CryptoCurrency
State pension crisis as Britons face £25,000 savings shortfall in retirement
Retirees need £36,915 per year for a comfortable retirement in 2025, leaving a substantial £25,413 gap compared to the state pension, new research has revealed.
Findings from Shepherds Friendly highlight the significant shortfall facing pensioners who rely solely on state support.
Despite the clear disparity between retirement needs and state provision, a “surprising” number of people have not considered how much they need annually for retirement, according to the research.
Shepherds Friendly warns that while the state pension provides a financial safety net, it falls far short of what most people need for an enjoyable retirement. Housing costs represent the largest expense for retirees, with mortgage repayments and additional housing costs averaging £7,600 per year.
Fuel and power bills follow as the second-highest expenditure at £3,600 annually. Transport costs account for £3,392 per year, while food and drink expenses amount to £3,530.
Beyond essential spending, retirees typically allocate £3,238 annually for recreation and cultural activities. Dining out and hotel stays make up a smaller portion of retirement spending, with an average of £1,667 per year dedicated to restaurants and accommodation.
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Britons could face a pension savings shortfall, experts warn
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A comfortable retirement in 2025 would require an annual income of nearly £50,000, according to the research. Those seeking a moderate retirement lifestyle would need approximately £31,848 each year.
Derence Lee, chief financial officer at Shepherds Friendly, noted that many people find it “easy” to postpone thinking about their later years.
He added that the rising cost of living makes saving for the future particularly challenging for some individuals. The research indicates that relying solely on the state pension to cover retirement costs would be “extremely challenging,” with savers urged to begin saving earlier to boost their investments.
The full UK state pension currently stands at £11,502 per year, equivalent to approximately £221 weekly. This basic level of support falls significantly below the amount needed for retirement, according to Shepherds Friendly.
Pensioners are worried about their retirement
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The financial services provider emphasises that while the state pension serves as a safety net, it is insufficient for most people’s retirement aspirations. Furthermore, the research highlights a concerning trend where many individuals, despite recognising the pension gap, have not taken adequate steps to address it.
This remains true even for those already contributing to private or workplace pensions. The findings suggest that proactive financial planning beyond state pension provisions is essential for securing a comfortable retirement.
Notably, the average retiree faces £38,000 in remaining mortgage debt by age 65, the research shows. For those on a five-year mortgage term, this translates to annual payments of around £7,600 when retiring at 65.
These mortgage commitments represent a significant portion of retirement expenses, potentially straining already limited pension resources. The findings emphasise the importance of factoring housing costs into retirement planning, as mortgage payments often continue well into retirement years.
This mortgage burden adds another layer of financial pressure beyond everyday living expenses for retirees. Borrowers have been saddled with hiked interest rates following recent actions from the Bank of England.
The data suggests that prospective retirees should carefully consider their housing situation when planning for retirement, as mortgage costs could consume a substantial portion of their annual income.
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Those approaching retirement, or who have retired, have struggled with mortgage payments
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Chris Rudden, the head of Investment Consultants at Moneyfarm, emphasises the importance of early pension planning.
He said: “For a lot of people, your pension may be the last thing on your mind. However, it is best to stay on top of this so you can reap the rewards later in life.”
Rudden stresses that starting pension contributions early is crucial, noting that “making small contributions now is a lot easier than playing catch up”.
He points to the issue of lost pensions, with research showing the average Briton believes they have around £13,000 spread across three forgotten pension plans.
“Why not use the new year to track some of these down,” Rudden suggests, highlighting how workplace changes can lead to misplaced pension investments.
The second half of 2024 was a milestone period for the TRON network. It achieved record-breaking performance across key metrics, saw $TRX reach all-time highs, and experienced a surge in ecosystem activity driven by memecoin activity. Let’s break it all down.
Key Highlights
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TRON led in the Price-to-Revenue ratio, maintaining a top-three position throughout the period.
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Fundamental blockchain metrics demonstrated TRON’s strength and competitiveness.
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A successful “vampire attack” on Solana attracted significant attention to the TRON ecosystem.
$TRX Reaches a New All-Time High
The native token of the TRON blockchain demonstrated significant growth in early December, setting a new all-time high at $0.416. As of early 2025, the token’s price is trading at $0.225.
At this price level, 94% of wallets holding $TRX are in profit.
