VaderAI (VADER) is a decentralized platform that allows users to join various DAOs managed by AI agents or humans. 

 are currently among the hottest assets in the crypto market, with the 

 niche featuring particularly impressive growth rates. Crypto assets that power AI agents — smart entities that carry out complex tasks online, and on web3 platforms — are a subsector widely expected to expand its footprint in the industry over the coming years. 

 (VIRTUAL) has been particularly notable for its recent strong performance. It enables users to launch autonomous AI agents for various use cases, and is home to numerous tokens and solutions focused on specific applications of AI agent technology.

Among the leading assets on the Virtuals Protocol is VaderAI (VADER), whose users invest via AI agent– and human-managed 

 (VADER) is a decentralized platform that allows users to join various DAOs managed by AI agents or humans. 

These DAOs are currently focused on the investment and trading spheres, although managed DAOs in other fields are also envisioned. By investing in a DAO on the platform, users can expect returns generated via trading activities of the DAO's AI agent or human investment manager. Many VaderAI DAOs are based on tracking an index of multiple cryptocurrencies.

The VaderAI platform carefully curates each AI agent– or human-managed DAO to minimize risk for users.

VaderAI is one of the AI agent–focused solutions leveraging the 

 (VIRTUAL), a platform designed to let users easily create and deploy autonomous AI agents.

The platform has its own AI agent, VaderAI, that creates and manages several DAO-based investment indices. These are comprised of multi-token funds with different 

. Users who invest in the funds managed by the VaderAI investment agent can expect return levels commensurate with the token composition of each index. As of mid-January 2025, Vader AI offers two investment opportunities — VaderAI Small Cap and VaderAI Micro Cap. Another agent-managed index, VaderAI Mid Cap, is expected to be released soon.

Vader Fun, a component of the wider platform, lets users participate in various DAOs. It acts as the key orchestrator of the DAOs within the Vader ecosystem. There are two types of DAOs users can join on Vader Fun — passive DAOs and active DAOs. Both varieties are curated, but differ in terms of the investment strategies they pursue.

Passive DAOs focus on minimizing risk to DAO participants, while delivering consistent returns by tracking tokens that meet certain criteria in terms of their risk profiles. These DAOs meet specific criteria, such as limitation on the maximum exposure to a single token, minimum liquidity thresholds and a reference to an established benchmark. Such stipulations ensure that the tokens are highly liquid and easily tradable, making passive DAOs a safer, more stable option for participants.

In contrast, active DAOs provide more freedom to the DAO’s investment manager, whether an AI agent or a human, in terms of the strategies they might pursue.

 AI agent based on X (formerly Twitter) — VaderAI KOL. This agent regularly posts about the crypto market, provides investment insights and delivers news on the performance of the DAOs within the VaderAI ecosystem.

VaderAI KOL established an account on X in November 2024, and in just three months has gained nearly 30,000 followers. One intriguing feature of the VaderAI KOL agent is the functionality to programmatically tweet about coins airdropped into its wallet. This can be useful for token creators who want to feature their assets as sponsored posts. 

 (SOL)–based network addresses to receive token airdrops for sponsored tweets.

VaderAI’s native crypto, VADER, is a token issued on both the 

 chain and Solana. VADER is primarily used for 

, through which users can earn additional rewards and gain access to exclusive offers and opportunities.

VADER was issued in November 2024, with no supply lockup periods or other limitations on circulation. The token’s current total and circulating supply is 996,739,513, and its maximum supply is specified at 1 billion. While most of the supply is publicly available, 36% is reserved by the project's team for marketing and platform development purposes.

VaderAI is another innovative AI agent–focused platform launched via the increasingly popular Virtuals Protocol. Investment DAOs managed by curated AI agents are an intriguing concept that may find more adoption in the future, depending upon how successful these agents are at managing their DAO members' funds. 

If the investor community sees healthy returns from VaderAI's DAOs, the platform will establish itself as a significant AI-driven investment manager within web3. Additionally, as VaderAI develops, agent-driven DAOs may find use cases well beyond the crypto finance sphere, specializing in activities like gaming, social media community-building and more.

