James Howells, who lost the legal bid to retrieve his $800 million Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) fortune, has now turned to Donald Trump for help, expressing hopes for intervention from the U.S. President-elect, according to a Wednesday report.



What Happened: Howells acknowledged that his chances of recovery are slim after a judge dismissed his request to excavate the landfill that has the discarded hard drive containing 8,000 BTC, as <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/01/15/world-news/man-who-threw-away-750-million-worth-of-bitcoin-says-its-game-over-if-trump-doesnt-intervene/">reported </a>by the New York Post.



"It feels like the end of the world for me. I am now stuck with it and can not escape it. I am stuck with it for life, &#8221; he was quoted as saying.



The Wales-based software engineer sought permission from the Newport City Council to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41308908/man-who-accidentally-threw-hard-drive-containing-8-000-bitcoins-worth-half-a-billion-dolla" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">excavate the site</a>&nbsp;to recover it, but the court rejected the plea, citing environmental concerns with excavation.



&#8220;Maybe Donald Trump could help&nbsp;make something happen. I would&nbsp;certainly cut Trump in on&nbsp;the deal if he could&nbsp;help,&#8221; Howells said.



While he admitted to being half-joking, he expressed a genuine desire for any assistance to resolve the situation, saying, &#8220;I&nbsp;am appealing to him and&nbsp;anyone else who can help&nbsp;sort this madness.&#8221;



See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42994641/italys-largest-bank-leaps-into-bitcoin-trading-with-1-million-test-investment-but-ceo-says-he-doesnt-invest-in-btc-personally">Italy&#8217;s Largest Bank Leaps Into Bitcoin Trading With $1 Million &#8216;Test&#8217; Investment But CEO Says He Doesn&#8217;t Invest In BTC Personally</a>



Why It Matters: The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/09/34417913/crypto-investor-threatens-lawsuit-over-lost-8-000-bitcoin-worth-557-million">incident dates back to 2013</a> when Howells unintentionally put a hard drive containing 8,000 BTCs in the trash while cleaning his office.



It was later revealed that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42232028/remember-james-howells-who-lost-his-hard-drive-with-8000-bitcoins-now-worth-760m-his-ex-girlfriend-reveals-it-was-she-who-threw-it-away">his ex-girlfriend threw the fortune away</a> after Howells asked her to dispose of some "unwanted belongings" in a black sack, which, unknown to both of them, included the hard drive.



The 8,000 Bitcoins would be worth $865 million at the all-time high price of $108,135 and $798.6 million at the current market price of $99,824.88.



Read Next:&nbsp;



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42993521/michael-saylors-microstrategy-not-alone-in-bitcoin-acquisition-says-bitwise-chief-investment-officer-its-a-bona-fide-megatrend">Michael Saylor&#8217;s MicroStrategy Not Alone In Bitcoin Acquisition, Says Bitwise Chief Investment Officer: &#8216;It&#8217;s A Bona Fide Megatrend&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"></a>

Man Who Accidentally Threw Away Bitcoin Worth $800 Million Looks To Trump For Help: 'I Am Appealing To Him'

Leading cryptocurrencies surged Wednesday amid softer-than-expected consumer inflation and a friendlier regulatory environment under Donald Trump.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Gains +/-</td><td>Price (Recorded at 7:30 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>+3.08%</td><td>$99,743.07</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+5.46%</td><td>$3,394.95</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+5.54%</td><td>$0.3787</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



What Happened: Bitcoin topped the $100,000 mark for the first time in nearly 10 days as the leading cryptocurrency reacted to key bullish developments. 



While the latest Consumer Price Index data showed hints of slowing inflation, a report raised hopes for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43008666/sec-under-trump-administration-to-revise-crypto-policies-report">clear cryptocurrency regulations under new SEC leadership</a>.&nbsp;



Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency, reentered the $3.400 zone, hitting an intraday high of $3,465.



Over $350 million were liquidated from the cryptocurrency market in the last 24 hours, with 63% accounting for downside bets.



The market was getting overleveraged, and nearly $1 billion in longs risked liquidation if Bitcoin reversed to $93,000.&nbsp;



About 53% of Binance traders expected Bitcoin to correct, as the Long/Short ratio fell below 1.



The "Greed" sentiment increased from 70 to 75 in the last 24 hours, according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index, indicating a surge in buying pressure.



Top Gainers (24-Hours)



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Gains +/-</td><td>Price (Recorded at 7:30 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL)</td><td>+24.02%</td><td>$3.70</td></tr><tr><td>Fartcoin (FARTCOIN)</td><td>+23.04%</td><td>$1.26</td></tr><tr><td>XDC Network (XDC)</td><td>+19.26%</td><td>$0.1328</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.51 trillion, rising 4.37% in the last 24 hours.



Stocks lifted on Wednesday following the release of consumer inflation data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average popped 703.27 points, or 1.65%, to 43,221.55 The S&amp;P 500 lifted 1.83% to close at 5,949.91. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite erased losses from the previous day, surging 2.45% to 19,511.23.



December's Consumer Price Index report <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43001512/inflation-rises-to-29-in-december-core-slows-yet-rising-energy-costs-put-feds-target-at-risk">revealed core inflation grew slower than expected</a>, sparking excitement in the market and driving the stocks up. Notably, the headline Consumer Price Index matched analysts' expectations.



That said, investors expected the current interest rate range of 4.25%–4.50% to remain unchanged at the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting, <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">according </a>to the CME FedWatch tool.



