According to the latest figures, Metaplanet, a company listed on the Japanese stock exchange, witnessed its share price soar by nearly 90% in just one day. This significant jump came on the heels of the company’s announcement regarding its intention to incorporate 1 billion yen in bitcoin into its balance sheet. Metaplanet Joins Forces With […]
Bitcoin News
Australian Asset Management Firm Transfers Bitcoin ETF Application to Cboe Australia
Monochrome Asset Management, an Australian investment management firm, has transferred its bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) application to Cboe Australia. This move aligns with Monochrome Asset Management’s objective of broadening its footprint in Asian markets. Monochrome’s Commitment to Investors Evident in Application Transfer Monochrome Asset Management, an investment management firm based in Australia, announced on April […]
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Banks Seek to Purchase Bitcoin Directly From BTC Mining Firm Hut 8, Says CEO
Per the CEO of Hut 8, a bitcoin mining company listed on the Toronto stock exchange, major financial institutions have made inquiries to purchase bitcoin directly from the firm. Additionally, the Hut 8 executive emphasized the forthcoming halving event’s “big impact,” noting a surge in demand juxtaposed with a reduction in available bitcoins. Financial Giants […]
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Israeli Crypto Firm Launches Pilot for First Shekel-Backed Stablecoin
Israel has taken a significant step in the cryptocurrency domain by green-lighting a pilot for BILS, the first stablecoin pegged to the New Israeli Shekel. Bits of Gold and Israeli Authority Launch BILS Stablecoin in Regulatory Sandbox The initiative, spearheaded by the crypto broker Bits of Gold in collaboration with the Israeli Capital Market, Insurance […]
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Nigerian Central Bank, Real-World Asset Firm Partner to Revive Struggling CBDC
Gluwa, a platform for real-world assets, announced on March 7 its partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria. The partnership arrangement aims to improve the functionality of the Nigerian central bank’s digital currency and promote financial innovation through blockchain technology. Improving the CBDC’s Utility Gluwa, a real-world assets platform, has entered into a partnership arrangement […]
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Bitcoin Mining Firm CEO Predicts Start Of ‘Supercycle’, What It Means
In a series of statements made on X (formerly Twitter), Marc van der Chijs, the CEO of the publicly traded Bitcoin mining firm Hut 8, shared an optimistic outlook on the future of Bitcoin, suggesting that the cryptocurrency may be on the brink of a ‘supercycle.’ “I think I have never been more bullish about Bitcoin than I am right now,” he remarked, pointing to the cryptocurrency’s recent performance and the absence of widespread hype as a prelude to what he terms a ‘supercycle.’
Understanding the concept of a ‘supercycle’ is crucial to grasping van der Chijs’ perspective. Unlike regular market cycles that see periodic rises and falls, a supercycle in the Bitcoin domain refers to an extended period of bullish growth over several years. This phase is characterized by a substantial increase in adoption, demand, and price, often leading to far-reaching economic implications.
In essence, a supercycle marks a paradigm shift where the asset’s value escalates dramatically, supported by a continuous inflow of investment and a growing consensus about its long-term viability. To come to this conclusion, Van der Chijs’ prediction hinges on several observations and trends within the Bitcoin sector.
Why A Bitcoin Supercycle Could Be Possible
First, he notes a significant shift towards Bitcoin ETFs by funds, including yesterday’s landmark announcement from Blackrock’s Strategic Income Opportunities Fund. This movement signifies a robust institutional interest that could feed a constant stream of investment into Bitcoin, setting the stage for a supercycle.
“This will be a constant flow of new money into the ETFs. […] The flows into the ETF are getting bigger, not smaller,” van der Chijs remarked. With financial advisors poised to recommend Bitcoin ETFs to clients following a regulatory settling period, van der Chijs sees a torrent of new capital on the horizon. This anticipation is not unfounded, considering the groundbreaking success of the Bitcoin ETF launch, which he cites as “the most successful ETF launch ever.”
Corporate strategies around Bitcoin also play a pivotal role in van der Chijs’ supercycle theory. He points to Microstrategy’s aggressive leverage-based Bitcoin purchases as a harbinger of a trend where companies increasingly view Bitcoin not just as an investment, but as a fundamental aspect of their financial strategy. This shift, according to van der Chijs, could prompt other CEOs to follow suit, further accelerating Bitcoin’s ascendancy.
Moreover, a critical mass of financial advisors is on the brink of recommending Bitcoin ETFs to clients, pending the expiration of regulatory and due diligence waiting periods. This opens the gates for substantial new investments from a segment traditionally cautious about direct cryptocurrency investments. “They can’t sell the ETF during the first 90 working days (internal regulations mostly because of DD), although they are fast tracking it for this ETF,” van der Chijs stated.
FOMO And A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
The speculation around unidentified large-scale Bitcoin acquisitions adds another layer to the supercycle narrative. Van der Chijs alludes to the intrigue surrounding a wallet that has been steadily accumulating Bitcoin, hinting at the involvement of a billionaire possibly akin to Jeff Bezos. “Since November 2023 a wallet has been adding on average about 100 BTC per day, the wallet now contains over 50,000 BTC,” he states, pointing to the potential for influential figures to catalyze broader market movements.
