XRP has recently surged, increasing its price fivefold over the past month as it approaches its previous all-time high. The latest market capitalization places XRP as the third-largest cryptocurrency, valued
MicroStrategy co-founder Michael Saylor has revealed why his company has adopted a ‘Bitcoin Strategy’ since August 2020. The tech entrepreneur also discussed Microsoft’s upcoming shareholders’ meeting, where they will vote on whether to adopt Bitcoin on their balance sheet. Michael Saylor Reveals Reason For MicroStrategy’s ‘Bitcoin Strategy’ In a CNBC interview , Michael Saylor suggested that his company adopted the Bitcoin strategy because of BTC’s volatility and capped supply. While discussing how they profit from this strategy, Saylor highlighted how the flagship crypto has outperformed other commodities like gold and silver. He stated that Bitcoin has a 60% volatility and ARR (annual recurring revenue), unlike these other commodities with low volatility that don’t even last that long. Saylor further remarked that BTC is the only commodity invented in the history of the human race that is “absolutely capped.” In line with this, the MicroStrategy co-founder said that Bitcoin will continue to rise as it becomes more scarce. Michael Saylor also mentioned how BTC has outperformed the S&P index and is more volatile than these stocks. The flagship crypto also has an edge over these stocks, with Saylor noting that investors can put 100% of their liquid assets in the crypto per SEC rules, something that public companies can’t do with securities. Saylor’s remarks come just as MicroStrategy recently acquired 15,400 BTC for $1.5 billion. The software company has bought Bitcoin for four consecutive weeks now, spending over $11 billion in the process. When asked if he wasn’t concerned that the volatility means that Bitcoin could experience significant moves to the downside, Saylor said that he thinks BTC will “surge through the roof” and then rally to as high as $180,000 before dropping to $140,000. It is worth mentioning that Saylor and MicroStrategy lived through the 2021 bear market, so they are unlikely to be fazed by any retracement the flagship crypto might face. Thoughts On Microsoft’s Bitcoin Vote Microsoft will vote on December 10 on whether to adopt Bitcoin on its balance sheet. Michael Saylor believes the company should not hesitate to embrace the flagship crypto. During the interview, he stated that Microsoft could add a trillion dollars to its market cap and $150 to its share price if it put all its existing cash into Bitcoin. Saylor added that the company could add another $1 trillion and $150 to its share price if it converts its existing dividend into Bitcoin. The MicroStrategy co-founder believes the same will happen if Microsoft replaces their share buybacks with investing in BTC. Michael Saylor also believes that investing in Bitcoin is an excellent way for Microsoft to de-risk and grow its enterprise value. Interestingly, Saylor recently gave a three-minute pitch to Microsoft shareholders on why they should adopt Bitcoin. Saylor has received praise from renowned author Robert Kiyosaki for his company’s Bitcoin Strategy. The post Michael Saylor Reveals Major Reason Behind MicroStrategy’s ‘Bitcoin Strategy’ appeared first on CoinGape .
Bitcoin (BTC) currently ranges between $94,000 and $96,000, but on-chain signals suggest the cryptocurrency is on the verge of a massive breakout. Data from blockchain analytics platform CryptoQuant indicates that BTC could witness a sharp and significant uptick within the next one to two months. According to a report by pseudonymous digital asset analyst Crypto Dan, a signal usually seen once or twice in each bull market has just appeared. It indicates that BTC could skyrocket soon as it approaches the final phase of this cycle. BTC Could Skyrocket in 2 Months The signal called the golden cross of the Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR) indicator entails the SOPR 365-day moving average crossing the SOPR 30-day moving average. Only in bull seasons have these indicators crossed, and the market has experienced a strong rally within the following two months each time. Crypto Dan said the signal occurs once or twice throughout an entire bull cycle, and it is the second in this upward phase that kicked off in January 2023. Notably, the upcoming rally is likely to be the largest in the final phase of this cycle. The crypto analyst mentioned that the magnitude of these runs often increases as the market advances toward the later stages of the bull cycle, while declines and corrections are smaller and happen over a shorter time frame. If this signal’s indications are to come true between the end of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, Crypto Dan expects the market to witness new capital inflows and the creation of additional crypto funds. This rise in demand and liquidity will help bring the market to its peak. BTC Slips Below $95K Meanwhile, analysts are speculating on bitcoin’s short-term price trajectory based on current demand and supply. Long-term investors have been rapidly offloading their holdings to realize profits, while short-term BTC holders have been accumulating; however, it appears demand is no match for supply. Market experts have identified $90,000 and $95,000 as key support levels for BTC, stating that the asset has a higher chance of rallying to $100,000 if it remains above the latter. On the other hand, BTC could tumble all the way to the $80,000 region if it slips below $90,000. At the time of writing, BTC had fallen slightly intraday to $94,800. While the asset holds steady, it remains to be seen how long it will take to break out, as Crypto Dan’s analysis has predicted. The post This Metric Suggests BTC Could See Sharp Uptick Within the Next 2 Months appeared first on CryptoPotato .
