Jan 13, 2025: Our weekly Institutional Insights explores the latest market developments — market performance, industry news, exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows, trending topics, upcoming events and token unlocks — to help you supercharge your crypto trading.

 explores the latest market developments — market performance, industry news, exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows, trending topics, upcoming events and token unlocks — to help you supercharge your crypto trading.

Weekly Highlight — Unexpectedly Strong U.S. Employment Rattles Market

In December, the U.S. economy added 256,000 jobs, the largest increase since March 2024, while the unemployment rate unexpectedly dropped to 4.1%. This robust performance suggests a pause in the Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts may be forthcoming. Despite high borrowing costs and inflation, the labor market added 2.2 million jobs in 2024, slightly below 2023's growth, and revisions have indicated a more resilient labor market than previously thought.

Job growth was led by sectors like healthcare and retail, though manufacturing experienced losses. Wage growth is slowing, with average hourly earnings up 3.9% year-over-year. Economists have noted surprising gains in the household survey, indicating potential market stabilization. However, concerns persist about layoffs and the impact of the incoming administration's economic policies, alongside scrutiny of declining response rates in job data.

Weekly Crypto Highlight — Decentralized Finance Has a New Category (DeFAI)

The number of AI agents is rapidly increasing, covering various areas such as trading bots and automation tools, and can be chaotic and overwhelming. However, focusing on a promising niche — DeFAI, which merges 

 (DeFi) with artificial intelligence (AI) — could be transformative.

DeFAI aims to simplify DeFi for everyday users through AI agents. While DeFi was intended to democratize financial tools, its complexity has limited its reach. The goal is to make using DeFi as straightforward as texting a tech-savvy friend. Users should be able to simply say, “Stake my ETH,” and let AI handle the details.

Although many DeFAI projects are still in their early stages and reliant upon technical advancements, the potential is substantial. Benefits include user profitability, as over 80% of users can achieve better profits with AI-driven trading and farming, minimizing costly human errors. Additionally, there’s significant revenue potential, with existing trading bot protocols like Photon and BananaGun successfully simplifying DeFi, offering a model for future DeFAI projects. Unlike many AI offerings, these agents provide genuine value to DeFi.

Daniele Sesta, founder of Frog Nation, a synergistic network of DeFi projects, has identified three key use cases for AI in DeFi: 

, a chat-based interface for Solana DeFi currently in invite-only access; 

, a forthcoming tool (led by Daniele Sesta) that simplifies DeFi activities; and 

, an ETH Layer 2 with 129 AI agents on the network that’s already facilitating over 1,600 transactions on a daily basis. These innovations have the potential to redefine DeFi user engagement.

Advanced

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Weekly Institutional Insights: Risk Assets Fall on Lower Rate Cut Expectations; Say Hi to DeFAI

ai16z (AI16Z) redefines venture capital with AI-driven investments on Solana. Powered by DAO governance, its AI agent leads innovation in blockchain VC.

 (AI) agents in the crypto industry has experienced unprecedented growth over the past couple of years, even by the standards of the already booming overall AI sector. Smart agents that automate a variety of complex tasks have been a major driver of growth for many innovative businesses, including in the blockchain niche. 

Now, one project is taking it all to a completely new level by pioneering AI-driven venture capital (VC) investment. Named ai16z (AI16Z), it’s a 

 (DAO) that uses community-driven governance and smart VC investing managed by a powerful 

 known as “Marc AIndreessen.” Anyone familiar with the world of technology investing and its behemoth, Andreessen Horowitz (also known as a16z), has probably guessed that the name of the DAO-based project is a tongue-in-cheek reference to this giant of the investment sector, and the Marc AIndreessen AI agent is an allusion to its maverick co-founder, 

Having started its operations in late October 2024, ai16z has already seen its native token, AI16Z, hit a 

 of $2 billion on New Year's Eve, Dec 31, 2024, the first Solana-based AI agent cryptocurrency to achieve this feat.

 blockchain that uses a DAO governance model and utilizes an AI agent to invest in technology-focused projects and crypto assets. 

