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When 2023 began, a single bitcoin could be had for less than $17,000 after losing more than 75% of its value. But fueling this latest rally are prospects for the possible approval of spot bitcoin exchange traded funds — a pooled investment security that can be bought and sold like stocks. While analysts expect the potential approval of spot bitcoin ETFs to create a much larger pool of crypto investors, future volumes could go either way, Carey added. Despite the recent excitement around bitcoin, experts still maintain that crypto is a risky bet with wildly unpredictable fluctuations in value. As of around 1:30 p.m. Eastern time Monday, the price of bitcoin stood at $41,709.

Persons: Bitcoin, Riyad Carey, Carey, Binance, Changpeng Zhao, ”, “, Edward Moya, FTX, bitcoin Organizations: Federal, Industry, Regulators, Associated Locations: Silicon, bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, U.S

When 2023 began, a single bitcoin could be had for less than $17,000 after losing more than 75% of its value. Now, bitcoin is getting another boost on the prospects of creating a much larger pool of investors. IShares Bitcoin Trust appeared to be temporarily removed Tuesday, but was back online as of Wednesday. Still, the most recent surge bitcoin goes beyond single developments or participants, Kaiko research analyst Riyad Carey notes — crediting “more of a broad market rally" around spot bitcoin ETF prospects. Despite the recent excitement around bitcoin, crypto is still a risky bet.

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Hands hold the biometric imaging device, the Orb, of the identity and financial public utility Worldcoin, which aims to create a World ID digital passport, with a tradeable cryptocurrency, in Berlin, Germany August 1, 2023. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse/File PhotoAug 8 (Reuters) - Worldcoin has no problem attracting eyeballs. More than 2.2 million people have signed up, getting their irises scanned in exchange for a digital ID and, in some countries, free crypto. The new project from ChatGPT founder Sam Altman aims to create a blockchain-based "identity and financial network". PitchBook analyst Robert Le said there were several startups trying to build blockchain-based digital identity systems, but none on Worldcoin's scale.

Persons: Annegret, Sam Altman, WLD, Gordon Grant, Andreessen Horowitz, Robert Le, James Butterfill, Worldcoin, It's, Riyad Carey, Elizabeth Howcroft, Pravin Organizations: REUTERS, Genesis, Reuters Graphics, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Pravin Char, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Berlin, Germany, Kenya

If approved, a bitcoin ETF from the world's biggest asset manager could attract investors reluctant to buy the high-risk cryptocurrency directly. Digital asset manager Grayscale had its proposal for a spot bitcoin ETF rejected last year. LESS CAPITAL OVERALLAfter surprise rate hikes in Australia and Canada, and as the Federal Reserve forecasts two more hikes, investors are now betting that interest rates will remain higher for longer. Bitcoin had benefited from ultra-low interest rates, which incentivised investors to take riskier bets in search of returns. "Albeit - there are likely to be further challenges with interest rates continuing to increase," he said.

Persons: Mike Caldwell's, Jim Urquhart, Bitcoin, Charles Schwab, Youwei Yang, BTCM, Wes Hansen, Gordon Grant, Grant, Strijers, he'd, Riyad Carey, Genesis Trading's Gordon Grant, There's, bitcoin, Usman Ahmad, Elizabeth Howcroft, Tom Wilson, Louise Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, BlackRock, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Citadel Securities, Fidelity Investments, Reuters Graphics, Silicon Valley Bank, SEC, Fidelity, Cboe, Kaiko, Federal Reserve, Blackrock, Zodia, Chartered, Technology, Thomson Locations: Sandy , Utah, Silicon, United States, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong

☆ Bitcoin volatility is back to pre-banking crisis lows, but crypto futures show investor optimism is building
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

This means traders expect bitcoin prices will increase and may be willing to pay a premium for longer-dated futures contracts in anticipation of those higher prices. The banking crisis opened many investors' eyes to the range of bitcoin's nonspeculative use cases, specifically its potential as an alternative banking system. As worries about U.S. banks have waned and inflation has eased, some are concerned the fallout from the U.S. banking crisis could tilt the economy into recession this year. The drop in bitcoin volatility also comes as the stock market's "fear index," the Cboe Volatility Index , has fallen to about 17 from 26 at the height of the banking crisis. New catalysts for volatility While the banking crisis briefly put some life back into the crypto market , tension between the crypto industry and U.S. regulators remains as a dark cloud over it.

☆ Crypto Company Circle Focuses on Growth After Canceled SPAC Merger
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Mark Maurer | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Circle is still hiring even as many crypto companies are laying off staff and some have filed for bankruptcy following the run on the stablecoin TerraUSD last spring. The crypto company had been preparing to go public via a merger with a special-purpose acquisition company, a move to access the capital market, enhance its transparency and further expand operations internationally. A SPAC typically has as long as two years to find its merger partner, clear the SEC’s review process and complete the deal. Circle, which was founded in 2013, intends to make another bid to go public, though likely not this year, Mr. Fox-Geen said. Circle in 2021 said that Poloniex LLC, its discontinued crypto exchange business, paid $10.4 million to settle a case brought by the SEC.

REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File PhotoFeb 21 (Reuters) - The world of stablecoins is suddenly looking shaky. "There's way too much demand for dollar-based stablecoins for them to go away," said Alex Miller, CEO at bitcoin developer network Hiro. Market leader tether (USDT) has been a big beneficiary, adding $1.9 billion to its market capitalization to hit $70.3 billion since the news. It now commands 52.6% of the stablecoin market, up from just over 51%. Traders also use these tokens to hedge their positions, and hence dwindling market value is associated with falling liquidity and leverage in the broader crypto market.

☆ Bitcoin falls to start the week as investors look ahead to inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-10 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Bitcoin fell to its lowest level in over a week on Monday as investors continued to digest strong jobs data from Friday that pushed risk assets including cryptocurrencies even deeper into the red. I also expect significant volatility on Thursday, with a move up or down depending on the inflation figure." Investors watch these updates closely for clues about the Federal Reserve's next move in its fight to bring down inflation. "Key data points to watch out for this week will be the CPI data beat/miss on Wednesday and the FOMC minutes, a whiff of dovishness is likely to be supportive for crypto assets." Despite the anxiety hanging over investors, cryptocurrencies' volatility has been uncharacteristically low in recent weeks, though its correlation with stocks remains positive.

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