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Florida CFO Advocates Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

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Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis has proposed the establishment of a “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.” He formally recommended that Florida’s pension funds — covering firefighters, teachers, police officers, and other public sector workers—consider Bitcoin as a potential asset.

If the proposal passes, the move could set a new trend in state-backed financial strategies.

Bitcoin May Join Florida State Pension Funds

Patronis argues that Bitcoin, often referred to as “digital gold,” could serve as a powerful diversification tool. The CFO says it could help shield the state’s investments from the volatility typically seen in traditional asset classes.

“Bitcoin is often called “digital gold,” and it could help diversify the state’s portfolio and provide a secure hedge against the volatility of other major asset classes,” read an expert in his letter to Chris Spencer, Executive Director of the Florida State Board of Administration (SBA).

The letter formalizes the SBA’s request to analyze the viability of including Bitcoin and other digital assets in the state’s investment portfolio. This analysis would evaluate the potential risks, benefits, and overall feasibility. This is amid plans to add digital currencies to Florida’s pension funds through a “Digital Currency Investment Pilot Program.”

Patronis says the proposal aligns with Florida’s economic goals. He emphasized innovation and progressive financial strategies as core elements of the state’s investment philosophy. In his letter, Patronis also highlighted Florida’s impressive economic track record. He added that a diversified portfolio, including digital assets, could potentially bolster the state’s finances.

Read more: How To Buy Bitcoin (BTC) and Everything You Need To Know

This approach mirrors steps taken by other states, including Wisconsin and Michigan, where small allocations of pension funds were directed into Bitcoin-focused ETFs (exchange-traded funds). Such funds allow indirect exposure to Bitcoin, letting institutional investors gain from cryptocurrency growth without direct ownership.

Similarly, Arizona has begun legislative efforts to incorporate digital assets into state retirement funds three years after proposing to make Bitcoin legal tender. Notable moves by Wyoming and Nebraska also display a national momentum toward crypto adoption. They have both developed frameworks to attract crypto-friendly businesses and charter digital asset banks.

Patronis cited these examples to illustrate how digital currency investments are gaining mainstream traction, particularly within state financial structures.  Another unmentioned example is Jersey City, which recently opted to invest in a Bitcoin ETF as a hedge for its city pension fund, aiming to mitigate broader financial risks.

These highlights reflect the broader trend of state and municipal bodies cautiously entering the crypto market. They want to capitalize on Bitcoin’s promise as a long-term, inflation-resistant asset.

A Potential Game-Changer for State Pension Funds

The potential inclusion of Bitcoin could help Florida’s pension funds achieve portfolio diversification. At the same time, it aligns with the State’s pro-innovation stance. Patronis pointed to the increased interest in Bitcoin as an inflation hedge and a store of value in both the US and international markets.

Recent developments include South Korea’s National Pension Service investment in MicroStrategy. This illustrates a shifting attitude among institutional investors worldwide. While Bitcoin remains volatile, many advocates argue that its finite supply and growing adoption make it a reliable long-term hedge.

Patronis stated that “a Digital Currency Investment Pilot Program” could initially be established within the Florida Growth Fund. This is a state initiative designed to accommodate more experimental, high-growth investments. If successful, the pilot program could signal a broader shift, allowing more government-backed funds to explore digital assets as viable financial tools.

Meanwhile, Patronis’s proposal comes as discussions around cryptocurrency and national investment policy heat up. Presidential aspirant Donald Trump recently proposed a national Bitcoin reserve. He aimed to establish a central crypto stockpile to enhance the United States’ financial independence.

“It will be the policy of my administration…to keep 100% of all the Bitcoin the US government currently holds or acquires into the future. This will serve in effect as the core of the strategic national bitcoin stockpile…I will be the pro-innovation and pro-Bitcoin candidate that America needs and that our citizens deserve,” Trump said.

Donald Trump’s Plans For Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

This idea has added momentum to crypto advocates’ calls for government-backed digital asset investments. Trump’s proposal, if adopted, would serve as a major endorsement of Bitcoin’s role in institutional investment. It would also bolster its image as a strategic financial asset.

Patronis cited Trump’s stance to reinforce his call for state-level adoption. He suggested that the federal government’s exploration of a Bitcoin reserve could encourage states to incorporate digital assets. In the letter, Patronis also praised Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis for his proactive measures in preventing central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) from affecting Floridian consumers and investors.

As BeInCrypto reported, DeSantis’s policy push focused on safeguarding citizens from federal control over financial data. He called CBDCs a threat to American liberty, which aligns with Patronis’s emphasis on financial autonomy.

Read more: Crypto Regulation: What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks?

Patronis’s endorsement of Bitcoin marks a noteworthy moment for public sector investment in digital assets. With global inflation concerns and potential economic slowdowns on the horizon, states like Florida are looking for ways to secure and diversify public funds.

It remains to be seen whether this proposal will materialize. For now, Patronis requests that the SBA prepare a detailed report on the risks and advantages of such a pilot initiative.  

