Cryptocurrency

However, as per analysts at BCA Research, this volatility may not be a flaw but a unique feature that can enhance Bitcoin’s value in a diversified portfolio. Rather than seeing volatility as inherently negative, BCA argues that Bitcoin’s high volatility can serve as an advantage when viewed through the right lens.Historically, investors have shied away from Bitcoin because of its dramatic fluctuations. Over the years, the cryptocurrency has shown an average monthly volatility of 76.1%. By comparison, traditional assets such as bonds have much lower volatility, at 5.4%. Bitcoin’s history includes multiple significant drawdowns, with two occasions where it lost more than 70% of its value. For conservative investors, these numbers are alarming and often lead to the conclusion that Bitcoin is too risky to be considered a serious addition to any portfolio.BCA Research argues that looking at Bitcoin or any other asset just by its volatility is misleading. What really counts is how an asset fits into the overall portfolio and influences its risk and return. Focusing only on volatility misses the bigger picture of how the asset can add value in a diversified investment strategy.A recent paper by AQR, which BCA Research applies to Bitcoin, reframes the issue of high volatility. Asness argues that high-volatility assets can be more capital-efficient than their lower-volatility counterparts. Its because high-volatility assets like Bitcoin allow investors to achieve greater returns without committing a large portion of their portfolio to them. This frees up capital for other investments, enabling more flexible portfolio construction.BCA Research illustrates this with a comparison between Bitcoin and a hypothetical low-volatility asset they call Boringcoin. Both Bitcoin and Boringcoin share the same risk-adjusted return profile, with identical Sharpe ratios of 0.61, meaning that on a risk-adjusted basis, both assets perform equally well. However, where they differ is in their volatility. Boringcoin has the same volatility as bonds, 5.4%, far lower than Bitcoin. In practical terms, this means that investors would need to allocate more capital to Boringcoin to achieve the same portfolio returns they would get from a smaller allocation to Bitcoin.The difference becomes obvious when looking at a portfolio targeting 10% annual volatility. With Bitcoin, only 8% of the portfolio needs to be invested to hit the ideal balance of risk and return. “For the portfolio using Boringcoin, there is a large gap between the unconstrained and constrained versions, as the portfolio with Boringcoin would need to be leveraged by over 100% to fully maximize the expected returns per unit of risk from the assets in it, the analysts said.”To further this point, BCA Research ran portfolio optimizations that compared traditional stock-and-bond portfolios with those that included Bitcoin and Boringcoin. Bitcoin’s high volatility allows it to deliver strong returns with a relatively small allocation, freeing up capital for other assets. In a well-constructed portfolio, Bitcoin’s volatility becomes a tool for maximizing capital efficiency rather than a source of risk to be avoided. High-volatility assets like Bitcoin help achieve better returns per unit of risk, something more conservative assets like Boringcoin cannot match without leverage.However, handling a volatile asset like Bitcoin in the real world comes with challenges beyond what portfolio theory suggests. BCA Research points out that human emotions can complicate things. Managing money for clients isn’t just about numbers; it involves dealing with how people react to market swings. In reality, investors may struggle with Bitcoin’s sharp ups and downs, especially during big drops. While Bitcoin saw losses of over 70% at times, Boringcoin, with its lower volatility, only dropped by 7% in the same period. This emotional challenge makes it harder for investors to stick with high-volatility strategies, even if they offer better returns in theory.In fact, BCA makes a compelling comparison between Bitcoin and Boringcoin’s price charts. Boringcoin, with its smoother trajectory, would be far easier to sell to a board of conservative investors than Bitcoin, which resembles a financial rollercoaster.Even though Bitcoin might offer higher returns in the long run, the emotional burden of holding onto it through steep drawdowns could lead to premature selling, negating its benefits. More

Options trading for BlackRock’s fund iShares Bitcoin Trust has been approved with ticker symbol “IBIT”, the regulator said in a notice on Friday.The index options – listed derivatives offering a quick and inexpensive way to amplify exposure to bitcoin – on a bitcoin index would give institutional investors and traders an alternative way to hedge their exposure to the world’s largest cryptocurrency.The approval for listing and trading options tied to a bitcoin ETF represents another positive step for cryptocurrency, once considered a nascent asset class.Cryptocurrency has moved closer to mainstream acceptance since the launch of bitcoin ETFs earlier in the year. Options give holders the right to buy or sell an asset, such as a stock or exchange-traded product, at a pre-determined price by a set date.Exchanges began applying for the spot bitcoin ETF options as soon as it was clear the SEC would approve the underlying ETFs in January.The SEC oversees technical rule changes that exchanges must make to list options. The regulator also said that its existing surveillance procedures will apply to IBIT options. More

