Bitcoin price is struggling to crack resistance around $47,000 per coin, but it might not be long until it does thanks to the backdrop of bullish spot BTC ETF news. The news could also be supported by a change in mass crowd psychology, according to Elliott Wave Principle and the current projected count in BTCUSD. All of this could cause the top cryptocurrency by market cap to double in a flash. The Countdown To Bitcoin Price Doubling During every major bull run, there is a phase where the rally is supported by the regular occurrence of bullish Bitcoin news. If it all seems to arrive at once, this is due to the way mass crowd psychology works, according to Elliott Wave Principle. When an asset, in this case BTCUSD, reaches what’s referred to as an impulse wave, humans begin to behave in an impulsive way, selling at the first sign of a correction, and buying every minor pump that ultimately gets retraced. Because so many market participants are entering during this phase, things get extra volatile. If this sounds familiar, this is precisely what’s going on with Bitcoin now, and it’s only going to pick up momentum as ETF-related investments are revealed. Compare the chart below referencing BTCUSD now versus late 2020. During the green box, bullish news was breaking all day long. Show Me The Charts, And I’ll Tell You The News An onslaught of big companies began buying BTC, such as MicroStrategy, Tesla, and Square. From the bottom of what is labeled wave (iv) in BTCUSD to the top of wave (v) in 2020 into early 2021, the first ever cryptocurrency went on a 136% run. This caused price to more than double from around $18,000 to $42,000. Today, Bitcoin is in a similar wave count, with news catalysts ready to help propel the crypto market higher. If the Elliott Wave Principle count is accurate, BTCUSD could see a similarly move where it doubles in a matter of a month. Another 136% increase from here would take BTC to around $95,000 per coin and complete wave (v) and wave 3. Wave 3’s are commonly referred to as an impulse wave. An impulse wave can be sub-divided into five sub-waves. When the powerful wave 3 ascent is over, only a short-lived wave 4 sharp correction should follow, at which point wave 5 will begin and complete the cycle.

The Shiba Inu burn rate is not slowing down, especially now that the SHIB team has officially joined the effort. This participation from the Shiba Inu team has led to some of the largest daily SHIB burns that have been recorded since the burn initiative started. And now, once again, the team has carried out another massive burn that sent the burn rate surging. Shiba Inu Team Burns 9.35 Billion Tokens In the latest iteration of the Shiba Inu team burn, a total of 9.35 billion SHIB have now been sent to the burn address. At the time of the transaction, the 9.35 billion SHIB was worth a total of $92,953.36. This makes it the largest burn that the team has carried out since it began burning tokens. The token burn which took place on January 9 triggered a substantial surge in the daily SHIB burn rate. According to data from the Shiba Inu burn tracking website Shibburn, the team’s burn caused the burn rate to spike by 28,659% in the 24-hour period. This spike represents the highest spike in the burn rate in 2024 so far, suggesting a bullish start to the year for the token. However, the burn rate has since taken a nosedive as the burn figures fell short of expectations between Wednesday and Thursday. Shibburn data shows a 99.94% decline in the burn rate at the time of writing, with only a little over 5.3 million SHIB tokens burned in the last day. There have also been only four burn transactions carried out in the 24-hour period at the time of writing, following the same trend from the last few days. SHIB Burn Gains Steam Despite the decline in the burn rate in the last day, the community is still looking at more significant burns as time goes on. One of the developments that guarantee these burns is the fact that Shiba Inu burns are now being automated directly through the Shibarium network. The burn automation was revealed by the Shiba Inu team which revealed that there will be a two-pronged approach to this process. The first, which is how the team has been burning tokens, is manually sending tokens from the deployer wallet to the burn address. The second approach, which is the most significant, will see an automated SHIB burn system from Shibarium put in place in January. This automated burn mechanism has sparked excitement in the SHIB community as some expect as much as 9.25 trillion tokens to be burned monthly.

Crypto analyst Skew has highlighted a particular price level for Dogecoin (DOGE), which could turn profits for those invested in the meme coin. He also shared his thoughts on price levels to keep an eye on when positioning for entry in anticipation of an uptrend for DOGE. $0.087 Is The Dogecoin Price Level To Watch Out For Analyzing the daily Dogecoin chart, Skew hinted that there is a better risk-reward above $0.08750 for those who might be looking to get in on the meme coin. The analyst seemed to have a strong conviction about that price level as he made this comment despite noting that there was still a huge HTF range developing on the chart. Meanwhile, the analyst also highlighted other critical price levels to watch out for. These levels could paint a bullish momentum for the meme coin. He stated that he would be looking for a higher high above the December 2022 high of $0.11 and a higher low around $0.0094 or Doge’s peak in December 2023 when it rose to $0.10. Considering that DOGE has for a long time maintained a relatively tepid price movement, the meme coin hitting these price levels will mean that a significant rally could be underway. Going by crypto analyst Jaydee’s prediction, this rally could come once there is an ASO (Average Sentiment Oscillator) cross on the charts. Jaydee highlighted that as one of the three things that occur before the meme coin makes a significant move to the upside. This indicator seems to be the only thing that hasn’t occurred among the three, as the analyst had mentioned then that other indicators have been checked. “DOGE To $1 Isn’t A Meme” Max Schwartzman, the CEO of the crypto analysis platform Because Bitcoin also recently shared a bullish narrative for the foremost meme coin. He hinted that Dogecoin could rise to as high as $1 once Bitcoin breaks its all-time high (ATH) of $68,700. Based on historical patterns, he further suggested that DOGE could see more moves to the upside as Bitcoin pressures its ATH. Schwartzman also made a case for the PEPE token. With DOGE rising to as high as $1, he suggested that PEPE could also see a 100x gain. The analyst had previously drawn out striking similarities between both meme coins, with PEPE likely to enjoy a similar run as the Dogecoin did during its breakout year in 2021. Indeed, PEPE could begin to enjoy significant price gains as attention turns to the Ethereum ecosystem. Crypto analyst Crypto Kaleo once mentioned that he sees the meme coin printing new ATHs as ETH starts to move.

An analyst has explained that PEPE could be breaking out of a descending channel pattern currently and may be heading towards these targets. PEPE Has Been Breaking Out Of A Descending Parallel Channel Recently In a new post on X, analyst Ali pointed out how the 4-hour PEPE price is breaking out of a descending parallel channel currently. In technical analysis, a “parallel channel” refers to the area enclosed by two parallel trendlines where the price of the given asset has been traveling inside recently. Generally, the price is likely to encounter resistance at the upper line of the channel, while the lower level could act as a source of support. Because of this reason, tops and bottoms are naturally probable to occur at the respective trendlines. In the context of the current discussion, a parallel channel called a descending channel is of interest. As its name suggests, this channel represents a downtrend in the asset. The upper line of the descending parallel channel is drawn by connecting together lower highs in the commodity’s price. Similarly, the bottom level joins together with lower lows. Usually, breaks out of the channel can be significant as they may imply a continuation of the trend. This means that if the break is out of the upper line, it can be a bullish signal, while a drop under the lower level could be a sign that the bearish trend is strengthening. Now, here is the chart shared by the analyst that highlights a descending parallel channel pattern that has been forming in the 4-hour price of PEPE recently: As displayed in the above graph, PEPE had been trending inside this descending parallel channel pattern until the last 24 hours, when the meme coin enjoyed a sharp 16% jump and broke out of the upper level of the channel. This quick rise in the cryptocurrency’s price has come as the Bitcoin spot ETFs have gained approval from the US SEC. While BTC itself has only seen a 4% from this bullish news, altcoins around the sector have gone ahead and started showing sizeable surges. As PEPE now appears to be breaking out of the descending parallel channel, the meme coin could be set to continue its bullish momentum, as it has often happened historically with such breakouts. That would only be, of course, if the breakout truly gets confirmed, as the coin has only just begun to rise above it. In the chart, Ali has marked the levels that PEPE could end up reaching if this bullish pattern comes to fruition. $0.0000016 and $0.0000019 are the two price levels that the analyst has highlighted for the asset, as they are at distances equal to half-length and full-length of the channel, respectively. Should the coin touch the former of these, it would have rallied almost 11% from the current price level, while a rise to the latter one would suggest an increase of over 31%. PEPE Price Following the sharp surge from the past day, the asset’s price is now trading around the $0.000001446 mark.

