Robinhood plans to distribute crypto rewards to eligible users accessing their countdown screen at a specific time.
Rewards must be maintained in users’ Robinhood accounts for one year, with the possibility of involving Bitcoin or other digital assets.
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Robinhood plans to distribute crypto rewards to eligible users who access the platform’s countdown screen at 8:30 PM Eastern Time, according to social media reports.
Have you seen the new countdown in your Robinhood app? 👀 We have a surprise coming.
Users must have an active Robinhood Crypto account to claim the reward, which will be available through notifications within one week after the countdown ends. Unclaimed rewards will expire after 30 days.
The trading platform requires recipients to maintain the reward value in their Robinhood account for at minimum one year, with the amount trackable through account history and statements.
While the exact nature of the “New Year’s surprise” remains undisclosed, social media posts suggest it could involve Bitcoin or other digital assets. Users need to have the latest version of the Robinhood app and an established crypto wallet to participate.
Eligible users who miss the initial notification can still claim their reward through the platform’s Reward center, though the one-year holding requirement remains in effect.
XRP surged 10% to $2.3 on the first trading day of 2025.
XRP dominated trading volumes over Bitcoin and Ethereum in South Korea.
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XRP has kicked off the new year with a strong performance, surging 10% in the last 24 hours and reclaiming the $2.3 mark last seen on December 26, according to CoinGecko data.
The rally comes at a time when most major crypto assets remain relatively flat. Bitcoin currently trades around $94,000 with minimal movement, while other leading crypto assets like Ethereum, Binance Coin, and Solana show little price action.
In contrast, established altcoins including Tokenize Xchange (TKX), Stellar (XLM), Fantom (FTM), and Algorand (ALGO) have posted double-digit gains in the past 24 hours. Some major crypto assets by market cap like Hedera (HBAR) and Cardano (ADA) have also seen significant increases.
The AI16Z token, which recently became the first AI coin on the Solana blockchain to achieve a $2 billion market cap, is extending its gains. Currently trading above $2, the token has risen 21% in the past 24 hours, placing it among the top daily gainers.
XRP trading volumes surge in South Korea
In South Korea, XRP trading volumes have surpassed both Bitcoin and Ethereum across the country’s major exchanges.
Combined trading volume against the won on Upbit, Bithumb, and Korbit exceeded $1 billion in the past 24 hours, with XRP recording $254 million on Bithumb and $761 million on Upbit.
XRP trading volumes on Upbit
High trading volume indicates greater market interest in the asset, suggesting that many investors are actively buying and selling.
Changes in trading volume can signal potential trend reversals or continuations. High trading volumes can also lead to increased volatility in the market, as large orders can impact prices.
The volume surge comes amid political developments in South Korea, where a court issued an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday over his December martial law decision.
Trump’s inauguration, SEC Chair’s resignation in over two weeks
Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of America is scheduled for January 20. Also on that day, SEC Chair Gary Gensler will step down.
Trump’s arrival and Gensler’s departure are expected to pave the way for a shift in regulatory approach to the crypto sector, which has long faced hostility under the current administration.
For the Ripple community, these events may bring an end to the year-long legal battle between Ripple and the US securities watchdog, potentially resulting in either a settlement or dismissal of the case. A resolution is anticipated to clarify XRP’s legal status and create a precedent for other crypto assets that have also been classified as securities by the SEC.
Moreover, as the regulatory landscape in the US matures, meaning more guidance and clarity, there is hope that one or more spot XRP ETFs, along with a wave of other crypto ETFs, will secure regulatory approval.
As of January 1, several fund managers—including Bitwise, Canary Capital, 21Shares, and WisdomTree—are lining up for approval to launch their respective XRP ETFs.
Any developments in either the XRP ETF’s progress or the SEC-Ripple case are expected to considerably influence XRP’s price movements.
BlackRock’s IBIT experienced a record single-day outflow of $332 million on January 1.
US spot Bitcoin ETFs collectively faced outflows of $650 million for the week.
