4 signs Bitcoin is starting its next bull run

As the chances of a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) being approved rise, six-figure BTC price predictions are also becoming increasingly common, particularly now that the April 2024 halving is less than 180 days away.

BTC price historical patterns, halving

Bitcoin’s (BTC) price trends often exhibit cyclical behavior. Analysts have drawn parallels between the current price trajectory and historical patterns, suggesting a potential bullish cycle reminiscent of 2013 to 2017.

BTC/USD 1-month chart (Bitcoin halving marked in yellow). Source: TradingView

Similarly, Bitcoin’s historical bull runs tend to follow four-year cycles, often spurred by events like the halving, which reduces the…

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Validation Cloud launches platform for institutional stakers

Web3 infrastructure platform Validation Cloud has launched a staking-as-a-service platform for institutions.

The platform enables institutions to deploy validators in bulk and earn rewards through smart contract automation. Institutions can stake on-demand and the platform is non-custodial. 

Validation Cloud has designed its platform to ensure that it is SOC2 compliant. SOC2, which stands for Systems and Organization Controls 2, is a voluntary compliance standard defined by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

The framework is designed to uphold high data security standards for companies, ensuring that customer information adheres to five principles: security,…

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Bitcoin’s 2023 Odyssey: A Monthly Performance Snapshot

  • January: A bullish beginning, soaring high with a +39.9% surge.
  • February: The momentum cools slightly, marking a minor -0.01% dip.
  • March: Spring brings prosperity with a remarkable +23.1% uplift.
  • April: A mild bloom with a performance increased by +3.05%.
  • May: Clouds gather, recording a decline of -7.1%.
  • June: A hopeful rebound showcases a +11.9% ascent.
  • July: Mid-year melancholy hits, reflecting a -4.04% drop.
  • August: The market feels the heat with a sharp -11.2% fall.
  • September: Signs of recovery with a gentle +3.99% rise.
  • October: Autumn winds breathe life, skyrocketing by +28.5%.

Over half of musicians concerned over audience perception of AI use: Survey

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to be pervasive in global industries, the music industry has been receptive to its transformative capabilities while remaining cautious about the risks to artists. 

In a recent survey released by the private music studio house Pirate, 53% of respondents said they had “concerns about how their audience might perceive music created with the assistance of AI.”

The survey reached 1,141 of its artists across the United Kingdom, United States and Germany – including band members, singer-songwriters, producers, instrumentalists, and rappers.

It also revealed artists’ hesitancy to employ AI in the studio with only 25% saying they have experience…

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ProShares announces launch of short Ether-linked ETF

ProShares, a major issuer of exchange-traded funds (ETF), has officially announced the launch of the short Ether-linked ETF.

Incepted on Nov. 2, ProShares’s new Short Ether Strategy ETF is set to start trading on the New York Stock Exchange’s (NYSE) Arca under the ticker symbol SETH. The new crypto ETF is designed to provide investors with an opportunity to profit from the volatility of the Ether price.

Similarly to other ProShares crypto-linked ETFs, SETH seeks to obtain exposure through Ether futures contracts, the announcement notes.

According to ProShares CEO Michael Sapir, SETH aims to address the challenge of acquiring short exposure to ETH, “which can be onerous and…

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Michael Saylor's MicroStrategy Is Now Up Nearly $1 Billion on Its Bitcoin Investment

MicroStrategy, the software firm led by prominent Bitcoin evangelist Michael Saylor, is once again demonstrating the potential of Bitcoin as a store of value.

With a strategic approach to accumulating the Bitcoin through the entirety of the most recent bear market, the company is now sitting on a nearly $1 billion gain.

MicroStrategy’s journey into Bitcoin began in August 2020 when it first announced its entry into the world of digital assets. The company’s initial investment, at a cost basis of $4.68 billion, has now soared in value to $5.62 billion, representing a $932 million profit, according to data from BitcoinTreasuries.

This increase in MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin holdings has only…

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PayPal receives SEC subpoena over stablecoin

PayPal disclosed that it received a subpoena from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s division of enforcement on Wednesday.

The extent of the subpoena is unclear, though PayPal noted that the regulator is seeking documents, and it is actively cooperating with the subpoena.

“The subpoena requests the production of documents. We are cooperating with the SEC in connection with this request,” PayPal said in a form 10-Q.

PayPal launched its stablecoin back in August, marking the first foray into dollar-backed stablecoins by a traditional finance firm. 

The stablecoin is issued on Ethereum by Paxos Trust Co. A monthly reserve report on the stablecoin is also handled by Paxos,…

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Wall Street Journal Bias Fueled Anti-Bitcoin Sentiment In The US

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), a prominent American newspaper with a long-standing history dating back to 1889, recently published an article that ignited widespread controversy. The Wall Street Journal bias in that report fueled anti-Bitcoin sentiment in the United States.

The Wall Street Journal Bias

On October 10, the WSJ claimed in an article that Hamas, an alleged terrorist organization, and other similar groups secured significant funding via blockchain-based rails.

The report, titled “Hamas Militants Behind Israel Attack Raised Millions in Crypto,” alleged that the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), a militant organization that operates in the Gaza Strip,…

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LATEST: Major Swiss Bank SGKB Ventures into Bitcoin and Ethereum Trading with SEBA Partnership

St.Galler Kantonalbank (SGKB), one of Switzerland’s top cantonal banks, is diving into the cryptocurrency realm, making digital assets accessible to a wider audience. Teaming up with FINMA-regulated SEBA Bank, SGKB is now offering its wealth-management clients the ability to buy and trade Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). The next phase involves extending these services to retail customers, with plans to introduce additional cryptocurrencies and staking options. This move mirrors a broader trend in Switzerland, as more banks embrace crypto, signaling growing interest among retail consumers in the crypto-friendly nation.

FTX Sam Bankman-Fried Trial Nears End as Defense Rests Case

The trial of former CEO of FTX Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) has entered a crucial phase, with his defense counsel concluding their arguments on Tuesday. Over the past four weeks, Bankman-Fried has been facing trial sessions in a lower Manhattan courtroom, being charged with fraud and his alleged involvement in the collapse of the FTX exchange and its investment arm, Alameda Research, in November 2022.

CEO of FTX Sam Bankman-Fried Trial Nearing Conclusion

While the trial has been ongoing, Bankman-Fried’s testimony came to an end on Tuesday morning after spending three whole days on the witness stand. Onlookers gathered in the courtroom, making it a relatively quieter day compared to…

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