Cybercriminals use various ways to hide their [misdeeds](/news/article/cryptocurrency-crime-rise), such as masking their transaction history and [laundering money](/news/article/crypto-aml) through cryptocurrencies. Fortunately, investigators are now well-equipped with fraud detection tools and software, including the Bitcoin extractor. 

This article explores what BTC extractors are and how they work to extract addresses from numerous data sources. 

## What is a Bitcoin extractor? 

It is a tool designed to obtain BTC addresses from a string of text or code. Addresses can be extracted from numerous sources, such as text documents, websites, emails, chat logs, and images. The primary function of a BTC address extractor is to locate strings of characters that match the structure of a Bitcoin address.  

Moreover, these scripting tools can work for deducing both public and private keys. These tools can scan any data source and gather crypto addresses from them. After that, they present the output in a CSV file to easily be used to track transactions or recover stolen assets. 

## How does a Bitcoin extractor work? 

These extractors rely on different types of machine-learning algorithms that are trained to detect crypto addresses. Generally, the first stage in gathering BTC addresses is pattern recognition. They get familiar with the alphanumeric structure of a BTC address and look for patterns in them.  

Secondly, the tools thoroughly scan sources to find strings that fit the recognised pattern. The scanning then reveals potential BTC addresses, but there can be some false positives, too.  

Some tools may also run multiple verification checks to ensure that the outcome they provide is a genuine Bitcoin address. The verification process may include performing cryptographic calculations. 

Finally, the extractor compiles the list of all the addresses found in the source data in a CSV file. It also includes the file path where the address was found, along with a globally unique identifier (GUID). Users can then use this list for various purposes, such as verifying transactions, conducting audits, or managing user accounts. 

## What is Nuix Bitcoin Extractor? 

It is a [Bitcoin extractor](https://github.com/Nuix/Bitcoin-Extractor) designed by the UK South West Regional Cyber Crime Unit (SWRCCU). It is one of the most trusted tools for obtaining BTC addresses and public and private keys (xPubs/xPrvs). 

Nuix is a powerful software that relies on the data indexed by Nuix Workstation and can locate help in fraud investigations. 

It is a Ruby script developed for scanning plain texts. However, it can work with varying datasets from cloud storage, smartphones, laptops, or other devices. For pattern recognition, it uses a regular expression method that helps find the hidden addresses in the source data. 

After that, Nuix uses a Python script to validate the output. It can also gather further details like transaction history, wallet balance, and throughput value. Then, it sorts out all the findings and presents them in a CSV format.  

## Why do we need a BTC extractor? 

A BTC key extractor can be used for a wide range of purposes. Here are a few of them: 

1. It can be used for fraud detection as it can detect an address involved in fraud.  
2. Forensics can use it to find an address from retrieved data that may be helpful in asset recovery. 
3. Investigators can use it to track the flow of Bitcoins between different wallets to prevent illegal activities.   
4. You can track your own transactions, which can help manage personal finances.  

## Final thoughts 

A Bitcoin address extractor is a valuable tool that enhances the efficiency of handling Bitcoin addresses. 

Recognising and validating addresses from various sources empowers you to verify transactions, prevent fraud, and ensure accuracy. You can also manage your finances through these tools by keeping track of transactions. 

What is a Bitcoin extractor and how does it work? 

Here, we introduce the [Bitcoin Edge Wallet](https://edge.app/), which may be the ideal wallet for safekeeping your crypto. 

Cybercrime is a burgeoning issue in the crypto market that has swept more than $600 million worth of digital assets from the market. As a result, investors are on the constant lookout for a secure option for keeping their crypto. However, due to the multitude of options available in the market, picking the right one could be tricky.  

Introducing Edge. 

## What is Bitcoin Edge? 

Edge wallet is a digital wallet that you can use for storing all your cryptocurrencies. It is an app-based platform that keeps your assets safe and gives you a seamless interface to manage them. It allows you to safely trade your assets while keeping control with you. 

The wallet lets you buy and sell more than 130 coins on its app. Meanwhile, you can secure access to the wallet by setting up a biometric or a PIN login. You can also easily switch devices because of its auto-sync feature. 

## Create an account on Bitcoin Edge in 6 steps 

Here's how you can create an account on the app: 

1. Visit the app store, find the app, and download it. 
2. It will show a 'get started' option; select it to go to the page to set up a username and password. 
3. Type in the username and enter a password by following its guidelines for using certain characters.  
4. Add a unique four-digit PIN for your account to add a protective layer for accessing it. 
5. After that, it will show you your account details. It is crucial to note and keep it safe, as you may lose access to your account without it.  
6. Once done, review the wallet's terms and conditions and proceed with 'Confirm & Finish'. 

Finally, your Edge account will be ready to use. You can view the dashboard and two wallets on it. Initially, it gives two options: My Ether and My Bitcoin. But you can add other wallets per your preference.  

## How to buy Bitcoin with Edge Wallet 

To purchase Bitcoin with Edge Wallet, go to 'Buy' at the bottom of the screen. 

![Edge app screenshot](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/Edge_app_screenshot_5723449ce1.png)

Multiple payment options will appear on the screen when you select it, including bank transfer, credit or debit card, Apple Pay, and others. You can choose any of them as per your preferences. 

Once you select a payment method, the app will guide you through the purchasing process. Follow the directives and pay the amount to buy the BTC. After that, the payment will be accepted, and the app will transfer the BTC to your account.  

Buying crypto through these payment methods is one of the most convenient options, allowing you to buy directly from the app. However, you have to pay an extra fee to enjoy this convenience.  

There are several other options to buy crypto aside from Bitcoin Edge. A common among them are centralised exchanges like[ Coinbase](/news/article/coinbase-review-uk), Binance, or [Kraken](/news/article/kraken-review). You can also purchase BTC from decentralised exchanges like Uniswap, [PancakeSwap](/news/article/what-is-pancakeswap), or [Trader Joe](/news/article/trader-joe-xyz-launches-amm). Regarding the transaction fee, cryptocurrency exchanges are the cheapest among all other options for buying crypto.  

Apart from using a [cryptocurrency exchange](/news/article/what-is-a-cryptocurrency-exchange), you can also opt for peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers. It lets you buy or sell crypto directly from another trusted person. This type of trade is facilitated by various payment gateways like PayPal, ACH transfer, Venmo, and others.  

## Final thoughts 

Bitcoin Edge is a powerful mobile wallet for securely managing and trading more than 100 cryptocurrencies on one intuitive platform. The app's intuitive interface is easy to get acquainted with and make trades whenever you like. 

Furthermore, the app can easily auto-sync with any of your devices so that you can manage your assets seamlessly. It also maintains a high level of security by letting you add a PIN or biometric for every wallet on the app. 

In this article, we covered how to create an account on Edge and use it to buy Bitcoins. You can confidently set up and navigate the wallet by following these simple steps. 

Bitcoins falling out of edge wallet on a desk

What is the Bitcoin Edge Wallet and how do you use it? 

Jake Paul, the Bitcoin investor and professional boxer, recently made headlines in the crypto space. Paul, along with several other renowned figures such as [Lindsay Lohan](/news/article/lindsay-lohan-faces-charges-from-sec) and DeAndre Cortez Way, faced charges from the US SEC [for promoting securities](/news/article/us-sec-regulation).  

The SEC issued a statement about the case in a press release on 22 March, 2023. It signified that Paul and eight other celebs endorsed two unregistered crypto securities, BitTorrent (BTT) and Tronix (TRX). Allegedly, Paul was specifically involved with the TRX tokens' promotion introduced by the Tron Foundation Limited.  

However, the US financial watchdog and the digital content creator turned boxer immediately devised a settlement plan.  

