Kategorie: Bitcoin News

Bitcoin news about the Bitcoin (BTC) blockchain and its crypto ecosystem.

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Panama City joins global move to allow crypto payments in public sector

  • Local law allows payment for taxes, tickets, and permits.
  • City partners with banks to convert crypto to fiat.
  • Panama bypasses national legislation through local ordinance.

Panama City is set to become one of the first Latin American capitals to formally integrate crypto payments into its municipal system, allowing residents to pay for public services in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins.

This move, driven by the city’s administration and not national legislation, marks a notable shift in how governments are embracing digital assets.

Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi confirmed the development via a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.

He stated that locals will be allowed to settle payments for taxes, permits, traffic tickets, and other municipal fees using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDC, and Tether (USDT).

This step was made possible through a council-approved proposal and will be implemented in collaboration with banks that can receive and convert crypto to fiat currency.

Crypto rollout starts with top tokens

The new law gives local residents the option to use select cryptocurrencies instead of fiat money to meet their obligations to city hall.

The digital assets initially accepted include Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDC, and USDT, which have become widely adopted across both retail and institutional ecosystems.

Unlike previous efforts that attempted to implement crypto usage through national-level legislation, Panama City’s government found a way to bypass this hurdle by focusing on local regulation.

Mizrachi explained that earlier governments tried to push similar measures through Panama’s senate, but his administration opted for a simpler legal workaround that avoided introducing entirely new laws.

So far, there has been no official confirmation on whether other cryptocurrencies will be accepted in the future. A city representative did not immediately respond to media enquiries about the possible expansion of the asset list.

Banks to handle conversion

In order to operationalise this system, the city will rely on partnerships with banks that are technically capable of receiving digital assets and converting them to fiat.

This model allows Panama City to remain in line with national financial regulations while also giving residents the freedom to transact in crypto.

By allowing local banks to act as intermediaries, the city is aiming to balance innovation with compliance. The measure is expected to support wider crypto adoption in Panama without putting pressure on the central government to introduce sweeping policy changes.

Global crypto adoption grows

Panama City’s move reflects a broader shift across the region and beyond as governments begin to accommodate digital asset payments.

In 2021, El Salvador became the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, followed by the Central African Republic the following year. Other countries such as Fiji and Tonga have also considered recognising Bitcoin as an official currency.

In Switzerland, municipalities like Zug and Lugano have already enabled payments for local services using cryptocurrencies. Zug has earned the nickname “Crypto Valley” for its openness to blockchain technology and favourable regulatory environment.

Panama, by contrast, has had a mixed relationship with crypto. In 2022, Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo partially vetoed a bill that aimed to regulate cryptocurrencies and legalise decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs).

At the time, the president cited concerns that the bill was not fully aligned with existing financial system norms.

Despite this national-level setback, Panama City’s latest move highlights how local governments can still proceed with adoption in specific areas such as public service payments.

National tensions remain

While Panama City is still in the early stages of implementation, its approach could serve as a model for other urban centres looking to embrace crypto without overhauling national law.

By partnering with compliant financial institutions, the city hopes to provide a secure and legally sound way for citizens to use their digital assets in everyday transactions.

Whether this local strategy can scale remains to be seen. But it underscores the growing influence of cryptocurrencies in mainstream economic infrastructure—not just as speculative assets, but as tools for public finance.

The post Panama City joins global move to allow crypto payments in public sector appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Bitcoin price prediction: analyst predicts BTC will hit $137k by Q3

  • Bitcoin (BTC) has rebounded above $85,000, with a predicted rise to $137,000 by Q3 2025.
  • US Treasury’s $500B liquidity boost and ETF inflows drive the bullish Bitcoin price prediction.
  • However, risks like US debt ceiling talks and failure of the coin to break $85,000 resistance could push the BTC price lower.

Bitcoin’s price trajectory over the past few days has captured the crypto community’s attention as it stabilizes above $85,000 after a recent dip below $80,000 following US President Donald Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs.

Analyst Titan of Crypto has forecasted that Bitcoin (BTC) could soar to $137,000 by the third quarter of 2025, igniting excitement among cryptocurrency enthusiasts.

This ambitious prediction hinges on a blend of technical indicators and macroeconomic trends currently shaping the market.

Why Bitcoin (BTC) price could hit $137,000

One of the factors behind Titan’s Bitcoin price prediction is the massive US Treasury liquidity injections.

The US Treasury has injected $500 billion into the markets since February 2025, reducing its Treasury General Account from $842 billion to $342 billion, significantly boosting liquidity in the markets.

