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Crypto All-Stars is building a dream team with a presale that’s on fire. Early joiners who bought in at $0.00138 are already up 21% and the Presale is still live for another 2 days and 20 something hours.

Currently at $19.85M, and with $20M in sight, it’s time to start talking about what comes next.

Big Presales Set the Stage for Success

Successful ICOs and presales don’t guarantee successful tokens. But they do give development teams the money and momentum they need to keep building.

That’s why a roadmap is so critical – for an ICO, the roadmap outlines not just some kind of ideal plan; it allows teams to communicate to investors where the funds will go.

Of course, not every team will be able to execute their entire plan. But raising enough money to support the roadmap is a big part of a project’s success.

For $STARS, the roadmap is simple, which bodes well for long-term success. The Presale stage has raised nearly $20M with less three days to go until you can no longer buy in before it’s listed on public exchanges.

Token Launch and Exchange Listings

The launch of a token, by itself, isn’t difficult. It can be a bit more challenging to navigate the token claiming process and the inevitable rush to sell tokens that accompanies high-profile projects.

Our own experience with the highly successful $PEPU presale indicates that difficulties can come when a highly popular, Ethereum-based token like $STARS begins the token claiming process.

Pepe Unchained experienced site congestion and the occasional failed transaction on Ethereum (and pesky high gas fees). But the problems didn’t impact the general success of the token, as trading volumes witnessed a predictable spike (expected from a token that raised $73M in presale). 

Exchange listing plays a huge role here. The more exchanges – particularly larger exchanges or even a coveted CEX listing – generally help increase liquidity and therefore provide more stability and opportunities for price growth.

With Crypto All-Stars, a quick transition from presale to exchange listing is expected. With the presale ending on Friday, investors can look for $STARS to go live early the following week on key DEXs.

Building Out Utility

After the presale, token claiming, and exchange listing, comes arguably the most important part for determining the long-term fate of a project: utility.

Meme coins like $DOGE may have little if any practical utility, but projects like both $PEPU and $STARS have a clear roadmap with planned use cases. For $PEPU, that utility includes Layer-2 expansions for the world’s most popular frog-themed meme coin.

For $STARS, utility depends on launching and building out the MemeVault.

With the MemeVault, users can stake meme coins from around the crypto world, including:

• $PEPE
• $DOGE
• $SHIB 

The Crypto All-Stars meme coin presale ascent to $20M makes the MemeVault makes $STARS a key token to unlock a one-stop place for meme coin profits.

What’s Next For $STARS on Launch Day?

Look for $STARS to power past the $20M mark at any moment. Investors can also watch to see how much further the token goes in the final 72 hours of the presale.

On Launch Day, investors will be able to start claiming tokens. And once $STARS goes live on DEXs next week, you’ll probably see an explosion of trading as everyone is usually looking to get in on the run-up.

Next, look for the $STARS team to start announcing how and when key project features – including the MemeVault – will be launched. Events like that will also likely impact price.

Note that none of this is financial advice – you’ll need to do your own research and only invest as much as you can afford losing.

One thing’s for certain: it’s shaping up to be an exciting weekend for Crypto All-Stars.

 

The general cryptocurrency community is brewing with excitement and optimism following Bitcoin’s rally to a new all-time high on Monday. Despite the significant price growth, there are speculations that the uptrend may not be ending anytime soon, suggesting BTC’s potential for more increases to higher levels or milestones.

Next Big Milestone For Bitcoin On The Horizon?

Bitcoin’s rally to a new peak has triggered a wave of bullish predictions about its short-term and long-term prospects. Negentropic, a seasoned market expert and Glassnode co-founder is one of the analysts who has projected an optimistic outlook for BTC, forecasting an upswing to unprecedented levels in the near future.

Negentropic’s perspective suggests a continuation of BTC’s upward trajectory, highlighting the crypto asset’s resiliency and strengthening price performances. With market momentum building and BTC breaking past key resistance levels, these kinds of forecasts could attract more investors anticipating the next leg of Bitcoin’s rally.

Following an investigation of BTC’s current price action, Negentropic noted that Bitcoin closed above the $100,000 mark for the second week in a row. The flagship asset has also broken through the $102,000 resistance now acting as support, prompting a move to $104,000.

As a result, the market expert is confident that the next price target for BTC could be between $108,000 and $110,000 in the short term. Meanwhile, he highlighted that a retest to the $102,000 mark this week would be a golden opportunity to purchase BTC before the next move up.

The analyst considers this move a strong sign of recovery, potentially setting Bitcoin on a path toward levels beyond the $110,000 milestone in the coming weeks. Thus traders are monitoring BTC’s next move as the digital asset navigates this critical phase.

