Market
Kraken Acquires Dutch Broker, and More
BeInCrypto’s comprehensive Europe Crypto Roundup covers the latest news and trends shaping the continent’s crypto landscape. With reporters across key markets like Germany, France, and the UK, we provide in-depth insights into evolving regulatory environment, adoption rates, major industry events, and market movements.
This week’s roundup covers Societe Generale’s partnership with Bitpanda, Kraken’s acquisition of a Dutch broker to boost its European expansion, and other major stories.
Dutch Regulator Warns of Crypto Pump-and-Dump Risks
The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) has issued a warning about the dangers of cryptocurrency pump-and-dump schemes, just ahead of new European Union regulations under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). MiCA, which will come into effect on December 30, will explicitly ban crypto market manipulation tactics schemes across the Europe.
According to an official press release, the AFM will oversee the enforcement of these new rules in the Netherlands. The regulator has investigated several pump-and-dump schemes and plans to enforce strict measures once MiCA takes full effect.
A pump-and-dump scheme involves artificially inflating the price of a cryptocurrency by spreading misleading or exaggerated information. Promoters typically buy the asset at a low price, generate hype to attract public investment, and then sell their holdings at the inflated price.
Read more: What Is Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA)?
Hanzo van Beusekom, a member of the AFM’s executive board, highlighted that pump-and-dump schemes “undermine trust” in the crypto market, which is “essential for the long-term potential of digital assets.”
Societe Generale Forge Partners with Bitpanda for Euro Stablecoin
Global banking giant Societe Generale has teamed up with Bitpanda to expand the role of stablecoins in the financial system. The partnership focuses on promoting Societe Generale’s euro-denominated stablecoin, EUR CoinVertible (EURCV), through its blockchain subsidiary, Societe Generale-FORGE.
Bitpanda will help drive mainstream adoption of the EURCV, which will play a key role in the European crypto industry. According to Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad, Deputy CEO of Bitpanda, euro-based stablecoins will be critical for integrating traditional finance with digital assets.
“Fully regulated stablecoins are the bridge that will make it possible. We will work with Societe Generale-FORGE to bring that future one step closer,” he stated.
Stablecoins act as the primary link between fiat currencies and the world of cryptocurrencies. Providing investors with access to regulated stablecoins is a crucial step for attracting more investment into the crypto market.
Societe Generale’s EURCV stablecoin will be compliant with the MiCA regulations and will be listed on Bitpanda’s trading platform. As of 2023, Societe Generale ranks as the world’s 19th largest banking group, managing over $1.7 trillion in total assets.
Assetera Launches Secondary Tokenized Real-World Asset Market on Polygon
Assetera, Europe’s first regulated blockchain-based secondary market for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), is set to launch on Polygon. Regulated by the Austrian Financial Market Authority, Assetera will use its own smart contracts on the Polygon blockchain.
The platform will cater to retail, professional, and institutional clients, offering tokenized financial instruments such as securities, money market instruments, fund units, and derivatives. In addition, Assetera will provide tokenized RWAs like real estate and art.
All trading will be conducted directly on the Polygon network, using stablecoins for purchase, clearing, and settlement via atomic swaps. The platform will operate 24/7 without manual intervention.
Read more: How To Invest in Real-World Crypto Assets (RWA)?
Assetera will support both custodial and non-custodial wallets, with plans to introduce bank-managed wallets. The platform has partnered with Sumsub, Chainalysis, and Fireblocks to ensure Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance.
Kraken Acquires Dutch Broker BCM to Boost European Expansion
Kraken has acquired Coin Meester (BCM), one of the Netherlands’ oldest registered crypto brokers, as part of its ongoing push to expand across Europe. This acquisition strengthens Kraken’s presence in the Dutch market and enhances its ability to operate with a registered Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license in France and Poland.
Brian Grahan, Kraken’s managing director for Europe, highlighted the importance of the acquisition in a September 24 announcement.
“The completion of the BCM acquisition is a key milestone in our European expansion, allowing us to leverage our strong footprint and market-leading position in euro volume and liquidity to significantly grow our market share in the years ahead,” he stated.
Kraken has ramped up its European expansion over the last two years, preparing for the upcoming regulatory framework. The exchange can now offer regulated VASP services directly or through partnerships in several countries, including Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, France, Poland, and the Netherlands.
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 Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Trump’s $500 Billion Stargate Venture Sparks AI Crypto Boom
AI tokens surged on Wednesday after President Donald Trump unveiled a new joint venture to invest up to $500 billion in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The partnership involves major players such as OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank and will form a new entity called Stargate.
Market Focuses on AI Coins as Trump’s Stargate Initiative Gains Traction
The Stargate Project will invest $500 billion over the next four years, building new AI infrastructure in the US. The venture will focus on developing crucial data centers and the electricity generation required to power the AI sector.
The announcement has already had a noticeable impact on the broader market, particularly in AI-related cryptocurrencies. Following the news, the market capitalization of AI tokens surged by 9%, reaching $45.83 billion at press time, according to CoinGecko.
In fact, the market cap of AI agent tokens alone rose by 13% to hit $14.9 billion.
AI agent tokens, such as Virtuals Protocol, AIXBT, and AI16Z, saw impressive gains. Virtuals Protocol rose by over 13% in the past 24 hours, while AI16Z experienced a remarkable 36% increase. AIXBT token rose by 27% over the same period.
