Trump Media Invests $250M in Bitcoin & Crypto via Truth.Fi

Hodl Topic, January 30th, 2025

www.hodltopic.com 

🔥Heat Map:

🌍 Daily Crypto Market Overview

Global Stats:

• Cryptocurrencies: 10.41M+

• Exchanges: 780

• Market Cap: $3.54T (+2.43%)

• 24h Volume: $124.88B (+7.50%)

• Bitcoin Dominance: 58.6%

• Ethereum Dominance: 10.8%

• ETH Gas Price: 1.89 Gwei

• Fear & Greed Index: 54 (Neutral)

🪙 Top 5 Cryptocurrencies by Market Cap:

🚀 Trending on DexScan:

1. ICE/SOL – $0.0008281 (+660%)

2. XYZ/SOL – $0.003551 (+615%)

3. jellyjelly/SOL – $0.1918 (+9999%+)

4. REXIE/SOL – $0.001005 (+4068%)

5. PUMP/SOL – $0.0002436 (+95.65%)

FROM OUR FRIENDS @ BYBIT

Sign up for a Bybit account and claim exclusive rewards from the Bybit referral program! Plus, claim up to $6,045 USDT bonus at https://www.bybit.com/invite?ref=Y5RNP7 or click the image below.

💹 Market Highlights:

• Total DeFi Volume: $8.06B (6.45% of total market volume)

• Stablecoins Volume: $113.47B (90.87% of total market volume)

• Coin with Highest % Change: ALPHA (+43.26%)

📈 Preview On Today’s News:

1. - Trump Media Invests $250M in Bitcoin & Crypto via Truth.Fi 

2. - CME Group Expands Crypto Derivatives with Bitcoin Friday Options 

3. - Texas Plans to Establish Bitcoin Reserve in 2025 

Keep reading below for more!

Today’s News:

1)

Trump Media Invests $250M in Bitcoin & Crypto via Truth.Fi 

Trump Media and Technology Group (DJT) has announced a major expansion into cryptocurrency with the launch of its financial tech arm, Truth.Fi. The company’s board has approved a $250 million investment, custodied by Charles Schwab, which will be allocated to traditional investments as well as Bitcoin, similar cryptocurrencies, and crypto-related securities. This move aligns with former President Donald Trump’s pro-crypto stance in his second term, reinforcing his commitment to clearer regulations. The announcement comes amid a broader shift in U.S. digital asset policy, including the SEC's establishment of a crypto task force.

• Trump Media has launched Truth.Fi, a new financial services firm, with a $250 million investment allocated to Bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies, and crypto-related securities.

• This move reflects Trump’s pro-crypto policies and regulatory push, positioning his company to capitalize on the growing digital asset market.

2)

CME Group Expands Crypto Derivatives with Bitcoin Friday Options 

CME Group, the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, will launch options on Bitcoin Friday futures on February 24, pending regulatory approval. These new financially-settled contracts, featuring daily expiries from Monday to Friday, aim to provide traders with more precise risk management tools. This follows the success of Bitcoin Friday futures, CME’s top-performing crypto product, and aligns with its broader push into regulated cryptocurrency derivatives, including the recent introduction of XRP and SOL futures. Additionally, CME has started rolling out some of its most popular futures contracts on Robinhood, expanding retail investor access to crypto futures trading.

• CME Group is set to introduce options on Bitcoin Friday futures on February 24, offering traders daily expiry contracts for enhanced risk management.

• CME is expanding its crypto derivatives offerings, including XRP and SOL futures, while also making Bitcoin and Ether futures available to retail traders on Robinhood.

3)

Texas Plans to Establish Bitcoin Reserve in 2025 

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has unveiled plans to create a Texas Bitcoin Reserve as part of his priority legislative agenda for 2025. The reserve, listed as Senate Bill 21, aligns with a broader movement among U.S. states seeking to integrate Bitcoin into their financial strategies. Texas follows Oklahoma and Massachusetts, which recently introduced similar legislation. On the federal level, U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis has proposed the Bitcoin Act, aiming to authorize government purchases of Bitcoin. While many expected President Donald Trump to establish a federal Bitcoin reserve, he has instead announced a broader crypto stockpile initiative.

• Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has prioritized the creation of a Bitcoin Reserve in 2025, aligning with other states adopting similar initiatives.

• At the federal level, Senator Cynthia Lummis introduced the Bitcoin Act, while President Trump has opted for a crypto stockpile instead of a dedicated Bitcoin reserve.

4)

FED Chair Powell Addresses Bitcoin’s Role in Banking and Regulation 

FED Chairman Jerome Powell discussed Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies during a press conference following the latest interest rate decision. When asked about their impact on the financial system, Powell stated that banks can offer crypto services as long as they manage associated risks effectively. He emphasized that the FED’s role in crypto primarily involves overseeing banks and expressed support for increasing regulatory measures to ensure stability and compliance.

• Powell stated that banks can provide crypto services if they manage risks properly, reinforcing the FED’s focus on overseeing banks in the crypto space.

• He highlighted the need for increased crypto regulations, suggesting that more oversight would benefit the financial system.

5)

Tether Mints $1 Billion USDT on TRON Blockchain 

Tether, the largest stablecoin issuer, has minted $1 billion USDT on the TRON blockchain, as confirmed by blockchain analytics firm Arkhan Intelligence. The transaction, completed on January 29, incurred no fees and was classified as "authorized but not issued," meaning the tokens are held in inventory for future needs like chain swaps or new issuances. With this latest mint, Tether's total USDT supply has reached $139.4 billion, with the majority distributed between Ethereum ($76.9 billion) and TRON ($59.7 billion). TRON continues to be a favored choice for stablecoin users, particularly in emerging markets for savings and cross-border transactions.