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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Bitcoin Price After US Presidential Elections: Here’s How BTC Reacted To Previous Winners

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Market analysts have continued to deliberate on how the Bitcoin price could react to a Donald Trump or Kamala Harris victory in the US presidential elections. History indicates that Bitcoin’s future trajectory is bullish, irrespective of who wins the elections. 

How The Bitcoin Price Has Reacted To Previous Winners

The Bitcoin price has always hit a new all-time high (ATH) regardless of the winners in the past US presidential elections. In 2012, after Barack Obama won the elections, Bitcoin rallied and reached a new ATH of $1,200 in 2013. Its price then consolidated until the next election in 2016. 

Bitcoin price 1
Source: X

The 2016 US presidential elections, which Donald Trump won, also sparked the beginning of another impressive rally for the Bitcoin price, which rose to a new ATH of $19,000 the following year. In 2020, following Joe Biden’s victory in the US presidential election, BTC rose to a new ATH of $69,000. 

The Bitcoin price rally after the US presidential elections is believed to be due to the market certainty that the election aftermath provides. Meanwhile, based on history, the BTC rally could begin as soon as December, with the flagship crypto hitting a new ATH as soon as January 2024. 

In 2016, the Bitcoin price rally began about three weeks before the election and went on to hit a new high in the first week of January 2017. In 2020, BTC had also consolidated for about six months before it began to rally from $11,000 just about three weeks before the US elections and then went on to reach a new high of $42,000 in January 2021.

Bitcoin’s recent price action also looks to be playing out the same way as BTC began rallying in mid-October and even came close to hitting its current ATH of $73,700 late last month. As such, there is the possibility that the flagship crypto could again retest this ATH and surpass it as soon as January 2024 or even before then. 

There Could Be Some Volatility In The Coming Days

In an X post, Crypto analyst Ali Martinez warned that the days following the last three US presidential elections have been volatile for the Bitcoin price. However, he added that the overall trend has stayed upward. 

Bitcoin price 2
Source: X

Economist and crypto analyst Alex Krüger also warned about the potential pullback the Bitcoin price could face after the US elections. He claimed that there is a 45% chance that BTC could drop to as low as $65,000 if Kamala Harris wins the elections. 

Due to his pro-crypto stance, Donald Trump looks to be the most preferred candidate in the crypto community. As such, the market could initially react negatively to a Harris win while taking in Trump’s loss. 

At the time of writing, the Bitcoin price is trading at around $68,000, down in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap. 

Bitcoin price chart from Tradingview.com
BTC price pushes above $68,000 again | Source: BTCUSD on Tradingview.com

Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com



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What $2.2 Billion Means for Market

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Defunct crypto exchange Mt. Gox, once the most significant player in Bitcoin trading, moved $2.2 billion worth of Bitcoin on Monday. The transaction marked one of its largest transactions since its infamous 2014 collapse.

Blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence identified the movement of 32,371 BTC, a transaction that has sent waves through the crypto market.

Mt. Gox Moves 32,371 Bitcoin

Arkham Intelligence’s analysis revealed that a prominent wallet address labeled “1FG2C…Rveoy,” moved 30,371 BTC, while an additional 2,000 BTC initially went to a Mt. Gox cold wallet before being moved to a different, unmarked address.

Spotonchain confirms the report, indicating that over the last four days, Mt. Gox has moved Bitcoin worth $2.22 billion. Among these tokens, 296 BTC valued at $20.13 million was moved to B2C2 and OKX. Such significant transfers are noteworthy because they often signal preparations for creditor distributions.

Read more: Top Crypto Bankruptcies: What You Need To Know

Mt. Gox BTC Transfers
Mt. Gox BTC Transfers. Source: Arkham Intelligence

As BeInCrypto reported, Mt. Gox has already funneled smaller amounts to creditors using exchanges like Bitstamp and Kraken. The exchanges helped facilitate smooth transfers for those affected by the exchange’s collapse a decade ago. Meanwhile, analysts predict continued volatility, especially as the US election cycle adds a layer of uncertainty to global markets.

“The recent $2.2 billion Bitcoin movement and extended repayment timeline from Mt. Gox will likely inject some volatility into the market in the short term. With such a large amount of Bitcoin potentially entering circulation, there’s bound to be short-term price swings as recipients decide whether to hold or sell,” Peter Watson, Chief Market Officer at Velar, told BeInCrypto.  

Indeed, following the transfer, Bitcoin prices momentarily dipped below $68,000 during Asian market trading, briefly rattling investor confidence. However, the asset quickly rebounded to trade for $68,810 as of writing.

BTC Price Performance
BTC Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto

However, Watson says the impact may be less severe than some fear, especially as many creditors have had years to consider their strategies. Further, he observes that this could benefit market confidence.

“For many, seeing the Mt. Gox saga finally come to a close may reinforce the belief that Bitcoin is better equipped for sustained growth and stability.. ultimately strengthening confidence in its future,”  Watson added.

