Franklin Templeton launches a Bitcoin and Ethereum index ETF

  • Franklin Templeton has launched EZPZ ETF tracking Bitcoin and Ether.
  • The EZPZ ETF is the second US crypto index ETF.
  • The other crypto index is Hashdex’s Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF (NCIQ).

Franklin Templeton, a prominent global asset manager, has introduced a new exchange-traded fund (ETF) that provides investors with exposure to both Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum’s Ether (ETH).

Announced on February 20, 2025, the Franklin Crypto Index ETF, trading under the ticker EZPZ, marks the second crypto index ETF to launch in the United States, following closely on the heels of Hashdex’s Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF (NCIQ), which debuted on February 14.

The Franklin Bitcoin and Ether Index ETF

The EZPZ fund is designed to track the US CF Institutional Digital Asset Index, a market capitalization-weighted benchmark managed by CF Benchmarks.

As of its launch date, the index allocates approximately 87% of its weighting to Bitcoin — currently priced at $98,706 — while Ether, valued at $2,755, accounts for about 13%.

Franklin Templeton has emphasized that this ETF offers a streamlined way for investors to gain exposure to these leading digital assets without the complexities of directly purchasing and managing them.

Looking ahead, Franklin Templeton plans to expand the fund’s holdings as additional cryptocurrencies are incorporated into the underlying index, subject to regulatory approval. This forward-thinking approach positions EZPZ as a potential “one-stop-shop” for US investors seeking a diversified crypto portfolio through a single investment vehicle.

The launch of EZPZ comes amid a wave of cryptocurrency ETF developments in the US. Hashdex’s NCIQ, trading on the Nasdaq, similarly focuses on Bitcoin and Ether with plans to broaden its scope over time.

The broader market has also seen a surge in ETF filings throughout 2024, with asset managers submitting proposals for funds tied to altcoins such as Solana (SOL), XRP, and Litecoin (LTC).

In October, NYSE Arca sought approval to list a Grayscale ETF based on the Grayscale Digital Large Cap Fund, a diversified crypto portfolio established in 2018 that includes Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, and XRP, among others.

Additionally, Bitwise recently filed for a 10 Crypto Index Fund ETF with the SEC, further underscoring the growing demand for crypto investment vehicles.

Analysts at Bloomberg Intelligence have expressed optimism about the regulatory outlook, suggesting “relatively high odds of approval across the board” for these new crypto ETF proposals. This momentum highlights a pivotal moment for the integration of digital assets into traditional finance, offering investors more accessible and regulated options to participate in the crypto market.

Franklin Templeton’s entry into the crypto ETF space with EZPZ signals both the firm’s confidence in the maturing digital asset ecosystem and the increasing appetite among mainstream investors for cryptocurrency exposure. As the index evolves and regulatory hurdles are cleared, EZPZ could pave the way for broader adoption of crypto-focused ETFs, bridging the gap between conventional investment strategies and the rapidly expanding world of blockchain-based assets.

For now, the fund stands as a milestone in making Bitcoin and Ether more accessible to US investors, with the promise of further growth on the horizon.

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Investors turn to Mantra (OM) and Bitcoin Pepe (BPEP) as PancakeSwap (CAKE) falters

  • PancakeSwap (CAKE) dips as investors eye OM and BPEP for gains.
  • Mantra (OM) has surged by 36% in the last 24 hours.
  • Bitcoin Pepe (BPEP) presale hits $2M as it aims to build a Bitcoin meme L2.

PancakeSwap (CAKE) has flashed a bearish signal after a significant Bull Run causing investors to panic.

As CAKE falters, investors are moving towards Mantra (OM) and the newly launched Bitcoin Pepe (BPEP) for their promising outlook.

PancakeSwap drops after significant surge

PancakeSwap has been a darling of the DeFi community, offering a decentralized exchange on the Binance Smart Chain. Over the past week, its native token, CAKE, has witnessed a remarkable price surge drawing the attention of many.

However, over the past 24 hours, CAKE has experienced a 4.64% drop after a remarkable 80.21% increase over the past week.

PancakeSwap price drops
PancakeSwap price by TradingView

 

This volatility, with the price now at $2.52, suggests that PancakeSwap might be facing some market resistance or profit-taking after the rally.

