Crypto
Bitcoin's fourth technical 'halving' change is complete. What does it mean?
Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, has completed its “halving”, a phenomenon that happens roughly every four years, according to CoinGecko, a cryptocurrency data and analysis company.
Bitcoin was fairly stable immediately afterwards, falling 0.47 per cent to $99,340.
What is it?
Bitcoin enthusiasts had eagerly waited for the halving — a change to the cryptocurrency’s underlying technology designed to reduce the rate at which new bitcoins are released into circulation.
The halving was written into bitcoin’s code at its inception by pseudonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto.
Chris Gannatti, global head of research at asset manager WisdomTree, which markets bitcoin exchange-traded funds, called the halving “one of the biggest events in crypto this year”.
For some crypto fans, the halving will underscore bitcoin’s value as an increasingly scarce commodity.
Nakamoto capped bitcoin’s supply at 21 million tokens.
But sceptics see it as little more than a technical change talked up by speculators to inflate the virtual currency’s price.
How does it work?
The operation works by halving the rewards cryptocurrency miners receive for creating new tokens, making it more expensive for them to put new bitcoins into circulation.
It follows a surge in bitcoin’s price to an all-time high of $73,803.25 in March BTC=, having spent much of 2023 slowly recovering from 2022’s dramatic plunge.
On Thursday the world’s biggest cryptocurrency was trading at $99,462.
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have been supported by excitement around the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s decision in January to approve spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds, as well as expectations that central banks will cut interest rates.
Previous halvings occurred in 2012, 2016 and 2020.
No price increase expected
Some crypto fans point to price rallies that followed them as a sign that bitcoin’s next halving will boost its price, but many analysts are sceptical.
“We do not expect bitcoin price increases post halving as it has been already priced in,” JP Morgan analysts wrote this week.
They expect bitcoin’s price to fall after the halving because it is “overbought” and venture capital funding for the crypto industry has been “subdued” this year.
Financial regulators have long warned that bitcoin is a high-risk asset, with limited real-world uses, although more have begun to approve bitcoin-linked trading products.
Andrew O’Neill, a crypto analyst at S&P Global, said he was “somewhat sceptical of the lessons that can be taken in terms of price prediction from previous halvings”.
“It’s only one factor in a multitude of factors that can drive price,” he said.
Bitcoin has struggled for direction since March’s record high and fallen in the last two weeks as geopolitical tensions and expectations that central banks will keep rates higher for longer unnerved global markets.
Reuters
Crypto
Bitcoin price today: recovers to $59k but rate fears cloud outlook By Investing.com
Investing.com– Bitcoin price rose on Friday, taking some relief from a sharp drop in the dollar, although the outlook for the cryptocurrency remained bleak in the face of high for longer U.S. interest rates.
Traders also remained largely averse towards cryptocurrencies ahead of key nonfarm payrolls data on Friday, which is likely to factor into the outlook for interest rates.
rose 3.7% in the past 24 hours to $59,529.4 by 01:07 ET (05:07 GMT). The world’s largest cryptocurrency remained close to bear market territory after tumbling over 20% from a record high hit in March.
Dollar drop offers some relief to Bitcoin, but weekly losses on tap
A sharp overnight drop in the gave Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies some breathing room, although they were still headed for losses this week.
Bitcoin was trading down 6.2% for this week, with traders remaining averse towards crypto in the face of high-for-longer U.S. interest rates.
This was also seen with Bitcoin investment products, specifically spot exchange-traded funds, clocking three straight weeks of declines. While approval of the ETFs had driven Bitcoin prices to record highs in March, enthusiasm over the approval now appeared to be running dry.
This also kept Bitcoin trading between $60,000 to $70,000 for over a month, although it broke below that trading range this week.
Crypto price today: Altcoins advance ahead of nonfarm payrolls
Most altcoins tracked gains in Bitcoin, recovering a measure of losses seen earlier this week.
But gains were limited by anticipation of key U.S. data, which is likely to factor into the outlook for interest rates.
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World no.2 token rose 2.6% to $2,999.45, while and added 8% and 1.7%, respectively.
All three altcoins were trading in a flat-to-low range for the week. The prospect of high U.S. interest rates bodes poorly for crypto markets, given that their speculative nature sees them thrive in a low-rate, high-liquidity environment.
data due later on Friday is expected to show persistent strength in the U.S. labor market- a scenario that gives the Fed more headroom to keep rates high for longer.
The central bank had warned earlier this week that it had no immediate plans to reduce rates, especially amid recent signs of sticky U.S. inflation.
Crypto
Cryptocurrency: Top 3 Layer 2 Coins By Development Activity To Buy Now
Cryptocurrency investors are increasingly focusing on projects with strong fundamentals and active development. Layer 2 solutions, which aim to improve the scalability and efficiency of blockchain networks, have garnered significant attention in recent months.
According to a recent tweet by Santiment, a leading cryptocurrency analytics platform, three Layer 2 coins stand out in terms of development activity: Optimism (OP), Starknet (STRK), and Arbitrum (ARB).
Also read: Shiba Inu: Machine Learning AI Predicts SHIB Price for May 5
Optimism (OP)
Optimism, a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum, has claimed the top spot on Santiment’s list of Layer 2 cryptocurrencies by development activity. In addition, the project has made significant strides in improving the Ethereum network’s scalability and user experience, attracting both developers and users.
