Cryptocurrency prices tumbled in the past 24 hours, with Bitcoin (BTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Solana (SOL) leading the decline as both crypto and stock markets struggle to recover.

Shifting Expectations

Bitcoin dropped to about $97,856, showing a 4% dip, while Ethereum (ETH) and Dogecoin fell around 7%, and Solana saw a 6% drop. The unexpected rise in U.S. job openings and a shift in investor expectations regarding Federal Reserve interest rate cuts seem to be contributing factors.

More Corrections To Come

This market correction led to a surge in liquidations, with $385 million in long and short positions wiped out in the past 24 hours. The crypto market had previously thrived under low interest rates, but the rate hikes by the Fed in 2022 made Bitcoin less appealing.

Despite this, Bitcoin and equities surged last year as the Fed eased borrowing costs. Former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes predicts the crypto market will peak in mid-to-late March before experiencing a significant correction.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has officially announced his resignation, opening the door for Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative leader known for his pro-crypto views, to potentially assume leadership.

A Series Of Challenges

The resignation comes amid growing political pressures and internal disputes, with recent polling showing the Liberal Party heading toward a significant loss in the next general election, set to occur before October 20th.

This resignation follows a series of challenges, including rising living costs and an ongoing housing crisis, which have led to increasing discontent among voters. The move was accelerated following a meeting with 50 Liberal members representing Ontario, many of whom voiced concerns about Trudeau and his leadership.

Mending Fences

Tensions reached a high point in 2016 when Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian goods, and efforts to resolve the issues failed to calm the situation. With Trudeau stepping down, the focus turns to Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party, who many believe would form a more mutually beneficial partnership with Trump and the United States.

Poilievre has championed the potential of blockchain technology and digital currencies. Moreover, Trudeau faced plenty of controversy through his handling of the 2022 Freedom Convoy protests, which saw the invocation of the Emergencies Act and the freezing of bank accounts. This drew sharp criticism, particularly by the crypto community.

Some crypto traders have made millions through AI-related tokens, but the rapid rise of these agents has sparked backlash by community members and experts who argue that these tokens are even more problematic than meme coins.

Making Millions

On January 6th, Lookonchain reported that a Solana-based trader turned $2 million into $21 million in under two months by investing in the AI agent and meme coin AI16Z. The investor purchased 10.6 million ai16z between November 15th and 22nd, 2024, at an average price of $0.214. The token surged by 965%, reaching $2.28. The investor also made $13.4 million through other AI crypto tokens like GOAT and FARTCOIN.

Criticism Of AI Tokens

Despite the aforementioned gains, the sector has faced heavy criticism. ZachXBT, a well-known on-chain investigator, called AI tokens a flatout scam, claiming that 99% of the sector is fraudulent. He argued that while meme coins make no promises and are usually not meant to be taken seriously, AI coins try to appear legitimate to deceive buyers.

Additionally, a poll of 42 Solana founders found many considered AI agent tokens to be overhyped. Still, the sector has seen a 5% increase in the last 24 hours, with a trading volume of $2.28 billion and a market cap of $17.5 billion, according to CoinGecko.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. recently saw a surge in net inflows, totaling nearly $1.9 billion on January 3rd and January 6th, reversing a dip in demand compared to late December.

Over $900M

On January 6th, Bitcoin ETFs attracted $978.6 million, led by Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund at $370.2 million. The BlackRock iShares Bitcoin ETF and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF followed with $209 million and $153 million, respectively.

In addition, the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF and the Grayscale GBTC and BTC ETFs saw over $70 million in inflows, while VanEck and Franklin Bitcoin ETFs collected $17.3 million and $8.9 million, respectively. However, Invesco, Valkyrie, and WisdomTree saw no inflows on January 6th.

Offsetting Outflows

The strong inflows on January 3rd and 6th nearly offset the $1.9 billion in outflows between December 19th to January 2nd, bringing the total net inflows for spot Bitcoin ETFs to $36.9 billion since their launch.