The high trading volume of CAKE, close to $335 million in a day, indicates there’s still substantial interest, but the downward trend could be a sign of investors diversifying their portfolios or reevaluating their positions in CAKE amidst the broader market dynamics.

PancakeSwap’s challenge now is to maintain its utility and attractiveness in a market where new, innovative projects are constantly emerging.

Mantra (OM) sees a 36% surge

Amidst the PancakeSwap price fluctuations, Mantra (OM) has captured the attention of investors with its compelling growth trajectory.

Currently trading at $7.61, OM has shown a remarkable 36.07% increase in the last 24 hours and a 29.33% rise over the past week.

Mantra (OM) price chart
Mantra (OM) price chart by TradingView

 

This performance has pushed its market cap to over $7.4 billion, highlighting strong investor confidence in the project.

Mantra aims to create a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform tailored for institutional investors, which might explain the surge in interest. Its appeal lies in its foundation in real-world asset tokenization, aiming to bridge the gap between traditional finance and blockchain technology. This innovation not only promises to democratize investment in assets like real estate but also ensures that it’s built on a secure and scalable infrastructure.

The significant growth in trading volume, hitting $756 million in the last 24 hours, underscores the growing confidence among investors in Mantra’s vision and execution.

However, as with any investment, the crypto market’s volatility means that one should approach it with caution.

Bitcoin Pepe (BPEP): the new meme coin frontier

Besides Mantra (OM), a new memecoin dubbed Bitcoin Pepe (BPEP) also offers an intriguing investment opportunity in its ongoing presale.

Bitcoin Pepe introduces an intriguing concept by integrating meme culture with Bitcoin’s robust security, positioning itself as the world’s only “Bitcoin Meme ICO.” Its presale, currently in stage 4 of 30, has already raised over $2 million signaling the demand among investors.

The Bitcoin Pepe presale is structured in such a way as to incentivize early investors with the price increasing with each presale stage. The price is currently at $0.0243 and is set to increase to $0.0255 in the next stage.

Notably, Bitcoin Pepe aims to build a Layer-2 solution on Bitcoin, promising instant transactions and ultra-low fees, an enticing proposition for those looking for efficiency in Bitcoin transactions.

By leveraging Bitcoin’s longevity and combining it with fast transaction capabilities akin to Solana, Bitcoin Pepe is carving out a niche in the meme coin market. The project’s whitepaper and roadmap detail ambitious plans for development, including AMAs, interactive Q&As, and additional hires to support its Layer-2 build, which seems to fuel investor enthusiasm.

While CAKE’s recent faltering might be temporary, the surge in OM and BPEP offers alternative opportunities that promise not just immediate returns but also long-term viability and utility within the crypto ecosystem.

However, as with all investments in this volatile sector, due diligence remains crucial to navigate through the hype and understand the real potential of each project.

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Crypto price predictions: Bitcoin Pepe, BTC, and Solana

Crypto majors including Bitcoin remain under pressure amid a neutral market sentiment. However, revolutionary projects within the sector are thriving as savvy investors look for cheaper alternatives with great growth potential.

Bitcoin Pepe, the first meme ICO on the Bitcoin network has captured the attention of crypto enthusiasts, surpassing $1 million within the first 6 hours of its presale. Its early adopters acknowledge that its unique approach of merging the meme culture with Solana’s speed and Bitcoin’s security will yield hefty returns ahead of its launch in Q2’25.

Bitcoin price to remain range-bound amid a neutral market sentiment 

Bitcoin price has remained in consolidation; trading in the red for the third consecutive week. At a fear & greed index of 47, which points to a neutral market sentiment, the crypto major may remain range-bound in the absence of a key near-term catalyst. 

In the short term, the range between the support level of $93,500 and the resistance zone of  $100,898.95 remains worth watching. Indeed, below this range, this thesis will be invalid. If successful at breaking the current resistance, bitcoin bulls will have their eyes on the next target at $102,954.12.

Bitcoin Pepe’s unique trifactor positions it for fastest-growing ICO of 2025

Bitcoin Pepe, the first meme ICO on the Bitcoin network, has already raised over $1.7 million within the first 48 hours of its presale. Indeed, this is the playing field that meme coin enthusiasts have hungered for. 

