Ethena, one of the fastest-growing decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms of 2024, today announced the launch of its new stablecoin, USDtb. According to the developers, this stablecoin is designed to complement the protocol’s platform’s native stablecoin, the USDe token, and balance its performance in bearish crypto market conditions. USDtb is pegged to the US dollar and holds 90% of its reserves in BUIDL, a tokenized money market fund issued by asset management giant BlackRock in partnership with Securitize. Ethena founder Guy Young highlighted the innovation behind USDtb, saying: “Given the rapidly growing demand for different stablecoin options, we saw a clear opportunity to offer users a new product that offered a completely different risk profile to USDe without them having to leave our trusted ecosystem.” Related News: BREAKING: Coinbase Announces New Altcoin Listing During Massive Bull Rally Ethena has attracted nearly $6 billion in user funding since going public earlier this year. The company’s native token, USDe, maintains its $1 price by implementing what it describes as a unique investment strategy: shorting perpetual swaps on Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL) while increasing funding rates. This approach has yielded impressive returns during bull markets (currently 27% annually), but has struggled in bearish conditions due to persistently negative funding rates. To address these risks, USDtb will serve as a balancing mechanism. During periods when funding rates are negative, Ethena will close underlying derivative positions in USDe and redirect assets to USDtb to mitigate losses. The team also plans to position USDtb as collateral for margin trading on centralized exchanges in the future. *This is not investment advice. Continue Reading: Binance-Listed Altcoin Launches Major New Product
Prominent Bitcoin supporter Kiyosaki says this asset is about to skyrocket in price after gold
Trump’s Bitcoin Reserve could turn early investors into multi-millionaires, like Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Dogecoin (DOGE) did. Trump’s Bitcoin Reserve (TRUMPRES), a new Solana memecoin that was launched today, is set to explode over 17,000% in price in the coming days. This is because TRUMPRES is set to soon be listed on numerous crypto exchanges, according to reports. This will give the Solana memecoin exposure to millions of additional investors, who will pour funds into the coin and drive its price up. Currently, Trump’s Bitcoin Reserve can only be purchased via Solana decentralized exchanges, like Jup.ag and Raydium.io, and early investors stand to make huge returns in the coming days. Early investors in SHIB and DOGE made astronomical returns, and Trump’s Bitcoin Reserve could become the next viral memecoin. Trump’s Bitcoin Reserve launched with over $9,000 of liquidity, giving it a unique advantage over the majority of other new memecoins, and early investors could make huge gains. How to Buy To buy Trump’s Bitcoin Reserve on Raydium.io or Jup.ag ahead of the CEX listings, users need to connect their Solflare, MetaMask or Phantom wallet, and swap Solana for Trump’s Bitcoin Reserve by entering its contract address – 2GxwMgJnqbDuDec9gMVNfN2n8eVf7ks1EUv1RZSCLNm1 – in the receiving field. If you don’t have one of these wallets already, you can create a new wallet in a few minutes and transfer some Solana to it (which will then be used to buy the memecoin), from an exchange like Coinbase, Binance and many others. In fact, early investors could make returns similar to those who invested in Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Dogecoin (DOGE) before these memecoins went viral and exploded in price. If this happens, a new wave of memecoin millionaires could be created in a matter of weeks – or potentially even sooner. The Solana memecoin craze continues amid larger memecoins, like Shiba Inu (SHIB), Dogecoin (DOGE) and DogWifHat (WIF) trading sideways in recent weeks and losing momentum. This is why many SHIB, DOGE and WIF investors are instead investing in new Solana memecoins, like TRUMPRES. Such memecoins have no utility and no inherent value, but investors looking for high gains have been investing in them due to their potential to rapidly rise in price.
