October 24th, 2024  TON Memelandia is excited to announce the launch of its highly anticipated Memecoin Battles event, offering traders, token creators, and memecoin communities the chance to compete for a share of a massive $1,250,000 prize pool.

Kicking off the week of October 28th, 2024, this inaugural season will feature two thrilling competitions: Cabal Arena and Memecoin Mountain, each designed to engage participants in the dynamic memecoin market.

Cabal Arena And Memecoin Mountain

Developed by the TON Community and backed by the TON Foundation and TON Society, TON Memelandia empowers communities to create, collaborate, and compete through Telegram. Memecoin Battles will therefore unfold over four weeks, with applications currently open until one week before the competitions conclude.
In the Cabal Arena, various teams known as Cabals will face off by deploying and trading memes, striving to achieve the highest PnL (Profit and Loss) and trading volume. The top ten Cabals will share a substantial $750,000 in rewards. To enhance the competitive spirit, leading market makers will participate as secret agents, offering mentorship while testing the trading acumen of the Cabals.
Numerous memecoins will also compete in Memecoin Mountain based on key performance metrics, including trading volume, market capitalization, holder growth, and social engagement. Expected participants include popular tokens such as $DOGS, $REDO, $FISH, and $DUREV, alongside other contenders launching on TON. A milestone-based prize pool of $500,000 will be unlocked if the community achieves the highest trading volume across both battles, rewarding the most engaged members..

Blending Creativity And Community

Building on the success of previous competitions during the Open League, these battles represent a significant advancement in the memecoin trading landscape, according to Alena Shmalko, Ecosystem Lead at TON Foundation. Alena added that this competition not only blends creativity and community but also provides an exciting platform for experienced traders, token creators, and passionate communities to showcase their skills in friendly yet fierce battles for substantial cash prizes. The team eagerly anticipates what the ecosystem can achieve when the stakes are this high, Alena concluded.

About TON Memelandia
TON Memelandia is a premier platform in the memecoin space, providing engaging opportunities for traders, token creators, and communities to participate in high-stakes competitions and enhance the memecoin ecosystem on The Open Network (TON).

The Memecoin Battles offer fans a unique opportunity to demonstrate their trading prowess, with the added excitement of generous airdrops, live competitions, and significant rewards. However, there is some important information to know beforehand. Firstly, applications are open now and close one week before the competitions end. Secondly, competitions commence the week of October 28th, 2024. Next, Cabal Arena participants can submit entries here. Finally, Memecoin Mountain participants can apply through TONResearch.

For further information, visit the official website or connect with the team via Telegram and X (Twitter).

Press Contact:
Laura Guzik
PR Manager, TON
Email: laura@ton.org
Telegram: @lauragzk

Crypto scams are widespread, a fact well-known to many. However, some of these scams are notably more severe than others. Certain scammers repeatedly execute the same type of rug pull, and their misdeeds sometimes extend beyond mere financial theft.

Recently, someone reached out to share their story with the public. Below is an account detailing a notorious crypto scammer along with a distressing testimony by a victim of his schemes.

Alleged Crypto Scammer Jeremy Cahen, Aka Pauly0x

The online pseudonym Pauly0x belongs to an individual with a troubling history of alleged crypto fraud. Hackernoon reveals that Jeremy Cahen, among others, faced a lawsuit by Yuga Labs in June 2022. The lawsuit accused Cahen, along with the controversial artist Ryder Ripps, of selling NFTs that infringed upon trademarks belonging to Yuga Labs as well as those of the Bored Ape Yacht Club, defrauding buyers of millions.

In February 2024, Cointelegraph reported that a judge sided with Yuga Labs, mandating that the defendants pay over $9 million in damages collectively. Although the original post on Reddit about Pauly0x allegedly stealing $286k in under an hour has been deleted, users on X (formerly Twitter) have publicly denounced Pauly0x for his fraudulent activities.

Opinions On Pauly0x

It is pertinent to understand the thoughts of former collaborators of Pauly0x, such as OG_Kenobi_Hello, on the long-term impact of what Pauly0x has done. Kenobi believes that this is just the tip of the iceberg regarding the accusations against Pauly0x.

