Goldman Sachs’ big Bitcoin play

Reading time: 5 minutes

Wall Street meets Bitcoin: Goldman Sachs surges to $710M ETF holdings

Key points:

  • Goldman Sachs has significantly increased its Bitcoin ETF investments, now totaling $710 million.

  • This marks a 71% rise in their Bitcoin ETF holdings since the second quarter of 2024.

News - In a recent filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Goldman Sachs disclosed that its investments in Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have reached approximately $710 million. This substantial increase reflects the bank's growing engagement with cryptocurrency assets.

The filing highlights a $461 million investment in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT), alongside holdings in other Bitcoin ETFs such as Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund, the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF, and the Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF.

Why it matters - Goldman Sachs' significant investment in Bitcoin ETFs highlights the growing role of institutional players in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Their increased exposure to digital assets represents a vote of confidence in the long-term potential of Bitcoin and may encourage other financial giants to follow suit.

What this means for the market - The participation of an influential institution like Goldman Sachs in Bitcoin ETFs adds credibility to the asset class and could drive greater institutional adoption. This development might lead to heightened market interest, increased liquidity, and a stronger foundation for Bitcoin's integration into mainstream finance.

Whales and whispers: XRP’s meteoric rise to $0.80 amid Gensler rumors

Key points:

  • XRP surged 15% to reach $0.80, marking its highest price since July 2023.

  • The rally was fueled by significant whale accumulation and rumors of SEC Chair Gary Gensler's potential resignation.

News - On November 14, XRP's price experienced a notable increase, climbing to $0.80—a level not seen since July 2023. This surge coincided with speculation regarding SEC Chair Gary Gensler's possible resignation, following his remarks expressing gratitude to colleagues, which some interpreted as a precursor to his departure. Additionally, substantial whale activity contributed to the price boost, with large holders accumulating approximately 3.44 billion XRP over the past two years, bringing their holdings to the highest level in 65 months.

Why it matters - The combination of potential regulatory changes and significant investments by large holders underscores the dynamic nature of the cryptocurrency market. Whale accumulation often signals confidence in an asset's future performance, while shifts in regulatory leadership can lead to changes in market sentiment and policy direction.

Implications for the market - If the speculation about Gensler's resignation proves accurate, it could lead to a more favorable regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies, potentially encouraging further investment and innovation in the sector. Moreover, the substantial accumulation of XRP by large holders may indicate a bullish outlook, possibly leading to sustained price growth and increased market confidence in XRP's long-term prospects.

Pennsylvania's Bitcoin reserve plan sparks new crypto frontier

Key points:

  • Pennsylvania lawmakers have introduced a bill to establish a state-managed Bitcoin reserve.

  • The initiative aims to diversify the state's financial assets and hedge against economic uncertainties.

News - In a pioneering move, Pennsylvania legislators have proposed the creation of a state-level Bitcoin reserve. The bill, introduced on November 14, outlines a strategy to allocate up to 10% of the State General Fund, Rainy Day Fund, and State Investment Fund into Bitcoin.

This step is designed to safeguard Pennsylvania's financial reserves against the erosion of value due to inflation while diversifying its portfolio with a modern asset class. The proposal aligns with a growing trend among U.S. states exploring cryptocurrency investments as part of their fiscal strategies.

What’s at stake - The introduction of this bill signifies a significant shift in how state governments perceive and potentially utilize digital assets. By integrating Bitcoin into its financial portfolio, Pennsylvania not only addresses inflationary concerns but also positions itself as a forward-thinking leader in adopting blockchain technology and cryptocurrency.

Setting a precedent - If enacted, Pennsylvania's move could set an example for other states to follow, potentially leading to increased institutional adoption of Bitcoin. Such developments may enhance the legitimacy of cryptocurrencies and contribute to their integration into traditional financial systems, potentially influencing market dynamics and boosting investor confidence.

Bhutan’s Bitcoin sales hit $100M in 30 days

Key points:

  • Bhutan sold 367 Bitcoin, totaling approximately $33.5 million, via Binance.

  • This sale brings Bhutan's total Bitcoin sales to nearly $100 million over the past month. The government still holds 12,206 Bitcoin, valued at $1.11 billion, making it the fifth-largest government holder.