EZBC is one of the industry’s first spot bitcoin ETFs and the latest addition to Franklin Templeton’s growing digital assets and ETF platforms SAN MATEO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Franklin Templeton today launched its first digital assets-backed exchange-traded fund (ETF), the Franklin Bitcoin ETF, under the ticker EZBC. The fund is a spot bitcoin ETF available for U.S. investors and seeks to reflect the performance of the price of bitcoin, less the expense of fund operations. It is offered on the Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. and priced at 29 basis points. EZBC is the latest expansion of the growing Franklin Templeton Digital Assets and ETF platforms. “With more than 75 years in asset management, Franklin Templeton has learned the importance of continuously innovating and staying ahead of the disruptive technologies that impact our industry. That’s why we’ve been at the forefront of merging blockchain technologies and traditional asset management, and we are proud to add the Franklin Bitcoin ETF to our growing list of offerings,” said Jenny Johnson, president and CEO of Franklin Templeton. “It’s all in the ticker: EZBC. Our goal is to make it easy for clients to access investment opportunities with our digital assets solutions.” Franklin Templeton Digital Assets is a dedicated group of investment professionals engaged in intensive research and technical development within the digital asset ecosystem, developing investment offerings, technology platforms and strategy differentiation to help clients achieve their investment goals in this new asset class, all while supporting and investing in digital asset networks. “Investors continue to demonstrate interest in digital assets and express a desire for a simpler way to allocate to the asset class—one that removes the complexities associated with things like wallets and keys,” said Roger Bayston, Head of Digital Assets at Franklin Templeton. “As a firm, we are well positioned to leverage our in-depth knowledge of blockchain ecosystems to introduce products like EZBC that serve to further the understanding and accessibility of digital assets within the broader investing community.” Established in 2016, Franklin Templeton’s U.S. ETF platform provides solutions for a range of market conditions and investment objectives through active, smart beta and passively managed ETFs. With the launch of EZBC and recent acquisition of Putnam Investments, Franklin Templeton offers over 100 ETFs globally with combined assets under management (AUM) of over $20 billion.1 “Franklin Templeton is committed to offering innovative products that meet investors’ evolving interests and objectives. EZBC is our first ETF to include the emerging opportunity set that is digital assets, making it a very exciting addition to our product lineup,” said Patrick O’Connor, Head of Global ETFs for Franklin Templeton. “With our bench strength in digital assets, as well as our experience in offering a wide array of ETFs across equities, fixed income and commodities, we are well equipped to expand into the new frontier of digital asset ETFs.” About Franklin Templeton Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,300 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and over $1.5 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2023. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. ETF assets under management are on a pro forma basis as of December 31, 2023. The Fund has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the Fund has filed with the SEC, when available, for more complete information about the Fund and this offering. You may obtain these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at sec.gov or by visiting franklintempleton.com. Alternatively, the Fund will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling toll-free (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236. The prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Before you invest, for more complete information about the Fund and this offering, you should carefully read the Fund’s prospectus. The Fund is not an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act), and therefore is not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds or ETFs registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund is not a commodity pool for purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and accordingly is not subject to the regulatory protections afforded by the CEA. The Fund holds only bitcoin and cash and is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is not a diversified investment and, therefore, is expected to be more volatile than other investments, such as an investment in a more broadly diversified portfolio. An investment in the Fund is not intended as a complete investment plan. An investment in the Fund is subject to market risk with respect to the digital asset markets. The trading price of the bitcoin held by the Fund may go up and down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The value of the Fund’s Shares relates directly to the value of bitcoins, which has been in the past, and may continue to be, highly volatile and subject to fluctuations due to a number of factors. Extreme volatility in the future, including substantial, sustained or rapid declines in the trading prices of bitcoin, could have a material adverse effect on the value of the Shares and the Shares could lose all or substantially all of their value. Competitive pressures may negatively affect the ability of the Fund to garner substantial assets and achieve commercial success. Digital assets represent a new and rapidly evolving industry, and the value of the Fund’s Shares depends on the acceptance of bitcoin. Due to the unregulated nature and lack of transparency surrounding the operations of digital asset exchanges, which may experience fraud, manipulation, security failures or operational problems, as well as the wider bitcoin market, the value of bitcoin and, consequently, the value of the Shares may be adversely affected, causing losses to Shareholders. Digital asset markets in the U.S. exist in a state of regulatory uncertainty, and adverse legislative or regulatory developments could significantly harm the value of bitcoin or the Shares, such as by banning, restricting or imposing onerous conditions or prohibitions on the use of bitcoins, mining activity, digital wallets, the provision of services related to trading and custodying bitcoin, the operation of the Bitcoin network, or the digital asset markets generally. The Index price used to calculate the value of the Fund’s bitcoin has a limited performance history and may be volatile, adversely affecting the value of the Shares. Moreover, the Index Administrator could experience system failures or errors. Errors in the Index data, computations and/or construction may occur from time to time and may not be identified and/or corrected for a period of time or at all, which may have an adverse impact on the Fund and the Shareholders. A temporary or permanent “fork” could adversely affect the value of the Shares. Shareholders may not receive the benefits of any forks or “airdrops.” The Fund is a passive investment vehicle and is not actively managed, meaning it does not manage its portfolio to sell bitcoin at times when its price is high, or acquire bitcoin at low prices in the expectation of future price increases. Also, the Fund does not use any hedging techniques to attempt to reduce the risks of losses resulting from bitcoin price decreases. The Fund is not a leveraged product and does not utilize leverage, derivatives or similar instruments or transactions. The Fund’s Shares are not interests or obligations of the Fund’s Sponsor or its affiliates, and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. The amount of bitcoin represented by each Share will decrease over the life of the Fund due to the sales of bitcoin necessary to pay the Sponsor’s Fee and other Fund expenses. Without increases in the price of bitcoin sufficient to compensate for that decrease, the price of the Shares will also decline and you will lose money on your investment in Shares. Security threats to the Fund’s account at the Bitcoin Custodian or Prime Broker could result in the halting of Fund operations and a loss of Fund assets or damage to the reputation of the Fund, each of which could result in a reduction in the value of the Shares. If the process of creation and redemption of Creation Units encounters any unanticipated difficulties, the possibility for arbitrage transactions by Authorized Participants intended to keep the price of the Shares closely linked to the price of bitcoin may not exist and, as a result, the price of the Shares may fall or otherwise diverge from NAV. Funds, ETFs, SMAs and institutional separate accounts offer different choices to access professional investment management, but have important differences including with respect to fees, ownership structure, investment minimums, customization and tax efficiency. Account minimums and other requirements may apply for separately managed accounts and institutional separate accounts. ETFs trade like stocks, fluctuate in market value and may trade at prices above or below their net asset value. Brokerage commissions and ETF expenses will reduce returns. ETF shares may be bought or sold throughout the day at their market price (MP), not their Net Asset Value (NAV), on the exchange on which they are listed. Shares of ETFs are tradable on secondary markets and may trade either at a premium or a discount to their NAV on the secondary market. Franklin Distributors, LLC. Member FINRA, SIPC. NOT FDIC INSURED | NO BANK GUARANTEE | MAY LOSE VALUE. TN24-2 Copyright © 2024. Franklin Templeton. All rights reserved. Contacts Franklin Templeton Corporate Communications: Travis Fishstein, (917) 822-1857, [email protected] Vanessa Garcia, (917) 562-5151, [email protected]

Rippled 2.0 introduces the XLS-38 Cross-Chain Bridge, enabling seamless XRP and token transactions within XRPL. Decentralized Identity System: XLS-40 empowers users with full control over online identities in a self-sovereign manner. API v2 Improvements: Rippled 2.0 updates its API with version 2, streamlining by removing obsolete elements. XRP Ledger developers have officially unveiled the rippled 2.0 update, bringing forth a host of feature amendments and enhancements. Among the notable additions are the XLS-38 Cross-Chain Bridge and the XLS-40 Decentralized Identity, accompanied by various fixes and improvements. One of the standout features of the rippled 2.0 update is the introduction of the XLS-38 Cross-Chain Bridge. This innovative amendment facilitates the seamless flow of XRP and fungible tokens within the XRPL ecosystem. Notably, the cross-chain bridge enables transactions between the XRPL mainnet, XRPL sidechains, and the planned EVM sidechain. To ensure security, independent witness servers certify any transactions crossing chains, providing a layer of protection. XRP Ledger update unveils decentralized identity system Another notable addition is the XLS-40 decentralized identity system, which empowers users with full control over their online identities in a self-sovereign manner. This amendment supports interoperability with any distributed ledger or network and adheres to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standards. By implementing verified, self-sovereign digital identification, XLS-40 aims to enhance user control and privacy. The lightweight XLS-40 amendment introduces a new ledger object that users can create, update, and delete through associated transactions. This implementation aligns with the W3C standard, emphasizing a standardized approach to decentralized identity. Beyond the feature amendments, the rippled 2.0 release incorporates updates to its Application Programming Interface (API). The introduction of API v2 streamlines the API by removing obsolete fields and methods, enhancing response consistency, and renaming fields to prevent misinterpretations. These improvements contribute to a more user-friendly and efficient API experience. As the XRP Ledger continues its evolution, the rippled 2.0 update marks a pivotal moment, ushering in advancements that enhance the functionality, security, and user experience within the ecosystem.

