Crypto Intelligence

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon Under Scrutiny Over Bitcoin ETF

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JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon has found himself under scrutiny from the crypto community following his appointment as an authorized participant (AP) by BlackRock, a move revealed in BlackRock’s updated Form S-1 filing released on December 29.

In the world of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), an authorized participant is an organization granted the privilege to create and redeem shares of the ETF.

BlackRock, in its filing, formally designated Jane Street and JPMorgan Securities as “authorized participants” in its proposed spot Bitcoin ETF application.

Interestingly, this development comes despite Dimon’s public stance against Bitcoin.

Dimon had made his stance clear during a December 6 hearing of the United States Senate Banking Committee.

At that time, he asserted that if he held governmental authority, he would make efforts to shut down cryptocurrencies.

Dimon argued that Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies primarily serve as tools to facilitate criminal activities. This statement drew sharp criticism from the crypto community.

Critics were quick to point out the apparent hypocrisy of JPMorgan’s involvement as an authorized participant in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF.

Silver Zimmermann, a crypto enthusiast, sarcastically suggested, “Perhaps money laundering, tax evasion, criminal participation, and drug trafficking are their business as well.”

Others, like user Sunny Po, questioned JPMorgan’s contradictory positions, asking, “How can JP Morgan do all that after telling Congress and Elizabeth Warren that this is what it’s used for?”

READ MORE: Argentina’s New Government Takes Steps to Legalize Cryptocurrency Holdings

Notably, John Deaton, a pro-XRP lawyer, expressed skepticism regarding Senator Elizabeth Warren’s stance on Bitcoin and raised concerns about JPMorgan’s willingness to associate with Bitcoin despite its negative characterization as a tool for criminals.

Deaton questioned whether this was an attempt to mislead the public or engage in gaslighting.

Despite Dimon’s publicly stated opposition to the digital asset sector, JPMorgan made surprising moves in the crypto space.

The bank recently introduced JPM Coin, its own cryptocurrency token, operating on a private version of the Ethereum blockchain, catering to its institutional clients.

Furthermore, JPMorgan launched a blockchain-based tokenization platform in October, with BlackRock counted among its clients.

The bank also participated in a $65 million funding round for Ethereum infrastructure firm Consensys in April 2021.

In summary, JPMorgan’s involvement as an authorized participant in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF has ignited controversy within the crypto community, given Jamie Dimon’s previous negative statements about cryptocurrency.

This development has raised questions about the bank’s stance on Bitcoin and its motivations for engaging in the crypto space.

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US Prosecutors Hint at No Second Trial for Ex-FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried

It appears that former CEO of the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried, may not face a second trial, according to United States prosecutors.

A recent Reuters report, dated December 29, suggests that many stakeholders are keen to see a swift resolution to the ongoing legal proceedings.

In a court filing, prosecutors emphasized the significant public interest surrounding the case, given the eager anticipation of victims seeking details about compensation for their FTX accounts, which collapsed in November 2022.

This pressing public interest, they argued, should weigh heavily in the decision-making process.

Moreover, the prosecutors noted that there is a dearth of new evidence that would warrant a second trial, as the bulk of the evidence had already been presented during the initial trial.

On November 3, a jury in the criminal trial found Bankman-Fried guilty on all seven fraud charges after just four hours of deliberation.

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The charges against him included two counts of wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud conspiracy, one count of securities fraud, one count of commodities fraud conspiracy, and one count of money laundering conspiracy.

In a parallel development, Bankman-Fried’s request for a postponement of his sentencing hearing by four to six weeks was denied.

Judge Lewis Kaplan declined to make any changes to the established schedule, pointing out that the defense had not initially objected to the sentencing date when it was initially set.

Additionally, it was highlighted that Bankman-Fried had already received one extension for filing sentencing submissions.

As it stands, Bankman-Fried’s sentencing date remains set for March 28, 2024.

The anticipation surrounding the resolution of this high-profile case continues to captivate the cryptocurrency community and stakeholders eager for clarity and closure following the FTX exchange’s collapse.

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Chinese Authorities Escalate Crackdown on Cryptocurrency

Chinese authorities are intensifying their efforts to curb the use of cryptocurrencies, specifically targeting Tether, in foreign exchange trading, more than two years after imposing a comprehensive ban on cryptocurrencies.

The Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP), the highest legal prosecution agency in mainland China, along with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), jointly issued a warning on December 27th, cautioning the public against employing USDT as an intermediary for trading the Chinese yuan against other fiat currencies.

In their joint statement, the SPP and SAFE unequivocally stated that utilizing Tether as an intermediary for exchanging local and foreign currencies is illegal.

They called upon local authorities to enforce stricter measures against the use of the Tether stablecoin in cross-border foreign exchange transactions.

Furthermore, the authorities emphasized that all activities related to cryptocurrency exchange involving the yuan are illegal, including indirect involvement such as providing technical support or exchange services.

This crackdown follows a recent case involving Chinese citizen Zhao Dong, the founder of RenrenBit, an over-the-counter crypto trading desk.

READ MORE: 2024 Crypto Outlook: Rising Threats from AI-Powered Scams and BRC-20 Exploits

Zhao Dong was sentenced to seven years in prison and fined 2.3 million yuan ($322,000) for using United Arab Emirates dirhams to purchase USDT and subsequently reselling it in mainland China for yuan.

This latest development comes more than two years after the Chinese authorities initially imposed a sweeping ban on cryptocurrency activities within the country, encompassing trading and mining.

Since then, local agencies have been rigorously pursuing cases related to Tether transactions, with one individual sentenced to nine months in prison for purchasing 94,988 Chinese yuan ($13,067) worth of Tether in August 2023.

Despite the 2021 cryptocurrency ban, it appears that cryptocurrencies like Tether remained popular in China for some time.

In 2022, Beijing’s Chaoyang District People’s Court ruled against the use of stablecoins like USDT for salary payments, penalizing a firm that had illegally compensated an employee using USDT.

Remarkably, as of October 2022, China’s crypto market continued to rank among the world’s most robust, with mainland China reemerging as the second-largest Bitcoin mining hub.

This demonstrates the ongoing tension between regulatory authorities and the cryptocurrency industry within China.

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Federal Judge Rules in Favor of SEC in Terraform Labs Securities Case

In a recent development, a United States federal judge has handed down a ruling in favor of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in a case involving Terraform Labs and its former CEO, Do Kwon.

The court granted summary judgment in favor of the SEC, which had accused Terraform Labs and Kwon of offering and selling two unregistered securities, namely, LUNA, UST, and MIR.

District Court Judge Jed Rakoff issued his decision on December 28, stating that Terraform Labs and Kwon indeed offered and sold unregistered securities in the form of LUNA, UST, and MIR.

However, Judge Rakoff did grant summary judgment in favor of the defendants regarding the alleged unregistered offer and sale of security-based swaps.

The SEC had argued that Kwon and Terraform Labs offered and executed transactions in security-based swaps by creating and maintaining the Mirror Protocol, which allowed users to mint “mAssets.”

Nevertheless, the court rejected this claim, asserting that mAssets did not meet the statutory definition of a security-based swap.

M-Assets are blockchain assets that mirror real-world assets by reflecting on-chain exchange prices.

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The court referenced a prior statement made by Kwon, in which he encouraged LUNA holders to invest and expect profits solely from Terraform and himself.

This led the court to conclude that LUNA satisfied the Howey test, thus constituting a security.

Regarding the MIR token, the court similarly ruled in favor of the SEC, stating that the defendants could not dispute that MIR holders expected profits from a common enterprise based on Terraform’s efforts to develop and maintain the Mirror Protocol.

Despite these rulings, the court did not grant either side’s motion for summary judgment on the SEC’s fraud claims against Kwon, which alleged that he orchestrated a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme resulting in a substantial market value loss of at least $40 billion in 2022.

The fraud claims will be the subject of a jury trial scheduled to commence in January, with jury selection set for January 24, 2024.

In response to the court’s decision, a spokesperson for Terraform Labs expressed disagreement and a commitment to vigorously defend against the SEC’s fraud claims in the upcoming trial.

They asserted that they do not believe the UST stablecoin or the other tokens in question should be classified as securities and that the SEC’s fraud allegations lack supporting evidence.

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Vitalik Buterin Calls for a Revival of Cypherpunk Values in Ethereum

Vitalik Buterin, one of Ethereum’s founders, has called for a resurgence of the “cypherpunk” ideals that were originally envisioned for the blockchain when it was in its infancy.