News - On November 14, the Royal Government of Bhutan sold 367 BTC, valued at approximately $33.5 million, through the Binance exchange. The transaction occurred when Bitcoin's price was above $90,000; since then, the price has declined by over 3% to $87,000. This comes on the heels of a $66 million Bitcoin transaction just two weeks prior, bringing Bhutan's total Bitcoin sales close to $100 million within the past month.

Strategic financial management - Bhutan's recent Bitcoin sales appear to be a strategic move to capitalize on market rallies. By selling portions of its holdings during price surges, the government aims to maximize returns and manage its cryptocurrency assets effectively. Despite these sales, Bhutan maintains a substantial Bitcoin reserve of 12,206 BTC, currently valued at approximately $1.11 billion. These assets are managed by Druk Holding & Investments, the government's investment arm.

Implications for the market - Bhutan's active participation in the cryptocurrency market, particularly through strategic sales and substantial holdings, highlights the growing trend of governmental involvement in digital assets. As the fifth-largest government holder of Bitcoin, Bhutan's actions may influence other nations to consider similar strategies, potentially impacting global market dynamics and the adoption of cryptocurrencies in state-level financial management.

Crypto scams uncovered

  • Marketed as the "Bitcoin Killer," OneCoin scammed investors out of $4 billion by posing as a legitimate cryptocurrency. In reality, there was no blockchain or real coin—just a massive MLM scheme. Founder Ruja Ignatova vanished in 2017, earning the nickname "Crypto Queen."

  • The Save the Kids token, marketed by influencers as a charitable crypto project, was a "pump-and-dump" scheme that turned out to be anything but altruistic. Creators manipulated the token’s anti-whale mechanism, tanking its value, and vanished with millions, leaving duped investors in the dust.

  • Evolved Apes, a “fight-to-earn” NFT project, promised a bright gaming future but turned out to be a $2.7 million rug pull. The anonymous creator, "Evil Ape," disappeared with the funds meant for game development, leaving investors with worthless digital art.

Top 3 coins of the day

TRON (TRX)

Key points:

  • At press time, TRX was trading at $0.18.

  • It was up by about 7.31% over the last 24 hours.

What you should know:

The daily chart showed TRX breaking above a critical resistance near $0.17, signaling strong bullish momentum. A trendline drawn from mid-September highlighted a consistent uptrend, with higher lows forming a support base. This trendline reflects steady buying pressure that has propelled TRX upward over the past few months. The breakout above this trendline and the $0.17 level, coupled with a spike in volume, suggests intensified buying interest. Moreover, the Awesome Oscillator (AO) displayed green bars above the zero line, further supporting positive momentum. The next resistance level to watch is around $0.19, and a strong breakout above this could open the path for additional gains. However, if TRX fails to hold above the trendline support near $0.17, a pullback to lower support levels might follow.

NEAR Protocol (NEAR)

Key points:

  • At press time, NEAR was trading at $5.45.

  • It was up by about 0.66% over the last 24 hours.

What you should know:

On the daily time frame, NEAR was seen to be continuing its upward trajectory after bouncing from recent lows around $3.80. The Parabolic SAR indicator displayed dots below the price, indicating a bullish trend with buyers currently in control. Additionally, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) was at 65.36, close to the overbought zone, suggesting strong buying momentum. This reading leaves room for further upward movement, though traders should be cautious if the RSI moves above 70, as it may signal a potential correction. Volume has shown a noticeable increase during the recent price rally, confirming buyer interest and supporting the bullish outlook. The next resistance level to watch is around $5.70, while a dip below current levels may see NEAR testing the support at $5.00. Overall, the trend remains positive, but a close eye on the RSI and SAR is advised for any signs of trend reversal.

Aptos (APT)

Key points:

  • At press time, APT was trading at $12.09.

  • It was up by about 7.56% over the last 24 hours.

What you should know:

The daily chart revealed that APT maintained an uptrend after a recent rally, with the trading price positioned above the 9-day Simple Moving Average (SMA). This indicates continued bullish sentiment, as the SMA provides support and highlights short-term positive momentum. Moreover, the Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) at 0.12 suggests a moderate inflow of capital and buying pressure. Positive CMF values generally indicate accumulation, which aligns with the observed increase in volume during the recent price surge. Higher volume on bullish days suggests strong buyer interest. The next resistance level to watch is around $13.50, while support can be expected near the SMA at approximately $11.33. As long as APT stays above the SMA and CMF remains positive, the uptrend could continue. However, a break below the SMA or a decline in CMF might signal weakening momentum.

How was today's newsletter?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.