Bitcoin NFTs Hit $880M in Sales, Surpassing Ethereum and Solana Combined
Bitcoin-powered NFT sales skyrocketed to $880 million in December, surpassing the combined sales of Ethereum and Solana. This surge highlights a growing interest in Bitcoin NFTs, largely driven by the increasing popularity of Ordinals. The rise of Bitcoin NFTs signifies a potential shift in the NFT landscape, diversifying beyond Ethereum and Solana as more users tap into Bitcoin’s ecosystem for digital assets. (Crypto Briefing)
Crypto Inflows Tripled from 2022, Marking Significant Growth
A new report shows that cryptocurrency fund inflows have tripled since 2022, reflecting heightened investor interest. This growth is driven by factors like institutional adoption of crypto and increased demand for exposure to digital assets. It signals a shift in investor sentiment, with more traditional investors diversifying their portfolios to include cryptocurrencies, contributing to the ongoing mainstream acceptance of the crypto market. (Blockworks)
DeFi Protocols Reach Total Value Locked Levels Last Seen in 2022
DeFi protocols have seen a dramatic increase in total value locked (TVL), returning to levels not seen since 2022. The growth is attributed to factors such as improved protocol security, attractive yields, and innovation in decentralized finance solutions. This resurgence reflects renewed confidence in DeFi, signaling strong recovery potential and continued expansion in the DeFi ecosystem. (The Block)
Vitalik Buterin Unveils Ethereum Roadmap for 2024
Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum’s co-founder, has unveiled an ambitious roadmap for 2024 that includes key upgrades to Ethereum’s scalability, security, and sustainability. With a focus on Ethereum 2.0, the roadmap emphasizes the need for community involvement to achieve these long-term goals. This development marks a pivotal year for Ethereum, with its transition set to enhance the network’s performance and user experience. (Cointelegraph)
Etherscan Acquires Solscan to Expand Blockchain Data Services
Etherscan has acquired Solscan, expanding its blockchain data services to include support for the Solana blockchain. This acquisition enhances Etherscan’s offerings by integrating Solana data, catering to the growing interest in Solana as a blockchain solution. The move underscores the increasing importance of cross-chain compatibility and highlights the broader trend of blockchain explorers offering multi-network support. (The Block)
Arbitrum Token Hits Record High as Value Locked Exceeds $25B
Arbitrum’s native token has hit an all-time high as the total value locked (TVL) in the protocol surpassed $25 billion. This milestone underscores the growing adoption of Arbitrum as a Layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum, helping reduce network congestion and lower gas fees. The increasing token value and TVL highlight Arbitrum’s expanding role in addressing Ethereum’s scalability challenges. (CoinDesk)
Crypto Options Trading Volume Soars to Record High Before ETF Decision
Crypto options trading has surged to a record $10 billion in a single day, driven by anticipation of a decision on crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This spike in options trading volume reflects the market's heightened activity and investor positioning ahead of this significant regulatory milestone. It underscores the growing importance of crypto ETFs and their potential impact on the broader market. (Bloomberg)
Sui Blockchain's User-Friendly Lending Protocol Boosts DeFi Adoption
The Sui blockchain has introduced a new user-friendly lending protocol that is gaining attention for its potential to drive decentralized finance (DeFi) adoption. By simplifying the lending process, the protocol makes DeFi more accessible to mainstream users, helping to expand the reach of decentralized finance solutions beyond early adopters and into the broader financial ecosystem. (Cointelegraph)
Sei Network Gains Popularity with SEIYAN Emerging as Leading Meme Coin
Sei Network has emerged as a popular player in the crypto space, with its meme coin, SEIYAN, gaining significant traction among investors. The rise of SEIYAN reflects the continued influence of meme coins on the crypto market. Sei Network’s popularity showcases the evolving nature of cryptocurrency investment, where cultural trends like meme coins are shaping market behavior and attracting new investors. (CoinDesk)
