CryptoCurrency
What Does It Mean for Ripple (XRP)?
TL;DR
- Gary Gensler was replaced with pro-crypto advocate Mark Uyeda.
- The lawsuit between Ripple and the securities regulator continues, with the XRP army expecting a favorable resolution after the changes at the agency’s helm.
Gensler’s Tenure is Over
Gary Gensler – the former Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) – officially stepped down on January 20. He spent almost four years at the helm, during which the regulator filed countless lawsuits against crypto businesses.
Perhaps the most popular is the legal tussle versus Ripple Labs (the company behind the cryptocurrency XRP). The entities have been at war since December 2020, and despite the numerous developments and court rulings, the case remains ongoing.
Gensler’s resignation coincided with Donald Trump’s return to the White House as America’s 47th President. Upon assuming power, the Republican enforced multiple amendments. Among those was the designation of Mark Uyeda as Gensler’s successor.
Uyeda is known as a proponent of balanced regulation that ensures investor protection while avoiding regulatory overreach. He has also presented himself as an advocate of the crypto industry, criticizing the SEC’s previous leadership for its negative stance on the matter.
“The Commission’s war on crypto must end, including crypto enforcement actions solely based on a failure to register with no allegation of fraud or harm,” Uyeda said in November last year.
The crypto community has long desired Gensler’s resignation and his replacement with someone more open toward the industry. Uyeda’s appointment might sound like great news, but the XRP army should keep in mind that the final resolution of the lawsuit between Ripple and the SEC is no easy task and could be prolonged in time due to the complexity of the legal process.
Perhaps XRP’s recent rally that started after the US elections could be attributed to a large extent to the hopes of a more favorable regulatory landscape in the country during the Trump administration. However, those who have pushed for a quick resolution could be disappointed as Gensler’s departure doesn’t necessarily mean the case is done. As such, the company’s native token might correct hard if it turns out that there’s a classic ‘sell-the-news’ event unfolding.
Meanwhile, the American attorney Jeremy Hogan noted that Uyeda will serve as acting Chairman of the securities regulator until the permanent one is confirmed. He expects this to happen in March or April this year.
Not long ago, Trump nominated Paul Atkins to lead the agency. The latter is also considered a proponent of cryptocurrencies but we have yet to see whether the Commission will change its approach once he steps in charge.
Ripple v. SEC: What’s New?
As mentioned above, the lawsuit between the entities has witnessed many developments in the past few months. Most recently, the SEC filed an opening brief requesting the US Court of Appeals to overturn Judge Torres’ decision from 2023. Back then, the magistrate ruled that XRP sales on public exchanges to retail investors did not constitute securities transactions.
Some of Ripple’s executives were not pleased with the regulator’s latest actions. CEO Brad Garlinghouse described the filing as “insanity,” whereas CLO Stuart Alderoty called it “a rehash of already failed arguments” that are likely to be abandoned by the next administration.
“We’ll respond formally in due time. For now, know this: the SEC’s lawsuit is just noise. A new era of pro-innovation regulation is coming, and Ripple is thriving,” the latter added.
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The TRUMP memecoin shattered records before Inauguration Day, eventually reaching a total market cap of more than $12 billion.
CryptoCurrency
Reeves’ back against the wall as OBR delivers hammer blow to her farm inheritance tax plan
Chancellor Reeves’ plan to tax farmers to plug the ‘black hole’ has been dealt a hammer blow by Britain’s independent financial watchdog today.
Reeves slapped previously exempt farmers with 20 per cent tax on assets over £1million in her October budget, sparking outcry from asset-rich but cash-poor farmers.
The Chancellor argued it was a ‘fair and balanced’ way to raise money to fill the £22billion black hole, but farmers, rural lobby groups and tax experts have said it will wipe out farmers’ profits for a decade.
Rural folk also warned the tax would lead to many farmers simply selling up, damaging the UK’s food security and inviting faceless foreign companies to buy up British land as they won’t pay massive IHT bills every forty or so years and can use the land for bogus offsetting schemes.
‘Nothing short of betrayal’: The farming community reacted with fury and despair to Reeves’ devastating budget
Olly Harrison / PA
Defra Secretary Steve Reed has been defending the government’s policy, repeatedly stating it will only affect 500 or so farms a year.
That number has been heavily contested with several experts dismantling the Treasury’s calculations.
While arguments about numbers played out in meeting rooms, two huge tractor protests gridlocked central London, farmers cancelled machinery orders and paused investment plans, harming rural economies.
With the best tax advice for the last 30 years being to keep the farm until death, Reeves’ tax- which came with no prior warning- left many elderly farmers scrambling to transfer their farm to their children under the seven-year gifting rule, a deeply troubling and stressful time for older farmers who are worrying they may die and penalise their kids.
