Crypto
Co-Founder of Fraudulent Cryptocurrency Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison
Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries
Co-Founder of Fraudulent Cryptocurrency Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison
Karl Sebastian Greenwood, a citizen of Sweden and the United Kingdom and co-founder of the cryptocurrency OneCoin, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his alleged role in a $4 billion fraud scheme. As described by prosecutors, OneCoin began operations in Bulgaria in 2014 and sold a fraudulent cryptocurrency with the same name through a multi-level-marketing (MLM) scheme. Around 2015, OneCoin began operating in the United States.
The government charged Greenwood and others with making various misrepresentations about OneCoin to secure over $4 billion in investments from approximately 3.5 million investors. These alleged misrepresentations include claiming that OneCoin’s value was based on market supply and demand though the value was actually set arbitrarily without regard to market forces. Greenwood also claimed to have a private blockchain to identify OneCoins and record historical transactions, when no public verifiable blockchain actually existed.
According to the government, OneCoin marketed its cryptocurrency through a global MLM network whereby OneCoin members would receive commissions for recruiting others to purchase cryptocurrency packages. As OneCoin’s top MLM distributor, Greenwood is alleged to have earned 5% of monthly OneCoin sales, totaling over $300 million. In addition to his 20-year prison term, Greenwood was ordered to pay approximately $300,000 in forfeiture. OneCoin’s other co-founder, Ruja Ignatova, remains at large and was added to the FBI’s Top Ten Most Wanted List in June 2022.
A link to the US Department of Justice’s (DOJ) press release can be found here.
Prison Inmate Pleads Guilty in COVID-19 Relief Fraud
Telvin Breaux, an inmate in a California prison, and three other co-defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy and aggravated identity theft charges for their alleged roles in a $25 million unemployment benefits scheme. According to the DOJ, Breaux and his co-defendants obtained personal identifying information of other inmates, as well as patients and customers at hospitals, dentists’ offices, and other businesses where one of the co-defendants worked or had connections. Breaux and his co-defendants then used this information to submit fraudulent unemployment insurance claims to the California Employment Development Department (EDD). In connection with these false claims, Breaux and his co-defendants also made specific misrepresentations that the individuals whose information they stole were unable to work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In total, defendants are alleged to have submitted over 400 fraudulent claims totaling over $25 million to the EDD, $5.4 million of which was actually paid out and used by the defendants to purchase luxury vehicles, fund trips to Las Vegas, and pay rent and tuition. Each defendant faces a maximum of 22 years imprisonment as well as fines of $250,000.
A link to the DOJ’s press release can be found here.
Former NYC Non-Profit Finance Director Sentenced to 18 Months Imprisonment
Donna Murray, the former finance director of a New York City-based nonprofit financial services trade association with over 600 members, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for allegedly embezzling nearly half a million dollars from the nonprofit. The government alleges that Murray was the nonprofit’s sole finance department employee and was responsible for maintaining the organization’s books and records, handling accounts receivable and payable, and managing financial statements to outside auditors. In addition, Murray is alleged to have been the only employee with the ability to make wire transfers for the organization.
As detailed in the DOJ’s information, Murray was charged with a months-long embezzlement scheme in which she stole over $488,000 from the organization’s bank accounts through 105 unauthorized wire transfers to her personal account. Murray covered up the scheme by creating false entries in the organizations general ledger and transferring less than $10,000 in each transaction to avoid triggering bank reporting requirements. Prosecutors charged Murray with using the misappropriated funds to pay personal loans and purchase luxury items. For her conduct, Murray was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
A link to the DOJ’s press release can be found here.
Crypto
Credissential Inc. Adopts Cryptocurrency Policy, Plans XRP and XLM Purchases – TipRanks.com
Stay Ahead of the Market:
An update from Axiom Capital Advisors, Inc. ( (TSE:WHIP) ) is now available.
Credissential Inc. announced a new Cryptocurrency Acquisition Policy aimed at enhancing shareholder value by purchasing digital assets like XRP and XLM. This move aligns with the company’s cryptocurrency initiatives and allows investors exposure to the growing digital asset market. The policy is also seen as a strategy to navigate inflationary pressures while diversifying the company’s treasury holdings, indicating a proactive approach to adapting to market trends and delivering long-term shareholder value.
More about Axiom Capital Advisors, Inc.
Credissential Inc. is a vertically integrated AI software development company focusing on advancing financial technology solutions. The company is committed to developing innovative products such as Antenna, a payment platform enhanced with AI and quantum encryption technologies, and DealerFlow, an AI-driven dealer management system designed to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
YTD Price Performance: -6.45%
Average Trading Volume: 298,973
Technical Sentiment Consensus Rating: Buy
Current Market Cap: C$6.17M
Find detailed analytics on WHIP stock on TipRanks’ Stock Analysis page.
