Bitcoin’s price could drop by nearly 26% in the first quarter of 2025, potentially falling to around $75,000, according to a recent market analysis. However, other crypto analysts remain skeptical about the likelihood of such a decline.
In a Jan. 28 market report, Dr. Sean Dawson, head of research at Derive, stated that the probability of Bitcoin (BTC) dropping below $75,000 by March has increased to 9.2%, up from 7.2% over the past 24 hours.
Bitcoin’s Volatility and Market Trends
Bitcoin’s price fluctuations have been closely tied to broader market trends. On Jan. 27, BTC fell by 6.5% to $97,906 amid a widespread downturn in the crypto and stock markets. The decline was triggered by the release of DeepSeek’s latest artificial intelligence model, which rattled investor sentiment. However, Bitcoin quickly rebounded above the $100,000 mark, trading at $102,100 at the time of publication, according to CoinMarketCap.
Dawson noted that Bitcoin’s at-the-money implied volatility—an indicator of demand for options—spiked from 52% to 76%. This suggests that traders are increasing their positions in put options to hedge against potential downside risks.
“The slight uptick in the probability of Bitcoin heading back toward $75,000 reflects a shift in market sentiment toward bearishness as traders adjust to rising uncertainty,” Dawson explained.
The last time Bitcoin was trading near $75,000 was on Nov. 8, just three days after Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election. Following this dip, BTC entered a strong rally, crossing the $100,000 threshold for the first time on Dec. 5.
Bitcoin’s Correlation with Macroeconomic Trends
Bitfinex analysts noted in a Jan. 27 report that Bitcoin’s price movements continue to reflect its correlation with broader macroeconomic shifts.
“Bitcoin’s price is less a standalone reflection of its market fundamentals and more tied to broader macroeconomic shifts, particularly in risk sentiment,” the analysts stated.
They further emphasized that Bitcoin is no longer operating as an isolated digital asset but is now more aligned with global risk assets.
“In our view, Bitcoin is no longer just a digital asset playing by its own rules — but is now firmly tethered to the broader risk asset landscape,” they added.
Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, echoed similar concerns, predicting that Bitcoin could retreat to the $70,000-$75,000 range. He suggested that such a drop might trigger a “mini financial crisis,” leading to increased liquidity injections from central banks. Hayes believes this would ultimately drive Bitcoin’s price to $250,000 by the end of 2025.
Bitcoin Halving and Its Market Impact
Bitcoin’s price movements in 2024 are closely linked to the highly anticipated Bitcoin halving event scheduled for April 2024. Bitcoin halving occurs approximately every four years, reducing the block rewards for miners by 50%. This mechanism decreases the rate at which new BTC enters circulation, historically leading to significant price increases due to reduced supply.
Past halvings have often preceded bullish price trends. For example, after the 2020 halving, Bitcoin’s price surged from around $8,000 to an all-time high of nearly $69,000 by late 2021. Similarly, after the 2016 halving, BTC rose from approximately $650 to $20,000 by December 2017.
The upcoming 2024 halving is expected to lower Bitcoin’s block reward from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC per block. This supply shock could contribute to long-term price appreciation, though short-term volatility remains a concern.
Market Sentiment and Institutional Adoption
The recent surge in Bitcoin’s price to over $100,000 has been fueled by growing institutional adoption and increasing interest in Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Major financial firms, including BlackRock and Fidelity, have launched Bitcoin ETFs, providing traditional investors with easier access to the cryptocurrency market.
Additionally, growing acceptance of Bitcoin as a store of value amid inflation concerns has reinforced its role as digital gold. Institutional investors and hedge funds are increasingly incorporating Bitcoin into their portfolios as a hedge against economic uncertainty.
Potential Risks for Bitcoin in 2025
Despite the optimism surrounding Bitcoin’s future, certain risks could contribute to short-term price declines:
- Macroeconomic Uncertainty: Bitcoin’s correlation with traditional markets means it remains susceptible to economic downturns, interest rate hikes, and shifts in investor sentiment.
- Regulatory Pressures: Governments worldwide continue to scrutinize cryptocurrency markets, with potential regulations that could impact institutional participation and trading activity.
- Market Corrections: Bitcoin has historically experienced sharp price corrections even during bull runs. A temporary pullback to $75,000 would not be unprecedented.