Intermediate

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VaderAI by Virtuals (VADER): Orchestrating DAOs and AI Leadership

pSTAKE Finance is a BTC yield and liquid staking protocol offering two products — fixed-yield Earn for retail users and YBTC LSTs for institutions. Learn more.

 in crypto, but one major obstacle for many investors is the lack of liquidity for staked assets. Staked tokens are locked up, preventing users from accessing or using their holdings in other activities. pSTAKE Finance is changing this dynamic by enabling an innovative liquid staking solution for BTC. This article dives into pSTAKE Finance, how it enables Bitcoin liquid staking on Babylon and its potential as an investment opportunity.

 is a Bitcoin yield and liquid staking protocol that offers two products — fixed-yield Earn for retail users and YBTC for institutions. These two products address distinct user needs, enhancing accessibility for both segments.

pSTAKE Finance is designed to solve one of the most pressing challenges in the cryptocurrency staking ecosystem: making Bitcoin yield-generating with Bitcoin Staking. Traditionally, 

 requires users to lock their assets, thus preventing them from being used for other financial activities. pSTAKE addresses this limitation by providing tailored solutions for both retail and institutional users, enabling them to earn reliable Bitcoin yields while retaining flexibility.

 protocol designed to provide reliable Bitcoin yields through staking on 

. It addresses two core user groups — retail users and institutions — with tailored solutions that make Bitcoin staking secure, accessible and rewarding.

For Retail Users: Fixed-Yield Earn Product

Retail users can access a fixed-yield product similar to 

). By depositing BTC into the pSTAKE platform, users earn staking rewards through Babylon's secure infrastructure. This solution is designed to make Bitcoin staking straightforward and accessible, even for users new to 

 (DeFi). Rewards are boosted through PSTAKE incentives, enhancing the appeal of this option for retail participants seeking passive income.

For institutional users, pSTAKE provides a noncustodial Bitcoin 

 token is backed 1:1 by BTC and supports LayerZero 

, making it accessible across Ethereum, BNB Chain and 

. YBTC offers additional yield opportunities through advanced DeFi strategies, such as 

 and liquidity farming, ensuring flexibility and profitability for institutions managing large-scale Bitcoin holdings.

pSTAKE enables users to stake native BTC directly on the Bitcoin network, minimizing risks and eliminating the need for 

 or third-party custody. This design ensures security and simplicity in the staking process.

Institutions staking BTC receive YBTC, a liquid ERC-20 token that represents their staked assets. YBTC is fully backed by Bitcoin, maintaining liquidity and allowing holders to trade or deploy it in DeFi protocols for additional returns. pSTAKE empowers Institutions to generate yield on their Bitcoin while they maintain full custody over their assets, a key differentiator for Institutional Bitcoin Staking.

’s interoperability standard, YBTC can operate seamlessly across multiple chains. This functionality unifies BTCFi use cases and provides greater flexibility for DeFi integration.

pSTAKE relies on Babylon’s robust security-sharing protocol that leverages Bitcoin’s battle-tested 

 (PoW) network. By converting BTC into slashable assets, Babylon deters malicious behavior, ensuring the safety of staked assets.

The pSTAKE Finance team has achieved remarkable milestones, including several innovative solutions, and outlined the following ambitious plans for the future.

The year 2024 was a transformative one for pSTAKE, marked by significant achievements in both product innovation and ecosystem growth. The protocol launched its Bitcoin liquid staking solution on Babylon, becoming the first such platform to accept native BTC deposits. This was accompanied by the introduction of a noncustodial Bitcoin staking product tailored for institutions, reinforcing pSTAKE’s commitment to security and flexibility.

Key integrations with Binance, Bybit, OKX and Bitget have enabled seamless Bitcoin staking through pSTAKE’s 

 wallets, while support for both UniSat Wallet and Leather Bitcoin wallet has further expanded accessibility. These efforts have fueled remarkable development, with pSTAKE achieving 9X growth in 

The PSTAKE token also reached new heights, debuting on 

 and Blast. The “Stake PSTAKE, Earn BTC” feature launched on Base L2, with over 6.4 million tokens staked, showcasing strong user engagement. Additionally, PSTAKE became the first BTCFi token to launch on Binance Alpha, setting a benchmark for the sector.

