Connect with us

Bitcoin

Bitcoin or Gold? Coinbase CEO Makes His Case

Published

on


Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, has called Bitcoin a better form of money than gold, citing its scarcity, portability, divisibility, utility, and performance.

Armstrong’s comments followed the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Governor Lesetja Kganyago’s opposition to establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR). Kganyago argued against the notion, questioning Bitcoin’s strategic value as a government-held asset.

Coinbase CEO on Bitcoin vs. Gold

In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Armstrong elaborated on Bitcoin’s advantages over gold.

 “Bitcoin is a better form of money. It has the decentralization and scarcity of gold, but better divisibility, portability, and (i think) even fungibility. It’s relatively harder to tell if gold is pure, or contains some lead in the middle of the bar,” Armstrong wrote. 

bitcoin gold coinbase
Bitcoin vs. Gold Chart. Source: Brian Armstrong/X

He noted that Bitcoin’s market capitalization, approximately $2 trillion, represents 11% of gold’s market cap, which is around $18 trillion. The CEO expressed confidence that Bitcoin’s market cap could surpass gold within the next 5-10 years, eventually making Bitcoin reserves more significant than gold reserves.

Therefore, he argued that countries with gold reserves should consider allocating at least 11% of those reserves to Bitcoin.

“If the US leads here with a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, I think many of the G20 will follow,” he added.

His detailed post followed the discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Kganyago expressed skepticism about governments holding Bitcoin reserves

The SARB governor dismissed the idea of lobbying for a particular asset without strategic intent. Moreover, Kganyago emphasized gold’s historical precedence as a store of value.

“There is a history to gold, there was once a gold standard, currencies were pegged to gold. But if we now say Bitcoin, then what about platinum or coal? Why don’t we hold strategic beef reserves, or mutton reserves, or apple reserves? Why Bitcoin?,” Kganyago questioned.

He described the debate as a public policy issue that requires broader engagement, warning against industries pushing their products onto society.

In response, Armstrong highlighted Bitcoin’s track record as the best-performing asset over the last decade. He emphasized that governments should consider Bitcoin as a store of value and gradually increase their holdings over time.

“It might start with being 1% of their reserves but over time, it will come to be equal or greater than gold reserves,” Armstrong suggested.

Meanwhile, SBR continues to gain traction. States like Wyoming, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and Texas have introduced bills to adopt Bitcoin as a strategic asset. 

Furthermore, at least 15 US states, including Ohio and Pennsylvania, are actively considering measures to establish Bitcoin reserves. President Donald Trump also signed an executive order to create a “national digital asset stockpile.” This move has paved the way for a more formalized approach to integrating digital assets into the country’s financial strategy.

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.



Source link

Bitcoin

MicroStrategy Might Announce a Big Bitcoin Purchase Soon

Published

on


Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, may be gearing up for another significant Bitcoin purchase.

Speculation around this move intensified after the company’s co-founder, Michael Saylor, dropped a subtle hint on social media.

Market Buzz Over Saylor’s Bitcoin Tracker Post

On February 23, Saylor shared a Bitcoin tracker on X (formerly Twitter), a move that has historically preceded major acquisitions. His cryptic message suggested that recent Bitcoin transactions were not yet reflected in the tracker.

“I don’t think this reflects what I got done last week,” Saylor wrote on X.

Strategy's Bitcoin Purchase Markers
Strategy’s Bitcoin Purchase Markers. Source: Saylortracker

Given his history of sharing similar charts before major Bitcoin acquisitions, the crypto community quickly speculated that the firm was preparing for another purchase.

“Michael Saylor posted his BTC purchase tracker again, meaning Strategy will announce another Big Bitcoin purchase tomorrow,” Nikolaus Hoffman said.

Meanwhile, some speculate that Strategy may allocate up to $2 billion for Bitcoin, aligning with its recent move to raise funds through convertible bonds.

These bonds, which carry no interest but can be converted into company stock, are expected to mature in March 2030 and will serve as unsecured senior obligations.

This capital raise is part of Strategy’s “21/21 Plan,” which aims to secure $42 billion for BTC investments. The company seeks to raise $21 billion through equity sales and another $21 billion via fixed-income securities.

Once a software-focused firm, Strategy has evolved into the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin. Its pivot has significantly boosted investor interest, earning its stock a spot in the Nasdaq-100.

The firm’s last Bitcoin acquisition occurred on February 10, when it purchased 7,633 BTC for $742.4 million. At present, Strategy holds 478,740 BTC, valued at approximately $47 billion, with an overall investment of $31.1 billion.

Meanwhile, the company recently highlighted that its MSTR convertible bonds have returned 71% since issuance, outperforming Bitcoin itself.

Strategy's MSTR Stock Performance vs. Bitcoin.
Strategy’s MSTR Stock Performance vs. Bitcoin. Source: Strategy

Also, Strategy’s aggressive BTC-first approach has inspired other companies to follow suit. According to HODL15 Capital, over 70 publicly traded firms worldwide have now added Bitcoin to their reserves, influenced by Saylor’s Strategy.

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.



Source link

Continue Reading

Bitcoin

Trump Is Taking Bitcoin ‘Serious’, Says BPI Director

Published

on


In a wide-ranging discussion on The Culture Bit podcast, Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI) Executive Director and national security expert Matthew Pines gave his latest assessment of the evolving relationship between the Trump administration and Bitcoin. Joined by Simply Bitcoin host Nico Moran and show host Alan Helm, Pines underscored how BTC’s growing influence in Washington has quickly become a key element of US economic and geopolitical strategy.

