### Current Bitcoin Price
Bitcoin's price has recently **dropped to $104,000**, sparked by concerns surrounding **Trump's tariffs** and the anticipated **PCE data**. 

### Market Overview
Investors are closely monitoring how these geopolitical factors might influence the cryptocurrency market. The **Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE)** index is a key economic indicator that could provide insights into inflation and consumer spending trends, which are crucial for the market's direction. 

### What to Watch For
As the market reacts to these developments, Bitcoin's fluctuations may present **opportunities** for savvy investors. Keeping an eye on both the tariff implications and the PCE data will be essential for understanding the potential future movements of Bitcoin's price.

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Bitcoin Dips to $104K: What Trump's Tariffs and Upcoming PCE Data Mean for the Market

## A Landmark Decision in the Financial Landscape

**Intesa Sanpaolo**, Italy’s largest bank with assets exceeding **$1 trillion**, has made headlines by acquiring **11 Bitcoins** as of January 13, 2025. This pivotal decision signifies a shift from fringe investments to mainstream assets, reflecting a growing institutional interest in cryptocurrency.

CEO **Carlo Messina** emphasized that, "This investment is primarily a trial run for potentially sophisticated clients," showcasing a cautious optimism surrounding cryptocurrency adoption. This acquisition aligns with **Bitcoin's impressive surge past the $100,000 mark**, fueled by the launch of the first Bitcoin **exchange-traded fund (ETF)** and favorable regulatory developments under the new U.S. administration.

## Regulatory Skepticism

Despite the excitement in the crypto sphere, European regulators remain skeptical. Figures like **Fabio Panetta**, Governor of the Bank of Italy, have raised concerns regarding the **lack of intrinsic value** in cryptocurrencies, likening them to potential gambling risks. However, with more institutions adopting crypto assets, there is mounting pressure on central banks to adapt.

## A Growing Trend Among Banks

Intesa Sanpaolo's move is not an isolated incident. Just months ago, **BNP Paribas** revealed its stake in Bitcoin through a spot ETF. This trend indicates that banks are beginning to recognize cryptocurrencies as viable assets, responding to market demand while exploring client interest.

## Caution in the Crypto Market

February could pose challenges for the crypto market, particularly for **XRP**, which historically sees average losses of around **3%** during this month. Investors are urged to approach the market cautiously as economic and regulatory factors loom large.

Key factors influencing XRP this February include:
- **Global economic trends**
- Announcements from **central banks**
- Outcomes of legal battles regarding XRP’s status as a security

The XRP community remains vigilant, hoping to avoid historical downturns.

## XRP's Innovative Potential

XRP is positioned as a transformative tool for **cross-border payments**, capable of settling transactions in seconds at minimal fees, providing a strong alternative to traditional banking systems. **Ripple** is actively forming strategic partnerships with central banks to integrate their technology with upcoming **central bank digital currencies (CBDCs)**, aiming to establish XRP as a neutral bridge currency for liquidity management.

Technological advancements further bolster XRP's appeal. Enhancements in **security** and **scalability** of blockchain technology are attracting increasing interest among financial institutions. The integration of **artificial intelligence (AI)** could lead to improved transactional security, including real-time fraud detection and smarter transaction analytics.

While XRP holds great potential to reshape the global payment ecosystem, it faces regulatory challenges and investor skepticism due to its centralized governance structure. Nevertheless, discussions around XRP and its partnerships with traditional finance suggest new possibilities ahead.

## The Future of Cryptocurrency

Investors and institutions are closely monitoring XRP's progress against traditional finance as they explore the potential of digital currencies. Intesa Sanpaolo's recent moves indicate not just acceptance but perhaps excitement about the future of cryptocurrencies. Will the market embrace this shift? Only time will tell, but the momentum appears to be building.

Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy’s largest bank with assets exceeding $1 trillion, has made waves by acquiring 11 Bitcoins as of January 13, 2025. This decision marks a pivotal…

Intesa Sanpaolo's Bold Move: Acquiring Bitcoin Amidst Institutional Buzz

XRP and Bitcoin stand out as two of the **most popular cryptocurrencies**, but one may be the **safer investment** over the next four years.

## XRP (Ripple): A Promising Opportunity?

Ripple is emerging as a **payments network** alternative to traditional systems like SWIFT, boasting **faster** settlements and **lower fees**. Currently, XRP trades around **$3**, but a low price doesn't always mean a solid investment. 

