🌟 David Balland Rescued After Two-Day Manhunt

🚨 David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, was found alive on Wednesday evening following a two-day manhunt led by France's elite police tactical unit, Groupe d’intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale (GIGN). He was kidnapped on Tuesday in Vierzon, a small town in France, by a sophisticated criminal group that demanded a significant ransom.

🔍 Initially, there were rumors that Éric Larchevêque, another co-founder of Ledger, was the hostage. Larchevêque, a wealthy entrepreneur with a net worth of approximately 340 million euros ($350 million USD), was mistakenly identified as the victim. He is known for displaying the price of bitcoin on his Tesla's dashboard.

✅ After his rescue, Balland was taken to the hospital. Reports indicated that his captors had sent a finger as part of their ransom demand. Several suspects were apprehended earlier today, and the investigation is ongoing.

“This must be something quite serious because I’ve never seen anything like this in my town,”

said Alain Mornay, the mayor of Méreau, which is near Vierzon.

“The authorities are still present tonight.”

💰 Robert Kiyosaki: Bitcoin's Rise Explained by Gresham's and Metcalfe's Laws

📈 Robert Kiyosaki, the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, recently shared his insights on bitcoin's increasing influence over traditional currencies like the U.S. dollar through two economic principles: Gresham's law and Metcalfe's law. He stated on social media,

Two laws that give bitcoin power.

💵 Kiyosaki explained Gresham's law by saying,

When bad money enters a system, good money goes into hiding.

He argued that inflation and excessive money printing have degraded the U.S. dollar to "bad money," while assets like gold, silver, and bitcoin are "good money" that retain value. He emphasized,

Today, gold, silver, and bitcoin are forcing the fake U.S. dollar into hiding.

🔗 Shifting to Metcalfe's law, which highlights the value of networks, Kiyosaki wrote,

McDonald’s has more power than a small business hamburger stand. McDonald’s is a franchise network.

He compared this to his own success, noting,

Rich Dad has power because it uses a global network of book stores and Amazon to distribute products.

He encouraged others to leverage network effects, stating,

You too can be small, like me, and gain wealth and influence by using the power of Metcalfe’s law.

📉 Kiyosaki's remarks reflect his ongoing warnings about the fragility of fiat currencies and his predictions of a potential collapse of the U.S. dollar due to debt and inflation. He recently reiterated his forecast that bitcoin could reach $250,000 this year.

🪙 Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC): Celebrating 6 Years of Innovation

💼 On January 20, 2025, World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a DeFi platform associated with President Donald Trump, made a significant move by purchasing over $100 million in crypto tokens. This included a substantial investment of $47 million in Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC). Just a few days later, on January 23, 2025, WLFI continued its crypto buying spree with an additional acquisition of $9.84 million in WBTC. As a result of these transactions, WLFI now holds a total of $67.6 million in WBTC.

🗓 WBTC was announced in October 2018 in collaboration with Kyber Network and Ren. The first WBTC token was minted on January 31, 2019, marking a significant milestone that we will celebrate on January 31, 2025 as its 6th anniversary. This event established WBTC as the longest-running wrapped Bitcoin asset.

📈 WBTC is also the largest wrapped Bitcoin asset in the market, outperforming other wrapped BTC tokens across various blockchain networks.

💪 For the past 6 years, WBTC's slogan has been:

Do More with Your Bitcoin.

This mission emphasizes empowering users to maximize their Bitcoin usage.

🔗 As we approach 2025, WBTC aims to further connect traditional Bitcoin with innovative DeFi applications.

WLFI’s purchase is a significant win for both WBTC and the crypto community in general, signalling growing support for wrapped Bitcoin products.

💰 Trump Media Launches Truth.Fi for Cryptocurrency Investments

🚀 Trump Media and Technology Group Corp. (Nasdaq: DJT), known for its social media platform Truth Social, has announced its entry into the financial services sector with the launch of Truth.Fi. The company plans to invest up to $250 million in bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies, crypto-related securities, ETFs, and industries that support U.S. economic growth.

To diversify the company’s cash and cash-equivalent reserves of over $700 million as of December 31, 2024, the board has approved the investment of up to $250 million to be custodied by Charles Schwab,

the announcement details. This investment strategy will be managed in collaboration with Charles Schwab and will also include customized separately managed accounts (SMAs).

⚡️ Trump Media is closely associated with President Donald Trump, who founded the company in 2021 after being banned from major social media platforms. Although Trump is not involved in daily operations, his ownership reinforces the company's connection to his political brand.

We look forward to launching Truth.Fi, introducing TMTG’s investment vehicles, and unlocking synergies,

said TMTG CEO Devin Nunes. He emphasized the company's mission to create a robust ecosystem for American patriots to protect themselves from Big Tech and woke corporations.