This move elevated the net Federal Reserve liquidity to $6.3 trillion, with forecasts suggesting it could climb to $6.6 trillion by August if debt ceiling negotiations persist.

According to historical trends, BTC has exhibited an 83% correlation with global liquidity over the past year, often outperforming traditional assets like stocks and gold.

For example, past liquidity surges in 2022 and 2023 preceded notable Bitcoin rallies, hinting that the current environment could pave the way for another upward surge.

On the technical front, Titan of Crypto points to a bullish pennant pattern on Bitcoin’s daily chart, suggesting a potential 60% rally to $137,000 if it breaks the 200-day EMA near $90,000.

Bitcoin has struggled to overcome this resistance around $85,000 since late February, but a decisive close above it could shift momentum firmly in favour of the bulls.

Adding to the optimism, Bernstein analysts had predicted that over $70 billion in Bitcoin ETF inflows in 2025 could push prices as high as $200,000, reflecting growing institutional adoption.

The April 2024 halving, which slashed mining rewards to 3.125 BTC, further supports this narrative, as previous halvings have triggered bull runs exceeding 600% gains.

Beyond technicals, macroeconomic factors like recent tariff exemptions have lowered US Treasury yields, easing pressure on risk assets and creating a fertile ground for Bitcoin’s growth.

Market sentiment also leans bullish, with buy-side liquidity on exchanges like Binance outpacing sell-side by a factor of 10, while large investors shift BTC to cold storage, signaling long-term confidence.

The risks to Bitcoin’s climb

However, risks loom on the horizon, as an early US debt ceiling resolution could cap liquidity at $6.3 trillion, potentially stunting Bitcoin’s ascent.

Renewed trade war fears or geopolitical tensions could also drive investors toward gold, leaving Bitcoin vulnerable to a shift in safe-haven preferences.

Technically, failure to breach the 200-day EMA could trap Bitcoin below $85,000, risking a drop to supports at $78,000 or $74,500.

Despite these challenges, the broader 2025 outlook remains bright, with price targets ranging from $137,000 to $250,000, fueled by ETF inflows, corporate uptake, and post-halving dynamics.

Companies like Semler Scientific, planning to raise $500 million to buy more BTC, exemplify the rising corporate embrace of Bitcoin as a treasury asset.

Meanwhile, potential US-China trade talks could further enhance risk-on sentiment, benefiting speculative assets like Bitcoin if tensions ease.

In the mining sector, increased selling by miners due to lower profitability, evidenced by 15,000 BTC outflows on April 7 when prices hit $74,000 according to the weekly CryptoQuant’s report, presents a short-term hurdle.

Bitcoin miner CleanSpark on Tuesday announced it has secured a $200 million Bitcoin-backed credit facility from Coinbase Prime, shifting away from its previous 100% Bitcoin HODL strategy.

The company will now begin selling part of its monthly BTC production to support growth and fund operations.

However, the robust demand from institutional and retail investors appears poised to absorb this supply, maintaining upward pressure on prices.

Ultimately, Titan of Crypto’s $137,000 Bitcoin price prediction by Q3 2025 rests on a compelling mix of liquidity trends, technical potential, and institutional momentum, offering a plausible glimpse into Bitcoin’s near-term future.

The post Bitcoin price prediction: analyst predicts BTC will hit $137k by Q3 appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Coinbase warns of renewed crypto winter as altcoin market cap plunges 41%

  • Bitcoin and COIN50 fall below 200-day moving averages.
  • Venture capital remains 60% below 2021 levels despite mild rebound.
  • Market may stabilise between mid and late Q2 2025, says Coinbase.

The risk of a renewed crypto winter is rising, Coinbase Research warned this week, as key technical and macroeconomic indicators suggest the digital asset market may be entering another prolonged downturn.

In a note published yesterday, Coinbase said Bitcoin has slipped below its 200-day moving average—a level widely seen as a bearish signal.

The COIN50 index, which tracks the top non-Bitcoin assets on the platform, has also fallen beneath its long-term support.

Adding to the market stress are surging global tariffs and prolonged fiscal tightening, both of which are weighing on investor sentiment and curbing inflows into crypto.

The situation echoes the 2022 crash, when over $2 trillion in market value was wiped out within 18 months.

Altcoins have been hit the hardest. Excluding Bitcoin, the total crypto market cap has dropped 41% since its December 2024 peak, falling to $950 billion.

That figure is lower than any level recorded between August 2021 and April 2022, a time when market turbulence was already high.