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–BlackRock’s spot bitcoin ETF, the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), begins trading today on Nasdaq. IBIT seeks to track the performance of the price of bitcoin and carries a 0.25% sponsor fee with a one-year waiver reducing the fee to 0.12% on the first $5B assets under management (AUM)1. “The launch of the iShares Bitcoin ETF advances ETF innovation and expands access to bitcoin for investors,” said Dominik Rohe, Head of Americas iShares ETF and Index Investing business at BlackRock. “For the first time, investors will be able to incorporate bitcoin in a consistent, convenient, and cost-effective way, alongside other asset classes like stocks and bonds, in their brokerage account.” The iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF is underpinned by the same institutional grade technology and risk management expertise used for iShares’ 1,300 ETFs. IBIT is a key milestone in the firm’s digital assets initiative exemplifying BlackRock’s expertise in ETFs and financial markets innovation. “Our digital assets journey has been underpinned by our goal to provide clients with high-quality access vehicles in this space. This bitcoin ETF is a natural progression of our efforts over multiple years and builds on the foundational capabilities we’ve established to date in the digital assets space,” said Robert Mitchnick, Global Head of Digital Assets at BlackRock. To date, iShares has helped over 43 million people access the markets2. IBIT underscores the firm’s commitment to innovation and providing clients access to an expanding world of investments. To learn more about the iShares Bitcoin Trust visit iShares.com/ibit About BlackRock BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate | Twitter: @blackrock | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock About iShares iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1300+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and $3.12 trillion in assets under management as of September 30, 2023, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock. This information must be accompanied by a current iShares Bitcoin Trust prospectus, which may be obtained by clicking here. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The iShares Bitcoin Trust is not an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and therefore is not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds or ETFs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Trust is not a commodity pool for purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risk factors and other information included in the prospectus. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. An investment in the Trust may be deemed speculative and is not intended as a complete investment program. An investment in Shares should be considered only by persons financially able to maintain their investment and who can bear the risk of total loss associated with an investment in the Trust. Investing in digital assets, such as bitcoin, involves significant risks due to their extreme price volatility and the potential for loss, theft, or compromise of private keys. The value of the shares is closely tied to acceptance, industry developments, and governance changes, making them susceptible to market sentiment. Digital assets represent a new and rapidly evolving industry, and the value of the Shares depends on the acceptance of bitcoin. Changes in the governance of a digital asset network may not receive sufficient support from users and miners, which may negatively affect that digital asset network’s ability to grow and respond to challenges Investing in the Trust comes with risks that could impact the Trust’s share value, including large-scale sales by major investors, security threats like breaches and hacking, negative sentiment among speculators, and competition from central bank digital currencies and financial initiatives using blockchain technology. A disruption of the internet or a digital asset network, such as the Bitcoin network, would affect the ability to transfer digital assets, including bitcoin, and, consequently, would impact their value. There can be no assurance that security procedures designed to protect the Trust’s assets will actually work as designed or prove to be successful in safeguarding the Trust’s assets against all possible sources of theft, loss or damage. The Trust may incur certain extraordinary, non-recurring expenses that are not assumed by the Sponsor. Shares of the Trust are not deposits or other obligations of or guaranteed by BlackRock, Inc., and its affiliates, and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. The sponsor of the trust is iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC (the “Sponsor”). BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), assists in the promotion of the Trust. The Sponsor and BRIL are affiliates of BlackRock, Inc. The Bitcoin Custodian is Coinbase Custody Trust Company, LLC, which is not affiliated with BlackRock, Inc. The Sponsor is not responsible for losses incurred due to loss, theft, destruction, or compromise of the trust’s bitcoin. ©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are trademarks of BlackRock, Inc., or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 1 BlackRock will waive a portion of the Sponsor’s Fee for the first 12 months commencing on January 11, 2024, so that the fee will be 0.12% of the net asset value of the Trust for the first $5.0 billion of the Trust’s assets. If the fund exceeds $5.0 billion of the Trust’s assets prior to the end of the 12-month period, the management fee charged on assets over $5.0 billion will be 0.25%. All investors will incur the same management fee which is the weighted average of those fee rates. After the 12-month waiver period is over, the management fee will be 0.25%. 2 BlackRock, as of September 30, 2023. 43 million figure is an estimate of the number of investors holding iShares ETFs globally using various sources. For the United States, ETF investors calculated using data from Broadridge Financial Solutions, based on a ticker–level analysis of unique, anonymized individual brokerage account numbers that hold at least one iShares ETF and have an account balance greater than $0, and assumes one account equals one investor which may not reflect potential double counting for households that may have more than one account. For the European Union and the United Kingdom, data is from digital platforms, ExtraETF, Financial Times, AMF, Le Monde, Wisdom Tree, Finanzas, Italian Association of Asset Managers. Contacts Press: [email protected]

Valkyrie combines its expertise in investment management, successful crypto track record to launch one of the first spot bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. NASHVILLE, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–$BRRR #bitcoin—Valkyrie Investments Inc. (“Valkyrie”), a specialized digital asset investment management company, is proud to announce the launch of the Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund (NASDAQ: BRRR) (the “Fund”), which is sponsored by Valkyrie’s subsidiary, Valkyrie Digital Assets LLC (the “Sponsor”). The Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund is an exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that invests in bitcoin, giving investors sophisticated but simplified access to the digital commodity without the hassle that comes with accessing bitcoin via other methods. The Sponsor will waive the sponsor fees for BRRR for the first three months of trading. Valkyrie is solely focused on leveraging its track record of investment management expertise and dedicated crypto knowledge with the goal to deliver the best possible investment product for institutions, advisors and investors, rather than spending millions of dollars on marketing stunts and gimmicks like other Spot Bitcoin ETF issuers. “Bitcoin’s potential has still yet to be realized fully and only a small subset of the world understands the legitimate impact this asset will have on the global economy,” says Steven McClurg, CIO of Valkyrie. “For bitcoin to realize its full potential we need to move away from gamifying this space and treat it like the sophisticated and seasoned asset class that it is. For serious investors who want exposure to bitcoin, we believe that our specialized crypto expertise makes us the right manager for them.” Valkyrie was founded with the intention of delivering high-quality, digital-asset focused ETFs and investment products. Valkyrie was among the pioneers in delivering bespoke, actively-managed crypto funds at the institutional level. The nimble team brings exceptional pedigrees that span traditional finance and crypto with backgrounds across firms such as Guggenheim Partners, UBS, Rydex Funds, Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and The World Bank. “The launch of BRRR has been in the making for nearly three years, and the Valkyrie team has worked tirelessly with regulators and institutional partners to bring this fund to life. I am exceptionally proud to see this fund live and trading – it’s a remarkable milestone for digital assets and for Valkyrie,” says Leah Wald, CEO of Valkyrie. “This is just the beginning of a new wave and we’re proud to be leaders in delivering a breakthrough product with big plans ahead.” To learn more, or invest, in the Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund, click here. About Valkyrie Valkyrie is a specialized alternative financial services firm at the intersection of traditional finance and the emerging cryptocurrency sector whose affiliates aim to offer asset management, research and other services. Headquartered in Nashville, Valkyrie aims to provide exposure to the emerging digital asset class through traditional financial vehicles. Valkyrie is led by seasoned asset managers who have previously launched multiple ETFs, publicly traded funds and Exchange Traded Products, including digital asset funds with backgrounds across Guggenheim Partners, UBS, Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and the World Bank. Disclosures and Risks Investing Involves Risks. The loss of principal is possible. The Fund may not be suitable for all investors. Investors should consult a financial advisor/financial consultant before making any investment decisions. The Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses should be considered before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information, and it may be obtained at https://www.valkyrieinvest.com/brrr/. Read it carefully before investing. Bitcoin trading prices are volatile and shareholders could lose all or substantially all of their investment in the Fund. This is a new ETF with limited operating history. Shares of ETFs are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. Any applicable brokerage fees and commissions apply and will reduce returns. Bitcoin Investing Risk. The Fund invests in bitcoin. Bitcoin is a relatively new and highly speculative investment. The risks associated with bitcoin include the following: Bitcoin is a new technological innovation with a limited history. There is no assurance that usage of bitcoin will continue to grow. A contraction in use of bitcoin may result in increased volatility or a reduction in the price of bitcoin, which could adversely impact the value of the Fund. The Bitcoin Network was launched in January 2009, platform trading in bitcoin began in 2010, which limits a potential shareholder’s ability to evaluate an investment in the Fund. The Fund is exposed to risks associated with the price of bitcoin, which is subject to numerous factors and risks. The price of bitcoin is impacted by numerous factors, including: The total and available supply of bitcoin, including the possibility that a small group of early bitcoin adopters hold a significant proportion of the bitcoin that has thus far been created and that sales of bitcoin by such large holders may impact the price of bitcoin; Global bitcoin demand, which is influenced by the growth of retail merchants’ and commercial businesses’ acceptance of bitcoin as payment for goods and services, the security of online bitcoin exchanges and public bitcoin addresses that hold bitcoin, the perception that the use and holding of bitcoin is safe and secure, the lack of regulatory restrictions on their use, and the reputation regarding the use of bitcoin for illicit purposes; Global bitcoin supply, which is influenced by similar factors as global bitcoin demand, in addition to fiat currency (i.e., government currency not backed by an asset such as gold) needs by miners and taxpayers who may liquidate bitcoin holdings to meet tax obligations; Investors’ expectations with respect to the rate of inflation of fiat currencies and deflation of bitcoin; Foreign exchange rates between fiat currencies and digital assets such as bitcoin; Interest rates; The continued operation of bitcoin exchanges in the United States and foreign jurisdictions, including their regulatory status, trading and custody policies, and cyber security; Investment and trading activities of large investors, including private and registered funds, that may directly or indirectly invest in bitcoin; Regulatory measures, if any, that restrict the use of bitcoin as a form of payment or the purchase or sale of bitcoin, including measures that restrict the direct or indirect participation in the bitcoin market by financial institutions or the introduction of bitcoin instruments; The maintenance and development of the open-source software protocol of the Bitcoin Network; Increased competition from other cryptocurrencies and digital assets, including forks of the Bitcoin Network; Developments in the information technology sector; Global or regional political, economic or financial events and situations; Investor or Bitcoin Network participant sentiments on the value or utility of bitcoin; and The dedication of mining power to the Bitcoin Network and the willingness of bitcoin miners to clear bitcoin transactions for relatively low fees. Negative developments in any of these factors could adversely impact an investment in the Fund. A decline in the adoption of bitcoin could negatively impact the performance of the Fund. As a new asset and technological innovation, the bitcoin industry is subject to a high degree of uncertainty. The adoption of bitcoin will require growth in its usage for various applications that include retail and commercial payments, cross-border and remittance transactions, speculative investment and technical applications. Paralel Distributors LLC (“Paralel”) is the marketing agent for the Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund. Paralel is not affiliated with Valkyrie Investments Inc. or Valkyrie Digital Assets LLC. Contacts Trevor Davis, Gregory FCA for Valkyrie 215-475-5931 [email protected]

