### Current Market Sentiment
The prevailing sentiment among market participants is that **FOMC members are likely to maintain the current interest rate** during this week’s meeting. This decision is crucial as it will impact various sectors, including cryptocurrencies.

### Implications for Bitcoin and Crypto
A steady interest rate could provide a stable environment for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, potentially leading to **increased investment** as investors seek alternatives to traditional assets.

### Related Developments
In other news, Bitcoin mining company **Argo Blockchain has secured $8.3 million from an institutional investor**. This influx of capital indicates continued confidence in the Bitcoin ecosystem. Additionally, the **University of Wyoming has launched a Bitcoin Research Institute**, aiming to produce high-quality publications that may further promote understanding and adoption of Bitcoin.

As we await the FOMC’s decision, the crypto market is keenly observing any shifts in monetary policy that could affect **market dynamics**. Stay tuned for updates and further analysis on how these developments unfold.

The prevailing market sentiment suggests that the FOMC members are likely to maintain the current rate this week.

Will the Fed Hold Steady? Insights on Interest Rates and Market Reactions

### Court Ruling on Craig Wright's Claims

LONDON (AP) — In a significant ruling, an **Australian computer scientist**, Craig Wright, who falsely claimed to be the founder of **bitcoin**, has been found in **contempt of court** by London’s High Court. He was sentenced to **12 months in prison**, which is suspended for two years.

Justice **James Mellor** stated that Wright committed a **clear breach** of a court order issued in March, which prohibited him from initiating or threatening any further legal actions related to bitcoin. This ruling comes amidst bitcoin's **meteoric rise** in value since its inception during the global financial crisis in 2008.

### Legal Actions and Claims

Wright has been accused of making claims totaling over **900 billion pounds ($1.1 trillion)** against various companies and individuals regarding **intellectual property rights** tied to bitcoin. The **Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA)** argued that these actions violated the court's previous mandate, which concluded he was not the elusive creator of bitcoin known as **Satoshi Nakamoto**, nor the author of its initial software versions.

Justice Mellor affirmed it was “**beyond any reasonable doubt**” that Wright had disobeyed the court order. Currently, he is believed to be located in either **Indonesia** or **Singapore** and attended the hearing via video link.

### Wright's History with Bitcoin Claims

For the past **eight years**, Wright has insisted he is **Satoshi Nakamoto**, the pseudonymous figure behind bitcoin's creation. The cryptocurrency's origins date back to a paper published during the 2008 financial crisis, illustrating how digital currency could be transferred globally without banks. Nakamoto vanished three years later, leaving their identity a mystery.

### Understanding Cryptocurrency

In essence, **cryptocurrency** functions as digital money, operating through a decentralized online network, typically unbacked by government or banking systems. Transactions are recorded using **blockchain technology**. **Bitcoin** holds the title of the largest and oldest cryptocurrency, with others like **ethereum**, **XRP**, and **dogecoin** also gaining traction over the years.

Investors often view cryptocurrencies as a **“digital alternative”** to traditional money, yet most daily transactions still utilize conventional currencies like the dollar.

### Bitcoin's Volatility

Wright's motivations have been scrutinized, particularly as bitcoin's value soared. It started at just over **$5,000** at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and recently surpassed **$100,000** following Donald Trump's election victory, a noted supporter of cryptocurrencies. However, bitcoin remains highly volatile, trading at approximately **$80,000** recently, down nearly **20%** in just weeks.

An Australian computer scientist who falsely claimed to be the founder of the bitcoin cryptocurrency has been found to have committed contempt of court by breaching an order of London’s High Court.

Court Concludes Australian's Bitcoin Claims are False: A Legal Drama Unfolds

Bitcoin **(BTC)** is once again in the spotlight, experiencing a significant **price surge** of approximately **140% YTD**, pushing its value beyond **$100,000**. Major players like **MicroStrategy** are accumulating Bitcoin for their balance sheets, and political discussions hint at establishing a **Bitcoin strategic reserve** under the upcoming Trump administration.

## 2024's Dazzling Rise
The **2024 surge** can be attributed to two main factors: the approval of **Bitcoin ETFs** in January and a bullish sentiment following the recent **U.S. presidential election**. With institutional investments, including nearly **700,000 Bitcoins** bought this year, the price has skyrocketed to around **$106,000** post-election.

Despite this growth, Bitcoin remains a speculative asset with no underlying earnings. Its price is driven solely by **demand**, influenced by institutional and governmental interest.

![Bitcoin Logo](https://g.foolcdn.com/art/companylogos/mark/BTC.png)

## Price Predictions and Gold Comparisons
Predictions for Bitcoin's future value vary widely, from a potential **$1 million** to even **$13 million** per coin. Some investors view Bitcoin as **digital gold**, and if it were to match gold's market cap of **$18 trillion**, its price could reach **$857,000**.