As Bitcoin continues to showcase upward strength, Michael Van De Poppe, the founder of MN Consultancy has also predicted a $110,000 target for BTC. He made the forecast after the crypto asset reached a new all-time high, raising investors’ confidence.

While Van De Poppe expects BTC to rise, he has warned that the number of leveraged long positions is comparatively high again. Therefore, should BTC lose the $102,000 level, there could be another liquidity meltdown shortly. However, if the asset holds firm above this point, Van De Poppe anticipates a move up to $110,000.

BTC Whales Are Holding Strong To Their Positions

In spite of the recent leg-up, Bitcoin’s Realized Profit Ratio, a key metric for determining whale exits and profit-taking remains at low levels. Specifically, the metric at low points implies reduced profit-taking activity by large investors.

According to CryptoQuant, whales have not even started selling and taking profits in comparison to the all-time high in past cycles. Considering the whales’ behavior, it could indicate that BTC is still below the peak range for this cycle.

With the rise of cryptocurrency cloud mining in recent years, most investors have rushed to grab this piece of “beeswax” and obtain huge profits from it. As the leader of cloud mining service providers, Cryptokeying has the most advanced data centers in the world, providing reliable, intelligent and diversified computing power.

Whether using DOGE, XRP or other cryptocurrencies, we can provide you with a variety of one-click cloud mining contracts. In this article, we will explore the concept of cloud mining, cryptokeying as a leading cloud mining service provider, and methods to help you start making $1,000 or more a day.

 Cryptokeying: Where laziness meets profit

Cryptokeying takes the simplicity of cloud mining to the highest level, perfect for novices. The platform’s user-friendly interface ensures that even cryptocurrency novices can easily navigate. For cryptokeying, laziness is not a disadvantage; it is the path to success. As a pioneer in providing cloud mining services, Cryptokeying has more than 80 mining farms around the world, with more than 100,000 mining equipment, all powered by new renewable energy cycles, and has won the recognition and support of more than 2.8 million users with its stable income and security.

Unimaginable opportunities to make money

What makes Cryptokeying different is its extraordinary daily passive income, which provides the opportunity to earn $1,000 or more a day, enabling users to realize their dreams of getting rich online. Imagine earning a substantial income without constant effort or complex settings – this is what Cryptokeying offers.

Security and sustainability

In the world of mining, trust and security are crucial, Cryptokeying knows this well and puts the safety of users first. Cryptokeying is committed to transparency and legitimacy, ensuring that your investment is protected and allowing you to focus on profitability. All mining farms use clean energy, making cloud mining join the ranks of carbon neutrality. Renewable energy protects the environment from pollution, brings super value returns, and allows every investor to enjoy opportunities and benefits.

Platform advantages:

⦁Get a $10 instant bonus upon registration ($0.6 for daily check-ins).

⦁High profit levels and daily payouts.

⦁No other service fees or management fees.

⦁The platform uses more than 8 cryptocurrencies (such as DOGE, XRP, BTC, ETH, SOL, USDC, USDT, BCH) for settlement

⦁The company’s affiliate program allows you to refer your friends and receive up to $20,000 in referral bonuses.

⦁McAfee® security. Cloudflare® security. 100% uptime guarantee and excellent 24/7 human technical online support.

Step 1: Register an account

In this example, we choose cryptokeying as our cloud mining provider. Go to the provider of your choice and sign up to create a new account. Cryptokeying provides a simple registration process, and all you need to participate is to enter your email address and create an account. After registration, users can start mining Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies immediately.

Step 2: Buy a mining contract

Currently, cryptokeying also offers a variety of mining contract options, such as $100, $500, and $1,000 contracts, each with a unique ROI and a specific contract period.

You can get more passive income by participating in the following contracts:

⦁【Experience Contract】: Investment amount: $100, total net profit: $100 + $6.6.

⦁【WhatsMiner M30S+】: Investment amount: $500, total net profit: $500 + $36.6.

⦁【Bitcoin Miner S19k Pro】: Investment amount: $1,000, total net profit: $1,000 + $183.4.

⦁【WhatsMiner M66S】: Investment amount: $5,000, total net profit: $5,000 + $2,142.

⦁【WhatsMiner M63S+】: Investment amount: $8,000, total net profit: $8,000 + $5,409.

⦁【Mining Box 40ft】: Investment amount: $3,0000, total net profit: $3,0000 + $30030.

(For more new contracts, visit the official website of the cryptokeying platform: cryptokeying.com)

You can get the profit the next day after purchasing the contract. When the profit reaches $100, you can choose to withdraw to your crypto wallet or continue to buy other contracts.

Affiliate Program

Now, cryptokeying has also launched an affiliate program, a platform where you can make money by recommending websites to others. You can start making money even if you don’t invest. After inviting a certain number of active referrals, you will receive a monthly salary of up to $20,000. The number of referrals is unlimited, and your earning potential is also unlimited!

