Bitcoin Faces Cautious Sentiment Amid Economic Uncertainty Bitcoin recently surged past the $90,000 mark, sparking speculation about a potential rally towards $95,000. However, despite this upward movement, market indicators reveal that traders remain wary of downside risks. Broader macroeconomic concerns, including weak US employment data and developments in corporate earnings, continue to influence investor sentiment, confining the cryptocurrency within a tight trading range. As the S&P 500 hovers just 1.3% below its all-time peak, economic clouds loom larger, especially following Tesla’s (NASDAQ: TSLA) quarterly sales figures, which revealed a 15% drop year-over-year — from 495,570 to 418,227 vehicles. Tesla shares declined by 2.5% on Friday and remain over 12% below their peak, highlighting caution in risk assets. Conversely, Chinese tech company Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU) experienced a 15% rally after announcing plans to IPO its AI chip unit, Kunlunxin, on the Hong Kong stock exchan...

Turkmenistan Legalizes Cryptocurrency Mining and Trading Cryptocurrency mining and trading have officially been legalized in Turkmenistan following the enactment of new legislation signed into law by President Serdar Berdimuhamedow in late November. The law, which came into effect this week, marks a significant shift for the traditionally isolated Central Asian nation, opening new avenues for economic diversification beyond its reliance on natural gas exports. The move aligns Turkmenistan with regional neighbors such as Kazakhstan, which has seen a surge in crypto mining activity driven by surplus energy resources. Under the new regulations, both residents and non-residents registered in Turkmenistan are permitted to mine cryptocurrencies. This liberalization aims to attract foreign investment and leverage the country’s expansive energy infrastructure to support the crypto sector. Cryptocurrency exchanges operating within Turkmenistan will need to obtain licenses, implement Know-Your-C...

Crypto Expert Argues Fed’s New Program is a Form of Quantitative Easing Arthur Hayes, co-founder and former CEO of the cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX, has highlighted concerns over the Federal Reserve’s latest monetary policy initiative, labeling it a disguised form of quantitative easing (QE). In a detailed Substack essay published on Friday, Hayes contends that the Fed’s “reserve management purchases” (RMP) program essentially functions as QE by facilitating government borrowing without the political baggage typically associated with outright asset purchases. Hayes argues that the Fed’s strategy of buying short-term Treasury bills and recycling liquidity into the money markets effectively finances government spending. This approach, he suggests, allows officials to sidestep the political controversy of traditional QE while still increasing liquidity in the financial system. “The RMP is a thinly disguised way for the Fed to cash the government’s checks,” Hayes warns, emphasizing that ...

Cryptocurrency Market Faces Sharp Correction Amid Rising Leverage and Macroeconomic Concerns The cryptocurrency market experienced a significant downturn on Monday, with major digital assets retreating as traders reassessed risk amid macroeconomic uncertainties. Bitcoin retested the $85,000 mark, while Ether declined to approximately $2,900, reflecting increased investor caution following disappointing economic indicators and evolving policy expectations in the United States. Key Takeaways Leverage in the crypto market surged, resulting in over $527 million in liquidations within 24 hours, signaling heightened caution among traders. Growing debt risks related to artificial intelligence investments and tighter liquidity conditions prompted traders to exit riskier assets, triggering a market correction. Indicators show traders seek safety amid rising inflation fears, with US 5-year Treasury yields remaining resilient alongside declining crypto capitalization. Market sentiment is influenc...

Kenya’s recent implementation of comprehensive crypto legislation marks a pivotal moment for the country's emerging digital economy. Despite government warnings that no licensed crypto providers are currently operating, several Bitcoin ATMs have surfaced in Nairobi’s bustling shopping malls, signaling a burgeoning interest in cryptocurrency among local consumers. This development highlights the rapid pace of crypto adoption juxtaposed with the regulatory uncertainty that continues to shape Kenya’s crypto landscape. Bitcoin ATMs appear in Nairobi malls shortly after Kenya’s new crypto law took effect, despite lack of licensing. The Kenyan government’s Virtual Assets Service Providers Act of 2025 aims to regulate the sector, but licensing procedures are pending. Authorities warn that currently no VASP (Virtual Asset Service Provider) is authorized to operate legally in Kenya. Crypto activity is expanding in informal sectors and lower-income neighborhoods like Kibera, where Bitcoin of...