Jeremy Cahen, also known as Pauly0x, seems to be notorious for executing a classic pump-and-dump crypto scam repeatedly. This method is familiar to many within the crypto community and follows a predictable pattern:

1. Launch a token.
2. Promote the token extensively on social media.
3. Either sell the tokens immediately after people invest or steal funds directly via a DeFi platform.

While variations exist, the core strategy remains consistent. The token may be hyped through mainstream social media like Twitter or through private channels on Discord or Telegram. Once investors purchase the tokens, their funds often become irretrievable, either through loss in value or outright theft.

A Cautionary Tale

Evidence shows that Cahen used a Solidity contract to enable users to provide millions in liquidity to Uniswap in exchange for a negligible amount of a scam token called PNDX. This token allowed others to transfer funds via wallets without the consent of the users.

Shortly after, the liquidity provided by users was siphoned off. Three hours post-launch, when the liquidity was already drained, Pauly0x finally warned against using Uniswap for PNDX purchases, but by then, the funds had already disappeared.

The ETH wallet ending in 6faf initiated the mining contract, a multi-signature wallet, and added liquidity to Uniswap just 30 minutes before Pauly0x shared the contract address. The developer exploited this contract and then sold through Uniswap. This information, publicly accessible through breadcrumbs and ETH scan, mirrors the outcome of another Pauly0x scheme, yougetnothing.eth, detailed in this Reddit thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/CryptoCurrency/comments/14f4drl/twitter_user_pauly0x_had_told_people_to_send_him/, where contributors to Pauly0x received nothing in return.

An AI bot, funded by a $50,000 Bitcoin (BTC) grant, was instrumental in the launch of the meme coin GOAT, which astonishingly reached a market capitalization of $300 million within just four days. Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, co-founders of a16z, recently explored this unexpected phenomenon, crediting it to Truth Terminal, an AI bot developed by Andy.

The Rise Of Meme Coins

Truth Terminal was designed to engage with Internet culture and incorporate memes into its interactions, which makes it a bit different as compared to typical AI models that often maintain a cautious approach. With the funding provided by Andreessen, the bot began to generate interest and excitement around the idea of a meme coin. Although GOAT lacks intrinsic value, its rapid ascent was fueled entirely by AI-generated marketing strategies that resonated with online communities.

This remarkable rise underscores a significant difference between meme coins and traditional cryptocurrencies. While assets like Ethereum have tangible utility and can be exchanged for goods and services, meme coins primarily thrive on viral trends and cultural engagement. They may lack practical applications, yet they can still accumulate substantial value based on community interest. However, this volatility also attracts risks, including scams and speculative schemes.

A Cautionary Tale

The story of GOAT exemplifies the unpredictable ways in which AI and cryptocurrency can converge. Andreessen and Horowitz discussed the potential for future advancements, suggesting that AI could not only facilitate the creation of meme coins but also contribute to practical applications like decentralized energy systems or personalized medicine. This indicates a broader trend where AI is expected to play a larger role in the evolving landscape of digital finance.

Overall, the emergence of Truth Terminal and its impact on the GOAT meme coin highlights the power of AI-driven creativity and the dynamic nature of cryptocurrency markets. As the intersection of these technologies continues to develop, it may pave the way for groundbreaking innovations that reshape the financial world.

SAN FRANCISCO, October 24th, 2024  Ankr, a leader in blockchain infrastructure solutions, has officially integrated The Open Network (TON) into its Web3 API service. This strategic move offers developers a streamlined gateway to build decentralized applications (dApps) on the TON blockchain, tapping into Telegram and their expansive community of 950 million users.

A Dedication To Innovation

With this integration, Ankr reinforces its dedication to innovation and aims to transform the development landscape for dApps on TON. Developers no longer need to deploy or manage their own nodes to access on-chain data, providing them with immediate connectivity to the TON blockchain.

Chandler Song, Co-Founder and CEO of Ankr, stated that Ankr is thrilled to support development on TON and foster the growth of next-generation dApps, digital assets, games, and more on Telegram and beyond. As the messaging app plays a crucial role in our industry, he added, the team is excited to witness innovative functionalities emerge now that barriers to building have been removed.

Anthony Tsivarev, Director of Ecosystem Development at the TON Foundation, said that partnering with Ankr underscores a mutual commitment to equipping developers with the tools necessary for rapid dApp development on TON, while simultaneously harnessing the vast global reach that Telegram offers. The goal is to create a developer-friendly environment that propels the Web3 movement for the masses, he added.