Summary:

If you are looking for a way to increase passive income, cloud mining is a good way. If used properly, these opportunities can help you grow your cryptocurrency wealth in “autopilot” mode with minimal time investment. At the very least, they should take less time than any type of active trading. Passive income is the goal of every investor and trader, and with cryptokeying, maximizing your passive income potential is easier than ever.

For more details, visit the official website of the platform: https://cryptokeying.com/

Company email: info@cryptokeying.com

 

If you ever needed an example of the potential huge gains to be made on a currently bullish crypto market, look no further than this investor who took a big chance – and it paid off big.

A whale investor placed a not-inconsiderable $160,000 into $PEPU and quickly made $200,000 profit on it. Rather than leave it in there and potentially make more money on $PEPU, he took the $200,000 profit out and put it all on Wall Street Pepe ($WEPE) – with the other $160,000 still sitting on $PEPU and gaining more there.

Is $WEPE Following in $PEPU’s Footsteps?

With a current $WEPE token price of $0.002588 and a staking APY currently sitting at 46%, that $200,000 has a high chance of turning into a huge stack of cash. That’s not guaranteed obviously, but the prospects are looking rather good.

It seems the investor also has a fondness for Pepe the Frog. $PEPU and $WEPE are both based on Pepe, and this fondness is currently translating into a huge financial windfall. $WEPE was designed to exploit the popularity of $PEPU and so far, it seems to be working.

Buying Into $PEPU and $WEPE? Knowing When To Exit is Key

If you want to try your luck at making some money with Pepe, you can go to both $WEPE and $PEPU and buy some tokens. $PEPU is currently valued at $0.015293 and $WEPE at $0.002588. But it’s 10 only hours till the next $WEPE price increase, so you need to hurry before the current price disappears.

This is a good illustration of why it can be a huge benefit to getting into crypto coins early. PEPU’s value started off low at $0.008 in the initial stage of the presale, then steadily climbed to a high of $0.06585. Then it began a gradual decline down to its current price of $0.017, which is still a significant gain for early buyers.

$PEPE is still trading strongly, and the price may possibly bounce back up. But for anyone looking to make a quick gain, this shows that it can be done if you get in at the right time, and know when to exit.

Investing is always a form of gambling at a certain level, hoping your numbers come up. But success stories like this show the amazing luck that some people can have, if they have the funds and are willing to hold their nerve.

Whales Buying Into WEPE Is a Good Sign – But Still Be Cautious

But as we always like to emphasize, predictions are not guarantees. This is not financial or investment advice. Always do your own independent research and come to your own conclusions before committing any money to crypto markets. Don’t ever invest anything that you can’t afford to potentially lose.

Keep your wits about you and don’t get swept up by hysteria and the lure of even bigger profits. Some people have different benchmarks for knowing when to quit. Some are happy with doubling their money, but it’s perfectly fine to wait for 4x or even 5x. But always know when to call it a day. A little profit is better than a huge loss.

Ripple Labs’ $XRP has been making waves in the crypto realm, capitalizing on regulatory developments that have spurred bullish market sentiment. 

Promising advancements in the ongoing legal battle between the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) and Ripple have helped restore investor confidence in $XRP. 

The self-proclaimed ‘Crypto President,’ Donald Trump, has rebuilt faith in the entire crypto ecosystem. Investors foresee looser US crypto regulations when he moves back into the White House, and Gary Gensler (who’s sued Web3 companies left, right, and center) steps down as SEC Chair on January 20. 

Using a secure wallet like Best Wallet can help secure your crypto holdings and capitalize on early gains from upcoming coins like Ripple’s $RLUSD. 

$XRP Rises 416% Post-US Election Day 

Since last week, $XRP’s value has risen by over 15%, and its 24-hour volume has increased by more than 110%. 

Further highlighting the coin’s prosperous times, its price has more than quadrupled since the 2024 US Election Day outcome, rocketing by 416% from $0.50 to $2.58 since November 6. 

$XRP is poised to gain 719% following Gensler’s resignation, which could boost its upcoming stablecoin, $RLUSD, to greater heights. Notably, it’s already attracting hefty bids encompassing 836 $XRP on marketplaces despite being pegged to $1 (like Tether’s $USDT and Circle’s $USDC).  

Meanwhile, others foresee $XRP hitting $10 in 2025, with emerging projects (possibly Crypto All-Stars) following its lead. 

Albeit not financial advice, crypto analyst ‘CrediBULL’ suggests that now’s a good time to buy $XRP instead of waiting for the coin to dip to $2.21; a pullback might not occur as anticipated.

$BTC & $ETH ETFs Capture $3.2B Inflows

Ripple’s digital payment assets aren’t the only ones benefiting from the buzz surrounding softened US crypto restrictions. $BTC alone hit its $106K ATH just yesterday.

Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) also saw $3.2B worth of inflows last month. Crypto investors have poured $3.85B into Bitcoin products this year, making the coin the source of 87% of all inflows.

Ethereum inflows often lag behind Bitcoin. But, they did garner $1B last week, boosting its year’s total to a commendable $4.4B. 

As US lawmakers push for crypto legislation next year, analysts foresee developments on the Ethereum network growing, likely boosting $ETH’s price. However, some analysts foresee earlier success – it hitting $5K before 2025 kicks off (around $1K greater than its current price). 

$BEST Safeguards Crypto, Attracts $4.5M on Presale

Among the hype,  investors are finding ways to safeguard their cryptocurrencies. Part of the Best Wallet ecosystem, Best Wallet Token’s ($BEST) success supports this statement, attracting over $4.5M on presale. 

$BEST is the backbone of Best Wallet, which sets itself apart from crypto wallet leaders like MetaMask over spotlighting presale tokens. 

You can join Best Wallet to take advantage of its multi-chain (forthcoming support of 60+ chains) and multi-token nature, which makes it a smart way to buy, store, and swap cryptocurrencies. Investors no longer need separate wallets for coins on contrasting chains. 

Another boon is having its own decentralized exchange, Best DEX, to offer the best rates and lowest trading fees on the market. 

Join Best Wallet for Early Success In 2025’s Bull Market

The ongoing legal battle between Ripple and the SEC positions $XRP as a resilient force in the crypto market. This signals bountiful times for not just $XRP but also the digital payment company’s upcoming stablecoin, $RLUSD. 

As the traditionally stringent US crypto regulations likely ease following Donald Trump’s presidential return and Gensler’s resignation, it’s not just the digital asset payment company’s assets poised for success.

Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs are poised to flourish further. And new DeFi projects will likely build on Ethereum in 2025, uplifting $ETH.

Notably, Best Wallet highlights new presale projects before they are listed on centralized exchanges. Buying coins ahead of the rest offers a competitive advantage because they’re sold at significantly lower prices compared to post-launch, bolstering the likelihood of gains. 

As the market embraces a new era of adoption and growth, join the Best Wallet Taken presale to capitalize on promising cryptocurrencies, new and old. 

Two people from Arizona were robbed of a total of $300,000 in cryptocurrency by a man posing as a fake Uber driver.

The Scottsdale Police Department identified the victim as Nuruhussein Hussein. He targeted the first victim in March and the second in October. In both instances, he waited outside the W hotel, posing as their Uber driver. He even addressed them directly by their name, which is why the victims didn’t doubt him.

Once they entered his car, Hussein asked for their phones, claiming he was broken. Then, he accessed their Coinbase account and transferred all their funds to his own cold storage wallet.

In one of the instances, a victim grew doubtful and asked why the Uber app showed that their ride hadn’t arrived. To this Hussein claimed that something was wrong with the app and offered to troubleshoot. When the customer remained doubtful and asked for their phone back, he allegedly threatened them and said, “Chill or something bad would happen.”.

He was arrested on December 11 by Scottsdale detectives and US Secret Service agents on account of fraud, theft, and money laundering.

Rising Instances of Offline Crypto Thefts

This case with Nuruhussein Hussein isn’t a one-off instance. Lately, there has been a sharp increase in the number of offline crypto thefts. The robbery case of Hussein was still mild.

Some cases are much more violent than this. For example, there have been instances of armed gangs forcing into homes and holding the victims at gunpoint to get their crypto.

Cases are pouring in from all over the world, including Thailand, Ontario, Singapore, Hong Kong, Ukraine, and Costa Rica. For example, in November, an armed gang broke into a tourist’s room and forced them to transfer $250k USDT. The good news is these perpetrators were arrested a few days later.

Solutions Like Best Wallet Can Secure Your Digital Assets

The best way to combat any type of crypto theft is to choose a competent wallet. A good wallet uses a multi-layered security protocol and is easy enough to use so that both new and seasoned investors can reap its benefits.

After extensive research, we found a wallet that meets all these above-mentioned criteria. It’s the Best Wallet (yes, that’s literally its name).

Here’s what we like about it:

• Non-Custodial Wallet: Best Wallet is a non-custodial wallet, which means you will have complete control over your private keys. Any attack (if at all it happens) on the company’s server will not compromise your keys.
• Backup Passphrase: In case of device loss, you can use your backup passphrase to gain access to your wallet.
• Two-factor Authentication: You can add a 4-digit passcode on top of facial or fingerprint authentication. This way, even if one authentication method fails, another will be in place to protect your data.

Other than this, you get a user-friendly interface, third-party insurance through Fireblocks, custom tokens, access to their rewards program, and much more. There’s also a portal called “Upcoming Tokens,” where users can directly checkout tokens in presale.