While some analysts foresee a potential dip in Q1 2025, others remain bullish on Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory. With the upcoming halving, continued institutional adoption, and macroeconomic factors at play, Bitcoin’s price is likely to remain highly dynamic in the coming months.
Bitfarms, a leading multinational Bitcoin mining company, has announced the sale of its 200 MW Bitcoin mining facility in Yguazu, Paraguay, to Hive Digital Technologies for approximately $85 million. Hive, a competitor in the Bitcoin mining and AI sectors, intends to finalize the transaction by the end of Q1 2025. Bitfarms plans to reinvest the capital from the sale to enhance its mining and computational capacity in the United States.
Details of the Sale and Yguazu’s Role
The Yguazu facility, Bitfarms’ largest Bitcoin mining site in Paraguay, played a key role in the company’s operations in South America. With a capacity of 200 MW, the farm significantly contributed to Bitfarms’ overall hash rate and operational efficiency.
In addition to the Yguazu site, Bitfarms operates two other mining facilities in Paraguay: Villarrica and Paso Pe. These facilities have a combined capacity of 80 MW, with Villarrica contributing 10 MW and Paso Pe accounting for 70 MW.
Hive’s acquisition of Yguazu reflects the growing trend of Bitcoin miners diversifying into high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.
Rebalancing Toward North America
Bitfarms CEO Ben Gagnon emphasized that the sale is part of the company’s strategy to streamline operations and focus on North America. Gagnon stated:
“Bitfarms will be reinvesting the capital from this sale toward its 1 GW growth pipeline in the US for BTC and HPC/AI infrastructure, which marks a significant milestone in our transition from an international Bitcoin miner to a North American energy and compute infrastructure company.”
The company aims to rebalance its portfolio to achieve an 80% North American and 20% international presence by the end of 2025.
Bitfarms currently operates in Canada, the United States, Argentina, and Paraguay, with capacities of 158.5 MW, 17.5 MW, 54 MW, and 280 MW (including Yguazu), respectively.
Bitcoin Mining and Its Link to Hash Rate
Bitcoin mining involves solving complex cryptographic puzzles to validate transactions on the blockchain, a process that requires substantial computational power. The efficiency of Bitcoin mining operations is often measured by their hash rate—the total computational power dedicated to mining Bitcoin globally.
A higher hash rate indicates a more secure network and generally correlates with increased mining difficulty. Facilities like Bitfarms’ Yguazu site contribute significantly to the global hash rate, leveraging Paraguay’s abundant hydropower resources to operate efficiently.
The recent sale of the Yguazu facility comes at a time when the hash rate continues to grow, driven by increased investment in mining infrastructure. However, the energy-intensive nature of mining has prompted companies to diversify into sustainable and high-performance computing, such as AI.
Hive’s Transition to AI and HPC
Hive Digital has been expanding its focus from traditional Bitcoin mining to AI and HPC data centers. This strategic pivot aligns with industry trends, as mining companies explore alternative uses for their computational resources.
The transaction with Bitfarms will see Hive making an initial payment of $25 million, with an additional $31 million spread over the next six months. This move is expected to bolster Hive’s capacity in both Bitcoin mining and AI infrastructure.
The Trump Administration and U.S. Mining Growth
The Trump administration’s policies on crypto and energy have influenced the growth of Bitcoin mining in the United States. Trump’s pro-business stance, coupled with his push for energy independence, has created a favorable environment for mining companies to expand their operations domestically.
Bitfarms’ renewed focus on the U.S. aligns with this broader trend, as the company seeks to capitalize on the supportive regulatory environment and access to affordable energy.
Future Prospects
The sale of the Yguazu facility marks a significant milestone in Bitfarms’ transition from an international Bitcoin miner to a North American-focused energy and compute infrastructure provider.
As the global hash rate continues to rise, the industry is poised for further consolidation and innovation, with companies like Bitfarms and Hive leading the charge. The growing integration of AI and HPC into mining operations signals a shift toward more diversified and sustainable business models.
With its strategic focus on the U.S. and investment in advanced infrastructure, Bitfarms is positioning itself for long-term growth in the evolving digital asset landscape.
Analog, a pioneer in blockchain interoperability with its Proof of Time protocol, has successfully raised $5 million in its latest funding round, bringing its total funding to $21 million. This milestone comes as the company gears up for its public token sale.
