Funding Roundup: A Solana-based DePIN project raises $18M

This week was rife with funding announcements. The biggest came from Andrena, an Internet Service Provider (ISP), which announced its plans to launch a DePIN for decentralized broadband. 

Decentralized Autonomous Wireless Network (DAWN) raised a total of $18 million in a round led by Dragonfly. CMT Digital, Castle Island Ventures and Wintermute Ventures also contributed.* 

“Andrena has been on the forefront of DePIN before the term existed. Since we first backed the firm they have built a significant install base and are perfectly positioned to layer on the DAWN network,” said Castle Island Ventures founding partner Nic Carter. “We are strong believers in the notion that…

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LATEST: BlackRock and Fidelity’s Bitcoin ETFs Hold 2.49% of Total Bitcoin supply

The iShares Bitcoin Trust from BlackRock, known as IBIT, has secured a significant foothold in the Bitcoin market, currently holding 347,608 Bitcoins. This represents approximately 1.65% of the total Bitcoin supply, demonstrating BlackRock’s robust entry into cryptocurrency investments. Similarly, the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund, referred to as FBTC, has amassed 176,951 Bitcoins, accounting for 0.84% of the market. Together, these two funds now control 2.49% of all circulating Bitcoins, marking a substantial presence by traditional financial institutions in the digital currency space. Their investments highlight the growing confidence and acceptance of Bitcoin within the traditional financial sector.

Bitcoin Treasuries

LATEST: Long-term Holders Acquire 184,500 BTC for $11.1 Billion in Recent Market Dip

Recent data from Glassnode has shed light on the strategic behavior of long-term Bitcoin holders who have significantly increased their investments. Over 184,500 BTC, valued at about $11.1 billion, were acquired during the latest market downturn, indicating a strong belief in the future recovery and growth of Bitcoin. This surge in acquisition aligns with a noticeable recovery in Bitcoin’s price, suggesting savvy investment moves by these veteran holders.

As Bitcoin prices began to rebound, these long-term investors seized the opportunity to buy the dip, dramatically increasing their net positions. This trend not only reflects the optimism of seasoned investors but also highlights the resilience of the cryptocurrency market. Such substantial investments during periods of lower prices demonstrate a strategic approach to asset accumulation, suggesting a robust conviction in the sustained value of Bitcoin.

NEW: Santa Monica Opens Bitcoin Office to Encourage Local Adoption

Santa Monica has taken a significant leap into the future by inaugurating its own Bitcoin Office, aimed at bolstering education and exploring economic opportunities linked to Bitcoin. This initiative, launched on August 8 with the support of the City Council, seeks to position the city as a hub for crypto innovation. The office, developed in partnership with the nonprofit Proof of Workforce, will focus on educating the local community and fostering potential partnerships to boost economic recovery.

Amidst rising excitement, the Bitcoin Office is also addressing concerns by ensuring all promotional activities include appropriate disclaimers about the risks of crypto investments. Dominick Bei, a former union president and firefighter, leads Proof of Workforce in empowering workers and unions through Bitcoin education. Their efforts underline the city’s dedication to integrating Bitcoin into its economic and social fabric.

Enhancing these efforts, the city is also hosting the “Bitcoin Peer to Pier Festival” on October 18. This event, originally initiated by Swan Bitcoin, underscores Santa Monica’s commitment to being a forward-thinking tech hub within the vibrant Silicon Beach area.

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NEW: Thailand Tests Crypto Services in New Regulatory Sandbox Initiative

Thailand’s financial landscape is poised for a technological leap as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) unveils its Digital Asset Regulatory Sandbox. Initiated on August 9, the sandbox invites industry innovators to test and develop new digital asset services under flexible regulatory conditions. This move underscores Thailand’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment for cryptocurrency advancements within its capital markets.

Regulatory frameworks detailed by the SEC in March outline that digital asset exchanges, brokers, and other service providers can engage in this sandbox to pioneer services tailored to the Thai market. The initiative aims to ensure that innovations align with the country’s financial stability goals while reducing potential risks. Sandbox participants are given up to a year to refine their services, with the option to request an extension.

This development marks Thailand’s progressive stance towards cryptocurrency regulation. By encouraging a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment, the SEC supports significant initiatives like the launch of the country’s first Bitcoin ETF and introduces tax incentives for digital asset holders. These efforts collectively enhance Thailand’s position as a leading digital finance hub in the region.

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How to Develop a Data-Driven Bitcoin Investment Strategy

After years of providing valuable content and insights into Bitcoin investing, I’ve spent countless hours analyzing data and reviewing charts to help you build a strong foundation for your Bitcoin investment strategy. In this article, I’ll walk you through my unique approach to managing my own Bitcoin (BTC) investments, focusing on a data-driven methodology that ensures unbiased decision-making. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting out, these insights can help you navigate the often volatile Bitcoin market.

Watch the full video here to see the complete breakdown of my Bitcoin investment strategy.

Understanding Bitcoin Trajectory Catalysts

To begin with, it’s important to…

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Web Traffic Dynamics of Major Crypto Exchanges

In July, cryptocurrency exchanges experienced notable shifts in web traffic, reflecting changes in user engagement. Binance, the largest exchange by visits, saw a decrease in traffic, with 54 million visits marking a 15% drop from the previous month. Despite this decline, Binance remains the most visited platform, followed by Coinbase, which had 32 million visits and maintained relatively stable traffic with only a slight 0.5% decrease.

Several other exchanges showed positive trends in user engagement. Bybit, with 27 million visits, experienced a 2.6% increase, while Gate.io saw a significant rise in activity, up 16% with 20 million visits. Similarly, HTX and Whitebit saw increases in traffic, growing by 4.5% and 12% respectively, indicating growing interest from users.

BitMart and Bithumb also performed well, with BitMart seeing an 11% increase, reaching 10 million visits, and Bithumb slightly rising to 8.4 million visits. These trends highlight the varying levels of user engagement across different platforms, with some exchanges gaining traction while others face declines in user activity.

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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Daily US Bitcoin ETFs Net Flow Analysis (As of August 09, 2024)

As of August 9, 2024, U.S. Bitcoin ETFs recorded significant net inflows, reflecting strong investor activity. BlackRock’s IBIT ETF led the way with a substantial net inflow of +2,641 BTC, increasing its total holdings to 347,608 BTC. Fidelity’s FBTC also showed strong performance, with an inflow of +1,093 BTC, bringing its holdings to 176,951 BTC.

Invesco Galaxy’s BTCO fund saw a healthy addition of +806 BTC, and ARK Invest’s ARKB reported an increase of +549 BTC. Grayscale’s BTC fund recorded a more modest inflow of +177 BTC.

Conversely, Grayscale’s GBTC experienced a net outflow of -568 BTC, reducing its total to 236,929 BTC. Other ETFs such as Bitwise’s BITB, Valkyrie’s BRRR, and Franklin Templeton’s EZBC remained unchanged with no net flows reported.

Overall, the total Bitcoin holdings across these ETFs amounted to 911,343 BTC, with a net daily inflow of +4,698 BTC, equivalent to an approximate increase of $283.7 million. This positive movement highlights a day of robust investment in Bitcoin ETFs, reflecting growing confidence among investors in the cryptocurrency market.

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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