Weekly update december 27th 2024

Poolder was a guest on the podcast Cryptotakkies! In this year’s final episode of the Cryptotakkies podcast, Berend Eggeraat (co-founder of Poolder) and Raoul Esseboom (host of Cryptotakkies) look back on important moments within the crypto world. They also talk about managing crypto funds and insights within liquidity pools and DeFi applications. Want to know more about this? Listen to the episode on Spotify or Apple podcasts. Here’s to even more great moments and collaborations in 2025!

The approval of the first hybrid Bitcoin-Ethereum ETF by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is a milestone for the crypto market. These combined ETFs allow investors to trade both Bitcoin and Ethereum in one product, promoting diversification in investment portfolios. The Franklin Crypto Index ETF and Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF are expected to launch in January, with a split of approximately 80% Bitcoin and 20% Ethereum. This historic decision helps strengthen the acceptance of cryptocurrencies as legitimate investment options.

Europe’s Markets in Crypto -Assets (MiCA) regulations will come into full effect on Dec. 30, 2024. MiCA regulation covers a number of new laws and it aims to regulate the crypto market, protect investors and prevent market abuse. The first rules went into effect as early as June 2024. The rules ensure that crypto companies and products meet strict requirements, such as transparency and customer protection. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) recently published final guidelines to help Member States with implementation. These new regulations provide the necessary frameworks for a safer cryptocurrency market, but it remains important for investors to remain well-informed about the potential risks.

For the first time, Bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) have surpassed gold funds in total assets under management. This milestone was reached with an impressive $129 billion – more than all U.S. gold ETFs combined. This milestone highlights the growing appeal-power of digital assets among investors. Since the launch of Bitcoin ETFs in January this year, the market has experienced rapid growth, with BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) being the largest player, managing nearly $60 billion in Bitcoin assets. Experts at JPMorgan Chase predict an increase in demand for both gold and Bitcoin, further reinforcing the rise of crypto as an investment.