The ongoing tensions between Coinbase and the cryptocurrency community have intensified following the exchange’s controversial decision to delist Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC), citing risks associated with Justin Sun. Experts suggest that
Bitwise has announced the launch of a Solana staking ETP, called BSOL, in the European Union. This move comes as the firm faces significant regulatory challenges in the United States, where efforts to introduce a Solana ETF have been stalled. The BSOL ETP aims to attract investors with staking rewards of up to 8% annually, offering an appealing alternative to US-based ETFs, which are prohibited from providing such returns due to securities laws. This decision follows Bitwise’s acquisition of a European ETP issuer in August, which has enabled a smoother entry into the European market. By focusing on Europe, Bitwise is tapping into a region with more favorable regulatory conditions for staking products. Recently, similar Solana staking ETPs have been introduced in the EU, such as VanEck’s offering. These products remain unavailable in the US, where regulatory restrictions have created significant hurdles. The BSOL ETP highlights Bitwise's strategy to differentiate itself. The ability to offer staking rewards sets it apart from US ETFs , which are constrained by current securities laws. In the US, all ETF applications for Solana must exclude staking rewards. However, some experts speculate this could change under a different regulatory leadership at the SEC, potentially allowing US ETFs to integrate staking features in the future. Solana’s price has recently faced some market corrections but has maintained relative strength compared to other cryptocurrencies. While the launch of BSOL has not yet had a noticeable impact on Solana’s price, the token continues to exhibit bullish trends, keeping investor interest alive . Bitwise’s decision to prioritize Europe raises questions about its long-term strategy. If US regulations remain restrictive, the firm may deepen its focus on the European market. Alternatively, a more crypto-friendly SEC in the US could open the door for staking rewards and renew Bitwise's interest in launching a Solana ETF domestically. For now, BSOL offers a compelling option for European investors , providing both access to Solana and the opportunity to earn staking rewards. This move not only reflects Bitwise’s adaptability but also underscores the growing appeal of staking products in jurisdictions with more accommodating regulations.
Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) ETFs pushed institutional crypto adoption this year to new highs. In light of the new, crypto-friendly US presidential administration and broader rally, Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas expects to see more crypto ETFs rolling out next year. This may include XRP (XRP), Solana (SOL), and dual ETFs. After a brief dip below $2.40 last week, XRP rebounded to $2.50 and now ranks the third-largest crypto by market cap, surpassing USDT by a mere $2 million. Meanwhile, SOL struggles to recover to its November high of $262.93. Still, both tokens have shown impressive performance this year and may see more upside if Balchunas is correct in his predictions. Experts Predict the Arrival of LTC, HBAR, XRP, SOL ETFs (With a Catch) Balchunas outlined several ETFs we’re most likely to see in 2025, albeit not all at once: Litecoin (LTC), Hedera (HBAR), XRP, SOL, and a BTC/ETH combo fund. However, he believes LTC ETFs will come first as LTC is a hard fork of BTC and is not labeled as security by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Similarly, HBAR doesn’t face any legal issues with the SEC. XRP and SOL ETFs would have to wait until Gary Gensler leaves his position, as the current SEC administration perceives both tokens as securities–even after the Court proved otherwise. Donald Trump appointed a crypto ally Paul Atkins as the next SEC chairman, who may relax the grip regulators hold on these assets. Hashdex, Franklin, and Bitwise have already applied for dual BTC and ETH ETFs , while Canary is the only filer for LTC and HBAR ETFs. Balchunas added he’s unsure whether there’s investor demand for altcoin ETFs. Solaxy Aims to Fix Solana’s Scalability Limitations, Introduces a New Application Layer Rumors about a SOL ETF have been spreading for a long time. However, once the third-largest crypto, SOL is now lagging behind XRP by $40 million, which may have to do with questionable Solana network performance. Solana has a history of congestion, failed transactions, and outages. The last major outage happened in February 2024 and lasted nearly five hours. In a way, Solana is the victim of its own popularity. Thousands of meme coin projects launched on Solana due to its high transaction throughput, high speeds, and no-code tools like Pump.fun. And, by the looks of it, Solana wasn’t ready to handle that influx. The new Layer-2 solution Solaxy builds upon Solana’s scalable infrastructure to make it more reliable and cheap. By offloading transactions from the main chain, Solaxy prevents congestion and outages. Solaxy’s native token, $SOLX , is more than a means of paying gas fees. Its multi-chain architecture makes it a bridge between Solana and Ethereum, which means it pulls activity from two massive ecosystems and allows for smooth cross-network transfers. $SOLX is now available on presale at $0.001566, but the price will increase in less than 44 hours and 30 something minutes as of right now. The project has raised nearly $2 million in a week, most of which will go toward the network’s development. A significant part of the funds will be distributed to early adopters in the form of staking rewards. The current staking APY of 1,827% presents a prime opportunity to maximize potential returns when $SOLX lists on major exchanges. To support Solaxy or join in the action, visit the official Solaxy website or head over to its X channel to learn more. Could Solaxy Push Solana to #3 Again? It may be too early to claim SOLX is the next 100x crypto. However, it could be the much-needed solution to Solana’s shortcomings, and many altcoins are booming right now. If Solaxy helps Solana to solve the blockchain trilemma of scalability, security, and decentralization, it could push demand for SOL, and open the door to SOL ETFs. On top of that, Solana developers would get an entirely new layer to build applications on during this bull run. This means we might see many innovative projects that were previously unimaginable.
