Crypto News

Markets and Cryptos

April 24, 2025

Markets:

ASX futures down 8 points/0.1% to 7925
AUD -0.2% at US63.57¢
BTC +2.1% to $US93,467
Dow +0.9% S&P +1.5% NAS +2.3%
Gold -2.7% to $US3291.17 an ounce
Brent oil -2.1% at $US66.02 a barrel
Iron ore +1.7% at $US100.30 a ton

Cryptos Today:

Bitcoin $93,462.51 USD +0.36%
Ethereum $1,793.04 USD +2.35%
Tether $1.00 USD +0.18%
XRP $2.22 USD -0.49%
BNB $606.23 USD -0.68%
Solana $150.92 USD +2.35%
USD Coin $0.999 USD -0.01%
Dogecoin $0.1784 USD +0.43%
Cardano $0.6953 USD +3.18%
TRON $0.2469 USD +0.02%

Markets and Cryptos

Markets:

April 23, 2025

ASX futures up 103 points/1.3% to 7939
AUD -0.7% at US63.68¢
BTC +4.5% to $US91,358
Dow +2.7%
S&P +2.1%
NAS +2.5%
Gold -1.5% to $US3371.27 an ounce
Oil +1.5% at $US67.22 a barrel
Iron ore -0.7% at $US98.65 a ton

Cryptos Today:

Bitcoin $91,075.31 USD +4.29%
ETH $1,695.23 USD +7.53%
Tether $1.00 USD -0.02%
XRP $2.16 USD +3.57%
BNB $607.70 USD +1.95%
Solana $144.34 USD +5.47%
USD Coin $0.9994 USD -0.08%
Dogecoin $0.1728 USD +9.13%

Cryptocurency News, Comms, Tech, Politics, Buzz

April 14, 2025 (USA)

MicroStrategy's Bitcoin Investment Surge

Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, has increased its Bitcoin investment by acquiring an additional 3,459 Bitcoins for approximately $285.8 million at an average price of $82,618 per Bitcoin. This purchase brings their total holdings to 531,644 BTC, with an average purchase price of $67,556 per Bitcoin, amounting to a total investment of about $35.92 billion. This move underscores Strategy's continued commitment to Bitcoin accumulation, achieving a year-to-date yield of 11.4% in 2025. (Grok)

News

Cryptos Today:

Pi Network. $0.7407. -1.07%
XRP. $2.14. -1.38%
Bitcoin. $84,578.00. -0.22%
Dogecoin. $0.1605. -3.55%
Shiba. $0.000012. -1.06%
Pi Network [IOU... pi. $0.7411. -1.01%
MEMES. $0.000100. +0.06%
Solana. $129.78. -1.17%

News

Strategy Acquires More Bitcoin

Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, has increased its Bitcoin investment by purchasing an additional 3,459 BTC for approximately $285.8 million at an average price of $82,618 per Bitcoin. This acquisition brings their total Bitcoin holdings to 531,644 BTC, with an average purchase price of $67,556 per Bitcoin, valuing their portfolio at around $35.92 billion. This action highlights Strategy's continued strategy of using Bitcoin as a significant treasury reserve asset, reflecting a broader trend of institutional adoption in the cryptocurrency sector.

News

NVIDIA to Produce AI Supercomputers in USA for First Time

NVIDIA has announced it will manufacture its AI supercomputers in the United States for the first time, with plans to invest up to $500 billion over the next four years to expand AI infrastructure. This initiative includes the start of production for NVIDIA's Blackwell chips at TSMC's facilities in Arizona, alongside new factory developments in Texas with partners Foxconn and Wistron. (Grok)

News

Trump and Musk on Intelligence: Predicting the Future as the Ultimate Measure

Former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that 'the best definition of intelligence is the ability to predict the future.' This statement led to a broad online discussion where some supported the idea, suggesting it aligns with long-term strategic planning. Others critiqued it, proposing that intelligence might also encompass shaping or adapting to the future. The conversation included humorous takes and reflections on whether Trump's own actions reflect this definition of intelligence.

News

$PEPE at Two: Meme Coin's Milestone Sparks Community Celebration

$PEPE, a cryptocurrency with origins in internet memes, celebrated its second anniversary. Fans and investors expressed their enthusiasm online, highlighting how $PEPE has evolved from a meme into a notable movement within the crypto community. Many are optimistic about its future, with predictions of significant growth and reflections on its positive impact on their lives. (Grok)

News

Webull's IPO Surge: The $BULL Market Frenzy

The stock of WeBull, trading as $BULL, surged over 250% on its IPO day, leading to multiple trading halts due to volatility. Starting at under $30, it quickly rose to over $50, driven by a low float and high investor interest. Discussions among traders highlighted both the potential for further gains, with some predicting a rise to $100, and concerns about the sustainability of such rapid increases, drawing comparisons to other volatile IPOs like $NMAX. The trading community displayed a mix of excitement and caution, with many sharing their investment strategies and entry points, reflecting the dynamic and speculative nature of the stock's performance.

News

$PEPE at Two: Meme Coin's Milestone Sparks Community Celebration

$PEPE, a cryptocurrency with origins in internet memes, celebrated its second anniversary. Fans and investors expressed their enthusiasm online, highlighting how $PEPE has evolved from a meme into a notable movement within the crypto community. Many are optimistic about its future, with predictions of significant growth and reflections on its positive impact on their lives. (Grok)

News

EU-US Trade Talks Resume: New Deal on the Horizon

President Donald Trump announced that the European Union has initiated discussions for a new trade deal with the United States. This follows ongoing tariff-related negotiations, with recent comments from both sides indicating progress. EU trade negotiators have been actively visiting the U.S. to work towards a comprehensive agreement, with projections suggesting a potential deal before June. (Grok)

News

Investors hope for bounce as Trump backflips again

Futures pricing suggests that Australian equities will gain about 0.2 per cent when the market opens on Monday, after a positive lead from Wall Street. The Trump administration's is likely to remain a key focus for invesors in the coming week, following the decision to exempt smartphones, computers and components from the tariffs regime. Pershing Square Capital Management's CEO Bill Ackman says the technology exemption could be the could be the beginning of the end for the US-China trade war. The S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.8 per cent to 7,646.5 points on Friday. (RMS)

News

Nvidia says its working to make supercomputers entirely in US for first time

Nvidia (NVDA) announced on Monday it is "working with its manufacturing partners to design and build factories that, for the first time, will produce NVIDIA AI supercomputers entirely in the US."

"Together with leading manufacturing partners, the company has commissioned more than a million square feet of manufacturing space to build and test NVIDIA Blackwell chips in Arizona and AI supercomputers in Texas," said Nvidia in a blog post on Monday.

The company said NVIDIA Blackwell chips have started production at TSMC’s chip plants in Phoenix, Arizona.

"NVIDIA is building supercomputer manufacturing plants in Texas, with Foxconn in Houston and with Wistron in Dallas. Mass production at both plants is expected to ramp up in the next 12-15 months," said the post.

Share of the AI giant rose in pre-market as the overall market gained.

Cryptocurrency, Fintech, Biz, Metals, Comms and News

April 12, 2025

Cryptos Today:

BTC-USD. 85279.47. ( +2.25% )
AAPL. 198.15. ( +4.06% )
XRP-USD. 2.16. ( +6.66% )
ETH-USD. 1643.50. ( +4.87% )
SOL-USD. 132.26. ( +8.83% )

News

Crypto and gold are both alternative assets, but they differ significantly:

Crypto (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum):
Pros: Decentralized, high growth potential (Bitcoin up ~100% in past year as of Apr 2025), borderless transactions, tech-driven (blockchain). Some coins like Bitcoin have capped supply, mimicking scarcity.

Cons: Volatile (prices can swing 10-20% daily), regulatory uncertainty, energy-intensive (Bitcoin mining uses ~150 TWh annually), no physical backing, vulnerable to hacks/theft.

Use case: Speculative investment, digital payments, store of value for some.

Gold:
Pros: Stable (less volatility, ~10-15% annual return long-term), tangible, universal acceptance, inflation hedge (retains value over centuries), no counterparty risk.

Cons: Low growth (underperforms stocks/crypto in bull markets), storage costs, no yield (doesn’t generate income), less liquid for small transactions.

Use case: Safe-haven asset, portfolio diversification, jewelry/industrial demand.

Data point: As of Apr 2025, Bitcoin’s market cap ($1.5T) is ~10% of gold’s ($15T). Gold’s price is ~$2,600/oz, up 30% in 2 years; Bitcoin’s ~$75,000, up 150% in same period.

Verdict: Crypto offers higher reward/risk, suits tech-savvy speculators. Gold’s for stability, long-term wealth preservation. Mix depends on risk tolerance—younger investors lean crypto, conservatives prefer gold. (Grok)

News

China Raises Tariffs on U.S. Goods to 125% Amid Trade War

China has announced an increase in tariffs on all U.S. imports from 84% to 125%, effective April 12. This move is seen as a retaliation to the United States' earlier imposition of a 145% tariff on Chinese goods. The escalation marks a significant development in the ongoing trade war between the two nations, with potential implications for global trade dynamics and economic relations. (Grok)

News

ChatGPT Enhances Memory with 'Moonshine' Feature

OpenAI has introduced an update to ChatGPT that enhances its memory capabilities, allowing the AI to reference all past conversations to provide more personalized responses. This feature, known as 'Moonshine', is rolling out to Plus and Pro users globally, except in the EEA, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Team, Enterprise, and Edu users will gain access in the coming weeks. Users have the option to opt out of this feature at any time through the settings, maintaining control over their data and privacy. (Grok)

News

Crypto helped by dollar weakness

April 11, 2025

Market Picture

Crypto market capitalisation remained at $2.59 trillion on Friday morning, in line with the previous day's values, despite a dip to $2.50 trillion overnight and a subsequent recovery on Friday morning. This contrasts with the slide in stock indices because a falling dollar supports cryptocurrencies. Like a rising tide, the dollar's decline is lifting other assets.

Sentiment in the crypto market has returned to the extreme fear zone, sending the index to the 25 level.
Bitcoin has been rising since early Friday, climbing above $81.4K, after closing just below $80K on Thursday. However, the first cryptocurrency has yet to confirm a growth reversal. The key area along the way is the $85K level, where the 50-day moving average passes. Its overcoming will be an important confirmation of the bullish sentiment, while fluctuations below it will remain market noise.

XRP and Tron found support this week on the decline to the 200-day moving averages. This small but encouraging signal suggests that market participants are still adhering to a ‘buy on dips’ strategy, believing in the continuation of the bullish trend.

News Background

• A combination of on-chain metrics and technical indicators point to the need for Bitcoin to return above $93K to regain upward momentum, Glassnode noted. The correction has intensified selling by medium-term holdings, but their activity is slowing.

• New Bitcoin sell-offs are possible in the coming weeks, but the bear market is likely to start in September, according to ‘il Capo of Crypto’. The analyst attributes this to the expected process of ‘global economic reset’, which may be accompanied by a major crisis - the first in BTC history.

• The US Senate has approved the nomination of Paul Atkins to the post of SEC chairman. He is expected to focus on developing permanent standards for the regulation of digital assets.

• The SEC authorised the listing and trading of options on spot Ethereum-ETFs from BlackRock, Bitwise and Grayscale. In September, the regulator already gave a similar authorisation for derivatives based on BTC-ETFs.

News

Top 10 Memecoins This Week

Here's a list of the top 10 memecoins trending this week, based on market performance, community engagement, and recent price action as of April 13, 2025. Note that memecoin rankings can shift rapidly due to volatility and hype, so always do your own research before investing:

Dogecoin (DOGE)
Still the king of memecoins, holding strong with a massive community and consistent market cap dominance. Recent price stability keeps it at the top.
Market Cap: ~$1.65T

Shiba Inu (SHIB)
A long-time favorite, SHIB has seen renewed interest with ecosystem updates like Shiba Name Service. Its 300% weekly rally earlier this year lingers in investor memory.
Market Cap: ~$15B

Pepe (PEPE)
The frog meme coin continues to thrive, driven by viral social media buzz and a loyal community. It’s a top pick for speculative traders.
Market Cap: High-ranking, exact figures fluctuate

Official Trump (TRUMP)
Launched in January 2025, this Solana-based coin tied to Donald Trump has exploded due to political hype and exchange listings.
Market Cap: ~$38B

Bonk (BONK)
Solana’s dog-themed memecoin remains a community darling, with integrations across DeFi and NFTs boosting its appeal. Up 2.01% this week.
Market Cap: ~$2.3B

Floki Inu (FLOKI)
Evolving from a meme to a Web3 project with NFT and DeFi utility, Floki stays relevant with strong marketing and Elon Musk ties.
Market Cap: Growing steadily

dogwifhat (WIF)
A Solana-based memecoin with quirky branding, WIF rides the wave of dog-themed coin popularity and DEX trading volume.
Market Cap: Competitive in top 10

Fartcoin (FARTCOIN)
A humorous Solana coin gaining traction for its absurd branding. Up 35% recently, showing the power of meme-driven pumps.
Market Cap: ~$475M at $0.4755

SPX6900 (SPX)
Ethereum-based coin with a “flip the stock market” slogan. Its 8000% surge late last year keeps it in the spotlight.
Market Cap: ~$860M

Pudgy Penguins (PENG)

A newer entrant leveraging NFT community hype, PENG combines cute branding with growing exchange availability.

Market Cap: Rising fast
Notes:

Rankings are based on recent data and sentiment from sources like CoinGecko, CoinMarketCap, and X posts, but exact positions vary by source. Memecoins are highly speculative, and prices can crash as fast as they pump.

I avoided obscure coins like $FRADWARD or $RETARDIA mentioned on X, as they lack verified traction and could be pump-and-dump schemes.

Always check real-time data on exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, or DEXs like PancakeSwap, as memecoin volatility is extreme.

News

Dogecoin wins Media Meme 'Memecoin Of The Month' award

News Flashback

AFP Press Release

March 20, 2025

Australian victims warned over rising cryptocurrency exchange impersonation scams

This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police, National Anti-Scam Centre, and Binance Australia

Editor's note: Scam text example image available via Hightail.