🔔 The financial products are set to launch in 2025 pending regulatory approvals. This move aligns with Trump's recent pro-cryptocurrency stance, including his January 2025 executive order to review digital asset regulations and explore a national bitcoin reserve. These actions indicate Trump's intent to position the U.S. as a leader in the cryptocurrency sector.

🚀 Microstrategy's Bold Bitcoin Strategy: $563 Million Raised for Expansion

💰 Microstrategy Inc. (Nasdaq: MSTR), a software intelligence firm, has recently announced its pricing of 7.3 million shares of its 8.00% Series A Perpetual Strike Preferred Stock at $80 per share. This offering is expected to generate approximately $563.4 million in net proceeds, which will be used for general corporate purposes, including bitcoin acquisition and working capital.

Microstrategy estimates that the net proceeds to it from the offering will be approximately $563.4 million, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and Microstrategy’s estimated offering expenses

said the company.

📈 As of January 26, Microstrategy holds about 471,107 bitcoins, acquired at a total cost of $30.4 billion. This aggressive strategy has made Microstrategy the largest corporate holder of bitcoin. Executive Chairman Michael Saylor is a strong advocate for bitcoin, predicting that by 2045, its price could reach $13 million per coin. He believes that bitcoin has the potential to replace gold as a non-governmental store of value, describing it as

the apex property of the human race

💸 The preferred stock offers investors a $100 per share liquidation preference and an annual dividend rate of 8.00%, payable quarterly starting March 31, 2025. Holders can convert these shares into Microstrategy’s class A common stock at an initial rate of 0.1000 shares per preferred share, which equates to a conversion price of $1,000 per common share.

🔄 The company also retains the right to redeem all outstanding shares if the total liquidation preference falls below 25% of the original issuance or in certain tax-related circumstances. This strategic move aligns with Microstrategy’s ongoing efforts to leverage capital markets to expand its bitcoin holdings, reflecting Saylor’s belief in bitcoin as a superior store of value compared to traditional fiat currencies.

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➡️ Bitcoin's Current Market Trends and Future Outlook

📉 Bitcoin's price has recently experienced a bearish trend, fluctuating between $96,318 and $97,286 with a market capitalization of $1.92 trillion and a 24-hour trading volume of $70.59 billion. The recent decline follows comments from the U.S. crypto czar regarding a strategic bitcoin reserve evaluation requested by the President.

📊 Technical indicators show persistent selling pressure across multiple timeframes. On the one-hour chart, BTC has been making lower highs and lows, struggling to reclaim the $98,500 to $100,000 resistance zone. The relative strength index (RSI) is at 43.6, indicating neutral momentum, while the Stochastic at 37.0 reinforces the lack of strong buying pressure. The commodity channel index (CCI) at -137.3 suggests a potential buying opportunity, but other indicators like the momentum oscillator at -7,496.0 and the moving average convergence divergence (MACD) level at 272.2 indicate a strong sell signal.

📉 The four-hour BTC chart also reflects a bearish outlook. Bitcoin has failed to hold above key resistance zones at $102,000 to $104,000. The exponential moving average (EMA) and simple moving average (SMA) across short-term periods are signaling sell pressure. The average directional index (ADX) at 18.2 remains neutral, indicating that the current trend has yet to gain significant strength in either direction. However, support at $91,500 is crucial to watch, as a break below this level could trigger further downside momentum.

➡️ From a daily chart perspective, bitcoin's inability to sustain above $100,000 has led to a sharp decline. The increasing bearish volume suggests that sellers are in control, and the recent drop to $96,000 points to further potential weakness. The simple moving average (SMA) and exponential moving average (EMA) at 50, 100, and 200 periods highlight a mixed sentiment, with shorter-term averages reflecting a sell signal while longer-term moving averages indicate buying support.

⚖️ Overall, bitcoin remains under significant pressure, with technical indicators showing that bearish sentiment dominates the market. The failure to reclaim psychological resistance levels above $100,000 suggests that any relief rallies could be short-lived unless buyers step in with strong volume. Traders should watch for potential rebounds around $91,000 to $94,000, where historical support exists, while resistance at $98,500 to $100,000 remains a critical zone for potential short entries.

📈 In conclusion, while bitcoin faces short-term pressure, strong long-term support at the 100-period and 200-period moving averages suggests a potential rebound could occur if buyers step in around $91,000 to $94,000. However, the current trend favors a cautious approach as downward momentum continues to weigh on price action.

How Much Are Crypto Exchanges Really Worth?

The valuation of cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance, Kraken, and others is gaining attention in global media. A new approach has been introduced to estimate their market worth—not just based on trading volumes but through a broader set of key metrics.