Crypto
Why Is Bitcoin Price Going Up? BTC Prediction After Bullish Buy Signal
Bitcoin’s
price (BTC) is making significant gains on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, adding
over $2,000 to its value. However, Monday saw the market shaken, with the price
briefly dropping to a two-month low below the critical $90,000 psychological
level.
In this
article, I review what triggered the sudden drop, why the Bitcoin price is
going up today, and how to interpret the bullish pin bar above the 50-day
exponential moving average—a potentially strong buy signal.
On Tuesday,
Bitcoin is trading above $97,000 on Binance, marking its highest value in a
week. The cryptocurrency is currently up 2.7%, with altcoins following suit.
Ethereum (ETH) has gained 4.9% over the past 24 hours, reaching
$3,200, while XRP, the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, has
risen 7% to $2.56.
As shown in
the chart below, Bitcoin’s price remains in a consolidation phase that has been
in place since November, with the lower boundary near $92,000 and the upper
limit at its previous high of $98,000.
However,
Monday painted a less optimistic picture as
Bitcoin briefly dipped to just $89,398, causing significant panic and
confusion among retail investors.
The
temporary panic was also evident in the derivatives market: within four days,
investors pulled $1.6 billion from cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs),
marking one of the longest selling streaks in recent times.
Over the
past 24 hours, both bulls and bears have incurred losses. Approximately $500
million in leveraged positions were liquidated across the market, with nearly
equal distribution between long and short positions. Bitcoin accounted for over
20% of this activity, with $44 million liquidated from long positions and $72
million from shorts.
Analysts
attribute the recent decline in Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency market
to two primary factors: so-called “Trump Trade” and monetary policy.
Why Bitcoin Fell? Fed
Policy and Market Uncertainty Shake BTC Price
The
cryptocurrency market’s downturn is primarily driven by shifting expectations
about Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate policies. Strong economic indicators
have led investors to anticipate a longer period of higher interest rates. The
robust U.S. job market, with 256,000 new nonfarm payrolls and a 4.1%
unemployment rate, has particularly influenced this outlook.
According
to the CME’s FedWatch tool, the probability of a rate cut at the next meeting,
scheduled for January 29, is just 2.7%. The market is currently pricing in a
stronger likelihood (around 40%) of a cut to the 4.00–4.25% range in the second
half of the year. Earlier expectations were for a more aggressive path of rate
cuts, which was expected to fuel risk assets such as cryptocurrencies and
stocks.
Moreover, the
initial euphoria surrounding Trump’s pro-crypto stance has given way to more
cautious market sentiment. While Trump’s upcoming presidency promised to make
the U.S. the “crypto capital of the world,” investors are now
focusing on immediate economic realities rather than future policy promises.
The
cryptocurrency decline isn’t occurring in isolation. The selloff in Treasury
markets has created a ripple effect across various asset classes, affecting
both crypto and traditional markets. This broader market reaction demonstrates
Bitcoin’s increasing correlation with conventional risk assets.
Will Bitcoin Keep Going
Up? BTC Price Prediction and Technical Analysis
The
candlestick I want to highlight in the technical analysis of Bitcoin ‘s price
chart may seem modest and even barely noticeable. However, in my view, it
carries significant strength and buying potential. This is a bullish pin bar
(or doji candle) with an almost invisible body and a very long lower wick,
indicating that bears were in control but had to concede to bulls by the
session’s close.
What
does the chart show?
- The bullish
pin bar tested the 50 EMA and two critical support levels: $92,000 and $90,000. - All three
levels held, and the price responded with an immediate increase the following
day. - This strong
bullish signal confirmed the lower boundary of the consolidation range,
signaling that buyers are likely to actively defend the green-marked support
zone.
While
Bitcoin remains in consolidation, this reaction suggests, from a purely
technical standpoint, the potential for a move towards $103,000 (the 2025
highs) and ultimately $108,000, the all-time high (ATH) to date.
Bitcoin Price Key Support
and Resistance Levels
Support |
Resistance |
$90,000 – psychological round |
$100,000 – psychological round |
$92,000 – local lows tested in |
$103,000 – highs from 2025 |
50 EMA – currently at $94,482 |
$108,000 – current ATH |
Breaking
above the current all-time high is a necessary condition for considering
ambitious forecasts for 2025 and beyond. Some of these projections are
truly bold.