Authorities have hit send on a text and email blitz to warn Australian cryptocurrency customers about scammers impersonating a high-profile exchange.

The National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), in partnership with the AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre (JPC3), has today (20 March, 2025) reached out to more than 130 potential victims alerting them to the impersonation scam targeting the Binance cryptocurrency exchange.

They were identified through messages found on an end-to-end encryption platform.

In scams similar to what is seen in traditional finance, targets were allegedly contacted via SMS and encrypted messaging platforms by someone claiming to be a Binance representative who said their cryptocurrency accounts had been breached.

The messages allegedly contained fake verification codes and were often 'spoofed', meaning they appeared in a legitimate existing message thread from the well-known cryptocurrency exchange.

A support phone number was also sent, but when the targets called it, they were instructed to protect their accounts by transferring their cryptocurrency to a 'trust wallet', which was controlled by the scammer and allowed the assets to be stolen.

Under Operation Firestorm, a global operation launched in 2024 to address and disrupt offshore organised crime networks deceiving Australians through romance, cryptocurrency and investment scams, the JPC3 identified more than 130 Australian-based victims targeted by the crypto scam through collaboration with foreign law enforcement partners.

AFP Commander Cybercrime Operations Graeme Marshall said once the funds were transferred to an account controlled by scammers, they were generally quickly transferred through a network of wallets and money laundering accounts making seizure or recovery difficult.

"The AFP has worked closely with our partners at the NASC to ensure any victims in Australia targeted by these scammers were identified swiftly and given advice to help protect their cryptocurrency accounts," Commander Marshall said.

"Anyone who received an SMS or email warning from the NASC must take it very seriously.

"If you have already transferred your cryptocurrency to a so-called trust wallet, report it to your bank or digital currency exchange immediately, then to police via ReportCyber quoting the reference number AFP-068."

Australian Competition & Consumer Commission Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said impersonation scams had become common, and it was vital that people verified all communications they received, even where they appeared to come from trusted organisations.

"Impersonation scams rely on people trusting that the text, email or phone call they get is legitimate and scammers go to significant lengths to create the appearance of legitimacy," Ms Lowe said.

"We urge all Australians to contact an organisation directly using official contact details from their website or app to verify any communication they receive."

Binance Chief Security Officer Jimmy Su said protecting their users was Binance's top priority, and education was key in the fight against scams.

"Scammers often impersonate trusted platforms — like Binance and others — by exploiting certain telecom loopholes to manipulate sender names and sender phone numbers to create urgency," Mr Su said.

"To stay safe, always verify communications using Binance Verify — our tool to confirm official Binance channels. Never share sensitive information like your seed phrase or transfer funds under pressure. If in doubt, stop and verify through official sources.

"Binance remains committed to working with law enforcement and the community to combat fraud and enhance user security."

Impersonation scams

An impersonation scam occurs when scammers pretend to be trusted businesses, government agencies, law enforcement, or even friends and family to steal money or personal information.

Warning signs

Unsolicited contact from someone claiming to be from Binance, a well-known cryptocurrency exchange, about an 'account breach'.

Pressure to act quickly due to suspicious activity or security concerns.

Being asked to provide sensitive information, such as your seed phrase or account balance.

Unusual requests to transfer money or make payments to a different account under the guise of securing your funds.

Insisting on secrecy and not discussing the matter with family or friends, claiming the situation is sensitive.

Protect yourself

If you receive a call, email or text claiming to be your Digital Currency Exchange (DCE) provider, use the official contact details on your provider's website to confirm the legitimacy of the request.

Don't click on any links or download attachments from unsolicited messages.

Be extremely wary of urgent requests asking you to act immediately.

Keep your devices secure by ensuring your software is always up to date.

Never provide your personal information, particularly your seed phrase.

What to do if you're a victim

Report it to police quoting the reference number AFP-068.

Report it to Scamwatch to help others avoid similar scams.

Stop all communication with the scammer.

Notify your DCE provider.

If you are concerned your identity has been compromised, contact the national identity and cyber support service, IDCARE.

Situations such as this can be upsetting. If you, or someone you know, needs help, we encourage you to contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. They provide 24/7 support services.

About the JPC3
The JPC3 brings together Australian law enforcement and key industry and international partners to fight cybercrime and prevent harm and financial loss to the Australian community.

We are committed to equipping all Australians with the knowledge and resources to protect themselves against cybercrime.

Watch our cybercrime prevention videos and protect yourself from being a victim of cybercrime.

If there is an immediate threat to life, or risk of harm, call 000.

If you are a victim of cybercrime, report it to police using Report Cyber.

About the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC)

The National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) is run by the ACCC. The NASC promotes and participates in public and private sector collaboration to make Australia a harder target for scams.

The NASC runs the Scamwatch service (http://scamwatch.gov.au) which receives intelligence from the public and provides information about how to spot and avoid scams.

(Credit: Australian Federal Police)

News

Gold Price

Gold extended its rose above the $3,250 per ounce mark on Friday, a new record, lifted by a weaker US dollar and surging demand for safety following further escalation in the US-China trade war. China lifted its tariffs on the US to 125% as of April 12th and stated it will ignore further US responses after a series of increases in tariffs by the White House topped at 145%. The current measures are due to impact nearly $700 billion of goods exchanged between the world's largest economies every year, paring risk assets tied to global growth and supporting inflows into safety. On the monetary policy front, the Federal Reserve gave no indication that it will intervene in policy to cap the surge in long-dated yields, but further evidence of disinflation in the March CPI report supported the case for rate cuts this year, also supporting bullion assets.

News

Best Quotes Of The Day

"Blockchain is the tech. Bitcoin is merely the first mainstream manifestation of its potential." — Marc Kenigsberg

"Blockchain is the biggest opportunity set we can think of over the next decade or so." — Bob Greifeld

"Blockchain is the most disruptive technology I’ve seen in decades." — William Mougayar

"Blockchain will do for trusted transactions what the internet did for information." — Ginni Rometty

"Blockchain is the future of financial transactions." — Blythe Masters

"Blockchain technology is a way to truly democratize power and wealth." — Laura Shin

"Decentralization is the keyword for blockchain’s value proposition." — Vitalik Buterin

"The great thing about blockchain is that it has the potential to create new industries." — Patrick Byrne

"Blockchain’s transparency makes it the perfect tool for accountability." — Balaji Srinivasan

"Blockchain is the backbone of the internet of value." — Don Tapscott

News

Bitcoin Gaming: News

$GAMES Token Surge: The $GAMES token, touted as the first Bitcoin gaming token on http://Gate.io, spiked 35% as it entered price discovery. It's tied to the "Game of Bitcoin" project, stirring buzz around a potential recovery in crypto gaming markets.

Japanese Developer Enish's Bitcoin Move: Enish, a Japanese game developer, bought 100 million yen (~$670,000) worth of Bitcoin to deepen its blockchain gaming expertise. Their game "De Lithe Last Metsoires" already uses blockchain, aiming to enhance gameplay and business models.

Web3 Gaming Momentum: Projects like Big Time Studios and Star Atlas are gaining traction in Web3 gaming, focusing on player ownership and sustainable economies. Star Atlas emphasizes decentralized governance, letting players shape in-game policies, which could integrate Bitcoin or crypto rewards.

Bitcoin Casino Rankings: New 2025 rankings highlight Bitcoin casinos like Ignition, BitStarz, and mBit for no-KYC, fast payouts, and provably fair games. These platforms support Bitcoin alongside other cryptocurrencies, offering slots, poker, and live dealer options.

Play-to-Earn Growth: Play-to-earn (P2E) games like http://Casino.bet Wheel let players earn Bitcoin without deposits, blending simple gameplay with crypto rewards. These models are drawing attention for accessible crypto gaming.

News

ASX News

ASX Metals & Mining:

BHP Group Limited (ASX:BHP): Showed a decrease of 2.25%.
Fortescue Ltd (ASX:FMG): Currently has a positive percentage change.
Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO): Showed a decrease.
Northern Star Resources Limited (ASX:NST): Has a positive percentage change.

Industrial Metals:
Copper (Comex): Showed a positive change of +18.65.
3Mo Copper (LME): Showed a positive change of +166.50.
3Mo Aluminum (LME): Showed a positive change of +26.50.
3Mo Zinc (LME): Showed a positive change of +10.50.

Precious Metals:
Gold: Prices are fluctuating.
Silver: Prices are fluctuating.
Platinum: Prices are fluctuating.
Palladium: Prices are fluctuating

News

Gold: The price of gold is currently around $5,148.58 per ounce in Australian dollars.

Silver: The price of silver is around $51.52 per ounce in Australian dollars.

Cryptocurrency, Fintech, Markets, Comms, Biz, Politics

April 8, 2025

Markets

ASX futures up 70 points or 1% to 7407

AUD -0.9% to US59.85¢

Bitcoin -1.8% to $US78,177

Wall St:
Dow -0.9%
S&P -0.2%
Nasdaq +0.1%

VIX +2.28 to 47.59

Gold -2.1% to $US2973.94 an ounce
Brent oil -1.8% to $US64.39 a barrel
Iron ore -2.5% to $US98.15 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.22% Australia 4.09%

News

April 8, 2025

Crypto Today:

Bitcoin USD78,448.59 -925.88 (-1.17%)

ETH-USD Ethereum USD1,559.13 -57.66 (-3.57%) USDT-USD

Tether USDt USD0.999479 -0.000052 (-0.01%)

XRP-USDXRP USD1.9051 -0.0864 (-4.34%)

News

As of today, April 8, 2025, the cryptocurrency market is showing a mix of resilience and volatility amid broader economic pressures. Here’s a snapshot based on the latest available insights:

Bitcoin (BTC), the leading cryptocurrency, has experienced significant fluctuations recently. After dropping below $80,000 due to tariff-related concerns and a global market sell-off, it was last reported around $78,892.92 as of April 7, though some sources noted a rebound to $83,959.19 by April 5. The market is reacting to macroeconomic factors, particularly U.S. tariffs announced by the Trump administration, which have heightened fears of a global recession. Despite this, Bitcoin has shown signs of decoupling from traditional equities, with some analysts suggesting it’s acting as a hedge against U.S. isolation and equity market downturns.

Ethereum (ETH) also faced pressure, with a whale injecting millions to prevent a $300 million liquidation on MakerDAO, as reported on April 7. This move underscores the intense market dynamics, with Ether prices slumping alongside Bitcoin amid the same macroeconomic concerns.

Other cryptocurrencies like XRP have seen developments too. Coinbase Derivatives plans to launch XRP futures contracts on April 21, 2025, signaling growing institutional interest despite the market turbulence. XRP has been relatively resilient compared to some peers, buoyed by ETF optimism and regulatory clarity following the SEC dropping a lawsuit.

The broader crypto market, tracked by indices like the CoinDesk 20, has seen a milder drop (around 4.9%) compared to the Nasdaq’s steeper declines, hinting at a potential shift where digital assets might outperform traditional markets in this uncertain climate.

Meanwhile, posts on X suggest speculation about the U.S. government revealing Bitcoin holdings today, though this remains unconfirmed and should be treated as inconclusive without official sources.

Overall, the crypto space today is navigating a storm of trade policy uncertainty, regulatory shifts, and investor sentiment, with prices reflecting both fear and opportunity. For the latest minute-by-minute updates, you might want to check real-time data from platforms like CoinDesk or Cointelegraph, as the situation is evolving rapidly. What specific aspect of crypto today are you most interested in? (Grok)

News

GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen Buys 500,000 More Shares

On April 3, 2025, Ryan Cohen, CEO of GameStop, purchased an additional 500,000 shares of the company's stock at an average price of $21.55 per share. This transaction was disclosed in a Form 4 filing. The purchase has sparked discussions and reactions among investors and followers on social media platforms, with some expressing increased confidence in their GameStop investments. (Grok)

News

McGregor's $REAL Token Fails to Launch, Investors Refunded

Conor McGregor's $REAL token, launched in partnership with Real World Gaming DAO, failed to meet its presale target of $1 million, raising only $392,000. As a result, all investor funds are being refunded. The token's failure to launch has sparked discussions about McGregor's influence and the current state of the cryptocurrency market, particularly regarding celebrity-endorsed memecoins.

News

Memecoins: Top 10

April 8, 2025

Dogecoin (DOGE)
The original memecoin, launched in 2013, inspired by the "Doge" Shiba Inu meme. It remains a leader due to its massive community and endorsements from figures like Elon Musk.

Shiba Inu (SHIB)
Often called the "Dogecoin killer," SHIB has built a strong ecosystem, including ShibaSwap, and ranks high with its large market cap and active community.

Pepe (PEPE)
Based on the Pepe the Frog meme, this coin surged in popularity since its 2023 launch, focusing purely on meme appeal and community momentum.

dogwifhat (WIF)
A Solana-based memecoin featuring a Shiba Inu in a knitted hat, it’s gained traction for its absurdity and viral social media presence.

Bonk (BONK)
Another Solana memecoin, BONK aims to be the "people’s dog coin" with fast transactions and a fun, community-driven approach.

Floki Inu (FLOKI)
Named after Elon Musk’s pet dog, FLOKI has evolved into a Web3 project with utility in NFTs, DeFi, and its own metaverse, Valhalla.

Brett (BRETT)
A rising star on the Base network, BRETT has captured attention with its humorous branding and growing community support.

Popcat (POPCAT)
A Solana-based memecoin tied to the viral Popcat meme, it’s climbed the ranks with its quirky appeal and bullish momentum.

Mog Coin (MOG)
An Ethereum-based memecoin with a cat theme, MOG has built a cult following through its simplicity and meme culture resonance.

Cat in a Dogs World (MEW)
A Solana memecoin challenging the dog-dominated space, MEW stands out with strategic tokenomics, including burns and airdrops, boosting its recovery potential.