“The biggest difference between bitcoin ETF offerings isn’t just the product features,” says Bitwise CEO. “It’s the expertise of the asset manager and how they support investors’ success.” SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Bitwise Asset Management, the largest crypto index fund manager in America, announced today the landmark launch of the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB), the firm’s first spot bitcoin ETF. BITB’s management fee is the lowest among current spot bitcoin ETFs at 0.20%,1 with the fee set to 0% for the first six months on the first $1 billion in assets. The fund leverages experienced service providers, including Coinbase Custody Trust Company as digital asset custodian, Bank of New York Mellon as administrator, and KPMG as auditor. BITB joins Bitwise’s comprehensive suite of 18 crypto investment products, including five ETFs. “With the long-awaited launch of regulated bitcoin ETFs like BITB, the gates are finally open for many mainstream investors,” said Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley. “The question becomes which product to choose. And for many, that hinges on both the features of the ETF and on the expertise of the provider. Do they have the focus and depth to help investors navigate this evolving space with confidence? We’re proud of our six-year track record doing just that, as a premier crypto specialist for thousands of investors.” Founded in 2017, Bitwise serves tens of thousands of investors and is a partner to more than 1,800 advisor teams, RIAs, family offices, and institutions. This number has doubled over the last two years. In conjunction with the launch, Bitwise announced that the firm will donate 10% of BITB’s profits to three non-profit organizations that fund Bitcoin open-source development: Brink, OpenSats, and the Human Rights Foundation’s Bitcoin Development Fund. These organizations play a critical role in improving the security, scalability, and usability of the Bitcoin network. The donations will be made annually for at least the next 10 years to further support the health and advancement of the Bitcoin ecosystem. “Bitcoin is fundamentally open-source software,” said Bitwise Chief Technology Officer Hong Kim. “Both Bitwise and our clients have a vested interest in its ongoing development, and supporting these organizations is a direct way to contribute to that.” BITB’s launch is a long-anticipated moment for bitcoin investors, who appreciate the ease and efficiency of the ETF vehicle. According to the sixth annual Bitwise/VettaFi 2024 Benchmark Survey, an ETF is the preferred method of investing in bitcoin and crypto for 64% of advisors. “It’s hard to fully capture how big today is for bitcoin,” said Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan, “but ‘game-changer,’ ‘sea change,’ or ‘turning point’ get closest. For more than a decade, investors who wanted to access the world’s largest crypto asset had to wrestle with how to own it. For many investors, that hurdle is now gone. We’re excited to see bitcoin take its seat at the table alongside other formerly fringe, now mainstream assets like private equity, private credit, and even gold.” As a crypto specialist, clients rely on Bitwise for analysis, crypto education and timely insights, including the Bitwise Expert Portal and its accompanying Bitcoin Library, weekly CIO Memos, portfolio analysis tools, and in-depth white papers like the recent “Bitcoin’s Role in a Traditional Portfolio.” Bitwise’s national team of crypto experts is available to meet with investment professionals any time and in person. A Leader in Crypto ETFs The launch of the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF adds to Bitwise’s broad suite of professionally managed vehicles. As of BITB’s launch, Bitwise’s lineup of 19 products includes five other ETFs: Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF (ticker: BITQ) Bitwise Bitcoin Strategy Optimum Roll ETF (ticker: BITC) Bitwise Web3 ETF (ticker: BWEB) Bitwise Ethereum Strategy ETF (ticker: AETH) Bitwise Bitcoin and Ether Equal Weight Strategy ETF (ticker: BTOP). Bitwise’s other product offerings include the Bitwise 10 Crypto Index Fund (ticker: BITW), private placement funds, multi-strategy solutions, and separately managed account (SMA) solutions. More information can be found at www.bitwiseinvestments.com. For more information on BITB, and to read the fund’s prospectus, visit BITBetf.com/welcome. About Bitwise Asset Management Bitwise Asset Management is the largest crypto index fund manager in America. Thousands of financial advisors, family offices, and institutional investors partner with Bitwise to understand and access the opportunities in crypto. For six years, Bitwise has established a track record of excellence managing a broad suite of index and active solutions across ETFs, separately managed accounts, private funds, and hedge fund strategies. Bitwise is known for providing unparalleled client support through expert research and commentary, its nationwide client team of crypto specialists, and its deep access to the crypto ecosystem. The Bitwise team of more than 60 professionals combines expertise in technology and asset management with backgrounds including BlackRock, Millennium, ETF.com, Meta, Google, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Bitwise is backed by leading institutional investors and has been profiled in Institutional Investor, Barron’s, Bloomberg, and The Wall Street Journal. It has offices in San Francisco and New York. For more information, visit www.bitwiseinvestments.com. Risks and Important Information This material must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. To obtain a current prospectus visit BITBetf.com/welcome. The Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB) (the “Fund”) is not an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and is not subject to regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936 (the “CEA”). As a result, shareholders of BITB do not have the protections associated with ownership of shares in an investment company registered under the 1940 Act or the protections afforded by the CEA. Shares of ETFs are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. The NAV may not always correspond to the market price of bitcoin and, as a result, Creation Units may be created or redeemed at a value that is different from the market price of the Shares. Authorized Participants’ buying and selling activity associated with the creation and redemption of Creation Units may adversely affect an investment in the Shares. The amount of bitcoin represented by a Share will continue to be reduced during the life of the Fund due to the transfer of the Fund’s bitcoin to pay for the Sponsor’s management fee, and to pay for litigation expenses or other extraordinary expenses. This dynamic will occur irrespective of whether the trading price of the Shares rises or falls in response to changes in the price of bitcoin. There is no guarantee or assurance that the Fund’s methodology will result in the Fund achieving positive investment returns or outperforming other investment products. Investors may choose to use the Fund as a means of investing indirectly in bitcoin. Because the value of the Shares is correlated with the value of the bitcoin held by the Fund, it is important to understand the investment attributes of, and the market for, bitcoin. Bitcoin Risk. There are significant risks and hazards inherent in the bitcoin market that may cause the price of bitcoin to fluctuate widely. The Fund’s bitcoin may be subject to loss, damage, theft or restriction on access. Investors considering a purchase of Shares should carefully consider how much of their total assets should be exposed to the bitcoin market, and should fully understand, be willing to assume, and have the financial resources necessary to withstand, the risks involved in the Fund’s investment strategy. Liquidity Risk. The market for bitcoin is still developing and may be subject to periods of illiquidity. During such times it may be difficult or impossible to buy or sell a position at the desired price. Possible illiquid markets may exacerbate losses or increase the variability between the Fund’s NAV and its market price. The lack of active trading markets for the Shares may result in losses on investors’ investments at the time of disposition of Shares. Regulatory Risk. Future and current regulations by a U.S. or foreign government or quasi-governmental agency could have an adverse effect on an investment in the Fund. Blockchain Technology Risk. Certain of the Fund’s investments may be subject to the risks associated with investing in blockchain technology. The risks associated with blockchain technology may not fully emerge until the technology is widely used. Blockchain systems could be vulnerable to fraud, particularly if a significant minority of participants colluded to defraud the rest. Because blockchain technology systems may operate across many national boundaries and regulatory jurisdictions, it is possible that blockchain technology may be subject to widespread and inconsistent regulation. Nondiversification Risk. The Fund is nondiversified and may hold a smaller number of portfolio securities than many other products. To the extent the Fund invests in a relatively small number of issuers, a decline in the market value of a particular security held by the Fund may affect its value more than if it invested in a larger number of issuers. Recency Risk. The Fund is recently organized, giving prospective investors a limited track record on which to base their investment decision. If the Fund is not profitable, the Fund may terminate and liquidate at a time that is disadvantageous to Shareholders. Bitwise Investment Advisers, LLC serves as the sponsor of the Fund. Foreside Fund Services, LLC serves as the Marketing Agent for BITB, and is not affiliated with Bitwise Investment Advisers, LLC, Bitwise, or any of its affiliates. Carefully consider the investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses of the Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF (BITQ) before investing. This and additional information can be found in the Fund’s full or summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting bitqetf.com/materials. Investors should read it carefully before investing. Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC serves as the investment advisor of the Fund. The Fund is distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SIDCO), which is not affiliated with Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC, Bitwise, or any of its affiliates. Carefully consider the investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses of the Bitwise Bitcoin Strategy Optimum Roll ETF (BITC), the Bitwise Web3 ETF (BWEB), the Bitwise Ethereum Strategy ETF (AETH), and the Bitwise Bitcoin and Ether Equal Weight ETF (BTOP) before investing. This and additional information can be found in each Fund’s full or summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting: for BITC, bitcetf.com/materials; for BWEB, bwebetf.com/materials; for AETH, aethetf.com/materials; for BTOP, btopetf.com/materials. Investors should read this information carefully before investing. Investing in securities involves risk and there is no guarantee of principal. The BITC, BWEB, AETH, and BTOP ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, which is not affiliated with Bitwise or any of its affiliates. 1 Based on SEC filings as of January 9, 2024. Contacts Frank Taylor/Ryan Dicovitsky Dukas Linden Public Relations [email protected]

The landscape of digital assets undergoes a transformative shift today as NFTFN, a leading force in Web3 infrastructure for Blue-Chip NFTs, readies the unveiling of the inaugural perpetual trading platform designed specifically for Ordinals and Inscriptions. The introduction of this groundbreaking platform not only marks a milestone but also unlocks a universe of possibilities for traders, collectors, and enthusiasts to actively participate in this nascent yet rapidly expanding ecosystem. A Paradigm Shift in Digital Assets Bitcoin Ordinals and Inscriptions represent a game-changer in the digital asset space. By etching unique digital artifacts (read NFTs) directly onto the Bitcoin blockchain, they offer unmatched permanence and authenticity compared to traditional NFTs on other chains. This inherent value has ignited community interest, with transaction volumes and user engagement skyrocketing. NFTFN Leads the Way with Ordinals Perps Recognizing this potential, NFTFN steps forward with its revolutionary NFTFN Ordinals Perp platform. This first-of-its-kind offering empowers users to leverage long or short on baskets of Ordinals, hold positions for flexible durations, and experience unmatched security and transparency thanks to Bitcoin’s blockchain Why Choose NFTFN Ordinals Perp? Having successfully disrupted the NFT Perpetual Market with SuperNova(SNV), NFTFN boasts a proven ability to revolutionize nascent markets. As a Web3 leader, NFTFN consistently pushes boundaries, opening up new possibilities. Finally, NFTFN prioritizes fostering a vibrant community, ensuring users are active contributors to the platform’s evolution. A Gateway to the ‘Everything Perps’ The imminent launch of NFTFN Ordinals Perp is more than just a technological feat; it’s a springboard to a future where digital assets are seamlessly integrated offering unparalleled opportunities for growth and value creation for traders and the web3 community. Talking about what’s next for NFTFN after Ordinals Perps, Abhishek further added, “RWA Perp and Crypto Perp are on the horizon, NFTFN is poised to become the one-stop platform for trading ‘everything,’ not just NFTs.” NFTFN all set to become the ‘Trade Everything Perps’, offering their trading community innovative and diverse investment opportunities. About NFTFN: NFTFN is a pioneering Perpetual platform, envisioning a comprehensive hub for perpetual trading, aptly named “Trade Everything Perps.” Their mission is to establish a universal perp trading platform that transcends traditional boundaries, catering to a diverse range of asset classes, including NFTs, Cryptocurrencies, Ordinals, RWAs, and beyond. Socials: Website Discord Twitter Telegram YouTube Disclaimer: TheNewsCrypto does not endorse any content on this page. The content depicted in this press release does not represent any investment advice. TheNewsCrypto recommend our readers to make decisions based on their own research. TheNewsCrypto is not accountable for any damage or loss related to content, products, or services stated in this press release.