In a blog post on December 28th, Buterin lamented the shift towards financialization that Ethereum underwent in 2017, and expressed a desire to see the return of core cypherpunk values to the platform.

Ethereum was initially conceived as a “public decentralized shared hard drive” that could harness the power of peer-to-peer messaging and decentralized file storage.

However, as the platform evolved, it veered away from its original vision.

Buterin now seeks to reinvigorate Ethereum with principles such as decentralization, open participation, censorship resistance, and credible neutrality.

He remains optimistic that non-financial applications can thrive on the blockchain.

Buterin pointed out that technologies like rollups, zero-knowledge proofs, account abstraction, and second-generation privacy solutions have gained wider acceptance.

These innovations could serve to reinforce the cypherpunk values he champions.

The term “cypherpunk” refers to individuals who use encryption to safeguard their privacy when accessing computer networks, particularly in the face of government scrutiny.

Buterin also encouraged the adoption of activities aligned with cypherpunk ideals, such as participating in polls without revealing one’s identity and implementing mechanisms like quadratic voting and cross-tribal consensus to facilitate self-governance within organizations.

READ MORE: Bitcoin Price Faces Seasonal Headwinds: BTC Drops to $42,200

He acknowledged that there are instances within the crypto ecosystem where these values are not upheld, citing highly centralized layers with no plans for change and nonfungible token ecosystems stored on centralized websites instead of decentralized platforms like IPFS as examples.

Resisting these pressures is challenging, according to Buterin, but he warned that failing to do so could lead to the crypto ecosystem losing its unique value and becoming a replica of the existing web2 ecosystem, albeit with additional inefficiencies and complexities.

Despite these challenges, Buterin praised the industry for finding solutions to some of its most significant issues.

He highlighted how decentralized exchanges have addressed security concerns associated with centralized exchanges, and he noted the contributions of projects like Cowswap, Flashbots Protect, and MEV Blocker in mitigating the impact of sandwich attacks on Ethereum users.

To further enhance Ethereum’s efficiency, Buterin proposed reducing the number of signatures required from validators to maintain the network’s operation, aiming to make the Ethereum proof-of-stake chain lighter and simpler.

This proposal reflects his ongoing commitment to improving the Ethereum ecosystem in line with its original cypherpunk ethos.

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ARK Invest Leads the Race for Spot Bitcoin ETF Approval with Timely S-1 Amendment Filing

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ARK Invest has taken the lead by filing its final Form S-1 amendment for its proposed Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), putting itself in contention for early approval.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently set a crucial deadline for ETF applicants to submit their final S-1 amendments by December 29, 2023, with the expectation of making initial decisions in January 2024.

During a meeting held on December 21, SEC officials met with representatives from seven firms, emphasizing the significance of meeting the deadline.

It was made clear that failure to do so would exclude applicants from the initial round of potential spot Bitcoin ETF approvals early next year.

On December 28, ARK Invest made a pivotal move by filing an amendment to the S-1 registration statement for its Ark 21Shares Bitcoin ETF.

Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas highlighted that the amendment focused on authorized participants.

This came after ARK had already revised its application on December 19 to adjust cash creations and redemptions for shares in its fund, aligning with industry trends.

READ MORE: Chinese Authorities Bust $2.2 Billion Crypto Underground Banking Operation

Interestingly, other ETF issuers have been relatively quiet in terms of amended Bitcoin ETF filings, which has raised speculation.

Balchunas suggested that some firms might be waiting until the last minute to avoid revealing their amendments to competitors.

With more than a dozen companies vying for approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF, it is anticipated that additional amended S-1 filings will be submitted within the next 24 hours.

Nate Geraci, president of ETF Store, commented on the growing activity in anticipation of spot Bitcoin ETFs launching in January.

He noted the positive aspect of this saga, which is that it is compelling traditional finance (TradFi) investors to delve into the world of cryptocurrency and prompting crypto investors to familiarize themselves with ETFs.

This convergence, he dubbed “The Bridge,” underlines that crypto is here to stay, with the potential to reshape the financial landscape.

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Crypto.com Almost Sponsored Rome Open 2023

Leading crypto exchange Crypto.com almost sponsored the Rome Open 2023, sources have revealed to Crypto Intelligence News.

