Ethereum price is again moving lower from the $2,325 resistance. ETH could decline heavily if there is a move below the $2,270 support zone.

Ethereum is showing a few bearish signs from the $2,325 zone.
The price is trading below $2,300 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average.
There is a key bearish trend line forming with resistance near $2,300 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken).
The pair might start a fresh increase if it manages to clear the $2,325 resistance zone.

Ethereum Price Struggles Below $2,325

Ethereum price attempted a fresh increase above the $2,300 level. However, ETH faced strong selling interest near the $2,325 zone. A high was formed near $2,327 and the price started a fresh decline, like Bitcoin.

There was a move below the $2,300 support zone. The price even spiked below $2,280 and traded below the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $2,241 swing low to the $2,327 high. Ethereum is now trading below $2,300 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average.

The bulls are now protecting the $2,270 support or the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $2,241 swing low to the $2,327 high. On the upside, the first major resistance is near the $2,300 level. There is also a key bearish trend line forming with resistance near $2,300 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD.

Source: ETHUSD on TradingView.com

The next major resistance is near $2,325, above which the price might rise and test the $2,380 resistance. If the bulls push the price above the $2,380 resistance, they could aim for $2,440. A clear move above the $2,440 level might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise toward the $2,500 level.

More Losses in ETH?

If Ethereum fails to clear the $2,325 resistance, it could start another decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $2,270 level.

The next key support could be the $2,240 zone. A clear move below the $2,240 support might send the price toward $2,200. The main support could be $2,120. Any more losses might send the price toward the $2,080 level.

Technical Indicators

Hourly MACD – The MACD for ETH/USD is losing momentum in the bearish zone.

Hourly RSI – The RSI for ETH/USD is now below the 50 level.

Major Support Level – $2,240

Major Resistance Level – $2,325

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Bitcoin price struggled to continue higher above the $43,800 resistance. BTC is moving lower and might decline heavily if it breaks the $41,800 support.

Bitcoin price is declining from the $43,800 resistance zone.
The price is trading below $42,800 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average.
There is a key bearish trend line forming with resistance near $42,850 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken).
The pair could continue to decline if there is a clear move below the $41,800 support.

Bitcoin Price Takes Hit

Bitcoin price made another attempt to gain pace above the $43,000 and $43,200 resistance levels. However, BTC struggled to extend its gains and recently started another decline below $42,800.

There was a move below the $42,500 support. A low is formed near $42,232 and the price is now consolidating losses. There is also a key bearish trend line forming with resistance near $42,850 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair.

Bitcoin is now trading below $42,800 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average. Immediate resistance is near the $42,750 level. It is near the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward wave from the $43,250 swing high to the $42,232 low.

The next key resistance could be $42,850 and the trend line. The trend line is close to the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the downward wave from the $43,250 swing high to the $42,232 low, above which the price could start a decent increase.

Source: BTCUSD on TradingView.com

The next stop for the bulls may perhaps be $43,250. A clear move above the $43,250 resistance could send the price toward the $43,800 resistance. The next resistance is now forming near the $44,200 level. A close above the $44,200 level could push the price further higher. The next major resistance sits at $45,000.

More Losses In BTC?

If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $42,850 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Immediate support on the downside is near the $42,250 level.

The first major support is $41,800. If there is a close below $41,800, the price could gain bearish momentum. In the stated case, the price could dive toward the $40,500 support.

Technical indicators:

Hourly MACD – The MACD is now gaining pace in the bearish zone.

Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now below the 50 level.

Major Support Levels – $42,250, followed by $41,800.

Major Resistance Levels – $42,750, $42,850, and $43,250.

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Bitcoin, the largest crypto asset, is currently at a standstill from the viewpoint of many investors considering current market factors. The crypto mostly traded between $41,000 and $45,500 last week after recovering from a brief dip below $40,000 on January 23. 

Although the price action has been underwhelming, on-chain data indicates that large holders have been adding more to their wallets, bringing the total number of wallets to the highest it has been in 15 months. At the same time, the holding pattern indicates smaller whales have been adding to their holdings to join the next tier of holders.

Large Holders Accumulating

It would seem Bitcoin holders have been making moves to push the cryptocurrency up, as indicated by the increasing number of whale wallets. According to on-chain analytics platform Santiment, the number of Bitcoin addresses holding between 1,000-10,000 BTC, saw an increase of 47 more wallets representing a 2.5% growth, in six days. Consequently, the number of addresses in this tier reached 1,958 on February 1st, its highest point since November 2022.

#Bitcoin is ranging between $41K and $44K, but whale wallets are moving big this week:

Number of 1K-10K $BTC Wallets: 1,958 on Feb. 1st (Most since November, 2022)
Number of 100-1K $BTC Wallets: 13,735 on Feb. 1st (Least since November, 2022)https://t.co/MTOnjURnfV pic.twitter.com/QrxW8CH5c2

— Santiment (@santimentfeed) February 3, 2024

Furthermore, Santiment data showed the decline of wallet addresses in the tier below. That is, those holding between 100 and 1,000 BTC. The number of wallets in this range dropped by 154 addresses within the same time period, representing a 1.1% decrease. Consequently, the number of addresses in this tier fell to 13,735 on February 1st, its lowest point since November 2022. 

What Does This Say About Bitcoin?

The accumulation by a vast number of large holders points to continued faith in the crypto despite the current consolidation, but whale accumulation is only one of many market factors that influence the crypto’s price. Bitcoin’s price trajectory might look unclear at the moment, but the macro outlook points to a positive movement on the fundamental side of things. One of these is the recent capital flows of $1.7 billion into Bitcoin spot ETFs in the past 14 days.  

