🚨 Breaking: Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy Acquires 10,107 BTC For $1.1B ⚡️

Michael Saylor's MicroStrategy has made its twelfth Bitcoin purchase in as many weeks, buying 10,107 BTC for $1.1 billion.

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🆕 Erik Voorhees Launches VVV Token for Decentralized AI Access

🚀 Erik Voorhees, the founder of Venice and Shapeshift, has announced the launch of the VVV token on January 27, 2025. This token aims to decentralize access to uncensored AI inference while eliminating per-request costs. Venice., a decentralized generative AI platform launched in May 2024, addresses concerns about centralized AI control, censorship, and data privacy.

📊 The VVV token allows stakers to access Venice’s AI API—which generates text, images, and code—at zero marginal cost. Its supply is capped at 100 million tokens, with 50% airdropped to 100,000 Venice users and AI community projects on Coinbase’s Base blockchain. The tokenomics model ties staking to proportional API access: staking 1% of VVV grants 1% of Venice’s compute capacity indefinitely.

🔒 Unlike competitors like OpenAI or Gemini, Venice does not store user data, censor content, or require identity verification. This positions VVV as a tool for AI agents and developers prioritizing privacy. Half of VVV’s supply was distributed via airdrop, including allocations to AI protocols like Virtuals, Luna, and VaderAI. The remaining 50% is held by Venice (35%), a liquidity pool (5%), and an incentive fund (10%).

🤖 VVV targets AI agents—automated entities reliant on inference—by removing financial and bureaucratic barriers. Agents can stake VVV anonymously, avoiding per-request fees and surveillance risks. Venice’s API, integrated into frameworks like Eliza, promises

unrestricted intelligence

amid rising demand for decentralized AI.

📅 The token is live on Aerodrome with no pre-sales or governance features. Users can claim airdrops until March 13, 2025, via venice/claim. As AI agents proliferate, VVV’s value hinges on Venice’s ability to scale its privacy-centric compute network.

🗣 Sam Bankman-Fried's Parents Seek Presidential Pardon from Trump

👨‍⚖️ The parents of Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the imprisoned founder of FTX, are reportedly pursuing a pardon for their son from U.S. President Donald Trump. Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, both professors at Stanford Law School, have allegedly held discussions with lawyers and individuals connected to the Trump administration.

🗓 This effort comes shortly after Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the creator of the Silk Road marketplace, who had been serving a life sentence. While Ulbricht's supporters rallied for his release due to the severity of his sentence, Bankman-Fried has not garnered similar support for his case. He views his 25-year sentence as excessive and argues that most of his victims have been compensated.

🤝 Bankman and Fried believe that Trump's self-portrayal as a victim of government overreach may make him sympathetic to their son's situation. They are not alone in this pursuit; Ryan Salame, a former colleague of SBF at FTX, is also seeking a pardon.

📈 Trump's recent pardon of Ulbricht has prompted others in similar situations to consider their chances of receiving clemency. Jeffrey Grant, a lawyer specializing in white-collar cases, has noted an increase in pardon inquiries.

We have been hearing from people in prison, from people recently sentenced who haven’t reported to the Bureau of Prisons yet, and from people who have been indicted.

he said.

📞 Consultant Sam Mangel has also received advice on pardons from his contacts within the Trump administration. Alan Dershowitz, a Harvard Law School professor and Trump lawyer, mentioned that he has received inquiries about pardons but has advised those seeking them to wait until Trump is settled.

🚨 Just In: 🇺🇸🇲🇽 US, Mexico Agree To Delay Donald Trump Tariffs; Crypto Market Rebounds 🌐

U.S. and Mexico pause new tariffs for a month as leaders negotiate border security and trade, following talks between Trump and Sheinbaum.

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💰 Shift in ETF Investor Sentiment: Ether ETFs Gain While Bitcoin ETFs Decline

📉 The week began with a notable shift in investor sentiment regarding exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Investors moved away from bitcoin ETFs, which experienced a net outflow of $234.54 million, and turned their attention to ether ETFs, which saw a net inflow of $83.54 million.

Leading the bitcoin ETF outflows was Fidelity’s FBTC with a significant withdrawal of $177.64 million.