## Uncertainty is the Only Certainty
The truth is, nobody can predict Bitcoin's movements with certainty. While it may be wise to invest based on the long-term vision of Bitcoin as a **store of value**, one must acknowledge the inherent **uncertainty** surrounding its price trajectory. 

### Should You Invest $1,000 in Bitcoin Right Now?
Before making any investment decisions regarding Bitcoin, consider that the **Motley Fool's Stock Advisor** has identified **10 stocks** that may yield better returns. Historical performance shows that investments recommended by the advisor have significantly outperformed the market. 

**Note:** Always assess risks and conduct thorough research before investing in volatile assets like Bitcoin.

Bitcoin (BTC -3.61%) is back in the zeitgeist. For better or worse, the leading cryptocurrency is gaining popularity once again after seeing a massive price increase in 2024. After rising around 140% year to date (YTD), the price of Bitcoin has now broken through $100,000. Companies like MicroStrategy are buying up Bitcoin for their balance sheets, while the incoming Trump Presidential administration is talking about building a Bitcoin strategic reserve.

Is Bitcoin on the Brink of a 2025 Crash? Here's What You Need to Know!

Bitcoin has **surged** dramatically this year, largely thanks to **BlackRock**, the world's largest asset manager, which has thrown its **$10 trillion** weight behind it, igniting a wave of interest among investors. This surge has been further fueled by significant events, including **Donald Trump's U.S. election victory** and **Elon Musk's warnings** about a potential collapse of the U.S. dollar.

### Bitcoin Price Surge
The **bitcoin price** has more than **doubled** since its lows in August, reaching new heights as institutional interest grows. Recently, **BlackRock** has released an explainer video that has raised eyebrows within the bitcoin community, particularly due to its **disclaimer** that states there is "**no guarantee** that bitcoin's 21 million supply cap will not be changed in the future."

### Implications of BlackRock's Statement
This statement has led to fears among some investors that BlackRock's involvement could lead to **manipulation** or a **hijacking** of bitcoin's core principles. As **Joel Valenzuela**, a cryptocurrency executive, pointed out, the community might be getting accustomed to the idea of a **supply cap increase**, which could undermine bitcoin's status as a **scarce asset**.

### The Future of Bitcoin
Bitcoin's supply is currently capped at **21 million**, a feature hardcoded into its protocol. However, any change to this cap would require consensus among miners, who secure the network. If a majority of miners agreed to increase the supply, it could lead to a **split** in the network, where some continue to mine under the original cap.

### BlackRock's Influence on the Market
BlackRock has been pivotal in pushing for the approval of a **spot bitcoin ETF** in the U.S., which has recently seen unprecedented success, with the **iShares Bitcoin Trust** now managing nearly **$60 billion**. This rapid growth has positioned it as one of the fastest-growing ETFs in history, further solidifying bitcoin's place in mainstream finance.

### Historical Context
In a striking contrast, **Jamie Dimon**, CEO of JPMorgan, has expressed skepticism about bitcoin's supply cap, questioning its permanence and suggesting that it could change in the future. This ongoing debate highlights the volatility and uncertainty surrounding bitcoin as it continues to gain traction in the financial world.

Bitcoin has rocketed higher this year in large part due to BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, putting its $10 trillion weight behind it...

BlackRock's Shocking Statement Could Change Bitcoin Forever

### VIX's Second-Largest Spike in History Indicates a Local Bottom for Bitcoin: Van Straten

The **VIX** jumped **74%** yesterday following a **25 basis point Fed rate cut** and a hawkish outlook from **Fed Chair Jerome Powell**. This significant market movement has sparked discussions about potential implications for **Bitcoin (BTC)**.

On **December 18**, the market was shaken as Bitcoin briefly fell below **$100,000**, while U.S. equities dropped around **3%**. The **dollar index (DXY)** soared to a two-year high of **108**, exerting pressure on global currencies.

The **CBOE Volatility Index (VIX)**, often referred to as Wall Street's fear gauge, experienced its largest one-day jump since **February 5, 2018**, marking the **second-largest increase** in its history. Historically, substantial spikes in the VIX have indicated local bottoms for both Bitcoin and the **S&P 500**.

Examining the top three one-day changes in the VIX:
- The first occurred on **February 5, 2018**, when it surged by **116%**. On that day, Bitcoin dropped **16%** to **$6,891**, marking a local bottom, which later rebounded to over **$11,000** by **February 20**.
- The second-largest spike happened on **December 18**, with a **74%** increase.
- The third spike occurred on **August 5, 2024**, when the VIX increased by **65%**. During that time, Bitcoin fell **6%** to around **$54,000**, eventually climbing back to over **$64,000** by **August 23**.