The ai16z platform is a bold undertaking to completely redefine the way VC investment works. Community members 

 holders of the platform’s native token, AI16Z 

 participate in a democratized governance process and may propose projects for consideration by the AI agent, which ultimately manages ai16z’s investment activities. Token holders can provide their input into investment opportunities, but the process of investing is managed by “Marc AIndreessen” 

 an AI agent created using the popular Eliza development framework.

The platform's name, ai16z, is a humorous reference to Andreessen Horowitz, also known as a16z, a leading technology investment firm, while Marc AIndreessen is a pun referencing a16z's co-founder, Marc Andreessen.

The project was launched on Solana in late October 2024. By Dec 31, 2024, its native token, AI16Z, had reached a market cap of $2 billion, a level that no other AI agent crypto on Solana has so far managed to attain. As of the time of this writing on Jan 10, 2025, AI16Z has become the industry’s third-highest-capped cryptocurrency in the category of AI agents, with a market cap of around $1.7 billion.

The platform's investment management agent, the AI Marc, has been developed using ElizaOS, a popular framework for developing AI agents. ElizaOS allows you to build sophisticated AI agents for complex tasks ranging from social media personas to interactive characters. in the case of the ai16z platform, the Marc AIndreessen agent is certainly capable of highly sophisticated functionality, with the ability to make and execute investment decisions.

The Eliza project's origins date back decades before the birth of blockchain technology. In 1966, Joseph Weizenbaum, a computer scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), created the ELIZA program, a rule-based system with elements of early AI technology. ELIZA allowed users to have rudimentary text-based interaction with the computer, essentially acting as the first AI chatbot. Decades later, the program was adapted to the needs of the now booming 

 to form the basis of the Eliza AI agent development framework.

ai16z's Eliza-based Marc AIndreessen is among the most popular recent examples of this technology. The AI Marc acts as a multi-functional agent that can analyze on-chain data and transactions, execute orders and evaluate project proposals submitted by the platform's user community.

The term “virtual marketplace of trust” refers to the ai16z component that manages and maintains trust scores, assigned to the platform's users, to enhance investment decision-making. As we noted earlier, holders of the AI16Z token can propose projects and assets for AI Marc's consideration.

The marketplace of trust combines three main components to create and manage trust scores:

The platform’s AI investment manager, the Marc AIndreessen AI agent, is publicly represented on social media with the X handle of 

. This “AI Marc joined” the social media platform back in September 2022, and as of early January 2025 has over 30,000 followers.

Marc AIndreessen’s X account boldly predicts that the AI venture capitalist is going to outperform the real-world Marc Andreessen, something that is, of course, going to be a challenging task. At the time of this writing, Marc AIndreessen has around $25 million in assets under management (AUM) — not the worst result for a three-month-young project — although this is a fraction of the over $40 billion managed by the real-world Marc Andreessen.

 is another initiative related to the ai16z platform. It lets token creators, typically those launching 

, conduct fundraising activities to support their projects. Creators are given one week to conduct their fundraising, and can choose who to invite to their fundraising activities. If successful in raising funds, a creator receives 90% of the amount (in the form of Solana’s SOL tokens) to invest in their preferred protocols on the blockchain.

The funds and investors attracted by the creator are structured as a DAO, specific to that token and its investment activities.

daos.fun is one of the recent examples of meme coin launch platforms on which creators have the opportunity to crowdfund their projects. These platforms have grown popular in the aftermath of the successful market run of 

, a Solana-based meme coin launchpad introduced in early 2024. However, daos.fun maintains creator verification, potentially making it a safer environment for investors interested in meme coin projects.

Unlike pump.fun, with daos.fun, verified creators are issued special badges to signal their trustworthiness. This is potentially a key factor in reducing the risk of users investing in 

, a problem of gigantic proportions in the world of meme coins.

The AI16Z token was launched in late October 2024, initially trading at $0.02–$0.06. In mid-November, the token received its first major boost when a partner at Andreessen Horowitz mentioned the AI fund in their post on X. On Nov 19, 2024, the token rose to nearly $0.50 before losing some of these gains over the following days.