The funding, which spans Analog’s seed and subsequent rounds, underscores investor confidence in its vision of enabling seamless cross-chain interaction and accessible web3 data. Key investors include Tribe Capital, Balaji Srinivasan, Wintermute, and Mask Network. The raise also attracted support from Binance-incubated ventures, Foresight Ventures, Near Foundation, Contango Digital, GSR, NGC Ventures, and various angel investors.
With $21 million raised, Analog is now valued at a $300 million Fully Diluted Valuation (FDV) ahead of its Token Generation Event (TGE). The funds will accelerate the development of its General Message Passing (GMP) protocol and developer tools, designed to enable omnichain decentralized applications that operate seamlessly across multiple blockchains.
Analog’s interoperability solutions simplify dapp creation for EVM and Polkadot chains, with upcoming support for Solana and TON. Its flagship product, Zenswap, a decentralized exchange, showcases its cross-chain technology by enabling asset swaps across blockchains with USDC-based liquidity routing.
The company has partnered with notable projects such as Rarible, Pixelport, Zenswap, Belong Network, XYO, and others. Over 50 projects are currently building on Analog’s protocol, and its testnet has attracted more than 345,000 accounts in anticipation of the mainnet launch.
By addressing web3 challenges like fragmentation and inefficiencies, Analog is positioned to lead the transition toward a multi-chain future. Its scalable, developer-friendly platform enhances interoperability while ensuring security and efficiency, setting the stage for widespread adoption across institutions, developers, and end-users.
Bitcoin’s price witnessed a sharp 7.13% drop between January 26 and the early hours of January 27, marking the first time the flagship cryptocurrency dipped below $100,000 since Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th U.S. president.
Despite the plunge, Bitcoin has managed to hover near the $100,000 mark, leaving the market divided over the asset’s next move.
Bitcoin’s Price Struggles Amid Uncertainty
The decline comes amid a period of mixed market sentiment. While some analysts view the recent price drop as a signal of a market top, others believe Bitcoin is poised for another bullish leg.
Adding to the uncertainty, President Donald Trump’s silence on crypto-related policies during his inauguration speech left the Bitcoin community on edge. Trump’s previous actions and statements have often been linked to significant movements in the crypto market, with many viewing his administration as generally supportive of blockchain innovation.
Market Analysis: Limited Panic Selling
Despite the price dip, short-term holders appeared to stay calm, with minimal panic selling. Bitcoin researcher Axel Adler Jr. highlighted that short-term holder profit losses to exchanges remained under 2,000 BTC during the sell-off.
“The recent shake-off did not indicate any ‘major panic selling in the market,’” Adler noted in an X post.
This trend contrasts with previous instances of Bitcoin price drops exceeding 5%, during which over 5,000 BTC were typically moved at a loss on exchanges.
Meanwhile, Joao Wedson, founder of Alphractal, observed that buying pressure returned swiftly after Bitcoin dropped below $100,000. However, the sharp price movement caused significant long liquidations.
According to data analytics platform Glassnode, over $68 million worth of long positions were liquidated in 24 hours. Glassnode added:
“The 24-hour SMA of Bitcoin long liquidations reached $2.9 million, marking the third-largest long liquidation event in the last three months.”
Trump’s Impact on Crypto Markets
Donald Trump’s previous presidency played a pivotal role in influencing the cryptocurrency market. His administration’s embrace of blockchain innovation, combined with his vocal support for deregulation, often boosted investor confidence in crypto assets.
In 2023, for instance, Trump issued an executive order creating a regulatory framework for blockchain technology, which was widely seen as a step toward legitimizing the crypto industry. These moves contributed to a surge in Bitcoin prices, with the asset breaking multiple all-time highs.
However, Trump’s latest tight-lipped approach to crypto policy has created uncertainty. Many investors had hoped for explicit statements or executive orders addressing the future of digital assets under his administration.
Will Bitcoin See a Reversal?
One notable trend observed in recent months is Bitcoin’s tendency for volatile price action on Mondays, which often sets the tone for the rest of the week. Over the past eight weeks, Bitcoin has consistently established its weekly high or low on a Monday before reversing in the opposite direction.
Low-liquidity sessions often result in sharp price movements, which are later corrected once U.S. markets open. Analysts warn that while this pattern suggests the potential for a price recovery, compounded losses could also occur later in the week.