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BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) recorded its largest single-day outflow of over $332 million on January 1, surpassing its previous record of $188 million set on December 24, according to updated data from Farside Investors.
The massive IBIT withdrawals pushed US spot Bitcoin ETF’s overall flows into red territory on Thursday, even as most rival ETFs posted gains. The Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) also saw losses of nearly $7 million.
Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB) led daily inflows with $48 million, followed by Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), ARK 21Shares Bitcoin (ARKB), and Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC). These funds collectively took in approximately $108 million on Thursday.
Excluding Valkyrie’s Bitcoin ETF, the 10 US-based spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded combined outflows of $248 million. The week’s total net outflows have surpassed $650 million.
IBIT’s total net outflows have reached $392 million since December 3, marking three consecutive trading days of losses. Despite the recent outflows, the fund remains the dominant Bitcoin ETF, holding nearly 552,000 BTC valued at over $51 billion as of January 2.
Launched in early 2024, IBIT outperformed the vast majority of ETFs throughout the year. The fund ranked third on Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas’ 2024 leaderboard with approximately $37 billion in year-to-date flows, trailing only the established index giants VOO and IVV.
Here’s final 2024 Top 20 ETF Leaderboard: $VOO ended w/ $116b which is $65b beyond old record (absurd). $IVV closed strong w $89b (bc used more than $SPY for TLH?). $IBIT took 3rd spot w $37b (still <1yr old!). Total flows at $1.14T, which broke old record by 25%, or $225b..🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/RRCbHEAN9Q
US Bitcoin ETFs recorded $908 million in net inflows—a rebound from the previous day’s outflow.
Fidelity’s Bitcoin Fund led net inflows, with significant contributions from BlackRock and ARK Invest funds.
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US spot Bitcoin ETFs raked in $908 million in net inflows on Friday, rebounding from Thursday’s $242 million outflow, according to data from Farside Investors.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) netted $253 million, ending a three-day negative streak that saw $392 million in losses. The fund’s total net inflows recovered to $37 million, with holdings of 548,506 Bitcoin valued at $53.4 billion.
Fidelity’s Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) led Friday’s gains with $357 million in net inflows—one of its strongest daily performances since launch. FBTC has accumulated over $12 billion in new investments as of January 3.
The ARKB fund, managed by ARK Invest and 21Shares, recorded $222 million in net inflows. Bitwise, Grayscale (BTC), and VanEck funds also posted gains, while other ETF providers reported no flows.
Bitcoin reclaims the $98,000 mark
Bitcoin reached $98,900 on Friday, surpassing $98,000 for the first time since December 26, CoinGecko data shows. The digital asset currently trades above $98,000, showing a 4% increase over the past week.
Analysts predict a bullish year for Bitcoin, driven by growing institutional and national adoption.
Galaxy Research forecasts five Nasdaq 100 companies and five nations will add Bitcoin to their balance sheets in 2025 to diversify their portfolio and meet their trade settlement needs. The firm also projects US spot Bitcoin ETFs will reach $250 billion in assets under management.
Jan van Eck, CEO of VanEck, recommends that investors increase their holdings in Bitcoin and gold through 2025, as these assets offer valuable protection against inflation, fiscal uncertainty, and global de-dollarization trends.
Van Eck projects Bitcoin could reach $150,000 to $170,000. This stance is supported by other financial analysts and institutions recognizing Bitcoin’s potential to hedge against financial risks.
Thailand’s crypto pilot in Phuket will enable tourists to register Bitcoin, seamlessly convert it to baht, and make hassle-free transactions.
The initiative follows Thailand’s growing adoption of crypto, with communities like “Bitcoin town” in Kalasin already embracing digital payments.
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Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has unveiled a pilot program for crypto payments in Phuket.
The initiative will allow tourists to use Bitcoin for transactions, marking the country’s first government-backed trial in the tourism sector.
The initiative, announced at a Marketing Association of Thailand seminar, will operate within existing legal frameworks without requiring law amendments, according to local news publication Nation Thailand.
