Cryptocurrency

The markets, both traditional and cryptocurrency, embraced the news with positivity. And what a move it was, as the price of Bitcoin literally shot up by over 2% in a matter of minutes.Other popular cryptocurrencies such as XRP showed even more crazy dynamics, with a 3.5% gain in one minute. We are talking about a multi-billion dollar asset, and such a rapid change in price is worth not even millions, but billions, of dollars, so it is analogous to an earthquake. For a specific group of investors — the sellers, or bears, as they are also called — it was indeed a bit like that. What is 63% of that? Shorts, and most of them were liquidated after the CPI.Among the top bear annihilators are traditionally Bitcoin and Ethereum, and this time XRP also made it to the top. As the third largest cryptocurrency, XRP jumped as high as $2.90, liquidating over $14 million in shorts alone. To put that in perspective, Bitcoin made $39 million and Ethereum made $28 million.Where the market goes from here remains to be seen. All the major news of January, at least on the monetary policy side, has happened. Upcoming is the resignation of Gary Gensler, the current SEC chairman, in five days, and a change in the U.S. administration. These developments could introduce new dynamics for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP, leaving investors speculating on whether bullish or bearish trends will dominate in the coming weeks.This article was originally published on U.Today More

Lido Impact Staking (LIS) officially launches on the 15th of January 2025, and introduces a new approach to sustainable funding for social impact, leveraging Ethereum staking rewards and Lido middleware to create lasting change.With LIS, users can stake ETH, stETH, or wstETH and allocate a percentage of staking rewards to social impact projects of their choice. This innovative model allows individuals, organizations, and DAOs to support causes transparently and perpetually, without ever compromising their original capital.Another feature of Lido Impact Staking is its permissionless framework. Any social impact project can register on the platform. By decentralizing and democratizing philanthropy, LIS paves the way for a new era of accessible, sustainable social impact funding.For more information, users can visit LIS.Rethinking Philanthropy: A Sustainable Model for ImpactTraditional philanthropy often operates like a single-use investment, where donors contribute finite resources, later validated through monitoring and evaluation. Lido Impact Staking (LIS) reimagines this approach by enabling users to stake Ether (ETH/stETH/wstETH) and allocate a percentage of staking rewards to impactful, data-driven causes. This innovative model transforms staking returns into a sustainable funding source for social good, allowing donors to support meaningful change without relinquishing their capital. In this new model of philanthropy, blockchain technology enables transparency and trust.At launch, LIS supports two high-impact initiatives:Core Features of Lido Impact StakingImpact Staking was initially conceived and developed by the team at Launchnodes after Ethereum became a Proof of Stake blockchain. Launchnodes was formed in April 2020 and supports customers globally to solo stake Ethereum and run their own ETH nodes and infrastructure, without ever having to share their keys or give up custody of their ETH.The Lido Ecosystem Grants Organization (LEGO) provided a grant to Launchnodes in 2023, to enable an Impact Staking platform to be created, that leverages Lido’s proven, scalable middleware. This resulted in Lido Impact Staking.The LIS team is now engaged with NGOs, governments, charities, family offices, foundations, and other impact causes and donors – all of whom are excited by the potential of Impact Staking as a new and innovative model for philanthropy and driving maximum positive impact.For more information about Lido Impact Staking and how to start staking for social impact, visit impactstake.com or connect with us on social media:ContactAndrei D.Lido Impact Stakingsocial@impactstake.comThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

ApeX Protocol, one of the leading decentralized exchanges, has announced its 2025 roadmap and new strategic vision. Highlights include the rollout of the ApeX Trading Chain, a 25 million APEX token airdrop, and the launch of AI-powered tools.Major enhancements to ApeX Protocol over the next 12 months will see the launch of ApeX Trading Chain as the decentralized exchange goes omnichain. This aligns with its broader goal of simplifying access to on-chain opportunities through a combination of enhanced UI/UX and greater support for cross-chain assets.The unveiling of the ApeX roadmap has been accompanied by a new slogan that reflects the protocol’s position within the trading landscape: “ApeX: Where Degens Become Legends.” By integrating advanced features and community-centric initiatives, ApeX aims to provide users with the tools and opportunities to become cornerstones of the DeFi space.To realize its vision in 2025, ApeX Protocol is implementing several key initiatives including a community-focused rewards program commencing in January. This will allocate 25 million APEX tokens from the treasury for the ApeX Omni users to fuel ecosystem growth and community building. ApeX will also be introducing weekly buybacks, in which APEX will be purchased from the secondary market and redistributed as staking rewards, incentivizing long-term holding and staking. In addition, a VIP program will provide tiered trading fee discounts to reward loyal APEX stakers, enhancing their trading experience. Demand for the APEX token will be further strengthened by its inclusion on ApeX Trading Chain as trading fees.Other upgrades scheduled for 2025 include partnering with innovators such as zkLink to develop multi-chain trading infrastructure, introducing AI-driven tools for social, perps, and spot trading, extending support for yield-bearing assets as collateral, and launching a ‘pre-market’ feature.In 2024, ApeX Protocol facilitated 7.8M trades by over 145,000 users with an aggregate volume of $23.3 billion. Its 2025 roadmap will build upon this foundation with the goal of redefining decentralized trading across the omnichain landscape.About ApeX ProtocolFounded with the mission to provide a decentralized, permissionless, and self-custodial trading experience, ApeX Protocol offers seamless multi-chain deep liquidity and a robust interface to cater to traders worldwide. With 545K+ global users and over $124 billion in cumulative trading volume, ApeX has established itself as a trusted platform in the decentralized trading space.ApeX Omni is the latest product from ApeX. With its cutting-edge multi-chain liquidity aggregation, modular intent-centric architecture, and advanced zero-knowledge proof security, ApeX Omni delivers unparalleled performance and safety.Website | Twitter | Discord | Telegram | BlogContactMariammariam@davionlabs.comThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

