Bitcoin Price: US$68,245.71 (+8.13%)
Ethereum Price: US$ 3,627.76 (+4.01%)
MicroStrategy’s move to raise $600 million via senior convertible notes to buy more Bitcoin underscores the company’s bullish outlook for the cryptocurrency, particularly amidst Bitcoin’s ongoing rally and the recent surge in institutional interest triggered by the launch of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Michael Saylor, MicroStrategy’s co-founder, envisions a decade-long institutional “gold rush” for Bitcoin, fueled by the ETFs and the rise of autonomous AI, which he believes will drive significant demand for Bitcoin in securing the internet and powering digital energy for AI applications. Additionally, the resurgence of Bitcoin nonfungible tokens (NFTs), with sales surpassing Ethereum’s weekly volume, highlights renewed interest in Bitcoin-based NFT collections like NodeMonkes, suggesting a growing diversification of use cases for the cryptocurrency beyond traditional investment.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing $10 billion in assets under management (AUM) in just over seven weeks, a feat that took the first U.S. gold-backed ETF more than two years to accomplish. This remarkable growth highlights the explosive demand for Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with Bitcoin ETF inflows surpassing those of gold. Meanwhile, Tether’s USDT stablecoin has reached an unprecedented market capitalisation of $100 billion, underscoring its dominance in the stablecoin market despite ongoing scrutiny over the quality of its reserves. Additionally, Bitcoin has broken a new all-time high against the euro, surpassing the 60,000 euro mark for the first time in history, further solidifying its position as a global store of value amid increasing institutional adoption and the proliferation of Bitcoin ETFs.
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has decided to postpone its verdict on approving or rejecting BlackRock and Fidelity’s proposals for spot Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs), extending the delay in what could be significant developments for the cryptocurrency market. This delay comes as no surprise, with speculation rife that the SEC would only reach a decision once the final deadline in May approached. Despite the setback, the price of Ether remains buoyant, driven by broader market optimism and a potential ETF approval, showcasing resilience amid regulatory uncertainty. In a separate development, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong has cracked down on fake websites impersonating licensed cryptocurrency exchanges, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat fraudulent activities within the digital asset space. Meanwhile, the Indian government has issued an advisory requiring tech firms to seek approval before releasing new AI tools, emphasising the need to uphold safety, integrity, and trust in the deployment of artificial intelligence technologies, especially in sensitive areas such as elections. These regulatory moves underscore the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency and AI governance, with authorities worldwide striving to strike a balance between innovation and regulatory oversight.
Source: https://cointelegraph.com
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