Defra Secretary Steve Reed has doubled down on the farm tax, refusing to apologise for any concern it may caused
Getty/HoC
In a fresh blow to the Chancellor, the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has branded the Treasury’s ‘costing’ of the policy as ‘highly uncertain’, casting sever doubt on whether it will raise any money at all.
“The main driver of uncertainty is the behavioural response to the measure, given the range of options potentially available,” said the report.
Since Reeves’ tax sparked such outrage, the government have been busy advising farmers on how not to pay their new tax, for which options include gifting it to their spouse/children over seven years.
Critics have pointed out this is not an option for many farmers who are widows, do not have children or do not have children interested in farming or are old enough to farm.
Moreover, once the farm is gifted, the giver is no longer allowed to enjoy its benefits, meaning widowed farmers who have transferred their farm would not be allowed to live on it anymore.
This is just one element of a possible behavioural reaction to the tax. With so many moving parts, it is no doubt the OBR has found the Treasury’s costing to be highly uncertain.
When it came to voting on the farm tax, scores of rural Labour MPs abstained to save face with constituents
GB News/Flourish
This is a huge blow as the policy was (by the Treasury’s estimation) set to raise just £520million a year by 2030, enough to fund the NHS for one day.
This number is fifty times less than the amount Reeves will rake in via her hike to Employers’ NI hike but has generated severe criticism and seen Labour’s polling in rural areas crash.
The watchdog also found ‘moderate uncertainty’ around the data used in the Treasury’s costing.
Critics have said this because the Treasury’s analysis was based on one year’s worth of farmers’ inheritance tax relief claims, too short a period to reveal the full effect, and failed to look at farms across Britain.
They have also pointed out the Treasury only analysed relief claims made under Agricultural Property Relief (APR) scheme.
Farmers also use the Business Property Relief (BPR) to shield assets from inheritance tax like combine harvesters that can cost up to £750,000. Reeves plans to cap BPR relief at £1million.
LATEST FROM MEMBERSHIP:
Farage attending the farm protestGettyReacting to the OBR’s report, Victoria Vyvyan, President of the Country Land and Business Association, said:“It is clear that neither the Treasury nor the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) has fully considered the impact on the economy of these tax reforms.
“Ministers have repeatedly said that the OBR had certified their claims, but the truth is that the OBR themselves say there is a high degree of uncertainty as to how much money will be raised, if any at all.
“But we do know that farmers and small business owners are pulling investment, cancelling machinery orders and considering whether their businesses are viable for the long-term.
“This means fewer jobs, less food security, less growth and less money going into the Exchequer to pay for public services. Government must put these reforms out to a meaningful consultation, so that Treasury can truly understand the damage they are doing.”
Victoria Atkins, shadow Defra Secretary, said: “The OBR has demonstrated that the Chancellor’s reasoning is completely flawed; Labour must now axe the family farm tax.”
The Treasury and Defra have been approached for comment.
Metacade Crypto has experienced a significant increase in user adoption, attracting over 100,000 active players participating in Play-to-Earn activities on the platform.
This gaming ecosystem combines gameplay with cryptocurrency rewards, positioning Metacade at the forefront of a new gaming era.
By delving into the platform, users can explore a space where gaming, creativity, and community empowerment intersect to influence the future of gaming.
Metacade is reshaping the gaming landscape by introducing new rules that aim to create a more inclusive and rewarding gaming environment.
Key Takeaways
- Metacade combines gameplay with cryptocurrency rewards, engaging over 100,000 active players in Play-to-Earn activities.
- Led by Russell Bennett, a prominent figure in the GameFi industry, Metacade is committed to promoting inclusivity, innovation, and community governance.
- Strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Metastudio, CertiK, and blockchain protocols like Polygon enhance game development, platform security, and community engagement.
- Metacade offers token utility through deflationary tokenomics, staking rewards, content creation mechanisms, NFT integration, and community involvement, promoting true ownership of in-game content and rewards.
Who are the founders of Metacade
Metacade is led by Russell Bennett, a prominent figure in the GameFi industry known for promoting inclusivity, innovation, and community governance. Alongside a team of dedicated founders, Metacade has established a platform that rewards players with MCADE tokens and supports developers through initiatives like Metagrants.
The founders have demonstrated their commitment to transforming the gaming sector through strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Metastudio and CertiK, enhancing Metacade’s standards and global reach.
The founders of Metacade aim to cultivate a diverse ecosystem where both players and developers can prosper. Their vision includes transitioning the platform into a fully decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) by Q4 2024, promoting community-driven and transparent governance.
Plans to introduce a jobs dashboard, NFT marketplace, and implement DAO governance reflect the founders’ dedication to positioning Metacade as a pioneering force in the crypto gaming landscape.
How does Metacade work
Metacade operates as a gaming platform that integrates blockchain technology to offer play-to-earn opportunities and facilitate game funding within its ecosystem. By leveraging Web3 technology, Metacade aims to unite gamers and blockchain enthusiasts in a transparent and secure environment.