This method considers six important factors:

🔍 Transparency – How openly exchanges share information about their operations.
📊 Activity – User engagement and trading volumes.
💰 Capital – Financial strength and available reserves.
🛡 Security – Measures in place to protect users and funds.
✅ Compliance – Adherence to regulatory standards.
📈 Proof of Reserves – Verification of solvency and financial backing.

By analyzing these elements, the formula offers a structured way to assess exchanges beyond surface-level figures. While not a definitive valuation model, it provides useful insights into how different platforms operate and manage risks in the crypto space.

Read more in the article 👉 https://coincodex.com/article/58281/unveiling-the-metrics-understanding-the-market-value-of-leading-crypto-exchanges/

🆕 Alexey Pertsev of Tornado Cash Released to House Arrest

🏠 In a significant development, Alexey Pertsev, a developer of the cryptocurrency mixer Tornado Cash, has been released from a Dutch jail after nine months. He is now under house arrest with electronic monitoring until his trial. However, he still faces a 64-month sentence for his alleged role in facilitating over a billion dollars in money laundering through Tornado Cash.

⚖️ Pertsev was arrested in May 2024 and sentenced to 5 years and 4 months for his involvement with Tornado Cash. His colleagues, Roman Storm and Roman Semenov, are also facing similar charges in the United States. Storm's trial is set for April, where he could face up to 45 years in prison, while Semenov is currently wanted by the FBI.

💰 Tornado Cash allows users to conduct private transactions on Ethereum by mixing funds from multiple senders to hide their origins. The platform came under scrutiny when the Lazarus Group, a North Korean cybercriminal organization, used it to launder hundreds of millions of dollars in 2022. This led to sanctions from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, although these actions were later deemed unlawful.

🟢 Despite being in pre-trial detention for over a year, Pertsev's recent court decision marks a turning point. He expressed his gratitude on X, stating,

Freedom is priceless. My house arrest was only possible thanks to the work of lawyers, who were paid from your donations. My fight is not over yet and for a final and confident victory I still need your help.

📈 Nasdaq Pursues SEC Approval for Coinshares XRP ETF

📝 Nasdaq has filed a proposal with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to list the Coinshares XRP ETF, emphasizing that XRP's strong liquidity and decentralized nature lower the risks of market manipulation. The ETF, structured as a Delaware Statutory Trust, aims to provide investors with exposure to XRP without the need for direct ownership or custody.

The trust holds only XRP and cash.

🔍 The ETF will track the Compass Crypto Reference Index XRP – 4pm NY Time, with its net asset value calculated daily. It will function as a passive investment vehicle, with XRP securely stored by a third-party custodian. The trust intends to create and redeem shares in large blocks, known as "baskets," which can only be obtained by authorized participants.

The trust issues baskets to authorized participants on an ongoing basis in exchange for cash, which is used to purchase XRP that is deposited for safekeeping with the custodian.

📊 Nasdaq argues that this ETF offers a regulated and transparent way to access XRP while reducing the risks associated with direct digital asset ownership. The proposal points out that XRP is less prone to manipulation compared to other approved ETP reference assets.

XRP is not particularly susceptible to manipulation, especially as compared to other approved ETP reference assets.

🔗 In its case for approval, Nasdaq compares XRP to previously approved bitcoin and ether ETFs. It claims that XRP's decentralized structure and global trading volume limit the potential for market manipulation. The exchange also notes that the fragmented nature of XRP trading across various platforms makes price distortion unlikely.

The exchange believes that the fragmentation across XRP trading platforms and increased adoption of XRP...make manipulation of XRP prices through continuous trading activity more difficult.

➡️ The SEC is currently reviewing Nasdaq's proposal and has invited public comments before making a final decision.

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➡️ Kidnapping for Cryptocurrency: A Chicago Family's Ordeal

🚨 In November, a family was kidnapped in Chicago by a group of six men who demanded a $15 million ransom in cryptocurrency. The kidnappers threatened the father via WeChat, stating that they would be killed if the ransom was not paid. They entered the family's home armed and even took one of the sons while he was showering.

💰 The ransom was specifically requested to be paid in bitcoin or ether, two popular cryptocurrencies. The criminals seemed to know that the son had some wealth in cryptocurrency, as they asked him to complete some of the transactions. They later gained access to his wallets and transferred $15 million.

📌 One of the accused, Zehuan Wei, was arrested in January in California and has already appeared in court. Of the $15 million transferred, $9 million are still unaccounted for.

🔗 This incident is part of a troubling trend of crimes targeting individuals linked to cryptocurrency. In January, Ledger co-founder David Balland was also kidnapped and had a finger severed before being rescued by French authorities. Additionally, in June, Remy St. Felix from Florida was convicted for leading a gang that targeted cryptocurrency owners across the U.S.

