Bitcoin's Price Officially Breaks $100,000: 4 Key Drivers Behind the Milestone

 has officially crossed the $100,000 mark, setting new all-time highs. Once dismissed by many as a scam or speculative experiment, Bitcoin has grown to become one of the top 20 most valuable assets globally, with a total market cap nearing $2 trillion. Over the past decade, Bitcoin has undergone one of the most significant perception shifts in financial history, with mass media and institutions reversing their skepticism and embracing its potential. The $100K milestone represents more than just a price point—it’s the result of years of increasing mainstream acceptance. Institutional investors are integrating Bitcoin into their portfolios, Bitcoin ETFs are breaking records, favorable global economic trends are driving demand, and political shifts are creating a more supportive environment. Let’s take a closer look at the key factors behind Bitcoin’s rise to over $100,000.

US Bitcoin ETFs: Validation For Traditional Investors

On January 10th, the SEC granted regulatory approval for 11 U.S. Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). While European-listed exchange-traded notes (ETNs) had been available for years, the approval and launch of U.S.-based Bitcoin ETFs marked a pivotal moment for Bitcoin. This milestone not only eliminated significant barriers to entry for traditional investors but also reshaped public perception of Bitcoin as a legitimate and regulated financial asset. Here are some highlights.

Macroeconomic Factors: Bitcoin as a Hedge

Global economic conditions have increasingly positioned Bitcoin as an alternative investment for investors looking to protect and grow their wealth. Traditional investment options like bonds and savings accounts have become less attractive due to a combination of low interest rates, rising inflation, and negative real yields in several major economies. These shifts have driven both retail and institutional investors to view Bitcoin as a hedge against economic instability and a store of value, often referred to as digital gold.

Political Support: A Crypto-Friendly Climate

The political and regulatory climate is increasingly tilting in favor of cryptocurrencies, providing strong momentum for Bitcoin's growth. Governments and policymakers worldwide are recognizing the potential of blockchain technology and digital assets, shifting from skepticism to proactive engagement. These political tailwinds, coupled with regulatory advancements, are fostering a more secure and predictable environment for Bitcoin, boosting investor confidence.

Continued Institutional Adoption: Bitcoin Goes Mainstream

Institutional investors and corporations are driving Bitcoin’s transformation from a niche digital asset to a widely accepted investment and financial tool. Seen as a hedge against inflation, a store of value, and an alternative to traditional financial instruments, Bitcoin’s appeal has surged among major players in the financial world. This growing adoption is a key factor in Bitcoin’s price reaching new highs, underpinned by its integration into treasury strategies, investment portfolios, and payment systems.

Conclusion: Your Opportunity to Join the Bitcoin Momentum

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Bitcoin Officially Breaks $100,000: 4 Key Drivers Behind the Milestone

Ondo Finance has launched a new institutional-grade bridging solution for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), leveraging LayerZero’s decentralized verifier network (DVN) for enhanced security.

The S&P 500 rose 0.57% to a record high, driven by investor focus on upcoming inflation data, despite concerns over new tariff threats and the Federal Reserve's cautious stance on rate cuts.  Coindesk Indices, an index measuring broader cryptocurrency market performance was down by 2.60%, with Bitcoin and Ether dropping by 4.08% and 3.27%, respectively in the past 24 hours.

Today's top performer is FTM, which surged 9.9% following Sonic Labs' partnership with OctavFi for advanced on-chain financial management.

Sonic Labs (FTM), founded in 2018, formerly known as Fantom Foundation, supports the development of Sonic, a new layer-1 blockchain designed for fast, efficient transactions and secure connectivity to Ethereum. It focuses on creating decentralized applications and managing governance for the Sonic ecosystem, which is set to launch later in the year. 

 to bring institutional-level financial management, advanced on-chain treasury management, and financial reporting to its protocols.

