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 that the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund (BTCW) was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 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. “Core to our heritage of innovation, WisdomTree is passionate about exploring new avenues for potential value creation for investors – our role in disrupting financial services with the ETF wrapper speaks exactly to that. Now, after years of experience meeting investors’ demand for a Bitcoin ETP in Europe, we could not be more thrilled to be at the helm of the movement to accelerate access to digital assets in the United States after years of engagement with U.S. regulators,” said Jonathan Steinberg, WisdomTree Founder and CEO. “While potential investors must carefully consider if the risk profile of a digital asset such as bitcoin has a place in their portfolio, we see this effectiveness as a major step in the industry evolution that we’re leading – where the blockchain is redefining the way we see finance today.” The WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund (BTCW) will be listed on the Cboe BZX Exchange with an expense ratio of 0.30%, although for a six-month period commencing January 11, 2024, 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. WisdomTree currently offers eight crypto ETPs in Europe, and concurrent with seeking to launch BTCW, has launched 13 blockchain-enabled Digital Funds in the U.S., which offer exposure to mainstream traditional asset classes with secondary recordkeeping on a blockchain. “BTCW being declared effective by the SEC offers the nascent opportunity for investors to access bitcoin through an ETF, one of the most impactful financial innovations of our time. For investors that are willing and have the financial condition to accept more risk, but only seek to engage with this digital asset through regulated and traditional channels, this is a long-awaited opportunity in the U.S. finally coming to fruition,” said Jeremy Schwartz, WisdomTree Global Chief Investment Officer. “It cannot be denied that financial services are undergoing a major transformation; how fast we get there depends on key moments like today. WisdomTree is proud to be a part of this historic moment.” 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). WisdomTree Digital Funds are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC. Foreside Fund Services, LLC, is not affiliated with WisdomTree. Each WisdomTree Digital Fund (each, a “Digital Fund”) invests in fixed income securities, equity securities or other assets as further described in each Digital Fund’s prospectus. Reference to “blockchain-enabled” is meant to reflect the fact that each Digital Fund uses blockchain technology. The Digital Funds will not invest in any digital assets, such as bitcoin. 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]

For the first time, BITB will offer U.S. investors low-cost access to bitcoin through a traditional, regulated ETF. SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Bitwise Asset Management, the largest crypto index fund manager in America, announced today that the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB), the firm’s first spot bitcoin ETF, intends to begin trading on January 11. With the much-anticipated launch, BITB will join Bitwise’s comprehensive suite of 18 crypto investment products, which currently includes five other crypto ETFs. The Bitwise Bitcoin ETF will trade on NYSE Arca under the ticker BITB. The management fee will be the lowest among approved 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 will hold bitcoin directly with the world’s largest regulated digital asset custodian, Coinbase Custody Trust Company, LLC. BITB’s auditor is KPMG, the administrator is Bank of New York Mellon, and the sponsor is Bitwise Investment Advisers, LLC. ANTICIPATED DEMAND “We expect significant demand for bitcoin ETFs like BITB,” said Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley. “Every year for the past six years, financial advisors have identified ETFs as their preferred way to help clients access bitcoin. Last year, 64% of financial advisors preferred a spot bitcoin ETF over existing vehicles.2 Across our existing client base of thousands of investment professionals, we hear the same thing. Now, at long last, a spot bitcoin ETF is arriving.” WATERSHED MOMENT FOR BITCOIN The fund’s launch marks a critical turning point for the industry, said Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan. “It’s hard to fully capture how big today is for bitcoin,” said 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 mainstream 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.” SUPPORTING OPEN-SOURCE DEVELOPERS 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 fund open-source developers who 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.” A LEADING CRYPTO SPECIALIST Founded in 2017, Bitwise is currently a partner to more than 1,800 advisor teams, RIAs, family offices, and institutions. This number has doubled in the last two years. As a leading crypto specialist, Bitwise is known for its six-year track record, broad suite of crypto investment solutions, and leading research insights, including its quarterly reports, white papers, and Expert Portal for investment professionals, which features the Bitwise Bitcoin Library and the firm’s Weekly CIO Memo. Since its founding, Bitwise has maintained a deep commitment to client relationships, with a nationwide team of client-facing crypto experts. ADDING DEPTH TO A COMPREHENSIVE SUITE At BITB’s launch, Bitwise’s lineup of 19 products includes five additional ETFs: Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF (ticker: BITQ) Bitwise Bitcoin Strategy Optimum Roll ETF (ticker: BITC) Bitwise Bitcoin and Ether Equal Weight Strategy ETF (ticker: BTOP) Bitwise Ethereum Strategy ETF (ticker: AETH) Bitwise Web3 ETF (ticker: BWEB). Bitwise’s other product offerings include the Bitwise 10 Crypto Index Fund (ticker: BITW), private funds, multi-strategy solutions, and separately managed account (SMA) strategies. 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 Strategy 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. 2 “The Bitwise/VettaFi 2024 Benchmark Survey of Financial Advisor Attitudes Toward Crypto Assets,” published in January 2024, is available at https://bitwiseinvestments.com/crypto-market-insights/the-bitwise-vettafi-2024-benchmark-survey. Contacts Frank Taylor/Ryan Dicovitsky Dukas Linden Public Relations [email protected]

