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Bitcoin Turns 15 amidst a Surge in Value and ETF Buzz

Published

2 years ago

on

Bitcoin Turns 15 amidst a Surge in Value and ETF Buzz

Exactly
fifteen years ago, an anonymous figure named Satoshi Nakamoto mined the Bitcoin
genesis block, containing the first 50 BTC ever created. The anonymous mastermind
behind the cryptocurrency, could not have anticipated the experiment’s evolution
into a global phenomenon and a trillion-dollar asset class.

Bitcoin’s
15th anniversary occurs at a critial time, with its price at its highest level
since April 2022. Also, the industry is eagerly awaiting the approval of the
first-ever Wall Street ETF tracking the spot price of BTC. On this special day,
we wish Bitcoin many more years of success!

Bitcoin,
the world’s first and most popular cryptocurrency, has not one but two
important dates that are celebrated by its enthusiasts worldwide. While there
is some debate around which date marks Bitcoin ‘s true birthday, 3 January and 31
October both represent major milestones in the technology’s history.

3 January marks the creation of the Bitcoin genesis block in 2009, the first block ever
mined on the Bitcoin blockchain by the pseudonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto.
This date represents the official launch of the Bitcoin network and is thus
referred as Bitcoin’s birthday.

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Bitcoin Genesis Block. Source: Blockchain.com

31 October, on the other hand, memorializes the publication of the seminal Bitcoin
whitepaper in 2008. Authored by Nakamoto, this document outlined the conceptual
design for Bitcoin and its promises as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system.
As such, 31 October marks the revelation of Bitcoin to the world, before any
code had been written.

While
3 January celebrates the actual genesis of the technology, October 31st
honors its conceptual beginnings. Together, they bookmark the short but dynamic
history of Bitcoin. As of January 2024, nearly 1 million Bitcoin blocks have
been mined and the network hash rate exceeds 500 exahashes per second, making
it incredibly secure.

Details of the Genesis Block. Source: Blockchain.com

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There are
close to 34,000 Bitcoin ATMs installed globally and Bitcoin is accepted by
major companies like Microsoft, AT&T and Home Depot. Others, like MicroStrategy
and Tesla have added Bitcoin to their balance sheets. El Salvador became the
first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021.

Moreover,
the 15th birthday could be pivotal as Bitcoin soon faces two very important
events.

Bitcoin Halving, Spot BTC
ETF Approval and $80K Forecast

This week,
Bitcoin surpassed the $45,000 mark for the first time in nearly two years,
largely due to weekend rumors that the US Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) might approve the first-ever spot Bitcoin ETF on Wall Street. Experts
believe that this could trigger a new wave of mass institutional adoption.

“We believe there is still room for the rally to extend once the ETFs are
finally approved. As much as the event has been priced in, given how much hangs
in the balance, there is definitely some money sitting on the side-lines,
waiting for an actual confirmation,” Joel
Kruger, the Market Strategist at LMAX Group, commented.

Moreover,
in the coming months, Bitcoin will experience a “halving ” event, cutting
the reward for mining new blocks by half. Historically, this has led to
significant increases in the cryptocurrency’s value.

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Based on
these two factors, analysts at AllianceBernstein predict that Bitcoin’s price
will reach new record levels in 2024, potentially testing the $80,000 mark.
Given that its price increased by over 150% in 2023, this prediction does not
seem far-fetched.

“Bitcoin
ETF flows build-up could be gradual, but the applicants will be fighting hard
to get a lead in this massive asset accumulation game, tuning up advertising
and Bitcoin branding leading to a snowball effect,” the analysts noted.

Will the
first bitcoin ETF be approved by the SEC on Bitcoin’s birthday? Cryptocurrency
enthusiasts would certainly wish for it.

Exactly
fifteen years ago, an anonymous figure named Satoshi Nakamoto mined the Bitcoin
genesis block, containing the first 50 BTC ever created. The anonymous mastermind
behind the cryptocurrency, could not have anticipated the experiment’s evolution
into a global phenomenon and a trillion-dollar asset class.

Bitcoin’s
15th anniversary occurs at a critial time, with its price at its highest level
since April 2022. Also, the industry is eagerly awaiting the approval of the
first-ever Wall Street ETF tracking the spot price of BTC. On this special day,
we wish Bitcoin many more years of success!

Advertisement

Bitcoin,
the world’s first and most popular cryptocurrency, has not one but two
important dates that are celebrated by its enthusiasts worldwide. While there
is some debate around which date marks Bitcoin ‘s true birthday, 3 January and 31
October both represent major milestones in the technology’s history.

3 January marks the creation of the Bitcoin genesis block in 2009, the first block ever
mined on the Bitcoin blockchain by the pseudonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto.
This date represents the official launch of the Bitcoin network and is thus
referred as Bitcoin’s birthday.

Bitcoin Genesis Block. Source: Blockchain.com

Advertisement

31 October, on the other hand, memorializes the publication of the seminal Bitcoin
whitepaper in 2008. Authored by Nakamoto, this document outlined the conceptual
design for Bitcoin and its promises as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system.
As such, 31 October marks the revelation of Bitcoin to the world, before any
code had been written.

While
3 January celebrates the actual genesis of the technology, October 31st
honors its conceptual beginnings. Together, they bookmark the short but dynamic
history of Bitcoin. As of January 2024, nearly 1 million Bitcoin blocks have
been mined and the network hash rate exceeds 500 exahashes per second, making
it incredibly secure.