## Paul negotiated a settlement of $400,000 with the SEC 

According to an [ESPN report](https://www.espn.in/boxing/story/_/id/35920648/sec-charges-jake-paul-unlawful-promotion-crypto-assets), the settlement terms from the SEC included the payment of $400,000 as penalties and interests. The amount was set to pay for the charges for promoting a cryptocurrency without explicitly mentioning that the company behind the coin paid them. Paul and other celebrities who were also charged with the breach of SEC laws agreed to pay the settlement amount.  

The financial regulatory body alleged that the prizefighter endorsed the TRX tokens for compensation in cryptocurrencies worth $25,019. For pressing the charges against Paul, the SEC referenced his Twitter post from 12 February, 2021. Paul was replying to the Rapper Lil Yachty in the tweet and mentioned #TRX with a rocket emoji. 

Supposedly, the tweet was sponsored and influenced people to invest in the token. Due to this reason, regulators filed charges against Paul and other famous figures. However, the prizefighter denied the charges even after the deal. 

## A lawsuit against Justin Sun and his three companies  

The SEC also filed charges against the companies behind TRX and BTT tokens, namely Tron Foundation Ltd., Rainberry Inc., and BitTorrent Foundation Ltd. All of these companies were set up by a prominent entrepreneur in the crypto space, Yuchen Justin Sun. According to the filing, these companies sold unregistered securities to their customers. 

Apart from that, the charges against Sun included using wash trading and deceptive tactics to manipulate the market. Allegedly, Sun and his companies were selling and purchasing their tokens at almost the same time to fraudulently maintain the trading volume of the tokens in the market.  

They used this scheme only to maintain the tokens' price and compensate the celebrities. Meanwhile, other media figures named in the case were Lindsay Lohan, Soulja Boy, Kendra Lust, Rapper Lil Yachty, Austin Mahone, Akon, and Ne-Yo.  

Among these celebrities, only Austin Mahone and Soulja Boy are the ones who did not agree to the SEC settlement. 

## Jake Paul Bitcoin and crypto shilling 

Jake Paul is an infamous American media personality who started his boxing journey in 2018. In recent years, the boxing star also became quite popular in the cryptocurrency world because of his investments in cryptocurrencies as well as non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The Jake Paul Bitcoin association began about two years ago, when he revealed in [a BitBoy Crypto podcast](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezffg0qtAXA) that he invested in BTC when it was only worth $100, and he has been hodling the asset since then.  

The tweet for Tronix was not the first instance when the boxer endorsed a cryptocurrency. He is often introduced as a rising crypto influencer in the crypto space and has been rooting for numerous blockchain projects.  

While there is a Jake Paul Bitcoin association, other projects he has been associated with in the past do not have a good reputation in the market. In 2022, a project named Animoon, which he promoted, exited the market with an alleged [rug pull](/news/article/rug-pull-what-is-it) of around $6.3 million. Moreover, his brother Logan has also been involved in the [CryptoZoo](/news/article/logan-paul-cryptozoo) scam. 

Jake paul in front of red pile of bitcoins

Jake Paul - Bitcoin Investor or Shiller?

To short a crypto, such as Bitcoin, refers to the process of borrowing and selling a cryptocurrency with the hope that its price will decrease in the future. 

It allows one to buy the asset at even lower prices later to gain profits. It is a profitable short-term investment plan that involves higher risks. 

However, you do not have to deal with individual cryptocurrencies for shorting. Instead, you can invest in derivatives such as [21Shares Short Bitcoin ETP](https://21shares.com/product/SBTC). It is an exchange-traded product (ETP) that enables you to get daily inverse profits. Let's find out what it is and how it works. 

## What does it mean to short Bitcoin?  

Before we move on to 21Shares short BTC, let's first discuss what exactly shorting BTC is. Shorting is a technique that enables you to make daily profits when the BTC price is depreciating. This way, you can make gains even when market conditions are tough. 

It is a way of leveraging the dipping price of the coin by getting inverse profits. It means you can sell the borrowed crypto at a higher price, considering it will depreciate continually. 

So, when the price of Bitcoin declines, you can buy it back and return it to the lender. This allows you to make gains from the fluctuating price of Bitcoin. 

Now, many crypto trading platforms offer various types of derivatives in the form of contracts for difference (CFDs). These may also include exchange-traded products (ETPs). 

## What are ETPs? 

A crypto ETP is an investment vehicle that uses crypto tokens as its backing. It is quite similar to traditional investment vehicles, usually backed by gold. Similarly, these products can be traded on exchanges like any other stock.  

The main difference here is that they are backed by cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and allow you to track their performance in the market daily. A prominent example of a crypto ETP is Fidelity Physical Bitcoin (FBTC). 

## What’s 21Shares Short Bitcoin ETP? 

It is an offering by the 21Shares platform denoted by the ticker SBTC. SBTC is a product through which you can get inverse BTC returns of -1x. The returns are based on daily price fluctuations and are multiplied by -1. Since they depend on daily price variations, you cannot hold Bitcoins for longer periods. Therefore, you must know the right holding spans and the risks involved in shorting.  

The procedure of short Bitcoin involves borrowing BTCs from the platform and selling it at the same time before the value is expected to decrease. Through this, you can generate profit from the declining price of BTC. You have to use USD or US Dollar Coin (USDC) along with BTCs as collateral for using the SBTC product. 

## Benefits of using SBTC 

There are various upsides to opting for the SBTC product by 21Shares. Firstly, it allows you to navigate [the bear cycles](/news/article/crypto-bear-market-survival) by offering inverse returns. Secondly, it gives you daily liquidity that can assist you in day-to-day trading. You can open and close trades within 24 hours.  

Apart from that, inverse returns can also help you in rebalancing your portfolio. Since the -1x factor resets after each day, your portfolio can adjust to the price fluctuations easily. Moreover, the platform offers an institutional standard system that can facilitate you in terms of crypto custody, trading features, and analytics. This smoothes out the entire procedure and creates convenience for you.  

## What are the costs of 21Shares Short Bitcoin ETP? 

According to Boerse Frankfurt, the current price of the ETP is 0.7197 for 84,845 pieces. Yesterday, the closing price was 0.7201, and there was a difference of around 0.22%, whereas the spread absolute was around 0.0015. Aside from that, the daily turnover in the number of pieces has been 13,614.  

In the past 52 weeks, the lowest difference has been 0.6794. Meanwhile, in the same period, SBTC observed the highest difference of 1.8631. 

Here’s what the one-year chart for the Short Bitcoin looks like: 

![Chart of Short Bitcoin](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/Screenshot_2023_08_04_at_15_47_59_5b2c09e8a2.png)

The chart shows that with the start of 2023, the cost of the ETP started to fall. The main reason behind it is that Bitcoin’s price has made substantial gains this year and has maintained [an upward trend that started in December 2022](/news/article/btc-price-today). It affected the inverse return mechanism, which performs best when the market shows bearish signals. On the other hand, SBTC performed comparatively higher in the last five months of 2022.  

## Closing thoughts 

21Shares Short BTC product presents a unique investment opportunity for those looking to hedge against potential downward movements in the price of Bitcoin. The product’s inverse performance makes it highly competent for the bearish market. That’s why if you use it strategically, you can generate high returns even in bearish cycles.  

However, short Bitcoin is a high-risk and high-reward strategy. So, if you are looking to invest in SBTC, you must have an advanced level of trading knowledge. But it is advisable to be fully prepared for risk management and only invest according to your risk appetite.  

21Shares Short Bitcoin ETP: All you need to know 

[BlackRock Bitcoin](https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/blackrock-close-filing-bitcoin-etf-coindesk-2023-06-15/) exchange-traded fund (ETF) trended on all investment newswires in June after BlackRock, the biggest asset manager worldwide, filed for an [ETF](/news/article/chamber-of-digital-commerce) backed by BTC, the largest digital asset by market capitalization.  

