Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Pushes to New High

BlackRock Asset Management has launched its first Canadian Bitcoin ETF on Cboe Canada, simplifying crypto exposure for investors. The iShares Bitcoin ETF trades under IBIT ticker in Canadian and IBIT.U in U.S. dollars, investing in the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF.

Banshee, a macOS malware, used Apple's encryption scheme to evade detection for over two months. Despite media hype, the malware targeted crypto wallets and browser credentials, operating as a $3,000 "stealer-as-a-service" until its source code leaked in November 2024.

Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy's largest banking group, has made a significant move by purchasing 11 Bitcoins for approximately 1 million euros, marking the first direct investment in crypto by an Italian bank. The acquisition was confirmed by the bank's press office following leaked internal communication earlier in the day.

Sony has launched its Ethereum Layer 2 platform, Soneium, after a four-month testing period with over 14 million users. The platform aims to simplify blockchain interactions for creators and audiences through NFT-based fan engagement systems and an incubator program called Soneium Spark.

Sources indicate that President-elect Donald Trump is expected to issue a crypto-related executive order, establishing a presidential crypto council and instructing the SEC to repeal a rule discouraging American banks from holding crypto. Additional orders may follow to address more complex issues in the crypto industry.

Chainalysis has acquired fraud detection startup Alterya for $150 million to enhance its scam-stopping capabilities. Alterya focuses on identifying scammers and halting their transactions, complementing Chainalysis' efforts to trace illicit crypto flows. The acquisition aligns with Chainalysis' strategy to expand its reach in combating financial fraud.

Pump Pumpkin threatened Pump.fun with a lawsuit, then launched a token on Pump.fun, causing a price drop and controversy. The founder admitted to making $800,000 from the rug pull.

Tether, the stablecoin giant, has acquired a Digital Asset Service Provider license in El Salvador and is relocating its subsidiaries to the country. El Salvador, known for making Bitcoin legal tender in 2021, aims to attract tech entrepreneurs and promote financial innovation.

Bitcoin's price hit a 5-week low due to expectations of tighter monetary policy by the Federal Reserve. Market players are speculating on crypto regulation changes ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, while macro factors influence Bitcoin's performance.

Capital Group, a major investment firm with over $2.3 trillion in assets, has increased its stake in Metaplanet, a Japanese company known for its bitcoin treasury strategy. Metaplanet holds 1,762 BTC and has seen its share price surge by over 1,700% since adopting the strategy in April 2024.