![XRP Price Chart](https://media.ycharts.com/charts/c1425bb3275fe0b71ea411deddc7d9c4.png)

The surge in XRP's price can be attributed to **Trump's reelection**. His **pro-crypto rhetoric** during the campaign and the potential appointment of **Paul Atkins** as SEC chair could bode well for Ripple, especially given the ongoing legal issues alleging that XRP is an unregistered security.

## Bitcoin: A Potential Bright Future?

In his early days in office, Trump signed orders to **promote U.S. leadership** in **digital assets**. This broad mandate appears particularly favorable for **Bitcoin**. Trump's administration shows interest in a **strategic Bitcoin reserve**, which could enhance Bitcoin's status.

## The Verdict

While the confirmation of Atkins could positively impact Ripple, the outcome of its SEC lawsuit may not necessarily translate to XRP's success. Unlike XRP, Bitcoin seems to be on a **more promising trajectory**. The changing regulatory landscape under Trump could favor **Bitcoin's long-term price appreciation**.

In summary, while XRP may remain a speculative opportunity, my outlook is **more bullish on Bitcoin** compared to XRP in the current market environment.

XRP and Bitcoin are two of the most popular cryptocurrencies, but I think one appears to be the safer buy over the next four years.

XRP vs. Bitcoin: Which Cryptocurrency Will Thrive Under Trump’s Administration?

### **Stablecoins Show Positive Momentum**

Recent data indicates that the stablecoins **USDT** and **USDC** have been experiencing significant **capital inflows**, hinting at a potentially bullish outlook for **Bitcoin**. 

### **Market Cap Growth of Top Stablecoins**

In a recent post on X, the on-chain analytics firm **Santiment** highlighted the latest trends in the market caps of the leading stablecoins: **USDT** and **USDC**. Below, you can see a chart illustrating the 30-day changes in their market caps:

![Stablecoin Market Cap](https://s3.tradingview.com/news/image/newsbtc:843581826094b-f6d0fbfac33268ad7679c775886c3d4e-resized.jpeg)

The graph reveals that **USDC** has seen a sharp increase in its market cap recently, indicating strong growth.

Conversely, **USDT** started 2025 with a slight dip in its market cap but has since regained momentum, moving back into positive territory. This scenario suggests that both stablecoin giants are currently enjoying an upward trend in their market caps.

### **Impact on Bitcoin**

Historically, growth in stablecoins often correlates with bullish movements in **Bitcoin** and other volatile cryptocurrencies. This is primarily because investors holding capital in stablecoins typically plan to invest in more volatile assets, like Bitcoin, eventually. When they convert their stablecoins into BTC, it tends to exert a **positive influence** on Bitcoin's price.

The most favorable scenario for the market occurs when both **Bitcoin** and stablecoins see an increase in their market caps simultaneously. This indicates that capital is flowing into both assets rather than merely rotating between them.

### **Current Market Dynamics**

The recent inflows into **USDT** and **USDC** have occurred while Bitcoin has been consolidating sideways, suggesting that the capital entering these stablecoins is fresh. If it were not, we would likely see a decline in Bitcoin’s price. Moreover, the current lack of direct inflows into Bitcoin contributes to its flat price action.

Typically, stablecoin holders deposit their assets into centralized exchanges when they are ready to purchase volatile cryptocurrencies. Therefore, monitoring stable deposits can provide insights into potential large-scale buying activity.

An analyst has shared relevant metrics in a **CryptoQuant Quicktake** post, which indicates that the current trajectory of deposits is flat. An increase in these deposits could fuel a potential rally for Bitcoin.

### **Bitcoin Price Update**

As of the latest data, **Bitcoin** is trading around **$104,800**, reflecting a **1% decrease** over the last week.

Data shows the stablecoins USDT and USDC have been seeing capital inflows recently, something that could turn out to be bullish for Bitcoin.Top 2 Stablecoins Have Seen Their Market Caps Grow RecentlyIn a new post on X, the on-chain analytics firm Santiment has discussed about the latest trend in th…

Are Stablecoins Signaling a Bitcoin Bull Run? Insights on Recent Market Trends

### Russia's Evasion Tactics with Bitcoin

Efforts by the **West** to punish **Russia** through sanctions are being undermined as **Russian companies** increasingly turn to **Bitcoin** to evade penalties. In December, **Finance Minister Anton Siluanov** acknowledged that Russian firms are already utilizing Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for international trade following a bill signed into law by **President Vladimir Putin**. This law, enacted last year, regulates the ownership and mining of cryptocurrencies while maintaining a ban on their domestic use.

