Luc Jose A.

On Tuesday, October 29, 2024, Saudi Arabia took a major strategic step by launching the largest ETF in the Middle East, backed by Chinese stocks listed in Hong Kong. Indeed, this exchange-traded fund, named Albilad CSOP MSCI Hong Kong China Equity ETF, goes beyond a mere financial operation, as it is part of a long-term vision aimed at consolidating the relationships between these two economic powers. In the face of volatility in the Chinese markets and global economic uncertainties, this launch is a clear indicator of Saudi ambitions to diversify their partnerships and increase their influence on the international financial stage.

Indonesia, one of the most dynamic economies in Southeast Asia, has made a radical decision by banning the sale of the latest iPhone 16. While Apple was counting on this new model, boosted by artificial intelligence, to drive its global sales, this setback shows how local geopolitical and economic stakes can disrupt the strategies of tech giants. The measure, taken by the Indonesian government, marks a sudden halt in Apple's quest for expansion in this region, which is essential for its future growth.

Bitcoin has shown spectacular performance in recent weeks, on the eve of the 2024 U.S. presidential elections. Indeed, the price of Bitcoin, which surpassed the $71,000 mark in October, seems to benefit from a particular economic context and increased attention from investors. But is this renewed interest in Bitcoin merely temporary, or does it reveal a deeper trend, particularly related to the imminent American election? According to VanEck, a major player in the investment field, current signals suggest a "very bullish" configuration for Bitcoin, a situation that strangely resembles the 2020 election.

Solana, one of Ethereum's most dynamic challengers, has reached a significant milestone by generating more daily fees than Ethereum this Monday, October 28, 2024. In a context where speed and transaction costs are becoming major selling points to attract users, Solana seems to be making a decisive mark.

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

On October 21, a sudden move of Bitcoin towards $69,000 reignited investor attention. This rally, which comes after months of stagnation, is not just a technical flare-up but a reflection of deeper underlying dynamics. According to a recent report by Glassnode, one of the leading on-chain analytics firms, this surge is not a matter of chance. The data reveals encouraging trends in terms of capital inflow and institutional positions, suggesting that this rally could have solid foundations.

As the U.S. debt skyrockets to unprecedented levels, Musk warns of the dangers this situation poses to global economic stability. This crisis, beyond its implications for the United States, could have a domino effect on financial markets, particularly on Bitcoin, which is often seen as a safe haven amidst economic uncertainties.

As the G7 considers tapping into frozen Russian assets to support a massive loan to Ukraine, the Kremlin does not hide its concern. Through warnings from its senior officials, Russia warns of consequences that could weaken the supremacy of the dollar and redefine international monetary balances.

Many cryptocurrencies continue to show remarkable performances despite volatility and significant declines. This is the case for Polygon, whose native token, POL, has reached a historical low of $0.34. Such a price drop, representing a decline of 45.65% since the beginning of the year, further worries investors. However, behind this apparent downturn lies a solid infrastructure, supported by rapidly expanding sectors such as DeFi and gaming.

In a context where large tech companies are questioning the relevance of integrating Bitcoin into their financial strategies, Microsoft finds itself in the spotlight with a proposal that could change its future. Bitcoin, once reserved for digital pioneers, is now entering the debates of the boards of directors of Silicon Valley giants. Michael Saylor, a staunch supporter of Bitcoin and founder of MicroStrategy, sees in this cryptocurrency the opportunity for Microsoft to generate its next trillion dollars. This bold idea comes at a time when the company's shareholders must decide on the possibility of adding Bitcoin to the company's balance sheet. Between strategic potential and financial risk, the outcome of this vote could be a pivotal moment for one of the largest multinational corporations in the technology sector.

The security of assets managed by governments is increasingly being questioned as attacks on crypto wallets multiply. Indeed, the latest incident involving the loss and recovery of over 19 million dollars in crypto by the US government illustrates once again the risks associated with the use of decentralized technologies. This theft, although unusual in its scale, raises concerns about the safety of public funds in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space, a rapidly growing sector that is still vulnerable.

As the flagship crypto hovers around $67,000, the movements of "whales" are capturing attention. In recent days, on-chain data has revealed a significant increase in the number of these large addresses, reaching an unprecedented level since the bullish market of January 2021. Indeed, this massive accumulation by whales, combined with a strengthening of institutional and retail investors, raises the following question: is Bitcoin on the verge of breaking a new all-time high before the end of 2024?

Since October 23, 2024, the Solana network has captured the attention of the crypto ecosystem with record figures and an unprecedented wave of economic activity on the blockchain. While traditional competitors like Ethereum struggle to maintain their position, Solana is increasingly establishing itself as an essential player in decentralized finance (DeFi).