The Advantages

Ankr has an API service which provides freely available TON endpoints, serving as a public good for the ecosystem with numerous advantages for developers including the streamlining of TON development. The TON APIs by Ankr connect wallets and dApps with the TON blockchain, facilitating the efficient transmission of on-chain data between TON nodes, dApps, and end-users. This enables essential tasks such as submitting transactions and checking wallet balances.

Furthermore, developers gain instant access to powerful tools through the API service, including high request rates, global node locations, telemetry, debug mode, support portal, and WebSocket (WS) capabilities. This support enables developers to rapidly create feature-rich applications on the TON Network. The Web3 API service also allows applications and open-source software to leverage the capabilities of TON, providing developers with a robust node cluster rich in data essential for dApp development and operation.

Finally, this collaboration bolsters the global TON ecosystem, as Ankr has a robust infrastructure spanning over 30 regions worldwide. This distributed node network is vital for maintaining high performance and low latency for TON users.

About Ankr And TON
Ankr is an all-in-one Web3 developer hub offering a comprehensive suite of tools for building Web3 applications, supported by high-performance connections to over 55 blockchains. Ankr provides multi-chain dApp development tools, blockchain engineering services, crypto staking solutions, and a globally distributed node infrastructure, enabling users to easily participate in the decentralized economy.

The Open Network (TON) is a decentralized blockchain community dedicated to making cryptocurrency accessible to everyone. By building the Web3 ecosystem within Telegram Messenger, TON aims to empower 500 million users to own their digital identity, data, and assets by 2028. Learn more at ton.org.

2024 has proven to be a breakout year for TON, with a surge in Telegram Mini Apps spanning various industries and a remarkable onboarding of 1 million new users in just one day. Ankr has also helped companies like Microsoft and Tencent alongside dozens of other networks build their blockchain API infrastructure, and most recently they were able to win over TON for the opportunity to power the massive surge in on-chain traffic.

These developments have solidified TON as an attractive option for Web3 developers globally, prompting the selection of Ankr to create new API connections that facilitate the burgeoning demand for on-chain resources.

For media inquiries, contact:
Kevin Dwyer
Email: kevin@ankr.com

With the recent launch of the DAO Association Regime (DARe) by RAK DAO, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has solidified its status as a key hub for Web3 and cryptocurrency innovation globally. This initiative demonstrates a strong commitment by the UAE toward fostering a secure environment for decentralized organizations to thrive, supported by appropriate legislation.

A few months ago, Chainalysis officially inaugurated its headquarters for Southern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa in the United Arab Emirates. The company intends to enlist skilled professionals with expertise in traditional finance, regulatory compliance, and Web3 technologies to operate out of its Dubai base.

Assisting DAOs

There has been a notable increase in buyers of Bitcoin (BTC) and DigiToads in the UAE, attributed to the country becoming increasingly open to adopting cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies. The DARe framework, introduced by RAK DAO, aims to assist decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) at various stages of development.

The Startup DAO model simplifies regulations for groups with fewer than 100 members, allowing them to concentrate on growth. In contrast, the Alpha DAO plan caters to more established DAOs with treasuries of at least $1 million, facilitating their operational expansion.

Dr. Sameer Al Ansari, CEO of RAK DAO, emphasized that the launch of DARe marks a significant step toward establishing a global hub for the blockchain and digital assets ecosystem. By providing a structured legal framework, he continued, the team is empowering DAOs to actively engage with the off-chain world, such as by opening bank accounts and managing both on-chain and off-chain assets. This legal framework also enhances the credibility of DAOs among peers, members, and investors.

Becoming A Global Hub

Luc Froehlich, the Chief Commercial Officer, noted that DARe allows DAOs to engage with the real economy, enhancing their trustworthiness in the eyes of investors and other DAOs. Comparing the favorable regulatory landscape of the UAE to that of, say, Italy and their more restrictive approach, the DARe system positions the UAE as an attractive destination for crypto-related businesses as interest in digital assets continues to grow globally.

Additionally, the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), which is based in Dubai, has made various recent legal adjustments that simplify the regulation of virtual assets. These initiatives highlight an ever-growing ambition by the UAE to reinforce its leadership in the development of blockchain technology and digital assets and become a global hub for all things Web3.