The U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority issued a public notice against Solana meme coin Retardio, while holders celebrated a 16% price surge following the news. Retardio, a viral Solana ( SOL ) meme con project, may be providing or promoting financial services without regulatory permission, the FCA announced in a Dec. 16 update. Engaging with the meme coin disqualifies investors from using the Financial Ombudsman Service, the FCA’s complaint resolution channel. Retardio buyers are also excluded from protections offered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. “This means it’s unlikely you’d get your money back if the firm goes out of business,” according to the FCA notice. Retardio is a popular Solana meme coin with a $111 million market cap. The token spiked 16% following the FCA’s notice, after previously peaking near $240 million. The Retardio community responded to the news with memes and jokes on social media. The FCA issued a similar notice against the meme coin launchpad Pump.fun in early December. Pump.fun subsequently restricted platform access for U.K. users. You might also like: Solana’s Pump.fun bans UK users after FCA warning FCA crypto scrutiny amped ahead of 2025 plan Also on Dec. 16, the FCA released a paper proposing tighter restrictions on public crypto offers. The regulator plans to ban unregulated firms from providing services, building on 2023’s prohibition of digital asset promotions targeting U.K. investors. U.K. authorities plan to implement crypto regulations by 2025, crypto.news reported in November. Officials said stablecoins and staking would likely fall within the purview of introduced policies. Thought leaders like On Chain partner Brett Hillis opined that Britain must standardize its digital asset frameworks, especially following Donald Trump’s re-election. The government holds Bitcoin worth over $6 billion, mostly from criminal seizures. Read more: News UK to ban public crypto offers in incisive new regulatory climate
Bitcoin has smashed through the $107,000 mark, hitting an all-time high of $107,140 just an hour ago. The surge comes after a historic close of $106,493 last night. This isn’t just another rally. This is Bitcoin rewriting its own narrative, dragging skeptics off the sidelines and turning them into believers. Crypto’s biggest critics, long dismissing it as a scam or a passing trend, are now joining the frenzy as Bitcoin’s market cap blows past $2 trillion. Trump’s victory ignites Bitcoin Donald Trump’s return to power is the reason for this Bitcoin mania. The president-elect has vowed to create a national Bitcoin stockpile and placed crypto advocate Paul Atkins at the head of the SEC. Ian Johnson, a 28-year-old from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, bought Bitcoin for the first time on election night. “ I’ve been wary of crypto my whole life ,” Johnson reportedly said. “ But seeing Trump win, I felt like Bitcoin was going to spike like crazy .” After a few celebratory drinks, Johnson opened an account on Crypto.com and bought $1,000 worth of Bitcoin. In just weeks, his investment has gained 50%, and now he plans to buy a few hundred dollars every month if the price continues to rise. Johnson’s story isn’t unique. First-time buyers are piling into the market, drawn by the hype and the fear of missing out. Across the Atlantic, Mikko Rintala, a 50-year-old software engineer in Finland, took a different approach. “ I don’t like Trump ,” Rintala said, “ but I figured his win would shake up the economy. Bitcoin felt like a hedge against that. ” Rintala invested $1,000 in Bitcoin and Ripple, calling it his “ lottery ticket ” against economic uncertainty. Trump’s influence on crypto goes beyond promises. His close ties with Elon Musk—known for his ability to swing crypto prices with a single tweet—have also added fuel to Bitcoin’s fire. Crypto bulls are betting that Elon’s support, paired with Trump’s policies, will keep the momentum alive. For four years at least. Mainstream adoption fuels the rally Years of skepticism have eroded as institutional adoption grows, and Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) hit the market. November was a record-breaking month, with U.S.-based crypto ETFs pulling in $7.2 billion. Hank Martinez, a 43-year-old tech worker in California, was one such skeptic. “ I used to tell my family that crypto was a scam ,” Martinez said. “B ut then I kept hearing about it during the election, and Trump’s talk of a ‘crypto czar’ made me rethink .” Martinez started small, Googling whether he could buy a fraction of Bitcoin. After opening a Crypto.com account, he’s now watching his investment grow and laughing at his own doubts. “ I’m all in now ,” he said. The frenzy isn’t just limited to tech workers or software engineers. It’s trickling into unexpected demographics. Bob Candelaria, a 44-year-old truck driver from Nashville, was inspired to invest after seeing UFC fighter Jon Jones wearing a Crypto.com shirt. “ If Jon Jones can rep crypto, why not me? ” Candelaria said. He spent a few hundred dollars on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin, and now he studies crypto trends between his trucking routes. “ If you can breathe, you can buy crypto, ” he said. Crypto.com has become a favorite platform for new investors, capitalizing on Bitcoin’s surge and making the buying process seamless. This accessibility is pulling in people who previously thought crypto was too complicated or risky. According to the Pew Research Center, 17% of Americans now own some form of cryptocurrency, with younger men leading the charge. Bitcoin’s rollercoaster reputation hasn’t scared off new buyers though. Its comeback from scandals like the FTX collapse and the bear market during the 2020 pandemic has convinced many that Bitcoin really is here to stay. From Zero to Web3 Pro: Your 90-Day Career Launch Plan
Bitcoin’s DeFi ecosystem has recently witnessed unprecedented growth, with its Total Value Locked (TVL) skyrocketing to over $6.9 billion. As interest in decentralized finance intensifies, Bitcoin has ascended to become
Bitcoin's DeFi TVL has surged by more than six times in less than two months.
