Despite the recent market conditions, there is still a lot of potential in cryptos. Despite a more than 50% drop in crypto values last year, the long-term bull case for digital assets remains firmly intact.
The technology that powers these digital assets will undoubtedly be used more universally, providing stability, security, and transparency to numerous transactions worldwide. The long-term potential for cryptocurrency investment and the article covers the best cryptos that will make you rich in 1o years.
When deciding which cryptos to wager on, it’s imperative to consider the upside and the risks involved. Some cryptos are riskier than others; therefore, finding a balance between growth and safety is critical.
Perhaps the most compelling argument to invest in cryptos is that they have shed a ton of value this year. Markets have taken a monumental beating as the Fed continues to wage its battle against rising inflation and interest rates.
Up trend Technical graph of Bitcoin (BTC-USD) in futuristic concept, BITI ETF is a Bitcoin short fund for investors betting against Bitcoin.
Source: Sittipong Phokawattana / Shutterstock.com
Given its 13-year price history, Bitcoin’s (BTC-USD) relative stability rivals that of the conventional stock market and helps to provide a sense of security for those looking to invest in digital currency.
This also implies greater liquidity for BTC, which may increase its global reach, making it more accessible to wider markets. Furthermore, the growing adoption of Bitcoin by mainstream financial institutions has only been hastened by the Bitcoin ETFs that have sprung up in recent years.
The current economy is showing clear signs of health and growth, with the most recent jobs report indicating a flourishing labor market. With Bitcoin’s expected halving event within its usual cycle, BTC’s value will likely shoot up in response if the Fed reverses course on its monetary policy in late 2023 or early 2024.
Ethereum (ETH-USD) is the most valuable and preferred blockchain network for developers, dubbed the “lifeblood” of everything useful in this sector.
Ethereum is unparalleled in creating decentralized applications (dapps) with its robust and scalable platform. It dominates crypto niches such as non-fungible tokens and dapps, holding more than a 50% market share in these markets. Hence, it’s arguably the top crypto in terms of real-world utility.
Ethereum made waves in the crypto sphere with the Merge upgrade last year. Even more exciting is the upcoming Shanghai upgrade, slated for some time in March. This upgrade will bring even more options to ETH enthusiasts.
These upgrades will surely be game changers and only add further value to those already holding Ether tokens. It’s no wonder Ethereum is being hailed as one of the most sought-after cryptos.
Cardano (ADA) token with blue and orange digital background.
Source: Stanslavs / Shutterstock
Cardano (ADA-USD) is an exciting cryptocurrency platform for those looking to load up on a “millionaire-maker” digital asset.
The smart contract platform features a native currency, ADA, which allows users to build decentralized applications and create tokens. Plus, with the backing of its team made up of Ethereum co-founder Charles Hoskinson and pertinent partnerships, it’s no surprise that Cardano is quickly becoming one of the most promising digital assets on the market.
Cardano is making a big move towards the world of DeFi by launching their Layer 2 scaling solution, Hydra. With a potential theoretical maximum speed of up to 10 million TPS, it would certainly make Cardano much more competitive than before.
With the addition of Djed as an algorithmic stablecoin, Cardano could become one of the leaders in decentralized finance. According to crypto analytics platform Santiment, Cardano outpaced its peers in development activity last year.
Solana logo on phone screen stock image. Solana price predictions.
Source: sdx15 / Shutterstock.com
Solana (SOL-USD) is a game-changer for the DeFi space. This groundbreaking layer-1 blockchain has previously enabled developers to create and deploy formerly-impossible solutions. Thanks to its lightning-fast transaction speeds, this new challenger has quickly gained traction in the Ethereum-dominated market, providing a better user experience.
With an innovative proof-of-history validation mechanism, Solana can handle thousands of transactions per second while keeping low costs and fees, allowing users to access the benefits of DeFi without breaking the bank.
Solana has proven to be a powerful DeFi platform for multiple projects. The amount of activity on the platform is already huge and impressive. In addition, it’s fast becoming an industry leader in the NFT space, with record-breaking trading volume happening this year.
What’s more, the technical infrastructure that Solana has built up over time is only strengthening their position in the market. As such, Solana could easily become the go-to protocol for DeFi and NFTs in the upcoming years.
A Binance Coin sits in front of trading charts. Binance price predictions
Source: Shutterstock
Binance (BNB-USD) is one of the most popular cryptocurrencies, with a market cap of over $45 billion.
The massive growth in its platform is mainly credited to Binance, which offers a world-class exchange platform that users leverage to buy, sell, and trade digital assets securely and efficiently.
Over the past year, the blowup of FTX has caused waves within the crypto community, with investors growing increasingly concerned about centralized exchanges. Despite this, the truth is that retail investors still rely heavily on exchanges like Binance as an integral part of gaining exposure to cryptos.
In other words, despite the rising demand for decentralization, Binance still plays a major role in bringing cryptocurrency access to everyday traders.
Binance’s BNB utility token is now being used to support web 3.0 decentralized apps on the BNB Smart Chain, and that’s just the start of some exciting times ahead for this burgeoning blockchain. As more developers choose this infrastructure, it’s possible to see a healthy expansion in BNB’s ecosystem.
Golden Polkadot (DOT-USD) dot coin cryptocurrency on computer electronic circuit board background
Source: Thichaa / Shutterstock.com
Polkadot (DOT-USD) saw its value skyrocket in value in 2021 and was one of the standout performers of that year, but it plummeted to multi-year lows as part of the crypto winter last year. Nevertheless, it remains one of the top crypto bets this year due to its burgeoning use cases.
Polkadot’s interconnectivity enables it to act as a bridge between multiple blockchain networks, thereby creating an extremely secure network for efficient data transfer.
This same underlying technology that allowed Polkadot to gain popularity among investors is still there and provides the potential for future growth. While DOT has recently had difficulty, the fundamentals remain strong.
It could be an excellent opportunity for potentially huge returns if investors stay patient long enough for its value to begin surging again. Moreover, with Europe’s largest telecom business, Deutsche Telekom, buying a large quantity of DOT tokens in 2021, the platform will continue garnering mainstream attention.
a digital representation of the chainlink (LINK) cryptocurrency
Source: Stanslavs / Shutterstock.com
Chainlink’s (LINK-USD) ability to create secure, universal connections between various blockchains is extraordinary.
It has opened up an entire world of potential applications through its abstraction layer technology, bringing us closer to achieving interoperability between disparate blockchains for smart contract development. Its reliable and secure pathways make it easier to develop smart contracts without worrying about compatibility woes from blockchain-to-blockchain interactions.
Chainlink has established itself as one of the most important blockchain projects in revolutionizing how we use distributed ledger technology today.
Chainlink is a power player in decentralized finance, offering cutting-edge solutions for creating crypto products with added layers of security. This is thanks partly to its extraordinary advisory team including celebrity execs such as former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and ex-LinkedIn honcho Jeff Weiner.
The wealth of experience and knowledge brought to the table by Chainlink’s board members should open lots of doors to developing technology with real-world relevance and usability.
Disclosure: On the date of publication, Muslim Farooque held a LONG position in Ethereum and Solana. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines
Muslim Farooque is a keen investor and an optimist at heart. A life-long gamer and tech enthusiast, he has a particular affinity for analyzing technology stocks. Muslim holds a bachelor’s of science degree in applied accounting from Oxford Brookes University.