🔻 Fidelity’s FBTC led the outflows with a withdrawal of $177.64 million, followed by Ark and 21Shares’ ARKB with a $50.75 million exit. Other funds like Vaneck’s HODL and Bitwise’s BITB also saw outflows of $8.63 million and $5.54 million respectively. The only bitcoin ETF to attract inflows was Grayscale’s GBTC, which received $8.02 million.

📈 In contrast, ether ETFs enjoyed a positive trend with Fidelity’s FETH leading the way by attracting $49.75 million. Other contributors included Grayscale’s ETHE and ETH with $15.85 million and $12.75 million respectively, along with 21Shares’ CETH which added $5.19 million. Notably, no outflows were recorded for the nine ether ETFs.

At the close of the trading day, ether ETFs total net assets stood at $9.98 billion, just a few million shy of hitting the $10 billion milestone.

How Much Are Crypto Exchanges Really Worth?

The valuation of cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance, Kraken, and others is gaining attention in global media. A new approach has been introduced to estimate their market worth—not just based on trading volumes but through a broader set of key metrics.

This method considers six important factors:

🔍 Transparency – How openly exchanges share information about their operations.
📊 Activity – User engagement and trading volumes.
💰 Capital – Financial strength and available reserves.
🛡 Security – Measures in place to protect users and funds.
✅ Compliance – Adherence to regulatory standards.
📈 Proof of Reserves – Verification of solvency and financial backing.

By analyzing these elements, the formula offers a structured way to assess exchanges beyond surface-level figures. While not a definitive valuation model, it provides useful insights into how different platforms operate and manage risks in the crypto space.

Read more in the article 👉 https://coincodex.com/article/58281/unveiling-the-metrics-understanding-the-market-value-of-leading-crypto-exchanges/

🚀 Trump Media's Bold Move into Bitcoin ETFs

📰 Trump Media and Technology Group Corp. (TMTG), majority-owned by U.S. President Donald Trump, is set to launch bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) under its Truth.Fi brand. This move marks a significant step into the cryptocurrency investment space. TMTG has filed for trademarks for various investment products, including the "Truth.Fi Bitcoin Plus ETF" and "Truth.Fi Bitcoin Plus SMA."

💬 TMTG CEO Devin Nunes stated,

We aim to give investors a means to invest in American energy, manufacturing, and other firms that provide a competitive alternative to the woke funds and debanking problems that you find throughout the market.

He added that the company is exploring different strategies related to bitcoin to differentiate its offerings.

🤝 To facilitate this launch, TMTG has partnered with Yorkville Advisors as its Registered Investment Advisor. Yorkville will guide the new financial products through the regulatory process. This initiative is part of TMTG's broader strategy to expand into financial technology and investment services, which includes a partnership with Charles Schwab to manage up to $250 million in assets.

🗣 Bloomberg’s senior ETF analyst, Eric Balchunas remarked,

Trump is going to launch a Bitcoin Plus ETF. Safe to say first-ever POTUS ETF issuer. What a country.

This announcement follows a previous statement from January where TMTG revealed its plans to enter the financial technology sector and potentially allocate funds to bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

⚖️ TMTG emphasizes that its investment products are subject to regulatory approvals and that future developments could affect their launch and success. This venture into cryptocurrency investments aligns with TMTG's mission to counter perceived free speech suppression by major tech firms while expanding its footprint in the financial services industry.

🚨 Breaking: Bitcoin Price Eyes Breakout As US Job Data Shows Slowing Growth 🚀

Bitcoin price rally speculations soared after the latest US Job data showed that the nonfarm payrolls increased 143K in January, down from the market expectations.

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🚫 No CBDC Act: Protecting Financial Privacy from Government Control

🛑 U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) has reintroduced the No CBDC Act on February 6, aiming to prevent the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC). Co-sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rick Scott (R-FL), with a companion measure introduced in the House by Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN), the bill follows President Donald Trump’s recent executive order blocking federal agencies from creating a CBDC.

President Donald Trump recently banned federal agencies from creating a CBDC through an executive order; this legislation would enshrine the ban permanently in law.

Lee stated.

