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Bitcoin Turns 15 amidst a Surge in Value and ETF Buzz

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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.

Crypto

2 Cryptocurrencies That Could Double Over the Next 5 Years | The Motley Fool

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2 Cryptocurrencies That Could Double Over the Next 5 Years | The Motley Fool

The recent downturn in the crypto market has pushed many leading digital assets to significantly discounted levels, creating potential opportunities for long-term investors. Right now, many major cryptocurrencies are trading 50% or more below their all-time highs. Theoretically, all of them are prime candidates to double in value over the next five years, if not sooner.

Here are two cryptos trading at deep-discount valuations to their all-time highs, with plenty of potential new catalysts on the way in 2026. Both are solid comeback plays.

Bitcoin

At $74,000, Bitcoin (BTC 3.15%) is now trading 42% below its all-time high of $126,000 from October 2025. That’s a steep reversal of fortune for a cryptocurrency that seemed to be on a rocket ship to $200,000 at the start of 2025.

That’s why I think Bitcoin may be oversold right now. There’s plenty of reason to think that Bitcoin will reclaim its all-time high from 2025, and then climb ever higher to the $150,000 price level.

Image source: Getty Images.

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In fact, online prediction markets currently give Bitcoin a 12% chance of doubling in value this year to hit $150,000. Even better, Bitcoin also has a slim chance (5%) of hitting the $200,000 price level before 2027.

Right now, there are two major catalysts for Bitcoin. One is the return of the “digital gold” investment thesis for Bitcoin. Suddenly, Bitcoin is a safe-haven asset, similar to physical gold. In the wake of Middle East hostilities, Bitcoin has held up admirably. It’s now up nearly 10% since the launch of missile strikes on Iran.

The other key catalyst is the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The thinking now is the Republican administration might be tempted to pump up the price of Bitcoin ahead of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, in order to advance their own political ambitions. To do so, they might initiate the buying of new Bitcoin for the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. That might sound implausible (or perhaps deeply cynical), but plenty of high-profile investors think it might happen, including Cathie Wood of Ark Invest.

XRP

XRP (XRP 3.76%) is another beaten-down cryptocurrency that seemed to be on a rocket ship to the double-digit price range. But, alas, XRP hit a 52-week high of $3.65 in July 2025, and never recovered. It’s been on an epic swoon since then, and currently trades for just $1.50.

XRP Stock Quote

Today’s Change

(-3.76%) $-0.05

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Current Price

$1.39

But here’s the thing: Ripple, the company behind the XRP crypto token, recently laid out a five-year plan for XRP that should help to send it much higher over the next few years. Investors will need to be patient, but XRP might regain the $3 price point as early as this year. Online prediction markets currently give XRP a 20% chance of hitting $3 before 2027.

Thanks to a series of blockchain and crypto-related acquisitions worth more than a combined $3 billion, Ripple is now working on a strategy to find more use cases for the XRP token and boost overall institutional adoption. As a base-case scenario, XRP should begin to account for a greater and greater percentage of global cross-border payments. According to executives at Ripple, that figure could be as high as 14% by the year 2030.

How long will it take to double in value?

Just keep in mind: There are no sure things in crypto, even for market behemoths such as Bitcoin and XRP. Before these two cryptos head higher, there may be a series of feints, head-fakes, and double-moves, making it close to impossible for crypto investors to tell what’s really happening until it’s too late.

As a result, it might take as long as five years for these two cryptocurrencies to double in value. But I’m highly confident that a modest upfront investment in these two cryptocurrencies today will pay off big later, as long as investors are willing to buy and hold for the long haul.

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ASML: The Foundational Tech Firm vs. Cryptocurrency Market Volatility – News and Statistics – IndexBox

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ASML: The Foundational Tech Firm vs. Cryptocurrency Market Volatility – News and Statistics – IndexBox

Mar 22, 2026

According to a report from Yahoo Finance, the cryptocurrency market has experienced significant volatility recently. Bitcoin’s value has fallen considerably from a peak recorded late last year, declining by a notable percentage year-to-date and dropping below a key threshold last month. While such digital assets may hold potential, their extreme price fluctuations can rapidly erase substantial gains, leading to sustained skepticism over many years since their inception.

ASML’s Critical Position in Semiconductor Industry

In contrast, companies that demonstrably add value to the global economy are highlighted. ASML (NASDAQ: ASML), based in the Netherlands, is presented as a prime example of such a firm. The company is described as utterly foundational to the technology sector, operating with a unique market position.

ASML is the sole global manufacturer of extreme ultraviolet lithography machines, which are essential for producing the most advanced semiconductor chips. These highly complex machines are extremely large, require specialized transportation, and carry a price tag exceeding several hundred million dollars each. They function by using a precise laser to etch microscopic patterns onto silicon wafers.

Older lithography systems from other manufacturers cannot produce chips at the most advanced scales, such as those measuring seven nanometers or smaller. Consequently, every major semiconductor fabrication company and, by extension, the broader technology industry relies directly or indirectly on ASML’s equipment. This entrenched reliance suggests the company is well-positioned to maintain its dominant role as demand for semiconductors grows.

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This report provides a comprehensive view of the semiconductor wafer manufacturing machine industry in the Netherlands, tracking demand, supply, and trade flows across the national value chain. It explains how demand across key channels and end-use segments shapes consumption patterns, while also mapping the role of input availability, production efficiency, and regulatory standards on supply.

Beyond headline metrics, the study benchmarks prices, margins, and trade routes so you can see where value is created and how it moves between domestic suppliers and international partners. The analysis is designed to support strategic planning, market entry, portfolio prioritization, and risk management in the semiconductor wafer manufacturing machine landscape in the Netherlands.

