Cboe, the derivatives exchange for digital assets and securities trading, is poised to make a signif...Cboe, the derivatives exchange for digital assets and securities trading, is poised to make a significant impact on the crypto landscape by launching the first cash-settled index options linked to Bitcoin's (BTC) spot price movements. Scheduled to debut on December 2, these options will be based on the Cboe Bitcoin ETF Index, which tracks a selection of US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds. The introduction of these options comes shortly after Nasdaq's recent listing of spot Bitcoin ETF options, enabling US investors to use derivatives to speculate on or hedge against BTC's price movements. Alex Thorn, head of firmwide research at Galaxy Digital, noted that reducing Bitcoin's volatility could greatly change investor perceptions. The availability of cash-settled options will provide institutions with effective tools for hedging their positions, potentially enhancing overall market liquidity. This influx of options trading may also influence retail trading behavior, particularly during bullish market conditions. Notably, the current surge in Bitcoin's price, which reached an all-time high of $99,300, has been partly attributed to increased trading activity and market optimism. Therefore, the introduction of cash-settled options could further propel Bitcoin past the $100,000 mark, especially given the increased buying pressure observed in recent days. Cboe's options on the Bitcoin ETF Index will also allow market participants to gain exposure to spot Bitcoin ETFs, and by extension, to Bitcoin itself. The cash-settled nature of these options is expected to simplify the process since positions will be settled in cash at expiration. Additionally, the options will feature a 'European-style exercise,' meaning they can only be exercised on the expiration date, thus minimizing the risks associated with early assignment. In tandem with the standard-sized index options, Cboe plans to launch Cboe Mini Bitcoin ETF Index options (Ticker: MBTX), valued at one-tenth the notional value of the standard options. Furthermore, Cboe will also offer cash-settled FLEX options on both the standard and mini index options. FLEX options allow traders to customize key contract terms such as exercise price, exercise style, and expiration date, providing added flexibility in trading strategies and enabling larger positions than typically allowed with standard options contracts. Rob Hocking, Cboe's Global Head of Product Innovation, emphasized the advantages of cash settlement and the variety of index sizes available, which are expected to attract institutional and retail participants looking to hedge or capitalize on Bitcoin's price movements without directly holding the asset. The exchange already lists cash-settled Bitcoin and Ether margin futures on Cboe Digital Exchange, with plans to transition these products to the Cboe Futures Exchange in the first half of 2025, pending regulatory approval. Cboe's BZX Equities Exchange also holds a leading position in the US market for spot crypto ETFs, having captured a majority market share of available Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. At the time of writing, the market's leading cryptocurrency is trading at $99,240.

Gary Gensler, the chair of the US SEC, will resign from his current position, marking a transformati...Gary Gensler, the chair of the US SEC, will resign from his current position, marking a transformative change within the...

Shiba Inu is another leading cryptocurrency token poised to generate significant profits as Bitcoin ...Shiba Inu is another leading cryptocurrency token poised to generate significant profits as Bitcoin hovers near...

A widely followed analyst is leaning bullish on Bitcoin (BTC) amid the flagship’s rally of close to ...A widely followed analyst is leaning bullish on Bitcoin (BTC) amid the flagship’s rally of close to 50% over the past 30 days. The analyst, pseudonymously known as Pentoshi, tells his 821,000 followers on the social media platform X that Bitcoin could increase by about 82% from its current level. However, the analyst notes [...]

Bitcoin surges, but five emerging cryptocurrencies are gaining attention for their potential to outp...Bitcoin surges, but five emerging cryptocurrencies are gaining attention for their potential to outperform and deliver massive returns. #partnercontent

The ongoing Bitcoin bull market has sparked renewed interest in on-chain metrics to fully understand...The ongoing Bitcoin bull market has sparked renewed interest in on-chain metrics to fully understand the bullish trend behind the scenes. Earlier today, Avocado Onchain, a CryptoQuant analyst, shared his perspective on Bitcoin’s market performance, focusing on the widely-used Market Value to Realized Value (MVRV) ratio. This indicator is often used to assess Bitcoin's valuation relative to its realized cap, which represents the aggregated value of all Bitcoin based on its last movement price. According to Avocado Onchain, the MVRV ratio provides key insights into market cycles. Historically, when the MVRV ratio dips below 1, it signals a market bottom, while values above 3.7 have coincided with potential market tops. As Bitcoin approaches new all-time highs, the MVRV ratio’s behavior suggests a shift in market sentiment from skepticism to optimism. This raises critical questions about how investors should interpret these metrics during a bull cycle. The MVRV ratio, calculated by dividing Bitcoin’s market cap by its realized cap, offers insights into whether the asset is undervalued or overvalued relative to its historical averages. Avocado Onchain emphasized that the ratio might not necessarily reach 3.7 in this cycle, as seen in prior bull markets, but could still signal overvaluation at lower levels. He noted that the ratio's peaks and troughs have shown a narrowing trend, with higher lows and lower highs. Drawing from historical patterns, the CryptoQuant analyst noted that in past cycles, detailed analysis of historical charts shows that in 2017, the MVRV ratio first reached 3.7, but Bitcoin’s price didn’t peak until six months later. Similarly, in 2021, the peak followed about three months after the ratio hit 3.7. Avocado Onchain suggested that while the MVRV ratio signals 'overvaluation,' it does not guarantee an imminent price peak. Instead, the ratio often lingers around the overvaluation range, reflecting ongoing bullish sentiment with price fluctuations. To mitigate risks, Avocado Onchain advises against relying solely on the MVRV ratio for investment decisions. He advocates for a gradual selling strategy as the ratio rises, allowing investors to balance potential gains with reduced exposure to market corrections. The analyst particularly concluded that asset prices often enter phases of extreme overvaluation that cannot be fully explained by numerical data alone. During a bull market, it’s essential to use not only on-chain metrics but also factors like investor sentiment, macroeconomic trends, and government policies to develop a well-rounded strategy.

Allianz SE, the second-largest insurance company in Europe and the largest in Germany, has acquired ...Allianz SE, the second-largest insurance company in Europe and the largest in Germany, has acquired nearly 25% of MicroStrategy's recent convertible note offering. This investment represents a significant endorsement of Bitcoin from a major financial institution. Allianz Seeks Bitcoin Exposure: Allianz purchased 24.75% of MicroStrategy's $2.6 billion note sale aimed at institutional investors, which closed on November 21.