The post 7 Cryptos That Will Make You Rich in 10 Years appeared first on InvestorPlace.
Cryptocurrency billionaire Jed McCaleb is spearheading an ambitious effort to build the world’s first privately developed space station and send it into Earth’s orbit. The story—he is prepared to risk $1 billion of his fortune to fund the mission.
What happened: In an interview with Bloomberg, the co-founder of Ripple Labs (CRYPTO: XRP) and the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange Mt. Gox said, “It’s super important that people take this leap from where we are today to this potential world where there’s a lot of people living off the Earth.”
McCaleb’s California-based aerospace startup Vast is at the center of the mission, closely collaborating with Elon Musk’sSpaceX on the expedition to replace NASA’s International Space Station, which is scheduled to be decommissioned by 2030.
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Vast is assembling the module, just big enough to fit four people, using SpaceX-developed components, the report stated. Moreover, the company has booked SpaceX rockets to take its hardware into space and transfer its crew to the station.
Haven-1, the company’s space station, is tentatively scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in May 2026, after being pushed back from an original goal of August 2025.
“There’s not that many folks that are willing to dedicate the amount of resources and time and risk tolerance that I am,” McCaleb said in the interview, indicating his commitment to the expedition.
Ripple’s co-founder and current Executive Chairman Chris Larsen hailed McCaleb’s efforts via an X post, deeming it a “big, bold vision.”
See Also: Are you rich? Here’s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.
Why It Matters: An early pioneer in the blockchain space, McCaleb set up several well-known platforms, including Bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox, which he sold months before a series of breaches resulted in billions in losses and ultimately bankruptcy.
He also co-founded blockchain-based payments company Ripple Labs along with Larsen in 2012 but left it in 2014 over internal disagreements.
Forbes estimates his net worth to be $2.9 billion as of this writing. Most of his wealth was in XRP tokens, which he acquired as a Ripple co-founder and steadily sold over time.
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This article Crypto Tycoon Joins Forces With Elon Musk’s SpaceX To Launch First Private Space Station originally appeared on Benzinga.com
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Spot trading involves buying or selling an asset at its current market price for immediate delivery. Futures trading uses contracts to set a price and delivery date for a future transaction, allowing investors to speculate or hedge against price changes. Spot trading is ideal for immediate market exposure, while futures trading suits those focusing on longer-term trends without owning the asset directly. A financial advisor can offer additional insights on how these strategies could support your overall investment portfolio.
Spot trading refers to the direct purchase or sale of financial assets where the transaction settles “on the spot,” or almost immediately, at the current market price.
This type of trading is common across various markets, including stocks, commodities and forex, where assets are exchanged with minimal delay. Unlike transactions involving contracts, spot trading involves the actual transfer of ownership, meaning the buyer receives the asset quickly, typically within one to two business days.
Spot prices are continuously updated based on real-time supply and demand, which can make spot trading a good fit for investors who want to capitalize on short-term price movements or access immediate market liquidity.
Additionally, spot trading is straightforward in its structure-there are no expiration dates or contractual obligations. This simplicity often attracts retail traders who prefer a more direct, transparent approach to buying and selling.
Spot trading can, however, expose traders to immediate risks if market prices fluctuate unexpectedly, as positions are not hedged or protected by contracts as in other trading methods.
Futures trading involves contracts where two parties agree to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price on a specific future date. Unlike spot trading, there’s no immediate exchange of the asset; instead, the agreement is binding, with the trade settled when the contract expires.
Futures contracts cover a wide range of asset classes, such as commodities, indices and currencies, allowing traders to speculate on price movements or secure a fixed rate. This can be especially useful for businesses aiming to manage costs.
Additionally, futures markets often provide liquidity and standardized terms, which can make it easier to enter and exit positions. Futures trading also offers leveraged positions, enabling traders to control large amounts of an asset with a smaller upfront investment, amplifying both potential gains and losses.
However, the high leverage and mandatory settlement dates add layers of risk, as even small price changes can lead to significant gains or losses. As such, futures trading is widely used by institutions and experienced traders, as its complexity and margin requirements can make it less accessible to casual investors in comparison to spot trading.
An investor reviewing her portfolio.
Spot trading and futures trading differ fundamentally in how assets are exchanged, the timing of transactions and the strategies they support. While spot trading involves immediate settlement and asset ownership, futures trading uses contracts to set a future price and date, offering a structured way to manage price expectations.
These differences affect liquidity, risk levels and the flexibility each method offers, shaping how traders and businesses approach their market strategies. Understanding these contrasts helps clarify when and why each trading method might be used.
Spot trading is defined by its immediacy-assets are bought or sold for near-instant settlement based on the current market price. This direct approach means that buyers take immediate ownership of the asset, making it straightforward and transparent.
In contrast, futures trading is contract-based, where traders agree to buy or sell an asset at a future date for a predetermined price. This setup means that in futures trading, there’s no immediate transfer of ownership, and the value of the contract fluctuates until its expiration date.
Spot prices reflect the current supply and demand in the market and change in real-time. Traders in spot markets respond directly to these price shifts, making spot trading a common choice for those reacting to short-term trends.
Futures prices, however, factor in both the current spot price and expectations of where that price will be at the contract’s expiration. Influences such as interest rates, storage costs (for commodities) and anticipated market conditions can impact futures prices, making them distinct from spot prices.
The risk in spot trading is tied directly to the asset’s immediate price movements, which can be favorable for traders who want full control over entry and exit points. This also means that if the asset’s price unexpectedly drops, spot traders can face instant losses.
Futures trading, however, involves leveraged positions, where a relatively small amount of capital can control a larger position. This leverage increases the potential for both gains and losses, as even minor price changes can significantly impact profits or losses. Additionally, futures contracts come with expiration dates, which adds a layer of time-sensitive risk since positions must be settled or rolled over.
Spot markets are typically highly liquid, especially in major financial instruments like stocks, forex and commodities, allowing traders to buy and sell with relative ease. Futures markets, while also liquid, offer a different structure.
As for market access, standardized contract sizes and specifications make futures trading well-suited for institutional investors and large-scale traders. Although retail investors can access futures markets, the higher capital requirements and complexity often mean these markets are dominated by experienced traders and institutions.
Spot trading can be a good fit for investors seeking simplicity and immediate exposure to an asset. It’s widely used by traders looking to capitalize on short-term price movements without the added complexities of contract terms.
Futures trading, comparatively, serves as a strategic tool for hedging and speculation over a longer time horizon. Businesses often use futures contracts to lock in prices for raw materials or currencies, helping them mitigate the impact of price fluctuations on their operational costs. Meanwhile, investors use futures for speculative purposes, aiming to profit from anticipated price shifts without holding the asset itself.
An investor reviewing her investment portfolio.
Spot and futures trading offer different ways to participate in financial markets. Spot trading suits those seeking immediate ownership, while futures trading allows for hedging and speculation through contracts. Knowing the features and risks of each helps traders and businesses choose the approach that fits their goals and trading style.
A financial advisor can help you determine how spot trading and futures trading fit into your portfolio. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
If you want to know how much you could pay in taxes for the sale on an investment, SmartAsset’s capital gains calculator could help you get an estimate.
QuantumScape’s solid-state battery would improve range, cost, and safety.
It is building toward commercialization and has a cash runway until late 2028.
EV maker Lucid has enjoyed five consecutive record quarterly deliveries.