Bitcoin Price Prediction:
Will BTC Reach $1 Million?
Late last
year, I explored the question, “Will
Bitcoin hit $1 million?” According to Jeff Park, Head of Alpha
Strategies at Bitwise Asset Management, this could be possible if the U.S.
government were to adopt a Bitcoin reserve strategy. However, he currently
assigns only a 10% probability to this scenario.
Arthur
Hayes, the Founder of the cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX, has frequently
mentioned such ambitious levels as $1 million. Last week, he appeared as a guest on
Tom Bilyeu’s show, where he discussed the current state of the
cryptocurrency market during a nearly two-hour interview. Hayes suggested that
Bitcoin is gradually heading toward seven-figure valuations and could
potentially reach them within the next five years.
“It’s the bull market. When the music is playing you gotta $DANCE.” ~ Arthur Hayes x Tom Bilyeu#crypto #dance #memecoin #solana #bullrun pic.twitter.com/g9MdkEtIZe
— DANCE MEMECOIN 🤩 (@dancememecoin) January 7, 2025
“Bitcoin
has already survived for 15 years. This makes investors start to believe that
it can last for decades to come.” – Hayes commented. “BTC will be here for
the next 15, 20, 100 years. I think it will be a store of value. I can use it
to pay for things I need, so I’m going to take 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10% of my
retirement income or savings and start buying that asset now.”
Other
experts, including VanEck analysts, predict more down to earth numbers. Month
ago, they
forecasted that Bitcoin price could reach $180,000 in 2025.
JUST IN: $118 billion VanEck predicts $180,000 #Bitcoin and the U.S. will embrace a Strategic BTC Reserve in 2025 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/s7lnNgkyhn
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) December 13, 2024
Bitcoin Price, FAQ
Why Is the Price of
Bitcoin Going Up?
Bitcoin’s
price is rising due to a strong bullish pin bar forming above critical support
levels, signaling strong buying activity. Market sentiment improved as Bitcoin
rebounded from a two-month low of $89,398 to trade above $97,000. This movement
reflects consolidation within the $92,000–$98,000 range, supported by technical
indicators and broader market optimism.
Will Bitcoin Rise Again?
Bitcoin’s
price is expected to rise further based on technical analysis. If it breaks
through key resistance at $103,000, it could test the all-time high of
$108,000. Long-term projections remain optimistic, with some experts predicting
significant gains by 2025, assuming market conditions remain favorable.
Why Is Bitcoin So Valuable
Today?
Bitcoin’s
value stems from its status as a decentralized digital asset with limited
supply, serving as a hedge against inflation and a potential store of value.
Its increasing adoption, network security, and potential as a global reserve
asset contribute to its high valuation.
Why Did Bitcoin Fall
Recently?
Bitcoin’s
recent decline was driven by market reactions to expectations of prolonged
higher interest rates from the Federal Reserve. Strong U.S. economic data
reduced the likelihood of rate cuts, pressuring risk assets like
cryptocurrencies. Additionally, shifting sentiment around pro-crypto policies
under the upcoming U.S. administration added to market uncertainty.
How Much Will Bitcoin Cost
in 2025?
Bitcoin’s
2025 price predictions vary widely. Analysts forecast potential highs ranging
from $180,000 (VanEck) to over $1 million (Arthur Hayes), depending on adoption
trends, macroeconomic conditions, and regulatory developments. A more
conservative estimate places Bitcoin at $180,000, reflecting steady growth
without speculative excess.
Bitcoin’s
price (BTC) is making significant gains on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, adding
over $2,000 to its value. However, Monday saw the market shaken, with the price
briefly dropping to a two-month low below the critical $90,000 psychological
level.
In this
article, I review what triggered the sudden drop, why the Bitcoin price is
going up today, and how to interpret the bullish pin bar above the 50-day
exponential moving average—a potentially strong buy signal.
On Tuesday,
Bitcoin is trading above $97,000 on Binance, marking its highest value in a
week. The cryptocurrency is currently up 2.7%, with altcoins following suit.
Ethereum (ETH) has gained 4.9% over the past 24 hours, reaching
$3,200, while XRP, the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, has
risen 7% to $2.56.
As shown in
the chart below, Bitcoin’s price remains in a consolidation phase that has been
in place since November, with the lower boundary near $92,000 and the upper
limit at its previous high of $98,000.
However,
Monday painted a less optimistic picture as
Bitcoin briefly dipped to just $89,398, causing significant panic and
confusion among retail investors.