Historically, $TRX has shown consistent upward price momentum. The token’s value generally increases over time, with major price drops occurring only after exponential growth cycles, which typically happen every four years. Importantly, the price has never returned to the previous lows of earlier cycles.
This price behavior sets $TRX apart from many other large-cap altcoins, as holders of $TRX tend to remain in profit for a significant portion of their holding period.
TRON Leads Across Plenty of Fundamental Metrics
The driving force behind TRON’s price behavior lies in its blockchain metrics. Among these, the price-to-revenue ratio stands out as a crucial indicator for fundamental analysis.
Notably, at the start of the second half of the year, before the native token’s price surge, TRON led the market with the lowest price-to-revenue ratio of 26.7. (The lower the ratio, the higher the project’s revenue relative to its market capitalization.) While such a ratio is fairly common in the technology sector of the stock market, it is considered exceptional in the cryptocurrency market.
After the exponential price growth, the ratio has shifted, but TRON still remains among the leaders in this metric.
More than that, TRON has emerged as the most cost-efficient L1 blockchain in 2024, spending just $0.85 for every $1 generated in fee revenue. This stands in contrast to Aptos, which spent over 300 times more on incentives than it earned in fees. Bitcoin, with its Proof-of-Work model, spent $80B on miner incentives while generating $6.6B in transaction fees.
Additionally, in terms of absolute revenue, TRON ranks second after Ethereum. Ethereum, TRON, and Solana are the undisputed leaders in revenue generation among blockchains, accounting for over 95% of the total revenue generated by projects in this category.
The TRON network has solidified its leadership in the number of addresses interacting with stablecoins. TRON is the most popular network for users transferring stablecoins between centralized exchanges. This success can be attributed to several factors:
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High reliability: The network is proven both over time and by the volume of assets it handles.
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Cost-efficiency: TRON provides one of the most cost-efficient solutions for stablecoin transactions, making it an attractive option for users across various demographics.
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Broad support: The network is supported by nearly all centralized exchanges.
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Unique resource mechanism: TRON’s unique dPOS model, coupled with its Energy and Bandwidth resource system, offers cost savings and efficiency. This design is highly appealing for both individual users and payments platforms.
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Active Network Participation: TRON dPOS Staking & Voting system keep retail & investors involved in the Network from both technological and investment reasons.
In terms of stablecoin transfers, TRON ranks third, with a total of 3 trillion USDT in transfers for the second half of 2024—just slightly behind Ethereum and Solana.
In the second half of 2024, 5 billion USDT were minted and burned on the TRON network, resulting in a stablecoin volume that remained relatively unchanged despite minor fluctuations.
Returning to the overall metrics, TRON ranks among the top three in terms of active addresses for the second half of 2024.
Additionally, during this period, TRON ranks among the top three blockchains in terms of transaction volume.
As for the Total Value Locked (TVL) metric, in the second half of 2024, TRON lost some ground to BSC and the rapidly growing Bitcoin ecosystem, driven by restaking protocols. However, it still remains in the top five.
Thus, TRON is a leader among blockchains across several key metrics, thanks to its strong product-market fit in the stablecoin segment.
However, there was one highly popular market segment where TRON did not achieve significant success in the past half-year: the memecoin sector. Well, in the second half of 2024, Justin Sun and his team decided to make up for lost ground and managed to pleasantly surprise the market.
The Memecoin Summer on TRON
By mid-2024, it became clear that pump.fun on the Solana blockchain — a platform where anyone could launch their own token in just a few clicks and almost for free — was the most prominent and successful project of the cycle. It had already generated massive revenue and attracted significant attention. As a result, on August 13, a similar platform called SunPump was launched on the TRON network. Its name was a nod to its origin, and it was built on the AMM protocol SunSwap, with its smart contracts actively powering the platform. Despite initial skepticism, SunPump quickly proved to be serious competition for pump.fun, especially in its first month of operation.
In fact, the meme tokens launched in the early days on SunPump surpassed those previously launched on pump.fun.
Within a month, the pace of token launches on the platform and their average market performance naturally stabilized, reflecting a shift toward a more sustainable growth phase.
This trend is not uncommon in the crypto industry, where the “first-mover” effect often gives established platforms an initial edge. However, this also provides an opportunity for new platforms, like TRON’s SunPump, to innovate further and differentiate themselves from older, more familiar platforms as they continue to evolve.
