Latest news with #CryptoTracker
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Stablecoins' m-cap surges to a record $251 billion
The total market capitalization of stablecoins surged to a record high on Wednesday, data showed, as the US Senate passed a bill to regulate the sector, a major step towards legitimising a once-niche but now fast-growing corner of the crypto market. According to CoinDesk data, the market capitalisation of stablecoins hit an all-time high of $251.7 billion, up 22% so far this year. Stablecoins are a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a constant value, usually via a 1:1 peg with the US dollar. They are commonly used by crypto traders to move funds between tokens. Their use has soared in recent years, and analysts expect the market to grow further once the US legislation has passed. Proponents say stablecoins could be used to send payments instantly, while others worry they will lead to closer ties between the crypto world and traditional financial markets. Crypto Tracker TOP COIN SETS Crypto Blue Chip - 5 -3.57% Buy AI Tracker -7.37% Buy DeFi Tracker -7.47% Buy NFT & Metaverse Tracker -9.47% Buy Web3 Tracker -9.79% Buy TOP COINS (₹) XRP 189 ( 0.87% ) Buy Ethereum 219,415 ( 0.63% ) Buy Bitcoin 9,094,091 ( 0.42% ) Buy Solana 12,751 ( -0.47% ) Buy BNB 55,835 ( -0.75% ) Buy If the US bill is signed into law, stablecoins would be required to be backed by liquid assets such as US dollars and short-term Treasury bills, and for issuers to publicly disclose the composition of their reserves on a monthly basis.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Explainer-What are bitcoin treasury strategies, the latest trend in the public markets?
Certain public companies, including one founded by President Donald Trump , have been going on a cryptocurrency buying spree, capitalizing on higher token prices and a softening regulatory environment to load up on the attention-grabbing investment. Sixty-one publicly-listed companies not primarily engaged in digital assets have adopted what are known as bitcoin treasury strategies, in which firms allocate a portion of their cash and reserves toward the world's largest cryptocurrency, according to a report from Standard Chartered. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Not Sold in Stores. Recommended Quietly by NHS Staff showbizinsider Learn More Undo Here is what you need to know about the trend: Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Crypto Tracker TOP COIN SETS Crypto Blue Chip - 5 -1.26% Buy DeFi Tracker -1.33% Buy BTC 50 :: ETH 50 -1.47% Buy Web3 Tracker -7.06% Buy AI Tracker -8.19% Buy TOP COINS (₹) XRP 197 ( 5.47% ) Buy Ethereum 226,895 ( 3.33% ) Buy Solana 13,487 ( 2.87% ) Buy Bitcoin 9,242,172 ( 1.52% ) Buy BNB 56,541 ( 1.33% ) Buy WHY ARE COMPANIES DOING THIS? Many of those companies are seeking to replicate the success of Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, a software company that began accumulating bitcoin in 2020 and now holds more than $63 billion worth. Its stock is up more than 3,000% since 2020 as the price of bitcoin has skyrocketed, hitting fresh all-time highs above $110,000 this year. Did you Know? The world of cryptocurrencies is very dynamic. Prices can go up or down in a matter of seconds. Thus, having reliable answers to such questions is crucial for investors. View Details » Strategy copycats have doubled their holdings in bitcoin in just the last two months to collectively hold just under 100,000 bitcoin, Standard Chartered said. Those firms include Trump Media & Technology Group, which raised $2.5 billion last month to invest in bitcoin. Live Events While investors can readily buy bitcoin directly or through an exchange-traded fund, investors typically cannot get the same kind of leverage a public company might be able to get through the convertible debt markets to buy bitcoin. Companies like Strategy trade at a premium to their bitcoin holdings because investors believe that those firms can utilize their access to credit markets to purchase even more bitcoin. Strategy and Trump Media & Technology Group did not immediately respond to requests for comment. WHICH COMPANIES ARE DOING THIS? Besides Strategy and Trump Media & Technology Group, a joint venture announced in April between SoftBank, stablecoin issuer Tether, and Cantor Fitzgerald - previously helmed by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick - caught investors' attention. The group is launching a $3.6-billion venture called Twenty One with the goal of acquiring bitcoin. SolarBank, a Toronto-based solar energy company, announced this month it would implement a bitcoin treasury strategy, saying it would expose the company "to a new category of tech-savvy investors." SolarBank has not disclosed