Trump Is ‘Paying Serious Attention To Bitcoin’

Pines quickly turned to Washington, where the Trump administration has launched several initiatives that place BTC firmly on the federal agenda. In particular, the White House’s recent executive orders have prompted agencies to explore whether the US should establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR), incorporate BTC into a potential sovereign wealth fund, and devise clearer rules around stablecoins.

According to Pines, the prospect of a national BTC reserve, once considered fringe, now carries growing traction: “Trump came in and signed an executive order establishing a President’s Working Group on digital assets, specifically mentioning the idea of a strategic digital asset stockpile,” he said. “They really are studying this issue—this isn’t just lip service. If the US does something significant with Bitcoin, it could have enormous geopolitical implications.”

Pines cautioned that policy development in Washington is slow and deliberate, particularly when it involves multiple agencies, yet he believes momentum is building: “Once the government decides to move on something like this, things can happen quickly,” he noted, “but right now, there are a lot of new officials and nominations settling in. They have to do the homework first.”

Alongside talk of a reserve, the administration has also tasked Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent to develop the framework for a US Sovereign Wealth Fund, prompting debate over whether it should include Bitcoin.

Pines described how a sovereign wealth fund could broaden support for BTC among influential sectors—such as energy, AI, and defense—since future returns on BTC might finance strategic domestic investments: “If Bitcoin is in the fund, it could align a lot of stakeholders to be pro-Bitcoin, because a rising Bitcoin price directly enhances the fund’s capacity to invest,” he explained.

Yet there remain plenty of details to iron out, not least of which is how to mitigate concerns over BTC’s volatility and how to handle potential pushback from other corners of the “crypto” sector. Pines noted there is lobbying from certain large altcoin organizations to dilute the idea of a strictly BTC reserve and push for a broader “digital asset” focus.

Commenting on the realities of lobbying and politics, Moran underscored how Bitcoiners—many of whom are staunchly anti-establishment—have had to adjust to the newfound necessity of political engagement. “If you think about it, this was always going to happen,” Moran pointed out. “Money itself is inherently political. Bitcoin represents an alternative to central banking. Of course it’s going to become a heated topic in D.C.”

In the final analysis, Pines and Moran both anticipate swift developments in how the Trump administration crafts its digital asset policies. While the exact form of a potential SBR or sovereign wealth fund remains unclear, Pines emphasized that the BPI will continue providing data-driven guidance to policymakers on Capitol Hill and within the administration:

“They really are paying serious attention to Bitcoin, and the window of opportunity to shape policy is right now,” he said. “We want to make sure that policymakers fully understand Bitcoin’s technological underpinnings, its strategic uses, and what it represents for both economic security and individual freedoms.”

Moran echoed that sentiment, underscoring the difference in how Washington now treats BTC relative to just a few years ago: “Last year, we weren’t even in the room. Today, some of the highest-ranking officials in the country own Bitcoin themselves. That changes everything,” he concluded.

At press time, BTC traded at $95,805.

Bitcoin price
BTC price bounces from the channel bottom, 4-hour chart | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView.com

Featured image from YouTube, chart from TradingView.com



Source link

Continue Reading

Bitcoin

Bitcoin Realized Volatility Near Historic Lows — What This Means For Price

Published

on


The price of Bitcoin looked set to reclaim $100,000 on Friday, rallying on the back of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) decision to drop the lawsuit against crypto exchange Coinbase. However, the premier cryptocurrency failed to capitalize on this momentum shift following the $1.4 billion exploit of the ByBit exchange.

With the Bitcoin price now hovering above $96,000, recent on-chain data suggests that certain volatility metrics are nearing historically low levels. Here’s how the latest volatility trend could impact the BTC price performance over the coming weeks.

Is A BTC Price Rally On The Horizon?

In a recent post on the X platform, crypto analytics firm Glassnode explained how two key volatility indicators nearing historically low levels could impact the Bitcoin price and its future trajectory. The two relevant metrics here are the 1-week “realized volatility” and “options implied volatility.”

For context, realized volatility (also referred to as historical volatility) measures how much the price of an asset (BTC, in this case) has changed over a specific period. Implied volatility, on the other hand, is a metric that assesses the likelihood of future changes in an asset’s price.

According to Glassnode data, Bitcoin’s 1-week realized volatility recently dropped to 23.42%. The on-chain intelligence firm noted that the metric’s current value is close to historical lows, as BTC’s realized volatility has only fallen beneath this level a few times in the past four years.

Bitcoin

Source: Glassnode/X

Notably, the 1-week realized volatility metric dropped to 22.88% and 21.35% in October 2024 and November 2024, respectively. These points have acted as bottoms, with the metric rebounding from this level in the past. From a historical perspective, such declines in realized volatility have preceded significant price movements, increasing the odds of a potential breakout – or even a correction.

Bitcoin

Source: Glassnode/X

At the same time, Bitcoin’s 1-week options implied volatility has also experienced a significant decline to 37.39%. The indicator’s current level is close to multi-year lows — last seen in 2023 and early 2024. Similarly, the Bitcoin price witnessed substantial market moves the last time the implied volatility was around this level.

Moreover, it is worth noting that the longer-term options implied volatility is currently exhibiting a different trend. The 3-month implied volatility stands at around 53.1%, while the 6-month indicator is hovering at 56.25%. This suggests that market participants expect increased volatility over the coming months.

Bitcoin Price At A Glance

As of this writing, Bitcoin is valued at roughly $95,340, reflecting an over 3% decline in the past 24 hours.

Bitcoin

The price of Bitcoin on the daily timeframe | Source: BTCUSDT chart on TradingView

Featured image from iStock, chart from TradingView



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 coin2049.io