Illicit Activity Mitigation
In August 2024, TRON, Tether and TRM announced the establishment of The T3 Financial Crime Unit (T3 FCU) – a сollaboration aimed at reducing illicit activity in the blockchain industry. In just six months, they managed to freeze over $100 million in criminal assets globally, marking a significant milestone in its fight against cryptocurrency-related financial crime. The TRON network, in particular, experienced the most significant decline in illicit activity, with volume dropping by $6 billion and the proportion of such activity nearly halving. The unit has worked closely with law enforcement agencies worldwide to disrupt criminal networks involved in money laundering, investment fraud, blackmail, terrorism financing, and other serious financial crimes.
New Year, New Challenges for the Ecosystem
One promising market narrative TRON has only begun to explore is the integration of AI technologies. With the innovative track record of Justin Sun and his team, 2025 promises to be a transformative year for TRON in this space. Building on their success with fair launch platforms for meme tokens, we are confident they will introduce groundbreaking applications or creatively adapt existing solutions to position TRON as a leader in the AI-crypto synergy.
Moreover, we are already seeing the first signs from TRON DAOitself. On January 7, the official Twitter (X) account of TRON DAO posted a poll asking users which use cases they find most interesting for AI technologies within the crypto industry.
Just a few days later, they reposted a post from the account @JustinMoonAI – a community project featuring an English-speaking AI agent who hosts a 24/7 livestream, interacting with visitors on the website. The agent’s name and some aspects of their appearance clearly reference the founder of the TRON blockchain.
Additionally, on January 10, the TRON blockchain became available as an interaction network in the EternalAI protocol, a multi-chain platform for launching tokenized AI agents.
Output
The TRON network is one of the earliest blockchain technologies launched by human civilization. Over its more than 6 years of existence, it has established itself as a reliable decentralized infrastructure and has become the go-to solution for stablecoin transfers – arguably the most significant use case in the crypto industry. The charismatic figure of Justin Sun has given the project high recognition and visibility, and since Sun is an independent player in the market, it provides certain freedoms in project development. For instance, Justin Sun was able to initiate the creation of SunPump, leading it to a brief yet notable success. We believe that the initiative and persistence of the ecosystem’s leader will continue to pave the way for its success, and the market clearly agrees with our optimistic outlook, consistently raising the blockchain’s valuation through its native coin.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
The Silk Road founder received a commuted sentenced from US President Donald Trump on Jan. 21 after being sentenced to life in prison in 2015.
Pension advisers and wealth management chiefs have issued stark warnings to the Treasury over plans to apply inheritance tax (IHT) to pension funds, cautioning that the proposed changes could cause severe delays and increased costs for bereaved families.
The changes, announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her autumn Budget, aim to raise £1.5billion annually for the Treasury by 2030 by making pension funds part of inherited estates.
Industry leaders have described the proposals as “flawed and potentially damaging” in responses to Government consultations closing this week. The Government estimates its proposals will bring approximately 1.5 per cent more estates within the scope of death duties by 2027-28.
This increase comes on top of the four per cent of estates that already exceed the £325,000 nil-rate band. The threshold can rise to £500,000 in cases where a property is passed on.
Under the new proposals, personal representatives of inherited pension funds would need to identify the funds and calculate any inheritance tax owed, considering other assets in the estate.
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The Government is making changes to inheritance rules impacting pensions
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Pension scheme administrators would then be responsible for paying the inheritance tax before releasing the funds. The Society of Pension Professionals has warned that the government’s plans “impose unrealistic and impractical timescales”.
The trade association expressed concern about interest charges and penalties that could be imposed on pension scheme administrators for delays “over which they have little or no control”.
Steve Hitchiner, chair of the Society of Pension Professionals (SPP), said issues relating to the reporting and payment of inheritance tax on pensions was “vitally important”. He added that the current proposals “will result in numerous problems and challenges which could be largely avoided”.
Chief executives from major UK wealth managers, including Interactive Investor, Quilter and AJ Bell, have written directly to Reeves about their concerns over the looming raid from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Britons are preparing for drastic changes to inheritance tax rules GETTY In their letter, seen by the Financial Times, they warned: “The complexity of the proposed approach, namely bringing all pensions into estates for IHT, will lead to substantial delays paying money to beneficiaries on death and cause distress for bereaved families.”