Another argument is potential purchases by nation-states. Although nation-state involvement in Bitcoin has been minimal, with El Salvador being a notable example, any increase in such activities could trigger a domino effect. The participation of nation-states in the Bitcoin market could significantly elevate Bitcoin’s status as a sovereign asset class.
Next, the retail sector remains largely on the sidelines in the current cycle, but van der Chijs anticipates a surge in retail interest following new all-time highs and increased media coverage. This could initiate a FOMO cycle, drawing more investment from traditional asset classes into Bitcoin.
Last, van der Chijs mentions the concept of a self-fulfilling prophecy: As Bitcoin continues to rise without significant dips due to constant new money inflow, more people and institutions will entertain the concept of a supercycle. This, in turn, could lead to increased capital allocation to Bitcoin, making the supercycle more likely.
Macroeconomic Implications Of A Supercycle
Van der Chijs’ theory also touches on the potential macroeconomic implications of a Bitcoin supercycle, predicting a significant shift in wealth and power structures. The redistribution of wealth could see Bitcoin at the center of a new economic order, with traditional asset classes potentially losing ground.
In conclusion, Marc van der Chijs outlines a compelling case for a forthcoming Bitcoin supercycle, supported by a confluence of institutional, corporate, speculative, and retail trends. He acknowledged the speculative nature of his prediction, “Right now I think there is a chance of maybe 10% that this will happen and that chance is (very slowly) going up.”
However, the implications could be massive. “[I]t will change the existing world order. It will suck money out of the stock and bond markets, out of gold and other commodities, and even out of real estate (global housing prices could collapse). This will lead to BTC prices that we can’t even imagine today, potentially millions of dollars per BTC.”
At press time, BTC traded at ,806.
CEO Of Blockchain-Focused VC Firm Predicts XRP Price Will Reach $10
Oliver Michel, founder and CEO of German-based venture capitalist firm Tokentus Investment AG, has given a bullish price prediction for the XRP price. According to him, XRP could hit soon enough.
XRP Price To Is Just The Beginning
Michel mentioned during an interview with Der Aktionär, a leading German finance magazine, that he expects XRP to rise to between and in the first wave of its parabolic move to the upside. Interestingly, he added that XRP would eventually hit three to four figures and didn’t seem worried about XRP’s current price action.
Meanwhile, Michel revealed that he is invested in the XRP tokens as he has them both in his family office and with his company, Tokentus. The same applies to Ripple shares, which he stated he purchased through an SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle).
Michel is no stranger to the XRP ecosystem, considering that his company partnered with Ripple last year in an effort to grow and increase the adoption of the XRP Ledger (XRPL). During the interview, Michel also offered his thoughts on Ripple as a “professional company” and sounded so bullish on what the crypto firm was building with its Payment service.
He used the opportunity to elaborate further on how Ripple was simplifying cross-border transactions with the help of the XRPL and XRP tokens. Ripple is known to settle these transactions through its blockchain, with XRP serving as the utility token, and these XRP tokens are then converted to the fiat currency of the recipient’s choice.
XRP To Become The “World Reserve Bridge Currency”
Michel stated that XRP could become the “world reserve bridge currency” once countries implement their CBDCs (Central Bank Digital Currency). Ripple’s XRPL is already being touted as the go-to chain for CBDC settlements. The crypto firm had also revealed that they were already actively working with more than 20 Central banks on CBDC initiatives.
The Tokentus founder also believes it won’t be long before other Central banks fall back on Ripple to help them implement their CBDCs. He noted that the pressure was piling up on these banks to act now to avoid an impending economic collapse. XRP is expected to play an integral role when this all happens.
Ripple’s XRPL also looks set to act as the intermediary between all these CBDCs when the time comes. Bitcoinist once reported how the network’s clawback feature boosts the prospects of CBDCs being implemented on it.
At the time of writing, XRP is trading at around .58, down over 1% in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.
CEO Of German VC Firm Predicts XRP To Become ‘World Reserve Bridge Currency’
Oliver Michel, CEO of Tokentus Investment AG, has made a bold assertion in the latest episode of Crypto Talk – a series produced for German television in collaboration with Der Aktionaer, regarding the future role of Ripple and XRP. Michel, leading one of Germany’s prominent venture capital firms, provided a deep dive into the operational excellence of Ripple Labs and the transformative potential of XRP within the financial sector.
Ripple IPO And XRP Price Expectations
Michel praised Ripple Labs for its professional management and strategic direction, aiming for a major initial public offering (IPO). He stressed the importance of Ripple’s approach to solving the inefficiencies of cross-border payments, distinguishing between the company’s operational framework and the utility of XRP.
“Ripple is a professional company […] It’s not a foundation where some people get together and say we’re going to do something. It’s a professional company with the ambition of a fairly large IPO,” Michel stated, emphasizing the solid foundation upon which Ripple builds its services.