It seems almost certain the future of transportation is via electric vehicles (EVs). EVs have swept over countries like China quickly, and the U.S. more slowly, but global EV sales are on the rise and show no signs of reversing. Here are two stocks well-positioned to thrive in the future of electric transportation.
QuantumScape(NYSE: QS) is a next-generation battery company focused on bringing its solid-state battery design to commercial production. It’s a no-brainer in terms of product, as the solid-state battery will eliminate costly components as well as improve charging time, range, safety, and energy density. In other words, if QuantumScape can execute its technology and move to commercial production, automakers will be lining up at the door for its batteries.
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When it comes to 2025 goals, the company is progressing well. It’s ahead of schedule in bringing the Cobra separator process into baseline production, which it expects to do during the second quarter. It also remains on track for its goal of shipping QSE-5 BI samples, which are intended to demonstrate the performance capabilities of the QSE-5 in a real-world application.
Another good sign for the company’s ability to bring its technology to commercialization is the number of partnerships it has. In fact, QuantumScape just announced an agreement to explore a collaboration with Murata Manufacturing for ceramics production. Essentially, it’s a collaboration with a company that owns decades of experience in manufacturing ceramics for electronic components, energy storage, and industrial applications. If the partnership helps push QuantumScape’s battery technology closer to commercialization, it’ll be a highly valuable collaboration.
Last but not least, the company has some runway before it has to worry about cash. The company ended the first quarter with over $860 million in liquidity and expects its cash runway to extend into the second half of 2028. It’s a big if, but if QuantumScape can bring its technology to market, it has the partnerships and joint ventures to thrive as the world transitions to EVs and demands better battery technology.
When investors think of EV automakers to invest in, Lucid Group(NASDAQ: LCID) might not make the top of your list. That’s fair, as the company’s early years were plagued with production disruptions, delays, and disappointments.
But don’t look now: the company is gaining traction and has momentum in its favor. Lucid delivered 3,109 vehicles in the first quarter, a strong 28% gain over the prior year, and it marks the fifth consecutive record quarter for deliveries. It has serious momentum. There are two additional developments that work in Lucid’s favor.
The first development is that it seems what negatively impacts Tesla works in Lucid’s favor. “Tesla owners always have been a source of customers for us,” said Lucid’s Interim CEO Marc Winterhoff during a Fox Business interview. “We saw a dramatic uptick in the last two months. Right now, 50% of all the orders that we have are from Tesla owners.”
As Tesla owners increasingly see owning a Tesla vehicle as political statement, its vehicle lineup is aging, and its Cybertruck was a commercial flop, Lucid has been plucking consumers looking for an equally advanced EV alternative to Tesla.
Another development working in Lucid’s favor is that deliveries of its Gravity SUV are set to hit at the end of April and continue to accelerate through the coming months. That very likely means Lucid will continue its streak of record delivery quarters, especially considering the Gravity will have a much bigger addressable market than the company’s Air sedan.
Both of these companies are high-risk, high-reward investments and should remain a small position in any portfolio. There’s a very real risk that QuantumScape fails to do what has yet to be done with its solid-state battery technology. There’s even risk that another company has a breakthrough and beats QuantumScape to the market. But if QuantumScape delivers on its vision, investors will be handsomely rewarded.
For Lucid, the company continues to burn cash and needs its Gravity to be a hit with consumers. But if it keeps its sales momentum going and continues through its product pipeline of vehicles following the Gravity, it could have a very bright future.
Before you buy stock in Lucid Group, consider this:
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Consider whenNetflixmade this list on December 17, 2004… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation,you’d have $610,327!* Or when Nvidiamade this list on April 15, 2005… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation,you’d have $667,581!*
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Daniel Miller has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
2 High-Risk, High-Reward Electric Vehicle Stocks for the Future of Transportation was originally published by The Motley Fool
The cryptocurrency market has been suffering over the past month as multiple domestic and international factors continue to dent investor sentiment. Bitcoin (BTC), especially, has been taking a hit lately, with the cryptocurrency falling below $74,000 earlier last week on fears that the economy could slip into a recession after President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs.
However, Bitcoin has regained some of the lost ground over the past week after Trump temporarily paused the tariffs, and the cryptocurrency is on track to resume its northbound journey. That said, Bitcoin is still sharply below its all-time high attained late last year and it is an ideal time to buy the dip.
We have selected three stocks, such as Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. IBKR, NVIDIA Corporation NVDA and Robinhood Markets, Inc. HOOD. Each of these stocks has strong growth potential for 2025 and has seen positive earnings estimate revisions in the last 60 days.
Bitcoin started a fresh increase last week after Trump announced a 90-day halt on tariffs. He had earlier announced a 10% baseline tariff on all trading partners of the United States and a staggering 145% tariff on Chinese imports.
Wall Street recorded one of its worst days following the announcement, with indexes plunging sharply, resulting in $6.2 trillion being wiped out of markets in just two sessions. However, markets made a solid rebound just a day later after Trump announced a temporary pause, with the Dow, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq recording one of their best days in Wall Street’s history.
Bitcoin has since resumed its ascent and was hovering above $85,750 on Monday night and is on track to surpass $90,000. Also, inflation declined unexpectedly in March. The consumer price index fell 0.1% month over month in March, its first monthly decline since May 2020.
This has raised hopes that the Federal Reserve could resume its interest rate cuts in the coming months. Higher interest rates for a longer period can have a negative impact on cryptocurrencies by dampening investor interest in high-risk assets, increasing the cost of holding non-interest-bearing assets like Bitcoin, and strengthening the U.S. dollar, which is often considered a headwind for the crypto market.
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. is a global automated electronic broker. IBKR executes, processes and trades in cryptocurrencies. IBKR’s commodities futures trading desk also offers customers a chance to trade cryptocurrency futures.
Interactive Brokers Group has an expected earnings growth rate of 2.1% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 2.1% over the last 60 days. IBKR currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
NVIDIA Corporation is a major player in the semiconductor industry and has been one of the standout success stories of 2023. As a leading designer of graphic processing units (GPUs), the value of the NVDA stock tends to surge in a thriving crypto market. This is primarily due to the crucial role that GPUs play in data centers, artificial intelligence and the mining or production of cryptocurrencies.
NVIDIA’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 47.5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 4.8% over the last 60 days. Currently, NVIDIA has a Zacks Rank #2.
Robinhood Markets, Inc. operates a financial services platform in the United States. Its platform allows users to invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds, options, gold and cryptocurrencies. HOOD buys and sells Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin and other cryptocurrencies using its Robinhood Crypto platform.
Robinhood Markets’ expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 16.5%.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 9.5% over the last 60 days. Robinhood Markets currently has a Zacks Rank #2.
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Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (IBKR) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Forget about Bitcoin(CRYPTO: BTC). Forget about speculative meme coins. And forget about risky altcoins. At a time when many cryptocurrencies are losing value, the single best crypto investment opportunity of 2025 could turn out to be stablecoins.
That might be surprising, given that stablecoins are designed to be, well, stable. They always trade for $1, so you won’t become a crypto millionaire by investing in them directly. But there are a number of ways to invest in them indirectly, and that’s where things get interesting.
The easiest way to think about stablecoins is that they are digital dollars. That’s because they are typically pegged 1-to-1 to the U.S. dollar and fully backed by cash and cash equivalents. At any point in time, you can swap your digital dollars for real-world dollars. If you look at a long-term price chart for a stablecoin such as USDC(CRYPTO: USDC), you will see that its price always oscillates around the $1 mark, with slight changes reflecting adjustments in supply and demand.
