Core Viewpoint - Bitfinex has implemented a long-term strategy to eliminate maker and taker trading fees to enhance its market share in the competitive cryptocurrency exchange landscape [1][2]. Group 1: Company Strategy - The zero trading fees will apply to various trading types, including spot trading, margin trading, derivatives trading, securities trading on Bitfinex Securities, and OTC trading [2]. - Bitfinex claims to have multiple revenue streams beyond trading fees, such as withdrawal fees and fees for specific capital market activities [2][3]. - The removal of trading fees is expected to create a competitive advantage, encouraging increased trading from existing customers and attracting new ones, thereby supporting higher volumes and deeper liquidity [3]. Group 2: Market Competition - The cryptocurrency exchange market is experiencing intensified competition, particularly with the rise of decentralized exchanges (DEXs), which are dividing the industry into centralized exchanges (CEXs) and DEXs [4]. - Bitfinex, as a centralized exchange, faces competition from major players like Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, and others [5]. - The emergence of decentralized alternatives has led to significant growth in daily trading volumes, with a peak of $50 billion in January 2025, currently consolidating at $11.63 billion during a bear market [6].

📊 Among top cap assets, here are the amount of non-empty wallets on each network currently:🪙 Ethereum $ETH: 167.96M🪙 Bitcoin $BTC: 57.62M🪙 Tether $USDT: 9.63M🪙 Dogecoin $DOGE: 8.13M🪙 XRP Ledger $XRP: 7.41M🪙 Cardano $ADA: 4.54M🪙 USD Coin $USDC: 4.39M🪙 ChainLink $LINK: 819K ...

Fee Structure - Bitfinex 将现货、保证金、衍生品、Bitfinex Securities 和 OTC 交易的 Maker 和 Taker 交易费用正式设定为 0 [1] - 该零费用政策并非短期促销，而是将作为长期标准费用结构实施，目前没有设定的结束日期 [1]

Stablecoins are now processing more adjusted volume each month than major payment networks such as Visa and PayPal, according to Delphi Digital. The firm described stablecoins as “the most important infrastructure story in crypto” due to rapid growth in usage and supply. Notably, by October, monthly adjusted stablecoin transaction volume climbed to $1.5 trillion. For comparison, Visa and Mastercard recorded network spending volumes of $4.4 trillion and $2.7 trillion, respectively, during the third quarter ...

Core Insights - Tether's USDT processed $156 billion in payments of $1,000 or less in 2025, indicating significant everyday transactional use of cryptocurrency beyond speculative trading [1][9] - The growth in small-value transfers reflects a shift in USDT's role from a trading instrument to a digital payments rail, particularly in emerging markets [2][3][4] Transactional Use - Small-value transfers under $1,000 have shown steady growth since 2020, with average daily volumes exceeding $500 million in 2025 [2][4] - These transactions typically include remittances, payroll, retail payments, and peer-to-peer transfers, highlighting their non-speculative and recurring nature [4][5] Market Dynamics - USDT is increasingly serving as a substitute for cash and bank wires, especially in regions with limited or expensive access to dollars [5][6] - The circulating supply of USDT reached new highs in 2025, reflecting a growing demand for dollar liquidity beyond crypto trading [5][6] Regulatory Environment - The GENIUS Act in the US clarified the legal framework for payment stablecoins, enhancing institutional confidence in compliant dollar-backed tokens [6] - In Europe, the MiCA regulation introduced stricter licensing rules, which shifted some regulated platform activity away from USDT but did not hinder global on-chain usage [6] Infrastructure and Partnerships - Tether has expanded its infrastructure with investments in Lightning-based payment rails, aiming to facilitate faster and lower-cost settlements [7] - Regional partnerships in Africa and the Middle East emphasize a focus on payments and financial access rather than just exchange liquidity [8] Conclusion on Crypto Adoption - The $156 billion figure reframes the narrative around crypto adoption, suggesting that in 2025, it is more about utility, resilience, and global dollar access than speculation [8][9]

LATEST: 🔐 Tether has launched PearPass, a password manager that stores credentials exclusively on user devices without any cloud infrastructure or centralized servers. https://t.co/qdeJRkPctS ...

🗞️ Need to catch up on the news? Here's our top 10 from today:🔸 The SEC released a statement on broker-dealer custody of crypto asset securities, providing interim clarity while the Commission reviews the broader custody framework.🔹 Acting CFTC Chair Caroline Pham to join MoonPay as Chief Legal and Administrative Officer after leaving the agency.🔸 US Federal Reserve withdraws 2023 policy that blocked uninsured banks from engaging with crypto, opening pathway for innovation.🔹 Coinbase launches stock trading ...

Core Viewpoint - The international gold market is experiencing fluctuations, with prices currently around $4,327.23 per ounce, reflecting a slight decline of 0.23%. Analysts predict that gold prices could reach a historical high of $5,000 per ounce by 2026, driven by central bank purchases and increasing investor demand [1][2]. Group 1: Market Trends - Gold prices have doubled over the past two years, marking the largest increase since the 1979 oil crisis, which raises concerns about potential market corrections [1]. - Analysts from major financial institutions, including JPMorgan and Bank of America, forecast a bullish outlook for gold, with prices expected to exceed $4,600 by the end of Q1 2024 and potentially surpass $5,000 by Q4 2026 [2]. Group 2: Influencing Factors - Factors such as the expansion of the U.S. fiscal deficit, efforts to reduce the current account deficit, and a relatively weak dollar are contributing to the upward pressure on gold prices [2]. - Geopolitical tensions, including concerns over the independence of the Federal Reserve and trade disputes, particularly the Russia-Ukraine conflict, are also supporting gold's value [2]. Group 3: Technical Analysis - Technical indicators suggest a bullish sentiment for gold, with key support levels identified between $4,266 and $4,275, which have successfully halted downward trends [3]. - The immediate resistance level is noted around $4,350, with a more significant resistance zone between $4,380 and $4,385, which could impact future price movements [3].

Core Viewpoint - Moody's is introducing a new stablecoin rating system that could redefine how investors assess the $300 billion market for stablecoins [1] Group 1: Moody's Proposal - Moody's plans to assign deposit ratings to stablecoins based on the quality of reserve assets, market risk, and operational safeguards [1] - The proposal is open for public comment until January 29, following its announcement last Friday [1] - The increasing use of stablecoins coincides with new regulatory frameworks, such as the U.S. "Genius Act" passed in July, which provides a regulatory framework for stablecoins [1] Group 2: Evaluation Methodology - Moody's will evaluate the credit quality of each asset in the stablecoin reserve pool to calculate a weighted average [2] - The rating will be constrained by the weakest link, which is the lowest-rated asset in the reserves [2] - Five categories of liquid assets will be assessed, with cash deposits and central government securities receiving higher ratings [2] Group 3: Risk Considerations - The proposal includes considerations for liquidity and governance, as well as potential stress scenarios [2] - Moody's will assess technical risks, such as blockchain security vulnerabilities that could complicate transaction verification [2] - The new rating will not be used to evaluate the stability or investment performance of stablecoins, but rather their likelihood of timely redemption [3]

wonder who wins the superapp battleJeff Park (@dgt10011):Big picture—Robinhood is coming for cryptoCoinbase/Kraken is coming for stonksStripe is coming for stablecoinsTether is coming for trade financeBinance is coming for nation-statesBitcoin is coming for youThe line between crypto and tradfi isn't blurringIts merging ...