The post Pump.Fun Achieves Record-Breaking $93M in Monthly Revenues appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News In a latest milestone, Pump.Fun achieved a record-breaking monthly revenue in November, marking a 207% increase from October. Its monthly revenue has surpassed $93 million, creating a new all-time high since its introduction in January. The highest revenue was collected in the third week (Nov. 18th to Nov. 24th), where the platform earned $33.83 million. This is a 60% increase from the previous week and a whopping 400% increase since the beginning of the month. In the fourth week, it received only $11.31 million, bringing the total to $93 million.
For centuries, self-custody has symbolized financial autonomy, enabling individuals to secure their wealth—from gold to cash—without intermediaries. Bitcoin extends this principle into the digital realm, offering a censorship-resistant, decentralized way to hold assets. Yet, upcoming European regulations under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) and the Transfer of Funds Regulation (TFR) threaten to complicate self-custody for Bitcoin users. A New Regulatory Era MiCA, adopted in April 2023, aims to regulate crypto-assets comprehensively in the EU. The revised TFR applies the “Travel Rule” to Bitcoin transactions, requiring detailed sender and recipient information for compliance. These changes will come into effect in 2025, making it harder for Europeans to interact with Bitcoin self-custody wallets without cryptographic proof of ownership. One proposed solution is the “Satoshi Test,” where users verify wallet ownership by sending a small amount of Bitcoin (e.g., one satoshi) from their wallet to the exchange. While simple for existing holders, this process creates a paradox for new users: they need Bitcoin to verify ownership but cannot acquire Bitcoin without passing the test. This “catch-22” risks alienating new adopters, steering them toward custodial solutions that compromise Bitcoin’s ethos of decentralization and financial sovereignty. Privacy and Security Risks In an effort to comply with the new regulations, some exchanges are exploring alternatives to the Satoshi Test; These involve using end-to-end encrypted messages signed using the private key to confirm ownership of the wallet cryptographically for example via the WalletConnect Network. This preserves privacy and yet helps institutions to be compliant. The core ethos of Bitcoin technology and cryptocurrencies is decentralization and privacy. Centralizing sensitive user data not only creates attractive targets for cybercriminals but also contradicts the principles that have driven the adoption of cryptocurrencies. The recent history of data breaches in the financial sector underscores the dangers of storing large amounts of personal data in centralized repositories. “Not Your Keys, Not Your Coins” The adage "Not your keys, not your coins" serves as a reminder of Bitcoin’s core philosophy: control over private keys equals control over assets. Users must carefully evaluate exchanges' self-custody support, as cumbersome processes or centralized data storage undermine Bitcoin’s promise of financial freedom. The TFR is only the beginning. Future legislation, like the proposed Payment Services Directive 3 (PSD3), signals growing regulatory scrutiny of Bitcoin self-custody. To preserve Bitcoin’s core values, the industry must proactively develop solutions that comply with regulations while protecting user privacy. This is a pivotal moment for Bitcoin in Europe. Users should advocate for exchanges that prioritize self-custody and privacy-preserving measures. Exchanges, in turn, must innovate to comply with regulations while staying true to Bitcoin’s decentralized principles. As Europe tightens its regulatory framework, the choices made by Bitcoin users, exchanges, and regulators will determine whether Bitcoin continues to empower individuals or becomes entangled in centralized systems. By championing privacy and self-custody, we can ensure Bitcoin remains a tool for financial sovereignty and freedom. This is a guest post by Jess Houlgrave. Opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.
