QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Crypto sentiment has moved back into the fear zone (39), reinforcing the contrast with 72 (greed) in equities,” Alex Kuptsikevich, a senior market analyst at FxPro, said in an email. “This dynamic is easily explained by the appreciation of the dollar and the increased attractiveness of bonds, which reduces institutional traction in bitcoin.” Source
CIO INSIGHTS
This week, the major cryptocurrencies were relatively steady. Bitcoin is up 0.62%, while Ethereum and Solana gained about 2%. Despite this stability, Bitcoin’s dominance rate may face pressure as the Federal Reserve’s potential rate cut cycle looms. Investors are watching the upcoming U.S. inflation report closely, as a hotter-than-expected figure could weaken the case for further rate cuts. The strengthening dollar ahead of the report has already contributed to Bitcoin and Ethereum experiencing slight losses this week.
Meanwhile, narratives like AI and restaking are regaining momentum. Bittensor (TAO) and Eigenlayer had strong performances, up 18% and 8%, respectively, showcasing renewed interest in these cutting-edge projects. On a macroeconomic front, Hurricane Milton is forecasted to cause significant damage in Florida, where many residents are underinsured. The U.S. government will likely need to step in, triggering increased money printing to support recovery efforts. This could lead to an expansion of the M2 money supply, similar to what happened during the COVID-19 crisis, making Bitcoin an attractive hedge against inflation and potentially boosting its price.
In regulatory news, U.S. prosecutors charged four crypto market makers and employees with market manipulation and fraud. While this highlights some of the ongoing challenges in the crypto market, it’s also a sign of the space maturing. As these bad actors are pushed out, the industry becomes more credible, paving the way for broader institutional adoption.
TOP HEADLINES
Bitcoin’s Mega Bull Run Begins To Unfold: Bitcoin is reportedly on the brink of explosive growth as it nears a highly anticipated turning point that could propel the cryptocurrency to unprecedented levels. Market expert and trader Ether Nasyonal has highlighted this promising development, drawing significant attention from the crypto community. Nasyonal believes Bitcoin is entering the early stages of a massive bull run, signaling a pivotal moment for the asset. This outlook aligns with the growing consensus that BTC is on the verge of a major breakout, with many analysts and investors expecting a substantial surge in its value. [Source]
Pre-Order Bitcoin Supercycle by Michael Terpin. Bitcoin has been the best performing asset class of all time—better than gold, silver, real estate, and the stock market. Its value has risen from one tenth of a cent in 2009 to a new high of over $70,000. But misconceptions about its reliability have prevented most people from creating life-changing wealth. Michael Terpin, the founder of BitAngels whom CNBC calls “the Godfather of Crypto,” is changing that. The Bitcoin Supercycle explains his “Four Seasons of Bitcoin” model, which shows how the price of bitcoin moves in reliable cycles similar to those of real estate and stock markets—and gives you the numbers, evidence, charts, and strategies to take advantage.
Dubai’s Crypto Regulator Cracks Down On Unlicensed Firms: In its announcement, VARA, the crypto regulator advised the public to “avoid engaging with unlicensed firms,” warning that involvement with unregulated entities carries substantial reputational and financial risks for both individuals and institutions. The regulator further highlighted the potential legal consequences of interacting with such service providers. VARA reiterated that only licensed firms are permitted to provide virtual asset services within and from Dubai. [Source]
The 30-Year-Old Internet Backdoor Law That Came Back To Bite: This weekend, news emerged that hackers backed by China have infiltrated the wiretap systems of several U.S. telecom and internet providers, likely aiming to collect intelligence on Americans. These wiretap systems, regulated by a 30-year-old U.S. federal law, are among the most sensitive parts of a telecom or internet provider’s network. They typically allow a small number of employees almost unrestricted access to customer data, including internet activity and browsing histories. [Source]
The U.S. Fell Behind in Crypto. It Cannot Afford to Fall Behind in AI: From the Industrial Revolution to the Digital Age, the United States has been shaped by a strong tradition of entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity. This entrepreneurial spirit has made the U.S. a magnet for talent, drawing global visionaries, including myself, to build and innovate on American soil. Notably, immigrants have played a crucial role, having founded or co-founded 65% of the leading AI companies in the country. [Source]
Japan’s Metaplanet Buys Another $6.7M Worth of Bitcoin: Tokyo-listed investment adviser Metaplanet (3350) announced that it has acquired an additional 1 billion yen ($6.7 million) worth of bitcoin (BTC), bringing its total holdings to 639.5 BTC, valued at approximately $40.6 million at current market prices. The company disclosed that it purchased around 108.8 BTC at an average price of just under 9.2 million yen per coin. To date, Metaplanet has invested close to 6 billion yen in bitcoin, with an average acquisition price of 9.3 million yen per coin. [Source]