The story behind Solana’s queen of cringe

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We’re trying something a little different today and diving into the world of Solana-centric content creation. 

I had a fun time getting the inside scoop from bangerz, whose videos I’ve cringed at from afar for some time now:

The story behind Solana’s queen of cringe

The Solana Saga was in-demand in January 2024 as speculators sought to cash in on airdropped tokens that came with the device. Bangerz, a pseudonymous X creator who works at a Solana NFT startup, decided to fake a video of herself microwaving her Saga…

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Daily US Bitcoin ETFs Net Flow Analysis (As of August 16, 2024)

The daily movements in the U.S. Bitcoin ETF market on August 16, 2024, reveal significant shifts in Bitcoin allocations among key players. Grayscale’s GBTC experienced a substantial net outflow of 975 BTC, significantly reducing its holdings to 230,878 BTC, indicating a major sell-off or reallocation within their strategy.

Conversely, Fidelity’s FBTC saw a positive influx, adding 284 BTC to its reserves, which now total 176,973 BTC, suggesting increased investor confidence or strategic accumulation within this fund. Bitwise’s BITB also reported a net positive flow, with an increase of 109 BTC.

Other major funds like BlackRock’s IBIT and ARK Invest’s ARKB maintained a stable position with no net inflow or outflow recorded on this day. Similarly, several smaller funds like Valkyrie’s BRRR, VanEck’s HODL, and Franklin Templeton’s EZBC showed no change in their Bitcoin holdings.

Overall, the total net flow across all U.S. Bitcoin ETFs was a decrease of 583 BTC, bringing the total holdings to 906,051 BTC, valued at approximately $52.7 billion. This net reduction reflects a dynamic and responsive ETF market responding to external market conditions or internal strategic decisions.

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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Institutional Inflows to Bitcoin ETFs Show Promising Indicator, Says Coinbase Report

Coinbase has reported that updated 2Q 2024 13-F filings indicate a notable increase in institutional inflows into U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs, which the company views as a “promising indicator” for the Bitcoin market. The 13-F filings, released on August 14, reveal that institutional ownership of these ETFs grew from 21.4% to 24.0% between Q1 and Q2 of 2024.

Significantly, the proportion of ETF shares held by the “investment advisor” category rose from 29.8% to 36.6%, signaling heightened interest from wealth management firms. Notable new holders include Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, who added $412 million and $188 million worth of shares, respectively. Despite Bitcoin’s price drop…

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Crypto’s infrastructure bloat — are we building too much?

The growing negative sentiment around crypto’s current infrastructural bloat and absence of consumer applications is reaching a fever pitch.

It’s such a familiar talking point across social media and podcasts that it has largely become a consensus view. Prior cycles saw the innovation of smart contract-enabled blockchains, ICOs, DeFi, layer-2s and NFTs, but the bulk of the present cycle’s new tools are memecoins and increasingly redundant infrastructure. 

By L2Beat’s count, there are already 71 live L2s, with another 82 incoming. And that’s not even counting layer-3s. Why so many? The most obvious explanation is that it’s profitable to launch one.

In an industry where…

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Lava Loans Protocol v2: DLC Based Bitcoin Collateralized Loans

The Lava Loans protocol (v2) is a scheme designed by Lava building upon Discreet Log Contracts (DLCs) to facilitate a trustless Bitcoin collateralized loan system. The huge implosion in the market last cycle caused by centralized platforms facilitating Bitcoin backed loans showed that left unchecked, such products and services can present a massive systemic risk to the entire market in the ecosystem.

Lava seeks to provide the same utility users of such centralized platforms sought in a decentralized and atomic fashion, using DLCs.

DLCs, for those unfamiliar with the concept, are a smart contract designed to settle a certain way depending on the outcome of some event outside of the…

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75% of Bitcoin Hasn't Moved in 6+ Months, Signaling Strong HODLing Trend

Recent data from Bitcoin Magazine Pro shows a significant trend among Bitcoin holders: nearly 75% of all circulating Bitcoin has remained dormant for over six months. This strong HODLing behavior reflects a steadfast belief in Bitcoin’s long-term value, despite market fluctuations.

Bitcoin Magazine Pro X

The “HODL Waves” chart, a tool that visualizes the age of Bitcoins based on when they last moved, illustrates how various groups of holders react to market conditions. The dominance of older coins (those held for 6 months or more) suggests that long-term investors are…

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Crypto Money Flow Cycle

The crypto money flow cycle maps out the typical investment pathways within the cryptocurrency market. Initially, investors typically convert fiat money into Bitcoin, the most recognized and widely used cryptocurrency. This transition from traditional currency to digital currency marks the first step in the investment journey within the crypto world.

Funds then tend to flow towards large-cap cryptocurrencies, like Ethereum, which are perceived as slightly more risky than Bitcoin but offer stability compared to smaller crypto assets. These large-cap cryptos serve as platforms for development and are often the backbone of various blockchain applications, attracting both seasoned and new investors looking for reliable investments.

As investors become more comfortable and seek potentially higher returns, they may opt to invest in mid-cap cryptocurrencies, which present innovative technologies and specific use cases but with increased risk. From there, the boldest investors might venture into small-cap cryptocurrencies—projects that are new, highly volatile, and speculative but could yield significant returns. This cyclical movement of funds showcases the diverse strategies and risk appetites within the crypto investment landscape.

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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Bitcoin Spot ETFs See Muted Inflows As Negative Funding Rates Signal Bearish Sentiment

In a sign of cautious investor sentiment, Bitcoin BTC/USD spot ETFs experienced modest net inflows on Aug. 15, totaling just $11.1 million.

What Happened: This muted enthusiasm comes as funding rates for Bitcoin futures on major exchanges turn negative, potentially signaling bearish short-term market sentiment.

The Grayscale Bitcoin Trust GBTC, the largest Bitcoin ETF by assets under management, saw outflows of $25 million.

However, these were offset by inflows into other products, with Fidelity‘s FBTC ETF attracting $16.2 million and Grayscale‘s mini Bitcoin ETF seeing inflows of $13.6 million, according to data from SoSo Value.

On the Ethereum front, spot ETFs faced…

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How to Use Bitcoin ATMs

ATMs have become increasingly popular as a convenient way to buy and sell bitcoin without the need for an exchange platform.

These machines are similar to traditional ATMs but instead of dispensing cash from your bank account, they allow you to purchase bitcoin using cash or a debit card, and in some cases, sell bitcoin for cash.

This guide will walk you through the process and explains how to use Bitcoin ATMs.

What is a Bitcoin ATM?

A Bitcoin ATM is a kiosk that allows users to buy bitcoin using cash or a debit card. Some of them also allow you to sell bitcoin for cash.

These machines are usually found in convenience stores, malls, or other public places, making…

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LATEST: World’s 3rd-largest Pension Fund, NPS, Buys $34M MicroStrategy Shares

South Korea’s National Pension Service (NPS), the third-largest pension fund globally by assets, has expanded its stake in the crypto market by purchasing $33.7 million worth of MicroStrategy shares in the second quarter of this year. This strategic move comes as NPS continues to increase its indirect exposure to bitcoin.

The pension fund’s recent report to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revealed the acquisition of 24,500 MicroStrategy shares. This follows NPS’s earlier investment in Coinbase, where it held 229,807 shares valued at approximately $51 million by the end of June.

MicroStrategy, known as the largest corporate holder of bitcoin with 226,500 BTC, remains a significant player in the crypto space. The SEC’s recent approval of the first leveraged exchange-traded fund targeting MicroStrategy highlights the growing institutional interest in bitcoin, aligning with NPS’s strategic investments.

Report