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News | Crypto Converter | Crypto Calculators |
Chain Reaction Podcast: Your daily crypto fix in just 10 minutes |
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Short on time? Keep up with crypto's rapid pace in just 10 minutes a day. No need to sift through endless articles—"Chain Reaction" distills the most important updates and insights into quick, digestible episodes. |
Why listen? What's in it for you? |
Relevant updates: Get the latest market trends and impactful events. Fresh perspectives: Gain insights that help you connect the dots. Hear the "why" behind the "what" from our team of seasoned analysts. Efficient format: Stay informed and ready to act with bite-sized episodes that cut through the noise.
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On the radar |
Our latest episode takes a closer look at: |
XRP's 15% hike: Exploring the factors behind its surge to a 7-year high. Solana and XRP ETFs: Analyzing their potential to attract $13.6 billion in investments. Bitcoin and market optimism: Insights on Bitcoin briefly hitting $100K and key market movements. Altcoin updates: A closer look at SHIB, MOVE, ADA, POL, FLOKI, XLM, and more. Global and U.S. crypto legislation: Discussions on Malaysia's new crypto policies and a Texas Bitcoin bill. Major developments: MicroStrategy's Bitcoin purchases, MoonPay's Helio acquisition, and the SEC's Ripple appeal.
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How to tune in |
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Start your day smarter—click, listen, and lead the conversation! |
Ethereum's 2025 outlook: Whale activity, CPI data, and key indicators |
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Key points: |
A whale deposit of 20,000 ETH to Kraken signals potential profit-taking and price volatility. Ethereum's price surged 7% after CPI data revealed a 0.4% hike in December, signaling market optimism. Rising Open Interest and $67M ETH liquidations reflect heightened market activity and leverage.
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News - Ethereum (ETH) continues to dominate headlines in 2025 with dynamic market movements shaped by whale activity and macroeconomic events. A whale recently deposited 20,000 ETH (worth $67.6 million) into Kraken, reigniting concerns over potential sell pressure. Historically, such large-scale deposits have coincided with price corrections as liquidity surges on exchanges. |
Simultaneously, Ethereum's price responded positively to U.S. CPI data, jumping over 7% to $3,451. The 0.4% CPI increase brought annual inflation to 2.9%, boosting investor optimism for potential Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. The resulting market activity saw $330M in total liquidations, with ETH accounting for $67M, primarily from short positions. |
Market trends and technical indicators - Ethereum's recent rally tested key resistance at $3,500, supported by strong trading volumes and bullish technicals. The altcoin trades above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, signaling continued momentum. However, a failure to maintain the $3,200 support level could invite bearish pressure. |
Open Interest in Ethereum futures spiked to $6.5 billion post-CPI, reflecting increased capital inflow and leveraged positions. This heightened activity suggests traders are bracing for significant price movements, though higher leverage raises the risk of volatility. |
Network activity and long-term sentiment - Ethereum's daily active addresses have consistently hovered around 400,000, signaling strong network participation. The MVRV ratio indicates long-term holders are in significant profit, raising the likelihood of profit-taking. Ethereum's resilience amidst macroeconomic shifts and rising derivatives interest underscores its potential for sustained growth, though cautious optimism remains warranted. |
Coinbase unveils Bitcoin-backed loans in partnership with Morpho |
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Key points: |
U.S. residents can borrow up to $100,000 in USDC using Bitcoin as collateral. Loans are processed via Coinbase and powered by the Morpho lending protocol on Base. Borrowers retain access to Bitcoin's upside without triggering capital gains taxes.
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News: Coinbase's new lending program - Coinbase has launched a new lending program, allowing U.S. customers to secure loans of up to $100,000 in USDC, backed by Bitcoin collateral. Partnering with Morpho, a DeFi lending platform on Coinbase's Base blockchain, the initiative combines centralized services with decentralized infrastructure. |
Borrowers can pledge up to 86% of their Bitcoin's value as collateral, with automatic liquidation if Bitcoin's value drops below a set threshold. The process involves wrapping Bitcoin into cbBTC and locking it into Morpho's smart contracts, with loans disbursed in USDC. |
Seamless integration and expanded utility - The loans enable on-chain investments or fee-free fiat conversion through Coinbase, offering liquidity without triggering capital gains taxes. Base's low transaction fees and quick execution speeds support what Coinbase Vice President Max Branzburg calls "unlocking economic freedom." |
Broader implications - Morpho, currently the third-largest DeFi lending protocol with $3.74 billion locked, strengthens Coinbase's ecosystem through integration with its blockchain, wrapped Bitcoin, and stablecoin. While Bitcoin is currently the only accepted collateral, Coinbase plans to expand to other cryptocurrencies. |
This partnership enhances Coinbase's position in crypto lending while improving accessibility for users. |
Solana considers dynamic inflation adjustment |
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Key points: |
Multicoin Capital proposes a dynamic inflation model targeting a 50% staking rate. Inflation rates could drop as low as 0% or increase to current levels based on staking activity. Proposal aims to reduce unstaked SOL dilution and improve DeFi appeal.
