Standard Chartered forecasts a new all-time high for Bitcoin in August, with a potential surge to $100,000 by the U.S. presidential election in November. Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s head of forex and digital assets research, predicts a favorable scenario if Joe Biden remains in the race, indirectly boosting Bitcoin prices due to perceived positive impacts from a potential Donald Trump victory.

Kendrick highlights a positive correlation between Trump’s electoral chances and Bitcoin prices, noting that under Trump’s administration, regulation and mining would likely receive more favorable treatment. He also mentions an alternative, less likely scenario where Biden withdraws from the race, causing Bitcoin prices to dip to $50,000-$55,000, with prices staying soft if a strong Democratic candidate, like Michelle Obama, steps in.

In early June, Kendrick reiterated his year-end Bitcoin price prediction of $150,000 and an end-of-2025 forecast of $200,000, suggesting Bitcoin could join the $3 trillion market cap club by the end of 2024.

Undemonstrated Effectiveness and Efficiency

I’m not aware of any study establishing the effectiveness of KYC measures in combating money laundering. And it’s not for lack of searching.

Conversely, there are numerous studies tending to conclude the opposite. Ronald Pol, a researcher at La Trobe University in Melbourne, synthesized in a research paper published in 2020, many works: Anand 2011; Brzoska 2016; Chaikin 2009; Ferwerda 2009; Findley, Nielson, and Sharman 2014; Harvey 2008; Levi 2002, 2012; Levi and Maguire 2004; Levi and Reuter 2006, 2009; Naylor 2005; Pol 2018b; Reuter and Truman 2004; Rider 2002a, 2002b, 2004; Sharman 2011; van Duyne 2003, 2011; Verhage 2017.

The main finding of this research paper is captured in a more than eloquent…

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Bitcoin & Beyond is an educational series by the team at The Rollup focused on a new and emerging class of builders in the Bitcoin ecosystem. Through spaces, panels, and interactive presentations, the objective is to provide deep technical insights into innovative scaling projects.

In an interview with Chase from Molecule, we dive into the growing appetite for next-generation virtual machines (VMs) aimed at enhancing Bitcoin’s programmability and scalability. Molecule is one company at the forefront of this experiment. Their attempt to implement Solana’s Virtual Machine (SVM) with Bitcoin is a strong signal that builders are also considering alternatives to the popular Ethereum Virtual…

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Robinhood Markets Inc. is planning to offer cryptocurrency futures in the US and Europe soon. Following its $200 million acquisition of Bitstamp Ltd., Robinhood aims to leverage Bitstamp’s licenses to provide perpetual futures for Bitcoin and other tokens in Europe. In the US, Robinhood plans to launch CME-based futures for Bitcoin and Ether, insiders reveal.

While the company states there are no immediate plans to launch these offerings, ongoing conversations indicate a strong potential for future developments. The growing demand for crypto derivatives, which outpaced spot trading volumes with $3.69 trillion in monthly derivatives in May, highlights the lucrative opportunity for Robinhood in this market.

Despite a Wells notice from the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Robinhood is expanding its crypto strategy. The acquisition of Bitstamp, expected to close in early 2025, and a futures broker license from Marex signal Robinhood’s commitment to enhancing its crypto offerings and capitalizing on the booming futures market.

Bloomberg

U.S. Bitcoin ETFs reveal significant insights into the current market dynamics and investor sentiment. BlackRock (IBIT) leads with a massive holding of 306,979 BTC, though no net inflow was recorded. Grayscale (GBTC) holds 275,758 BTC, also showing no net change, while Fidelity (FBTC) maintains 167,463 BTC with no net inflow.

ARK Invest (ARKB) stands out with an increase, holding 46,026 BTC and a net inflow of +710 BTC. Invesco Galaxy (BTCO) also shows notable growth with holdings of 7,282 BTC and a net inflow of +531 BTC. Franklin Templeton (EZBC) reports 5,887 BTC with a modest net inflow of +58 BTC.

In total, these ETFs collectively hold 865,218 BTC, valued at approximately $53.8 billion. The net inflow for this period is +1,298 BTC, equating to an additional $80.8 million invested in Bitcoin ETFs. This positive net inflow reflects growing confidence and interest in Bitcoin as an investment vehicle through ETF structure.

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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Digital Shovel Holdings Inc. has filed a lawsuit against RK Mission Critical LLC, RK Mechanical LLC, and RK Industries LLC in the US District Court for the District of Colorado, accusing them of patent infringement, according to a press release sent to Bitcoin Magazine. The dispute revolves around Digital Shovel’s V-Shape technology, designed to increase miner density in crypto mining containers.

Digital Shovel developed the V-Shape technology in 2018, securing patents in 2022, 2023, and 2024. These patents enable a 30% increase in miner density, providing significant operational advantages. According to the complaint, Compute North, a client of RK Mission Critical, initially sought to…

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Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, has reignited the debate on Bitcoin versus gold with a compelling analysis. Highlighting Bitcoin’s technological edge, Hayes emphasizes that its cryptographic blockchain allows for faster and more efficient transactions compared to gold. This technological superiority positions Bitcoin as a more attractive alternative in the digital financial landscape.

Hayes points out that Bitcoin has significantly outperformed traditional assets like gold and stocks since its inception in 2009. This performance underscores Bitcoin’s potential as a safe-haven asset, combining the speed of digital transactions with the scarcity principle traditionally associated with gold.

Moreover, Hayes discusses recent market trends and geopolitical shifts, suggesting that the world is transitioning to a new global financial order. As Bitcoin continues to evolve, it is poised to play a crucial role in this emerging economic landscape, offering a stateless, efficient alternative to both gold and traditional fiat currencies.

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