On a side note, if you are interested in diversifying your portfolio, Best Wallet also has its own token called $BEST. It’s currently in presale, so you’ll get them at a discounted price. The project looks promising, with substantial growth. It has already raised over $4.5 million so far.

Users can also earn these tokens by completing certain tasks through the rewards program. However, this article is not investment advice; we always recommend you do your own research or consult your financial advisor before investing your hard-earned money.

Countries are increasingly adopting Bitcoin as legal tender, with El Salvador leading the charge. Thailand is now considering this move, which could significantly impact its economy and position in the global market.

Thailand’s Current Stance On Bitcoin

Thailand has shown a growing interest in cryptocurrencies over the past few years. Currently, Bitcoin is legal to own and trade in Thailand, but it is not recognized as legal tender. The Thai government has recently announced its intention to study the feasibility of adopting Bitcoin as a legal tender, which could position the country as a leader in the Southeast Asian crypto market. This consideration comes amidst increasing global acceptance of cryptocurrencies and their potential to revolutionize financial systems.

 

The adoption of Bitcoin as a legal tender could have significant economic impacts on Thailand. It could enhance financial inclusion by providing easier access to financial services for unbanked populations. Additionally, it may attract foreign investments, boosting the local economy. Businesses in Thailand could benefit from reduced transaction costs and faster cross-border payments. Consumers might enjoy greater financial freedom and privacy. For instance, remittances from Thai workers abroad could become cheaper and quicker, enhancing the financial stability of their families.

Despite its potential benefits, the adoption of Bitcoin as a legal tender comes with challenges. Regulatory hurdles and the lack of comprehensive legal frameworks could pose significant obstacles. Additionally, the volatility of Bitcoin’s value may lead to economic instability. Ensuring robust cybersecurity measures will be crucial to protect against fraud and hacking. The move also poses risks such as market volatility and regulatory challenges, which could impact the overall stability of the economy.

Market Reactions

 The announcement of Thailand studying Bitcoin as a legal tender has generated mixed reactions in the crypto market. Some investors are bullish, expecting the move to drive Bitcoin’s price higher, while others are cautious due to potential regulatory pushback. 

| Source:( BTCUSD on TradingView.com) 

 

Investor sentiment is divided. On one hand, the potential for widespread adoption of Bitcoin is seen as a positive development. On the other hand, concerns about regulatory challenges and market volatility remain. A successful adoption could lead to a bullish trend, while setbacks could result in bearish market behaviour.

 

As Thailand explores the possibility of making Bitcoin legal tender, global attention is fixed on the country. The outcome of this move could set a precedent and significantly influence how other nations approach cryptocurrency regulation and adoption. This pivotal moment may either accelerate the global acceptance of digital currencies or highlight the complexities and challenges involved.

In the coming months, the focus will be on how Thailand addresses the regulatory, economic, and technological hurdles associated with Bitcoin adoption. Success in these areas could pave the way for broader acceptance and integration of cryptocurrencies worldwide. Conversely, if Thailand faces significant obstacles, it may prompt other countries to proceed with caution, carefully weighing the potential risks and benefits of embracing Bitcoin as a legal tender.

 

 

In a recent interview with CNBC, Michael Saylor, founder and chairman of MicroStrategy, drew an interesting parallel between Bitcoin (BTC) and New York City, referring to the market’s leading cryptocurrency as “cyber Manhattan.” 

‘Every Day Is A Good Day To Buy Bitcoin’

Saylor expressed a long-term bullish outlook on Bitcoin, stating, “We’ll just keep buying the top forever; every day is a good day to buy Bitcoin.” Mcrostategy’s co-founder likened his investment philosophy to that of purchasing real estate in Manhattan over the past few centuries:

I would have bought Manhattan 100 years ago, 200 years ago, every year for the past 300 years. You pay a little bit more than the person who bought Manhattan before you, but it’s always a good investment to invest in the economic capital of the free world.

Saylor’s remarks come ahead of MicroStrategy’s anticipated inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 on December 23. This inclusion will also position MicroStrategy as a Bitcoin proxy within the popular Invesco QQQ Trust ETF, which tracks the performance of the Nasdaq-100 index.

Since 2020, MicroStrategy has been aggressively accumulating Bitcoin, leveraging its balance sheet to finance further purchases through convertible notes. The company ramped up its buying activity following the US presidential election with six consecutive weeks of BTC purchases. 

On Monday, Saylor also announced that MicroStrategy had acquired an additional 15,350 BTC, bringing its total holdings to an impressive 439,000 BTC, valued at approximately $46 billion.

