LATEST: Over 30% of South Koreans Now Hold Investments in Cryptocurrencies

South Korea has seen a remarkable increase in crypto investors, with figures soaring to 15.6 million users as of November. This uptick, representing over 30% of the population, coincided with Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election, sparking optimism for favorable crypto regulations. The data, revealing a collective holding of about 102.6 trillion Korean won ($70.3 billion) in digital assets, was reported by Yonhap News and marks the first official crypto statistics released under new financial safeguards.

July 19 marked a pivotal moment for cryptocurrency in South Korea as the Virtual Asset User Protection Act took effect, mandating enhanced security measures for digital asset service providers. This legislative move by the Financial Services Commission is intended to safeguard investor holdings, further boosting the crypto market’s credibility.

Observers attribute the spike in crypto participation to Trump’s election, anticipating a shift towards more crypto-friendly policies in the U.S., which could influence global market trends. The growing transaction volume in South Korea is now poised to rival that of the local stock market, reflecting heightened investor enthusiasm and confidence in the sector.

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LATEST: Bitget Reports Surge in Gen Z Crypto Users After Trump Election Win

Bitget experienced an unprecedented 683% increase in Gen Z users in November, signaling a significant shift in crypto demographics. This surge aligns with Donald Trump’s presidential election victory and his pro-crypto campaign promises, which included establishing a national Bitcoin reserve. The rise in Gen Z’s participation, from 26.2% of new users in October to 53.8% in November, propelled Bitcoin prices over $90,000 and boosted the broader crypto market cap beyond $3 trillion.

Fueled by Trump’s crypto-friendly rhetoric and pledges to support domestic Bitcoin mining, Bitget saw an influx of 844,000 new users under the age of 25, a dramatic jump from October’s 110,000. This demographic, known for its tech-savviness and pursuit of financial independence, appears to be responding to the political climate and the potential for favorable crypto policies.

The significant increase in young users at Bitget reflects a broader trend of political events influencing crypto adoption. With strong endorsements from public figures and a growing financial literacy, Gen Z is poised to be a driving force in shaping the future of the cryptocurrency market.

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Memes and madness in 2024

This is a segment from the Lightspeed newsletter. To read full editions, subscribe.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on this year’s biggest memecoin highs and lows. 

Some coins delivered huge gains, stuffing stockings with profits, while others crashed and burned, earning lumps of coal. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest winners and losers in the space — no sugar-coating included.

Political tokens: Naughty or nice?

Jeo Boden, parodying US President Joe Biden, surged 1,548% from $0.06307 to $1.04 before crashing 99.74% to $0.00274. Meanwhile, the Donald Trump inspired MAGA skyrocketed 4,170% from $0.41 to $17.51 but dropped 91.7% to $1.45, following a similar…

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New York continues to lead on state crypto regulations 

This is a segment from the Forward Guidance newsletter. To read full editions, subscribe.

As we approach what will undoubtedly be a new era for federal crypto regulation, this state watchdog head has some advice for companies: Start engaging now. 

“Never surprise your regulator,” New York Department of Financial Services Superintendent Adrienne Harris said at the Blockchain Association Policy Summit earlier this month. 

“We are by nature risk-adverse people,” she added. “We don’t like to be surprised, so come in and talk to us proactively.” 

Waiting until there is already an enforcement action underway to meet with regulators is a mistake, Harris said….

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Protect Your Non-Custodial Bitcoin Wallet — Support The Open Dialogue Foundation

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In a new report, the Open Dialogue Foundation (ODF) provides an overview and analysis of upcoming regulatory proposals around non-custodial Bitcoin and crypto wallets in the European Union (E.U.).

Some of the proposals — many of which are based on FATF recommendations — will negatively affect users’ ability to transact with crypto assets privately.

EU & FATF 2025: Your Bitcoin Wallet's New Rules?What is the best Christmas gift from…

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Daily US Bitcoin ETFs Net Flow Analysis (As of December 24, 2024)

On December 24, 2024, the daily net flow of U.S. Bitcoin ETFs showed a mix of inflows and outflows, leading to an overall net decrease of 2,308 BTC across the ETFs. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF (Ticker: IBIT) was a notable exception, experiencing a net inflow of 341 BTC, indicating investor confidence in this fund.

Conversely, Fidelity’s Bitcoin ETF (Ticker: FBTC) saw a significant net outflow, losing 1,573 BTC. Grayscale’s GBTC (Ticker: GBTC) also experienced a substantial outflow, decreasing by 621 BTC. Additionally, Bitwise’s Bitcoin ETF (Ticker: BITB) and Invesco Galaxy’s (Ticker: BTCO) recorded net outflows of 256 BTC and 95 BTC, respectively. ARK’s Bitcoin ETF (Ticker: ARKB) faced a more modest decline of 170 BTC.

Grayscale’s BTC fund (Ticker: BTC) showed a modest net inflow of 66 BTC, contrasting with the larger outflows from other funds in the Grayscale suite. VanEck’s (Ticker: HODL), Valkyrie’s (Ticker: BRRR), and Franklin Templeton’s (Ticker: EZBC) ETF holdings remained unchanged for the day.

The total Bitcoin holdings of these ETFs stood at 1,128,480 BTC by the end of the day, reflecting the net decrease and the dynamic nature of investor movements within the Bitcoin ETF market, valued at approximately $226.3 million in net outflows.

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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LATEST: Hong Kong Crypto ETFs to Experience Boom in 2025, Says OSL Executive

Hong Kong’s spot cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are set to soar in 2025, according to OSL’s Managing Director Ryan Miller. Following their launch in April 2024, these ETFs have shown promising signs of growth despite initial hurdles. The region remains the pioneer in Asia for listing spot crypto ETFs, with significant market share held by OSL, underscoring a robust foundation for future success.

Amid a globally positive sentiment towards cryptocurrencies, fueled by favorable U.S. policies and interest rate cuts, Hong Kong’s spot crypto ETFs have experienced their highest trading volumes yet. This surge aligns with ongoing local regulatory efforts to foster a crypto-friendly environment, including significant tax incentives for investment gains from cryptocurrencies.

With the local market primed for expansion and global trends favoring digital currencies, industry leaders like Miller anticipate substantial growth in trade volumes and inflows for Hong Kong’s ETFs. The stage is set for these funds to play a crucial role in the evolving global crypto landscape, promising a lucrative future for investors and the broader financial ecosystem.

LATEST: 37% of UAE Retail Investors Eye More Crypto Investments in 2025, eToro Reports

A recent survey by eToro reveals a significant trend among UAE retail investors gearing up to expand their cryptocurrency holdings in 2025. Over a third (37%) of the participants expressed intentions to increase their crypto investments as part of their financial resolutions for the new year, showcasing a robust interest in the digital asset sector.

Financial goals topped the list of New Year’s resolutions for 54% of the 1,000 surveyed, with a focus on enhancing portfolios across stocks, bonds, and real estate as well. To achieve these ambitions, 51% plan to up their savings and investment contributions, while others aim for a frugal lifestyle, with 28% cutting back on shopping and dining expenses.

Highlighting the proactive financial strategies, eToro’s regional manager, George Naddaf, praised the forward-thinking approach of UAE investors. He noted, “2025’s resolutions reflect a desire not just for financial security but also for self-improvement and adaptability,” emphasizing the dual focus on personal development and financial resilience.

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