Looking ahead, pSTAKE is poised to solidify its leadership in the BTCFi ecosystem with a product-led growth strategy. The focus will be on offering two distinct solutions: a simple fixed-yield product for retail users, and a tailored Bitcoin LST for institutions and 

. This approach ensures that pSTAKE can address diverse user needs while still driving sustainable growth. Key objectives for 2025 include the following.

With its clear vision and ambitious road map, pSTAKE is well-positioned to lead the BTCFi revolution, empowering users to unlock the full potential of their Bitcoin assets.

The PSTAKE token drives governance and incentives within the pSTAKE protocol. By holding and staking PSTAKE, users play an active role in guiding the protocol's future, thereby contributing to its security and long-term success. The token also rewards core contributors for their efforts while discouraging harmful actions that could undermine the system.

Launched with a total supply of 500 million tokens, PSTAKE's distribution is carefully designed to prioritize decentralized governance and provide fair incentives for key contributors who drive the protocol forward.

 $0.12611 by 2025, $0.079072 by 2026 and $0.156502 by 2030, indicating a promising rise over the long term. DigitalCoinPrice is slightly more optimistic, 

 of $0.0981 by 2025, $0.12 by 2026 and $0.25 by 2030. 

However, Gate.io is weighing in with more conservative estimates, forecasting an average price of $0.0479 for 2025, $0.05197 for 2026 and $0.10 by 2030. These outlooks reflect the different factors considered by each platform, but all of them signal that PSTAKE could see steady growth in the years ahead.

While these projections offer a range of perspectives, several fundamental drivers could influence PSTAKE's future value:

Looking to trade pSTAKE Finance tokens? Bybit now offers the PSTAKE/USDT Spot trading pair. To get started, simply create an account on Bybit, fund it with cryptocurrency and navigate to the 

PSTAKE Finance presents a unique solution by enabling liquid staking across multiple blockchains. Backed by Binance Labs and supported by major investors like Sequoia Capital, DeFiance Capital and Galaxy Digital, the protocol aims to address the liquidity issues associated with staking by issuing YBTC, which can be traded or used in DeFi applications. This innovation allows every day retail users and institutions to generate yield on their Bitcoin, positioning pSTAKE as a key player in BTCFi. Its road map includes further integrations , TVL growth, and increased accessibility to the PSTAKE Token and its staking utility, adding to its growing appeal.

Price forecasts for PSTAKE show potential long-term growth, with estimates ranging from $0.0479 in 2025 to $0.25 by 2030. The protocol’s solid partnerships and decentralized governance model further strengthen its prospects. Its strategic approach to tokenomics and its expansion into key blockchain ecosystems firmly position PSTAKE to become an essential tool for crypto investors looking to maximize their returns while maintaining flexibility. 

However, as with any investment, there are inherent risks, and past performance isn’t indicative of future results. Investors should carefully consider their risk tolerance and 

pSTAKE Finance champions the solution of BTCFi yields with Bitcoin Staking on Babylon across various blockchains. Its future-focused road map and strong partnerships make it an intriguing option for investors seeking passive income in the crypto space. However, as with any investment, investors should tread with caution.

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pSTAKE Finance (PSTAKE): Higher Yields With BTC Liquid Staking

Dive into Story, a Layer 1 blockchain built to tokenize global intellectual property (IP), a multitrillion-dollar industry.

Despite the fact that global intangible assets' value 

 in 2023, existing blockchains aren’t suitable for efficiently handling intellectual property (IP) management. Story aims to change this with the world's first 

 (L1) chain that’s been specifically built for IP. In this article, you’ll learn what Story is, who founded and invested in the project, how it works and what its ecosystem looks like. Let's get started!

 is a Layer 1 blockchain network built purposely for intellectual property (IP). Tapping into a multitrillion-dollar industry, it tokenizes IP, such as 

, AI models, songs and image rights, and embeds attributions, royalty agreements and usage terms directly into its chain. As a decentralized and transparent solution for intellectual property management, Story offers IP holders enhanced IP protection, seamless collaboration and access to new revenue opportunities. The project's intentional blockchain comes in especially handy in today's increasingly AI-powered economy.

The Story protocol aims to provide an effective solution to the lack of rightful compensation for IP owners who share their work online. Even if their works become valuable and popular, original creators are not fairly rewarded or even credited for their ideas. Artificial intelligence (AI) models are trained on (and produce) copyrighted data, yet the current IP system can't keep up with the massive popularity of AI-generated media. To avoid discouraging creators from sharing their ideas with the world, Story has implemented built-in protections in its L1 chain to automatically credit IP owners, and to ensure they receive fair compensation for their work.