However, Saylor also addressed critics who have labeled MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin acquisition strategy as an alleged “Ponzi scheme.” He countered this criticism by drawing a parallel to real estate development in Manhattan, stating: 

Just like developers in Manhattan, every time real estate goes up in value, they issue more debt to develop more real estate. That’s why your buildings are so tall in New York City; it’s been going on for 350 years. I would call it an economy.

Market Caution Grows

Over the past 24 hours, the leading cryptocurrency has reached a new all-time high of $107,850, driven by a 10% surge in price and a 25% increase in trading volume for Bitcoin. This impressive performance has sparked renewed confidence and bullish sentiment among investors.

However, crypto analyst Ali Martinez recently shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that 62.6% of traders on crypto exchange Binance with open BTC futures positions are currently shorting the asset.

While this trend could trigger a liquidity hunt aimed at liquidating these bearish positions, with potential moves to the upside, it also reflects a sense of caution among traders who anticipate a potential downturn for the largest cryptocurrency..

Yet, it remains uncertain whether the previous resistance level at $101,000 has been established as support by bullish traders. If this level holds, it could pave the way for further price discovery as the year draws to a close.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

In an address to the Bundestag on December 16, Christian Lindner (Free Democratic Party – FDP), the former Finance Minister of Germany, delivered a scathing critique of the current government’s stance on Bitcoin and broader crypto regulation. Lindner, who served under Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the outgoing administration, called for urgent policy reforms to position Germany competitively within the global crypto landscape.

Germany’s Bitcoin Dilemma

During his speech, Lindner emphasized the inaction of the German government in capitalizing on BTC’s potential. “I have not heard from the Federal Chancellor, the Minister of Economics or the leader of the opposition that a new crypto-friendly policy is now being implemented in the United States,” Lindner stated.

He further elaborated on the competitive disadvantage Germany faces, noting, “The US will use the advantages that we could also have with Bitcoin. I hear nothing about this in a central debate in the German Bundestag. What an omission, what opportunities are being lost to us.”

Lindner’s remarks come at a time of heightened political tension within Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz held a vote of confidence yesterday following Lindner’s refusal to endorse the outgoing government’s policies. Prior to Lindner’s intervention, speeches by Scholz, Minister of Economics Robert Habeck, and opposition leader Friedrich Merz during the vote of confidence proceedings conspicuously omitted any reference to Bitcoin or the crypto sector.

The backdrop to Lindner’s critique is the recent shift in the United States political landscape. With the election of Donald Trump in November, the crypto industry is hoping for potential regulatory advancements. During his campaign, Trump proposed significant measures, including the establishment of a strategic Bitcoin reserve and positioning the United States as the “crypto capital of the planet.”

Contrastingly, Germany’s approach to Bitcoin has faced scrutiny. In the summer, German authorities executed an emergency sale of 50,000 BTC through the public prosecutor’s office in Saxony. The proceeds could have been approximately €2.3 billion higher.

Within the Free Democratic Party, Lindner’s stance has garnered support. Frank Schäffler, a colleague from the FDP, lauded Lindner’s advocacy on X, stating, “Christian Lindner speaks out in favor of Bitcoin in the Bundestag. Germany must recognize the opportunities and not leave it to the USA alone. Finally!” Already on December 13, Schäffler wrote via X: “Bundesbank and ECB should include Bitcoin in their currency reserves.”

The German crypto community has been actively discussing the implications of Lindner’s statements, especially in the context of the impending federal elections. Lindner, whose party has experienced significant declines in the polls, may be leveraging BTC as a strategic focal point to regain political traction, drawing parallels to President-elect Trump’s successful pro-Bitcoin rhetoric.

However, not all reactions have been favorable. Furkan Yildirim, a noted German crypto expert, expressed skepticism on X: “The man had almost 4 years as finance minister to have the necessary debates, and now that there’s a fire, he notices? Bitcoin doesn’t need politicians. Politicians need Bitcoin.”

At press time, BTC traded at $106,965.

After years of uncertainty, the defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX, previously led by convicted founder Sam Bankman-Fried, has announced the effective date for its Chapter 11 reorganization plan aimed at distributing funds to affected customers.

Initial Distribution Date Set

On Monday, FTX Trading Ltd. and its affiliated debtors revealed that their court-approved Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization will take effect on January 3, 2025. This date has also been designated as the initial distribution record date for holders of allowed claims within the plan’s Convenience Classes. 

The initial distribution is expected to occur within 60 days of this effective date, although participation will be subject to know-your-customer (KYC) and other distribution requirements. 

Notably, the initial distribution will be limited to the plan’s Convenience Classes, with separate record and payment dates for other classes of claims to be announced in due course.