The move for a Blackrock Bitcoin ETF was made by the investment firm to give clients exposure to the flagship coin. 

The company disclosed that [Coinbase Custody](https://www.coinbase.com/custody/assets), a New York-based business that provides cold-storage services for the digital assets of third parties, will serve as custodian for its iShares Bitcoin Trust, details of its filing with the US SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) showed.  

While this has been seen as a great move by a large investment company, the SEC has shown resistance when it comes to the approval of spot BTC ETFs.  

## BlackRock Bitcoin ETF: What is it? 

To understand this what the Blackrock Bitcoin ETF is, you should know what ETF means. According to [Investopedia](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/etf.asp), ETF is a kind of investment security pool that operates similarly to a mutual fund. It tracks commodities, particular sectors, indexes, and other assets like cryptocurrencies. 

It differs from mutual funds because it can be bought and sold on a stock exchange in the same way as the regular stocks of Mastercard, Visa Inc., and other major corporations with ticker symbols on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and others.  

SPDR S&P 500 ETF is the first exchange-traded fund, and it continues to track the S&P 500 Index. 

With this in mind, what BlackRock has applied for is a spot BTC ETF. This would track the underlying market price of the first blockchain-backed digital currency.  

Analysts at [Forbes Advisor ](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/cryptocurrency/best-bitcoin-etfs/)believe this product will expose investors to the coin without becoming crypto asset holders.   

## BlackRock Bitcoin ETF is not the first being considered by the SEC  

As of July 2023, the SEC has not approved any ETFs that directly own [BTC](/news/article/bitcoin-rally-sees-gain-this-week). Instead, existing Bitcoin ETFs only hold futures contracts or other ETFs and stocks of companies that have direct exposure to Satoshi Nakamoto’s innovation.  

In 2022, [Grayscale Investment LLC](https://techcrunch.com/2022/06/30/the-sec-rejected-bitcoin-spot-etfs-again-now-what/), the largest digital asset management firm, saw its request to convert its Grayscale Bitcoin Trust into an ETF rejected by the SEC. 

Angered by the decision, [Grayscale sued](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/30/grayscale-sues-sec-after-rejected-bid-to-turn-bitcoin-fund-into-etf.html) because the regulatory body had already approved BTC futures ETFs, as earlier highlighted. 

Aside from Grayscale, CBOE Global Markets, New York Digital Investments Group (NYDIG), and Fidelity have also had their spot BTC ETFs rejected by the apex regulatory institution in the USA. 

## Impact of the filing on the coin  

In crypto, there are three major price drivers; the triggering of a staking feature that helps investors earn passive income, the listing of a virtual asset on a major exchange, and the acceptance of a coin as a transactional currency by a mainstream company.  

Ordinarily, due to the SEC's rejection of other companies’ attempts, a filing of an exchange-traded fund related to the most popular cryptocurrency should have been discarded by millions of traders across the globe.  

After trading below $30,000 for two months, the asset rebounded strongly from $25,576.28 on 16 June and tested a then-high of $31,460.05 on 6 July. 

As of 21:00 on 13 July 2023, it was exchanging hands for $31,484.21, a 23% rise in less than one month, data from crypto price tracker CoinMarketCap showed.  

Such bullishness is the reason why analyst [Richard Adrian ](https://www.fxleaders.com/forecasts/crypto/bitcoin-price-forecast/)at FX Leaders foresees a substantial rise in the price of the crypto.  

According to him, the digital currency could reach the maximum price of $85,000 due to positive market sentiment, hawkish central bank decisions, and mainstream adoption of the decentralized finance sector by the year's close. 

## The latest on spot Bitcoin ETFs globally 

On 13 July 2023, multiple news outlets reported that London-based multi-asset investment platform [Jacobi Asset Management ](https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-etf-europe-s-first-spot-bitcoin-etf-eyes-2023-debut-after-a-year-long-delay)would launch the first spot BTC ETF in Europe before the close of the year. 

This announcement comes exactly a year after it was scheduled to premiere on the Euronext exchange in Amsterdam in July 2022.  

The asset manager said it chose to launch its product in the fall due to improved demand for [crypto assets](/news/article/crypto-watch-guide).  

Since security has become an integral issue in this sector due to the billions of pounds worth of stolen digital assets, Jacobi has chosen Fidelity Digital Assets as the custodian.  

## Conclusion 

The SEC may not grant exchange-traded funds related to the spot market due to the agency's consistent consideration of many of the assets, including [BTC](/coins/btc), being securities in disguise. 

Whatever happens, [BlackRock](/news/article/blackrock-etf) has created an impressive base on which other potential applicants can thrive to see this hurdle through.  

That said, [Ripple](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/13/xrp-surges-after-judge-delivers-a-huge-win-to-ripple-in-its-case-against-the-sec.html) has won its two and half year case against the agency. This could be a turning point in the type of products it could approve for trading in the future. 

Blackrock Bitcoin ETFs: The Latest

If you're interested in trading crypto, you may have wondered how to invest in Bitcoin in the UK. 

Bitcoin is a decentralised digital currency functioning autonomously, free from the power of central authorities or government regulations. It operates using peer-to-peer software technology and relies on cryptographic principles. 

Being an open-source system, the coin is accessible to the general public. This inclusive nature allows anyone to engage in Bitcoin transactions. The distinctive features of Bitcoin offer unprecedented possibilities for various innovative applications that were not feasible with traditional payment systems. 

The coin has always been a volatile asset, rising and falling like tides, presenting opportunities to investors alongside heavy risk. However, BTC has been the investor's top choice in the investment portfolio. 

Buying Bitcoin has always been the best move when investing in the crypto industry. Below, in the article, we've explored how to invest in Bitcoin in the UK and where to store it. 

## How to invest in Bitcoin UK 

### 1.    Choose a crypto exchange 

To purchase and invest in Bitcoin (BTC), individuals must choose a crypto exchange, a platform where trades meet to exchange their pounds sterling for the digital coin. 

Crypto exchanges offer investors the opportunity to purchase, sell, and retain cryptocurrencies and facilitate the transfer of digital assets to secure wallets. 

While multiple exchanges exist, new investors should prioritise selecting an exchange that balances user-friendliness, low transaction fees, and robust security measures. Monitalks has conducted detailed research to help new investors choose [the best exchange](/news/article/best-crypto-exchange-uk-reddit) platform. 

### 2.    Link your payment method to the exchange platform 

After selecting an exchange, you must deposit funds into your account to initiate Bitcoin investments. The options for funding your account may vary depending on the exchange, including bank transfers from a current or savings account or using a cryptocurrency wallet. 

Considering that fees directly impact the amount of money available for investment and subsequently affect the potential for growth and compounding, it is generally advisable to opt for electronic transfers from a bank account over alternative methods. 

### 3.    Place your Bitcoin order 

Once you have successfully deposited funds into your account, you can initiate your first purchase of Bitcoin. The process varies depending on the platform. Some allow you to buy Bitcoin by simply tapping a button. In contrast, others may require you to enter Bitcoin's ticker symbol (BTC). Following that, you must specify the amount you wish to invest. 

Upon completing the transaction, you will become a partial owner of a Bitcoin. This is due to the significant initial investment required to purchase a complete Bitcoin. For example, if the Bitcoin price is £30,000, you would need to invest that amount in acquiring one Bitcoin. In the scenario where you invested a lesser amount, say £1,000, you would receive a proportionate percentage of a Bitcoin, which in this case would be 3.33%. 

## 4.    Store your coin in a Bitcoin wallet 

Cryptocurrency exchanges commonly offer integrated [Bitcoin wallets ](/news/article/top-rated-bitcoin-wallets-uk)or establish partnerships with trusted entities that provide secure storage for Bitcoin. However, some individuals may be concerned about leaving their digital assets connected to the internet, as it increases the risk of potential theft by hackers. 