It is no secret that Elon Musk disrupts markets, alters narratives, and grabs headlines. However, although many believe he is a champion for cryptocurrencies, the truth may be slightly different. Although his statements can lead to price surges, with the most famous example of this being Dogecoin (DOGE), Musk does not actually endorse cryptocurrencies in the way many assume.

Clarity Is Key

Recently, Elon clarified that he is not backing any crypto asset, regardless of what his Dogecoin followers may think. At a recent Trump rally, Musk labeled cryptocurrencies as interesting and probably valuable. Coincidentally, Bitcoin (BTC) was already approaching $70,000, and his comment had little effect on pushing the price higher.

His casual reference to D.O.G.E. sparked the usual 25% jump in Dogecoin. Yet, despite these fluctuations, Musk has not made any personal investments in crypto, nor has his unpredictable relationship with crypto been well-documented.

He once passionately promoted Dogecoin, often joking about its potential. Despite the hype surrounding the meme coin, for Musk, it has remained more of a playful engagement than serious support. On the other hand, his concerns about Bitcoin center on its energy consumption, suggesting that Dogecoin might be a better option due to its lower energy usage.

Buying Votes

In a bold move, Musk proposed a $1 million daily giveaway to encourage voting for Donald Trump in battleground states. This prompted legal concerns almost immediately. Musk stated he wants to try to get over a million, maybe 2 million voters in battleground states to sign the petition in support of the First and Second Amendment, before adding that he will randomly award $1 million daily to those who sign the petition, leading up to the election.

Legal statutes clearly prohibit offering money in exchange for votes or voter registration, with violations potentially resulting in prison time of up to five years. Musk and his Political Action Committee (PAC) launched a website for the petition, targeting voters in states such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina.

Following legal scrutiny, Musk was advised to revise the language of the giveaway, but concerns remained, especially since the offer was available to individuals who registered after its announcement.

The BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) attracted approximately $329 million in new investments on Monday, even as Bitcoin (BTC) dipped under $67,000. With this impressive performance, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have managed to maintain a winning streak for an entire week, with net purchases surpassing $2.5 billion, according to data by Farside Investors.

Just a few months ago, BlackRock officially surpassed Grayscale Investments to become the new top crypto ETF manager, marking a significant change in the investment landscape.

BlackRock Remains Top Choice

On October 21st, the Fidelity Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) also noted gains of about $6 million on Monday. Conversely, rival ETFs by Bitwise, ARK Invest, VanEck, and Grayscale (GBTC) faced redemptions exceeding $40 million, while other ETFs reported no new inflows.

Meanwhile, BlackRock continues to be a favored option for those looking to invest in Bitcoin. Last week alone saw over $1 billion in net capital enter the fund, representing half of the total inflows for U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs. As stated by Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, IBIT has now secured the third position overall in less than ten months since its launch.

Cautiously Optimistic

According to recent data by BlackRock, the Bitcoin holdings of IBIT were valued at $26.5 billion as of October 18th, 2024. Despite the recent price volatility, ongoing interest in Bitcoin ETFs indicates strong institutional participation, although upcoming U.S. elections and global tensions may affect market stability.

Bitcoin reached a high of $69,500 on Monday before dropping below $67,000. It is currently trading at around $67,400, reflecting a 2% decline in the last 24 hours, as reported by CoinGecko.

U.S. attorneys are urging President Biden to take action regarding the detention of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan by Nigerian authorities, highlighting concerns about his health. 18 state attorney generals sent a letter to Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressing alarm over the situation, noting that Tigran has been in custody for more than seven months.

Binance CEO Richard Teng has also demanded the immediate release of Tigran due to inhumane treatment and worsening health in Nigerian detention. Gambaryan, whose condition has deteriorated since contracting malaria in May, is reportedly being denied proper medical care.

An Alarming Situation

Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen and Binance employee, was arrested in February during a visit to Nigeria related to regulatory matters. His colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, managed to leave Nigeria in March, but Gambaryan remains incarcerated and faces allegations of money laundering and tax evasion, purportedly as a representative of Binance.

Attorneys general representing various states including Utah, Connecticut, and Kansas described his detention as unlawful, suggesting it serves as a tactic by Nigerian authorities to leverage their ongoing disputes with Binance.

