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Gemini’s APAC Chief Saad Ahmed Talks Global Expansion

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Gemini, the US-based cryptocurrency exchange founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, is expanding globally, with a focus on the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Leading this effort is Saad Ahmed, Head of APAC, now based in Singapore.

Ahmed, who joined Gemini in November 2023, brings experience from Uber and Grab. In this interview, he discusses crypto investor trends, regulatory challenges, and Gemini’s strategy for Asia. He also shares insights on how global events, like the US elections, may impact the crypto industry and outlines Gemini’s international expansion plans.

How do you think crypto adoption is growing?

As stated in our report published recently, crypto investors are very resilient. Despite price action in 2022 and 2023, most countries showed a marginal fall in crypto ownership, or it relatively stayed the same. Crypto owners are hodlers who continue to hodl, showing a long-term belief that this asset class has a place in a balanced portfolio.

We see stability in hodling, and people who left in 2021 or 2022 are saying they’re going to come back. 7 out of 10 in most markets said they would be allocating to crypto in the next 12 to 18 months. This paints a positive picture of resiliency and that the asset class is here to stay.

People are looking at catalysts like macro factors, US elections, and Fed rate cuts. Crypto investors are resilient and many are likely to come back in the next 12 to 18 months.

What would you say about the lack of regulatory clarity as a barrier to industry growth?

Regulatory clarity is about consistency across different jurisdictions. In the crypto industry, there are differences in how regulators are trying to regulate this asset class. Innovation usually leads to regulation. There’s a need for consistent regulation that applies across jurisdictions, making it easier for global entities to operate.

Singapore has regulatory clarity, with a focus on customer protection, encouraging dialogue between industry, customers, and regulators. They have a clear framework of rules to comply with. Despite this, some respondents still said they’d like to see more regulatory clarity, which is intriguing.

What do you expect from the US election, and how would that affect your business?

7 out of 10 people said the candidate’s stance on digital assets is an important issue in their decision-making. It’s not the only issue they care about, but it is a partisan issue being discussed in national discourse. This is the first time in a US election that this has happened.

Taken in context with everything else happening in the industry, like Bitcoin ETFs giving legitimacy to the asset class, this topic being discussed as part of campaign strategy for both parties is a good thing for the industry. It helps drive forward the dialogue around this industry and its importance. More people are realizing how it fits as part of their portfolio.

Gemini delisted the controversial Terra Luna Classic (LUNC) in September. What was the reason behind this decision?

We go through a process of auditing every asset we list and delist. We have a robust infrastructure and processes for what goes into an asset being on the platform. There’s due diligence on the founders, what the project stands for, token distribution, and what the project does.

The process involves both the compliance and legal teams. Once a project is listed, it is recorded in the system, with an infrastructure cost tied to maintaining the listing.

Various factors are evaluated to determine whether a token should remain listed or be delisted. This is done regularly, taking a holistic approach to better manage the infrastructure. New projects are added, while those no longer driving demand are removed, as many tokens experience a hype cycle of about six months before interest declines.

Do you agree that fees are comparatively higher in Gemini than in other exchanges?

There are broadly three things customers care about liquidity on the platform, product, and fees. Most people have a preference for which they value most. You could have lower fees but wider spreads, or higher fees and tighter spreads.

These are choices exchanges make when building their framework. Our understanding is that our fees are quite competitive. We need to add more liquidity.

We’re working on areas that can drive better liquidity and depth on our platform. Our fees are generally competitive, and we’re working on improving liquidity.

Saad Ahmed, Head of Asia Pacific, Gemini, at TOKEN2049 in Singapore. Source: Courtesy of BeInCrypto
What kind of business scale does Gemini have in APAC?

The US is our largest market, but we’ve been present in APAC for four years. We’ve always had an office in Singapore and a team here. We built for Singapore in 2020, being one of the first exchanges with an SGD onramp. Today, we have about 40 employees in Singapore, our APAC HQ.

Over the last year, we’ve built out a strong leadership team with new heads of compliance, general counsel, strategy, institutional sales, and expansion and growth. We are eager for growth, investing in the market, and continuing to build localized experiences, onboarding flows, and payment rails.