Renowned analyst Ted (@tedtalksmacro) has offered a detailed forecast for 2024 in the crypto market. His analysis on X (formerly Twitter) touches on several critical points, from macro events, the Bitcoin Halving to fresh liquidity in the market. #1 Spot Altcoin ETFs Following the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs and the anticipated approval of spot Ethereum ETFs, there is an expectation for a broader range of altcoin ETFs to emerge. Ted believes that the success of these initial ETFs will pave the way for more proposals and approvals, potentially by 2025. He states, “The SEC has laid the precedent for many other crypto products to be proposed and approved, opening up even more avenues for large capital inflows into the crypto asset class.” Ted specifically mentions Solana and XRP as likely candidates for future ETFs. This development is seen as a significant step in attracting substantial capital inflows into the crypto asset class. #2 The Federal Reserve Ending Quantitative Tightening Ted forecasts that the Federal Reserve might cease or significantly slow down its current quantitative tightening (QT) program by Q3 of 2024. This prediction is based on the declining cash balance in reverse repos and aims to avoid a repeat of the funding stress experienced in 2019. “An end to or a dramatic slowdown of the current QT programme could come even earlier though, given the scars of what happened back in 2019 following the monetary tightening of 2018,” he predicts. An end to QT could inject more liquidity into the market, potentially benefiting crypto assets. #3 Resurgence Of Liquidity In Crypto After a challenging period of 18 months marked by the collapse of crypto funds and exchanges and central bank tightening, Ted anticipates a return of liquidity to the crypto space. He points to stablecoin liquidity deltas approaching positive territory and the role of spot Bitcoin ETFs in attracting new capital, especially from investors seeking higher returns amid inflationary pressures. #4 Bitcoin’s Halving Event The anticipated Bitcoin halving in April 2024 is expected to create both a supply shock (due to reduced mining rewards) and a demand shock (following the approval of spot BTC ETFs). Historically, halvings have catalyzed significant price movements in Bitcoin, and Ted expects a similar pattern in 2024, with potential for substantial price increases following a brief post-halving sell-off. #5 Inflation Stabilization On the topic of inflation, Ted observes, “It typically takes 12-18 months for the full effects of changes in monetary policy to be felt in the economy, and we are verging into that territory now.” Despite the base effects of the 2021/22 inflation fading, Ted foresees a slight resurgence in inflation as economies continue to operate robustly. However, he believes the central banks’ commitment to maintaining higher interest rates will cap the inflation rate below previous highs. He views this as an integral aspect of a strong economy and market. #6 AI Advancement Having witnessed AI go mainstream in 2023, Ted predicts 2024 to be a year of unprecedented improvements in AI technologies. This advancement is expected to boost AI stocks, crypto, and related products, enhancing productivity and potentially leading to deflation in developed economies. #7 Dispelling Recession Fears Contrary to predictions of a major recession, Ted anticipates continued economic growth, albeit at a slower pace than in 2023. Ted says, “Those calling for a recession akin to 08 or the Great Depression are likely to be disappointed… again.” He attributes this resilience to governments’ aggressive fiscal policies, including substantial cash injections and running large deficits. #8 China’s Continued Monetary Expansion Ted notes that China, struggling in the post-COVID era, is likely to continue its aggressive monetary policy, as evidenced by nearly $1 trillion printed in 2023. He draws parallels with Japan’s situation in the 1990s, highlighting China’s focus on stimulating production over its flailing property market. In summary, Ted’s analysis for 2024 presents a complex and dynamic picture of the crypto market, influenced by macroeconomic factors, regulatory developments, technological advancements, and geopolitical forces. These trends suggest a year of significant opportunities for investors in the crypto space. At press time, BTC traded at $47,244, up 5.1% in the last 24 hours.

In a highly anticipated move, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved all 11 Bitcoin ETF applications, and the market response has been nothing short of remarkable. The approval has led to significant trading volume and propelled Bitcoin to a new 22-month high. Within minutes of the Bitcoin ETFs going live, Bitcoin surged over 8% to reach $48,400, representing a new record since the end of the crypto bear market. The early price movement aligns with the predictions made by the majority of experts in the crypto industry. Bitcoin ETF Trading Makes Spectacular Debut Bloomberg ETF expert James Seyffart reported an astonishing $1.2 billion in trading volume for spot Bitcoin ETFs within 30 minutes of trading. Seyffart captured the excitement with his “Cointucky Derby” analogy, highlighting the performance of different ETFs. Grayscale’s GBTC Bitcoin Trust took the lead in the “Cointucky Derby,” recording an impressive trading volume of $446 million in the initial minutes. It was closely followed by BlackRock’s Bitcoin Trust, which achieved a trading volume of $388 million within the first half-hour. Fidelity secured the third spot with a trading volume of $230 million, outperforming Hashdex and Wisdom Tree, which recorded $1 million and $1.1 million in trading volume, respectively. While the exact breakdown of the trading volume remains uncertain, Seyffart noted that the evening’s data might provide more insights. However, the Bloomberg ETF expert speculated that a significant portion of the trading volume could be attributed to new flows into the ETFs. Additionally, he suggested that a notable portion of GBTC’s trading volume might be due to outflows. Is Bitcoin On A Clear Path To $50,000? With the Bitcoin ETF race in full throttle, Bitcoin appears to be on a promising trajectory toward the $50,000 milestone, which could serve as a significant catalyst for Bitcoin bulls and the broader crypto industry. Currently, having surpassed the $48,000 mark, Bitcoin’s price has reached a level where minimal resistance levels are hindering its ascent to $50,000. The next notable hurdle lies well above $50,700, followed by potential attempts to reach $53,000. Given the expected spot buys in the Bitcoin market following the approval of Bitcoin ETFs, combined with a considerable separation between major resistance lines, these price levels may be easily breached. Once beyond the $50,000 threshold, Bitcoin could potentially progress to $51,000, then $53,000, and subsequently $56,000, before ultimately setting its sights on the highly anticipated $60,000 milestone. This series of price targets may be readily attainable for the largest cryptocurrency in the market, as it navigates through the anticipated market dynamics. Ultimately, the SEC’s approval of the Bitcoin ETFs has brought renewed optimism to the market, with investors and industry experts closely monitoring the impact of these ETFs on the broader cryptocurrency landscape. The surge in trading volume and Bitcoin’s impressive price movement signify growing interest from investors seeking regulated and traditional investment avenues in the cryptocurrency market. Featured image from Shutterstock, chart from TradingView.com

DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The “Legal and General (L&G) – Digital Transformation Strategies” company profile has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. This report provides insight into Legal & General’s fintech activities, including its digital transformation strategies, its innovation programs, its technology initiatives, its estimated ICT budget, and its major ICT contracts. Legal & General (L&G) provides insurance, saving, and investment products. The company offers individual and group protection plans, annuities, mortgages, pension plans, and general insurance products. It offers property, car, and mortgage life insurance. It also provides travel insurance, pet insurance, critical illness cover, lifestyle cover, retirement products, pension products, and investment and savings products. In addition, the group offers mortgage advisory services, risk management, and claims management solutions. It serves individuals, families, and business customers across the UK, the US, and Bermuda. Scope L&G has created the ATOM platform to centralize data from multiple platforms, investment management tools, and external applications. The platform allows companies to perform real-time analysis and projections to derive insights and derive insights about potential future growth in the oil and gas sector L&G increased its focus on digital capital inclusion and is using a combination of digital services and traditional services to cater to its mixed demographic customer base. The digitalization of services is a key strategy that the company has adopted for online money management and better data collection for its operational efficiency L&G is focusing on a digital-first strategy with new technologies such as AI, robotics and data and analytics. It has launched its blockchain-based Pension Risk Transfer (PRT) reinsurance platform “estua-re’, leveraging Amazon Web Services (AWS) L&G is investing in automation technology to streamline processes by eliminating manual tasks through RPA. It has invested in Salary Finance, a digital financial wellbeing platform. It has deployed NICE RPA into the organization, along with human employees, to maximize operational efficiencies and optimize call resolution times Reasons to Buy Gain insights into Legal & General’s tech operations Gain insights into its tech strategies and innovation initiatives Gain insights into its technology themes under focus Gain insights into various product launches, partnerships, investments and acquisition strategies. Key Topics Covered: Overview Digital Transformation Strategy Accelerators, Incubators, and Other Innovation Programs Technology Focus Technology Initiatives Investment Acquisitions Partnership, Investment & Acquisition Network Map ICT Budget and Contracts Key Executives A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes SmartAction Unitek Lapetus NTT DATA Amazon Web Services Landmark Valuation Services Bellrock Goldacre DataArt Charles River Slice Labs Axioma HomeServe NICE EBI.AI Tata Consultancy Services Origo GrowthEnabler For more information about this company profile visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/l35opp About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world’s leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Contacts ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