🛡 Supporters argue that the legislation is crucial for protecting financial privacy and limiting government overreach. The bill prohibits the Federal Reserve, Treasury Department, and other federal agencies from issuing a CBDC in any form. It also prevents the Federal Reserve from holding a CBDC on its balance sheet or using it for monetary policy.

⚠️ Lee warned that a government-backed digital currency could be used to monitor and control citizens’ financial activities, citing China’s digital yuan as an example. He emphasized,

The United States doesn’t need to create a central bank digital currency to know it is a bad idea. We’ve seen this play out in China with the digital yuan.

In early trials, China canceled its citizens’ money after a set period, forcing Chinese citizens to spend their savings at the compulsion of the government.

He added,

My bill protects Americans from a similar intrusion by prohibiting the Federal Reserve or any federal government agency from minting or issuing a CBDC.

🚫 Critics of CBDCs argue that they would enable the federal government to track every financial transaction, undermining free enterprise and restricting the ability of financial institutions to function as lenders. By prohibiting the Federal Reserve from incorporating a CBDC into its monetary policy or balance sheet, the bill seeks to ensure that such a system is never implemented in the United States.

CBDCs are nothing more than a tool for tyrants to intimidate, control, and surveil the activities of American citizens, and it is my duty as a patriot to stop them

Ogles expressed. He also stated,

I am honored to co-lead this effort with Senator Lee.

🤝 The bill has garnered support from conservative organizations advocating for financial privacy. Proponents argue that with a conservative majority in government, now is the opportune time to ensure that CBDCs are permanently blocked.

Berachain Price Drops 14%, Arthur Hayes Breaks Down the Crash ⚠️

Berachain price slumped 14% in a day, pushing traders and investors on their toes. BitMEX's Arthur Hayes offers insights into the crash.

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🔄 Bitcoin's Evolution: From Digital Gold Back to Cash

🌍 A recent report highlights a significant shift in the perception of Bitcoin (BTC) as it transitions from being viewed primarily as a store of value to regaining its role as a medium of exchange. Originally created by Satoshi Nakamoto as "peer-to-peer digital cash", Bitcoin has increasingly been seen as "digital gold" over time. However, the scaling firm Breez suggests that Bitcoin is making a comeback as digital cash.

⚡️ The report attributes this resurgence to the Lightning Network, a layer two solution that enables cheaper and faster Bitcoin payments. It describes Lightning as the "backbone of bitcoin payments" and notes that with its integration across various use cases—from retail to global remittances—Bitcoin now reaches over 650 million people worldwide.

Lightning transforms Bitcoin into the scalable medium of exchange initially envisioned

the report states, emphasizing that Lightning not only improves upon Bitcoin's early limitations but also unlocks new utilities previously impossible.

💳 This new payment landscape includes pay-per-use and microtransactions, allowing users to pay for one-time access to digital content or even a cup of coffee. The 650 million estimate comes from the customer bases of major Bitcoin platforms like Coinbase and Binance, with Binance alone boasting nearly 260 million users.

🌐 While Bitcoin investors are primarily located in developed countries with stable fiat systems, it serves as digital cash in regions with high inflation and unstable monetary systems. For instance, Pick n Pay, a major African retailer, uses Lightning for Bitcoin payments, offering speed and lower fees compared to traditional card payments.

Lightning payments are currently the fastest payment method at the till

said Carel van Wyk, founder of MoneyBadger, which implemented Pick n Pay’s Lightning integration.

💸 The report also compares Bitcoin to stablecoins, which have been praised for their utility as a non-volatile medium of exchange. However, it argues that stablecoins face risks similar to the fiat currencies they represent, such as centralized control and censorship. In contrast, Bitcoin is portrayed as decentralized and resilient to devaluation.

Stablecoins are not digitally native

the report states, highlighting that they are "digital representations of non-Internet native assets" like the U.S. dollar. It emphasizes that BTC "cannot be devalued" and its value derives from "decentralized global consensus".

💱 While the report claims that 650 million people have access to Bitcoin and Lightning, it acknowledges that most users do not utilize it as digital cash but rather for trading or investment purposes. Nevertheless, it argues that Bitcoin can function as both digital gold in some regions and digital cash in others.