Bessent's nomination could accelerate the U.S. adoption of digital assets, potentially reshapin...Bessent's nomination could accelerate the U.S. adoption of digital assets, potentially reshaping economic policy and global financial dynamics. The post Trump Appoints Pro-Bitcoin Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Analysts are anticipating a potential cycle peak of $20,000 for the Ether price, which is expected t...Analysts are anticipating a potential cycle peak of $20,000 for the Ether price, which is expected to gain momentum in the first half of 2025.

MetaMask Gas Station simplifies DeFi swaps by incorporating gas fees into transaction costs, elimina...MetaMask Gas Station simplifies DeFi swaps by incorporating gas fees into transaction costs, eliminating the need for ETH. The MetaMask Card enables seamless crypto-to-fiat spending, bridging blockchain and traditional finance for everyday transactions. MetaMask has introduced its unique 'Gas Station' feature, which will transform how users interact with the Ethereum mainnet. This new feature removes the...

Inflows into the Ethereum Spot ETF surged to $91.2 million, reversing a six-day streak of outflows.

The supply of Ethena USDe rose by 47.45% last month, reaching $3.75 billion, with an inflow of $119 ...The supply of Ethena USDe rose by 47.45% last month, reaching $3.75 billion, with an inflow of $119 million recorded on November 21. The sUSDe staking rate climbed to 68.4%, its highest level since February, reflecting increased investor engagement with Ethena's ecosystem. Ethena's USDe supply has increased by 47.45% over the past month, reaching an all-time high of $3.75 billion. The stablecoin ...

A dormant Ethereum whale has resurfaced, selling ETH for the first time in eight years and attractin...A dormant Ethereum whale has resurfaced, selling ETH for the first time in eight years and attracting market attention. These strategic sales of ETH reflect calculated moves, aligning with bullish on-chain metrics and long-term holding trends. According to Lookonchain, between January 18 and March 10, 2016, this whale has been inactive before making a significant impact on the crypto market.

Ethereum Spot ETF inflows reached $91.2M on November 22, marking the first net inflow in six days, w...Ethereum Spot ETF inflows reached $91.2M on November 22, marking the first net inflow in six days, while BlackRock's ETF ETHA reported a single-day inflow of $99.67M. Read the original article on coincu.com.

Ethereum (ETH) is gaining prominence as Bitcoin maintains its recent highs. Although ETH is currentl...Ethereum (ETH) is gaining prominence as Bitcoin maintains its recent highs. Although ETH is currently 36% below its all-time high of $4,878 from 2021, analysts anticipate that the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization may be preparing for a significant shift. The Ethereum ecosystem is buzzing with activity, characterized by a surge in institutional investments, rising ETF interest, and increasing transaction volumes. Daily transaction volumes on Ethereum have climbed to 1.22 million from 1.1 million recorded three months ago, according to the latest statistics from IntoTheBlock. While Bitcoin has been the star of this rally, Ethereum historically benefits from profit rotations after Bitcoin's movements. Currently, Ethereum's on-chain activity shows evenly spaced potential resistance levels. Despite the modest increase, it indicates consistent network usage, which is fundamental to Ethereum's long-term value and highlights its ongoing relevance in the crypto sector. In the past week, institutional buyers purchased over $1.4 billion worth of Ethereum (ETH), stirring the crypto community. During the same period, $147 million flowed into Spot Ethereum ETFs, reflecting growing optimism about ETH's future. Ethereum whales have acquired over 430,000 ETH in the last two weeks, valued at over $1.40 billion. Trading volumes for Ethereum ETFs reached a record $1.63 billion last week, marking a 44% weekly increase. Analysts note that this trend aligns with patterns seen in Bitcoin ETFs, which often experience initial stagnation followed by sustained growth. Consequently, Ethereum's price surged by 25%, marking its largest weekly gain in six months. Many interpret these developments as indicators that Ethereum is gaining momentum, potentially leading to further benefits. However, while there are positives, growth in Ethereum's network sends mixed signals, as new ETH addresses created are lower than those seen in previous bull markets. Experts attribute this to Layer 2 solutions like Base, which enable faster and cheaper transfers built on Ethereum’s infrastructure, making direct connections to the main Ethereum chain less critical. Nonetheless, Ethereum's significance remains untouched by Layer 2 growth, as tokens continue to be vital in the decentralized finance (DeFi) and NFT ecosystems. This expansion actually strengthens Ethereum’s core function while also enhancing its scalability and accessibility. Additionally, ETH is becoming less correlated with BTC, with the 180-day BTC-ETH Pearson correlation at a three-year low. A 10% rise in Bitcoin could only yield a 3% gain for Ethereum, suggesting that each asset is now following its own trajectory. Ethereum's autonomy from Bitcoin is becoming increasingly apparent, with the 180-day correlation between the two cryptocurrencies dropping below 0.5. Analysts suggest this shift indicates that Ethereum is now more influenced by its unique market dynamics than by Bitcoin's price fluctuations, necessitating an independent assessment of Ether's potential. Ethereum is proving to be more than just Bitcoin's counterpart; it is charting its own course in the crypto landscape through the adoption of Layer 2 solutions, institutional interest, and growing ETF activity.

