Luc Jose A.

Tether (USDT), the largest stablecoin in the world, has just crossed a historic threshold of 120 billion dollars in market capitalization. This news, far from trivial, comes in the context of "Uptober," a traditionally favorable period for price increases of Bitcoin and other cryptos. While the crypto market is often unpredictable, the massive increase in the supply of stablecoins is often seen as a key indicator of growing investor appetite. As we stand on the brink of a new bullish wave, this signal suggests significant movements in the weeks to come.

The French real estate market is on the brink of undergoing a major upheaval. With the finance bill for 2025 currently under discussion, property owners find themselves at the center of significant tax reforms that could reshape the way real estate is taxed. Traditional tax deductions for capital gains, exemptions on primary residences, and other tax advantages that have benefitted investors in recent decades are now under scrutiny. These changes, which come amid a tense economic context and a sluggish real estate market, raise the question: how will property owners adapt to these new measures?

The shadow of quantum computing now hangs over the crypto universe. While Chinese researchers may have reached a key milestone by using a quantum computer to bypass traditional encryption systems, a crucial question arises: is the security of Bitcoin and other cryptos truly under threat? Quantum computers, capable of performing calculations that no classical machine could solve, are seen by some as a sword of Damocles hanging over current encryption protocols.

As governments seek to maintain control over their finances and close ever-growing budget deficits, a new enemy seems to be rising in their path: Bitcoin. The crypto, with its limited supply and decentralized nature, disrupts traditional economic models and forces some actors to consider radical measures. It is in this context that the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has newly published an explosive report suggesting that to maintain ongoing deficits, governments should either tax or outright ban Bitcoin. Such a shocking statement comes as the United States struggles to contain its national debt, which is reaching record levels, and as regulation of cryptocurrencies becomes a sensitive topic.

Amid revolutionary announcements, technological advancements, and regulatory turmoil, the crypto ecosystem continues to prove itself as both an unlimited territory of innovations and a battleground of regulatory and economic conflicts. Here is a summary of the most notable news from the past week surrounding Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance, Solana, and Ripple.

Today, a new statement is shaking up the crypto sphere. Indeed, Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy and a fervent supporter of Bitcoin, once again caught attention on CNBC with a bold prediction. According to him, Bitcoin could reach a staggering price of 13 million dollars within the next 21 years. This announcement is sure to provoke reactions, both for its ambition and for the outlook it projects on the global economy. While some see it as a visionary perspective, others remain more cautious in the face of these predictions.

Binance has just achieved an unprecedented feat. The world's largest crypto platform is once again at the center of the news thanks to reaching a total trading volume of 100 trillion dollars. This staggering figure, as symbolic as it is revealing, solidifies Binance's dominance in the sector.

On the occasion of the BRICS Business Forum, the nations of this emerging alliance unveiled their brand new cross-border payment system: BRICS Pay. This initiative represents a clear intent to reduce dependence on the US dollar, a currency still predominant in global transactions. As the BRICS seek to emancipate themselves from the financial influence of the United States, the creation of an autonomous payment system could very well redefine the rules of international trade.

Bitcoin is once again at a crossroads. After reaching local peaks in recent weeks, pressure is mounting in the market. In fact, the sudden rise in short positions on Binance, which signals significant bearish sentiment, has triggered a wave of uncertainties among investors. The stakes are high: is this wave of shorts a sign of an imminent correction or a trap set for bearish investors?

The rise of stablecoins, these cryptocurrencies backed by stable assets like the dollar, could well change the game for the global financial system. As the debate over their regulation rages on, an influential voice has just taken a stance. Christopher Waller, governor of the American Federal Reserve, stated that, under certain conditions, these digital assets could benefit the traditional financial system. His comments, made during a conference at the Institute for Advanced Study on October 18, shed further light on how stablecoins could transform the way payments are made on a global scale.

XRP experienced a decline of nearly 2% in just 24 hours. Indeed, it is the strategic movements of whales that are shaking the market. Their influence on prices is not negligible and can shift predictions in an instant. Yesterday, Friday, October 18, 2024, the massive sales of several million tokens by these key players reminded us of how fragile market dynamics can be.

The digital age has opened up vast opportunities for content creators, but it has also highlighted recurring problems: protection of intellectual property, fair compensation, and control over produced works. While many artists, musicians, writers, and influencers struggle to properly monetize their creations through traditional platforms, one technology emerges as an essential solution: blockchain. This technology, which enables decentralized and transparent management of transactions and data, now opens new doors for creators, offering them more control, greater security, and above all, unprecedented compensation opportunities.

In 2023, 78% of Russian crude oil exports were directed towards two Asian giants: India and China. A radical redistribution that sharply contrasts with the situation in 2021, when these two nations absorbed only 32% of Russian energy flows. In the face of Western sanctions aimed at strangling its energy sector, Russia is reinventing its trade circuits with its BRICS partners. This strategic realignment towards the Asian axis reflects a major shift in the global energy dynamics, prompting the BRICS bloc to accelerate its efforts to detach from the Western-dominated financial system.