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Bitcoin Utility, Wall Street Bets, and Gaming Tokens Surge

Thanksgiving week serves up market shifts, gaming token booms, and Bitcoin’s evolution—plus Wall Street and Hong Kong are diving deeper into the crypto pool.

Today’s Narrative - 📈Bullish📈

Macros

  • Last stretch of November: Historically, the most bullish month of the year. While December could keep the party going, keep an eye on a few red flags waving in the data.

  • Black Friday Blues: Out of the last 7 Black Fridays, 6 saw corrections. Just saying—might be wise to have some dry powder ready.

  • Holiday Vibes: Thanksgiving on Thursday means U.S. markets are closed. ETF buyers will be too busy eating turkey to pump anything. Expect lower liquidity.

  • Data Overload Incoming:

    • Tuesday: FOMC Meeting Minutes (aka, “Will the Fed chill?”).

    • Wednesday: Q3 GDP and October PCE inflation data. Spoiler: These could sway market sentiment big time.

Crpytos

  • Weekend Drama: Bull market vibes survived a weekend dip, thanks to the Asian markets opening with a pump.

  • BTC Dominance Dropped: That’s a signal for altcoin rotations. Translation: The entire crypto market is pumping.

  • Gaming & Metaverse: The rotation train into gaming and metaverse tokens is full steam ahead with $SAND, $MANA, $AXS, $ILV, and others leading the pack. But it’s mostly older tokens—newer ones could steal the spotlight soon.

  • Luckycoin ($LKY): $DOGE’s quirky cousin is back in the game, with big names now in the mix. Accessible on MEXC and might hit Solana next. Old coin nostalgia or something more? You decide.

  • Fantom ($FTM): Sonic L1 is set to launch in December. Big names are hanging out in this ecosystem, which means... keep watching.

  • THORChain ($RUNE): A major player with a lot happening under the hood. Yet, the market hasn’t given it a proper run—maybe it’s next.

  • BabyDoge Goes Big: Real World Asset (RWA) play with BabyDoge Properties. Plus, bridging EVM to Solana? Bold move, BabyDoge.

  • CMC/Coingecko Math Problems: Discrepancies in market cap due to lost tokens. If your coin’s supply looks sus, now you know.

Our Stance

Thanksgiving week is shaping up to be interesting but also tricky. With U.S. markets closed and ETFs taking a break, we expect thinner liquidity and potentially exaggerated moves in the crypto space. The historical Black Friday correction pattern looms large, so staying cautious and keeping some cash on hand for a potential dip could be a wise move. Bitcoin dominance dropping is sparking hopes of an altcoin rotation, but not all tokens are equal—focus on those with real momentum rather than influencer-driven hype. Gaming and metaverse tokens are stealing the show right now, but we’re keeping an eye on new narratives as the rotation could soon shift to fresher projects. Fantom’s Sonic launch in December and developments on THORChain are also worth watching closely; both have potential but haven’t fully captured the market’s attention yet. Overall, it’s a good time to remain patient, do your research, and position yourself for opportunities as they arise.

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📈Bullish📈

Hong Kong’s ZA Bank: Where Crypto Meets Banking Convenience

Hong Kong’s ZA Bank just became the first bank in Asia to let you trade crypto directly. That’s right—no more hopping between sketchy exchanges. Now you can buy Bitcoin or Ethereum straight from the same app where you check your balance. Think of it as banking convenience meets crypto coolness.

Why Should You Care?
Let’s break it down:

  • No More Platform Juggling: Trade crypto in HKD or USD directly within the ZA Bank app.

  • Low Barrier to Start: With as little as USD 70 or HKD 600, you’re in.

  • Zero Commissions: They’re waiving fees for the first three months, giving you more bang for your buck.

ZA Bank has also teamed up with HashKey, a licensed exchange, so you get crypto with the kind of security banks are famous for (and hopefully not the customer service they are infamous for).