The executives called on the Government to “work with the pensions industry to agree a simpler method of achieving the policy aim”. Under current rules, inherited pensions can be paid more quickly to beneficiaries and used for urgent expenses like probate costs and funeral charges.
Anna Rogers, a senior partner at Arc Pensions Law, warned that the new process would disproportionately affect those with lower incomes. “The (new) process is complicated and it will punish lower earners,” she said.
“Wealthy people don’t need the money quickly . . . it seems the harm will be disproportionately to those who aren’t wealthy and those who die young.” Lawyers have expressed particular concern about the six-month window between death and the inheritance tax payment deadline.
Jeremy Harris, the partner at Fieldfisher, noted that pension scheme rules typically allow two years to pay death benefits, highlighting potential timing conflicts. He said: “There may be a need to sell assets to pay the tax, but there might be cases of people not being able to pay, for example if a property needs to be sold.”
Death in service benefits could face significant inheritance tax bills in cases where they are part of registered pension schemes. “It’s got the potential to be quite a mess . . . at some point there will be a backlash,” Harris added.
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Britons are being warned about the looming inheritance tax raid
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Kate Smith, the head of public affairs at Aegon, highlighted a lack of clarity over what falls within scope of the changes. She noted that “nobody thinks [the proposals] will work”.
The Treasury defended its position, stating: “We continue to incentivise pensions savings for their intended purpose of funding retirement instead of them being openly used as a vehicle to transfer wealth.”
The SPP has suggested alternative approaches, including leaving the calculation and payment of inheritance tax to personal representatives and HMRC.
Alternatively, they proposed that benefits could be taxed at the full 40 per cent rate and paid promptly by scheme administrators in cases where pensions are subject to inheritance tax. These alternatives aim to address the industry’s concerns while maintaining the government’s revenue objectives.
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
Investors pivot from Cardano and Shiba Inu to Remittix, eyeing 50x-100x growth in global payments solutions.
A seismic shift in the crypto market is occurring as investors look away from established players like Cardano (ADA) and Shiba Inu (SHIB), setting their sights on a new token with 50x to 100x potential.
This fresh PayFi project, Remittix, is drawing attention for its unique technology and applications, as it seeks to solve inefficiencies in the lucrative global payments market. So why is Remittix seeing so much attention and why are Cardano and Shiba Inu holders taking note?
Cardano’s short growth spurt is stopped abruptly
Cardano came into 2025 on strong footing after a rally in November and December, before wobbling its way through early January. Though Cardano saw many fluctuations in this time, Cardano’s value saw a net increase, rising by 9.9% in the last 30 days. This came off the back of the successful release of Node v.9.1.1, which fixed issues related to the Conway era and improved transaction reliability.
The blockchain’s push toward decentralization remains on track, with plans for a community-driven governance system in 2025. Cardano’s price has now plateaued after its short lived growth spurt and the asset even saw a minor loss today. Its steady pace has left some investors seeking faster, higher-growth opportunities.
Shiba Inu: Meme magic losing momentum?
Shiba Inu has posted losses on monthly, weekly and daily timeframes, putting the price of Shiba Inu down to $0.00002083 with a most recent loss of 2.3% over the past week. This bleak price outlook makes Shiba Inu’s ATH of $0.00008845 in 2021 seem like it happened in a different universe altogether.
Although Shiba Inu’s popularity grew from its passionate community and meme appeal, recent losses have seen its appeal dwindle. These losses aside, some good things have come out of Shiba Inu’s developer team recently, such as tweaks to Shibarium and a pivot into NFTs that might pay dividends for Shiba Inu down the road.
Transforming global transactions
With Remittix, users can convert more than 40 cryptocurrencies into fiat currencies and transfer funds seamlessly to bank accounts worldwide. Unlike conventional systems weighed down by high fees and extensive delays, Remittix provides a cost-effective and efficient alternative.
Featuring flat-rate fees and clear pricing, the platform removes hidden charges and variable conversion rates, ensuring recipients receive the full intended amount. Whether it’s individuals sending money to family abroad or businesses handling global payments, Remittix delivers a reliable and efficient solution.
This approach resonates with both individuals and businesses, especially those seeking predictable and transparent cost structures for international transactions. By emphasizing simplicity and fairness, Remittix is building trust and appealing to users who value transparency in their financial activities.
