Blockchain

Bitcoin topped $98,000 for the first time Thursday, extending a streak of almost daily all-time highs since the U.S. presidential election. The cryptocurrency has rocketed more than 40% in just two weeks.

Bitcoin surged past $96,000, fueled by expectations that a crypto-friendly regulatory environment under the Biden administration will propel the digital currency to new heights. The cryptocurrency's price has doubled this year, driven by a surge in institutional investment and growing mainstream acceptance.

October saw a 10% Bitcoin rally, fueled by the US election and Fed rate cuts. Bitcoin is now trading above $91,000, and the overall crypto market cap has exceeded $3 trillion. Ethereum and Solana are promising Layer 1s with potential for significant returns. ETH is at a value buy point, and SOL is poised for growth. However, crypto investments involve high risk and require careful research.

A new survey by Deloitte India revealed that a significant majority of high-end corporate taxpayers in India are seeking enhanced technological integration within the income tax system. The survey highlighted a desire for real-time reporting, automated processes, and the use of technologies like blockchain and AI to streamline tax compliance and improve efficiency.

Rexas Finance, a new platform tokenizing real-world assets, has successfully raised $8.6 million in its fifth presale stage. This achievement highlights strong investor confidence in the project's mission to democratize investment opportunities. Rexas Finance has garnered attention for its innovative approach and commitment to security, as evidenced by its recent CertiK audit and listings on CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko.

Goldman Sachs' blockchain-based technology platform will become "industry owned" and is expected to be implemented within the next 12 to 18 months. Banks have long shown interest in using blockchain technology for trading assets such as cash and bonds. However, implementing it on a large scale would require a major overhaul of the technology infrastructure underpinning financial markets.

Melania Trump intends to continue her controversial blockchain business despite Donald Trump's expected return to the White House.

Grow Digi, a blockchain technology startup, has developed a technology that improves their application by reducing transaction time, lowering data storage requirements, and enhancing security. "We have been granted two patents from the government's patent office. We are the first Indian firm to have a Layer One patent registered in India," said the founder and managing director, Sachin Kumar.

The latest, according to a post on X from blockchain analytics platform Spot On Chain, happened on 15 November, when a "Satoshi-era Bitcoin wallet holding 2,000 BTC ($178 million) woke up after 14 years of dormancy."

In the pilot, transactions were carried out with multinational clients and banks, including domestic transactions in Switzerland and cross-border payments in US dollars, Swiss francs, euros and Chinese yuan, UBS said in a statement.

On Wednesday, crypto exchange Kraken announced job cuts a person familiar with the matter said amounts to 15% of workers, while rival Coinbase Inc. reported earnings that missed estimates. Software developer Consensys is among other digital-asset firms that recently started trimming jobs.

As Bitcoin nears its all-time high, excitement about a potential altcoin season builds. This period could see altcoins, especially those in decentralized finance, layer-2 solutions, and blockchain gaming, gain traction. Institutional interest and regulatory clarity may further drive market confidence while cautioning investors about the inherent volatility.

The Bitcoin whitepaper, released by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008, aimed to create a decentralized transaction system. Bitcoin evolved from an experimental digital currency to a significant financial asset, sparking regulatory attention and innovative cryptocurrency developments. Nowadays, Bitcoin influences global finance, regulatory frameworks, and even political agendas.

Hamster Kombat seamlessly blends web3, gaming and cryptocurrency, inviting players to build their virtual empires while unlocking real-world rewards through active participation and the upcoming $HMSTR airdrop.

Ethereum, currently priced at $2,679.08 USD, has experienced considerable price fluctuations. Analysis indicates short-term stability and long-term growth potential. With price targets between $3,500 to $35,000 by 2030, the future of Ethereum looks promising, driven by expanding use cases and significant adoption. Market trends and technological developments are key factors affecting its future value.

NEAR Protocol (NEAR) is a layer-one blockchain that was designed as a community-run cloud computing platform eliminating some of the limitations that have been bogging competing blockchains, such as low transaction speeds, low throughput and poor interoperability. This provides the ideal environment for DApps with a developer-friendly platform.

US Senator Cynthia Lummis proposes creating a national Bitcoin reserve to secure the country's financial future, comparing it to the Louisiana Purchase. The crypto industry has donated a record $119 million to political campaigns this cycle, backing candidates across party lines. This approach reflects the broader importance of crypto as an economic force and a potential driver of technological growth.

The market value of on-chain real-world assets (RWAs) has surpassed $12 billion, with potential to reach $16 trillion by 2030. RWA tokenization allows fractional ownership of high-value assets like real estate and commodities, enhancing liquidity and access. India is making strides in this space, particularly through GIFT City.

​​The trading firm Wintermute Trading, which offers liquidity for digital assets by buying and selling them in the crypto market, is collaborating with crypto risk manager Chaos Labs to launch a betting market next week that will focus on the outcome of the contest.

Web3's early solution to scalability issues was modularity—breaking down blockchain tasks into separate components. This resulted in the creation of various layer-2 solutions, rollups, sidechains, and state channels, which boosted scalability but also caused increased fragmentation. Each new solution formed its own ecosystem with separate liquidity pools, user bases, and a steeper learning curve for developers and users.