In the world of tennis, the Rome Open has long been revered as one of the most prestigious tournaments on the calendar. Taking place in the historic city of Rome, this event not only showcases top-tier tennis but also brings together the beauty of sport and culture. The 2023 Rome Open promised to be no exception, offering tennis enthusiasts and sports fans worldwide a glimpse of exceptional athleticism and thrilling competition.

The Venue: Foro Italico – A Tennis Oasis

The Rome Open is hosted at the Foro Italico, an iconic sports complex that dates back to the Mussolini era. This venue is steeped in history, providing a stunning backdrop for the tournament. The elegant statues and classical architecture that surround the tennis courts create an atmosphere that is both reverent and electric.

The picturesque setting, with its meticulously maintained clay courts, offers players and fans a unique experience. The Foro Italico stands as a testament to Rome’s rich sporting heritage, and it was the perfect stage for the 2023 Rome Open.

Elite Competitors and Thrilling Matches

The 2023 Rome Open featured a star-studded lineup of tennis talent from around the world. Top-ranked players, including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Ashleigh Barty, and Naomi Osaka, were among those competing for glory. The tournament had no shortage of drama, with many matches going down to the wire.

One of the standout matches of the tournament was the intense semifinal clash between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. The two titans of the sport battled fiercely, showcasing incredible shot-making and stamina. Djokovic eventually emerged victorious, earning a hard-fought victory that added another chapter to their storied rivalry.

In the women’s draw, Ashleigh Barty and Naomi Osaka delivered a captivating final that had fans on the edge of their seats. Barty’s crafty all-court game clashed with Osaka’s raw power, resulting in breathtaking rallies and jaw-dropping winners. Barty ultimately triumphed in a thrilling three-setter, further solidifying her status as one of the top players in the women’s game.

Emerging Stars and Surprising Upsets

While the established stars of tennis always draw attention, the Rome Open is also a platform for emerging talents to make their mark. The 2023 edition saw several young players break through and announce themselves as future contenders.

In the men’s draw, the rise of Italian sensation Lorenzo Musetti was a major storyline. The 20-year-old wowed the home crowd with his audacious shot-making and fearlessness on the court. Musetti’s electrifying run to the quarterfinals captured the hearts of fans and marked him as a player to watch in the years to come.

On the women’s side, American teenager Coco Gauff continued to make waves in the tennis world. Gauff’s explosive athleticism and competitive spirit propelled her to the semifinals, where she faced off against Ashleigh Barty. Although she fell short, Gauff’s performance showcased her potential and solidified her as one of the sport’s rising stars.

The Rome Open also witnessed a few surprising upsets, highlighting the unpredictable nature of tennis. Established players like Roger Federer and Serena Williams faced early exits, reminding everyone that in this sport, anything can happen on any given day.

Incredible Sportsmanship and Fan Engagement

One of the enduring qualities of the Rome Open is the sportsmanship displayed by the players. Even in the heat of competition, tennis stars exhibited respect and camaraderie, exchanging handshakes and kind words at the net. This spirit of fair play adds to the tournament’s charm and sets a positive example for the next generation of athletes.

The passionate Italian fans, known for their fervor and love of tennis, created a vibrant and electric atmosphere at the Foro Italico. Their unwavering support for both homegrown talent and international stars added an extra layer of excitement to the matches. The chants, cheers, and flags waving in the stands were a testament to the global appeal of tennis.

Impact on the Tennis World

The 2023 Rome Open had significant implications for the world of tennis. For many players, this tournament served as a crucial warm-up for the upcoming Grand Slam events, including the French Open and Wimbledon. It allowed them to fine-tune their games and gain confidence on the clay courts, which have their unique challenges and nuances.

Novak Djokovic’s victory in Rome solidified his status as the world’s number one player and added to his impressive list of accomplishments. Djokovic’s dominance in recent years has raised questions about his place in tennis history alongside legends like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

On the women’s side, Ashleigh Barty’s win reaffirmed her position as the player to beat in women’s tennis. Her versatile game and ability to excel on different surfaces make her a formidable force as she pursues additional Grand Slam titles.

