### Fed Chair Jerome Powell's Stance on Bitcoin

In a recent statement, **Jerome Powell**, the Chair of the Federal Reserve, emphasized that the Fed is **not looking for a law change** regarding ownership of Bitcoin. This declaration comes amidst **growing discussions** surrounding the strategic use of Bitcoin, particularly in light of **former President Donald Trump's** push for a **Bitcoin strategic reserve**.  

Powell's comments reflect ongoing debates within the financial community about the role of cryptocurrency in **monetary policy** and the broader **economic landscape**. While some advocate for greater integration of digital assets into traditional finance, Powell's stance suggests a cautious approach, prioritizing regulatory clarity and stability.

As the conversation around Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies continues to evolve, the implications of Powell's statements could significantly impact market sentiment and future policy decisions regarding digital currencies.

Powell said "we are not looking for a law change."

Why Fed Chair Jerome Powell Declares 'We're Not Allowed to Own Bitcoin' Amid Rising Interest in Crypto Reserves

### Tesla's Position in the Bitcoin Landscape

In a recent analysis, we explored **10 Companies Hoarding Bitcoin Like There’s No Tomorrow**, with a spotlight on **Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA)**. As cryptocurrency values soar, understanding Tesla's role amidst its peers is crucial.

### The Bitcoin Surge

Since the start of the year, **cryptocurrencies** have experienced remarkable growth. After a minor dip in January, **Bitcoin** has surged over **141% year-to-date**, peaking at over **$108K** before stabilizing around **$107K**. The **pro-crypto** stance of President-elect **Donald Trump** has also influenced this price increase, particularly following his suggestion for a **national Bitcoin stockpile**.

### Political Influence on Bitcoin

At the **Bitcoin MENA 2024 conference** in Abu Dhabi, **Eric Trump** highlighted his family's commitment to cryptocurrency, asserting that the upcoming presidency will be historically **pro-crypto**.

### Bitcoin as a Reserve Asset

As Bitcoin is increasingly viewed as a **reserve asset** for governments and central banks, its adoption is accelerating. Institutions and corporations are pivotal in this transformation, with traditional financial entities collaborating with established crypto firms to enhance market dynamics.

### Insights from Industry Leaders

In a recent **CNBC interview**, **Alessio Quaglini**, CEO of **Hex Trust**, discussed the forthcoming phase of Bitcoin adoption, predicting a shift where governments will actively purchase Bitcoin. This change, once considered improbable, is now on the horizon as some governments already hold crypto assets due to regulatory actions.

### Competition and Collaboration

Quaglini noted the rising competition in the crypto sector, particularly from traditional finance, emphasizing a trend towards **collaboration** with digital asset firms. This approach is beneficial for both sectors, allowing for enhanced crypto services.

### Future Projections for Bitcoin

Looking towards **2025**, Quaglini anticipates a **structural shift** in Bitcoin's supply and demand, projecting a **5-10% quarterly appreciation**. Key catalysts for this growth include ongoing **institutional adoption**, with companies like **MicroStrategy** continuing their Bitcoin acquisitions. The addition of such companies to the **Nasdaq-100** is expected to further integrate Bitcoin into mainstream finance, paving the way for broader acceptance of digital assets in corporate portfolios.

We recently published a list of 10 Companies Hoarding Bitcoin Like There’s No Tomorrow. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) stands against other companies hoarding bitcoin like there’s no tomorrow. Cryptocurrencies have been surging since the beginning of the year. After a small drop in January, […]

Is Tesla Leading the Charge? Companies Hoarding Bitcoin Like There's No Tomorrow!

## **A New Era for Bitcoin in DeFi**  
BOB, the "hybrid layer-2" network, aims to position **Bitcoin** at the heart of the **decentralized finance (DeFi)** universe by integrating with the **BTC restaking protocol Babylon**.  
This integration allows BOB to utilize Bitcoin as its anchor chain, where transactions involving assets from other chains can be irreversibly recorded.  
  
