The world is evolving and adaptation is the best weapon to survive in this undulating universe. Originally a crypto community manager, I am interested in anything that is directly or indirectly related to blockchain and its derivatives. To share my experience and promote a field that I am passionate about, nothing is better than writing informative and relaxed articles.
This week, the crypto universe was shaken by five major events that you may have missed. From the rise of AI in DeFi to the restructuring of THORChain, along with soaring revenues on Solana and the market downturn, here are the key points to know.
The decentralized application (DApp) market is dominated by gaming and decentralized finance (DeFi), but artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining ground. In January, AI DApps recorded 2.2 million active users, signaling growing adoption. This evolution could shape the future of Web3 and cryptocurrencies.
Crypto market analysts anticipate a significant increase in the price of XRP, the native cryptocurrency of Ripple, due to several ETF (exchange-traded funds) applications currently under review. These initiatives could transform the investment landscape in XRP and attract a substantial influx of institutional capital that could propel XRP up to 1500%!
The United States is ramping up its efforts to regulate dollar-backed stablecoins. A new bill, led by Republican lawmakers, aims to establish a clear regulatory framework. This initiative reflects the desire to strengthen the dominance of the dollar while promoting innovation in the crypto sector.
On February 6, 2025, the Cboe BZX exchange filed, on behalf of four asset managers, applications for the creation of spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) based on XRP. The companies involved are Canary Capital, WisdomTree, 21Shares, and Bitwise. These filings mark a significant milestone in the expansion of crypto-related financial products in the United States.
Sino-American relations continue to deteriorate, pushing China to strengthen its ties with the European Union. Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Beijing sees Europe as a "global strategic partner and an important and independent pillar in a multipolar world."
The American company MicroStrategy, known for its massive commitment to BTC, announced a major rebranding. From now on, it will simply be called "Strategy" and will adopt the orange color and the bitcoin logo, marking a new step in its evolution. This rebranding is accompanied by a massive investment in bitcoin, with a purchase of 20.5 billion dollars in BTC during the fourth quarter of 2024.
Solana (SOL), one of the leading cryptocurrencies in the market, is currently at a decisive crossroads. After reaching a peak of $220, the price began to decline, breaking through support levels at $215 and $212. Currently, SOL is trading below $205 and the 100-hour simple moving average, indicating persistent bearish pressure. But everything could soon swing!
A new threat looms over the crypto world. According to a recent analysis conducted by Kaspersky, a malware called "SparkCat" integrates into the software development kits (SDKs) used to create applications available on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. This malware is specifically designed to extract recovery phrases of crypto wallets from images stored on users' devices, thus jeopardizing the security of their funds.
On February 4, 2025, David Sacks, recently appointed as the "Czar" of cryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence (AI) by the Trump administration, made a resounding announcement at a historic conference. Before an audience of investors, entrepreneurs, and regulators, he declared the end of the "persecution" of the crypto industry in the United States, a major turning point for the sector.
MicroStrategy, known for its massive commitment to bitcoin, surprised the markets by temporarily halting its BTC purchases. According to an announcement from Michael Saylor on February 3, 2025, the company has not acquired any bitcoin for a week already. This pause raises questions... strategy or is BTC just not interesting at the moment?
On February 3, 2025, Bitcoin reached a local low of $91,530 before rebounding to $95,306 later in the day. This decline comes after China, Canada, and Mexico promised severe retaliatory measures in response to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. These measures have rekindled fears of a global trade war, prompting investors to shy away from risky assets, including cryptocurrencies.
India is currently reassessing its position regarding cryptocurrencies. Ajay Seth, the economic secretary of the Ministry of Finance, stated that India is closely monitoring international developments related to cryptocurrencies. The rise of these digital assets globally is prompting the country to reflect on its regulation and policy regarding crypto.
Ethereum (ETH) is drastically down to $3000, and despite that, some traders are still managing to profit from this downward trend. This is the case for a savvy investor, who has made nearly 16 million dollars in gains by betting against the crypto! So, is Ethereum more profitable during a downturn?
The crypto market is currently undergoing a decline, significantly impacting major assets such as Bitcoin, XRP, and Dogecoin. This downward trend has raised concerns among investors and traders, who are now adopting a more cautious approach in light of the increased market volatility. Here are the reasons behind this drop!