The platform enables users to participate in activities such as playing games, creating content, and engaging in community governance through voting on funded games.
Through the use of blockchain technology, Metacade ensures fair play and rewards participants with native tokens. The platform incentivizes active engagement by offering MCADE tokens to players and contributors, thus encouraging community involvement.
Additionally, Metacade provides developers with a platform to showcase their creations, access funding through initiatives like Metagrants, and connect with a global audience of gamers and blockchain enthusiasts.
What are Metacades Strategic Partnerships
Metacade has established strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Metastudio and CertiK to enhance game development and platform security within its ecosystem.
Collaboration with Metastudio aims to maintain an innovative and engaging gaming experience on the Metacade platform. Similarly, partnerships with CertiK focus on ensuring high-level security measures and auditability to create a safe gaming environment for users.
These partnerships play a significant role in improving the overall quality and success of the Metacade platform. By working closely with blockchain protocols like Polygon, Metacade is actively contributing to the advancement of the GameFi sector, promoting innovation, and expanding its global presence.
Through these collaborations, Metacade isn’t only committed to offering exceptional gaming experiences but also emphasizes community engagement, platform security, and the progression of GameFi.
How does the Community influence the Development and Governance of Metacade
Active participation in the community has a direct impact on the development and governance of Metacade. The community’s engagement is essential in shaping the platform’s direction to cater to the needs and preferences of gamers.
Feedback, suggestions, and involvement from community members influence the decision-making processes related to new features, games, and governance structures within Metacade. By fostering a collaborative environment for sharing ideas and discussions, the community becomes a significant contributor to the platform’s success.
Together, community members and enthusiasts play a vital role in shaping the development roadmap and governance policies of Metacade, ensuring its continued relevance and inclusivity within the gaming ecosystem.
What innovations is Metacade bringing to the world of GameFi
Metacade is introducing several innovations to the GameFi sector, aiming to transform gaming experiences.
One notable feature is the implementation of Play-to-Earn (P2E) models, leveraging blockchain technology to enable players to earn rewards while engaging in gameplay. This approach aligns with the current GameFi trend and creates a virtual environment where users can earn through their gaming activities.
In addition to P2E models, Metacade offers unique features such as Create-to-Earn and Compete-to-Earn, enhancing user engagement and ownership within the platform. These features contribute to fostering a sense of community and incentivizing creativity among players.
Furthermore, Metacade’s emphasis on community governance and inclusivity distinguishes it as a forward-thinking platform in the gaming sector. By prioritizing user input and engagement, Metacade is paving the way for a more inclusive and participatory gaming experience.
Looking ahead, Metacade’s plans to transition to DAO governance, introduce a jobs dashboard, and launch an NFT marketplace demonstrate its commitment to innovation and growth. These initiatives signal potential opportunities for investment and further development within the gaming ecosystem.
What are the new horizons for Metacade in 2024 and beyond
Metacade is strategically positioned to expand its presence in the gaming industry by leveraging its gamefi platform. The platform aims to offer a variety of play-to-earn opportunities for players, enhancing engagement through dynamic challenges and real-world rewards. By fostering a decentralized gaming environment, Metacade envisions creating a virtual community where gamers can connect, compete, and collaborate.
In addition to player-focused initiatives, Metacade is committed to supporting game developers through its builder quarter. By providing essential tools, resources, and support, the platform seeks to empower developers to innovate and bring their game concepts to fruition in the Web3 landscape. This strategic approach is geared towards nurturing creativity and driving growth within the gaming ecosystem.
Furthermore, Metacade is exploring potential collaborations with esports organizations to further enhance its offerings and reach. By aligning with key players in the esports industry, Metacade aims to strengthen its position as a leading gaming hub, catering to a diverse audience of players and developers.
Looking ahead, Metacade anticipates a projected price growth of 200% in the coming year, signaling its potential to redefine the future of gaming. With a focus on sustainable growth and community engagement, Metacade is poised to shape the gaming landscape in 2024 and beyond.
Why is Metacade considered an Attractive Investment in the Cryptocurrency and Gaming Sector
Metacade stands out as an attractive investment in the cryptocurrency and gaming sector due to its strategic positioning within the gaming industry and its innovative initiatives for players and developers. The platform’s alignment with the GameFi trend offers opportunities for play-to-earn and create-to-earn models, catering to crypto enthusiasts interested in such developments.
Metacade’s decentralized decision-making process ensures community involvement and governance, fostering a sense of ownership among participants.
Additionally, the platform’s focus on deflationary tokenomics, staking rewards, and content creation mechanisms enhances its appeal as an investment opportunity at the intersection of cryptocurrency and gaming.