See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>



Analyst Notes: Popular on-chain analytics firm CryptoQuant <a href="https://cryptoquant.com/insights/research/6786ce381001ca2735a9a73c-14-January-2025-2025-Bitcoin-Price-Outlook-Institutional-Flows-Could-Drive-Bitco">projected </a>Bitcoin to hit $145,000-$249,000 in 2025, spurred by substantial institutional capital flows.



A mixture of a positive regulatory environment under a pro-cryptocurrency Trump administration, "accommodative" monetary policy, and the fact that Bitcoin was in the most bullish phase of its 4-year cycle could accelerate momentum, according to the research firm.



Widely followed cryptocurrency trader Michaël van de Poppe predicted the market would shift from this point on as Bitcoin breaks $100,000 and Ethereum confirms a bullish divergence.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> above $100,000. Yields drop 3% on the day (15bps). <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> breaks back upwards and confirms the bullish divergence and higher low.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Altcoins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Altcoins</a> outperform Bitcoin. The rotation has started. <a href="https://t.co/Mvevi94sdX">pic.twitter.com/Mvevi94sdX</a>&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1879623548534464876?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



"Dollar will become weaker, rates will go down, altcoins will go up," he remarked.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Now we're getting into the stage where markets are turning, Dollar will become weaker, rates will go down, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Altcoins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Altcoins</a> will go up. And people won't believe it.&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1879582423345959210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Photo by CMP_NZ on Shutterstock



Read Next:    



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43014100/akash-network-founder-reveals-unexpected-ai-energy-crisis">Akash Network Founder Reveals Unexpected AI Energy Crisis Driving Decentralized Cloud Adoption</a></li>
</ul>

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Rally On Positive Inflation Data, Trump's Pro-Crypto Moves: Analyst Projects BTC Could Top $200K Range In 2025

Cryptocurrency markets are surging on Wednesday as financial markets interpreted freshly-released inflation data as a positive sign for equities.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Price&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>Gains +/-</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>$100,135.47</td><td>+4%</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</td><td>$3,456.54</td><td>+7.9%</td></tr><tr><td>Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)</td><td>$202.23</td><td>+8.9%</td></tr><tr><td>XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>)</td><td>$2.94</td><td>+11%</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)</td><td>$0.3773</td><td>+7%</td></tr><tr><td>Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>)</td><td>$0.00002235</td><td>+4.6%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Notable Statistics:



<ul>
<li>IntoTheBlock data shows large transaction volume increasing by 25.6% and daily active addresses up by 6%. Transactions greater than $100,000 are down from 10,421 to 10,217 in a single day. Exchanges netflows are down by 132.8%.</li>



<li>Coinglass data reports 100,006 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $266.75 million.</li>
</ul>



Notable Developments:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/01/43001690/exclusive-crypto-commodities-take-center-stage-volatility-2025-direxion-ceo">EXCLUSIVE: Direxion CEO Predicts Crypto, Commodities Will Take Center Stage Amid Volatility In 2025</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43008361/dubai-announces-crypto-tower-to-host-blockchain-businesses">Dubai Announces &#8216;Crypto Tower&#8217; To Host Blockchain Businesses</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42997294/trumps-crypto-legislation-will-be-a-frankenstein-bill-of-mishmash-says-arthur-hayes-bitcoin-doesnt-need-government-support-to-flourish">Trump&#8217;s Crypto Legislation Will Be A &#8216;Frankenstein&#8217; Bill Of Mishmash, Says Arthur Hayes — Bitcoin Doesn&#8217;t Need Government Support To Flourish</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43008666/sec-under-trump-administration-to-revise-crypto-policies-report">SEC Under Trump Administration To Revise Crypto Policies: Report</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42994641/italys-largest-bank-leaps-into-bitcoin-trading-with-1-million-test-investment-but-ceo-says-he-doesnt-invest-in-btc-personally">Italy&#8217;s Largest Bank Leaps Into Bitcoin Trading With $1 Million &#8216;Test&#8217; Investment But CEO Says He Doesn&#8217;t Invest In BTC Personally</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42993667/ripple-labs-donates-100k-in-xrp-for-california-wildfires-relief-says-contributions-will-be-doubled">Ripple Labs Donates $100K In XRP For California Wildfires Relief, Says Contributions Will Be Doubled</a></li>
</ul>



Top Gainer:



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Price&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>Gains +/-</td></tr><tr><td>Virtuals Protocol (CRYPTO: VIRTUAL)</td><td> $3.90</td><td>+31.5%</td></tr><tr><td>ai16z (CRYPTO: AI16Z)</td><td> $1.61</td><td>+25.7%</td></tr><tr><td>XDC Network (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">XDC</a>)</td><td> $0.1304</td><td>+23.9%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Trader Notes: With Bitcoin prices touching $100,000, CryptoCon provided technical analysis for the crypto king stating that 5.618 extension of the first move of the cycle has had a near-perfect hit rate for all major Bitcoin highs. 



He sees Bitcoin&#8217;s price target at $184,181.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The 5.618 extension of the first move of the cycle (candle body &amp; after bear market downtrend) has had a near-perfect hit rate for all major Bitcoin highs. The magic number this cycle&#8230; $184,181. <a href="https://t.co/p6CgSQTvyB">pic.twitter.com/p6CgSQTvyB</a>&mdash; CryptoCon (@CryptoCon_) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoCon_/status/1879614951813271733?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Crypto content creator Michael Pizzino <a href="https://x.com/PizzinoMichael/status/1879621062197166149">welcomes</a> back $100,000 and expects a higher low, saying &#8220;Off to the races.&#8221; However, this will need a few days to form if it is to happen right now.



Stoic sees Bitcoin having experienced a clean breakout from its value area, followed by a reaction near the high $80,000 and a successful reclaim of the $90,000 level.