Right now, the stablecoin industry is experiencing rapid growth. During the past 12 months, stablecoins have grown by 47% to become a $200 billion industry. 21Shares — the investment firm that partnered with Ark Invest on the new spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) — recently called them “the real powerhouse of crypto.”
Quite simply, stablecoins are the gateway for large institutional investors to get involved with decentralized finance (DeFi). That explains why a number of high-profile companies — including PayPal and Ripple (the company behind the XRP token) — have launched stablecoins. And World Liberty Financial, the crypto company affiliated with the Trump family, recently announced plans to launch a stablecoin of its own.
At this point, you might be thinking: “OK, sounds great, but how do I make any money from a digital asset that always trades for $1?” The answer is simple: You invest in the issuer of the stablecoin, not the stablecoin itself.
Image source: Getty Images.
That’s now possible because Circle Internet Group, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, filed to go public on April 1. According to sources cited by CNBC, Circle is aiming for a valuation of between $4 billion and $5 billion, and the initial public offering (IPO) could come as soon as this June. Right now, USDC accounts for about 30% of the entire market cap of the stablecoin market, making it the second-largest stablecoin in the world.
If the Circle IPO happens, it will be the biggest crypto IPO since Coinbase Global(NASDAQ: COIN), which went public at a nearly $100 billion valuation in 2021. Circle, which is expected to trade under the ticker symbol CRCL, will immediately become one of the best pure-play crypto stocks, joining the ranks of Coinbase and Strategy(NASDAQ: MSTR).
But let’s say the Circle IPO doesn’t happen as planned this year. After all, the conventional wisdom is that trying to launch a splashy new IPO amid global economic uncertainty is a recipe for disaster. So, it’s quite possible this IPO might get delayed.
But no worries. There are other ways to make money from stablecoins this year. Another idea might be to invest in Coinbase, which has a close business relationship with Circle.
In 2023, Coinbase acquired an equity stake in Circle and has a revenue-sharing agreement in place tied to the USDC stablecoin, making it a cash cow for the company. Brian Armstrong, the chief executive officer of Coinbase, recently suggested that he’s now pushing for USDC to become the No. 1 stablecoin in the world, which means even more revenue for Coinbase.
In addition, some cryptocurrencies, such as XRP, have their own companion stablecoins. These cryptos might be worth a closer look, because stablecoin activity is correlated with overall blockchain activity.
The one cryptocurrency on my radar right now is Ethena(CRYPTO: ENA), which has a companion stablecoin called Ethena USDe. This stablecoin is now being used as a “synthetic dollar” to generate triple-digit yields for institutional investors. Due to that unique financial alchemy, Ethena USDe has become the third-largest stablecoin in the world, with a $5 billion market cap. This dwarfs the size of the new PayPal stablecoin, which has a market cap of $837 million.
It’s easy to think that stablecoins are boring because they are so stable. But there’s a big business behind them, and plenty of financial innovation happening behind the scenes. Best of all, the next piece of big crypto legislation, expected to be signed soon by President Donald Trump, will lay out the rules of the road for stablecoins, giving them even more legitimacy with Wall Street and global financial institutions.
So instead of trying to chase performance from risky, speculative assets, do yourself a favor and invest in the most boring, most stable crypto businesses possible. During a time of significant economic uncertainty, stablecoins could be a defensive play with a surprising amount of upside.
Before you buy stock in USDC, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and USDC wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider whenNetflixmade this list on December 17, 2004… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation,you’d have $502,231!* Or when Nvidiamade this list on April 15, 2005… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation,you’d have $678,552!*
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Dominic Basulto has positions in Bitcoin and USDC. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin and Coinbase Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Prediction: This Will Be the Best Cryptocurrency Investment of 2025 was originally published by The Motley Fool
Circle Internet Financial, a leading U.S. crypto firm that issues the stablecoin USD Coin, filed long-anticipated paperwork for an initial public offering on Tuesday. The 225-page financial disclosure includes previously unreported insights into one of the world’s largest crypto firms, illustrating Circle’s outsize presence in the booming stablecoin space, as well as the risk factors that might give investors pause ahead of an IPO.
Founded in 2013, Circle has attempted to go public before, resulting in a failed SPAC agreement in 2022 that brought the company over $44 million in costs, according to the S-1 filing. But with the crypto industry ascendant in the U.S. thanks to the support of President Donald Trump, Circle is hoping that the second time is the charm—and boasts over $1.6 billion in revenue in 2024 to attract would-be investors.
Although the document does not lay out a timeline for Circle’s public offering plans, company shares typically begin trading within weeks of filing their S-1. Fortune previously reported that the fintech—which plans to trade under the ticker CRCL—is working with investment banks JPMorgan Chase and Citi on the IPO. Here are some key takeaways from the S-1 filing:
When Jeremy Allaire and Sean Neville cofounded Circle during the early days of the blockchain industry, they intended the company to disrupt the payments space, launching different products, including a crypto exchange and Venmo-type service. Around 2018, the firm began to focus entirely on stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency that is pegged to an underlying asset, such as the U.S. dollar or a commodity like gold or oil.
Circle’s stablecoin, USDC, exploded in popularity during the last crypto bull market, rising from a market capitalization of under $1 billion in 2020 to over $50 billion in 2022. Because USDC is backed by dollar-like assets such as U.S. Treasuries, Circle earns a hefty return on the interest generated by its reserves, keeping the revenue rather than passing it on to USDC holders. Those returns still represent the vast majority of Circle’s revenue. According to the S-1, over 99% of Circle’s $1.68 billion in revenue from 2024 came from reserve income, with just $15 million coming from other sources.
That means that Circle is highly dependent on a single source of revenue—and one that is dependent on government-set interest rates. In the S-1, Circle estimated that just a 1% decrease in interest rates could result in a $441 million decrease in its stablecoin reserve income. However, Circle argued that a decrease in interest rates could result in a rise of USDC in circulation as investors turn to different financial strategies. “Any relationship between interest rates and USDC in circulation is complex, highly uncertain, and unproven,” reads the filing.
Circle originally envisioned USDC as a partnership between different crypto firms and traditional financial institutions, creating a consortium called Centre that would help govern and issue the stablecoin. But Centre had only one other participant—the leading crypto exchange Coinbase. Circle and Coinbase shuttered Centre in 2023, though they remain partners on USDC.
New disclosures from the S-1 reveal how the partnership shifted in 2023, with Coinbase taking a minority equity stake in Circle. Before the new agreement, Circle and Coinbase shared revenue generated from USDC reserves based on the amount distributed and held by each company. But under the new terms, the payments are more evenly split based on the total reserve income, though it is still divided by how much is held by each company’s wallets and custodial products.
Last December, Circle also announced a partnership with the top crypto exchange Binance to promote the adoption of USDC and hold the stablecoin as part the company’s treasury. According to the S-1, Circle paid Binance a one-time fee of $60.25 million for the partnership, as well as agreeing to pay a monthly fee representing a percentage of USDC held at Binance and its treasury.
While USDC’s market cap has exploded over the past year, doubling from around $30 billion to $60 billion, it is facing a crowded marketplace. Along with its main rival—the offshore Tether, which boasts a market cap of over $140 billion—Circle lists a number of other competitors in its S-1. That includes PayPal, which launched its own stablecoin in 2023, and banking giants like JPMorgan that are exploring the blockchain space.