The surge in AI tokens reflects a broader shift in market interest as investors move capital towards more “sentient” tokens.
“Capital is rotating back from static memes to sentient coins,” AI researcher S4mmy commented on Twitter.
The analyst added that Fartcoin and AIXBT are sustaining their “mindshare dominance,” but face declining market caps after a heated run. Commenting on Virtuals Protocol, he said it continues to solidify its position as a backbone of the Agentic infrastructure.
Moreover, analyst CyrilXBT said he believes “AI will create generational wealth in 2025.”
“People said Bitcoin was a joke. People said AI agents are a gimmick. Guess what else they’ll say? ‘Why didn’t I listen when generational wealth was staring me in the face?,” CyrilXBT commented.
The shift towards AI is particularly interesting, given the trend of investments a few days back. Capital was flowing into Donald Trump-related tokens, such as TRUMP and MELANIA, which have seen significant volatility.
However, BeInCrypto reported that smart money traders are now focusing on AI tokens after the hype around TRUMP faded. According to data from Nansen, a substantial amount of VIRTUAL, FARTCOIN, and AIXBT tokens are held by smart money.
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 Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Will an Upside Break Spark a Surge?
Ethereum price is struggling below the $3,500 resistance while Bitcoin gains. ETH is consolidating above $3,150 and might aim for an upside break.
- Ethereum failed to gain pace for a close above $3,400 and $3,450.
- The price is trading above $3,300 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average.
- There is a key contracting triangle forming with resistance at $3,355 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken).
- The pair could start another increase if it clears the $3,400 resistance level.
Ethereum Price Aims Key Upside Break
Ethereum price started a decent upward move from the $3,200 level but upsides were limited compared to Bitcoin. ETH cleared the $3,250 resistance to move into a short-term bullish zone.
The bulls were able to push the price above the $3,300 resistance zone. Besides, there was a clear move above the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $3,445 swing high to the $3,203 low. However, the bears are still active below $3,400.
Ethereum price is now trading above $3,300 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. On the upside, the price seems to be facing hurdles near the $3,350 level or the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $3,445 swing high to the $3,203 low.
There is also a key contracting triangle forming with resistance at $3,355 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. The first major resistance is near the $3,400 level. The main resistance is now forming near $3,445.
A clear move above the $3,445 resistance might send the price toward the $3,550 resistance. An upside break above the $3,550 resistance might call for more gains in the coming sessions. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $3,650 resistance zone or even $3,720 in the near term.
Another Decline In ETH?
If Ethereum fails to clear the $3,400 resistance, it could start another decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $3,300 level. The first major support sits near the $3,250.
A clear move below the $3,250 support might push the price toward the $3,200 support. Any more losses might send the price toward the $3,120 support level in the near term. The next key support sits at $3,050.
Technical Indicators
Hourly MACD – The MACD for ETH/USD is losing momentum in the bullish zone.
Hourly RSI – The RSI for ETH/USD is now above the 50 zone.
Major Support Level – $3,200
Major Resistance Level – $3,400
Market
What Fueled Its New High
Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency, has once again captured the spotlight after rallying to a new all-time high of $109,699.
With the $110,000 milestone in sight, Bitcoin’s recent price action is being closely monitored by investors. A combination of sustained market conditions and renewed institutional interest has positioned the crypto king for potentially historic gains.
Bitcoin Investors Are Bullish
Market sentiment has shown a significant shift in recent weeks, particularly through the lens of Coin Days Destroyed (CDD). Late 2024 saw a period of elevated CDD, signaling heavy activity among Bitcoin long-term holders (LTHs) cashing out during the rally.
However, January has brought a notable cooldown in CDD, indicating reduced selling pressure from these key investors. This trend suggests that most profit-taking among LTHs is complete, paving the way for a more stable price trajectory.
Low CDD is often interpreted as a positive sign for Bitcoin’s recovery. It reflects conviction among long-term investors, who are holding onto their coins rather than selling into the market. Such investor behavior typically builds confidence and supports upward price momentum, providing a favorable backdrop for Bitcoin’s push to $110,000 and beyond.
Bitcoin’s macro momentum has also gained strength, supported by the accumulation activity of smaller investors, often referred to as “Shrimps” and “Crabs.” These holders, who possess less than 10 BTC, collectively added over 25,600 BTC worth approximately $2.71 billion. This surge in accumulation is proof of growing confidence among retail investors.
The Shrimp-to-Crab balance spike indicates a broad base of support for Bitcoin’s price. This demographic’s increasing participation reflects long-term bullish sentiment. Their buying activity often stabilizes the market, acting as a cushion during corrections and amplifying price rallies during bullish phases.
BTC Price Prediction: Onto New High
Bitcoin’s recent all-time high of $109,699 was fueled by strong market fundamentals and strong investor sentiment. If momentum continues, the cryptocurrency could breach the $110,000 mark, cementing its position as a high-performing asset in 2025. This milestone would likely attract additional buying interest, reinforcing Bitcoin’s bullish outlook.
To secure its ascent, Bitcoin must establish $105,000 as a strong support level. Currently trading around $105,562, the crypto king appears well-positioned to achieve this. A successful defense of this support zone could propel Bitcoin to new highs, unlocking further upside potential.
However, failure to maintain $105,000 as support could lead to a retracement toward $100,000. Such a decline would negate Bitcoin’s recent gains and dampen short-term bullish sentiment, raising the risk of prolonged consolidation before a renewed rally.
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 Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
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