However, the real boost to the token’s fortunes came in late December. On Dec 23, 2024, AI16Z was trading at around $0.60. It started to rise sharply from then on, and by Jan 2, 2025, the token catapulted to its all-time high of $2.47. Although AI16Z has lost some of these spectacular gains as of Jan 10, 2025, it still flies high, trading at $1.51. The market has clearly shown an enthusiastic attitude to the idea of AI agent–based crypto investment.

As of Jan 10, 2025, AI16Z is trading at $1.54, 38.4% below its Jan 2, 2025 all-time high (ATH) of $2.47 and 14,809.5% higher than its ATL of $0.01019 on Nov 3, 2024.

Long-term forecasts for the token are largely bullish.DigitalCoinPrice 

 to trade at $5.30 in 2027 and $8.23 in 2030, whileCoinCodex 

AI16Z is available on Bybit's Spot market as a 

. To buy the token, first, navigate to the 

 section in the main menu on Bybit's homepage, then select the

option from the drop-down menu to find the Spot pair. Alternatively, enter the token's ticker in the search box at the upper right side of the homepage. You’ll see the 

 option appear. Click on that option, and it will take you to the pair's trading page. On the right side of the page, enter the options for the quantity to buy and order type. Having specified your options, press the prominently displayed 

 campaign to grab a share of a 50,000 AI16Z prize pool. Under the terms of the campaign, new users need to accumulate a deposit volume of at least 100 AI16Z, or deposit 100 USDT and trade 100 USDT worth of AI16Z via their first trade with Bybit, in order to share in a 35,000 AI16Z prize pool. Meanwhile, existing users can also earn rewards by simply trading at least 500 USDT worth of AI16Z on Bybit’s Spot market to earn their share of a 15,000 AI16Z prize pool. The campaign is valid through Jan 20, 2025, 8:59AM UTC, and rewards are on a first-come, first-served basis.

The ai16z platform is the ultimate AI/crypto synergy initiative. It's the first venture capital firm to employ AI agents in the core function of investment management. The project aims to become a real disruptor in the field. Currently, the $25 million in AUM handled by the AI Marc looks quite modest. However, the project is still in the early months of its market presence, and only time will tell if the AI-based VC model championed by ai16z becomes a viable alternative to traditional investment fund management.

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ai16z (AI16Z): The AI-Driven DAO Redefining Venture Capital

Seraph is an advanced AI agent built by BitMind, designed to operate autonomously or semi-autonomously across diverse applications. Find out more now!

 emerges as a new autonomous AI agent at the intersection of blockchain technology and AI, combining the decentralized intelligence of 

. Designed to serve as the ultimate digital guardian, Seraph operates as an authenticator and evaluator, distinguishing truth from deception in a world increasingly dominated by synthetic data.

This article delves into the ecosystem of Seraph by Virtuals and its unique features, market performance and benefits for Bybit users.

 is a blockchain-based platform built on the 

 network that enables its users to create AI agents — virtual characters that can engage and interact within their environments in ways that closely mimic human behavior. These AI agents are designed to operate autonomously — learning, making decisions and even performing on-chain transactions, making them versatile tools for various applications.

The platform addresses the untapped potential of the $100 billion AI market, particularly within the 

 industries. It introduces decentralized co-ownership of AI-powered tokens, giving users tangible value through their engagement with its ecosystem.

Virtuals Protocol offers two types of agents:

In brief, Virtuals Protocol’s AI agent platform ensures transparency, security and co-ownership, evolving the way AI agents are integrated into gaming, entertainment and beyond.

, is designed to operate autonomously or semi-autonomously across diverse applications. Its platform prioritizes transparency, security and decentralization in its operations, and embodies the concept of a self-reliant digital entity capable of learning, adapting and performing tasks with minimal human intervention. 

Whether in gaming, content creation or data analysis, Seraph’s integration with blockchain frameworks such as Virtuals Protocol enables it to interact smoothly within decentralized ecosystems. This innovative approach positions Seraph as a transformative tool, bridging AI advancements with web3’s decentralized principles.

Leveraging advanced AI algorithms, Seraph can execute tasks based on predefined instructions and learned behaviors. This adaptability allows it to make decisions and perform actions autonomously, enabling superb functionality across a variety of use cases, such as gaming, content creation and data analysis. 