Where to Buy Metacade
Metacade tokens, known as MCADE, can be purchased on popular cryptocurrency exchanges such as Binance and Coinbase. These tokens serve as the gateway to the Metacade ecosystem, which offers a variety of gaming experiences and real-world rewards. By acquiring MCADE tokens, users can access the Play-to-Earn, Create-to-Earn, and Compete-to-Earn models within the Metacade arcade.
Trading MCADE on exchanges like Binance and Coinbase allows individuals to engage with the Metacade community, explore its unique offerings, and contribute to the advancement of the gaming industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is Metacade Coin Worth Today?
Today, the worth of Metacade coin is $0.006763, experiencing a 2.80% decrease.
How Can I Earn Through Metacade?
To earn through Metacade, dive into fast-paced challenges, epic competitions, and strategy battles for real-world rewards via gameplay. Developers can unleash creativity to shape the Web3 landscape. Metacade fosters innovation, inclusivity, and community governance.
What Is a Metaverse in Crypto?
In the crypto world, a metaverse refers to a virtual reality space where users can interact, play games, socialize, and engage in various activities. It offers immersive experiences and opportunities for creativity and exploration.
What Is the Total Supply of Metacade Coins?
Imagine a treasure trove with 2 billion MCADE coins awaiting discovery. You’ll be amazed at the possibilities that await in this digital adventure.
Conclusion
Metacade Crypto is an emerging platform in the gaming industry that aims to bring innovation and community-driven governance to the gaming landscape.
Founded by visionary individuals, Metacade Crypto has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings and create a unique GameFi experience for users.
The platform provides opportunities for growth and investment, attracting individuals interested in the intersection of gaming and finance.
By participating in Metacade Crypto, users can engage with a community that’s shaping the future of gaming through collaborative decision-making.
Other Cryptocurrencies you should explore
Galaxy Fox Crypto, Ponke Crypto, IronFish Crypto, XCAD Crypto and Kujira Crypto.
Angel Marinov is the Managing Editor at Coinlabz. With extensive knowledge of crypto payments and blockchain use cases, Angel is a trusted source of accurate and timely information
Transitioning to TON Blockchain
The announcement, shared with Telegram’s massive global user base of over 950 million active users, highlights the company’s focus on standardizing its blockchain operations. According to the TON Foundation, this move aims to create a more consistent experience while enhancing security.
As part of this transition, all Mini Apps and games within Telegram that involve cryptocurrency features must migrate to the TON blockchain. Developers using other blockchains like Sui (SUI) or Aptos (APT) will need to adapt quickly, as Telegram has set a strict deadline for compliance.
In addition to this, TON Connect will now serve as the sole wallet integration protocol for Telegram’s Mini Apps. Exceptions will only be made for bridging scenarios. This exclusivity ensures that developers follow unified standards, further simplifying the user experience.
Rekindling the TON Partnership
Telegram’s partnership with TON has an interesting history. Originally developed by Telegram, the TON project encountered regulatory hurdles in 2020, leading to its handover to independent developers. Since then, the TON Foundation has significantly advanced the blockchain. Their efforts have culminated in features like the TON Wallet app, crypto games, and Toncoin (TON) as an in-app currency. This rekindled relationship signals a renewed commitment to expanding Telegram’s crypto ecosystem through TON.
Telegram also aims to use TON for other innovative projects, such as tradable NFTs, which could be used as in-app stickers. This project represents a new step forward for the platform in terms of exploring new possibilities in blockchain technology and increasing user engagement.
Incentives for Developers
To facilitate the transition to TON, the TON Foundation is offering financial support. Projects that migrate within 30 days are eligible for grants of up to $50,000. However, there is a caveat—projects that previously received grants from the Foundation are not eligible for this support. This grant program reflects the Foundation’s commitment to ensuring a smooth migration for developers.
Addressing Security Concerns
Security concerns are a major factor driving this decision. Reports from Scam Sniffer have highlighted a 2,000% rise in crypto phishing attacks on Telegram since late 2024. Scammers have exploited the platform’s open nature to target unsuspecting users. By centralizing blockchain activity under TON, Telegram aims to curb these risks. The exclusivity arrangement allows Telegram to enforce stricter security standards across Mini Apps, potentially reducing scams and bolstering user trust.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov mentioned the improvement in protection against scamming, hinting at the partnership with TON. Such a unified blockchain framework would not only improve Telegram’s efficiency but also ensure protection for its users.
Challenges and Criticism
Despite its advantages, the exclusivity deal has drawn criticism. Developers who rely on blockchains other than TON face significant challenges in meeting the 30-day migration deadline. For many, this tight timeline may require substantial effort to adapt their applications, leading to frustration.
While the partnership between Telegram and TON sets the stage for a more integrated and secure ecosystem, the transition is not without hurdles. The decision reflects a forward-thinking approach but also underscores the challenges of adapting to a rapidly evolving blockchain landscape. For Telegram users and developers alike, the shift to TON represents both opportunity and adjustment.