News

Fartcoin Surges Amidst U.S. Stock Market Decline: Investors Debate New Safe Haven

April 5, 2025

During a significant stock market downturn where stocks lost $5 trillion in two days, Fartcoin, a meme cryptocurrency on the Solana blockchain, unexpectedly surged by 24%. Discussions online have highlighted Fartcoin's rise, with its market cap reaching over $500 million, making it a notable player in the meme coin market. Investors and observers are debating its role as a potential 'safe haven' during financial turmoil, with some humorously suggesting the establishment of a 'Fartcoin strategic reserve'. Despite its origins as a humorous token, there is speculative interest in its long-term value.

News

Mining

Australia

BHP says China demand for iron ore to remain strong

April 7, 2025

BHP's chief commercial officer Rag Udd expects the price of the steel input to trade within a range of $US80 to $US100 per tonne in coming years, even with the increased supply when shipments from the Simandou mine in Guinea begin next year. Udd dismisses fears that Simandou will be a 'Pilbara killer', noting that production is slated to reach just 120 million tonne in 2030. He has also downplayed concerns about the prospect of lower demand for iron ore in China, noting that investors have focused too much on the nation's struggling property sector rather than rising demand for steel in other sectors of the Chinese economy.

News

Australia

Mining sector urges Dutton not to class gas a 'critical mineral'

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has stated a Coalition government would let the gas industry access a $4 billion loans facility that was set up by the federal government in 2023 to encourage investment in critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and graphite. Australian Mining and Exploration Association CEO Warren Pearce says it believes the critical minerals facility should be reserved for critical minerals projects, while Arafura Rare Earths MD Darryl Cuzzubbo says the facility is particularly important for embryonic industries such as rare earths mining and processing. (RMS)

April 7, 2025

Cryptos Today

Pi Networkpi. $0.5583. +2.18%

XRPxrp. $1.83. -0.52%

Bitcoinbtc. $77,567.00. -1.15%

Bitcoin.?btc.? $0.3415. -0.67%

Dogecoindoge. $0.1426. -1.03%

Shiba Inushib. $0.000011. -0.88%

Pi Network [IOU... pi. $0.5606. +0.84%

MEMESmemes. $0.000104. -1.38%

Bitcoin and ether plunge

April 7, 2025

Cryptocurrencies sold off sharply heading into the week in Asia, underscoring a clear risk-off sentiment across markets.

Bitcoin shed about 7 per cent of its value from Sunday night through to Monday morning in Singapore to reach a low point of $US77,077. Second-ranked token ether plummeted to $US1538, an intraday low not seen since October 2023. The losses come as US President Donald Trump dug in on sweeping tariffs that have already wiped trillions in value from US equities. US equity-index futures slumped, and the yen surged in a sign of deepening turmoil throughout financial markets.

Coinglass data show about $US745 million worth of bullish crypto wagers were liquidated in the past 24 hours, the most in nearly six weeks. Options markets suggest the selling pressure may continue “with the skew for puts picking up considerably”, said Sean McNulty, head of APAC derivatives at digital-asset prime brokerage FalconX. Key support levels for bitcoin and ether are $US75,000 and $US1500 respectively, he added.

Digital assets had shown some resistance to the panic that roiled markets after Trump first unveiled his tariff program, hinting at a possible breakaway from the gravitational pull of technology stocks. Monday’s sell-off may spell an end to that.

Crypto, Markets, Comms, News Media and Politics

April 4, 2025

Crypto did not give up trying to find the bottom

Market Picture

The crypto market cap fell below $2.65 trillion twice during the week. The market was below the $2.60 trillion level in November. The ability to consolidate above it was an important signal for the start of the rally. The market will likely defend this, which promises a prolonged battle near these levels. However, the balance is now on the side of the bears as the capitalisation index is moving away from its 200-day average. This is an important signal for large funds to reduce their investments in the sector.

The Cryptocurrency Sentiment Index spent the entire week in fear territory, ending in extreme fear at 25—the lowest level in three and a half weeks. However, these readings are not low enough to suggest oversold conditions, which should discourage sellers.

Bitcoin jumped to $88K in reaction to the tariff announcement, only to soon fall back below $82K. In the short term, it looked like another wave of selling to the upside. We have been seeing this trend since the second half of February. Technically, this is a continuation of the struggle with the major moving averages. The market is failing to consolidate above the 200-day MA, and the 50-day MA stopped rising intraday on Wednesday. As much as crypto enthusiasts would like it to be otherwise, the bears are in control of the market for now.

News Background

Nansen estimates that the crypto market has a 70% chance of forming a local bottom in the next two months amid global uncertainty over trade tariffs.

GameStop raised $1.5 billion by issuing convertible notes. The proceeds will be used to buy Bitcoin and for corporate purposes. The company's management approved the strategy on 25 March.

According to CryptoQuant, in the first quarter of the year, companies around the world added nearly 91,800 BTC (more than $7.7 billion) to their reserves. Meanwhile, selling by long-term investors and capital outflows from bitcoin ETFs prevented the asset from growing.

JPMorgan noted that March was the worst month for miners. The 14 largest US-listed bitcoin miners lost 25% of their market capitalisation (around $6 billion) last month. (FxPro)

News

Metaplanet Boosts Bitcoin Holdings with ¥2.63 Billion

On April 3, 2025, Japanese public company Metaplanet announced it had raised ¥2.63 billion, approximately $17.8 million USD, to purchase additional Bitcoin. This move increased their Bitcoin holdings to 4,206 BTC, following a recent acquisition of $13.6 million worth of Bitcoin. Metaplanet's actions reflect a continued interest in Bitcoin among institutional investors. (Grok)

News

Block Working on Bitcoin Integration for Square Terminals

Jack Dorsey, CEO of Block, has confirmed that the company is actively working to integrate Bitcoin payments into their Square terminals. This initiative aims to enable approximately 4 million merchants who use Square to accept Bitcoin payments. The development is part of a broader effort to enhance the adoption of Bitcoin in mainstream financial transactions, although no specific timeline for the implementation has been provided. (Grok)

News

Oil plummets the most since 2023

Oil tumbled the most since 2023 after suffering a twin hit from President Donald Trump’s tariffs and an OPEC+ decision to increase output faster than previously announced.West Texas Intermediate futures plunged as much as 7.4 per cent to trade below $US67 a barrel, while global benchmark Brent plummeted as much as 6.9 per cent to slip below $US70.Trump’s deluge of tariffs is creating fresh doubts about the outlook for the global economy, with levies against major crude importers such as China and India coming in more aggressive than feared. Although the administration steered away from actions that would directly affect oil markets — such as refraining from measures that would curb flows from Canada and Mexico — concerns that the trade war will sap global energy demand hammered prices.

News

Australia

PM, Dutton vow to reason with Trump

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday that President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 10 per cent tariff on Australian imports is "unwarranted", while Opposition leader Peter Dutton claimed that the "outcome would have been different" if he had been PM. Both Albanese and Dutton said they plan to visit the US if they win the 3 May election to try to persuade Trump to reverse his decision. However, both leaders ruled out negotiating on issues such as Australia's biosecurity ban on US beef and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which have been cited by the US as being grievances against Australia. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

The tiny Australian islands no one expected to draw Trump's fury

Located around 4,000 kilometres south-west of Perth and home to Australia's only two active volcanoes, Heard and McDonald islands are an Australian external territory with no record of any exports to anywhere. However, they have been hit with 10 per cent tariffs as part of US President Donald Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariff impost, while Australian officials were very surprised that he hit Australia's external territory of Norfolk Island with a 29 per cent tariff. It officially recorded $411,000 in leather shoe exports in 2023, but a government official said it has no known exports to the US, and no tariffs or known non-tariff barriers on goods coming to Norfolk Island.

News

Manufacturing ISM: inflation up, activity down

Tuesday's ISM Manufacturing Indicator confirmed a worrying divergence in the US economy: economic activity is down, and inflation is rising. Often, the latter follows the former, but not now. A prolonged period of such dynamics is called stagflation, and it forces the Fed to make difficult choices in its dual mandate.

The ISM manufacturing business activity index fell from 50.3 to 49 last month. Strictly speaking, this is contractionary territory for the sector's activity, but due to the greater resilience of the service sector, historically, US GDP has declined when the indicator falls below 42.3.

The price component climbed to 69.4, recording its highest value since mid-2022. Unlike the episode three years ago, this has nothing to do with the economy overheating. We recall that the University of Michigan previously noted a sharp jump in consumer inflation expectations, both one year and five years ahead. If we focus only on these indicators, the central bank should have prepared to raise the rate or actually hike it.

But at the same time, business activity and consumer sentiment are creeping down. Tuesday's data marked the employment component falling deeper into the below-50 area. The rate has been below that level for 16 of the last 18 months. This is a very worrisome signal for industrial production and is alarming relative to Friday's labour market data. In addition, the components of production and new orders have been in contractionary territory and inventories are rising. These are all signs of weakening demand. This set of components suggests the need for a rate cut.

Which side will the Fed choose? We are more accustomed to a relatively lenient Fed, which carries risks for the dollar. If the news continues in a similar vein, the USD may return to decline after stabilising and rebounding in the second half of March. This scenario will be technically confirmed if DXY slides below the previous lows at 102.8 with a near-term downside potential of 99-100. (FxPro)

News

Australia

Albanese vows to defend media bargaining code

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the federal government stands by the nation's news media bargaining code, which was introduced by the Coalition in 2021. The media code was among a list of trade grievances with Australia that US President Donald Trump recently identified. Albanese also emphasised that local content quotas for US-based streaming services and social media age restrictions will also be non-negotiable in any talks with the US over Trump's reciprocal tariffs. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Australia

Netflix rival Max rolls out in Australia with bold profit prediction

The global boss of Australia’s newest streaming service, Max, has declared the platform will turn a profit within two or three years and will not rule out making local acquisitions where it makes sense.

Jean-Briac “JB” Perrette, who is the international chief executive of streaming for Warner Bros Discovery, the company that owns Max, Warner Bros, HBO, CNN, the DC Comic universe, Harry Potter and dozens more brands and channels, was visiting Sydney to launch Max, which went live in Australia on Monday.

The arrival of Max has already shaken up the local media market. It ended a 20-year output deal with Foxtel that meant HBO shows such as Game of Thrones, Succession and The Wire were pulled from Foxtel’s streaming service, Binge.

It also enters a crowded streaming market that is dominated by Netflix (6.2 million subscribers), Amazon Prime Video (4.8 million) and Disney+ (3.1 million), according to independent research firm Telsyte.

The cheapest, advertising-supported tier of Max, formerly known as HBO Max, will be free to Foxtel’s 1.4 million cable customers. Research firm Ampere Analysis estimated roughly half of Foxtel’s customers would subscribe. (AFR). Full article and coverag via subscription to The Australian Financial Review

News

Elon Musk to Remain Advisor Post-DOGE Initiative

Elon Musk will continue to serve as an advisor to President Trump and Vice President JD Vance after completing his initial six-month term with the DOGE initiative. His role has focused on improving government efficiency and addressing issues such as fraudulent grants and Social Security payments. Despite earlier reports suggesting his departure, Vice President Vance has confirmed that Musk's advisory role will persist beyond his current position. (Grok)

News

Newsmax Rings NYSE Bell for IPO Milestone

On April 3, 2025, Newsmax celebrated its initial public offering by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. The event was attended by Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy, along with various team members and guests, including Rudy Giuliani. The IPO marks a significant milestone for the media company as it goes public under the ticker symbol $NMAX.

News

Markets

Australian Dollar: $0.6316 USD (up $0.0026 USD)
Iron Ore May Spot Price (SGX): $101.25 USD (down $1.75 USD)
Oil Price (WTI): $66.74 USD (down $5.40 USD)
Gold Price: $3,108.12 USD (down $14.19 USD)
Copper Price (CME): $4.8135 USD (down $0.2785 USD)
Bitcoin: $81,965.73 USD (down 4.82% in last 24 hours)
Dow Jones: 40,545.93 (down 1,679.39 points)

News

Best Quotes Of The Day

"Blockchain is the tech. Bitcoin is merely the first mainstream manifestation of its potential." — Marc Kenigsberg

"Blockchain is the biggest opportunity set we can think of over the next decade or so." — Bob Greifeld

"Blockchain is the most disruptive technology I’ve seen in decades." — William Mougayar

"Blockchain will do for trusted transactions what the internet did for information." — Ginni Rometty

"Blockchain is the future of financial transactions." — Blythe Masters

"Blockchain technology is a way to truly democratize power and wealth." — Laura Shin

"Decentralization is the keyword for blockchain’s value proposition." — Vitalik Buterin

"The great thing about blockchain is that it has the potential to create new industries." — Patrick Byrne

"Blockchain’s transparency makes it the perfect tool for accountability." — Balaji Srinivasan

"Blockchain is the backbone of the internet of value." — Don Tapscott

News

Cryptos Today

BTC. $82,012.32. 4.29%
ETH. $1,784.70. 5.06.
USDT. $0.9995. 0.05%
XRP. $2.0595. 3.19%
BNB. $587.96. 2.41%
USDC. $0.9999. 0.00%
SOL. $115.55. 9.90%
DOGE. $0.1588. 7.69%

News

X wins Media Man 'Platform Of The Month' award

Bitcoin, Crypto, Fintech, News Media, Politics, Gaming, Pop Culture via Media Man Group with newsfeeds

March 19, 2025

Ethereum gives way

Market picture

The crypto market remains in a downtrend. Its cap rose 0.2% over the past 24 hours to $2.72 trillion and generally remains in a very tight range with a short-term ceiling of $2.75 trillion. Just over a month ago, similar local resistance was half a trillion higher.

While almost all altcoins combined have been broadly stable at 30% market share since July 2023, Ethereum has been giving away its share since July 2024, falling to 8%, a five-year low. BTC's share has been growing for more than two years, reaching 60.7%. Interest from institutional traders and governments has so far not extended beyond the first cryptocurrency, which they see as a strategic reserve asset rather than the practicality offered by altcoins, including ETH.

Bitcoin reversed to the downside again on Tuesday, touching its 200-day average. Nevertheless, it gained around 2% from the start of the day to $83.3K on Wednesday. Ultimately, it is worth paying closer attention to the dynamics of the crypto market after the Fed's comments, as this could be the start of a longer trend.