Built on the Virtuals Protocol, Seraph boasts exceptional interoperability to support interaction across multiple blockchain platforms and 

 (DApps). This design ensures Seraph’s versatility, allowing it to function within diverse ecosystems while maintaining transparency and security. 

Ownership of Seraph is represented through tokenization, making it a co-owned AI agent. Each SERAPH token corresponds to one ownership stake, enabling contributors to share in the potential growth and value of Seraph’s performance.

Seraph generates revenue through various activities, such as facilitating transactions or performing specialized tasks. This revenue is distributed among its token holders, creating a passive income stream for co-owners. Ultimately, Seraph incentivizes participation and fosters a sustainable ecosystem in which users and developers can mutually benefit.

By integrating with Bittensor, Seraph accesses a decentralized intelligence network that enhances its AI inference capabilities. Bittensor’s infrastructure provides Seraph with enough processing power and specialized outputs to ensure accuracy, efficiency and reliability in its operations. Virtuals Protocol further strengthens Seraph’s foundation by offering a secure, scalable platform for deploying AI agents. 

Seraph’s design supports deployment in a wide range of scenarios:

Integration With Bittensor and Virtuals Protocol

Bittensor’s decentralized intelligence framework allows Seraph to learn and adapt continually, while its TAO emissions provide Seraph’s operations with efficiency and incentivize both developers and stakers with a reward-driven model. Meanwhile, Virtuals Protocol enabling co-ownership and transparent interaction within the blockchain ecosystem. Together, these technologies empower Seraph to function as a highly effective AI agent that embodies the principles of decentralization, security and utility.

 an innovative staking mechanism that benefits its participants as follows:

The staking model aligns user incentives with Seraph’s mission, fostering a collaborative ecosystem for all participants to thrive.

 of $21 million, with a drawdown of 42% over the past week amid a wider market sell-off. However, the token is up 35% in the past 14 days, and reached an all-time high of $0.03859 on Jan 2, 2025.

SERAPH has a maximum supply of 1 billion tokens and a circulating/total supply of 999,550,515 million as of Jan 9, 2025.

Seraph by Virtuals merges AI and blockchain to deliver autonomous, interoperable agents, positioning itself as a transformative force in the broader web3 and DeFi system. Its road map includes expanded applications and enhanced utility, paving the way for future innovations. 

 the current SERAPH Launchpool event and stake SERAPH, MNT or USDT to earn a share of 15,000,000 SERAPH. Sign up 

Intermediate

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Seraph by Virtuals: AI Agent Utilizing Bittensor and Virtuals Tech

As Donald Trump prepares for his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States, the cryptocurrency landscape stands at a significant crossroads. 

As Donald Trump prepares for his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States, the cryptocurrency landscape stands at a significant crossroads. His unexpected embrace of Bitcoin during the 2024 campaign has set the stage for a transformative period for the crypto industry. This report will delve into the potential impacts following his inauguration, focusing on regulatory shifts, market reactions, macroeconomic contexts and the challenges that may arise.

One of the most anticipated changes under Trump's administration is a regulatory environment that’s more favorable to cryptocurrencies. With a Republican majority in both the House and Senate, the likelihood of reduced legislative barriers is high. This political landscape could enable the passage of bills aimed at clarifying the regulatory framework for digital assets.

Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century (FIT21) Act

 is positioned to gain traction. This legislation aims to delineate digital assets as either commodities or securities, potentially easing compliance burdens for crypto firms. Such clarity could foster an environment conducive to innovation, enabling startups and established companies to navigate the regulatory landscape with greater confidence.

Key appointments in Trump's administration will play a crucial role in shaping the future of cryptocurrency regulation.

Trump is expected to issue multiple executive orders on his first day in office, which may include the establishment of a crypto council and directives aimed at improving banking access to crypto services. These initiatives could signal a commitment to fostering a supportive environment for the cryptocurrency industry.

Moreover, the proposal for a U.S. Bitcoin reserve, while controversial, reflects a bold vision that could further legitimize cryptocurrency in the eyes of traditional finance. However, the legality and feasibility of such an initiative remain topics for debate.