Why Is This a Big Deal?
This isn’t just about convenience; it’s a milestone for crypto adoption in Asia.

  • Making Crypto Less Scary: Having a trusted bank handle your trades makes crypto feel a lot safer for regular folks.

  • Hong Kong Flexing: This move reinforces Hong Kong’s bid to remain a top financial hub by blending traditional banking with cutting-edge digital assets.

ZA Bank is onto something here. Making crypto trading this simple is a huge step toward bringing digital assets into the mainstream. But remember, just because it’s coming from a bank doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. Crypto is still volatile, so jumping in without doing your homework isn’t a great idea.

📈Bullish📈

Pump.fun’s U.S. Ban - Polymarket Predicts a Grim Future

If Polymarket’s prediction markets are to be believed, things aren’t looking great for Pump.fun. The platform is giving a 97% chance that Pump.fun will be banned in the U.S. by the end of the year. That’s not just a bad day at the office—it’s a signal that regulators might be circling like sharks.

How Did We Get Here?
Pump.fun hasn’t exactly had a smooth 2024:

  • Exploits Galore: A major hack in May 2024 left the platform reeling, with users losing significant funds.

  • Legal Drama: Rumors swirled about Pump.fun potentially suing a high-profile individual known as ‘Stacc,’ adding more turbulence to its already rocky waters.

Combine these issues with increased regulatory scrutiny, and it’s no surprise that Polymarket users are betting heavily on a U.S. ban.

What Is Polymarket, Anyway?
For the uninitiated, Polymarket is a decentralized prediction market where users can bet on outcomes of real-world events. Think of it as the stock market for “what ifs.” While these predictions are based on user sentiment, they’re not a crystal ball—so take them with a grain of salt.

Why Does This Matter?
Pump.fun’s troubles aren’t just about one platform; they highlight the growing pressure on decentralized projects. The U.S. regulatory environment is tightening, and even established names aren’t safe. If Pump.fun goes down, it could set a precedent for how aggressively regulators move on other platforms in the coming months.

Our Take
A 97% chance is pretty close to a sure thing, but it’s not over until it’s over. While Polymarket users seem confident that Pump.fun is on its way out, there’s still room for surprises.

📈Bullish📈

sBTC Brings Bitcoin Into the Future

Wall Street heavyweight Cantor Fitzgerald just made a bold move into crypto. The firm has:

  1. Acquired a 5% stake in Tether, the issuer of USDT, the world’s largest stablecoin.

  2. Entered discussions with Tether about launching a $2 billion Bitcoin lending program, offering dollar loans collateralized by Bitcoin.

This isn’t your average financial experiment—it’s a clear sign that traditional finance is looking to integrate deeply with the crypto world.

Here’s why this matters:

  • The 5% Stake: Cantor’s estimated $600 million investment in Tether underscores its confidence in stablecoins as a bridge between traditional and digital finance.

  • Bitcoin Lending Project: The proposed $2 billion program would allow clients to secure loans using Bitcoin as collateral, potentially scaling beyond the initial figure. This could open new doors for institutional players looking for liquidity without selling their BTC.

  • Howard Lutnick Factor: Cantor’s CEO, recently nominated as Trump’s Secretary of Commerce, adds an intriguing twist. Could this bring more regulatory clarity to crypto initiatives?

Wall Street giant Cantor Fitzgerald just sent a strong message: crypto is here to stay. By acquiring a 5% stake in Tether and discussing a $2 billion Bitcoin-backed lending program, Cantor is showing confidence in integrating digital assets with traditional finance.

This isn’t just about one deal—it’s a signal that institutions can no longer afford to sit out the crypto revolution. If successful, the lending program could bring more institutional players into the fold, solidifying Bitcoin’s role as a major financial asset.

Crypto and Wall Street are no longer rivals—they’re building the future together.