Ethereum surged over 10% yesterday, marking an impressive recovery alongside a very bullish day for ...Ethereum surged over 10% yesterday, marking an impressive recovery alongside a very bullish day for the entire crypto market. This surge has reignited investor optimism, especially as Ethereum approaches its yearly highs. Key data from CryptoQuant highlights a significant bullish signal: Ethereum's Taker Buy Volume hit an astonishing $1.683 billion in a single hourly candle. This metric reflects aggressive buying activity in the futures market, further supporting Ethereum's potential for continued upward momentum. The driving force behind this rising demand for Ethereum appears to stem from profits being cycled out of Bitcoin. With Bitcoin consistently breaking all-time highs, investors are reallocating gains into ETH, boosting its price. Ethereum's ability to capitalize on Bitcoin's momentum underscores its position as the second-largest cryptocurrency and a key player in the broader market trend. However, the next few days will be crucial for Ethereum as it nears its yearly highs. A strong breakout above these levels could propel ETH into a new uptrend, further strengthening its bullish narrative. Ethereum bulls are finally showing signs of life after eight months of bearish price action, with the price surging over 40% since November 5. This strong upward momentum aligns with the broader market rally, fueling optimism that Ethereum's recovery is just beginning. The resurgence in bullish sentiment has positioned Ethereum as a key focus for investors seeking opportunities in the current market environment. According to data by CryptoQuant analyst Maartunn, Ethereum's Taker Buy Volume recently hit $1.683 billion in a single hourly candle, highlighting significant demand and the involvement of high-volume trades. This aggressive buying activity is a bullish signal, suggesting increased confidence in Ethereum's potential to sustain its rally. Strong demand at this scale creates upward pressure on the price, reinforcing the bullish narrative for ETH. However, Ethereum still faces a critical hurdle at the $3,550 level, a significant supply zone that has acted as a barrier since late July. The next few days will be pivotal for Ethereum, as breaking above this key resistance could signal the continuation of its upward trajectory. Failure to do so, however, might result in a short-term consolidation. All eyes are now on ETH, as its next moves could set the tone for the altcoin market. Ethereum (ETH) is trading at $3,333 after a 10% surge yesterday, marking a significant rebound for the second-largest cryptocurrency. The price is testing a critical supply zone just below the $3,450 level, a resistance area that bulls need to reclaim to confirm the uptrend and maintain momentum for new highs. This supply zone has historically acted as a key barrier, and breaking above it with conviction would signal strong buying pressure and the potential for a sustained rally. Holding above the 200-day moving average (MA) at $2,959 further strengthens the bullish case for Ethereum, as this indicator is widely regarded as a benchmark for long-term price trends. Should Ethereum maintain its position above the 200-day MA and push decisively past the $3,450 level, it could pave the way for a bullish rally, targeting higher resistance zones in the coming days. However, failure to overcome this supply area may result in short-term consolidation as bulls regroup to challenge the level again. For now, the market focuses on Ethereum's ability to clear this crucial resistance and continue its upward trajectory.

The cryptocurrency market continues to be a goldmine for investors seeking innovative projects with ...The cryptocurrency market continues to be a goldmine for investors seeking innovative projects with explosive growth potential. Among the best cryptocurrencies to invest in today are Qubetics, Arbitrum (ARB), Hedera, Kaspa, and Stacks. These projects offer unique solutions to the blockchain space, addressing challenges such as scalability, interoperability, and decentralized finance. Let’s explore why these cryptocurrencies deserve a closer look.

Some predictions suggest that XRP could reach as high as $5 during this cycle.

Litecoin (LTC) has recently surpassed its trendline resistance, signaling a potential breakout on th...Litecoin (LTC) has recently surpassed its trendline resistance, signaling a potential breakout on the charts. At the time of writing, LTC was trading at $89.11, registering a 1% increase in the past 24 hours. Over the last three months, LTC has been trading within an ascending channel pattern. However, with the increase in bullish sentiment...

Dogecoin (DOGE) is making headlines once again. The asset has surged by an astonishing 443% over the...Dogecoin (DOGE) is making headlines once again. The asset has surged by an astonishing 443% over the past...

As the crypto market surges, XYZVerse combines sports and crypto, emerging as a leading meme coin wi...As the crypto market surges, XYZVerse combines sports and crypto, emerging as a leading meme coin with significant growth potential. #partnercontent

A well-known cryptocurrency analyst and trader is feeling optimistic about a large-cap altcoin that ...A well-known cryptocurrency analyst and trader is feeling optimistic about a large-cap altcoin that has more than doubled in price over the last two weeks. The analyst, who goes by the pseudonym Credible Crypto, informs his 436,700 followers on the social media platform X that XRP is set to achieve a new all-time high much sooner than anticipated.

An analyst has suggested that DOGE could potentially reach over $30 by January 19, 2025, based on it...An analyst has suggested that DOGE could potentially reach over $30 by January 19, 2025, based on its historical performance.

Are you looking to enter the cryptocurrency market without breaking the bank? Here are five affordab...Are you looking to enter the cryptocurrency market without breaking the bank? Here are five affordable digital currencies that could yield significant returns. These lesser-known cryptos have the potential to emerge as major contenders in the industry. Find out which budget-friendly coins might offer impressive gains and learn how to position yourself for maximum profit before their prices take off.

According to a Bloomberg report, the Labour government led by Keir Starmer is set to unveil comprehe...According to a Bloomberg report, the Labour government led by Keir Starmer is set to unveil comprehensive cryptocurrency regulations in early 2025. The announcement is expected to take place at the City & Financial Global Tokenisation Summit in London. Crypto regulations are on their way to the UK, as a senior minister has confirmed that they aim to align with digital asset regulatory developments in Europe and [...]

The soon-to-be 47th president of the United States, Donald John Trump, is already assembling his eco...The soon-to-be 47th president of the United States, Donald John Trump, is already assembling his economic dream team, and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is not included. Trump is reportedly looking to replace Powell when his term ends in 2026, with Kevin Warsh being the top name on his list.

Scott Bessent, a pro-crypto investor, has been appointed as the U.S. Treasury Secretary, signaling a...Scott Bessent, a pro-crypto investor, has been appointed as the U.S. Treasury Secretary, signaling a push for economic innovation under Trump. Howard Lutnick, a Bitcoin supporter, is set to lead the Commerce Department, emphasizing the role of cryptocurrency in U.S. economic policy. President-elect Donald Trump officially appointed Scott Bessent as the next U.S. Treasury Secretary, indicating a strategic shift in economic policy under his administration.

CFTC commissioner calls for urgent reforms in US crypto policy

The crypto advocacy group Coin Center has suggested that crypto innovation may still face challenges...The crypto advocacy group Coin Center has suggested that crypto innovation may still face challenges despite the anticipated arrival of a more crypto-friendly Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). According to the non-profit organization, while Trump's potential presidency could positively impact the crypto sector, several ongoing legal cases might discourage investors and developers. In a recent blog post, Coin Center...