Foreign tourists can register their Bitcoin through a Thai exchange and complete identity verification to participate in the program.
“The growing popularity and value of cryptocurrencies among international tourists have driven this initiative,” Pichai said.
A clearing house will convert Bitcoin payments into Thai baht, protecting local businesses from crypto price volatility.
The program builds on existing crypto adoption in Thailand, where the Huay Phueng district in Kalasin, known as “Bitcoin town,” has over 80 shops accepting Bitcoin payments.
These businesses range from noodle vendors and market stalls to tuk-tuk services, with a local coffee shop serving as an educational hub for Bitcoin transactions.
Participating merchants in Phuket will receive payments in Thai baht through the clearing house system.
The pilot aims to provide foreign visitors with a legal and convenient alternative to cash transactions while maintaining Thailand’s competitiveness as a tourism destination.
Circle has donated 1 million USDC to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural committee.
The Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee aims to raise $150 million for the inauguration events.
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Circle has joined Ripple, Coinbase, and Kraken in supporting President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural committee. Circle co-founder and CEO Jeremy Allaire announced today that the company just donated 1 million USDC to Trump’s inauguration.
“We are excited to be building a great American company,” Allaire said, noting that the Committee’s acceptance of USDC demonstrates “how far we have come, and the potential and power of digital dollars.”
Established to oversee the events for Trump’s second inauguration, the Trump-Vance inaugural committee set a fundraising goal of $150 million. According to ABC News, contributions have already crossed this mark since last December.
Ripple previously said it would commit $5 million in XRP tokens to Trump’s upcoming inauguration celebrations in January, according to FOX Business. Coinbase, Kraken, and Ondo Finance collectively donated over $3 million to the inauguration fund.
Major tech executives have pledged substantial donations, including $1 million each from Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, CNBC reported last month. Robinhood Markets committed $2 million, while Uber and CEO Dara Khosrowshahi each pledged $1 million.
Unlike political action committee donations, inaugural committee contributions have no limits. These funds will support various inaugural events such as galas and parades.
Trump’s inauguration is set for January 20, 2025, at 12 PM ET. The major event will take place at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., marking Trump’s return to the presidency for a non-consecutive second term.
The crypto industry is poised for major developments as Trump prepares to take office. The incoming administration is expected to foster a more favorable regulatory environment for crypto assets in the US, thus encouraging other nations to follow suit.
With the transition to a new administration, there is potential for clearer guidelines regarding crypto regulations, which could alleviate uncertainty for both investors and businesses. The anticipated shift in policy may encourage greater participation from financial institutions in the crypto market.
Phantom faced criticism after Ace of AI announced a supposed partnership, causing investment in ACE.
Clarification by Phantom that it was not an official partnership led to ACE token’s value drop.
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Phantom, a prominent multi-chain crypto wallet provider, faced criticism after their social interaction with Ace of AI, which many interpreted as a formal partnership between the two projects, led to confusion and investor losses.
On Jan. 9, Ace of AI announced on X that they were “excited to partner with Phantom” as part of the Phantom embedded early access program. Phantom replied to Ace of AI’s tweet with a series of emojis that were interpreted as an official partnership.
Source: @lynk0x
The announcement led to a surge in the price of Ace of AI’s token, ACE. According to data from GeckoTerminal, the token rocketed to $0.017 following the news.
Phantom later deleted the comment and clarified in a separate statement that Ace of AI was merely using their embedded wallet product and that no partnership or endorsement existed. They said they were unaware their service would be used to endorse any token.
There is no partnership. @Aceofai is just using our embedded wallet product. We are NOT endorsing any token and weren’t aware we would be used to do so.
ACE’s value quickly plummeted after Phantom’s clarification. Currently, it is trading at approximately $0.0005, down over 90% from its initial rally.
Users on X started confronting Phantom and questioning their communication approach. Many investors reported that they felt misled by the perceived association between the two companies and suffered financial losses.
If there is no partnership, why did @adamdelphantom retweet the 👻🤝♠️?
