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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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Bitcoin Could Rebound to $100,000 Soon Despite Bearish Pressure

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Bitcoin (BTC) has been trading below $100,000 since February 5, facing continued resistance despite attempts at recovery. Recent indicators suggest that sellers have gained control, with BTC’s Directional Movement Index (DMI) showing increased bearish pressure.

However, the Ichimoku Cloud points to a potential reversal if Bitcoin can break above key resistance zones. If bullish momentum returns, BTC could test the $97,756 resistance and possibly retake the $100,000 level, with $102,668 as the next target.

BTC DMI Shows that Sellers Gained Control In the Last 24 Hours

Bitcoin’s Directional Movement Index (DMI) shows its Average Directional Index (ADX) currently at 21.2, after briefly touching 22.9, rising from 15.5 two days ago.

ADX measures the strength of a trend without indicating its direction, ranging from 0 to 100. Typically, values above 25 indicate a strong trend, while values below 20 suggest a weak or ranging market.

With ADX hovering around 21.2, Bitcoin’s trend is relatively weak, signaling a potential transition period.

This suggests that the previous uptrend momentum is losing steam, possibly leading to a reversal or the beginning of a downtrend.

BTC DMI.
BTC DMI. Source: TradingView.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s +DI is at 15.5, down from 23.3 just one day ago, indicating a decline in bullish momentum, while -DI has climbed to 21.9 from 9.2, reflecting growing bearish pressure.

This crossover, where -DI has moved above +DI, indicates that sellers are gaining control over the market, potentially signaling a shift from an uptrend to a downtrend.

If -DI continues to rise and +DI remains weak, Bitcoin could see increased selling pressure and a potential price decline. However, if +DI stabilizes and rebounds, Bitcoin might consolidate before choosing a more definitive directional move.

Bitcoin Ichimoku Cloud Paints A Bearish Picture, But It Could Change Soon

The Ichimoku Cloud chart for Bitcoin shows a mixed outlook with early signs of potential recovery. The blue Tenkan-sen line is currently above the red Kijun-sen line.

This crossover suggests that buying pressure is trying to recover, which could support a potential upward move.

However, Bitcoin’s price is still below the Kumo cloud, signaling that the overall trend remains bearish and that resistance is strong above the current levels.

BTC Ichimoku Cloud.
BTC Ichimoku Cloud. Source: TradingView.

The Kumo cloud ahead is thin and slightly shifting upwards, suggesting that the bearish momentum might be weakening. If Bitcoin can break above the cloud, it would signal a potential trend reversal, especially if the Tenkan-sen continues to lead above the Kijun-sen.

Conversely, if Bitcoin fails to break above the cloud and the Tenkan-sen drops below the Kijun-sen again, it would confirm a continuation of the bearish trend.

For now, Bitcoin faces a crucial resistance zone, and the next move will depend on whether it can clear the cloud or get rejected downward.e

Bitcoin Could Return to $100,000 Very Soon

Bitcoin was on the verge of forming a new golden cross yesterday before the Bybit hack triggered a sharp price drop from $98,000 to roughly $95,000 within four hours.

Its Exponential Moving Average (EMA) lines are still bearish, with short-term EMAs positioned below long-term ones, indicating ongoing downward momentum.

This bearish setup suggests that selling pressure remains dominant. If sellers continue to control the market, Bitcoin could retest the support at $94,818, which was maintained during yesterday’s decline.

If this support breaks, Bitcoin could drop further to $93,415, and a continued downtrend could push it as low as $91,300.

BTC Price Analysis.
BTC Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

However, if Bitcoin price manages to recover from this drop, there are signs that the downtrend may not be as strong as it seems.

Both the ADX and Ichimoku Cloud indicate weakening bearish momentum, suggesting that a reversal is possible. In this case, Bitcoin could test the resistance at $97,756, and if this level is broken, it could rise to $100,000.

Should the uptrend gain more momentum, Bitcoin could continue climbing to test $102,668, marking its highest levels since early February.

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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Myanmar Junta Leader’s Social Media Hijacaked for Crypto Fraud

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Hackers potentially took control of the official X account of Myanmar’s military junta leader on Saturday, using it to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency.

This incident could be the part of a growing trend where scammers exploit high-profile political figures to add credibility to scam tokens, deceiving unsuspecting investors.

Another Political Crypto Scam Now Targeting the Myanmar Government

On February 22, the X (formerly Twitter) account belonging to Myanmar’s junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, began posting about a so-called national cryptocurrency launch.

The posts described it as “Myanmar first national crypto,” attempting to present it as an official digital asset.