Meme coins are a type of digital asset that is inspired by trends, characters, and memes. Their main purpose is for entertainment and fun. And most crypto enthusiasts support them. Some of these coins come with animal meme images or animated characters that almost everyone can relate to.
Another incredible thing about them is that there are several meme coins that you can choose to invest in today. Below are the top meme coins in January 2025.
Dogecoin
Dogecoin (DOGE) features the lovable Shiba Inu dog from the popular “Doge” meme. It was launched as a joke in 2013. But, it’s now a serious player in the Crypto world, like NetBet is in the casino world.
This popularity is mainly because of endorsements by public figures, like Elon Musk. Recently, DOGE has been trading at $0.3608, which is great if you are looking for stability and growth in the meme coin space. In addition, it has a market capitalization of over $57 billion.
Shiba Inu
Shiba Inu is currently competing with DOGE to win meme coin supremacy. This coin’s has grown in popularity ever since its launch in the crypto world.
The popularity is mainly due to the loyal and passionate community that is available. As of 21st January 2025, Shibu Inu’s market capitalization reached $11.7 billion. This places it as one of the top cryptocurrencies by market cap, and it’s now trading at $0.0000199.
Artic Pablo (APC)
Artic Pablo (APC) is one of the newest meme coins that everyone is now talking about. It is currently in its presale phase, which has ensured that it has raised over $175,000 in just 11 days. What’s more, the current price of the APC tokes in the presale is $0.000026 and the total supply of this coins is 221.2 billion APC tokens.
This meme con is not yet listed on the exchanges. So, it doesn’t have an established market capitalization yet. But, its performance in the presale phase is string and that suggests investor interest in this meme coin.
$TRUMP
The $TRUMP is another great meme coin. This meme coin was launched on 17th January 2025 and is hosted on the Solana blockchain. On 20th January 2025, during Trump’s inauguration, the $TRUMP’s market cap peaked at nearly $11 billion.
Also, its price has been extremely volatile, where it reached the highs of over $70 before settling around $36.
$MELANIA
$MELANIA is another top meme coin that was launched on 19th January 2025. And by 20th January 2025, reports showed that its market cap rose to about $1.7 billion. That was only a few hours before the inauguration.
Its market cap is expected to stabilize at around $2 billion USD.
Bottom Line
The top meme coins in January 2025 are very diverse. Also, they are now more entertaining than ever, where you’ll see politicians, dogs, and even explorers on the coins. What started as an internet joke has pulled key players, like the US’s first couple, into the cryptocurrency market.
The latest crypto news that’s got everyone talking is Donald Trump and Melania’s move to join the cryptocurrency world. This first couple has reportedly entered the meme coin market. They made this move days before Trump’s big day back in the White House.
And that has sparked debates about their impact and purpose. The debate is more so after Trump called Bitcoin a ‘scam’ in 2021. Read on to learn more.
Trump and Melania Meme Coins
On 17th January 2025, Trump revealed his $TRUMP coin. It has an image of his attempted assassination in July. And, on 19th January 2025, Melania released her own $MELANIA coin. These coins promise a shift in the crypto world, just like NetBet slots are doing in casinos. They gained explosive values quickly, where the $TRUMP is now valued at $11 billion and $MELANIA at $1.7 billion.
Despite, their high worth, there is still some debates about them. This is more so about political figures involvement in the crypto market. For one, a crypto expert, Justin D’Anethan commented, “Should public figures, especially those with such political clout, wield this kind of sway in speculative markets?’
The Trumps are saying that these meme coins are just for fun and support, not for investment. However, 80% of $TRUMP cons are owned by companies lined to Trump.
What People Are Saying
Some people see the Trumps move into the cypto world as a marketing genius. On the other hand, many worry that the meme coins can mislead inexperienced investors. In addition to this controversy is Trump’s history, where he called Bitcon a “scam.”
Also, he once dismissed digital currencies as a threat to the dollar. Now, critics are calling Trump’s involvement in meme coins hypocritical. On the other hand, fans say that these meme coins act as proof of Trump’s ability to evolve and adapt.
What Could the Trump’s Move Mean For the Crypto Community?
The launch of the $TRUMP and $MELANIA coins could attract a new wave of users to the crypto market. If they continue to be popular, they may even compete with popular meme coins, such as Shiba Inu and Dogecoin.
