% of its dominance compared to the rest of the tokens.
To get an idea of the magnitude of this performance differential, suffice it to say that Bitcoin has a +81.9% performance in 3 months. Although this is a formidable performance, it remains below the momentum of 90% of the main altcoins. Here, outstanding cases such as HBAR and its 600% in that period stand out. XLM exhibits 502% and XRP 410%. As can be seen, for altcoin investors this season that has just begun seems promising.
There are still coins that are not taking off, such as Cronos' CRO, which makes them potential targets for investors. KAS, BNB and others can also be mentioned in this group.
The political situation in South Korea is extremely uncertain following the recent martial law attempts. The current war between the executive and legislative branches could lead to a civil conflict with unpredictable consequences. This volatile scenario leads to a growing interest from investors in reserve assets such as Bitcoin.
The context:
Although the Cold War ended 34 years ago with the fall of the Berlin Wall, that reality never applied to the Korean peninsula. The division between communism and capitalism has persisted since the 1950-53 civil war, which divided the country between North and South. To make this situation more peculiar, the war between the two sides never officially ended, since both claim sovereignty over the entire peninsula.
It must be extremely difficult for left-wing political parties to engage in politics, but they have managed to win parliament. How do you explain the surge in interest in Bitcoin in this context?
Why is interest in Bitcoin increasing in this context?
The political climate surrounding President Yoon Suk Yeol has kept the country in serious trouble for quite some time. The economic situation seems to be not going well for the population, which is reflected in the impossibility of meeting basic financial goals.
In this sense, the odyssey of paying for health, education and rent (buying homes is almost impossible for average families) generated an enormous social crisis. Women in the country refuse to procreate under such an economic climate, which caused an alarming drop in the birth rate.
The next generation in the labour market is in danger and the authorities are trying to force women to have children without guaranteeing stability. This has led to the rise of the left among political preferences due to its pro-majority discourse. Feminist, labour and student movements have become the impetus for the left to dominate parliament.
For investors, one thing is clear: the South Korean bubble has burst, prompting a search for assets like Bitcoin.
Investors want nothing to do with local assets
Political instability and uncertainty about the future of the economy due to falling birth rates mean that local businesses have little potential. Domestic capital therefore sees little appeal in the country's financial assets, leading to an explosive growth in interest in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
As recently reported , shares of South Korean small-cap companies, grouped on the Kosdaq, are showing a loss of -20% in 2024. Over the same period, the price of Bitcoin is experiencing a +119.71%. But the situation is not only negative for small-cap companies. The benchmark index, Kospi, is also showing a negative performance.
Donald Trump's victory in the United States sparked an increase in this trend. Between November 5 and 28, cryptocurrency exchanges saw a trading volume of $9.4 billion, while on the Kospi it was $7.7 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Since Trump won the election, the Kospi is performing at -3.4%. At the same time, an index tracking the top 100 cryptocurrencies is up +53%. The growing interest in Bitcoin and other currencies against local assets became stronger during the last hours, following the crisis.
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Is the Left Preparing to Take Over?
After more than 70 years of ironclad political control, the right's grip appears to be breaking down in South Korea. Parliament has succeeded in overturning the executive's martial law decree and the next step could be the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
This suggests that the left has all the conditions to capitalise and take over. Even if they could have the support of the population, the markets obviously do not seem very happy about this possibility. The latter could lead to further bleeding on the stock indices, especially with the unlimited supply that the authorities are now promising.
The more conservative sectors are trying to stop the advance of the left by accusing it of being agents of North Korea (it is not clear whether this is true or just propaganda). In any case, if the left manages to overcome the accusations that it intends to establish communism, its path to power could be a reality.
The combination of all these factors could lead to a situation of acute inflation of the won, which would bring more capital into the cryptocurrency market.
Bitcoin ETFs recorded $2.5 billion in inflows this week
This week, the cryptocurrency market experienced one of the most significant rallies in its history. The reason for this is that the price of BTC reached the milestone of $100K per coin. In that context, Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) saw positive flows of $2.5 billion.
This is a hugely positive development, as it demonstrates the enormous confidence of Wall Street wallets in the future of BTC. This enthusiasm for the token was also reflected in the altcoin market. In fact, the push for the vast majority of tokens led to the arrival of an altcoin season.
In any case, according to Trading Different data , there were positive flows into BTC products on all days of the week. The day with the highest inflow was Thursday, December 5, with a flow of $671.30 million. On that day, BlackRock's ETF, IBIT, received capital for $770.5 million, while Grayscale's GBTC had withdrawals of around $178 million.
Thus, while the bulk of Bitcoin spot ETFs accounted for $2,565.4 million, IBIT received $2,630.8. The fact that this product has more inflows than the combined sector is due to the fact that GBTC had constant outflows.
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Will the strong movement in Bitcoin ETFs continue?
In the next weekly session, the strong flow of institutional capital into BTC ETFs could continue at a similar pace. This is due to the high expectations in the market just a few weeks before Donald Trump's inauguration. The tycoon is now the main catalyst for traders when it comes to opening trades.
