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USDT Joins Bitcoin’s Lightning Network for Faster Transactions

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Tether, the world’s leading stablecoin issuer, has announced the integration of USDT into Bitcoin’s ecosystem, including its base layer and the Lightning Network.

By leveraging Bitcoin’s unmatched security with Lightning’s efficiency, Tether aims to redefine how stablecoins function within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

Tether Enhances Bitcoin’s Financial Ecosystem

The move is expected to revolutionize stablecoin usage within the Bitcoin ecosystem, enabling seamless, high-speed, and low-cost transactions. With over 350 million users worldwide, USDT’s adoption of the Lightning Network will provide developers and users with the reliability of Bitcoin. It will also deliver the efficiency of Lightning-enabled payments.

“Bringing USDT to Bitcoin combines the security and decentralization of Bitcoin with the speed and scalability of Lightning. Millions of people will now be able to use the most open, secure blockchain to send dollars globally. It all comes back to Bitcoin,” said Elizabeth Stark, CEO of Lightning Labs, in a statement shared with BeInCrypto.

It comes amid the growing demand for Bitcoin among institutional and retail investors. The integration of USDT further cements the pioneer crypto’s role in global financial systems.

The integration is powered by the Taproot Assets protocol, developed by Lightning Labs. This protocol leverages Bitcoin’s security and decentralization while enhancing transaction speed and scalability.

As the Taproot Assets protocol expands Bitcoin’s functionality, tokenized assets such as USDT can operate without compromising the blockchain’s decentralized nature. The integration will unlock new financial applications, including micro-transactions, remittances, and efficient cross-border settlements.

“Tether is committed to driving innovation in the Bitcoin ecosystem. By enabling USDT on the Lightning Network, we are reinforcing Bitcoin’s foundational principles of decentralization and security while offering practical solutions for remittances and payments that demand speed and reliability,” the statement added, citing Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino.

Tether Extends Reach Despite Regulatory Challenges

It comes barely a week after Tether revealed plans to launch a blockchain academy in Vietnam. Two weeks ago, Tether also facilitated upgrading and handing the Bridged USDT on Arbitrum to the USDT0 standard. BeInCrypto reported that this upgrade ensures seamless interoperability while maintaining a 1:1 backing on Ethereum.

According to USDT0, Arbitrum currently leads all Layer-2 networks in stablecoin adoption. Over 1.3 billion USDT was minted under the new standard.

“With over 1.3 billion USDT minted, Arbitrum leads all L2s in stablecoin adoption. Starting today, USDT on Arbitrum is upgraded to the USDT0 standard,” USDT0 shared on X.

Despite these technological advancements, Tether faces regulatory hurdles. In Europe, the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) framework is particularly set to impose stricter controls on stablecoins. In anticipation of MiCA’s rollout, several EU-based exchanges have already delisted USDT, causing liquidity and market stability concerns.

However, some experts believe MiCA’s impact on Tether will be minimal. This stance is based on the fact that the majority of USDT’s trading volume originates from Asia.

“…80% of USDT’s trading volume comes from Asia, so the EU delisting won’t have any severe impact. This is evident from USDT’s market cap, which is down by only 1.2%,” claimed Axel Bitblaze.

Regarding regulations, Tether has secured a major license in El Salvador, leading to its relocation to the country. This move aligns with El Salvador’s pro-Bitcoin stance and further strengthens Tether’s position in a jurisdiction that embraces digital assets.

Meanwhile, regulatory uncertainty continues to loom over Tether in the United States. Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, has stated that if new legislation requires it, the exchange would consider delisting USDT. This reflects the broader regulatory pressures that stablecoin issuers face, particularly in the US market.

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 Drops 10% As Fed Warns of Covid-Level Recession

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Bitcoin turns bearish as its weekend gains completely evaporate. Negative momentum was briefly halted thanks to Trump’s Crypto Reserve announcement, but the underlying macroeconomic problems remain.

Trump’s tariffs against its closest trading partners are still set to go through, and the Federal Reserve is predicting the worst decline in US GDP since the pandemic began. A broader recession will also hurt the crypto industry.

Bitcoin Drops 10% As Recession Seems Near

The price of Bitcoin has shown extreme volatility over the past few days. Last week, the Crypto Fear and Greed Index hit its lowest level since 2022, and Bitcoin looked very bearish due to several key factors.