French lawmakers are debating a tax on unrealized capital gains for cryptocurrencies, potentially altering how assets like Bitcoin are taxed. The proposal would categorize cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin ( BTC ) as “non-productive property,” alongside dormant real estate and luxury items such as yachts. This classification would place them under a proposed “unproductive wealth tax,” replacing the current real estate wealth tax The idea, introduced during the French Senate’s debate on the 2025 budget, suggests taxing increases in cryptocurrency value even if the assets haven’t been sold. This represents a departure from the current system, where taxes on cryptocurrencies are only applied when profits are realized, such as when assets are sold. Bad news for French crypto holders. The government has plans to tax unrealised gains on Bitcoin 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/YV6sx8aWKK — Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) December 3, 2024 Senator Sylvie Vermeillet, the proposal’s sponsor, argued that this change would align cryptocurrency taxation with other wealth categories. Last month, The Tax Law Council in Denmark recommended proposing a bill to tax unrealized gains and losses on crypto assets under an inventory taxation model. The proposed bill aims to address the unfair taxation of crypto investors and simplify the tax rules for crypto assets. You might also like: Coinbase to list MOG meme coin This tax isn’t law….yet The Senate debate included a preliminary vote on the proposal. Notably, only supporting senators were present, meaning the vote does not yet reflect a final decision or broader consensus. If the proposal advances, it would need approval from the French National Assembly before becoming law. For those unfamiliar with the concept, unrealized gains refer to the increased value of an asset that hasn’t been sold. For instance, if Bitcoin’s value rises after purchase but is not sold, the owner currently owes no taxes on that increase. The proposed tax would change this by applying levies on that paper gain, even if the asset isn’t converted to cash. This debate comes amid a global trend of governments grappling with how to regulate and tax cryptocurrencies. In the U.S., crypto taxes only apply when assets are sold. Some countries, like Germany and Portugal, offer tax exemptions for long-term holdings or classify digital assets more leniently. You might also like: MARA acquiring Texas wind farm for better Bitcoin mining operations
French lawmakers are debating a tax on unrealized capital gains for cryptocurrencies, potentially altering how assets like Bitcoin are taxed. The proposal would categorize cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) as “non-productive property,” alongside dormant real estate and luxury items such as…
Ripple has officially joined Pledge 1%, a global movement encouraging companies to give back by donating a portion…
Building More Functionality into NFTs with Web3 Yuga Labs, the blockchain powerhouse responsible for both Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) and ApeCoin, further solidified its structure around its NFT infrastructure with its recent acquisition of the technology team behind Tokenproof. The strategic move looked to position a more seamless accessibility-to-functionality in the fast-expanding Web3 ecosystem. On December 3, Tokenproof’s founder and CEO, Fonz O, announced that Yuga Labs had acquired the Tokenproof technology and onboarded several team members. Tokenproof is a specialist in building infrastructure for the verification of NFT ownership in the real world, making it a natural fit for Yuga Labs’ ambitious vision. The two companies have been collaborating since 2022, forging a strong foundation for this acquisition. Leveraging Tokenproof’s Expertise According to Greg Solano, the Yuga Labs co-founder: “Together with Tokenproof, we hacked up a host of thorny problems, so your monkey jpeg could safely, efficiently get you into the festival across the world.” This acquisition will integrate Tokenproof’s talented tech team into Yuga Labs’ research and development division, The Workshop. Launched in August amid organizational restructuring, The Workshop focuses on innovative projects, including Otherside, Yuga Labs’ gamified, interoperable metaverse. This move demonstrates Yuga Labs’ commitment to continue pushing the frontiers of NFT and Web3 technologies toward more mainstream use and enjoyment. Community Support and Industry Context The move has been highly welcomed by the NFT community. Many developers have come forward to appreciate Tokenproof’s efforts in enabling tangible utilities for NFTs, especially for Yuga Labs’ iconic ape-themed assets. But the overall NFT market remains unpredictable, despite the strategic acquisition. According to CryptoSlam, in May 2024, NFT sales volumes soared above $500 million, though the peak occurred earlier in March at $1.6 billion in sales. The market up-and-down performance has seen companies such as Kraken shut down their respective NFT marketplaces to allocate resources to other initiatives. Conclusion By acquiring Tokenproof’s tech team, Yuga Labs solidifies its position as a leader in NFT innovation. This strategic move not only enhances the utility of its NFTs but also signals its dedication to evolving the Web3 landscape. As the industry navigates both challenges and opportunities, collaborations like this will be crucial in shaping the future of blockchain technology.