An Ongoing Saga of Repayment and Recovery

The transfer occurred just a week after Mt. Gox extended its repayment deadline for creditors by another year, much to their frustration. The decision was partly due to the logistical and technical hurdles of coordinating payments to thousands of creditors.

“Many rehabilitation creditors still have not received their repayments because they have not completed the necessary procedures for receiving repayments. Additionally, a considerable number of rehabilitation creditors have not received their repayments due to various reasons, such as issues arising during the repayments process,” Mt. Gox explained.

This process has been an agonizing journey for creditors, filled with delays, legal complications, and financial uncertainty. The repayment saga continues, fueling concerns over market volatility. However, analysts suggest that the postponement could be delaying a potential sell-off.

“$4 billion payment selling pressure now shifted to 2025,” one user shared on X.

Read more: Who Owns the Most Bitcoin in 2024?

According to data on Arkham, Mt. Gox still holds 44,378 BTC, which is valued at approximately $3.05 billion. As the market continues to advance, events like Mt. Gox’s transfers serve as reminders of the industry’s turbulent past. For creditors, however, the wait remains, extending a wait that has already spanned nearly a decade.

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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US Elections Push Crypto Investment Inflows to $2.17 Billion

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Crypto investment inflows surged to $2.17 billion last week, reaching an unprecedented $29.2 billion in year-to-date inflows. This influx elevated the total assets under management (AUM) in digital assets to over $100 billion, a level previously reached only in June 2024.

The rise comes amid renewed interest in Bitcoin, which captured the majority of these investments, with trading volumes up by 67% to $19.2 billion. This activity represented a significant 35% of Bitcoin’s trading volume on trusted exchanges.

Inflows To Digital Asset Investment Products Reach $2.2 Billion

The latest CoinShares report attributes recent crypto inflows to the upcoming US elections on November 5. Anticipation of a potential Republican victory appears to be fueling interesthttps://beincrypto.com/donald-trump-to-overhaul-us-crypto-rules/, as the GOP is often viewed as more favorable toward relaxed regulations on digital assets.

“We believe euphoria around the prospect of a Republican victory was the likely reason for these inflows as they were in the first few days of last week, as polls have turned, we saw minor outflows on Friday, highlighting how sensitive Bitcoin is to the US elections at present,” the report read.

Read more: How To Buy Bitcoin (BTC) and Everything You Need To Know

Bitcoin dominated last week’s inflows, with $2.15 billion reflecting investor confidence. A minor yet notable $8.9 million also flowed into short-Bitcoin products, hinting at some hedging among investors amidst Bitcoin’s strong price movement.

Meanwhile, Ethereum saw modest inflows totaling $9.5 million, displaying a marked difference in sentiment compared to Bitcoin and Solana, which received $5.7 million. Other altcoins, including Polkadot and Arbitrum, saw smaller investments, with $670,000 and $200,000 respectively.

Crypto Investment Inflows By Tokens
Crypto Investment Inflows By Assets. Source: CoinShares

This development is unsurprising given how the run-up to the US elections has catalyzed substantial interest in digital assets over the past few weeks. As BeInCrypto reported, October already saw inflows reaching $901 million in the last week after recording up to $2.2 billion in positive flows the week prior and $407 million in the first week of October.  

During these weeks, CoinShares’ James Butterfill credited the positive flows to a Republican victory potentially favoring regulatory policies for digital assets.

Fate of Crypto Investment Inflows After US Elections

The record-breaking inflows coincide with a broader surge in US-based investments in crypto, as American investors account for the bulk of this year’s $29.2 billion inflow. Meanwhile, Germany saw a modest $5.1 million in new investments. This reflects Europe’s more conservative engagement with crypto amid regulatory uncertainties.

Crypto Investment Inflows by Regions. Source: CoinShares
Crypto Investment Inflows by Regions. Source: CoinShares

While Bitcoin remains the primary beneficiary of these investments, US elections could further intensify volatility in the crypto market this week. Investors are monitoring key battleground states, where recent polls indicate a favorable swing for Republicans. This has raised speculation of a shift in Congress that could bring a friendlier stance on crypto.

Political analysts note that GOP control of Congress might ease regulatory pressures on digital assets. This could enhance investor confidence and attract further inflows into Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in the days following the elections. Nevertheless, others like Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong say a more “pro-crypto Congress” is likely to emerge regardless of the election’s outcome.

The election results will likely signal the short-term direction for crypto investments. A Republican win could boost inflows, potentially sparking a new Bitcoin rally, while a Democratic victory might dampen expectations if stricter regulations are anticipated.

Read More: What is Polymarket? A Guide to The Popular Prediction Market

With election day approaching, crypto markets are expected to stay volatile, as Bitcoin and other digital assets respond to shifts in polling data and policy outlooks.

“Going to be an exciting week ahead, that’s one thing that’s for certain. Be careful on leverage, recommend not touching it at all this week. You’re likely to just get chopped up,” crypto analyst Daan Crypto warned.

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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