BTC celebrates birthday amidst anticipation of first spot crypto exchange-traded fund.
Also, the cryptocurrency price is the highest it has seen in almost two years.
Exactly
fifteen years ago, an anonymous figure named Satoshi Nakamoto mined the Bitcoin
genesis block, containing the first 50 BTC ever created. The anonymous mastermind
behind the cryptocurrency, could not have anticipated the experiment’s evolution
into a global phenomenon and a trillion-dollar asset class.
Bitcoin's
15th anniversary occurs at a critial time, with its price at its highest level
since April 2022. Also, the industry is eagerly awaiting the approval of the
first-ever Wall Street ETF tracking the spot price of BTC. On this special day,
we wish Bitcoin many more years of success!
The Tale of Two Bitcoin
Birthdays
Bitcoin,
the world's first and most popular cryptocurrency, has not one but two
important dates that are celebrated by its enthusiasts worldwide. While there
is some debate around which date marks Bitcoin's true birthday, 3 January and 31
October both represent major milestones in the technology's history.
3 January marks the creation of the Bitcoin genesis block in 2009, the first block ever
mined on the Bitcoin blockchain by the pseudonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto.
This date represents the official launch of the Bitcoin network and is thus
referred as Bitcoin's birthday.
Bitcoin Genesis Block. Source: Blockchain.com
31 October, on the other hand, memorializes the publication of the seminal Bitcoin
whitepaper in 2008. Authored by Nakamoto, this document outlined the conceptual
design for Bitcoin and its promises as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system.
As such, 31 October marks the revelation of Bitcoin to the world, before any
code had been written.
While
3 January celebrates the actual genesis of the technology, October 31st
honors its conceptual beginnings. Together, they bookmark the short but dynamic
history of Bitcoin. As of January 2024, nearly 1 million Bitcoin blocks have
been mined and the network hash rate exceeds 500 exahashes per second, making
it incredibly secure.
Details of the Genesis Block. Source: Blockchain.com
There are
close to 34,000 Bitcoin ATMs installed globally and Bitcoin is accepted by
major companies like Microsoft, AT&T and Home Depot. Others, like MicroStrategy
and Tesla have added Bitcoin to their balance sheets. El Salvador became the
first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021.
Moreover,
the 15th birthday could be pivotal as Bitcoin soon faces two very important
events.
Bitcoin Halving, Spot BTC
ETF Approval and $80K Forecast
This week,
Bitcoin surpassed the $45,000 mark for the first time in nearly two years,
largely due to weekend rumors that the US Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) might approve the first-ever spot Bitcoin ETF on Wall Street. Experts
believe that this could trigger a new wave of mass institutional adoption.
"We believe there is still room for the rally to extend once the ETFs are
finally approved. As much as the event has been priced in, given how much hangs
in the balance, there is definitely some money sitting on the side-lines,
waiting for an actual confirmation," Joel
Kruger, the Market Strategist at LMAX Group, commented.
Based on
these two factors, analysts at AllianceBernstein predict that Bitcoin's price
will reach new record levels in 2024, potentially testing the $80,000 mark.
Given that its price increased over 150% in 2023, this prediction does not
seem far-fetched.
"Bitcoin
ETF flows build-up could be gradual, but the applicants will be fighting hard
to get a lead in this massive asset accumulation game, tuning up advertising
and Bitcoin branding leading to a snowball effect," the analysts noted.
Will the
first bitcoin ETF be approved by the SEC on Bitcoin's birthday? Cryptocurrency
enthusiasts would certainly wish for it.
Exactly
fifteen years ago, an anonymous figure named Satoshi Nakamoto mined the Bitcoin
genesis block, containing the first 50 BTC ever created. The anonymous mastermind
behind the cryptocurrency, could not have anticipated the experiment’s evolution
into a global phenomenon and a trillion-dollar asset class.
Bitcoin's
15th anniversary occurs at a critial time, with its price at its highest level
since April 2022. Also, the industry is eagerly awaiting the approval of the
first-ever Wall Street ETF tracking the spot price of BTC. On this special day,
we wish Bitcoin many more years of success!
The Tale of Two Bitcoin
Birthdays
Bitcoin,
the world's first and most popular cryptocurrency, has not one but two
important dates that are celebrated by its enthusiasts worldwide. While there
is some debate around which date marks Bitcoin's true birthday, 3 January and 31
October both represent major milestones in the technology's history.