ISTANBUL–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Bitci, a leading cryptocurrency exchange in Turkey, and XDEFI, the pioneering multichain cryptocurrency wallet, today announced a partnership that will empower Bitci users to seamlessly navigate DeFi and Web3 applications. The partnership will enable Bitci users to access decentralised applications across more than 200 blockchains via the XDEFI Wallet, swap tokens across different networks, transfer funds between exchanges and wallets, and securely store Bitcicoins on Bitcichain. For a limited period, all Bitci users that install the XDEFI Wallet via the integration will receive an airdrop in $XDEFI tokens. Emile Dubié, CEO of XDEFI, said: “We are proud to partner with Bitci to bring the XDEFI wallet and exchange systems to their global user base. This partnership will enable Bitci users to securely access decentralised applications across every major blockchain. As demand for streamlined, secure access to Web3 and DeFi continues to increase, we are excited about building out our offering and partnerships in the months and years to come.” Ahmet Onur Yeygünm, CEO of Bitci, commented: “Our team at Bitci is always striving to provide the best experience for our users. A growing number of on-chain transactions are being made by users and we are proud to partner with XDEFI to bring the full potential of DeFi and Web3 to our community.” About Bitci Bitci, which has been operating in the field of buying-selling, transfer and storage of cryptocurrencies since 2018, is Turkey’s third largest cryptocurrency exchange according to CoinGecko data. Bitci, one of Turkey’s fastest developing digital asset platforms, increased its market share from 0.9% in 2022 to 12% in 2023, and is integrated into Turkey’s stock exchange. With Bitcichain, the first blockchain network in Turkey, it enables companies and institutions to adopt blockchain. Bitci is spurring the development of cryptocurrency markets with products such as Bitcicoin and Global Fan Token. www.bitci.com/ About XDEFI XDEFI is a pioneering multichain cryptocurrency wallet with 200,000+ active users. XDEFI users have access to every application, asset, and NFT across major blockchain ecosystems such as Ethereum, Bitcoin, THORChain, Cosmos, Solana, and NEAR. In the 90 days through December 15, 2023, $182 million in swap volume was processed in XDEFI swaps. www.xdefi.io/ Contacts Kevin Beardsley, COO, XDEFI [email protected]

FRANKFURT, Germany–(BUSINESS WIRE)–MarketVector IndexesTM (“MarketVector”) announces the licensing of the MarketVector Bitcoin Benchmark Rate (BBR) to VanEck. The firm today launched the VanEck Bitcoin Trust (CBOEBZX Ticker: HODL), a first-of-its-kind ETF that provides exposure to spot Bitcoin. The BBR is a robust tool for understanding the market value of Bitcoin. The index methodology is designed with a focus on accuracy, reliability, and resilience against market manipulation. MarketVector has been providing quality information to digital assets investors since 2017, and its indexes help the investment community make informed decisions, on this dynamic asset class. “Bitcoin trades 24 hours a day on multiple exchanges and over-the-counter. It is important for ETFs to have a precise ‘end-of-day price’ even though trading never stops. We are proud to use MarketVector’s flagship BBR as the benchmark for the VanEck Bitcoin Trust,” stated Kyle DaCruz, Director of Digital Asset Product at VanEck Associates Corp. “Furthermore, one of the vital attributes of MarketVector’s cryptocurrency indexes is their status as a regulated benchmark provider under Germany’s BaFin regulations as well as the European BMR framework,” he added. “We are honored to partner with VanEck to support the launch of their innovative and pioneering Spot Bitcoin ETF, HODL,” said Steven Schoenfeld, CEO of MarketVector. “Benchmarked to the MarketVectorTM Bitcoin Benchmark Rate, we are confident that investors will gain efficient exposure to Bitcoin. With more than seven years of experience in developing and managing Digital Asset Indexes, MarketVector is uniquely qualified to benchmark the dynamic and growing field of Crypto assets,” he continued. The BBR calculates the volume-weighted median price average from 20 three-minute intervals, based on trades from the top five exchanges as ranked by CCData’s Exchange Benchmark. This method offers a more accurate and manipulation-resistant measure of Bitcoin’s price, enhancing the trust and transparency for investors. Additionally, the index exclusively includes BTC-USD trades, which further bolsters its reliability. BBR’s robustness and accuracy are essential for maintaining integrity and trust in the dynamic cryptocurrency market. Its design and methodology ensure that it provides highly accurate price signals, keeping pricing anomalies in check, much like the precision of a Swiss watch in the world of timekeeping. For more information on the index, visit MarketVector’s index page. For more information about the ETF, visit VanEck’s index page. Key Index Features MarketVectorTM Bitcoin Benchmark Rate Index (BBR) Number of Components: 1 Base Date: December 31, 2015 Base Value: 425 About MarketVector Indexes – www.marketvector.com MarketVector IndexesTM (“MarketVector”) is a regulated Benchmark Administrator in Europe, incorporated in Germany and registered with the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). MarketVector maintains indexes under the MarketVectorTM, MVIS®, and BlueStar® names. With a mission to accelerate index innovation globally, MarketVector is best known for its broad suite of Thematic indexes, a long-running expertise in Hard Asset-linked Equity indexes, and its pioneering Digital Asset index family. MarketVector is proud to be in partnership with more than 25 Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) issuers and index fund managers in markets throughout the world, with more than USD 32 billion in assets under management. About VanEck – www.VanEck.com VanEck has a history of looking beyond the financial markets to identify trends likely to create impactful investment opportunities since its founding in 1955. As one of the first US asset managers to offer investors access to international markets, setting the tone for the firm’s drive to identify asset classes and trends that subsequently shaped the investment industry – including gold investing in 1968, emerging markets in 1993, ETFs in 2006 and Digital Assets in 2017. Today VanEck offers active and passive strategies with compelling exposures supported by well-designed investment processes, with more than USD 88 billion in assets under management, including mutual funds, ETFs, and institutional accounts. The firm’s capabilities range from core investment opportunities to more specialized exposures to enhance portfolio diversification. Contacts Media Eunjeong Kang, MarketVector +49 (0) 69 4056 695 38 [email protected] Sam Marinelli, Gregory FCA on behalf of MarketVector 610-246-9928 [email protected]

More than 1% of Argentina’s population is verified with World ID, reaching similar adoption levels as that of Chile and Portugal Multi-hour appointment window for streamlined Orb verifications is now available BUENOS AIRES, Argentina–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In response to the growing demand and positive reception of World ID in Argentina, Tools for Humanity (TFH), the team behind the pioneering digital wallet World App, today introduces an update to the in-app verification process. The enhancement aims to ensure inclusivity and efficiency in meeting the diverse demands of unique humans in Argentina. The latest update introduces a multi-hour appointment window designed to streamline Orb verifications and minimize wait times for individuals with booked appointments, a now mandatory requirement in Argentina. All World App users can now easily identify their nearest Orb locations, schedule appointments, and unlock the verification process up to one hour before the scheduled appointment, with availability extending up to two hours after (subject to change). Individuals also have the flexibility to cancel and reschedule appointments as needed. Worldcoin’s Impact To date, almost 3 million individuals globally have verified their World ID (a product of the Worldcoin Foundation) at an Orb, with over 500,000 verifications occurring in Argentina alone, representing over 1% of the population. Other countries participating in World ID verifications include the US, Spain, Germany, Portugal, and Singapore. Prove personhood, not identity World ID is designed to help people digitally verify their humanness and enhance their online privacy, amidst the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and the need to differentiate between human- and AI-generated content online. It is an important first step in giving access to financial services to the 4.4 billion people worldwide who don’t have a digitally-verifiable identity. Verifying your World ID via an Orb is completely voluntary and does not require personal information like a name, email or physical address. Images used to generate an individual’s unique and private World ID are by default promptly deleted. In summary, Worldcoin doesn’t know who you are, just that you are a unique human. How to obtain a World ID Obtaining a World ID is as simple as downloading a compatible wallet, such as the World App, booking an appointment (https://worldcoin.org/find-orb) or checking the World App to find an Orb verification location hours and availability near you. About the Worldcoin Foundation The Worldcoin Foundation, a steward of the Worldcoin protocol, aims to realize more inclusive, fair and just institutions of governance and of the global digital economy. About the Worldcoin Protocol The Worldcoin protocol is intended to be the world’s largest, most inclusive identity and financial public utility and to be accessible by everyone. Worldcoin was originally conceived by Sam Altman, Alex Blania and Max Novendstern. The Worldcoin protocol is designed to empower individuals and organizations around the world with the tools they need to participate in the digital economy and advance humanity’s progress. Find out more about Worldcoin at www.worldcoin.org, on Twitter/X, Discord, YouTube and Telegram. Contacts Press Contact: [email protected]