Bitcoin hit a new all-time high in anticipation of Trump’s inauguration and prioritization of crypto, however the event disappointed many traders. BTC has since corrected to $105,000 on Tuesday. US-based crypto assets could face volatility in the weeks ahead if the Bitcoin strategic reserve and other promises made pre-election are left unfulfilled.
Bitcoin missing from the agenda on Trump’s first day
President Donald Trump assumed the oval office on January 20, post his inauguration event. While crypto market had pinned their hopes on an executive order or declaration of crypto as a national “priority” on the first day the crypto President takes office, it was a disappointing day for pro-crypto audiences.
Bitcoin (BTC) retreated from its all-time high above $109,000 and settled close to $105,000 on Tuesday. Top altcoins ranked by market capitalization, Ethereum (ETH) and XRP (XRP), wiped out their recent gains alongside Bitcoin.
President Trump signed over 80 executive orders on their first day back in office while Bitcoin was missing from action. The crypto President promised a Bitcoin strategic reserve and pro-crypto policy and regulation, responding to campaign donations from Political action committees powered by crypto firms and protocols in the US.
It remains to be seen whether a Bitcoin strategic reserve will materialize in the US, or take priority over a slew of other changes to the world’s largest economy.
The crypto market observed $816 million in liquidations as Trump missed Bitcoin and pro-crypto action on day one in office. Farside Investors data shows institutional investors grew increasingly optimistic about Bitcoin in the last few days of the week, as markets remained close on Monday, traders should keep their eyes peeled on inflows to U.S. based Spot Bitcoin ETFs on January 21, Tuesday.
President Trump’s crypto-friendly appointments to key positions like the Treasury and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could help support the sector overall, helping market capitalization hold steady above $3.75 trillion.
Top 5 tokens trending in the U.S.
While crypto markets wait for Trump to nudge the industry towards clearer policy and regulation soon after his inauguration, the top three tokens trending in the U.S. are Official Trump (TRUMP), Melania Meme (MELANIA) and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Bitcoin ranks fifth in popularity and 24-hour trade volume, as recorded by CoinGecko.
Even as Official Trump (TRUMP) and MELANIA (MELANIA) slipped lower post the inauguration event, on-chain intelligence trackers have identified large wallet investors buying the dip in the two meme tokens. This indicates the buyers expect a recovery in the tokens.
Analysts at The Block identified a token that gained from the rising popularity of the meme tokens and noted that the TRUMP memecoin launched on Jan 17, climbing to a $75 billion fully dilated valuation within 48 hours. This marks a 10,000 times price surge in TRUMP.
MELANIA memecoin launch on Jan 19 while TRUMP price dropped nearly 50%. Following the two meme token launches, Solana’s (SOL) the total value of assets locked jumped to $3.5 billion, over a 41% increase in TVL within 48 hours.
While SOL ranks fourth in popularity in the U.S., the token continues to gain from meme coin launches and consecutive increase in user activity on its blockchain.
What to expect from Solana, Bitcoin and XRP
Solana’s weekly price chart shows signs of further gains in the token. SOL is 20% away from its peak of $295.83. The closest support zone is the Fair value gap between $223.18 and $229.44. The Relative strength index reads 60, below the overvalued level at 70 and the moving average convergence divergence indicator flashes green histogram bars above the neutral line.
MACD indicates underlying positive momentum in SOL price trend on the weekly timeframe.
The outlook for Bitcoin and XRP remains positive. Bitcoin hovers close to its all-time high of $109,000 and the largest cryptocurrency could target the 127.2% Fibonacci retracement level at $125,080. This marks over 18% gain in BTC price.
The RSI and MACD, two key momentum indicators, support a bullish thesis for Bitcoin. RSI reads 69 and is sloping upwards.
XRP could rally another 25% and extend its gains to enter price discovery at $3.9815, the 141.40% Fibonacci retracement level of the rally to the altcoin’s all-time high. Both RSI and MACD support a bullish thesis for the altcoin.
RSI shows XRP is currently overvalued, however MACD shows positive underlying momentum. Traders should watch MACD for signs of a trend reversal and XRP could find support at $2.6977, the 50% Fibonacci retracement level of the rally to $3.4000.
Experts optimistic on Trump’s effect on crypto
David Morrison, Senior Market Analyst at Trade Nation, told Crypto.news in an exclusive interview:
“There was widespread disappointment across the crypto sector as the new President made no mention of either a US crypto reserve, or of deregulation. Bitcoin had soared to a record high early yesterday morning on the expectation of some sort of support from President Trump, and following the release of the $TRUMP token on Friday night.
But traders quickly bailed out of their speculative longs as Mr Trump declined to comment. Yet actions speak louder than words. President Trump’s exceedingly crypto-friendly appointments at the Treasury and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) should help support the sector overall.”