We’re thinking of a feature set that appeals to customers in Asia and building from an Asia-focused perspective. We’re now driving expansion from Singapore to other parts of Asia.

As a global exchange, what do you care the most about?

As a global exchange, we care about building for the customers in the region. It’s how we build the best experience and give them the products and services they really want. We can’t build a global product and expect everyone to use it. We need to localize our product and offering to make it relevant.

That’s why we have a team in the APAC region. We want to drive adoption through localized products. In 2024, we’ve seen the legitimacy of this asset class with ETFs and big traditional finance names joining the industry. We’re playing a part in driving the adoption of this technology.

The legitimacy means more people will find a place for this asset class in their portfolio. We’re building products to help make that transition easier for as many people as possible.

Disclaimer

In compliance with the Trust Project guidelines, this opinion article presents the author’s perspective and may not necessarily reflect the views of BeInCrypto. BeInCrypto remains committed to transparent reporting and upholding the highest standards of journalism. Readers are advised to verify information independently and consult with a professional before making decisions based on this content.  Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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Trump Taps Pro-Crypto Scott Bessent for Treasury Secretary Role

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Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, has nominated Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary for his administration. This decision has generated enthusiasm in the emerging industry due to Bessent’s pro-crypto reputation.

Bessent and Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick had been considered strong favorites for the position. However, Lutnick was eventually nominated as Commerce Secretary.

Crypto Industry Welcomes Scott Bessent’s Nomination for Treasury Secretary

In a November 22 announcement on Truth Social, Trump praised Bessent as the ideal candidate to support his administration’s economic goals. The President stated that Bessent will play a pivotal role in strengthening the US economy, fostering innovation, and maintaining the dollar’s status as the global reserve currency.

“Scott will support my policies that will drive US competitiveness, and stop unfair trade imbalances, work to create an economy that places growth at the forefront, especially through our coming world energy dominance,” Trump added.

Wall Street veteran Bessent, who founded the international macro investment company Key Square Group, brings extensive experience to the role. He had previously served as the chief investment officer for the prominent investor George Soros.

While President Trump’s announcement did not directly reference cryptocurrencies, many in the digital asset space view Bessent’s appointment as a positive sign. In past statements, Bessent has described crypto as a symbol of financial freedom. He also called Bitcoin an alternative investment for younger investors disillusioned with the traditional financial system.

“I have been excited about the president’s embrace of crypto and I think it fits very well with the Republican Party, crypto is about freedom in the crypto economy is here to stay,” Bessent stated.

His pro-crypto stance has led many to believe his leadership could encourage a more balanced approach to digital asset regulation. This would contrast with the outgoing administration’s enforcement-heavy tactics, such as its controversial sanctions on decentralized platforms like Tornado Cash.

Indeed, crypto industry leaders have responded enthusiastically to Bessent’s nomination. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse commended Bessent’s nomination, calling it a win for innovation. He noted that Bessent’s leadership could mark a turning point for crypto-friendly policies in Washington.

Similarly, Kristin Smith, CEO of the Blockchain Association, highlighted the importance of Bessent working with Congress to establish clear regulations, ensure fair tax treatment, and protect self-custody rights for digital assets.

“Critical to this nomination would be working with Congress on a regulatory framework for digital assets, protecting the right to self custody, pushing for clearer tax treatment of digital assets, and working closely with industry experts to protect our nation’s security,” Smith remarked.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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Will the Cardano Coin Price Rally Continue?

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ADA, the native coin of the Cardano blockchain, has made a significant price breakthrough. It has surpassed the $1 mark for the first time in two years. As of this writing, the altcoin trades at $1.09, a price level last observed in April 2022. `

Over the past 24 hours, ADA’s price has rocketed by 24%, and its trading volume has increased by 131% during the same period. With heightening buying pressure, the Cardano coin price rally is poised to continue.

Cardano Holders See Green

Cardano’s ascent above the $1 price mark has put many of its holders in profit. According to IntoTheBlock’s Global In/Out of the Money indicator, 3.15 million addresses, which comprise 71% of all ADA holders, are “in the money.”

