LATEST: Three-Year Bitcoin Adoption Yields $31M Profit for El Salvador

El Salvador’s early gamble on Bitcoin has paid off, as recent figures reveal a $31 million profit on their holdings, which were purchased at an average price of $43,877 per BTC. Now valued at over $318 million, the nation’s treasury boasts 5,865 Bitcoin, defying the skeptics and bolstering President Nayib Bukele’s policy amidst initial criticism.

Despite the market’s volatility, where Bitcoin once plummeted to $16,000, its price has rebounded to $54,300, highlighting the advantages for early adopters in the cryptocurrency sphere. El Salvador’s success has prompted other nations to consider similar measures, with the Central African Republic following suit by making Bitcoin legal tender to enhance economic stability and financial inclusion.

While larger economies remain cautious, fearing backlash from international creditors, El Salvador’s stride towards integrating Bitcoin into its financial architecture could pave the way for broader acceptance. The country’s resilience and financial gains from Bitcoin are setting a pioneering example in the global financial landscape.

Data

Bitcoin’s Mixed September Performance

Bitcoin’s performance in September has been historically volatile, with mixed results over the past decade. The digital currency has seen both notable gains and significant losses, with returns ranging from a high of 13.1% in 2012 to a sharp decline of 19% in 2014.

From 2012 to 2023, Bitcoin recorded positive returns in five of these years. The strongest gains came in 2012 (13.1%), while other positive performances were seen in 2015 (2.5%), 2016 (5.9%), and most recently, 2023 (3.99%). However, the cryptocurrency also experienced substantial negative returns, with notable drops in 2014 (-19%), 2019 (-14%), and 2020 (-7.9%).

This fluctuation highlights Bitcoin’s inherent volatility, especially in September, where the cryptocurrency has faced downward pressure more often than not. While it has demonstrated potential for recovery, September remains a challenging month for Bitcoin traders and investors.

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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Maria Corina Machado | Venezuelan Opposition

Amid Venezuela’s severe economic crisis, opposition leader María Corina Machado has made a bold proposal: using Bitcoin (BTC) as a national reserve asset.

Her suggestion comes at a time when the country is grappling with hyperinflation, currency devaluation, and economic instability under the regimes of former President Hugo Chávez and current President Nicolás Maduro.

Machado sees Bitcoin as a vital tool to help Venezuela recover and rebuild its economy.

In a recent interview with Alex Gladstein, Chief Strategy Officer of the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), Machado highlighted the dire state of the country’s economy.

She explained that years of financial…

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Fake Money Vs. Real Money

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are often touted for their innovative features that differentiate them from traditional fiat money. One of the core advantages of cryptocurrencies is their fixed supply, with Bitcoin capped at 21 million coins, which contrasts sharply with fiat currencies that can be printed indefinitely by governments. This inherent scarcity of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin is argued to prevent inflation and potentially enhance their value over time.

Moreover, the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies represents a significant shift from the centralized systems of traditional fiat currencies. Operated on a peer-to-peer network, cryptocurrencies distribute power among all users rather than a central authority, offering a democratic form of financial interaction. This decentralization not only reduces the risk of systemic failures but also increases transparency in transactions.

Lastly, cryptocurrencies offer strong censorship resistance, ensuring that transactions are irreversible and cannot be interfered with by any authority. This feature is particularly appealing in scenarios where freedom from government oversight is crucial. Unlike traditional money, which can be seized or restricted, cryptocurrencies provide a new level of financial autonomy and security, making them an increasingly popular choice among those seeking alternatives to conventional banking systems.

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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Kamino seeing benefits from liquidity incentives on PYUSD

Howdy! 

Death, taxes, and the Kansas City Chiefs getting extremely lucky at the end of football games. When will it end?

It’s day two of the NFL season and I’m already resigned to my Buffalo Bills bowing out to Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs yet again. At least I have all our newsletter subscribers to keep me company:

Kamino is Solana’s home for liquidity incentives

PayPal’s PYUSD stablecoin has recently seen rapid growth on Solana. Much of the growth has been driven by Kamino, a newer DeFi platform where the majority of this activity is happening.