how much bitcoin it plans to buy, only saying that the allocation strategy will be determined by management. "Traditionally, people invest in utilities as (an) afterthought. It's a very low return. It's a stable return," said SolarBank CEO Richard Lu. "So, how do we bridge the excitement of the new world and a classic industry? We feel that the crypto part of that is a bridge we need to cross." Upexi, a consumer products company, recently launched a treasury for Solana, another top cryptocurrency. "It is a great way for a company to really bring attention to itself and grow," said Brian Rudick, the firm's chief strategy officer. "If a company has a fiduciary duty to do what's best for shareholders, and if you're going to raise funds and invest it in the operating business, or if you can invest in funds and put it into a digital asset treasury that the market is rewarding companies that do so, you should do the latter," Rudick said. WHY NOW? The trend comes as Trump has sought to overhaul U.S. cryptocurrency policy after courting cash from the industry on the campaign trail. He signed an executive order in March to establish a strategic bitcoin reserve and has hosted industry leaders at the White House. Those moves have boosted the price of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. "It may be that some firms are trying to get political attention. This is clearly something President Trump has signaled his interest in," said Chester Spatt, a finance professor at Carnegie Mellon University. The stark shift in policy under Trump "is a serious tailwind for more and more institutions to get into the space," said Roshan Robert, CEO of crypto exchange OKX. "How institutions are looking at building out treasury applications is just a part of that broader picture." WHAT ARE THE RISKS? It is unclear if the various crypto treasury strategies will ultimately be successful, particularly if firms are buying in now as prices flirt with record highs in a sector that is no stranger to volatility. Charles Schwab, in a report last month, noted that if a company has significant crypto holdings that suddenly collapse in value, the firm could experience a liquidity crisis. Standard Chartered estimated that if bitcoin were to fall back below $90,000 it would put half of companies' bitcoin treasuries underwater. "As always, there will be some really, really big winners and some really big losers whenever there's a mania like this," said Ravi Doshi, the global co-head of markets at crypto platform FalconX.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bitcoin sinks as Israel escalates Iran standoff with airstrikes
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies sank after Israel launched airstrikes on Iran in a major escalation. The largest digital asset slid as much as 3% on Friday morning in Singapore to dip below $103,000 before paring losses, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Second-ranked token Ether had at one point shed about 7.6% of its value. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The man eats cucumbers every day, the reason for doing it is clever! Kingdom Of Men Undo The selloff came after explosions were heard in Tehran, according to local media. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said he's declaring a special state of emergency due to Israel's 'preemptive strike against Iran.' Israel is anticipating a retaliatory drone and missile attack, Katz said. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. 'Crypto is reacting negatively to news of Israel strikes in Iran, in line with major risk assets,' said Caroline Mauron, co-founder of Orbit Markets, a provider of liquidity for crypto derivatives. 'We expect to see technical support around $101,000, but geopolitical news will drive price action from here in the short-term.' Crypto Tracker TOP COIN SETS DeFi Tracker 2.51% Buy Crypto Blue Chip - 5 -0.90% Buy NFT & Metaverse Tracker -4.18% Buy Web3 Tracker -5.55% Buy AI Tracker -7.40% Buy TOP COINS (₹) BNB 55,582 ( -2.23% ) Buy Bitcoin 8,986,943 ( -2.56% ) Buy XRP 183 ( -4.58% ) Buy Ethereum 215,635 ( -8.32% ) Buy Solana 12,416 ( -9.1% ) Buy Bloomberg Did you Know? The world of cryptocurrencies is very dynamic. Prices can go up or down in a matter of seconds. Thus, having reliable answers to such questions is crucial for investors. View Details » Stocks fell along with equity-index futures while investors rushed to the safety of havens such as Treasuries in the immediate aftermath of the strikes. Crude oil jumped more than 9% while gold also rose. Live Events Bitcoin's decline shows that while it has 'occasionally traded as a macro hedge, in moments of acute risk like this one, particularly involving kinetic military conflict, liquidity is prioritized over narrative,' said Sean McNulty, derivatives trading lead of APAC at digital-asset prime brokerage FalconX Ltd. 'Traders raise cash, rotate into dollars, and reduce leveraged or volatile exposure.' Over $1 billion dollars' worth of long positions across all cryptocurrencies were liquidated in the past 24-hours, according to Coinglass data. Tony Sycamore, market analyst at IG, said in a note that 'a further deterioration in risk sentiment' is likely ahead of the weekend. Bitcoin was trading at $103,540 as of 10:40 a.m. in Singapore on Friday.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Trump Media to raise $2.5 billion to invest in bitcoin
