DifDrama

The Bitcoin Volatility Index T3 has surged to its highest level since the collapse of FTX exchange, indicating that the cryptocurrency market should brace for more volatility in Bitcoin. The T3 Bitcoin Volatility Index uses option prices to measure the expected 30-day volatility of the token. BI analysts Eric Balchunas and Athanasios Psarofagis wrote in a report that Bitcoin ETF investors may be the strongest supporters of the asset and are unlikely to exit during periods of fund outflows. ETFs are used as small "hot sauce" allocations in core portfolios, meaning investors will have greater tolerance for volatility. Analysts added that Cathie Wood's ARK Innovation ETF has shown similar dynamics.

The surge of 10.99% in Bitcoin hashrate over the past six days, reaching a seven-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) of 535 EH/s, indicates a significant increase in computational power dedicated to securing the Bitcoin network. Hashrate represents the total computational power miners contribute to the network, and a higher hashrate generally signifies increased security and resilience against potential attacks. This surge is a positive sign for the Bitcoin network, suggesting growing miner confidence and interest in participating. A rising hashrate often aligns with increased mining activity, which can be attributed to factors such as improved mining profitability, positive sentiment in the market, or advancements in mining technology. It contributes to the overall robustness of the Bitcoin blockchain, making it more secure and resistant to potential threats. While the surge in Bitcoin hashrate over the past six days can be seen as a positive sign for the network's security and long-term confidence, it's just one aspect. Investors should tread carefully in the current climate.

According to data from The Block Pro, there was a general decline in the open interest of Bitcoin and Ethereum options in December. The open interest for Bitcoin options witnessed a decrease of 15.6%, while Ethereum options saw a decrease of 5.5%. However, there was a widespread increase in the trading volume of Bitcoin and Ethereum options. Bitcoin options' trading volume surged by 17.3% in December, reaching $37.9 billion, marking the highest single-month trading volume in history. Ethereum options' trading volume increased by 5.9% to reach $15.3 billion.

In this buoyant market with Bitcoin hitting $42,000 and Ethereum reaching $2,200, there's a risk of getting swept up in the excitement fueled by wealth screenshots shared online. However, after impulsive investments, many realize they might still be at a loss, far from outperforming Bitcoin or Ethereum. Here are key takeaways to survive a bull market gleaned from over six years of experience: 01 Few Profits in a Bull Market A bull market implies rising cryptocurrency prices, driven by an optimistic outlook. Yet, making profits is not for everyone. Regardless of positive news or technology, price surges happen when buying outpaces selling. Bull markets inflate numbers but only a few benefit. 02 Preventing Bull Market Missteps In this evolving industry, new narratives emerge with each market rally, driving interest. To navigate: - New Narratives: Expect new storylines; innovation typically starts on-chain. Current trends hint at Bitcoin's ecosystem and various emerging concepts. - Consensus and Open-mindedness: Consensus drives interest. Keeping an open mind is crucial to understand new narratives. - Identifying Leaders: Market cap often defines leadership, but sectors may lack clear leaders or witness transitions. - Top Institutional Trends: Monitoring top institutions' moves is crucial, although they might influence the market significantly. 03 Pitfalls to Avoid Despite market surges, human impulses persist. Here are key pitfalls: - Leveraged Contracts: Playing these is risky; initial success may lead to overconfidence, resulting in significant losses. - All-In Attitude: Don't exhaust your capital; respect the market and learn from past market crashes. - Frequent Trading: Emotional trading often results in losses; patience is vital. - Following Trends Blindly: Avoid blindly following trends; understanding the project you're investing in is crucial. .Surviving a bull market isn't about picking money off the ground; it's about staying steady and avoiding pitfalls in an enticing yet volatile landscape.

The notable outperformance of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) over gold in 2023, with BTC surging by 93% and ETH showing a 39% relative increase compared to gold, is indicative of the growing interest in cryptocurrencies as alternative investments. The recent surge in Bitcoin's price, with over 30% growth, can be partially attributed to the positive developments regarding the eagerly anticipated Bitcoin ETF awaiting SEC approval. This performance has implications for future investment directions. Investors are increasingly considering cryptocurrencies as a viable addition to their portfolios. Compared to traditional assets like stocks and bonds, BTC and ETH have exhibited stronger performance, and their lower downside risk adds to their appeal. The trend suggests a growing shift towards diversifying investments into the cryptocurrency market, which has shown resilience and substantial growth potential. Investors seeking higher returns may be more inclined to explore BTC and ETH as part of their investment strategy.

