DappRadar found the NFT market last year was the worst since 2020 for trading 
and sales volumes, with both falling nearly 20% over 2024.

NFTs just had their worst performing year since 2020: DappRadar

A crypto firm has been fined $1.1 million for deceiving customers and misusing 
funds, as the CFTC highlights growing concerns about unregistered investment 
schemes. CFTC Strikes: Fraudulent Crypto Firm Banned, $1.1 Million Fine Issued 
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced on Monday that 
Mosaic Exchange Ltd. and its CEO, Sean Michael, have been ordered […]

$1.1M Penalty Slammed on Mosaic Exchange in Crypto Fraud Scandal

In a recent social media post, market expert VirtualBacon shared seven key 
predictions that could shape the cryptocurrency landscape in 2025. Central to 
these predictions is the assertion that Ethereum (ETH) may outshine Bitcoin 
(BTC) in terms of performance, even as Bitcoin continues to hold a dominant 
position in the market. Expert Predicts A New Crypto Bull Run In 2025 With 
Bitcoin approaching the significant $100,000 mark once again after a sharp 
correction over the past weeks and altcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the 
horizon, the expert believes that the current crypto bull run is only just 
beginning. Related Reading: XRP Price Dominates: Outperforming Bitcoin With 
Confidence VirtualBacon poses an intriguing question: Is 2025 the year when 
cryptocurrencies break all previous records? The anticipation surrounding 
potential market movements is palpable, especially given the bullish sentiment 
fueled by Bitcoin&#8217;s recent price surge and the impending introduction of 
altcoin ETFs. The expert reflects on the previous year&#8217;s predictions, noting 
that Bitcoin reached $80,000, crypto gaming gained traction, and Trump’s 
return to the political scene significantly boosted market momentum. Looking 
ahead, VirtualBacon predicts a longer, slower bull cycle extending potentially 
into the fourth quarter of 2025. This forecast is underpinned by the Federal 
Reserve&#8217;s cautious approach to liquidity, which is expected to mitigate the 
risks of sudden market crashes. The likelihood of a recession is projected to 
drop to 33%, signaling a period of relative stability. Bitcoin&#8217;s dominance is 
anticipated to rise, largely driven by institutional demand, with spot ETFs 
already holding approximately 5% of Bitcoin’s supply. While altcoins may lag 
initially, VirtualBacon asserts that this “slower cycle” is seen as a 
“blessing,” providing ample time for growth and maturation within the market. 
Will Ethereum Outperform Bitcoin This Year? One of the most consequential 
factors influencing the crypto market in 2025 is anticipated massive liquidity 
injections. The US debt crisis is likely to compel the Federal Reserve to 
implement quantitative easing, thereby expanding its balance sheet and 
flooding markets with cash. Additionally, a revaluation of gold—potentially 
adjusting from $42 per ounce to around $2,000—could create even more liquidity 
in the system. Such conditions typically lead to inflation, which is 
historically associated with rising asset prices, suggesting that 
cryptocurrencies may thrive in this environment. However, despite these 
optimistic predictions, VirtualBacon casts doubt on the likelihood of a US 
Bitcoin Reserve Act passing in 2025. The proposal for the US Treasury to 
acquire one million Bitcoin over five years faces significant hurdles, 
particularly in securing taxpayer support for such a massive expenditure. 
Related Reading: Cardano (ADA) Under Pressure: Struggles to Reclaim Lost 
Ground On the regulatory front, VirtualBacon anticipates that pro-crypto 
legislation may favor altcoins, particularly through the proposed Fit for the 
21st Century Act. This legislation could provide a clearer regulatory 
framework for cryptocurrencies, designating decentralized tokens like Layer-1 
blockchains as commodities under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission 
(CFTC), while less decentralized assets would fall under the Securities and 
Exchange Commission (SEC). With Paul Atkins, a pro-crypto advocate, 
potentially leading the SEC, major cryptocurrencies may flourish, although 
smaller startups could face challenges navigating the new landscape, according 
to the expert. The prediction of altcoin ETFs gaining traction is another 
exciting prospect for 2025. VirtualBacon expects ETFs for cryptocurrencies 
such as Litecoin, HBAR, XRP, and Solana to emerge, driven by their unique 
statuses and pending legal resolutions. With Ethereum ETFs already drawing 
institutional interest, a similar pattern could unfold for these altcoins, 
further accelerating institutional adoption in the crypto market. Perhaps the 
most captivating prediction is that Ethereum could outperform Bitcoin, 
potentially doubling Bitcoin’s returns in 2025. With institutional investors 
increasingly favoring ETH over BTC in recent months, along with historical 
performance trends favoring Ethereum in the first half of the year, the stage 
is set for significant growth in the Ethereum ecosystem. VirtualBacon 
estimates end-of-year prices of approximately $200,000 for Bitcoin and $14,000 
for Ethereum, presenting ambitious yet “potentially attainable targets” given 
the expected influx of liquidity and institutional support. As of this 
writing, BTC is trading at $95,840, recording gains of over 4% in the 24-hour 
time frame. Similarly, ETH is trading at $3,200, recording even higher gains 
of nearly 6% in the same time frame. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from 
TradingView.com

Ethereum’s Potential To Outshine Bitcoin: 7 Predictions For The 2025 Crypto Landscape

Bison strengthens its banking options by adding Germany&#8217;s largest bank as a 
partner to protect customer balances. On Jan. 13, Bison, the crypto trading 
platform operated by the Boerse Stuttgart Group, revealed that Deutsche Bank 
has joined as a new…

Bison expands banking network with Deutsche Bank partnership

XRP price started a fresh increase above the $2.50 level. The price is gaining 
pace and could rally further above the $2.880 resistance. XRP price gained 
over 5% and rallied above the $2.550 zone. The price is now trading above 
$2.550 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a connecting bullish 
trend line forming with support at $2.60 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD 
pair (data source from Kraken). The pair might start a fresh increase if it 
stays above the $2.60 support. XRP Price Turns Green Above $2.50 XRP price 
managed to start a fresh increase above the $2.42 and $2.45 resistance levels. 
The price gained over 5% and outperformed both Bitcoin and Ethereum. There was 
a move above the $2.50 and $2.50 levels. The bulls even pumped the price above 
the $2.75 resistance to start another increase. It traded as high as $2.875 
and is currently consolidating gains above the 23.6% Fib retracement level of 
the upward move from the $2.332 swing low to the $2.875 high. The price is now 
trading above $2.550 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is also a 
connecting bullish trend line forming with support at $2.60 on the hourly 
chart of the XRP/USD pair. On the upside, the price might face resistance near 
the $2.8750 level. The first major resistance is near the $2.92 level. The 
next resistance is $3.00. A clear move above the $3.00 resistance might send 
the price toward the $3.120 resistance. Any more gains might send the price 
toward the $3.200 resistance or even $3.25 in the near term. The next major 
hurdle for the bulls might be $3.320. Downside Correction? If XRP fails to 
clear the $2.8750 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Initial 
support on the downside is near the $2.750 level. The next major support is 
near the $2.600 level and the trend line. It is close to the 50% Fib 
retracement level of the upward move from the $2.332 swing low to the $2.875 
high. If there is a downside break and a close below the $2.60 level, the 
price might continue to decline toward the $2.550 support. The next major 
support sits near the $2.50 zone. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD 
for XRP/USD is now gaining pace in the bullish zone. Hourly RSI (Relative 
Strength Index) – The RSI for XRP/USD is now above the 50 level. Major Support 
Levels – $2.750 and $2.60. Major Resistance Levels – $2.875 and $3.000.

Cryptocurrency price in LKR