Trump Media and Technology Group will raise about $2.5 billion to invest in bitcoin, U.S. President Donald Trump 's social media firm said on Tuesday, as it looks to diversify its revenue streams with a push into the financial sector. The company is raising the funds by selling $1.5 billion in stock at its last closing price and $1.0 billion in convertible notes priced at a 35% premium, it said in a statement. The bitcoin will be held on Trump Media's balance sheet alongside existing cash and short-term investments totaling $759 million as of the end of the first quarter. Crypto platforms Anchorage Digital and will provide custody for the bitcoin holdings. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Crypto Tracker TOP COIN SETS DeFi Tracker 6.63% Buy AI Tracker 6.12% Buy Crypto Blue Chip - 5 2.18% Buy NFT & Metaverse Tracker 0.15% Buy Web3 Tracker -3.04% Buy TOP COINS (₹) Ethereum 227,055 ( 4.27% ) Buy BNB 58,814 ( 2.74% ) Buy XRP 200 ( 0.63% ) Buy Bitcoin 9,394,483 ( 0.62% ) Buy Tether 85 ( 0.31% ) Buy "We view bitcoin as an apex instrument of financial freedom," Trump Media CEO Devin Nunes said, hailing the move as a "big step forward" in the company's plan to acquire "crown jewel assets consistent with America First principles ". Did you Know? The world of cryptocurrencies is very dynamic. Prices can go up or down in a matter of seconds. Thus, having reliable answers to such questions is crucial for investors. View Details » Shares of the company behind Truth Social, a streaming and social media platform, were down 6% in early trading. Live Events Trump Media has been exploring potential mergers and acquisitions as it aims to diversify into financial services. Last month, it reached a binding agreement to launch various retail investment products, including crypto and exchange-traded funds aligned with Trump's America First policies. The Trump family, long rooted in skyscrapers and country clubs, has opened multiple beachheads in crypto, quickly gaining hundreds of millions of dollars. Those other crypto forays include Trump NFTs, a meme coin, a stake in a newly formed bitcoin producer called American Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency exchange World Liberty Financial. But the crypto push has attracted scrutiny from lawmakers, including Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, who last month asked the U.S. securities regulator about its plans to supervise ETFs due to be launched by Trump Media.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
From holding to hedging: How to choose between spot and futures crypto strategies
Crypto trading is mainstream and is viewed as an asset class in its own right, backed by market forces, and attracting interest from both retail and institutional investors. This is great news. Investors who, like Neo in the Keanu Reeves-starrer Matrix, took the red pill now face a fundamental question: what's the best way to invest? Two methods dominate, being spot trading and futures trading strategies. Each offers multiple benefits, comes with certain challenges, and caters to different investor cohorts. In essence, spot trading appeals to those seeking long-term investment and direct asset ownership, while futures trading is favoured by active traders looking to capitalise on rapid market movements and unlock short-term opportunities. It's important to understand how these strategies work, who they're meant for, and what benefits investors can get. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Gorgeous Female Athletes Ranked. But Did We Get It Right? Click Here Undo Understanding spot trading Spot trading refers to buying or selling crypto at the current market price. In the crypto space, this means buying digital assets with immediate ownership transfer. It works best for those aiming for long-term growth and who are comfortable holding assets digitally. Crypto Tracker TOP COIN SETS DeFi Tracker 8.85% Buy BTC 50 :: ETH 50 4.87% Buy NFT & Metaverse Tracker 4.71% Buy Smart Contract Tracker 4.23% Buy Web3 Tracker 3.65% Buy TOP COINS (₹) Ethereum 228,504 ( 2.12% ) Buy XRP 209 ( 1.52% ) Buy BNB 58,785 ( 0.79% ) Buy Tether 86 ( -0.07% ) Buy Bitcoin 9,470,485 ( -0.3% ) Buy Spot trading is straightforward to execute. It doesn't require users to navigate complex contracts, meet margin requirements, or manage expiries. Instead, it allows them to trade at real-time prices determined by supply and demand. Spot markets are typically liquid and transparent, making them ideal for newcomers. Did you Know? The world of cryptocurrencies is very dynamic. Prices can go up or down in a matter of seconds. Thus, having reliable answers to such questions is crucial for investors. View Details » Live Events However, spot trading doesn't allow investors to use leverage or hedge their positions. This means returns are limited to the capital invested, and investors may have to sell at a loss if the market turns bearish. Additionally, it requires upfront capital, which can be a barrier for small or first-time investors. Exploring futures trading At its core, futures trading involves speculating on how the price of crypto will move, without actually owning the underlying asset. These are standardised contracts that allow traders to agree to buy or sell crypto at a predetermined price on a future date. Futures trading gives traders the opportunity to profit in both bull and bear markets by taking long or short positions, while also offering the option to hedge. It allows the use of leverage, enabling traders to control larger positions with relatively small amounts of capital, amplifying both potential gains and losses. While the rewards can be significant, they're often tempered by the risk of liquidations due to sudden margin calls if a trade moves against the position. This style of trading demands a deeper understanding of crypto markets, technical analysis, and concepts such as contract expiries and funding rates. It's best suited for experienced traders and can serve as a powerful tool for portfolio diversification and risk management . Breaking it down Both trading strategies serve different purposes. Spot trading is simple to understand and works on the principle of 'what you see is what you get.' For instance, if someone buys Bitcoin at $80,0000 and if it rises to $100,000, they can make a profit proportional to the price increase. Futures, on the other hand, involve entering into contracts to benefit from price movements. With 10x leverage, a 10% increase in the underlying asset's price can double the deployed capital, though a sudden drop could wipe out the capital entirely. Spot traders own the actual asset, can transfer it instantly across wallets, and can stake or use it. Futures traders, however, hold contracts that are often used for hedging positions or taking advantage of short-term price changes. The spot market offers stability and tangible ownership for long-term investors. For active traders or institutional players, futures present opportunities for profits through strategies such as arbitrage, hedging, and high-frequency trading. A real-life example helps drive the point home: Over the past few years, Bitcoin has witnessed several rallies. In early 2023, it began climbing from $16,500 and peaked at a whopping $73,000 by March 2024 (a rally similar to the one seen post-Donald Trump's 2016 election as U.S. President). This price surge in 2023 offered up to 340% returns for investors who bought and held the asset. An investor who bought 1 BTC in early 2023 would have made a profit of $56,500, without executing multiple trades or constantly tracking the market. Now, with Bitcoin reaching a new all-time high of over $110,000, the long-term growth story continues to build momentum. This latest milestone reinforces how holding through cycles can deliver substantial rewards for those who believe in the asset's future. On the other hand, a trader in the futures market using 10x leverage could have amplified gains significantly during this run. But the risk of capital erosion also rises, even a temporary price dip can trigger margin calls. While leverage can boost profits, long-term conviction in spot markets tends to give stronger and more sustainable returns. Spot markets are ideal for new and risk-averse investors who want to get comfortable in the crypto space without the pressure of short-term losses. As these investors become more experienced and understand the nuances of leverage and risk management, futures can serve as a powerful next step. Ultimately, the best strategy depends on an investor's financial goals and risk appetite. Success in crypto investing is driven by domain knowledge, discipline, and adaptability, skills that contribute to meaningful wealth creation and long-term portfolio growth. (The author, Raj Karkara is the COO at ZebPay) ( Disclaimer : Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