In a landmark move, PayPal, the payment processor, has incentivized PYUSD liquidity on Curve Finance, the world’s largest stablecoin decentralized exchange (DEX) by trading volume. PayPal Incentivizing PYUSD Liquidity Via Curve This development, which Stake DAO first captured on January 10, sent shockwaves through the crypto community, with many experts predicting that Curve is on its way to becoming the go-to platform for institutional and corporate trading of on-chain stablecoins. PayPal’s decision to incentivize PYUSD liquidity on Curve is a significant step forward for adopting stablecoins and promoting decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols in general. By providing attractive rewards for liquidity providers, PayPal is signaling its commitment to the growth of this rapidly evolving sector. As part of its incentive program, PayPal has deposited vote incentives worth $132k in PYUSD on Votemarket, a vote incentive platform. These rewards are designed to encourage users to increase their liquidity on Curve. In addition, PayPal will offer direct rewards to liquidity providers distributed in PYUSD, with an APY of 11%. Observers note that the $66,000 allocated weekly to Votemarket could direct at least $55k in CRV, a governance token on Curve Finance, to the PYUSD-USDC pool. Institutional Endorsement: Will CRV Rally Above $0.75? With PayPal’s endorsement, Curve may attract even more liquidity and cement its position as a leader in on-chain stablecoin trading. It is unclear whether other Wall Street heavyweights on the wings are ready to enhance liquidity via Curve or other DeFi protocols. Their involvement will validate Curve and DeFi’s potential, accelerating adoption among institutional investors. According to DeFiLlama data on January 10, Curve has a total value locked (TVL) of $1.82 billion, with a big chunk of this in Ethereum. The protocol has deployed in Ethereum layer-2s and other Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible platforms, including Arbitrum. For now, CRV, the native token of Curve, remains under pressure. Looking at the performance in the daily chart, the token is down 30% from recent December peaks, sliding when writing. From price technical analysis, any break above $0.75 could spark more demand, lifting the token to new 2024 highs. Presently, CRV is trending inside a bear candlestick, signaling general weakness. In the short term, sharp losses below $0.45 might trigger a sell-off. CRV risks dropping to September 2023 lows of around $0.40 in that case.

XRP Whales are causing a stir in the XRP community as holders speculate on what could be the reason for their latest moves. On-chain data shows that these whales have moved a significant portion of their holdings in the last 24 hours. Over 63 Million XRP Tokens Moved Data from Whale Alert shows that two significant XRP transactions have occurred recently. The first was a transfer of 26,400,000 XRP from an unknown wallet to the crypto exchange Bitstamp. The second was a transfer of 36,964,930 XRP from the crypto exchange MEXC to an unknown wallet. It is normal for transactions of such magnitude to raise eyebrows, considering the impact that they could have on XRP’s price. Specifically, such transfers to centralized exchanges usually suggest that the whale could be looking to dump the crypto tokens on retail investors. If so, that could potentially lead to a significant decline in the altcoin’s price. In this case, it is, however, worth mentioning that the first transaction in question happens to be a recurrent one, as huge sums of XRP tokens have been reported on a couple of occasions to have moved from that same wallet to Bitstamp. These transactions are believed to occur as a result of Ripple’s strategic partnership with the crypto exchange, with the latter using the crypto firm’s payment services. Meanwhile, the nature of the second transaction also allays fears of an impending sell-off. This is because the tokens were sent from the MEXC to an unknown wallet and not the other way around. As such, it is more likely to be a whale who is moving their XRP holdings to cold storage. This is more plausible, considering that these whales may soon see huge gains based on recent price predictions. Why Price Could Rise To Over A Dollar Soon Crypto analyst Ali Martinez recently offered a bullish narrative for the token’s price. He noted how the governing pattern behind the crypto token’s price action since June 2022 looks to be an ascending parallel channel. If this pattern continues, XRP could rise to between $0.80 and $1.10, the analyst hinted. Those price levels are the channel’s middle and upper boundaries. In a subsequent X post, the analyst also suggested that now may be a good time for those looking to get in on the token. He stated that the weighted market sentiment for XRP had dipped to its lowest negative point since mid-May 2023. Moments like this can “present unique opportunities in the market,” Martinez claims. At the time of writing, XRP is trading at around $0.56, down over 1% in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

On-chain data shows that Bitcoin short-term holders have deposited $2 billion in BTC to exchanges, the fourth largest amount in the last two years. Bitcoin Short-Term Holder Exchange Inflows Have Spiked Up As analyst James V. Straten explained in a new post on X, the BTC short-term holders have potentially participated in a very sizeable selloff recently. The “short-term holders” (STHs) are the Bitcoin investors who bought their coins within the last 155 days. The STHs comprise one of the two main divisions of the BTC market based on holding time; the other segment is called the “long-term holder” (LTH) cohort and includes the holders who mature past the 155-day cutoff. Statistically, the probability that a holder would sell or move their coins on the blockchain drops the longer they keep them dormant. As such, the STHs are more likely to participate in selling at any point than the LTHs. This behavior of the STHs is usually especially apparent whenever the cryptocurrency observes a sharp rally or crash, as these fickle-minded investors can’t help but fall prey to the FOMO or FUD of the situation. One way to track whether the STHs are selling or not is through their exchange inflows. Investors may deposit to these central entities when they want to sell, so the volume going to these platforms can naturally provide some measure of the degree of selling pressure the holders are currently exerting. Now, here is a chart that shows the trend in the Bitcoin STH transfer volume going towards exchanges (in USD) over the past couple of years: As displayed in the above graph, the Bitcoin volume going from the wallets held by the STHs toward the exchanges has registered a spike recently. “Yesterday, over $2B worth of Bitcoin got sent to exchanges from STHs,” notes Straten. From the chart, it’s apparent that during the last couple of years, there have only been three instances where the market saw these weak hands transfer more significant amounts to these platforms. According to the analyst, $1.3 billion of the total $2 billion inflow volume from the STHs involved coins carrying some profits. While the rest, $750 million, moved at a loss. If these inflows were indeed for selling, it would appear that both types of sellers were in the market during the spike: those capitulating at a loss and those harvesting their profits. Straten remarks that the profitability ratio of this inflow volume is a bit suspicious, as the asset mostly moved flat or negative during this period. This potential selloff from the STHs has come as the Bitcoin spot ETF is not far from being decided by the US SEC. The commission’s X account was also compromised earlier, and someone posted a fake approval announcement using it, to which the market reacted strongly. Given the timing of the inflows, it would appear that the BTC STHs expect the event to be a sell-the-news type of deal, so once the decision is made, more inflows could follow. BTC Price At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at around $45,200, up more than 4% in the past week.