📈Bullish📈

sBTC Brings Bitcoin Into the Future

Stacks is about to drop sBTC, a game-changing upgrade that gives Bitcoin a serious utility boost. Scheduled for early December 2024, sBTC is a trustless, two-way Bitcoin peg system that lets decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts interact directly with Bitcoin. Think DeFi, Bitcoin-backed loans, and a whole lot more.

Why Should You Care?
Here’s the breakdown:

  • Decentralized, No Middlemen: Unlike other Bitcoin-pegged systems, sBTC doesn’t rely on custodians. It’s fully decentralized, which is very on-brand for Bitcoin.

  • More Use Cases for BTC: With sBTC, developers can programmatically send Bitcoin (or sBTC) through smart contracts. Translation? Bitcoin finally plays nice with DeFi.

  • Built for the Future: This launch rides on the back of Stacks’ Nakamoto upgrade, which already brought faster transactions and Bitcoin finality.

Why Now?
Stacks is gearing up to make Bitcoin more than just “digital gold.” The idea is simple: if Bitcoin can power dApps, loans, and DeFi, it becomes more than a store of value—it becomes a foundation for a decentralized economy.

Our Take
sBTC isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a signal that Bitcoin is ready to do more than HODL. This could open up a flood of new use cases and make Bitcoin a key player in the DeFi space. For anyone watching the evolution of crypto, this is big.

The launch is expected early December, with even more enhancements planned for January 2025.

📚Education📚

Why Bitcoin Dominance Matters and What It’s Telling Us Right Now

What Is Bitcoin Dominance?
Think of Bitcoin dominance as Bitcoin’s share of the total crypto market cap. When dominance is high, it means Bitcoin is the star of the show, soaking up most of the market’s attention (and money). When it’s low, altcoins are stealing the spotlight—usually because investors are feeling bold and chasing bigger returns.

Why Is Bitcoin Dominance Dropping Now?
Here’s what’s happening:

  • Altcoin Surge: Tokens in gaming and metaverse like $SAND, $MANA, and $AXS are pumping hard. That’s where the money is rotating.

  • Confidence in the Market: A drop in dominance typically signals traders are willing to take on more risk, betting on altcoins instead of sticking with Bitcoin.

What Does This Mean for Traders?
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. When Bitcoin dominance drops, it’s a double-edged sword:

  • Opportunities: Altcoins often deliver outsized returns during dominance declines, as traders rotate funds into smaller, higher-risk assets. This can lead to explosive gains in sectors like gaming, metaverse, or emerging blockchain ecosystems.

  • Risks: Altcoins are more volatile than Bitcoin. If market sentiment shifts or a downturn hits, they tend to crash harder and faster than their larger counterpart.

How to Navigate Dominance Shifts

  • Diversify Wisely: Maintain a solid foundation in Bitcoin for stability while allocating a portion of your portfolio to high-potential altcoins. Focus on projects with strong fundamentals and growing utility, as these are more likely to perform well in the long term.

  • Stay Informed: Pay attention to shifts in market narratives. Trends like gaming tokens, decentralized finance (DeFi), or new blockchain technologies often attract attention during dominance drops but can change quickly.

  • Prepare for Dips: Lower Bitcoin dominance can coincide with heightened market volatility. Keeping some cash on hand allows you to capitalize on opportunities if prices temporarily pull back.

The Bigger Picture
Bitcoin dominance is more than just a metric—it’s a sentiment indicator. When it drops, it reflects growing optimism in altcoins and broader adoption of crypto beyond Bitcoin. However, this optimism comes with added risk, as smaller assets are more vulnerable to market fluctuations.

The key is balance: embrace the opportunities presented by altcoin rotations but remain cautious and focused on fundamentals. Dominance shifts are part of the evolving crypto landscape, and understanding their dynamics can help you navigate the market with confidence.

As always, DYOR (Do Your Own Research), keep an eye on trends, and stay adaptable—crypto’s landscape changes fast, but preparation never goes out of style.

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DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile, and you should only invest funds you can afford to lose. The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or entities we may be affiliated with. We are not liable for any financial losses incurred from investment activities based on this content.

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