Aurelia Butler

The firm highlights Robinhood’s (NASDAQ:HOOD) unique position to capitalize on a potentially pro-crypto SEC under a Trump administration, which could clear the path for significant revenue growth.Despite its share price already surging 170% year-to-date, Bernstein sees further upside. “HOOD has so far operated a regulatory-constrained crypto business,” the analysts noted, listing only 15 tokens compared to over 250 on Coinbase. They note that the current SEC’s hawkish stance has limited Robinhood’s ability to monetize its crypto offerings through staking, lending, and other revenue-generating services.This could change as Bernstein anticipates regulatory tailwinds under a pro-crypto environment, enabling Robinhood to expand its token listings and introduce new crypto revenue streams. Recently, Robinhood added four tokens, including SOL, ADA, XRP, and PEPE, bringing its total to 19—a move viewed as a precursor to further expansion.Bernstein estimates a 20% increase in Robinhood’s 2025 crypto revenue compared to prior forecasts, driven by market share gains and the rollout of new services. The company’s acquisition of Bitstamp and the launch of its EU crypto platform are also expected to accelerate its entry into staking, stablecoin access, and lending.The analysts project Robinhood’s 2025 revenues to reach $4.19 billion, with over $1.3 billion in earnings as the company leverages its predominantly fixed operating costs. Bernstein values Robinhood at 10.8x its 2025 revenues and 33x its 2025 earnings, reflecting the average multiples for crypto and fintech peers.With crypto deregulation on the horizon, Bernstein concludes that they “expect HOOD to be the biggest beneficiary of crypto regulatory tailwinds,” offering a potential 46% upside from current levels. More

Integration to enhance DeFi use cases on Aptos, expand interoperability, and streamline global payment solutions for merchants.Aptos Foundation today announced the upcoming integration of Circle’s native USDC and Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP) on the Aptos Network, as well as Stripe adding support for Aptos in its crypto products. These integrations make Aptos the home for interoperable DeFi and the fastest, cheapest, and most reliable enterprise-grade blockchain, further expanding its global financial ecosystem. The integration of Aptos into Stripe’s crypto onramp and payouts products, paired with native USDC, will provide reliable fiat on and off-ramps for the Aptos network, streamline merchant pay-ins and payouts, and offer a seamless connection between traditional finance and blockchain technology. Today, USDC is the largest regulated dollar-backed stablecoin with over $37B in circulation. With more than $160M in circulation on Aptos, bridged USDC is the most prevalent stablecoin available on the network. With this integration, native USDC will be issued through the regulated entities of Circle directly on the Aptos network and CCTP will enable developers to design cross-chain experiences by connecting their Aptos apps to the network of supported blockchains. Bridge providers such as Stargate, built on LayerZero, will provide a smooth transition from the existing bridged USDC on Aptos to native USDC over time. There are no immediate changes to the AptosBridge built on LayerZero, and it will continue to operate as normal. Additionally, ahead of the native launch of USDC, bridged USDC from the AptosBridge will be renamed to “lzUSDC” on block explorers. There will be outreach to ecosystem apps to encourage them to make the same change in their app UI and documentation.The launch of CCTP will bring new levels of interoperability to DeFi on Aptos, enabling secure and efficient native USDC transfers. With the addition of Aptos, CCTP will support nine blockchains – including Arbitrum, Base, Ethereum, and Solana —and 72 routes with 1:1 capital efficiency. This move will allow for seamless cross-chain onboarding, swaps, purchases, treasury rebalancing, and more – all while maintaining an accessible and intuitive user experience.With the addition of Aptos to Stripe’s crypto products, users will be able to seamlessly convert fiat currencies into USDC, directly through Aptos-enabled wallets. This integration will enable the use of USDC for Stripe’s global network of businesses. The combination of Stripe’s payment tools and Aptos’ scalable network unlocks new opportunities for global merchants and payment providers to process transactions faster, more securely, and at lower costs.About Aptos FoundationAptos Foundation is dedicated to supporting the development of the Aptos protocol, decentralized network and ecosystem and driving engagement with the Aptos ecosystem. By unlocking a blockchain with seamless usability, Aptos Foundation aims to bring the benefits of decentralization to the masses.About Aptos NetworkAptos is a next-generation Layer 1 blockchain. Aptos’ breakthrough technology and programming language, Move, are designed to evolve, improve performance and strengthen user safeguards. Please visit https://www.aptosfoundation.org for more information on the Aptos blockchain.About CircleCircle is a global financial technology firm that enables businesses of all sizes to harness the power of digital currencies and public blockchains for payments, commerce and financial applications worldwide. Through its regulated entities, Circle is the issuer of USDC and EURC – highly liquid, interoperable, and trusted money protocols on the internet. Circle’s open and programmable platform and APIs make it easy for organizations to run their internet-scale business, whether it is making international payments, building globally-accessible Web3 apps or managing their internal treasury. Users can learn more at https://circle.com.About StripeStripe is a financial infrastructure platform for businesses. Millions of companies—from the world’s largest enterprises to the most ambitious startups—use Stripe to accept payments, grow their revenue, and accelerate new business opportunities. Headquartered in San Francisco and Dublin, the company aims to increase the GDP of the internet.ContactCommunications LeadHannah NoyesAptos Labshannah@aptoslabs.comThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