Investment giant and financial services firm Charles Schwab seems to be looking into expanding into ...Investment giant and financial services firm Charles Schwab seems to be looking into expanding into cryptocurrency. This development comes as the company is set to undergo a leadership transition, with Rick Wurster preparing to take over as CEO on January 1, replacing Walt Bettinger. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Wurster shared his perspectives on digital currencies.

The Federal Reserve has identified the US government's $36 trillion debt as the greatest risk t...The Federal Reserve has identified the US government's $36 trillion debt as the greatest risk to financial stability, relegating concerns about inflation and geopolitical tensions to a lower priority. This stark acknowledgment followed a survey conducted by New York Fed staff between August and October, which was included in the Fed's latest semi-annual financial stability report.

The ownership of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in China has been a topic of debate and policy concern...The ownership of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in China has been a topic of debate and policy concerns for years. However, a recent ruling from a Shanghai court clarified that it is completely legal for citizens to hold, buy, and sell Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. Judge Sun Jie of the Shanghai Songjiang People’s Court stated through an article on WeChat that it is not illegal for Chinese citizens to hold cryptocurrencies, even though courts have determined that business entities cannot freely keep, buy, or sell cryptocurrencies. This clarification came during a review of a case involving two companies in a lawsuit related to an illegal initial coin offering in the country. The court's opinion confirmed that personal ownership of cryptocurrencies does not violate Chinese law, providing clear legal guidance for crypto holders in light of a significant surge in Bitcoin prices. However, the court also noted that the planned financing and release of tokens by the agricultural company involved in the case were potentially illegal, as they would have constituted unlawful public financing. Despite ruling the agricultural company's complaint invalid, the court ordered the investment firm to reimburse 250,000 yuan after careful consideration. Judge Sun Jie emphasized that while holding cryptocurrencies is legal, the Chinese government enforces strict regulations due to associated risks, and these rules are particularly stringent in business contexts due to the potential impact on financial and economic stability. China initially banned initial coin offerings and shut down online crypto exchanges in 2017, and continued its crackdown on cryptocurrencies in 2021, which included banning mining and other related activities.

Coinbase has partnered with the Clippers, debuting its branding in the Intuit Dome to connect with d...Coinbase has partnered with the Clippers, debuting its branding in the Intuit Dome to connect with diverse basketball fans. This partnership highlights Coinbase's strategic push into the world of sports, merging cryptocurrency with professional basketball for greater brand recognition. Coinbase has officially announced a landmark sponsorship partnership with the Los Angeles Clippers, making them the team's official partner.

European Union countries are alarmed by Donald Trump’s upcoming administration. They want to initiat...European Union countries are alarmed by Donald Trump’s upcoming administration. They want to initiate discussions with his team immediately to avert a major trade crisis. Trump has made his commitment to protectionist policies clear, and Europe is not in the mood for unexpected developments from its largest trading partner. Some EU diplomats are […]

While an emotional compass can guide many aspects of life, investing based on factors other than fac...While an emotional compass can guide many aspects of life, investing based on factors other than facts could lead investors astray.

The Web3 movement is gaining momentum, and the crypto market has never been more optimistic. For exa...The Web3 movement is gaining momentum, and the crypto market has never been more optimistic. For example, NEAR Protocol's layer-1 blockchain for decentralized applications (dApps) has seen a 25% increase over the past 30 days. NEAR Protocol's growth has even attracted the world's fifth-largest telecommunications company to take on a role as a validator in its network. Bittensor [...]

As Trump's presidential term progresses, crypto traders anticipate clear regulations for digita...As Trump's presidential term progresses, crypto traders anticipate clear regulations for digital assets and an environment that encourages DeFi innovation.