John J. Ray III, the Chief Executive Officer of the FTX Debtors, expressed optimism about the progress made over the past two years. He stated: 

Our team of professionals has meticulously and efficiently worked to recover billions of dollars to reach this point. The plan becoming effective in January 2025 and the start of distributions are reflections of the outstanding success of the recovery efforts. We are well positioned to begin executing the distribution of recoveries back to all customers and creditors, and we encourage customers to complete the necessary steps to begin receiving distributions in a timely manner.

BitGo And Kraken To Assist FTX In Distributing Recoveries

To facilitate the distribution process, FTX announced it has entered into agreements with two major crypto companies: BitGo and Kraken. 

BitGo, a globally regulated custodian, has been providing institutional-grade trading and settlement services since 2013, while Kraken, a US-based cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2011, offers spot trading and regulated derivatives across up to 190 countries. 

These partnerships aim to ensure that recoveries are effectively distributed to both retail and institutional customers affected by the companies collapse, as well as other creditors in supported jurisdictions, in accordance with the reorganization plan.

For transferred claims, distributions will only be made to the transferee holder of an allowed claim that has been processed and recorded in the official register of claims maintained by the Notice and Claims Agent as of the January 3, 2025 record date. This is contingent upon a 21-day notice period lapsing without any objections.

At the time of writing, FTT, FTX’s native token, has experienced a significant impact from the recent news, coinciding with a broader uptrend in the market over the past 24 hours.

FTT is currently trading at $3, breaking out of a consolidation phase that lasted from April to September of this year, during which it fluctuated between $1.30 and $1.50. At present, the token has recorded gains of 23% over the past two weeks and an impressive 52% over the past month.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

Michael Saylor’s Microstrategy has just announced a new Bitcoin purchase that has taken the firm’s total holdings to 439,000 BTC.

Microstrategy Has Bought Another 15,350 BTC

A large buyer that has had a constant presence during this latest Bitcoin bull run has been Microstrategy. The cryptocurrency’s price has been racing up while the company has been accumulating and it seems even at the current highs the firm doesn’t feel done, as it has announced a new purchase.

During this latest buying spree, the company acquired a total of 15,350 BTC for approximately $1.5 billion at an average price of $100,386 per token between the 9th and 15th of December.

In a new post on X, CryptoQuant community analyst Maartunn has shared a chart that visualizes the points at which Microstrategy has made purchases during the last couple of months.

Out of these six buys, the latest purchase is the smallest in BTC value, but not so in USD value, as it slightly outweighs the 15,400 coins buy from earlier in the month thanks to the asset’s price continuing to see appreciation since then.

The total Bitcoin holdings of Microstrategy have now risen to 439,000 BTC, as the below chart shows.

From the chart, it’s visible that the firm’s buying during this bull run so far has been more aggressive than during the 2021 rally, making this latest accumulation spree the largest that it has participated in.

In total, the company has spent $27.1 billion to buy its BTC over the years, at an average price of $61,725. Thus, it seems Michael Saylor’s bet has been working out, with his firm sitting on profits of more than 72% at the current price.

In some other news, as Bitcoin has set a new all-time high (ATH) beyond the $106,000 level, the on-chain analytics firm Glassnode has shared how accumulation leading up to this milestone has looked from the perspective of its its new Cost Basis Distribution (CBD) tool.

The CBD is an indicator that tells us how much of the cryptocurrency’s supply was last purchased (based on the last transaction price or Realized Price of each token in circulation) at the different price levels.

As is visible in the chart, Bitcoin investors participated in a notable amount of buying and selling between $96,000 and $100,000, with the $97,000 to $98,000 cluster particularly standing out for hosting the cost basis of 500,000 BTC.

Above the $100,000 level, trading activity has continued, but so far, the investors haven’t built up any significant supply clusters yet, with levels above $103,000 being especially thin with coins.

BTC Price

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is floating around $106,400, up more than 8% over the last seven days.

Korea Exchange’s chief recently suggested that South Korea must review its crypto approach and institutionalize digital assets soon to compete against other nations. The call for change comes amid the country’s political turmoil, which has halted all related regulations until 2025.

Korea Exchange Chief Calls For A Change

On Sunday, Jeong Eun-bo, chairman of the South Korea Stock Exchange, called for the institutionalization of crypto in the country. In an interview with the local newspaper Maeil Kyungjae, Jeong stated that lawmakers and financial institutions must look at digital assets differently.

The chairman argued that the crypto industry has significantly grown in recent years, making it considerably influential. As such, “it cannot be ignored by traditional markets,” adding that South Korea should try incorporating digital assets into institutional finance.

Moreover, Jeong considers that the South Korean crypto market needs to be revitalized to compete with other countries and prevent falling behind international markets. The current treatment of digital assets has made the market fail to cross various regulatory thresholds for years, challenging the market’s development and competitiveness.

If we continue to vaguely treat cryptocurrencies as speculative assets and hold those who adopt them liable, we will fall behind in international competitiveness.

