CryptoCurrency
Harry Jung Appointed to Guide CFTC’s Crypto and Digital Asset Strategy
In a leadership shakeup at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Acting Chair Caroline Pham appointed Harry Jung as Acting Chief of Staff on Wednesday.
Jung, who previously served as Pham’s Counselor and Senior Policy Advisor, will lead the agency’s crypto and digital assets engagement and will build on his experience at Citigroup and prior regulatory roles.
CFTC’s Crypto Engagement
The appointment comes as part of broader leadership changes shortly after Pham’s interim appointment by President Donald Trump.
Pham has been involved in several digital asset initiatives at the CFTC, including the creation of a Digital Asset Markets subcommittee. In 2023, she proposed the establishment of a regulatory sandbox to develop a framework for emerging technologies and outlined plans for a digital asset pilot program.
The Trump administration has not yet named a permanent replacement for Rostin Behnam, who will leave the CFTC on February 7th. Former CFTC Commissioner Brian Quintenz is reportedly a top contender for the position.
Throughout his four years at the CFTC, Behnam strongly advocated for the agency to lead the regulation of Bitcoin and other digital currencies. He emphasized the importance of robust oversight as the digital asset market grew rapidly. Under his leadership, the CFTC took major enforcement measures, such as reaching a $2.7 billion settlement with Binance.
In its final push, the agency subpoenaed crypto exchange, Coinbase for customer information tied to Polymarket, a prediction market platform accused of regulatory violations. This last-ditch effort just before the Trump takeover came amidst allegations of market manipulation and gambling law breaches at Polymarket.
SEC, FDIC Shuffle
Besides Pham for CFTC, Mark Uyeda was appointed as the acting chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by President Donald Trump, replacing Gary Gensler. A vocal critic of Gensler’s crypto policies, Uyeda will serve in this role until the Senate confirms a permanent successor. The American attorney has a history of advocating for a more lenient regulatory approach to crypto, particularly against enforcement actions targeting non-fraudulent crypto firms. Paul Atkins, a pro-crypto figure, is Trump’s nominee for permanent SEC chair.
At the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), on the other hand, Travis Hill has been named temporary chair following Marty Gruenberg’s resignation. The FDIC has faced criticism, including allegations from Senator Cynthia Lummis, over its handling of digital asset records tied to “Operation Choke Point 2.0.”
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Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) chairs the US Senate panel on crypto assets. She has promised some big changes in government policy for the sector.
A Bitcoin sovereign wealth fund Republicans are calling a “strategic national reserve” is only one of Lummis’ promises for blockchain. But markets are thrilling with bullish activity on that prospect alone.
Over the weekend, Bitcoin whales were insatiable in their accumulation.
After Republicans retook control of Congress following November’s election, the US Senate Banking Committee opened its first subcommittee panel on cryptocurrencies Thursday.
Binance Founder: Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Alert!
US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, pretty much confirmed.
Crypto moving at crypto speed again. https://t.co/8qWlt65ARE
— CZ BNB (@cz_binance) January 23, 2025
The idea of a national Bitcoin reserve is so popular at the moment among US policymakers that several states are considering establishing state reserves.
Congress Convenes First Subcommittee on Crypto
The Senate Banking digital asset subcommittee will:
✔️ Pass legislation promoting responsible innovation and consumer protection
✔️ Eradicate Operation Chokepoint 2.0
✔️ Make America the bitcoin and digital asset capital of the world— Senator Cynthia Lummis (@SenLummis) January 23, 2025
The new Senate subcommittee on digital assets has a host of issues to tackle with normalizing US government policy over blockchain. In an X post on Thursday afternoon, Sen. Lummis promised a three-point crypto agenda in 2025:
- Pass legislation promoting responsible innovation and consumer protection
- Eradicate Operation Chokepoint 2.0
- Make America the bitcoin and digital asset capital of the world
Popular crypto markets analyst Crypto Beast replied, “we’re going much higher.” The strategic Bitcoin reserve has backing from President Trump, according to recent reports and the fact that he signed the documents.
In addition, it has a strong group of pro-crypto delegates to Congress in the new subcommittee. That includes Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), who received strong backing from the pro-crypto Fairshake PAC.
Plus, there’s Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), a freshman senator who prevailed in the ballot count over the Banking Committee’s previous chair, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH).
Bitcoin’s price had a somewhat unexpected reaction to the aforementioned news. The asset started to lose value after the document’s signing and dropped to $102,400 before it recovered some ground to nearly $105,000 now.
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Animecoin, the governance token tied to non-fungible token (NFT) project Azuki, has debuted at a fully diluted value (FDV) of $1.2 billion with tokens trading at $0.12 on HyperLiquid.
The total supply of the token is set at 10 billion, and holders of the Azuki NFT can claim the airdrop.
Users reported that the official airdrop claims website suffered downtime moments after it went live.