Altcoins fall 41%

According to Coinbase, the sustained drawdown in altcoins highlights the weakening appetite for riskier crypto investments.

Tokens outside the Bitcoin ecosystem have seen sharp sell-offs amid thin liquidity and a lack of new capital.

The COIN50 index now trades well below its 200-day average, signalling broad technical weakness across the sector.

Retail interest has also declined, while institutional flows remain limited. This suggests that the bullish momentum seen in late 2024 has largely dissipated.

Many smaller projects are underperforming, particularly those in niche segments such as decentralised AI, Web3 gaming, and tokenised real-world assets.

Funding stays low

Coinbase’s report also points to stagnation in venture capital. Although investment volumes have picked up modestly since late 2024, they remain 50% to 60% below the highs recorded during the 2021–2022 cycle.

This has left many early-stage startups without the runway to scale, pushing some to pause development or downsize operations.

The absence of fresh capital has slowed innovation across key verticals.

Many in the industry had expected decentralised finance, metaverse applications, and crypto crowdfunding models to lead the next bull cycle. Instead, these areas have stalled.

Macro weighs on sentiment

Coinbase cited external economic pressures as a major reason for the recent slump.

Tighter monetary policy, high interest rates, and the escalation of global tariffs have all eroded investor confidence.

David Duong, head of institutional research, said the investment environment has become “paralysed” as both traditional and crypto markets face liquidity stress.

These macro headwinds have discouraged speculation and limited the flow of capital into digital assets.

Traders have pulled back, focusing instead on safe-haven assets as geopolitical risk and inflation remain elevated.

Recovery may follow

Despite the gloom, Coinbase believes the market may find a bottom between mid and late Q2 of 2025.

A stabilisation in macro conditions—particularly a slowdown in inflation or an easing of interest rates—could help revive capital flows.

Coinbase warns of a potential crypto winter as altcoins drop 41% and Bitcoin breaks key support. Market cap falls to $950b, mirroring 2022’s downturn.

According to Duong, sentiment may reset quickly once market stress subsides, opening the door to a recovery in the second half of the year.

The report stops short of making bullish predictions but says tactical positioning may be useful in the current environment. Analysts suggest keeping a close eye on liquidity trends and macro data as potential signals of a shift in momentum.

The post Coinbase warns of renewed crypto winter as altcoin market cap plunges 41% appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Flight to safety? Crypto funds see outflows as investors fret over tariffs

  • Crypto ETPs faced $240 million in outflows last week due to US tariffs.
  • Bitcoin ETPs were the hardest hit, with $207 million in withdrawals.
  • The US led the outflows, followed by Germany.

Global cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs) experienced a sharp reversal of fortune last week, with outflows totaling $240 million as investors grew wary of the potential economic impact of new US trade tariffs.

This marks a significant shift after two consecutive weeks of robust inflows, which had amounted to $870 million, according to a report in CoinMarketCap.

According to a CoinShares report, Bitcoin-related ETPs were the hardest hit, suffering withdrawals of $207 million, leaving the total assets under management at $132.6 billion – a modest 0.8% increase from the previous week.

The outflows were primarily concentrated in the United States, which saw $210 million withdrawn from its crypto funds.

Germany followed with $17.7 million in outflows, while Switzerland and Sweden also experienced net withdrawals.

In contrast, Canada and Brazil bucked the trend, with $4.8 million and $1.4 million, respectively, flowing into crypto funds.

Hong Kong and Australia also registered small inflows, offering a glimmer of optimism amid the broader market pullback.

Despite the recent setback, Bitcoin-related products still boast a year-to-date increase of $1.3 billion in investments.

However, the past week saw Bitcoin’s price plummet by more than 6%, largely due to tariff-related concerns and the pervasive economic uncertainty they sparked.

Beyond Bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum, Solana, and Sui, also experienced significant outflows, as investor sentiment soured.

Ethereum saw $37.7 million withdrawn, while Solana and Sui experienced outflows of $1.8 million and $4.7 million, respectively.

On the other hand, smaller tokens like Toncoin enjoyed some positive movement, attracting $1.1 million in inflows.

Grayscale bleeds, BlackRock remains strong

Grayscale’s Bitcoin funds led the outflows, with $95 million in withdrawals last week.

This pushed Grayscale’s year-to-date outflows to a staggering $1.4 billion, the highest among all ETP providers, reflecting ongoing adjustments within the digital asset management landscape.

Conversely, BlackRock’s iShares ETFs, while experiencing $56 million in outflows last week, still boasted $3.2 billion in total inflows for the year, demonstrating their continued strength.