The cryptocurrency market is likely to experience heightened volatility as traders react to the inauguration and subsequent policy announcements. Historical patterns indicate that major political events significantly influence cryptocurrency prices. With Trump's pro-crypto rhetoric, traders may position themselves for potential rallies, leading to a surge in speculative trading around key events tied to the new administration.

The inauguration may also trigger a wave of institutional investment. The launch of Bitcoin Spot ETFs has already opened the door to institutional players, and a Trump administration could further incentivize this trend by promoting a favorable environment for crypto investments. Increased institutional participation is expected to enhance market stability and liquidity, providing a solid foundation for the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

Trump's economic policies are anticipated to focus on fiscal spending and tax cuts, potentially leading to inflationary pressures. Historically, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have been viewed as a hedge against inflation, which might drive demand from investors seeking to protect their wealth. As inflation rises, the appeal of digital assets as a store of value could grow, drawing more participants into the market.

As Trump assumes office, the correlation between Bitcoin and traditional markets, particularly the S&P 500, may strengthen. If Trump's policies lead to a robust economic recovery, both crypto and equity markets could rally together, reflecting a broader "risk-on" sentiment among investors. This dynamic could create new investment opportunities, as traditional investors increasingly view cryptocurrencies as part of a diversified portfolio.

Despite a pro-crypto stance, the possibility of regulatory backlash looms large. As the government seeks to establish control over the rapidly evolving digital asset space, issues related to taxation, 

 and consumer protection could pose significant challenges for the industry. The crypto community has long been cautious of overregulation, and any missteps in implementing new policies could lead to pushback from stakeholders.

Public Sentiment and Legislative Pushback

Public sentiment toward cryptocurrencies can shift rapidly, influenced by market volatility and regulatory developments. As Trump’s administration navigates this landscape, any signs of regulatory overreach could provoke backlash from the crypto community. Advocacy groups and industry leaders may rally for more balanced policies, emphasizing the need for innovation-friendly regulations that protect investors without stifling growth.

Moreover, the political climate surrounding cryptocurrency is fraught with division. While Trump has garnered support from many in the crypto community, detractors exist who view cryptocurrencies with skepticism. This division could complicate legislative efforts, requiring careful navigation to achieve consensus on regulatory frameworks.

The inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. president is poised to bring significant changes to the cryptocurrency landscape. With a focus on pro-crypto policies, potential regulatory clarity and a macroeconomic environment that could favor digital assets, the coming months will be pivotal for the industry.

Stakeholders, however, must remain vigilant, as challenges and uncertainties continue to loom in this dynamic and evolving sector. The interplay between regulatory initiatives, market reaction and public sentiment will shape the trajectory of cryptocurrencies in the United States and beyond. As the crypto community watches closely, the implications of Trump's presidency could redefine the future of digital assets, fostering innovation while navigating the complexities of regulation and public perception.

In this transformative era, the cryptocurrency industry stands ready to adapt, innovate and thrive, provided it can successfully manage the challenges that lie ahead. The next chapter in the saga of digital assets is unfolding, and its outcomes will resonate well beyond the confines of the market, influencing the broader economic landscape for years to come.

Beginner

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Donald Trump's Inauguration: What to Expect and Its Implications

Memes

Milady (LADYS) is a meme coin created to pay homage to the Milady Maker NFTs, and is not related to the NFT project in any way. 

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Just as a single cryptic tweet from Elon Musk has sent the price of Dogecoin (

) soaring to the moon, Milady (LADYS) saw a swift rally by over 5,000% in just 24 hours after a tweet by Musk on May 11, 2023.

The meme coin wasn’t the only one that benefited from Musk's tweet: the non-fungible token (

) collection that inspired it, Milady Maker, also saw its floor price jump from 3.75 to 5.25 ETH in the secondary markets. 

Could this spark a revival for the Milady NFT collection, which had seen its prices plunge last May after being mired in a controversy? Let's dig deeper.

 is an NFT collection of 10,000 neochibi-aesthetic-inspired profile pictures (

) with art and design by two pseudonymous Twitter users, Milady Sonora and Charlotte Fang, respectively. The adorable avatars with funky clothes are said to have been inspired by Japanese street-style tribes, with each avatar having its own drip score rating its overall stylishness. 