Here you have a Greek tragedy of a downward spiral in art, culminating in a work being sold by a hor...Here you have a Greek tragedy of a downward spiral in art, culminating in a work being sold by a horse-era institution, propped up by 100 years of destructive philosophy, confirmed shadow games since the 1940s, recent inflationary money printing, and blatant one-sided activism. It’s worth stepping back to see the big picture. A shiny new web3 house on the hill then asks new-era artists to conform to the old setting by becoming vehicles to sell even worse garbage, while leaving out the OGs of the scene—ensuring the products can’t outshine the primary idiocracy… or so it might seem at first. Maybe there is more to it all. Something even those directly involved are not even considering to be a thing. This “full circle” above refers to how seemingly progressive ideas are actually about selling the future in a desperate attempt to save the past, and control the present. Much like printing money at the expense of future generations, the fiat era of money is still in full swing in art. The Great Contemporary Art Bubble was a revelation when I first saw it at the start of my career in art in 2008. This article offers an alternative perspective to the popular banana show recently dominating the web3 art internet. It’s a big “what if”? If you can be truthful, brave, and funny—say, in the spirit of Joe Rogan—you might get some things wrong, but this article has plenty most have never considered to be a part of the art world. My intent is to be as fair as possible, and to continue saving art from the last hundred years of agendas that no longer serve it, especially in today’s world where decentralization tools can invite everyone excluded into the party—this being nearly the whole population of the earth right now. Setting the stage: First off, SuperRare has done a great service to the digital art community in impressive numbers of art sold, and development in the scene through their DAO, upkeeping the creator resale royalties, and fighting for the scene to become a thing among the first in the game. Watch this interview by the founders to get a deep dive into their perspective on the Dinis Guarda show. Thousands of artists will likely speak positively about the whole thing. So what gives? In short, the corporate mindset leading art, once again. This is not about SuperRare alone, but the whole company scene that emerged, but something that is personal to me about it all as well. As per the selected fifteen bananas, the dilemma of SuperRare is obvious. You can’t outshine the lame duck pre-internet paradigm banana, and the bureaucratic class, so their curator team is stuck choosing the upper end of what can be politically business-wise tolerated. That ends up being not much, while they sell the future down the polluted river. 'A tragedy is a literary, theatrical, or dramatic work that typically depicts the downfall of a central character, often due to a combination of their own flaws (such as hubris, greed, or ambition) and external forces (such as fate, societal pressures, or the actions of others). Tragedy is characterized by serious themes and often evokes feelings of pity and fear in the audience, culminating in catharsis—a purging or emotional release.' Or actually just.. (Art) Threat To Our Bureaucracy. The SuperRare competition held in sync with Sotheby’s upcoming auction of a famous banana marked a new low in substance for the NFT scene, and there’s plenty to reflect on from before. Not because the art was the worst—that standard is impossible to set in NFTs anymore—but because of the combination of pleasing an old player while simultaneously sidelining the OGs – for the sake of engagement farming and money. The essence of crypto art—the rugged band of true avant-garde artists who took on the central banking system—has now been mostly washed away from sight. Events like this banana show, where they could have shone brightly to the world, instead pushed them further into the shadows. The watering down the Vodka of this scene is now an equivalent of a frozen bottle in the freezer. The more partnerships formed with pre-internet and web2 companies in hopes of 'reputational gain', the more a promising beginning started to vanish before our eyes. Very soon, the scene began to resemble the old one the pioneers had been trying to escape. The clearer the communication challenging the status quo in the art world at large, the more certain you became of hearing, 'You weren’t selected this time,' if you heard anything at all in the web3 scene as well. The curatorial team is hidden, so the community can only fight a symbol like SR, while those responsible for the heat generated remain protected. 'I’m afraid I can’t explain myself, sir. Because I am not myself, you see?' ― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland. Is art free? If art is truly free, where are the visual artist equivalents of Jordan Peterson, Thomas Sowell, Eric & Bret Weinstein, Gad Saad, Camille Paglia, Joe Rogan, Jonathan Haidt, Graham Hancock, Patrick Bet-David, Coleman Hughes, Yeonmi Park, Casey & Calley Means, Christina Hoff Sommers, Michael Malice, Mike Baker, Matt Taibbi, Matt Walsh, Tucker Carlson, Annie Jacobsen, Ben Shapiro, Candace Owens, Andrew Huberman, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and an abundance of others? This list includes credentialed academics, surgeons, scientists, religious and non-religious figures, journalists, people from the left and the right, as well as outside the system. Regardless of what you think of them, together they reach billions of people across various platforms and tackle a vast ocean of topics that are absent from the art world. Many even more provocative voices are deliberately excluded from the list, highlighting just how low the tolerance for dissenting to the postmodern monolith viewpoints is. So, are we living in the most restricted era of art history, or are we just now realizing how controlled it has always been? It’s becoming increasingly clear that the culture of convenience in art has overtaken its true purpose, much like what has happened in food, medicine, media, and other fields, as illustrated by the podcast guest list above. It didn't take long that web3 went down the same stream. This article, links and all, might just be able to change your whole perception on what art is today. You will, however, need some courage and sincerity to get it. As I’ve recently discussed, including in this Anna Fischer interview, the art world’s cancellation and selection processes are deeply intertwined with lesser-known histories and fishy agendas also. These include the interference of intelligence agencies like the CIA since the 1940s, working alongside a specific kind of ideological possession—arguably making art less free than even the corporate scene is now substance wise. We’ve just had it for so long that people don’t understand being completely captured by a singular philosophy of postmodernism. You can read my previous 'Free web3' article to get clued up on that side if unfamiliar. The past to shine light to our current state: Through declassified documents, investigative journalism, and biographies related to the Congress for Cultural Freedom (CCF), a CIA-funded organization, revealed that the agency had funded Jackson Pollock, Rothko, and De Kooning. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) played a pivotal role in the CIA’s cultural strategy. Key figures like Nelson Rockefeller (a MoMA trustee) were complicit in promoting Abstract Expressionism as a symbol of American freedom. MoMA organized exhibitions that were covertly funded by CIA-backed organizations, ensuring Abstract Expressionism gained prominence internationally to combat Soviet art propaganda. Jackson Pollock in his studio in 1951. Wait a minute, VESA—are you insinuating that SuperRare or Sotheby’s are somehow influenced or captured by an intelligence agency? In short, no not directly, nor do I have any evidence otherwise. Direct involvement is not how these agencies work anymore. Most people would never know if they were behind something. However, it’s impossible to claim they haven’t been influenced indirectly, given what we know about the past. For better or worse, we’ve all been influenced by these forces. The question is, did the CIA leave the space after the 50's, which is unlikely, and how many other agencies have entered, and from which countries since? Undoubtedly this is part of how we’ve arrived at where we are today, and I’ll unpack that as best I can below. A scene from 1740’s London. Sotheby’s was founded in 1744 and has long been one of the rubber stamps of perceived quality. Much like the media, they underwent a strange transformation during COVID, embracing their metaverse and digital assets phase. It was as if, suddenly, serving Big Mac-level artworks in a three Michelin-star restaurant was considered cool. To me, it felt like they were burning down their own house and hosing it with petrol to speed up the process. A similar trend emerged with SuperRare, which increasingly alienated itself from its origins, throwing out OGs like Robness and Max Osiris. These were contrarians, for sure, but contrarians have always been a crucial part of the game. They fought for freedom of expression—annoying to the founders, perhaps—but they were powerful in their expression and represented the core of what this scene was supposed to be about. In essence, they weren’t doing anything Duchamp, Pollock, or even Basquiat wouldn’t have done. I say this, having endured a few unprovoked tirades from Max myself, but keep being on his side. If you are against free speech, you are anti-art. The talented rarely align with corporate agendas over art. While I was courteous to the early scene people involved, I was merciless in my expression of what this scene was truly about. You can find that in pieces like 'Selling banks their fat asses back' or 'The Br8ve'. The corporates had clenched assholes just by knowing I existed, especially after taking a freedom of speech stance during Covid. Many platforms didn’t accept my applications in web3, so kudos for SuperRare for keeping me. I said I was going to be fair. The free speech alone was enough to get me sidelined to the tune of tens of millions so far. Freedom of speech of course is another way of saying freedom of expression aka art. The artists with the greatest potential and the most original expressions found themselves relegated to the outskirts of the pump. Meanwhile, what thrived were imitations of previously made masterworks, done to death concepts from decades back, meaningless glitch art, and whatever iteration of abstract impressionism was flying. I had some cool ones too along those veins, but crickets. Seemed everyone and their uncles were on Sotheby’s and Christie’s – but not me. To share some of the load, this was going on for me ever since the beginning. Artnome was among the first three people I contacted in 2017, and he took an active role in making sure I was nowhere to be found in his curation or circle. I contacted him directly, so there is little doubt. Everyone in the early scene was aware of everyone else. Can only imagine what kind of things he has said behind closed DMs. To me, Artnome represents crypto art much like Flint Dibble represents archeology. Many from the early scene felt the same. Not mentioning names as I am not in the habit of throwing people under a bus, nor were they shy to say so either. The personal responsibility part. Back in the day in 2017, when there were very few of us crypto artists indeed, it was the SuperRare guys who reached out to me to join their platform. It was my relative mistake back then to join Four Park and Orion Vault instead, as my ten-year efforts could be priced at $50K there, while SR was averaging $50 per piece in 2017 and 2018. My works were heavy effort and just making one was 5x more expensive than what I could have gotten out of them in SR. Also, the quality of the works was some cool stuff but mostly kids throwing shit on a wall and seeing what sticks with a glitch effect. By glitch effect I am not talking about cool stuff like Xcopy or A.L Grego later, but truly amateurish 'wtf is this?' stuff. I thought I’ve actually exhibited in reputable galleries and received major press coverage reaching hundreds of millions. Joining this could look bad for me on many levels. VESA and CTO of SuperRare Jonathan Perkins at the Museum of the Future in Dubai in 2022. My bad, of course, since I sold nothing through the former two and was priced out of reach for the SR crowd at the start. The bear market and non-existent high-level collector base wiped out both Four Park and Orion Vault. It wasn’t long, that things looked different on SR, and I did hop on board already in 2019, which I thought was early enough, but then nearly nothing happened no matter what price or kind of work I uploaded. I thought it very strange, as there were things flying off the digital shelves for more money and less, objectively deserving it much less on the basis of story, aesthetics, CV, reach & critical acclaim. Primarily, art matters, and that didn’t suck. So, again, wtf? The works were being sold for crazy money consistently by others. You could basically literally put out a line of color and be an artist that started that year, and sell. It was the boom of 2021. Somehow, this was not the case for me in NFTs, despite being here and very visible almost before anyone else. 'The Beginning of a new era' artwork by VESA, a digital original from 2013 made with a Bollywood star, reaching about 300m people when published. The Shiny New Web3 Art House On The Hill. SuperRare quickly became a standard for collectors, most of whom, for the most part, had little understanding of art. The founders had backgrounds in architecture and new media but lacked direct experience in fine art. It was a degen scene—focused on crypto symbols and positive decentralization propaganda—which soon escalated into pure speculative hype over anything and everything available. There was some sophistication, too. Expertise was then soon imported from the legacy scene, which ended up being the problem. For the most part, collectors sought the curatorial stamp rather than the substance, career, or depth of the art itself. However, there were exceptions—artists who truly embodied those qualities. Meanwhile, platforms like Rarible, OpenSea, and others turned into a digital Wild West on fire. I’m using Joseph Desire-Court’s 1826 'Delusion scene' artwork as a meme to help people understand my relationship with SuperRare since the early days to now. It is deeply personal, as well as funny, as my real son was stillborn during the time I realized I was going to be left behind from the movement in 2021. Losing my son, as well as simultaneous access to the first NFT run, was a tough pill to swallow back then. I’m not suggesting this whole situation with NFTs is SR’s fault, but they seemed to have played a part in my deboosting—despite them being well aware of me. In the coming banana show part, I got confirmation of this, as all the founders were tagged in my post & the accompanying text leaves little for imagination for the curators. It’s proof of censorship. Painting by Joseph Desiree-Court meme alteration – 1826 to 2024. 'In the biblical book of Genesis God flooded the earth, sparing only Noah and his family who had been instructed to build an ark. All others perished in the great deluge. Instead of illustrating the life of Noah, Court gives us a scene from the other side of the story. Here a man has to choose between saving his own son or his father. He chooses his father who, despite the man’s efforts, has just slipped out of his grasp. The painting can be read as an allegory about clinging to the past. If you always look to traditions and the past, you will miss out on all the possibilities that the future can bring.' End Stage Postmodernism. During the NFT boom, the Pride LGBTQ+ movement also reached a stratospheric rise, and overnight, Fewocious became its brightest star. While I think he is a talented artist, his work was clearly youthful; a 16-year-old simply hasn’t had the time to develop much depth yet. His pieces sometimes depicted crying, misunderstood figures with a similar text explanation—if you know what I mean. The cartoonish style of this young artist was soon hailed as Basquiat-esque, with the added elements of gender confusion and being on the spectrum. Altogether, it fit every 'tick-a-box' criterion for the emerging ETH scene, that was enhanced by media, marches, and organizations. There was a heavy government, media and colliding corporate push for this that came out of seemingly nowhere all of a sudden. During the NFT run, the Bitcoin culture and the rest of the chains truly separated. It was all WAGMI and 'Gm' for the scene—except, of course, for many of the artists who had fled the increasingly absurd woke art world and formed the first wave of crypto art by critiquing central banking, money printing, and promoting hard money principles. We were interested in healing society from a very different set of lenses, and not all that convinced more woke was what we needed to go into the right direction. On top of that, if you dared say a word about the 'fresh wave' of end stage postmodernism, you weren’t necessarily cancelled silently, but certainly considered 'out'. I’m Potency. No one likes critique it feels ick, but without it the whole world becomes no rizz. I haven’t really participated in an 'art submission competition,' perhaps ever, as I’m a bit old-school and view it much like Prince might have viewed the rise of TV singing contests. He felt the process and commerce of it killed authenticity in the artist, and wasn’t wrong. In comparison to the music roster we had until about 2000, we live in a post music world now. However, the endless corruption symbolized by the duct-taped banana artwork, colliding with a SR competition, prompted me to enter. 