Check Out the Latest Prices, Charts, and Data of 

 a new institutional-grade bridging solution for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), leveraging LayerZero’s decentralized verifier network (DVN) for enhanced security. This solution enables seamless transfers of USDY, Ondo’s yield-bearing tokenized US Treasuries, across Ethereum, Arbitrum, and Mantle. The bridging architecture incorporates trusted bridge providers like PolyhedraZK and Axelar, along with Ondo’s own DVN, ensuring secure and decentralized transaction validation. The integration is available now via Ondo’s frontend and Stargate Finance, with support for additional chains planned.

Yesterday, BTC spot ETF flows recorded a total outflow of $122.8M, including $36.1M from GBTC and $86.7M from non-GBTC funds.

Check Out the Latest Prices, Charts, and Data of  

, requiring wallet and social handle registration by Dec 2, 2024, 2 PM UTC. Eligibility criteria include completing 3 transactions across 2 apps on Movement's testnets and finishing Road to Parthenon quests. After TGE, users can claim MOVE tokens on Ethereum Mainnet or Movement Mainnet, with the latter offering a 1.25x multiplier. More airdrop seasons will follow post-mainnet launch.

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Ondo Launches Institutional-Grade Bridging for Tokenized RWAs with LayerZero Security

How to Use the Bybit Card to Earn 15% Cashback on Top of All Black Friday Deals

Originally an American tradition, Black Friday has evolved into a global shopping event and is now a significant date in the Dutch retail calendar. In the Netherlands, Black Friday has grown in popularity, with major retailers like Bol.com, Coolblue, MediaMarkt, and Bijenkorf offering deals across a wide range of products.

As a nation known for valuing savings, Black Friday provides an excellent opportunity to stack discounts and maximize value. Bybit's Black Friday Card Promotion adds an extra layer of savings with 

 on both online and offline purchases. Explore how the Bybit Card works, along with practical examples of savings during Black Friday shopping, to make the most of this year’s event.

How Can You Take Part in This Black Friday Promotion?

Joining the Bybit Black Friday Promotion is simple! Follow these steps to start earning 

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Practical Examples of Savings With Bybit Card

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Learn more about the Bybit Card Black Friday Promotion 

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How Can You Use the Bybit Card to Earn 15% Cashback on Top of All Black Friday Deals?

Bitcoin Hits New All-Time Highs: 8 Things Trump Is Saying About Cryptocurrency and What It Means for Bitcoin and Altcoins

With Bitcoin and the total cryptocurrency market cap surging to highs- returning to its 2021 peak—many are attributing this renewed bullish momentum to Donald Trump’s recent U.S. election victory. In this article, we’ll explore 8 key promises and policies Trump has put forth for the sector and the potential impact on both blue chip and meme coin cryptocurrencies.

Donald Trump & Crypto: The Bull Case for The Sector

The newly elected U.S. President, Donald Trump, has outlined a series of plans for the cryptocurrency sector, signaling major shifts in U.S. policy. With the United States accounting for approximately 

, U.S. policy and leadership play a significant role in shaping the sector. Here are eight key takeaways and promises from his proposed initiatives:

These factors collectively contribute to a positive outlook for the cryptocurrency sector under the current administration.

The election outcome has also positively influenced blue-chip cryptocurrencies:

Trump's win has significantly impacted the meme-coin sector. Following the victory,

 surged by 145%, outperforming Bitcoin and Ethereum in growth. This rally reflects heightened speculation that Trump's pro-crypto regulatory stance could indirectly support meme-coins, which are often driven by community engagement and viral appeal. Meme-coins, while volatile, present high-risk, high-reward opportunities, and recent events have drawn increased attention from traders looking to capitalize on this momentum.

Capitalizing on Trump’s Win and Riding the Crypto Wave

With the markets heating up and Bitcoin breaking new all-time highs, are your friends and family asking about how to get started with crypto? Now’s the perfect time to help them dive in—and earn exclusive rewards while you’re at it—with

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Altcoins

Explainers

Ethereum goes beyond just being a digital currency. It is dubbed as the "world's computer" that gives rise to decentralized apps. Learn more here!