The Ignition AI Accelerator, a collaborative initiative between NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA), Tribe, and Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), today announced that Aptos Foundation has partnered with The Ignition AI Accelerator to drive growth and advancement of AI startups in Asia. This deepens Aptos Foundation’s work to connect its expertise and Aptos-related technology with artificial intelligence solutions that are expected to be the game changer for economies and businesses.With Aptos Foundation providing industry expertise and funding support, The Ignition AI Accelerator is poised to drive APAC’s next generation of high-potential AI innovators and founders that are pushing the boundaries of AI development on a global scale. According to recent IMF research, Singapore is the world’s most prepared country for AI, which reflects years of aggressive investment in AI infrastructure and talent in the country. Aptos Foundation will be providing resources and support for AI startups in the accelerator, opening doors to emerging technologies and providing them with access to global markets. Aptos Foundation will leverage Microsoft’s OpenAI Service, which it hopes will eliminate barriers to adoption and establish a clear path for the practical application of frontier technologies. Aptos Foundation has key relationships with AI leaders, including Overlai and Adot.About The Ignition AI AcceleratorThe Ignition AI Accelerator, a collaborative initiative by NVIDIA and Tribe and supported by Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), is designed to identify high-potential, growth-stage tech founders to accelerate their success and growth. We are dedicated to fostering a growing and thriving tech & AI ecosystem by pushing the boundaries of what frontier technologies can offer. The Ignition AI Accelerator provides high-potential, growth-stage tech founders with access to cutting-edge AI tools and deep development guidance, aimed at producing market-ready AI products and services. By leveraging a global network of corporate and investor partners, The Ignition AI Accelerator helps startups forge significant partnerships and penetrate international markets, driving innovation and transformation across sectors including in healthcare and finance.The Ignition AI Accelerator is exploring corporate partnerships. Interested parties can find out more information at https://www.theignition.ai.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. Users can visit https://www.aptosfoundation.org for more information.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. Users can visit https://www.aptosfoundation.org for more information on the Aptos blockchain.ContactComms AdvisorBrian PrincipatoAptosbrian@hirschleatherwood.comThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

In the X post, he highlighted the whitepaper and urged his followers to peruse it. Saylor’s comments further demonstrate his commitment to the Bitcoin (BTC) ecosystem. A strong Bitcoin proponent, Saylor began investing in the coin in 2020 through his firm, MicroStrategy.As U.Today earlier reported, MicroStrategy now holds 1.17% of all Bitcoin. It has steadily increased its Bitcoin holdings, which are larger than most Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) on the market.Additionally, it shows that Bitcoin surpassed all major asset classes in seven of the last ten years, generating an annualized return of almost 100%. According to BlackRock, this performance was achieved despite Bitcoin being the worst performer in three of those years. Notably, Bitcoin experienced four drawdowns exceeding 50%.The whitepaper further highlights that geopolitical, fiscal and monetary stability concerns will likely influence Bitcoin’s adoption trajectory. Still, the whitepaper concluded that Bitcoin remains a high-risk asset subject to volatility and regulatory challenges.As of this writing, BTC is trading at $63,444, demonstrating a 1.08% surge in the past day. However, the trading volume shows reduced investor sentiment, with a 24-hour decline of 12.15%.This article was originally published on U.Today More

The market is clearly showing more interest and positions, but there is growing conjecture that a quick flush and run on the market may be imminent, which could signal short-term volatility before any more gains. According to Clemente’s analysis, there may be a significant pullback because large contract positions frequently result in liquidation spikes in the event that the market reverses. Traders ought to exercise caution, particularly in light of the rising open interest. This kind of market structure usually comes before significant moves, which can be downward if significant liquidations take place or upward if the momentum keeps going. Important prices to keep an eye on are:$64,000 resistance: This pivotal point is currently reachable and may indicate whether or not Bitcoin will continue its current upward trajectory. Bearish predictions for the near future would be nullified if the asset breaks above this level. In the case of a pullback, bulls must remain above this level. This could be a sign of a more significant correction. The next significant support is at $56,000. This is the lower support level in the case of a sudden sell-off or liquidation spike. A failure in this area might portend a more significant reversal of the market trend. Prediction situation: Bitcoin could either continue its run toward the upper channel at $64,000, triggering a sustained breakout if this level is breached, or it could continue to move higher due to the current surge in open interest and price momentum. But there is a good chance of a brief correction, particularly if positions that were overleveraged are liquidated. If bullish sentiment holds, the market may retreat to $60,000 or even lower before starting to rise once again.This article was originally published on U.Today More

All of them are miners who earned their 50 BTC for generating a Bitcoin block in 2009 – the year that the world’s pioneer cryptocurrency was launched by enigmatic Satoshi Nakamoto. Back then, a block reward constituted 50 BTC until the first BTC halving in 2012, when it was slashed to 25 BTC.All five of these wallets transferred 250 BTC in total – an amount of Bitcoin valued at almost $16 million overall.The price surge in the past 24 hours has been 3.36%. However, it was followed by a marginal drop, and at the time of this writing, BTC is changing hands at $63,545. This impressive growth was triggered by the decision of the Fed Reserve to slash the annual interest rate by 50 basis points.This is the first interest rate cut initiated by the world’s most important central bank in the past four years, as it has pivoted to a dovish stance.This article was originally published on U.Today More