News Background

Standard Chartered downgraded its 2025 Ethereum forecast from $10,000 to $4,000. One of the reasons is the growing influence of L2 solutions, especially the Base platform. The changes made to Ethereum in recent years, "while perhaps necessary, have damaged its value".

The US Securities and Exchange Commission is set to relax storage requirements for crypto assets. Current SEC commissioner Mark Uyeda has ordered a review of a proposal to tighten storage rules for cryptocurrencies. (FxPro)

News

Trump at Crypto Summit: First for US President

President Donald Trump is scheduled to address the Digital Asset Summit in New York City on March 20, 2025, marking a historic moment as the first sitting U.S. president to speak at a Bitcoin and cryptocurrency conference. The speech is anticipated to possibly include updates or announcements regarding his crypto policy, amidst various rumors and expectations in the crypto community. (Grok)

News

Aussie crypto exchange Swyftx buys NZ rival

Brisbane-based cryptocurrency exchange Swyftx has acquired its smaller rival New Zealand’s Easy Crypto, marking its first major acquisition since the company’s co-founder stepped down as chief executive last year.

Founded in 2018 by friends Alex Harper and Angus Goldman – who still own around 70 per cent of the company – Swyftx is Australia’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange. At the height of the 2021 crypto bull run it paid its investors a $48.5 million dividend and reported a $36.7 million after-tax profit.

However, its fortunes shifted quickly when crypto trading volumes dried up following the collapse of Sam Bankman-Fried’s crypto exchange FTX. In 2022, Swyftx laid off around half of its workforce across two cost-cutting rounds and its revenue fell more than 70 per cent to $43.1 million in the year to June 30, 2023.

Harper stepped down as chief executive in June last year, handing the company’s reins to chief operating officer Jason Titman. Goldman remains involved in day-to-day operations, working closely with the company’s chief technology officer.

On Wednesday, Swyftx revealed it had acquired Easy Crypto for an undisclosed sum. Titman said the deal, which is set to close at the end of the month, valued the company “in the tens of millions” and had been structured as a mix of cash and Swyftx scrip.

He said the majority scrip deal was designed to preserve Swyftx’s cash reserves so it could invest in growing Easy Crypto and weather the next crypto downturn without resorting to drastic cuts.

“We all acknowledge it’s a very volatile industry that can quickly enter bear markets. I’ve been very conscious of building a strong cash balance, so when the industry goes into its next bear market we can continue operating at the level we are at without having cuts,” he said.

Easy Crypto was founded by siblings Janine and Alan Grainger in 2017 and allows its 350,000 users in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies. The deal will give both companies greater scale to take on global rivals like Binance and Coinbase.

Swyftx briefly acquired share trading platform Superhero in June 2022 but sold the company back to its founders John Winters and Wayne Baskin and the consortium of investors in December of that year amid regulatory concerns.

Last year, the Swyftx appointed three independent directors – Youi non-executive director Claire Wivell, former Morgans director John Polinelli, and FinTech Australia board member Cathryn Lyall – to join Harper, Goldman and Titman on its board.

In the 12 months ended June 30, 2024, Swyftx reported revenues of $85.7 million and an after-tax profit of $32.5 million, compared to a loss of $135 million the year prior. No dividends were paid. (AFR)

News

Bitcoin Games

It seems like you're interested in Bitcoin games! Did you have something specific in mind, like games that let you earn Bitcoin, casino-style games using Bitcoin, or maybe a trading simulator? I can give you a rundown of some popular options based on what’s out there as of March 20, 2025.

If you’re looking for play-to-earn games, there are titles like RollerCoin, a free online simulator where you build a virtual Bitcoin mining operation and earn small amounts of real Bitcoin by playing retro-style mini-games. Another one is THNDR Games, which offers mobile games like Bitcoin Bounce or Tetro Tiles—simple, fun puzzles where you can win tiny Bitcoin prizes, cashable through the Lightning Network.

For casino-style Bitcoin games, platforms like Bitcoin.com Games or BC.Game offer classics—slots, blackjack, dice, roulette—where you wager Bitcoin and can potentially win more. These often come with provably fair systems, so you can verify the randomness yourself. Some even toss in bonuses, like cashback or free spins, to sweeten the deal.

If trading simulators are more your speed, Bitcoin Hero or Bitcoin Flip let you practice trading Bitcoin (and other cryptos) with virtual money, no real risk involved—just a way to test your skills against live market data.

What’s your vibe—earning a few satoshis, gambling with BTC, or just messing around with fake trades? Let me know, and I can dive deeper! (Grok)

News

Super giants clamp down on WiseTech

Software company WiseTech has released the partial findings of a governance review that its board ordered into its billionaire co-founder and executive chairman Richard White. The review was ordered on the back of a number of allegations against White in regard to his conduct, with the review finding that he misled the board in regard to his relationship with an employee. WiseTech declined to release the full report, while it did not take any action against White. As a result, major superannuation funds have called on WiseTech to appoint genuinely independent directors and to be more transparent in its dealings, while Helen Bird, who is on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission corporate governance panel, has labelled the WiseTech's board response to the review's findings as a "smack on the hand". (Roy Morgan Summary)

News/Profile

Crypto Gaming

Crypto gaming, often referred to as blockchain gaming or GameFi, is an emerging sector that combines traditional video gaming with blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). It introduces concepts like decentralized ownership of in-game assets, play-to-earn (P2E) models, and player-driven economies, reshaping how players and developers interact with games. As of March 20, 2025, the crypto gaming landscape continues to evolve, blending innovation with challenges.

At its core, crypto gaming leverages blockchain to enable players to truly own digital assets—such as characters, skins, or virtual land—as NFTs or tokens. These assets can often be traded, sold, or used across multiple platforms, offering real-world value unlike traditional in-game items that remain locked within a single ecosystem. Popular examples include Axie Infinity, which pioneered the P2E model by letting players earn cryptocurrency through battling and breeding digital creatures called Axies, and The Sandbox, where users create and monetize virtual worlds using the SAND token.

The appeal for players lies in the potential to earn rewards—cryptocurrencies or NFTs—while enjoying gameplay. For developers, blockchain opens new monetization avenues, like royalties on secondary NFT sales or token-based economies. However, the industry faces hurdles: high entry costs (e.g., purchasing NFTs to start playing), complex onboarding (setting up crypto wallets), and volatile token values that can deter mainstream adoption. Gameplay quality also often lags behind traditional AAA titles, as developers balance financial incentives with entertainment.

Recent developments show a mix of optimism and caution. Major traditional gaming companies like Ubisoft and Electronic Arts have dipped into blockchain, with Ubisoft partnering with Immutable for new projects and others exploring NFTs as the "future of gaming." Meanwhile, the market has seen significant growth projections—estimated to reach $65 billion by 2027—driven by innovations like Layer-2 solutions (e.g., Immutable X) that reduce transaction costs and improve scalability. Yet, the crypto winter of 2022 and a high failure rate (over 75% for some projects) highlight the sector’s fragility, with funding dropping from $7.6 billion in 2022 to $2.9 billion in 2023.

Community sentiment, as reflected on platforms like X, varies widely. Some hail Axie Infinity as the top gaming IP in crypto, citing its $4 billion+ in NFT sales, while others lament struggling token prices and a lack of compelling products. New titles like Off The Grid on Avalanche or Pixelmon are generating buzz, but skepticism persists about whether crypto gaming can deliver sustainable hits.

In short, crypto gaming is a bold experiment at the intersection of entertainment and finance. It’s poised for growth with technological advancements and increasing interest, but its success hinges on overcoming technical barriers, improving game quality, and proving long-term value to both players and investors. What aspect of crypto gaming are you most curious about? (Grok)

Best Quotes Of The Day

Cryptocurrency

“Bitcoin is a tool for freeing humanity from oligarchs and tyrants, dressed up as a get-rich-quick scheme.” – Naval Ravikant, former CEO of AngelList

“We have elected to put our money and faith in a mathematical framework that is free of politics and human error.“ – Tyler Winklevoss, co-CEO of Gemini

"You can't stop things like Bitcoin. It will be everywhere, and the world will have to readjust. World governments will have to readjust." —John McAfee, Founder of McAfee Associates

“There are 3 eras of currency: Commodity based, politically based, and now, math-based.“ – Chris Dixon, Venture Capitalist at Andreesen Horowitz

“As the value goes up, heads start to swivel and skeptics begin to soften. Starting a new currency is easy, anyone can do it. The trick is getting people to accept it because it is their use that gives the “money” value.“ - Adam B. Levine, CEO of Tokenly

“Trading Bitcoin is like trading Apple, Amazon, Google, or Facebook a decade ago. The more you obsess over timing the market, the more mistakes you make. They were all technology networks that were dominant & destined to grow.” - Michael Saylor, Former CEO of MicroStrategy

"Whereas most technologies tend to automate workers on the periphery doing menial tasks, blockchains automate away the center. Instead of putting the taxi driver out of a job, blockchain puts Uber out of a job and lets the taxi drivers work with the customer directly." - Vitalik Buterin, Co-Founder of Ethereum

"The Latin American countries where you have this combination of inflation or hyperinflation cycles – deflation as well – and then you have very high friction for financial transactions, a high percentage of people who are unbanked, cryptocurrencies make total sense." – Fred Thiel, CEO of Thiel Advisors & Marathon Digital Holdings

“…we know gold is a $12 trillion asset, bitcoin’s about a 10th of gold. Could they be half of gold? At one point, Sure, it could … And at some point, it will be larger than gold… that money is finding its way to Gen Z and Millennials, and they feel much more comfortable with digital gold than old clunky gold.” - Mike Novogratz, CEO of Galaxy Digital

“If you don't believe me or don't get it, I don't have time to try to convince you, sorry.” - Satoshi Nakomoto, Founder of Bitcoin

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Crypto, Fintech, Markets, News and Politics via Media Man

March 12/13, 2025

The crypto bounces back from extreme fear

Market picture

The cryptocurrency market bounced 2% in the last 24 hours to $2.67 trillion. So far, the situation looks like a small rebound after the collapse. We should not talk about the beginning of recovery as long as the market is below its 200-day moving average of $2.83 trillion.

Sentiment in the crypto market has shifted from dread to fear at 34. The indicator was last higher more than three weeks ago, indicating that now is a good time to buy. However, it's worth paying attention to the nervous stock market before considering investments in more volatile cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin was climbing above $83,000 on Tuesday, hitting resistance in the form of the 200-day moving average. If a long-term trend line is repurposed as resistance, that's a worrisome bearish fact.

Ethereum ended Tuesday with growth and was trading near $1900 at the start of Wednesday, but this is a timid rebound within the steep peak the coin has been in since February 24th and the broader downtrend of the past three months.

News Background

CryptoQuant states a sharp drop in open interest in Bitcoin and Ethereum futures, suggesting a ‘leverage washout’ and a chance of market stabilisation. The Kobeissi Letter admits a wave of short position unwinding in risk assets after extreme fear levels are reached.

Clearstream, the post-trading arm of Deutsche Börse, will offer cryptocurrency settlement and custody services to institutional clients as early as next month, starting with Bitcoin and Ethereum. It then plans to add support for other cryptocurrencies and services for staking, lending and brokerage.

Glassnode notes that Solana fell below its realised price of $134 for the first time in three years. The metrics show the average cost for investors to purchase the coin.

According to Arkham Intelligence, on 11 March, bankrupt exchange Mt. Gox transferred 11,501 BTC (~$905 million) to an unknown address. Mt. Gox-related addresses hold a total of 35,915 BTC worth $2.89bn. (FxPro)

News

SEC vs Ripple Case: Negotiations Underway for Settlement

Recent developments indicate that the legal dispute between Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could be nearing a conclusion. Reports suggest that Ripple's legal team is currently negotiating more favorable terms related to a $125 million fine and an injunction on XRP sales to institutional investors. The anticipation of a settlement has led to increased interest and speculation within the cryptocurrency community regarding the outcome and its potential impact on XRP. (Grok)

News

U.S. Plans Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Acquisition

Senator Cynthia Lummis has reintroduced the BITCOIN Act, which proposes that the United States government purchase one million Bitcoins over five years to create a strategic reserve. This legislative move reflects a growing acknowledgment of Bitcoin as a digital asset for national economic strategy, garnering support from both traditional financial sectors and cryptocurrency advocates. Alongside this, there is an ongoing debate about the implications, risks, and potential benefits of such a reserve. (Grok)

News

Trump's Crypto Banking Deregulation

President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to sign an executive order that would reverse regulations set by the Biden administration aimed at restricting banking activities for cryptocurrency firms. This move could impact how crypto companies interact with the Federal Reserve, potentially leading to greater integration of cryptocurrencies within the traditional financial system. (Grok)

News

Rumble's Strategic Bitcoin Acquisition

Rumble, a video platform and competitor to YouTube, has announced the purchase of 188 Bitcoins for approximately $17.1 million. This acquisition is part of Rumble's strategy to integrate Bitcoin into its treasury management, aiming to hedge against inflation and participate in the growing trend of corporate cryptocurrency adoption. The move reflects a broader acceptance of Bitcoin as a legitimate financial asset among companies. (Grok)

News

Trump Predicts Market Surge Amid Economic Indicators

President Trump has publicly stated his belief that the U.S. financial markets are poised for significant growth, making his comments at an event with business leaders. This optimistic forecast follows recent economic indicators showing inflation cooling to levels not seen in years, despite mixed responses from markets regarding Trump's economic policies including tariffs. (Grok)

News

Ethereum's Lowest BTC Ratio Since 2020 Triggers Liquidation Risk

The Ethereum Foundation faces potential liquidation of over $100 million in assets if Ethereum's price drops to $1,100, amidst a historic low in the ETH/BTC trading ratio not seen since May 2020. This financial maneuver is part of Ethereum's strategy to manage its treasury through decentralized finance (DeFi), highlighting both the risks and innovative approaches to crypto-asset management in a volatile market. (Grok)

News

Gold funds burst out of the blocks in 2025 as returns rocket

Australian gold funds are shaping up for a bumper year as mining companies start to capitalise on record prices, helping the stocks to finally catch up to the performance of the precious metal.