Yesterday, Trump announced a crypto reserve that caused token prices to pump. However, that forward momentum has completely vanished today.

bitcoin price
Bitcoin Weekly Price Chart. Source: BeInCrypto

There are a few reasons that Bitcoin is looking so bearish right now. Essentially, Trump’s announcement may have only slapped a bandage on a very serious wound.

Last week, Bitcoin ETFs had their worst week ever, with $2.7 billion in outflows, as the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta predicted a 1.5% GDP decrease. Today, it has become even more pessimistic.

US recession data
US GDP Speeding Towards Recession. Source: Federal Reserve

The Fed is now predicting that the US GDP will shrink 2.8% by the end of Q1 2025. From an economic perspective, this is apocalyptic compared to its predictions four weeks ago, which showed 3.9% growth.

Macroeconomic Factors Don’t Look Good for Crypto

The US economy hasn’t shrunk that much since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic five years ago. These macroeconomic factors are a significant signal that Bitcoin might turn bearish in the short term. In fact, market liquidations have hit nearly $800 million today.

Crypto Market Liquidations Today. Source: Coinglass

Another important factor contributing to Bitcoin’s volatility is President Trump’s proposed tariffs. Some analysts have theorized that they aren’t the main cause, and that’s probably true.

However, the crypto market crashed when Trump recently announced 25% tariffs on the EU, joining ones on Canada, Mexico, and China.

“Trump: no room left for deal on tariffs on Mexico, Canada. [He] reiterates plan to double China tariff from 10% to 20%,” claimed Walter Bloomberg via social media.

In other words, macroeconomic factors are largely driving market sentiment in the crypto industry. Since the Bitcoin ETFs were approved, crypto has been well-integrated into traditional finance.

If the US economy enters a recession, however, the downsides of that integration will fully reveal themselves.

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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Crypto Outflows Surge to Record $3B—What’s Driving the Selloff?

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The crypto market continues to face selling pressure as digital asset investment products recorded their largest weekly outflows.

Sentiment remains sour, with Bitcoin (BTC) barely holding above the psychological level of $90,000 despite President Donald Trump’s crypto reserve policy.

Crypto Outflows See New Records

Over the past week, crypto outflows reached a staggering $2.9 billion, bringing the three-week total to $3.8 billion. This marks the third consecutive week of capital exiting the crypto sector, and it is a stark contrast to the preceding 19-week inflow streak, which saw $29 billion pour into the market.

The latest CoinShares report ascribes the negative flows to weakening sentiment across the crypto market. It cites factors such as the recent Bybit hack among key factors contributing to the mounting outflows. Others include a more hawkish stance from the Federal Reserve and broader macroeconomic concerns.

“We believe several factors contributed to this trend, including the recent Bybit hack, a more hawkish Federal Reserve, and the preceding 19-week inflow streak totaling US$29bn. These elements likely led to a mix of profit-taking and weakened sentiment toward the asset class,” read an excerpt in the report.

As BeInCrypto reported, the hack, which resulted in millions of dollars stolen, has shaken investor confidence. This reinforces fears over security vulnerabilities in the crypto space. Additionally, the Federal Reserve’s latest comments signaled a cautious outlook on inflation and the US GDP, leading to broader market uncertainty and a decline in risk appetite.

Against this backdrop, CoinShares’ researcher James Butterfill highlights Bitcoin as the hardest hit by the bearish sentiment, experiencing outflows of $2.59 billion last week. Ethereum also suffered, recording its highest weekly outflows at $300 million. Other major altcoins followed suit, with Solana experiencing outflows of $7.4 million.

Crypto Outflows Last Week
Crypto Outflows Last Week. Source: CoinShares

Nevertheless, short Bitcoin positions saw minor inflows totaling $2.3 million, suggesting some investors are positioning themselves for further downside.

Despite the overall negative sentiment, some digital assets saw inflows. Sui emerged as the best performer, attracting $15.5 million, while XRP followed with $5 million in inflows. These gains suggest that while the broader market is under pressure, certain projects continue to garner investor interest.

