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A New GBP-pegged Stablecoin, FTX Making Chess Moves, and More!
Markets are doing slightly better than the last 7 days; the crypto market gained 11% capitalization, with Bitcoin jumping 4.7% and Ethereum 9.4% since last Tuesday. The market sentiment is kept at the edge of its seat as speculators compare the liquidity crisis accumulating on the likes of BlockFi, Celsius, and other DeFi platforms to the financial crisis in 2008. On the brighter side of the tunnel, Bank of England’s Deputy Governor Jon Cunliffe said that crypto projects that survive these trying times in the industry could become the tech companies of the future; aligning with other bullish sentiments that deem the market crash as healthy to infiltrate the strong projects from the weaklings.
Figure 1: More VC Money in Digital Assets since Last Market Crash
Source: PitchBook, Bloomberg
Key Takeaways
• Cardano lobbies for software-enabled self-regulation for the cryptoassets industry• Data indicates nearing a market bottom
• Tether to launch GBP-pegged stablecoin
• KPMG kicks off collaboration hub in the metaverse
• Solana unveils web3-focused Android phone
Weekly Returns
The returns of the top five cryptoassets over the last week were as follows — BTC (1.7%), ETH (6.8%), BNB (6.86%), ADA(2.59%), XRP (9.39%)
Time frame: 21 to 27 June
Media Coverage
Our CEO and co-founder Hany Rashwan went live on CoinDesk TV on Monday to discuss market conditions. “As an ETF provider, we had the ability to create a number of new shares, as new investors come in, we’re in an all-time high in terms of number of shares, now the prices have obviously depressed but that shows an incredible amount of new investors and inflows,” Hany told CoinDesk TV. You can watch the full segment here.
On another note, 21Shares’ co-founder and president Ophelia Snyder got featured on Bein Crypto. The article reads: Many larger firms may also lack the technical expertise necessary to confidently deal with crypto assets. ”The level of technical detail you need is quite high,” said Ophelia. ”That reality disproportionately benefits specialized firms.”
Last but not least, our last newsletter was featured on Finanzen.ch and Bond Guide in German. If you want to switch to the German newsletter, click here.
News
Morgan Creek Digital and FTX Compete Over Acquiring Crypto Lender BlockFi
What happened?
On June 21st, BlockFi’s CEO Zac Prince announced on Twitter that his company signed a term sheet with FTX to secure a $250M revolving credit facility to provide access to capital that further bolsters the crypto lender’s balance sheet and platform strength. The proceeds of the credit facility were intended to be contractually subordinate to all client balances across all account types (BIA, BPY and loan collateral) and will be used as needed.
Three days later, news circulated that FTX in talks to acquire stake in BlockFi, nudging cryptocurrency investment firm Morgan Creek Digital to roll up its sleeves and raise $250M from investors to purchase a majority stake in crypto lender.
Why does it matter?
The downfall of prices that took a sharp turn in May had a domino effect on crypto exchanges and DeFi platform, namely BlockFi, which lost almost 80% of its valuation. There are four reasons this story matters:
- The credit line agreement gives FTX the option to buy BlockFi at allegedly zero price.
- This would effectively wipe out all of BlockFi’s existing equity shareholders, including management and employees with stock options, as well as all equity investors in the company’s previous venture rounds.
- However, FTX’s agreement was the only emergency financing option offered to BlockFi that would not subordinate client assets to the rescuer.
- Unless BlockFi went with FTX, its depositors would have had to wait in line behind the new lender to be repaid.
This is a further testament that the bear market is a battleground to test crypto projects in the space and thicken the skin of those who remain. The $250M revolving credit facility sets an example for bigger crypto companies to collaborate with younger projects to enhance accessibility of crypto markets.
Now with Morgan Creek wanting in on the deal, the trend is crystal clear that extreme market conditions have tempted companies to help younger projects amid times of fear, uncertainty, and doubt, while also getting in on the benefits that would be collected in the not-so-near future.
Research Newsletter
Each week the 21Shares Research team will publish our data-driven insights into the crypto asset world through this newsletter. Please direct any comments, questions, and words of feedback to research@21shares.com
Disclaimer
The information provided does not constitute a prospectus or other offering material and does not contain or constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction. Some of the information published herein may contain forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and that actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. The information contained herein may not be considered as economic, legal, tax or other advice and users are cautioned to base investment decisions or other decisions solely on the content hereof.
2024 was a landmark year for bitcoin, solidifying its role as a fully institutionalised asset class.
Institutional inflows into physical bitcoin exchange-traded products (ETPs) reached nearly $35 billion globally, signalling a major shift in how traditional investors view crypto. As bitcoin continued to enhance portfolios’ risk-return profiles, more institutional investors followed suit, reshaping the financial landscape.
Looking ahead, 2025 promises to bring exciting developments across the crypto ecosystem. Here are the top five crypto trends to watch.