 Currently, a brief period of cooling off is anticipated in the interim, with attention focused on finding spot support on the buyside.



A <a href="https://x.com/Stoiiic/status/1879589287290683441">pullback</a> into the high timeframe range would provide an ideal entry point for bulls to step in. 



Currently, passive spot stacking has been observed between $100,000 and $104,000. 



If another breakout occurs, the focus will be on spot aggressively chasing bids and absorbing any sell walls.



Read Next:&nbsp;



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43006771/bitcoin-up-to-99000-is-loving-inflation-data-release-xrp-dogecoin-follow-higher">Bitcoin Up To $99,000 &#8216;Is Loving&#8217; Inflation Data Release, XRP, Dogecoin Follow Higher</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Bitcoin Returns To $100,000, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Explode Higher And Are 'Off To The Races,' Trader Says

Akash Network (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">AKT</a>) founder Greg Osuri on Wednesday revealed an unexpected driver behind the increasing adoption of decentralized cloud solutions: a looming energy crisis related to the intensive computing demands of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/artificial-intelligence">artificial intelligence</a>.



While Akash Network was initially conceived as a decentralized alternative to traditional cloud providers, Osuri told Benzinga in an interview unforeseen challenges around energy capacity are now pushing its use into new, vital territories.



Osuri explained that the centralized data center model is facing severe limitations when it comes to providing the power required for advanced AI model training.



&#8220;People are not quite pricing in the energy limitations that we have. Just because you have more chips doesn&#8217;t mean you can actually use those chips," he said.



He further elaborated that major markets like the U.S. have trouble securing more than 10 megawatts of capacity, leading to an urgent need for more distributed, and potentially decentralized, solutions.



This energy bottleneck, Greg suggests, will force a shift to more decentralized infrastructure, with Akash being a central part of that change. 



"I think that is going to be such an unexpected reality. People are going to realize in two years. And then I think the decent AI is going to take off." 



Also Read: <a href="http://SEC Under Trump Administration To Revise Crypto Policies: Report">SEC Under Trump Administration To Revise Crypto Policies: Report</a>



Greg emphasized the increasing need to tap into individual homes and distributed networks, which the Akash Network is designed to support. 



"How do you go tap into individual homes? Is there a network that can actually let us go there? Yeah, that&#8217;s kind of the trigger, right?" he commented, outlining the decentralized imperative that his system uniquely addresses.



Beyond the energy concerns, Greg also spoke on the cost and sovereignty advantages of his system. 



He highlighted that the platform provides &#8220;10 times cheaper cost when it comes to CPUs&#8221; and that &#8220;Akash gets you H100 for 99 cents, same H100 will cost you $4,&#8221; making the platform four times cheaper for GPUs. 



Also, Greg stated the importance of transparency and availability through the network. "You want resources and you want guarantees that resources are going to be available."



Greg emphasized the open-source nature of Akash as another critical advantage, stating that &#8220;computer is a should be public utility&#8221; and that it &#8220;should not be, no one should tell you how to use it because you should have complete sovereignty.&#8221; 



The platform&#8217;s community-driven approach was also presented as a key competitive edge, fostering rapid innovation and network effects that are unattainable within single company structures.



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43008361/dubai-announces-crypto-tower-to-host-blockchain-businesses">Dubai Announces &#8216;Crypto Tower&#8217; To Host Blockchain Businesses</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Akash Network Founder Reveals Unexpected AI Energy Crisis Driving Decentralized Cloud Adoption

Cardano's (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ada/usd">ADA</a>) price rally has caught social media traders&#8217; attention as whale activity surges and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41870941/cardano-soars-to-7-month-high-as-founder-charles-hoskinson-teases-potential-crypto-policy-role-in-trump-administration">institutional interest grows.</a>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Price&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>Market Cap</td><td>24-Hour Trend</td><td>7-Day Trend</td></tr><tr><td>Cardano (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ada/usd">ADA</a>)</td><td>&nbsp;$1.06</td><td>$37.2 billion</td><td>+6%&nbsp;</td><td>+10.5%</td></tr><tr><td>TRON (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/trx/usd">TRX</a>)</td><td>&nbsp;$0.2319</td><td>$19.9 billion</td><td>+4%&nbsp;</td><td>-6.9%&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>)</td><td>&nbsp;$2.91</td><td>$167.4 billion</td><td>+8.4%&nbsp;</td><td>+26.2%&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Trader Notes: Crypto influencer More Crypto Online <a href="https://x.com/Morecryptoonl/status/1879522566790091122">points out</a> price has yet to achieve an upside breakout.



A hold above $0.875 keeps a bullish scenario in play, though an emerging triangle pattern could shift momentum. 



The nearest Fibonacci support lies between $0.912 and $0.984, offering limited stability.



Crypto Capital Venture's Dan Gambardello <a href="https://x.com/cryptorecruitr/status/1879536670191878264">highlighted</a> ADA&#8217;s retail appeal over VC-backed projects. 



While some criticize its long-term performance, Gambardello pointed out ADA&#8217;s substantial gains since 2019, underscoring its potential.



Pseudonymous crypto trader and technical analyst Zen believes Cardano has "nice potential" for 2025 although it will be a slow process. 



He sees ADA consolidating in a bull flag pattern, predicting a potential 175% rally post-breakout.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I believe <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ADA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ADA</a> has very nice potential for 2025. Might take time, while it consolidates within bull flag, but as soon as it breakout, it will grow to ~0.000028 (which is ~175% rom current price and over 200% from 2024 close, where I think it will dip again in any case) <a href="https://t.co/iLh8VW6Na5">pic.twitter.com/iLh8VW6Na5</a>&mdash; Zen (@WiseAnalyze) <a href="https://twitter.com/WiseAnalyze/status/1879189634082869250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Statistics: Coinglass data shows Cardano open interest spiking 14% to $1.3 billion in a single day as derivatives trading volume increased by 78.7% to $2.8 billion.