What’s more, this whole meme coin craze isn’t just about the Trumps. It’s a bigger part of the crypto boom that is currently going on. For instance, after Trump’s inauguration there is an expectation that Bitcoin will hit its highest record yet. So, every crypto enthusiast currently wants to get a piece of the digital pie.
In addition, the $TRUMP and $MELANIA meme coins act as a reminder that the world of many is constantly changing. It’s now proving that crypto is quickly becoming a bigger part of our lives and that of politics, too.
Bottom Line
Trump and Melania’s entry into the cryptocurrency world has everyone talking. It has encouraged Trump’s supporters to join the crypto wave. However, some are still skeptical. Also, there are many unanswered questions on whether the coins will crash or soar after the inauguration. But only time will tell. The only thing for sure is that after Trump’s inauguration, there will be a shift in the crypto world.
On January 27, the U.S. Senate confirmed Donald Trump’s nominee for Treasury Secretary, billionaire hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, in a 68-29 vote. The confirmation saw bipartisan support, with 16 Democrats joining Republicans to back the nomination.
Bessent’s confirmation is particularly notable given his pro-crypto stance and opposition to central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), aligning closely with President Trump’s economic vision.
The Role of the Treasury Secretary
As Treasury Secretary, Bessent assumes significant responsibility over critical aspects of the U.S. economy. His purview includes managing the nation’s tax collection system, overseeing the $28 trillion Treasury debt market, and influencing fiscal policy and financial regulations. He will also play a key role in shaping international sanctions and overseeing foreign investments.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse congratulated Bessent on X (formerly Twitter), expressing optimism about his approach to fostering tech and crypto innovation:
“Confident he’ll enact common-sense economic policies, working with the Administration and Congress to grow U.S. tech and crypto innovation.”
Bessent’s Economic and Crypto Views
A Tennessee native and longtime supporter of Trump’s economic agenda, Bessent has championed policies such as the renewal of $4 trillion in expiring tax cuts, increased oil production, and the implementation of tariffs. During his confirmation hearing, he voiced concerns about federal spending, stating:
“Government spending is out of control.”
However, what sets Bessent apart is his vocal advocacy for cryptocurrencies. He opposes the idea of a U.S. central bank digital currency, describing it as unnecessary and more suited for countries with limited investment alternatives. In a January 16 Senate Finance Committee hearing, he remarked:
“I see no reason for the U.S. to have a central bank digital currency.”
His sentiment aligns with that of President Trump, who has consistently expressed skepticism about CBDCs. Bessent elaborated on his stance in a July interview with Fox Business:
“I’ve been excited about the president’s embrace of crypto, and I think it fits very well with the Republican Party. Crypto is about freedom, and the crypto economy is here to stay.”
SEC and Crypto Regulation Under Trump
Bessent’s confirmation comes as the crypto industry faces heightened regulatory scrutiny, particularly from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Under the leadership of Gary Gensler, the SEC has aggressively pursued enforcement actions against crypto companies, accusing many of offering unregistered securities.
Notable cases include lawsuits against Coinbase, Binance, and Ripple, with each company arguing that the SEC lacks clear regulatory authority over digital assets. These cases have brought attention to the need for more explicit crypto legislation in the U.S.
In response to these regulatory challenges, President Trump issued a crypto-focused executive order on January 23. The order established a governmental working group tasked with formulating a cohesive U.S. crypto strategy. This group includes Scott Bessent, SEC Chair Gary Gensler, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chair Rostin Behnam, and Trump’s AI and crypto czar, David Sacks.
The executive order marks a significant step toward creating a regulatory framework that balances innovation with investor protection.
Background on SEC Enforcement Actions
The SEC has ramped up its efforts to regulate the crypto industry in recent years, often citing the Howey Test—a legal standard for determining whether a transaction qualifies as an investment contract. This approach has drawn criticism from industry leaders, who argue that the lack of clear guidelines stifles innovation and drives businesses offshore.
High-profile enforcement actions include Ripple Labs, where the SEC alleged that XRP is an unregistered security, and Coinbase, accused of offering crypto staking products without proper registration. These lawsuits highlight the ongoing tug-of-war between regulators and the crypto industry over how digital assets should be classified and governed.