'In I’m-Potency, artist VESA presents a sharp satire on Western society’s spiritual flaccidity. By replacing Adam's reaching finger with a limp, taped banana—a nod to Maurizio Cattelan’s Comedian—this piece reflects the decay of a culture that once held itself as a beacon of enlightenment but has now veered into absurdity. Michelangelo’s Adam famously reaches toward God with a finger that isn’t fully extended, symbolizing humanity's hesitation and the delicate gift of free will. In this reimagining, Adam’s once-restrained reach becomes even more compromised, transformed into a limp banana pointing downward. It’s as if Western culture, once brimming with creative potential, is now resigned to existential apathy, unable or unwilling to reach for anything beyond itself.' That is just the start of the text ending in this: The post tagged the new head of digital assets in Sotheby’s, the auction house, as well as SR. Read the full context of the submission substance here. See the selected, eventually 15 artworks considered more worthy by the SR curation team. Of course, it was not selected. The most amazing thing about my submission piece 'I’m Potency' not selected to the SR banana competition finals was that I am an actually censored artist, making a case on how art has been censored by the postmodernists for over a hundred years, writing the whole thing out crystal clear, but I got censored again out of the show by those who were meant to build the free infrastructure. What we have here, is an illusion of choice. A combination of a totalitarian philosophy, coupled with an illusion of options. This is made obvious by the objectively much less substance or vision pieces selected over mine with a topic of censorship. More on this a bit later, but you will see it at the very least, vindicates my point that shadow games beyond merit and substance are going on inside of the web3 art world, much like in the legacy art as well. Pissing on traditional values for a hundred years. In the art world, the war on conservatism began over a century ago with Duchamp’s satire and shock artwork, The Fountain (1917). Duchamp claimed his six-dollar urinal entry piece signaled how 'art has lost all of its credibility.' Ironically, it sank art even lower from a certain perspective. Fast-forward a hundred years to The Comedian and it seems no amount of bubble gum in the form of 'substance' can satiate the post-MTV generations. If something had already been done with far more punch a century ago, eroding standards in a meaningful way at the time, then today’s attempts are pure LARPing. Sotheby’s, in this context, is not worthy of the reverence it once commanded—especially when their head of digital assets, Michael Bouhanna, calls The Comedian 'the most significant work of the 21st century.' Very little of course about this is about art, as most of it is money, power and potentially continued societal agency subversion. Jonathan Haidt's research on disgust sensitivity is fascinating. He discovered that conservatives have a much more heightened sense of disgust when boundaries are broken, as well as a greater need for physical cleanliness. In contrast, this is not a high priority for liberals or libertarians. Naturally, those with no boundaries are easier to subvert for whatever cause. Fobia means an intense, irrational fear or aversion to a specific object, situation, or activity that is often disproportionate to the actual danger posed. This is not the same as disgust, which is an emotional response of strong aversion or revulsion to something perceived as unpleasant, offensive, or morally unacceptable. This part is less discussed in this context. 'KISS'. My second inspired banana, which I did not submit to the contest. So returning to the Pollock paradigm and how he was a darling of the alphabet agencies, with the CIA entering the art world as far back as the 1940s to combat the rise of communism. Leftist artists were propped up to showcase American exceptionalism. Selling the idea of a cocaine-laced drink and “do what you feel like” freedom to American youth and elites wasn’t a hard pitch compared to glorifying Soviet despots who demanded hard work as well as to be elevated to Godlike status. Read the full context of the 'Kiss' artwork. Most know of course the famous Kiss by Gustav Klimt, and how combining the CIA logo and the idiot banana in this context is at least a chuckle, if not a profound question mark on the last 80 years of our understanding of art. This isn’t conspiracy theory—it’s conspiracy fact. It’s also worth noting that the term “conspiracy theorist” was invented by the CIA as a derogatory label to discredit those questioning their activities, a tactic that gained traction after the JFK assassination. This will be relevant later when discussing how RFK has now been elected as part of the new U.S. cabinet. Conspiracy theories have been around pre-internet, took the internet by storm, and are completely invisible to the art world. This is because there is no right-wing thought in the space whatsoever. Sure there are kooky things from flat earth to whatever, but there are legitimate conspiracies proven true that are fascinating. There are no gallery artworks making any waves? Not a single openly conservative artist anyone knows? Seems natural. Some of you might also be familiar with the famous interviews of Yuri Bezmenov, the defected KGB spy, who outlined how demoralization was part of their plan to take down the U.S. government. If you ask me, the demoralization he described has only ramped up since the 1980s, fueled by postmodern values and the fiat-funded war on conservative ideals and God—or whatever God represents as a symbol of natural order to be discovered rather than manipulated into existence. His “useful idiot” term helps us see many players in art in a different light. Eric Weinstein gives some indication with his Kayfabe concept to where we might be today. Here are parts 2 & 3. Home of DAF. The art world, which has been playing with our collective subconscious for a hundred years, is in deep need of an audit by a character like Elon Musk with his DOGE crew of Vivek, RFK and Trump. Wouldn’t that be something? You also need me on Rogan going a three hour round to talk about this all. This is why I made the Department of Artistic Freedom. It’s an open invitation to the first 100 builders resonating with this idea, and available on Ador for 369k sats- a nod to Tesla. Buy it if you want to support the cause like that, but I care mostly that the mentality spreads. You don't have to join to start making the new direction happen. Just choose to do your own exploration without censoring yourself constantly. It will be a think tank for liberty-minded artists, and the function will first be to come to the aid of artists who are being ignored despite obvious merit and substance, as well as facing some form of cancellation for BS reasons. Given the massive push by governments, media, and activists for the LGBT+ community not long ago, how can we be certain that the art aspect wasn’t a similar operation to the one carried out with Jackson Pollock back in the day? Be so free that no boundary of physical reality can hold you back. Simultaneously, everyone raising their voice will be canceled, and most will be incentivized to stay quiet. I’m not saying it was—I’m saying that, knowing all we now know, we can’t be sure. And those involved publicly might not have any idea this was the case. Least of