The iShares Bitcoin ETF leads with $37.4 billion in inflows, followed by Fidelity at $12.4 billion. In contrast, GBTC saw $21.4 billion in outflows. An October Binance report found nearly 80% of demand for spot Bitcoin ETFs came through retail investors, but analysts expect increased institutional interest in 2025.

Meanwhile, Bitwise predicts a $200,000 Bitcoin price by 2025, while VanEck forecasts Bitcoin could surpass $180,000.

U.S. prosecutors handling the criminal case against Do Kwon, co-founder of Terraform Labs, estimate that over one million individuals may have been impacted by the infamous collapse of the Terra ecosystem.

A Monumental Collapse

Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel Gitner stated that the government plans to set up a website to inform victims of their rights, deeming other methods impracticable due to the decentralized nature of cryptocurrency transactions, which lack identifiable personal information.

Terra collapsed in May 2022, losing a $50 billion valuation in just 72 hours. Kwon had claimed his project aimed to build an ecosystem superior to Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), but lacked transparency. The U.S. Department of Justice alleges Kwon misled investors and manipulated markets.

An Ongoing Case

Kwon was extradited to the U.S. via Montenegro earlier this year, facing nine felony fraud charges. He pleaded not guilty in court on January 2nd. Authorities have not yet revealed whether they will offer a plea deal or proceed to trial.

In addition to the various criminal charges, Kwon was also ordered to pay a $4.5 billion settlement to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in April 2024.

The last quarter of 2024 saw numerous meme coins initiating their presales and rapidly gaining popularity. With these presales lasting for months, the first quarter of 2025 offers exciting opportunities to invest in these tokens at launch.

1. $WEPE, $FLOCK, And $BEST

Raising over $40 million, $WEPE is expected to be a major 10x or even 100x token. It offers holders tools and insights similar to Wall Street traders, giving retail investors a chance to compete with crypto whales.

FLOCK is a vote-to-earn platform where users decide the future of the project and earn tokens for voting. In addition, its NFT-based ecosystem offers a gamified metaverse. The presale has raised $8.9 million, with each token priced at $0.0066351.

$BEST is the native token of Best Wallet. The token offers benefits like lower fees and higher staking rewards. The presale has raised $6.5 million, and the price is $0.0235 per token.

4. $SLAP, $RACE, And $LCAI

Catslap combines crypto with a fun clicker game, where users earn tokens by slapping characters. With over 2 billion slaps, $SLAP tokens are currently priced at $0.00343712, and many expect them to rise to $0.00877 by the end of 2025.

Race to a Billion lets users predict outcomes of virtual meme races using $RACE tokens. With $225,000 raised, tokens are priced at $0.00827, and prices are expected to rise soon.

Finally, LCAI combines AI and blockchain, rewarding contributors without compromising network security. The presale has raised $7 million, with the price currently at $0.004875. Prices are projected to hit $0.05 by late 2025.

These 6 tokens offer great growth potential in 2025. While $WEPE and $FLOCK stand out, it is important to always do your own research before investing.

Despite many investors hoping the annual Santa Rally would help mitigate their losses, it ultimately failed to deliver this year. U.S. markets saw a modest recovery on Friday, with the S&P 500 gaining 1.26%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising by 0.8%, and the Nasdaq Composite climbing by 1.77%. However, these gains were not enough to offset earlier losses.

Mounting Frustrations

Traditionally, the Santa Rally lifts stocks in the final five trading days of the year and the first two of the new one. But this year, Wall Street missed out, adding to broader market frustrations. Bitcoin (BTC), however, is showing signs of a rebound. After weeks of sharp volatility, the flagship crypto recovered to above $99K.

Retail investors are driving renewed optimism as the new year begins, with some analysts predicting Bitcoin could hit $150,000 by mid-2025 or even $200,000 by year-end, barring further headwinds. As of now, BTC is hovering around $99,500.

All Eyes On January

Attention now shifts to the January Effect, a phenomenon where small-cap stocks tend to outperform as investors reset their portfolios and reinvest fresh capital, often through year-end bonuses. Historically, January has delivered stronger returns compared to other months, though its impact has diminished in recent years.