The recent surge in Ethereum staking, particularly since the Merge and Shanghai upgrades, has raised concerns about the trade-offs involved. Morgan Stanley analyst Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou and his team have pointed out that while the increase in staking is beneficial for the network's security, it has led to greater centralization and a decrease in overall staking rewards. One of the key contributors to the growth in staking has been liquidity staking providers like Lido. According to Morgan Stanley, the top five liquidity staking providers control over 50% of the total staked on the Ethereum network, with Lido alone accounting for nearly a third of that. This concentration of staking power raises questions about the decentralization of the network, as it becomes increasingly controlled by a few large players. The decrease in staking rewards is also a significant concern. Prior to the Shanghai upgrade, stakers could expect a return of around 7.3% on their ETH holdings. However, this has now dropped to approximately 5.5%. While this reduction may not seem drastic, it is a significant change for those who have committed their assets to staking. The centralization of staking and the decline in rewards could have broader implications for the Ethereum network. Greater centralization goes against the ethos of decentralization that cryptocurrencies like Ethereum were founded upon. It raises questions about the potential for collusion and the ability of a small number of entities to exert undue influence over network decisions. The decrease in staking rewards may also deter some investors from participating in staking, which could impact the overall security and health of the network. Staking is not just about earning rewards; it also plays a crucial role in securing the blockchain and maintaining network consensus. In response to these concerns, the Ethereum community may need to explore ways to encourage greater decentralization in staking. This could involve implementing changes to the protocol to incentivize smaller stakers and discourage excessive concentration of power among a few large providers. Ultimately, the Ethereum network is in a state of evolution, and these challenges are part of its growth process. Finding a balance between security, decentralization, and rewarding participants will be an ongoing task for the Ethereum community as it continues to upgrade and improve the network.

Binance NFT will discontinue The Sandbox NFT Staking Program on September 26, 2023, at 06:00 (UTC) as part of its efforts to streamline product offerings. Users won't be able to stake LAND NFTs for SAND rewards after this date. Staked NFTs will be automatically unstaked on September 27, 2023, and returned by September 28, 2023. Support for the Polygon Network will also end from September 26, 2023, at 06:00 (UTC). Users must withdraw their NFTs via Polygon by December 31, 2023. After September 26, 2023, at 06:00 (UTC), Polygon Network NFTs can't be bought, deposited, offered, or listed on Binance NFT Marketplace. Listings affected will be canceled, and NFTs returned after September 28, 2023. Is this a sign that Binance is on a downhill trajectory, like '"slow train wreck" as Travis Kling said?

The total computing power of BTC is 398.62EH/s BTC.com data shows that the BTC network computing power is 398.62 EH/s, the 24-hour transaction rate is 5.56 /s, the current network difficulty is 55.62 T, it is predicted that the next difficulty will be raised by 0.29% to 55.78T, and there are about 10 days and 8 hours left from the adjustment.

In a significant development, Ripple, renowned for its XRP cryptocurrency, has gained official membership in the 'Interoperability of Cross-Border Payments and Settlements' initiative led by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). This milestone holds noteworthy implications for the cryptocurrency realm and the worldwide payment landscape. This integration occurred on August 9th as part of the broader efforts of the 'BIS Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures.' For those unacquainted with BIS's structure, this committee comprises 33 entities and is overseen by Ulrich Bindseil, esteemed Director of General Market Infrastructure & Payments at the European Central Bank. The BIS has emerged as a key international financial institution fostering monetary and financial cooperation among central banks globally. Ripple's newfound engagement in this collaborative endeavor underscores the significance of private-public sector partnership. According to recent communications from the BIS, the success of G20 cross-border payments hinges heavily on the synergy between these two sectors. Furthermore, the BIS underscores that essential enhancements in payment systems and foundational frameworks necessitate "comprehensive global coordination, cooperation, and commitment from an extensive array of public authorities and private sector stakeholders." To realize these ambitious objectives, the BIS CPMI is simplifying procedures, enlisting stakeholders in joint task forces, orchestrating workshops, and conducting pertinent research.

Wall Street giants are vying for the cryptocurrency asset custody market, making it one of the most active areas. Despite facing regulatory and cost challenges, some companies have made progress, such as Societe Generale obtaining permission to provide digital asset custody services in France. However, US regulatory uncertainty and complexity have limited new entrants in this field. Some banks are addressing regulatory challenges by spinning off subsidiaries, like Zodia Custody Ltd. under Standard Chartered. Although the timing remains challenging, many companies are quietly continuing to build and develop cryptocurrency asset custody services.