According to crypto analyst Michaël van de Poppe, Bitcoin’s current consolidation could continue in the coming months before the next halving. The analyst noted a resistance at $48,000, to $50,000, and another correction towards $36,000 to $38,000. 

My general theory is that #Bitcoin is consolidating in the coming months.

Pre-Halving a final run towards resistance at $48-50K, after that another correction to $36-38K and from there #Altcoins to continue outperforming Bitcoin. pic.twitter.com/sYiqpg3T93

— Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) February 3, 2024

In a different perspective, Justin Bennett, another popular crypto analyst on social media, predicted a bearish Bitcoin in the near future. According to him, Tether’s dominance chart suggests a further BTC decline to around $30,000. This price range coincides with analyst PlanB’s absolute Bitcoin price floor of $31,000. 

Bitcoin 200 week moving average is 31k. When bitcoin price diverges from 200WMA, in accumulation (blue) and bull markets (orange/red), bitcoin has never gone below 200WMA. So 31k might be the absolute floor, and bitcoin might never see 31k ever again IMO. Also 200WMA is rising… pic.twitter.com/3kqSbXWLjU

— PlanB (@100trillionUSD) February 3, 2024

Bitcoin is trading at $42,909 at the time of writing.

Featured image from Adobe Stock, chart from TradingView

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The price performance of Chainlink is one of the previous week’s biggest narratives, rivaling Bitcoin making its way above $43,000 again. According to data from CoinGecko, the altcoin recorded a significant 25% price increase in the last seven days.

However, the price of LINK seems to be slowing down, as it keeps struggling to hold above the $18 level. While expectations are that this sluggishness will blow over soon, the question still is – why is the Chainlink price stalling?

16 Million LINK Tokens Transferred To Binance

The latest on-chain revelation has offered insight into why the price of LINK is facing some form of bearish pressure. In a post on X, crypto analytics firm SpotOnChain disclosed that 19 million tokens (worth about $341 million) were recently unlocked from three of Chainlink’s non-circulating supply contracts.

In a more detailed breakdown, the on-chain analytics firm revealed that 15.95 million tokens (valued at $287 million) were moved to Binance, the world’s largest centralized exchange. Meanwhile, the remaining 3.05 million Chainlink (worth $54.3 million) were transferred to multi-sig wallet, 0xD50f.

According to SpotOnChain, this is not the first time transactions involving Chainlink’s wallets and of this caliber will happen. The analytics platform disclosed that Chainlink has been unlocking and transferring some of the unlocked tokens to Binance as far back as 2022.

On-chain data shows that Chainlink has unlocked a total of 106 million tokens, with 88.95 million LINK sent to Binance since August 2022. At an average price of $9.06, the entire worth of these transactions stands at $805 million.

SpotOnChain noted that the last two unlocks have been followed by a slight dip in LINK’s price. The last unlock saw the Chainlink token fall from almost $19 to $17.5 on Saturday, February 3.

As of this writing, the LINK token is valued at $17.86, reflecting a nearly 1.5% price jump in the past day.

Chainlink Records Multi-Month High In Transaction Volume

It appears that the price of LINK will not remain stagnant for very long, as the most recent on-chain data indicates that Chainlink has experienced a notable increase in network activity over the last few days. Positive network fundamentals could be all the altcoin needs to resume its bullish run.

According to Ali Martinez, the network recently witnessed a significant surge in transaction volume, bringing the metric to its highest in almost two years. Based on IntoTheBlock’s data, more than 72.24 million LINK tokens (equivalent to $1.3 billion) were transacted on Friday, February 4. 

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XRP Ledger, created by Ripple Labs Inc., is an open-source blockchain technology and digital asset. This means that developers can contribute to its development and enhance its functionality. XRP serves as the native cryptocurrency of the XRP Ledger and is the commonly recognized name for it. The XRP Ledger is purposefully designed to enable swift, cost-effective, and secure transactions. It functions as a distributed ledger, where transaction records are stored across a network of validators, which are participating computers, ensuring the integrity of the ledger.

XRP has garnered significant recognition for its ability to facilitate expeditious and streamlined cross-border payments. Its primary objective is to enhance liquidity and establish connections between diverse currencies, enabling seamless value transfers for both financial institutions and individuals across international borders. Ripple, the entity responsible for XRP, has forged partnerships with numerous financial institutions to investigate the potential of XRP in the realms of remittances and international settlements.

It is imperative to emphasize that although XRP is commonly linked with Ripple, the XRP Ledger functions autonomously, separate from the company. XRP can be exchanged on different cryptocurrency platforms and stored in digital wallets that are compatible with the XRP Ledger.

Additionally, there is a diverse range of cryptocurrency exchanges that support the XRP Ledger (XRP) for individuals interested in buying, selling, or trading XRP. Some notable examples include Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, BitStamp, Huobi, and more.

Founders Of XRP Ledger (XRP)

In early 2011, developers David Schwartz, Jed McCaleb, and Arthur Britto were intrigued by Bitcoin but concerned about its energy consumption and scalability issues. They aimed to create a more sustainable system for value transfer. Their predictions about Bitcoin’s energy usage were proven right when estimates revealed that Bitcoin mining consumed more energy than Portugal in 2019. They also foresaw the risks of one miner or collusion of miners gaining over 50% of the mining power, which remains a concern today as mining power concentrates in China.

