Tap Protocol delays TAP token distribution event

  • Tap Protocol has delayed its TAP token launch date from October 21, 2024 to October 23, 2024.
  • TAP, with a total supply of 21 million, will go live on Bitcoin and Ethereum

Tap Protocol, a decentralized finance platform on Bitcoin, has announced that its anticipated token distribution will now occur on October 23, 2024.

The protocol has earlier announced the Token Generation Event (TGE) would be on Monday, October 21, 2024. However, it released an update early Monday noting that the TGE will now happen on Wednesday, October 23 at 12:00 UTC.

Why the Tap Protocol TGE delay?

According to the Bitcoin DeFi protocol, the postponement is meant to allow ecosystem partners such as bridges to be properly prepared for the potential surge in transactions.

“Nobody likes delays, but unfortunately, we have to postpone our TGE to the 23rd of October at 12:00 UTC. While we understand the wait may be difficult, we want to ensure that our bridge and other products are in perfect condition to support the expected high volume of users,” Tap Protocol posted on X.

TAP will be available on Bitcoin and Ethereum networks at launch, while the roadmap highlights token swap, marketplace and staking as key milestones.

Notable about Tap Protocol is that the TAP token will have a fixed supply of 21 million tokens. The project uses the Ordinals system, with the aim being to advance the BTC ecosystem’s DeFi and dApps capabilities via various assets. It includes non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

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Bitcoin steadies at $68k, meme coins surge as focus shifts to Poodlana

Bitcoin price has recorded its second week of consecutive gains; ending the week steady above the resistance-turn-support zone of 68,000. On Friday, it hit a level last recorded in late July after rallying by 17% in about a week. At the time of writing, BTC was trading at $68,440.47. 

Risk-on sentiment continues

The risk-on mood that has increased the attractiveness of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in recent sessions is also observable in the US stock market. In fact, the Dow Jones Industrial Average index and S&P 500 both ended the week at a fresh record high. At the same time, Nasdaq 100 held steady above $20,000 as the bulls eyed the all0time high reached in mid-July 2024 at $20,702. 

Signs of a resilient US economy have contributed to the rallying in the cryptocurrency market and the overall risk-on mood. Recent data, including September’s jobs report and retail sales came in better than expected. The resultant surge in consumer confidence has seen the US dollar record three consecutive weeks of gains. On Thursday, it extended gains to a level last hit in early August before slightly pulling back on Friday. 

Additionally, rate cuts by the Federal Reserve have contributed to the positive market sentiment. As seen on CoinMarketCap, the fear and greed index is at a greed level of 60 after being at a neutral of 46 in the past week. During its September meeting, the US central bank cut interest rates by 50 basis points; the first in four years. Notably, an environment of lower interest rates tends to attract investors to riskier assets like cryptocurrencies. 

US election and Bitcoin ETF inflows

Markets are now keen on the next Fed meeting on 7th November, just two days after the closely watched US elections. In addition to the anticipated rate cut of 25 basis points, a Trump win will likely yield further gains for cryptos. 

The presidential candidate not only owns a crypto venture but he has also openly held a pro-crypto stand. According to Polymarket, Trump’s chances of winning the elections are at 59.9% against Kamala Harris’ 40.1%. This forecast already has more traders investing in the crypto market with elections in the horizon. 

To top it off, Bitcoin ETF inflows are on the rise. According to SoSoValue, the daily total net inflow was $273.71 million as at 18th October. Cumulatively, the net inflows year-to-date are $20.94 billion. 

Poodlana token could stage a comeback

As is often the case, meme coins are moving in tandem with Bitcoin’s price movement; creating irresistible opportunities for savvy investors. As seen on CoinGecko, the meme market cap is at $63 billion, up by 0.3% over a span of 24 hours. Over the past 7 days, meme coins like Dogecoin, Floki, Bonk, Cats in a dogs world, and BOOK OF MEME have risen by 28.1%, 12.3%, 8.0%, 25.5%, and 19.7% respectively. 