Fear of being left behind
The era of bitcoin as a niche investment is over. Institutional adoption is creating a ripple effect, forcing hesitant players to reconsider. Portfolios with bitcoin allocations are consistently outperforming those without, highlighting its growing importance.
Figure 1: Bitcoin in a multi-asset portfolio
| 60/40 Global Portfolio | 1% Bitcoin Portfolio | 3% Bitcoin Portfolio | 5% Bitcoin Portfolio | 10% Bitcoin Portfolio | MSCI AC World | Bloomberg Multiverse | Bitcoin | |
| Annualised Return | 5.77% | 6.46% | 7.83% | 9.20% | 12.57% | 9.07% | 0.56% | 56.24% |
| Volatility | 8.79% | 8.86% | 9.14% | 9.62% | 11.42% | 13.94% | 5.05% | 67.28% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.48 | 0.55 | 0.68 | 0.79 | 0.96 | 0.54 | -0.20 | 0.81 |
| Information Ratio | 1.01 | 1.01 | 1.01 | 1.00 | ||||
| Beta | 70% | 71% | 73% | 75% | 81% | 100% | 24% | 181% |
Source: Bloomberg, WisdomTree. From 31 December 2013 to 30 November 2024. In USD. Based on daily returns. The 60/40 Global Portfolio is composed of 60% MSCI All Country World and 40% Bloomberg Multiverse. You cannot invest directly in an index. Historical performance is not an indication of future performance and any investment may go down in value.
With bitcoin’s ability to noticeably improve portfolios’ risk-return profiles, asset managers face a clear choice: integrate bitcoin into multi-asset portfolios or risk falling behind in a rapidly evolving financial landscape. In 2025, expect the competition to heat up as clients demand exposure to this powerhouse cryptocurrency.
Expanding crypto investment options
In 2024, regulatory breakthroughs opened the doors for physical bitcoin and ether ETPs in key developed markets. This marked a critical step towards making cryptocurrencies mainstream, providing seamless access to institutional and retail investors alike.
Figure 2: Global physical crypto ETP assets under management (AUM) and 2024 net flows
Source: Bloomberg, WisdomTree. 02 January 2025. Historical performance is not an indication of future performance and any investment may go down in value.
In 2025, this momentum is expected to accelerate as the crypto regulatory environment becomes more friendly in the United States and as key developed markets follow Europe’s lead and approve ETPs for altcoins such as Solana and XRP. With their clear utility and growing adoption, these altcoins are strong candidates for institutional investment vehicles.
This next wave of altcoin ETPs will expand the diversity of crypto investment opportunities and further integrate cryptocurrencies into the global financial system.
The maturing of Ethereum’s layer-2 ecosystem
Ethereum’s role as the backbone of decentralised finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and Web3 is unmatched, but its scalability challenges remain a hurdle. Layer-2 solutions—technologies such as Arbitrum and Optimism—are transforming Ethereum’s scalability and usability by enabling faster, cheaper transactions.
In 2025, Ethereum’s recent upgrades, such as Proto-Danksharding (introduced in the ‘Dencun’ upgrade), will drive layer-2 adoption even further. Innovations like Visa’s layer-2 payment platform leveraging Ethereum for instant cross-border transactions will underscore the platform’s evolution.
Expect Ethereum’s layer-2 ecosystem to power real-world use cases ranging from tokenized assets to decentralised gaming, positioning it as the infrastructure of a truly scalable digital economy.
Stablecoins: bridging finance and blockchain
Stablecoins are becoming indispensable to the global financial system, offering the stability of traditional assets with the efficiency of blockchain. Platforms such as Ethereum dominate the stablecoin landscape, hosting stablecoin giants Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC), which facilitate billions in daily transactions.
Figure 3: Key stablecoin chains
Source: Artemis Terminal, WisdomTree. 05 January 2025. Historical performance is not an indication of future performance and any investment may go down in value.
As we move into 2025, stablecoins will increasingly interact with blockchain ecosystems such as Solana and XRP. Solana’s high-speed, low-cost infrastructure makes it ideal for stablecoin payments and remittances, while XRP Ledger’s focus on cross-border efficiency positions it as a leader in global settlements. With institutional adoption rising and DeFi applications booming, stablecoins will serve as the backbone of a seamless, interconnected financial ecosystem.
Tokenization: redefining ownership and revolutionising finance
Tokenization is set to redefine how we think about ownership and value. By converting tangible assets like real estate, commodities, stocks, and art into digital tokens, tokenization breaks down barriers to entry and creates unprecedented liquidity.
In 2025, tokenization will expand dramatically, empowering investors to own fractions of high-value assets. Platforms such as Paxos Gold and AspenCoin are already showcasing how tokenization can revolutionize markets for gold and luxury real estate. The integration of tokenized assets into DeFi will unlock new financial opportunities, such as using tokenized real estate as collateral for loans. As tokenization matures, it will transform industries ranging from private equity to venture capital, creating a more inclusive and efficient financial system.
