LATEST: Staked Ether Nears Record High as ETF Approval Approaches

As the potential approval of an Ether exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the U.S. becomes more probable, enthusiasm in the crypto market is palpable. According to CryptoQuant, the amount of Ether staked is approaching an all-time high at 33.3 million ETH, or 27.7% of the total supply. This surge in staking helps maintain a balance in the circulating volume of Ether, despite a growth in its total supply.

Market optimism is further fueled by Polymarket traders, who are now betting a robust 90% chance that the Ether ETF will be greenlit by July 26. Such a development could significantly enhance Ether’s liquidity and market presence, potentially positioning it on par with Bitcoin in terms of trading volumes.

Moreover, innovative mechanisms like staking and burning transaction fees are effectively countering the inflationary trends seen in Ether’s supply dynamics. These strategies ensure that a substantial portion of Ether remains locked and inactive, which could strengthen its long-term value proposition as a digital asset.

Donald Trump To Speak at Bitcoin 2024 Conference in Nashville

President Donald Trump has been officially announced as a speaker at Bitcoin 2024, the world’s largest Bitcoin conference, taking place in Nashville, Tennessee, July 25-27. This announcement marks a significant milestone for the event, which has earned a reputation for historic news and major industry announcements.

ANNOUNCING: PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP TO SPEAK AT #BITCOIN2024 pic.twitter.com/F2mwECVMTW

— The Bitcoin Conference (@TheBitcoinConf) July 10, 2024

Bitcoin 2024 is set to build on the success of the previous three conferences held in Miami. Bitcoin 2021 made headlines when El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele declared Bitcoin legal tender. Bitcoin 2022 and Bitcoin 2023…

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LATEST: Bitwise CIO Says Bitcoin Hitting $100,000 by Year-End

Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise, has a positive outlook for Bitcoin despite recent market dips, predicting a surge to $100,000 by 2024. Despite the challenges posed by large-scale bitcoin distributions from defunct exchanges and government sales, Hougan emphasizes that these are temporary setbacks. He highlights a rebound fueled by the U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs drawing over $15 billion since their inception, marking a historic launch, and anticipates further inflows as more financial platforms adopt these ETFs.

Moreover, Hougan points to significant developments boosting investor confidence in crypto. The Bitcoin halving event has notably decreased daily bitcoin supply, which historically precedes price increases. Additionally, the shifting political landscape and anticipated Fed rate cuts suggest a more favorable environment for crypto growth.

Encouragingly, upcoming Ethereum ETFs and strong institutional interest, including initiatives from major players like BlackRock, underscore the broader acceptance and potential of cryptocurrencies. Hougan’s forecast is based on a blend of strategic inflows, regulatory advancements, and macroeconomic factors, setting the stage for a robust second half of 2024.

More Samourai Devices Seized: Bitcoin Privacy Activist Appears In Court Ahead of Bail Release

Today marked the first public court hearing in the US Department of Justice’s (DoJ) case against Samourai Wallet developers William Lonergan Hill and Keonne Rodriguez since May 28, 2024, when Rodriguez appeared in court for the first hearing on the case.

I attended the hearing for William Lonergan Hill (TDevD/@SamouraiDev) in the Southern District of New York on behalf of @BitcoinMagazine today.Here's what I learned: #FreeSamourai #WhereIsTDevD #SamouraiWallet pic.twitter.com/VtZdQd4IJu

— Frank Corva (@frankcorva) July 10, 2024

Hill appeared in the courtroom after his uncontested extradition from Lisbon, Portugal, where he currently resides.

The prosecution did most of the talking in…

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