Morrison remains optimistic on gains in crypto during the Trump administration.
James Toledano, COO of Unity Wallet, notes that over $816 million in long positions and $307 million in shorts were liquidated, indicating a high-risk environment where traders were over-leveraged on both bullish and bearish bets in a very frothy market.
The liquidations have stemmed not only from excessive market leverage and speculative positioning leading up to the inauguration but also from Trump’s omission of Bitcoin in his speech at the event.
Toledano told Crypto.news that:
“While Polymarket estimates a 56% chance of an executive order within Trump’s first 100 days, meaningful crypto policy changes take time and require coordination with the Federal Reserve and regulatory bodies.
Price surges around major political events are often rooted in speculative narratives and wishful thinking rather than concrete policy shifts. The market’s volatility underscores a need for tempered expectations and a focus on long-term fundamentals over speculative milestones.”
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
The CEO of Franklin Templeton, Jenny Johnson, has said that blockchain technology will soon be used to create ETFs and mutual funds.
He is confident Trump will be a good influence on crypto and open up the doors for clearer regulations through the integration of old-school finance and the new bad-boy crypto. TradFi investments will, therefore, see a massive spike.
Another positive development in the crypto space has been the acquisition of USCY (the world’s largest tokenized money market fund) by Circle, the owner of the USDC stablecoin. The company plans to integrate its USDC stablecoin into USCY, offering investors convertibility between cash and tokenized collateral.
All in all, the crypto market is set to offer some of the wildest investment opportunities of the modern era. So, this is the correct time to invest in some high-potential new crypto, like the following.
1. Wall Street Pepe ($WEPE) – Overall Best New Crypto Coin in 2025
Wall Street Pepe ($WEPE) is among the top crypto presales in 2025, thanks to a very special mission of leveling the playing field for retail crypto investors and traders like you and me.
With its ‘Frog Army’ of like-minded rebellious retailers, $WEPE aims to end the unfair dominance and manipulation of crypto whales, who have been squeezing the average Joe since eternity.
How? Well, Wall Street Pepe token holders get an assortment of market insights and trading tools, all of which were previously reserved for the Wall Street pros.
There’s little surprise that $WEPE’s presale blew up like it did. It has raised over $55M so far and continues to race through. With less than 25 days left, the current price of $0.0003665 offers the best entry point for early adopters.
Check out our guide on how to buy $WEPE to potentially make some serious cash in 2025.
2. Solaxy ($SOLX) – Solana Layer-2 Solution Offering Fast & Reliable Transactions
As the first-ever Layer-2 solution on the Solana network, Solaxy ($SOLX) offers a one-of-a-kind investment opportunity. Bolstered further by the upcoming launch of Solana ETFs, Solaxy could very well be the next 100x meme coin.
Solaxy aims to eliminate the issues that have plagued the Layer-1 chains on Solana. These issues include network congestion, unreliable transaction execution, and limited scalability.
Be sure to make the most of $SOLX’s ongoing presale, where each token is available for just $0.00161. Our advice is to try and get in as quickly as possible, as then you’ll also be able to benefit from the token’s 286% staking rewards.
3. MIND of Pepe ($MIND) – Sentient AI Offering Crypto Advice with Hive-Mind Analysis
MIND of Pepe ($MIND) borrows a leaf from $WEPE’s book, as it, too, wants small retailers like you and me to make profitable bets in the crypto market. However, instead of pestering the Wall Street pros, $MIND dives deep into the ongoing discussions on dApps and platforms like X.
$MIND, the best AI agent crypto, interacts with influencers and analyzes their views on the market. Next, it takes everything it has observed into account and condenses it into potentially profitable crypto investment ideas. What’s more, it also actively engages in these discussions and has the power to catalyze new trends.
With over $3M raised in its presale so far, $MIND looks set for a massive price hike upon listing. Interested investors should get in now when it’s available at $0.0031762.
4. Fartcoin ($FARTCOIN) – Solana Meme Coin Based on Fart Jokes
Fartcoin, as the name suggests, is centered around…farts! As a token holder, you can submit fart jokes and claim free tokens in return.
It’s worth noting that $FARTCOIN came into existence based on a whim, as it was created after a suggestion by the Truth Terminal AI chatbot that there should be a meme coin to pacify Elon Musk’s inexplicable amusement with fart jokes.
It’s safe to say that Fartcoin has exceeded everyone’s expectations. It rose around 300% in two weeks since the beginning of the year and is currently trading around the $1.80 mark. Its current consolidation phase offers a lucrative entry point.
5. SPX6900 ($SPX) – Unique S&P 500 Index Meme Coin
SPX6900 is meme and hype culture personified. It was created with the whimsical goal of reaching a $69T market cap, which is how it aims to stamp its dominance over the traditional S&P 500.