Undeterred, the developers continued their work and created a distributed ledger called Ripple, with a digital asset initially called “ripples” (later referred to as XRP). The name Ripple encompassed the open-source project, the unique consensus ledger (Ripple Consensus Ledger), the transaction protocol (Ripple Transaction Protocol or RTXP), the network, and the digital asset. 

To eliminate confusion, the community started referring to the digital asset as “XRP.” By June 2012, Schwartz, McCaleb, and Britto completed the code development and finalized the Ledger.

How XRP Ledger (XRP) Works

The XRP Ledger represents a pioneering blockchain technology that places a strong emphasis on scalability and interoperability. This focus enables the ledger to offer a wide array of possibilities for diverse applications that surpass the realms of traditional financial systems.

By demonstrating the capacity to handle substantial transaction volumes and foster seamless connectivity among different assets, the XRP Ledger stands poised to bring about a revolution across multiple industries and ignite innovation. Its scalable and interoperable nature creates opportunities for novel use cases and transformative solutions within the blockchain ecosystem. 

Prominent Features Of XRP Ledger

Consensus Ledger

Functioning as a distributed and decentralized ledger, the XRP Ledger stores the transaction history across an independent network of validators. Every validator preserves a copy of the ledger, and transactions undergo validation and agreement via the consensus algorithm. This approach ensures that the ledger’s transaction history is securely stored and that transactions are verified and approved through a collaborative process among validators. By employing this distributed and decentralized framework, the XRP Ledger establishes a reliable and transparent system for recording and validating transactions.

Gateways and Interoperability

The XRP Ledger enables the establishment of gateways, which are entities responsible for issuing and redeeming assets on the ledger. These gateways play a crucial role in bridging various currencies and assets, fostering seamless interoperability across different financial systems.

By facilitating the transfer and exchange of diverse assets, the gateways enhance the connectivity and compatibility between different forms of value representation. This feature of the XRP Ledger promotes greater efficiency and accessibility in cross-border transactions and opens up opportunities for enhanced liquidity and streamlined financial operations.

Transaction Speed and Scalability

Engineered with scalability and rapid transaction settlement in mind, the XRP Ledger (XRP) is adept at processing a substantial number of transactions per second. With the capability to settle transactions within a matter of seconds, the ledger is well-suited for a wide range of use cases that demand swift and efficient transaction execution.

Its high scalability and speedy transaction settlement empower businesses and individuals alike to conduct seamless and timely transactions, fostering enhanced productivity and responsiveness in various applications and industries.

Consensus Algorithm

Within the XRP Ledger, a distinctive consensus algorithm known as the Ripple Protocol Consensus Algorithm (RPCA) is employed. Diverging from conventional proof-of-work (PoW) or proof-of-stake (PoS) algorithms, RPCA relies on a group of trusted validators to authenticate and validate transactions. These validators assume the crucial role of collectively establishing consensus regarding the sequence and legitimacy of transactions on the network. By leveraging this innovative consensus mechanism, the XRP Ledger ensures the integrity and reliability of its transaction validation process, providing a secure and efficient environment for conducting business.

Native Cryptocurrency (XRP)

XRP operates as the inherent digital currency of the XRP Ledger, serving multiple purposes, such as facilitating transactions, offering liquidity, and bridging diverse currencies. As a medium of value exchange, XRP can be transferred between various entities on the XRP Ledger, enabling seamless transactions and facilitating the exchange of value. This versatile cryptocurrency plays a vital role in supporting the functionality and efficiency of the XRP Ledger ecosystem.

The Impact Of XRP On The Financial Industry

Undoubtedly, the XRP Ledger, along with its native currency XRP, has made a notable impact on the financial industry, bringing forth a range of positive innovations across various important aspects such as:

Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

The XRP Ledger’s utilization of smart contracts and tokenization creates possibilities for decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, paving the way for the development of groundbreaking financial services like lending, borrowing, and decentralized exchanges. With its rapid and scalable nature, the XRP Ledger provides an ideal foundation for constructing DeFi applications, potentially extending financial services to underserved communities and diminishing dependence on conventional intermediaries.

Asset Tokenization

The capacity of the XRP Ledger to tokenize tangible assets like real estate, art, and commodities has the potential to unleash liquidity for assets that have historically lacked it. Through the representation of these assets as digital tokens on the ledger, fractional ownership becomes feasible, enabling enhanced accessibility and transferability. This breakthrough can introduce fresh investment prospects and enhance market efficiency.

Cross-Border Payments

The swift transaction settlement and economical fees offered by the XRP Ledger make it an attractive choice for cross-border payments. Its efficient currency-bridging capabilities simplify and expedite international transactions, potentially reducing expenses and enhancing liquidity for financial institutions. This can result in expedited and cost-effective remittances, benefiting both businesses and individuals.

Liquidity and Market Efficiency

The XRP Ledger’s utilization of XRP as a bridge currency and liquidity tool has the potential to bolster market efficiency and enhance liquidity for diverse assets. By enabling seamless value exchange across different currencies, the XRP Ledger contributes to improved market liquidity, simplifying the process of buying, selling, and trading assets for users. This heightened liquidity has the capacity to foster more efficient markets and enhance the process of price discovery.

XRP Distribution And Price Dynamics 

The distribution of XRP tokens by Ripple Labs is a nuanced process that goes beyond a simple monthly release schedule. Currently, the majority of XRP is held in 16 escrow contracts, and their release is influenced by multiple factors, such as market conditions and ecosystem adoption. The original 55-month distribution projection was an estimate, and Ripple has the ability to adjust the pace based on their assessment.