Myanmar’s Junta Leader Promotion of Meme Coin.
Myanmar’s Junta Leader Promotion of Meme Coin. Source: X/Min Aung Hlaing

Crypto users on X quickly noticed irregularities. The hackers initially shared multiple cryptocurrency wallet addresses before deleting them.

Soon after, they claimed the launch was postponed and provided a new wallet address, raising further suspicion.

“This account from the government of Myanmar has been hacked . Dropped several CAs and deleted, as well as announcing a space then deleted 3 minutes later,” one user wrote on X.

Meanwhile, market observers questioned whether a military-led government could successfully launch a cryptocurrency. They noted that such an initiative contradicts the principles of decentralization.

One user pointed out that state-backed digital assets often serve as a tool for financial control rather than innovation. The analyst also speculated that countries under economic sanctions might explore cryptocurrency as a way to bypass traditional financial systems.

“Signals a shift: more nations exploring state-backed crypto to sidestep sanctions & SWIFT dependence Geopolitically, it’s a test case If it works, expect more isolated regimes to follow This isn’t about innovation but it’s about sovereignty vs financial gatekeeping,” Cedric Beau stated.

Meanwhile, this attack on Myanmar’s junta leader follows a broader pattern of cyber threats targeting political figures.

Earlier this month, the Central African Republic’s President, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, introduced an official meme coin called CAR. The token was meant to highlight the country’s confidence in blockchain technology.

While that initiative was legitimate, hackers have used similar tactics to deceive users by falsely linking government officials to fake token launches.

Just days ago, scammers impersonated Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency.

In another case, anonymous hackers took over the X account of former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to push a fake meme coin.

These incidents reveal a troubling pattern of hackers hijacking political figures’ social media accounts to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. By exploiting their identities, scammers create a false sense of legitimacy for fake tokens.

As these scams become more common, users must stay vigilant and verify sources before engaging with any token promotions linked to public figures.

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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Kanye West is Launching His Token Despite Past Criticism

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Kanye West, now known as Ye, has denied any involvement with the YZY tokens circulating in the market, asserting that he will introduce his own cryptocurrency next week.

This statement follows his earlier dismissal of any interest in digital assets, adding a fresh twist to the speculation surrounding his stance on crypto.

Kanye West Says Existing YZY Tokens Are Fake

In a post on February 22, Ye made it clear that he has no ties to the YZY tokens currently in circulation. He emphasized that all existing coins using his brand are illegitimate and reaffirmed his intention to launch his own cryptocurrency soon.

“All current coins are fake. I’m launching next week,” Ye wrote on X.

His announcement has sparked mixed reactions within the crypto community. Some critics believe his project could turn into another celebrity-backed rug pull.

Others pointed out that his latest move contradicts his earlier statement, where he distanced himself from launching any token. Meanwhile, some supporters advised him to time the launch carefully to avoid market volatility.

Nate Geraci, President of ETF Store, issued a warning to investors, stating that anyone choosing to invest in Ye’s crypto should be prepared for potential losses.

“If he (ye) launches and you buy & lose…it’s on you. Nobody to blame. I don’t want to hear about crypto regulation, rug pulls, scams, etc. It’s a wealth transfer from you to insiders. You’re spinning broken roulette wheel,” Geraci added.

Speculation Grows Around Ye’s Crypto Move

Ye’s announcement follows reports of multiple YZY-branded tokens appearing on the Solana-based launchpad Pump.fun. These developments fueled speculation that he was indeed planning a token launch.

YZY-Themed Tokens.
YZY-Themed Tokens. Source: DEXScreener

Other reports claim that Ye is actively working on a YZY token linked to his Yeezy fashion brand. Publications like CoinDesk allegedly received a press release from Hussein Lalani, who is said to be Yeezy’s Chief Financial Officer, along with other sources familiar with the project.

Details surrounding the token’s structure indicate that Ye could control 70% of the supply, with 20% allocated to investors and 10% reserved for liquidity. A portion of his holdings would reportedly be subject to a one-year vesting period, preventing immediate access.

While an official launch date remains uncertain, speculation continues to build. Data from Polymarket, a decentralized prediction platform, currently suggests a 71% probability of the token debuting this month, with more than $18 million wagered on its release.

Kanye West's Probability of Launching a Token.
Kanye West’s Probability of Launching a Token. Source: Polymarket

Ye’s latest move adds to the unpredictable phase of celebrity and political meme coins that’s plaguing the industry right now. Such endorsed tokens have caused notable chaos in the market in the past weeks.

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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