To address such concerns, many reputable exchanges have implemented private insurance policies that offer compensation to clients in case of theft. Furthermore, these exchanges are increasingly adopting storing most customer funds in offline storage solutions known as 'cold storage,' which provides an additional layer of security. 

For those seeking the highest level of security, storing Bitcoin in a personal online or offline wallet is possible. Nevertheless, it is important to note that transferring crypto from an exchange to a personal wallet may incur a small withdrawal fee. Moreover, if a third-party crypto wallet custodian is utilised, losing the private key, which is the wallet password, may result in losing permanent access to the stored coins. 

## Hot wallets vs. cold wallets 

Hot wallets store personal and private keys online in a password-protected account, typically with a crypto exchange. Hackers target them to gain access to assets for trading. While hot [wallet](/news/article/best-crypto-wallet) providers have improved security measures, hackers pose a threat. 

Hot wallets offer convenience as they can be accessed from anywhere, and the provider can help restore access through identity verification if login details are forgotten. 

[Cold wallets](/news/article/cryptocurrency-hardware-wallet) are offline and disconnected from the internet, making them potentially more secure than hot wallets. They are like thumb drives that require a seed phrase, a randomly generated private key, to unlock the wallet, which is difficult to crack without prior knowledge. 

However, connecting a cold wallet to an internet-connected device eliminates the security advantage, exposing vulnerabilities to hackers. Also, if a user loses their private key, it becomes nearly impossible to recover the cold wallet. 

Lastly, cold wallets must be purchased, while hot wallets are often free. 

### Ledger Nano X 

[Ledger Nano X ](https://shop.ledger.com/products/ledger-nano-x)is the best cold Bitcoin wallet available in the market. It is a highly suitable choice for most investors due to its extensive support for over 5,000 coins and its ability to manage NFTs. Moreover, it includes an integrated exchange feature that enables secure cryptocurrency purchases using the wallet. This device can be efficiently operated on any 64-bit PC, iOS, or Android platform. 

The Ledger Live app, accompanying the Nano X, provides additional features such as payment options and DApps. Furthermore, it allows the seamless transfer of assets from multiple exchanges to the Nano X, offering enhanced convenience for asset management and trading while prioritising their safety. 

### Coinbase 

[Coinbase](https://www.coinbase.com/wallet)- the most chosen hot wallet, provides an exceptional user experience and caters to various user needs in the UK. It ensures accessibility and assists new users in navigating the crypto world. Cutting-edge security technologies protect virtual assets, and web and mobile wallets offer flexible access. The decentralised platform enables users to have complete control over their crypto assets. Features like staking, lending, and Yield Farming are also available. 

How to invest in Bitcoin in the UK? 

[BlueWallet](https://bluewallet.io/) is a non-custodial mobile Bitcoin wallet that allows users to do more than send, receive, and store Bitcoin (BTC). It is highly secure, feature-rich, and compatible with the Lightning network. It is designed to be simple yet extremely powerful. 

BlueWallet Pros and Cons 

## Pros 

- Plenty of usability features. 

- Compatible with the Lightning network. 

- Simple user interface. 

Available on desktop and mobile. 

## Cons 

- Only supports BTC. 

- Not enough guidance and educational materials. 

## BlueWallet Features 

BlueWallet has lots of usability [features](https://bluewallet.io/features/). They include; 

- Multiple wallets: The feature allows you to import compatible wallets from other BTC platforms like Bread and Electrum and manage them on the app. 

- Watch-only: It allows you to import your offline wallets' public addresses without going offline. It enables you to connect your hardware wallet and manage your cold storage. 

- MultiSig vault: It adds an extra layer of security to every transaction made. It works like two-factor authentication, requiring two or more private keys to confirm transactions. 

- Lightning wallet: The feature allows you to use the Lightning network without opening channels, being online, or operating and maintaining a node. You will, however, need to create a Lightning wallet. 

- Fees and transactions control: It allows you to set the fees you wish to pay for transactions. However, the lower the transaction fee, the longer it will take for transactions to be verified. 

- Plausible deniability: It allows you to define a different password that will decrypt a "fake" wallet setup. 

Other features include coin control, Payjoin, offline mode, custom entropy, Coldcard support, Cobovault support, hardware wallets support, PSBT (Partially Signed Bitcoin Transactions) support, broadcast transactions, notifications, Segwit support, batch transactions, multiple storages, and so much more. 

## Supported currencies 

BlueWallet only supports [Bitcoin](/coins/btc). However, it allows users to display the value of their BTC holdings in more than 30 fiat currencies, including EUR, AUD, USD, CAD, JPY, CHF, GDP, BRL, CZK, CNY, HRK, MYR, INR, MXN, and RUB. Blue has integrated MoonPay, which lets you easily buy BTC within it. 

## Accessibility 

BlueWallet is available in almost every country. It has desktop and app versions that can be downloaded on iOS and Android devices (as long as the app store permits it). 

It is available in more than 30 languages, including English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Italian, Indonesian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, and Turkish. 

## Is it safe to use? 

BlueWallet is safe to use. It uses a 24-word mnemonic recovery seed to recover funds in case you lose your phone or forget your PIN. As a user, you can activate biometrics to unlock, delete, and sign a transaction. 

Wallets can also be encrypted with an additional password if you wish to add another layer of security. A further security feature is an option to set up decoy wallets in case you are forced to unlock your wallets. A decoy wallet may only be activated if a user has the encryption password set up. 

## Conclusion 

There are many reasons BlueWallet is considered by many as the best Bitcoin wallet. It is not only highly secure and feature-rich, but also very easy to use. Despite the fact that it is a BTC-only crypto wallet with little education materials, it is a great wallet to use for all your BTC business. 

BlueWallet Review 2023

[Rocketpot](https://rocketpot.io/) is a licensed crypto casino that operates under the regulations of Curacao eGaming. It features a mobile and desktop-friendly platform for users to enjoy gambling activities.

The casino prioritizes the privacy and safety of its users. Players can use Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to play in the casino, ensuring safe and secure entertainment. Utilizing blockchain technology and Bitcoin, the casino provides advanced security methods and more opportunities for players to win jackpots and earn Bitcoin.

## Rocketpot - The online casino

Rocketpot casino is a leading provider of Bitcoin games, offering a vast selection of almost 3,000 slot games, more than 300 table games, and live casino games.

Players can win guaranteed prizes through a reward system as they explore the website and play more. On reaching level 500, players can even win more than 20 BTC and enjoy the best Bitcoin blackjack games, classic slots, and more.

With several slot games available, players can easily choose their favourites and start playing. The only main requirement for wagering is a cryptocurrency wallet followed by registration on the platform. 

The crypto casino offers several top-tier live dealer games, providing a unique and engaging gaming experience. With a commitment to dedicated customer support and accessible tools, RocketPot constantly updates its offerings to provide the best user experience. Players can even use different crypto coins to play their favourite games.

## User-friendly gaming experience 

Rocketpot casino provides a user-friendly interface, allowing players to enjoy a wide range of Bitcoin games. With a focus on responsible gambling, the casino offers games, such as jackpots, playable with various cryptocurrencies. Available on desktop, iOS, and Android devices, users can download the casino or play directly from their mobile browser, providing convenient access from any location.

The platform features a simple and easy-to-use UI, including two-factor authentication and multiple cryptocurrency options for in-game interactions and placing bets. With high-quality graphics, players can enhance their gameplay experience by accessing different functions and selecting fast-paced gaming options. Rocketpot casino is optimized for players seeking a seamless, enjoyable gaming experience.

## How to register with Rocketpot

Rocketpot casino offers a swift sign-up process for new users. Before registration, it's advisable to check the casino's wagering requirements and bonuses and be aware that the services may not be available in certain jurisdictions.