Privacy and security are critical in today’s financial ecosystem and Remittix excels in both areas. Transactions through the platform are treated like standard bank transfers and when they are listed on statements, they show no connection to cryptocurrency.
Remittix is in prime position to disrupt the PayFi space
Currently, Remittix is excelling in its presale phase, approaching the $4.4 million milestone. Tokens are available at an appealing entry price of $0.0239, making this project accessible to a wide range of investors.
With analysts forecasting an 800% price surge by the presale’s conclusion and a further 5,000% rally post-launch, Remittix is positioned to change the $190 trillion cross-border payments market. By overcoming the barriers that have long impeded global payments, Remittix is on course to emerge as a dominant force in the PayFi industry, reshaping financial transactions in 2025.
To learn more about Remittix, visit the Remittix presale and join the Remittix community.
Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. crypto.news does not endorse any product mentioned on this page. Users must do their own research before taking any actions related to the company.
Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan has shared his thoughts on the future of crypto in the banking sector.
Speaking in an interview with CNBC at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday, Moynihan stressed that the industry is ready to embrace crypto for transactions, but only if the regulatory landscape is well-defined.
Crypto Adoption Depends on Clear Rules
In the discussion, the executive stated that if directives were implemented that would make it feasible to conduct business, then the industry would strongly engage.
“If the rules come in and make it a real thing that you can actually do business with, you will find the banking system will come in hard on the transactional side of it,” he said.
He also pointed out that these organizations would need ‘non-anonymous, verified’ transactions to move forward with crypto adoption.
Further, he highlighted that BOA has already invested in blockchain technology, mentioning that it holds hundreds of patents in the area. The organization also already processes most transactions digitally.
When asked whether he saw crypto and Bitcoin as a threat to the U.S. dollar, Moynihan did not express concerns. Instead, he viewed digital assets as another payment method that could be used alongside established options like Visa, Mastercard, and Apple Pay.
These comments come amid ongoing caution within the sector toward crypto, largely due to regulatory uncertainties. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, for example, has openly criticized Bitcoin. In a recent interview with CBS, the chief executive said the flagship cryptocurrency has no intrinsic value, adding that it is often used by criminals and fraudsters. Despite this, he has acknowledged the utility of blockchain technology and that the U.S. will one day have a digital currency.
Regulatory Challenges
The compliance-related challenges for U.S. banks have been compounded by the Biden administration allegedly launching “Operation Choke Point 2.0” to restrict them from developing crypto-related services.
This included a policy called the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 121. The rule required financial institutions to treat customer-held crypto as liabilities on their balance sheets, making it harder for them to offer services to such clients. As a result, many U.S. banks have either paused or slowed down any crypto initiatives they may have had.
There have been unsuccessful efforts to address these barriers, including a resolution passed by the U.S. Senate last May to lift the ban on banks offering crypto custody services. Additionally, in September, a group of Republican lawmakers called for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to rescind the “disastrous” SAB 121 rule.
Looking ahead, the situation may shift under the leadership of President Donald Trump, who is expected to clarify guidelines around digital assets. However, the specifics of how his administration will approach such regulation remain unclear, especially since crypto was left off the list of executive orders signed on his first day in office.
The post Bank of America CEO on When Banks Will Embrace Crypto for Payments appeared first on CryptoPotato.
Cardano (ADA) has been a focal point of the crypto market’s volatility, experiencing sharp price swings over the past week, particularly during the weekend. In just a few days, ADA has dropped over 18%, leading to growing fear and uncertainty among investors. This significant decline has shaken confidence in Cardano’s short-term outlook, with many wondering whether the asset can regain its momentum.
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Despite the market turbulence, top analyst Ali Martinez has offered a more optimistic perspective. Sharing a detailed technical analysis, Martinez suggested that Cardano is poised for a significant move upward once it overcomes a critical resistance level at $1.10. According to Martinez, breaking through this resistance could open the door for ADA to rally toward $1.50, marking a substantial recovery from its recent lows.
As investors weigh their options amid the current volatility, Martinez’s analysis provides a glimmer of hope for those looking for a bullish turnaround. With the broader market showing signs of recovery, all eyes are on Cardano’s ability to reclaim key levels and shift market sentiment. The coming days will be crucial for ADA as it attempts to shake off fear and uncertainty and position itself for a potential rally.