Other major players like ProShares and ARK Invest also saw continued inflows for the year, albeit in smaller amounts, with $398 million and $146 million, respectively.

While crypto ETPs experienced a downturn, the cryptocurrency equities market displayed greater resilience.

Blockchain stocks, including those of Coinbase, saw $8 million in inflows for the second consecutive week, suggesting investor confidence in the underlying infrastructure and businesses despite broader market anxieties.

Industry insiders, such as Marcin Kazmierczak from RedStone, suggest that the situation reflects wider market dynamics rather than a specific downturn in crypto assets.

The overall sentiment indicates that the crypto sector remains relatively robust, supported by continued institutional growth and the development of real-world applications.

Despite the notable outflows from global crypto funds last week, particularly those tied to Bitcoin, the enduring appeal of blockchain equities suggests that the market is far from collapsing.

The post Flight to safety? Crypto funds see outflows as investors fret over tariffs appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signs “Bitcoin Rights” bill into law

  • Kentucky’s “Bitcoin Rights” bill has been signed into law.
  • The “Bitcoin Rights” law protects crypto use and mining in the state of Kentucky.
  • The law also bans discriminatory zoning and clarifies mining rules.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed the “Bitcoin Rights” bill into law on March 24, 2025, cementing the state’s position as a leader in digital asset protection.

Known officially as House Bill 701, this legislation safeguards the rights of Kentuckians to use, hold, and mine cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) without facing discriminatory regulations.

Notably, the bill’s unanimous passage through both the Kentucky House and Senate underscores a rare bipartisan consensus on the growing importance of blockchain technology in the modern economy.

“Bitcoin Rights” bill quickly passed the Kentucky House and Senate

The journey to this historic signing began on February 19, 2025, when Representative Adam Bowling introduced HB 701 to the Kentucky House.

Designed to protect the “right to self-custody, run a node, and use of digital assets,” as highlighted by the Satoshi Action Fund, the bill quickly gained traction.

By February 28, it sailed through the House with a resounding 91-0 vote, followed by an equally decisive 37-0 approval in the Senate on March 13.

Beshear’s signature just over a week later marked the culmination of a swift legislative process, reflecting Kentucky’s eagerness to embrace the crypto revolution.

What does Kentucky’s “Bitcoin Rights” law entail?

At its core, the “Bitcoin Rights” bill, now law, offers robust protections for crypto users and operators across the state. It explicitly bans local governments from enacting zoning changes that unfairly target cryptocurrency mining, ensuring that miners can operate without undue interference.

Additionally, the legislation clarifies that mining and staking activities do not require a money transmitter license and are not classified as securities offerings.

This clarity removes significant legal hurdles, fostering an environment where individuals and businesses can confidently engage with digital assets.

It also sets guidelines for running crypto nodes and ensures that digital assets can be used freely without fear of discrimination.

Notably, the Kentucky law mirrors a similar legislative effort in Oklahoma, where Governor Kevin Stitt signed a comprehensive crypto bill into law in May 2024.

Oklahoma’s legislation, effective November 1, 2024, also protects self-custody and mining while prohibiting discriminatory energy rates for crypto businesses. Kentucky’s move, however, adds a unique twist by explicitly addressing local zoning issues, a provision that could set a precedent for other states.

US states including Kentucky are working on Bitcoin reserve bills

The timing of Beshear’s signing is particularly notable, as it coincided with significant crypto-related developments elsewhere in the US.

On the same day, March 24, 2025, Oklahoma’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act passed its State House of Representatives with a 77-15 vote.

This bill, now awaiting Senate approval, aims to establish a state-managed Bitcoin reserve, signalling a growing trend among states to integrate digital assets into their financial frameworks.

Kentucky itself has a similar bill under review, which could allow up to 10% of excess state reserves to be allocated to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC).

While the US Congress continues to debate bills on stablecoins and broader crypto regulations, states like Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Arizona are forging ahead. Arizona, for instance, is leading the “State Bitcoin reserve race,” with two strategic digital asset reserve bills advancing to its House floor on March 24, 2025.

Meanwhile, Missouri’s Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs is evaluating its own Bitcoin reserve proposal, hinting at a competitive push among states to become crypto-friendly hubs.

For Kentucky, the “Bitcoin Rights” bill is more than just a legal framework—it’s a statement of economic intent. By protecting home and industrial crypto mining and ensuring equitable access to energy rates, the state is positioning itself as a welcoming destination for blockchain innovation.

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