Luc Jose A.

Decentralized finance (DeFi) continues to demonstrate its potential, and Aave is today one of the most eloquent examples of it. Indeed, the platform has reached $33.4 billion in net deposits, surpassing the record levels of 2021, which marked a major turning point for the crypto sector. This staggering figure is not just a simple statistic, but a reflection of an ever-evolving dynamic. The DeFi ecosystem, driven by technological innovations and growing adoption, is transforming into a credible alternative to traditional financial institutions. In this context, Aave is redefining standards by diversifying its markets and strengthening its offerings, attracting both investors and developers. This performance illustrates the platform's robustness, but also the growing maturity of a sector in search of expansion and security.

Experts at Steno Research forecast that 2025 will mark a major milestone in the history of cryptocurrencies. According to their report, Bitcoin could reach $150,000 and Ethereum $8,000, unprecedented levels. These projections are based on an increasingly favorable regulatory framework, coupled with growing institutional adoption. Meanwhile, economic conditions, characterized by falling interest rates and improving liquidity, bolster growth prospects. The introduction of ETFs dedicated to Bitcoin and Ethereum in the United States, which are expected to attract massive investments, illustrates this positive momentum. As the sector moves towards greater recognition, it may redefine its standards and offer new opportunities for innovation.

In 2024, cryptocurrencies reached a significant milestone with their increasing integration into global financial systems. This year was marked by major initiatives driven by ambitious regulations and large-scale strategic projects. In the United States, the potential adoption of the Bitcoin Act paved the way for discussions on the role of cryptocurrencies in economic sovereignty. In Europe, the MiCA regulatory framework established unprecedented rules to stabilize markets and protect investors. At the same time, Latin America emerged as a key player, with innovative partnerships like that of El Salvador and Argentina, consolidating their position in the face of local economic challenges. These advancements reflect a global movement in favor of the adoption of these assets and outline a new trajectory for the crypto industry and its future implications.

The idea that a central bank could hold bitcoin may seem like science fiction to some, but in Switzerland, this perspective is gradually becoming a reality. Indeed, the country is considering an amendment to its federal constitution to allow the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to integrate bitcoin into its reserves, alongside gold. This initiative, led by a group of crypto advocates, reflects a desire to incorporate Switzerland into a modern and forward-looking financial dynamic.

The year 2024 will go down in history as a decisive milestone for Nvidia, an emblematic figure of technological innovation in the era of artificial intelligence. Thanks to visionary investments and strategic advances, the company has reached an unprecedented market capitalization of $3 trillion, consolidating its role as a global leader. This success largely relies on its chips, which equip leading global data centers, and on its CUDA ecosystem, favored by developers. However, this triumph comes with increasing challenges. The rise of ambitious competitors, such as AMD and Broadcom, intensifies the pressure. Moreover, key clients, including Google and Amazon, are actively exploring alternatives to reduce their reliance on Nvidia. These contrasting dynamics place the company at a strategic turning point, where the slightest misstep could redefine the balance of power in the market.

The digital world has become the new battleground for international powers, where each attack can have profound and lasting repercussions. Recently, a major cyberattack struck the systems of the U.S. Treasury, revealing the vulnerability of the technological infrastructures of a state renowned for its defensive capabilities. This incident occurs in the context of intense rivalry between the United States and China, as Washington accuses presumed hackers backed by Beijing of being behind the intrusion. For its part, China firmly rejects these accusations, labeling them as unfounded and denouncing a smear campaign orchestrated by U.S. authorities. More than just a mere digital incident, this case sheds light on the growing geopolitical tensions around cybersecurity and the difficulty of identifying those responsible in an increasingly interconnected world.

MicroStrategy's bold strategy in the bitcoin universe continues to attract attention, both for its scale and consistency. While the crypto market remains marked by pronounced volatility, the company, under the leadership of Michael Saylor, reiterates its firm commitment to the leading cryptocurrency. As the year comes to a close, it has once again surprised observers with a new massive purchase of bitcoin, further solidifying its position as an institutional leader in the field. This investment is part of a thoughtful approach aimed at strengthening its reserves, as well as asserting its driving role in the institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies. Such an acquisition, occurring in a context of global economic uncertainties, also illustrates the growing influence of companies on the evolution of the crypto ecosystem.

The BRICS have been presenting themselves for several years as a credible alternative to hegemonic economic blocs such as the G7. In this context of increasing rivalries among powers, Russia has taken steps to expand this alliance. It then invited Saudi Arabia and Turkey to join its ranks. Moscow hoped to strengthen the bloc's influence on the international stage and to face the pressures from Western economies. However, these efforts encountered a rejection. This setback illustrates the divergent interests among these nations, as well as the challenges that the BRICS face in expanding their circle of influence in a world where geopolitical balances are becoming increasingly complex.

In a world where technology is evolving at a breakneck pace, artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain are emerging as pillars of innovation. Their convergence paves the way for profound transformations in key sectors such as finance, logistics, and entertainment. These advancements are attracting growing interest from investors and developers, who are always on the lookout for disruptive solutions. Currently, several AI-based cryptocurrencies, notably TAO, FET, and Render, have dominated the rankings of the most active projects on social media. Such a trend, illuminated by data from LunarCrush, illustrates their growing popularity as well as the impact of these technologies on the blockchain ecosystem. These projects, thanks to their ability to generate massive interactions, reflect a positive dynamic that could redefine priorities within the crypto industry.

The crypto market is experiencing a period of uncertainty marked by macroeconomic fluctuations. Nevertheless, Ripple (XRP) stands out with relative stability. Its price moves within a key range, between $2 and $3, which captures investors' attention. This status quo, reinforced by low volatility and mixed technical signals, reflects a fragile balance between buyers and sellers. At this stage, observers are questioning: is this consolidation the prelude to a significant break? The next developments could indeed determine the future of XRP, whether it leads to a bullish momentum towards new heights or a strategic pullback to lower support levels.

Amid revolutionary announcements, technological advancements, and regulatory turmoil, the crypto ecosystem continues to prove that it is both a territory of limitless innovations and a battleground for regulatory and economic challenges. Here is a summary of the most significant news from the past week regarding Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance, Solana, and Ripple.

The year 2024 marks a major shift for the French real estate market. Indeed, the dynamics that have structured this sector for decades are gradually fading, giving way to profound changes. The massive decline in transactions, the hesitant restart of real estate purchasing power, and the growing importance of energy criteria are reshaping the priorities of buyers and sellers. These transformations go beyond the numbers: they reflect the cumulative impacts of the crisis that began in 2022 and economic uncertainties. Through their 2024 Real Estate Report, the Notaries of France shed light on these contrasting developments. Their analysis goes beyond mere observation. It explores short-term perspectives and opens pathways for a potential recovery in 2025. These projections illuminate immediate challenges, as well as the necessary adaptations to face a market in full transformation.

As the inauguration of Donald Trump approaches on January 20, 2025, observers are closely examining his economic policies, particularly their potential impact on bitcoin. According to Ki Young Ju, founder of CryptoQuant, Trump's policies may depend on the balance between dollar supremacy and the opportunities presented by cryptocurrencies. This analysis sheds light on the issues related to the hegemony of the dollar, which continues to dominate global trade despite losing over 90% of its value since 1913. While some countries are adopting digital solutions to escape monetary crises, such as the rise of stablecoins in emerging economies, the role of bitcoin remains ambiguous. This topic, at the intersection of traditional finance and disruptive technologies, raises questions about the future of cryptocurrencies in an economic system where U.S. policies still influence the rest of the world.