Cardano Testing Crucial Demand
As the cryptocurrency market continues to grapple with heightened volatility and uncertainty, Cardano has managed to hold its ground above key demand levels. Despite recent turbulence, ADA’s ability to maintain these crucial levels has kept investors cautiously optimistic about its potential for a significant breakout. The price action indicates mounting bullish pressure, with many market participants eagerly awaiting a decisive move.
Top analyst Ali Martinez recently shared a technical analysis on X, highlighting Cardano’s promising setup. According to Martinez, ADA is poised for a rally to $1.50 if it can overcome the critical resistance level at $1.10. This level has proven to be a significant barrier, but a successful breakout would signal renewed momentum and set the stage for a sustained upward trend. Martinez’s analysis provides a beacon of hope for investors seeking confirmation of ADA’s bullish potential.
However, the outlook is not without risks. If ADA fails to hold its current demand levels, the possibility of a deeper decline looms large. Losing these levels could lead to a wave of selling pressure, testing investor confidence and delaying the anticipated breakout.
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As the market watches closely, Cardano’s next moves will be critical in determining its trajectory. The coming days will reveal whether ADA can capitalize on its resilience and push through resistance or face further consolidation. For now, the balance of risk and reward keeps investors on edge as they anticipate what could be a defining moment for Cardano in the current market cycle.
ADA Price Action: Key Levels To Watch
Cardano (ADA) is currently trading at $1, following an 18% drop from its $1.16 local high set last Friday. The recent decline has raised concerns among investors as ADA hovers near the critical psychological level of $1. Holding this level is crucial for bulls to regain momentum and prevent further downside in the short term.
To reclaim bullish momentum, ADA must not only maintain support at the current levels but also push decisively above the $1.11 resistance in the coming days. Breaking through this level would signal renewed strength and could pave the way for a recovery toward higher targets, boosting investor confidence in the process.
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However, the risk of a deeper correction remains if ADA fails to defend the $1 mark. Losing this key psychological support could trigger a wave of selling pressure, potentially resulting in a drop of up to 15% in the short term. Such a move would likely test lower support zones, challenging Cardano’s recent resilience.
Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView.
Among the most vocal critics of TRUMP, the controversial and wildly popular memecoin launched by Donald Trump on the eve of his 2025 inauguration, are the very crypto enthusiasts he may have hoped to court.
The TRUMP coin, launched on Jan. 17, saw a dramatic price surge, climbing from $7 to an all-time high of $75 within 24 hours before settling at $38. Two days after TRUMP’s debut, MELANIA, a coin endorsed by First Lady Melania Trump, entered the market. Unlike its predecessor, MELANIA has struggled, starting around $7 and plummeting below $4 after a briefly peaking at $14.
While both tokens’ volatile trajectories appear to have minted some overnight millionaires, they have also drawn sharp criticism from industry insiders.
The potential for conflicts of interest has been a focal point of the backlash, with critics — including members of the U.S. congress — raising concerns that the token could enable individuals to curry favor with the president.
Anthony Scaramucci, a former White House communications director turned crypto advocate, voiced his apprehensions on X (formerly Twitter): “The most perilous aspect of Trump coin for the nation is what follows. Now, anyone globally can effectively deposit money into the bank account of the President of the United States with just a few clicks. Every favor—be it geopolitical, corporate, or personal—is now openly for sale.”
The decision to launch a memecoin has also sparked broader criticism within the crypto industry. While memecoins have become a prominent use-case for blockchain technology, many developers argue they reinforce a get-rich-quick perception that undermines the sector’s credibility.
Gabor Gurbacs, founder of digital asset firm Pointsville, posted on X: “Trump needs to dismiss his crypto advisors, from top to bottom.”
Nic Carter, a general partner at a crypto investment firm and a vocal Trump supporter, was similarly scathing: “It’s absolutely preposterous that he would do this,” he told Politico. “They’re plumbing new depths of idiocy with the memecoin launch.”
Specific concerns have been raised about the coin’s distribution. 80% of TRUMP tokens are concentrated in a small number of blockchain addresses controlled by CNC Digital, the firm that launched the coin. Such concentration is a hallmark of potential “pump-and-dump” schemes, where insiders inflate a token’s value before selling off their holdings, leaving other investors with losses.
