Welcome to Latam Insights, a compendium of the most relevant crypto and economic news from Latin America over the past week. In this week’s edition of Latam Insights, El Salvador inked an agreement with the IMF that could stop its bitcoin adoption, Argentina announced crypto patrols, and the Brazilian Senate is prepared to discuss crypto.
MicroStrategy, a pioneer in corporate Bitcoin adoption, has recently made waves with significant developments that show its strategic focus on cryptocurrency and its growing influence in both the traditional financial and digital asset sectors. The company set new records with its largest-ever Bitcoin acquisitions in November 2024, while simultaneously preparing for its inclusion in the Nasdaq 100 index. To bolster its leadership, MicroStrategy has welcomed three prominent executives as well, including former Binance.US CEO Brian Brooks, to its board of directors. MicroStrategy’s Record-Breaking Bitcoin Acquisitions: A New Era of Corporate Crypto Investment MicroStrategy, led by its co-founder and Bitcoin evangelist Michael Saylor, has once again made headlines by surpassing its previous Bitcoin acquisition records. The company’s recent purchases during November and December 2024 have not only eclipsed its previous all-time highs but also outpaced the buying intensity of the 2021 bull market. These bold moves solidify MicroStrategy’s position as a corporate leader in Bitcoin adoption and further reinforce the asset's potential as a cornerstone for institutional portfolios. According to Saylortracker , MicroStrategy purchased 27,200 BTC on Nov. 10, 2024, at an average price of $74,000 per Bitcoin. The pace only accelerated from there, with the company acquiring 51,780 BTC on Nov. 17 and culminating in its largest single purchase to date: 55,500 BTC on Nov. 24 at an average price of $97,000 per coin. These figures are staggering, even compared to MicroStrategy’s prior Bitcoin acquisitions during the 2020-2021 bull run. At that time, its largest single purchase was 29,646 BTC on Dec. 21, 2020, when Bitcoin traded around $21,000. The latest acquisitions demonstrate the company’s unwavering belief in Bitcoin's long-term value, even as the cryptocurrency reaches new price milestones. MicroStrategy’s aggressive Bitcoin acquisition strategy has long been a topic of interest and emulation. The firm’s approach is predicated on using Bitcoin as a superior store of value compared to traditional assets. By transferring capital from the stock market into the Bitcoin market, MicroStrategy has not only enhanced its corporate treasury but also inspired other institutions to follow suit. Traders and analysts alike see these acquisitions as a bullish signal, injecting institutional liquidity and interest into the cryptocurrency market. Michael Saylor has repeatedly voiced his long-term commitment to Bitcoin, stating in a recent interview with Yahoo Finance, “I am sure that I will be buying Bitcoin at $1 million a coin — probably $1 billion dollars a day of Bitcoin at $1 million a coin.” A Catalyst for Bitcoin’s Market Adoption The timing of MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin purchases aligns with broader developments in Bitcoin adoption and market dynamics. The inclusion of MicroStrategy in the Nasdaq 100 index, effective Dec. 23, 2024, marks a pivotal moment. The Nasdaq 100 is a weighted index of the 100 largest companies listed on the Nasdaq exchange by market capitalization, and MicroStrategy’s entry provides indirect exposure to Bitcoin for stock investors. This inclusion means that holders of ETFs like the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ), which manages over $322 billion in assets, will gain exposure to Bitcoin through MicroStrategy’s holdings. MicroStrategy’s persistent Bitcoin acquisitions are seen as a bullish catalyst by many in the crypto space. The company’s confidence in Bitcoin’s future — even at prices nearing six figures — reinforces its narrative as a robust asset class for institutional investors. Moreover, the increasing size of its purchases may reflect growing confidence in Bitcoin’s potential to outperform traditional assets. As Bitcoin continues its upward trajectory, MicroStrategy’s actions bring attention to a shift in the corporate landscape. The company’s strategic focus on Bitcoin could inspire similar moves by other publicly traded firms, further driving institutional adoption and mainstream acceptance of the cryptocurrency. MicroStrategy Strengthens Board with