Story was founded in 2022 by Jason Levy, Jason Zhao and Seung Yoon Lee to address the growing challenges between IP, creativity and AI.

To date, Story has raised $134.3 million in funds across three rounds. Its most notable investors include Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Samsung Next, Mirana, Polychain Capital and Endeavor. Among these backers, a16z has played the most significant role, with the venture capital fund leading all three of the IP blockchain's funding rounds.

 software development kit (SDK) and is fully compatible with the 

. Its purpose-built blockchain leverages the unique 

 to enable anyone to on-ramp their IP to Story. Once registered on-chain, IP Assets (IPAs) are represented in the form of blockchain-based ERC-721 NFTs. If intellectual property resides in the off-chain world, owners can first mint their NFTs and then register them afterward. Each IPA consists of an on-chain NFT and an associated IP account in 

Despite being on-chain, Story enforces IPA terms and minted License Tokens via an off-chain legal contract called the 

 (PIL). Together with the Proof-of-Creativity protocol, PIL makes all registered IP programmable, enabling automated licensing and rights management via Story. It’s a real, off-chain legal contract that defines specific license terms for the legal licensing of IP Assets.

Story uses a wide range of modules for managing and enforcing IP rights, including the following.

You can find out more about how Story works by visiting the project's 

 of the Agent Transaction Control Protocol for Intellectual Property (Agent TCP/IP). It’s an experimental framework that enables agents to trade IP with each other. Examples include training data, investment strategies, creative style and more, which agents can exchange and monetize autonomously. Born as the result of a weeklong sprint at Story's skunkworks AI Agent Lab, Agent TCP/IP was developed in collaboration with organizations and individuals, such as Virtuals, Zerebro's ZerePy and ai16z's Eliza.

Story's ever-growing ecosystem includes numerous partners and participants. With use cases ranging from art and AI models to storytelling and fashion, some of the most notable players in Story's network are the AI storytelling platform Sekai, the Mahojin Remix AI Layer , the Color IP marketplace and the intellectual property-focused Telegram Koni Story mini app. You can learn more about Story's ecosystem 

Story takes a unique approach to intellectual property management, addressing key challenges in attribution, licensing and fair compensation in an AI-driven economy. With its purpose-built Layer 1 blockchain, the platform enables creators to tokenize and protect their IP while unlocking new revenue opportunities.

Backed by nearly $135 million in funding and supported by major investors like a16z crypto and Samsung Next, Story is well-positioned to take a leading role in the evolution of digital rights management. As it moves toward its mainnet launch in Q1 2025, Story’s innovative features and ever-growing ecosystem are set to redefine the way we create, license and monetize intellectual property.

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Story: The World's First IP Blockchain

Experienced traders who become Copy Trading Gold&FX Master Traders share their trading expertise, allowing Followers to automatically copy their positions.

Want to monetize your trading expertise and build a following in the forex and commodities markets? Bybit's Copy Trading Gold&FX platform enables skilled traders to earn profit-sharing rewards by letting others automatically copy their trading strategies.

But what exactly is a Master Trader, and how can you get started? This guide breaks down what Gold&FX Master Trading is, its benefits, key requirements, how to apply — and whether it's the right path for your trading career.

–based copy trading system that enables investors to automatically replicate the trading strategies of experienced traders across forex, commodities and market indices.

With MT5's professional infrastructure, Master Traders can execute positions that are automatically copied by their Followers while earning up to 15% profit share from successful trades. This creates a mutually beneficial environment in which expertise is rewarded while newer traders access established strategies.

Who Is a Bybit Copy Trading Gold&FX Master Trader?

A Gold&FX Master Trader is an experienced trader who shares their trading expertise on Bybit's MT5 platform, allowing Followers to automatically copy their positions in forex, indices and commodities markets. Master Traders can earn up to 15% profit share from their Followers' successful trades, with shares distributed weekly.

Benefits of Being a Bybit Copy Trading Gold&FX Master Trader

Master Traders on Bybit Copy Trading Gold&FX can earn the following benefits.

