Diplômé de Sciences Po Toulouse et titulaire d'une certification consultant blockchain délivrée par Alyra, j'ai rejoint l'aventure Cointribune en 2019.
Convaincu du potentiel de la blockchain pour transformer de nombreux secteurs de l'économie, j'ai pris l'engagement de sensibiliser et d'informer le grand public sur cet écosystème en constante évolution. Mon objectif est de permettre à chacun de mieux comprendre la blockchain et de saisir les opportunités qu'elle offre. Je m'efforce chaque jour de fournir une analyse objective de l'actualité, de décrypter les tendances du marché, de relayer les dernières innovations technologiques et de mettre en perspective les enjeux économiques et sociétaux de cette révolution en marche.
The crypto market continues to face regulatory uncertainties in the United States. While institutional investors were hoping for a major breakthrough with the introduction of Ethereum ETF options, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has once again postponed its decision. This choice underscores the caution of the financial authority, despite the precedent set by Bitcoin ETF options, which are already in place. Behind this delay lies a whole segment of the crypto finance that remains suspended under still vague regulations, caught between growth potential and increased control by authorities.
The world of traditional finance is increasingly intertwined with that of Bitcoin, and BlackRock's recent moves only confirm this dynamic. Indeed, the asset management giant, with its $11.6 trillion under management, has just increased its stake in MicroStrategy, now rebranded as Strategy, to 5%. This rise does not go unnoticed: it comes as Strategy continues to accumulate Bitcoin massively, in order to strengthen its role as a pioneer among publicly traded companies. More than just an investment, this strategic alignment raises questions about the future of Bitcoin in institutional portfolios and the place that giants like BlackRock wish to occupy in this rapidly expanding ecosystem.
In an era where artificial intelligence is emerging as an essential strategic lever, France is preparing to host one of the most ambitious projects in Europe: the construction of a campus dedicated to AI supported by the United Arab Emirates. With an announced investment between 30 and 50 billion euros, this initiative represents a significant advance in the international competition for technological sovereignty and computing power. Behind this announcement lies a clear objective: to make France a European hub for artificial intelligence, thanks to cutting-edge infrastructure capable of competing with American and Chinese giants.
The rapid rise of AI-backed cryptocurrencies in 2024 heralded a decisive turning point for the convergence between blockchain and AI. Fueled by market euphoria and enthusiasm for agentic AIs, these assets attracted massive capital flows, propelling their valuations to unprecedented heights. However, the enthusiasm evaporated as quickly as it appeared: within just a few months, some of these tokens lost up to 90% of their value. This collapse raises critical questions about the viability of these projects and the strength of the market. Are investors facing a mere correction after a speculative surge, or are we witnessing the beginnings of a lasting disinterest?
The crypto market has always been marked by periods of extreme volatility, where panic and opportunities intersect in an instant. Indeed, the recent crash on February 3rd once again illustrated this reality. While XRP plummeted sharply to $1.78, some investors, far from succumbing to panic, seized the opportunity to massively bolster their positions. Among them, Korean traders played a key role. They bought large volumes, allowing XRP to rebound above $2 in record time. But, is this sudden influx of liquidity a sustainable bullish signal or just a temporary reaction from Asian markets?
Financial markets have their prophecies, and those of the crypto world are no exception. Indeed, when a $100 billion asset manager like VanEck makes an ambitious prediction such as Solana (SOL) rising to $520 by the end of 2025, the crypto ecosystem stops, observes, and analyzes. Should this be seen as a reliable indicator or an excess of optimism? This announcement is already provoking reactions from investors and analysts. Between technological prospects and market realities, let's revisit this forecast that could reshape the crypto landscape.
Cryptocurrencies continue to divide the academic and financial world. While some see them as an inevitable monetary revolution, others persist in viewing them as a bubble destined to burst. Eugene Fama, a renowned economist and Nobel Prize winner, has thrown a stone into the pond by claiming that Bitcoin is doomed to become worthless. According to him, fundamental economic principles make its long-term survival impossible. A radical prediction that provokes numerous reactions, particularly in a context where BTC continues to be adopted by financial institutions and governments.
Rumors about a common BRICS currency frequently resurface, fueling speculation about a possible counterweight to the dollar. As several nations seek to reduce their dependence on the greenback, the prospect of a shared currency raises concerns in the United States. Donald Trump has threatened to impose sanctions on countries considering an alternative. However, the Kremlin has just defused the debate: no such project is under discussion. Instead, the bloc prioritizes joint investment platforms, leaving doubt about its true monetary strategy.