➡️ Bitcoin's Current Market Status: A Balancing Act

📉 Bitcoin has been trading steadily between $96,850 and $97,000, supported by a market cap of $1.92 trillion and a daily volume of $12.95 billion. This stability indicates a market in indecision, with key support and resistance levels being tested. The daily chart shows a corrective phase following its all-time high of $109,356, with prices stabilizing around $96,000–$98,000.

Key support lies at $89,000–$91,000, where previous bounces occurred, while the psychological $100,000 level acts as a stiff resistance.

📊 The 4-hour chart reveals consolidation between $96,000 and $98,000 after a rejection at $98,871. Immediate resistance is noted at $98,500–$99,000. The 1-hour chart shows gradual selling pressure with bitcoin testing $96,686 before weak rebounds. A break below $96,500 could lead to further declines towards $95,500.

🔍 Technical indicators present a mixed outlook. The relative strength index (RSI) at 46 and Stochastic at 53 indicate neutrality, while the commodity channel index (CCI) at –48 suggests a lack of trend strength. However, bearish momentum is evident in the awesome oscillator (–3,195) and MACD (–880), all signaling sell conditions.

A decisive close above $100,000 with much stronger volume could validate bullish momentum, leveraging long-term support from the exponential moving average (EMA 200) at $84,791 and a potential shift in market sentiment.

📈 Short-term moving averages indicate caution, with the EMA 10 at $97,425 and SMA 20 at $98,618 reflecting resistance. In contrast, longer-term averages like the EMA 100 ($93,799) and EMA 200 ($84,791) show positive signals, suggesting underlying bullish support.

Failure to hold $96,500 risks a cascading decline toward $94,000–$91,000, reinforced by bearish signals from the awesome oscillator, momentum, and MACD as well.

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➡️ Wintermute Expands into the U.S. Amidst Regulatory Changes

🌍 Wintermute, a leading crypto market maker, is set to expand its operations in the U.S. by opening a new office in New York and launching over-the-counter (OTC) products for American customers. This move was announced by CEO Evgeny Gaevoy at the Consensus conference in Hong Kong.

➡️ The company's entry into the U.S. market comes as a response to the shifting regulatory landscape under the Trump administration. Gaevoy expressed confidence that other global markets may soon follow the U.S.'s approach to crypto policy.

🔴 As part of this expansion, Wintermute plans to increase its workforce by adding 5 to 10 employees to its existing team of 130. The company recently secured funding led by Tencent Holdings Ltd., following a $20 million Series B round in 2021 supported by Lightspeed Ventures, Pantera Capital, and Hack VC.

📈 Wintermute's move into the U.S. aligns with the growing optimism in the crypto industry. This optimism is fueled by Trump's pro-crypto stance, which contrasts sharply with the previous crackdown led by the SEC during the Biden administration.

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📉 Robert Kiyosaki Predicts Economic Crash and Bitcoin's Resilience

⚠️ Robert Kiyosaki, the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, has recently expressed his concerns about an impending economic downturn while sharing his views on bitcoin through social media. He warned about a potential "giant crash" of what he calls “the Everything Bubble,” which includes stocks, bonds, real estate, gold, silver, and bitcoin. Despite this bleak outlook, Kiyosaki stated that he has no intention of selling his BTC.

If the price of bitcoin crashes, I will back up the truck and buy more. Why: when the Everything Bubble crashes, which is happening now, bitcoin will be the fastest to recover and climb to higher highs,

he explained.

💰 On another occasion, Kiyosaki discussed economic inequality, claiming that “the rich are getting richer but the poor and middle class grow poorer.” He attributed this to “fake $”—fiat currency that he believes benefits the wealthy while diminishing the savings of ordinary people. He stated:

Fake $ makes the rich richer and the poor and middle class poorer. Fake $ causes assets such as gold to go up.

📉 He further elaborated that

“fake $ causes the cost of living such as food, gas, life’s inflation to go up in price, making life harder, more expensive for the poor and middle class,”

reiterating his long-standing belief that “the rich do not work for money and savers (of fake $) are losers.” He urged individuals to invest in gold, silver, and bitcoin, which he considers “real money.”

🟢 Reflecting on his financial principles from Rich Dad Poor Dad published in 1997, Kiyosaki reiterated three key beliefs: “the rich do not work for money,” “your house is not an asset,” and “savers are losers.” He warned that “millions of employees are losing their jobs,” while entrepreneurs continue to build wealth. Criticizing reliance on fiat currency, he stated:

Inflation is caused when the Fed and Treasury print trillions in fake money.

💎 Kiyosaki encouraged people to protect their wealth by investing in gold and silver as “God’s money” and bitcoin as “people’s money.” He urged individuals to adopt his strategies for achieving financial freedom.

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