This is a segment from the 0xResearch newsletter. To read full editions, subscribe . The Ethereum community is at a cultural crossroads as heated reactions to prominent contributor Max Resnick’s departure reveal deeper tensions around governance and dissent. Resnick’s critiques of Ethereum’s governance and scalability approach drew overwhelmingly negative reactions, including accusations of being a “Solana plant” and other ad hominem attacks. These responses highlight broader issues in Ethereum’s social layer and decision-making processes. Maximalism in Ethereum Ethereum maximalism has begun to mirror some of the less constructive traits of Bitcoin maximalism. Arguments abound that dissent is increasingly silenced, with critics labeled as outsiders or opponents. Resnick’s critiques, while highlighting real challenges, were met with hostility. His communication style, often perceived as antagonistic, alienated key contributors. Some in the community view his departure as a net positive, reinforcing shared values and emphasizing that dissent must be constructive to avoid divisiveness. This dynamic isn’t unique to Resnick. Figures like Jon Charbonneau have also challenged the idea of decentralization as an abstract ideal , arguing it can stifle productive debate in practice. In his “Ethereum’s North Star” blog post, Charbonneau wrote, “If decentralization is the only goal, then why not decrease the block gas limit, lower the blob count and increase the slot times? Too often, shouting ‘aha that’s sacrificing decentralization!’ is just used to shut down fruitful debate.” Charbonneau emphasized the need for Ethereum to define its unique purpose. He urged the community to align on long-term principles and avoid decision-making driven by short-term dynamics. The social layer: Strength or weakness? Ethereum’s reliance on social consensus has long been celebrated as a decentralized alternative to formal governance. However, this approach has drawbacks. Decision-making often appears dominated by loud, influential voices on platforms like Twitter, even if Ethereum’s core development process operates transparently and engages diverse stakeholders. Core developers follow a consensus-driven process, building in public to ensure decisions reflect broad input. This process resists formal capture, but risks stagnation if dissenting voices are excluded. Resnick contributed regularly to Eth Research, sharing insights on scalability and governance, but he did not participate in ACD calls or engage significantly on Ethereum Magicians. Lessons from Bitcoin Bitcoin’s rise, including its run to $100k , was not driven solely by maximalism. It stemmed from sustained advocacy efforts that engaged governments, institutions and the public to build a strong socioeconomic narrative. By contrast, Ethereum has largely avoided real-world advocacy, focusing instead on maintaining its decentralized ethos. Ethereum’s future depends on balancing conviction and inclusivity. The community must recognize that technical progress alone is insufficient — a robust cultural foundation is equally critical. Purity tests and unchecked maximalism risk stifling innovation and debate, making it essential to introduce mechanisms that foster open dialogue without compromising decentralization. Ethereum’s greatest strength lies in its adaptability. By addressing cultural challenges head-on, the community can retain valuable contributors and ensure Ethereum’s leadership as a decentralized, inclusive ecosystem. Start your day with top crypto insights from David Canellis and Katherine Ross. Subscribe to the Empire newsletter . Explore the growing intersection between crypto, macroeconomics, policy and finance with Ben Strack, Casey Wagner and Felix Jauvin. Subscribe to the Forward Guidance newsletter . Get alpha directly in your inbox with the 0xResearch newsletter — market highlights, charts, degen trade ideas, governance updates, and more. The Lightspeed newsletter is all things Solana, in your inbox, every day. Subscribe to daily Solana news from Jack Kubinec and Jeff Albus.