all Fewocious, so crystal clear, I am not accusing Fewo, SuperRare, nor Sotheby’s of anything. This is about something much bigger and the sum of the parts. Beeple’s 'Cross Road' sold for 6.6M at Sotheby’s earlier $17 Million Realized in Sotheby’s First NFT Sale with Digital Creator Pak. Postmodern pump: The same question certainly applies to Pak, Beeple, and many others who used late-stage postmodernism expressions as their vehicle of communication. Much was fitting to the agenda of end stage postmodernism in NFTs. From the Twitter files, we know for a fact that deboosting and amplifying messages were actively managed, and merit was certainly not at the top of the food chain in the selection process. The real question seemed to be: What can we push and get away with? This approach fit the degen agenda perfectly. It is difficult to sell high-level art to an audience that can’t read it. This has been the argument of culture critic Camille Paglia. Again, I am not accusing any artist, gallery or auction house. This is mere opinion and speculation on big philosophy waves as well as the continued erosion of substance in art. In podcasting, this kind of speculation has been normal for a long time, but not in art, for some reason. Also, this has nothing to do with hating any group within postmodernism. It has everything to do with the manipulative individuals working behind the scenes to activate and suppress ideas according to power plays and political agendas. People like James Lindsay have committed significant parts of their lives to try to figure this all out. Some will accuse me of being jealous of other people’s success. While I certainly feel that more financial success would help, if finances were my first priority, this would not have consistently been my focus—to save art from postmodernism—for seven years publicly now. Otherwise, we have continued regress as progress, and a world in general, in inverse mode. When any artist does well, I’m genuinely happy for them. Artists aren’t usually known for achieving major success, as megastardom has often required aligning with various agendas rather than relying solely on the strength of the art itself to reach stratospheric heights. We can’t fix any of this unless it’s at least discussed. How differently does this all make us view what was going on before, as well as what might be going on now? The dignified bananas. Here are also some other entries that I figured were worthy of attention. Some not submitted to the competition, as understandably people with dignity don’t submit work to be evaluated by clowns, and they have been increasingly disappointed by the quality of curation since the early days. My post started with how I don’t do this, and unleashed as much fire as I can toward the whole system, stress testing it to see if I was correct – and it absolutely turned out to be the case. Banana Zone by Norman Harman. Norman Harman is one of the most interesting voices in web3. To me, the consumerist era has been gone for 20 years already, but his critique of the bureaucratic class with his new series, as well as an avalanche of dirty little bitch slaps to the auction champagne crew, has been a breath of fresh air in the scene. The new AI motion work is dope too. Both capture perfectly the orgiastic degeneracy scene of this auction vibe. Norman, like many other OGs, wouldn’t “submit” work to a contest like this anymore, having been disillusioned from the scene already many times over. 'RARE In The Machine' by Spaced Painter. Spaced Painter did her literal submission with this piece, in which the banana fucks her into oblivion, and she metaphorically gives up due to being sidelined and ignored. That makes her Rare. It was visionary, as her being left out of the ten selected gave her exactly that. The piece illustrates well on how the demoralising effect of 100 years of postmodernism is having on the spiritually minded, and just anyone with common sense anymore, and it is so obvious that we can make super predictive art about it. ROBNESS – I AM BANANA. The 'I Am Banana' by Robness is a parody take of Kevin Abosch’s I Am a Coin project already from 2019 minted on Superrare. How can you go lower than the banana? Well just put tape on tape and watch the yellow paint dry. At least that’s my interpretation. The competition set up by another crypto art enfant terrible, Maxis Osiris, has put together a parody auction competition to parody the parody auction competition parodying the parody auction. Alotta Money would be proud. Like Alan Watts said earlier that academia and religion has become but a footnote on a footnote, the direct experience is “access denied”, so the Pharisees and the money changers can keep doing their thing. 'I’ll die on this lid' by Max Osiris. We had a nice convo with my friend Nicolaas on all the above and more on Bitcoin LIVE, but I wasn’t yet unfortunately aware of the selected bananas then. Whatever last remaining hopium I had for the early-stage platforms died the next day, hence I got motivated to write this article. Artist extraordinaire ANDRÉS DEL VECCHIO curated a much better selection of bananas from the litter on his X, so leaving that here for you to evaluate in case you don’t have time to go through the 1100 entries yourself. It took a child to point to the nude emperor that he had been conned. In art, it has lasted a hundred years. The measure of intelligence is the ability to change. – Albert Einstein. They are laughing at us. Our creative generative power. We need to understand this. While an Einstein quote is a tough one to do without seeming pretentious, in the above context it works. If you work with truth, even the setbacks help you rise. We need to stop focusing on the fall. Artists are creators, and we are currently being completely underserved by trying to be under the thumb of the destroyers. This is all the postmodernists can do, and by doing garbage bananas, you are submitting to being reduced further and further. Start building the future. Make your own gallery. Band together. Don’t submit to the bureaucrats that run the establishment. We are artists. We are powerful. It’s cool. Old things and people die. Let them. As you can tell, there has been a lot of wtf going on here. Remember, I was building this, this and this, as well as speaking on big stages when everything flies off the shelves and for me nothing moved. Despite it all, find gratitude. It’s a lifeline. There is plenty to be grateful for, but step out of harm's way. Remember why you got into this in the first place. If you want to support my efforts, do consider collecting these pieces from my SR page. It’s unlikely that they will age badly. I’m happy to give the platform fee back to SR, as those guys, despite my poor sales, still airdropped me comfort tokens when SUPR was launched for being there early. There was some respect there at least still then. Unfortunately, I can’t help but wonder, in recent light, how much my art not reaching people there despite significant effort was artificially suppressed. Maybe not at all by them, but who knows. I still have a bunch of art there that cost me a bomb to mint, so hoping all my efforts with SR and for this scene will be acknowledged at some point. Writing and researching this article took a week, and I was not paid to do it. I’m either brave and principled, or a complete idiot. Hard to tell which one sometimes. Bit of both, I guess. Collect I’m potency. The NFT includes a physical canvas print, painted on top with acrylics, and it launches an AR animation. Available for 3 ETH. Kiss. The NFT includes a physical canvas print, painted on top with acrylics, and it launches an AR animation. Available for 3 ETH. Stay cool, VESA. Crypto Artist, Speaker, Consultant, Writer. All links to physical, NFTs, and more below http://linktr.ee/ArtByVesa

The court's decision raises serious legal concerns for the developers of privacy-preserving blo...The court's decision raises serious legal concerns for the developers of privacy-preserving blockchain protocols.

From Dubai's vibrant tech hubs to Manila's dynamic startup scene, December 2024 is packed ...From Dubai's vibrant tech hubs to Manila's dynamic startup scene, December 2024 is packed with events you won't want to miss. Whether you're interested in blockchain, fintech, or AI, there's something for everyone. This is your chance to meet industry leaders, stay ahead of trends, and discover new opportunities. Wiki Finance EXPO Dubai Date: November 27, 2024 Time: [...]