Insider trading is hard to curb on non-KYC prediction markets, but even identity checks do not fully eliminate abuse, according to Messari’s Austin Weiler. Concerns over insider trading on prediction markets have intensified after a series of high-profile bets on geopolitical events, prompting fresh questions over whether it’s even feasible to curb such practices in the growing industry sector. Preventing insider trading is realistically possible only on prediction markets applying Know Your Customer (KYC) measures, according to Austin Weiler, a research analyst at the blockchain intelligence firm Messari. “For KYC’d platforms, the most effective mechanism is to restrict access upfront for users to specific markets,” Weiler told Cointelegraph, adding that state actors could be restricted from political or geopolitical markets. Read more
Bitcoin bulls defend $90,000 as Hash Ribbons and Fear and Greed Index flash buy signals, hinting at a potential rally. Bitcoin’s (BTC) leading indicators flashed buy signals as bulls fought to keep the price above $90,000. Key takeaways: Bitcoin Hash Ribbons flashed a "buy" signal amid miner capitulation recovery, an occurrence that has historically preceded strong rallies. Read more
The warning came as Hong Kong consults on new virtual asset advisory and management licenses, expanding oversight beyond crypto trading platforms. The Hong Kong Securities & Futures Professionals Association (HKSFPA) warned that the city’s proposed rollout of new crypto licensing regimes may unintentionally force compliant crypto managers to cease activities if regulators proceed without transitional arrangements. The warning centers on what the group described as a potential “hard start,” under which existing firms would be required to be fully licensed by the commencement date of the new rules or cease regulated activities while their applications are under review. Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission and the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau are currently consulting on new licensing regimes that cover virtual asset dealing, advisory and management services, which would expand regulatory oversight beyond the city’s existing framework for crypto trading platforms. Read more
Bitcoin failed to break out from its macro trading range, according to analysis, with new BTC price targets including a return to sub-$60,000 levels. Bitcoin (BTC) slid to eight-day lows on Tuesday as macro headwinds gave bulls new headaches. Key points: Bitcoin toyed with the 2025 and 2026 yearly opens after a “failed” breakout from its multimonth range. Read more
Gold hit fresh record highs on Tuesday as rising geopolitical tensions and trade-war fears continued to push investors toward safe-haven assets. Bitcoin holders have realized net losses over 30 days, marking the first such stretch since late 2023, after more than two years dominated by realized profits. According to data shared by Julio Moreno, head of research at CryptoQuant, the Bitcoin (BTC) rolling 30-day realized profit and loss metric has dipped below zero, indicating that coins moved onchain during the past month were sold at below their purchase cost. “Bitcoin holders realizing losses, for a 30-day period since, late December for the first time since October 2023,” Moreno wrote on X. Read more
A long-dormant Satoshi‑era wallet suddenly moved 909.38 BTC, now worth about $84.6 million, highlighting how dramatically early Bitcoin prices differ from today’s valuations A dormant Satoshi-era Bitcoin wallet came back to life after 13 years, transferring its entire 909.38 BTC balance, worth about $84.6 million at current prices, into a fresh BTC address. Onchain data from blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence shows that the address first received Bitcoin (BTC) in 2013, when one coin was trading at less than $7. By comparison, if, instead of buying 909.38 BTC, worth about $6,400 in 2013, the same amount had gone into a low‑cost S&P 500 index fund, it would be worth $37,000 today, after a gain of 481%. Read more