To sign up, visit the Rocketpot website and click the sign-up button. 

Customers can enjoy various games the casino offers after registering and depositing Bitcoins. The platform offers Bitcoin bonus rounds to players who deposit and play with Bitcoins through their accounts.

Compared to other crypto casinos, the registration process on Rocketpot is quick and doesn't require extensive verification procedures. It typically takes less than a minute to register and get started.

Users must provide basic personal information such as username and email address to complete the registration process. The e-casino ensures that every Bitcoin transaction is processed within 10 minutes so that users can start gambling without any delay.

## Payment method

Rocketpot offers a range of payment options to ensure inclusivity. As a cryptocurrency casino, it provides more extensive payment options for crypto users. However, fiat payment options are also available. The accepted cryptocurrencies are Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, [Ethereum](/news/article/ethereum-pow-price-prediction), Dogecoin, NEO, Tron, USD Coin, [Ripple](/news/article/sec-vs-ripple-news), Cardano, Binance Coin, and Tether USD.

For those without cryptocurrency, depositing on Rocketpot is simple. The third-party payment provider, UTORG, allows you to buy BTC, ETH, LTC, or TRON using USD. This fast and user-friendly process enables players to begin playing and potentially win quickly.

## Withdrawal method

The platform offers various withdrawal methods to its users. Players must click on the website's withdrawal tab to withdraw their cryptocurrency and select a coin. They should then enter their crypto wallet address and the desired withdrawal amount. A verification link is sent to the user, and upon clicking the link, the withdrawal is processed. Rocketpot applies a withdrawal fee deducted from the withdrawal amount. Players should ensure they check the withdrawal limits before initiating a withdrawal.

The processed withdrawal is sent to the user's wallet. The withdrawal fee for Bitcoin is 0.0006, with a minimum deposit fee of 0.001 BTC. Additionally, Rocketpot offers customers a daily 10% cashback reward for a certain period. For example, if a player loses $100, they will receive a return of 10% the following day.

## Casino game offerings

Rocketpot provides new users a demo mode to familiarize themselves with the various live games. Users can enjoy [Bitcoin](/news/article/bitcoin-bull-or-bubble-debate) slots and live dealer variants of table games, which offer a thrilling gaming experience with reduced wagering requirements. 

Below is the list of online casino games provided by Rocketpot:

### Slots

Players have access to a diverse array of slot machines. With more than 3,000 games available, 2,600 of them are dedicated to various types of slot games. The platform also offers crypto video slot machines, which can be conveniently accessed via the slot menu.

### Jackpot games 

The casino offers jackpot games that allow players to contribute a small portion of their wagers to a collective prize pool. Some popular jackpot games available include Mega Moolah Goddess, Cash Splash 5 Reel, and Major Millions. These games were developed by the renowned game developer MicroGaming and offer some of the biggest winning potential.

### Table games 

Rocketpot provides its users with an array of crypto table games, with separate tabs for roulette and blackjack games.

### Live casino

This platform offers a selection of high-quality live casino games powered by top software providers. It provides a wide range of games, with more than 700 options available through Evolution Gaming. Popular options include live blackjack, live roulette, live baccarat, and several live game shows, like Dream Catcher.

## Rocketpot Sports and esports betting 

### Sports betting

Sports enthusiasts can place their bets using Bitcoin or other preferred cryptocurrencies, which offers more advantages than other deposit methods in the casino. Transactions through these digital currencies are secure, fast, and safe, just like other top Bitcoin casinos, allowing users to deposit or withdraw funds within minutes. Users can head to the crypto sportsbook betting section to place a bet, deposit their preferred cryptocurrency with a few clicks, and start placing their wagers.

### Esports Bitcoin betting 

Rocketpot is a casino that allows users to place bets on its sportsbook if they excel in Rocket League, DOTA 2, FIFA, NBA 2K, or tennis. The casino also features esports Bitcoin betting, a wide variety of matches, and tournaments sure to pique users' interest.

### Bonuses and promotions

This online casino regularly introduces new promotions to keep long-term and new users engaged. Players can click on the bonus tab to learn about these offerings. For a limited time, the casino is providing a list of promotions, bonuses, and rewards that it currently offers. Below are the details of these limited-time offerings:

### BTC welcome bonus

This platform offers a BTC welcome bonus that doubles a user's first deposit. Additionally, players receive 10% cashback as bonus money and can earn other prizes upon starting their gameplay. The platform also provides instant withdrawals, allowing players to withdraw their winnings anytime.

### Super boosted monthly race

Each wager counts as one point on a leaderboard, with prizes paid out in Bitcoin. Additionally, users can receive 2,000 free spins.

Newcomers to Rocketpot can enjoy a range of bonuses, such as the Rocketpot casino gift card, welcome bonus, and deposit bonus. Adding an initial deposit can double their funds, allowing them to explore the various games offered on the platform. Additionally, players can benefit from 10% cash back on all their wagers.

Apart from these incentives, players can also receive a unique treasure chest with a guaranteed prize after clearing each level. In a nutshell, the platform offers an appealing gaming experience with numerous opportunities for users to win big.

### Affiliate program

Rocketpot offers an affiliate program enabling its users to invite their family and friends and earn up to 45% commission as an affiliate, making it the most lucrative compared to other cryptocurrency casinos. It supports 30 different types of cryptocurrency that offer minimal transaction fees and are user-friendly.

### Customer service

Customer service is a vital aspect of any casino, and Rocketpot casino prioritizes customer satisfaction by providing various contact options, including 24/7 live chat and email support. In addition, its mobile-friendly website ensures usability for a wider range of users, allowing them to enjoy the Rocketpot experience on almost any mobile device. The casino also offers language support for English, Spanish, Japanese, and German-speaking customers, with plans to add more options. The e-casino offers a hassle-free experience through live chat support, with friendly and informative representatives providing all the necessary answers.

## Is the platform safe?

Rocketpot is a legitimate online casino that provides an enjoyable gaming experience to its players. The casino has partnered with several well-known game providers in the iGaming industry, including Pragmatic Play, Evolution Gaming, Push Gaming, Microgaming, EvoPlay entertainment, and more. As of the writing time, there are zero complaints raised for the platform, adding to its credits of a legit e-casino. Its 2-factor authentication feature is ideal for keeping the user's information safe and secure. 

With more than 3,000 games available, players can use Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, or their preferred currency to bet and win. Therefore, Rocketpot is a top choice for anyone looking for a reliable and entertaining online casino.


Purple image of Rocketpot logo on purple background

Rocketpot Bitcoin Casino Review 

A [Bitcoin](/news/article/forked-bitcoin-ordinals-brought-to-litecoin) rally in the trading week of 13 to 17 March saw the cryptocurrency bring around 20% in gains to investors, data from [crypto](/news/article/silvergate-bank-crisis-sees-crypto-tank) price tracker CoinMarketCap showed. 

As of 09:30 UTC on Friday, BTC was exchanging hands for [$26,085.37](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/bitcoin/historical-data/). It reached a weekly high price of $26,514.72 on 14 March after opening the week at $22,156.41. 

The substantial increment in price has seen the largest digital asset by market capitalization spike by 60% year-to-date (YTD) from the year's opening price of $16,547.91.

## Bitcoin rally attributed to convulsions in banking sector and interest rate cuts

The cryptocurrency industry is largely affected by events in the banking sector as well as activities by the Federal Reserve in the US.
Reports of a collapse of three regional lenders in the US and liquidity problems at Credit Suisse Group AG are leading to expectations of an end to the monetary tightening that destabilized the decentralized finance industry in 2022.

According to many industry experts, the renewed interest in BTC reinforces the digital currency's dual role as a credible risk asset and a hedge against inflation.