Certainly, this distribution strategy impacts the price of XRP. A significant influx of XRP could potentially exert downward pressure on its value. However, attributing price fluctuations solely to this factor would be narrow-minded. The overall market sentiment towards cryptocurrencies, demand from financial institutions, regulatory developments, and news related to Ripple all contribute significantly. To truly understand the price action of XRP, a comprehensive analysis of these intertwined factors is necessary, recognizing the intricate interplay between Ripple’s distribution strategy and the dynamic cryptocurrency landscape.

Tokenomics Of XRP Supply

XRP has a fixed supply of 100 billion tokens, making it a pre-mined cryptocurrency with no possibility of additional token creation. Only a fraction of the tokens are actively traded, while 20 billion went to the founders. The distribution involves 55 smart contracts that release 1 billion tokens monthly over 55 months, resulting in a monthly increment of 1 billion tokens. The circulating supply is around 53.7 billion tokens, with the remaining held in escrow.

Over 60% of the total supply is concentrated in the top 100 wallets, raising decentralization concerns. Ripple owns 6.5 billion XRP, adjusting the circulating supply to approximately 47 billion tokens.

XRP exhibits a mild deflationary trend from burning fees, reducing the total supply to about 99,988,221,902 XRP.

Buying XRP Coins

Purchasing XRP coins can be a relatively straightforward procedure; however, the available choices cater to diverse levels of experience and comfort. Here is a breakdown of different approaches tailored to meet your specific requirements:

Beginner-Friendly Exchanges

Coinbase and Binance are user-friendly platforms suitable for newcomers. They provide intuitive interfaces, clear instructions, and customer support to assist users throughout the process.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Exchanges

Platforms like Paxful are P2P exchanges that enable direct XRP purchases from other individuals. This decentralized approach offers privacy and flexibility but requires caution when evaluating counterparties and following safety measures.

Decentralized Exchanges (DEX) 

Uniswap is an example of a DEX platform that operates on blockchains. They facilitate direct peer-to-peer trading without intermediaries, providing enhanced security and control over funds. However, using DEX platforms will require compatible wallets.

Tracking Prices of XRP Ledger (XRP)

To effectively track the prices of XRP Ledger (XRP), the digital asset native to the XRP Ledger, and stay up to date with its market movements and fluctuations, there are several reliable methods and platforms that you can utilize, such as widely recognized cryptocurrency tracking platforms like CoinMarketCap

CoinMarketCap is a highly regarded platform for monitoring cryptocurrencies, offering extensive data on a diverse range of digital assets, such as XRP Ledger (XRP). Users can explore the XRP page on CoinMarketCap to access up-to-the-minute price updates, historical data, market trends, and other pertinent information relating to XRP. CoinMarketCap serves as a trusted resource for individuals seeking to track and analyze the performance of XRP Ledger within the global cryptocurrency market.

Ripple Lawsuit With Securities And Exchange Commission (SEC)

The Ripple vs. SEC legal dispute, which began in December 2020, has a profound impact on XRP. The SEC accuses Ripple of conducting an unregistered securities offering through XRP sales, while Ripple argues that XRP is a utility token for cross-border payments and not a security. This ongoing battle has caused turbulence for XRP, resulting in price volatility and adoption uncertainty. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for XRP and the broader cryptocurrency industry.

The lawsuit has led to a hesitant market as businesses and individuals are cautious about embracing XRP due to the uncertainty surrounding its classification. The resolution will determine whether XRP’s utility as a token will prevail or if the SEC’s classification as a security will cast a long shadow over its future. As the market awaits a definitive answer, the trajectory of Ripple’s digital creation remains uncertain.

Conclusion

XRP Ledger (XRP) boasts an established name, a decentralized network, and lightning-fast, low-cost transactions. This has cemented its role as a preferred bridge currency for cross-border payments.

Despite facing legal challenges, XRP has an impressive track record as one of the pioneering cryptocurrencies, gaining widespread adoption among major financial institutions through RippleNet. The community’s dedication and the project’s foundational strengths provide a solid basis for potential success. However, the outcome of the SEC lawsuit will be a crucial determinant in shaping the future of XRP, whether it will be positive or negative.

Nevertheless, navigating the world of XRP necessitates careful consideration. While some may prioritize user-friendly platforms for entry, experienced traders might seek advanced features offered by decentralized exchanges (DEXs).

Regardless of your experience level, remember that cryptocurrencies remain volatile, and responsible investing practices are paramount. Consider these factors, research, and choose the path that aligns with your personal financial goals and risk tolerance.

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As the eagerly awaited Bitcoin halving event approaches in April, cryptocurrency analysts are engaging in spirited discussions about the potential trajectory of the leading cryptocurrency’s price.

Offering his insights, Michaël van de Poppe, the founder and CEO of MN Trading, has shared his predictions, outlining a period of consolidation before potential growth, with a particular emphasis on the anticipated outperformance of certain altcoins.

Bullish Long-Term Outlook Amidst Short-Term Consolidation

Van de Poppe envisions a phase of consolidation for Bitcoin in the upcoming months, with a suggested price range oscillating between $48,000 and $50,000 leading up to the halving event.

My general theory is that #Bitcoin is consolidating in the coming months.