Crypto chart analyst Ali Martinez highlighted whales who have purchased 100 million ADA over the past 48 hours.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Whales have bought 100 million <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cardano?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cardano</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ADA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ADA</a> over the past 48 hours! <a href="https://t.co/5ccxVoiljo">pic.twitter.com/5ccxVoiljo</a>&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1879420753915048445?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Community News: Grayscale&#8217;s Digital Large Cap Fund (GDLC) has silently added ADA back to its portfolio after dropping it in April 2024 due to rebalancing. 



As of Q4 2024, ADA accounts for 1.4% of the fund's composition, valued at over $11 million.



This re-entry coincides with ADA&#8217;s price rally, <a href="https://www.grayscale.com/crypto-products/grayscale-digital-large-cap-fund#section2840">suggesting</a> increasing institutional confidence.



Read Next:&nbsp;



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42900509/social-media-sentiment-report-shows-only-one-out-of-bitcoin-xrp-dogecoin-is-bullish">Social Media Sentiment Report Shows Only One Out Of Bitcoin, XRP, Dogecoin Is Bullish</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Cardano Price Up 6%: What's Going On With ADA?

Elon Musk criticized the SEC after being sued for allegedly failing to disclose a substantial stake in X (formerly known as Twitter) before his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42993322/elon-musk-faces-sec-lawsuit-for-allegedly-hiding-twitter-stake-allowing-him-to-buy-shares-at-artificially-low-prices">acquisition of the platform</a>.



What Happened: Elon Musk <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1879322286291054653?s=46">called</a> the SEC on Wednesday on X a &#8220;totally broken organization&#8221; that is focusing on trivial cases and ignoring many genuine crimes that go unpunished.



The SEC alleged Musk&#8217;s omission to disclose his stake in Twitter allowed him to acquire the company at an artificially low price.



Dogecoin co-founder Billy Markus, known pseudonymously as Shibetoshi Nakamoto, mocked the SEC&#8217;s argument, pointing out that Musk paid $44 billion for Twitter, a price far above analysts&#8217; valuation of $30 billion.



Chief economist and global strategist Peter Schiff echoed Musk&#8217;s sentiment. 



Schiff <a href="https://x.com/PeterSchiff/status/1879538895958028478">noted</a> that the SEC accused Musk of costing X shareholders $150 million due to a delayed ownership disclosure but argued that Musk ultimately generated billions for shareholders. 



Schiff questioned what the SEC has done to genuinely benefit investors.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42904509/musk-cheers-doge-storm-in-senate-as-iconic-meme-symbolizes-department-of-government-efficiency">Elon Musk Cheers &#8216;DOGE&#8217; Storm As Iconic Dogecoin Meme Associated With Department Of Government Efficiency Appears On Senate Floor</a>



Why It Matters: Musk has faced increasing scrutiny from the SEC, particularly over his 2022 Twitter buyout. 



His legal team has accused the agency of engaging in &#8220;years of harassment.&#8221;



In October 2024, the SEC escalated its stance by rejecting Musk&#8217;s settlement offer related to missed deposition obligations, opting instead to seek sanctions.



With Donald Trump's inauguration next week, Musk's role in the proposed Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.) could also draw attention. 



The advisory commission aims to optimize resource use within government agencies.



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42871802/doge-co-lead-elon-musk-and-vivek-ramaswamy-reportedly-on-a-hiring-spree-for-full-timers">DOGE Co-lead Elon Musk And Vivek Ramaswamy Reportedly On A Hiring Spree For Full Timers</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Elon Musk Slams SEC As 'Totally Broken Organization'

YieldMax, a prominent ETF provider managing over $8.9 billion in assets, kicked off its Portfolio Option Income ETF series with the launch of the YieldMax Crypto Industry &amp; Tech Portfolio Option Income ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LFGY#NYSE">LFGY</a>). This actively managed fund is tailored to generate current income as well <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">as capital appreciation.</a>



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/travel/25/01/42986606/us-global-investors-shines-in-2024-jets-etf-soars-33-amid-travel-boom-gold-shipping-funds-add-to-g">US Global Investors Shines In 2024: JETS ETF Soars 33% Amid Travel Boom; Gold, Shipping Funds Add To Gains</a>



The ETF can pinch your pockets, with a net expense ratio of 0.99%. However, given its offerings and solid income-generating strategies, the cost seems reasonable. 



The ETF primarily invests in a portfolio of 15 to 30 companies in the realms of cryptocurrency and technology — essentially firms involved in decentralized finance, blockchain technologies, crypto platforms, and emerging markets.



The fund also employs an options-writing strategy to boost income. It writes options contracts on its portfolio securities, aiming to provide consistent income, preserve capital during market downturns, and participate in limited share price gains of its underlying securities.



Like most of its ETFs, YieldMax plans to deliver weekly distributions for its Crypto Industry &amp; Tech Portfolio Option Income ETF. The first payout is expected on Jan. 22.



Notably, the ETF holds cash or short-duration U.S. Treasuries as collateral for its options strategies. This allows further income generation.



Experts are rooting for a great year for crypto in 2025. Online broker VT Markets predicts the cryptocurrency sector will witness greater regulatory clarity and global market acceptance. This makes the Crypto Industry &amp; Tech Portfolio Option Income ETF launch a timely move for gaining exposure to this industry.



