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billionaires are reaching cryptocurrency FOMO
What made billionaire investors like George Soros, Mark Cuban and others change their stance on Bitcoin and dive into the cryptocurrency market?
George Soros, Hungarian-American billionaire and legendary investor, is known for his keen financial insights and bold moves in the world of investing.
In January 2018, Soros Done made headlines at the World Economic Forum in Davos by calling Bitcoin a “bubble,” comparing the cryptocurrency frenzy to the tulip craze of the 1600s in the Netherlands.
However, in a surprising turn of events, Soros Fund Management revealed in October 2021 that it had done so risky in the world of cryptocurrencies by owning some Bitcoin.
The fund’s interest in cryptocurrencies didn’t stop there. During the first quarter of 2024, Soros Fund Management increased its stake in MicroStrategy, a company heavily invested in Bitcoin, with holdings worth more than $135 million.
How has Soros’ stance on cryptocurrencies evolved over the years, and which other billionaires have caught the cryptocurrency FOMO (fear of missing out)? Let’s go deeper into the details and find out.
From skeptic to investor: Soros’ change of position
When George Soros spoke in Davos in 2018, he was quite clear about his skepticism towards Bitcoin (Bitcoin), describing it as a classic bubble. His main concern was its volatility, which he said made it unsuitable as a currency.
“Bitcoin is not a currency,” Soros said, “because a currency is supposed to be a stable store of value, and a currency that can fluctuate 25% in a day cannot be used, for example, to pay salaries. Because wages could drop by 25% in one day.”
Despite his reservations about Bitcoin, Soros was optimistic about the underlying blockchain technology. He saw the positive potential, particularly in helping migrants keep their money safe.
Fast forward to October 2021 and Soros Fund Management revealed that it owns some Bitcoin. Dawn Fitzpatrick, CEO and chief investment officer of Soros Fund Management, said at a Bloomberg event that the fund owned “some coins… but not many.”
By December 2022, Soros Fund Management had additional thorough his involvement in the cryptocurrency industry. The fund purchased $39.6 million worth of convertible bonds in Marathon Digital Holdings, a major cryptocurrency mining company.
Convertible bonds are long-term debt instruments that can be converted into equity, demonstrating Soros’ strategic approach to gaining exposure to the cryptocurrency market.
Additionally, the fund took large positions in MicroStrategy. Soros’ 13F filings with the SEC revealed both call and put options on MicroStrategy stock, as well as nearly $200 million in MicroStrategy preferred stock.
And now, in May 2024, Soros Fund Management’s interest in MicroStrategy has grown even more, with holdings valued at more than $135 million.
This investment is notable because MicroStrategy has been a major player in the Bitcoin market, Jack over 214,000 BTC, thanks to its co-founder Michael Saylor’s aggressive Bitcoin acquisition strategy.
Mark Cuban: From Bananas to Blockchain Believer
Mark Cuban, the billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks, has had quite the journey with cryptocurrencies.
In 2019, during a YouTube Q&A, Cuban joked that he would “rather have bananas than Bitcoin,” ironically citing his initial skepticism.
He compared Bitcoin to baseball cards and comic books, noting that these objects, in his opinion, have no intrinsic value.
Despite its initial doubts, Cuba’s stance on cryptocurrencies began to change edit. In 2021, Cuba has become a staunch supporter of decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
He saw the potential of smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApp) to innovate sectors that go beyond finance. As a result, its investment portfolio has grown to include projects like Polygon (MATIC), A layer 2 scalability solution for Ethereum (ET).
Cuban’s Dallas Mavericks have even started accepting Bitcoin and other crypto assets for tickets and merchandise, further solidifying its commitment to the cryptocurrency industry.
Cuba’s dedication to the cryptocurrency sector is also evident from its investment strategy. He revealed that 80% of his non-“Shark Tank” investments are focused on crypto and blockchain technology.
He sees the decentralization aspect of digital assets as the biggest draw, with a particular interest in decentralized autonomous organizations (DAO).