Portfolio managers were left frustrated last year after a jump in production costs held back ASX-listed gold producers from riding the rally in the spot prices to record levels. The VanEck Gold Miners exchange-traded fund climbed nearly 20 per cent in 2024 versus a 38 per cent rally for the gold price in Australian dollars.

But easing cost inflation that has plagued the mining sector for the last three years and an ongoing surge in prices has seen the trend reverse course. VanEck’s Gold Miners ETF is up 17 per cent already this year while the Aussie dollar spot price has climbed 6.3 per cent.

Local fund managers are bullish that gold has much further to run after the US dollar price climbed above $US2942 an ounce for the first time and the Australian dollar gold price breached $4500 an ounce.

Victor Smorgon Partners’ Resource Gold Fund returned a chunky 13.3 per cent in January and portfolio manager Cameron Judd believes the valuations of ASX gold stocks still don’t reflect the outlook for the yellow metal.

“Gold’s performance in times of uncertainty or crisis could see it push towards $US3600,” Mr Judd said. “Despite the strong gold price performance and fundamentals supporting further appreciation, gold miners are trading at discounted valuations on the ASX.”

Wall Street’s biggest banks believe a $US3000 price tag is imminent. Citi said it was possible within the next three months, while JPMorgan has a year-end target of $US3150. Bank of America said on Thursday that gold could reach $US3500 an ounce if investment demand rises 10 per cent this year.

The unprecedented surge in the gold price has been fuelled by investors seeking safe haven assets as US President Donald Trump unleashes aggressive trade and geopolitical policies. There are fears the president will accelerate inflation, forcing central banks to raise rates in a way that damages global growth.

Victor Smorgon’s top holdings include ASX-listed Vault Minerals and the world’s largest gold miner, US-based Newmont, which recently acquired Newcrest. The fund also owns Australia’s biggest gold miner Northern Star, which agreed to buy rival De Grey in a $5 billion deal. (AFR) *Full article and coverag via subscription to The Australian Financial Review.

News

Australia

Northern Star paying top dollar for gold rival

Northern Star has offered $5 billion to buy De Grey Mining, with De Grey shareholders to vote on the offer on 16 April. De Grey is the company behind the Hemi gold prospect in Western Australia, which is thought to hold at least 11 million ounces of gold and which is slated to produce 530,000 ounces annually in its first decade of operation. KPMG, which was engaged to provide an independent assessment of Northern Star's offer, has valued DeGrey at between $4 billion and $4.79 billion, inclusive of a premium for control. It concludes that the offer is "fair and reasonable and therefore is in the best interests of De Grey shareholders, in the absence of a superior proposal". (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

March 12, 2025

Crypto market tumbles after stocks

Market picture

Crypto market capitalisation has been falling to $2.5 trillion following the rumbling fall of the US stock market. It is dipping below the peaks of early 2024 and late 2021. Previously, a similar decline would complete a corrective pullback, attracting buyers. However, the chances of such an outcome are now lower than in previous years due to the powerful influence of traditional financial companies, which has strengthened the link between the crypto market and stock dynamics.

For now, though, we can argue that there is less terror in crypto. The Fear and Greed Index is at 24 (+4 points for the day), while the low point was a week earlier at 10.

Bitcoin slipped towards $76.5K in the early hours of Tuesday but has popped above $80K at the time of writing, approaching Monday’s consolidation levels. A bearish pattern persists on the daily timeframes, which suggests a strengthening sell-off after a failure under the 200-day moving average. The scenario of a pullback to the $70-74K area still looks the most probable for us. This is all the truer as the consolidation and rebound in early March has taken the short-term oversold stance out of the market.

Ethereum is trying to find a pivot point after falling towards $1750 at the start of Tuesday. These were the lowest values in the last 17 months. On weekly timeframes, the RSI oscillator hit its lowest point since mid-2022 - near the bottom of the bear market. Does this signify an opportunity for the recklessly bold or a breakdown in the leading altcoin? We will find out in the coming days.

News Background

According to CoinShares, global crypto fund investments fell by $876 million last week after record outflows of $2.911 billion a week earlier. Investments in Bitcoin fell by $756 million; in Ethereum, by $89 million. Investments in Solana rose by $16 million, in XRP by $6 million, and in Sui by $3 million.

As a result of another recalculation, Bitcoin mining difficulty increased by 1.43% to 112.15T. The growth did not compensate for a 3.15% drop two weeks ago. However, the figure came close to the all-time high of 114.17T reached in January.

Strategy (former MicroStrategy) intends to raise $21bn through the sale of preferred shares as part of its At-The-Market program. The proceeds will be used to buy Bitcoin and other corporate purposes. (FxPro)

News

March 11, 2025

US Senator And Congressman Introduce Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Bills To Buy One Million BTC

Speaking at the “Bitcoin for America” summit, lawmakers announced their plans to create a federal bitcoin reserve that would see the U.S. buy one million BTC.

Today at the Bitcoin Policy Institute’s “Bitcoin for America” summit in Washington DC, U.S. Senator from Wyoming Cynthia Lummis announced that she is going to reintroduce her strategic Bitcoin reserve legislation in the Senate today.

“I am so pleased to announce that today I will be reintroducing The Bitcoin Act,” Senator Lummis stated. “And I’ll be joined here shortly by Senator Justice of West Virginia, who is one of the cosponsors. And we have several other additional cosponsors. And a lot of it is a result of the excitement that’s been building.” (Bitcoin Magazine). *Full article via Bitcoin Magazine

News

XRP wins Media Man 'Crypto Of The Month' award

News

Markets

Australian Dollar: $0.6317 USD (up $0.0020 USD)
Iron Ore Apr Spot Price (SGX): $100.60 USD (up $0.15 USD)
Oil (WTI): $67.70 USD (up $1.14 USD)
Gold: $2,931.74 USD (up $13.03 USD)
Copper (CME): $4.8425 USD (up $0.0500 USD)
Bitcoin: $82,880.91USD (up 0.32% in last 24 hours)
Dow Jones: 41,350.93 (down 82.55 points)

News

Roy Morgan wins Media Man 'News Services Company Of The Month' award

News Media

Australia

Peter Dutton More Crypto Friendly And Switched On Than Albanese (Media Man Group)

News

"Dutton A Genuine Contender" (Sky News Australia)

March 10, 2025

ASX futures are pointing up 69 points, or by 0.9 per cent, to 8011.

All US prices are as of 4.15pm Sunday in New York:

Bitcoin -3.7% to $US83,138
On Wall St: Dow +0.5% S&P +0.6% Nasdaq +0.7%
VIX -1.5 to 23.37
Gold -0.1% to $US2909.10 an ounce
Brent oil +1.3% to $US70.36 a barrel
Iron ore +0.3% to $US100.70 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.3% Australia 4.4%

January 10, 2025

ASX futures up 33 points or 0.4%

AUD -0.3% to 61.98 US cents
UK pound -0.4% to $US1.2309
Bitcoin -2.9% to $US91,275 at 7.23am AEDT
US markets closed for Jimmy Carter’s funeral
Stoxx 50 +0.4% FTSE +0.8% DAX -0.1% CAC +0.5%
Spot gold +0.3% to $US2671.00/oz at 1.55pm in New York
Brent crude +1.2% to $US77.08 a barrel
Iron ore +1% to $US97.40 a tonne
10-year yield: US 4.69% Australia 4.48% Germany 2.56%
US prices as of 1.59pm in New York

Cryptocurrency News via Media Man and FxPro

November 6, 2024

Crypto: volatility without direction Market Picture

The crypto market cap remained at $2.24 trillion, a recovery after the market hit a low point at the very end of trading on Monday at $2.19 trillion. We continue to view this pullback to the lows of the past three weeks as a correction after rallying ahead of the week's most important events: the US election and the Fed's key rate decision. Interestingly, the cryptocurrency sentiment index remains in greed territory. It hasn't moved outside of the 70-77 range for the past three weeks, although stock market sentiment has slipped from the threshold of extreme greed to fear over that time.

Bitcoin is about where it was 24 hours ago—just under $69K —but that description masks the drama, with a 3% decline late Monday and a sharp recovery at the start of the new day. Bitcoin was once again supported on a decline to $67K since late October. It is too early to talk about the start of an upward trend. Most likely, we are dealing with active buyers who found the last pullback attractive enough to buy in anticipation of a rally.

News Background
According to CoinShares, global investments in crypto funds rose by $2.177bn last week after inflows of $901m a week earlier. The positive trend continued for the fourth consecutive week. Bitcoin investments increased by $2.156bn, Ethereum by $10m and Solana by $6m.

YTD inflows totalled a record $29.2bn, with total assets under management (AuM) surpassing $100bn for the second time in history (after June).

The options market is betting on a bitcoin ATH update before the end of November and increased volatility after the US election. Bitcoin volatility is a temporary phenomenon in the market, according to Blockstream. As technology and payment systems evolve, the volatility of the first cryptocurrency can be forgotten.

Although the supply of stablecoins is increasing, this factor alone is not enough for Bitcoin to grow significantly, CryptoQuant CEO Ki Yoon Ju said. He noted that today, only 21% of stablecoins are held on exchanges for trading purposes, while the rest are used for transfers or storage of value in countries with high inflation.

In the third quarter, investment in Solana blockchain-based applications increased 54% quarter-on-quarter to $173 million, Messari notes. The number of users paying fees online grew 109% to 1.9 million per day.

News

Bitcoin News via Grok

Here's a summary of recent developments regarding Bitcoin, based on general trends and sentiments from available sources:

Market Performance: Bitcoin has been trading with significant volatility, with prices experiencing fluctuations that have caught the attention of traders and investors. There's mention of Bitcoin attempting to break through resistance levels, with some analysts predicting potential for significant price movements around events like the U.S. elections.

Legalization of Bitcoin Mining: Russia has made headlines by legalizing Bitcoin mining, which could have implications for the global hashrate distribution and potentially increase competition in mining operations.

Institutional Adoption: There's increasing interest from institutional investors. For instance, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen substantial inflows, indicating a growing acceptance among traditional finance sectors. Discussions around Bitcoin's place in pension funds also highlight its perceived legitimacy in long-term investment strategies.

Regulatory Environment: The regulatory landscape remains a critical focus, with the U.S. elections expected to influence future crypto policies. There's a sentiment that regardless of who wins, the U.S. might lean towards being more crypto-friendly, as seen in comments from industry leaders like the CEO of Ripple.

Technological Developments: The integration of Bitcoin into various ecosystems continues, with projects like Pi Network aiming to address some of Bitcoin's scalability and environmental concerns, showing how the broader crypto community is evolving around Bitcoin.

Community and Social Media Sentiment: Social media platforms like X show a mix of excitement over price surges, discussions on Bitcoin's environmental impact, and reactions to various crypto-related news, reflecting the diverse views within the community.

Bitcoin's Role: Discussions continue on Bitcoin's role as a hedge against inflation and its potential in diversifying investment portfolios, alongside debates on its energy consumption and the implications of its mining on global energy use.

Remember, these insights are derived from general trends and sentiments as of early November 2024, and for the most accurate and current information, one should refer to real-time financial news sources or market data platforms. (Grok)

News

Cryptocurrency via Grok

Cryptocurrency is a type of digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security. Here's a detailed overview:

What is Cryptocurrency?
Digital Asset: It exists only in electronic form on decentralized networks, typically blockchain technology.

Decentralization: Unlike traditional currencies, cryptocurrencies operate on a network of computers, not controlled by any government or financial institution.

Cryptography: Uses cryptographic techniques to secure transactions and to control the creation of new units.

Key Features:
Blockchain: A distributed ledger that records all transactions across a network of computers. It's transparent, immutable, and decentralized.

Anonymity and Pseudo-Anonymity: While transactions can be public on the blockchain, the identity of users can often remain anonymous or pseudonymous.

Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Cryptocurrencies facilitate decentralized financial applications, allowing for financial services without the need for traditional financial intermediaries.

Mining: Many cryptocurrencies are created through mining, where participants validate transactions and add them to the blockchain, often rewarded with new cryptocurrency units.

Volatility: Cryptocurrency markets are known for their price volatility, which can offer high returns but also significant risks.

Common Cryptocurrencies:
Bitcoin (BTC): The first and most well-known cryptocurrency, created in 2009. It was designed to function as a decentralized currency without a central bank.

Ethereum (ETH): Beyond just a cryptocurrency, Ethereum introduced smart contracts, allowing for complex transactions and decentralized applications (dApps).

Altcoins: Any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin. Examples include Litecoin, Ripple (XRP), Cardano, etc.
Stablecoins: Cryptocurrencies designed to minimize volatility by being pegged to stable assets like the USD (e.g., Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC)).

Uses:
Investment: Many invest in cryptocurrencies hoping for value appreciation.

Payment: While less common due to volatility, some businesses accept cryptocurrencies for goods and services.

Store of Value: Some view cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin as digital gold, a hedge against inflation or currency devaluation.

Risks and Considerations:
Regulatory Uncertainty: Legal status varies by country, with some embracing it and others imposing strict regulations or outright bans.

Security Risks: While the blockchain is secure, exchanges where cryptocurrencies are bought/sold can be hacked.

Market Fluctuations: High volatility can result in significant financial gains or losses.

Energy Consumption: Mining, especially for Bitcoin, consumes substantial energy, raising environmental concerns.

Adoption: For cryptocurrencies to become more mainstream, broader adoption by merchants, financial institutions, and regulatory acceptance is needed.

Cryptocurrency represents a significant shift in how we think about money, offering both opportunities for innovation and challenges regarding regulation, security, and economic theory. If you're considering engaging with cryptocurrencies, it's crucial to:

Research thoroughly.
Understand the technology and risks involved.

Consider the legal implications in your jurisdiction.