While the full permission is being processed, BitGo may continue operations with this license. This authorization follows BitGo’s acquisition of a crypto custody license in Germany last year. The BitGo crypto custody firm has received an in-principle approval for a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license via its local entity from Singapore’s financial regulator, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). A post on Twitter declared the in-principle approval by the corporation. This authorization follows BitGo’s acquisition of a crypto custody license in Germany from BaFin, the country’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, on October 24, 2023. As part of a transitional regime, BitGo has been keeping crypto assets like Bitcoin for its customers since 2019 under the supervision of BaFin before getting the BaFin license. Exempt from Transaction Limits While the full permission is being processed, BitGo may continue operations with this license, allowing them to serve customers in the nation using digital payment tokens. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) states that companies holding an MPI license are exempt from the 2.2 million Singapore dollar ($3 million) transaction limit for all payment services. Additionally, the authorized businesses are exempt from the 6 million Singapore dollars ($4.4 million) monthly transaction limit for two or more payment services that are not related to the issuance of electronic money accounts or the exchange of currency. Coinbase, Ripple, and Crypto.com are among the other firms that have successfully secured full MPI licenses in Singapore. The nation’s policy is to promote technology without speculation and to strike a balance between protective rules and beneficial ones. As part of their application to create a spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the US, Hashdex chose BitGo as the Bitcoin custodian in December 2023. U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are anticipated to get approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as soon as today. Highlighted Crypto News Today: BlackRock and ARK 21Shares Slash Spot Bitcoin ETF Fees

In a groundbreaking development for the cryptocurrency and Bitcoin market, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved all 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs submitted by the world’s largest asset managers. Bitcoin ETFs Align With Exchange Act Standards In its official filing, the SEC stated that each proposal sought to list and trade shares of a trust that would hold spot Bitcoin, either wholly or partially. Importantly, the commission found that the proposals were consistent with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations governing national securities exchanges. Specifically, the SEC determined that the proposals adhere to the requirements outlined in Section 6(b)(5) of the Exchange Act, which includes preventing fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices to protect investors and the public interest. The approval of these Bitcoin ETFs marks an important milestone in the maturation of the cryptocurrency market. However, despite the significant news, the Bitcoin price has remained stable at the $46,200 level, defying some expectations of immediate price surges following the SEC’s decision. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the true impact of these index funds is anticipated to unfold over the coming years, once institutions and retail investors fully enter the market. New Era For Bitcoin According to the official filing, trading for the approved Bitcoin ETFs is scheduled to commence tomorrow, enabling market participants to gain exposure to Bitcoin through regulated and traditional investment vehicles. The introduction of these Bitcoin ETFs is expected to attract a broader range of investors, including institutional players, and contribute to increased liquidity and market efficiency. Ultimately, as institutional and retail investor participation grows, the Bitcoin market is poised for significant developments and further mainstream adoption. The approval of these ETFs represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing integration of cryptocurrencies into the traditional financial system. It sets the stage for future growth, innovation, and the potential for broader acceptance of digital assets in the investment landscape. Featured image from Shutterstock, chart from TradingView.com

Litecoin (LTC) recently gained attention due to notable price movements. Detailed analysis shows a decline in LTC’s price from its peak of $115 in July 2023 to a low of $56 in August. Recent market dynamics indicate a potential shift, with a bullish candlestick forming in the daily time frame. Litecoin (LTC) has returned to the spotlight with its recent price movements. Traders and analysts are closely monitoring key support levels, seeking insights into the potential trajectory of LTC in the coming weeks. A detailed technical analysis of Litecoin’s weekly time frame reveals a notable decline in the LTC price since it peaked at $115 in July 2023. The subsequent downtrend led to a low of $56 in August, marking a challenging period for LTC investors. However, the recent market dynamics indicate a potential shift. Litecoin experienced a bounce, creating a bullish candlestick in the daily time frame. The LTC price rebounded from a long-term ascending support trend line established since June 2022. This trend line intersected with a horizontal area that has intermittently served as both support and resistance, further emphasizing its significance. Litecoin RSI Readings and Analyst Perspectives Traders frequently turn to the Relative Strength Index (RSI) as a momentum indicator, providing insights into whether a market is overbought or oversold. The weekly RSI for LTC is currently at 50, indicating an undetermined trend, leaving analysts with varying perspectives on Litecoin’s future trajectory. Joao Devesa expresses optimism, anticipating a significant LTC price increase soon. This bullish sentiment is rooted in the potential breakout from a long-term pattern, hinting at positive momentum for Litecoin. Conversely, Diamond Hands adopts a more cautious stance, noting two ascending parallel channels. The breakdown of these channels could trigger downward movements, suggesting a bearish outlook. Litecoin finds itself at a critical juncture, navigating key support levels that could shape its future trajectory. As analysts debate the potential outcomes, market participants eagerly await confirmation of Litecoin’s next move, with both bullish and bearish scenarios on the table. The coming weeks are likely to provide clarity on whether LTC will continue its upward momentum or face further downside challenges.