Pre-Halving a final run towards resistance at $48-50K, after that another correction to $36-38K and from there #Altcoins to continue outperforming Bitcoin. pic.twitter.com/sYiqpg3T93

— Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) February 3, 2024

However, he cautiously warns of the possibility of a further correction, potentially driving the price down to a range of $36,000 to $38,000 before witnessing a rebound. This aligns with his previous statements expressing a keen interest in accumulating more Bitcoin within this specified range.

Despite these short-term predictions of consolidation, Van de Poppe maintains a bullish stance on Bitcoin’s long-term prospects. He boldly projects a potential future price of $300,000, echoing the prevailing optimistic sentiment within the cryptocurrency market.

This optimistic outlook is not unique to Van de Poppe, as other analysts also express similar enthusiasm, with price predictions ranging from $170,000 to a staggering $1 million post-halving.

In an intriguing twist, Van de Poppe suggests that while Bitcoin experiences this period of consolidation, certain altcoins, namely Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), and Ethereum (ETH), may potentially “outshine” Bitcoin.

This implies an anticipation of their growth rates surpassing those of Bitcoin. Notably, Dogecoin (DOGE) has already displayed bullish momentum, seemingly validating these projections.

Bitcoin Price At A Glance

Bitcoin is currently trading at approximately $43,097, and its next move is crucial. If it breaks above $43,375, it might surge further, finding resistance at higher levels. On the downside, there’s a solid support around $42,940, backed by the 50-Day Exponential Moving Average (EMA).

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) suggests a neutral market, hovering around 54, without a clear direction. Traders are closely watching for a potential breakout above $43,375, which could trigger a bullish rally, or a drop below $42,950, indicating a bearish trend. The market is at a pivotal point, and significant price action could follow.

Traders Remain Upbeat On Much-Awaited Bull Cycle

The current Bitcoin market operates within a unique landscape, shaped by the recent launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs and the looming halving event. While the possibility of sideways movement exists, traders remain hopeful for the initiation of the long-awaited bull cycle.

As the crypto community eagerly awaits the unfolding of these predictions, the dynamics of the market continue to evolve, keeping investors on the edge of their seats in anticipation of the upcoming events.

Featured image from Adobe Stock, chart from TradingView

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The Kaspa (KAS) blockchain is a decentralized, open-source, and scalable Layer-1 solution often referred to as “Bitcoin 2.0” or “the next Bitcoin.” However, Kaspa is unique in its own way despite functioning very similarly to Bitcoin. Just like Bitcoin, Kaspa is a proof of work (PoW) cryptocurrency, but unlike other traditional blockchains, Kaspa implemented the GHOSTDAG protocol.

This protocol is unique in the fact that it does not have orphan blocks created in parallel. Rather, it allows them to coexist and orders them in consensus. This makes Kaspa the first of its kind to do this, with the blockDAG (Block Directed Acyclic Graph) protocol being a generalization of Nakamoto’s consensus.

The Founder And The Team Behind The Kaspa (KAS) Network

The founder of Kaspa is Yonatan Sompolinsky, a Ph.D. in Computer Science at Havard University and a member of the Maximal extractable value (MEV) research team. He was also in Ethereum’s whitepaper and rumored to be in Ripple’s whitepaper as well.

Sompolinsky had direct input in creating Ethereum’s technology design, having designed the GHOSTDAG protocol earlier. Interestingly, the founder’s 2013 paper on the GHOSTDAG protocol is cited in Ethereum’s whitepaper.

The development team is made up of very talented individuals such as Cryptography Researcher Elichai Turkel, Doctoral student Shai Wyborski, Developer Ori Newman, Master of Computer Science Michael Sutton, and Developer Mike Zak. They have all contributed to the implementation and ongoing development of the Kaspa blockchain network.

Differences And Similarities Between Kaspa (KAS) And Bitcoin (BTC)

At the very base of its technology, Kaspa is very similar to the Bitcoin network in the way it’s structured. Some of these similarities are outlined below:

Utility: Bitcoin is a Layer 1 blockchain solution that functions as a store of value, often referred to as digital gold, functioning as a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency. Likewise, Kaspa is a Layer 1 solution purported to be a store of value and functioning as peer-to-peer cash.

Related Reading: What Are The Top 8 DeFi And Web3 Wallets To Use In Crypto?

Limited Total supply: Bitcoin has a maximum total supply of 21 million BTC to be ever mined, meaning new coins can never be created after all of these coins are mined. In a similar fashion, Kaspa has a maximum total supply of 28.7 billion coins, with a little over 22.5 billion in circulation. 
Halving Events: Both Kaspa and Bitcoin undergo halving, which slashes the block rewards for miners in half. However, while Bitcoin undergoes a halving event every four years, Kaspa uses a Chromatic Halving Schedule, “meaning that rewards smoothly decrease every month in a quantitative manner that results in a 50% emission reduction per annum,” according to its website. 
Decentralization/Proof of work: Both blockchains employ a decentralized proof of work mechanism, meaning that the network is secured by miners who solve complex mathematical equations to mine blocks and confirm transactions. Unfortunately, this also means that both networks are energy-intensive and require a lot of power to run. 

One major difference between both networks is that Kaspa solves the issue of scalability that continues to plague Bitcoin. This means that while both networks use a proof of work mechanism, Kaspa is able to carry out transactions at a faster rate as well as cheaper fees.

How Does Kaspa The Blockchain Solve Trilemma Issues?

The Blockchain Trilemma refers to the three critical aspects of blockchain technology, which are security, scalability, and decentralization. This trilemma continues to plague leading blockchains such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, and they continue to battle these issues. This is because, in order to ensure security and decentralization, something had to give, and in both cases, it was scalability.