Bitcoin is already a viable currency. Now. Today

the report asserts, citing examples of people using it for everyday transactions and charitable donations.

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🛠 Everstake: Pioneering Staking and Governance in Blockchain Ecosystems

🌱 The staking ecosystem is rapidly evolving, driven by increasing institutional interest and potential regulatory oversight. Everstake, a prominent blockchain validator, secures over 80 cryptocurrencies and supports leading networks. In an exclusive interview, Sergey Vasylchuk, CEO of Everstake, shared insights on the platform's origins, staking challenges, regulatory developments, and the importance of governance in blockchain ecosystems.

🔍 Everstake's journey began as an experimental project during Vasylchuk's work on a cryptocurrency exchange. Frustrated by the limitations of early proof-of-work networks, he explored proof-of-stake (PoS) solutions.

When I first saw EOS, it was mind-blowing—transactions in under two seconds. That’s when I realized we were getting closer to the speed financial systems require

Vasylchuk explained. This realization led his team to optimize blockchain performance, eventually establishing Everstake as a validator for multiple blockchains.

🔗 Beyond staking, Everstake serves as a crucial infrastructure layer for blockchains, bridges, and decentralized applications.

We’re not just validators. We support blockchain ecosystems, ensure security, and help new networks scale

Vasylchuk emphasized.

⚠️ As staking becomes mainstream, validators face increasing operational and security challenges. Everstake maintains an uptime of nearly 99.9%, showcasing its commitment to reliability.

The biggest challenge isn’t running existing blockchains, it’s onboarding new testnets

Vasylchuk noted. To bolster institutional confidence, Everstake recently secured SOC 2 Type 1 certification, a widely recognized security standard.

📈 Ethereum has experienced a steady 4% increase in staked ETH over the past year, indicating long-term confidence in PoS networks. Vasylchuk anticipates continued growth, comparing it to Solana, where over 65% of tokens are staked. He cautioned,

Staking isn’t just about earning rewards, it’s about governance. When you stake, you’re delegating your voting power

highlighting the importance of responsible validator selection.

🗳 As a major validator, Everstake plays a key role in governance decisions. However, Vasylchuk downplayed concerns about large validators posing a centralization risk.

Despite being one of the biggest, our stake in Solana is only 1.4%, in Sui, it’s 1.3%. That’s far from centralization

he clarified. He pointed out that centralized exchanges pose a greater threat to blockchain governance by controlling staked funds without allowing user participation.

⚖️ With increasing government focus on cryptocurrency regulation, staking is under greater scrutiny. Vasylchuk noted that regulators often misinterpret staking as a purely financial instrument rather than a governance mechanism.

When we explain staking as a voting process, regulators get confused

he said. However, he remains optimistic that clearer regulations could pave the way for institutions to fully embrace staking.

🔮 Looking ahead to 2025, Vasylchuk predicts a strong year for staking driven by a bullish market, institutional entry, and greater regulatory clarity. He believes that the full potential of staking will be realized once traditional financial institutions can access it through regulated investment vehicles.

A staking ETF would be a game-changer. It’s not a matter of if, it’s when

he concluded.

🌉 As Everstake continues to expand its role in blockchain governance and security, Vasylchuk is committed to bridging the gap between crypto and traditional finance. His dual mission of optimizing blockchain infrastructure while educating regulators positions Everstake as a pivotal player in the future of decentralized finance.

🔮 Market Veteran Predicts XRP Price If Ripple Completes Cup and Handle Pattern 📊

Explore why one veteran crypto analyst believes that the popular XRP price will soar to $3.35 after forming a cup and handle pattern.

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💼 Binance's Future: Investment Opportunities Amid Regulatory Challenges

🔍 Investor interest in Binance remains strong, despite ongoing regulatory challenges. Former CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) recently addressed rumors about a potential sale of the cryptocurrency exchange, labeling them as "FUD" (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) spread by a perceived competitor. He stated,

Some lowly self-perceived competitor in Asia fudding about Binance (CEX) for sale.

🛑 Zhao clarified that Binance is not for sale and emphasized,

As a shareholder, Binance is not for sale.