An address is said to be “in the money” if the current market price of the asset it holds is higher than the average cost at which the address acquired those tokens. This means the holder would profit if they sold their holdings at the current market price.

Conversely, 715,230 addresses, which comprise 16% of all ADA holders, are “out of the money.” These addresses would incur a loss if they sold at the current price. Per IntoTheBlock’s data, this cohort of investors acquired their coins when ADA sold above $1.40.

Cardano Global In/Out of the Money.
Cardano Global In/Out of the Money. Source: IntoTheBlock

Notably, with many addresses now holding unrealized profits, long-term holders (LTHs) of ADA are repositioning, potentially to secure gains. This activity is reflected by the spike in ADA’s age-consumed metric, which, per Santiment’s data, skyrocketed to a monthly high of 86.91 billion on November 22, when the uptrend began.

This surge is notable because long-term holders rarely move their coins around. When they do, it often hints at a shift in market trends. Therefore, as in ADA’s case, if the spike is accompanied by increased trading volume and positive price action, it suggests that long-term holders are taking profits. This may fuel further price increases as new buyers enter the market.

Cardano Age Consumed.
Cardano Age Consumed. Source: Santiment

ADA Price Prediction: The Upward Trend Is Strong

On the daily chart, ADA’s Aroon Up Line is at 100%. The Aroon indicator measures the strength and direction of a trend. When the Aroon Up line is at 100%, it indicates a strong upward trend, suggesting a recent high and a potential continuation of the bullish momentum.

If this holds and new demand continues to enter the market, the Cardano coin price rally will continue toward $1.24, a price high it last reached in March 2022.

Cardano Price Analysis.
Cardano Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

On the other hand, if profit-taking intensifies and buying pressure weakens, ADA’s price may fall to retest support at $1. Should this level fail to hold, the downtrend will be confirmed, and ADA’s price will plunge to $0.85.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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ADA Sights More Growth After Breaking $0.8119

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My name is Godspower Owie, and I was born and brought up in Edo State, Nigeria. I grew up with my three siblings who have always been my idols and mentors, helping me to grow and understand the way of life.

My parents are literally the backbone of my story. They’ve always supported me in good and bad times and never for once left my side whenever I feel lost in this world. Honestly, having such amazing parents makes you feel safe and secure, and I won’t trade them for anything else in this world.

I was exposed to the cryptocurrency world 3 years ago and got so interested in knowing so much about it. It all started when a friend of mine invested in a crypto asset, which he yielded massive gains from his investments.

When I confronted him about cryptocurrency he explained his journey so far in the field. It was impressive getting to know about his consistency and dedication in the space despite the risks involved, and these are the major reasons why I got so interested in cryptocurrency.

Trust me, I’ve had my share of experience with the ups and downs in the market but I never for once lost the passion to grow in the field. This is because I believe growth leads to excellence and that’s my goal in the field. And today, I am an employee of Bitcoinnist and NewsBTC news outlets.

My Bosses and co-workers are the best kinds of people I have ever worked with, in and outside the crypto landscape. I intend to give my all working alongside my amazing colleagues for the growth of these companies.

Sometimes I like to picture myself as an explorer, this is because I like visiting new places, I like learning new things (useful things to be precise), I like meeting new people – people who make an impact in my life no matter how little it is.

One of the things I love and enjoy doing the most is football. It will remain my favorite outdoor activity, probably because I’m so good at it. I am also very good at singing, dancing, acting, fashion and others.

I cherish my time, work, family, and loved ones. I mean, those are probably the most important things in anyone’s life. I don’t chase illusions, I chase dreams.

I know there is still a lot about myself that I need to figure out as I strive to become successful in life. I’m certain I will get there because I know I am not a quitter, and I will give my all till the very end to see myself at the top.

I aspire to be a boss someday, having people work under me just as I’ve worked under great people. This is one of my biggest dreams professionally, and one I do not take lightly. Everyone knows the road ahead is not as easy as it looks, but with God Almighty, my family, and shared passion friends, there is no stopping me.



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