Adding to market uncertainty is the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump. While the president-elect has signaled pro-crypto intentions, concrete actions will determine market outcomes. Swift policy moves could ignite growth, but delays or mixed signals might spark corrections.

In any case, this seasonal market pattern could also benefit crypto, which has increasingly mirrored traditional equities. With Bitcoin and stocks moving in step, January could offer a fresh boost if trends hold.

PENGU has surged over 14% in the past 24 hours, lifting its market cap to $2.57 billion, fueled by speculation of a potential collaboration between Pudgy Penguins and Pokémon. Investors are excited about the possible partnership, especially after the recent airdrop disaster.

Massive Potential

A recent tweet by a Pudgy Penguin holder hinted at the rumored partnership, sparking excitement among investors about the potential for a high-profile alliance to boost PENGU in terms of both its brand and overall price.

Meanwhile, technical indicators like the RSI at 64.6 and ADX at 27.3 suggest strong but stabilizing momentum, with PENGU positioned to challenge key resistance at $0.043 and possibly climb to $0.05 or higher.

No Confirmation Yet

Pokémon is one of the most popular franchises of all time, as the iconic pocket monsters helped earn $1.9 billion in revenue between March 2023 and February 2024. However, without confirmation of the collaboration, the current hype about Pudgy Penguins collaborating with Pokémon remains speculative, and a reversal could see prices fall to support levels around $0.029 or $0.025.

Charles Hoskinson recently shared his vision on what he wants Cardano (ADA) to accomplish in 2025, with Bitcoin-focused projects and Lace Wallet being the main focus. The wallet, currently transitioning users via Nami, is gearing up to introduce new features and broaden its global reach.

Partnerships And Governance

In addition to Lace Wallet, Cardano is making strides with Midnight, a privacy-centric blockchain designed for secure data management. The platform is also exploring potential partnerships with Ripple following recent talks with its CTO, David Schwartz.

At the same time, the Voltaire upgrade has launched a new era of decentralized governance, transferring decision-making power to the community, a move that Hoskinson has committed to supporting wholeheartedly. Last year, Cardano also conducted the Chang hard fork update, marking a significant advancement in its governance structure.

Looking Ahead

The roadmap for Cardano includes integrating Bitcoin (BTC) as previously mentioned, with plans to establish a bridge between the Cardano and Bitcoin networks. Partnerships with BitcoinOS and Fair Gate Labs are driving this initiative, with a detailed plan expected by May 2025.

Launched in 2017, Cardano is known for its scientific approach, focusing on security, scalability, and sustainability through peer-reviewed research and evidence-based methods. Cardano uses a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism called Ouroboros and supports smart contracts. Its native cryptocurrency, ADA, powers transactions and governance within the ecosystem.

Roadzen raised $7.5M through Post-IPO Equity Funding. Roadzen enhances consumer experiences through AI by giving everyone the ability to drive safer, get policies that cover the risk they care about at a price they love, and get back on the road faster in case there is a claim.

JAN3 secured $5M in Seed Funding. JAN3 is a Bitcoin technology company focused on expanding access to BTC and financial freedom around the world.

CounterShadow acquired $532K in Pre-Seed Funding. CounterShadow focuses on revolutionizing cybersecurity with AI-Driven autonomous responses in real-time.

Agrobiomics obtained $1.56M in Grant Funding. Agrobiomics focuses on harnessing natural biologicals to promote crop resilience across a wide suite of crops, enabling farmers grow more for less, sustainably.

General Proximity secured $16M in Seed Funding with assistance by Aydin Senkut. General Proximity is pioneering next-gen medication to redefine the future of medicine for all humankind.

Orosur Mining Ltd raised $1.8M in Post-IPO Equity Funding. Orosur Mining is a mineral exploration company, focused on the discovery and development of high quality precious and base metal deposits in mining-friendly jurisdictions.

