The cryptocurrency space never seems to slow down, even as the year comes to an end. In the past week, we’ve witnessed some significant movements, with one altcoin in particular standing out – Solana’s SOL token. Starting the week at just over $70, SOL quickly gained momentum and reached an impressive milestone of $100 earlier today. This not only pushed SOL above XRP as the fifth-largest cryptocurrency but also briefly surpassed BNB as the fourth-largest. Although SOL has lost some ground since then, it continues to trade above $90, representing a remarkable gain of 23% in just one week. Comparatively, few large-cap altcoins have performed better over the same timeframe, including ICP (36%), STX (31%), OP (37%), and NEAR (52%).
Bitcoin’s Rollercoaster Ride
While SOL took the limelight, Bitcoin’s performance this week was relatively calmer. After facing a significant dip to $40,500 on Monday, the bulls quickly regained control and pushed the price northwards, reaching $44,400 at its peak. However, this surge was short-lived, and Bitcoin has since retreated from the $44,000 line. Currently trading around $500 below that mark, Bitcoin’s market dominance has also suffered a slight decline of over 1% in the past week. Despite these setbacks, Bitcoin remains the leading cryptocurrency in terms of market capitalization.
Total Crypto Market Cap Continues to Grow
While individual cryptocurrencies experienced various ups and downs, the overall crypto market added nearly $80 billion in the past week. Now surpassing $1.7 trillion, the market cap demonstrates the resilience and growing interest in the crypto space. This steady growth is showcased in the latest market data aggregator figures: Market Cap: $1.734T | 24H Vol: $110B | BTC Dominance: 49.2%.
Potential Impact of Spot Bitcoin ETFs
The potential approval of a spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has caught the attention of Michael Sonnenshein, CEO of Grayscale, a leading digital asset management firm. Sonnenshein believes that if a spot Bitcoin ETF is approved, it could bring in a staggering $30 trillion in advised wealth to the crypto market. This endorsement further highlights the increasing institutional interest and potential mainstream adoption of Bitcoin.
A Surge in Inscriptions on EVM Chains
EVM-compatible blockchains have recently witnessed a surge in inscriptions, according to reports on Etherscan. This innovative approach allows users to directly inscribe digital artifacts onto the blockchain, including texts and images. This development opens up new possibilities for decentralized applications and adds value to blockchain-based ecosystems.
Worldcoin, led by Sam Altman, quietly discontinued its Orb Verification in India several months ago. This unexpected decision has raised questions about the motives behind the move and the future of the project. With Worldcoin’s operations shrouded in secrecy, speculation regarding their next steps and overall project direction is rampant.
Memecoins on the Solana blockchain, such as Dogwifhat (WIF) and SILLY, have been generating significant returns for some traders. One user reportedly turned a mere $42 in SOL into an impressive $1.55 million in just 16 days. This success story highlights the potential for substantial gains within the volatile memecoin market.
Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin USDT, has blacklisted six new wallets due to suspicions of their association with the Finiko pyramid scheme. This proactive measure aims to protect users and maintain the integrity of the stablecoin ecosystem. Through such actions, Tether aims to uphold transparency and prevent any potential misuse of its stablecoin.
Asset Freeze for Three Arrows Capital Founders
The founders of Three Arrows Capital, a well-known investment firm, and their bankrupt hedge fund have experienced a significant setback. The BVI court has frozen their assets, totaling approximately $1.14 billion, in an effort to protect creditors amid ongoing allegations. This development has raised concerns over the future of the company and the potential impact on its investors.
In the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrencies, this past week has been filled with remarkable surges and unexpected setbacks. Solana’s SOL token emerged as a standout performer, reaching new price heights and climbing the ranks among the top cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin experienced its own rollercoaster ride, while the total crypto market cap continued to grow steadily. The potential approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF and the surge in inscriptions on EVM chains showcased the broader potential and continued innovation within the crypto space. However, challenges and controversies persist, such as Worldcoin’s mysterious move, trading success with Solana-based memecoins, Tether’s wallet blacklist, and the asset freeze faced by Three Arrows Capital founders. As the year draws to a close, these events remind us of the excitement and unpredictability that lie ahead in the world of cryptocurrencies.