There’s no evidence that Trump’s team plans to “dump” its tokens. Nicolas Vaiman, CEO of blockchain analytics firm Bubblemaps, noted to CoinDesk that the distribution of TRUMP tokens at least matched what was outlined on its official website. Additionally, the insider-held tokens align with prior distributions of Trump’s NFT trading cards, which were also managed by CNC Digital, meaning the tokens may be reserved for the president’s NFT holders.
The same transparency does not apply to MELANIA, however. About 89% of MELANIA tokens are controlled by insiders, according to Bubblemaps. The on-chain supply does not match an official distribution breakdown on the token’s website, which earmarked 35% of tokens for “public distribution” and “community.”
Vaiman said the First Lady’s memecoin has cast a shadow over the original TRUMP coin: “TRUMP could have been a statement from President Trump saying, ‘I endorse crypto,’” Vaiman said. “Melania launching her tokens feels like they just want to make as much money as they can on this, and then forget about it. It gives this a different flavor.”
This is not the first time the crypto community has questioned Trump’s forays into the industry. In August, Trump and his sons launched World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a platform that promised to develop a lending product. The project drew backlash for pre-selling tokens before delivering any tangible value, and critics were quick to point out the involvement of a former dating coach and memecoin promoter on the WLFI team, as well as the allocation of a percentage of presale proceeds directly to a Trump-controlled company.
The conflict-of-interest potential was also immediately apparent. Tron blockchain-founder Justin Sun recently became WLFI’s largest investor, making a $30 million purchase of the project’s tokens. In an X post on Tuesday, Donald Trump Jr. announced that World Liberty Financial would acquire some of Tron’s TRX tokens for its treasury.
In my view, if I have made any money in cryptocurrency, all credit goes to President Trump @realDonaldTrump. Both Trump Coin and World Liberty Financial are bound to perform exceptionally well.
— H.E. Justin Sun 🍌 (@justinsuntron) January 22, 2025
A Hong Kong-based crypto billionaire, Sun was previously charged with fraud by the Securities and Exchange Commission — a department now under the control of Trump’s White House.
Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, recently speculated that Bitcoin could potentially reach valuations as high as $700,000 per BTC. This projection arises against the backdrop of intensifying concerns about currency debasement and global economic instability, positioning Bitcoin as a hedge against vulnerabilities in traditional financial systems. Fink’s remark was not an outright endorsement but rather a reflection on a recent meeting he had with a sovereign wealth fund. The fund sought advice on whether to allocate 2% or 5% of its investment portfolio to Bitcoin. According to Fink, if institutional adoption continues to grow and similar allocation strategies are embraced broadly, market dynamics could drive Bitcoin to such remarkable heights.
Fink made this striking statement during a recent interview, explaining that Bitcoin’s potential for exponential growth is closely tied to fears of economic downturns and fiat currency devaluation. Fink described Bitcoin as an “international instrument” capable of mitigating localized economic fears.
JUST IN: $11.5 trillion BlackRock CEO Larry Fink says Bitcoin could go up to $700,000 if there is more fear of currency debasement and economic instability.pic.twitter.com/WOXclAsjDP
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) January 22, 2025
A Message to the Market
With BlackRock managing $11.5 trillion in assets, Fink’s words carry significant weight, sending a clear message to retail and institutional investors alike. His endorsement transcends personal opinion, serving as a market signal about Bitcoin’s potential trajectory. Long heralded as “digital gold,” Bitcoin is seen as a store of value that can protect wealth from inflation and governmental fiscal mismanagement. Fink’s recognition of this narrative could further accelerate its adoption among traditional investors.
Related: From Laser Eyes to Upside-Down Pics: The New Bitcoin Campaign to Flip Gold
A Timely Forecast
Fink’s prediction comes as global economies grapple with soaring inflation, escalating national debts, and geopolitical tensions that threaten currency stability. Bitcoin, with its fixed supply of 21 million coins and decentralized structure, presents an alternative asset class that is immune to the inflationary pressures inherent in fiat currencies. In this climate, its value proposition becomes increasingly compelling.
BLACKROCK IS BACK.