Bullish tremors shook the cryptocurrency world today as Bitcoin, fueled by the historic approval of spot ETFs and a bold prediction by analyst Michaël van de Poppe, appears poised for a potential moonshot. Van de Poppe, whose pronouncements carry weight in the digital realm, envisions an ascent of the world’s leading cryptocurrency to staggering heights – a price range of $300-$600K within the current cycle. Related Reading: Bitcoin ETF: Navigating The Promise And Pitfalls Of Mainstream Adoption ETF Excitement Sparks Bitcoin Trading Surge This electrifying forecast sent a ripple of excitement through the crypto community, reflected in the top coin’s vibrant trading volume. Up a whopping 35%, the $51.7 billion figure paints a vivid picture of investor interest piqued by the ETF developments. Traders were quick to capitalize on the bullish sentiment, driving substantial price movements and creating a dynamic market atmosphere. The surge in trading activity not only underscores the immediate impact of the ETF forecast but also highlights the growing influence of institutional and retail investors alike. While Bitcoin’s current price of $46,286 shows a modest daily gain, its 9.72% monthly surge hints at an underlying anticipation. The catalyst for this optimism lies in the January 10th SEC decision to greenlight several spot Bitcoin ETFs. This long-awaited move removes a barrier for many mainstream investors, allowing them to participate in the Bitcoin story without directly holding the digital asset. It’s akin to opening a new door, inviting a fresh wave of potential capital into the crypto ecosystem. However, amidst the celebratory mood, a note of caution resonates from SEC Chair Gary Gensler. While acknowledging the ETF approval, he reminds investors of the crypto’s inherent risks and the need for careful consideration before diving into the volatile cryptocurrency waters. ETF Milestone: Bitcoin’s Symbolic Validation Unfolds This serves as a crucial reminder for all, seasoned veterans and newcomers alike, to approach their investments with prudent risk management. The ETF launch isn’t just about new access. It’s a symbolic validation, with industry giants like Grayscale BTC Trust, Hashdex BTC ETF, and Bitwise ETF receiving the SEC’s nod. This marks a significant milestone, solidifying cryptocurrency’s place in the wider financial landscape. Featured image from iStock

Investors finally have the ability to add bitcoin exposure via an ETF and can do so with VanEck, the first established ETF issuer to file for a bitcoin-linked ETF Bitcoin is one of CEO Jan van Eck’s key investment focuses for 2024 and the firm’s industry-leading research team sees a possible new all-time high for bitcoin in the coming months NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–VanEck is today launching the VanEck Bitcoin Trust, an exchange traded fund (ETF) that provides spot bitcoin exposure under the ticker, HODL. HODL will be competitively priced with an expense ratio of 0.25%. “VanEck was the first established ETF issuer to prioritize this type of product, and it has taken more than six years to get to this launch today. As an experienced asset manager with significant crypto expertise, we’re in a unique position to help investors who have been waiting for this kind of vehicle to begin their own bitcoin journey,” said Jan van Eck, CEO of VanEck, who named bitcoin one of the key opportunities to watch in 2024. VanEck has long advocated for the ETF wrapper as an effective and convenient solution for investors seeking bitcoin exposure without the need for self-custody. The firm was the first established ETF issuer to file for a futures-based bitcoin ETF in 2017 and followed that up with a filing for a spot bitcoin ETF in 2018. Despite regulatory headwinds in the U.S., the firm’s digital assets efforts continued with product development and investment globally. The firm’s European arm currently manages 12 crypto ETPs, and its MarketVector index subsidiary was the first to launch a definitive suite of digital asset indexes with its flagship Bitcoin & Ethereum Benchmark Rates. A complete timeline of VanEck’s door-opening efforts in digital asset thought leadership and product development can be found here. “This is an exciting day that marks a major inflection point in bitcoin’s utility and acceptance as a key building block of a well-diversified portfolio,” added Kyle DaCruz, Director, Digital Assets Product with VanEck. “For any investor who either cannot or does not wish to self-custody their bitcoin, HODL provides a well-constructed solution in the highly liquid ETF wrapper, backed by a firm that has been a pioneer in both ETFs and digital assets for many years.” VanEck has seeded HODL with $72.5 million—the largest seed capital compared to other spot bitcoin ETFs.1 As a further sign of its commitment to this space, VanEck intends to donate 5% of its profits from HODL to the non-profit Brink, a grassroots funding mechanism for developers critical to maintaining bitcoin’s core protocol, for at least 10 years. __________________________ 1 Source: S-1 Filings as of 1/8/2024. VanEck’s Digital Assets Fund Family Continues to Grow HODL joins a VanEck digital assets fund family that already includes the VanEck Ethereum Strategy ETF (EFUT) and the VanEck Bitcoin Strategy ETF (XBTF), which provide futures-focused exposure to key digital assets. The firm’s Digital Transformation ETF (DAPP) also provides exposure to those companies that are driving the growth of the digital assets economy (the fund recently crossed the $100 million AUM mark, bringing total firm assets in crypto-linked vehicles to nearly $1 billion globally). VanEck also offers several digital assets-focused private vehicles for institutions and accredited investors and was the first established global asset manager to market in Europe with a range of digital assets ETPs. VanEck’s X (formerly Twitter) feed, @vaneck_us, is a go-to source for updates on the firm’s digital asset efforts, and the firm’s digital assets research team, led by Matthew Sigel, is a prolific producer of insights on this space, which can be accessed here. About VanEck VanEck has a history of looking beyond the financial markets to identify trends likely to create impactful investment opportunities. We were one of the first U.S. asset managers to offer investors access to international markets. This set the tone for the firm’s drive to identify asset classes and trends – including gold investing in 1968, emerging markets in 1993, and exchange-traded funds in 2006 – that subsequently shaped the investment management industry. Today, VanEck offers active and passive strategies with compelling exposures supported by well-designed investment processes. As of November 30, 2023, VanEck managed approximately $84.8B in assets, including mutual funds, ETFs, and institutional accounts. The firm’s capabilities range from core investment opportunities to more specialized exposures to enhance portfolio diversification. Our actively managed strategies are fueled by in-depth, bottom-up research and security selection from portfolio managers with direct experience in the sectors and regions in which they invest. Investability, liquidity, diversity, and transparency are key to the experienced decision-making around market and index selection underlying VanEck’s passive strategies. Since our founding in 1955, putting our clients’ interests first, in all market environments, has been at the heart of the firm’s mission. Important Disclosures The material must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. Before investing you should carefully consider the VanEck Bitcoin Trust’s (the “Trust”) investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. Investing involves risk, and you could lose money on an investment in the Trust. The value of Bitcoin and, therefore, the value of the Trust’s Shares could decline rapidly, including to zero. You could lose your entire principal investment. For a more complete discussion of the risk factors relative to the Trust, carefully read the prospectus. The Trust’s investment objective is to reflect the performance of Bitcoin less the expenses of the Trust’s operations. The Trust is a passive investment vehicle that does not seek to generate returns beyond tracking the price of Bitcoin. The Trust is not an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”) or a commodity pool for the purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”). Shares of the Trust are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds. As a result, shareholders of HODL do not have the protections associated with ownership of shares in an investment company registered under the 1940 Act or the protections afforded by the CEA. Because shares of the Trust are intended to reflect the price of the Bitcoin held in the Trust, the market price of the shares is subject to fluctuations similar to those affecting Bitcoin prices. Additionally, shares of the Trust are bought and sold at market price, not at net asset value (“NAV”). Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. Trust shares trade like stocks, are subject to investment risk and will fluctuate in market value. The value of Trust shares relates directly to the value of the Bitcoin held by the Trust (less its expenses), and fluctuations in the price of Bitcoin could materially and adversely affect an investment in the shares. The price received upon the sale of the shares, which trade at market price, may be more or less than the value of the Bitcoin represented by them. The Trust does not generate any income, and as the Trust regularly issues shares to pay for the Sponsor’s ongoing expenses, the amount of Bitcoin represented by each Share will decline over time. This content is published in the United States for residents of specified countries. Investors are subject to securities and tax regulations within their applicable jurisdictions that are not addressed on this content. Nothing in this content should be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell shares of any investment in any jurisdiction where the offer or solicitation would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction, nor is it intended as investment, tax, financial, or legal advice. Investors should seek such professional advice for their particular situation and jurisdiction. The Sponsor of the Trust is VanEck Digital Assets, LLC. The Marketing Agent for the Trust is Van Eck Securities Corporation. VanEck Digital Assets, LLC., and Van Eck Securities Corporation are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Van Eck Associates Corporation. © Van Eck Associates Corporation, 666 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017 The value of Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC) and the Funds’ Futures holdings, could decline rapidly, including to zero. You should be prepared to lose your entire investment. The VanEck Bitcoin Strategy ETF (“XBTF”) and the VanEck Ethereum Strategy ETF (“EFUT”) do not invest in BTC, ETH or other digital assets directly. The VanEck Digital Transformation ETF (“DAPP”) does not invest in digital assets directly or indirectly through derivatives. The further development and acceptance of digital asset networks, which is part of a new and rapidly changing industry, is subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to evaluate, the slowing, stopping or reversing of the development or acceptance of the digital asset networks may adversely affect the price of digital assets and therefore cause the Funds to suffer losses, regulatory changes or actions may alter the nature of an investment in digital assets or restrict the use of digital assets or the operations of the digital asset networks or venues on which digital assets trade in a manner that adversely affects the price of digital assets and, therefore, the Funds’s digital asset Futures. Digital assets generally operate without central authority (such as a bank) and are not backed by any government, digital assets are not legal tender and federal, state and/or foreign governments may restrict the use and exchange of digital assets, and regulation in the United States is still developing. Futures Contract Risk. The use of futures contracts involves risks that are in addition to, and potentially greater than, the risks of investing directly in securities and other more traditional assets. The market for digital asset Futures may be less developed, and potentially less liquid and more volatile, than more established futures markets. Digital asset Futures are subject to collateral requirements and daily limits that may limit the Fund’s ability to achieve its target exposure. Margin requirements for digital asset Futures traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) may be substantially higher than margin requirements for many other types of futures contracts. Futures contracts exhibit “futures basis,”” which refers to the difference between the current market value of the underlying digital asset (the “spot” price) and the price of the cash-settled futures contracts. This risk may be adversely affected by “negative roll yields” in “contango” markets. The Funds will “roll” out of one futures contract as the expiration date approaches and into another futures contract on a digital asset with a later expiration date. The “rolling” feature creates the potential for a significant negative effect on the Fund’s performance that is independent of the performance of the spot prices of the digital asset. A market where futures prices are generally greater than spot prices is referred to as a “contango” market. Therefore, if the futures market for a given commodity is in contango, then the value of a futures contract on that commodity would tend to decline over time (assuming the spot price remains unchanged), because the higher futures price would fall as it converges to the lower spot price by expiration. Extended period of contango may cause significant and sustained losses. An investment in the VanEck Ethereum Strategy ETF (EFUT) may be subject to risks which include, but are not limited to, risks related to market and volatility, investment (in ETH futures), ETH and ETH futures, futures contract, derivatives, counterparty, investment capacity, target exposure and rebalancing, borrowing and leverage, credit, interest rate, liquidity, investing in other investment companies, management, new fund, non-diversified, operational, portfolio turnover, regulatory, repurchase agreements, tax, cash transactions, authorized participant concentration, no guarantee of active trading market, trading issues, fund shares trading, premium/discount risk and liquidity of fund shares, U.S. government securities, debt securities, municipal securities, money market funds, securitized/mortgage-backed securities, sovereign bond, ETH-related company, ETH-related concentration, and equity securities risks, all of which could significantly and adversely affect the value of an investment in the Fund. An investment in the VanEck Bitcoin Strategy ETF (XBTF) may be subject to risks which include, among others market and volatility, investment, futures contract, derivatives, investments related to bitcoin and bitcoin futures, derivatives, counterparty, investment capacity, target exposure and rebalancing, borrowing and leverage, indirect investment, credit, interest rate, illiquidity, investing in other investment companies, management, new fund, non-diversified, operational, portfolio turnover, regulatory, repurchase agreements, tax, of cash transactions, authorized participant concentration, no guarantee of active trading market, trading issues, fund shares trading, premium/discount and liquidity of fund shares, U.S. government securities, debt securities, municipal securities, money market funds, securitized/asset-backed securities, and sovereign bond risks, all of which could significantly and adversely affect the value of an investment in the Fund. An investment in the VanEck Digital Transformation ETF (DAPP) may be subject to risks which include, among others, risks related to investing in digital transformation companies, special risk considerations of investing in European issuers, equity securities, small- and medium-capitalization companies, information technology sector, financials sector, foreign securities, emerging market issuers, market, operational, index tracking, authorized participant concentration, no guarantee of active trading market, trading issues, passive management, fund shares trading, premium/discount and liquidity of fund shares, non-diversified and industry concentration risks, all of which may adversely affect the Fund. Emerging market issuers and foreign securities may be subject to securities markets, political and economic, investment and repatriation restrictions, different rules and regulations, less publicly available financial information, foreign currency and exchange rates, operational and settlement, and corporate and securities laws risks. Small- and medium-capitalization companies may be subject to elevated risks. Investing involves substantial risk and high volatility, including possible loss of principal. An investor should consider the investment objective, risks, charges and expenses of a Fund carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, call 800.826.2333 or visit vaneck.com. Please read the prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing. ©️ Van Eck Securities Corporation, Distributor, a wholly owned subsidiary of Van Eck Associates Corporation 666 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017 Phone: 800.826.2333 Email: [email protected] Contacts Chris Sullivan Craft & Capital 917.902.0617 [email protected]

