LATEST: Ethereum Staking Locks 25% of the Total Supply, Valued at $73 Billion

The Ethereum staking narrative has gained significant momentum, with 25% of the circulating supply now staked, marking a substantial milestone. Liquid staking platform Lido’s data reveals over 30 million ETH staked, valued at approximately $73 billion at current prices. This milestone is advantageous for ETH holders as it indicates increased network security and potential for passive income through staking rewards. With 940,563 validators securing the network, Ethereum’s decentralization is strengthened. Additionally, the unstaking queue’s depletion suggests minimal risk of significant ETH withdrawals, ensuring stability. Blockchain analytics firm Nansen corroborates this data, reporting a similar staking percentage and diminished unstaking queue. Ultrasound.Money offers slightly conservative figures but highlights a significant decrease in Ethereum’s supply since the Merge in September 2022, contributing to deflationary pressure and reinforcing ETH’s scarcity narrative. Furthermore, the ongoing burn rate of ETH adds to this scarcity, with approximately $10 million worth of ETH burnt in the past 24 hours. Overall, this milestone underscores Ethereum’s robust staking ecosystem and its potential benefits for ETH holders in terms of security, stability, and deflationary dynamics.

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NEW: 2024 Marks Ethereum’s Expansion with Nearly 100,000 Unique Addresses Added Each Day

Ethereum, the leading platform for Web3 and DeFi, eaching an impressive milestone of nearly 257.60 million unique addresses by February 7, 2024. This remarkable growth is a testament to Ethereum’s unwavering dominance and its pivotal role in shaping the future of digital finance. With an addition of nearly 3.54 million new addresses since the start of 2024, Ethereum showcases its robust and growing ecosystem, reflecting the community’s trust and the network’s utility. This surge in unique addresses, an average daily increase of 95,570 in 2024, underscores the increasing adoption of Ethereum as the foundation for innovative financial solutions. Despite the emergence of competitors, Ethereum’s leadership in the DeFi landscape, commanding over 50% of the total value locked, demonstrates its unmatched influence and potential for further growth. Ethereum’s continued expansion and adaptation in response to the evolving market highlight its resilience and potential to remain at the forefront of the cryptocurrency revolution.

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Ark 21Shares amends spot ether ETF to include staking language

Ark 21Shares amended the S-1 for their spot ether ETF.

Among other changes, including adding a section on potential staking, Ark 21Shares also added similar language to its bitcoin ETF around cash creation. 

The language around staking was added in brackets, which Van Buren general partner Scott Johnsson says means that the issuer wants to add the section, but knows that the Securities and Exchange Commission will want to hold a conversation about it.

“[The Sponsor may, from time to time, stake a portion of the Trust’s assets through one or more trusted third party staking providers (“Staking Providers”). The Sponsor generally expects to stake ether tokens from the Trust’s…

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Bitcoin ETFs are not crypto’s finish line

The US Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of the bitcoin ETFs was rightfully cheered on by most of the crypto world. But as the dust settles, we need to ask ourselves: What do these instruments really mean for us?

ETF approval signals a step forward for Bitcoin and, more broadly, crypto’s legitimacy. It’s a huge boost on the path from a niche to a major sector. 

But it also makes us more reliant on traditional financial institutions — exactly the ones that the technology was meant to free us from.

Now, it’s crucial for our industry to pivot. We need to take this enthusiasm and turn it into something more: encouraging genuine, self-custodial asset ownership, giving…

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EIA Mining Survey Looms Large Over Bitcoin Mining Industry

The below is an excerpt from a recent edition of Bitcoin Magazine Pro, Bitcoin Magazine’s premium markets newsletter. To be among the first to receive these insights and other on-chain bitcoin market analysis straight to your inbox, subscribe now.

Bitcoin miners have not been operating under normal circumstances for the past several months. Bitcoin’s blockchain has seen a particularly intense degree of demand over the past several months, and it looks like BRC-20s, and to a lesser extent, image inscriptions, all made possible by the Ordinals protocol, bear a great deal of responsibility. Essentially, this protocol enables users to inscribe unique…

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Hut 8 switches CEOs as it eyes ‘new strategic direction’ after merger

Just two months after the merger between Hut 8 and US Bitcoin Corp, the combined bitcoin miner has named a new CEO. 

Former Hut 8 president Asher Genoot — a member of the company’s board of directors — is now its new chief executive, the firm said Wednesday. He replaces Jaime Leverton, who departs the firm after working as its CEO since December 2020.

A change of leadership was “appropriate” as Hut 8 seeks to go in “a new strategic direction,” the company said in a news release.

“The merger of equals of Hut 8 and US Bitcoin Corp was a transformational moment for both companies,” Hut 8 board chairman Bill Tai added in a statement. “Hut 8 is now at a pivotal…

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Top Trending Crypto Coins of The Day

BIGCAP COINS:

  1. Monero: Market Cap of $2.3 Billion.
  2. Solana: Market Cap of $41.7 Billion.
  3. Celestia: Market Cap of $2.8 Billion.

MIDCAP COINS:

  1. Dymension: Market Cap of $841 Million.
  2. ChainGPT: Market Cap of $80.2 Million.
  3. Heroes of Mavia: Market Cap of $118 Million.

RISING COINS:

  1. Pepe: Market Cap of $384 Million.
  2. MAGA: Market Cap of $113 Million.
  3. PondCoin: Market Cap of $89.1 Million.

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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LATEST: Thailand Abolishes Value-Added Tax on Crypto Trading to Boost Digital Asset Sector

Thailand has taken a strategic step towards becoming a digital asset powerhouse by eliminating the 7% value-added tax (VAT) on cryptocurrency trading profits. This landmark decision, which came into effect on January 1, 2024, is part of the country’s effort to invigorate its digital currency sector, with the policy having no designated end date. According to the Bangkok Post, the VAT relief not only benefits individual traders but also extends to transactions facilitated by brokers and dealers regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The move is seen as a significant regulatory easing aimed at attracting investment and fostering a favorable environment for digital assets. Although the Ministry of Finance has not provided additional details, Thailand’s initiative has already seen positive outcomes, drawing in international crypto exchanges like Binance. A recent venture between Binance and Thailand’s Gulf Innova led to the launch of new crypto exchange services, highlighting Thailand’s growing appeal as a crypto-friendly destination.

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BitGo looks to jumpstart RWA tokenization segment via acquisition

Crypto financial services company BitGo has bought a firm focused on investment infrastructure for alternative assets as part of a bid toward advancing a so-far stalled tokenization space. 

Brassica, the company to be acquired, offers back-end infrastructure services for private securities and alternative investments, including multi-asset custody, record-keeping and transfer agent services.

While most traditional finance players have a crypto- or blockchain-related proof-of-concept in the works, the worlds of digital assets and traditional finance currently have “almost no overlap,” argued BitGo CEO Mike Belshe. 

The firm’s latest deal seeks to digitize the alternative asset…

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How Much It Takes to Send $100,000 Across Different Payment Platforms

In an age where digital transactions are becoming the norm, it’s crucial to understand the various costs associated with transferring money. This report offers a comprehensive comparison of the costs incurred when sending $100,000 through various payment methods, ranging from cutting-edge cryptocurrencies to traditional banking methods.

Lowest to Highest: A Closer Look at Transaction Costs

Let’s break down the data provided in a simple, list format for ease of understanding:

  1. Solana (SOL): Approximately $0.00025
  2. Bitcoin Lightning Network: Less than $0.01
  3. Binance Smart Chain: Around $0.10 to $0.50
  4. Bitcoin (BTC): Between $1 and $5
  5. Ethereum (ETH): Ranging from $5 to $20
  6. Visa/Mastercard: Roughly $100 to $300
  7. Wire Transfer: Could cost between $150 to $500

The data paints a clear picture: the newer blockchain technologies like Solana and the Bitcoin Lightning Network offer significantly lower transaction fees compared to traditional banking methods.

The Bitcoin Lightning Network, a layer on top of the Bitcoin blockchain, designed for faster and cheaper transactions, shows its potential with extremely low fees. Meanwhile, mainstream cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have higher costs, but these are still dwarfed by the fees charged by credit card companies and banks for wire transfers.

The stark contrast in fees between the new-age crypto methods and traditional banking systems highlights the disruptive potential of blockchain technology in the financial industry. It underscores the shift towards a digital economy where the cost-efficiency of transactions can be vastly improved.

Disclaimer: Market capitalizations and data 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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