Master Traders are able to monetize their expertise by earning up to 15% profit share from their Followers' trades. Since success and Follower growth directly increase earning potential, this creates opportunities for substantial passive income.

The platform implements a High water mark (HWM) principle for profit distribution, releasing rewards only when trading results surpass previous performance peaks. Profit shares are calculated weekly and distributed every Sunday at midnight (MT5 server time, which is UTC+3 during DST, UTC+2 during Standard Time).

Master Traders have access to a comprehensive suite of traditional financial markets, including forex pairs, commodities and indices. This diverse range of trading instruments enables them to diversify strategies and broaden trading opportunities across multiple asset classes.

Master Traders can start with one Follower, and scale up to 300 concurrent Followers as they demonstrate consistent performance. This progression allows Master Traders to build their reputations, increasing profit-sharing income as they prove their expertise.

The MetaTrader 5 platform delivers institutional-grade infrastructure with 

, comprehensive market analysis features and high-speed execution capabilities. This trading environment enables Master Traders to execute strategies and analyze market opportunities with professional precision.

Master Traders can adjust their profit-sharing ratio at any time to optimize strategies based on market conditions and Follower engagement. The platform handles all technical aspects of 

, allowing Master Traders to fully focus on executing trading strategies.

What to Know Before Applying to Be a Bybit Copy Trading Gold&FX Master Trader

Following are the key requirements and considerations for becoming a Master Trader.

How to Apply to Become a Bybit Copy Trading Gold&FX Master Trader

The application process consists of two main phases: submitting your application, and setting up your MT5 account. Carefully follow the steps below to become a Master Trader.

 and log in to your Bybit account. If you don’t have a Bybit Subaccount, click on the profile icon, select 

and create a new Subaccount, following the on-screen instructions.

: After you’ve created a Subaccount, hover your cursor over the 

. This will take you to the Master Trader application page.

: Read the Master Trader Agreement carefully, and check the box stating 

I have understood and agreed to the above agreement

: Fill in the following required information:

: Review all information, and check (✓) the box to agree to MT5 Terms and Conditions. Then, click on 

: In the confirmation window, review the information and click on 

: Once your application is successful, you’ll receive an approval email. Open it, and click on the 

 link in the email to create a new password.

 to set your MT5 Account password. If you haven’t already done so, set up Google Authentication on your Gold&FX Master Trader Subaccount by following this 

: Select the type of password you’d like to reset. The pop-up window has two options:

 and click on the download icon to install MT5 on your device. 

: Set up Google Authentication for your Gold&FX Master Trader Subaccount (if you haven’t already done so). Then, follow the security setup guide provided by Bybit.

: Once you’ve successfully downloaded MT5, launch the application, and log in with your credentials. Then, verify access to trading features.

Congratulations! You are now a Gold&FX Master Trader. Switch to your Gold&FX Master Trader Subaccount and MT5 Account to start Copy Trading.

Should You Apply to Be a Bybit Copy Trading Gold&FX Master Trader?

Applying to become a Gold&FX Master Trader is worth considering if you:

Before applying, carefully evaluate your trading experience and commitment level. While no prior performance record is required, your success as a Master Trader will depend upon maintaining consistent returns and building trust with your Followers.

Bybit Copy Trading Gold&FX transforms trading expertise into a scalable business opportunity through its Master Trader program. With detailed platform resources, profit-sharing potential and room for growth, Bybit Copy Trading Gold&FX provides a clear path to building a meaningful presence in traditional financial markets.

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Bybit Copy Trading Gold&FX Master Trader: Your Path to Elite Earnings

Bitcoin

Investing

 In mid-2023, Bitcoin briefly surged above $30,000, but swiftly plunged to $26,000 in August. This begs the question: Should I buy Bitcoin now while it's below $30,000? This article will help you make an informed decision.

Bitcoin-price-chart.png

Toward the end of June 2023, Bitcoin briefly broke above $30,000, and most people thought the price would skyrocket. However, the price failed to break the strong resistance around $29,000 and stalled for weeks. Eventually, in mid-August 2023, BTC plunged from $29,000 to $26,000 and is still trading sideways around that level.

One question that's always on an investor's mind, especially during this 

: Should I buy Bitcoin now, or could it drop a little further?