The rapidly changing crypto market has a new under-$0.25 token gaining attention as a potential disruptor, set to surpass Shiba Inu and Pepe coin by 2025. Lightchain AI, now in its presale stage at $0.005625 per token, has already secured $12.7 million in funding, reflecting strong support from investors.
By merging blockchain technology with artificial intelligence, Lightchain AI introduces innovative solutions that move beyond the speculative nature of meme coins. With its forward-thinking strategy and advanced capabilities, it’s positioned for significant growth in the years ahead.
Why Shiba Inu and Pepe Coin Could Face Challenges in 2025
In 2025, Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Pepe Coin (PEPE) may encounter several challenges impacting their growth. A significant concern is their vast token supplies, which can hinder substantial price appreciation. Despite community-driven token burn initiatives, reducing the circulating supply to a level that meaningfully affects price remains a formidable task.
Additionally, the meme coin market is becoming increasingly saturated, intensifying competition and making it difficult for individual tokens to maintain investor interest. The speculative nature of these coins, often lacking intrinsic utility, subjects them to heightened volatility and susceptibility to market sentiment shifts.
Moreover, the evolving regulatory landscape poses potential risks, as increased scrutiny could lead to restrictions or decreased investor confidence in meme-based cryptocurrencies. These factors collectively suggest that SHIB and PEPE may face significant hurdles in sustaining their growth trajectories in 2025.
How Lightchain AI Plans to Stand Out
Lightchain AI stands out by combining innovative technology with a sustainable ecosystem supported by thoughtful tokenomics and advanced solutions. Its total token supply of 10 billion LCAI is strategically allocated; 40% for presale, 28.5% for staking rewards to incentivize network participation, 15% for liquidity to ensure smooth transactions, and the remainder for marketing, treasury, and team incentives. This distribution ensures ecosystem growth while rewarding both early adopters and long-term contributors.
The platform’s low-latency architecture enhances performance, enabling real-time execution of tasks, even during high network demand. To address risks like scalability and resource constraints, Lightchain AI employs mitigation strategies, including sharding for parallel processing and dynamic resource allocation. These robust features position Lightchain AI as a leader in blockchain innovation.
Rise of Lightchain AI in 2025
Lightchain AI is poised to dominate 2025 with its groundbreaking approach to blockchain and AI integration. By combining innovative tokenomics and advanced technology, Lightchain AI offers unique solutions that set it apart from traditional cryptocurrencies.
Its focus on scalability, security, and real-world applications positions it as a leader in the evolving crypto landscape. With growing investor interest and strong presale momentum, Lightchain AI is set to redefine the future of blockchain innovation.
Its potential for widespread adoption and practical use cases make it a strong contender to surpass meme coins like SHIB and PEPE in the coming years. As more industries embrace blockchain technology, Lightchain AI is well-positioned to capitalize on this growing market and solidify its place as a top crypto player. Invest in Lightchain AI today and be part of the next generation of blockchain revolution.
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.
A crypto analyst says ETH is signaling a potential “low-risk, high-reward opportunity” after the Securities and Exchange Commission killed a controversial accounting rule.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has repealed a controversial rule requiring financial firms holding cryptocurrency for customers to report those assets as liabilities on their balance sheets.
In a bulletin issued on Jan. 23, the SEC announced that Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 122 officially rescinds SAB 121, a policy introduced in March 2022 that faced significant pushback from the crypto industry.
SAB 121 had drawn criticism for its cumbersome reporting requirements, with industry leaders arguing it made custody of digital assets unnecessarily complicated.
The rule’s removal was met with relief, as highlighted by SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce’s celebratory Jan. 23 post on X: “Bye, bye SAB 121! It’s not been fun.”
Last year, Congress also enacted a joint expression opposing SAB 121, but then-President Joe Biden vetoed it.
Now, as the ‘pro-crypto’ Republican government has set foot, many disobliging rules within the crypto industry are starting to be revoked. A day after Donald Trump signed into his second term as President, he appointed SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda as interim SEC chair. Uyeda commented last October on how SEC’s take under Gary Gensler was nothing short of a disaster.
Interestingly, Cornerstone Research reported on Jan. 23 that the SEC under Gary Gensler initiated just 33 actions involving cryptocurrencies in his final year as SEC chairman — down from 47 in the year prior, which saw the largest amount of enforcement activity. Last year, the SEC sued 90 bitcoin defendants or respondents, comprising 57 persons and 33 companies.
What SAB 121 repeal means for the crypto community?
SAB 121 revocation by the SEC will serve the common by enabling custodians for Bitcoin (BTC) through regulated banks and financial institutions. This shift could also improve security and trust, providing a more secure alternative for those new to self-custody or cryptocurrency wallets. It could also spur greater adoption, as users may find it easier to interface with crypto through trusted institutions.