## **What is BOB?**  
An abbreviation for **"Build on Bitcoin,"** BOB seeks to establish Bitcoin as the foundational network for DeFi. By creating bridges to other blockchains, it aims to finalize transactions using Bitcoin.  
  
## **Babylon: The Backbone of Bitcoin Staking**  
Babylon, recognized as the leading Bitcoin staking project with a total value locked (TVL) of around **$6 billion**, offers a method to secure other protocols and decentralized applications using BTC.  
Staking involves locking up crypto tokens to support blockchain operations in exchange for rewards, akin to earning interest in a bank account. While this mechanism is prevalent in networks like **Ethereum** and **Solana**, Bitcoin traditionally operates on a **"proof of work"** basis.  
  
## **Why This Matters**  
With Bitcoin's market cap exceeding that of all other crypto assets combined, projects like Babylon are exploring ways to leverage BTC's substantial reserves to benefit the broader crypto ecosystem. This week, Babylon completed its third staking round, increasing its total BTC staked to **57,290 BTC ($5.93 billion)**, ranking it among the top 10 protocols by TVL, according to **DeFiLlama**.  
  
## **The Future of BOB**  
Looking ahead, BOB plans to launch bridges connecting Bitcoin to other networks using **BitVM**, a computing paradigm set to enable Ethereum-style **smart contracts** on the original blockchain. A testnet release for BitVM is anticipated in **Q1 2025**.  
  
**Read More: [WBTC Episode 'Reopened Old Wounds' of Centralized Failures: Bitcoin Builders Association](https://208.87.241.209/tech/2024/12/18/wbtc-episode-reopened-old-wounds-of-centralized-failures-bitcoin-builders-association)**

The integration allows BOB, a "hybrid L2," to use Bitcoin as its anchor chain where transactions with assets from other chains can be irreversibly recorded.

Revolutionizing DeFi: BOB L2 Integrates $6B BTC Staking Protocol Babylon!

### Bitcoin's Journey to Wall Street

From **MicroStrategy's** groundbreaking investment to major banks embracing cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin is poised to enter its **Wall Street era**.

In August 2020, **Michael Saylor** announced MicroStrategy's conversion of **$250 million** in Treasury reserves to Bitcoin, which was initially dismissed by Wall Street analysts as a reckless gamble. Fast forward to today, and those same banks are now scrambling to engage in **Bitcoin-collateralized lending**, recognizing its superior qualities as collateral.

### 1. Traditional Banking Bends the Knee to Bitcoin

MicroStrategy's approach has fundamentally changed how public companies view Bitcoin as a **treasury asset**. Instead of merely holding Bitcoin, the firm has pioneered a model that leverages public markets to enhance its crypto position. This could lead to a **10-for-1 stock split** in 2025, demonstrating Bitcoin's deep integration into traditional finance.

### 2. Borders Fall as Capital Flows Freely

As nations compete for Bitcoin business, we expect to see new **tax incentives** for Bitcoin investors and businesses in 2025, alongside fast-track visa programs for crypto entrepreneurs. Countries are now vying for Bitcoin mining operations and trading venues, pushing traditional financial centers to adapt to Bitcoin's role in sovereign finance.

### 3. Banks Race Against Obsolescence

The necessity for innovation in debt markets has transformed Bitcoin into a cornerstone of corporate treasury management. Companies like **Marathon Digital Holdings** are following MicroStrategy's lead, which has captured the attention of treasury managers and CEOs alike.

### 4. Bitcoin and Crypto M&A Intensifies

As regulatory clarity emerges, banks will face a choice between building or acquiring capabilities in the Bitcoin and lending market. We predict at least one of the top 20 U.S. banks will acquire a crypto business this year, mirroring past financial technology integration patterns.

### 5. Public Markets Validate Bitcoin Infrastructure

The cryptocurrency industry is set for a breakthrough year in public markets, with expectations for a high-profile **crypto IPO** exceeding **$10 billion** in valuation. Major digital asset companies are now processing billions in daily transactions, akin to traditional banks, marking a significant shift in the financial landscape.