However, Kaspa, on the other hand, is one of the few blockchains to solve the blockchain trilemma, as it is decentralized, scalable, and secured. It solves the blockchain trilemma issues through its integration of proof of work (PoW) and the blockDAG structure.

How Does The Kaspa GhostDAG Protocol Work?

Most blockchains that digitally process transactions do so in the form of blocks, hence the name blockchain. Kaspa, however, deviates from this because it does not store digital transactions in blocks. Instead, it does so using a complex mathematical structure called a DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph). 

In a DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph), vertices are present instead of blocks. So, instead of referring to different units as forming blocks, each different vertice forms edges when connected to each other. The blockchain then relies on present transactions to validate and confirm transactions that come after it. 

Kaspa does not discard previous blocks of information; therefore, it is more secure and scalable. Its mining relies on kHeavyHash, which is a form of optical mining algorithm that is energy efficient and works well with mining equipment such as FPGAs and GPUs.

Prominent Features Of Kaspa (KAS)

Efficient Proof of Wook: Kaspa is a one-of-a-kind blockchain that has managed to maintain its Proof of Work mechanism while also solving the blockchain trilemma. To put this in perspective, blockchains such as Ethereum have had to move from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS) in an effort to solve their scalability issues and make them faster. 

However, since Kaspa already solved the blockchain trilemma, this makes it highly scalable while maintaining a truly decentralized system. Its utilization of the optical-mining-ready kHeavyHash algorithm also helps to ensure the consensus and security of the network.

Instant Transaction Confirmation: Kaspa was designed to be cheaper and faster than Bitcoin, where full confirmation of a transaction takes an average of 10 seconds, with each transaction visible to the network in one second. This is significant when compared to Bitcoin, which takes an average of 10 minutes to confirm a transaction.

Security: When it comes to security, Kaspa did not just employ the same security principles and methodology as Bitcoin, it took it a step further as it replaced the SHA-256 PoW encryption with kHeavyHash, while inheriting all the security properties of SHA-256. Thus, its network is still secured by a robust network of decentralized volunteers (miners) who validate and sign transactions just like Bitcoin.

Cheaper Fees: Not only does the Kaspa Blockchain network confirm transactions fast, but it is also significantly cheaper than Bitcoin. This is because the blockDAG network generates multiple blocks every second for posting transactions to the ledger, whereas Bitcoin generates one block every 10 minutes. Transaction fees on Kaspa cost less than a cent, while transaction fees on Bitcoin cost an average of $4 at the time of this publication.

Scalability: Kaspa solves scalability issues with its blockDAG network’s ability to generate and confirm multiple blocks per second, as mentioned above. But perhaps the most interesting part of what Kaspa does is that it is able to confirm so many blocks (vertices) per second without altering or giving up its decentralized nature.

What Is KAS Coin And What Are Its Uses?

KAS coin is the native token of the Kaspa blockchain, whose main objective is to power the whole network. It is used to pay for transaction fees and other forms of developer’s fees, and it is also used as an incentive to reward miners. Its block rates are rapid and promise swift rewards, as well as offering profitable mining with lower hash rate requirements compared to Bitcoin.

The Tokenomics of Kaspa (KAS)

Kaspa’s native cryptocurrency, KAS, has a maximum or total supply of 28.7 billion coins that are not pre-mined. This means all of the tokens in circulation have been free-mined by miners on the blockchain. It has a circulating supply of 22.5 billion at the time of publication, and estimates are that with the current halving model, the last KAS coin will be mined in 2037. 

The Kaspa network utilizes an open crowdfunding and voting governance model, which means that KAS holders can contribute to the network for development, marketing initiatives, education, etc. 

This sense of shared responsibility and ownership motivates the community to come together and work toward collective goals. 

KAS Price History And Progress

Kaspa launched its mainnet along with its token two years ago, on November 7, 2021. Initially, the price of its native token, KAS, remained stagnant until July 2022, when it pumped from $0.0001840 to $0.0005890. It then traded sideways for months before going on another rally, triggering a 694% increase in price.

Following this, the KAS price rose to almost $0.01 per coin in just a year after its launch in November 2022. The price dipped a bit and started off trading 2023 with $0.005278 per coin. KAS would then go on to hit a new all-time high of $0.154 in November 2023, exactly two years from the month it launched.

Kaspa (KAS) is up 61,331% since its all-time low of $0.00017105 on May 26, 2022, according to Coingecko. This is significant because the surge to its new all-time highs took place during a bitter bear market, causing the coin to outperform the rest of the crypto market.

This immense growth in such a short time has led to some of Kaspa’s investors referring to it as ‘Bitcoin 2.0’ or ‘The next Bitcoin.’ Its similarities with Bitcoin have also fueled the belief that it is the next Bitcoin. With a market cap of $2.38 billion, Kaspa is currently the 38th-largest cryptocurrency in the space and the 7th-largest Proof of Work (PoW) blockchain.

Conclusion

Kaspa (KAS) solving the blockchain trilemma with the ability to be scalable and still be decentralized gives it an edge over blockchains such as Bitcoin. Its native KAS coin also has important use cases like powering the entire Kaspa blockchain protocol and being used for transaction fees. This ensures that the coin is always in demand as the Kaspa network usage grows.

Additionally, features like fast transactions, top-notch security due to its encryption with kHeavyHash, and a robust network of decentralized volunteers (miners) who validate and sign transactions make it an appealing choice for investors looking for an alternative to Bitcoin while enjoying the security and decentralization of Bitcoin.

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BRC-20 tokens open doors for developers to build their own decentralized applications (dApps) with unique economies on the Bitcoin network. This fosters community engagement through internal currencies, and attracting investment through innovative token sale structures.

BRC-20 tokens are fungible tokens built on the Bitcoin network using the Ordinals protocol. It also utilizes inscriptions containing JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) data to facilitate the deployment of token contracts, minting tokens, and transferring tokens. Presently, the BRC-20 token standard offers the ability to create a BRC-20 token using the deploy function, mint a specified quantity of BRC-20 tokens using the mint function, and transfer a designated amount of BRC-20 tokens through the transfer function.

BRC-20 and ERC-20 share some similar characteristics and functional concepts, but they are not identical due to their different underlying blockchains and implementation details. One of the differences is that BRC-20 tokens operate on the Bitcoin blockchain, while ERC-20 tokens reside on the Ethereum blockchain. This leads to differences in technical implementations and transaction fees.

Related Reading: How To Buy And Trade BRC-20 Tokens On The Bitcoin Network

Similar to ERC-20 tokens, BRC-20 tokens are fungible, meaning they can be exchanged on a one-to-one basis with equal value. They can be created, transferred, and traded on the Bitcoin network using decentralized marketplaces like Magic Eden with compatible wallets and decentralized exchanges that support the BRC-20 standard.

BRC-20 tokens breathe vitality into the Bitcoin network, acting as programmable extensions that expand the scope beyond basic transfers. They empower the Bitcoin network by enabling the development of DApps, fostering communities, and facilitating ownership of real-world assets. This dynamic frontier presents exciting opportunities for engagement, incentives, and innovation. 

However, it is essential to navigate the technical intricacies and embrace the evolving infrastructure. BRC-20 tokens, still a work in progress, possess tremendous potential to reshape the future of Bitcoin, unveiling a multitude of tokenized possibilities along the way.

Now, let’s dive into the exciting world of building your own BRC-20 tokens! As we discussed, platforms like Magic Eden offer a gateway to creating and trading these digital assets.

Creating BRC-20 Tokens On The Bitcoin Network

Creating BRC-20 tokens involves defining the token’s parameters, such as its name, symbol, and total supply, as well as any additional functionality you want to incorporate, such as token burning or minting restrictions. Once the smart contract is written, it needs to be compiled into bytecode and deployed onto the Bitcoin blockchain using the platform’s provided tools. This deployment process usually involves paying gas fees to execute the necessary transactions. Platforms like Magic Eden enable users to create their own BRC-20 Tokens.

First, visit the Magic Eden homepage, and click on “Connect Wallet” at the top right corner, as shown in the image below:

For the best wallets to use for BRC-20 tokens on the Bitcoin network, check here.

To initiate the creation of your BRC-20 token, it is essential to deploy it first. Adhere to the following instructions to proceed:

Next, click on the “Inscribe” button. (The Inscribe button pops up after you click on the “Mint” icon situated towards the top left of the screen).

Next, Click on the “BRC-20 ” tab at the top of the screen.

Then, follow these instructions:

 

Ticker: Select a four-letter phrase to serve as the unique identifier for your token. For instance, widely recognized BRC-20 tokens have utilized tickers like ORDI or OXBT. Establish the maximum quantity of tokens that will be available for minting. Specify the highest number of tokens that can be minted in a single transaction. Select the desired parameters and click on “Next”.

Choose the desired Bitcoin Network Fee from the options available, such as Low, Medium, or High. After making your selection, proceed by clicking the “Inscribe” button. (Ensure that the chosen ticker is not already deployed to avoid transaction failure. Magic Eden will automatically check this unless instructed otherwise).

Now, wait for the transaction to be confirmed by the Bitcoin network. Confirmation times may vary.After the confirmation, check your wallet. Upon successful confirmation, you will receive a “Deploy” inscription, signifying that you can proceed to mint your tokens. The provided example illustrates a “Deploy” inscription within the Xverse wallet.

Minting Your BRC-20 Token

Having successfully deployed your BRC20 token, follow these instructions to mint it. Navigate back to the ‘Inscribe Ordinals’ modal located on the Magic Eden homepage. Within the modal, click on the “BRC-20 Mint”  tab to proceed.

Enter the four-letter phrase that you deployed earlier, indicate the desired quantity of tokens you intend to mint, and specify the number of mint inscriptions you wish to generate.

Note: The maximum number you can mint per transaction has to be the same with the value set in the “Limit per mint” during the deploy process. Now, click on the “Next” button and select the network fee. After selecting the desired fee rate, click the “Inscribe” button. In the following example, 63 BRC-20 tokens are being minted in three batches of 21 each.

A set of mint transaction links will be provided. Please note that confirming the mint transactions once again may take some time.

After confirmation, you will receive the mint inscriptions in your connected wallet.

Congratulations, you have successfully created your first BRC-20 Token!

Conclusion

BRC-20 tokens offer fungible tokenization capabilities within the Bitcoin network, enabling a range of applications and use cases. As the blockchain industry progresses, both NFTs and BRC-20 tokens assume crucial roles in shaping the trajectory of digital ownership and decentralized finance (DeFi).

BRC-20 tokens introduce fungible tokenization capabilities within the Bitcoin network, providing the ability to create and exchange interchangeable tokens. This opens up a wide array of possibilities for various applications and use cases within the blockchain industry. As the blockchain ecosystem continues to advance, both NFTs and BRC-20 tokens play pivotal roles in shaping the direction of digital ownership and decentralized finance, driving innovation, and paving the way for a more inclusive and decentralized financial landscape.

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Cardano, a blockchain platform known for its research-oriented strategy and eco-friendly Proof-of-Stake consensus, is experiencing substantial growth. Increased transaction volumes, a variety of project launches, and active development within its ecosystem underline this expansion.

Cardano Transaction Boom

December and January saw Cardano process over 4 million transactions, showcasing a significant increase in on-chain activity. This growth aligns with the platform’s ambition to become a scalable and sustainable blockchain for real-world applications.

The blockchain platform isn’t just processing transactions; it’s attracting developers and projects. Eight new projects launched on Cardano in the past two months, and an additional 17 are currently under development. This brings the total to 157 already launched and 1,320 in progress, indicating a thriving and diverse ecosystem.

#Cardano fam. It’s the weekly update!!

Check out the amazing thread from @IOHKMedia.

What jumped out to me: 4 MILLION transactions done on @Cardano in the last 2 months $ADA https://t.co/6S20nATGJS pic.twitter.com/TFOI8DNKrE

— Chris O (@TheOCcryptobro) February 2, 2024

Technology On The Move

Cardano’s technological advancements are fueling its growth. The number of token policies on the platform surged, leading to the minting of 480,000 new native tokens. Additionally, Plutus scripts, enabling smart contracts on Cardano, saw substantial growth, with both V1 and V2 scripts experiencing significant increases.

Project Catalyst, Cardano’s community-driven funding initiative, is fostering engagement and innovation. In its second week of voting for Fund11, nearly 5,000 wallets cast over 150,000 votes across 920 proposals seeking community funding. This active participation highlights the strong community backing for Cardano’s development.

ADA Price On The Rise

Reflecting the overall positive sentiment, Cardano’s native token, ADA, experienced a price increase of 1.3% in the last 24 hours and 7.4% in the past week.

While the report paints a positive picture, it’s crucial to acknowledge the broader context. Cardano faces competition from established players like Ethereum and emerging blockchains. Regulatory uncertainty surrounding cryptocurrencies remains a factor, and while touted as energy-efficient, Cardano’s environmental impact compared to other blockchains is still under debate.

Cardano’s Eco-Friendly Footprint

Charles Hoskinson created Cardano as a peer-reviewed blockchain, but what sets it apart is the Ouroboros proof-of-stake system. Compared to Bitcoin, Cardano can perform transactions with a far smaller environmental impact thanks to its energy-efficient methodology.

According to CExplorer, Cardano’s annual energy consumption is a meager 2.602 GWh. It is therefore around 214,672 times more energy-efficient than Bitcoin.

Cardano’s PoS system is scalable, flexible, and adaptable, making it a viable option for investors who are worried about how their cryptocurrency holdings may affect the environment.

Overall, Cardano’s recent growth momentum suggests a promising future for the platform. However, navigating the competitive landscape, evolving regulations, and sustainability concerns will be key to securing its long-term success.

Featured image from VistaCreate, chart from TradingView

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Bitcoin SV (BSV),  a hardfork of the Bitcoin token, has drawn much attention in the last day after top American exchange Coinbase announced its termination of support for the asset. Following this news, BSV’s price has taken a hit, falling by over 5% in the last 24 hours.

Coinbase Ends Support For Bitcoin SV

In an X post on February 3, Coinbase shared that it had officially withdrawn support for BSV on its platform. This announcement follows a previous post in December when the exchange first communicated its intentions to delist BSV.

According to Coinbase, all BSV remaining in customers’ wallets have been liquidated and replaced with the equivalent market value of another asset. However, the exchange states that certain wallets may not receive any compensation assets due to the transaction costs associated with the liquidation and replacement process. 

As a reminder, any BSV funds in your Coinbase account have been liquidated and converted to the equivalent market value of another supported digital asset and credited back to your account, minus any transaction costs.

— Coinbase Assets (@CoinbaseAssets) February 3, 2024 

As of now, Coinbase has provided no official reason behind its decision to remove BSV from its coin offerings. However, it is worth noting that Bitcoin SV has been a rather controversial asset since its creation in 2018. 

Notably, the BSV blockchain network has been subject to multiple 51% attacks in the past due to its rather “centralized” structure, which serves as a source of concern to many exchanges. Aside from Coinbase, other top exchanges that have delisted Bitcoin SV include Binance, Kraken, Bittrex, Robinhood, etc. 

Furthermore, the token’s founder Craig Wright has continuously drawn criticism to himself for claiming to be the anonymous inventor of Bitcoin – Satoshi Nakamoto. In 2022, Wright filed to obtain the Bitcoin copyright and block the operations of the Bitcoin network and Bitcoin Cash claiming a violation of intellectual property. However, the court rejected this petition in the face of surmountable evidence against the plaintiff.

Bitcoin SV Price Overview 

At the time of writing, BSV trades at $72.65 with a 5.61% price loss on the last day but a 0.10% gain on the weekly chart. Despite an impressive end to 2023 in which it gained by almost 110% in the last week of the year, the Bitcoin hardfork is now down by 15.20% in the last 30 days. 

Meanwhile, the token’s daily trading volume is barely positive, having gained by 7.54% to attain a value of $90.39 million. With a total market cap of $1.43 billion, Bitcoin SV ranks as the 52nd largest cryptocurrency in the world.

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