WASHINGTON – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced the upcoming departure of its Chair, Gary Gensler, who will leave the agency at noon on January 20, 2025. Gensler, who began his term on April 17, 2021, has been at the helm of the SEC during a period of significant rulemaking and enforcement designed to enhance the U.S. capital markets’ efficiency, resilience, and integrity.Under Gensler’s leadership, the SEC has implemented major reforms across various sectors of the financial markets. In the Treasury markets, the SEC adopted rules to promote central clearing and narrow broker-dealer exemptions from registration, targeting a reduction in costs and risks. Equity markets saw their first substantial updates in nearly two decades, with unanimous approval for changes to the National Market System, including more efficient trading, narrower spreads, lower fees, and a shortened settlement cycle.Gensler’s tenure also emphasized the robustness of financial systems, with amendments to Form PF requiring certain investment advisers to report significant events promptly. Money market funds underwent reforms to bolster their liquidity and transparency, especially during market stress.In corporate governance, the SEC updated insider trading rules, executive compensation recovery policies, and shareholder voting procedures. New rules were also adopted to require more timely disclosures by those acquiring significant company stakes.The SEC’s focus on investor information led to the adoption of rules enhancing disclosures on cyber and climate risks, data breaches, and the operations of special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs). The agency also increased market transparency by publishing aggregate data on investment funds and advisers.Accounting and auditing oversight saw progress as well, with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) updating numerous standards and securing a protocol with Chinese authorities for the inspection and investigation of auditors of China-related companies listed in the U.S.Enforcement actions during Gensler’s term resulted in approximately $21 billion in penalties and disgorgement, with over $2.7 billion returned to harmed investors. The SEC also continued to address investor protection in the crypto markets, bringing actions against intermediaries for various violations.Gensler’s career has included roles as Chair of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, senior advisor to U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes, and professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management. He has been recognized with the Alexander Hamilton Award, the U.S. Treasury’s highest honor, among other accolades.The announcement of Gensler’s departure comes as part of a statement from the SEC, reflecting on the Chair’s contributions and the agency’s advancements during his tenure.This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C. More

Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, in collaboration with Blocks Scholes, releases a special quarterly report delving into post-election dynamisms and market outlook as crypto investors embraces America’s first “crypto president”. The long-form report also looks ahead at what comes next, noting an “insatiable” appetite for BTC exposure among institutional investors. However, the report proposes that institutions’ bullish buy-ins of BTC may not immediately spill over into altcoins—for want of viable options in the current ETF ecosystem. Overall, investors are betting on more Trump trades, positive economic prospects, and possibilities of further rate cuts, all of which could positively guide the path forward of BTC with its strengthening correlation with macro assets. Key Insights:Trump rebranded as the “crypto president”: Trump’s dramatic return to office marks a striking shift in his posture on crypto. Previously a skeptic, if not a critic, he centered his 2024 campaign on advocating for BTC. This reversal carries significant implications for U.S. policy and regulatory frameworks, as the world’s largest economy switches gears to take a leadership role in the digital assets space. Market profits on prospective political gains: The post-election premium propelled BTC prices to rally from around $70k to over $90k within weeks. This intense volatility is seen not merely as speculative but as a broader reflection of market sentiment aligning with optimistic political developments. Regulatory outlook: Impactful crypto regulatory reforms are on the table with a Republican majority in the U.S. Congress. Targeted political spending during the election reshaped legislative priorities, particularly in key Senate races. As pro-crypto lawmakers take office, changes are in the air for crypto hopefuls seeking clarity and a pro-investment climate in the regulatory sphere. Altcoins Rising: With its dominance, BTC rallies often entail potential gains in ETH and SOL. Historically, Bitcoin’s dominance peaks during bull markets, followed by a shift of capital into altcoins as investors pursue higher returns. With the incoming administration’s pro-crypto stance, networks enabling smart contracts and decentralized finance (DeFi) may attract renewed interest as legislative focus on innovation in the cryptocurrency sector could accelerate investment in altcoins.Trump’s triumph marks a pivotal moment for crypto, bringing potential regulatory clarity and increased market engagement. As the stars align for the crypto industry politically and financially, market participants anticipate a transformative period with marked volatility, offering both new opportunities and challenges.Users can access the Full Report here. #Bybit / #TheCryptoArk /#BybitResearchAbout BybitBybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving over 50 million users. Established in 2018, Bybit provides a professional platform where crypto investors and traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, 24/7 customer service, and multilingual community support. Bybit is a proud partner of Formula One’s reigning Constructors’ and Drivers’ champions: the Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) Red Bull Racing team.For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.comFor more information, please visit: https://www.bybit.comFor updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social MediaDiscord | Facebook (NASDAQ:META) | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | YoutubeContactHead of PRTony AuBybittony.au@bybit.comThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

Ike is proud to announce the official launch of its Liquid Staking Token (LST), sA0, on Aleph Zero. This milestone provides the Aleph Zero community with a new way to engage with the network by offering staking flexibility without compromising on rewards.What Is sA0?sA0 is Ike’s native Liquid Staking Token, designed to enhance the staking experience on Aleph Zero. With sA0, users can stake their AZERO tokens to support network security and earn rewards, all while keeping their assets liquid. This means they can use sA0 tokens across Aleph Zero’s ecosystem, unlocking new opportunities for participation and growth. Meaning, sA0 empowers users to “stake and use” at the same time. sA0 BenefitsThe launch of sA0 is a significant step in Ike’s roadmap toward progressive decentralization. Ensuring most of the slots are open for permissionless entry when governance live, Ike launched with 7 initial validators including Deutsche Telekom (OTC:DTEGY) & STC Bahrain. As part of this journey, Ike will soon introduce community-driven governance features, including permissionless validator registration, initially scaling to have 30 slots with a fully transparent on-chain bonding process. This will enable a dynamic and competitive validator ecosystem, with the community playing a central role in decision-making.Stephen Novenstern, Founder at Ike, commented:With sA0 now live, Ike invites the Aleph Zero community to explore the benefits of liquid staking. In the coming months, Ike will focus on expanding the utility of sA0 within the ecosystem and rolling out governance features that further empower the community to shape its future. Users can see more in the Ike Docs here. About IkeIke is the home of the sA0 Liquid Staking Protocol smart contracts live on Aleph Zero WASM. Together with the community, validators, and other builders in the ecosystem, they are fundamentally reshaping the network, delivering liquidity at the base layer, composable rewards, increasing participation and ultimately enhancing network security. Drawing inspiration from the Japanese art of Ikebana, Ike is committed to fostering a harmonious and resilient ecosystem. By providing users with flexibility and liquidity in their staking journey, Ike empowers the Aleph Zero community to unlock the full potential of their assets while contributing to the network’s growth and stability.Users can stay updated on the latest developments and engage with other like-minded individuals by joining the Ike Discord community and following on Twitter.ContactDirector of GrowthAlexios KonstantinidisIkehello@ike.xyzThis article was originally published on Chainwire More