$SPX could offer the perfect opportunity for anyone looking for a meme-fueled financial adventure. Also, don’t be fooled by its unseriousness; it has emerged as a very promising token, soaring more than 80% in the first week of January 2025.
It also has a vibrant community, with around 70K followers on X and over 16K subscribers on its Telegram. With a market cap of $1.3B, $SPX is currently trading at around the $1.40 mark, which is in all likelihood a consolidation phase.
A Final Note
As always, we advise you to only invest an amount you’re comfortable losing. Also, none of the above is financial advice, and you must always do your own research before parting with your hard-earned cash.
It’s Thursday, Jan. 16 and sports betting influencer Liam (@bets_liam) has just reviewed the latest “NFL Divisional Round Bets” from The Favorites Podcast, an NFL sports betting show with 70,000+ subscribers.
Liam takes to X and tweets his reactions:
The twist? He’s an AI agent powered by Memetica.ai, a no code AI agent consumer platform built by the team at Qstar Labs.
You’re reading Crypto Long & Short, our weekly newsletter featuring insights, news and analysis for the professional investor. Sign up here to get it in your inbox every Wednesday.
AI agents are materially different from chatbots and ChatGPT. Agents use large language models as a foundation but add new information like real time data, news, and specialized knowledge. They can also bring memory, logic, and the ability to iterate and carry out a plan. Agents can, for example, monitor consumer products news, social media and buying data to summarize key trends and post them in a blog. They can learn from feedback to improve engagement. This means agents like Liam can act on their own and evolve.
AI agents represent such a material extension of AI capabilities that they have recently become a dominant narrative in crypto.
It all started in July 2024 when Marc Andreessen, co-founder of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), gifted a quirky, X-happy AI agent called Terminal of Truths $50,000 worth of bitcoin as a research grant. Terminal of Truths, basking in Andreessen’s attention, began shilling its favorite memecoins on X, driving one token to over $300 million in market cap in a matter of days.
What happened next demonstrates crypto’s power to draw in capital and talent at lightning speed.
In October 2024, AI agent platform Virtuals launched on Coinbase’s Base protocol, allowing users to quickly create unique agents with specialized capabilities, personalities, and tradeable tokens. Now, more than 15,000 agents with tokens have been created. The most successful is a crypto research agent named aixbt, which has 400,000 followers on X and a token with a market capitalization of $650 million.
That same month, veteran developer Shaw introduced an AI agent framework called ElizaOS. Using Eliza, he launched agent ai16z (a tongue in cheek reference to Andresseen’s firm), an investment DAO (decentralized autonomous organization) touted as the “first AI hedge fund.” By the end of 2024, the ai16z token’s market capitalization had grown to over $1 billion despite having assets under management of a little over $25 million.
So, where to from here? Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently described AI agents as “a digital workforce” and predicted “…the IT department of every company is going to be the HR department of AI agents in the future.” In Multicoin Capital’s Frontier Ideas for 2025, managing director Kyle Samani envisions “Zero-Employee Companies” staffed entirely by AI agents and governed by DAOs.
But perhaps the most tangible vision comes from the ElizaOS team, which just announced a humanoid robot based on ai16z’s Eliza mascot, a “state-of-the-art personal companion (that) seamlessly integrates AI, blockchain technology, and advanced robotics.”
I’d say this AI Agent has legs.
As of January 22, 2025, accounts managed by the author’s firm held positions in the Virtuals token; this is subject to change at any time.
Many public-traded companies are adopting a “MicroStrategy” strategy of buying Bitcoin after Donald Trump’s reelection.
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Wetherspoons to open 13 pubs in the UK and plans openings in British-friendly holiday destinations
Wetherspoons is planning to open 13 locations this year and has confirmed plans to its first overseas pubs, with popular British holiday destinations like Alicante, Benidorm and Majorca being considered as potential locations.
The pub chain’s founder Sir Tim Martin revealed exclusively to The Sun that the company is exploring international franchise opportunities.
Here is a full list of the Wetherspoons pubs opening across the UK in 2025:
- Manchester Airport – Terminal Two
- Fulham – Fulham Broadway Station
- Bath – George Street
- Beaconsfield – Station Road
- Wetherby – High Street
- Tooley Street – London Bridge
- Fareham – Whiteley shopping centre
- Cleethorpes Beach – Lincolnshire
- Devon Cliffs – Devon
- Kent Coast – Kent
- Haggerston Castle – Northumberland
- Marlow, Buckinghamshire (already open)
- London Waterloo station (already open)
The business move overseas would mark Wetherspoons’ first venture outside the UK and Ireland. “We are looking at it. We think there are probably 100 to 200 franchise partnerships in the UK. Now its a question of going abroad and its a possibility,” he told The Sun.
The pub boss confirmed that sunny Spanish coastal resorts would make sense as initial locations, where the Wetherspoons brand is already well-known among British tourists.