Amid the Russia/Ukraine crisis, the Federal Reserve consistently hiked interest rates, leading to a demand for government bills and bonds. This did not augur well for the digital currency market, which has thrived on offering its stakeholders above-average annual percentage yield (APYs). This contributed to the market's nosedive for the majority of 2022.

Multiple reports point out that the Feds will pause interest rate hikes by the summer of 2023 and begin cutting the federal-fund rates around the end of 2023. This anticipation has also played a role in the significant ascension of the cryptocurrency.  

## Bitcoin dominance pushes the crypto market above $1.1 trillion

The crypto market has seen a trading volume of approximately $69 billion in the past 24 hours. This has taken its capitalization to $1.12 trillion.

Despite a fall in its historic values, BTCs fully diluted market capitalization of around $552 billion sees it control 45% of this market. In second place is the native asset of Ethereum, Ether (ETH), which has an 18% crypto market share.


bitcoins falling from sky with green filter overlayed

Bitcoin Rally Sees Almost 20% Gain This Week 

BTC has improved its value by 11% over the past 24 hours, according to data from Asia trading. This increase has effectively erased all losses suffered over 10-12 March, 2023. [Multiple reports](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/03/14/bitcoin-crosses-247k-sees-highest-liquidations-in-two-months/) say the price spike is due to [Bitcoin](/news/article/forked-bitcoin-ordinals-brought-to-litecoin) liquidations emanating from betting on the decline of cryptocurrency prices after [Silvergate Bank](/news/article/silvergate-bank-crisis-sees-crypto-tank) and other crypto-related financial institutions fell into crisis last week. 

Overall, more than $100 million in BTC shorts (in trading, shorting refers to selling, while long means buying) were liquidated on 13 March. While this figure looks like a significant sum, it is nowhere near the 14 January Bitcoin liquidations, which saw around $500 million cleared from several crypto futures. 

[Cryptocurrency futures](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/012215/how-invest-bitcoin-exchange-futures.asp) constitute an agreement between two parties to buy and sell an agreed amount of a particular crypto asset at a future price within a given timeframe.

## Bitcoin liquidations lead to a year-high trading volume 

As exchanges such as [Binance](/news/article/binance-us-cleared-to-buy-voyager), Bybit, Huobi, and OKX spread losses from the liquidations, interest in BTC rose as many traders saw a positive signal from the crypto market activity.

By the close of Monday, 13 March, BTC recorded a trading volume of approximately [$49.5 billion](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/bitcoin/historical-data/), the year's high and the largest since November 2022.

Overall, the crypto economy has been on a rebound in 2023. As always, the first digital currency has made up for gains lost during 2022 when it was crippled by Russia/Ukraine crisis, rising interest rates which led to renewed interest in government bonds and bills, and, of course, the crash of TerraUSD (UST). As of 10:00 UTC, BTC was up 48% year-to-date (YTD).

Despite the ups and downs of the crypto market, analyst Freddie Max at [Price Prediction.net](https://priceprediction.net/en/price-prediction/bitcoin) foresees BTC climbing to an average price of $31,243, testing the smallest possible price of $30,356, and reaching the best possible price of $34,916 by the end of the year.


Bitcoin Liquidations Spark Price Spike 

[POLi Payments](https://www.polipayments.com/index.html) is an online payment system that provides customers with a secure and convenient payment method, and allows them to buy cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin.

This payment system is a subsidiary of Australia Post, one of the world's largest postal services. The company has been operating since 2010 and is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia.

The platform enables users to purchase [Bitcoin](/news/article/bitcoin-fear-and-greed-index) or crypto using POLi deposits through trusted exchanges regulated in Australia by AUSTRAC. It employs a direct connection to the user's bank account, meaning there is no need to provide credit card details when making a payment. The only requirement is the user's internet banking login details.

Once the user has logged into their bank account via the POLi platform, they can select the amount of money they want to transfer. The funds are transferred immediately from the user's bank account to the merchant's account.

## How to buy Bitcoin with POLi Payments

In Australia, it is advisable to purchase Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies using POLi through a broker registered with AUSTRAC (the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre) and regulated by ASIC (the Australian Securities and Investments Commission).

[eToro](/news/article/etoro-uk-review) is a trusted multi-asset investing platform that meets these requirements, offering a broad range of more than 70 cryptocurrencies. The platform is ideal to buy Bitcoin with POLi. Below is the step-by-step process:

•	Step 1: Register an account with [eToro](/news/article/etoro-fees) and complete the verification process, whether for personal or company use.

•	Step 2: Input the desired amount in AUD that you wish to deposit on the eToro platform.

•	Step 3: Log in to your bank account via the POLi platform and deposit your preferred fiat currency.

•	Step 4: Locate the cryptocurrency you wish to purchase and execute your trade.

## Is the payment platform safe?

The platform provides a secure and reliable online payment system to safeguard your personal and financial information. The company employs cutting-edge security protocols such as 128-bit SSL encryption to ensure the safety of your data. 

Furthermore, your transactions are processed through a secure connection to your bank, and your bank login details are never stored on the server. This makes it an ideal option for online payments, particularly if you do not possess a credit card or do not wish to use one for online transactions.

## Bottom line

POLi Payments is a reliable and efficient option for individuals purchasing cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin in [Australia](/news/article/australia-crypto-regulation). This payment method is characterized by its fast, secure, and user-friendly process. Using POLi deposits, customers can securely buy digital assets through the eToro exchange at low transaction costs.

For those searching for a viable alternative to traditional payment methods when acquiring cryptocurrencies within Australia, POLi payments could be the ideal solution.


How to Buy Bitcoin with POLi

US Government law enforcement has transferred some 50,000 Bitcoin seized from Silk Road hackers in the past two years. The Bitcoins are worth around $1 billion and are related to multiple US government wallets.
On 8 March, addresses connected to US law enforcement transferred BTC to the second largest crypto exchange, Coinbase. Currently, some of the confiscated assets are on sale on the Coinbase exchange, while others were moved to new addresses.

The news has also triggered a dip in the price of BTC. Is the [Bitcoin bull](/news/article/bitcoin-bull-or-bubble-debate) over?

## Silk Road Bitcoin transfers

A blockchain analytical firm, [PeckShield](https://twitter.com/PeckShieldAlert/status/1633331891347820544?s=20), has shared the details of the seized [BTC](/coins/btc) transfers. According to the firm's data, a law enforcement office of the US Government made three transfers. More than 50,000 BTCs were in these wallets.

Among these transfers, most were internal. However, PeckShield pointed out that the US Government wallets transferred 9,861 Bitcoins to the Coinbase cryptocurrency exchange.

The law enforcement department also made two other transfers. One included the movement of more than 30,000 BTCs to a wallet bc1qf2…fsv. The second transfer involved around 9,000 BTCs moved to an address bc1qe7…rdg.

The firm also revealed that the US Government confiscated Bitcoins from a marketplace on the Silk Road. According to PeckShield, the agencies [seized the unlawful assets](/news/article/feds-seize-bitcoin-stolen-crypto-scam) in November 2021 and March 2022.

## BTC transfer to Coinbase may trigger a sell-off

After the announcement of the transfer of seized BTCs to the Coinbase exchange, [BTC prices dropped](/news/article/bitcoin-volatility-price-drops) significantly. Usually, the increase in the inflow of an asset in the market results in high selling pressure. A high selling pressure means the asset price is going to decrease.

![btctransfer.png](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/btctransfer_4db9344793.png)
 
Source: [CryptoQuant](https://cryptoquant.com/asset/btc/chart/exchange-flows/exchange-inflow-total?exchange=all_exchange&window=DAY&sma=0&ema=0&priceScale=log&metricScale=linear&chartStyle=column)

This chart shows that the rise in BTC inflow has triggered the fall in its price. Though it does not indicate a continued sell-off in the market, it has certainly affected the current price. In the past 24 hours, the Bitcoin price dropped from $22,469 to just above $22,000.


green image of bitcoins with silk road coin and coinbase logo on top

Coinbase Receives Silk Road Bitcoin 

Anyone invested in or trading Bitcoin will understand the [power of technical analysis and accurate data](/news/article/how-does-crypto-trading-work), including the Fear and Greed Index.

