Cryptocurrency exchange Bitstamp has secured a significant Multilateral Trading Facility (MTF) license from Slovenia’s Securities Market Agency, a move that marks a major milestone for the cryptocurrency industry. This approval empowers Bitstamp to enhance its financial offerings with sophisticated products for both institutional and retail clients, including perpetual swaps and other derivatives without expiration dates.

Jean-Baptiste Graftieaux, Bitstamp’s global CEO, celebrated the license as a reflection of the exchange’s commitment to security, trust, and regulatory compliance. He highlighted the license as indicative of the crypto industry’s growing maturity. This regulatory milestone under the European Union’s MiFID II framework allows Bitstamp to offer a diversified portfolio including stocks, bonds, and commodities, adhering to stringent EU standards.

The achievement not only aligns Bitstamp with institutional demands for advanced crypto derivatives but also solidifies its position as a frontrunner in regulated crypto exchanges. This strategic expansion comes on the heels of Bitstamp’s acquisition by Robinhood, enhancing its global outreach and capacity to meet escalating institutional interest in cryptocurrency markets.

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At the tail end of yesterday, MacroScope, a financial analyst focusing on Bitcoin, revealed a new SEC filing stating that Microsoft is voting this December on whether it should invest in bitcoin.

At first I thought there is no way this happens right now, and figured it will just be a short lived hype, especially after noticing a detail in the filing stating that Microsoft’s board recommends its shareholders to vote AGAINST the…

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Today, the city of Lugano in Switzerland unveiled an incredible statue honouring Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin’s anonymous founder. I found this tribute incredibly inspiring and beautiful.

The statue was revealed at Lugano’s Plan B conference, turning heads with its clever invisible design. Viewed head-on, it disappears entirely – representing Satoshi’s own anonymity. This is an artistic masterpiece perfectly encapsulating his mystery.

Of course, some bitcoiners…

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On October 25, 2024, the daily net flow of Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. highlighted significant transactions with most funds showing positive movements. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF (Ticker: IBIT) led with a substantial increase, adding 2,435 BTC to its holdings, marking a significant uptick in investor interest.

Bitwise (Ticker: BITB) and Invesco Galaxy’s Bitcoin ETF (Ticker: BTCO) also saw positive inflows, gaining 435 BTC and 344 BTC, respectively. Grayscale’s BTC ETF (Ticker: BTC) added 71 BTC, reflecting a steady interest despite broader market fluctuations.

Conversely, some funds experienced minor outflows; VanEck’s Bitcoin ETF (Ticker: HODL) saw a decrease of 85 BTC, and ARK’s Bitcoin ETF (Ticker: ARKB) had a modest outflow of 5 BTC. Grayscale’s GBTC fund had a negligible outflow of 9 BTC.

Overall, the total holdings of all ETFs listed reached 967,330 BTC, with a net inflow of 3,186 BTC for the day, valued at approximately $210.7 million. This activity underscores a day of robust trading and investor engagement in the U.S. Bitcoin ETF market, with significant capital injections leading to a substantial increase in total market value.

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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Retail investors are showing unprecedented enthusiasm for spot Bitcoin ETFs, comprising nearly 80% of the total assets under management as revealed in a recent Binance study dated October 25. This strong demand highlights a shift towards cryptocurrency as a favored investment among non-institutional players, with significant activity recorded until October 10.

Despite this trend, traditional financial giants remain cautious. Vanguard, for example, remains steadfast in its decision against launching crypto ETFs, with its CEO Salim Ramji affirming on August 14 that they will continue to avoid the crypto sector. This resistance underscores a broader hesitancy among traditional finance institutions to fully embrace digital currencies.

However, Bitcoin ETFs have not lost their allure, seeing massive inflows totaling $2.88 billion from October 11 to 23, as per Farside data. This only saw a minor dip with a 2.7% outflow on October 22. This robust influx points to a growing confidence in Bitcoin among retail investors, potentially setting the stage for broader acceptance in the financial landscape.

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At Lightspark Sync, Lightspark’s first partner summit on Thursday, the company announced new products and features that will allow users to make global payments with both bitcoin and fiat.

The company announced that it has launched an alpha version of Spark, a Bitcoin Layer 2 that’s interoperable with Lightning and that makes it cheaper to onboard users to a non-custodial Bitcoin layer.

The company also announced new capabilities for UMA, the company’s open-source and regulatory compliant payment solution that makes sending money as simple as sending an email.

With UMA Extend, the Lightning Network can serve as a bridge between traditional banks globally, while with UMA Auth and UMA…

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Bitcoin’s price cycles have long been a source of intrigue for investors and analysts alike. We can gain insights into potential price movements by comparing current trends to previous cycles, especially with Bitcoin seemingly coming to an end of its consolidation period, many wonder if the next leg up is around the corner.

Comparing Bitcoin Cycles

To begin, it’s crucial to look at how Bitcoin has performed since hitting its recent cycle low. As we examine the data, a clear picture begins to form: Bitcoin’s current price action (black line) is showing patterns similar to previous bull cycles. Although it has been a choppy consolidation period, where the price has been relatively…

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