Renowned finance author Robert Kiyosaki has shared his thoughts on the future trajectory of the Bitcoin price. The author, who is no stranger to the crypto community, says that Bitcoin could rise to $150,000 while revealing what will spark this significant price surge. What Will Spark Bitcoin’s Rise To $150,000 Kiyosaki hinted in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) platform that the Spot Bitcoin ETFs will be the catalyst for Bitcoin’s rise to $150,000. He, however, didn’t say exactly when Bitcoin will hit this price level as he only stated that it will happen soon. With this prediction, the author joins a growing list of persons who believe that the approval of these funds will be massive for Bitcoin. Kiyosaki, who authored the best-selling book ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad, also expressed his excitement at getting in on the flagship crypto token early. He expects Bitcoin’s value to keep rising as he says he will keep buying adding more BTC to his portfolio. He also made a case for Gold and Silver as Inflation continues to be at a high. According to him, the only “losers” are those who save “fake fiat US dollars.” The renowned author, who happens to be an advocate of financial literacy, has always been outspoken about Bitcoin. At one time, he urged everyone to invest in the crypto token to avoid becoming poorer due to the actions of the government. He had also labeled Bitcoin as the “best protection” against a potential wave of hyperinflation. What Bitcoin Is Saying On the Charts Crypto analyst Ali Martinez has provided insight into Bitcoin’s trajectory from a technical analysis angle. Martinez mentioned in a post on his X platform that Bitcoin has established a solid support zone at $42,000. This support level is said to be backed by 2.48 million addresses holding over 1.12 million BTC. The analyst further stated that Bitcoin could potentially rise to as high as $55,000 with no “major supply zones in sight.” However, the flagship crypto token will first need to breach the $48,000 resistance. Once that happens, on-chain data suggests “a clear path ahead,” Martinez says. In a subsequent post, the analyst also offered a bearish narrative as Bitcoin’s price could face a major correction. Martinez noted that the TD Sequential is currently flashing a sell signal on Bitcoin’s weekly chart. This indicator is said to be forecasting a correction that could last one to four weeks before the crypto token resumes its uptrend. At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at around $46,000, down over 1% in the last 24 hours according to data from CoinMarketCap.

The crypto industry is expecting the SEC to approve a spot bitcoin ETF as soon as today. BlackRock said in a fresh S-1 filing on Wednesday that it would charge 25 basis points. Both BlackRock and ARK 21Shares have reduced the fees for their prospective exchange-traded funds (ETFs), following other competitors who announced cutbacks yesterday. The crypto industry is expecting the United States SEC to approve a spot bitcoin ETF as soon as today. After revealing a fee of 30 basis points on Monday, BlackRock said in a fresh S-1 filing on Wednesday that it would charge 25 basis points on net asset value. A promotional rate of 12 basis points is being offered on the first $5 billion during the first twelve months of the asset-management giant’s debut. Gaining Edge Over Rivals Following an earlier announcement that it would charge 0.25%, ARK 21Shares also made a cut, bringing it down to 0.21%. For the first six months or $1 billion in assets, whichever occurs first, the fee will not be charged by the businesses at all. Bitwise and Valkyrie, other two competitors, both announced price reductions yesterday; today’s reductions follow suit. Bitwise still has the lowest charge, even with today’s decrease. In Tuesday’s round, the fund manager cut its starting price from 0.24% to 0.20%. Fidelity currently charges 0.25%, WisdomTree 0.3%, and Valkyrie 0.49%. The planned fees were reduced by Invesco and Galaxy to 0.39 percent. Various providers will compete for market share, using fee structure as an edge, as the SEC is anticipated to approve many ETFs simultaneously. All indications are pointing toward a decision being announced today, despite yesterday’s disruption to the SEC’s clearance of a spot bitcoin ETF due to a hack of its twitter account and the release of a fraudulent approval tweet. Highlighted Crypto News Today: Ethereum Whale Scoops Up $11 Million ETH As Price Surge Past $2,400

The year 2023 witnessed a remarkable surge in crypto payments, signaling a significant milestone in adopting digital currencies for retail and e-commerce transactions. According to a recent report by CoinGate, a crypto payment processor firm, the number of crypto payments processed reached staggering heights, showcasing robust growth and diversification in the crypto landscape. Massive Surge In Crypto Payments In 2023, CoinGate processed an astounding 1,294,058 cryptocurrency payments, marking a 39.4% increase compared to the previous record. This exponential growth, equivalent to one payment every 24 seconds, underscores the accelerating pace of crypto adoption. Notably, approximately one-third (32.35%) of all transactions processed by CoinGate in the last ten years occurred in 2023, emphasizing the surge in the popularity of digital currencies. Per the report, integrating Binance Pay wallet into CoinGate’s payment services in March 2023 played a significant role in driving this growth. Binance Pay accounted for 8.2% of all crypto payments in 2023, showcasing a steady increase in usage throughout the year. This upward trend, from 4.5% in March to 13% in December, indicates the growing adoption and usage of Binance Pay as a preferred payment method. Lightning Network Surges In Popularity Moreover, CoinGate’s report highlights the increasing maturity and acceptance of the Lightning Network, an essential component of Bitcoin payments. In 2023, the Lightning Network facilitated 7.8% of all Bitcoin payments processed by CoinGate, representing a notable increase from previous years. Furthermore, the overall number of Lightning Network payments grew by 35.9% compared to the previous year, indicating a growing reliance on this technology. However, Bitcoin, long considered the dominant cryptocurrency for payments, saw a decline in its share of total transactions processed by CoinGate. While Bitcoin accounted for 54.8% of all transactions in 2021, its share dropped to 35.6% in 2023. Stablecoins, particularly Tether’s USDT, emerged as a popular choice for crypto payments in 2023. The usage of USDT increased from 15.1% in 2022 to an average of 25.4% in 2023, indicating a shift towards stablecoins due to their perceived stability and reliability. Alternative Payment Solutions According to CoinGate’s report, crypto-friendly merchants experienced remarkable success in 2023, with a significant portion of their sales attributed to cryptocurrency payments. Eldorado.gg, a gold and accounts marketplace for gamers, reported crypto payments contributing to 3% of their total sales. IPRoyal, a proxy service provider, saw over 30% of their payments made in cryptocurrencies. Hostinger, a web hosting provider, captured nearly one-fourth of all crypto-paying customers, showcasing the effectiveness of alternative payment solutions in catering to diverse customer needs. Overall, 2023 demonstrated a paradigm shift in the adoption of cryptocurrency payments. The surge in transactions processed by CoinGate, the increasing usage of Binance Pay and the Lightning Network, and the diversification of cryptocurrencies used for payments all point towards a new era of acceptance and trust in digital currencies. As crypto-friendly merchants reap the benefits of embracing these payment methods, it becomes evident that cryptocurrency payments offer sales growth, solutions for the unbanked population, and global accessibility. With the stage set for further expansion in 2024, the transformative power of cryptocurrency payments continues to reshape the retail and e-commerce landscape. Featured image from Shutterstock, chart from TradingView.com

