Litigation set to fuel Bitcoin accumulation at Genius Group

Bitcoin’s long-standing four-year market cycle tied to halving events may be losing influence, according to a new outlook from crypto exchange Bybit and research firm Block Scholes that examines market conditions through 2026. The report suggests that Bitcoin price action may be increasingly influenced by macroeconomic policy, institutional participation, and market structure rather than by new supply reductions. It says historical cycles have tended to track changes in global liquidity, often measured by global M2, and that this relationship has become more visible, while Bitcoin continues to respond to shifts in expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts.Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on UnsplashETFs reshaping demand dynamicsThe analysis points to structural changes in demand, citing the launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs and the growth of corporate digital asset treasuries (DATs). The report says ETF flows and corporate balance-sheet allocations are playing a larger role in price formation than retail trading. That shift is disrupting the traditional capital rotation from Bitcoin into Ethereum and then into smaller altcoins and memecoins. As a result, the report suggests broad altcoin rallies may be harder to ignite, with gains depending on whether assets can be incorporated into institutional products such as ETFs. On the macro front, the report says markets are pricing in further Federal Reserve easing, with looser financial conditions potentially supporting a closer relationship between Bitcoin and major stock indexes despite recent underperformance versus U.S. equities. Based on options pricing, the report estimates a 10.3% implied probability that Bitcoin reaches $150,000 by the end of 2026. At present, Bitcoin is trading slightly above $91,000. Index criteria and Japan policy in viewThe analysis also highlights policy risks, including potential volatility tied to concerns over the possible exclusion of Strategy from major stock indexes, which could affect companies holding digital assets on their balance sheets. That risk has since eased after MSCI paused a proposal that would have excluded firms with digital asset reserves, though Benchmark analyst Mark Palmer cautioned that the issue could resurface in future rule reviews. The Bybit-Block Scholes report also cites potential policy tightening by the Bank of Japan later this year as another source of cross-asset risk, following its December rate hike of 25 basis points to a 30-year high of 0.75%. RWA and stablecoinsOne area of focus in the report for 2026 is real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, which it describes as building on the stablecoin adoption that gathered pace last year. That view is echoed in a separate outlook from Moody’s, cited by Cointelegraph, which says fiat-backed stablecoins and tokenized bank deposits are functioning as “digital cash” for settlement, liquidity management, and collateral movement. Moody’s estimates stablecoins processed about $9 trillion in on-chain settlement volume in 2025 and projects banks, asset managers, and infrastructure providers could invest more than $300 billion in digital finance by 2030. As an example, Moody’s cited JPMorgan’s U.S. dollar–denominated deposit token, JPM Coin, as a way digital-cash layers can operate on top of existing banking systems. The bank’s Kinexys unit plans to work with Digital Asset to bring JPM Coin to Digital Asset’s Canton Network in a phased rollout during 2026. This follows JPMorgan’s expansion of the project onto Coinbase’s Ethereum layer-2 network Base for institutional clients. 

