Health, Wealth, and Happiness |
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| “Bull markets are born on pessimism, grow on skepticism, mature on optimism, and die on euphoria.” - Sir John Templeton |
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| Howdy, investors!
It's no secret that we're a little bullish on DeFi. So, we're excited to update our feature on the top DeFi platforms of 2024, based on Total Value Locked (TVL), usage of daily users and transactions, and other metrics. It will give you a more complete analysis of which platforms to embrace and which to avoid.
We also see that Circle is once again considering going public. This would allow retail investors to get in on one of the world's leading stablecoin issuers, which is big news for crypto investors.
We're also touching on the fallout of the SBF ruling. Our take? Whether in traditional finance or DeFi, do your due diligence and consider a well-balanced portfolio.
Finally, there's a look at the Ethereum staking ecosystem through the lens of Lido, which controls 32% of ETH staking and has created concerns over the potential for centralization in the Ethereum network.
Read on to explore more! |
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| Top 10 DeFi Platforms in 2024 by Matthew Du |
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| Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is one of the biggest and most exciting trends in the blockchain industry, with many believing it will overtake traditional finance in the coming years. This growing financial sector relies on the promise of robust, decentralized support networks that promote innovation (both financial and technical) that could fundamentally disrupt how we think of money exchange.
With that said, DeFi platforms hold both peril and promise. In this guide, we’ll cover the top 10 DeFi platforms for 2024, looking at both the potential risks and rewards. |
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| Premium Power-Ups Level up your crypto investing game. |
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| NEW Blockchain Risk Scorecard: Shiba Inu
Shiba Inu is among the many meme coins (or "joke investments") that have risen in the questionable emerged after Dogecoin's popularity. Since its inception, Shiba Inu has diversified its ecosystem, with SHIB as its primary token.
The popularity of these meme coins has seen SHIB rise to become the 18th largest token by market cap, but does that mean it's a safe investment?
Premium Members: Download our Risk Scorecard and find out where Shiba Inu lands regarding team, financial, and regulatory risk and more. |
Become a Premium member and get access to our best crypto investing content, from crypto rating scorecards to exclusive webinars and workshops. Join today! |
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| | | Must Read Today's most important stories for crypto investors. |
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| Investor takeaway:Circle Internet Financial Ltd., issuer of the USDC stablecoin, is considering an IPO in early 2024, though plans are not final. The company, valued at $9 billion in a past attempt to go public, ended a merger with Concord Acquisition Corp. last year. Circle, which recently dealt with exposure to the collapsed Silicon Valley Bank, is enhancing financial transparency and has appointed Deloitte as its auditor.
Circle's potential IPO offers an opportunity to invest in a leading stablecoin issuer with a significant valuation. However, it's important to stay subscribed to this newsletter, since the plans are not yet definitive. (We'll let you know.) |
| Investor takeaway: Sam Bankman-Fried was convicted of 7 counts of fraud after admitting at his trial that he concealed a significant loss in his company, FTX.
Some claim that this practice indicates broader issues in the crypto industry, where firms inflate token values to support business finances, often evading regulatory scrutiny. However, the FTX case underscores the importance of conducting thorough due diligence, understanding crypto firms' underlying assets and business models, and maintaining a critical eye toward market manipulation and regulatory compliance.
Above all, a well-diversified portfolio (like our Blockchain Believers Portfolio) will minimize your exposure to this kind of crypto risk. |
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| Investor takeaway: Ethereum's shift to Proof-of-Stake has led to the rise of staking, with $40B in assets staked. Lido is the largest staking service, controlling 32% of all staked ETH, raising concerns about centralization within the Ethereum network.
The growth of Ethereum's staking ecosystem, particularly Lido’s dominance, highlights an opportunity to engage with a central player in the PoS transition. (Read our guide to Lido staking here.) |
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| | | ICYMI In Case You Missed It |
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| | | Blockchain Basics Explain Like I'm 5 |
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| What is an Automated Market Maker (AMM)? The Quick Guide for Crypto Investors |
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Best Staking Rates The best rates for DeFi staking this week. |
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| Bitcoin Market Journal is a daily newsletter that makes you a better crypto investor. It's created by John Hargrave, Steve Walters, Gerald Jackson, Anatol Antonovici, Matthew Du, Daniel Joel, and Preetam Kaushik.
Both free and Premium subscribers get content to build them into better investors.
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