eesee, an innovative one-stop liquidity solution and gamified marketplace for sellers, has announced the successful closing of its $2.85 million fundraise. The raise included a $1.1 million seed round and a $1.75 million private round, with participation by SevenX Ventures, Maven Capital, MetaBros, Contango Digital Assets, BasementDAO, and more. The company also announced partnerships out of the gate that include Ape Terminal, ApeCoin, Polygon, and Chainlink. Currently, no gamified digital asset marketplaces allow sellers to sell digital assets creatively while eliminating most of the buy-side friction currently seen in the industry. The only way to tap into an NFT community is by buying an asset, a massive barrier for new entrants who are unable to afford the floor price of an NFT. With eesee, sellers can create a customized gamified drop, such as a decentralized onchain raffle, to sell effectively sell an asset above the current floor price. For buyers, raffles can include action-based entries, where participation in a raffle is determined by completing certain tasks. Similar to airdrop incentives, these campaigns offer the possibility of being rewarded with assets for little to no money. Losers of raffles will also be rewarded with points and airdrop opportunities to ensure mutual incentives across the platform. Vova Sadkov, Founder and CEO of eesee explains: Murtaza Bohari at Maven Capital stated: The platform has partnered with Chainlink to use Chainlink VRF to officially select winners in each campaign. Additionally, in October 2023, ApeCoin DAO approved a partnership that will drive cross-collaboration between each respective community. To date, eesee’s testnet has attracted over 262,309 registrants with an average wallet age of one year. Over the last 90 days, the wallets have had 858,000 transactions worth over $174 million, implying an experienced user base to date. The company’s native token, $ESE, is scheduled to be launched in an upcoming TGE in Q1. eesee is a one-stop liquidity solution for sellers, with a fun and safe raffle system at an affordable cost. The community-centered platform is tailored for digital assets, tokens and RWAs and focuses on a win-win value proposition. Sellers can create raffles to sell entries to interested buyers. Buyers can buy as much as they like, helping to increase their chances of winning. After the pool is sold out, a raffle determines the winner. Losers will be rewarded with points for contributing to a pool which will lead to future rewards.

Investors of Color are Entering the Market at a Faster Pace than White Investors and Tend to Be Much Younger, Report Shows WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation) has released a new report, Investors of Color in the United States. The report examines the behavior and attitudes of investors of color based on data from FINRA Foundation’s National Financial Capability Study coupled with a series of focus groups conducted with young Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and Asian American/Pacific Islander investors. The report shows that investors of color are entering the market at a faster pace than white investors. New investors, particularly Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino investors, tend to be much younger than white investors. New investors of color exhibit many of the same behaviors previous research has shown of younger investors, such as reliance on social media for investment information and trading risky investments like cryptocurrencies and so-called meme stocks. “With a large number of young investors entering the markets, financial education leaders will need to adapt, including providing relatable and trustworthy resources on channels these new investors use,” said FINRA Foundation President Gerri Walsh. “While conducting this research, we learned from investors of color about barriers they or their families faced previously in building wealth through investing. Seeing an influx of new investors of color is encouraging and highlights the importance of our markets becoming more accessible.” Key findings include: Demographics: Investors of color are entering the market at a faster pace than white investors: Since 2015, the percentage of new investors has increased for all three groups analyzed — nine percentage points for Black/African American respondents, seven percentage points for Asian American/Pacific Islander respondents and six percentage points for Hispanic/Latino respondents. In contrast, the percentage of white respondents who are new investors has not changed substantially. Investors of color tend to be younger: This is particularly noticeable among Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino investors, nearly half of whom are under the age of 35. Motivations for investing: Non-white investors, particularly Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino investors, are more likely than white investors to be motivated by reasons beyond long-term profit, including short-term gains, a desire to learn more about investing, entertainment and excitement, and because their peers are doing it. Information sources: Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino investors are more likely than white investors to rely on friends, family and colleagues, as well as suggestions provided in a mobile trading app, for information about investing. Black/African American investors are more likely than white investors to use online videos as resources. Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino investors are more likely than Asian American/Pacific Islander or white investors to rely on social media as a source of investment information. Investment products: Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino investors are more likely to engage in risky investments such as meme stocks, cryptocurrencies and options than are white and Asian American/Pacific Islander investors. Investment risk: Black/African American investors report higher risk tolerance levels than all other groups. Cultural and generational differences: The focus groups provided insights into the views of some young investors of color. For example, one focus group participant told researchers: “We’re first generation. Most families here are third, fourth, fifth generation, and they know the tricks. We don’t know anything about it. We know to save our money in the bank, where you don’t get anything back, as opposed to now learning about all these other ways of having your money work for you.” About the FINRA Investor Education Foundation The FINRA Investor Education Foundation supports innovative research and educational projects that empower underserved Americans with the knowledge, skills and tools to make sound financial decisions throughout their lives. For more information about FINRA Foundation research and education initiatives, visit finrafoundation.org. About FINRA FINRA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to investor protection and market integrity. It regulates one critical part of the securities industry—brokerage firms doing business with the public in the U.S. FINRA, overseen by the SEC, writes rules, examines for and enforces compliance with FINRA rules and federal securities laws, registers broker-dealer personnel and offers them education and training, and informs the investing public. In addition, FINRA provides surveillance and other regulatory services for equities and options markets, as well as trade reporting and other industry utilities. FINRA also administers a dispute resolution forum for investors and brokerage firms and their registered employees. For more information, visit www.finra.org. Contacts [email protected]