Ethereum (ETH) Defined Ethereum is a decentralized, blockchain-based platform known for its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), and its capability to run smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). It supports a vast ecosystem, including finance (DeFi), gaming, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Ethereum leverages consensus mechanisms like proof-of-stake to ensure network security and validate transactions. Despite its potential, Ethereum presents risks like market volatility and regulatory uncertainty. Investors are advised to consult professionals before investing.

At its core, Ethereum is a decentralized network that facilitates the development and utilization of digital assets, applications, and organizations without a centralized governing body or central authority. Its primary features include its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), 

 capabilities, and a decentralized platform based on the Ethereum protocol. This powerful combination of features has led to a wide range of potential applications, from financial services and stablecoins to digital art and gaming, all driven by the passionate Ethereum community.

Potential investors must not overlook the various risks tied to this emerging technology, despite the promising rewards that Ethereum investment may bring. These include uncertainties surrounding its future development, environmental concerns, and competition from other agile competitors.

As our exploration of Ethereum’s depth continues, bear in mind the associated risks and rewards, and think about consulting a financial professional before making substantial investments.

The Ethereum blockchain serves as the backbone of its 

 platform, providing an open, resilient, and trustworthy foundation for global coordination and value sharing. This highly secure system relies on a distributed public ledger where transactions are verified and recorded, ensuring that no single entity can control or manipulate the network. Furthermore, Ethereum’s native cryptocurrency, Ether, is required to use the network and powers the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), enabling users to transfer value without the need for traditional bank accounts.

Challenges related to scalability and accessibility are still faced by Ethereum’s decentralized platform, despite its numerous benefits. Block validation times and gas fees can impede interactions between large numbers of users, making it costly to develop on and difficult for those unfamiliar with its technology. Additionally, some platforms require specific wallets, forcing users to transfer their ETH between wallets to access various services.

Nevertheless, Ethereum’s decentralized nature and commitment to innovation continue to attract developers and users, fostering a thriving ecosystem of decentralized applications and services.

Smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) form the building blocks of Ethereum, enabling:

These self-executing contracts, coded on the Ethereum blockchain, allow two parties to agree on future goods or services delivery without legal counsel. Execute smart contracts automatically when the contract conditions are met. This programmability sets Ethereum apart from Bitcoin, as it enables users to build applications executed on the blockchain similarly to how software runs on a computer.

The myriad applications of Ethereum are vast and continue to expand, with non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and gaming being prime examples. NFTs, tokenized digital items created using Ethereum, have taken the world by storm, with digital art, sports tokens, and even historic moments in athletes’ careers being represented as unique digital assets. Meanwhile, blockchain gaming has introduced new levels of ownership and monetization for players, allowing them to reap rewards for their engagement and trade in-game assets securely. These use cases represent just a fraction of Ethereum’s immense potential, as its community of developers continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Ethereum was brought to life by founders 

 and Joe Lubin, who envisioned a unified platform for decentralized application development with a native token, Ether, powering the network. To interact with this network, users need an Ethereum account. The project, however, faced challenges early on, with a theft of over $50 million worth of Ether collected for a project known as The 

. This event led to a hard fork, resulting in the permanent split of the original Ethereum and the formation of a new cryptocurrency called 

In response to the challenges faced by the nascent platform, the Ethereum Foundation was established. This Swiss-based nonprofit organization focuses on maintaining and developing the Ethereum network, ensuring its continued growth and innovation. Today, Ethereum stands as a testament to the resilience and vision of its creators, fostering a thriving ecosystem of developers, investors, and users.

Ethereum’s technical foundations consist of the following:

The EVM, a powerful engine, underpins the Ethereum network, enabling developers to create and deploy innovative applications on the blockchain.

To maintain the integrity and security of the network, Ethereum employs consensus mechanisms like proof-of-work and proof-of-stake to verify transactions. These mechanisms ensure that only genuine transactions are added to the blockchain, deterring malicious actors and maintaining network stability.