### Impact of Sanctions on Russian Economy

Putin's military actions in **Ukraine** led to Russian banks being blocked from the **SWIFT** payment platform, severely limiting their ability to finance international trade and process cross-border payments. The sanctions have dealt a significant blow to Russia’s economy, making international banks hesitant to handle payments originating from Russia, fearing they might breach sanctions.

### Kremlin's Shift on Cryptocurrency

Putin has accused the U.S. of **weaponizing the dollar**. However, the Kremlin's decision to incorporate Bitcoin into its economic strategy against sanctions has ignited a debate over the need for governments to exert **central control** over cryptocurrency usage, which contradicts one of Bitcoin’s foundational principles—**decentralization**.

Currently, Bitcoin's utilization among Russian companies is limited to approved entities, but Siluanov’s recent remarks suggest that more firms may soon be allowed to make and receive payments in the cryptocurrency.

### A Sudden Change in Policy

Russia's change of heart is striking. Just last year, the **Central Bank of Russia** was advocating for a complete ban on cryptocurrencies. However, key officials, including bill author **Anton Gorelkin** and **CBR Governor Elvira Nabiullina**, have recognized that the recent legislative changes aim to mitigate the impact of sanctions while facilitating international payments, as noted by the blockchain data platform **Chainalysis**.

### Broader Economic Implications

This pivotal decision by Russia has reignited discussions surrounding **dedollarization** efforts led by the **BRICS** trade bloc, of which Russia is a founding member. Speculation is growing that the bloc may advance with a **gold-backed stablecoin**. Former President **Donald Trump**, who expressed interest in establishing a U.S. Bitcoin reserve, has vehemently opposed this initiative, threatening to impose **100% tariffs** on all involved nations if they proceed with the plan.

Russia Skirts Sanctions Using Bitcoin | Global Finance Magazine

How Russia is Using Bitcoin to Outsmart Sanctions

### Bitcoin's Current Status

Bitcoin (BTC) has taken a **breather** this Friday morning, with prices hovering near **$104,400**, just **4.7%** shy of its all-time high. The pause in the rally comes amidst a significant rise in **gold prices (XAU)**, which is traditionally viewed as a risk asset.

### Tariff Threats Impacting BTC

President Trump's renewed **tariff threats** appear to have stalled BTC’s momentum. While some analysts are predicting a potential sell-off before another bullish wave, the **onchain derivatives market** shows a different sentiment. According to Nick Forster, founder of **Derive.xyz**, there’s only a **9.7% chance** of BTC dipping below **$75K** before March, while the likelihood of it soaring over **$250K** before September is a mere **4.4%**.

### Gold Hits New Heights

Gold prices have soared to a **record high of $2,799 per ounce**, marking a **6.5%** increase this month alone. This surge is attributed to increased borrowing of gold from central banks, driven by fears of possible import tariffs. Jeroen Blokland from **Blokland Smart Multi-Asset Fund** suggests that gold's rise against major fiat currencies signals potential **currency debasement**, leading to greater interest in cryptocurrencies.

Gold-backed tokens, like **Tether Gold (XAUT)**, are also experiencing gains, with XAUT reaching **$2,796** on Bitfinex, while **PAXG** is edging towards **$2,800**.

### Inflation in Tokyo

In related economic news, **consumer inflation in Tokyo** has accelerated, with the core figure rising **2.5%** year-over-year in January. This uptick supports expectations of further **Bank of Japan (BOJ)** rate hikes. Following last week’s increase in the policy rate to **0.5%**, the strongest in over 16 years, a potential yen surge could destabilize riskier assets, as evidenced by the **AUD/JPY** currency pair's decline, indicating a **risk-off** sentiment in the market.

![AUD/JPY's daily chart. (TradingView/CoinDesk)](https://www.coindesk.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fs3y3vcno%2Fproduction%2F90409ac879300efbc9ccbd693c6c9e9f2cf953c4-2390x976.png%3Fauto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)

BTC takes a bull breather as Trump's tariff threat bodes well for gold, and the uptick in Tokyo inflation supports BOJ rate hikes. 

Bitcoin Dips to $104K: What Trump's Tariffs and Upcoming PCE Data Mean for the Market

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Current Bitcoin Price

Market Overview

What to Watch For

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