Reliance Industries Limited acquired a whopping $15.1B via Post-IPO Debt Funding, with Bank of America providing support. Reliance Industries Ltd. is a Fortune 500 company and the largest private sector corporation in India.

O-Connect Premium Group Ltd. obtained $2M in Private Equity Funding. O-Connect has an entire ecosystem of products and services which cover the crucial needs and expectations in everyday life such as electronic devices and accessories, office supplies and equipment, beauty and health products, and home improvement tools.

Swave Photonics secured $38.5M in Series A Funding with support by SPFIM. Swave Photonics is a fabless semiconductor company which focuses on designing and marketing Holographic eXtended Reality chips, based on proprietary diffractive photonics technology.

Rembrand raised $23M in Series A Funding with assistance by Super{set}. Rembrand is focused on creating new ways for advertisers, creators, and viewers to engage with one another in a non-interruptive way that supports the growing video advertising market.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has called the 119th Congress the most pro-crypto in U.S. history, sparking hope for better regulations and blockchain innovation as 2025 gets underway.

A Fresh Start

With Republicans firmly in control and big changes expected in the U.S. SEC, the crypto industry is optimistic about a fresh start. However, Garlinghouse stresses that the U.S. must act quickly to maintain its global edge in digital innovation.

Meanwhile, the crypto community feels its interests will now be better protected, especially after both Gary Gensler and Caroline Crenshaw were forced to resign by President-elect Donald Trump. Ripple is currently involved in a lengthy legal battle with the SEC over the classification of its XRP token. Garlinghouse is hopeful that the shift in Congress will improve their situation.

China Vs U.S.

The crypto industry has heavily invested in the 2024 elections, supporting over 200 pro-crypto lawmakers. Representative French Hill, for example, has pledged to focus on legislation like the FIT21 Act and stablecoin rules to ensure industry clarity.

Garlinghouse criticized Biden administration policies, like Operation Chokepoint 2.0, which made it harder for crypto companies to work with banks. However, he is hopeful the new Congress will create a more welcoming environment, especially as China continues to expand its tech influence in developing markets.

Bitcoin (BTC) continued to surge in the past 24 hours, reaching a multi-week high of $99,000 before retracting by around $1,000. Altcoins have also posted significant gains, with Ethereum (ETH) trading above $3,500, and Dogecoin (DOGE) soaring by double digits.

Bitcoin Nears $99K

After a mid-December crash, Bitcoin struggled to recover, dropping to a monthly low of $91,300 on December 30th. However, the bulls stepped in and pushed the price up to $96,000 by December 31st.

Following a brief pullback to $93,000, BTC climbed further, reaching over $97,000 on January 2nd and peaking at $99,000. It now sits around $97,000. Bitcoin saw its market cap rise to $1.940 trillion, while its dominance over altcoins decreased to 53.3%.

Meanwhile, ETH surged 4.5%, surpassing $3,500. Other altcoins like SOL, XRP, ADA, AVAX, TRX, and TON also saw gains, while DOGE jumped 14% to nearly $0.39. SUI outperformed everyone else through, rising 17% and hitting a new all-time high above $5. The total crypto market cap increased by around $100 billion, reaching $3.640 trillion.

Other Markets

Bond spreads are being closely monitored, with five key figures in focus as investors assess how low they can go. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Governor Adriana Kugler highlighted that the fight against inflation is ongoing, a view shared by Fed officials Daly and Kugler. The December U.S. jobs report will also cap a year of modest hiring trends.

Elsewhere, Asian stock markets may be swayed by Chinese stimulus, tariffs, and the actions of the Fed. Guyana is removing shipwrecks in the Essequibo region to improve safety for oil vessels. Shawbrook owners are considering an IPO in early 2025, while Wall Street showed a more cautious outlook as 2025 gets underway.

Finally, Vanguard plans its first actively managed ETFs in two years while municipal bond sales continue to surge, with buyers hoping for a boost soon. Meanwhile, the DAX index has begun trading in 2025, and zero-day options are growing in popularity on the S&P 500.