While no one is 100% sure that Bitcoin has bottomed out yet, this article explores whether you should buy Bitcoin when it’s still below $30,000 or wait for a major price rally (up/down) to get in.

 is the first successful cryptocurrency to be created and still remains the face of the crypto world. Since its entrance into fintech in 2009, Bitcoin’s transformative power on traditionally rigid and opaque financial systems has been impossible to ignore. Since then, Bitcoin has opened doors to thousands of 

 designed to redefine how money moves in the modern world.

, Bitcoin allows you to instantly and cheaply transfer money and value almost anywhere in the world without the need for centralized intermediaries or middlemen who make the process lengthy and expensive. 

To date, Bitcoin's founder(s) remain anonymous with a pseudonym, 

, associated with the coin's creation. Despite this anonymity, Bitcoin has become a favorite asset class among investors who view it as a legitimate store of value.

Bitcoin has certain properties that, compared to fiat currencies such as the U.S. dollar, make it a great alternative to physical money. One of its most attractive properties is that it can be used as a store of value, which is why it’s commonly referred to as 

. Despite its volatility, Bitcoin has risen in value over the years, increasing by over 38,000%.

Bitcoin’s decentralized governance ensures that no single entity controls it — unlike most currencies, whose mechanics are in governmental hands. As part of a 

 payment network, Bitcoin can be transacted directly with another party without needing a bank to confirm the transaction.

As such, Bitcoin has become a favorite choice for cross-border payments. Traditional remittance systems such as SWIFT can take days to approve transactions, but paying with Bitcoin is nearly instant and can be done at a fraction of the cost.

Of course, this raises the question: Is Bitcoin safe? 

Yes, because all BTC transactions are recorded in a public ledger on a blockchain that’s nearly immutable (i.e., cannot be altered or tampered with). Additionally, each transaction's approval must be verified through Bitcoin mining, which involves cracking a cryptographic algorithm and a consensus mechanism known as 

Furthermore, Bitcoin’s use case has recently been upgraded to include 

, you can own a rare and valuable inscribed 

 with a unique identity, which can be exchanged and tracked on the Bitcoin blockchain.

The crypto market is highly volatile, and Bitcoin is no exception — considering that the world’s top cryptocurrency dropped over 75% in value from $69,000 in November 2021 to below $16,500 one year later.

However, such a decrease isn’t uncommon, since the coin often goes through cyclical price highs and lows, especially when there’s a lot of FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) in the market.

Usually, you can’t point to one single occurrence that causes Bitcoin’s price to dip. In the recent price plunge of August 2023, a number of macroeconomic circumstances could have triggered the dip, including the following:

Such events don’t do much to boost investor confidence, especially in an already struggling crypto market. The price plunge isn’t unique to Bitcoin, also impacting other digital currencies that tend to move in tandem with BTC’s price.

Despite an upbeat start to 2023, Bitcoin's price has been getting frail. The drop in August marked BTC’s worst performance in the same month over the past eight years, driving persistent bearish sentiments further. Additionally, September has 

, and price prediction experts believe we could witness another dip in the coming weeks.

That said, when looking at how low Bitcoin prices can go, it's important to consider 

 factors. From a fundamental aspect, macro triggers — such as historical price trends and a higher inflation rate — could adversely impact Bitcoin’s price. On the technical front, it’s crucial to consider 

 that provide insights into a potential downturn, such as bearish chart formations like the 

 to assess the possibility of a breakdown in price support.

Should Bitcoin's price continue to drop, the next support levels to watch are $25,000 (which has been tested slightly) and $22,000. If the price were subsequently to continue to drop, $16,000 is a critical support level for Bitcoin — which, if broken, could see its value slide to $11,000. 

However, experts are of the opinion that Bitcoin will not fall below $10,000 in the long term, given its role as a pioneering and established cryptocurrency with global recognition.

No one knows when exactly Bitcoin will bottom out and reverse the current trend, which crypto enthusiast Michaël van de Poppe 

 the “longest bear market in history” for Bitcoin.

In investment circles, there’s a mantra that goes “buy low, sell high.” Based on this, it may seem that entering a Bitcoin long position at the moment is attractive, due to discounted prices. However, it's also crucial to look at certain catalysts that could drive up Bitcoin's price, making now an excellent time to own some Bitcoin. Let’s look at a few of them.