The next chapter of finance will be defined by those who embrace these changes, ensuring their survival in the evolving economic landscape.

From MicroStrategy splitting its stock to major banks acquiring crypto firms, bitcoin is about to enter its “Wall Street” era. 

5 Bold Predictions for Bitcoin's Rise on Wall Street by 2025

Quantum computing often raises concerns about **Bitcoin’s future**, with some fearing that these powerful machines could one day compromise its security. However, a closer look reveals that quantum computing is far from posing any immediate threat to Bitcoin. Here’s why bitcoin investors, holders, and enthusiasts can remain confident.

**Bitcoin’s Cryptographic Foundations**  
Bitcoin’s security relies on two main cryptographic tools:  
1. **ECDSA (Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm)**: Protects private keys and authorizes transactions.  
2. **SHA-256**: Ensures data integrity, obfuscates addresses, and powers Bitcoin’s Proof-of-Work mining.

Quantum computing’s theoretical threat to Bitcoin lies in the possibility of breaking these cryptographic tools, specifically through:  
- **Shor’s Algorithm**: Could derive private keys from public keys.  
- **Grover’s Algorithm**: Could reduce the effort required to reverse the SHA-256 hashing mechanism.

While these threats are theoretically possible, quantum computing is far from achieving the power needed to execute them.

**How Far Are We from Quantum Computers That Could Threaten Bitcoin?**  
Current quantum computers are **decades away** from being able to break Bitcoin’s encryption. To break **ECDSA** within an hour, approximately **317 million physical qubits** would be required. Today’s quantum computers have around **100 qubits**. Even if the timeline were extended to **five years**, it would still take around **6,000 qubits** to crack ECDSA. Similarly, while **Grover’s Algorithm** could theoretically reduce the effort needed to crack SHA-256 from 2^256 operations to 2^128, this still represents an astronomically large number of computations.

For context, Google’s latest quantum processor, **Willow**, has just **105 qubits**. According to physicist **Sabine Hossenfelder**, practical applications of quantum computing are about **1 million qubits away** and remain **decades** from reality. When it comes to breaking cryptographic code, the requirement jumps to **13 million qubits** or more.

Based on **Moore’s Law**, it’ll likely be at least **a decade or longer** before quantum computers threaten Bitcoin in its current state.

![Quantum Advancement Timeline](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6626a1a60388917c4d556e83/6761df86689b3dceb8988625_7ed34d57.jpeg)  
*Source: [Introduction to Quantum Computing for Business](https://quantumcomputingforbusiness.com/essentials/timelines/)*

**Quantum Hype vs. Reality**  
Even Google’s much-hyped claims of “quantum supremacy” have faced skepticism. **IBM** has pointed out that the same calculations could be achieved using classical supercomputers in reasonable timeframes. **Kevin Rose**, a former senior product manager at Google, noted that while Willow’s 105 qubits represent progress, it’s a far cry from the **13 million qubits** needed to break Bitcoin’s encryption.

**Why Bitcoin Is Resilient to Quantum Advances**  
Bitcoin’s design gives it built-in advantages against attacks:  
- **Difficulty Adjustment**: Bitcoin’s Proof-of-Work system adjusts mining difficulty every 2,016 blocks to maintain a consistent block time of ~10 minutes. If a quantum computer were to mine blocks faster, the network would adapt, preventing unfair advantages.  
- **Public Key Security**: Public keys are only revealed when you spend coins. The best practice is never to **reuse addresses** to keep funds secure, even against quantum threats.  
- **Hash-Obfuscated Addresses**: Addresses based on hashed public keys (p2pkh) add another layer of protection, making it more difficult for attackers to exploit quantum weaknesses.

These features mean that even if quantum computers could break all of Bitcoin’s encryption tomorrow, not every wallet would be vulnerable. The network can react to emerging threats in real-time.