According to Santiment’s data, Optimism has an impressive 146% more daily development activity than the next closest project.
This high level of activity suggests that the Optimism team is actively working on improving the protocol and expanding its ecosystem. Currently trading at $2.74, OP has experienced an 8.13% increase in the past 24 hours.
Also read: Shiba Inu: Here’s How to Be a Millionaire When SHIB Hits $0.001
Starknet (STRK)
Starknet, a Layer 2 scaling solution that utilizes zero-knowledge proofs to enable fast and secure transactions, has secured the second spot on Santiment’s list.
Additionally, the project has been gaining traction among developers and investors for its innovative approach to scaling and its potential to unlock new use cases for blockchain technology. Currently trading at $1.28, STRK has experienced a 6.45% increase in the past 24 hours.
Also read: Cardano Transactions Exceeding $100k Explodes: Can ADA Hit $0.5 In May?
Arbitrum (ARB)
Arbitrum, another Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum that utilizes optimistic rollups, has claimed the third spot on Santiment’s list. The project has made significant progress in improving the Ethereum network’s scalability and user experience, attracting developers and users who want faster and cheaper transactions.
With a strong focus on development activity and a growing ecosystem, Arbitrum is well-positioned to continue its growth and adoption in the coming months. Currently trading at $1.02, ARB has experienced a 1.35% increase in the past 24 hours.
Layer 2 solutions like Optimism, Starknet, and Arbitrum are poised for significant growth and adoption. In addition, these projects, which have demonstrated high levels of development activity and strong fundamentals, present attractive investment opportunities for those looking to capitalize on the future of blockchain technology.
Crypto
Dogecoin rival announces CEX listing; Experts anticipate cryptocurrency saviour as markets drop 20%
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
As the cryptocurrency market endures a significant downturn, the CEX listing of Option2Trade (O2T) presents more than just growth opportunities for the platform—it represents a potential turning point for market stability.
By offering a blend of innovative trading solutions and strategic market positioning, Option2Trade stands out as a possible saviour in these turbulent times, setting a benchmark for others in the industry, including Dogecoin, to strive towards.
O2T’s centralized exchange listing: Timing and impact
The announcement of Option2Trade’s CEX listing comes at a critical time when the cryptocurrency market is grappling with significant losses. This strategic move is expected to bolster Option2Trade’s visibility and accessibility, providing a much-needed infusion of trust and legitimacy often associated with CEX platforms. The listing could potentially attract a broad spectrum of institutional and retail investors, drawn by the promises of security and regulatory compliance that CEXs typically provide.
Why Option2Trade (O2T) could be the market saviour
Option2Trade is uniquely positioned to act as a stabilizing force within the volatile cryptocurrency market for several reasons. Firstly, O2T’s algorithmic trading platform offers sophisticated tools that allow for more calculated and informed trading decisions, which could mitigate rash speculative trading that often leads to market instability.
Secondly, the broader exposure and increased liquidity associated with a CEX listing are likely to enhance O2T’s trading volume, thereby cushioning the market against erratic price swings.
Contrasting Dogecoin’s volatility
While Dogecoin (DOGE) has enjoyed widespread popularity and media attention, its market performance has been characterized by high volatility, largely driven by social media influence and celebrity endorsements.
Unlike DOGE, Option2Trade’s approach is grounded in offering tangible utility and robust trading solutions that contribute to a more stable investment environment. This fundamental difference could make Option2Trade a more attractive option for investors seeking stability in their cryptocurrency portfolios.
The broader implications for the crypto ecosystem
The potential stabilization of the market through Option2Trade CEX listing extends beyond just impacting its direct competitors like Dogecoin. It could set a precedent for how new technologies and strategic listings can be leveraged to enhance market health.
For the crypto ecosystem at large, Option2Trade success might encourage more platforms to pursue similar paths, emphasizing the importance of technological innovation and strategic market engagement in achieving long-term stability.
Navigating forward: The future of O2T market dynamics
As the market anticipates the official CEX listing of Option2Trade, all eyes will be on the immediate effects on market dynamics and investor sentiment.
If successful, Option2Trade could pave the way for a new era of cryptocurrency trading where stability is as much a priority as profitability.
For Dogecoin and other similar cryptocurrencies, the challenge will be to adapt and innovate in ways that align more closely with the evolving investor expectations of reliability and performance.
Conclusion
In the midst of a turbulent cryptocurrency market downturn, with values plummeting by 20%, Option2Trade emerges as a beacon of hope with its forthcoming Centralized Exchange listing. Positioned as a formidable rival to Dogecoin, Option2Trade’s upcoming listing is being heralded by experts as a potential market saviour, capable of injecting stability and renewed investor confidence.
This analysis delves into the significant impact of Option2Trade’s CEX listing, explores why it’s poised to stabilize the market, and considers the wider implications for the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
To learn more about this project, visit the Option2Trade (O2T) presale website or join the community via Telegram | Twitter
Use promo code O2TLaunch to get a 15% bonus.
Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. crypto.news does not endorse any product mentioned on this page. Users must do their own research before taking any actions related to the company.
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