NEW: Missouri Passes Law Guaranteeing Right to Bitcoin Transactions

Missouri has emerged as a leader in cryptocurrency advocacy, especially notable after the challenges of the 2022 ‘crypto winter’ that saw major upheavals including the collapse of FTX. The state’s progressive stance is highlighted by the recent passage of the Blockchain Basics Act (House Bill 2107) on February 13, 2024. This act is a bold statement, guaranteeing the rights to buy, self-custody, and mine cryptocurrencies, amidst a backdrop where U.S. politicians are increasingly recognizing the potential of digital currencies, even accepting them as campaign donations.

The legislation stands out by setting clear definitions for key blockchain concepts and prohibiting unfair practices, such as additional taxes on crypto transactions and discriminatory utility rates for miners. This move by Missouri, backed by the Satoshi Action Fund, not only protects crypto enthusiasts but also paves the way for similar initiatives in Nebraska and eleven other states. It signifies a significant shift towards embracing the future of digital assets in the U.S., reinforcing Missouri’s position at the forefront of the cryptocurrency movement.

House Bill 2107 

Bitcoin Magazine Expands Global Presence with New Swiss Office in Partnership with White Rock Management

In a significant move to broaden its international reach, Bitcoin Magazine, in collaboration with White Rock Management, announced the opening of its new office in Lugano, Switzerland, on February 14, 2024. This strategic expansion into the heart of Europe underscores the publication’s commitment to fostering Bitcoin adoption and education across the globe.

Lugano, a city that has emerged as a pioneer in Bitcoin integration, allowing its residents to pay taxes with the Bitcoin, serves as the perfect backdrop for Bitcoin Magazine’s latest venture. This choice highlights the city’s and, by extension, Switzerland’s, innovative approach to Bitcoin. With over a thousand blockchain and…

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Sommelier DeFi strategy vaults now live on Arbitrum

Retail investors, priced out of Ethereum mainnet by high gas fees and shifting their attention to layer-2 rollups, now have a 1-click yield vault option on Arbitrum, courtesy Sommelier Finance.

The first foray into Arbitrum One will be Sommelier’s Real Yield ETH vault, which generates yield by providing liquidity and taking leveraged positions on staked ether (ETH).

The DeFi protocol, built as a Cosmos app-chain, was technically already multichain, given that its initial vaults — called “cellars” — are on Ethereum mainnet, while managed via the native app-chain. Since launching in April 2023, Sommelier has attracted around $60 million in deposits across a growing list of vault…

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Changing Regulatory Dynamics For Bitcoin ATMs

In the ever-evolving landscape of Bitcoin, changes can be hard to keep up with. As we enter into a new year, it’s important to be mindful that significant industry shifts and expansions will likely occur.

The increase in regulatory measures we’ve seen over the last year is expected to continue well into 2024 and stands out as an industry trend poised to instigate substantial changes.

One part of the industry that will surely be impacted by these changes are Bitcoin ATMs. As the regulatory environment tightens, new state-specific licenses for Bitcoin ATMs are emerging – such as California’s AB39 bill, which was recently signed into law. 2024 promises to provide both challenges and…

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LATEST: Bitcoin Surges to Above $51,500, Reaching $1 Trillion Market Cap Once Again Since December 2021

Bitcoin’s price soared above $51,500 during Wednesday’s early trading hours in Europe, marking a significant milestone by achieving a market capitalization of $1 trillion for the first time since December 2021. This surge underscores the growing confidence among investors in the cryptocurrency’s potential. The optimism is partly driven by the anticipation of further growth, with some speculating that Bitcoin’s price could climb to $75,000 in the near future. A specific focus for many investors is the $64,000 price point, expected to be reached soon, bolstered by an uptick in demand for Bitcoin through spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Notably, BlackRock’s IBIT ETF witnessed an impressive $500 million in net inflows just on Tuesday, highlighting a robust demand for Bitcoin. This momentum is a clear indicator of Bitcoin’s enduring appeal and its anticipated upward trajectory in the financial markets.

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Bitcoin Companies’ Stocks | Double Digit Gains

Bitcoin’s recent surge past $50,000 has ignited a flurry of activity in the market, with significant gains observed not only in bitcoin itself but also in Bitcoin companies’ stocks. This rally is impacting companies involved in Bitcoin mining and related ventures.

MicroStrategy and Bitcoin Mining Stocks See Double-Digit Gains

As bitcoin soared past the $50,000 mark, MicroStrategy (MSTR) and various Bitcoin mining companies experienced substantial gains in their stock prices.

MicroStrategy, led by CEO Michael Saylor, has long been a proponent of bitcoin as a digital store of value. With a massive holding of 190,000 BTC, valued at $9.5 billion, MicroStrategy has seen its stock surge by an…

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Changpeng Zhao | Sentencing Pushed To April

The judicial proceedings concerning Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the co-founder of the digital asset exchange, Binance, have encountered a delay, with the sentencing now slated for late April, as reported by CNBC.

The former Binance chief executive pleaded guilty to money laundering violations in November 2023, and also stepped down as the CEO of the firm he founded in July 2017. 

When CZ pleaded guilty, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated on the matter:   

“Binance was allowing illicit actors to transact freely, supporting activities from child sexual abuse, to illegal narcotics, to terrorism, across more than 100,000 transactions. That includes transactions associated with terrorist…

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Demeester | Zombie Banks Bailouts

Renowned Bitcoin enthusiast and the editor-in-chief of Adamant Research, Tuur Demeester, has provided insights into the potential dynamics of the upcoming Bitcoin bull market. He cites zombie banks bailouts as the reason behind a potential remarkable surge in bitcoin’s price. He projects it will reach between $200,000 and $600,000 per coin by the year 2026.

Zombie Banks and Retail Investors: Driving Force

Unlike many bitcoin bulls who emphasize institutional involvement, Demeester places significant emphasis on the awakening of retail investors as a driving force behind the anticipated rally. However, his optimistic outlook comes with a cautionary note:

“Keep in mind one of the most…

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NEW: Robinhood’s Crypto Revenue Hits $43 Million, Surpassing Expectations and Signaling Expansion Plans

Robinhood’s latest earnings reveal a significant uptick in cryptocurrency revenue, hitting $43 million and contributing to an 8% rise in transaction-based revenues, totaling $200 million. Despite a slight decrease in monthly active users to 10.9 million, the company witnessed a remarkable 65% year-over-year increase in assets under custody, reaching $102.6 billion. This financial growth underscores Robinhood’s plans to extend its reach beyond the US, following its foray into the UK and EU markets, highlighting the potential of cryptocurrency trading within a clear regulatory framework.

Exceeding Wall Street predictions, Robinhood reported earnings per share of $0.03 against the expected loss, with total revenue reaching $471 million. This performance caps off a year marked by accelerated product development and market share expansion. CEO Vlad Tenev’s optimism for 2024 is buoyed by early Q1 successes, signaling Robinhood’s ongoing commitment to crypto innovation. This includes a notable partnership with MetaMask, facilitating direct crypto purchases, showcasing Robinhood’s ambition to remain at the forefront of the cryptocurrency trading space.

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