LFGY joins YieldMax's solid lineup of more than 35 ETFs, including popular names such as the YieldMax TSLA Option Income Strategy ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLY#NYSE">TSLY</a>) and the YieldMax NVDA Option Income Strategy ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDY#NYSE">NVDY</a>), which address a multitude of investor needs by employing options strategies across various sectors.



See Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/01/42981666/strong-dollars-ripple-effect-what-it-means-for-sp-500-etfs">Strong Dollar&#8217;s Ripple Effect: What It Means For S&amp;P 500 ETFs</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Shutterstock

New YieldMax ETF Targets Crypto, Tech Sectors With Income Strategy

The U.S. SEC appears set for a significant shift in its approach to cryptocurrency regulation, potentially starting as early as next week, as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42908193/exclusive-answering-key-questions-about-bitcoins-future-before-inauguration">President-elect Donald Trump takes office.</a>



What Happened: Reuters <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-new-sec-leadership-poised-kick-start-crypto-overhaul-sources-say-2025-01-15/">reported</a> that key Republican commissioners, Hester Peirce and Mark Uyeda, are planning to initiate a series of actions that could dramatically alter the regulatory landscape for digital assets.



The underlying reason for this shift is clear: a philosophical change in how the SEC views the industry, moving away from a perceived &#8220;crackdown&#8221; to what seems to be a potentially more accommodating stance.



Peirce and Uyeda, both known for their <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/08/40619809/crypto-mom-hester-peirce-expresses-concern-at-secs-regulatory-approach-on-digital-assets-i">pro-crypto views</a>, are reportedly considering steps to establish clearer guidelines on when a digital currency is classified as a security.



This is crucial because the classification determines which regulations apply, something that has been a major point of contention and confusion within the crypto industry. 



Furthermore, they are looking at revisiting ongoing enforcement cases, initiated under the current administration, which adds a layer of uncertainty and potential policy changes that could impact multiple companies. 



This signals a possible shift in how the SEC intends to engage with digital currency markets.



The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42842267/trumps-sec-pick-likely-to-bring-down-the-stress-levels-of-wall-street-with-easier-enforcement-ride">anticipated appointment</a> of Paul Atkins, a known crypto advocate, as SEC chair further reinforces the notion of a major regulatory shift.



While his confirmation by the Senate is pending, Atkins&#8217; expected arrival signals a departure from the more stringent regulatory approach of outgoing chair Gary Gensler, whose departure is set to coincide with the inauguration. 



The appointment of Atkins, combined with the current commissioners&#8217; planned actions, suggests a deliberate and coordinated effort to revise how the SEC oversees the cryptocurrency space.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42987165/bitcoin-is-an-excellent-buying-opportunity-at-if-it-breaks-below-90000-says-standard-chartered">Bitcoin Is An &#8216;Excellent&#8217; Buying Opportunity At If It Breaks Below $90,000 Says Standard Chartered</a>



Peirce and Uyeda, who previously served under Atkins at the SEC, are aligned with his views. 



They have long criticized Gensler's enforcement-heavy strategy and have discussed alternative, more crypto-friendly policies. 



With Gensler&#8217;s imminent departure, they&#8217;re expected to form a majority on the commission, allowing them to move forward with their agenda as they see fit in the interim. 



This highlights the strategic importance of the timing and the commissioners&#8217; willingness to take the reins as soon as possible.



What&#8217;s Next: It is important to note that the outgoing administration&#8217;s SEC, under Gensler, initiated over 80 enforcement actions, citing concerns about fraud and market manipulation.



Many of these lawsuits revolve around the argument that certain crypto tokens operate as unregistered securities, therefore coming under SEC&#8217;s jurisdiction. 



The potential shift in how the SEC classifies and oversees these assets could have a major ripple effect throughout the industry. 



This matters because the companies that have been targeted by the SEC may find themselves in different legal standing as this new approach is implemented.



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42985098/gary-gensler-defends-sec-legacy-we-focused-on-reforms-in-the-60-trillion-equity-markets">Gary Gensler Defends SEC Legacy: &#8216;We Focused On Reforms In The $60 Trillion Equity Markets&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

SEC Under Trump Administration To Revise Crypto Policies: Report

Dubai has announced the construction of a &#8220;Crypto Tower&#8221; to accommodate businesses operating in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42996138/new-crypto-accounting-rules-could-accelerate-corporate-bitcoin-adoption-says-ceo-of-leading-btc-miner-mark-to-market-standards-really-important">the blockchain sector</a>.



What Happened: <a href="https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/realty/dubai-to-get-new-landmark-crypto-tower-to-be-completed-in-2027?_refresh=true">According </a>to reporting from the Khaleej Times on Wednesday, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is aiming to foster the digital asset ecosystem in the city.



According to the report, the Crypto Tower will offer 150,000 square feet of leasable space, including nine floors of advanced offices for crypto startups and established businesses. 



The building will also feature dedicated floors for blockchain incubators, venture capital firms, and AI innovation.



Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman and CEO of DMCC, stated, &#8220;The Crypto Tower is a pioneering development that sits at the interface of blockchain, Web3 and real estate.&#8221; 



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42998035/bitcoin-adoption-still-early-blackrock-says">Bitcoin Adoption Still Early, BlackRock Says</a>



Notable features of the Crypto Tower include:



<ol>
<li>A 10,000-square-foot indoor event space and 3,500-square-foot outdoor area for crypto and blockchain events</li>



<li>A 30,000-square-foot crypto club on the top three floors</li>



<li>An NFT art gallery</li>



<li>A gold bullion shop</li>



<li>An exotic car dealership</li>



<li>A 5,000-square-foot vault storage area for valuables including gold, cash, and cold wallets</li>
</ol>



Why It Matters: This development aligns with Dubai&#8217;s broader efforts to establish itself as a global crypto hub. 