Moreover, institutional custody also helps mitigate the risk of losing private keys and provides improved financial inclusion for people who are not able to create secure digital wallets. This revocation can instill confidence and even greater participation in the cryptocurrency ecosystem as regulatory clarity born from it continues.
While most within the crypto community have been celebrating this revokement, some critics are rather weary.
Jacob, the WhaleWire CEO, posted on X expressing and criticizing the response from the BTC community to the SEC’s recent revocation of SAB 121. He adds that the BTC community is homing in on the news that banks can now hold BTC, even though SAB 121 doesn’t actually mention BTC at all.
Satoshi Nakamoto stated at the time that the goal of the original BTC protocol was to eliminate the need for third-party control, says Jacob. According to him, this year, 2025, is when the BTC ecosystem feels just a bit counterintuitive since it wants banks to store their BTC. Ultimately, he claims BTC itself has succumbed to greed and delusion and forebodes ill for the community.
Around 30,000 Bitcoin options contracts will expire on Friday, Jan. 24, and they have a notional value of roughly $3.1 billion.
This week’s expiry event is slightly larger than last week’s, but it is unlikely to have any major impact on spot crypto markets, which have calmed following a volatile week.
Bitcoin Options Expiry
This week’s batch of Bitcoin options contracts has a put/call ratio of 0.48, which means that there are more than twice as many call (long) contracts expiring than puts (shorts). Open interest, or the value or number of BTC options contracts yet to expire, is highest at the $120,000 strike price, which has $2.4 billion in OI, according to Deribit.
There is also around $1.7 billion in OI at the $110,000 strike price, as derivatives traders remain bullish.
The anticipated announcements and crypto executive orders following US President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday did not materialize, causing cryptocurrency market indicators to stabilize, reported Deribit this week.
While Bitcoin options markets still show some unusual trading patterns, overall market excitement has subsided, it added.
In addition to today’s batch of Bitcoin options, around 168,000 Ethereum contracts are expiring as well. These have a notional value of $543 million and a put/call ratio of 0.47. This brings Friday’s combined crypto options expiry notional value to around $3.5 billion.
Crypto Market Outlook
Spot markets have remained relatively stable over the past 24 hours, with total capitalization at $3.7 trillion following a volatile week. The market cap is exactly where it was last week, so the Trump pump following the US president’s inauguration on Monday was very short-lived.
Bitcoin has dropped 4% from this week’s all-time high, which was almost revisited on Thursday. The asset was trading up 3% on the day at $105,000 at the time of writing, having held above six figures for most of this week.
Ethereum is up 5% on the day at $3,370, but it remains deflated following dissent and infighting at the Ethereum Foundation.
Altcoins remain mixed with minor gains and losses across the board during the Friday morning Asian trading session.
Nevertheless, market sentiment is strengthening as the first crypto-related executive order gets the approval signature from President Trump.
I told you this was the year for Bitcoin and digital assets.
— Senator Cynthia Lummis (@SenLummis) January 24, 2025
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Bitcoin price settled above the $100,500 resistance zone. BTC is consolidating gains and might aim for a fresh increase above the $105,000 zone.
- Bitcoin started a downside correction from the $106,800 zone.
- The price is trading below $104,000 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average.
- There is a connecting bullish trend line forming with support at $102,000 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken).
- The pair could start another increase if it stays above the $102,000 support zone.
Bitcoin Price Eyes Fresh Increase
Bitcoin price started a decent upward move above the $104,500 zone. BTC was able to climb above the $105,500 and $106,000 levels.
The bulls even pushed the price above the $106,500 level. However, the bears were active near the $106,800 zone. A high was formed at $106,833 and the price is now correcting gains. There was a move below the $105,000 level.
There was a move below the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $101,281 swing low to the $106,833 high. Bitcoin price is now trading below $104,000 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average. There is also a connecting bullish trend line forming with support at $102,000 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair.
On the upside, immediate resistance is near the $104,000 level. The first key resistance is near the $105,500 level. A clear move above the $105,500 resistance might send the price higher. The next key resistance could be $106,800.
A close above the $106,800 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $108,200 resistance level and a new all-time high. Any more gains might send the price toward the $110,000 level.
More Losses In BTC?
If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $104,500 resistance zone, it could start a downside correction. Immediate support on the downside is near the $102,500 level or the 76.4% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $101,281 swing low to the $106,833 high. The first major support is near the $101,250 level.
The next support is now near the $100,500 zone. Any more losses might send the price toward the $88,500 support in the near term.
Technical indicators:
Hourly MACD – The MACD is now gaining pace in the bearish zone.
Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now below the 50 level.
Major Support Levels – $102,500, followed by $101,250.
Major Resistance Levels – $104,500 and $105,500.
Bitcoin (BTC) held steady during Friday’s Asian hours after Bank of Japan (BOJ) lifted the benchmark borrowing cost to the highest in 17 years while raising inflation forecasts.
“If the outlook presented in the January Outlook Report will be realized, the Bank will accordingly continue to raise the policy interest rate and adjust the degree of monetary accommodation,” the policy statement said, citing positive outlook on wages and maintaining guidance to keep raising rates, according to ForexLive.
The anti-risk Japanese yen rose over 0.6% to 155.12 against the U.S. dollar following the rate decision. Still, risk assets remained resilient. Bitcoin showed no signs of stress, trading little changed on the day above $104,000. The futures tied to the S&P 500 also traded flat.
This resilience in risk assets suggests that market attention is increasingly centered on potential policy developments under Donald Trump’s presidency. In comparison, the Bank of Japan’s rate hike in late July had previously shaken risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.
On Thursday, President Trump signed an executive order to ban digital dollar and promote crypto and AI innovation in the U.S. Meanwhile, the U.S. data released recently showed “all tenant rent” index, which leads shelter inflation in the CPI, rose at a slower pace last quarter. That has raised hopes that the Fed will walk back on its hawkish December rate forecasts.
CryptoCurrency
New Bullish Contender Attract Attention of ADA and XRP Investors That Seek Explosive ROI Opportunities Ahead
In the midst of a thriving bull market, a new player is catching the eyes of savvy investors. Promising substantial returns, this rising token draws attention away from established giants like ADA and XRP. As traders seek the next big opportunity, curiosity grows around what makes this cryptocurrency shine in an explosive market landscape.
Catzilla: Unleashing a New Era in Meme Coins
🔥 Greed? Challenged!
💥 Crypto manipulators? Confronted!
💣 Scammers? Exposed!
Catzilla, the ultimate hero in the world of DeFi, is here to take on corrupt systems and promote financial opportunities for all! With a spirit of innovation and community, Catzilla brings together crypto enthusiasts, meme fans, and investors in a collective pursuit of financial growth.
⚡️ Moving Beyond Short-Term Projects ⚡️
We’re committed to long-term value and growth. While others may offer empty promises, Catzilla aims to provide substantial potential with a structured presale starting at $0.0002 and progressing to $0.0016 over 14 stages. Early participants are able to grab the $CATZILLA token with a jaw-dropping 88% discount!
💎 Triple Utility Benefits 💎
The $CATZILLA token offers multiple utilities to enhance your crypto experience!
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Governance – Participate in shaping Catzilla’s future through community decisions.
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Incentives – Earn rewards for your engagement and support.
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Staking – Hold and stake your $CATZILLA tokens to potentially earn passive income.
Catzilla aims to create a new environment for those eager to join a collaborative and innovative crypto community. Whether you’re an experienced investor, a fan of memes, or someone who enjoys combining fun with financial opportunities, Catzilla offers a platform where creativity meets potential.
Join Catzilla in the journey toward a more transparent and inclusive crypto space! Together, we’ll explore new possibilities and aim for new heights! 🚀
Get your $CATZILLA and be part of the movement!
Cardano: A Sustainable Blockchain for Decentralized Applications
Cardano is a blockchain platform designed for creating decentralized apps, crypto tokens, and games. Its cryptocurrency, ADA, competes with Ethereum’s ETH, allowing users to make payments and store value. Cardano is known for its environmentally friendly approach, using the Ouroboros proof-of-stake mechanism, which is more energy-efficient than traditional models. The blockchain’s two-layer system separates transactions and smart contract computations, aiming to handle up to a million transactions per second. Launched in March 2021, Cardano native tokens facilitate secure, low-fee smart contract interactions. This innovative structure makes Cardano an attractive option in the current crypto market as it focuses on efficiency and scalability.
XRP: Fast and Borderless Digital Currency
XRP is a cryptocurrency that operates on the XRP Ledger, offering fast and low-cost transactions without the need for a bank account. It was created by Jed McCaleb, Arthur Britto, and David Schwartz and initially launched with a supply of 100 billion tokens. Ripple, the company formerly known as OpenCoin Inc., was gifted 80 billion XRP and placed 55 billion in escrow to ensure a controlled release. XRP aims to enable seamless payment transfers across different currencies through a decentralized system. Its attributes make it appealing in current market conditions due to its resistance to censorship and counterfeiting, with potential for significant use in cross-border transactions.
Conclusion
Given ADA and XRP’s limited short-term potential, attention shifts to Catzilla, the ultimate meme coin hero aiming for financial freedom for all. Offering 700% ROI during its presale, starting at $0.0002 and increasing over 14 stages, with triple utility in governance, rewards, and staking, Catzilla unites enthusiasts to join the battle against crypto villains.
Site: Catzilla ($CATZILLA)
Twitter: https://x.com/CatzillaToken
Telegram: Telegram Chat
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored press release 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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