Top 10 Crypto News: Bitcoin Eyes $120K, BlackRock & Brazil Go Big, Arizona’s BTC Reserve
Welcome to your daily dose of crypto news at CryptoNewsPod.com! It’s April 29, 2025, and the crypto world is buzzing with massive moves, from Bitcoin’s price predictions to BlackRock’s whale-sized buy.
Let’s break down today’s top stories in simple terms, keeping you in the loop on everything crypto. Whether you’re a seasoned HODLer or just curious, here’s what’s happening in the blockchain space today!
1. Governments Trim Bitcoin Holdings, But Bhutan and El Salvador Stack Sats
Big news from global Bitcoin reserves! The U.S. and China have cut back, reducing total government BTC holdings by 12% over nine months, from 529,591 BTC to 463,741 BTC. The U.S. now holds 198,012 BTC (worth $18.3B), while China sits on 194,000 BTC ($17.6B), mostly from a 2019 scam seizure. Meanwhile, Bhutan’s mining 8,594 BTC with green energy, and El Salvador’s buying one BTC daily, now owning 6,135 BTC. Talk about contrasting strategies!
Why It Matters: Fewer BTC in government hands could tighten supply, while pro-crypto nations like El Salvador signal growing adoption. Keep an eye on how this impacts Bitcoin’s price!
2. Bitcoin to $120K by Q2 2025? Standard Chartered Says Yes!
Standard Chartered’s Geoffrey Kendrick is calling it: Bitcoin could hit $120,000 by Q2 2025! With BTC teasing $80,000 and Ethereum eyeing all-time highs, the market’s on fire. Analysts cite institutional buys, ETF inflows, and a friendlier regulatory vibe as fuel for this bull run. Some even predict $130K by late 2025 or $200K by year-end. Are we in for another epic rally?
Why It Matters: Price predictions like these get traders excited, but volatility is real. If you’re planning to jump in, do your research!
3. Arizona Passes Bitcoin Reserve Bill in Historic Move
Arizona just made waves by passing a House bill to create a Bitcoin Reserve, capping it at 10% of state funds. This bold move joins states like Oklahoma and Texas in embracing BTC as a reserve asset. It’s a huge step toward mainstream crypto adoption in the U.S., showing states aren’t waiting for federal clarity.
Why It Matters: State-level Bitcoin adoption could inspire others, boosting BTC’s legitimacy as a store of value. Arizona’s move might just spark a trend!
4. BlackRock Drops $970M on Bitcoin – Whales Are Hungry!
BlackRock went all-in, scooping up $970 million worth of Bitcoin (10,220 BTC) in one day! That’s over 22 days of global miner output since the latest halving. Holding 2.77% of all BTC, BlackRock’s move, alongside MicroStrategy’s buys, is squeezing supply and pumping bullish vibes. Whales are loading up – are you ready?
Why It Matters: Big institutional buys signal confidence in Bitcoin’s future, often driving prices higher. This could be a sign of more to come.
5. Coinbase’s Lightning Network Hits 15% of Bitcoin Transactions
Bitcoin’s scaling up fast! Coinbase says 15% of its BTC transactions now use the Lightning Network, a layer-2 solution for quicker, cheaper transfers. The network’s capacity hit 8,000 BTC in January 2025, up 340% from last year. This is Bitcoin evolving into a real payment system.
Why It Matters: Faster transactions make BTC more practical for everyday use, boosting its appeal beyond just an investment.
6. South Korea Eyes Spot Crypto ETFs and Banking Reforms
South Korea’s ruling party is making big promises: if they win in June 2025, they’ll greenlight spot crypto ETFs and ease tough banking rules for crypto. This could open the door for more retail and institutional investment in one of Asia’s crypto hubs, despite the central bank’s caution on BTC reserves.
Why It Matters: ETF approvals could bring new money into crypto, while banking reforms might make trading easier in South Korea.
7. XRP Futures ETFs Get SEC Nod, Nexo Returns to U.S.
The SEC approved ProShares’ XRP Futures ETFs, launching April 30, 2025, after Teucrium’s earlier debut. This follows Ripple’s SEC settlement, hinting at a crypto-friendly regulator shift. Meanwhile, Nexo Capital’s back in the U.S. after a $45M fine, and Metamask’s new Mastercard-backed crypto card is making spending easier.
Why It Matters: More ETFs mean more ways to invest in crypto, while Nexo and Metamask boost accessibility.
8. Altcoins Shine and SEC Talks Stablecoins
Analysts are hyping altcoins like VeChain (partnered with BMW and PwC China), Chainlink, and Hedera for their real-world use. Dogecoin’s also tipped for May gains based on past trends. On the regulatory front, new SEC Chair Paul Atkins is pushing for clear stablecoin rules to spark innovation.
Why It Matters: Altcoins with strong use cases could outperform, and better regulations might unlock stablecoin growth.
9. SEC’s New Chair Pushes for Stablecoin Clarity
New SEC Chair Paul Atkins is shaking things up, admitting past regulatory uncertainty hurt crypto innovation. At a recent SEC Crypto Task Force roundtable, he emphasized clear stablecoin rules to foster growth. This could unlock new possibilities for stablecoin projects and DeFi.
Why It Matters: Better regulations could make stablecoins a cornerstone of crypto, driving adoption and innovation.
10. Brazil’s Itaú Bank Invests $210M in Bitcoin, Launches Oranje
Brazil’s making a bullish crypto move! Itaú, a major Brazilian bank, invested $210 million in Bitcoin and launched Oranje, a new initiative to build BTC reserves and transform corporate treasury strategies. This bold step positions Brazil as a crypto leader in Latin America.
Why It Matters: A major bank embracing BTC could inspire other institutions and boost adoption in the region.
Stay Ahead with CryptoNewsPod.com
What a day for crypto! BlackRock’s $970M Bitcoin buy, Brazil’s $210M BTC bet, Arizona’s Bitcoin Reserve, and South Korea’s ETF plans have the market on fire. Bitcoin’s eyeing $120K, and altcoins are heating up. Stay in the know with CryptoNewsPod.com for daily crypto news, price updates, and tips to navigate this wild ride. Crypto’s thrilling but risky, so always do your homework!
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