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41125099/ripple-receives-dubai-approval-for-blockchain-payment-services">In October</a>, Ripple received in-principle approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to offer blockchain-enabled payment services in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). 



Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple&#8217;s CEO, praised the UAE&#8217;s &#8220;forward-thinking regulatory approach,&#8221; highlighting the country&#8217;s positioning as a leader in financial technology innovation.



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42987165/bitcoin-is-an-excellent-buying-opportunity-at-if-it-breaks-below-90000-says-standard-chartered">Bitcoin Is An &#8216;Excellent&#8217; Buying Opportunity At If It Breaks Below $90,000 Says Standard Chartered</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Dubai Announces 'Crypto Tower' To Host Blockchain Businesses

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) mining stocks MARA Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MARA#NASDAQ">MARA</a>), Riot Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIOT#NASDAQ">RIOT</a>) and CleanSpark Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLSK#NASDAQ">CLSK</a>) are trading higher Wednesday following softer-than-expected Consumer Price Index (CPI) data. Here's a look at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43003047/stocks-rise-on-core-inflation-slowdown-banks-rally-after-strong-q4-earnings-treasury-yields-plummet">what's going on</a>.



What To Know: Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) is surging following <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43001512/inflation-rises-to-29-in-december-core-slows-yet-rising-energy-costs-put-feds-target-at-risk">core CPI data</a> that came in below expectations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 2.9% increase in headline CPI for December on a year-over-year basis, in line with economist estimates. Core CPI increased by 3.2% year-over-year, versus estimates for a 3.3% increase. 



Broader markets are rallying on the heels of the inflation data and crypto names are getting an extra lift from a rise in Bitcoin prices. Bitcoin was up about 3.15% over a 24-hour period, trading around $99,350 at last check, per <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.



BlackRock head of digital assets Robert Mitchnick on Wednesday said Bitcoin adoption is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42998035/bitcoin-adoption-still-early-blackrock-says">still in the early stages</a>. Although demand for spot Bitcoin ETF products has been off the charts from retail investors, he suggested that wealth advisory and institutional investors have been slower to adopt Bitcoin strategies. 



BlackRock on Wednesday <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/01/b42996688/blackrock-reports-full-year-2024-diluted-eps-of-42-01-or-43-61-as-adjusted-fourth-quarter-2024-dil">reported</a> a record $641 billion in full-year 2024 net inflows and a 14% increase in full-year revenue. 



Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43003047/stocks-rise-on-core-inflation-slowdown-banks-rally-after-strong-q4-earnings-treasury-yields-plummet">Stocks Rise On Core Inflation Slowdown, Banks Rally After Strong Q4 Earnings, Treasury Yields Plummet</a>



Bitcoin Mining Metrics: Bitcoin mining stocks are outperforming on Wednesday. MARA Holdings, Riot and CleanSpark all recently reported operating results for December. Here&#8217;s a look at how the miners are faring. 



MARA Holdings mined 890 Bitcoin in December, down from 907 Bitcoin mined in November. MARA said it held a total of 44,893 Bitcoin as of Dec. 31, with 7,377 of those Bitcoin temporarily loaned to third parties. MARA&#8217;s energized hashrate increased 15% in December to 53.2 EH/s. 



Riot mined 516 Bitcoin in December, up from 496 in November. Riot noted that it held a total of 17,722 Bitcoin as of Dec. 31. Riot's average deployed hashrate was 31.5 EH/s last month.



CleanSpark mined 668 Bitcoin in December, up from 622 Bitcoin mined in November. CleanSpark said it mined a total of 7,024 Bitcoin in 2024. The company noted that it had 9,952 in total Bitcoin holdings as of Dec. 31. CleanSpark&#8217;s average hashrate throughout December was 35.52 EH/s.



MARA, RIOT, CLSK Price Action: At publication time, MARA shares were up 5.53% at $18.32, Riot shares were up 6.94% at $13.08 and CleanSpark shares were up 6.38% at $10.99, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42998671/xrp-price-surges-another-7-5-what-is-going-on">XRP Price Surges Another 7.5%: What Is Going On?</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Shutterstock.

What's Going On With Bitcoin Mining Stocks MARA Holdings, Riot Platforms And CleanSpark?

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) is eyeing a march toward the $100,000 mark following <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43001512/inflation-rises-to-29-in-december-core-slows-yet-rising-energy-costs-put-feds-target-at-risk">CPI data that aligned with market expectations</a>. 



What Happened: The report has rekindled optimism across markets, with the S&amp;P 500 index – as tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) &#8211; gaining 1.7%. 



Major cryptocurrencies have surged across the board:



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Price&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>Gains +/-</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>&nbsp;$99,251.48</td><td>+2.6%</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</td><td>&nbsp;$3,304.57</td><td>+3.1%</td></tr><tr><td>Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)</td><td>&nbsp;$194.45</td><td>+4%</td></tr><tr><td>XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>)</td><td> $2.97</td><td>+15.4%</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)</td><td>&nbsp;$0.367</td><td>+4.6%</td></tr><tr><td>Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>)</td><td>&nbsp;$0.00002198</td><td>+2.4%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Trader Notes: Lark Davis, a Bitcoin investor and entrepreneur, noted that Bitcoin &#8220;is loving&#8221; the macroeconomic data released.



Prominent technical analyst Kevin observed that the cooler CPI figures reduced yields and the dollar's strength, boosting asset prices. 