Prometheum’s digital asset securities custody platform is launching in Q1 2024 NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Prometheum Inc., today announced its plan to launch its digital asset securities custody platform in Q1 2024. Following its recent membership approval with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) to operate as a Special Purpose Broker-Dealer (“SPBD”) to custody digital asset securities, Prometheum Capital LLC, a subsidiary of Prometheum Inc., today expanded its business to include clearing and settlement of digital asset security trades for its affiliate, Prometheum Ember ATS (“Prometheum ATS”). This marks the final regulatory approval required for Prometheum to offer, through its affiliate, trading and custody of digital asset securities in 2024. Prometheum Capital is the only SEC – qualified custodian and special purpose broker-dealer for digital asset securities. While some digital asset platforms operate with U.S. state licenses and/or are regulated abroad, Prometheum Capital operates under U.S. federal securities laws. The expansion of Prometheum Capital’s SPBD business will empower Prometheum to offer the first blockchain-enabled ecosystem capable of servicing the lifecycle of digital asset trading under the federal securities laws. Prometheum’s SEC- qualified custodian allows it to offer first-of-its-kind digital asset custody services. “Prometheum’s ability to now clear and settle under federal securities laws and our subsequent launch is a clear representation of the maturation of the digital asset industry,” Prometheum, Inc. Co-CEO Aaron Kaplan said. “We are seeing a turning of the page towards greater investor protections and federal oversight of markets, and Prometheum is excited to stand at the forefront of this next chapter.” Prometheum will begin offering custodial services for a range of widely traded digital asset securities to institutional clients including asset management firms, hedge funds, RIAs, and financial institutions in Q1 2024, marking the first time that digital asset securities will be custodied at a FINRA member firm and a SEC-registered broker-dealer subject to the federal securities laws. Soon after, trading and clearing services will be available to retail and institutional clients. To learn more about Prometheum’s trading and custodial solutions, please contact [email protected]. About Prometheum Founded in 2017 by a group of Wall Street attorneys, Prometheum provides an end-to-end, blockchain-enabled ecosystem for the trading, clearance, settlement and custody of digital asset securities. Prometheum, Inc. Disclosure Non-solicitation This press release is issued for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service by Prometheum Inc., Prometheum ATS, and Prometheum Capital (collectively “Prometheum’’), or any other third party regardless of whether such security, product, or service is referenced in this press release. Furthermore, nothing in this press release should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security or to engage in any investment strategy or transaction. Prometheum does not represent that the securities, products, or services discussed in this press release are suitable for any particular investor. Forward-looking statement Statements herein that are not historical or current fact are “forward-looking statements” that are based on the Company’s beliefs, assumptions, and expectations of future events, taking into account the information currently available to the Company. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous uncertainties and factors relating to the Company’s proposed business and operations, as well as uncertainties relating to capital markets, some of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Any forward-looking statements herein are based upon information available to the Company on the date this was first sent by the Company. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any statements expressed or implied therein will not be realized. Contacts Wachsman [email protected]

LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The renowned CRM and back-office solution, B2Core, has released a new update to its service, including interfaces, designs, and functions. The new launch, dubbed B2Core V4, comes with renewed back-end and front-end structures that simplify the user journey and improve customer experience. Let’s go through them in detail. Upgraded Dashboard The new update focuses on providing more customisation and simplifying the user’s experience. Therefore, a new command bar was added on the left side of the dashboard to control the interface and widgets, quickly access links and modify the layout. Users can now easily track their financial activities and navigate the apps and tabs smoothly. With more options to adjust the interface according to personal preferences, the dashboard becomes more interactive, intuitive, and straightforward. New Front-End Architecture A new programming architecture was implemented in the new B2Core version. The component-based approach makes it easier to conduct and release new changes to the platform without a prolonged development process. This new paradigm is done by creating a unified components library with standardised interface building blocks that can be added and altered easily. This provides a smoother navigation for the users and more up-time for the platform to ensure an uninterrupted experience. Better Wallet and Funds Control Users can now utilise the new functionality bar on the right-hand side by clicking on the wallet to explore more tools and functionalities to control and manage their operations, financial activities and accounts. Adjustments were implemented to the Transaction History page, allowing users to categorise and organise their recent activities more easily and efficiently. Users can now carry out various operations, such as deposits, withdrawals, internal withdrawals, exchanges and transfers within the centralised Transaction Operations Module. More Integrations The new B2Core update can now onboard the soon-to-come B2Trader, an advanced brokerage platform offering a seamless and straightforward trading experience. Additionally, B2Core powers integrations with B2BinPay as a reliable payment processor and gateway, making crypto transactions more accessible. Besides that, clients can enjoy extensive liquidity solutions provided by the prime liquidity provider, B2Broker, with around 1,000 financial instruments across eight asset classes. With that being said, B2Core’s new update focuses on a centralised ecosystem that gives users all the means and tools to engage in successful financial sessions. Simplified Profile View More changes were introduced to the Profile area, where users can access their profiles from the top of the page and explore a wide array of tools to adjust their accounts and view their security settings. The registration process has been improved and is now more seamless, while the log-in experience was reworked to make it safer and simpler. Additionally, users can now save previous activities, such as withdrawals, to make it easier for them to conduct repetitive transactions and transfers. Other Improvements That’s not everything from the new B2Core V4 update. Other adjustments and changes were introduced to these areas: Introducing Brokers Dashboard – More filters and options were added to create reports and manage promotions for better insights and control. Customer Service Helpdesk – The chat functionality has been improved, making it more transparent by adding the support schedule and enhancing the ticket management experience. Mobile App Onboarding – Users can now utilise a valuable onboarding process on the mobile app, allowing them to set up their accounts seamlessly. Bonus Page – A new, dedicated page has been designed for the bonus system, with tools to navigate through active subscriptions and promotions to view and control ongoing bonus systems. Interface Transition – Users can now smoothly change between the mobile and desktop experience with a scannable QR code. Also, an interface toggle has been added to switch between the old and new interfaces. Conclusion This new update is part of a series of product updates and introductions the company is releasing to meet and exceed user expectations. Very recently, B2Core announced a major integration of cTrader in the iOS app to elevate the customer experience and trading options. There is definitely more to expect from the ongoing efforts to develop the most interactive and custom CRM platform, and the new B2Core V4 is a great example! Contacts + 44 208 068 86 36 [email protected]