Deutsche Bank’s solution aims to bridge TradFi and decentralized tech for cost efficiency and compliance. Project Dama 2 offers curated validators, ZKsync technology, and regulator oversight to ensure secure transactions.
In order to keep your crypto safe , you need to consider using a reliable and secure wallet. Among many great options, Phantom Wallet stands out, especially if you work with Solana or NFTs. Phantom Wallet has features like storing NFTs, staking SOL , and accessing decentralized apps (dApps). No matter how experienced you are regarding crypto, Phantom Wallet offers a simple method for managing your Solana-based assets. Let’s see what its characteristics are, how to set it up, and what makes it unique. What Is a Phantom Wallet? A Phantom Wallet is a non-custodial wallet built particularly for the Solana blockchain. What’s great with any non-custodial solution is that users have complete control over their private keys, as opposed to custodial wallets. Solana (SOL) and Solana NFTs can be safely stored, sent, and received with Phantom. It also enables you to stake SOL and communicate with dApps to earn rewards. This browser-based wallet, compatible with Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers, also supports mobile devices. Its user-friendly design ensures seamless navigation, even for those new to cryptocurrency. Key Features of Phantom Wallet Here are the standout features of this popular Solana wallet: Solana and NFT Support Easily store and transfer SOL and Solana NFTs. Manage your digital collectibles in a visually appealing interface. dApp Access Interact with various decentralized applications built on Solana. Enjoy fast, low-cost transactions within the Solana ecosystem. Staking SOL Stake your SOL tokens directly from the wallet. Earn rewards for staking and build the network’s security with your money. User-Friendly Interface Clean, intuitive design ideal for beginners and experts alike. Includes features like token search, transaction history, and account balance tracking. Secure and Non-Custodial Private keys are stored locally, ensuring your funds remain under your control. Built-in phishing protection for added security. Cross-Platform Compatibility Available as a browser extension and mobile app. Sync your wallet across devices for convenience. Setting Up Phantom Wallet Getting started with Phantom Wallet is simple. Follow these steps: Install the Wallet Visit the Phantom Wallet website . Download the browser extension or mobile app. Create a New Wallet Click on “Create New Wallet.” Set a strong password and back up your recovery phrase (12 words). Access Your Wallet Use your password to log in. Save the recovery phrase in a safe, offline location to avoid loss. Add Funds Transfer SOL to your wallet using your unique wallet address. Go to “Deposit,” then copy the address and start the transfers. Explore dApps and NFTs Connect your wallet to dApps for trading, gaming, or NFT marketplaces . View and manage NFTs in the wallet’s “Collectibles” tab. Managing Solana NFTs with Phantom Wallet Phantom Wallet is highly optimized for managing Solana NFTs. Here’s how you can make the most of its NFT features: Receive NFTs : Share your wallet address to receive NFTs from marketplaces or friends. View Collectibles : Open the “Collectibles” section to see your NFTs displayed neatly. Sell NFTs : List NFTs on Solana-based marketplaces like Magic Eden or Solsea. Secure Your Assets : Since Phantom is non-cutodial, ensure your recovery phrase is stored securely. How to Stake SOL with Phantom Wallet Staking SOL is one of the most popular ways to generate passive income while supporting the network. Here is how: Access your Phantom Wallet and click “Staking.” Choose a validator from the list provided. Type the number of SOL to be staked. Confirm the transaction and start earning rewards. Staking SOL directly within Phantom is simple and requires no additional tools or services. Phantom Wallet vs. Other Wallets Here’s a comparison to see how Phantom stacks up against other wallets: Feature Phantom Wallet MetaMask Ledger Wallet Blockchain Support Solana Ethereum, BSC Multi-blockchain NFT Management Yes (Solana NFTs) Yes (Ethereum NFTs) Limited Staking Options Yes (SOL) No Yes dApp Access Extensive Extensive Limited Device Compatibility Browser, Mobile Browser, Mobile Hardware Only Security High (Non-custodial) High (Non-custodial) Very High (Cold Storage) Tips for Using Phantom Wallet Safely Backup Your Recovery Phrase Write your recovery phrase on paper and keep it somewhere offline. Avoid saving it digitally to prevent hacking risks. Enable Auto-Lock Lock the wallet automatically after inactivity for some time. This ensures no unauthorized access if you step away. Beware of Phishing Sites Always double-check URLs before entering sensitive information. Use the official Phantom Wallet website or app. Use Trusted dApps Connect only to reputable decentralized apps to avoid scams. Update Regularly Keep your Phantom Wallet updated to the latest versions to support new features and security patches. Why Choose Phantom Wallet? Phantom Wallet allows smooth management of Solana assets and interaction with the blockchain. The NFT support, combined with integrated dApps and staking of SOL, makes Phantom Wallet an all-in-one solution for users of the Solana network. If you are new to crypto or an already experienced investor, this wallet makes otherwise complicated blockchain interactions much simpler. Non-custodial by nature, it allows you total control over your funds. Besides, it is browser- and mobile-friendly, making it convenient. Phantom Wallet combines the essential features of staking SOL, managing NFTs, and accessing dApps in one place for both beginners and experts. With proper security in place, you can confidently use Phantom to explore the growing Solana world.
