Crypto & Blockchain Daily Brief Tuesday, March 18, 2025

South Korea's central bank is taking a cautious approach to the idea of incorporating Bitcoin as part of its foreign exchange reserves. The bank is concerned about the extreme volatility associated with cryptocurrencies and the potential impact it could have on the stability of the financial system. They believe that Bitcoin does not have the stability or the liquidity of traditional currencies like the US dollar. Despite this caution, the bank acknowledges that the idea of Bitcoin as a reserve asset is gaining traction globally, with countries like El Salvador and Ukraine recently adopting Bitcoin as legal tender. However, South Korea's central bank remains hesitant due to the risks associated with cryptocurrencies, especially in terms of regulatory and security issues. The bank also raised concerns about the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining, as the process requires a significant amount of energy. This aligns with recent global efforts to address the environmental footprint of cryptocurrencies. While the bank is not ruling out the possibility of adding Bitcoin to its reserves in the future, they are currently focused on exploring central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) as a more viable option. CBDCs are seen as a safer and more stable alternative to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, offering the benefits of digital currency without the extreme volatility.

OKEx, a cryptocurrency exchange, has suspended its decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator feature due to misuse by the North Korean hacker group Lazarus. The DEX aggregator allowed users to access liquidity from various DEX platforms in one place. The suspension comes after OKEx detected that the Lazarus group had been using the aggregator to launder stolen cryptocurrencies. Lazarus, known for its cyberattacks and cryptocurrency-related crimes, reportedly used the DEX aggregator to convert stolen digital assets into other cryptocurrencies. OKEx has stated that it is working with relevant authorities to investigate the situation and will provide assistance to ensure the security of its platform. The exchange has emphasized its commitment to compliance with regulations and preventing any illicit activities on its platform. The suspension of the DEX aggregator feature is part of OKEx's efforts to enhance security measures and prevent any further misuse by malicious actors. OKEx has urged its users to report any suspicious activities and assured them that their funds are safe. The exchange has also advised users to be cautious and follow security best practices to protect their assets. In conclusion, OKEx has suspended its DEX aggregator feature due to misuse by the Lazarus group for money laundering activities. The exchange is cooperating with authorities to investigate the incident and has reassured users of the safety of their funds while emphasizing its commitment to compliance and security.

The article discusses the impact of former US President Donald Trump's recent speech on cryptocurrencies and highlights the top 5 cryptocurrencies to consider buying following his comments. Trump criticized cryptocurrencies during his speech, leading to a drop in the market. However, the article suggests that this could present a buying opportunity for investors. The first cryptocurrency on the list is Bitcoin (BTC), which has remained resilient despite Trump's criticism. The article mentions that Bitcoin's decentralized nature makes it a safe investment option. The second cryptocurrency recommended is Ethereum (ETH), known for its smart contract capabilities and potential for growth in the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector. The article suggests that Ethereum's technology could drive its value in the future. The third cryptocurrency on the list is Cardano (ADA), praised for its sustainability and focus on security and scalability. The article highlights Cardano's potential for growth in the coming years. The fourth recommended cryptocurrency is Solana (SOL), known for its high-performance blockchain and fast transaction speeds. The article mentions that Solana's ecosystem and partnerships could drive its value up. Lastly, the article suggests investing in Polkadot (DOT), a blockchain platform that aims to connect different blockchains. The article highlights Polkadot's interoperability and scalability as key factors for its potential growth. In conclusion, the article advises investors to consider these top 5 cryptocurrencies as potential buying opportunities following Trump's critical comments, suggesting that the market dip could be a chance to invest in promising assets with long-term growth potential.

The article discusses a strategy for acquiring Bitcoin through stock funding. The author explains that instead of purchasing Bitcoin directly, investors can consider buying shares of companies that hold significant amounts of Bitcoin on their balance sheets. This strategy allows investors to indirectly gain exposure to Bitcoin's price movements while also benefiting from the potential growth of the companies themselves. The article highlights several publicly traded companies that have invested in Bitcoin, such as MicroStrategy and Tesla. By investing in these companies, investors can gain exposure to Bitcoin without having to directly hold the cryptocurrency. This approach can be particularly appealing to institutional investors who may face regulatory restrictions or other challenges when it comes to directly holding Bitcoin. The author also points out that investing in companies with Bitcoin exposure can provide diversification benefits for investors. By holding shares in multiple companies that hold Bitcoin, investors can spread their risk across different companies and potentially reduce the overall volatility of their investment portfolio. Overall, the article suggests that investing in companies with significant Bitcoin holdings can be a strategic way for investors to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency market. By carefully selecting companies with strong fundamentals and a clear strategy for holding Bitcoin, investors can potentially benefit from both the growth of the companies themselves and the price appreciation of Bitcoin.

The article discusses two key fundamentals that suggest a potential bullish reversal for the price of Ethereum in the near future. The first fundamental is the increasing use of Ethereum's network for various decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. The DeFi sector has been gaining significant traction, with a surge in the total value locked (TVL) in DeFi projects based on the Ethereum network. This indicates a growing demand for Ethereum as more users interact with DeFi protocols, which could potentially drive up the price of the cryptocurrency. The second fundamental is the declining supply of Ethereum on exchanges. The amount of Ethereum held on exchanges has been steadily decreasing, which suggests that investors are moving their coins off exchanges and into cold storage or decentralized finance platforms. This trend typically indicates that investors are holding onto their Ethereum for the long term rather than trading it, which could lead to a supply shortage on exchanges and potentially drive up the price of the cryptocurrency. Both of these fundamentals point towards a potential bullish reversal for Ethereum's price in the coming weeks. The increasing adoption of Ethereum for DeFi applications and the decreasing supply of the cryptocurrency on exchanges indicate a growing demand and potential scarcity, which could drive up the price of Ethereum. Traders and investors are advised to keep an eye on these two key fundamentals as they could signal a positive trend for Ethereum's price in the near future.