RT Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas)"Solana is faster (than eth).. frankly when i saw the big debate about stable coins all being built on Eth I was like this is a huge oversight. I think Solana is the story for the future as far as stable coins go" - Greg King on IQ today 🔥 ...

Crypto Security & Regulation - Ripple became a founding member of TRM Labs Beacon Network, a real-time crypto crime response network, aiming to stop illicit funds before they exit the blockchain [1][6] - The Beacon Network includes major exchanges and crypto companies, providing a critical piece of security for crypto by tracing funds instantly and acting before criminals cash out [3] - TRM Labs partners with Canton Network to strengthen risk management on privacy-enabled networks, connecting to major financial institutions [6][7] XRP & Gemini - Gemini hinted at a major initiative centered on XRP, potentially involving a new rewards program [10][12][14] - Gemini previously concluded an XRP giveaway campaign and has consistently promoted XRP since listing it in August 2023 [13][15] - Gemini is drawing on a Bitcoin loan from Ripple, with an interest rate of 43%, totaling 1,275 Bitcoin, as the exchange prepares for a potential IPO [22] Stablecoins & IPOs - Bullish completed an IPO with 115% billion of proceeds settled in stablecoins (ROUSD) on the XRP ledger, marking a historic step for stablecoin use in IPOs [24][25] - ROUSD on the XRP ledger has approximately 859% million issued, with a total supply of almost 670 million, and its value has increased by 25% in the last 30 days [28][30] - The industry anticipates a stablecoin boom, potentially leading to trillions of dollars, with Ripple playing a key role in paving the way for mass adoption [31][32][34]

Investment Recommendation - Mazuo maintains an underperform rating with a price target of $85 [1] - The analyst prefers Coinbase over Circle [5] - Recommends sticking with quality crypto investments like Robinhood [8] Stablecoin Market Analysis - USDC circulation growth has been stagnant at around 6% since the end of Q2, not reflecting the assumed 40% long-term CAGR [2] - Current USDC usage is primarily for settling crypto/Bitcoin transactions on Coinbase [4] - B2B corporate and cross-border payments are the main use cases, with limited impact on US consumers due to already cheap and ubiquitous payment solutions [5] Coinbase Advantage - Coinbase benefits from the Genius Act, allowing them to offer rewards that Circle cannot, effectively creating an unregulated money market account [6] - Coinbase earns revenue from 100% of coins on its platform and 50% of coins not on its platform [6] IPO Market Sentiment - The crypto IPO market, including bullish (CoinDesk owner) and Miami International, signals continued investor appetite for crypto products [8] - Small float and retail excitement around Circle's IPO could lead to overvaluation and potential losses after the lockup period expires in December [7][8]

Bitcoin and Crypto Market Risks - Bitcoin market is subject to rapid changes and uncertainty, with investments potentially susceptible to fraud and manipulation due to a lack of regulation [1] - Bitcoin investments carry unique risks, including price volatility, lack of liquidity, and theft [1] - ARK strongly encourages investors to consult with a financial professional before investing in Bitcoin or any other digital asset [2] Tether (USDT) and Stablecoins - USDT was created in 2014 to facilitate the movement of digital dollars across exchanges at the same speed and low friction as Bitcoin [11] - USDT's initial version ran on the Bitcoin layer (Omnilayer) before Ethereum became prominent [15] - Tether's USDT market cap grew from $4-6 billion at the beginning of 2020 to over $40 billion by the end of 2020, reaching $163 billion currently [18][19] - USDT's utility expanded from pure crypto trading to real-world applications, especially in emerging markets where it serves as a digital dollar alternative [20] - Tether holds more than 130 billion US dollars in US Treasuries, over 90 tons of gold, and more than 100,000 Bitcoin as part of its reserves [45][46] - Tether's reserves are more than 103% collateralized, with $2 billion more in liquid assets than the total outstanding USDT tokens [47] - Tether has a gold-backed stablecoin called Tether Gold (XAUt), valued at 800 million US dollars [52] Regulatory and Transparency - Tether releases quarterly attestations by BDO, a top-five auditing firm, to independently confirm its reserves [55] - Tether is incorporated in El Salvador and regulated under its regulatory regime for stablecoins [56] - Tether works with over 250 law enforcement agencies across more than 50 countries [57] - Tether guarantees the value of its stable currency, with every USDT redeemable for 1 US dollar minus redemption fees of 10 basis points [57] Future Plans and Market Dynamics - Tether is exploring new products for developed markets, including the US, to bring new utility to users beyond the existing stablecoin model [59] - The Genius Act has opened the door for banks and institutions to launch stablecoins, increasing competition in the market [58] - Commodity traders are increasingly using USDT to close commodity trading deals due to its widespread adoption and stickiness in emerging markets [59] - Stablecoins can eliminate inefficiencies in the transaction process, reducing both costs and time, which are particularly beneficial in emerging markets [59]