They expressed particular worry about how Gambaryan has been rapidly deteriorating healthwise, indicating he has not received necessary treatment for malaria, pneumonia, and a herniated disc, which have led to motor issues. The letter cautions that his life may indeed be endangered, drawing parallels to the unfortunate case of U.S. student Otto Warmbier, who died following his detention in North Korea.

A Hostage Situation

In response to these issues, the attorney generals have asked Biden to officially recognize the situation as a hostage case under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act. This classification would enable the U.S. government to allocate additional resources and exert greater diplomatic pressure for his release.

The letter also highlights how Gambaryan had previously served the U.S. government before joining Binance, where he held significant roles, including a special agent with the IRS and a federal agent involved in dismantling infamous dark web sites such as AlphaBay and Silk Road. The attorneys argue that his commitment to law enforcement should be acknowledged and call on Biden to utilize all available measures to facilitate his safe return to the United States.

Yuichiro Tamaki, the leader of the Japanese Democratic Party for the People (DPP), has shared his plans for cryptocurrency tax reform in Japan. He urged supporters of digital assets to back efforts aimed at lowering excessively high local crypto tax rates while simultaneously promoting digital innovation.

As of September 27th, 2024, Shigeru Ishiba, a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, was elected as the next Japanese Prime Minister. However, his previous role as defense minister and his preference for higher taxes and increased money supply may pose challenges for cryptocurrency supporters in the nation.

Reforming The Framework

Political campaigns are once again filling the streets across both small towns and large cities in Japan, adding a distinct noise to the crisp October air. However, crypto enthusiasts might be paying closer attention to the campaign messages during the upcoming general election. On October 21st, 2024, Tamaki posted the cryptocurrency tax proposals put forth by the DPP on X, linking to an official document outlining these pledges.

Seeking votes, Tamaki is committed to reforming the current crypto tax framework, which many consider confusing and inequitable. The proposed policy focuses on enhancing NFT utilization in governance, establishing a distinct 20% tax rate for cryptocurrencies (which are currently taxed up to 55% as miscellaneous income), allowing loss deductions, and no longer requiring taxes for crypto-to-crypto transactions.

Mixed Reactions

The campaign also indicates a desire to raise permissible leverage rates for trading and to introduce cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Tamaki stated the DPP will transform the Yen into a fully electronic currency and encourage local governments to issue a digital local currency (tentative name) as a crypto asset to help revitalize local economies.

While these promises may sound appealing, the reality for many Japanese citizens remains challenging, with inflation and high taxes making it hard for even retirees to manage their finances. The proposed 20% rate still undermines the original appeal of Bitcoin, which aimed to provide assistance to individuals like struggling retirees.

The response has been mixed, as someone commented via X that Japan is trying to survive by squeezing taxes out of its citizens, though others expressed support, relieved at the possibility of finally understanding how to file their taxes.

The Cryptocurrency Fear and Greed Index stood at 73 at the time of reporting, suggesting a prevailing sense of greed in the market. This optimism indicates that many investors are hopeful for further price rises, but it also raises concerns about possible market overheating.

This intensified sentiment can be a mixed blessing while it may propel prices upward, it also heightens the risk of a sharp correction. While the prevailing optimism offers opportunities for profit, traders should remain vigilant and ready for potential market fluctuations.

Why It Matters

When the Fear and Greed Index hits high values, traders might engage in excessive risk-taking, aiming for higher returns without fully assessing the potential downsides. Such behavior can lead to short-term price surges, but history indicates that phases of extreme greed often precede market pullbacks. For example, early 2021 exhibited similar levels of greed, followed by a significant market decline.

Despite the Fear and Greed Index indicating caution, the total cryptocurrency market capitalization remained robust at $2.23 trillion, showcasing sustained interest by institutional and retail investors. Major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) continued to underpin the overall market value, contributing to its positive trajectory.

Cautiously Optimistic

Altcoins such as Solana (SOL) and Worldcoin (WLD) have played a crucial role in supporting the current momentum which the crypto market is experiencing. The stability in market capitalization, despite the rising greed, reflects enduring confidence in the long-term prospects of the crypto space.