• Tether minted $1 billion USDT on TRON on January 29 with no fees, marking it as "authorized but not issued" for future chain swaps or new issuance.

• This increases Tether’s total USDT supply to $139.4 billion, with Ethereum and TRON holding the largest shares, reinforcing TRON’s dominance in stablecoin transactions across emerging markets.

6)

Crypto PAC’s Influence Grows as Candidates Win Florida Primaries 

Two Republican candidates, Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine, have secured victories in their Florida congressional primaries with significant backing from the crypto-funded Defend American Jobs PAC. The PAC, an affiliate of Fairshake, spent over $700,000 on media campaigns supporting the candidates ahead of the Jan. 28 primaries. Fairshake, largely funded by Ripple Labs and Coinbase, has raised $103 million for future elections, marking an increasing political influence by the crypto industry. Patronis and Fine will now face Democratic challengers in the April 1 election, which could shape the legislative landscape, including crypto regulations, if Republicans strengthen their House majority.

• Defend American Jobs PAC, backed by major crypto firms, spent over $700,000 to support Republican candidates Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine in Florida’s congressional primaries.

• With the April 1 election approaching, a Republican win could expand their House majority, influencing future legislative decisions, including crypto regulations.

7)

SEC’s January 30 Meeting Fuels Ripple Settlement Speculation 

The cryptocurrency community is closely watching the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as it schedules a closed-door meeting on January 30, 2025, fueling speculation about a potential settlement in the Ripple (XRP) case. The meeting follows the revocation of Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121 (SAB 121), which had imposed strict accounting guidelines on crypto custodians. Commissioner Mark Uyeda criticized the bulletin’s implementation process, arguing it bypassed public commentary and judicial review. The XRP community remains optimistic, with many seeing the meeting as a bullish signal for the token's future, though the final outcome remains uncertain.

• The SEC’s January 30 closed-door meeting has sparked speculation about a potential Ripple (XRP) case settlement, following the revocation of SAB 121.

• XRP supporters view the meeting as a bullish indicator, anticipating regulatory clarity that could positively impact the token's market position.

8)

Sony's Soneium Conquest: Pioneering Blockchain Gaming and Web3 Innovation 

Sony Block Solutions Labs (Sony BSL) has launched the Soneium Conquest campaign, a four-week initiative designed to introduce creators, developers, and blockchain enthusiasts to its Ethereum Layer 2 platform, Soneium. Hosted on the Galxe platform, the campaign focuses on four key themes—creativity, connection, joy, and immersion—while showcasing how Soneium enhances decentralized gaming and user engagement. Soneium’s mainnet, which launched on January 14, 2025, integrates Sony’s Fan Marketing platform, enabling artists to offer exclusive content through NFTs. However, concerns have emerged regarding Soneium’s "blacklisting" policy, which restricts public RPC interactions with certain contracts over IP issues, leading to fears of potential financial losses. Sony BSL clarified that no funds were frozen and that affected users can appeal, reaffirming its commitment to an open and inclusive blockchain ecosystem.

• Sony’s Soneium Conquest campaign introduces its Ethereum Layer 2 platform, highlighting blockchain gaming innovation and decentralized creative opportunities.

• While Soneium’s mainnet launch aims to enhance Web3 accessibility, concerns over contract blacklisting have sparked debate, with Sony reassuring users that no funds were frozen and appeals are possible.

9)

Hong Kong Grants First Crypto Exchange Licenses of 2025 

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has granted its first crypto exchange licenses of 2025 to PantherTrade and YAX, marking a significant step in the city’s regulatory approach to digital assets. YAX, a subsidiary of Tiger Brokers (HK) Global Limited, will offer securities and automated trading services, emphasizing regulatory compliance and innovation. PantherTrade, meanwhile, received a Deemed VASP license under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance. The SFC plans to accelerate licensing for virtual asset service providers (VASPs), though it remains committed to stringent regulatory standards. Hong Kong faces increasing competition from Singapore, which has issued more crypto licenses and is seen as a more efficient regulatory hub.

• Hong Kong's SFC issued its first crypto exchange licenses of 2025 to PantherTrade and YAX, with YAX aiming to offer securities and automated trading services.

• The SFC is accelerating VASP licensing but maintains strict standards, as Hong Kong competes with Singapore, which has issued more crypto licenses and is perceived as more efficient.

10)

Elizabeth Warren Sounds Alarm on Tether Ties in Trump Nominee's Confirmation 

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren has raised concerns over Howard Lutnick, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Commerce Secretary, due to his firm's deep connections with stablecoin issuer Tether. Lutnick, the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, holds a 5% stake in Tether and manages its reserves, prompting Warren to question his ability to prioritize public interest over financial ties. She warned that, if confirmed, Lutnick would have "extraordinary access" to policymakers shaping crypto regulations, potentially influencing policies favorable to Tether. Warren has demanded detailed disclosures from Lutnick regarding his Tether-related dealings, emphasizing growing scrutiny over stablecoins in U.S. financial policy.

• Warren criticized Lutnick’s deep financial ties to Tether, citing concerns over his ability to remain impartial in shaping crypto regulations if confirmed as Commerce Secretary.

• She requested Lutnick provide answers on his Tether involvement by Feb. 10, highlighting the increasing regulatory focus on stablecoins and their role in illicit finance.