DAOs operate without a central authority, relying on token holders to make decisions, which Cuba finds attractive due to its democratic approach.
Today Mark Cuban is one of the most prominent billionaire supporters of blockchain technology. His journey from preferring bananas to Bitcoin to investing heavily in blockchain projects is definitely a story worth sharing.
Warren Buffett: from skepticism to strategic investments
Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, has always been known for his critical view of cryptocurrencies. In 2018, he called Bitcoin “rat poison squared,” expressing deep doubts about its value and long-term sustainability.
Buffett prefers investments in companies with tangible assets and steady cash flows, which makes the ups and downs of cryptocurrencies unattractive to him.
But despite his harsh words, Buffett’s actions tell a more nuanced story. At the end of 2021, Berkshire Hathaway made a surprising move invest $1 billion in Nubank, a cryptocurrency-friendly Brazilian digital bank.
According to a 13F filing with the SEC, Berkshire purchased 107.1 million shares of Nu Holdings at an average price of $9.38 per share.
This large investment wasn’t Buffett’s first dance with Nubank. As of early June 2021, Berkshire Hathaway had already done so poured out $500 million into Nubank during an extended Series G funding round. This round valued Nubank at $30 billion.
In December 2021, when Nubank went public, Berkshire Hathaway bought another 30 million shares for $250 million. At that point, Nubank’s value skyrocketed to $41.5 billion.
What does it mean? Buffett’s investments in Nubank suggest a careful but strategic interest in the fintech and cryptocurrency sector. While he remains cautious about investing directly in cryptocurrencies, his actions suggest a slow but steady adaptation to the changing environment.
Capitalists always dance to the beat of money
Money talks and, in the world of finance, it speaks louder than anything else. The lure of profit can turn even the staunchest skeptics into enthusiastic supporters and, occasionally, cause fervent believers to become wary critics.
Goldman Sachs is a great example. In 2018, they halted plans to open a cryptocurrency trading desk due to regulatory uncertainty and lack of institutional interest.
But in 2021, with Bitcoin surging and institutional demand growing, Goldman Sachs relaunched its cryptocurrency trading desk, which offers Bitcoin futures and non-deliverable forwards to its clients.
At the Consensus 2024 conference hosted by CoinDesk, Goldman Sachs even celebrated the success of new spot ETFs on Bitcoin.
Mathew McDermott, the investment bank’s global head of digital assets, sought SEC approval Spot ETF on BTC a “major psychological breakthrough” and celebrated their “surprising success”.
Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, was another notable skeptic. He initially criticized Bitcoin in September 2017 calling it was a “bubble,” claiming it was neither a good store of value nor a medium of exchange.
However, by 2021, Dalio revealed who owned some Bitcoin and called it “an incredible invention,” recognizing its potential as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation.
But why are these capitalists so eager to embrace this new world? The answer lies in diversification and coverage.
With inflation rates hitting decade-highs and traditional assets underperforming, digital assets offer an attractive hedge against economic uncertainties.
The future of finance is written in code and blockchain, and those willing to dance to this new tune will lead the way.
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Cryptocurrency Price August 1: Bitcoin Dips Below $65K; Solana, XRP Down Up To 8%
Major cryptocurrencies fell in Thursday trading following the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep its key interest rate unchanged. Overnight, the U.S. Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate at 5.25-5.5% for the eighth consecutive time, as expected, while also signaling the possibility of a rate cut at its next meeting in September. The unanimous decision by the Federal Open Market Committee reflects a continued wait-and-see approach as it monitors inflation trends.
CoinSwitch Markets Desk said: “Bitcoin has fallen below $65,000 after the US Federal Reserve announced it would keep interest rates unchanged. However, with markets now anticipating rate cuts at the next Federal Reserve meeting in September, the outlook for a Bitcoin rally by the end of the year has strengthened.”
Meanwhile, CoinDCX research team said: “The crypto market has plunged after the Fed decision. Tomorrow’s US unemployment rate announcement is expected to induce more volatility, with the ‘actual’ figure coming in higher than the ‘expected’ one, which is positive for cryptocurrencies.”