Conclusion

The 2023 Rome Open was a captivating and memorable tournament that once again showcased the beauty of tennis and the power of sport to unite people from all walks of life. With its historic venue, elite competitors, emerging stars, and passionate fans, the Rome Open remains a must-watch event on the tennis calendar. As the sport continues to evolve, the Rome Open continues to shine as a beacon of excellence, reminding us why tennis holds a special place in the hearts of millions around the world.

Julian Assange and King Charles – Do They Own Crypto?

Julian Assange and King Charles are two very influential figures in the UK, but do they own crypto?

Julian Assange is a name synonymous with the modern era of information and transparency. Born in Townsville, Australia, in 1971, Assange is best known for founding WikiLeaks, a platform dedicated to publishing classified and confidential information, often revealing government and corporate misconduct. Assange’s mission was rooted in the belief that a more transparent world would lead to a more just and accountable one.

WikiLeaks gained international prominence in 2010 when it released a trove of classified U.S. government documents, provided by whistleblower Chelsea Manning. These documents, which included diplomatic cables and military reports, shed light on covert operations, human rights abuses, and political maneuvering. While some hailed Assange as a champion of transparency and free speech, others condemned him as a threat to national security.

Assange’s legal troubles escalated when he sought asylum in the Embassy of Ecuador in London in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faced sexual assault allegations. Over the years, his situation became increasingly complicated, as he remained confined to the embassy for seven years, before finally being arrested in April 2019.

The legal battle surrounding Assange’s extradition to the United States intensified concerns over press freedom and the treatment of whistleblowers. Supporters argued that Assange should be protected as a journalist, while critics contended that he should face charges related to hacking and endangering national security. His case also raised questions about the reach of U.S. jurisdiction and its implications for freedom of the press.

King Charles I: The Stuart Monarch in Turbulent Times

In stark contrast to Julian Assange’s contemporary impact, King Charles I lived in the 17th century, during a period of profound political upheaval in England. Born in 1600, Charles ascended to the English throne in 1625, becoming the second Stuart monarch. His reign was marked by a series of contentious issues, including conflicts with Parliament over taxation and religious matters.

One of the most defining moments of Charles’s reign was his decision to dissolve Parliament in 1629, ruling without it for the next eleven years—a period known as the Personal Rule. This action exacerbated tensions between the monarchy and Parliament, leading to widespread discontent among his subjects.

The situation escalated into the English Civil War, a conflict that lasted from 1642 to 1651. Charles I faced off against the forces of Parliament, led by figures like Oliver Cromwell. The war was a brutal and divisive struggle that ultimately culminated in the execution of King Charles I in 1649, marking the first time a reigning English monarch was put to death by a legally constituted court.

Charles’s execution was a watershed moment in English history, symbolizing the shift from absolute monarchy to parliamentary sovereignty. His trial and execution laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Commonwealth of England under Cromwell and, later, the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 under Charles II.

Legacy and Controversy

The lives of Julian Assange and King Charles I are separated by centuries and encompass vastly different historical contexts, but they share some common themes. Both individuals challenged established systems of power and authority, leading to controversy and enduring debate.

Julian Assange’s legacy is still unfolding, with many viewing him as a champion of transparency and free speech. His actions have sparked critical discussions about the role of whistleblowers in modern society, the limits of government secrecy, and the protection of press freedom. Regardless of one’s opinion on Assange, his case serves as a testament to the complexities of balancing national security concerns with the public’s right to know.

King Charles I, on the other hand, left a lasting imprint on English history. His reign and the subsequent English Civil War reshaped the political landscape of England and contributed to the evolution of constitutional monarchy. Charles’s stubbornness and resistance to the will of Parliament played a pivotal role in this transformation, and his execution marked a momentous shift in the balance of power.

Conclusion

Julian Assange and King Charles I are two figures who have shaped the course of history in their respective eras, sparking intense debates and controversies that continue to reverberate. While Assange’s commitment to transparency and free speech in the digital age has redefined the boundaries of journalism, King Charles I’s tumultuous reign and ultimate execution laid the groundwork for modern constitutional monarchy in England.

These two individuals, separated by centuries, remind us of the enduring power of individuals to challenge established norms and institutions, sometimes at great personal cost. Their stories serve as a testament to the ever-evolving nature of politics, power, and the pursuit of justice in our world.