Still, Circle sees bullish conditions ahead, including the passage of stablecoin legislation in the U.S. After the Senate Banking Committee advanced a bill in March, the House is expected to vote on its version this week, with Circle ready to benefit from more regulatory certainty. That could only invite more players into the space, however.
Allaire, CFO Jeremy Fox-Geen, and more than 10 other executives stand to reap millions from Circle’s forthcoming IPO. But the real winners are the investors in Circle who hold 5% or more in the company’s stock. Those include the venture capital firm General Catalyst, which owns the most shares among the biggest corporate holders. IDG Capital, a Beijing-based venture firm, is not far behind. Other big VCs set to cash in on the Circle IPO are Breyer Capital, Accel, and Oak Investment Partners. Fidelity, the investment bank that has dipped its toes more and more into crypto, is also a big owner.
Collectively, Circle’s biggest investors hold more than 130 million shares in the stablecoin giant. The initial filing did not include details about how much money Circle is targeting to raise through its IPO, though sources say the IPO aims for a valuation of $4 billion to $5 billion.
Circle’s executives make a pretty penny. Allaire, unsurprisingly, is the most well-compensated and has a total compensation package of more than $12 million. That’s $900,000 in base salary, $9 million in stock awards, plus another $2 million in other benefits.
Fox-Geen, the CFO, is the second-most-compensated exec, with take-home pay of $5.2 million. That’s $500,000 in base pay, $4 million in stock awards, and another $700,000 in other benefits. Rounding out the top executives are chief strategic engagement officer Elisabeth Carpenter, president and chief legal officer Heath Tarbert, and chief product and technology officer Nikhil Chandhok. All of them make in the range of $4 million to $5 million, according to the SEC filing.
A Shanghai court has released an opinion stating that the personal ownership of cryptocurrencies is not against Chinese law, offering explicit legal clarity for crypto holders on the mainland amid a record-setting bitcoin price surge.
Sun Jie, a judge at the Shanghai Songjiang People’s Court, wrote in an article published on Shanghai High People’s Court’s official WeChat account this week that it is “not illegal for individuals to hold cryptocurrency”, even though Chinese business entities are not allowed to take part in cryptocurrency investments or token issuance “at will”. The comments were part of a case review for a recent lawsuit involving disputes between two companies about an initial coin offering, which is considered illicit financing in China.
Beijing sees cryptocurrencies as a threat to financial stability, and commercial activity related to these assets remains banned on the mainland, which has put their legal standing in doubt.
As a virtual commodity with the attributes of property, cryptocurrency ownership is not prohibited by Chinese law, Sun wrote. This does not extend to business activity, however, as it can disrupt economic and financial order or act as payment for illegal activity, according to the judge.
“That is why laws and regulations always maintain a high-pressure crackdown on speculative activities in cryptocurrency trading,” Sun said in the opinion.
Beijing first banned initial coin offerings and ordered the closure of crypto exchanges in 2017. It ramped up its crackdown in 2021, when it banned bitcoin mining and declared crypto-related business illegal.
In a case seen as a setback for crypto advocates in China, the People’s Bank of China’s Yao Qian was found to have engaged in bribery using cryptocurrency, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China said on Wednesday. Yao was the first director of the central bank’s digital currency research institute and had made crypto-friendly public remarks in the past.
Even before this latest opinion, it has been a tacit understanding among industry professionals that individuals in China are allowed to own cryptocurrencies. Some local courts have also made rulings in the past arguing that cryptocurrencies should be treated as property that is protected under China’s current legal and policy framework.
Still, there has been no indication that Beijing plans to loosen its grip on the crypto industry, even as more experts have called for the opening up of the market.
Zhu Guangyao, China’s former finance vice-minister, said in September that crypto is “crucial” for the digital economy and China should catch up as the US embraces the industry.
Bitcoin this week soared above US$94,000 for the first time amid excitement around the re-election of former US president Donald Trump, who has promised to embrace the crypto industry and create a national bitcoin reserve.
Ramit Sethi is an incredibly successful multimillionaire, author of the personal finance bestseller “I Will Teach You to Be Rich” (as well as the creator of the YouTube channel and podcast of the same name) — and is also the star of Netflix’s “How to Get Rich” series.
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Clearly, Sethi has strong opinions and advice as to how to get rich, and stay rich — and he has the seven-figure net worth to back up his beliefs and suggestions. He’s also not afraid to express his opinions, positive and negative, about the financial world.
One such subject that has drawn Sethi’s ire is the world of alternative investments.
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Alternative investments are, essentially, any kind of financial asset that doesn’t fall into the realm of conventional income, cash or equity. As such, alternative investments could be anything from cryptocurrency to things like precious metals.
As previously reported by GOBankingRates, Sethi has even gone so far as to compare crypto investors to the “mindless, roving hordes in zombie movies.” Ouch.
Sethi’s reasoning for such an extreme reaction?
His concern is that such alternative investments as cryptocurrency offer only irregular returns, and simply aren’t solid investments. Rather, he suggested avoiding a large investment in any one opportunity (and to especially avoid alternative investments), and to instead oversee a diversified portfolio of “boring” investments such as diversified mutual funds.
Sethi’s low opinion of alternative investments is part a larger his larger financial philosophy, which is rather disdainful of trendy movements in the financial world.
While it may not be the most exciting advice in the world, Sethi tends toward the “boring” advice as noted above, as opposed to hot new financial trends, because “boring” tends to be what works, and what brings a solid, reliable return on your diversified investments.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Is Your Portfolio Future-Proof? Ramit Sethi’s Strategy for Investing in Alternative Money Trends
Investing in blockchain stocks over cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC-USD) can be more of a speculative option. It can lead to higher overall returns. I see investing in blockchain stocks as a kind of synthetic leverage. It offers the potential to amplify both gains and losses for investors.
While investing in cryptocurrencies exposes investors to certain risks, the risks of investing in blockchain stocks are wider. Investors need to worry about company-specific, market, and idiosyncratic risks that aren’t present in the broader crypto markets. However, those same risks are also balanced by a proportionate upside. Most blockchain stocks carry a large amount of crypto on their balance sheets. They also have operating segments that totally depend on the health and performance of the industry. So when Bitcoin rises, too does the valuation of these companies, all else being equal.
However, blockchain stocks may get earnings from other operating segments as well. This can improve their intrinsic value and thus be worth more in the long-run. Additionally, it’s very possible these companies may pay dividends in the future. Thus, buying these companies now while they’re still relatively inexpensive could lead to a much lower cost basis in the future.
I think that investing in blockchain stocks could be a good move as we gear up for the climax of this year’s crypto rally. Here are three companies to consider.
In this photo illustration, the Riot Platforms (RIOT) logo is displayed on a smartphone screen.
Source: rafapress / Shutterstock.com
Riot Blockchain (NASDAQ:RIOT) focuses on Bitcoin mining. It aims to be a leading Bitcoin producer in the U.S. with plans for technological upgrades and expansion.
For this year, the company has ambitious expansion plans despite expectations of a challenging environment. This is due to the 2024 Bitcoin halving event, which is anticipated to halve Bitcoin production. Nonetheless, the company is expected to triple its mining capacity in 2024. Thus, it still believes the price of the asset will be accretive for investors.