3 January marks the creation of the Bitcoin genesis block in 2009, the first block ever
mined on the Bitcoin blockchain by the pseudonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto.
This date represents the official launch of the Bitcoin network and is thus
referred as Bitcoin's birthday.
Bitcoin Genesis Block. Source: Blockchain.com
31 October, on the other hand, memorializes the publication of the seminal Bitcoin
whitepaper in 2008. Authored by Nakamoto, this document outlined the conceptual
design for Bitcoin and its promises as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system.
As such, 31 October marks the revelation of Bitcoin to the world, before any
code had been written.
While
3 January celebrates the actual genesis of the technology, October 31st
honors its conceptual beginnings. Together, they bookmark the short but dynamic
history of Bitcoin. As of January 2024, nearly 1 million Bitcoin blocks have
been mined and the network hash rate exceeds 500 exahashes per second, making
it incredibly secure.
Details of the Genesis Block. Source: Blockchain.com
There are
close to 34,000 Bitcoin ATMs installed globally and Bitcoin is accepted by
major companies like Microsoft, AT&T and Home Depot. Others, like MicroStrategy
and Tesla have added Bitcoin to their balance sheets. El Salvador became the
first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021.
Moreover,
the 15th birthday could be pivotal as Bitcoin soon faces two very important
events.
Bitcoin Halving, Spot BTC
ETF Approval and $80K Forecast
This week,
Bitcoin surpassed the $45,000 mark for the first time in nearly two years,
largely due to weekend rumors that the US Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) might approve the first-ever spot Bitcoin ETF on Wall Street. Experts
believe that this could trigger a new wave of mass institutional adoption.
"We believe there is still room for the rally to extend once the ETFs are
finally approved. As much as the event has been priced in, given how much hangs
in the balance, there is definitely some money sitting on the side-lines,
waiting for an actual confirmation," Joel
Kruger, the Market Strategist at LMAX Group, commented.
Based on
these two factors, analysts at AllianceBernstein predict that Bitcoin's price
will reach new record levels in 2024, potentially testing the $80,000 mark.
Given that its price increased over 150% in 2023, this prediction does not
seem far-fetched.
"Bitcoin
ETF flows build-up could be gradual, but the applicants will be fighting hard
to get a lead in this massive asset accumulation game, tuning up advertising
and Bitcoin branding leading to a snowball effect," the analysts noted.
Will the
first bitcoin ETF be approved by the SEC on Bitcoin's birthday? Cryptocurrency
enthusiasts would certainly wish for it.
Damian's adventure with financial markets began at the Cracow University of Economics, where he obtained his MA in finance and accounting. Starting from the retail trader perspective, he collaborated with brokerage houses and financial portals in Poland as an independent editor and content manager. His adventure with Finance Magnates began in 2016, where he is working as a business intelligence analyst.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Executive Interview | Jas Shah | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Jas Shah | FMLS:25
Interview with Jas Shah
Builder | Adviser | Fintech Writer | Product Strategist
In this episode, Jonathan Fine sat down with Jas Shah, one of the most thoughtful voices in global fintech. Known for his work across advisory, product, stablecoins, and his widely read writing, Jas brings a rare combination of industry insight and plain-spoken clarity.
We talk about his first impression of the Summit, the projects that keep him busy today, and how they connect to the stablecoin panel he joined. Jas shares his view on the link between fintech, wealthtech and retail brokers, especially as firms like Revolut, eToro and Trading212 blur long-standing lines in the market.
We also explore what stablecoin adoption might look like for retail investment platforms, including a few product and UX angles that are not obvious at first glance.
To close, Jas explains how he thinks about writing, and how he approaches “shipping” pieces that spark debate across the industry.
Interview with Jas Shah
Builder | Adviser | Fintech Writer | Product Strategist
In this episode, Jonathan Fine sat down with Jas Shah, one of the most thoughtful voices in global fintech. Known for his work across advisory, product, stablecoins, and his widely read writing, Jas brings a rare combination of industry insight and plain-spoken clarity.
We talk about his first impression of the Summit, the projects that keep him busy today, and how they connect to the stablecoin panel he joined. Jas shares his view on the link between fintech, wealthtech and retail brokers, especially as firms like Revolut, eToro and Trading212 blur long-standing lines in the market.
We also explore what stablecoin adoption might look like for retail investment platforms, including a few product and UX angles that are not obvious at first glance.
To close, Jas explains how he thinks about writing, and how he approaches “shipping” pieces that spark debate across the industry.