On the one hand, Bitcoin is highly valued as the main alternative to fiat currency. Besides, it is considered as a safe haven and hedge against inflation. 

While its Proof-of-Work (PoW) system assures Bitcoin’s unmatched security, it results in slower transaction speed of up to 60 minutes. In comparison, it takes about 0.5 seconds for a transaction to be completed on Solana with up to 65,000 transactions processed in a second. 

Bitcoin Pepe has merged the two while propelling the meme culture; a trifactor that has captured the attention of crypto enthusiasts. The project leverages on Bitcoin’s security and Solana’s super speed while integrating the ultra-popular meme culture. 

It is this ideal setup that has sparked immense interest among crypto enthusiasts. Amid the heightened FOMO, savvy investors understand that the current price of $0.0232 may be the lowest for the BPEP token moving forward. 

It is currently at stage 3 of the total 30 stages on its 2025 roadmap, which also includes launching a decentralized exchange (DEX) and L2 Bridge. As it achieves these developments, its value is set to skyrocket. As such, this is the best opportunity for cryptocurrency enthusiasts to amass some BPEP tokens. Buy the Bitcoin Pepe here.

Solana price will need steady rebounding to ratify trend reversal

Solana price is set for its fourth week of losses despite the recent rebounding that cut across crypto majors. While the selling pressure may remain a headwind in the near term, improvement of the market sentiment may flip its plight as it leverages on its super speed and low transaction fees. 

In the meantime, the bulls are keen on defending the support at $186.21. On the upside, additional momentum may have it break the resistance at $206.48. However, a rebound past $215.70 to rubberstamp a trend reversal. 

 

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Wiki Finance Expo Hong Kong 2025: Asia’s premier fintech and web3.0 summit returns on March 27

The highly anticipated Wiki Finance Expo Hong Kong 2025 is set to take place on March 27, 2025, at The Sky 100 Hong Kong Observation Deck, International Commerce Center (ICC). As the largest and most influential Fintech and Web3.0 event in Asia this year, Wiki Finance Expo Hong Kong 2025 promises to deliver a remarkable and rewarding summit for the industry.

This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a record 7,000 delegates expected to attend and 3,000 companies planning to participate.

Event Details

  • Date: March 27, 2025

  • Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  • Venue: The Sky 100 Hong Kong Observation Deck, International Commerce Center (ICC)

  • Focus Areas: Fintech, Web3.0, Crypto, Forex, Payments, AI, Metaverse, NFTs

  • Registration & Tickets: Free of charge

  • Registration Link: https://www.wikiexpo.com/HongKong/2025/en/index.html?c=Bf34Yo8a

Why Attend?

Wiki Finance Expo Hong Kong 2025 is poised to surpass all previous benchmarks, with over 7,000 attendees and 3,000 participating companies. This year’s Expo offers:

  • Expanded Scale: A significant increase in attendees and exhibitors, making it the largest event of its kind in Asia.

  • Elite Networking: An unparalleled opportunity to connect with industry leaders, forge new partnerships, and establish lasting connections.

  • Insightful Discussions: Engage with over 50 esteemed speakers sharing groundbreaking perspectives on the future of finance.

  • Innovative Exhibits: Discover cutting-edge technologies and solutions from 80+ exhibitors revolutionizing the financial landscape.

Past Speakers at Wiki Finance Expo Global:

  • Dominic Williams, Founder & Chief Scientist, DFINITY Foundation

  • Evan Auyang Chi-chun, Group President, Animoca Brands

  • Justin Sun, Founder – TRON, Member – HTX Global Advisory Board

  • Reeve Collins, Co Founder – Tether

  • Jun Du, Founder, SINOHOPE & ABCDE Capital

  • Alvin Hu, Managing Director, Head of Key Account, KuCoin Exchange

  • Kevin Lee, CEO, Gate.HK

  • Mario Nawfal, CEO, IBC Group

  • Julian Tehan, CCO, BitMEX

  • Hasnae Taleb, Managing Partner, Mintiply Capital, The Shewolf of Nasdaq by Nasdaq Stock Market