Framing this effort is that in June 2023, Riot entered into a long-term purchase agreement with MicroBT. Riot ordered 33,280 Bitcoin miners for the Corsicana Facility, with another order of 66,560 Bitcoin miners announced in December 2023. Once all of RIOT’s miners have been deployed, it will have a total hash rate capacity of 38 EH/s. This makes it one of the top cryptocurrency mining stocks in the United States.
The consensus among analysts is to “Moderate Buy” RIOT shares. Price targets suggest an upside potential of 11.6% from the current price. However, I think it’s one of those blockchain stocks to buy. Owning shares of it could be the closest thing equity investors can get to owning actual Bitcoin. Remember, RIOT also profits from Bitcoin mining fees as well, which makes it an attractive option.
Square, Inc. changes name to Block (SQ). Smartphone with Square logo on screen in hand on background of Block logo.
Source: Sergei Elagin / Shutterstock.com
Block (NYSE:SQ) operates Cash App and payment processing for businesses. The company has also invested significantly in Bitcoin and is developing crypto technology through its team, Spiral.
I think that SQ stock could be a great pick this year, as it recently improved its guidance. The company has raised its full-year profit guidance by more than $200 million, forecasting earnings of at least $2.63 billion, marking a growth of at least 15% from the previous year. For Q1 2024, Block anticipates adjusted core earnings between $570 million and $590 million, surpassing analysts’ expectations of $511.76 million. Despite a net loss of $0.02 per share in the latest quarter, the company’s revenue surged by 24% to $5.77 billion in Q4, with a significant portion excluding Bitcoin revenue.
Wall Street analysts have a “Strong Buy” consensus on Block, with 32 analysts recommending a “Moderate Buy.” The average price target for SQ shares is $82.44, suggesting a potential upside of 5.1% from the current price.
Cash App has 55 million monthly active users, many of whom are experienced and familiar with FinTech by the nature of the app, and more are being exposed to the ecosystem every quarter. Furthermore, on an EPS basis, analysts expect to see an incredible leap from 0.02 in FY2023 to 3.15 in FY2024; that’s a 15,640.67% increase!
Projections like these can’t be ignored, and this is why SQ is one of those blockchain stocks to consider.
several Visa branded credit cards
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Visa (NYSE:V) has invested in blockchain since 2016, developing technologies like Visa B2B Connect for cross-border payments and Visa Fintech Fast Track for crypto wallets.
The company kicked off its fiscal year 2024 on a strong note with significant financial growth. In the first quarter of 2024, the company reported a 9% increase in net revenues, reaching $8.6 billion. This growth was driven by an 8% rise in payment volumes and a 16% surge in cross-border volume, excluding intra-Europe transactions.
Analysts remain optimistic about Visa’s performance, predicting steady growth. For the fiscal year 2024, earnings per share (EPS) estimates average $9.92, with forecasts for 2025 rising to $11.16. Revenue predictions also reflect positive growth, with an average estimate of $35.86 billion for 2024, escalating to $39.59 billion in 2025.
Visa is simply one of those stocks that offer great value for investors, and its short-term results and outlook make it one of those blockchain stocks investors should pay attention to moving forward.
On the date of publication, Matthew Farley did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.
Matthew started writing coverage of the financial markets during the crypto boom of 2017 and was also a team member of several fintech startups. He then started writing about Australian and U.S. equities for various publications. His work has appeared in MarketBeat, FXStreet, Cryptoslate, Seeking Alpha, and the New Scientist magazine, among others.
The post Forget Crypto, Try These 3 Blockchain Stocks Instead appeared first on InvestorPlace.
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Analytics provider Santiment data shows in a recent report that despite high volatility in crypto markets, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) and other assets remain key discussion topics across social media.
What Happened: In a post on X on Wednesday, the firm highlighted that Bitcoin remains the dominant subject, with traders dissecting its price action, institutional flows and market positioning.
Conversations continue to debate Bitcoin’s reserves, dominance and its role in broader financial markets.
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Meanwhile, a meme coin called Dogelon Mars (CRYPTO: ELON) has gained traction due to ongoing speculation about Elon Musk‘s potential involvement.
Some discussions revolve around Musk’s ties to Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) and how regulatory scrutiny of his interactions with blockchain technology could impact the sector.
Ethereum is trending largely due to institutional accumulation, particularly from BlackRock, which has made significant ETH purchases.
This has boosted bullish sentiment as traders speculate on Ethereum’s price outlook and growing adoption.
Trending: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it?
Another notable mention is Ledger AI (CRYPTO: LEDGER), which has sparked conversations about cryptocurrency security and private key management.
This comes as concerns about the XRP Ledger’s temporary block production halt raise broader questions about network stability.
Tether (CRYPTO: USDT) remains a focal point in social media discussions, as traders debate its role in profit-taking strategies and crypto liquidity movements.
FTX Token (CRYPTO: FTT) has also resurfaced in discussions following news that creditors with claims under $50,000 will begin receiving repayments on Feb. 18.
Many speculate that a portion of these funds could be reinvested into crypto, potentially fueling further market momentum.
What’s Next: Santiment analysts predict that while crypto market caps could surge, it may take weeks or months before the full bullish impact materializes.
Whale accumulation trends indicate that larger investors are continuing to buy the dip, with 135 new wallets holding over 100 BTC added in February.
The crypto market has seen quite the rollercoaster ride this year. After starting off strong, we’re now witnessing a bit of a slide. As I mentioned in an article last week, I expected Bitcoin (BTC-USD) to undergo a correction before its upcoming halving event. Historically, pre-halving corrections have been common for Bitcoin. The price usually dips in the months leading up to the halving, before picking up momentum a few months after once the new supply crunch sets in.
However, this time could be different. While a minor correction has occurred, I believe Bitcoin can still trend upwards from here. Spot ETF inflows have already created a supply crunch, well in advance of the halving. Once the halving cuts mining rewards in half, it could propel Bitcoin to $100,000 or more.
In my view, now is a prudent time to take positions in Bitcoin and select altcoins ahead of this potential surge. Bitcoin itself remains an obvious buy, but coupling it with quality altcoins can unlock outsized returns during the altseason. I’ll be covering smaller crypto projects since, as the title says, I’m targeting very outsized gains. Here are the seven cryptos to look into right now.
Tatsu (TATSU-USD) is a new AI-focused crypto ecosystem project with substantial long-term upside, in my view. It is the largest AI crypto asset on the Bittensor (TAO-USD) network, which itself has been surging lately, potentially providing tailwinds for Tatsu. Of course, Tatsu’s current scope pales in comparison to the sheer hype surrounding AI in the crypto space more broadly. However, if the overarching AI hype cycle persists, Tatsu could conceivably reach a $1 billion market capitalization or more before the current bull market concludes.
The Tatsu blockchain aims to host AI applications like chatbots, image generators, and text-to-speech models. Admittedly, the technology itself remains in its infancy. For now, these lofty goals are mostly conceptual. But Tatsu is a crypto after all, and such assets can skyrocket on speculative potential alone. Tatsu only recently listed on the Mexc exchange, so early backers are likely taking profits after this year’s parabolic rise. I’d advise waiting a few days for the dust to settle before initiating any positions.
Virtual character inside a virtual art gallery. Metaverse
Source: MR Neon / Shutterstock
The Root Network (ROOT-USD) is a new Layer 1 blockchain purpose-built for the open metaverse, enabling the interoperability of assets. With core protocols optimized for user experience and digital content, The Root Network aims to be the nexus bridging otherwise disparate metaverse worlds.