Kamino, a borrow-lend protocol on Solana that began gaining real traction in late 2023, onboarded PYUSD with generous liquidity…

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Daily US Bitcoin ETFs Net Flow Analysis (As of September 06, 2024)

On September 6, 2024, the U.S. Bitcoin ETF landscape saw mixed net flow movements. BlackRock’s IBIT ETF maintained stability with no net inflow or outflow, maintaining its holdings at 357,509 BTC. In contrast, significant outflows were observed in some funds. Grayscale’s GBTC saw a decrease of 599 BTC, ending the day with 224,152 BTC. A more notable decline occurred in Fidelity’s FBTC, which experienced a reduction of 2,666 BTC, bringing its total holdings down to 172,718 BTC.

Other ETFs also saw declines, albeit on a smaller scale. Bitwise’s BITB ETF saw an outflow of 534 BTC, while VanEck’s HODL experienced a decrease of 84 BTC. However, ARKB, BTC, BRRR, BTCO, and EZBC ETFs reported no changes in their holdings.

Overall, the total holdings for all tracked U.S. Bitcoin ETFs stood at 900,463 BTC, marking a net outflow of 3,883 BTC valued at approximately $209.1 million for the day. This reflects a dynamic and fluctuating market, with various funds experiencing different levels of investor 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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Nevada Welcomes Bitcoin and Crypto: Day Two of the America Loves Crypto Tour

The speakers and performers at the second night of the America Loves Crypto tour were just as impassioned and driven to get out the crypto vote as those from the first night of the tour.

The political figures and crypto industry leaders present at this event, which took place at The Space in Las Vegas, included Sonny Vinuya, Outreach Director for Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo (R); Rudy Pimantuan, Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros S. Anthony’s Chief of Staff (R); Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine (D) and Kate Rouch, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Coinbase, amongst others. Rapper and singer 070 Shake and Las Vegas-based DJ 3LAU performed at the event.

The common threads in the rhetoric…

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LATEST: Russia Gains $3 Billion from Bitcoin Mining Despite Western Sanctions

Russia’s Industrial Mining Association Director, Sergey Bezdelov, announced a record-breaking year for Bitcoin mining, producing approximately 54,000 BTC—worth over $3 billion. The nation’s mining operations contributed significantly to the economy, generating around 50 billion rubles ($556 million) in taxes, as reported by Izvestia.

Following the recent legalization of crypto mining in July, Russia has positioned itself as a burgeoning hub for crypto investors. This move, sanctioned by the State Duma, not only legitimizes mining but also supports its use in international trade, promising an increase in tax revenues and economic growth.

Amid Western sanctions, these developments mark a strategic pivot towards expanding Russia’s cryptocurrency operations. Experts suggest that the legalization is a key component of broader efforts to leverage the digital asset industry in circumventing economic barriers.

Izvestia

Just how safe is the $51 billion sitting in bitcoin ETFs?

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Happy Fri-yay!

No, but really, we made it through the (short) week. Congrats.

Today we’re diving right into custodian safety, and David’s cooked up a few Easter Eggs for you all. Have a great weekend!

— Katherine Ross

Staying afloat

The FBI has a warning for crypto: North Korean hackers are on the prowl.

“North Korean malicious cyber actors conducted research on a variety of targets connected to cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) over the last several months. This research included pre-operational preparations suggesting…

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Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin To Donate All Crypto Proceeds, Ends New Token Investments

Ethereum ETH/USD co-founder Vitalik Buterin on Thursday announced he will donate all proceeds from his cryptocurrency holdings, including Ethereum and Layer 2 tokens, to support the Ethereum ecosystem and broader charitable causes.

In a strategic shift, Buterin also stated he would cease investing in new token projects, opting instead for direct donations to valuable initiatives.

“I haven’t sold and kept the proceeds since 2018,” Buterin stated on social media platform X, addressing recent community discussions about founder token sales.

He emphasized that all his past sales have funded “various projects that I think are valuable, either within the Ethereum ecosystem or…

Read more on Benzinga