Mantle’s flagship game, Catizen, officially launched its token, $CATI, on multiple exchanges today, including Binance, OKX, Bybit, Gate.io, and Bitget. As the most profitable mini-game on Telegram, Catizen seamlessly integrates Telegram with The Open Network / TON (L1) and Mantle Network (L2). $CATI, as the universal token of the Catizen ecosystem, is issued on both the TON and Mantle. It can be used in the mini-app center and open tasks, providing users with the opportunity to participate in the Launchpool “Stake to Earn,” further promoting the development of the entire gaming ecosystem.The $CATI token will exist in a parallel relationship on TON and Mantle, with a maximum supply of 1 billion tokens on each. However, the actual total supply will remain at 1 billion across the two blockchains through a locking mechanism. Currently, cross-chain transfers of $CATI can be done through Bybit exchange. The balance between the two chains is maintained through mutual locking contracts. For example, if Catizen airdrops 10 million $CATI to Mantle game users, 990 million $CATI of the 1 billion on Mantle Network will enter the locking contract, while 10 million $CATI of the 1 billion on TON will enter the locking contract to ensure that the total circulation on both chains remains capped at 1 billion.Since receiving Mantle EcoFund’s major investment in February 2023, Catizen, developed by Pluto Studio, has skyrocketed in popularity, becoming one of the most successful blockchain games globally, with over 36 million players. Catizen’s success can be reflected in the following impressive metrics:For more information:Catizen on Mantle statistics: https://dune.com/hashed_official/catizen-mantle $CATI airdrop details: https://x.com/CatizenAI/status/1833554571219898749About MantleMantle Ecosystem comprises an Ethereum layer 2 (L2) — Mantle Network, a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) — Mantle Governance, one of the largest on-chain treasuries — Mantle Treasury, and an Ether (ETH) liquid staking protocol — Mantle LSP: all built on Ethereum. Mantle token ($MNT) is the unified product and governance token of the ecosystem. Mantle’s first core product is Mantle Network, an Ethereum L2. Mantle Network strives to be compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). Mantle Network’s modular architecture separates transaction execution, data availability, and transaction finality into modules — which can be individually upgraded and adopt the latest innovations. Mantle Network is the first L2 to partner with ETH restaking protocol EigenLayer for the data availability module. By adopting a rollup architecture, Mantle Network is secured by Ethereum. As the world’s first DAO-spawned L2, Mantle Network is pioneering a vision for the mass adoption of token-governed technologies. The current mainnet version, Mantle Network Mainnet v2 Tectonic (Mantle v2 Tectonic), went live on March 15, 2024.Mantle Network’s infrastructure is meticulously designed to handle the demands of the web3 gaming stack, enabling the creation of a connected and expansive gaming universe where assets have real value beyond a single game’s ecosystem. Closely intertwined with Mantle initiatives such as Hyperplay, Mantle Network’s ecosystem of expertise and resources facilitates a streamlined process for developers to build and deploy their gaming projects.To support the next-generation of innovators, builders, and developers, Mantle is growing its ecosystem via Mantle Grants Program and Mantle EcoFund, a catalyzed capital pool of $200M. Mantle’s Showcase Apps program lends additional support and publicity to ecosystem projects in categories such as real world assets (RWA). For more information, readers can please visit:Website | X/Twitter | Devs X/Twitter | Discord | Telegram | YouTube | Blog | GitHubAbout CatizenCatizen is a revolutionary gaming bot on Telegram that seamlessly integrates the messaging app Telegram with multiple blockchains, including TON and Mantle Network. It redefines Web 3.0 experiences by enabling mobile payments with both crypto currencies and fiat currencies. By tapping into Telegram’s vast user base, Catizen aims to create a Web 3.0 traffic hub on an unprecedented scale.Additionally, Catizen is evolving into a Mini-app Center, integrating features from launchpool platforms, such as early access to new projects, token-based activities, transaction capabilities, along with short videos and e-commerce functionalities. This innovative approach will attract and engage users through gamification and strategic Play-to-Airdrop initiatives, transforming how users access and engage with the Web 3.0 ecosystem.For more information, readers can please visit: X | Official Website | Telegram | Telegram Chat | BotContactMantle’s Communications TeamMantlewindrangerlabs@wachsman.comThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

Though there has been a recent rally, the trend is still exhibiting signs of weakness. Bitcoin is encountering multiple technical obstacles, with the $64,000 mark serving as a crucial boundary. The bearish pattern may be disproved, and further upside may be possible if Bitcoin is able to break above $64,000. The death cross that appeared on Bitcoin practically destroys the chances of the first cryptocurrency to achieve a solid upside rally, unfortunately. Generally speaking, this bearish signal is still active and suggests further downside. Bitcoin must break the downward trend by rising above $64,000 and establishing a higher high in order to negate the death cross and the bearish momentum.Bitcoin’s trading volume has increased, which is encouraging for the currency’s short-term momentum from a technical perspective. Still, readings on the RSI (Relative Strength Index) point to the asset possibly approaching overbought territory, raising the possibility of a pullback should buyers be unable to hold onto the asset.To sum up, we are at a turning point for Bitcoin. Indicating additional downside risk, a failure to break above $64,000 could validate a lower high. Conversely, a breakout above this level might cause a change in market sentiment and give the bulls a chance to get back on track.This article was originally published on U.Today More