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News: Multicoin proposes Solana inflation change - Multicoin Capital, an early Solana investor, has proposed replacing the blockchain's fixed inflation schedule with a market-driven model. The framework would adjust inflation rates based on staking participation, targeting 50% of SOL supply staked to maintain network security and decentralization. |
This represents a shift from Solana's current structure, which reduces inflation by 15% annually until reaching 1.5%. The current inflation rate stands at 4.8%, according to Solana Compass. |
The mechanism would increase issuance when staking falls below 50% and reduce it above that threshold, balancing participation and concentration. |
A fresh perspective: Balancing benefits and challenges - Lower inflation could benefit unstaked SOL holders by minimizing dilution, while reduced staking yields might ease sell pressure in markets where rewards are taxed as income. |
However, Solana's historically high staking yields—over 7%—would likely decrease. While MEV rewards could offset this partially, the network risks deterring yield-seeking participants. |
A bold move for Solana's future ? - Though Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko views inflation as neutral, Multicoin's proposal targets dilution concerns and long-term value. The adjustment aligns with efforts to position SOL as a competitive DeFi asset. |
As the community weighs lower yields against reduced inflation benefits, this decision could set a precedent for blockchain inflation dynamics. |
Crypto developer challenges DOJ over software legality |
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Key points: |
Crypto developer Michael Lewellen sues Attorney General Merrick Garland over DOJ's interpretation of money-transmitting laws. Lewellen argues non-custodial software like his crowdfunding tool Pharos doesn't qualify as money transmission.
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News - Crypto developer and Coin Center fellow Michael Lewellen has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, challenging the DOJ's interpretation of money-transmitting laws. The January 16 filing in a Texas federal court argues that publishing his non-custodial crypto software, Pharos, is protected under the First and Fifth Amendments. |
Lewellen's software enables crowdfunding without taking custody of users' funds. Despite this design, he fears prosecution after recent cases against Tornado Cash and Samourai Wallet founders, who faced charges for unlicensed money transmission and money laundering. |
Coin Center has thrown its support behind the lawsuit, highlighting its significance for U.S. cryptocurrency innovation. |
Context and industry reactions - This case joins other preemptive legal challenges against regulators, including Consensys' dispute over the SEC's Ether classification and Beba's token giveaway defense, both ultimately dismissed. |
Lewellen maintains that non-custodial software like Pharos shouldn't fall under money transmission laws since it doesn't control user funds. "The DOJ's broad interpretation threatens the ability to build freely," he stated, pointing to innovation concerns. |
Implications for crypto innovation - As Garland prepares to step down and Pam Bondi undergoes confirmation hearings, this lawsuit could shape how future DOJ leadership approaches crypto regulations. The outcome may establish a precedent for developers of decentralized tools and protocols. |
The case represents another crucial battleground between crypto innovators and regulatory agencies over the scope of financial regulations in the digital age. |
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More stories from the crypto ecosystem |
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Crypto scams uncovered |
Throughout 2024, North Korean hackers were responsible for stealing a total of $659 million in cryptocurrency across several heists. Notable incidents included a $235 million theft from Indian crypto exchange WazirX and a $308 million theft from Japan's DMM Bitcoin. The notorious Lazarus Group was identified as the perpetrator. Huione Guarantee, is described as the "largest illicit online marketplace," as it has facilitated approximately $24 billion in transactions. Scammers stole over $2 million by luring victims with fake remote job offers via unsolicited texts. Promised high pay for product reviews, victims were tricked into opening crypto accounts and maintaining balances, only to have their funds stolen.
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Top 3 coins of the day |
Ripple (XRP) |
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Key points: |
At press time, XRP is trading at $3.26, marking a 0.64% increase in the last 24 hours. The cryptocurrency has become the top trending asset today, following its dramatic upward momentum.
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What you should know: |
XRP has broken out of its long-term consolidation range of $0.45-$0.65, where it traded from March to November 2024. The price has surged nearly 500% since December, breaking above $3.00. Technical indicators remain strongly bullish, with price trading well above both moving averages (MA Cross at 2.3928 and 1.0661). Volume is robust at 99.23M, supporting the uptrend. Key support levels have formed at $2.72 and $2.90, while immediate resistance lies around $3.30. The expanding Bollinger Bands indicate high volatility, suggesting traders should watch for potential consolidation at current levels. |
Litecoin (LTC) |
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Key points: |
At press time, Litecoin is trading at $138.17, posting an 11.10% gain in the last 24 hours. The asset has seen a significant volume increase, as chatter around its ETF approval increases.
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What you should know: |
Litecoin has broken out of its recent consolidation pattern, surging above key resistance levels. The MA Cross shows strong bullish momentum with the 50-day MA (112.60) well above the 200-day MA (80.36). The price action since November 2024 has been notably bullish, with LTC breaking above the $120 psychological level. Moreover, the Aroon indicator suggests sustained upward momentum, though showing some oscillation. Key support now lies at the 50-day MA around $112, while immediate resistance sits at the recent high of $141.14. Volume spikes confirm the strength of the current move. |
VeChain (VET) |
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Key points: |
At press time, VeChain is trading at $0.0556, showing an 8.68% increase in the last 24 hours. The token has recorded substantial volume of 145.43M, suggesting strong market interest.
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What you should know: |
VeChain has maintained its bullish momentum since its November breakout, with price action staying above both moving averages (50-day MA at $0.0521 and 200-day MA at $0.0318). The DMI indicator shows positive directional movement, though with decreasing strength from December highs. Recent support has formed around $0.050, while the token faces immediate resistance at the recent high of $0.0578. The current price action, supported by healthy volume, suggests continued upward momentum despite some consolidation phases. |
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