What Bessent’s Confirmation Means for Crypto
Scott Bessent’s pro-crypto stance could signal a shift in how the U.S. approaches digital assets. His emphasis on fostering innovation and rejecting a U.S. CBDC aligns with a broader vision of crypto as a tool for financial freedom.
With his leadership at the Treasury, coupled with Trump’s crypto executive order, the U.S. may begin charting a clearer path for crypto regulation—one that supports growth while addressing security and compliance concerns.
As the regulatory landscape evolves, the focus will remain on balancing innovation with oversight to ensure the U.S. remains competitive in the rapidly growing crypto economy.
In a troubling incident highlighting the dark side of cryptocurrency, TV star Dean Norris, known for his iconic role as Hank Schrader in Breaking Bad, had his X account hacked to promote a fraudulent memecoin. The scam, centered around a token named “DEAN,” leveraged Norris’ likeness in what turned out to be a pump-and-dump scheme that deceived investors.
The Hack and Dean Norris’ Response
On January 26, Norris addressed his followers in a video posted to his X account, clarifying that the DEAN memecoin was a “complete, fake scam.” He expressed frustration over the situation, stating, “I didn’t know I was hacked until I started getting texts from friends saying it’s out there.” Norris also criticized Reddit users who blamed him for the incident, saying, “Go f*** yourselves.”
Hackers had used his account to share promotional posts about DEAN, including a doctored image of Norris holding a sign with the token’s name and launch date. One particularly incriminating post included a video clip of Norris appearing to endorse the coin by saying, “Hey, it’s me, Dean, and on January 25th, I’m declaring it’s real.” However, users speculated the video may have been either a deepfake or a repurposed Cameo clip taken out of context. Norris is active on Cameo, a platform where fans can pay for personalized video messages from celebrities.
The Rise and Fall of DEAN Memecoin
According to blockchain tracker DexScreener, DEAN briefly soared to a market cap of approximately $8.43 million following its promotion on January 25. However, the token’s value quickly plummeted by over 96%, crashing to a market cap of less than $60,000. This rapid collapse is characteristic of pump-and-dump schemes, where scammers artificially inflate a token’s value before selling off their holdings, leaving other investors with worthless assets.
Memecoins like DEAN often attract attention due to their association with internet culture or celebrity endorsements. However, these tokens are frequently unregulated and highly speculative, making them vulnerable to fraudulent schemes.
Background on Memecoin Rug Pulls
The cryptocurrency world has seen a growing trend of memecoin-related scams, known as “rug pulls.” A rug pull occurs when developers of a token hype it up, collect funds from investors, and then abandon the project, often draining liquidity and leaving investors empty-handed.
One of the most infamous examples is the Squid Game token, which surged to a market cap of over $2.1 million before the developers abruptly disappeared, taking investors’ funds. These scams exploit the viral nature of memecoins, relying on hype rather than any intrinsic value or utility.
Scammers increasingly use social media platforms and celebrity endorsements—real or fabricated—to lend credibility to their schemes. In some cases, hackers hijack high-profile accounts to promote fraudulent tokens, as seen in Dean Norris’ situation.
Repeat Incident for Norris and Broader Implications
This isn’t the first time Dean Norris has been targeted by crypto scammers. In November, on-chain investigator ZachXBT reported that hackers associated with a former Fortnite pro player were involved in multiple account takeovers, including those of Norris, McDonald’s, and Usher, to promote dubious cryptocurrency projects.
The latest hack not only underscores the vulnerability of social media accounts but also raises questions about the growing prevalence of cryptocurrency scams. Memecoins, despite their lighthearted appeal, often lack regulatory oversight, leaving investors at significant risk.
Community Reactions and the Role of AI in Scams
While some Reddit users speculated that the hackers may have used AI-generated deepfakes to promote DEAN, others suggested the video was a manipulated Cameo clip. The potential use of artificial intelligence in such schemes is an alarming development, adding a new layer of sophistication to crypto scams.
In light of these events, Norris reiterated that he rarely uses X and does not have a Telegram account, further distancing himself from the scam. “This is not something I was involved in, and I feel terrible for anyone who lost money,” he said in a follow-up statement.
Protecting Against Crypto Scams
The incident highlights the need for increased vigilance in the cryptocurrency space. Investors should approach memecoins and celebrity endorsements with caution, conducting thorough research before investing. Meanwhile, platforms like X must bolster their security measures to protect high-profile accounts from being exploited.