Details of the Genesis Block. Source: Blockchain.com

There are
close to 34,000 Bitcoin ATMs installed globally and Bitcoin is accepted by
major companies like Microsoft, AT&T and Home Depot. Others, like MicroStrategy
and Tesla have added Bitcoin to their balance sheets. El Salvador became the
first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021.

Moreover,
the 15th birthday could be pivotal as Bitcoin soon faces two very important
events.

Advertisement

Bitcoin Halving, Spot BTC
ETF Approval and $80K Forecast

This week,
Bitcoin surpassed the $45,000 mark for the first time in nearly two years,
largely due to weekend rumors that the US Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) might approve the first-ever spot Bitcoin ETF on Wall Street. Experts
believe that this could trigger a new wave of mass institutional adoption.

“We believe there is still room for the rally to extend once the ETFs are
finally approved. As much as the event has been priced in, given how much hangs
in the balance, there is definitely some money sitting on the side-lines,
waiting for an actual confirmation,” Joel
Kruger, the Market Strategist at LMAX Group, commented.

Moreover,
in the coming months, Bitcoin will experience a “halving ” event, cutting
the reward for mining new blocks by half. Historically, this has led to
significant increases in the cryptocurrency’s value.

Based on
these two factors, analysts at AllianceBernstein predict that Bitcoin’s price
will reach new record levels in 2024, potentially testing the $80,000 mark.
Given that its price increased by over 150% in 2023, this prediction does not
seem far-fetched.

“Bitcoin
ETF flows build-up could be gradual, but the applicants will be fighting hard
to get a lead in this massive asset accumulation game, tuning up advertising
and Bitcoin branding leading to a snowball effect,” the analysts noted.

Advertisement

Will the
first bitcoin ETF be approved by the SEC on Bitcoin’s birthday? Cryptocurrency
enthusiasts would certainly wish for it.

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Crypto

IHC Executes $30M DDSC Stablecoin Trade as UAE Digital Payments Enter New Phase

Published

4 hours ago

on

May 25, 2026

By

IHC Executes M DDSC Stablecoin Trade as UAE Digital Payments Enter New Phase

Key Takeaways

Major Institutional Transaction Executed

The Abu Dhabi-based global investment company, International Holding Company (IHC), has executed a $30 million (AED 110 million) transaction using a stablecoin backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) dirham, marking the first major institutional use of the stablecoin since receiving regulatory approval. The transaction was carried out using the DDSC stablecoin on ADI Chain, an institutional Layer-2 blockchain developed by the ADI Foundation.

Officials said the multimillion-dollar transaction demonstrates the digital currency ecosystem’s operational readiness and ability to handle institutional volumes. DDSC was created through a partnership among IHC, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Sirius International Holding, with technological support from the ADI Foundation.

The Central Bank of the UAE’s approval of the DDSC stablecoin earlier this year is part of a broader regulatory push that has already seen multiple dirham-backed tokens clear licensing hurdles. As per one report, the first AED stablecoin to secure central bank approval was the AE Coin, issued by Al Maryah Community Bank (Mbank). Additionally, Zand Bank recently obtained a license for AEDZ, distinguishing itself as the UAE’s first regulated, multi-chain AED-backed stablecoin designed to operate natively on public blockchains.

According to a media statement, the project aims to provide secure and regulated digital transactions for corporations and individuals while speeding up cross-border payments and trade settlements.

“This transaction demonstrates that the UAE’s digital infrastructure is live, resilient, and ready to support real institutional financial activity,” Syed Basar Shueb, chief executive officer of IHC, said in a statement. “Executing 110 million DDSC on ADI Chain is a clear signal that we are entering the next phase, where institutional-grade digital assets are not only viable, but operational at scale.”

Proponents of stablecoins argue they reduce the high costs, delays and complexities associated with traditional international banking systems, particularly in emerging markets.

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Following the successful transaction, developers said they plan to expand institutional participation and establish new digital trade and payment corridors connecting the Middle East with global markets.

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Crypto

Weekend Round-Up: Bitcoin’s Big Players, XRP ETFs, SpaceX’s BTC Holdings And More

Published

16 hours ago

on

May 24, 2026

By

Weekend Round-Up: Bitcoin’s Big Players, XRP ETFs, SpaceX’s BTC Holdings And More

This week was a rollercoaster ride in the world of cryptocurrency and NFTs. From Michael Saylor and Kevin O’Leary sharing their insights on Bitcoin, to the surprising performance of XRP ETFs and SpaceX revealing its Bitcoin holdings ahead of its IPO. Not to forget, the popular NFT brand Pudgy Penguins is extending its partnership with Manchester City Soccer Club.

Let’s dive into the details.

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Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin Perspective

Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy Inc., stated that Bitcoin would have been trading between $40,000 and $50,000 without his company’s involvement. MicroStrategy is the world’s largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, owning approximately 818,000 units. Saylor believes that even without his company, Bitcoin would have found success, but MicroStrategy’s involvement accelerated its price appreciation.

Read the full article here.

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Kevin O’Leary’s Take On Bitcoin

Kevin O’Leary, the “Shark Tank” star, emphasized the need for a crypto bill to pass for Bitcoin and tokenization to move beyond the fringes for major institutional players. He believes that global compliance within the SEC through the passage of a bill will change everything. With the midterms approaching in November, O’Leary sees the present as the perfect opportunity to pass this bill.

Read the full article here.