The Root Network prioritizes user experience and safety with built-in account abstraction features. For instance, its “any token gas” economy allows leading content brands to onboard users seamlessly and securely. The Root Network is EVM-compatible and built on Substrate, integrated with XRP Ledger and Ethereum (ETH-USD). This interlinkage enables content and accounts on those networks to access enhanced functionality and interconnectivity in the open metaverse.
With a current market capitalization of around $100 million, I believe The Root Network can climb much higher if metaverse hype persists. The metaverse is among the most cyclical of crypto sectors, and I think valuations could again reach feverish levels if the bull market continues.
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Manta Network (MANTA-USD) has plummeted from its high above $4 per token to the $2.65 level at the time of writing. In the near-term, caution is prudent as further downside is possible. However, for investors willing to stomach the volatility, MANTA could present a long-term buying opportunity at current levels.
With a market capitalization of $665 million, Manta is a more established crypto ecosystem. The modular platform enables developers to build and deploy Solidity-based dApps, leveraging Manta’s technology stack for faster speeds than Layer 1 platforms and lower gas fees than Layer 2 networks. As Ethereum doubles down on Layer 2 solutions, with founder Vitalik Buterin even suggesting deliberate gas fee increases, Manta’s value proposition could grow. For average users, Layer 2 projects remain too complex. But if Ethereum fees spike, Layer 2 may become the norm.
I’ve personally seen Ethereum gas costs as high as $65 per transaction recently. That’s exorbitant for basic ERC20 swaps, and presents a unique growth opportunity for projects like this.
A woman with blonde hair is sitting on a couch and several pairs of hands are showing her tablet and computer screens.
Source: Shutterstock
Chirpley (CHRP-USD) presents an intriguing niche opportunity in the influencer marketing space. This platform connects brands with influencers using AI matching algorithms, streamlining the collaboration process. With its CHRP utility token, Chirpley aims to simplify influencer campaign management and payments.
Given the project’s current tiny market capitalization of around $7 million, Chirpley offers substantial upside potential if adoption gains momentum – especially among crypto influencers. It is a very niche project. However, Chirpley has already surged more than 300% in the past year. This pump still puts the token’s price significantly below all-time highs near launch. This could be a positive, as early sellers likely exited positions long ago.
Recent growth appears more organic, driven by the platform’s utility. As a blockchain-agnostic project leveraging AI, Chirpley could attract significant hype. But with such a low market cap, risk management remains critical – I’d only recommend investing “fun money” into this project right now.
An abstract concept image for blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
Source: Shutterstock
Kaspa (KAS-USD) is a far safer play in my view, with actual use cases underpinning recent price gains. KAS has surged nearly 500% since I first covered it at sub-3 cent levels. However, the parabolic rally has given way to a deep correction off its recent 18-cent peak. I believe this zone offers an attractive accumulation opportunity.
Kaspa’s unique BlockDAG architecture enables significant utility, though I’m skeptical it fully resolves the blockchain trilemma. Regardless, Kaspa demonstrably improves on the limitations of predecessors. And the market has rewarded its technical merits, even amid the latest pullback.
Kaspa checks many boxes for utility. While the upside appears more modest than speculative plays, KAS seems far less prone to extreme volatility spikes. Is a 100X possible? Not really, unless you hold for decades and the technology becomes ubiquitous. However, multi-bagger gains are certainly possible from here.
A concept image of mobile payment with a smart phone for a cup of coffee.
Source: Shutterstock
As covered during the crypto bear market, Nano (XNO-USD) offers feeless and sustainable P2P transactions – a niche with the potential to gain significant traction. From those depressed levels, Nano has posted a multi-fold recovery, recently doubling from its bottom. However, at a $192 million market cap, much greater upside appears possible this cycle.
As network congestion spreads, with gas fees nearing $100 for basic NFT transactions and more than $65 for swaps on the Ethereum network, Nano’s value proposition stands out. Its green and efficient architecture is tailor-made for frictionless payments and remittances.
Admittedly, Nano’s lack of marketing means there’s little hype around this project. But with proficient tech and a forthcoming network upgrade, I believe Nano can still capitalize on its speed and scalability catalysts. Despite already bouncing off its lows, Nano seems poised for an extended rally as the bull market progresses.
An image of different overlaid data charts
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Stratos (STOS-USD) merits a spot on the watchlists of risk-tolerant investors as a newly-minted data center crypto project riding powerful tailwinds. As AI fuels surging data compute and storage demand, legacy providers are scrambling to keep pace.
Stratos offers a decentralized mesh alternative, engineered to overcome blockchain scaling limitations while retaining core benefits. A lot of upside remains if the project gains meaningful data center market share. It has been sliding lower at the time of writing, with a market cap of $53 million.
Other decentralized storage cryptos like Filecoin (FIL-USD) and Storj (STORJ-USD) have surged higher lately. Stratos could follow suit if it draws investor interest around its technical capabilities and first-mover advantage.
On the date of publication, Omor Ibne Ehsan did not hold (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.
Omor Ibne Ehsan is a writer at InvestorPlace. He is a self-taught investor with a focus on growth and cyclical stocks that have strong fundamentals, value, and long-term potential. He also has an interest in high-risk, high-reward investments such as cryptocurrencies and penny stocks. You can follow him on LinkedIn.
The post 7 Cryptos That Can 100X Once Bitcoin Reaches $100,000 appeared first on InvestorPlace.
Institutional investors appear to be buying the dip in crypto prices.
Inflows into crypto investment products, like Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, notched total inflows for the fifth straight week as CoinShares counted $1.3 billion in total inflows in their latest report.
In fact, nearly $800 billion poured into Ethereum investment products last week after the crypto’s recent 20% selloff. That was enough to pass Bitcoin inflows on a weekly clip for the first time this year.
As the year continues, it will be interesting to see if altcoins can mount any sort of break in Bitcoin’s rising dominance. As more people come to see the original cryptocurrency as a store of value, Bitcoin has grown to account for more than 60% of the total crypto market cap.
Companies like Strategy (formerly known as MicroStrategy) continue to buy more Bitcoin to hold as a treasury asset. On Monday, Strategy CEO Michael Saylor announced another purchase after the company took a week off to break its streak of 12 consecutive weekly Bitcoin purchases. Strategy said it bought about $740 million worth of Bitcoin.
Last week, there was a spike in optimism among Bitcoiners that the U.S. government could be getting closer to figuring out a way to emulate the Strategy playbook. AI and crypto Czar David Sacks mentioned that an answer on ideas around a strategic Bitcoin reserve are still among the administration’s top priorities.
“That’s one of the first things we’re going to look at as part of the internal working group in the administration,” Sacks said last Tuesday. “We’re still in the very early stages of this.”
Mirshahi was first abducted on June 21 along with three others who were later found alive.
His crypto investment scheme on Telegram, Crypto Paradise Island, was under investigation by authorities.
A dead body discovered in the Île-de-la-Visitation park in Montreal, Canada on Oct. 30 has been identified as missing “crypto influencer” Kevin Mirshahi, according to a Nov. 12 report from the Montreal Gazette.
The 25-year-old has been missing since he was abducted along with three others from a condo in the city on June 21. The other abductees, two women and one man, were located by police hours later. In August, Joanie Lepage, 32, was charged with first-degree murder of Mirshahi and the abduction of Mirshahi and the three others. It is not known if her actions are linked to Mirshahi’s cryptocurrency ventures.