Suffice it to say, there are a variety of sources, all of which profess to provide the most up-to-date information.

Bitcoin Fear and Greed Index is one such leading indicator popular with the online community.

The index appears as a Twitter account that claims to amalgamate data from various sources and provide a score based on trader and investor emotion and sentiment. The score ranges from 0 (extreme fear) to 100 (extreme greed), with a score of 50 representing neutral bias.

## ChatGPT

According to ChatGPT, the index considers factors such as volatility, market trends, social media sentiment, and trading volume in determining its score.

It must be remembered that this is only ever intended as an indicator and should never solely be used to base your investment decisions. That said, many successful investors use the index as part of their decision-making strategy. Technical analysis alone doesn't often paint an accurate picture, making the index a potentially handy tool to have at your disposal.

As you might imagine, higher scores suggest the market is overbought, whereas lower scores indicate a good time to buy.

The tool is free to access. Although it doesn't have a website, it uses Twitter to publish regular updates. I must admit that this does set off some alarm bells. Without concrete evidence, such as an API or data oracle, that demonstrates how these variables influence the indicator, the accuracy of the index must be called into question.

Although there is nothing to support the Twitter account 'Bitcoin Fear and Greed Index', [Alternative.Me](https://alternative.me/crypto/fear-and-greed-index/) produces a similar 'Crypto Fear and Greed Index', which gives ratings for the whole market.

## Sources

According to the analytics site [Look into Bitcoin](https://www.lookintobitcoin.com/charts/bitcoin-fear-and-greed-index/), the index is derived from six variables on a daily basis. These are:

•	Volatility (25%) – The current rate of volatility over the previous 30 and 90 days. It is widely accepted that higher volatility rates generally indicate an anxious market.

•	Volume (25%) – Again, relative to the previous 30 and 90 days, exceptionally high levels of trading volume can indicate high levels of greed in the market.

•	Sentiment (15%) – The index looks at general social media sentiment towards crypto with relevance to historical norms.

•	Surveys (15%) - Public polling platform StrawPoll was conducting weekly opinion surveys to garner the sentiment of a series of investors. However, this has been paused for the foreseeable future.

•	Dominance (10%) – BTC's overall market dominance is recorded and taken into account.

•	Trends (10%) – Google trends are viewed and analysed to identify strong periods of growth and decline in the market.

## Investment advice

When you overlay the index across the BTC price history chart, the usefulness of the indicator becomes apparent. While this tool may not be laser accurate, it becomes clear that when the indicator enters the lowest 10%, historically, this is the best time to buy BTC. Likewise, when scores reach the upper bands, this is a great time to consolidate profits and sell.

Users of the Crypto Fear and Greed version by Alternative.Me can install and embed the indicator widget to their website with minimal coding skills. However, Alternative.Me claims that despite listing the sources of its information, it is not 'investment advice, financial advice, trading advice, or any other sort of advice'.

## Other options

There are a wide variety of indicators available to the conscientious crypto investor. Models such as Stock to Flow, Pi Cycle Top Indicator, and the Rainbow Price Chart Indicator are all helpful in improving overall decision making.

It is important to view the Bitcoin Fear and Greed Index as a part of your crypto toolbox. It is a tool that, together with others, helps to form a picture of the current state of market conditions.


scared man and greedy man on blue background

Bitcoin Fear and Greed Index Explained 

Marathon Digital Holdings Inc., a crypto mining firm, made BTC sales for the first time in two years. The firm needed to tap the recent Bitcoin rally. That’s why the company sold around 1,500 Bitcoins, as the token surged over 40% in January.

## Marathon Digital mined a record 687 Bitcoins

On Thursday, the crypto mining firm [released an update](https://ir.marathondh.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1300/marathon-digital-holdings-announces-bitcoin-production-and) about its mining operations in January. It mentioned that the firm mined around 687 BTCs in the month, and the production saw a 45% increase compared to the previous month. 

In addition, the official statement discussed that the firm made the strategic decision to sell the tokens. The reason behind this move was higher and consistent growth in production. The sale of BTCs will allow the company to cover its operating expenses.
 
The company has sold more than 1,500 tokens and plans to sell more. Even after this sale, its total holdings stand at 11,418 BTC, from which 8,090 [BTCs](/coins/btc) are unrestricted. Meanwhile, the company also reduced its BTC collateral with the sale and increased its unrestricted cash to around $133.8 million.

## Is it panic selling?

[Marathon’s](https://marathondh.com/) move may seem like panic selling as the fear of winter looms around the crypto market. However, CEO and Chairman Fred Thiel disclosed that the reason for selling its holdings was higher production which increased its unrestricted holdings.

Meanwhile, the overall crypto market, specifically BTC, saw an historic January. The [token saw a spike of more than 40% in its price, which indicates bullish trends.](/news/article/what-is-todays-bitcoin-price) That’s one of the reasons the company sold a small portion of its Bitcoin reserves in January. 

Last year, the crypto miner’s production was down by around 44%, yet it persisted with diamond handling. However, now that the market behaviour is positive, it has decided to sell to cover its operating costs and increase its liquidity.


Marathon Digital Makes BTC Sale for First Time

Among the most popular Bitcoin mining pools available on the market today is MetaMining Club.

Based in Abuja, Nigeria, MetaMining Club is Africa's fastest growing blockchain mining operation and provides its clients with the opportunity to benefit from the mining of Bitcoin with minimal effort.

## Why mining?

The rise of Bitcoin has left many asking, "how do I get involved?". The recent volatility of crypto market trading means the search for Bitcoin passive income has never been greater.

For some time, one of the most popular methods for making money in crypto has been to get involved in mining. Crypto mining is the validation of transactions across a Proof of Work (PoW) network.

Computers battle to solve complex algorithmic math problems in a competition to process the next block of data on the chain – hence the term blockchain. For doing this, miners are [rewarded a portion of the fees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptocurrency#Mining) charged to those sending crypto.

Mining Bitcoin has proven to be a very lucrative business, with large mining 'farms' set up worldwide. Some of these operations consist of thousands of mining rigs processing many transactions a day.

As you are probably all aware, mining [Bitcoin uses a massive amount of electricity](/news/article/crypto-mining), so much so that many Bitcoin mining farms look to locate their rigs in cold climates (negating the need for expensive air conditioning) with low electricity rates.

## Pool mining

Mining crypto has become increasingly difficult with recent rises in the cost of electricity and the hardware needed to compute ever-complex calculations. There is, however, a cheaper alternative to setting up your own mining operation. This is what is known as Bitcoin pool mining. With pool mining, no technical knowledge is needed. As the name suggests, you simply contribute to a pooled mining operation that conducts [all the hard work for you](https://river.com/learn/how-bitcoin-mining-pools-work).

[MetaMining Club](https://metaminingclub.com/) can manage the entire process for you – all you have to do is invest your money with them.

MetaMining Club has 10 'packages' to choose from, costing from under £2,500 up to £39,000. Each option promises varied levels of returns. For example, if you opt for the CityBoy package costing 7 million Naira (£12,618), you can expect payouts of somewhere between 480,000 and 880,000 (£865 - £1586). Calculations are a little vague, but the website shows that the expected monthly mining output is somewhere between 0.0029 and 0.0043 BTC. All machines used are S91 Antminers, which can process up to 15.2 Terra hashes per second.

## Risks

MetaMining Club offers the customer the chance to get involved with Bitcoin mining without getting their hands dirty. MetaMining Club hosts machines on their own mining farms and, in turn, connects these machines to major mining pools. This way, MMC can ensure that its returns are among the best in the business.