Bitcoin & Austrian Economics - Bitcoin challenges traditional narratives and offers a way to seek truth, aligning with Austrian economics and libertarianism [1][5] - Austrian economics focuses on human action and individual freedom, contrasting with the controlling nature of the current monetary system [2] - Bitcoin is viewed as a tool providing insight into an alternative possibility, contrasting with the high trust in institutions prevalent in Western Europe [3] Monetary System & Government Control - Governments cling to the control of money due to a human craving for authority and a desire to offload responsibility [2] - The current system fosters a "golden cage" where people don't feel the chains until they try to deviate, facing social ostracism for questioning the system [3] - Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) suggests governments can print money infinitely, which Bitcoin proponents see as the core problem [4][5] - The system since the 1970s operates much like MMT, with governments able to incur ever more debt, though this approach excludes the history of market-developed money [5] Current Economic Forces & Bitcoin's Role - Four forces—fiscal dominance, financial repression, passive flows, and fiat money—are converging, creating a unique situation that may lead to the end of the fiat system [6][12] - These forces keep the "Ponzi" scheme of fiat money going, masking the fundamentally flawed monetary system [14][25] - Stablecoins are becoming a new lever to finance the fiat system, potentially acting as shadow central banks [20][22] - Hyperbitcoinization, where everything is priced in Bitcoin, is unlikely to occur universally, but will be adopted by those who seek to escape the fiat system [29][34] AI & The Future - AI could complicate the fiat system by obscuring economic measurements and potentially prolonging its lifespan through productivity booms [36][37] - AI's deflationary forces are not fully realized due to being priced in inflationary fiat money [39][40]

Bitcoin's Role as a Store of Value - Bitcoin is demonetizing foreign real estate, private equity, public equity, and other store of value assets globally [1] - 20th-century physical analog assets are transitioning into 21st-century digital assets [1] - Bitcoin is backed by energy and computer power, positioning it as digital capital [4] - Bitcoin serves as a long-term store of value for durations of four to 40 years [5] Corporate Investment Strategies - Companies like Apple and Microsoft would benefit from investing in the S&P index [1] - If the Mag 7 companies could buy each other's securities, they would see improved returns, but SEC regulations prevent this [2] - Companies seeking to create shareholder value should avoid parking assets in fiat currency and instead invest in tangible assets [2] Digital Currency and Stablecoins - The crypto economy is experiencing rapid growth in both digital currency (stablecoins) and digital capital (Bitcoin) [4] - Digital currency (stablecoins) is suitable for short-term medium exchange needs, specifically for periods less than four years [4] - The possibility of stablecoins being backed by Bitcoin remains uncertain [3]

Market Dominance & Adoption - Bitcoin has established itself as the king of the crypto market and continues to dominate in market cap, capital flows, and attention [1] - Increasing adoption of Bitcoin, Ether, and Ethereum is indicated by more data points [1] - Bitcoin has broken away from other assets like Ethereum and Solana, which haven't set new all-time highs recently [1] Wall Street & Bitcoin Integration - Wall Street is embracing Bitcoin and figuring out how to make money from it [1] - Bitcoin is being integrated into the traditional financial system through ETFs, public companies, and real estate funds [1] - Wall Street sees Bitcoin as a way to bring volatility, financial return, more customers, assets, and profits [1] Bitcoin as a Store of Value - The US dollar has lost 30% of its purchasing power since 2020 [1] - The S&P 500 denominated in Bitcoin is down 85% since 2020 [1] - Bitcoin is considered a better store of value than the US dollar by some [1] - Storing corporate assets in Bitcoin is expected to become a consensus trade over time [1] Future Catalysts for Bitcoin - The United States government may announce the purchase of Bitcoin to create a strategic reserve [1] - Some remaining skeptical firms on Wall Street may eventually capitulate and embrace Bitcoin [2]

Today, Bitcoin and Ether move higher and Jerry O'Shea of Hashtex breaks down the biggest potential catalyst that investors are missing in the second half of the year. Welcome to CNBC's Crypto World. I'm Mackenzie Sagall.Digital currencies are mixed this morning with Bitcoin and Ether both on the rise by noon Eastern. Bitcoin managed to cross back above $119,000 while ETH rose to 3730. Meanwhile, Salana headed lower, trading at $188.All right, let's keep talking about markets for our main story with all the ...

Stablecoin Regulation & Potential Impacts - The Genius Act, intended to regulate stablecoins, may increase the US trade deficit and negatively impact small American businesses [1] - The Act could create a new type of bank charter, resembling a tokenized money market fund, with implications extending beyond the crypto industry [3] - Concerns exist that the Act may siphon money from commercial banks, which are crucial for lending to farms and businesses [4][7] - The legislation might allow big tech companies to issue stablecoins, potentially tracking payments across their ecosystems, similar to practices in China, raising privacy concerns [8] Treasury Market & Fiscal Policy - The Act aims to stimulate trillions of dollars in demand for US Treasuries through increased stablecoin usage [3] - Increased demand for treasuries could lower long-term borrowing costs, but the source of this demand (potentially from commercial banks) needs careful consideration [6][7] - The impact of stablecoin-driven treasury demand on overall treasury market liquidity and the US fiscal path remains uncertain [11][12] Retirement Savings & Investment - Allowing more private investments within 401(k)s is a mixed bag due to undersaving and high fees [14] - Retirement savers should have access to plain vanilla products with diversified portfolios for long-term success [15] - While access to early-stage private companies may seem appealing, it carries risks of scams, fraud, and abuse, necessitating enforced regulations [16][17]

Today, Trump Media acquires billions of dollars in assets for its crypto treasury, and the CEO of the Blockchain Association breaks down what the Genius Act becoming law means for the industry. Welcome to CNBC's Crypto World. I'm Mackenzie Seagalos.Crypto prices are mixed to kick off the week after President Trump signed a bill regulating stable coins in the US into law late Friday afternoon. As of noon Eastern, Bitcoin dropped slightly, but still traded above $118,000. Ether climbed more than half a percen ...