Whale Casino (EPA:CASP) has announced the launch of its latest innovation in the gaming sector, “Tribes,” a dynamic multiplayer casino experience designed to transform how players engage with casino games. “Tribes” enhances engagement by allowing players to collaborate under a tribe leader or establish their own tribes with pooled funds, turning every spin into a communal experience with shared earning opportunities.The Unique Whale Casino “Tribes” ExperienceWhale token gameplay is approaching, offering the potential to enhance the ecosystem of the $WHALE token. Through gameplay and inviting others to participate in Whale Casino or within tribes, players have opportunities to earn tokens. This gamified approach to token acquisition is designed to reward participants while potentially increasing the token’s utility and circulation. Special tribe challenges introduce additional opportunities for bonus token rewards, fostering active and collaborative engagement.Preparation for Whale Token LaunchAs Whale Casino gears up for the official listing of the $WHALE token in 2025, “Tribes” acts as a crucial step in demonstrating the token’s practical use within an engaging and interactive platform. The game serves as a live testbed for how tokens can enhance the gaming experience, offering insights into player behavior and token utility.Additional Whale Casino Features and Future PlansWhale Casino leads the way in merging casino gaming with the pioneering technology of blockchain. Offering a secure, seamless gaming experience with multi-currency support, high RTP, and daily cashback, Whale Casino is committed to providing an entertainment ecosystem where players can play, earn, and connect.This article was originally published on Chainwire More

BTCS Inc. (Nasdaq: BTCS) (“BTCS” or the “Company”), a leader in blockchain infrastructure and technology, today announced the deployment of its Scaled Validator Implementation Plan, aimed at enhancing revenue generation and operational efficiency within its blockchain operations.Over the past five months, BTCS has conducted an extensive due diligence process on Rocket Pool (NASDAQ:POOL), a decentralized Ethereum-based liquid staking protocol. This evaluation included a thorough assessment of auditability, compliance, cybersecurity, infrastructure integrity, and potential business risks and rewards to ensure a secure and scalable validator implementation. As part of this comprehensive review, BTCS completed a pilot program and has now expanded to 320 validators participating in Rocket Pool’s liquid staking pool, marking a significant step in expanding the company’s validator node operations.Potential Revenue ImpactBTCS team believes that the expanded vertically integrated validator strategy could lead to a revenue increase of up to 10%. This initiative is designed to optimize the number of active validators and improve gross margins, aligning with BTCS’s broader growth strategy.Commitment to Diversification and GrowthBTCS plans to broaden its validator partnerships and diversify its technology providers to support long-term, scalable revenue growth. BTCS Inc. (Nasdaq: BTCS) is a U.S.-based blockchain infrastructure technology company currently focused on driving scalable revenue growth through its Ethereum blockchain infrastructure operations. BTCS has honed its expertise in Ethereum network operations, particularly in block building and validator node management. Its branded block-building operation, Builder+, leverages advanced algorithms to optimize block construction for on-chain validation, thus maximizing gas fee revenues. BTCS also supports other blockchain networks by operating validator nodes and staking its crypto assets across multiple proof-of-stake networks, allowing crypto holders to delegate assets to BTCS-managed nodes. In addition, the Company has developed ChainQ, an AI-powered blockchain data analytics platform, which enhances user access and engagement within the blockchain ecosystem. Committed to innovation and adaptability, BTCS is strategically positioned to expand its blockchain operations and infrastructure beyond Ethereum as the ecosystem evolves. Users can explore how BTCS is revolutionizing blockchain infrastructure in the public markets by visiting www.btcs.com.Forward-Looking Statements:Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding our ability to increase validator revenue by 10% and improve margins, increase total revenue, and deliver value to our shareholders. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation regulatory issues, unexpected issues with Builder+, unexpected issues with ChainQ, and the reluctance of validators to try or utilize our Builder+ product, as well as risks set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 which was filed on March 21, 2024. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.ContactCEOCharles AllenBTCS Inc. (Nasdaq: BTCS)ir@btcs.comX (formerly Twitter): @Charles_BTCSThis article was originally published on Chainwire More