He remains cautious about whether this trend can be sustained.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">CPI comes in at 2.9% as expected.<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> is loving it. <a href="https://t.co/EqYJ0KMByQ">pic.twitter.com/EqYJ0KMByQ</a>&mdash; Lark Davis (@TheCryptoLark) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheCryptoLark/status/1879522899771498565?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Economist Robin Brooks commented on the benign core CPI reading for December, with underlying inflation <a href="https://x.com/robin_j_brooks/status/1879522953987342551">trending</a> at 0.25% month-over-month. 



He expects a temporary uptick in Q1 2025 due to seasonal price resets, <a href="https://x.com/robin_j_brooks/status/1879523749252514190">echoing</a> patterns seen in early 2023 and 2024.



What's Next: Crypto trader Jelle now marks $97,000 turning into support and with prices pushing towards $100,000 he <a href="https://x.com/CryptoJelleNL/status/1879524740219728355">concluded</a> "Break that, and all bets are off."



Glassnode <a href="https://x.com/glassnode/status/1879483017220997356">data</a> highlighted that the BTC price action validated two key levels flagged by on-chain data. 



It sees support at $89,000 which aligns with Short-Term Holder Realized Price ($88,500). 



Resistance is below $98,000 which is largest accumulation level above spot.



As Bitcoin inches closer to the psychological $100,000 barrier, the market remains divided on whether the rally will be sustained. 



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42998035/bitcoin-adoption-still-early-blackrock-says">Bitcoin Adoption Still Early, BlackRock Says</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Bitcoin Up To $99,000 'Is Loving' Inflation Data Release, XRP, Dogecoin Follow Higher

XRP's (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) price has increased 11.58% over the past 24 hours to $2.86. Over the past week, XRP has experienced an uptick of over 24.0%, moving from $2.32 to its current price. As it stands right now, the coin's all-time high is $3.40. 
The chart below compares the price movement and volatility for XRP over the past 24 hours (left) to its price movement over the past week (right). The gray bands are Bollinger Bands, measuring the volatility for both the daily and weekly price movements. The wider the bands are, or the larger the gray area is at any given moment, the larger the volatility.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1736953209_0_0.png" alt="price_chart" />

The trading volume for the coin has climbed 97.0% over the past week, moving opposite, directionally, with the overall circulating supply of the coin, which has decreased 0.78%. This brings the circulating supply to 57.49 billion, which makes up an estimated 57.49% of its max supply of 100.00 billion. According to our data, the current market cap ranking for XRP is #3 at $164.08 billion.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1736953209_1.png" alt="supply_and_vol" />

<a href="https://www.coingecko.com/en/api">Powered by CoinGecko API</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

XRP's Price Increased More Than 11% Within 24 hours

Direxion CEO Douglas Yones shared some insights with Benzinga on how <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto">cryptocurrency</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities">commodities</a> could benefit from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/2025-market-outlook-navigating-uncertainty-with-high-yield-strategies/">ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties</a>.



Despite traditional markets facing instability, Yones is optimistic about cryptocurrency's continued rise — especially Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>). 



In 2024, "the top three new ETFs by AUM in the U.S. were all Bitcoin-related, and we expect this trend to continue,&#8221; he says.



President-elect Donald Trump&#8216;s pro-crypto administration is expected to play a role in fueling further demand for digital assets. ETFs such as the Direxion Daily Crypto Industry Bull 2X Shares (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMBO#NYSE">LMBO</a>) and the Direxion Daily Crypto Industry Bear 1X Shares (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/REKT#NYSE">REKT</a>) could see increasing interest as investors seek growth in this space.



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42962279/trump-could-sign-crypto-related-executive-orders-on-day-1-report">Trump Could Sign Crypto-Related Executive Orders On Day 1: Report</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Commodities As A Diversification Tool</h2>



Commodities are also expected to see heightened demand as a way to diversify portfolios beyond stocks and bonds.



"With U.S. equity valuations at lofty levels and inflation still persistent, commodities can potentially provide added diversification within an overall portfolio," Yones says. 



The Direxion Auspice Broad Commodity Strategy ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COM#NYSE">COM</a>) is one such option.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Leveraged And Inverse ETFs For Flexibility</h2>



Traders would be wise to look at leveraged and inverse ETFs, too.



"ETFs, particularly leveraged and inverse ones, offer a flexible way to navigate the ups and downs of the market,&#8221; Yones says.



These ETFs can provide both bullish and bearish exposure. This makes them ideal for those seeking to capitalize on short-term market movements.



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/24/10/41354820/tech-sector-chaos-puts-spotlight-on-direxions-3x-leveraged-soxl-and-soxs-funds">Tech Sector Chaos Puts Spotlight On Direxion&#8217;s 3X-Leveraged SOXL And SOXS Funds</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

EXCLUSIVE: Direxion CEO Predicts Crypto, Commodities Will Take Center Stage Amid Volatility In 2025

Financial analysts are bracing for a potentially volatile week as markets grapple with inflationary concerns and the looming <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42908193/exclusive-answering-key-questions-about-bitcoins-future-before-inauguration">inauguration of Donald Trump.</a>.



A preview of the December Consumer Price Index (CPI) suggests persistently elevated inflation, despite a recent dip in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42973016/producer-prices-rise-less-than-expected-offer-opportunity-for-market-rebound">Producer Price Index</a> (PPI), raising fears among investors and impacting bond yields and equity markets.



The specter of inflation continues to haunt U.S. markets as the anticipated December CPI data approaches. 



While the U.S. job market remains robust, with non-farm payrolls surpassing expectations, analysts suggest that this could ironically contribute to market unease. 



Predictions for the CPI show expectations of a year-over-year (YoY) increase of 2.8%, slightly up from November&#8217;s 2.7%, and a month-over-month (MoM) rise of 0.3%, matching the previous month&#8217;s rate. 