Every time a miner successfully confirms a Bitcoin transaction by solving an algorithmic puzzle to confirm a block of transactions on the Bitcoin blockchain, they’re rewarded with BTC. After the mining of 210,000 blocks of Bitcoin transactions (approximately every four years), this reward is reduced by 50%.

Initially, Bitcoin miners received 50 BTC for successfully completing a block of transactions. 

 took place in November 2012, reducing the reward to 25 BTC, and the next occurred in July 2016, which lowered the reward to 12.5 coins. The most recent halving, in May 2020, brought the reward down to 6.25 BTC.

Based on this pattern, the next Bitcoin halving is expected to take place in April 2024, and the reward will be cut to 3.125 coins.

Why is Bitcoin halving so significant in the crypto world? Every time the event nears, Bitcoin’s 

 (the mining power needed to confirm a transaction) tends to increase. While a higher hash rate tightens security against 

 on the Bitcoin network, it also translates to a higher mining difficulty, making it harder for miners to mint new Bitcoins.

As such, Bitcoin halving reduces Bitcoin’s supply, which in turn drives Bitcoin’s price and value up since the coin has a finite supply of 21 million coins.

Historically, there's been a lot of frenzy in the crypto world in the months leading up to and after an anticipated Bitcoin halving event. Experts and the crypto community are cautiously optimistic about a significant price appreciation of Bitcoin as each halving event approaches.

As an investor, you can make a strategic decision to buy Bitcoin based on this historical trend, but it isn’t a guarantee of a future increase in Bitcoin’s price. You need to research whether there’s been any growth on the Bitcoin network, and if the ever-increasing mining difficulty could level off mining activity for Bitcoin.

Growing Institutional Interest in Bitcoin

Institutions such as hedge funds, tech firms and other investment firms control a large chunk of the money running the global economy. After years of shying away from cryptocurrencies, these institutions are now evolving and actively adding Bitcoin into their portfolios. According to 

, institutional crypto adoption for the last five years has risen by 14.2%.

Some of the motivations driving increased institutional adoption of crypto include diversification of portfolios, client demand and hedging against turbulent economic times. Tech companies are also exploring Bitcoin and 

 for their innovative, fast and secure payment infrastructure.

In 2023, some notable big names to enter the crypto space have been BlackRock and Fidelity Crypto®, which filed for spot 

 in June. In May, top fintech names such as Goldman Sachs, Deloitte and over 30 other firms 

 the Canton Network, designed for institutional crypto investment assets. 

What does this increased institutional interest mean for Bitcoin? It indicates growing confidence in Bitcoin as a store of value, rather than a purely speculative asset — as was previously the case among retail investors.

Furthermore, it reveals that continued clarity of Bitcoin regulation by governments is boosting investor confidence, especially among institutions that shun ambiguity due to the risk involved. As these institutions continue growing their Bitcoin holdings, we may witness a pump in Bitcoin’s price over time.

Bitcoin regulation has remained a gray area in most countries. Consequently, the legal gaps around Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies have opened the space to fraudulent and criminal activities, such as money laundering, 

. However, recently, especially in 2023, various governments worldwide have moved to develop clearer policies regarding the regulation of cryptocurrencies.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has made strides in requiring crypto exchanges to comply with regulatory requirements. While such regulatory pressure may seem unfriendly to crypto firms, who fundamentally believe in the pseudonymous nature of Bitcoin, it plays a crucial role in stabilizing the market, which will benefit the niche in the long run.

With increased regulation, the speculative nature of crypto assets will diminish and gradually be replaced by the real utility of digital currencies. It will also boost investor confidence because it will increase guidance on protecting their assets. This, in turn, will expedite mass adoption, which is vital for the growth of the cryptocurrency market as a whole. 

 battle against the SEC in the spot Bitcoin ETF case is a crystal-clear example of how heightened regulation fosters enhanced investor confidence. Just after the court ruling on Aug 29, 2023, Bitcoin’s price swiftly shot from $26,000 to almost $28,000 within a day, though it’s since eased to the $27,000 level. 

Biggest Reasons to Consider Selling Bitcoin Instead

Should You Buy Bitcoin Now While It's Still Below $30,000?

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards