BitVM Just Got A Massive Upgrade

The introduction of BitVM smart contracts has marked a significant milestone in the path for scalability and programmability of Bitcoin. Rooted in the original BitVM protocol, Bitlayer’s Finality Bridge introduces the first version of the protocol live on testnet, which is a good starting point for realizing the promises of the Bitcoin Renaissance or “Season 2”.

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Unlike earlier BTC bridges that often required reliance on centralized entities or questionable trust assumptions, the Finality Bridge leverages a blend of BitVM smart contracts, fraud proofs, and…

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LATEST: South Korea to Lift Crypto Trading Ban for Institutions

South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) is set to lift a long-standing ban on institutional crypto trading. This decision follows a surge in global market participation and increasing demand from domestic companies. Restrictions placed in 2017 aimed at curbing speculation and money laundering will now be eased, allowing more entities to engage in virtual asset transactions.

Non-profit organizations, including charities, universities, and law enforcement agencies, will be able to sell virtual assets by mid-year. Listed companies and professional investors will gain full access to crypto trading in the latter half of the year. The move aligns with regulatory developments worldwide, positioning South Korea as a key player in the evolving blockchain economy.

The enforcement of the Virtual Asset User Protection Act provides a framework for safeguarding investors. Authorities recognize that major economies are welcoming institutional participation in crypto markets. With this shift, South Korea aims to foster innovation and meet the growing demand for blockchain-related businesses.

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ETH ETFs down over $1.1B on net flows to date

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There’s endless shared trauma in crypto. But among the most common feels would be the kick to the guts that is buying a coin only to have it crash almost immediately.

Buyers of ETH ETFs are going through it right now. 

They’re collectively down an estimated $1.16 billion on their capital to date, after contributing the bulk of their inflows when the price of ETH was closer to $3,300, or around 27% higher than it is right now.

To be clear, the share prices of the ETFs themselves more-or-less track the price of ETH. The losses referred to here point to the ETH value each fund holds…

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Goldman Sachs | Bitcoin ETF Exposure Now Over $2 Billion

According to its latest filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Goldman Sachs has significantly increased its bitcoin ETF investments and is now holding over $1.5 billion. It has also reported an additional $760 million exposure to bitcoin ETF options.

The bank has been steadily buying more and more of the bitcoin ETFs and, showing growing institutional interest in bitcoin.

As of December 31, 2024 Goldman Sachs had $1.56 billion in these investment vehicles, up from $710 million in the previous quarter. That’s an increase of over 120%.

Most of Goldman’s Bitcoin ETF investment is in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) where it holds 24.07…

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