The analyst who co-wrote this piece owns shares of MicroStrategy (MSTR). Despite all the weird memecoins and degen behavior in 2024, ETFs are in the running for story of the year in cryptocurrency investing. And that story — which began when bitcoin and ether exchange-traded funds debuted to great fanfare — might not be over. After a sixfold surge in its stock price this year, Michael Saylor's bitcoin ( BTC ) investment firm MicroStrategy (MSTR) looks poised to join one of the biggest exchange-traded funds around, the $312 billion Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). That fund tracks the Nasdaq-100 Index. Every December, Nasdaq shakes up the membership list for that benchmark, which then filters into the Invesco fund (which copies Nasdaq's decisions exactly). The Nasdaq-100, roughly speaking, tracks the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq exchange. There are other eligibility criteria that must be met — and MicroStrategy checks those boxes. “The index is passive and rules-based and it should just follow the rules. The market is indicating that MSTR belongs in the index and thus the ETF, and therefore it should be added,” said James Seyffart, ETF analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. This conveys more than bragging rights; it's membership in an exclusive club alongside giants like Nvidia (NVDA), Apple (AAPL) and Microsoft (MSFT) in an ETF that regularly boosts daily trading volume in the tens of billions of dollars. It guarantees passive, permanent capital will flow in. Getting added "will open up flows to a new class of investors that would not otherwise have singularly bought a stock like MSTR on their own," said Jeff Park, head of alpha strategies at Bitwise. "Indexing, in a way, is a financial tool, like banking is a financial tool, because it is a liquidity transformation tool." The decision would also essentially bring more bitcoin into the index. Saylor has loaded up MicroStrategy with a $37 billion stockpile of bitcoin over the past four years, transforming his decades-old software firm into one of the largest crypto investors in the world. To conceptualize how much bitcoin that is, Bloomberg data shows that the $37 billion holdings are now worth more than Nvidia's (NVDA) $34.8 billion (NVDA) and Tesla's (TSLA) $33.6 billion cash and marketable securities holdings. Now, the fortunes of a prominent conventional stock index and ETF would ride to an even greater degree on bitcoin. Tesla is already in the index and holds the cryptocurrency. "For millions of passive investors, owning ETFs like QQQ (which tracks the Nasdaq-100) will provide indirect bitcoin exposure to their portfolios through MicroStrategy's holdings," said Ben Werkman, founder of quant research firm NumerisX. "Since these funds are often buyers at any price, their participation has the ability to potentially exert significant upward pressure on the price of the equity." This is all technically theoretical at this point. Nasdaq will announce its decision on Dec. 13, with the membership shuffle taking place a week later. The company will base its decision on market data as of last Friday. Among eligible companies, MicroStrategy is the 66th-biggest by market capitalization, according to Seyffart; the 75 largest companies automatically get into the 100-stock index. That likely equates to more than $1 billion of new money coming into the stock as Invesco buys shares to match MicroStrategy's weighting in the index. A potential wrinkle: Will the Nasdaq committee that makes this decision still consider MicroStrategy a non-financial company, said Mark Palmer, managing director of The Benchmark Co. Has it strayed too far from its software roots? "MicroStrategy at this point meets the eligibility criteria for inclusion," Palmer said. However, "its bitcoin acquisition strategy could make [the Nasdaq committee's] analysis a bit less straightforward.” If MicroStrategy does get in, the resulting impact — or lack thereof — could preview what might happen if the stock gets big enough to join the even more influential S&P 500 Index, something that could happen in early 2026, Palmer added. Entering an index can be extremely beneficial for a publicly traded company. The question is whether the majority of returns get front-run before the inclusion or during the company's time in the index. When Tesla (TSLA) entered the S&P 500 on Dec. 21 2020, it traded around $200 a share. The stock had run up 10-fold since December 2019 heading into the inclusion. Tesla went on to make new highs in November 2021 at $400 a share. In other words, the best returns came before the index addition. Nasdaq research shows outsized returns do tend to precede the stock entering the index, not after. Even still, MicroStrategy getting added would be another step toward bitcoin becoming integrated into the conventional financial system. Will Canny contributed reporting to this story.