As the Fear and Greed Index firmly indicates greed, traders should consider both the opportunities and risks present. The strong market sentiment and substantial capitalization could lead to further short-term gains. However, elevated greed levels have historically been followed by corrections as investors take profits and risk appetites wane. Current high readings in the Fear and Greed Index often act as cautionary signals for impending corrections.

Bridge raised a massive $1.10B in M&A Funding with assistance by Stripe. Bridge is building a stablecoin-powered money movement platform, offering services such as payouts, cross-border payments and exchanging foreign currencies.

Canyon Network acquired $6M in Undisclosed Funding thanks to timely assistance by Fission Digital Capital. Canyon Network is an on-chain AI oracle designed to deliver verifiable AI capabilities to decentralized applications. It also enables developers to integrate trustworthy AI power into smart contracts and blockchain platforms.

ZEROBASE secured $5M in Undisclosed Funding with support by Binance Labs. ZEROBASE is a real-time zero-knowledge (ZK) prover network designed for speed, decentralization, and regulatory compliance.

Drop Protocol obtained $4M in Seed Funding with help by CoinFund. Built as an Integrated Application on Neutron, Drop Protocol has a smart contract architecture which leverages the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol alongside Interchain Queries (ICQ) modules, enabling the platform to provide trust-minimized liquid staking services and scale with minimal additional overhead and risk.

HyveDA raised $1.85M in Pre-Seed Funding with assistance by Lemniscap. Hyve is addressing growing demand for secure, scalable, and cost-effective data availability, which has intensified following the rapid proliferation of dApps and L2 solutions.

Marketnode secured an undisclosed amount in Strategic Funding with support by Euroclear. Marketnode is a DLT-powered financial market infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region. It operates two flagship platforms, namely Gateway and Fundnode.

zkPass obtained $12.50M in Series A Funding with help by Animoca Brands. zkPass is a composable, privacy-preserving decentralized identity verification solution for Web3 based on multi-party computation (MPC) and zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) technologies.

Mento Labs raised $10M in Undisclosed Funding thanks to timely support by HashKey Capital. Mento is a decentralized and transparent protocol that enables the creation of stable value digital assets, such as stablecoins that track the value of fiat currencies.

The Arena secured $2M in Pre-Seed funding with assistance by Blizzard Fund and Abstract Ventures. Built on the Avalanche blockchain and formerly known as Stars Arena, The Arena is a SocialFi application that enables creators to connect, engage, and monetize their content.

Lombard acquired $1M in Undisclosed Funding with help by Binance Labs. Lombard aims to create a universal standard for Bitcoin which enables the flagship crypto to generate yields across different blockchains without splitting liquidity, thereby facilitating significant capital inflows into DeFi.

On October 18th, 2024, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) granted approval for applications by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) to list the highly anticipated options for spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Tom Dunleavy, managing partner of investment firm MV Global, noted that the addition of options may help reduce the infamous high volatility and unpredictable nature of Bitcoin and stabilize the markets over time.

A Historic Victory

Options trading will now be accessible for 11 approved ETF providers on the NYSE, which include the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund, ARK21Shares Bitcoin ETF, Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF, Franklin Bitcoin ETF, VanEck Bitcoin Trust, the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund, the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust and Bitcoin Mini Trust, Bitwise Bitcoin ETF, the BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF, and the Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund.

In addition, the CBOE submitted an application in August 2024 to list options for spot Bitcoin ETF providers through a proposed rule change. This regulatory shift places Bitcoin ETF options alongside other commodity-based ETFs, which the SEC has already permitted for listing on the CBOE, excluding the aforementioned Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust.

Previously, several cryptocurrencies experienced positive price movements following the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approving several spot Ethereum ETFs.

Enhancing Liquidity

Many investors anticipate that the launch of options for Bitcoin ETFs will enhance liquidity in the Bitcoin markets, potentially serving as a catalyst for price increases. Jeff Park, an executive at Bitwise, emphasized that the approval signifies a significant improvement over LedgerX and Deribit, which do not have central guarantors.

He also pointed out that the introduction of options might lead to scenarios where overleveraged short traders could face short squeezes, compelling them to purchase Bitcoin to cover their positions. Park illustrated this by claiming that a trillion-dollar asset cannot be short-squeezed is like saying an elephant cannot dance. While it is large, if enough ropes are tied to its legs and pulled hard enough, even the biggest creature can be moved in unexpected ways.