In this sense, it is expected that investors will remain optimistic in the coming days. To this must be added the psychological component of the last month of the year, in which the traditional Santa Claus rally takes place. Thus, from any point of view, everything looks positive for BTC in the coming days.
This is also the case for alternative digital currencies and even memecoins, which seem to be not going through the best of times. On the other hand, shares of other companies related to the cryptocurrency market on the stock exchange also showed a positive performance.
In the case of Bitcoin mining firms, MARA recorded a close on Friday of +6.62% despite the week overall being negative at -3%.
Meanwhile, the popular MicroStrategy closed the last 5 days of trading on the stock exchange with green numbers, with a +1.95%. The shares of this company are priced at $394 dollars per unit.
What does the US government's $1.92 billion Bitcoin move mean?
The cryptocurrency market is once again on alert following Arkham Intelligence’s announcement regarding the movement of $1.92 billion worth of Bitcoin (BTC) by the US government to a new address. This massive transfer has sparked speculation and concerns in the community as it could have significant implications for the Bitcoin market.
Details of the movement
According to Arkham’s report, the destination address is bc1q0av33ktzrkjps8exjex5gtv98vx225uqmzhspm , although the official reason behind this move has not been revealed. Experts note that these transfers are usually related to sales of seized Bitcoin, secure storage, or liquidation strategies on regulated exchanges.
The amount transferred is equivalent to approximately 20,000 BTC, which represents a significant percentage of the government's cryptocurrency holdings. Such transactions often attract the attention of both traders and analysts due to the potential impact on prices.
Why does the government have Bitcoin?
The United States has accumulated Bitcoin primarily through seizures made in operations against illicit activities, such as drug trafficking or fraud. One of the most famous cases was the seizure of BTC in connection with the Silk Road black market, where thousands of Bitcoins were confiscated and then auctioned off.
The United States has accumulated Bitcoin primarily through seizures made in operations against illicit activities, such as drug trafficking or fraud. One of the most famous cases was the seizure of BTC in connection with the Silk Road black market, where thousands of Bitcoins were confiscated and then auctioned off.
Although the government has previously used these cryptocurrencies to finance its operations or to be auctioned publicly, the possibility that this move is linked to a new strategic plan cannot be ruled out.
Impact on the Bitcoin market
This type of massive Bitcoin movements can generate two scenarios in the market:
1. Massive sell-off and downward pressure on price: If the US government plans to liquidate some or all of these Bitcoins, it could lead to strong selling pressure, leading to a temporary drop in the price of BTC. This has happened in the past, when large sell-offs affected market sentiment.
2. Regulatory concerns: Some analysts see these transfers as a sign of impending regulatory changes, which could weigh on investor confidence in the short term.
At the time of the announcement, Bitcoin was trading at $96,300 , showing a slight decline in the face of uncertainty generated by the news.
Expert opinion
Analysts in the crypto ecosystem point out that movements of this magnitude should be closely monitored. Some experts suggest that large volumes of Bitcoin transfers by the government could be related to routine operations, while others warn that if these transactions are directed to exchanges, it could mean selling pressure on the market.
What's next for Bitcoin?
The crypto community will be keeping a close eye on the activity of the receiving address and any official announcements from the US government. In the meantime, traders are likely to take a cautious approach until the purpose of the move becomes clear.
The incident highlights how institutional players, including governments, play a crucial role in the dynamics of cryptocurrency markets. It will be important to see how the market reacts in the coming hours and days, as Bitcoin continues to approach its long-awaited $100,000 milestone.
A rebound in Chinese manufacturing? Keys to stimulus-driven growth
Manufacturing activity in China continues to show signs of recovery, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises, thanks to recent economic stimulus measures implemented by the government.
According to the Caixin/S&P Global Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), the index reached 51.5 in November, beating the 50.5 expectation in a Reuters poll. This is the second consecutive month that it has remained above the 50 threshold, which separates expansion from contraction.
Boosting new orders and exports
Manufacturing growth was led by a three-year surge in new orders, according to Wang Zhe, an economist at Caixin Insight Group. The report also highlighted a recovery in exports, suggesting stimulus is starting to feed through to the economy.
The official PMI, which mainly includes state-owned companies and large firms, also showed a slight increase, standing at 50.3 in November compared to 50.1 in October. This result underlines an initial stabilisation in the sector.
Economic stimuli and challenges
China has rolled out a series of measures to revive its economy, including cutting the bank reserve requirement ratio by 50 basis points and approving a 10 trillion yuan ($1.4 trillion) plan to address local debt problems.
In addition, efforts have been stepped up to stabilise the real estate sector, which continues to show weaknesses, with a 10.3% drop in investment during the first ten months of the year.
Despite these positive signs, challenges remain. According to Gary Ng, economist at Natixis, a sustained recovery will depend on an improvement in consumer and business confidence. Risks such as price wars and geopolitical tensions are also mentioned, which could impact key sectors in 2025.