With the recent transition from proof-of-work to 

, Ethereum has taken a significant step towards improving its energy efficiency, scalability, and overall performance.

The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) serves as the decentralized execution environment that powers smart contracts and dApps on the Ethereum network. Providing a runtime environment for developers to create decentralized applications, the EVM processes transactions, executes smart contracts, and maintains the Ethereum blockchain using opcodes. This versatile and Turing-complete machine can be accessed globally through participating network nodes, enabling developers to bring their visions to life on the Ethereum platform.

EVM bytecode, a low-level representation of smart contract code, is executed by the Ethereum Virtual Machine. Generated from high-level programming languages like Solidity, this binary string consists of opcodes that the EVM can interpret and execute. By deploying bytecode on the Ethereum blockchain, developers can create and launch powerful applications, revolutionizing industries and transforming the way we interact with technology.

Ethereum utilizes consensus mechanisms like proof-of-work and proof-of-stake to validate transactions and secure the network. Proof-of-work, the original mechanism employed by Ethereum, required miners to solve complex mathematical puzzles to validate blocks and transactions, consuming significant amounts of energy in the process. In contrast, proof-of-stake, the consensus mechanism currently used by Ethereum, relies on validators staking a specified amount of ETH to generate new blocks and verify transaction data.

The transition from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake has brought numerous benefits to the Ethereum network, including:

The adoption of proof-of-stake marks a significant milestone in Ethereum’s evolution.

Transactions on the Ethereum network involve cryptographically signed instructions from accounts, such as transferring Ethereum-based assets like Ether or tokens from one address to another. These ethereum transactions are sent to any node in the network and are processed by miners who are incentivized by gas fees. Gas fees, paid in Ether, are calculated by multiplying the gas limit and gas price together, representing the maximum amount of computational work a transaction can perform and the cost per unit of gas, respectively.

Gas fees serve a dual purpose in the Ethereum ecosystem: they incentivize network participation by rewarding miners for validating transactions, and they deter malicious actors by imposing a cost on each operation performed on the network. This system helps maintain the stability and security of the Ethereum network, ensuring that its blockchain remains a reliable foundation for decentralized applications and services.

Ethereum’s versatility has given rise to a diverse array of use cases, demonstrating the platform’s potential to revolutionize industries and redefine the way we interact with digital assets. Decentralized finance (DeFi), for example, leverages the power of Ethereum to provide financial services, lending, borrowing, and earning interest without the need for traditional intermediaries like banks. Meanwhile, the gaming industry has embraced Ethereum for its ability to grant players genuine ownership of in-game assets and enable digital asset monetization through non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

These examples represent just a fraction of the countless applications and industries that Ethereum has the potential to transform. As developers continue to explore the capabilities of Ethereum, the platform’s ecosystem is poised for exponential growth, paving the way for innovative solutions to global challenges and creating new opportunities for value creation and exchange.

While the potential rewards of investing in Ethereum can be alluring, it’s important to approach this emerging technology with a healthy dose of caution and due diligence. Investors should consult with a financial advisor to discuss potential risks, such as market volatility, regulatory uncertainties, and security concerns, before committing significant funds to Ethereum or other cryptocurrencies. Given the high-risk and unpredictable nature of the market, any investment in Ethereum should be expendable.

For those interested in exploring investment opportunities beyond directly purchasing Ether, there are alternative avenues to consider, such as investing in companies developing applications on the Ethereum network or professional funds like the Bitwise Ethereum Fund or Grayscale Ethereum Trust. Opening an investment account tailored to these opportunities can be a great way to diversify your portfolio. Regardless of the chosen investment strategy, potential investors should carefully research and assess their financial goals and risk tolerance before diving into the world of Ethereum.

Acquiring Ether involves the following steps:

Each wallet option offers varying degrees of security and convenience.

When handling Ether and other cryptocurrencies, careful management of private keys and account addresses is mandatory to prevent permanent loss of funds due to lost access to these credentials. By diligently researching and selecting the right wallet and exchange, users can safely acquire and store Ether in externally owned accounts while minimizing the risk of asset loss or theft.