Demand for spot Bitcoin ETFs has surged further following Donald Trump’s victory, with US Bitcoin ETFs surpassing gold funds in assets under management for the first time. As Bitcoin overtakes its arch-rival gold, K33 Research Head of Research Vetle Lunde recently shared that as of December 16, Bitcoin ETFs have surpassed US gold ETFs in total assets under management. The combined AUM of Bitcoin ETFs, including spot, futures, and leveraged funds, has reached $129 billion, analysts at K33 Research noted. Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas also drew attention to Bitcoin's peace and said that it is a great success for Bitcoin ETFs to compete with gold in this way, especially despite being launched only 11 months ago. “If you include all Bitcoin ETFs (spot, futures, leveraged), they have $130 billion in assets compared to $128 billion in gold ETFs. However, if you look at just spot ETFs, BTC has $120 billion in assets compared to $125 billion in gold,” Balchunas said. ETF Store CEO Nate Geraci did not remain indifferent to the success of Bitcoin ETFs and stated that he expects Bitcoin ETFs to exceed gold ETFs in AUM by three times. Nate Geraci, in his post from the X account, predicted that from a long-term perspective, Bitcoin ETFs could triple the total assets under management of gold ETFs. Stating that Bitcoin ETFs currently have an AUM of $120 billion, while the AUM of gold ETFs is around $125 billion, Geraci stated that Bitcoin ETFs could reach three times that of gold ETFs. Geraci acknowledged that the three-fold estimate may seem ambitious, but added that the three-fold gap could widen further in the future. https://twitter.com/NateGeraci/status/1869192425073443109 *This is not investment advice. Continue Reading: Bitcoin Takes Over Gold's Throne! Spot Bitcoin ETFs Surpass Gold ETFs! Here's the Data!
Shibarium to cross 670,000,000 transaction milestone soon
Community Criticizes Coinbase Over WBTC Delisting Linked to Justin Sun ————— 💰Coin: WBTC ( $WBTC ) $103,732.20 ————— NFA.
Some crypto community members have criticized Coinbase for not giving technical reasons for delisting WBTC and justifying its decision by citing Justin Sun-linked risks.
Bitcoin spot ETFs in the United States have overtaken gold ETFs in assets under management (AUM), marking a significant shift in investor preference. This milestone reflects the growing popularity of Bitcoin as a modern alternative to traditional assets like gold. Despite gold ETFs having a 20-year advantage, Bitcoin ETFs have surged ahead within just a year of their launch in January 2024. The approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs in the US has bridged the gap between cryptocurrency and traditional finance, offering investors a regulated way to gain exposure to Bitcoin without directly owning it. This accessibility has driven significant demand from both institutional and retail investors , contributing to Bitcoin ETFs surpassing gold in AUM. Notable financial players, including BlackRock, Fidelity, and Ark Invest, have entered the Bitcoin ETF market, adding credibility and fueling competition. Gold ETFs have long been seen as a safe haven against inflation and economic instability. However, Bitcoin, often referred to as "digital gold," has emerged as a modern, decentralized alternative with similar store-of-value qualities. Bitcoin’s capped supply of 21 million coins makes it an attractive hedge against inflation, especially for younger investors seeking innovation and higher returns. Bitcoin's remarkable price performance in 2024 has further solidified its appeal. Analysts suggest that this shift represents a generational change , with younger investors embracing Bitcoin’s technological and financial potential. Meanwhile, traditional investors seeking diversification are increasingly incorporating Bitcoin ETFs into their portfolios. The rapid growth of Bitcoin ETFs highlights a broader acceptance of cryptocurrencies within the financial system. After years of regulatory hurdles, US approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs in 2024 has set a global precedent, paving the way for similar products in other regions. This regulatory clarity has boosted confidence in Bitcoin as a legitimate financial asset . Despite concerns over Bitcoin’s volatility, its institutional adoption signals a maturing market. Experts predict that continued inflows from traditional investors could further expand Bitcoin’s lead over gold in the ETF market. As Bitcoin solidifies its position in mainstream finance, its rise underscores a fundamental transformation in investor preferences. This historic moment demonstrates that Bitcoin is no longer a fringe asset—it is now challenging gold’s status as the ultimate store of value. The shift reflects how innovation and decentralization are reshaping financial markets and redefining where investors place their trust.