The richest country in Southeast Asia has reportedly become the global leader in crypto adoption. Citing data from consultancy Henley & Partners, Bloomberg reports that Singapore is beating all other countries in embracing cryptocurrencies with the necessary infrastructure and rules the nation built for the digital asset industry. Singapore now has about 30 payments firms, including US-based Coinbase and Ripple and Hong Kong-based Futu that are licensed to provide digital token services by the central bank and financial regulator, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), which is also experimenting with a digital Singapore dollar. The city-state is also implementing tax incentive schemes for crypto while other Asian nations, including powerhouses China and India, are moving slowly out of the abundance of caution. Bloomberg says the Gen-Z and Baby Boomers also increasingly accept that crypto transactions can become mainstream following the US approval of crypto spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The result of the crypto exchange Independent Reserve’s survey earlier this year likewise shows that about 40% of Singaporean investors own crypto. The report says Singapore will likely benefit from its bet on digital assets as Donald Trump’s successful bid to return to the White House promises an era that will support the crypto rally. The price of Bitcoin ( BTC ) breached the six-digit mark following Trump’s win in the November presidential election. Bitcoin is trading for $105,281 at time of writing. Don't Miss a Beat – Subscribe to get email alerts delivered directly to your inbox Check Price Action Follow us on X , Facebook and Telegram Surf The Daily Hodl Mix Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at The Daily Hodl are not investment advice. Investors should do their due diligence before making any high-risk investments in Bitcoin, cryptocurrency or digital assets. Please be advised that your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any losses you may incur are your responsibility. The Daily Hodl does not recommend the buying or selling of any cryptocurrencies or digital assets, nor is The Daily Hodl an investment advisor. Please note that The Daily Hodl participates in affiliate marketing. Featured Image: Shutterstock/Dk008 The post Singapore Leading World in Crypto Adoption, With 40% of Investors Holding Digital Assets: Report appeared first on The Daily Hodl .
As Bitcoin ( BTC ) is back surging above the $100,000 mark and altcoins consolidate above strong support levels, a crypto trader has warned his followers that the market’s top is close and urges people to prepare their exit strategy. Bitcoin made a new all-time high this Monday, attracting more retail investors with the fear of missing out ( FOMO ). However, as retail starts increasing its BTC exposure, savvy traders and investors prepare their exit strategy as the top approaches. In particular, the 356,000-follower trading and investing X persona, cevo , sent a warning to his followers on December 16. “We are close to the top, he said in a controversial post that later received other comments. “The most gains with alts will be realized in this last phase. Prepare your exit strategy,” cevo concluded. Other crypto analysts and commentators jumped in the thread, most disagreeing with the investor who then defended his stance. “When I said to prepare for the altseason, I got the same stupid comments because it was too early to buy it could go down much more. You need to have a plan or you’ll become a community member. Either way I’m not planning to spend another bear market with you guys” – cevo Bitcoin (BTC) price analysis and exit strategy As of this writing, Bitcoin is trading at $106,800, a record high for the leading cryptocurrency, amid bullish speculations. With this recent price action, BTC is up 146% year-to-date and 17.81% in the last 30 days. Bitcoin (BTC) year-to-date and monthly price chart. Source: Finbold Interestingly, as Finbold reported, this is just $23,200 below the exit strategy a Bitcoin trader shared on May 26. According to Wolf , $130,000 per BTC marks a key level for his exit strategy, and he is planning to start selling to retail at these prices. From the current $106,800, this represents a 21% remaining surge, waiting to trigger the plan shared seven months ago. Notably, Bitcoin was trading at $67,770 by Wolf ’s posting time, representing a 100% potential gain for the position trader. Exit strategy for altcoin traders Meanwhile, altcoins may offer a better growth potential from this point, as cevo highlighted in his warning. According to him, altcoins will print the most significant gains in the last phase of the bull cycle. If his analysis is correct, this last phase could happen soon as the crypto market nears its top. Nevertheless, many analysts seem to disagree with cevo , still foreseeing more upside potential for “utility altcoins.” Alex Svanevik, for example, believes we are about to enter the “ mother of all bull markets ” in 2025. Another one, Alex Becker, predicts solid “utility altcoins” could “ easily and surely ” do from ten to 30-fold returns this cycle. All things considered, crypto traders should indeed have a well structured and planned exit strategy for when the time comes. Starting to realize profits at relevant gains is crucial while speculating in this unpredictable market. Yet, it should be done cautiously and without selling everything at once, to navigate any further surge. Featured image from Shutterstock. The post ‘Prepare your exit strategy,’ warns crypto trader as ‘we are close to the top’ appeared first on Finbold .