Core CPI is predicted to remain steady at 3.3% YoY, with a slight decrease to 0.2% MoM. 



These figures, even if in line with expectations, indicate that inflation is still not significantly slowing, with the Fed's 2% target still a distance away.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42998035/bitcoin-adoption-still-early-blackrock-says">Bitcoin Adoption Still Early, BlackRock Says</a>



QCP Capital <a href="https://www.qcpgroup.com/insights/asia-color-34/">noted</a> that Trump&#8217;s imminent inauguration on Jan. 20 has already injected volatility into global markets.



His publicized plans for tariffs, particularly on imports from China, have further fueled inflationary concerns, though there is an expectation for a gradual implementation of these policies. 



As a consequence, bond yields have seen a resurgence, with markets now pricing in only two rate cuts for 2025 and 2026. 



This contrasts with the Federal Reserve&#8217;s prior projection of four cuts, and the 10-year and 30-year US Treasury yields are nearing the 5% mark.



These macro-economic pressures have prompted a decline in risk assets. 



The S&amp;P 500 flirted with breaking below $5,800 and Bitcoin briefly dropped below $90,000 on Monday, demonstrating market fragility.



Bitcoin is trading around $97,000 at the time of writing, up 1%.



However, QCP Capital points out that Trump's actual policies often deviate from his rhetoric, and inflation may not prove as severe as anticipated, and the new administration may also be crypto-friendly.



Benjamin Cowen, CEO of Into The Cryptoverse, also weighed in on how the upcoming CPI release could influence markets, <a href="https://x.com/intocryptoverse/status/1879394089952502102">stating </a>that while strong employment numbers are currently perceived as bad news, due to questions they raise about the Fed's rate-cutting policy, good news on the inflation front could slow down the rise of longer-term Treasury yields.



&#8220;If inflation is not as bad as expected, then it would likely help slow the long end down from this rise,&#8221; he said.



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42987165/bitcoin-is-an-excellent-buying-opportunity-at-if-it-breaks-below-90000-says-standard-chartered">Bitcoin Is An &#8216;Excellent&#8217; Buying Opportunity At If It Breaks Below $90,000 Says Standard Chartered</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Bitcoin Up 1%, Braces For Volatility Ahead Of Inflation Data Release

XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) has sustained <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/ripple-xrp-price-prediction">its bullish momentum</a> for the second consecutive day, driven by speculation around an XRP ETF and increasing whale transactions. 



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Price&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>Market Cap</td><td>24-Hour Trend</td><td>7-Day Trend</td></tr><tr><td>XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>)</td><td>&nbsp;$2.76</td><td>$158.5 billion</td><td>+7.5%&nbsp;</td><td>+19%&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>&nbsp;$96,664.83</td><td>$1.9 trillion</td><td>+0.2%&nbsp;</td><td>+1.6%&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</td><td>&nbsp;$3,197.98</td><td>$385.4 billion</td><td>-0.5%&nbsp;</td><td>-4.5%&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Trader Notes: Crypto trader Cold Blooded Shiller described XRP as an "alive monster," predicting its ascent to $4.2 if the rally maintains momentum.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24XRP&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$XRP</a> monster is alive. Pushing against the highs, won&#39;t be long before this breaks and continues it&#39;s ascent upward. $4.20. <a href="https://t.co/srLuW0zF2T">https://t.co/srLuW0zF2T</a> <a href="https://t.co/oOk0X8Jcko">pic.twitter.com/oOk0X8Jcko</a>&mdash; Cold Blooded Shiller (@ColdBloodShill) <a href="https://twitter.com/ColdBloodShill/status/1879458140808524140?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Crypto trader Satoshi Flipper suggested XRP is on the verge of price discovery, indicating the potential for new highs.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">PRICE DISCOVERY FOR <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24XRP&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$XRP</a> LOADING <a href="https://t.co/BQXCcZawgW">pic.twitter.com/BQXCcZawgW</a>&mdash; Satoshi Flipper (@SatoshiFlipper) <a href="https://twitter.com/SatoshiFlipper/status/1879479514813927862?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Statistics: Santiment data highlighted by crypto chart analyst Ali Martinez <a href="https://x.com/ali_charts/status/1879457747537670249">shows</a> transactions over $1 million surged to 341 in the last 24 hours.



Coinglass reported XRP futures open interest reached $6 billion (as of Jan. 15), marking an 18% daily increase, the highest since December.



Derivatives trading volume rose 25%, while XRP spot inflows hit $99.3 million, a record high since Dec. 1, 2024.



Community News: David Gokhshtein, founder of Gokhshtein Media, <a href="https://x.com/davidgokhshtein/status/1879352526119850390">acknowledged</a> the rally, stating XRP holders "deserve" this momentum.



Omni Foundation co-founder Austin King <a href="https://x.com/0xASK/status/1879364677316321362">shared</a> insights into Ripple&#8217;s broader vision, beyond the anticipated XRP ETF launch in 2025:



<ul>
<li>Ripple plans to expand its fast, low-cost payment solutions to attract customers from traditional finance.</li>



<li>The company has processed over $50 billion in payments and aims to position the XRP Ledger as the hub for tokenizing global financial assets.</li>
</ul>



Jan. 15 marks the SEC's deadline to file an opening brief in its appeal against Judge Torres' ruling. 



Speculation remains over whether the SEC will contest XRP's classification as a security in programmatic sales.



Read Next:&nbsp;



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/42985959/xrp-up-16-in-7-days-could-it-temporarily-flip-ethereum-or-even-bitcoin">XRP Up 16% In 7 Days: Could It Temporarily Flip Ethereum Or Even Bitcoin?</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

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