**Preparing for the Future: Bitcoin’s Ability to Adapt**  
If quantum computing does eventually threaten current cryptography, Bitcoin has options:  
- **Upgrades**: As Satoshi Nakamoto suggested in 2010, the network could transition to more quantum-resistant algorithms should the need arise, such as upgrading from SHA-256 to SHA-512.  
- **Community-Driven Solutions**: Bitcoin’s decentralized governance allows for swift, collective decisions. Developers are working on solutions, like a soft fork proposal called **QuBit** by Bitcoin developer Mark Erhardt, which introduces post-quantum public keys.

As Satoshi stated, SHA-256 is much stronger than most other cryptographic algorithms, meaning that quantum computers pose an even bigger risk to other critical web infrastructures.

**Quantum Threats Aren’t Just a Bitcoin Problem**  
Quantum computing doesn’t only challenge Bitcoin—it threatens **all cryptographic systems**, including:  
- Banking security  
- Secure communications  
- Internet encryption as a whole  
This shared risk is driving global research into post-quantum cryptography. The world is aware of the potential threat and is actively developing solutions.

Bitcoin is uniquely positioned to implement a solution due to its decentralized nature and built-in incentive structure. If a new threat emerged that could weaken the security of the trillions of dollars stored in the network, users would respond swiftly, pouring energy and resources into strengthening the network. In contrast, re-building and re-starting a global bank’s infrastructure could take much longer than executing a soft fork in the Bitcoin code.

**The Bottom Line: Bitcoin Is Built to Evolve**  
Quantum computing remains in its infancy, with the technology needed to challenge Bitcoin’s security likely **decades away**. In the meantime, Bitcoin’s adaptability, strong cryptographic foundation, and decentralized governance position it to meet any challenges head-on. Quantum FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) shouldn’t overshadow Bitcoin’s resilience and potential. While quantum computing advances, so will Bitcoin’s ability to evolve and remain secure.

Quantum computing often raises concerns about Bitcoin’s future, with some fearing that these powerful machines could one day compromise its security. Here’s why bitcoin investors, holders, and the like can remain confident.

Why Bitcoin Isn't Threatened by Quantum Computing: Debunking the Myths

Bitcoin is **soaring** above **$100,000**, marking a significant milestone as it enters **uncharted waters**. While Bitcoin rallies, many **altcoins** are still lagging behind. Market analysts suggest that an **altcoin season** is on the horizon, which could see altcoins like **XRP** and **Solana** begin to thrive.

### Current Market Overview
Bitcoin's impressive performance this year has seen it rise by **150%**, while Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency, has only managed a **69% increase**. Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum has yet to reclaim its all-time high from the previous bull market in **2021**. Despite this, analysts believe Ethereum will continue to lead the charge into altcoin season.

### What is Altcoin Season?
**Altcoin season** refers to a period where many altcoins experience a surge in price, usually following a cooldown in Bitcoin's momentum. During such times, Bitcoin's dominance of the market often drops below **40%**. Currently, Bitcoin holds **54%** of the total **$3.86 trillion** cryptocurrency market. Bobby Zagotta, CEO of **Bitstamp USA**, has stated that **altseason** is imminent, with altcoins beginning to outperform Bitcoin and reach new market capitalizations.

### Ethereum vs. Solana
Ethereum's position as the altcoin leader could face challenges from **Solana**, which has seen its price more than double this year. Notably, Solana has attracted more new developers than Ethereum, pointing toward its growing influence in the **DeFi** space. Anmol Singh from **Zeta Markets** believes Solana is just beginning its ascent and could dominate the market by **2025**.

### Regulatory Landscape
Retail trading has historically driven altcoin rallies, with **XRP’s** recent surge being fueled by a retail frenzy in **South Korea**. However, regulatory uncertainty has often hampered institutional investment in altcoins. This landscape could change with the anticipated **crypto-friendly policies** from the incoming U.S. administration under President-elect **Donald Trump**. Analysts believe that clearer regulations could lead to a wave of adoption for altcoins and potentially unlock significant investment opportunities.