However, he acknowledged consistent investor interest in the company. While he rejected the idea of a complete acquisition, he left the door open for limited investments, stating,

Top investors have always been interested in Binance. Over time, we may allow some investments in the single-digit percentage range.

🌍 This suggests that while partial external investment may be possible, a full sale is off the table. Zhao's comments come amid ongoing regulatory challenges and market speculation about Binance's future. He stepped down as CEO in 2023 as part of a settlement with U.S. authorities but remains a significant shareholder.

📈 Meanwhile, Binance has been expanding its global presence, securing regulatory approvals in 21 countries and growing its user base from 170 million to over 250 million. Despite this growth, the company has yet to establish a global headquarters due to tax and staffing complexities. It continues to face regulatory challenges, including a joint motion with the U.S. SEC to pause legal proceedings for 60 days to allow for potential regulatory clarity under the new U.S. administration.

🎯 Looking ahead, Binance aims to reach 1 billion users while prioritizing compliance, regulatory transparency, and collaboration with law enforcement.

🚨 Memecoins and New Investors: A Cautionary Tale

📉 A recent survey conducted by Chainplay and Storible revealed that politically-themed memecoins such as TRUMP, LIBRA, and CAR attracted many first-time crypto investors but also resulted in significant losses and disillusionment. Nearly 80% of the 1,066 crypto investors surveyed purchased these president-endorsed memecoins, with about 37% being first-time buyers drawn by their political relevance and viral marketing. However, approximately 21% of these investors quit crypto altogether after their experience with these coins.

This suggests that, rather than fostering long-term engagement in the market, these memecoins have led to significant disillusionment.

📉 Despite the initial hype, the value of these memecoins has plummeted, resulting in steep losses for holders. The findings indicate that two-thirds of president-endorsed memecoin investors are losing money. As of February 19, nearly 560,000 (52.3%) TRUMP investors were at a loss, with almost 545,000 losing up to $10,000. Additionally, 287 TRUMP investors lost over $1 million, totaling an overall loss of $3.6 billion for these investors. Three-quarters of LIBRA investors were also at a loss, with over 101,000 losing up to $10,000. Interestingly, while 26 LIBRA investors lost over $1 million, about 36 made over $1 million.

📉 The study also showed that 66% of CAR investors were at a loss, while 0.07% made over $100,000. The report concluded that while memecoins tied to political figures can attract mass participation, they also expose investors to the speculative nature of the market. The high-risk nature of these investments has pushed a significant portion of first-time buyers away from crypto entirely.

This is an alarming trend, as widespread negative experiences could slow down broader adoption and trust in digital assets.

Mantra Finance successfully obtained the FIRST DeFi license from Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) 🇦🇪 to operate as a Virtual Asset Exchange, and offer  Broker-Dealer, Management and Investment Services. 

It’s a milestone not just for #MANTRA and a key step in our journey towards expansion, but for the wider Web3 industry too. 

Featured on: https://cointelegraph.com/news/mantra-finance-uae-crypto-license-dubai-rwa-defi

Read more: www.mantrachain.io/resources/announcements/mantra-secures-first-vara-defi-license

Spread the word: https://x.com/MANTRA_Chain/status/1892183609987244312

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🇺🇸 Trump's Tariff Threats and BRICS Nations

🗣 Donald Trump recently claimed that his threat of a 150% tariff caused a rift among BRICS nations regarding their plans to move away from the U.S. dollar. During a Republican Governors Association meeting, he stated that BRICS—which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia—was attempting to weaken the dollar by creating a new currency, possibly adopting the Chinese yuan. He remarked,

They wanted to create a new currency.

💬 To deter BRICS from pursuing an alternative currency, Trump claimed he warned them upon taking office that any efforts to undermine the dollar would result in a 150% tariff and a trade halt. He said,

Any BRICS state that even mentions the destruction of the dollar will be charged a 150% tariff, and we don’t want your goods, we don’t want to partake. And the BRICS states just broke up.

He added,

We haven’t heard from the BRICS states lately.

📉 Initially, Trump had threatened a 100% tariff on imports from BRICS nations if they tried to establish a new currency or shift away from the dollar. He claimed that when the issue of a BRICS currency was raised, former President Joe Biden viewed it as a challenging situation with little that could be done. In contrast, Trump asserted that his administration had a robust response plan to protect the dollar's status as the global reserve currency.