The energy-intensive proof-of-work consensus mechanism of Ethereum has raised concerns about its environmental impact. However, the recent Merge upgrade has dramatically reduced Ethereum’s energy consumption by 99.95%, making it a low-carbon blockchain. This significant reduction in energy usage has been achieved by transitioning from the energy-intensive proof-of-work mechanism to the more sustainable proof-of-stake consensus algorithm.

Following the Merge upgrade, Ethereum’s estimated annual energy consumption has dropped to just 6.56 GWh, representing a reduction of over 99.99% compared to its previous energy usage. This commitment to sustainability demonstrates Ethereum’s dedication to evolving and adapting in response to global challenges, positioning the platform as a responsible and environmentally conscious player in the world of blockchain technology.

, while sharing some commonalities like the use of digital money and decentralized networks, have significant differences in their capabilities and target use cases.

Ethereum’s programmability sets it apart, allowing for the creation of:

On the other hand, Bitcoin primarily serves as a payment network, offering an alternative to traditional bank account transactions.

Furthermore, Ethereum’s transaction validation speed is considerably faster, taking approximately 12 seconds compared to Bitcoin’s 10-minute block validation time.

Despite these differences, both Ethereum and Bitcoin share a common goal: to revolutionize the way we interact with digital assets and enable a more decentralized and secure future. As the world of blockchain technology continues to evolve, both platforms will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the future of digital innovation and value exchange.

The future of Ethereum looks promising, with numerous upgrades and developments in the pipeline focused on enhancing scalability, security, and energy efficiency. 

, also known as Eth2 or “Serenity,” represents a major upgrade to the network, featuring the implementation of proof-of-stake consensus, shard chains, and the Beacon Chain, which serves as the backbone of the new Ethereum network.

In addition to the ongoing rollout of Ethereum 2.0, upcoming updates and enhancements, such as EIP-4844 and zero-knowledge scaling solutions, promise to further boost Ethereum’s scalability and performance.

As Ethereum continues to evolve and innovate, its diverse ecosystem of developers, investors, and users will undoubtedly drive the platform to new heights and reshape the future of blockchain technology.

Ethereum stands as a powerful testament to the potential of blockchain technology, offering a decentralized platform that enables global coordination, digital asset creation, and the development of innovative applications and services. With its core features of smart contracts, decentralized applications, and native cryptocurrency Ether, Ethereum has captured the imagination of developers, investors, and users alike, transforming industries and redefining the way we interact with digital assets.

As we witness the continued growth and evolution of Ethereum, it’s clear that this revolutionary technology is just beginning to unlock its immense potential. Whether through the expansion of decentralized finance, the burgeoning world of non-fungible tokens, or the ongoing development of Ethereum 2.0, the future of Ethereum is bright and full of promise. As we embark on this exciting journey, one thing is certain: Ethereum is poised to change the world in ways we can only begin to imagine.

Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain platform that enables users to securely execute and verify application code, known as smart contracts. It establishes a peer-to-peer network and features a token designed to pay for work done supporting the blockchain. Smart contracts allow participants to securely transact without the need for a central authority.

Yes, Ethereum is a real cryptocurrency that can be used to purchase goods and services, as well as traded on exchanges for fiat currencies. Ether is also held as an investment and used on the Ethereum network to pay transaction fees.

By creating a premium decentralized application on the Ethereum blockchain, you can make money directly. You can create digital ledgers, crypto exchanges and more to monetize your application.

What is the difference between Ethereum and Bitcoin?

Ethereum and Bitcoin both enable digital money transactions without payment providers or banks, but Ethereum has the added capability of allowing users to build and deploy decentralized applications, making it a more versatile tool than Bitcoin, which primarily serves as a payment network.

You can acquire Ether through cryptocurrency exchanges and securely store it in a digital wallet requiring an account address and passphrase or private key.

What Is Ethereum (ETH) and How Does It Work?

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