WisdomTree unlocks Bitcoin exposure within the ETF wrapper in the U.S., in line with the firm’s leadership in “Responsible DeFi” NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–WisdomTree, Inc. (NYSE: WT), a global financial innovator, today announced the launch of the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund (BTCW). The historic leading wave of spot Bitcoin ETFs marks the first time U.S. investors have access to exposure to the price of spot bitcoin within the ETF wrapper. The WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund (BTCW) is listed on the Cboe BZX Exchange with an expense ratio of 0.30%, although for a six-month period commencing today, the entire 0.30% will be waived (which represents the sponsor’s fee) for the first $1.0 billion of the Fund’s assets. The WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund’s investment objective is to gain exposure to the price of bitcoin, less expenses and liabilities of the Fund’s operations. For more information on the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund (BTCW), please review yesterday’s press release announcing that the fund was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Engagement with regulators is at the center of WisdomTree’s “responsible DeFi” ethos, which prioritizes innovation and exploration within the digital assets ecosystem while upholding the foundational principles of transparency, integrity and protection of customer assets. The WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund is not endorsed, indemnified or guaranteed by any regulatory agency. The WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov or by visiting the fund detail page. Alternatively, the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling toll free at 1-866-909-9473. This material must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. You should read the prospectus before investing. Bitcoin and, accordingly, the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund which holds bitcoin, are highly speculative and involve a high degree of risk, including the potential for loss of the entire investment. An investment in the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund involves significant risks (including the potential for quick, large losses) and may not be suitable for all shareholders. You should carefully consider whether your financial condition permits you to invest in the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund and you should be willing to accept more risk than may be involved with other exchange traded products or ETFs that do not hold bitcoin. Extreme volatility of trading prices that many digital assets, including bitcoin, have experienced in recent periods and may continue to experience, could have a material adverse effect on the value of the Shares and the Shares could lose all or substantially all of their value. The value of the Shares is dependent on the acceptance of digital assets, such as bitcoin, which represent a new and rapidly evolving industry. Digital assets such as bitcoin were only introduced within the past two decades, and the medium-to-long term value of the Shares is subject to a number of factors relating to the capabilities and development of blockchain technologies and to the fundamental investment characteristics of digital assets. Regulatory changes or actions may affect the value of the Shares or restrict the use of Bitcoin, mining activity or the operation of the Bitcoin Network or the Digital Asset Markets in a manner that adversely affects the value of the Shares. Digital Asset Markets may experience fraud, business failures, security failures or operational problems, which may adversely affect the value of Bitcoin and, consequently, the value of the Shares. The WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund is not a fund registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), and is not subject to regulation under the 1940 Act, unlike most exchange traded products or ETFs. The WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund is also not a commodity pool for purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended, and the sponsor is not subject to regulations by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a commodity pool operator or commodity trading advisor. The WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund’s shares are neither interests in nor obligations of the sponsor or the trustee or any of their affiliates. About WisdomTree WisdomTree is a global financial innovator, offering a well-diversified suite of exchange-traded products (ETPs), models, solutions and products leveraging blockchain-enabled technology. We empower investors and consumers to shape their future and support financial professionals to better serve their clients and grow their businesses. WisdomTree is leveraging the latest financial infrastructure to create products that provide access, transparency and an enhanced user experience. As of January 10, 2024, WisdomTree currently has approximately $99.5 billion in assets under management globally. For more information about WisdomTree, visit: https://www.wisdomtree.com. Please visit us on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @WisdomTreeNews. WisdomTree® is the marketing name for WisdomTree, Inc. and its subsidiaries worldwide. Important Information Carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Funds before investing. To obtain a prospectus containing this and other important information, please visit https://www.wisdomtree.com/investments. Read the prospectus carefully before investing. Foreside Fund Services, LLC, serves as the marketing agent for the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund (BTCW). Foreside Fund Services, LLC, is not affiliated with WisdomTree. Category: Business Update Contacts Media Relations WisdomTree, Inc. Jessica Zaloom +1.917.267.3735 [email protected] / [email protected] Investor Relations WisdomTree, Inc. Jeremy Campbell +1.646.522.2602 [email protected]

Amid the excitement surrounding the approval of Bitcoin Spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), Polish crypto analyst Adrian Zduńczyk has shed his insights on the price action of BTC in 2024 and beyond. Bitcoin Price Action In 2024 And Beyond Zduńczyk, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Birb Nest shared his insights in a recent interview with Thinking Crypto founder Tony Edward. In the interview, Zduńczyk revealed his short-term expectations for Bitcoin, the impact of ETF approval, and post-halving expectations for price. Zduńczyk began by drawing attention to the recent surge in Bitcoin prices while also noting a minor decline. He emphasized the significance of differentiating between speculations, expectations, and actual trading. He further talked about the use of technical indicators to spot possible market reversals. These include the rate of change and the Relative Strength Index (RSI). Zduńczyk noted how the market trend has persisted, pointing out crucial metrics such as the 200-day moving average. According to him, the 200-day moving average has been indicating favorable trends since the year started. The price of Bitcoin has increased by a notable 190% year to date, despite a slight correction. This indicates the strength of the bull market that has been present since January. When asked about the impact of Bitcoin spot ETF on the asset’s price, he highlighted seasonal trends in Bitcoin’s performance by establishing a correlation with historical data. He explained that he would rather go with the facts than opinions. This is because “it is difficult to comment on opinions,” which by definition is “different from the facts.” Due to this, Zduńczyk has suggested that the community should focus on the facts this time rather than opinions. This is because facts rely on seasonal studies and prices do the same. Observing the upward tendency in January over time, he provided an explanation of the seasonal pattern in the January barometer. As a result, he proposed an 80% chance of a favorable year if January ends well. All-Time High Price Target Post BTC Halving Zduńczyk provided insights into the possibility of Bitcoin reaching a new all-time high in 2025. He made this claim after analyzing its past four-year cycles and their relationship to the presidential stock market cycle. The CEO stated that Bitcoin has always experienced “powerful rallies” after each halving. He further backed up his claims with a chart demonstrating BTC price rallies since the halving began. Furthermore, Zduńczyk highlighted that it would not be shocking to see a three-to-five-fold increase following the halving price. However, he has expressed caution as no one knows exactly how high Bitcoin will go. So far, Zduńczyk predicts an all-time high price for BTC between $150,000 to $200,000 post-halving. In addition, he stated that the trends are unprecedented as the price could go higher than that or even lower.