The
temporary panic was also evident in the derivatives market: within four days,
investors pulled $1.6 billion from cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs),
marking one of the longest selling streaks in recent times.
Over the
past 24 hours, both bulls and bears have incurred losses. Approximately $500
million in leveraged positions were liquidated across the market, with nearly
equal distribution between long and short positions. Bitcoin accounted for over
20% of this activity, with $44 million liquidated from long positions and $72
million from shorts.
Analysts
attribute the recent decline in Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency market
to two primary factors: so-called “Trump Trade” and monetary policy.
Why Bitcoin Fell? Fed
Policy and Market Uncertainty Shake BTC Price
The
cryptocurrency market’s downturn is primarily driven by shifting expectations
about Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate policies. Strong economic indicators
have led investors to anticipate a longer period of higher interest rates. The
robust U.S. job market, with 256,000 new nonfarm payrolls and a 4.1%
unemployment rate, has particularly influenced this outlook.
According
to the CME’s FedWatch tool, the probability of a rate cut at the next meeting,
scheduled for January 29, is just 2.7%. The market is currently pricing in a
stronger likelihood (around 40%) of a cut to the 4.00–4.25% range in the second
half of the year. Earlier expectations were for a more aggressive path of rate
cuts, which was expected to fuel risk assets such as cryptocurrencies and
stocks.
Moreover, the
initial euphoria surrounding Trump’s pro-crypto stance has given way to more
cautious market sentiment. While Trump’s upcoming presidency promised to make
the U.S. the “crypto capital of the world,” investors are now
focusing on immediate economic realities rather than future policy promises.
The
cryptocurrency decline isn’t occurring in isolation. The selloff in Treasury
markets has created a ripple effect across various asset classes, affecting
both crypto and traditional markets. This broader market reaction demonstrates
Bitcoin’s increasing correlation with conventional risk assets.
Will Bitcoin Keep Going
Up? BTC Price Prediction and Technical Analysis
The
candlestick I want to highlight in the technical analysis of Bitcoin ‘s price
chart may seem modest and even barely noticeable. However, in my view, it
carries significant strength and buying potential. This is a bullish pin bar
(or doji candle) with an almost invisible body and a very long lower wick,
indicating that bears were in control but had to concede to bulls by the
session’s close.
What
does the chart show?
- The bullish
pin bar tested the 50 EMA and two critical support levels: $92,000 and $90,000. - All three
levels held, and the price responded with an immediate increase the following
day. - This strong
bullish signal confirmed the lower boundary of the consolidation range,
signaling that buyers are likely to actively defend the green-marked support
zone.
While
Bitcoin remains in consolidation, this reaction suggests, from a purely
technical standpoint, the potential for a move towards $103,000 (the 2025
highs) and ultimately $108,000, the all-time high (ATH) to date.
Bitcoin Price Key Support
and Resistance Levels
Support |
Resistance |
$90,000 – psychological round |
$100,000 – psychological round |
$92,000 – local lows tested in |
$103,000 – highs from 2025 |
50 EMA – currently at $94,482 |
$108,000 – current ATH |
Breaking
above the current all-time high is a necessary condition for considering
ambitious forecasts for 2025 and beyond. Some of these projections are
truly bold.
Bitcoin Price Prediction:
Will BTC Reach $1 Million?
Late last
year, I explored the question, “Will
Bitcoin hit $1 million?” According to Jeff Park, Head of Alpha
Strategies at Bitwise Asset Management, this could be possible if the U.S.
government were to adopt a Bitcoin reserve strategy. However, he currently
assigns only a 10% probability to this scenario.
Arthur
Hayes, the Founder of the cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX, has frequently
mentioned such ambitious levels as $1 million. Last week, he appeared as a guest on
Tom Bilyeu’s show, where he discussed the current state of the
cryptocurrency market during a nearly two-hour interview. Hayes suggested that
Bitcoin is gradually heading toward seven-figure valuations and could
potentially reach them within the next five years.
“It’s the bull market. When the music is playing you gotta $DANCE.” ~ Arthur Hayes x Tom Bilyeu#crypto #dance #memecoin #solana #bullrun pic.twitter.com/g9MdkEtIZe
— DANCE MEMECOIN 🤩 (@dancememecoin) January 7, 2025
“Bitcoin
has already survived for 15 years. This makes investors start to believe that
it can last for decades to come.” – Hayes commented. “BTC will be here for
the next 15, 20, 100 years. I think it will be a store of value. I can use it
to pay for things I need, so I’m going to take 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10% of my
retirement income or savings and start buying that asset now.”
