Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, came to Ethereum’s defense amidst increasing scrutiny by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). During the XRP Las Vegas 2024 event, Garlinghouse criticized the SEC’s approach towards both Ethereum and Ripple (XRP). He argued that the SEC’s regulatory stance was counterproductive. In contrast to Michael Saylor, who labeled Ethereum an unregistered security, Garlinghouse highlighted Ripple’s recent legal win against the SEC, which established XRP is not a security.

Meanwhile, Consensys Inc., a key player in Ethereum’s ecosystem, is suing the SEC over its investigation into ETH-related trades. The ongoing regulatory uncertainty has delayed the approval of an Ethereum ETF, a development eagerly awaited by investors. Although William Hinman, former head of the SEC’s Corporation Finance division, previously stated Ethereum was not considered a security, the current investigation leaves Ethereum’s regulatory future uncertain, which is impacting its acceptance in the broader financial sector.

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$1M – $10M MarketCap:

1. Beoble (BBL): 38%
2. ArchLoot (ALT): 22%
3. Sinverse (SIN): 17%
4. LightLink (LL): 17%
5. VinuChain (VC): 13%

$10M – $100M MarketCap:

1. PepeFork (PORK): 53%
2. Artrade (ATR): 29%
3. Catboy (CATBOY): 28%
4. Juice Finance (JUICE): 27%
5. Marinade (MNDE): 21%

$100M – $1B MarketCap:

1. PUPS (PUPS): 50%
2. Arcblock (ABT): 26%
3. Bitcoin Gold (BTG): 26%
4. cat in a dogs world (MEW): 25%
5. Brett (BRETT): 25%

Disclaimer: Market capitalizations can vary in real-time. The information provided here is intended purely for educational purposes and should not, under any circumstances, be construed as financial advice.

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Veteran commodities trader Peter Brandt, in a recent post on X, has labeled Bitcoin as “the trade of a lifetime” during the 50th anniversary of his trading career. Brandt, who began his trading journey with futures contracts on the New York Mercantile Exchange in 1971, now sees Bitcoin as a unique market opportunity. Over his distinguished career, Brandt has traded a vast array of commodities, from Corn to Gold and Iron Ore to Idaho Potatoes. Yet, among all, Bitcoin stands out with its non-hackable nature, limited quantity, and rapid, global transaction capability.

In his bullish outlook, Brandt predicts Bitcoin’s price could soar to $125,000. He points out that despite major corrections, the Bitcoin price chart shows a consistent upward trajectory since its inception, often displaying parabolic rises. His confidence in Bitcoin starkly contrasts with his skepticism towards altcoins and meme cryptos, which he dismisses as mere offshoots of Bitcoin’s innovation. This year, as he celebrates half a century in trading, Brandt’s endorsement might just make crypto enthusiasts and investors look at Bitcoin with renewed interest.

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The Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), once the leading investment vehicle for Bitcoin exposure, has recorded its first daily net inflow of $63 million since transforming into an ETF in January, according to data from Farside Investors. This shift marks a significant development, as GBTC has been facing relentless competition from newly launched spot Bitcoin ETFs, including BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT).

Despite the recent inflow, GBTC has faced substantial outflows over the past months, with its assets decreasing significantly from more than 600,000 bitcoin to around 290,000 bitcoin. This reduction reflects the impact of its relatively high fees and the advent of nine rival ETFs with more competitive pricing structures. In contrast, IBIT has rapidly grown its assets from zero to $16.9 billion since its debut in January, challenging GBTC’s market dominance. This competitive landscape is intensifying, as both funds vie for the title of the largest Bitcoin ETF by assets.

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Venture capital inflows into cryptocurrency and blockchain startups have surged in the first quarter of 2024, marking a robust recovery after a year of decline. According to Galaxy Research, the sector attracted $2.49 billion through 603 deals, a substantial 29% increase in funding and a 68% rise in deal count compared to the final quarter of 2023. This spike may indicate that the market bottomed out in the previous quarter, but analysts suggest watching for continued quarterly growth to confirm a sustained recovery.

The upturn in investment is partly fueled by new Bitcoin exchange-traded funds and innovations in Bitcoin layer-2 solutions, alongside broader economic factors such as interest rate trends. Despite a historical link between Bitcoin prices and venture investments in the sector weakening over the past year, the recent resurgence could herald a more optimistic phase for crypto ventures, especially as 80% of the funds this quarter went to early-stage startups. While the U.S. led with 37.3% of all deals, the landscape shows promising activity across various regions and segments within the industry.

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