A mysterious whale recently acquired 4,677 Ethereum valued at $11 million. The whale swapped 241 WBTC borrowed from Aave for Ethereum. Ethereum has been outperforming Bitcoin, experiencing an 8% surge in the last 24 hours A mysterious crypto whale has recently executed a hefty transaction, acquiring 4,677 Ethereum valued at approximately $11 million, as reported by Lookonchain. The intriguing aspect of this purchase lies in the bold bullish stance the whale seems to be taking on Ethereum’s future while expressing a bearish sentiment towards Bitcoin, based on Lookonchain’s analysis. Unveiling the Whale’s Ethereum Strategy Notably, the whale opted for a unique approach by swapping 241 wrapped Bitcoins (WBTC) worth $11 million, borrowed from Aave, for a substantial amount of Ethereum. The motivation behind this strategic move remains shrouded in mystery, yet all signs point towards the anticipation of an imminent rise in the ETH price. The crypto community is now buzzing with speculation about the whale’s foresight and its potential impact on the market. According to recent data, Ethereum is emerging as a frontrunner, outperforming Bitcoin in recent times. Bitcoin faced a 2.11% decline in the last 24 hours, resting at $45,300. In stark contrast, ETH witnessed a robust 8% surge within the same timeframe, reaching $2,422. This sustained outperformance is causing Ethereum to climb against Bitcoin across various time frames. Despite the prevailing optimism surrounding ETH’s upward trajectory, it’s crucial to exercise caution. Past performance, as emphasized by financial experts, does not guarantee future results. Notably, veteran trader Peter Brandt maintains a bearish outlook, adopting the perspective of a swing trader rather than a long-term “hodler.” In a tweet, Brandt expresses his skepticism, stating, “My bias remains to be short ETH,” underscoring his belief in the Ethereum chart’s perceived lack of underlying strength. In conclusion, the crypto community remains on edge, closely monitoring the repercussions of the crypto whale’s substantial ETH investment.

In a historic move that sets a precedent for decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), 1inch DAO, the entity behind the 1inch Network, has voted to secure “legal advisory services” from STORM Partners. Notably, this decision comes amid growing regulatory scrutiny on the crypto and decentralized finance (DeFi) sectors. 1inch DAO Votes To Onboard STORM Partners For Legal Advisory Services Following voting that ended on January 9–overwhelmingly supported by the 1inch community–holders decided to onboard STORM Partners. This marks a significant step forward in the DAO’s efforts to navigate the complex legal landscape and protect its members. With STORM Partners on board, 1inch DAO becomes the first autonomous organization in the broader crypto ecosystem to access expert guidance on compliance, governance, and legal defense. Out of this landmark move, the DAO will receive expert legal advice. As such, they will strive to operate within the confines of applicable laws and regulations in the United States and beyond. This move is particularly noteworthy given the recent United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) concerns over the crypto industry and the DeFi sector. From lawsuits, the agency noted that individuals who engage in illegal activities, including offering unregistered securities, via a DAO could be sued individually. To illustrate, following a lawsuit from the SEC, BarnBridge DAO agreed to stop selling what the agency said were “unregistered securities.” As part of the settlement, the DAO and its two founders, Tyler Ward and Troy Murray, agreed to pay $1.7 million in damages. Lawsuits Have Devastated DAOs In The Past By onboarding legal counsel, 1inch DAO proactively addresses these concerns. It also aims to protect community members against the bruises of the law. The DAO said the decision was a “deliberate effort to balance preserving decentralization and addressing operational challenges.” Through STORM Partners, the DAO will have a framework and receive legal support, laying a path for others to follow. This decision considers the adverse impact of a lawsuit from a government agency like the SEC. In June 2023, US District Judge William H. Orrick ruled in favor of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), agreeing that Ooki DAO issued unregistered commodities. In a statement, the 1inchDAO new legal partner, STORM, stated the following, hinting at the services and the way they will attempt to protect the entity: Furthermore, by onboarding a legal advisor, the community aims to protect the DAO’s decentralization while maintaining “regulatory compliance.” It remains to be seen if other DAOs will follow suit and vote to elect a legal representative for their communities.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates–(BUSINESS WIRE)–eesee, an innovative one-stop liquidity solution and gamified marketplace for sellers, has announced the successful closing of its $2.85 million fundraise. The raise included a $1.1 million seed round and a $1.75 million private round, with participation by SevenX Ventures, Maven Capital, MetaBros, Contango Digital Assets, BasementDAO, and more. The company also announced partnerships out of the gate that include Ape Terminal, ApeCoin, Polygon, and Chainlink. Currently, no gamified digital asset marketplaces allow sellers to sell digital assets creatively while eliminating most of the buy-side friction currently seen in the industry. The only way to tap into an NFT community is by buying an asset, a massive barrier for new entrants who are unable to afford the floor price of an NFT. With eesee, sellers can create a customized gamified drop, such as a decentralized onchain raffle, to effectively sell an asset above the current floor price. For buyers, raffles can include action-based entries, where participation in a raffle is determined by completing certain tasks. Similar to airdrop incentives, these campaigns offer the possibility of being rewarded with assets for little to no money. Losers of raffles will also be rewarded with points and airdrop opportunities to ensure mutual incentives across the platform. Vova Sadkov, Founder and CEO of eesee explains, “We see this as a massive opportunity to tap into the next generation of digital asset participants interested in owning and participating in NFTs, tokens, and RWAs. Our gamified approach creates a transparent and legitimate liquidity solution wrapped around various campaigns that align with the ethos of the crypto industry. New entrants, avid collectors, and even speculators can all benefit from the platform.” Murtaza Bohari at Maven Capital says, “eesee is attractive because it taps into two of the fastest growing segments of the industry, NFTFi and SocialFi. The potential of the marketplace goes far beyond a transactional level into a massive community-building opportunity. The use of built-in chats and discussion boards on eesee is an example. In theory, the logic behind the platform could eventually apply to any asset, not just digital, that is in demand.” The platform has partnered with Chainlink to use Chainlink VRF to officially select winners in each campaign. Additionally, in October 2023, ApeCoin DAO approved a partnership that will drive cross-collaboration between each respective community. To date, eesee’s testnet has attracted over 262,309 registrants with an average wallet age of one year. Over the last 90 days, the wallets have had 858,000 transactions worth over $174 million, implying an experienced user base to date. The company’s native token, $ESE, is scheduled to be launched in an upcoming TGE in Q1. About eesee: eesee is a one-stop liquidity solution for sellers, with a fun and safe raffle system at an affordable cost. The community-centered platform is tailored for digital assets, tokens and RWAs and focuses on a win-win value proposition. Sellers can create raffles to sell entries to interested buyers. Buyers can buy as much as they like, helping to increase their chances of winning. After the pool is sold out, a raffle determines the winner. Losers will be rewarded with points for contributing to a pool which will lead to future rewards. Website: https://eesee.io/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/eesee_io Discord: https://discord.gg/eesee Telegram: https://t.me/eesee_io Contacts Media: Vova Sadkov, [email protected]