  • Mayoon Boonyarat, Director Revenue Tax Policy Division, Ministry of Finance of Thailand

  • John Riggins, Partner, BTC Inc

  • John Patrick Mullin, Co-Founder, MANTRA

  • Weronika Marciniak, CEO, Future is meta

  • Emomotimi Agama, Fellow, U.S. SEC & IFC – Milken Institute, Managing Director, Nigeria SEC/NCMI

  • Loretta Joseph, Policy Consultant, The Commonwealth, Chairman, ADFSAC

  • Dr. Florian M Spiegl, Appointed Member, (HK) SFC – FinTech Advisory Group, Founder & CEO, EVIDENT, Lecturer, HKU – Faculty of Business and Economics

  • Brian Norman, CFO – Auros, Co-Chair Web3 & Blockchain committee – FinTech Assoc HK

  • Stratos Pourzitakis, PhD, Head of Digital Policy APAC, HSBC

  • Bugra Celik, Director, Digital Assets | Global Private Banking & Wealth, HSBC

  • Simon Callaghan, CEO, Blockchain Australia

  • Hassan Ahmed, Country Director, Coinbase Singapore

Join us at Wiki Finance Expo Hong Kong 2025 as we embark on an exhilarating journey to explore and shape the future of fintech. This is your chance to be at the forefront of the industry’s most transformative trends, surrounded by like-minded professionals eager to make a difference. Don’t miss out on this exclusive opportunity to connect, recharge, and redefine the future of fintech. Secure your spot now by registering through the event link provided. And don’t forget to spread the word. See you there!

About Wiki Finance Expo

Wiki Finance Expo is the world’s leading financial exhibition and fintech conference brand, holding large summits annually in Singapore, Sydney, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Bangkok. The event gathers and connects global high-quality resources for exhibitors and participants, including enterprises, start-ups, project owners, investors, and practitioners in the fields of blockchain, fintech, and forex.

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Avalon Labs evaluating a Bitcoin-backed public debt fund

  • Avalon Labs is planning to introduce a Bitcoin-backed public fund under SEC Regulation A.
  • Avalon Labs aims to bridge traditional finance and crypto, expanding Bitcoin’s utility.
  • Avalon’s AVL token has been listed on Bybit, boosting liquidity and community governance.

Avalon Labs has decided to explore the uncharted territory of Bitcoin-backed lending products by leveraging SEC’s Regulation A framework.

Barely a day after Avalon Labs announced the listing of its native token, AVL, on Bybit’s Spot trading platform, the company has announced it is considering launching a Bitcoin-backed public fund under the SEC Regulation A.

The timing of this announcement coincides with a period of economic uncertainty, with rising inflation and evolving Federal Reserve policies influencing investor sentiment.

By providing a structured entry point into Bitcoin investment for retail investors, Avalon might just lower the entry barriers for traditional investors, thereby expanding Bitcoin’s utility and acceptance.

Expanding Bitcoin’s reach into traditional finance

Avalon Labs’ move is seen as an attempt to open the door for massive adoption of Bitcoin-backed products, making them accessible not just to crypto enthusiasts but also to traditional investors. The initiative aims to position Bitcoin (BTC) not just as a store of value but as a dynamic financial instrument capable of generating yield through DeFi opportunities.

By using Regulation A, often dubbed a “mini-IPO,” Avalon Labs seeks to bypass the complexities of a full SEC registration while ensuring compliance and transparency. This approach, commonly utilized by real estate investment trusts (REITs) and private funds, could provide a structured investment vehicle for retail investors, thus bridging the gap between traditional finance and the burgeoning crypto market.

Avalon’s native token AVL debuted on Bybit on February 12

Parallel to this financial exploration, Avalon Labs has also solidified its token ecosystem with the listing of AVL on Bybit. This move not only enhances liquidity but also introduces the token to a broader audience.

AVL serves as the governance token, enabling community-driven decision-making, while USDa, the Bitcoin-backed stablecoin, offers a stable, bank-independent currency for on-chain transactions.

The integration of AVL into Bybit’s platform, coupled with the potential launch of a public debt fund, underscores Avalon Labs’ strategic approach to expanding its footprint in the DeFi and traditional finance sectors.

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