🤔 BRICS nations have not issued a collective response to Trump's tariff threats. However, they continue to explore local currency trade mechanisms. Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized the importance of expanding settlements in national currencies while stating that BRICS has no immediate plans to abandon the U.S. dollar. This approach indicates a focus on financial diversification rather than a direct challenge to the dollar's global role. Nevertheless, some BRICS members, including Iran, support the idea of a unified currency for national interests.

🐋 XRP Whales Dump 81M Coins; Ripple (XRP) Price To Lose $2 Support? 🔻

XRP whales have dumped more than 81 million to crypto exchanges with a top expert predicting Ripple (XRP) price to drop below the $2 mark. What lies ahead?

👉 Read more

💰 MEXC's $20 Million Investment in USDe to Enhance Stablecoin Adoption

🌟 MEXC, a global cryptocurrency exchange, has made a significant move by investing $20 million in USDe, a synthetic dollar developed by Ethena Labs. This investment is part of MEXC's broader strategy to promote stablecoin adoption and expand decentralized finance (DeFi) innovation. In addition to this, MEXC Ventures has also invested $16 million directly in Ethena, highlighting its commitment to building decentralized financial infrastructure.

💡 USDe is designed as a DeFi-native alternative to traditional centralized stablecoins. It aims to offer liquidity, stability, and protection against conventional financial risks. Ethena has created a comprehensive ecosystem around USDe, which includes Ethereal, a spot trading platform, and Derive, an on-chain options protocol, thereby enhancing its functionality within the DeFi sector.

🎉 To further encourage the use of USDe, MEXC is launching a $1 million rewards campaign. This campaign will feature zero-fee trading, high-APR staking events, and other incentives for users who engage with USDe on the MEXC platform. The goal of these initiatives is to attract more traders and investors while decreasing dependence on centralized stablecoin providers.

Stablecoins play a pivotal role in the development of the broader cryptocurrency market. We recognize Ethena and USDe as key players in this evolving landscape, and we are excited to contribute to their success by providing users with more stable and efficient financial solutions

said Tracy Jin, COO of MEXC.

🔗 With this investment, MEXC continues to support crypto-native projects and drive accessibility to DeFi and stablecoin innovation. Looking ahead, the exchange plans to offer more opportunities for users to hold and earn rewards with USDe, further integrating it into both centralized and decentralized financial systems.

🛑 SEC Commissioner Critiques Meme Coin Guidance as a Risky Loophole

🚨 SEC Commissioner Caroline A. Crenshaw has expressed serious concerns about new guidance from the Division of Corporation Finance regarding meme coins. She argues that this guidance misrepresents the agency's jurisdiction and suggests that meme coins may fall outside SEC oversight. In her statement on February 27, Crenshaw criticized the lack of a clear legal definition for meme coins, stating:

The guidance offers no clear definition from law or even a basic dictionary.

💰 Among the popular meme coins are the TRUMP and MELANIA tokens, launched by former President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. The TRUMP token debuted in January with a market capitalization of approximately $15 billion, followed by the introduction of the MELANIA token.

⚖️ Crenshaw, who has consistently advocated for stricter regulation of cryptocurrencies, emphasized that many crypto assets function as securities under the Howey test and should be subject to SEC oversight. She rejected the SEC's guidance that suggested meme coins might not be securities, stating that promoters often profit at the expense of retail investors.

🔍 Additionally, Crenshaw challenged the guidance's claim that meme coin prices are determined solely by market sentiment. She pointed out that issuers often manipulate supply, use buybacks, and make promises about future developments to attract buyers.

Fraudulent schemes such as pump-and-dump tactics and rug pulls further demonstrate that meme coins are not necessarily distinct from other crypto assets,

she noted.

📊 The commissioner also questioned the thoroughness of the SEC's analysis, stating:

Among the hundreds of self-proclaimed meme coins in the market, there is no doubt a continuum of offers and sales, some of which may be offers and sales of securities and some of which may not.

She wondered how many such coins were examined to draft the generalized denoscriptions set out in the guidance.