High-Profile Appointments Amid Nasdaq 100 Inclusion In related news, MicroStrategy has appointed three prominent executives — former Binance.US CEO Brian Brooks, Galaxy Digital board member Jane Dietze, and Fanatics Holdings' Chief Legal Officer Gregg Winiarski — to its board of directors. This strategic move comes on the heels of Nasdaq’s announcement that MicroStrategy will be added to the prestigious Nasdaq 100 index. The appointments, disclosed in a Dec. 20 filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), expand MicroStrategy’s board to nine members. Each of the new directors — Brooks, Dietze, and Winiarski — brings unique expertise and deep connections across financial, legal, and regulatory landscapes. According to the filing, all three are eligible for equity awards, aligning their incentives with the company’s long-term goals. Among the appointees, Brian Brooks stands out as a pivotal addition. Brooks, who served as the United States Comptroller of the Currency for nine months in 2021, oversaw the entire US banking system and earned a reputation as a pro-crypto regulator. His appointment has been described as a “BIG deal” by Bitcoin platform Swan Bitcoin, which noted Brooks’ deep regulatory expertise and connections within the financial ecosystem. Brooks previously gained attention in the crypto community after being rumored as a potential replacement for SEC Chair Gary Gensler under Donald Trump. The timing of these appointments coincides with MicroStrategy’s upcoming inclusion in the Nasdaq 100, a benchmark index comprising the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq exchange. On Dec. 13, Nasdaq confirmed that MicroStrategy would join the index alongside Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) and Axon Enterprise, Inc. (AXON). The three companies will replace Illumina, Inc. (ILMN), Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI), and Moderna, Inc. (MRNA), which will be removed from the index. The listing positions MicroStrategy among the Nasdaq’s most significant stocks by market capitalization, reflecting the company’s evolution from a software provider to a de facto Bitcoin hedge fund. MicroStrategy’s inclusion also extends Bitcoin exposure to a broader audience, as Nasdaq 100-linked exchange-traded funds (ETFs), such as the Invesco QQQ Trust, indirectly represent the company’s substantial Bitcoin holdings. This development is seen as a milestone for integrating cryptocurrency into traditional financial markets. Michael Saylor, MicroStrategy’s co-founder and executive chairman, has consistently advocated for Bitcoin’s role as a superior store of value. Under his leadership, the company transformed its treasury strategy in 2020, accumulating billions of dollars’ worth of Bitcoin. Saylor has repeatedly emphasized his belief in Bitcoin’s long-term value proposition, stating that MicroStrategy is committed to buying Bitcoin throughout its lifecycle. This bold approach has not only solidified MicroStrategy’s reputation but has also inspired other corporations to consider Bitcoin as a strategic asset. The company’s significant Bitcoin holdings have contributed to its reclassification as a Bitcoin-focused entity, drawing attention from institutional investors and crypto enthusiasts alike. A Strategic Inflection Point MicroStrategy’s recent developments demonstrate its dual role as a software company and a Bitcoin market leader. The inclusion of seasoned executives like Brooks, Dietze, and Winiarski, combined with its Nasdaq 100 listing, represents a strategic inflection point for the company. The appointments enhance MicroStrategy’s ability to navigate regulatory complexities, foster institutional relationships, and further integrate Bitcoin into traditional financial systems. As Brian Brooks takes his seat at the boardroom table, his regulatory expertise and industry insights are expected to play a crucial role in shaping MicroStrategy’s future. By strengthening its leadership team and achieving inclusion in the Nasdaq 100, MicroStrategy continues to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the burgeoning cryptocurrency sector. As Michael Saylor and his team push forward, MicroStrategy is poised to remain a trailblazer in corporate Bitcoin adoption, inspiring other firms to follow suit and paving the way for broader institutional engagement with digital assets.
Italy’s privacy watchdog ordered OpenAI to conduct a six-month public awareness campaign to promote how ChatGPT collects and uses data.