A total of 2,530 BTC were purchased on Jan. 13, 2025, at an average price of $95,972 per coin. Other recent acquisitions paint a different picture, even though the purchase currently shows a modest profit of $3.06 million (1.5%). An example of how erratic these investments can be is the Dec. 23, 2024, purchase of 5,252 Bitcoin, at a price of $106,862 per coin, which led to a loss of $48 million.MicroStrategy has established itself as one of the biggest institutional Bitcoin holders over the years. This aggressive accumulation strategy has always paid off in the short run, though, as the company has frequently suffered from fluctuations. Saylor’s belief in Bitcoin’s long-term worth is evident in his unwavering confidence in the cryptocurrency despite this.Based on a price chart analysis, Bitcoin is currently trading close to $97,000, with a solid support level forming at $88,000. Bitcoin’s ability to maintain above the 50 EMA, a critical indicator, indicates that a bullish trend may continue. Any upward breakout would be difficult in the near future, though, because there is still a lot of resistance around $100,000. Together with MicroStrategy’s buying patterns, Saylor’s steadfast devotion to Bitcoin highlights the institutional consensus regarding its potential. These actions show faith in Bitcoin as a long-term store of value even though short-term volatility is unavoidable. For the time being, MicroStrategy’s position is unambiguous: place a large wager on Bitcoin. It remains to be seen if this approach turns out to be prudent in the years ahead.This article was originally published on U.Today More

Bitcoin rose 2.1% to $97,003.4 by 01:50 ET (06:50 GMT). The token had risen sharply on Tuesday, rising above the $97,000 mark, but gave away some of the gains later in the day.Several cryptocurrency analysts maintain a bullish outlook on Bitcoin’s price trajectory, forecasting significant growth this year.Analysts project Bitcoin’s price could soar to between $175,000 and $461,000 by 2025.Bitcoin advocate Tom Lee, head of research at Fundstrat, recently said that despite the short-term volatility, Bitcoin’s outlook for 2025 remains positive with an end-of-year price target of $200,000 to $250,000.Additionally, some analysts believe that favorable cryptocurrency policies anticipated from the incoming Donald Trump administration could propel Bitcoin’s value to as high as $400,000. The establishment of a strategic Bitcoin reserve and the potential for increased mainstream adoption are cited as key drivers for this optimistic forecast.On-chain analytics firm Santiment said that Bitcoin whales holding between 10 and 10,000 BTC have added 2,997 BTC to their holdings since January 1, 2025, reflecting growing confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term potential.Traders shrugged off fears related to the hawkish Federal Reserve ahead of key Consumer Price Index (CPI) data due later on Wednesday, as the central bank had already signaled fewer interest rate cuts in 2025 in its December meeting.In the broader cryptocurrency market, most altcoins jumped much more than Bitcoin, reflecting an increased risk-on sentiment. World no.2 crypto Ether rose 1.4% to $3,225.25.World no.3 crypto XRP surged 12.2% to $2.8387.Solana was 1.6% higher, and Polygon rose 2.2%, while Cardano climbed 6.7%. Among meme tokens, Dogecoin jumped 4.4%. More

In a recent report, on-chain analytics firm Santiment examined how different-sized Bitcoin wallets are behaving on the network, which overall creates a very neutral signal for crypto’s next few weeks.According to Santiment, Bitcoin whales with 10 and 10,000 BTC have accumulated 2,997 BTC since Jan. 1, 2025, indicating increased confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term prospects.This holder class (10-10,000 BTC wallets), according to the report, were the main beneficiaries of the last bull rally because they accumulated significantly, while others panicked and sought to time the tops. These have accumulated a staggering 257,000 BTC since Oct. 1 and 199,000 BTC since Nov. 5. Since the end of the year, their accumulation levels have cooled slightly. However, they have added 2,997 BTC since Jan. 1, 2025.A similar pattern is observed for 0-0.1 BTC wallets. During the recent bull run from October to Dec. 24, these small traders were continuously taking profits, often too early. This dumping pattern came to an end in the last few days of 2024. Since Dec. 29, they have added a small 585 BTC back into their bags as a small effort to “buy the dip.” However, this is virtually flat when compared to their typical movements.Santiment also examines the growth in Bitcoin nonempty wallets. From Oct. 13 until the end of 2024, there was a net reduction of a little over 130,000 Bitcoin wallets, providing ample justification for the bull run that ensued. Since then, there has been some growth, with an additional 84,700 wallets.At the time of writing, Bitcoin was up 5.97% in the last 24 hours to $96,107.This article was originally published on U.Today More