As the crypto market continues to grow, so do the risks associated with it. For Dean Norris and the many others affected by similar scams, the incident serves as a harsh reminder of the challenges posed by the unregulated and often unpredictable world of cryptocurrency.
Ethereum (ETH), the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, has seen a 6.7% drop in January, underperforming compared to the broader crypto market and Bitcoin. Despite this lackluster start to the year, historical data and market analysts suggest a brighter outlook for Ethereum in February and March.
Ethereum’s January Decline
As of January 27, Ethereum’s price has fallen from a January 1 high of $3,400 to an intraday low of $3,170, according to CoinGecko. This represents a notable 6.7% decline for the month, underlining its divergence from Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies, which have demonstrated resilience.
Ethereum’s underperformance in January contrasts with its historical trend of stronger months to follow. Market watchers have pointed out that Ethereum has consistently performed well in February and March, providing hope for a potential recovery in the near term.
Historical Performance in February and March
Ethereum has shown a robust historical trend during February. According to data from CoinGlass, ETH has only recorded a loss in February once—in 2018—following a massive 50% gain in January of that year. Prominent futures trader “CoinMamba” noted on X (formerly Twitter) that February and March are traditionally “very good months” for Ethereum.
For six consecutive years, February has delivered gains for Ethereum. Its largest February gain occurred in 2024, with the cryptocurrency surging more than 46%, climbing from $2,280 to end the month at $3,380. February 2017 also marked a significant rally, with Ethereum gaining approximately 48%, jumping from $11 to just under $16.
March has also been favorable for Ethereum, with gains recorded in seven of the past nine years. Following this trend, April has also historically been a strong month, further bolstering optimism among investors.
Expert Opinions and Market Sentiment
Despite Ethereum’s recent price drop, market sentiment among analysts and community members remains largely bullish. “Wolf,” an experienced analyst, shared their confidence on X, stating, “With eight years of experience as an analyst, I can confidently say I’ve never seen a chart as strong as ETH. The potential here is unmatched. It’s the best asymmetrical bet you can make.”
Anthony Sassano, a prominent Ethereum educator, also commented on recent developments within the Ethereum ecosystem, particularly the leadership shakeup at the Ethereum Foundation. Sassano noted a renewed energy in the community, stating, “The last week in Ethereum has been a complete and total shift in not just vibes but in the community’s hunger to win.”
Background on Ethereum and Ether
Launched in 2015, Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain platform known for enabling smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps). Its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), serves as the primary medium of exchange and is used to pay for transaction fees and computational services on the Ethereum network.
Ethereum has played a pivotal role in the growth of the crypto space, particularly through innovations like non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and decentralized finance (DeFi). These applications have positioned Ethereum as a leader in blockchain technology, making ETH one of the most widely used cryptocurrencies.
In 2022, Ethereum transitioned to a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism through the highly anticipated Ethereum Merge. This upgrade significantly reduced the network’s energy consumption and laid the foundation for future scalability improvements, such as sharding.
Current Price Action and Challenges
As of January 27, Ethereum is trading at $3,183, reflecting a 4.5% decline over the past 24 hours amid a broader market downturn. The cryptocurrency remains down 35% from its all-time high of $4,878, recorded in November 2021. Furthermore, it has lagged behind other high-cap assets like Bitcoin, XRP, and Solana in recent months.
Despite these challenges, Ethereum’s underlying fundamentals remain strong. The platform continues to attract developers and investors due to its vibrant ecosystem, which powers the majority of blockchain-based applications.
Musk Fuks Robots could turn early investors into multi-millionaires, like other memecoins, such as Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Dogecoin (DOGE), did.
Musk Fuks Robots (MUSKROBO), a Solana memecoin launched today, is set to explode over 18,000% in price in the coming days.
This is because MUSKROBO 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 cause its price to rally, which will benefit investors who buy before these new exchange listings.
Currently, Musk Fuks Robots 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 Musk Fuks Robots could become the next viral memecoin.
Musk Fuks Robots launched with over $40,000 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 Musk Fuks Robots 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 Musk Fuks Robots by entering its contract address (CA) – 9yuANCwHs443YpCDnUr2GfSkDSTxUweQL1m2vMaYnTT5 – 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.
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 MUSKROBO.
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.