Australian financial expert ‘Barefoot Investor’ Scott Pape has revealed how he fought crypto scammers who hacked into his identity to con his followers. The Australian reported on Dec. 23 that Pape and his team were reporting hundreds of fake Facebook groups claiming to be run by his image to trick people into scams. One of the fake groups using Scott Pape’s name. Source: Facebook Pape decided to engage with the scammers and explain their methods instead of waiting on Facebook to take down these groups since this could allow more scams to spread. He took up a fake name on Facebook and asked for investment advice from the scammers Within hours of contacting a fake Facebook page, he was solicited to share his phone number and then offered a chance to join an ‘exclusive’ WhatsApp group called the ‘DB Wealth Institute.’ Pape looked up DB Wealth Institute on Google and quickly sifted through a number of automated press releases about the ‘investing firm’ and even on Yahoo Finance, Forbes, and LinkedIn. One press release notes that “DB Wealth Institute, founded in 2011 by Professor Cillian Miller, offers practical financial training and developed ‘AI Financial Navigator 4.0,’ integrating AI with big data to enhance trading strategies. By 2024, it had trained over 30,000 students from more than ten countries”. US regulators and financial authorities had warned of such scams by “wealth institutes” Pape added that further research also revealed that many US regulators and financial authorities had warned of fake ‘wealth institutes’ trading crypto through WhatsApp. Such scams include a ‘professor’ who provides false trading signals to group members that they can invest their money in and an assistant who communicates with investors. As soon as the group realizes enough money has been gathered, it disappears with the funds, rebrands, and then goes after new victims. Land a High-Paying Web3 Job in 90 Days: The Ultimate Roadmap
Cardano’s recent performance has sparked significant debate, as the cryptocurrency dropped 8.77% in just 24 hours, raising concerns about its immediate future. While a bearish trend dominates the charts, some
BNB price is consolidating above the $620 support zone. The price is consolidating and might aim for a fresh increase above the $675 resistance. BNB price is struggling to settle above the $700 pivot zone. The price is now trading below $680 and the 100-hourly simple moving average. There is a key bearish trend line forming with resistance at $675 on the hourly chart of the BNB/USD pair (data source from Binance). The pair must stay above the $640 level to start another increase in the near term. BNB Price Holds Support After a downside correction, BNB price found support at $620. It is now recovering losses like Ethereum and Bitcoin . There was a move above the $675 level before the bears appeared at $695. There was a move below the $680 and $675 levels. The price declined below the 50% Fib retracement level of the recovery wave from the $619 swing low to the $693 high. There is also a key bearish trend line forming with resistance at $675 on the hourly chart of the BNB/USD pair. The price is now trading below $675 and the 100-hourly simple moving average. However, the bulls are now active near the 76.4% Fib retracement level of the recovery wave from the $619 swing low to the $693 high. If there is a fresh increase, the price could face resistance near the $675 level and the trend line. The next resistance sits near the $692 level. A clear move above the $692 zone could send the price higher. In the stated case, BNB price could test $705. A close above the $705 resistance might set the pace for a larger move toward the $720 resistance. Any more gains might call for a test of the $735 level in the near term. Another Dip? If BNB fails to clear the $675 resistance, it could start another decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $640 level. The next major support is near the $625 level. The main support sits at $620. If there is a downside break below the $620 support, the price could drop toward the $612 support. Any more losses could initiate a larger decline toward the $600 level. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for BNB/USD is losing pace in the bearish zone. Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BNB/USD is currently above the 50 level. Major Support Levels – $640 and $620. Major Resistance Levels – $675 and $692.
Japanese investment firm Metaplanet has made headlines after acquiring $60 million worth of Bitcoin, marking a significant milestone in its cryptocurrency strategy. With this latest purchase, Metaplanet now holds a
Japanese investment firm Metaplanet has purchased $60 million worth of Bitcoin, the largest single BTC buy it has made since it started acquiring the cryptocurrency in May.
Cardano sees sustained bearish outlook after dropping by 8.77% on daily charts. However, an analyst sees ADA potential rally to $6.
The crypto craze celebrates the silliness of digital assets linked to the ephemera of social media