Other
experts, including VanEck analysts, predict more down to earth numbers. Month
ago, they
forecasted that Bitcoin price could reach $180,000 in 2025.
JUST IN: $118 billion VanEck predicts $180,000 #Bitcoin and the U.S. will embrace a Strategic BTC Reserve in 2025 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/s7lnNgkyhn
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) December 13, 2024
Bitcoin Price, FAQ
Why Is the Price of
Bitcoin Going Up?
Bitcoin’s
price is rising due to a strong bullish pin bar forming above critical support
levels, signaling strong buying activity. Market sentiment improved as Bitcoin
rebounded from a two-month low of $89,398 to trade above $97,000. This movement
reflects consolidation within the $92,000–$98,000 range, supported by technical
indicators and broader market optimism.
Will Bitcoin Rise Again?
Bitcoin’s
price is expected to rise further based on technical analysis. If it breaks
through key resistance at $103,000, it could test the all-time high of
$108,000. Long-term projections remain optimistic, with some experts predicting
significant gains by 2025, assuming market conditions remain favorable.
Why Is Bitcoin So Valuable
Today?
Bitcoin’s
value stems from its status as a decentralized digital asset with limited
supply, serving as a hedge against inflation and a potential store of value.
Its increasing adoption, network security, and potential as a global reserve
asset contribute to its high valuation.
Why Did Bitcoin Fall
Recently?
Bitcoin’s
recent decline was driven by market reactions to expectations of prolonged
higher interest rates from the Federal Reserve. Strong U.S. economic data
reduced the likelihood of rate cuts, pressuring risk assets like
cryptocurrencies. Additionally, shifting sentiment around pro-crypto policies
under the upcoming U.S. administration added to market uncertainty.
How Much Will Bitcoin Cost
in 2025?
Bitcoin’s
2025 price predictions vary widely. Analysts forecast potential highs ranging
from $180,000 (VanEck) to over $1 million (Arthur Hayes), depending on adoption
trends, macroeconomic conditions, and regulatory developments. A more
conservative estimate places Bitcoin at $180,000, reflecting steady growth
without speculative excess.
Crypto
Crypto Market Boredom: Bitcoin & Altcoins See Volume Crash
On-chain data shows the cryptocurrency traders have hit the snooze button as Bitcoin and other assets have witnessed a plunge in volume.
Bitcoin & Altcoins Have Seen A Trading Volume Crash Recently
According to data from the on-chain analytics firm Santiment, trading volume has seen a slowdown in the cryptocurrency sector during the past week.
The “trading volume” here refers to an indicator that keeps track of the total amount of a given asset that’s becoming involved in trading activities on the major exchanges. When the value of this metric goes up, it means the investors are participating in a higher amount of activity related to the coin. Such a trend implies interest in the asset is on the rise.
On the other hand, the indicator observing a decline suggests the traders may be starting to put their attention elsewhere as they are taking part in a lower amount of activity.
Now, here is a chart that shows the trend in the combined Bitcoin trading volume for four different segments of the digital asset sector:
The value of the metric appears to have gone through a decline for all of these groups | Source: Santiment on X
In the above graph, the four sides or segments of the cryptocurrency market displayed are: Memecoins Top 6, AI & Big Data Top 6, Layer 1 Top 6, and Layer 2 Top 6.
“Layer 1” assets refer to those that circulate on blockchains that handle their own security and aren’t built on top of another ecosystem. Bitcoin and Ethereum are the most prominent examples of coins of this type. The coins that aren’t on primary networks, like Polygon (MATIC) and Arbitrum (ARB), are termed Layer 2.
From the chart, it’s apparent that the six largest coins for both of these categories have seen a sharp decline in their trading volume recently. Segments like meme-based tokens and AI-related coins have also noted cooldowns of their own at the same time.
Back in November and the first half of December, the volume was high across the market as traders made a large number of moves during the Bitcoin bull run hype. It would appear, though, that the recent bearish shift has damaged the investor morale.
After the latest continuation of the decline in the indicator, trading activity in the market has slumped to the lowest level since the 4th of November, a day before the presidential elections in the US.
Generally, the market tends to see volatility when a large number of traders are participating in trading activity, as it’s their trades that fuel price moves. Since the trading volume has slumped across the cryptocurrency sector recently, it’s possible that Bitcoin and others might see a state of calm in the near future.
The low activity may even be considered a sign that there is FUD in the market, which is something that has facilitated bottoms in the past.
BTC Price
At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at around $90,700, down almost 8% in the last week.
Looks like the price of the coin has been going down over the past day | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView
Featured image from Dall-E, Santiment.net, chart from TradingView.com
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