Crypto
Bitcoin Amsterdam: BTC shines in depths of crypto bear market
The Bitcoin (BTC) value proposition continues to be a source of confidence for investors and proponents amid prevailing depressed market conditions in the broader cryptocurrency space.
This was a key takeaway from in-depth interviews with Bitcoin developers, advocates, analysts and influential figures during the Bitcoin Amsterdam 2023 conference.
Jameson Lopp, the CEO of Bitcoin custody firm Casa, provides food for thought with less than a year to go before Bitcoin’s next mining reward halving. In a conversation with Cointelegraph, the Bitcoin advocate and software engineer said BTC’s value proposition has been a stronghold through months of tough market conditions:
“During the bear market, so many people have lost money on all these other tokens. Once again, Bitcoin is shining as the safer asset.”
Dylan LeClair is another prominent voice in the Bitcoin space who continues to advocate the fundamentals of the asset amid an unprecedented economic landscape in the United States. The Bitcoin analyst tells Cointelegraph that the average investor continues to “passively plow” into a basket of government bonds and U.S. companies in the hopes of making money over the long term.
Related: Bitcoin Amsterdam: Focus on BTC fundamentals, says Edward Snowden
LeClair admits that while no analyst can guarantee returns on investments in any one asset or vehicle, there is an increasingly strong argument for the long-term potential of Bitcoin:
“Nothing is guaranteed, but its fundamentals suggest that in a very long time frame, you’re going to be securing a very good store of value. Like how people used to buy property or buy gold, whereas it has digital characteristics.”
The analyst adds that Bitcoin continues to be a means for citizens of countries facing hyperinflation to safeguard and control their wealth:
“The people using Bitcoin — the true adopters — have more conviction than ever, and it’s more widespread than ever. People in third-world countries are using Bitcoin not because it’s fashionable or hyped. It’s because they’re using it to save them from losing everything.”
Meanwhile, Bitcoin developer and educator Jimmy Song tells Cointelegraph that altcoins have detracted from the transformational potential of Bitcoin by “muddying the waters between centralization and decentralization:”
“We’re seeing how a lot of people think that Sam Bankman-Fried is somehow the CEO of Bitcoin — it’s just dirtying Bitcoin’s good name.”
Song also suggests that various cryptocurrency projects have co-opted Bitcoin’s reputation for their own gain, which has left unsuspecting investors the ultimate losers:
“People get confused, they get screwed out of it, and then they swear off crypto forever or something like that, not having ever understood anything about it.”
Prince Filip Karađorđević of Serbia spoke to Cointelegraph just before hosting a one-on-one with President Miguel Albuquerque of Madeira. The autonomous Portuguese archipelago is set to launch a Bitcoin business hub as a means to drive the adoption of the cryptocurrency.
Karađorđević has become a Bitcoin advocate in recent years and now works for Jan3, a Bitcoin firm founded by Samson Mow looking to drive nation-state use of BTC. Conversations centered around the potential of Bitcoin highlighted how the digital asset has different value propositions for developed, developing and first-world economies.
“In developing countries, you’ll see much more adoption there — countries that really have double and triple-digit inflation, your Lebanon’s, Nigeria’s, Argentina’s.”
Meanwhile, developed nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Switzerland will see varying degrees of adoption dependent on regulation and education.
NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden stressed the importance of Bitcoin in combatting tyranny and governmental overreach while providing individual sovereignty of wealth during a virtual address at the conference.
Collect this article as an NFT to preserve this moment in history and show your support for independent journalism in the crypto space.
Magazine: ‘Elegant and ass-backward’: Jameson Lopp’s first impression of Bitcoin
An up-and-coming player in the world of cryptocurrency is looking to revolutionize the industry through its unique processes that highlight sustainability.
According to Be3, cryptocurrency XRP, developed by Ripple Labs, could have a “transformative impact on both finance and environmental sustainability” thanks to its unique consensus mechanism that does not require mining and uses a negligible amount of energy even as it scales.
It generates a minuscule amount of pollutants per transaction while producing 1,110 pounds of electronic waste and impacting just over 8 cubic miles of natural resources.
This approach separates XRP from its contemporaries, which often rely on the notoriously power-hungry proof-of-work systems and hulking mining centers that can destabilize the grid.
Statistics provided by TRG Datacenters show that XRP is the second-most eco-friendly cryptocurrency behind IOTA, consuming just 0.0079 kilowatt-hours per transaction. Comparatively, bitcoin ranks last at a staggering 707 KWh per transaction.
Furthermore, the cryptocurrency became the first major global blockchain to achieve carbon net zero by purchasing enough renewable energy to offset its minimal energy requirements, per the XRP Ledger.
Be3 also noted other features that make XRP an attractive option for institutions focused on environmental responsibility, as it takes just three to five seconds to settle at fractions of a cent per transaction.
It’s a welcome addition to a sector that desperately needs more sustainable options. A study by the International Monetary Fund found that crypto mines, in conjunction with artificial intelligence data centers, accounted for 2% of global electricity demand and 1% of carbon dioxide pollution in 2022.