### The Future of Altcoins
With over **$2 billion** in inflows into **Ethereum** exchange-traded funds this month, there are indications that investors are beginning to pile into altcoins. Regulatory clarity may also pave the way for a wave of **crypto ETF approvals** next year, allowing large capital influxes that could significantly boost altcoin prices. As we move forward, the dynamics of the cryptocurrency market are poised for an exciting transformation with the potential for **massive growth** in altcoins.

Bitcoin continues to soar after crossing $100,000 earlier this month. Altcoins have yet to take off. Market analysts say altcoin season is imminent. 

Bitcoin Breaks $100,000: What This Means for Altcoins Like XRP and Solana

### A Peek into Their Investment Strategy

Brennan and Erin Schlagbaum, a millennial couple from Texas, **manage a seven-figure portfolio** that reflects a strategic approach to investing. **Their wealth is primarily allocated** in three Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), showcasing their preference for diversified investments.

![Brennan and Erin Schlagbaum](https://i.insider.com/6761c9d1ccd8dfcfcd7faf26?width=700)

### Key Investments

- **ETFs**: The couple's main focus is on three ETFs, which they believe provide stability and growth potential.
- **Meta Platforms**: Brennan highlights his investment in Meta Platforms, stating that purchasing shares at **$97 in 2022 was his biggest win** ever.
- **Bitcoin Holdings**: They also own **1.5 Bitcoin**, indicating their belief in the cryptocurrency's long-term value.

This strategic mix of investments reflects their confidence in both traditional markets and emerging technologies like cryptocurrency. Their story serves as an inspiration for those looking to balance their investment portfolios effectively.

Buying Meta Platforms at $97 in 2022 was "my biggest win of all time," says investor Brennan Schlagbaum.

Discover How This Millionaire Couple Balances Their Wealth with Bitcoin and ETFs

### Hong Kong's Regulatory Push for Cryptocurrency Exchanges

Hong Kong's **securities regulator** has made a significant move by approving **four cryptocurrency exchanges** as part of its strategy to enhance its status as a **global hub** for digital asset trading. This initiative aims to maintain Hong Kong's allure as a **financial centre** amidst growing competition.

The **Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission** has granted licenses to:
- **Accumulus GBA Technology (Hongkong) Co.**
- **DFX Labs Company**
- **Hong Kong Digital Asset EX**
- **Thousand Whales Technology (BVI)**

With these new approvals, the total number of licensed virtual asset trading platforms in Hong Kong has now reached **seven**. Previously, the city had approved three other platforms: **HashKey**, **OSL**, and **HKVAX**.

Nick Ruck, director at **LVRG Research**, emphasized that the introduction of new trading platforms reflects Hong Kong's **long-term vision** and commitment to the digital asset space. He noted that the international race to establish the world's **crypto hub** has intensified, especially as companies look to jurisdictions like **Singapore** and **Dubai**.

The latest approvals were part of the **"swift licensing process"** implemented by the securities watchdog. Notably, in April, Hong Kong launched **Asia's first spot Bitcoin and Ether exchange traded funds (ETFs)**, following the U.S. debut of its first spot Bitcoin ETFs earlier in the year. These ETFs are designed to track **Bitcoin prices**.

Analysts believe that increasing the number of trading platforms will lead to a reduction in **crypto ETF management fees**, making these investment products more appealing to investors.

In a broader context, Bitcoin has seen a **remarkable surge of over 50%** since the pro-crypto Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election on November 5, reaching a record high of **more than $107,000** recently.

Hong Kong's securities regulator on Wednesday approved four cryptocurrency exchanges in the city's latest effort to stay competitive in a race to become a global centre for digital asset trading. Hong Kong has been promoting itself as a hub for assets such as cryptocurrencies in a effort to maintain its attractions as a financial centre. The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission said it had granted licences to Accumulus GBA Technology (Hongkong) Co., DFX Labs Company, Hong Kong Digital Asset EX, and Thousand Whales Technology (BVI).

Why Fed Chair Jerome Powell Declares 'We're Not Allowed to Own Bitcoin' Amid Rising Interest in Crypto Reserves

Summary:

Fed Chair Jerome Powell's Stance on Bitcoin

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