XRP’s value has recently fallen by 10.83% in the last 30 days, reaching $0.5553. The coin’s recovery is closely tied to Bitcoin’s fate, particularly the potential approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF by the SEC. Approval of the Bitcoin ETF is seen as a potential bullish catalyst for XRP, despite recent uncertainties and compromises in SEC accounts. XRP has struggled to gain momentum, experiencing a continuous downturn. As of the latest update, the coin’s value has declined by an additional 10.83% over the last 30 days, settling at $0.5553. XRP’s path to recovery is currently intertwined with the fate of Bitcoin (BTC). The imminent approval of the spot Bitcoin Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) serves as a potential bullish catalyst that could propel the coin out of its current slump. XRP clings to Bitcoin ETF approval While the approval of the spot Bitcoin ETF is highly anticipated, recent events, such as the compromise of the official SEC X account, have introduced uncertainties. Despite the skepticism, the approval of the Bitcoin ETF could trigger a significant market shift, benefiting XRP, among other cryptocurrencies. Should the SEC grant approval for the spot Bitcoin ETF, XRP stands to be one of the primary beneficiaries. The correlation between Bitcoin’s success and a potential surge in XRP’s price underscores the pivotal role of regulatory decisions in shaping the fate of digital assets. The approval of the spot Bitcoin ETF may not only impact XRP but also set the stage for the introduction of other spot crypto ETFs. Rumors and fake filings associated with BlackRock in November 2023 hinted at the possibility of XRP spot ETFs entering the market. Despite the uncertainties surrounding the SEC’s timeline and potential approval, the emergence of a Bitcoin ETF holds the promise of creating a more bullish future for XRP and the broader cryptocurrency industry. Investors and enthusiasts keenly await regulatory decisions that could pave the way for a market resurgence.

Ethereum, the second-largest crypto by market capitalization, is currently exhibiting signs of a bullish breakout, as observed by two prominent analysts in the crypto space. According to World Of Charts, Ethereum shows consolidation within a bullish pennant pattern. This technical formation typically suggests continuing an upward trend in Ethereum’s case. According to the analyst, if Ethereum successfully breaks out of this pattern, it could surge toward a significant level of $3,500. Crucial Resistance Zone: Ethereum Path To Breakout Adding to World Of Charts’ optimistic outlook, crypto trader Skew has identified the $2,320–$2,382 range as a key resistance zone for Ethereum. This price range has historically acted as a barrier to Ethereum’s upward movement, with “numerous rejections” witnessed at these levels. Skew emphasizes the importance of Ethereum closing above $2,400 on the 1-hour and 4-hour charts. This decisive move would breach the resistance zone and confirm Ethereum’s bullish momentum. Skew also noted that technical indicators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and stochastics still display significant momentum, supporting the potential for Ethereum’s continued upward trend. Ethereum’s Solo Bull Run Amid Market Turbulence Despite recent market turbulence, including the plunge of several cryptocurrencies, including BTC, following the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) fake spot ETF approval announcement, Ethereum has shown resilience and is currently in the green. Over the past 24 hours, Ethereum has climbed by 5.5%, surpassing the $2,400 mark before a slight retracement to around $2,381 at the time of writing. This bullish trend is further supported by increased trading volume, which surged below $30 billion to approximately $39 billion in the past day. Skew suggests that Ethereum’s bullish momentum could receive an additional boost from the potential approval of a Spot BTC ETF. If such approval were to come to fruition, it could further support Ethereum’s upward trajectory. This sentiment is echoed by Michaël van de Poppe, another renowned crypto analyst, who also foresees Ethereum’s approach to its 2022 low as a precursor to a potential breakout. Van de Poppe believes that Ethereum’s current positioning near last year’s low could be crucial in absorbing liquidity and fueling a bullish breakout. Van de Poppe’s analysis highlights the broader market context, specifically the awaited decision on a spot Bitcoin ETF in the US. An approval, he predicts, could notably impact the ETH/BTC trading pair, potentially triggering a sharp price movement known as a liquidation candle. Following this, Van de Poppe anticipates a significant reallocation of funds into Ethereum, accompanied by a bullish weekly divergence, propelling Ethereum onto an upward trajectory. Featured image from Unsplash, Chart from TradingView