ARK Invest Liquidates $200 Million in GBTC Holdings, Shifts Focus to Bitcoin Futures ETF

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ARK Invest, led by Cathie Wood, a prominent institutional asset management firm, has made a significant move in its investment portfolio by liquidating its entire remaining holdings of the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), valued at $200 million.

Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas brought this development to light.

From the proceeds of the GBTC sale, ARK Invest allocated approximately $100 million towards an investment in the Bitcoin Futures ETF called Bito.

Nonetheless, industry experts view this move as a temporary measure, with ARK Invest likely seeking a more liquid and diversified investment portfolio.

Consequently, ARK Invest has now become the second-largest holder of Bito, according to Eric Balchunas.

The process of divesting from GBTC began in October, coinciding with Bitcoin’s price reaching $34,000.

At that time, ARK Invest initiated the sale of 100,739 GBTC shares, valued at $2.5 million, from its ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW). Later, on December 19, the firm sold an additional 809,441 GBTC shares worth $27.9 million.

READ MORE: Bitcoin Price Faces Seasonal Headwinds: BTC Drops to $42,200

In addition to shedding GBTC, ARK Invest also offloaded 148,885 shares of Coinbase, a popular cryptocurrency exchange, amounting to $27.5 million, from its ARK Next Generation Internet ETF.

These actions by ARK Invest are significant, given the ongoing anticipation surrounding the approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF.

Notably, ETF analysts, including Eric Balchunas, have expressed a 99% probability of a spot Bitcoin ETF receiving approval before the deadline of January 10, 2024.

Cathie Wood, the CEO of ARK Invest and a notable advocate for Bitcoin, has been vocal about the likelihood of a spot Bitcoin ETF gaining approval.

During a recent interview, Wood acknowledged that the heightened expectations regarding the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs could have a short-term impact on Bitcoin’s price.

However, she emphasized the promising long-term outlook for the cryptocurrency market.

Wood’s comments reflect the dynamic nature of the crypto industry and the significant role institutional players like ARK Invest play in shaping its future.

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Bitcoin Miners Surge: Marathon Digital Tops Trading Charts Ahead of Anticipated ETF Approval

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In the lead-up to the anticipated approval of a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) in early January, the trading volumes of Bitcoin mining company Marathon Digital have surged, propelling it to the top of the charts among U.S. mid and large-cap stocks.

Over the past 24 hours, the publicly traded firm has witnessed an astonishing trading volume of over 105 million shares, surpassing giants like Tesla, Apple, and Amazon, as reported by Yahoo Finance market data.

Additionally, fellow Bitcoin miner Riot Platforms has emerged as the sixth most-traded stock on the charts, with more than 40 million shares exchanged in the last day.

This increase in trading activity on Bitcoin mining stocks coincides with a renewed push by mining companies to expand their operations, with an eye on the expected approval of the spot Bitcoin ETF in January and the Bitcoin halving scheduled for April.

Marathon Digital made headlines on December 19th when it unveiled plans to acquire two mining centers for a staggering $179 million.

This strategic move will augment its current mining capacity by 390 megawatts, supplementing its existing output of 584 megawatts.

Meanwhile, Riot Platforms had made an equally significant investment two weeks prior, acquiring an additional $291 million worth of Bitcoin mining rigs, resulting in its largest-ever increase in hash rate.

READ MORE: FTX Debtors Propose Settlement in Bankruptcy Case over Embed Acquisition

Despite Bitcoin’s impressive growth of more than 163% since the beginning of the year, the shares of Bitcoin mining companies have significantly outperformed the leading cryptocurrency.

Marathon Digital and Riot Platforms have witnessed astounding year-to-date gains of 767% and 452%, respectively, according to data from TradingView.

Notably, the largest publicly traded cryptocurrency exchange, Coinbase, has also experienced substantial gains, soaring by over 450% since the year began.

The year started with crypto-related stocks being popular targets for short trading, likely influenced by the memories of the FTX collapse and other high-profile meltdowns in 2022.

However, those who bet against the crypto sector may have underestimated its resilience, as more than $6 billion worth of crypto-related shorts have been liquidated so far this year.

The surging interest in Bitcoin mining stocks and the broader crypto market indicates a shifting sentiment, with investors increasingly bullish on the future of digital assets and the potential approval of a Bitcoin ETF in the near future.

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