Delving into the specifics of Ripple’s value proposition, Michel elaborated on the inefficiencies of traditional banking transactions across borders, highlighting the advantages of using XRP as a bridge currency.
He detailed, “You give it to the bank, exchange these euros for XRPs, put them on the ledger, i.e., on the blockchain, very quickly and without major costs […] This means that XRP is the bridge currency, XRP Ledger is the blockchain, the bridge and the liquidity pool.” This process, according to Michel, stands as a testament to Ripple’s innovative approach to leveraging blockchain technology for real-world financial operations.
Michel also shared insights into his investment strategy regarding XRP, noting his expectations for the cryptocurrency’s value. When queried when he plans to sell, he remarked, “I’ll think about it when it’s at . So, from now on, a tenfold increase. At , I think that would be super good.” These comments not only reveal Michel’s bullish outlook on XRP but also his nuanced understanding of the cryptocurrency’s market dynamics.
Michel further disclosed his dual investment in Ripple, holding both XRP coins and shares in Ripple Labs through Tokentus Investment AG and his family office. This strategic positioning underscores his confidence in Ripple’s dual offerings and his belief in their long-term potential.
“I have XRP coins, both in my family office and in Tokentus Investment AG. However, we also got involved in Ripple shares very early on, both via Tokentus and via the family office, via a preliminary company, via an SPV, a special purpose vehicle,” Michel elaborated, indicating a comprehensive investment approach towards the Ripple ecosystem.
German CEO Sees XRP As Global Currency Standard
Addressing the future of digital finance, Michel underscored the significance of XRP and Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) service in the evolving landscape of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). He posited that Ripple’s infrastructure could become central to global financial systems, facilitating seamless and efficient transactions between central banks.
“This is actually the most exciting question […] If the banks work together via the backend, Ripple’s bridge technology is central, everything revolves around it,” Michel stated, highlighting Ripple’s potential to revolutionize financial transactions at a global scale.
Despite acknowledging the competitive landscape, including initiatives like the JP Morgan Coin, Michel’s confidence in Ripple’s unique value proposition remains unshaken. He concluded with a compelling vision for Ripple’s future, “If time plays in Ripple’s favor, then Ripple may well become the world reserve bridge currency.”
At press time, XRP traded at .57769 after being rejected at the 0.5 Fibonacci level once again.
Kyberswap Hack: Blockchain Security Firm Reports Movement of 800 ETH From Exploiter’s Address
Blockchain security firm Peckshield revealed on Feb. 26 that an exploiter labeled address associated with the Kyberswap hack had bridged approximately 800 ether tokens from Arbitrum to the Ethereum blockchain. On the same day, the Kyberswap team unveiled revised dates for reimbursing users impacted by the hacking. Kyberswap Hacker Starts Moving Funds Peckshield Alert, a […]
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Axie Infinity Co-Founder Losses Over $10 Million In Hack, AXS Holds Firm
Two personal crypto wallets belonging to Jeff “Jihoz” Zirlin, the co-founder of Sky Mavis, the company behind the popular play-to-earn (P2E) game Axie Infinity, have been compromised, reports on February 23 show.
Following this hack, over million worth of various crypto assets were stolen, primarily RON, the native token of Ronin Chain, the Ethereum sidechain designed explicitly for Axie Infinity.
Axie Infinity Co-Founder Losses Over Million In Hack
According to Lookonchain data, the hacker got away with 3.2 million RON worth over .53 million. The co-founder also lost over 4,000 worth of Wrapped Ethereum (ETH). There were other small amounts of PIXEL, the native token of Pixels–a gaming platform; SLP, the coin priming Axie Infinity’s metaverse; and USDC, a stablecoin.
Zirlin held around 164 AXS worth less than ,300. The hack has shown an unexpected holding pattern, especially among project founders. That the co-founder only held 164 AXS is strange, considering the role played in Axie Infinity. The P2E game has distributed billions of assets since its popularity peaked in the last bull cycle.
Stolen assets, Lookonchain data reveals, were reportedly converted to ETH and deposited into Tornado Cash, a crypto mixer whose co-founders have an ongoing court case in the United States.
In charges brought forward in August 2023, the prosecution team alleges that North Korean hackers used Tornado Cash to launder millions, if not billions, of dollars worth of stolen coins. Some of these tokens were from the Ronin hack, which lost over 0 million in March 2022.
Dedicated To Mission; RON And AXS Post Minor Losses
Zirlin confirmed the hack on X on February 23, emphasizing that it was “limited to my accounts.” The hack did not affect the Ronin chain or Sky Mavis operations. The co-founder also added that the compromised private keys were not connected to the company’s internal systems.
Zirlin said they have “strict security measures in place for all chain-related activities to assuage fears.” The co-founder also remains upbeat, assuring concerned crypto community members that the project will continue pursuing its mission of bringing “economic freedom” to all users.
So far, AXS and RON prices remain stable but lower, looking at the performance in the daily chart. AXS and RON have been edging lower since February 21, cooling off after sharp gains from early Q4 2023.