Poodlana, a newly launched cryptocurrency built on the Solana network, stands out for meme coin enthusiasts as well as fashion-centric investors. Its appeal is largely founded on the Solana blockchain’s principle of cost efficiency as well as its link to the luxury fashion industry. More to that, its recent decline has created an ideal buy for investors scouting for cheaper options.

The altcoin has dropped to a record low of $0.003167 as at the time of writing. Notably, a decline in price following a successful ICO is common as the early adopters sell their holdings for an easy and fast profit. With POODL, this was especially expected as the lack of a vesting period meant investors could sell their tokens immediately the meme coin hit public shelves. 

As Bitcoin ETF inflows surge, an increase in BTC demand by both retail and institutional investors is set to trickle to altcoins like Poodlana. 

Besides, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and caution over the economic stability in the US and China, and globally, will further attract investors to Bitcoin as a safe haven. Additional rallying of the top crypto by means of its market cap is expected to yield a rebound in alternative cryptocurrencies like Poodlana.  You can lean more about Poodlana here.

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Italy set to raise Bitcoin capital gains tax to 42%

  • Italy plans to raise the capital gains tax on cryptocurrencies from 26% to 42%.
  • The new policy reflects a trend among European countries tightening crypto regulations.
  • PM Giorgia Meloni assures no new taxes for citizens despite the proposed increases.

Italy is set to increase its capital gains tax on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies from 26% to a staggering 42%, according to Vice Economy Minister Maurizio Leo.

This announcement was made during a press conference detailing the country’s budget for 2025, where Leo highlighted measures approved by the Council of Ministers aimed at generating additional resources to support families, youth, and businesses.

Italian’s new tax policy reclassifies crypto taxation

The new tax policy marks a significant shift from the current framework, which has been in place since the 2023 tax year.

This change follows a broader reform that reclassifies cryptocurrency taxation, moving away from treating cryptocurrencies as foreign currency, which had previously benefited from lower tax rates.

Under the previous regime, capital gains exceeding €2,000 (approximately $2,180) were taxed at a rate of 26%.

European countries tightening tax regulations on digital assets

The increase in the capital gains tax on cryptocurrencies reflects a growing trend among European countries to tighten tax regulations on digital assets.

Similar moves have been reported in the UK, where Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering raising capital gains taxes, including those on cryptocurrencies, from 20% to 39%.

In addition to the capital gains tax hike, Leo mentioned that Italy plans to intensify its efforts to combat tax evasion, particularly through stricter regulations on cash transactions. This initiative aims to create a more transparent financial environment and bolster government revenues.

Despite the proposed tax increases, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reassured citizens that there would be no new taxes affecting the general population. She stated that the government remains committed to structural tax cuts for workers and plans to allocate €3.5 billion from banks and insurance companies to healthcare and support for the most vulnerable sectors of society.

As Italy prepares to implement these tax changes, the implications for cryptocurrency investors and the broader digital asset market remain to be seen, especially in a landscape where regulatory scrutiny is increasing across Europe.

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US prosecutors urge judge to hand Bitfinex hack mastermind five-year sentence

  • The Bitfinex crypto hack resulted in the theft of 120,000 Bitcoin
  • Ilya Lichtenstein used a series of sophisticated methods to hide the stolen funds between 2016 and 2022
  • He told his wife and co-conspirator about the hack in 2020 who then helped him to hide the stolen assets

US prosecutors have told a judge that the mastermind behind the Bitfinex exchange hack should receive five years in prison.

Ilya Lichtenstein, who pleaded guilty last year after stealing 120,000 Bitcoin, was arrested in 2022. His wife and co-conspirator Heather Morgan was also taken into custody, in connection to the 2016 Bitfinex crypto hack. During their arrest, police seized Bitcoin worth around $71 million at the time of the hack.