The high hash rate output is also one of the main reasons MetaMining lub can provide above-average rates of return.

Obviously, investing in crypto comes with risks. However, as miners are not actively trading, the volatility associated with crypto does not have any bearing in this situation. Furthermore, because MetaMining Club connects to mining farms abroad, they do not have to comply with restricting legislation in your resident country.

With any investment, it is important to conduct your own research and due diligence before you decide to part with your hard-earned cash. I advise the same in this situation


Metamining: Earning Passive Income from Bitcoin

Bitcoin has now completed its 11th straight day outside the "Fear" zone on the Crypto Fear and Greed Index, extending its longest stretch since late March. What is today's price?

## What is today's Bitcoin price?

Today's Bitcoin price reached $23,955, its highest level of the year. It has now dropped marginally to $23,687 as of this writing. Meanwhile, sentiment is solidly in the Greed zone, with a score of 61, its highest level since bull run peak on around 16 November, 2021, when it was about $65,000.

## Will the Bitcoin price last? 

Despite the coin's recent strong rebound, market players continue to discuss whether the current price rise is part of a [bull trap](https://seekingalpha.com/article/4573410-bitcoin-bull-trap-fully-loaded-technical-analysis) or whether there is a genuine opportunity for a [bull run.](/news/article/bitcoin-forecast-2023)

The current rise has brought many more holders back into the green. 64% of BTC investors are currently profiting, [according](https://app.intotheblock.com/coin/BTC) to statistics from the blockchain intelligence portal IntoTheBlock. According to on-chain analytics firm Glassnode, those who initially purchased BTC in 2019 are also back in profit. 

## What will be today's BTC price?

The average first-time purchase price for [BTC](/news/article/bitcoin-to-pounds) investors in 2019 was $21,800, implying that those investors are up nearly 9% at $23,687. 

Meanwhile, according to a [survey](https://twitter.com/coingecko/status/1619790705567895552) conducted on 29 January by crypto market platform CoinGecko, 57.7% of 3,725 respondents expect BTC will reach $25,000 this week, while just 21.2% believe BTC will fall below $22,000.

## Analyst views on BTC resurgence

Dr Jeff Ross, the founder and CEO of Vailshire Capital, also gave a technical analysis, predicting that a short-term spike toward $25,000 is possible. 

On 29 January, Blockware's head analyst Joe Burnett warned his 43,900 Twitter followers that BTC will not reach and surpass its all-time high of $69,000 until after the second halving event, which takes place in March 2024.

According to Lyn Alden, a macroeconomist and financial consultant, there may be significant danger ahead, with [potentially risky liquidity circumstances](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2023/01/10/poor-bitcoin-market-liquidity-keeps-crypto-whales-at-bay/) predicted to jolt the market in the second half of 2023.


What is today's Bitcoin price?

## Jim Cramer suggests investors ignore Bitcoin hype

Jim Cramer, the host of CNBC's Mad Money, [recently advised](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/23/jim-cramer-why-investors-should-ignore-crypto-and-stick-with-gold.html) investors to exercise caution when investing in cryptocurrencies.

###Jim Cramer suggestion to investors

Despite the [recent gains in Bitcoin's value](/news/article/bitcoin-bull-or-bubble-debate), Cramer suggests that investors should consider investing in gold instead. 

Bitcoin continued to rise in value on Monday, reaching a high of $23,155.93 as investors bet the Federal Reserve will slow or halt interest rate cuts.

According to Coin Metrics, the digital currency's price rose to $23,333.83 on Saturday for the first time since August. The coin has risen nearly 39% since the beginning of the month.

![graph](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod-monitalks-media/Screenshot_2023_01_24_at_11_41_30_289ce18657.webp)

Cramer said the charts indicate investors "need to ignore the crypto cheerleaders" following Bitcoin's resurgence. If you want "a real hedge against inflation or economic chaos", choose gold, he added.
 
The basis for his advice is the analysis by Carley Garner, a senior commodity market strategist and broker at DeCarley Trading. The study compares the daily chart of Bitcoin futures to that of the tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 since March 2021.

It is observed that [Bitcoin](/news/article/scaramucci-bitcoin-price-prediction) and other cryptos are almost trading in lockstep, suggesting they are risky assets rather than a currency or a stable store of value. Furthermore, the advice is that given the volatility of Facebook and Google shares, it would be unwise for business owners to try to conduct transactions with them, and the same goes for Bitcoin.

According to Cramer, "counterparty risk", which is the possibility that the other party in an investment or transaction might not uphold their end of the deal, is why they trade so closely.

He said that although counterparty risk can be avoided by storing Bitcoin in a decentralised wallet, as it is used for trading, the risk will return. Pointing to [FTX](/news/article/ftx-us-reports-415-million-hacked) collapse, he firmly suggests gold should be the potential investment.


Jim Cramer Says Ignore the Bitcoin Hype

Mercado [Bitcoin](/news/article/btc-price-today) is a Brazilian cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2016. It is centralised, has almost 1 million traders, and has a 24-hour trading volume of around 89.91 from 146 coins and 146 trading pairings. BTC/BRL (42.04) is the most active trading pair on the Mercado Bitcoin exchange. 

With more than 2 million registered clients and over 12 billion reais in transactions through 2019, the company's platform usage volume has increased 15-fold in the last 18 months. Expectations for the following two to three years are considerably higher, with a 100-200x increase predicted.

## How does Mercado Bitcoin expect to grow?

After extensive research into Google Cloud products, it was discovered that they were ideal for the demands of its IT team, particularly in terms of performance, security, stability, and support. Such expansion necessitates a highly scalable infrastructure, increased security, and enhanced application administration. The firm already utilised [Google](/news/article/solana-news-google-becomes-validator) Cloud for a few data storage functions and hosted its platform servers elsewhere.

## Mercado Bitcoin announces first stablecoin

Mercado Bitcoin (MB), [Brazil's](https://www.crypto-news-flash.com/stellar-lumens-gets-first-stablecoin-from-brazil-with-mercado-bitcoin-fostering-ecosystem-growth/) largest cryptocurrency exchange, has announced the debut of its first stablecoin, the MBRL, which is purportedly backed by reais. According to the release, the MBRL stablecoin is on the Stellar (XLM) network. 

However, the cryptocurrency exchange has stated that the MBRL stablecoin would be available on other blockchains. Furthermore, the success of a stablecoin is directly proportional to the number of chains it traverses. The objective is to accelerate the potential for the adoption of blockchain applications in Brazil, and produce solutions that empower clients' daily transactions, stated Reinaldo Rabelo, CEO of MB.

The Stellar community will benefit significantly from Mercado Bitcoin's MBRL stablecoin due to increased on-chain activity. Furthermore, the MBRL stablecoins will pay Stellar Lumens blockchain fees using XLM.

## Partnership with Druid

[Mercado Bitcoin](https://forbes.com.br/forbes-tech/2022/12/mercado-bitcoin-amplia-atuacao-e-estrutura-frente-de-games-e-e-sports/), one of Latin America's leading Bitcoin marketplaces, has launched a gaming and e-sports front, with the first announcement being the sponsorship of the INTZ squad. Druid Creative Gaming, a specialised agency, will be responsible for the strategy, conception, and implementation of MB activities for games, metaverse, activations, and sponsorships for the e-sports market.

Druid and Panamera worked together to create a film that features the streamer Sher as an ambassador. She is the first trans streamer of INTZ and was responsible for organising the first League of Legends for transgender people championship, in addition to winning the 'Best Female Streamer' award at the CCXP Awards. 

As a first initiative, Druid is launching a campaign announcing a relationship with INTZ, intending to merge the segment's present expanding strength with the crypto world's advances.


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