For the avoidance of any doubt, tokenization complements crypto by expanding the use cases of blockchain to include real-world applications.
Looking ahead
2025 is set to be a defining year for crypto, as innovation, regulation, and adoption converge. Whether it is bitcoin cementing its position as a portfolio staple, Ethereum scaling for mainstream use, or tokenization unlocking liquidity in untapped markets, the crypto ecosystem is poised for explosive growth. For investors and institutions alike, the opportunities have never been clearer or more compelling.
This material is prepared by WisdomTree and its affiliates and is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. The opinions expressed are as of the date of production and may change as subsequent conditions vary. The information and opinions contained in this material are derived from proprietary and non-proprietary sources. As such, no warranty of accuracy or reliability is given and no responsibility arising in any other way for errors and omissions (including responsibility to any person by reason of negligence) is accepted by WisdomTree, nor any affiliate, nor any of their officers, employees or agents. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
On January 20, 2025, bitcoin (BTC) reached a new all-time high, surpassing $109,000, and this milestone coincided with Donald Trump’s inauguration for his second term as U.S. President.
Historical trends show that BTC has performed exceptionally well in the 12 months following the past three U.S. elections. If history repeats, this could signal another bullish phase. With Trump’s pro-BTC stance and a U.S. Congress aligned on favorable digital regulation, the outlook for the coming months appears highly promising.
Source: Hashdex Research with data from Messari (from November 6, 2012 to January 19, 2025).
MARKET HIGHLIGHTS | Jan 13 2025 – Jan 19 2025
Bitcoin-backed loans enabled on Coinbase’s L2
• Now customers can borrow USDC in the new base’s lending protocol by using bitcoin as collateral.
• This underscores the importance of onchain innovations as the pillar for future adoption of blockchain technology, in this case enhancing personal finance to be more decentralized and intuitive in a permissionless etho..
ETF filings reiterate bullish regulatory tailwinds
• As Donald Trump’s inauguration approaches, several asset managers have filed applications for new crypto ETF products, including those focused on assets like LTC and XRP.
• This reflects optimism for 2025’s crypto regulations and their potential to transform the regulated products landscape.
Trump to make crypto top priority in US agenda
• U.S. President-elect Donald Trump allegedly plans to issue an executive order making crypto a national policy priority and establishing an advisory council.
• The announcement signals that crypto has gained political importance. Even if not all promises are met, crypto has already crossed the chasm.
MARKET METRICS
The Nasdaq Crypto Index™
This week saw a significant rise in digital assets as the market awaits Trump’s inauguration, with the NCI™ (+15.3%) outperforming all traditional asset classes. The NCI™ (+13.2%) also outperformed BTC (+12.1%), highlighting the value of diversification in a volatile market. The performance was positively impacted by SOL’s strong 46.3% gain, while ETH’s underwhelming 3.0% growth had a dampening effect.
Source: Hashdex Research with data from CF Benchmarks and Bloomberg (from December 31, 2024 to January 19, 2025).
It was a strong week for the NCI™ , with SOL leading the pack (among others, like XRP and LINK), surging 46.3%, while BTC (12.1%) and ETH (3.0%) lagged behind. This price action seems driven by excitement around Trump’s inauguration and the crypto-friendly environment his promises suggest.
Source: Hashdex Research with data from Messari (from January 12, 2025 to January 19, 2025).
Indices tracked by Hashdex
Source: Hashdex Research with data from CF Benchmarks and Vinter (from January 19, 2024 to January 19, 2025).
5 crypto trends to watch in 2025
FGLR ETF gör hållbara investeringar i hela världen
Trump’s inauguration day, BTC all-time high and the US election bullish effect
AXA IM antar SDR-märkningar för tre aktiefonder i Storbritannien
HSDD ETF köper aktier i hållbara företag från den utvecklade världen
De mest eftersökta ETFerna i december 2024
De bästa ETFerna för värdeaktier
Post-election rally cools at year end
BlackRock slår rekord med lanseringen av bitcoin ETF
Hector McNeil kommenterar Trumps krav på Natos försvarsutgifter
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Nyheter3 veckor sedanDe mest eftersökta ETFerna i december 2024
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Nyheter2 veckor sedanPost-election rally cools at year end
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Nyheter3 veckor sedanDe bästa ETFerna för värdeaktier
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Nyheter3 veckor sedanBlackRock slår rekord med lanseringen av bitcoin ETF
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Nyheter3 veckor sedanHector McNeil kommenterar Trumps krav på Natos försvarsutgifter
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Nyheter3 veckor sedanBuffertstrategin på Nasdaq-100 med december 2024/2025 som ny målperiod
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Nyheter4 veckor sedanValour PYTH SEK spårar priset på kryptovalutan PYTH
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Nyheter4 veckor sedanJREZ ETF investerar i företag från Eurozonen med höga ESG-betyg