Besides the PFPs, Milady Maker also has other features for its community: Milady VRtube (featuring Milady VTube avatars), Milady rave parties in major cities such as New York and Tokyo, Milady merch, and even a 

A hype during its genesis generated a sky-high selling price of $6,000 for one of these NFTs in mid-April 2022. However, things didn't remain rosy for long for the Milady community. Just a month later, Charlotte Fang was accused of being "Miya" — a pseudonymous neo-Nazi individual holding bigoted views against Blacks, homosexuals, transsexuals, Jews and women.

Fang initially denied the allegations, but amidst 

 by decentralized finance (DeFi) developer 0xngmi, she 

 that she was Miya, and announced that she was stepping down from the Milady NFT team. However, she still insisted that Miya’s was merely a troll account, and that her real views were nothing like that. Still, the damage was done. After her announcement, the Milady NFT price plunged by over 60% and only recovered a year later.

On May 11, 2023, Elon Musk tweeted a meme featuring the Milady Maker NFT, which caused both the Milady NFT and Milady Meme Coin prices to skyrocket.

 meme coin has turned its darker origins around, LADYS is seen by Milady Maker NFT supporters as the savior of the controversial NFT collection. In reference to Milady's drip score for its avatars, LADYS calls itself the “drip currency” of Milady. Despite this, LADYS is not affiliated with the Milady Maker NFT collection in any way. Zealous Milady NFT fans created it to pay homage to the Milady Maker NFTs.

While it has no formal road map, the Milady Meme Coin team has listed three phases of development for LADYS to hopefully achieve over time. 

The first phase is dedicated to helping LADYS trend on Twitter and listing it on both CoinGecko and CoinMarketCap, while the second involves community partnerships and 

 listings with a goal of 10,000 holders. The third and final phase outlines the Milady Meme Coin team's goal of taking over the internet, with the lofty target of making LADYS the quintessential token for internet spirituality and listing it in tier-one centralized exchanges with over 100,000 holders.

LADYS has a capped total supply of 888,000,888,000,888 tokens. Of these, 94% have been sent to the Liquidity Pool and burned, 1% were airdropped to PEPE and Milady NFT holders, and the remaining 5% are stored in a 

 name "miladymeme.eth." Like PEPE, all of its transactions incur no taxes, thereby minimizing its transaction fees.

, or top centralized exchanges like Bybit. LADYS can be purchased by creating an account and funding your wallet with USDT. After your account has received funding, you can trade LADYS as a Spot pair (

) manually or with the Bybit Spot Grid Bot. You can also trade LADYS as USDT Perpetual (

If you choose to deposit a minimum of 500,000,000 LADYS with Bybit from May 11, 2023, 9:00AM UTC–May 25, 2023, 9:00AM UTC, you’ll earn a chance to win from Bybit's 

As of May 15, 2023, LADYS has a market cap of $125.63 million and is priced at $0.00000014. This price marks an almost 20,000% increase from its all-time low of $0.00000000073 on May 10, 2023, and a decrease of 18% from its ATH of $0.00000017 on May 11, 2023. 

Analysts hold similar views toward the Milady Meme Coin, predicting an overall price increase over the years. 

 a rise of 57% in 2025 to an average of $

, followed by a sharp climb of over 250% in another five years to reach $

 in 2030. DigitalCoinPrice is even more bullish, expecting a smooth upward trend to 

Despite the claim that LADYS has no formal team or road map, and that the token is a useless meme coin, its rapid graduation from its first road map phase to its second indicates the potential for LADYS to be a valuable investment in the long term.

 are particularly volatile. With this in mind, it would be wise to diversify your investments and include some 

 in your portfolio to prevent devastating losses.

Could the Milady Meme Coin be the next Dogecoin, or is it just a burst of fireworks set to sizzle out in the night? While the future remains to be seen, the recent trajectory of LADYS makes it an intriguing meme coin to consider adding to your crypto arsenal.

Milady (LADYS): The Magical Meme Coin for Milady NFT

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards