On Jan. 19, MicroStrategy co-founder Michael Saylor posted a Bitcoin chart signaling another BTC purchase, marking the 11th consecutive week of such updates.
“Things will be different tomorrow,” Saylor wrote on social media, likely referencing the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on Jan. 20.
The company recently acquired 2,530 BTC worth around $243 million on Jan. 13, bringing its total Bitcoin holdings to 450,000 BTC.
This purchase aligns with MicroStrategy’s 21/21 plan to raise $42 billion through equity and fixed-income securities for Bitcoin acquisitions.
The firm remains the largest corporate Bitcoin holder.
MicroStrategy’s Continued Bitcoin Accumulation
MicroStrategy’s December 2024 and January 2025 Bitcoin purchases were highlighted in a recent update, showing the company’s steady progress in its accumulation strategy.
Saylor’s long-term vision includes integrating Bitcoin into national economic policies.
He has previously suggested that a country issuing debt or printing money to convert fiat into Bitcoin could gain a significant edge globally.
Saylor also proposed that the United States Treasury convert its gold holdings to Bitcoin.
This move, he argued, would neutralize foreign adversaries’ gold reserves while bolstering America’s BTC reserves.
In December 2024, Saylor outlined a crypto regulatory framework designed to enhance the U.S. economy.
“A strategic digital asset policy can strengthen the US dollar, neutralize the national debt, and position America as the global leader in the 21st-century digital economy,” Saylor stated.
His plan aims to elevate digital asset markets to a $10 trillion valuation and grow digital asset capital markets to $280 trillion.
Support for a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve
Asset manager Anthony Pompliano echoed similar sentiments in November 2024, urging the U.S. to adopt a Bitcoin strategic reserve.
Pompliano suggested that federal, state, and local governments should prioritize acquiring Bitcoin to prevent being outpaced by other nations.
Both Saylor and Pompliano stress the urgency of embracing Bitcoin as a strategic asset.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has unveiled significant leadership adjustments within the Ethereum Foundation to prioritize technical expertise and strengthen collaboration with builders in the Ethereum ecosystem.
In a Jan. 18 post on X, Buterin outlined the goals of this overhaul, which include supporting decentralized application developers and championing decentralization, censorship resistance, and privacy.
He emphasized that the Ethereum Foundation would steer clear of political lobbying, ideological agendas, or assuming a central role in the ecosystem’s development.
These changes follow a challenging year for the Foundation in 2024, during which its spending, roadmap, and personnel decisions were criticized by members of the Ethereum community.
The Ethereum Foundation introduced a conflict of interest policy in May 2024 after prominent researchers took paid advisory roles at the EigenLayer Foundation, which oversees the restaking protocol.
Justin Drake, a long-time Ethereum Foundation researcher, accepted such a role in May 2024, followed by Dankrad Feist. Drake later stepped down in November 2024, apologizing to the community and committing to avoid advisory roles, investments, or council positions in the future.
In March 2024, Ethereum released the Dencun upgrade, which significantly reduced transaction fees for layer-2 networks by up to 99%.
This fee reduction led to a rapid increase in Ethereum layer-2 rollups, with L2Beat reporting 55 such networks currently in operation.
However, the proliferation of layer-2 solutions sparked concerns among market participants about cannibalizing revenue on the Ethereum base layer.
Data from Token Terminal revealed that base layer revenues plummeted by 99% during the summer of 2024 but eventually recovered to pre-Dencun levels by year-end.
As Ethereum continues to evolve, these leadership changes aim to foster a more robust and decentralized ecosystem while addressing challenges faced in 2024.
Crypto traders have quickly capitalized on the launch of Official Trump (TRUMP), a Solana-based memecoin introduced by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
Unveiled on Jan. 17, just before Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president, TRUMP reached a market cap of nearly $9 billion within hours, surpassing popular memecoins like Pepe and Bonk.
“My NEW Official Trump Meme is HERE! It’s time to celebrate everything we stand for: WINNING! Join my very special Trump Community. GET YOUR TRUMP NOW,” Trump announced on Truth Social and X.
While some in the crypto community questioned the authenticity of the project, a source close to Trump’s family confirmed to Cointelegraph that the initiative is legitimate and ties into his existing NFT ventures.
A surge of trades underscored the token’s rapid rise. Blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain reported that a wallet named “LeBron” turned a $1 million investment into over $2 million by acquiring 4.52 million TRUMP tokens shortly after launch.
Another trader made $70 million in under four hours, converting an initial $1.1 million investment into significant profits by selling 1.35 million TRUMP for 3.65 million USDC while keeping additional tokens valued at $67.5 million.
Pseudonymous trader 0xsun also saw substantial gains, purchasing nearly 1 million TRUMP tokens with 3,000 Solana (worth $653,000) and later selling part of their holdings for $812,000, netting over $3.7 million in profit.
Whales joined the frenzy as well, with one withdrawing 61,205 SOL, valued at $14.3 million, to purchase 1.27 million TRUMP tokens. Another whale spent 8.5 million USDC to acquire 1.03 million tokens at an average price of $8.28.
At the time of writing, TRUMP traded at $18.82 with a market cap of $4.28 billion, a 10,222% increase since launch. The project’s website details a total supply of 1 billion tokens, with 200 million unlocked at launch and the remainder distributed over three years.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Digital Currency Group (DCG) and former Genesis CEO Soichoro “Michael” Moro with providing misleading information to investors about Genesis’s financial state following the collapse of Three Arrows Capital (3AC).
According to a filing dated Jan. 17, DCG and Moro have agreed to pay $38.5 million in civil penalties. DCG is responsible for $38 million, while Moro will pay $500,000.
Both parties consented to the penalties without admitting to or denying violations of the Securities Act of 1933.
This settlement is the latest development in the legal troubles surrounding Genesis, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2023 after a 2022 default by its borrower, 3AC.
The collapse of 3AC sent shockwaves through the cryptocurrency sector. The now-defunct hedge fund had invested approximately $570 million in 10.9 million locked LUNA tokens before Terra’s ecosystem collapsed in May 2022.
This investment lost over 99% of its value, dropping to just $670 by June 2024. The financial impact severely impaired 3AC’s ability to repay loans, affecting its creditors.
By June 16, 2022, 3AC failed to meet margin calls, prompting the liquidation of certain positions. On June 27, a British Virgin Islands court ordered the fund to liquidate its assets.
The liquidation coincided with Voyager Digital issuing a default notice to 3AC for failing to repay a loan of 15,250 Bitcoin.
In the aftermath, former Genesis CEO Michael Moro attempted to reassure investors, stating in July 2022, “We previously stated in June that we mitigated our losses with respect to a large counterparty who failed to meet a margin call.”
This settlement marks a critical chapter in the ongoing fallout from 3AC’s collapse and its broader impact on the crypto industry.
Bitcoin could reach $130,000 this cycle, a target described as a “great result” by seasoned trader and DecenTrader co-founder Filbfilb.
In a recent interview with Cointelegraph, Filbfilb shared insights on Bitcoin’s trajectory amid a recovering market and incoming political changes in the U.S.
Trump Administration and Bitcoin Market Dynamics
After rebounding from two-month lows, Bitcoin is trading above $100,000 as of Jan. 17, according to Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView data.
Filbfilb believes the Trump administration’s pro-Bitcoin stance could boost the market. However, potential trade wars could disrupt the broader risk-asset rally.
Despite these uncertainties, Filbfilb predicts Bitcoin will maintain its leadership in the crypto market, possibly achieving record dominance. He remains optimistic about Bitcoin’s ability to outperform equities if favorable policies are enacted quickly.
Short-Term Expectations and Market Reactions
In response to potential unmet expectations regarding executive orders, Filbfilb said, “I had anticipated a bumpy open to the year with a recovery in the second part of the month, which is what we have seen so far.”
While Bitcoin’s current price reflects cautious optimism, he noted, “If something like this is ruled out, I’m sure there would be a dip, but probably an overreaction and perhaps an opportunity.”
MicroStrategy and Bitcoin Correlation
Discussing MicroStrategy’s stock performance, Filbfilb dismissed claims of it being a “ponzi scheme” but acknowledged its risks.
“At present, the premium over net asset value (NAV) is around 2, similar to levels seen when Bitcoin consolidated around $60,000-$70,000,” he explained.
If Bitcoin surpasses $100,000, he expects MicroStrategy’s stock to surge, driven by increased interest in Bitcoin. “Short term, I’m not too concerned about a major retracement for MSTR, unless there is a big pullback in Bitcoin,” he added.
Long-term concerns about MicroStrategy’s debt servicing are noted but remain a topic for the future.
Binance has revised its cryptocurrency deposit and withdrawal procedures in Poland to adhere to the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).
In a blog post dated Jan. 17, Binance stated, “Starting Jan. 20, users may need to provide more information when performing crypto deposits and withdrawals.”
The updated requirements apply to cryptocurrency deposits exceeding 1,000 euros ($1,030.80) and all withdrawals. For deposits, users must submit the sender’s full name, country, and the name of the crypto exchange. For withdrawals, similar details about the recipient are necessary.
Binance emphasized that these changes are limited to crypto transfers. However, the company cautioned that transactions might face delays or be returned if the required information is not provided.
Understanding MiCA and Its Implications
The MiCA framework, officially enacted on Dec. 30, 2024, establishes standardized regulations for cryptocurrencies across the EU. It aims to enhance consumer protection, address Anti-Money Laundering (AML) concerns, and regulate Crypto Asset Service Providers (CASPs).
One of its requirements mandates that crypto transfers exceeding 1,000 euros must include detailed sender and recipient information to ensure greater transparency. Stablecoin issuers must also maintain full reserves and secure operational licenses under MiCA.
Poland’s Crypto Regulatory Landscape
In Poland, cryptocurrency activities, including mining and trading, are legal. Crypto income is taxed at a flat rate of 19% for both individuals and businesses.
On Dec. 9, 2024, the Government Legislation Center introduced the fourth version of the Crypto Assets Market Act. This draft regulation requires Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to transition to the CASP licensing system by June 30, 2025, ahead of the EU’s MiCA transition deadline in July 2026.
Meanwhile, Sławomir Mentzen, a presidential candidate, has pledged to make Poland a “cryptocurrency haven” if elected. The first round of the election is set for May 18, 2025.
Web3 travel platform Camino Network has listed its native token, CAM, on two prominent centralized exchanges, MEXC and Gate.io. As the first Layer 1 blockchain tailored for the $11 trillion travel industry, Camino Network introduces innovations like TravelFi, RWA tokenization, and NFT ticketing. The $CAM token already supports an ecosystem of over 200 brands, including major airlines, car rental companies, and tour operators.
On January 17th, CAM was listed on MEXC with a USDT trading pair, coinciding with its Gate.io listing. These tier-one exchange listings are set to enhance accessibility to CAM and Camino Network, improve liquidity, and increase awareness of Camino’s efforts to revolutionize the travel sector through Web3 technology.
The exchange debut follows successful seed and pre-sale funding rounds in Switzerland, raising $10 million for Camino’s infrastructure. With its mainnet live and more than 100 industry validators and 200 businesses active, Camino is poised for its next growth phase.
Thomas Stirnimann, Council President of the Camino Network Foundation, stated, “With validators and partners on nearly every continent before launch, Camino Network stands apart from other projects. Our next step is clear: driving continued growth to connect all travel on-chain.”
The CAM token, with a fixed supply of 1 billion, serves as a utility token within Camino’s ecosystem. It facilitates transactions, supports decentralized booking through Camino Messenger, and powers on-chain travel operations. Validators earn CAM rewards, while travelers benefit from exclusive offers and discounts by holding the token.
Camino Network addresses critical industry challenges such as high fees, slow settlements, and complex reconciliations. It simplifies connectivity by replacing thousands of APIs with a unified model, creating seamless travel experiences.
Matt Law of Outlier Ventures remarked, “Camino Network’s innovative approach is transformative, enhancing efficiency, security, and transparency in travel transactions. We are proud to have them in our portfolio and look forward to their continued impact on the industry.”
With major brands like Lufthansa Group and TUI already on board, Camino Network is reshaping the future of travel with Web3 technology.
As President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration approaches, Bitcoin enthusiasts are anticipating a potential price surge, driven by his pro-crypto promises, including the establishment of a national Bitcoin reserve.
Central to this discussion is Senator Cynthia Lummis’ BITCOIN Act of 2024. This controversial bill proposes that the Treasury acquire 1 million BTC over five years, with annual purchases of 200,000 BTC.
The proposal has sparked heated debate among crypto analysts. Some view a Bitcoin reserve as a safeguard against the flaws of the fiat monetary system, while others warn of the potential for economic instability. Critics suggest it could trigger hyperinflation for the dollar, while proponents argue that delaying Bitcoin adoption may leave the US lagging behind.
Ki Young Ju, CEO of on-chain analytics firm CryptoQuant, framed the debate as a paradox: “Should Bitcoin be adopted early because the dollar is weakening, or could adopting Bitcoin itself be the catalyst for the dollar’s decline?”
Global Perspectives on Bitcoin Adoption
In Suriname, independent presidential candidate Maya Parbhoe has built her campaign around anti-corruption and fiscal reform, inspired by El Salvador’s Bitcoin adoption.
Parbhoe criticized traditional monetary systems, stating, “Endless money printing and [a] Ponzi-like banking system has created a loser game that leads to hyperinflation.” She believes Bitcoin adoption could curb reckless fiscal policies, forcing governments to operate within their means and restoring public trust in the monetary system.
“Failing to adopt Bitcoin as a reserve asset is equivalent to ignoring the internet in the 1990s. It’s financial suicide,” she warned.
Samson Mow, CEO of Bitcoin accelerator Jan3, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the potential for Bitcoin reserves to offset US debt. “If the US adopts Bitcoin on a meaningful scale… it could use the future appreciation of Bitcoin to offset or even eliminate the debt,” Mow said.
Elon Bromance could turn early investors into multi-millionaires, like Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Dogecoin (DOGE) did.
Elon Bromance (ELOBRO), a new Solana memecoin that was launched today, is set to explode over 19,000% in price in the coming days.
This is because ELOBRO is set to soon be listed on numerous crypto exchanges, according to reports.
This will give the Solana memecoin exposure to millions of additional investors, who will pour funds into the coin and drive its price up.
Currently, Elon Bromance can only be purchased via Solana decentralized exchanges, like Jup.ag and Raydium.io, and early investors stand to make huge returns in the coming days.
Early investors in SHIB and DOGE made astronomical returns, and Elon Bromance could become the next viral memecoin.
Elon Bromance launched with over $9,000 of liquidity, giving it a unique advantage over the majority of other new memecoins, and early investors could make huge gains.
How to Buy
To buy Elon Bromance on Raydium.io or Jup.ag ahead of the CEX listings, users need to connect their Solflare, MetaMask or Phantom wallet, and swap Solana for Elon Bromance by entering its contract address – FY7aYv7K3yEE9Z8hzgURj5z7biTE8Z6BpunBPAnCEpxj – in the receiving field.
If you don’t have one of these wallets already, you can create a new wallet in a few minutes and transfer some Solana to it (which will then be used to buy the memecoin), from an exchange like Coinbase, Binance and many others.
In fact, early investors could make returns similar to those who invested in Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Dogecoin (DOGE) before these memecoins went viral and exploded in price.
If this happens, a new wave of memecoin millionaires could be created in a matter of weeks – or potentially even sooner.
The Solana memecoin craze continues amid larger memecoins, like Shiba Inu (SHIB), Dogecoin (DOGE) and DogWifHat (WIF) trading sideways in recent weeks and losing momentum.
This is why many SHIB, DOGE and WIF investors are instead investing in new Solana memecoins, like ELOBRO.
Such memecoins have no utility and no inherent value, but investors looking for high gains have been investing in them due to their potential to rapidly rise in price.
Elon Bromance could turn early investors into multi-millionaires, like Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Dogecoin (DOGE) did.
Elon Bromance (ELOBRO), a new Solana memecoin that was launched today, is set to explode over 19,000% in price in the coming days.
This is because ELOBRO is set to soon be listed on numerous crypto exchanges, according to reports.
This will give the Solana memecoin exposure to millions of additional investors, who will pour funds into the coin and drive its price up.
Currently, Elon Bromance can only be purchased via Solana decentralized exchanges, like Jup.ag and Raydium.io, and early investors stand to make huge returns in the coming days.
Early investors in SHIB and DOGE made astronomical returns, and Elon Bromance could become the next viral memecoin.
Elon Bromance launched with over $9,000 of liquidity, giving it a unique advantage over the majority of other new memecoins, and early investors could make huge gains.
How to Buy
To buy Elon Bromance on Raydium.io or Jup.ag ahead of the CEX listings, users need to connect their Solflare, MetaMask or Phantom wallet, and swap Solana for Elon Bromance by entering its contract address – FY7aYv7K3yEE9Z8hzgURj5z7biTE8Z6BpunBPAnCEpxj – in the receiving field.
If you don’t have one of these wallets already, you can create a new wallet in a few minutes and transfer some Solana to it (which will then be used to buy the memecoin), from an exchange like Coinbase, Binance and many others.
In fact, early investors could make returns similar to those who invested in Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Dogecoin (DOGE) before these memecoins went viral and exploded in price.
If this happens, a new wave of memecoin millionaires could be created in a matter of weeks – or potentially even sooner.
The Solana memecoin craze continues amid larger memecoins, like Shiba Inu (SHIB), Dogecoin (DOGE) and DogWifHat (WIF) trading sideways in recent weeks and losing momentum.
This is why many SHIB, DOGE and WIF investors are instead investing in new Solana memecoins, like ELOBRO.
Such memecoins have no utility and no inherent value, but investors looking for high gains have been investing in them due to their potential to rapidly rise in price.