Bitcoin Blasts Past $100K: Laser Eyes Edition

Bitcoin surpassed the highly anticipated $100K milestone!

The "laser eyes" movement, featuring glowing red eyes on social profile pictures, symbolized unwavering belief for the bitcoin industry. Bitcoiners demonstrated solidarity throughout past bear markets.

Congratulate your fellow bitcoin enthusiast who stayed strong while aiming for this market achievement.

Paul Atkins Nominated as SEC Chairman, Again

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Paul Atkins as SEC Chair, signaling a pro-crypto shift.

A former SEC commissioner and long-time advocate for deregulation, digital assets, and blockchain innovation, Atkins is expected to ease enforcement, review existing regulations, and prioritize market growth.

Co-chair of the Token Alliance , founded in 2017, Atkins has championed responsible development in token and digital asset markets.

His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

Jerome Powell Says Bitcoin is More Like Gold Than the U.S. Dollar

At the New York Times Deal Book Summit , Fed Chair Jerome Powell characterized Bitcoin as a speculative asset akin to gold, not a rival to the U.S. dollar.

Powell's comments highlight what some believe to be bitcoin's limited use as a payment method.

However, bitcoin markets surged after Powell's remarks and coincided with President-elect Trump's nomination of Paul Atkins as SEC Chair.

Former Crypto Exchange CEO Pleads Guilty to Fraud, Faces 30 Years in Prison

Alex Mashinsky, co-founder and former CEO of the defunct Celsius platform, has pleaded guilty to commodities and securities fraud.

He admitted to misleading customers, manipulating Celsius’ CEL token price, and profiting from inflated values.

Following Celsius' 2022 bankruptcy, customers have recovered only 60% of their losses, while Mashinsky agreed to forfeit over $49 million. Under sentencing guidelines, he faces up to 30 years in prison, with sentencing set for April 8, 2025.

Trump Taps PayPal Veteran David Sacks as "Crypto Czar"

Trump has named David Sacks, South African native, former COO of PayPal and a leading venture capitalist, as the "White House A.I. & Crypto Czar.”

In this newly created role, Sacks is charged with the task of establishing clear regulatory framework for the cryptocurrency industry.

Renowned for his pro-innovation approach, Sacks is expected to advocate for minimal regulation while introducing targeted safeguards for critical AI and digital asset applications, aligning with Trump's ambition to position the U.S. as the "crypto capital of the planet."