Quick navigation

Key findings

  • Domestic demand is shaped by both household and industrial usage, with trade flows linking local supply to imports and exports.
  • Pricing dynamics reflect unit values, freight costs, exchange rates, and regulatory shifts that affect sourcing decisions.
  • Supply depends on input availability and production efficiency, creating a distinct national cost curve.
  • Market concentration varies by segment, creating different competitive landscapes and entry barriers.
  • The 2035 outlook highlights where capacity investment and demand growth are most aligned within the country.

Report scope

The report combines market sizing with trade intelligence and price analytics for the Netherlands. It covers both historical performance and the forward outlook to 2035, allowing you to compare cycles, structural shifts, and policy impacts.

  • Market size and growth in value and volume terms
  • Consumption structure by end-use segments
  • Production capacity, output, and cost dynamics
  • Trade flows, exporters, importers, and balances
  • Price benchmarks, unit values, and margin signals
  • Competitive context and market entry conditions

Product coverage

  • Prodcom 28992020 – Machines and apparatus used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor boules or wafers

Country coverage

Country profile and benchmarks

This report provides a consistent view of market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for the Netherlands. The profile highlights demand structure and trade position, enabling benchmarking against regional and global peers.

Methodology

The analysis is built on a multi-source framework that combines official statistics, trade records, company disclosures, and expert validation. Data are standardized, reconciled, and cross-checked to ensure consistency across time series.

  • International trade data (exports, imports, and mirror statistics)
  • National production and consumption statistics
  • Company-level information from financial filings and public releases
  • Price series and unit value benchmarks
  • Analyst review, outlier checks, and time-series validation

All data are normalized to a common product definition and mapped to a consistent set of codes. This ensures that comparisons across time are aligned and actionable.

Forecasts to 2035

The forecast horizon extends to 2035 and is based on a structured model that links semiconductor wafer manufacturing machine demand and supply to macroeconomic indicators, trade patterns, and sector-specific drivers. The model captures both cyclical and structural factors and reflects known policy and technology shifts in the Netherlands.

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  • Historical baseline: 2012-2025
  • Forecast horizon: 2026-2035
  • Scenario-based sensitivity to income growth, substitution, and regulation
  • Capacity and investment outlook for major producing companies

Each projection is built from national historical patterns and the broader regional context, allowing the report to show where growth is concentrated and where risks are elevated.

Price analysis and trade dynamics

Prices are analyzed in detail, including export and import unit values, regional spreads, and changes in trade costs. The report highlights how seasonality, freight rates, exchange rates, and supply disruptions influence pricing and margins.

  • Price benchmarks by country and sub-region
  • Export and import unit value trends
  • Seasonality and calendar effects in trade flows
  • Price outlook to 2035 under baseline assumptions

Profiles of market participants

Key producers, exporters, and distributors are profiled with a focus on their operational scale, geographic footprint, product mix, and market positioning. This helps identify competitive pressure points, partnership opportunities, and routes to differentiation.

  • Business focus and production capabilities
  • Geographic reach and distribution networks
  • Cost structure and pricing strategy indicators
  • Compliance, certification, and sustainability context

How to use this report

  • Quantify domestic demand and identify the most attractive segments
  • Evaluate export opportunities and prioritize target destinations
  • Track price dynamics and protect margins
  • Benchmark performance against leading competitors
  • Build evidence-based forecasts for investment decisions

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, wholesalers, investors, and advisors who need a clear, data-driven picture of semiconductor wafer manufacturing machine dynamics in the Netherlands.

FAQ

What is included in the semiconductor wafer manufacturing machine market in the Netherlands?

The market size aggregates consumption and trade data, presented in both value and volume terms.

How are the forecasts to 2035 built?

The projections combine historical trends with macroeconomic indicators, trade dynamics, and sector-specific drivers.

Does the report cover prices and margins?

Yes, it includes export and import unit values, regional spreads, and a pricing outlook to 2035.

Which benchmarks are included?

The report benchmarks market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for the Netherlands.

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Can this report support market entry decisions?

Yes, it highlights demand hotspots, trade routes, pricing trends, and competitive context.

  1. 1. INTRODUCTION

    Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

    1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
    3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
  2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    A Quick Overview of Market Performance

    1. KEY FINDINGS
    2. MARKET TRENDSThis Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
    2. MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
    3. TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
    4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
    5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035
  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS
  5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

    Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

    1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
    3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
  6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

    Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

    1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
    3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
    4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS
  7. 7. PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
  8. 8. IMPORTS

    The Largest Import Supplying Countries

    1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025)
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025)
  9. 9. EXPORTS

    The Largest Destinations for Exports

    1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025)
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025)
  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

  11. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2025
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    4. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
    6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
    7. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2025
    8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
    9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
    10. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2025
  12. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    7. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    8. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
    9. Market Value Forecast to 2035
    10. Market Size and Growth, By Product
    11. Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
    12. Exports and Growth, By Product
    13. Export Prices and Growth, By Product
    14. Production Volume and Growth
    15. Exports and Growth
    16. Export Prices and Growth
    17. Market Size and Growth
    18. Per Capita Consumption
    19. Imports and Growth
    20. Import Prices
    21. Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    22. Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    23. Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    24. Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2025
    26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
    27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
    28. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2025
    29. Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    30. Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2025
    32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
    33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
    34. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2025
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Crypto

EOW registers case against cryptocurrency firm

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EOW registers case against cryptocurrency firm

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) CID police registered a case against a Chennai-based cryptocurrency investment firm and its director for defrauding investors by promising high monthly returns.

Investors claimed that TFT Block Chain Services Private Limited, operating under the name Tycoon Fintech, defrauded the public by collecting investments ranging from ₹20 crore to ₹30 crore.

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