At 12:21 pm IST, Bitcoin (BTC) was down 3.2% at $64,285, while Ethereum was down nearly 4.5% at $3,313. Meanwhile, the global market cryptocurrency The market capitalization fell 3.6% to around $2.3 trillion in the last 24 hours.
“Bitcoin needs to clear its 200-day EMA at $64,510 to consolidate further. Otherwise, a retest of $62,000 could be in the cards,” said Vikram Subburaj, CEO of Giottus.
Altcoins and meme coins, such as BNB (3%), Solana (8%), XRP (5.7%), Dogecoin (5%), Cardano (4.6%), Avalanche (4.3%), Shiba Inu (3.8%), Polkadot (3.4%), and Chainlink (4%) also saw declines.
The volume of all stablecoins is now $71.64 billion, which is 92.19% of the total cryptocurrency market volume in 24 hours, according to data available on CoinMarketCap. Bitcoin’s dominance is currently 54.99%. BTC volume in the last 24 hours increased by 23.3% to $35.7 billion.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, opinions and views provided by experts are personal. They do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
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Altcoins WIF, BONK, RUNE, JUP Down 10% While Bitcoin Drops 4%
Altcoins dogwifhat, Bonk, THORChain, and Jupiter have suffered losses of more than 10%, while Bitcoin is down 4% in the last 24 hours.
After a period of relative calm yesterday, July 31, Bitcoin (BTC) price action has seen a drastic change as the cryptocurrency dropped by more than $3,500, bringing its value to $63,300. At the same time, altcoins mirrored this trend, with the total value of liquidated positions rising to nearly $225 million over the course of the day.
Initially, the week started on a positive note for Bitcoin, which reached its highest point since early June, hitting $70,000. However, this peak was short-lived, as it was quickly rejected, leading to a substantial decline, with Bitcoin falling below $65,500.
The cryptocurrency managed to regain some stability, trading comfortably at around $66,800. However, following a Press conference According to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, the value of Bitcoin has fallen again to $64,300, down more than 3% in 24 hours.
BTC Price Chart 24 Hours | Source: crypto.news
The recession coincided with a relationship from the New York Times stating that Iran had called for retaliatory measures against Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, increasing the risk of further conflict in the region.
Meanwhile, on the economic front, the Federal Reserve decided to keep its benchmark interest rates in place, offering little information on a planned September rate cut. Powell also hinted that while no concrete decisions have been made on the September adjustment, there is growing consensus that a rate cut is likely.
Amid Bitcoin’s decline, altcoins have suffered even more significant losses. For example, dogwifhat (Wife) saw a 12.4% drop and (DISGUST) has suffered a 10% drop. Other altcoins such as THORChain (RUNE) also fell by 10%, while Jupiter (JUPITER) and the Ethereum naming service (ENS) decreased by 8% and 9% respectively.
Among the largest-cap cryptocurrencies, the biggest losers are Solana (SOL) with a decrease of 8%, (Exchange rate risk) down 6%, Cardano (ADA) down 4%, and both Ethereum (ETH) and Dogecoin (DOGE) recording a decrease of 4.4%.
Data from CoinGlass indicates that approximately 67,000 traders have been negatively impacted by this increased volatility. BTC positions have seen $61.85 million in liquidations, while ETH positions have faced $61 million. In total, the value of liquidated positions stands at $225.4 million at the time of writing.
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Riot Platforms Sees 52% Drop in Bitcoin Production in Q2
Bitcoin mining firm Riot Platforms has released its second-quarter financial results, highlighting a decline in cryptocurrency mined due to the recent halving.
Colorado-based Bitcoin (BTC) mining company Riot platforms revealed its second quarter financial results, highlighting a significant reduction in mined cryptocurrencies attributed to the recent halving event that took place in early April.
The company reported total revenue of $70 million for the quarter ended July 31, a decline of 8.7% compared to the same period in 2023. Riot Platforms attributed the revenue decline primarily to a $9.7 million decrease in engineering revenue, which was partially mitigated by a $6 million increase in Bitcoin extraction income.
During the quarter, the company mined 844 BTC, representing a decline of over 50% from Q2 2023, citing the halving event and increasing network difficulty as major factors behind the decline. Riot Platforms reported a net loss of $84.4 million, or $0.32 per share, missing Zacks Research forecast a loss of $0.16 per share.
Halving increases competitive pressure
The Colorado-based firm said the average cost of mining one BTC in the second quarter, including energy credits, rose to $25,327, a remarkable 341% increase from $5,734 per BTC in the same quarter of 2023. Despite this significant increase in production costs, the firm remains optimistic about maintaining competitiveness through recent deals.
For example, following the Recent acquisition Cryptocurrency firm Block Mining, Riot has increased its distributed hash rate forecast from 31 EH/s to 36 EH/s by the end of 2024, while also increasing its 2025 forecast from 40 EH/s to 56 EH/s.
Riot Platforms Hashrate Growth Projections by 2027 | Source: Riot Platforms
Commenting on the company’s financials, Riot CEO Jason Les said that despite the halving, the mining company still managed to achieve “significant operational growth and execution of our long-term strategy.”
“Despite this reduction in production available to all Bitcoin miners, Riot reported $70 million in revenue for the quarter and maintained strong gross margins in our core Bitcoin mining business.”
Jason Les
Following its Q2 financial report, Riot Platforms shares fell 1.74% to $10.19, according to Google Finance data. Meanwhile, the American miner continues to chase Canadian rival Bitfarms, recently acquiring an additional 10.2 million BITF shares, increasing its stake in Bitfarms to 15.9%.
As previously reported by crypto.news, Riot was the first announced a $950 million takeover bid for Bitfarms in late May, arguing that Bitfarms’ founders were not acting in the best interests of all shareholders. They said their proposal was rejected by Bitfarms’ board without substantive engagement.
In response, Bitfarms She said that Riot’s offer “significantly understates” its growth prospects. Bitfarms subsequently implemented a shareholder rights plan, also known as a “poison pill,” to protect its strategic review process from hostile takeover attempts.
News
Aave Price Increases Following Whales Accumulation and V3.1 Launch
Decentralized finance protocol Aave is seeing a significant spike in whale activity as the market looks to recover from the recent crash that pushed most altcoins into key support areas earlier this week.
July 31, Lookonchain shared details indicating that the whales had aggressively accumulated Aave (AAVE) over the past two days. According to the data, whales have withdrawn over 58,848 AAVE worth $6.47 million from exchanges during this period.
In one instance, whale address 0x9af4 withdrew 11,185 AAVE worth $1.23 million from Binance. Meanwhile, another address moved 21,619 AAVE worth over $2.38 million from the exchange and deposited the tokens into Aave.
These withdrawals follow a previous transfer of 26,044 AAVE from whale address 0xd7c5, amounting to over $2.83 million withdrawn from Binance.
AAVE price has surged over 7% in the past 24 hours amid buy-side pressure from these whales. The DeFi token is currently trading around $111 after jumping over 18% in the past week.
Recently, the price of AAVE increased by over 8% after Aave founder Marc Zeller announced a proposed fee change aimed at adopting a buyback program for AAVE tokens.
Aave v3.1 is available
The total value locked in the Aave protocol currently stands at around $22 billion. According to DeFiLlamaApproximately $19.9 billion is on Aave V3, while the V2 chain still holds approximately $1.9 billion in TVL and V1 approximately $14.6 million.
Aave Labs announced Previously, Aave V3.1 was made available on all networks with active Aave V3 instances.
V3.1 features improvements that are intended to improve the overall security of the DeFi protocol. The Aave DAO governance has approved the v3.1 improvements, which also include operational efficiency and usability for the network.
Meanwhile, Aave Labs recently outlined a ambitious roadmap for the projectwith a 2030 vision for Aave V4, among other developments.
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