According to Bloomberg, a court filing was submitted to the US District Court of Columbia, US prosecutors say Lichtenstein should receive a longer sentence than Morgan, also known as rapper Razzlekhan.

Last week, federal prosecutors recommended that Morgan receive an 18-month prison sentence given her “substantial assistance” in the case and the fact that she didn’t know her husband had hacked into Bitfinex.

Prosecutors argued that a stronger sentence for Lichtenstein would help deter young cybercriminals from attempting the same thing. According to them, this online activity is “normalized in a way that trivializes the impact on the victims.”

By giving a tougher sentence, prosecutors believe it will “help to break this cycle.”

Sole responsibility for the hack

While it was initially believed that both of them were involved in the exchange’s hack, Lichtenstein was identified as the primary person responsible.

It was only in 2020 that Morgan found out about what her husband had done and admitted to helping him hide the stolen crypto. Following the hack, Lichtenstein transferred around 120,000 Bitcoin into a self-custody wallet under his control.

Over the next few years, he withdrew 25,000 Bitcoin, laundering the stolen funds through darknet markets, non-compliant virtual currency exchanges, and mixers and tumblers, including Bitcoin Fog, Helix, and ChipMixer.

With Morgan’s help, the pair used the stolen funds to buy nonfungible tokens (NFTs), gold, and Walmart gift cards.

Prosecutors have not pushed the judge to give Lichtenstein the maximum sentence due to his assistance in other criminal cases. For instance, in February, Lichtenstein testified as a government witness in a money-laundering trial against Bitcoin Fog.

The pair are scheduled to be sentenced in November.

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Elon Musk’s Tesla transfers Bitcoin worth $770M to new addresses

  • Tesla relocated 11,509 bitcoins, valued at $770 million, to new addresses.
  • This marks Tesla’s first Bitcoin transaction since selling most holdings in 2022.
  • Tesla remains the third-largest Bitcoin holder among public companies after MicroStrategy.

Tesla, the electric vehicle giant led by Elon Musk, has recently relocated its entire Bitcoin (BTC) treasury, consisting of 11,509 bitcoins valued at approximately $770 million, to multiple new addresses.

This significant move was reported by analytics firm Arkham Research, which tracked the on-chain data associated with the transactions.

First time Tesla is touching its Bitcoin stockpile

The transfer of bitcoins marks Tesla’s first interaction with its crypto wallets since 2022 when the company sold off the majority of its holdings.

The series of transactions occurred within a single hour and was preceded by six test transactions, indicating a strategic approach to the relocation.

At its peak, Tesla held around 43,000 bitcoins, but according to the latest quarterly report, the company reportedly had about 9,720 BTC, worth roughly $650 million as of October 15.

Arkham estimates that Tesla still holds 11,509 bitcoins across 68 addresses, reflecting a significant adjustment in its cryptocurrency strategy.

Tesla’s past dealings with Bitcoin have been noteworthy. In early 2021, the company made headlines with a monumental $1.5 billion investment in the cryptocurrency, followed by the sale of $272 million worth of bitcoin in the first quarter of 2021, resulting in a profit of $128 million.

By the second quarter of 2022, Tesla sold another $936 million in Bitcoin, garnering $64 million in gains as the market experienced volatility.

Despite these transactions, the recent move to new addresses raises questions about Tesla’s future plans for its Bitcoin holdings. Industry speculation suggests that the company might be preparing for further sales, although no official statements have clarified the intent behind the recent transfer.

As of now, Tesla remains the third-largest holder of Bitcoin among publicly traded companies, trailing behind MicroStrategy and Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA).

Additionally, Musk’s other company, SpaceX, is estimated to hold around 8,285 bitcoins, further emphasizing the significant role cryptocurrency plays in the operations of Musk’s enterprises.

Notably, Tesla continues to accept BTC payments for vehicle purchases, signalling its ongoing engagement with the cryptocurrency landscape.

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