The United Nations found that the bitcoin mining network used 173.42 terawatt-hours of electricity between 2020 and 2021, resulting in a carbon footprint equivalent to burning 84 billion pounds of coal.
Coal and natural gas also supplied 66% of the energy for mining operations during this period, polluting the planet with planet-warming gases.
Luckily, the sector has made significant strides in recent times in an effort to become more eco-friendly.
Alephium, which utilizes a proof-of-work blockchain, has partnered with Gigatons to implement a proof-of-less-work consensus that is significantly more energy efficient.
Meanwhile, Ethereum has transitioned to a proof-of-stake system that has cut its energy consumption by nearly 100%.
“In a world increasingly attentive to environmental impact, XRP’s innovative technology not only promises efficiency but also a greener future,” Be3 wrote.
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Zagreb, Croatia–(Newsfile Corp. – January 12, 2025) – ZIUM, a cutting-edge agency founded to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in social media and digital marketing, is now officially open for business. Specializing in Instagram username claims, account unbans, and cryptocurrency marketing, ZIUM has positioned itself as a trusted partner for individuals and businesses seeking innovative solutions in the digital age.
The agency operates at the intersection of technology, social media, and blockchain marketing, empowering clients to unlock their full potential online. With a dedicated team of experts and a results-driven approach, ZIUM is redefining the way people navigate the ever-changing online landscape.
ZIUM
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
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A New Era of Digital Problem Solving
ZIUM’s services address real-world challenges in today’s digital ecosystem. Instagram, one of the largest and most influential social platforms, has become a critical tool for personal branding, business promotion, and community engagement. However, issues such as unavailable usernames or unfair account suspensions can hinder growth and cause frustration. ZIUM steps in to provide solutions that are fast, efficient, and tailored to each client’s needs.
Additionally, ZIUM excels in cryptocurrency marketing, offering projects and startups a strategic edge in the fast-paced blockchain industry. By combining deep knowledge of crypto trends with cutting-edge marketing strategies, the agency helps blockchain projects stand out in an increasingly crowded market.
Core Services Offered by ZIUM
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Instagram Username Claims
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Instagram Account Unbans
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Cryptocurrency Marketing
The cryptocurrency space is highly competitive, and visibility is key. ZIUM provides end-to-end marketing strategies tailored to blockchain projects, ensuring they reach the right audience. From brand development to targeted campaigns, ZIUM helps crypto ventures grow and thrive in an ever-evolving market.
Donald Trump is making news once more, but this time it’s not for political reasons; it’s about cryptocurrency. As he prepares to return as the 47th President of the United States, Trump will become the first sitting president to own meme currencies, a decision that has stirred both enthusiasm and skepticism in the crypto community.
Trump: A Significant Crypto Portfolio
Recent sources claim that Trump’s crypto wallet consists largely of meme coins and is valued roughly $8 million. Among the assets are $1.5 million in a meme currency with Trump-themed design and $5.5 million in TROG tokens.
In addition, he has about 1.3 billion GUA coins, which amounts to nearly $400,000, and $167,000 in TRUMPIUS tokens. This is a first of its kind, where Trump becomes an oddity in the world of politics and cryptocurrency, considering his earlier reluctance towards digital assets.
DONALD J. TRUMP WILL BE THE FIRST SITTING US PRESIDENT TO HOLD MEMECOINS pic.twitter.com/ODlNXDaKIT
— Arkham (@arkham) January 10, 2025
From Skepticism To Support
Trump’s journey into the crypto world is notable. He had been a strong critic of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, calling them scams. But that all changed in 2024 when he started publicly endorsing Bitcoin and speaking out for the right to own it. That’s a broader trend among politicians, who are increasingly recognizing the potential of cryptocurrencies and their growing popularity among voters.
Trump’s financial success in the digital sphere was also aided by his venture into non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on Ethereum. Trump reportedly made a good living from these endeavors, and he currently owns roughly 496.77 ETH, which is worth about $1.6 million.
Implications For Regulation
Many people are eager to see how Trump’s administration will regulate cryptocurrencies now that he is back in office. A possible change toward a more advantageous regulatory climate for digital assets is hinted at by the nomination of important individuals like David Sacks as “Crypto Czar” and Paul Atkins as SEC chair. This could result in more precise rules for investors and businesses involved in the cryptocurrency industry.
Donald Trump. Image: Ronda Churchill/Reuters
The policies by Trump are already changing market dynamics as everybody is anxiously awaiting them. During this time when Bitcoin hit a record high of $108k, while meme coins surged, analysts still feel that Trump could make the year 2025 a major turning point in cryptocurrencies.
Meme Coin Boom
The rise of Trump-owned meme coins is indicative of a broader cultural shift among younger investors who are fed up with established financial institutions. This combination of the political influence of Trump and the speculative nature of meme coins puts a scenario under which political events could significantly affect cryptocurrency markets. Thus, while the investors go about this, they are not ignorant of the volatility that is usually associated with meme coins.
Featured image from Fortanix, chart from TradingView
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