The Korea Exchange chairman shared that the digital assets market’s future was “seriously discussed” at the recent World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) meeting, debating that it would be “difficult” for stock exchanges to maintain “the traditional market’s profit model by neglecting the crypto market.”

As a result, he suggested that South Korea should strive to “quickly institutionalize the crypto market to generate new added value.” Jeong noted that after the post-US election rally started in early November, the digital assets market overtook the domestic stock market.

As reported by Bitcoinist, the crypto market’s trading volume surpassed the local stock market’s $14 billion volume by 22%. Additionally, South Korean exchanges recorded their largest levels this year, hitting $34 billion amid the political turmoil.

Crypto Regulations On Pause Until 2025

Despite Jeong’s call for revitalizing the market and institutionalizing digital assets, crypto-related regulations will be suspended until the political crisis resolution, which could take a few months.

On December 3, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared the first emergency martial law in four decades, causing panic among Koreans. Yoon accused the country’s opposition Democratic party, which has a majority in the National Assembly, of sympathizing with North Korea and anti-state activities.

He claimed that the measure was taken to “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order.” However, the National Assembly voted to nullify the President’s declaration and successfully ended the emergency martial law in six hours.

Since then, the Assembly impeached Yoon, and his presidential powers have been suspended. The Constitutional Court is currently determining whether to remove Yoon from office or reinstate him, Associated Press reports.

Other local media outlets revealed that all crypto-related policies have been halted due to the country’s ongoing political issues. The report noted that the aftermath of the martial and impeachment has made it “impossible to expect a vote,” but expects discussions about digital assets regulation to resume in the first half of 2025.

The Court’s decision could take up to 180 days, with the first pretrial hearing scheduled for December 27.

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has released a discussion paper outlining several proposals and inviting public feedback on crypto regulations in the country. Notably, one proposal seeks to ban public crypto offers from non-regulated entities.

Cryptocurrency Public Offers Draw The FCA’s Attention

According to the FCA, the proposals – detailed in the discussion paper titled “DP24/4” – aim to mitigate risks associated with digital assets while fostering growth and innovation within the sector. The paper is directed toward investors, crypto firms, industry groups, and other professional bodies involved in the virtual assets space.

One proposal garnering significant attention is a potential ban on public virtual assets offers. The UK government’s economic and finance ministry, HM Treasury, is pushing to outlaw most public crypto fundraising, with exceptions likely made for entities already operating in the UK or those qualifying under specific exemptions. 

The FCA’s move aligns with broader efforts by regulators worldwide to tighten controls on unregulated offerings, which have often been associated with scams, investor losses, and market manipulation.

Draft legislation is expected to formalize the ban, signaling a notable regulatory shift. This development follows the FCA’s recent crackdown on Solana-based platform Pump.fun, which was barred from operating in the UK due to its failure to secure the necessary permit.

Beyond the proposed public offer ban, the FCA has also suggested that authorized digital assets trading platforms share market abuse data to identify and address suspicious activities. This initiative seeks to enhance transparency and improve user safety in the crypto sector.

The discussion paper further invites feedback on market admission, disclosure practices, and measures to tackle market abuse. The FCA has set a deadline of March 14, 2025, for stakeholders to submit their comments and input.

Other European countries have also called for global cooperation when it comes to regulating digital assets. For instance, countries like Denmark, Italy, and the Netherlands are mulling implementing tax monitoring rules to better align with European Union (EU) tax standards.

UK’s Digital Assets Stance: A Regulatory Overreach Or Necessity?

This paper is part of a broader effort to define the UK’s crypto regulatory regime, with additional papers expected to follow. Notably, draft legislation is anticipated next year, with the full regulatory framework slated for implementation by 2026.

The timing of the discussion paper coincides with mounting concerns over low regulatory compliance among digital assets companies. A recent report revealed that nearly 90% of digital assets entities in the UK fail to meet anti-money laundering (AML) standards. Regulators worry that lax compliance could expose the financial system to illicit activities, including fraud and money laundering.

In October, the FCA was urged to investigate short-form video hosting platform TikTok over allegations of illegally operating as a cryptocurrency trading platform. These incidents underscore the watchdog’s increasing vigilance in safeguarding financial markets.

Despite regulatory challenges, virtual assets adoption in the UK remains strong. According to an FCA report, approximately 7 million UK adults currently hold digital assets.

While the FCA’s push for tighter regulations is aimed at protecting market participants, it faces the challenge of avoiding excessive measures that might drive digital assets businesses to relocate to more crypto-friendly jurisdictions. For instance, the US has seen renewed optimism following the election victory of pro-crypto candidate Donald Trump. At press time, Bitcoin (BTC) trades at $105,998, up 3.1% in the past 24 hours.