- Analysts are increasingly confident about the approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF in the United States. Recent amendments to pending ETF applications, including VanEck’s, have made analysts optimistic about the regulator’s decision. This approval is seen as a significant moment for Bitcoin’s long-term adoption and legitimization. It will also simplify services for potential Bitcoin investors and have a significant impact on Bitcoin’s short-term price movement.
- Astrid Finance, an Ethereum-based liquid staking protocol, convinced an exploiter to return 80% of the $227,000 in crypto they stole. Astrid threatened legal action if the funds were not returned, and the hacker complied, returning the majority of the stolen funds. The remaining funds have been transferred to a multisignature wallet and will be used for auditing and developing Astrid’s smart contracts.
- El Salvador President Nayib Bukele has filed paperwork to run for re-election in the country’s upcoming presidential election in 2024. Bukele, a Bitcoin advocate, has strong support from the public and is backed by 70% of the country’s voting population, according to a study. The election will take place on February 4, 2024.
- Celsius Network, a bankrupt crypto lending firm, has warned its creditors of a new wave of phishing attacks. The company issued a notice urging creditors to avoid clicking on suspicious links and clarified that it will only request personal information through its official channels. This marks the 10th notice filed by Celsius regarding phishing attempts.
- The Wall Street Journal has revised an article that mischaracterized the extent of cryptocurrency funding for militant groups like Hamas. The correction amended the previously reported figure of $93 million raised by Palestinian Islamic Jihad to no more than $12 million.
- Investment firm VanEck predicts Solana’s price could range from $9.81 to $3,211.28 by 2030. They also expect Ether to reach a target price of $11,800 by the end of 2030.
What happened in crypto this weekend?
