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Following the crypto market’s increasing momentum in recent days, 2024 is expected to be a year of excitement for many professionals and businesses; all of whom are looking to keep up-to-date with the rapidly evolving blockchain landscape, and the opportunities on offer with Bitcoin and Ethereum; to name a few.

BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF Gains Momentum with $100K Seed Funding BlackRock is making significant strides in the cryptocurrency space as it recently disclosed receiving $100,000 in seed funding for its proposed Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). The seed investor, who remains undisclosed, purchased $100,000 worth of shares on October 27, 2023, marking a pivotal step in BlackRock's pursuit of launching the "iShares Bitcoin Trust."

Shiba Inu (SHIB) has stood out with an impressive 12% price surge over the last day, as observed on the SHIB/USDT chart. The surge in SHIB's price coincides with a substantial increase in the burn rate volume, potentially marking the most significant burn of the year.

We have now seen 9 consecutive weeks of positive institutional inflows into digital asset-related investment products, indicating a strong demand for digital assets at the institutional level. This year, more than $1.5 billion of institutional liquidity has flowed directly into Bitcoin-related investment products.

BlackRock's Revised Bitcoin ETF Model: A Strategic Compromise with the SEC BlackRock, a global asset manager, recently engaged in discussions with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding its application to launch a Bitcoin spot ETF in the United States. In response to SEC concerns, BlackRock has adjusted its ETF blueprint to find common ground on the Bitcoin redemption model.

In a significant milestone, Dogecoin (DOGE) has exceeded five million wallet addresses with a balance, aligning with a surge in user activity. Over 168,000 active addresses in the last day mark the highest level of involvement since March 2022. While the total number of addresses with a balance provides a positive outlook, concerns about ownership concentration persist.

Binance Faces Landmark $4.3 Billion Settlement and Leadership Change Binance is criminally charged with breaking sanctions and money-transmitting laws. The exchange agrees to a historic $4.3 billion settlement, marking one of the largest penalties obtained by the U.S. from a corporate defendant. Founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) pleads guilty, agreeing to pay a $50 million fine and step down as CEO.

The crypto market has experienced significant movements and developments in recent days, with Bitcoin prices surging to near $38,000. This rally probably triggered a "short squeeze," leading to the liquidation of just under $50 million in Bitcoin shorts within a four-hour period. The short squeeze phenomenon occurs when short sellers, anticipating a price drop, are forced to cover their positions, further driving the prices higher.

Bitcoin ETF Prospects: One of the most highly anticipated developments in the crypto market is the potential approval of a Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF). This financial product could provide a significant boost to Bitcoin's adoption among both retail and institutional investors. The involvement of major market-making firms like Jane Street, Virtu Financial, Jump Trading, and Hudson River Trading in discussions with BlackRock is a clear signal of growing interest in cryptocurrencies.