At the time of his disappearance, Mirshahi ran a crypto investment scheme called Crypto Paradise Island, a paid-for Telegram group offering investment advice.
But it was also implicated in a pump and dump scheme involving a token called Marsan ($MRS) that saw its 2,300 members – many between the ages of 16 and 20 – lose thousands of dollars, according to Le Journal de Montréal. Created by Antoine Marsan and Bastien Francoeur through their company Marsan Exchange, the token launched April 14, 2021. They paid Mirshahi in the token to promote it.
Marsan peaked in value at Canadian dollar $5.14 ($3.67) three days after launch, but on April 18, two large holders cashed out and the value collapsed to $0.39.
As a result, Mirshahi and his company had been under investigation by Quebec’s investment regulator, the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), since 2021. He was also under a “ban on carrying out any activity as a broker or investment adviser, a ban on securities transactions and orders for the withdrawal of publications on social media and the withdrawal of the name of the AMF”, which had most recently been extended on July 4 this year.
Further reporting by Le Journal de Montréal indicates that despite the ban, he continued to run a Telegram group promoting cryptocurrency investments with the name “Amir.”
The announcement that his body had been discovered came a week after another cryptocurrency-linked kidnapping in Toronto. Dean Skurka, CEO of publicly listed crypto holding company WonderFi, was forced into a car by assailants who then demanded a ransom of nearly $720,660. He was released after paying the money.
But it’s not just Canada that has seen an uptick of physical crime involving cryptocurrency. A list maintained by co-founder and Chief Security Officer of Casa, Jameson Lopp has recorded 18 attacks with links to cryptocurrency this year. Among them are cases of investors being lured by attackers under the pretense of doing in-person P2P trades, home invasions, and even murders.
The cryptocurrency market could hit its lowest point within the next two months, with a 70% chance of this happening before June, according to Aurelie Barthere, principal research analyst at Nansen. The timing depends heavily on the outcome of ongoing global tariff negotiations, particularly the reciprocal import tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. These tariffs, intended to reduce the country’s trade deficit and boost manufacturing, are creating uncertainty across financial markets.
Trump unveiled these measures on April 2, aiming to address a $1.2 trillion trade gap. The global markets have already shown volatility in response to previous tariff announcements, and experts are watching closely for the impact of this decision. Barthere emphasized that the mood of the ongoing trade discussions will play a crucial role in determining when the crypto market finds its bottom. Nansen’s research estimates a 70% chance that crypto prices will reach their lowest point between now and June.
Bitcoin and Ethereum are both currently trading 15% and 22% below their highs for the year, respectively. As both digital and traditional markets remain stagnant, investors are being cautious. Bitcoin has been consolidating between $82,000 and $85,000, showing limited movement after a period of recalibration during the first quarter. Traders are looking for a breakout above $84,500, which would signal more positive momentum. Support for Bitcoin is seen at the $82,000 mark, while some analysts are eyeing a potential rise to $86,500 and even $90,000 if sentiment shifts positively.
Despite the market’s cautiousness, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index remains above the “extreme fear” mark for the third consecutive session. This suggests that, while there is some improvement in sentiment, investors are still hesitant to take on large positions in an uncertain environment. As a result, many are choosing to adopt a “wait and see” approach, holding off on significant investments until the outlook becomes clearer.
The volatility in both traditional markets and cryptocurrencies highlights how intertwined they have become in the face of global economic uncertainty. As the U.S. continues its tariff negotiations, investors are hoping for a resolution that will provide clarity for the markets. Barthere believes that once the hardest part of these talks is over, the crypto market could finally see a clearer path to recovery, signaling a potential bottom for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The key takeaway is that trade tensions are continuing to shape investor sentiment, and the outcome of these negotiations will likely be pivotal in determining the direction of the crypto market in the coming months.
By Douglas Gillison, Suzanne McGee and Michelle Price
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Cryptocurrency executives swilled cocktails and danced to rap superstar Snoop Dogg on Friday night as they celebrated the approaching inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, whose administration has promised major changes in crypto policy.
After years of butting heads with Washington policymakers, executives from crypto companies including Crypto.com, Kraken, and Exodus partied at the first-ever crypto inauguration ball held at the 90-year-old Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium beneath towering 62-foot (19-metre) columns.
Clad in black tie and ball gowns, guests noshed on miniature lobster rolls and Trump’s favored McDonald’s burgers and fries, according to social media posts and two attendees who spoke to Reuters. In addition to Snoop Dogg, the entertainment lineup featured rappers Rick Ross and Soulja Boy, the attendees said.
One of many Washington celebrations ahead of Trump’s Monday swearing-in, the crypto gala marks a stunning turnaround for an industry that has been in the Biden administration’s crosshairs. Two years ago, it looked to be on the brink of extinction amid the collapse of FTX.
Trump, who did not attend the gala, courted crypto campaign cash with promises to be a “crypto president,” and is expected next week to issue executive orders aimed at reducing crypto regulatory roadblocks and promoting widespread adoption of digital assets.
“There were a lot of dark years,” said Les Borsai, co-founder of the crypto investment adviser Wave Digital Assets, who flew in from Los Angeles. “If this signifies what the future looks like … I think that’s the optimism we’ve been waiting for.”
Swag included “Make Bitcoin Great Again” red baseball caps, and American flag pins with the symbol for Gemini, an event sponsor and crypto exchange founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, who backed Trump’s campaign.
SOLD OUT
Tickets sold out at $2,500 each for general admission, the ball’s website said, but for a cool $100,000, VIP packages provided face time with tech entrepreneur David Sacks, Trump’s incoming crypto czar and the gala’s emcee, according to attendees and crypto media outlets.
About 1,500 people attended.
Several other officials from Trump’s incoming administration were also present, the attendees said. Other sponsors included the digital asset division of Robinhood, MicroStrategy and Crypto.com, according to the event website. Sponsors had cocktails named in their honor.
“Last night was truly a testament to how mainstream crypto has become,” said JP Richardson, CEO of Exodus, which co-hosted the ball.
While the industry was reveling, Trump on Friday night expanded his cryptocurrency interests, which already include World Liberty Financial, by launching a digital token branded with an image from his attempted assassination in July.
The price of that “meme coin” was around $27 by Saturday afternoon, giving it a market capitalization of about $5.5 billion, according to CoinMarketCap.
Worried about fraud and money laundering, President Joe Biden’s regulators cracked down on crypto companies, suing exchanges Coinbase, Binance, Kraken and dozens more in federal court. Trump’s crypto policy team is taking shape, with his crypto-friendly Securities and Exchange Commission chair pick Paul Atkins expected to forge major crypto policy changes.
“The crypto voter showed up in the election and this event signifies a turning point for crypto policy in the United States,” Jonathan Jachym, global head of policy at Kraken, said in a statement.
Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, hit new records above $107,000 in December on excitement over Trump’s policy changes.
“We are proud to support the Crypto Ball … and look forward to supporting the new administration to advance innovation in digital assets,” said a spokesperson for Crypto.com, adding the company’s president of North America, Matt David, attended.
Representatives for the Trump administration, Robinhood, MicroStrategy, Gemini and the event’s other two hosts, BTC Inc. and Stand With Crypto, did not immediately comment. Sacks did not immediately return an emailed request for comment. Representatives for Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy could not immediately be reached on Saturday.
(Additional reporting by Elizabeth Howcroft in Paris and Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Rod Nickel)