Be cautious of scams and fraudulent schemes prevalent in the crypto space. (Grok)

Blogs

Bitcoin News Media Blog

Media Man Business Blog

Media Man News Blog

Websites

FOX Business - Cryptocurrency

Google Finance - Cryptocurrencies

Yahoo Finance - Cryptocurrencies

The Australian Financial Review - Cryptocurrencies

CoinTelegraph CoinDesk.com Bitcoin.com - News

Bitcoin - Wikipedia Cryptocurrency - Wikipedia

Blockchain.com - News

FOX Business FOX News - US Economy

News Trends Bitcoin News Cryptocurrency News

Cryptocurrency News via Media Man and FxPro

FxPro

PxPro: News

Cryptocurrency News via Media Man and FxPro

September 18. 2024

The crypto market gets a boost from stocks

Market Picture

The crypto market has gained 2.1% in the last 24 hours to reach $2.08 trillion. The rise in the stock market has brought buyers back to Bitcoin, which has positively impacted cryptocurrencies. The sentiment index is still in the fear zone, but at 45, it is already close to neutral territory. This shows that it is lagging stocks where sentiment has shifted to 'greed'.

Bitcoin surpassed $60K, accelerating sharply at the start of the US session. The price peaked at $61.3K before retreating to $60.4K at the time of writing.

Despite some pullback, bitcoin has broken above its 50-day moving average, suggesting significant upside potential. However, it isn't easy to rely on today's technical picture ahead of the Fed's interest rate decision on Wednesday evening. The next important level is likely to be around the $64K, where the late August high and the 200-day average are located.

News Background

JPMorgan sees bitcoin hash rate growth slowing as miner revenues remain at historic lows. Meanwhile, US Bitcoin miners' share of the network hash rate rose for the fifth consecutive month to 26.7%, an all-time high.

MicroStrategy will place $700 million in four-year unsecured convertible notes to acquire additional bitcoins and fund general corporate purposes.

According to Arkham, the Bhutanese government's bitcoin holdings amount to 13,036 BTC ($770 million), almost three times El Salvador's reserves. The country has the world's fourth-largest stockpile of BTCs, derived from mining by a sovereign wealth fund.

The crypto industry is no longer able to provide 'dopamine' to either developers or traders. That is why it is in crisis, said CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju. According to him, the crypto industry is gradually turning into a 'gambling den'.

Developers Curve Finance and TON Foundation will create a platform for trading stablecoins on the TON blockchain. The new initiative will meet the growing demand for stablecoins and increase the liquidity and popularity of the network's Web3 ecosystem.

Crypto And Politics

Gonzo Bitcoin Scribes With Gonzo, A.I And Grok

Wrestling With Crypto, BTC News And Power To The People; President Trump Looking For A Win-Win-Win situation

And The Crowd Roars Wild For Crypto Friendly Polies

In Case You Missed It

By A. Media Scriber. With assistance from A. Bot (Grok Chapter)

July 28, 2024

Trump vs Harris on cryptocurrency

For The U.S And World Wrestling Crypto Heavyweight Title

The Trumper Will continue to promote and lift bitcoin

Trump planning to establish a U.S. bitcoin stockpile, set up a crypto advisory council akin to Wrestlers Court

Former (to some) President Donald Trump on Saturday body slammed Vice President Kamala Harris over the Biden administration’s approach to cryptocurrency regulation and announced a sweeping set of industry-friendly policies, as he sought to win over the bitcoin mob.

Speaking at a major crypto conference in Nashville, Tennessee, Bitcoin 2024 (WrestleMania for Cryptos) Trump sought to hog tie Harris to the Biden administration’s rugged regulatory approach to the digital asset industry. Though Harris hasn’t taken a public position and her team is ramping up outreach to the crypto world, Trump said she is “against crypto.”

Every Babyface Needs A Villain/Heel

Trump endorsed an array of policies to boost crypto firms.

Bullet Points

Have the U.S government hold a stockpile of bitcoin, creating a crypto advisory council, installing a crypto-friendly Securities and Exchange Commission chair and ock blocking the Fed Reserve from creating its own digital currency.

“I pledge to the bitcoin community that the day I take the oath of office, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ anti-crypto crusade will be over,” he said.

“The moment I’m sworn in, the persecution stops and the weaponization ends against your industry.”

Trump’s grand and most welcome appearance at the Bitcoin 2024 conference cemented his embrace of the crypto industry, which is lobbying hard in downtown Washington and planning to spend more than a whopping $160 million to sway this year’s elections. And you thought that stakes were high in WWE's 'Money In The Bank'. How about a crypto title Triple H? Matt Cardona had the Internet Title - we know.

The emergence of Harris after Joe may have been caught in a sleeper hold is likely to complicate his pitch and may throw a ring spanner in the world. Her campaign is showing signs of opening up to the industry, and some Democrats are pushing her to break from the Biden administration’s more skeptical approach.

Trump vowed to terminate SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who has pursued a series of high-profile crypto enforcement actions and has sternly warned that digital asset trading poses big investor risks. Trump also pledged to enact policies to support stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency pegged to other assets like the dollar.

“We will have regulations, but from now on the rules will be written by people who love your industry, not hate your industry,” he said.

Trump was offered raucous applause and crowd pop, including when he vowed to sack Gensler.

“I didn’t know he was that unpopular,” Trump said.

Trump heaped praise on the crowd, calling them “highly intelligent,” and criticized crypto skeptics like Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), whom he singled out by name.

“The Biden-Harris administration’s repression of crypto and bitcoin is wrong, and it’s very bad for our country,” he said.

Trump himself is a former crypto critic, but he did not acknowledge his past comments in his particular speech. He penned in 2019 that he was “not a fan of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, which are not money, and whose value is highly volatile and based on thin air.”

Trump started embracing the crypto industry in May. He has since cashed in on his crypto stance, hosting crypto executives at fundraisers and his Mar-a-Lago resort.

Ahead of his speech on Saturday, Trump participated in a fundraiser at the bitcoin conference with an $844,600 asking price to attend a VIP reception, roundtable and to snap a mug shot er photo with the former president, according to an online invitation. A lower-tier ticket that went for $60,000 per person or $100,000 per couple allowed attendees to just attend the reception and get a snap a pic with The Trumpster.

Trump, who appeared on stage Saturday afternoon after an extensive delay, singled out several figures in the crypto world at the start of his speech. They included the Winklevoss twins, whom he dubbed “male models with a big beautiful brain,” Rep. French Hill of Arkansas, who is vying to lead the House Financial Services Committee next year, and David Bailey, who organized the conference.

So fans, you got the winning ticket, your Trump collectables, now you've heard The Hulkster's promo at the RNC. Now we just need the traditional title of President Of The United States, and Commander In Chief sounds good as crypto gold too.

A bullet proof boss, crypto friendly, freedom of speech, and pro actively draining the swamp while giving back power to the people. This trend may just catch on globally. We might need an NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) type group, and they can lock horns with the NWO, much like the famed World Championship Wrestling vs New World Order tussles of the past. DT For The Win! Some of the names change, but the ultimate goal largely remains the same - Freedom!

Special thanks: Bitcoin Magazine/Bitcoin 2024/Bitcoin 2024

Team Donald Trump

WWE, TKO Group, NWA

Hunter S. Thompson (the late)

Grok, X Corp

Trump Trading Cards

The Readers - that means you sport!

News

Bitcoin 2024 (via Grok)

The anticipation around Bitcoin in 2024 is palpable, driven by several key events and trends:

Bitcoin Halving: Scheduled for April 2024, this event reduces the reward for mining new blocks by half, from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC. Historically, halving events have led to significant price increases due to the reduced supply of new bitcoins entering the market. Analysts and enthusiasts expect this trend to continue, potentially pushing Bitcoin's price to new heights.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs: The potential approval of spot Bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) in the U.S. is seen as a major catalyst. Such financial products could bring a flood of institutional money into Bitcoin, enhancing its liquidity and acceptance as an investment vehicle. This move could significantly impact Bitcoin's price by making it more accessible to retail and institutional investors who prefer regulated investment products.

Macroeconomic Factors: With concerns over inflation, economic stability, and monetary policies, Bitcoin is increasingly viewed as a hedge against inflation or currency devaluation. Predictions of interest rate cuts and increased money printing by major economies like the U.S. and China could further bolster Bitcoin's appeal as a "digital gold."

Price Predictions: Various analysts and platforms have made bold predictions for Bitcoin's price in 2024.

Predictions range from $60,000 to as high as $524,000, with many expecting a significant bull run post-halving. These forecasts are based on historical patterns post-halving, increased adoption, and the potential for Bitcoin to be seen as a safe-haven asset.

Community Sentiment: On platforms like X, there's a mix of cautious optimism and outright bullishness.

Discussions highlight the potential for Bitcoin to reach six figures or even higher, driven by the halving, ETFs, and macroeconomic conditions. However, there's also acknowledgment of potential corrections or sideways movements post-halving, as seen in past cycles.

Technological and Network Developments: Beyond price, Bitcoin's underlying technology continues to evolve. The introduction of Ordinals and BRC-20 tokens on Bitcoin's network represents innovation in NFTs and DeFi directly on Bitcoin, potentially increasing its utility and thus, value.

Market Sentiment and Events: The Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville, featuring high-profile speakers, underscores Bitcoin's growing mainstream acceptance and its role in global financial discussions. Such events not only boost visibility but also might influence market sentiment positively.

Given these points, Bitcoin in 2024 is expected to be at the center of financial innovation, regulatory discussions, and investment strategies. While the exact price trajectory remains speculative, the combination of halving, potential ETF approvals, and global economic conditions sets the stage for what many in the community anticipate could be one of Bitcoin's most significant years yet. However, as with any investment, especially in cryptocurrencies, there's inherent volatility and risk involved, which should be considered alongside the optimism. (Grok)

News via Grok

Zurich Cantonal Bank Launches Crypto Trading

September 9, 2024

Zurich Cantonal Bank (ZKB), Switzerland's fourth-largest bank, has introduced trading services for Bitcoin and Ethereum, marking a significant step in integrating cryptocurrencies into traditional banking. This service allows clients to trade these cryptocurrencies through ZKB's existing eBanking and Mobile Banking platforms, offering 24/7 trading capabilities. Additionally, ZKB provides custody services for these digital assets, enhancing security. This move represents a notable advancement in the adoption of cryptocurrencies by mainstream financial institutions, potentially influencing broader acceptance and use of digital currencies in financial markets.

News

BTC via Grok

Here's a summary based on the latest information available up to September 7, 2024:

Price Movement: Bitcoin experienced a notable drop following the release of U.S. jobs data, with prices dipping by as much as 6.5% to around $52,600. However, there's been a slight recovery, indicating some volatility but also resilience around certain support levels.

Market Sentiment: There's a mix of caution and optimism. The market saw increased volatility with significant price drops across major cryptocurrencies, but there's also mention of a potential for recovery or stabilization, with some traders pointing out that the market might be setting up for further movements based on current support and resistance levels.

Technical Analysis: Various posts discuss Bitcoin's price action within a channel, with more tests at the lower end suggesting a potential for either a breakout or a strong bounce back. Negative funding rates and a lack of significant liquidations on the downside indicate a cautious market where shorts are confident at high-time-frame support levels.

Market Structure: There's an observation of thin order books between the current price and higher levels like $57,000, suggesting potential for rapid movements if buying pressure increases significantly.

Institutional Interest: The mention of Barclays targeting MicroStrategy stock for Bitcoin exposure highlights ongoing institutional interest in Bitcoin, albeit indirectly through stocks of companies with significant Bitcoin holdings.

ETF Impact: There have been outflows from Bitcoin ETFs, which might reflect profit-taking or a shift in investor sentiment, possibly influenced by macroeconomic data or regulatory news.

Future Outlook: While there's immediate concern over the recent dip, the broader sentiment includes watching for how Bitcoin reacts at current support levels, with some anticipation for potential upward movements if certain psychological or technical levels are breached.

This summary reflects a snapshot of Bitcoin's market dynamics as of early September 2024, characterized by typical crypto market volatility, technical analysis speculation, and ongoing interest from both retail and institutional investors. Always remember, the crypto market can be highly speculative, and sentiments can shift rapidly based on new information or broader market trends. (Grok)

News

Trump 2024 (via Grok)

Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign has been marked by several notable events and strategic shifts:

Campaign Events and Focus: Trump has been actively campaigning across key battleground states, with recent activities including a rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin, where he spoke on various issues like the economy, education policy, and international relations. His campaign schedule has included themed events focusing on economic policy, crime, national security, and immigration, indicating a broad-based approach to appeal to different voter concerns.

Strategic Adjustments: There's been a noticeable shift in campaign strategy, particularly in response to Kamala Harris's rise in the Democratic ticket. Trump has scaled back campaigning in states like New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Virginia, focusing instead on states with higher electoral impact like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Arizona. This suggests a strategic pivot to consolidate support in crucial swing states.

Policy Promises: Trump has made significant promises, including ending the Russia-Ukraine war before his potential inauguration, abolishing the U.S. Department of Education, and preventing World War III. These pledges aim to appeal to voters looking for strong, decisive action on both domestic and foreign policy fronts.

Public Sentiment and Campaign Style: Trump's rallies continue to draw crowds, although there have been observations of smaller turnouts in some instances compared to previous campaigns. His style remains confrontational, with direct attacks on his opponents and frequent use of social media to engage with supporters directly.

Legal and Political Challenges: The campaign has not been without controversy, including legal challenges and criticisms over his handling of previous events like the Afghanistan withdrawal. Trump's campaign has responded to these by focusing on his past achievements and painting his opponents as less competent or patriotic.

Fundraising and Support: Despite legal battles, Trump's campaign has managed to maintain significant financial support, though there have been fluctuations in fundraising success. His campaign has also been described as ramping up its ground game, suggesting an intensified effort to mobilize voters at the grassroots level.

Media and Public Perception: Social media posts reflect a mix of staunch support and criticism, with some users highlighting perceived weaknesses in Trump's campaign strategy or health, while others rally behind his policies and persona. The campaign's use of media, including Trump's own social media presence, plays a crucial role in shaping his narrative.

Engagement with Key Demographics: Efforts like announcing a "Black Americans for Trump" coalition indicate a strategy to broaden his voter base, addressing criticisms of past campaigns where he struggled with certain demographics.

Trump's 2024 campaign, therefore, is characterized by a blend of continuity in his aggressive campaign style, adaptation to new political realities with Harris as his opponent, and a focus on policy promises that aim to resonate with a wide swath of American voters, particularly in swing states crucial for electoral victory.

Media Man Int

Some official Bitcoin 2024 Media Blurb, In Case You Missed It!

Magazine (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/magazine.html

Politics (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/politics.html

Business News (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/business_news.html

Cryptocurrency News (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/cryptocurrency_news.html

Bitcoin drops 10pc as rout deepens

August 5, 2024

Bitcoin is under pressure from a bout of risk aversion in global markets that saddled the largest digital asset with its heftiest weekly loss since the collapse of the FTX exchange in 2022.

The original cryptocurrency sank more than 10 per cent at one point before paring some of the decline to trade at $US54,333 ($83,590). The token lost 13.1 per cent in the seven days through Sunday, the most since the FTX bankruptcy period. Smaller tokens such as ether and meme-crowd favourite dogecoin also nursed heavy losses.

The declines come as a global stock sell-off intensifies, reflecting concerns about the economic outlook and questions over whether heavy investment into artificial intelligence will live up to the hype surrounding the technology. Geopolitical tension is rising in the Middle East, adding to investor skittishness.

Bitcoin exchange traded funds in the US suffered their largest outflows in about three months on August 2. The digital asset has also tumbled through its 200-day moving average price.

The latter technical chart pattern “opens the way for a deeper pullback” towards $54,000, Tony Sycamore, market analyst at IG Australia, wrote in a note.

Bitcoin has been buffeted by a range of factors since hitting a record of $US73,798 in March, including shifting political fortunes in the US as pro-crypto Republican Donald Trump and his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris – who has yet to detail a digital-asset policy stance – lock horns in the presidential race. (AI News, Wires)

News

Donald Trump to Headline Bitcoin 2024 Conference in Nashville

July 11, 2024

Former President Donald Trump has been confirmed as a keynote speaker at the upcoming Bitcoin 2024 conference set to take place in Nashville, Tennessee.

This news comes as a significant development for the event, known for its major industry announcements and influential speakers. The conference, which has previously been hosted in Miami, has established itself as a platform for groundbreaking news within the cryptocurrency space.

Bitcoin 2021, the inaugural conference, made headlines when El Salvador officially declared Bitcoin as legal tender. The subsequent Bitcoin 2022 and Bitcoin 2023 conferences continued the trend of notable moments, including a powerful speech by U.S. Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in support of the Bitcoin industry.

This year, the shift of the conference location from Miami to Nashville signifies its increasing prominence on the global stage. With two former U.S. Presidential candidates, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump, slated to speak, Bitcoin 2024 is anticipated to be a pivotal event that could potentially impact the future trajectory of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency policies in the United States.

Donald Trump’s participation in the conference is especially noteworthy considering his recent engagements with the Bitcoin community. Earlier this year, Trump met with prominent U.S. Bitcoin miners, including representatives from CleanSpark, where he reiterated his support for Bitcoin mining both domestically and internationally. In a statement, Trump pledged to prioritize the development of Bitcoin and crypto initiatives in the United States and safeguard the rights of the nation’s 50 million crypto holders if re-elected as president.

As Trump embarks on his presidential campaign, his alignment with the Bitcoin industry stands in contrast to the position of his potential rival, President Joe Biden, who has shown less enthusiasm towards the cryptocurrency sector. While Biden’s participation in Bitcoin 2024 remains unconfirmed, the event could underscore the divergent approaches of the two candidates towards Bitcoin and its implications for U.S. policies.

For additional details on the Bitcoin 2024 conference and to secure a discounted ticket using a promotional code, interested individuals can visit the official event website. Bitcoin Magazine, a subsidiary of BTC Inc, the organizer of the largest Bitcoin conference, The Bitcoin Conference, will be overseeing the event.

Websites

Bitcoin 2024
https://b.tc/conference/2024

Bitcoin Magazine
https://bitcoinmagazine.com

July 1, 2024

Buyers failed to pick up on the crypto market

Market picture

The crypto market has been enjoying an influx of buyers since Saturday, with a visible acceleration on Monday. Over the past 24 hours, capitalisation has risen 3.6% to $2.33 trillion. Last week’s drop in the crypto sentiment index to 30 (fear zone) reversed the price twice, showing that the market is dominated by a ‘buy the dip’ pattern.

Bitcoin is trading near $63.3K, adding 5% since Saturday morning and reaffirming the importance of support at 61.8% of the Jan-March rally. From another perspective, Bitcoin is adding and bouncing off the lower boundary of the downward channel. Likely, the price is now moving towards the upper boundary at $67K. However, cautious buyers may prefer to wait for confirmation with the price rising above $72-73K - the pivot area of the last four months - which would be confirmation of the start of a new impulsive wave of growth.

Bitcoin ended June down 8.5% to $61.9K. In terms of seasonality, July is considered quite successful for BTC, adding eight times (22.3% on average) out of the last 13 and declining on five occasions (-7.8% on average).

News background

In terms of on-chain analysis, quotes have crossed the realised price level of short-term holders at $62,000, which historically can act as support during corrections in bull markets.

According to Arkham data, German authorities sent another 595 BTC worth ~$36.6 million to crypto exchanges on 26 June. Authorities began actively moving the cryptocurrency on 19 June, when some of it first hit the Kraken and Bitstamp exchanges.

Bitwise forecasts net inflows into spot ETH-ETFs in the US of $15bn in the first 18 months. Bloomberg expects trading in the new product to start on 2 July.

Solana Foundation has launched tools that enable it to turn any website or app into a gateway for cryptocurrency payments and other blockchain transactions.

On 26 June, the Blast development team completed the first phase of an airdrop, distributing 17 billion BLAST tokens (17% of the total issuance). Blast is an Ethereum-based layer 2 (L2) network that was launched in November 2023 by Blur founder under the pseudonym Pacman. In terms of blockchain value locked (TVL), the Blast ecosystem is ranked sixth in the DeFi Llama ranking with a value of $1.58bn.

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A strong current account surplus may not help euro

The eurozone's current account surplus climbed to a six-month high of 31.9bn in December. Analysts, on average, had expected a decline to 20.3 bn from 22.5 bn the previous month. The current level was seen in the eurozone during the relatively benign pre-Covid period and sometime before Natural Gas prices spiked in the second half of 2021.

The normalisation of the surplus is good news for the single currency, as it means more net capital inflows into the region. But this growth has been fuelled by falling imports, which can be the result of lower commodity and energy prices (which is a very good thing), but also partly indicative of a slowdown in domestic demand. This threatens to translate into economic contraction in the coming months.

The euro area experienced periods of severe import contraction in late 2008 and early 2010, and in both cases, the economy experienced a severe downturn. Back in 2008, all this was accompanied by the collapse of the euro.

Gold

Gold rises but within a downward channel

Gold rallied for the fourth consecutive session to reach $2023, recovering almost all the losses suffered the week before on the back of the inflation report. Gold's ability to rally suggests continued domestic demand, as some investors are clearly rushing to buy back any losses.

At the same time, however, we note that since the beginning of the year, gold has been characterised by solid selloffs on the news, forming a smooth downtrend. In the context of this downtrend, a rise to $2040-2045, which is the upper boundary of the bearish range, looks quite acceptable.

The area around $2035 - the highs of two weeks ago - also appears to be a crucial intermediate level. Confident buying from this level would be the first important signal that the recent correction is over and that gold is ready to make a fresh assault on the highs.

Much more important, however, will be the behaviour of gold as it approaches the $2050 level, where the reversal of the decline in late January took place.

Consolidation at this level would confirm the breakdown of the downtrend and set the stage for a move towards $2100 and the subsequent renewal of historic highs.

However, as long as gold is trading within the downtrend, there is a greater chance of a breakdown or even an acceleration of the downtrend.

Among the fundamental factors, the potential for growth could be provided by the fall in the dollar if Fed officials show a softening of their position, bringing the start of interest rate cuts closer.

On the bearish side, equities could come under pressure following the optimistic rally in the tech giants and the news of a sharp slowdown in economic activity. We also do not rule out the possibility that the recent support measures for the Chinese stock market and property sector will cool demand for gold as a safe-haven for investors from that part of the world.

Cryptocurrency

Crypto market growth halted amid capital inflows

Market picture

The crypto market has corrected 0.46% in the last 24 hours, fluctuating within a narrow range without a clear direction. Bitcoin is down 1% but up 3.7% over seven days, Ethereum is flat for the day but up 10.6% over the week. The top coins are mixed with BNB +2% and Solana -2.5%.

Bitcoin is currently drawing its fourth daily candle with opening and closing levels close to each other. Such sideways consolidations are characteristic of strong bull markets, as opposed to corrective pullbacks on smoother rallies.

Ethereum hit local highs on rumours of a positive regulatory decision before the end of March. Bloomberg analyst James Seyffarth bet 4 ETH that the SEC will not approve a spot Ethereum ETF next month.

According to data from CoinShares, investment in crypto funds rose by a record $2.452 billion last week, following inflows of $1.116 billion the previous week.
Bitcoin investments increased by $2.424 billion, Ethereum by $21 million, Cardano lost $6 million, and Solana lost $1.6 million.

Since the beginning of the year, crypto funds have seen inflows of an impressive $5.2 billion, with total AUM rising to $67 billion, the highest since December 2021.

News background

Bitcoin will see institutional support in the next three to six months, according to Coinbase. Bitcoin ETFs could eventually become a major competitor to gold funds.
According to IntoTheBlock, there is an 85% chance that Bitcoin will reach a new all-time high within the next six months. Five factors could contribute to this: the halving of the price, ETFs, monetary easing, the US election, and companies accumulating BTC as part of their treasuries.

Former CIA contractor Edward Snowden, who has been living in Russia since 2013, called bitcoin the most significant achievement of the financial system in the entire existence of money and means of exchange.

Amberdata admitted that Ethereum will outpace Bitcoin in terms of growth due to more constructive deflationary policies. The supply of ETH has been decreasing since September 2022, thanks to the update of The Merge, as well as the implementation of a mechanism to burn part of the commissions. During this time, around 0.36 million ETH, or 0.3% of the total supply of 120 million coins, have been removed from circulation.

Via Roy Morgan Research and Media Man social media

Copper, gold, and Bitcoin rise; Iron ore and oil fall; ASX to fall in response to selling on Wall Street; US vetoes Arab-backed UN resolution demanding ceasefire in Gaza; Assange's lawyers warn that he risks 'flagrant denial of justice' if he is tried in US

Latest updates on Key Economic Indicators

21 February 2024

Roy Morgan Summary

Australian Dollar: $0.6550 USD (up 0.0011 USD)
Iron Ore Mar Spot Price (SGX): $120.85 USD (down $6.40 USD)

Oil Price (WTI): $78.27 USD (down $1.02 USD)

Gold Price: $2,024.37 USD (up $6.43 USD)

Copper Price (CME): $3.8595 (up $0.0465 USD)

Bitcoin: $52,059.35 (up 0.35% in last 24 hours)

New report reveals Roy Morgan is one of Australia's leading data companies - with in-depth information on millions of Australians based on their Helix Personas

Market Research Update

20 February 2024

Roy Morgan Summary

Roy Morgan leads the way as one of Australia's leading data companies. A special in-depth report into Australia's leading data companies interviewed Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine and Executive Chairman Gary Morgan about the role the company plays in compiling data and building profiles of different Australians. One of Roy Morgan's key products is 'Helix Personas' which profiles people under headings such as "young and platinum", "smart money", "cautious conservatives", "fair go", "working hard" and nearly 50 other personas. For example, the "young and platinum" group love their mobile devices and are "always on the hunt for the shiny, new and cool" and "making the rent". Their income is around the $64,000 a year mark and they can often be found "living a conventional life centred around family".

Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine confirmed that the Helix Personas market segments are based on statistical information, not data from individual people. "It's totally ethical. Unlike Facebook or any of these things, it's not any particular individual", Roy Morgan's chief executive Michele Levine, said.: 38,582.12 at 3.22pm NY time (down 45.87 points on Friday's close)

Roy Morgan wins three-year contract to deliver domestic tourism statistics for Austrade

21 February 2024

Roy Morgan Summary

From 2025, Roy Morgan will provide Austrade with the world's best practice survey methodology, big data integration and modelling techniques to deliver accurate domestic tourism statistics. Roy Morgan has reimagined the future of domestic tourism statistics to move Austrade and its stakeholders to the forefront of tourism intelligence with a new platform that will drive the future of Australia's tourism industry, which is estimated to be worth in excess of $160 billion. Portia Morgan, the Head of Client Services at Roy Morgan, says that using face-to-face interviewing, which is the gold-standard for surveying the population, enhanced with big data and cutting-edge data science techniques, Roy Morgan will be delivering a future-proofed system that will be cost effective, reliable, and accurate. She adds that Roy Morgan has been delivering survey-based tourism insights via its Holiday Tracking Survey for 20+ years and the company is thrilled to be working with Austrade and the broader industry to provide a deeper of understanding of how many people are travelling, where they go, what they do and how they spend their valuable tourism dollars.

Anti-mining PM pushes BHP's cash offshore

Roy Morgan Summary

It is somewhat hypocritical of the federal government to flag possible support for Australia's nickel industry, given that Labor's anti-mining legislation may jeopardise the expansion of BHP's copper operations in South Australia. BHP is still likely to proceed with an expansion, but the previously touted investment of between $10bn and $15bn is now only a 50 per cent chance. The new labour laws in the government's industrial relations reforms mean that BHP is now more likely to redirect much of this capital investment to its criticals minerals projects in other countries; rival miner Rio Tinto is already doing this.

More than 2.7 million New Zealanders now read newspapers and magazine audiences surge to over 1.7 million

21 February 2024

Roy Morgan has released its readership results for New Zealand's newspapers and magazines for the 12 months to December 2023. The data shows that 2.73 million New Zealanders aged 14+ (64.4%) now read or access newspapers in an average 7-day period via print or online (website or app) platforms. In addition, 1.71 million New Zealanders aged 14+ (40.3%) read magazines, whether in print or online either via the web or an app. The New Zealand Herald is still the nation's most widely-read publication, with a total cross-platform audience of 1,720,000 in the 12 months to June 2023 - almost five times as many as the second placed Dominion Post with a readership of 341,000. Meanwhile, New Zealand's most widely read magazine is still the driving magazine AA Directions, which had an average issue readership of 379,000 during the year to December (an increase of 63,000 on a year ago).

These are the latest findings from the Roy Morgan New Zealand Single Source survey of 6,254 New Zealanders aged 14+ over the 12 months to December 2023.

New report reveals Roy Morgan is one of Australia's leading data companies - with in-depth information on millions of Australians based on their Helix Personas

Market Research Update

20 February 2024

Roy Morgan Summary

Roy Morgan leads the way as one of Australia's leading data companies. A special in-depth report into Australia's leading data companies interviewed Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine and Executive Chairman Gary Morgan about the role the company plays in compiling data and building profiles of different Australians. One of Roy Morgan's key products is 'Helix Personas' which profiles people under headings such as "young and platinum", "smart money", "cautious conservatives", "fair go", "working hard" and nearly 50 other personas. For example, the "young and platinum" group love their mobile devices and are "always on the hunt for the shiny, new and cool" and "making the rent". Their income is around the $64,000 a year mark and they can often be found "living a conventional life centred around family". Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine confirmed that the Helix Personas market segments are based on statistical information, not data from individual people. "It's totally ethical. Unlike Facebook or any of these things, it's not any particular individual", Roy Morgan's chief executive Michele Levine, said.

(Credit: Roy Morgan Research)

Roy Morgan Summary

Roy Morgan leads the way as one of Australia's leading data companies. A special in-depth report into Australia's leading data companies interviewed Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine and Executive Chairman Gary Morgan about the role the company plays in compiling data and building profiles of different Australians.

One of Roy Morgan's key products is 'Helix Personas' which profiles people under headings such as "young and platinum", "smart money", "cautious conservatives", "fair go", "working hard" and nearly 50 other personas. For example, the "young and platinum" group love their mobile devices and are "always on the hunt for the shiny, new and cool" and "making the rent". Their income is around the $64,000 a year mark and they can often be found "living a conventional life centred around family". Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine confirmed that the Helix Personas market segments are based on statistical information, not data from individual people. "It's totally ethical. Unlike Facebook or any of these things, it's not any particular individual", Roy Morgan's chief executive Michele Levine, said.

(Credit: Roy Morgan Research)

Media Man

Warrner Bros

Profile

In 2010, the Warner Bros. Pictures Group broke the all-time industry worldwide box office record with receipts of $4.814 billion, which surpassed the prior record of $4.010 billion (set by the Studio in 2009). Warner Bros. also established a new industry benchmark for the international box office with a total of $2.93 billion (marking a record third time of crossing the $2 billion threshold) and retained its leading domestic box office ranking with receipts of $1.884 billion. 2010 also marked the 10th consecutive year Warner Bros. Pictures passed the billion dollar mark at both the domestic and international box offices. Warner Home Video was, once again, the industry’s leader, with an overall 20.6 percent marketshare in total DVD and Blu-ray sales. The companies comprising the Warner Bros. Television Group and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group remain category leaders, working across all platforms and outlets, and are trendsetters in the digital realm with video-on-demand (transaction and ad-supported), branded channels, original content, anti-piracy technology and broadband and wireless destinations.

The Warner Bros. Pictures Group brings together the Studio’s motion picture production, marketing and distribution operations into a single entity. The Group, which includes Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures International, was formed to streamline the Studio’s film production process and bring those businesses’ organizational structures in line with Warner Bros.’ television and home entertainment operations.

Warner Bros. Pictures produces and distributes a wide-ranging slate of some 18-22 films each year, employing a business paradigm that mitigates risk while maximizing productivity and capital. Warner Bros. Pictures either fully finances or co-finances the films it produces and maintains worldwide distribution rights. It also monetizes its distribution and marketing operations by distributing films that are totally financed and produced by third-parties. The Studio’s 2011 slate includes “Sucker Punch,” “The Hangover Part II,” “Green Lantern,” “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2,” “Happy Feet 2” and “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.”

Warner Bros. Pictures International is a global leader in the marketing and distribution of feature films, operating offices in more than 30 countries and releasing films in over 120 international territories, either directly to theaters or in conjunction with partner companies and co-ventures.

New Line Cinema, part of Warner Bros. Entertainment since 2008, coordinates its development, production, marketing, distribution and business affairs activities with Warner Bros. Pictures to maximize film performance and operating efficiencies. Highlights of New Line’s 2011 release slate, distributed by Warner Bros., include “Horrible Bosses,” “Final Destination 5,” “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas” and “New Year’s Eve.”

The Warner Bros. Television Group oversees and grows the entire portfolio of Warner Bros.’ television businesses, including worldwide production, traditional and digital distribution, and broadcasting. In the traditional television arena, WBTVG produces primetime and cable (Warner Bros. Television and Warner Horizon Television), first-run syndication (Telepictures Productions) and animated (Warner Bros. Animation) programming, which is distributed worldwide by two category-leading distribution arms/operations (Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution and Warner Bros. International Television Distribution).

Among the primetime series produced by divisions of the Warner Bros. Television Group are “Two and a Half Men,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “The Mentalist,” “Mike & Molly,” “Fringe,” “Gossip Girl,” “The Vampire Diaries,” “Nikita,” “The Middle,” “Southland,” “The Closer,” “Rizzoli & Isles,” “Supernatural,” “The Bachelor,” “Pretty Little Liars,” “Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew” and many more. Also produced by the company are first-run syndicated programs such as “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “TMZ” and “Extra,” among others, as well as animated shows “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated” and “Young Justice.”

WBTVG is an innovative leader in developing new business models for the evolving television landscape, including ad-supported video-on-demand, broadband and wireless, and has digital distribution agreements in place with all of the broadcast networks. Internationally, the Studio is one of the world’s largest distributors of feature films, television programs and animation to the worldwide television marketplace, licensing some 50,000 hours of television programming, including more than 6,000 feature films and 50 current series, dubbed or subtitled in more than 40 languages, to telecasters and cablecasters in more than 175 countries.

WBTVG provides original shortform programming for the broadband and wireless marketplace through its Studio 2.0 digital venture, and its digital media sales unit is devoted specifically to multiplatform domestic advertiser sales for both broadband and wireless. WBTVG continues its strategic expansion into digital production and distribution with the launch of several advertiser-supported entertainment destinations, including TheWB.com, a premium, video-on-demand interactive and personalized network and KidsWB.com, a premium destination built around youth-oriented immersive entertainment.

The final component of WBTVG is broadcasting: The CW Television Network, launched (in partnership with CBS) in September 2006 with quality, diverse programming, is targeted to the 18–34 audience.

Warner Bros. Animation’s combined classic and contemporary library currently boasts 14,000 animated episodes and shorts which air on domestic broadcast networks, as well as cable networks and in direct-to-video releases around the world. The classic library includes such brands as Looney Tunes, Merrie Melodies, Hanna-Barbera and Ruby-Spears as well as such beloved characters as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Sylvester, Tweety, Taz, Tom and Jerry, Popeye, Batman, Superman, the Flintstones, the Jetsons and Scooby-Doo.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment’s home video (Warner Home Video), digital distribution (Warner Bros. Digital Distribution), interactive entertainment/videogames (Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment), direct-to-consumer production (Warner Premiere), technical operations (Warner Bros. Technical Operations) and anti-piracy (Warner Bros. Anti-Piracy Operations) businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. WBHEG is responsible for the global distribution of content through DVD, electronic sell-through and transactional VOD, and delivery of theatrical content to wireless and online channels. It is also a significant worldwide publisher for both internal and third party videogame titles.

In 2010, Warner Home Video dominated the U.S. market as the number one company in total sell-through video (DVD and Blu-ray combined) with 20.6% marketshare, theatrical catalog, TV on DVD, non-theatrical family and animation, Blu-ray and VOD. WHV has been the number one studio in overall DVD sales 14 consecutive years, and is also the leading studio in the international home video space.

With more than 3,700 active licensees worldwide, Warner Bros. Consumer Products licenses the rights to names, likenesses and logos for all of the intellectual properties in Warner Bros. Entertainment’s vast film and television library. With a global network of offices and agents in key regions throughout the world, including North America, Latin America, Asia and Europe, WBCP maintains an ongoing commitment to expand and build the power of its core brands’ recognition in the international marketplace through strong and creative merchandising, promotional marketing and retail programs.

DC Entertainment’s DC Comics has been in continuous publication for more than 60 years, and is the leading comic book publisher in the industry and the creator of some of the world’s most recognized icons. DC’s characters continue to headline blockbuster feature films, live-action and animated television series, direct-to-video releases, collectors’ books, online entertainment, digital publishing, countless licensing and marketing arrangements and, most recently, graphic novels. DC continues to attract new readers and fans all over the world with its signature characters Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Justice League leading the way.

Warner Bros. International Cinemas provides a true state-of-the-art movie experience to audiences in Japan with more than 60 multiplex cinemas and more than 600 screens internationally. One of the pioneers in multiplex development for the international marketplace, WBIC is continually exploring new markets for expansion. (Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment)

Press Release

09 August 2010

MICROGAMING SET TO LAUNCH THE LORD OF THE RINGS™: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING ONLINE VIDEO SLOT GAME

First Title to Utilize Proprietary Cinematic Spins™ Technology Allowing Players to Experience the Film with Every Spin

ISLE OF MAN – Microgaming today announced the imminent launch of a new flagship game, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Online Video Slot Game. This slot game is the first to utilise Microgaming’s new Cinematic Spins™ technology, allowing gamers to see clips from the films with every spin.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is a new online slot game that is part of a multi-year licensing agreement Microgaming signed with Warner Bros. Digital Distribution in 2009. The company is developing a series of cutting-edge, graphic rich video slots based on this popular movie trilogy and will use animation material, themes, and characters, from the trilogy of The Lord of the Rings™ motion pictures that include The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. These online slot games will be available to adults only in countries where online gaming is permitted.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is the first online video slot to use Microgaming’s Cinematic Spins™ state-of-the-art gaming technology. This allows movie clips to act as moving backgrounds behind the reels during spins providing players an unprecedented level of excitement and immersion.

Win sequences and expanding wilds also use cinematic clips, instead of traditional animated graphics. The slots feature famous scenes from the film including Ringwraiths during the attack at Weathertop, Balrog in the Mines of Moria, and Uruk-hai in the woods of Middle-earth. Players will also enjoy seeing characters from the films that include Frodo, Aragorn, Saruman and the deadly Black Riders.

Roger Raatgever, CEO Microgaming comments: “Microgaming has always been ahead of the curve with innovative offerings, but this game really does push the boundaries of what an online slot can do. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring looks and feels like an extension of the big screen film experience and we’re confident that our operators will see a great deal of demand from their players, when the game is released. This is an important deal for Microgaming and highlights our commitment to partner with the right brands, at the right time. The Lord of the Rings is one of the most successful and well loved brands on the planet and we are excited about combining this widespread appeal with Microgaming’s groundbreaking software.”

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy generated $3 billion in worldwide box office receipts and was nominated for a total of 30 Academy Awards®; of which they won 17, including Best Picture.

- Ends -
Notes to editors:
*Cinematic Spins is a trademark held by Microgaming

© 2010 New Line Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and the names of the characters, items, events and places therein are trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises under license to New Line Productions, Inc.

For further information please contact:
Duncan Skehens / Laura Moss/ Lyndsay Haywood
Lansons Communications
020 7490 8828
DuncanS@lansons.com / LauraM@lansons.com / LyndsayH@lansons.com
Warner Bros. Digital Distribution

Peter Binazeski
818-977-5701
peter.binazeski@warnerbros.com
About Microgaming (www.microgaming.com)
Since the company developed the first true online Casino software over a decade ago, it has led the industry in providing innovative, reliable gaming solutions. Thanks to an unrivalled R&D programme, that averages 60 games per year and a unique ‘partnership’ approach to working with operators; Microgaming software powers over 160 market-leading online gaming sites.
The company’s front and back-end software supports multi-player, multi-language games - over 500 of them, all uniquely branded and provides platforms for land-based and wireless gaming. Microgaming powers the world’s largest Progressive Jackpot Network and has paid out over €265million. In May 2009 it created the biggest ever online jackpot winner with a single payment win of €6.37m.

As a founding member of eCOGRA, Microgaming is at the forefront of an initiative focused on setting the highest standards in the gaming industry, and leads in the areas of fair gaming, responsible operator conduct and player protection. Microgaming has been awarded eCOGRA’s Certified Software Seal following a rigorous onsite assessment to ensure that the development, implementation and maintenance of the software is representative of industry best practice standards Microgaming licensees are therefore eligible to apply for the eCOGRA Safe & Fair Seal.

About Warner Bros. Digital Distribution
Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD) manages Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group's (WBHEG) electronic distribution over existing, new and emerging digital platforms, including pay-per-view, electronic sell-through, video-on-demand, wireless and more. WBDD also oversees the WBHEG's worldwide digital strategy, partnerships in digital services and emerging new clients and business activities in the digital space.

News

2009

With Time Warner sitting on $7 billion in cash, the Marvel deal has ignited rumours of a second wave of consolidation in the media industry. Dream Works Animation, home of Shrek, is seen as a potential takeover candidate, as is MGM with its huge library of classic films. The games firms Electronic Arts and Take Two Interactive, with its Grand Theft Auto franchise, are also being touted as potential buys.

Profile

Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. (also known as Warner Bros. Pictures, or simply Warner Bros.) is one of the world's largest producers of film and television entertainment.

It is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank, California and New York City. Warner Bros. has several subsidiary companies, including Warner Bros. Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Home Video, TheWB.com and DC Comics. Warner owns half of The CW Television Network.

Founded in 1918 by Jewish immigrants from Poland, Warner Bros. is the third-oldest American movie studio in continuous operation, after Paramount Pictures, founded in 1912 as Famous Players, and Universal Studios, also founded in 1912.