A similar pattern has been observed in the **S&P 500** over the years, as evidenced by data shared by **Charlie Bilello**, chief market strategist at Creative Planning.

At the time of this writing, Bitcoin is trading above **$102,000**, while S&P 500 futures indicate a **0.37%** gain, suggesting potential recovery as history may repeat itself.

![Charlie Bilello - VIX](https://www.coindesk.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fs3y3vcno%2Fproduction%2Fc5c391318f6820ee58aca8cb072233bf41b5f3e3-599x503.png%3Fauto%3Dformat&w=640&q=75&dpl=dpl_5WfNcvLw7N5k9AZk3ygLu9fmruzk)

*Image Credit: Charlie Bilello*

The VIX jumped 74% yesterday after a 25bps rate cut and a hawkish outlook from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. 

Is Bitcoin Set for a Recovery? VIX's Historic Surge Suggests a Local Bottom

### Hut 8 Makes a Significant Bitcoin Purchase

Hut 8 (HUT), a prominent Bitcoin miner based in Miami, Florida, has made waves in the cryptocurrency market by purchasing **approximately 990 Bitcoin** at an **average price of $101,710** each. This strategic buy increases their total Bitcoin holdings to **10,096 BTC**, valued at around **$1 billion**, positioning Hut 8 among the **top 10 corporate holders** of Bitcoin.

### Strategic Plans for Bitcoin Reserves

The company plans to leverage its growing Bitcoin reserve through various strategies, including options trading and sales. CEO **Asher Genoot** emphasized the importance of this reserve, stating, "Today, the market recognizes and values our strategic reserve, which effectively lowers our cost of capital and strengthens our financial position."

### Following Industry Trends

Hut 8's recent purchase aligns with a trend started by **MicroStrategy**, the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, and followed by **MARA Holdings**. Notably, **Riot Platforms** has also recently acquired Bitcoin, indicating a broader move within the mining sector to bolster holdings in the face of market changes.

### Financial Growth and Market Response

The decision to buy Bitcoin comes at a time when many miners are navigating profit challenges following the latest Bitcoin halving event. Hut 8's stock has seen a substantial **74% increase this year**, reflecting investor confidence as the company also engages in significant operational expansions aimed at achieving **24 EH/s** of self-mining capacity by Q2 2025. 

Hut 8 sees its Bitcoin reserve as a **dynamic financial asset**, which can be actively managed to enhance returns beyond mere price appreciation. This holistic approach to Bitcoin investment positions Hut 8 for continued growth and adaptability in the ever-evolving cryptocurrency landscape.

The miner bought about 968 bitcoin for average price of around $101,710 each.

Hut 8's Bold Move: $100 Million Bitcoin Acquisition Boosts Holdings to $1 Billion

If you had invested **$6,000** in the world's largest cryptocurrency, **Bitcoin**, roughly a decade ago, you'd be a millionaire today. Bitcoin and the crypto sector have not just survived, but **thrived**, with the token recently surpassing **$107,000**. 

Several other cryptocurrencies have also performed well, achieving market caps exceeding **$100 billion**. One of them is **XRP**, which currently boasts the fourth-largest market cap in the crypto sector at more than **$140 billion**. If you had invested in XRP a decade ago, there’s a chance you might be a millionaire today. But what about now? Can XRP make you a millionaire from current levels?

## What is XRP?

**XRP** was developed in **2011** by four software engineers: **David Schwartz**, **Jed McCaleb**, **Arthur Britto**, and **Christian Larsen**, and is managed by **Ripple**, led by CEO **Brad Garlinghouse**. The primary purpose of XRP was to address inefficiencies in Bitcoin, particularly its **energy-intensive mining system**. While many cryptocurrencies aim to facilitate **digital payments**, XRP was specifically designed for more efficient **cross-border transfers**. The **XRP ledger** can settle transactions in just **3 to 5 seconds**, handle **1,500 transactions per second**, and has lower transaction costs than Bitcoin, making it more environmentally sustainable.

![XRP Price Chart](https://media.ycharts.com/charts/88858bbf602bfeb4635e9ee98f3a8854.png)

These features have attracted nearly **20 financial institutions** to work with Ripple, and recently, Ripple launched a **U.S. dollar stablecoin** called **RLUSD**. This stablecoin aims to leverage the characteristics of a digital asset while minimizing volatility, requiring XRP tokens for transaction fees.

## Legal Roadblocks Likely to Clear

In **2020**, the **Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)** sued Ripple for conducting an unregistered sale of securities through XRP. The outcome of this case is crucial as it could impact regulatory jurisdiction over many cryptocurrencies. Proponents argue that cryptocurrencies should be treated as currencies under the **Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)**, not the SEC.