Impact of trade tensions with the United States
Donald Trump's recent presidential victory has raised uncertainty about the possible re-implementation of tariffs on Chinese goods. According to Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics, this threat could be temporarily boosting Chinese exports as US companies seek to get ahead of potential tariffs.
A change of course?
Although recent data suggest a nascent recovery, China’s economic outlook remains mixed, with sectors such as real estate and industrial profits facing significant declines. However, fiscal and monetary stimulus, coupled with increased export demand, could lay the groundwork for a more sustained recovery in 2024.
Trump tariffs impact: Auto industry faces multi-trillion dollar risks
The auto industry could take a financial hit if the United States imposes new import tariffs on vehicles from Europe, Mexico and Canada.
According to a report by S&P Global, these tariffs could reduce the combined core earnings of major European and US manufacturers by up to 17%, threatening their financial stability and credit rating.
Manufacturers in the spotlight: the most exposed
Luxury manufacturers such as Volvo and Jaguar Land Rover, which operate mostly in Europe, are expected to be among the hardest hit. Companies such as General Motors and Stellantis, which assemble vehicles in Mexico and Canada, also face significant risks.
President-elect Donald Trump recently announced a plan to impose a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico.
The move is intended to put pressure on both countries to reduce drug trafficking and control migration at the border. However, the decision could violate free trade agreements established between the two nations.
Europe and China: markets under pressure
European manufacturers such as Volkswagen and Stellantis would face not only US tariffs, but also additional challenges in their key markets. In Europe, CO2 emissions regulations are set to be tightened in 2025, reducing the average permitted emissions limit from 116 grams per kilometer to 94 grams.
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At the same time, growing competition in China, the world's largest automotive market, is squeezing profit margins. This combination of factors could amplify the impact of tariffs and put the financial viability of these manufacturers at risk.
Actions needed to mitigate repercussions
While S&P anticipates that manufacturers will adopt mitigation strategies to deal with the new tariffs, these alone will not be sufficient. The agency warns that the combined effects of tariffs, stricter environmental regulations and global competition could result in a significant reduction in revenue.
“Credit rating transitions are inevitable if tariffs exacerbate other financial challenges in 2025,” the S&P report said.
In addition, manufacturers could look to diversify their supply chains, relocate production plants and renegotiate commercial terms. However, these measures require time and significant investment, which adds pressure to their financial structure.
The numbers behind the impact
In the worst-case scenario, tariffs would include 20% for vehicles imported from Europe and the UK, and 25% from Mexico and Canada. Under these conditions, the most exposed manufacturers would be General Motors, Stellantis, Volvo and Jaguar Land Rover. They could lose more than 20% of their projected adjusted EBITDA by 2025.
Other manufacturers, such as Volkswagen and Toyota, would face a moderate financial risk, between 10% and 20%. Companies such as BMW, Ford, Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai would be less vulnerable, with risks below 10%.
A global blow to the industry
The impact is not limited to automakers alone. Parts suppliers, especially those that rely on transatlantic and North American trade, will also face disruptions in their supply chains. This could translate into cost increases that would be passed on to consumers.
In addition, uncertainty over trade policies could discourage investment in innovation, delaying technological advances crucial to the transition to electric and sustainable vehicles.
Conclusion: an industry on the ropes?
The potential imposition of tariffs by the United States not only threatens to weaken automakers, but could also destabilize the entire global industry.
With stricter environmental regulations in Europe, fierce competition in China and financial margins at risk, manufacturer need to take proactive steps to adapt.
Elon Musk pide eliminar el CFPB, ¿qué implica esto para el sector financiero?
El multimillonario Elon Musk, asesor clave de la administración entrante de Donald Trump, ha generado controversia al solicitar la eliminación de la Oficina de Protección Financiera del Consumidor (CFPB). En su plataforma social X, Musk declaró: «Eliminar el CFPB. Hay demasiadas agencias regulatorias duplicadas».
Context of the controversy
Musk's comment comes after venture capitalist Marc Andreessen appeared on Joe Rogan's podcast, where he harshly criticized the CFPB for allegedly "bullying financial institutions" and blocking startups trying to compete with big banks.
Andreessen said the CFPB has acted to “chastise” entrepreneurs in sectors like cryptocurrencies by pressuring banks to shut down their accounts. These accusations reflect concerns in the crypto and fintech industries about over-regulation.
CFPB Actions
Under Rohit Chopra, the CFPB has imposed sanctions on several financial technology companies accused of deceptive practices.
In 2021, it shut down online lender LendUp, backed by big names in Silicon Valley, for “illegally misleading its customers.” However, the CFPB has also taken steps to protect conservative Christian groups from forced bank account closures, underscoring its role as an impartial regulator.
Political and economic implications
Musk, alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, will lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a private council designed to reduce federal spending. Both have promised to streamline bureaucracy, which could benefit Musk's companies, such as X, which is seeking licenses to operate as a payments platform.
On the other hand, figures such as Mick Mulvaney, former director of the CFPB, support the elimination of the agency, calling it a “duplicative layer of supervision.” However, critics warn that such a measure could weaken consumer protection at a time when supervision of the financial sector is crucial.