THEY JUST BOUGHT $600 MILLION OF BITCOIN, THEIR LARGEST BUY SO FAR THIS YEAR. pic.twitter.com/QLAm5eaik4
— Arkham (@arkham) January 22, 2025
BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF: A Signal of Institutional Interest
BlackRock’s deepening involvement in Bitcoin reached a milestone on January 21, 2025, when the firm purchased $662 million worth of Bitcoin for its exchange-traded fund (ETF), their largest daily purchase so far this year.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) surpassed the firm’s iShares Gold Trust (IAU) in net assets in October 2024. This milestone was achieved just months after IBIT’s launch in January 2024, highlighting the rapid growth and increasing investor interest in Bitcoin-focused exchange-traded funds.
A Balanced Perspective
While Fink’s projection is undeniably bullish, it remains contingent on the continuation of current economic trends. If global economic stability improves or innovative financial systems emerge to alleviate fears of currency debasement, Bitcoin’s price trajectory may stabilize at a lower level. Nevertheless, Fink’s high-profile commentary underscores its growing role as a legitimate asset class.
Related: David Bailey Forecasts $1M Bitcoin Price During Trump Presidency
Bitcoin’s Next Chapter
Bitcoin’s evolution from a niche digital experiment to a mainstream financial instrument is accelerating. Fink’s remarks may signal a pivotal moment, not just for Bitcoin, but for its broader acceptance in traditional finance. For investors and enthusiasts, this is more than a vote of confidence—it’s a sign that the integration of Bitcoin into the global financial landscape is not only imminent but already underway.
As the world watches, Bitcoin’s role in redefining finance continues to grow. Fink’s prediction serves as a reminder that Bitcoin is no longer a fringe idea but a crucial player in the future of money.
CryptoCurrency
Can ETH Explode to $8,000 in 2025 Bull Run as Whale Interest in Lightchain AI Surges?
As the cryptocurrency market gears up for a potential 2025 bull run, investors are speculating whether Ethereum (ETH) could reach $8,000, a milestone that would mark a significant leap from its current levels.
Meanwhile, Lightchain AI, a rising star in the altcoin space, is attracting substantial attention from whales, signaling its potential to deliver exponential returns.
Ethereum Backbone of Decentralized Finance
Ethereum acts like the basic stage for uncentralized money, letting people make and do smart deals that help direct money swaps without middlemen.
This spread out design makes sure that things are clear, s͏afe, and easy to get to, letting users take part in things like lending borrowing and trading straight on the blockchain. The start of Ethereum 2.0 or Eth2 marked a big step in the platforms growth. This update tries to fix issues with how much it can grow and use energy helping the network’s speed and lasting power.
As Ethereum 2.0 grows and more upgrades are added, the network is likely to keep its place as a leader in the blockchain world, helping a new time of shared finance, rule, and art.
Lightchain AI Rising Star Whales Are Betting On
While Ethereum continues to dominate the DeFi space, Lightchain AI is making waves as a disruptive force by merging blockchain technology with artificial intelligence.
This innovative platform has already caught the attention of major investors, raising $12 million in its presale with tokens priced at $0.00525.
Lightchain AI stands out with its revolutionary features, integrating AI to enhance real-time data processing and decision-making within decentralized ecosystems. It also tackles scalability issues with high transaction speeds, rivaling networks like Solana, making it an attractive option for developers.
The influx of whale investments underscores confidence in its potential, with some predicting a 100x return by 2025. Lightchain AI is quickly positioning itself as a leader in the next crypto cycle.
Big Picture – Ethereum and Lightchain AI as Power Players
While Ethereum’s established presence, robust ecosystem, and recent upgrades like the transition to proof-of-stake make it a strong candidate for significant growth, Lightchain AI’s cutting-edge technology, focus on AI-driven blockchain solutions, and growing whale interest position it as an exciting contender for outsized gains.
Lightchain AI’s unique approach to integrating artificial intelligence with blockchain has been drawing attention from both retail and institutional investors, signaling its potential to disrupt the market.
Investors seeking diversification in the 2025 bull run could benefit from considering both ETH and Lightchain AI, balancing the proven stability and scalability of Ethereum with the high-growth potential and innovation offered by Lightchain AI. This combination could provide a strategic edge in capturing gains in a rapidly evolving crypto landscape.
https://lightchain.ai/lightchain-whitepaper.pdf
https://t.me/LightchainProtocol
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored article and is for informational purposes only. It does not reflect the views of Crypto Daily, nor is it intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice.
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