Traditional finance and bitcoin are continuing to draw closer. Following the resounding success of its Bitcoin ETF IBIT in the United States, BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, is preparing to take a new step: the launch of a Bitcoin Exchange Traded Product (ETP) in Europe. This fund, which will be domiciled in Switzerland, reflects the growing desire of financial institutions to establish a lasting presence in the crypto market. While the United States has seen Bitcoin ETFs capture more than $57 billion in assets in just a few months, this new product could change the European landscape. Why Switzerland rather than another country? What will be the effects on investors and the institutional adoption of bitcoin in Europe? These are all questions that arise as BlackRock accelerates its international offensive.
Solana signs a spectacular performance in the fourth quarter of 2024 with a 213% increase in revenue generated by its applications, amounting to $840 million compared to $268 million in the previous quarter. This rapid surge is based on the explosion of memecoin trading, as well as the rise of tokens related to artificial intelligence. Once criticized for its repeated outages, the blockchain now establishes itself as a key player in the sector, attracting traders, developers, and investors. This swift transformation, indicated by Messari, illustrates Solana's evolution towards a more structured ecosystem, fueled by growing adoption and a massive influx of liquidity.
Dogecoin (DOGE) is experiencing a period of instability. The memecoin is losing ground and is now below $0.30. This sharp decline revives uncertainty among investors as selling pressure increases. However, some analysts see it as merely a technical pullback, necessary before a new leap to unprecedented heights. Trader Tardigrade and DOGECAPITAL, influential figures in the market, believe that this correction fits into a larger bullish cycle, already observed in the past. In 2016 and 2021, Dogecoin experienced similar drops before soaring by 9,222% and 30,693%, respectively. If history repeats itself, DOGE could soon embark on a spectacular rise. But is this scenario really credible?
The crypto market has just experienced a historic day, marked by a massive influx of capital into Ethereum. Indeed, the second largest cryptocurrency reached an all-time high of 38 billion dollars in daily trading volume, a threshold never crossed before. This spike in activity coincides with significant volatility in the price, which dropped to 2,152 dollars before rising back to 2,919 dollars. In an unexpected turn, Eric Trump, son of the American president, publicly expressed his optimism about investing in ETH. His statement comes as significant transfers of ETH to Coinbase have been observed, reinforcing speculation about growing institutional interest. This dual signal, between record volume and unforeseen political support, raises many questions about the market's evolution and the important role of Ethereum in the crypto ecosystem.
A key step has been taken in the regulation of the crypto market in the United States. Under the leadership of Mark Uyeda, acting chair, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced the creation of a Crypto Task Force, an entity responsible for providing more clarity to the rules governing cryptocurrencies. To structure its actions, the SEC has launched a dedicated website that offers companies and investors a space to submit their proposals and better understand regulatory requirements. This initiative comes as the crypto sector calls for clear guidelines and as the SEC faces off against the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) over the issue of jurisdiction for cryptocurrencies. In addition to defining the boundary between securities and unregulated assets, this task force could shape the future of crypto ETFs and influence the oversight of trading platforms. However, its real impact will depend on its ability to establish a constructive dialogue with the industry, an approach that is still lacking in the SEC's current policy.
The Bitcoin network continues to surprise. While analysts expected a slowdown in hashrate after the April 2024 halving, the computing power mobilized by mining companies has just reached a historic record of 833 exahashes per second (EH/s), an increase of 9% in just a few days. This surge in power is explained by the massive investments made by mining companies, which anticipated the reduction in block rewards by strengthening their infrastructure. However, a surprising contrast emerges: despite a price hovering around 100,000 dollars, transaction fees are at historically low levels, which undermines the profitability of mining companies and raises questions about the economic balance of the network.
The tug-of-war between the crypto industry and American banking regulators is reaching a decisive turn. For several years, companies in the sector have denounced restrictions that limit their access to traditional banking services. This phenomenon of "debanking," perceived as an unjustified impediment, hampers their development and fuels a climate of uncertainty. In response to this situation, Coinbase is stepping up. In a letter addressed to the Federal Reserve (Fed), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the platform demands the removal of obstacles that prevent banks from collaborating with crypto players. Coinbase is asking for the cancellation of an OCC directive, as the platform believes it imposes an excessive approval process for new banking activities related to cryptos. The company considers this approach contrary to the law and calls on regulators to officially recognize the right of banks to offer custody and execution services for cryptos. This offensive comes as the debate gains political momentum. Under pressure from Republican lawmakers, Congress is holding two key hearings this week, in the Senate and the House of Representatives, to examine these controversial practices. The outcome of these discussions could redefine the regulatory framework of the crypto industry in the United States.