Blofin Expands Into Vietnamese MarketBlofin, a cryptocurrency exchange officially headquartered in the Cayman Islands but with a strong connection with China, has entered the Vietnamese market.That’s according to a press release issued on behalf of the company on Friday.Exploiting Vietnamese potentialVietnam has emerged as a global leader in cryptocurrency adoption, with approximately 21% of its population reported to own cryptocurrencies. Recognizing the immense potential of the country, Matt Hu, the Chinese CEO of Blofin, expressed his excitement about entering the Vietnamese market. He emphasized the rapid growth of Vietnam’s cryptocurrency industry, noting that the country has become an attractive destination for crypto ventures within a mere three years.“We take pride in offering Vietnamese users a reliable and accurate trading platform that fulfills their needs,” Hu stated.Photo by Tron Le on UnsplashBespoke market offeringIn line with this commitment, Blofin has developed a comprehensive product available in the Vietnamese language. Furthermore, the exchange has established dedicated support for the Vietnamese community to ensure a positive user experience and address any inquiries or concerns.To enhance user engagement, Blofin is actively building connections with influential figures in Vietnam, collaborating with innovative projects, and engaging with local crypto communities. By fostering these relationships, the exchange aims to become an integral part of the Vietnamese cryptocurrency ecosystem. Blofin stands out among its competitors by providing unmatched convenience and security for crypto futures trading.Those are the aspirations of the company but in no way can it expect to achieve this without significant market challenges. In Vietnam, the platform will go head to head with existing market incumbents, Binance, Exness, and Skilling. Binance is the market leader, supported by a depth of market trade volume.There is also the potential for future obstacles in terms of local regulation. In the past, the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, has said that there’s a need for the Southeast Asian country to scrutinize cryptocurrency regulation. Additionally, the State Bank of Vietnam has warned previously that cryptocurrencies present a risk to Vietnamese consumers insofar as they are not protected by Vietnamese law in owning, trading, and using them.Enticing futures tradersLaunched in January, Blofin’s cryptocurrency futures trading offering attempts to provide users with an exciting and rewarding experience. The platform incorporates pragmatic security measures, including AI-powered algorithms, robust infrastructure, and comprehensive analysis tools. Designed to provide all users with equal, transparent, and highly effective trading opportunities, Blofin invites the best and brightest futures traders to join its pioneering program.Blofin has been around since 2019. In May of last year, it launched the Blofin App as a one-stop investment and asset management platform. The company has obtained money services business (MSB) licensing from FINCEN in the United States. It has also obtained a fund license from the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA). According to a press release published last year, it has also been working towards licensing in Hong Kong, Canada, and Singapore.The entry of Blofin Exchange into Vietnam’s thriving crypto market should serve to enhance the depth of market infrastructure available to Vietnamese users, contributing towards the further development of the digital asset revolution.

Kazakhstan sets sights on 2024 expansion amid CBDC pilot successKazakhstan’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital tenge, has completed a one-month pilot project, paving the way for significant advancements in business, regulation and technology in 2024.Photo by Nessi Gileva on UnsplashReal-world use through Onay cardThe National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) established the National Payment Corporation (NPK) in September. NPK is a dedicated entity that’s responsible for spearheading the launch and development of the digital tenge.At that time, the CBDC pilot phase had advanced to controlled environment use. Global exchange Binance has been actively involved with the project. It supported the pilot by way of its BNB Chain.During the pilot phase, the digital tenge played a pivotal role in providing free school lunches to children in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city. The initiative utilized the local Onay card, initially designed for the transit system and transactions were facilitated by Kazpost, the Kazakh postal system operator.Local banking partnersNPC Chairman Binur Zhalenov became the first person to transact using the digital tenge in November. At the time, it was revealed that Eurasian Bank was one of the local banking participants on the project.Eurasian collaborated with Visa and Mastercard, alongside three other local banks, distributing plastic cards to focus group members. These cards empowered users to make both in-person and online purchases, with the added functionality of cash withdrawals from ATMs.Participating merchants were given the flexibility to accept digital tenge directly or convert them into “non-cash” tenge. The converted funds seamlessly integrated into existing point-of-sale (POS) and QR systems, demonstrating interoperability within and outside Kazakhstan.The success extended beyond local transactions, with further experiments involving cross-border payments via SWIFT, issuance of CBDC-backed stablecoins on platforms like Binance and the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange, tokenization of gold, value-added tax collection through smart contracts and the trial of a “move-to-earn” app.New objectivesWith an eye on the upcoming year, the National Bank of Kazakhstan and the National Payment Corporation (NPC) have set ambitious objectives. Plans include expanding the network of intermediary banks and advancing decentralized finance applications. A primary focus is on enabling offline transactions on a large scale to enhance financial inclusion in regions with limited internet connectivity.Anticipated developments also include increased participation in cross-border payment projects, such as Project mBridge, an experimental multi-CBDC platform being coordinated and developed by the central bank of central banks, the Bank for International Settlements. Regulatory and legislative goals are on the agenda, alongside efforts to enhance the security and processing speed of the digital tenge.While addressing privacy concerns, Zhalenov emphasized in interviews that the digital tenge will not be utilized for user surveillance. Previously, Zhalenov has also alluded to the versatility of the digital tenge due to its programmable nature, citing smart contracts in particular as having great potential.The successful pilot project and the ambitious plans for 2024 position Kazakhstan’s digital tenge as a promising development in the realm of CBDCs, showcasing the central Asian nation’s positive approach to innovation and financial inclusivity.