For XRP, the sentiment remains bullish, steered by increasing anticipation of a US SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) decision on an XRP ETF. The deadline for the SEC to approve or reject certain ETF applications has begun. Investors remain hopeful that XRP will gain regulatory clarity. Including XRP in Trump’s crypto reserve in the US could enhance this sentiment.

Notwithstanding, the latest round of outflows follows a concerning trend developed over the past few months. The previous week saw crypto outflows of $508 million, further exacerbating investor fears. Before that, the Federal Reserve’s hawkish rhetoric and concerning Consumer Price Index (CPI) data had already triggered the first major crypto outflows of 2025, with $415 million exiting the market.

This series led some analysts to point to macroeconomic factors as the primary driver of the selloff, with investor sentiment still showing fear.

Crypto Fear and Greed Index
Crypto Fear and Greed Index. Source: CoinMarketCap

However, others argue that external policies like President Donald Trump’s tariffs have contributed to the uncertain market environment, stoking inflation fears and making risk assets like crypto less attractive.

A competing perspective suggests that structural shifts, including cash and carry trading strategies, may contribute to Bitcoin’s recent volatility.

Bitcoin Price Performance
Bitcoin Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto

As of this writing, Bitcoin was trading for $93,095, up by over 8% since Monday’s session opened.

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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Metaplanet Spends $13.4M on Yet Another Bitcoin Buying Spree with BTC Bull Token

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Japan’s Metaplanet has gone on yet another Bitcoin buying spree. Earlier today, it snagged an extra 156 $BTC worth around $13.4M, bringing its stash to a sizable 2,391 $BTC (approximately $219.5M). 

It’s reportedly thinking about listing its $BTC shares in the US for more financial opportunities. This comes as no surprise, considering that its $BTC investments have surged by 13% since buying the crypto leader in April last year.

$BTC Jumps 7.11% Amid Metaplanet’s Bitcoin Buying Spree

MetaPlanet’s new holdings come weeks after the company’s CEO, Simon Gerovich, met with bigwigs from the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq to discuss its platforms and functions —perhaps its $BTC holdings are what bring its visions to reality. 

Moreover, the recent purchase contributed to $BTC jumping by 7.11% since yesterday, which represents a great time to capitalize on the crypto king’s success. 

A new crypto presale project called BTC Bull Token ($BTCBULL) introduces an intriguing new way to benefit from $BTC’s success without having to directly purchase the coin, which is currently worth a hefty $92K. 

Win Free $BTC Every Time It Breaks a New Record

$BTCBULL is one of the best crypto presales of 2025 because it provides a fun and engaging way to contribute and benefit from $BTC’s success. 

It’s the first ERC-20 token that lets you win $BTC directly through airdrops. But here’s the hitch: To win free coins, you have to buy $BTCBULL through Best Wallet and wait for the crypto leader to reach a new milestone ($15OK, $200K, $250K, and so on). Then, enjoy the freebie drops.

A hefty $BTCBULL airdrop also awaits the most dedicated community members when $BTC hits $250K. 

When taking into account that major companies like Metaplanet and Microstrategy keep enhancing their Bitcoin portfolios, and that $BTC has nearly doubled since last year, these milestones aren’t out of reach.

What’s more, every time $BTC climbs an additional $25K, a portion of $BTCBULL will be burned (removed from circulation). Scarcer tokens are usually more desirable, so the token should witness an upswing. 

BTC Bull Token project milestones
Source: BTC Bull Token

The project also sets aside 10% of its total token supply to staking so that you can stake $BTCBULL for additional passive income, currently at a chunky 137% APY. 

Considering that both $BTC and $BTCBULL can effortlessly be captured for greater returns, the BTC BULL crypto presale is an attractive investment opportunity. 

$BTCBULL – A Low-Cap Entry Point Into $BTC

As Metaplanet goes on yet another Bitcoin buying spree and considers listing its $BTC shares in America, it highlights its commitment to the crypto leader’s success. 

Still, at $92K, $BTC is not cheap. For casual investors wanting to the snag the coin, Bitcoin Bull offers a great way to earn a slice of the crypto maestro and $BTCBULL without spending a dime 

All you need to do is buy $BTCBULL on presale for just $0.00239. Its price will increase tomorrow, so now’s a great time to join the crypto presale. 

However, it’s essential to know this isn’t investment advice. You must always do your research and never spend more than you’d be sad to lose. 



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