Fortunately, a federal judge ruled in favor of Ripple last year, although the SEC has appealed parts of that decision. With the impending change in administration, many believe that a pro-crypto environment could lead to favorable regulatory conditions for XRP.

## Is XRP a Millionaire Maker?

Investing in XRP now with a goal to become a millionaire would require an initial investment of **$10,000** to grow into **$1 million** over the next **20 years**. This would necessitate a total return of **9,900%** or a compound annual growth rate of **25.9%**.

However, it’s essential to remember that **$1 million** in **20 years** will not have the same purchasing power as it does today. Moreover, XRP faces competition from other cryptocurrencies like **Solana**, which claims to process **65,000 transactions per second**, although it hasn't reached this speed yet.

While XRP has the potential to be a millionaire maker, speculating on long-term price targets for volatile cryptocurrencies can be futile. I believe XRP will continue to rise alongside Bitcoin, but it may only warrant a small speculative investment at this stage.

If you had invested $6,000 in the world's largest cryptocurrency Bitcoin roughly a decade ago, you'd be a millionaire today. Bitcoin and the crypto sector have overcome all odds not just to survive, but to thrive. The token recently surpassed $107,000. Several other cryptocurrencies have done well and grown to market caps exceeding $100 billion. One is XRP (XRP -6.74%), which currently has the fourth-largest market cap in the crypto sector at more than $140 billion. If you invested in XRP a decade ago, there is a chance you're a millionaire today. But how about now? Can XRP make you a millionaire from current levels?

Can XRP Transform Your Investment into Millions? Discover the Potential!

The year **2024** has ushered in a **significant breakthrough** for digital assets, particularly for **bitcoin (BTC)**, driven by increased **institutional adoption**. This shift has occurred through two key avenues:

1. The integration of bitcoin into **public balance sheets** as a treasury asset.
2. The success of **U.S. spot-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs)** that have amassed over **1 million BTC**.

### Bitcoin ETFs vs Gold ETFs
A report from [K33 Research](https://108.181.11.137/i0qyt2j9snzb/1elNlF9J3uPNQXHNVV7Jr7/e6ecaaa0531ede4ab5fb0b7b975c6115/Ahead_of_the_curve_-_December_17_2024.pdf) reveals that U.S.-listed bitcoin ETFs have surpassed U.S.-listed gold ETFs in terms of **assets under management (AUM)**, including leveraged products such as **futures-based ETFs**. As of **Dec. 17**, Bitcoin ETFs reached AUM worth **$129.25 billion**, edging out Gold ETF AUM at **$128.88 billion**, according to [Vetle Lunde](https://108.181.11.137/VetleLunde/status/1868945665235308620), analyst at K33 Research.

However, when comparing **spot-based products** exclusively, Gold remains slightly ahead. According to Senior Bloomberg ETF Analyst [Eric Balchunas](https://108.181.11.137/EricBalchunas/status/1869032761207742717), U.S. bitcoin spot ETFs hold **$120 billion** in AUM compared to **$125 billion** for Gold ETFs.

### CME Activity and Market Momentum
The **CME exchange**, primarily used by institutions, continues to demonstrate strong activity, with **futures open interest** approaching new highs, reaching **212,635 BTC** in open interest contracts. The report notes that the **basis trade premium** has continued to rise, reaching **16.4%** — the highest level since **November 2023**. This indicates that CME traders anticipate increased momentum as the year comes to a close.

The report further highlights:
- **January contracts** are trading at sharp premiums relative to December contracts, with the contango widening to **1.5%** on Monday — the highest next-month premium recorded since **November 2023**.
- The December contract on CME remains the most valuable, with open interest equivalent to **113,480 BTC**. 

The momentum has continued for the past month, as the U.S. spot-listed bitcoin ETFs have seen **net inflows every day** since **Nov. 27**, totaling **$6.5 billion**, according to [Farside](https://108.181.11.137/bitcoin-etf-flow-all-data/?__cpo=aHR0cHM6Ly9mYXJzaWRlLmNvLnVr) data. A large portion of these net inflows are part of the **cash and carry trade** as the basis trade premium continues to widen and with a growing amount of open interest contracts on the CME.

**Disclaimer:** This article, or parts of it, was generated with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to [our standards](https://108.181.11.137/ethics?__cpo=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY29pbmRlc2suY29t). For more information, see [CoinDesk’s full AI Policy](https://108.181.11.137/coindesk-news/2023/04/14/how-coindesk-will-use-generative-ai-tools?__cpo=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY29pbmRlc2suY29t).

U.S. spot-listed bitcoin ETFs currently have an AUM of $120 billion compared to gold's $125 billion. 

Will the Fed Hold Steady? Insights on Interest Rates and Market Reactions

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Current Market Sentiment

Implications for Bitcoin and Crypto

Related Developments

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