Do you have a money story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing money@gbnews.uk.
The pub company is planning to open locations in popular holiday destinations
GETTY / PA
Winter sun destinations are also being considered as potential sites for the expansion. Sir Tim Martin indicated that a decision on the first overseas location would be made in approximately six months.
The expansion plans specifically exclude China, with Martin noting: “There is now an opportunity for franchises abroad, but not in China.” The international appeal of the Wetherspoons brand has already been demonstrated in Thailand, where an unofficial replica pub called “Witherspoons” opened in Pattaya.
This copycat establishment has proven popular with holidaymakers seeking English breakfasts and affordable drinks. The success of such unofficial ventures suggests there could be significant demand for authentic Wetherspoons pubs in overseas tourist destinations.
Recently, the company announced plans to open four more pubs at Haven holiday parks, building on its successful franchise at the Primrose Valley site in Yorkshire.
Wetherspoon has closed pubs but is adamant it will have 1,000 locations left
GETTY
The pub chain has also established successful franchises with university student unions, including partnerships at the University of Hull and Newcastle University.
These domestic franchise successes have helped pave the way for the company’s international ambitions. Currently, Wetherspoons operates 796 pubs across the UK and Ireland.
Martin has previously expressed his belief that the chain could reach 1,000 pubs across the UK. The company is also exploring unique expansion opportunities at home, with Sir Tim suggesting they might consider taking over some of the 115 Crown Post Office branches at risk of closure.
Wetherspoons has outlined ambitious expansion plans within the UK for the coming year. Nine new pubs are scheduled to open across key locations including London Bridge station and Fulham Broadway underground.
The expansion also includes a new site at Manchester Airport, alongside locations in Beaconsfield, Wetherby and Bath. These openings come at a challenging time for the broader UK pub industry.
Recent data shows a dramatic decline in pub numbers across the country, with the total falling from 41,015 in 2013 to 38,175 in 2023. The industry has faced significant pressures, with 769 pub businesses becoming insolvent in 2023, up from 518 the previous year.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Recent research suggests pub closures are ramping up across the UK
PA
This represents an average of 2.1 pub closures per day across the UK, an increase from 1.4 daily closures in 2022. Industry analysts predict this decline could continue, potentially leaving fewer than 1,000 pubs nationwide by 2074 if current trends persist.
Logan Woodbridge, Sales Executive at Togather, said: “The prediction that pubs could become critically low in 50 years is a wake-up call. It underscores the need for immediate and concerted efforts to save an essential part of British heritage.
“One of the key trends driving this decline is that more customers are seeking unique experiences when they go out. Pubs need to adapt by offering more than just food and drink—they must create environments that give people an excuse to get out and enjoy something special, whether it’s themed nights, collaborations with local food vendors, or live events.
“By embracing these changes, pubs can provide the kind of experiences people are craving. Imagine a future where we’ve turned the tide, where pubs once again thrive, hosting vibrant community events”
SSeveral wallets associated with Ross Ulbricht reportedly hold approximately 430 Bitcoin that were not confiscated by the U.S. government, according to a Coinbase executive.
Conor Grogan, Coinbase’s director of product strategy, claimed in a post on X on Jan. 22 that he identified dozens of wallets tied to the Silk Road founder. These wallets cumulatively hold about 430 Bitcoin (BTC), which have remained untouched for more than 13 years.
“I found ~430 BTC across dozens of wallets associated with Ross Ulbricht that were not confiscated by the USGovt and have been untouched for 13+ years. Back then these were probably dust wallets, now, collectively, they are worth about $47M,” Grogan noted.
Ulbricht left prison on Jan. 21, 2025, following a full and unconditional pardon from U.S. President Donald Trump. Keeping a campaign promise, Trump issued the pardon on his first full day in office after being sworn in on Jan. 20.
The U.S. government had seized 174,000 BTC from Silk Road in 2013. Ulbricht, arrested the same year, was sentenced in 2015 to two life sentences plus 40 years on charges including operating a criminal enterprise, drug distribution, and money laundering. Silk Road had used Bitcoin for transactions on its darknet marketplace.
While authorities shut down Silk Road and seized significant amounts of Bitcoin, wallets holding relatively small amounts at the time appear to have been overlooked. These wallets, now worth millions of dollars due to Bitcoin’s appreciation, remain untouched.
One such wallet holds 88.77 BTC, currently valued at over $9.4 million. Some of these wallets also contain airdropped assets, such as those from the 2017 Bitcoin Cash (BCH) hard fork.
Despite the substantial value of these wallets today, Grogan speculated that Ulbricht may not have access to the private keys. In response to concerns about publicizing this information, Grogan clarified:
“Not going to share the addresses but all of them are public (cited in trial docs or directly adjacent ) and tracked already by multiple sources.”
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