Tag Archives: sustainable

Co-Creating the Rules: How Crypto Firms Are Shaping A Sustainable Future With Government

Co-Creating the Rules: How Crypto Firms Are Shaping A Sustainable Future With Government

The crypto world moves fast, with blockchain innovations popping up constantly while governments take their time to respond. As a member of Bitcoin class 2012/13, and having followed its wild rides and the crashes of major exchanges for more than a decade, I’ve noticed a real shift. Crypto firms are starting to view regulators not as enemies to dodge, but as allies in creating a stable and innovative ecosystem. This change feels like a key moment in the industry, especially now when global markets crave clear rules amid all the volatility, scandals, and crypto’s growing ties to traditional finance. In my opinion, proactively jumping in is essential for building legitimacy, driving growth, and avoiding the regulatory hurdles that have slowed progress in the past.

The industry’s approach to government relations has evolved significantly, focusing on shared wins rather than clashes. Crypto companies are acting as links, developing initiatives that match up with public goals like steady economies and protecting users. This involves sharing expertise on blockchain applications, participating in key discussions, and supporting government-connected initiatives, such as those from NGOs, schools, and think tanks. From where I sit, this teamwork gets at a basic fact. Governments are not out to kill crypto; they just protect against dangers like scams, money laundering, and wild market swings. By offering insights and tools, firms can clear up the tech’s mysteries, aiding officials in making smart rules rather than quick shutdowns. With crypto weaving deeper into everyday finance these days, this kind of alliance is crucial. Companies that connect early are not only cutting risks, but they are also helping set the standards.

A smart ladder of connections is taking shape in the sector, aiming at groups from top federal offices down to local city leaders, covering lawmakers, executive branches, and oversight bodies. This layered plan fits the patchy world of rules, where country-wide policies can bump against state or town-level actions. Outside official channels, efforts reach into schools, research groups, community organizations, global bodies, news outlets, advocacy teams, and legal pros. In the wary atmosphere after blowups like FTX, casting this wide web is key to earning trust. For example, think tanks and universities can churn out studies that sway laws, while media and nonprofits spread good stories. Crypto outfits are also nurturing projects tied to public groups and stepping in as fixers during troubles, which strikes me as a clever move toward real-world good. This full-spectrum outreach fights the idea of crypto as just a gamble, framing it as a way to boost access to money and spark new ideas.

Looking ahead, the sector’s step-by-step plans show why this method maps out wins. Companies are showcasing their setups, like research units, decentralized groups, and funding arms, to officials who often do not grasp the field deeply. Regulators I have talked to own up to those blind spots. By giving details on how things work and market info, firms teach without pushing sales, setting up for fair watchdogs. Jumping into open feedback sessions lets the industry shape new rules, like in worldwide drives for uniform systems. Getting hands-on in trade groups acts as a voice box, pulling in base-level views and spreading learning tools. Teaming with think tanks and schools to craft policy write-ups plants crypto views in debates, even if companies stay in the background.

Tactics for handling cross-office rules leverage crypto’s global reach, accelerating information exchanges beyond traditional paths. Showing up at big meetings not to hawk but to highlight pledges to good deeds, such as blockchain for public help, fits a pattern I have spotted. Authorities warm to players who put society first. Broadening outreach past buzz to local, rule-maker-friendly tales of business and charity work is way past due. The field’s current spin often comes off as inward-looking, skipping chances to spotlight true effects. Linking with advocates gives a push and previews, reading official steps quickly. Putting money and startup help into public aims tightens bonds, since joint interests breed commitment. Mingling with other players, from big outfits to legal crews, builds tough webs for growth or slumps. Launching these bit by bit, as constant work, mirrors the truth that ties are long hauls, not quick dashes.

The industry’s backup strategies highlight ongoing soft spots in this changing setup. When bad news hits, like lists of no-gos or tight reins, firms rally lawyers for straight talks with overseers, scoop local scoops, sync quick messages, and tweak things like ads. If lots of players get dinged, a joint push without spilling too many secrets can stand up to oversteps together. In calm spells, inside checks on stuff like partners and area rule-following keep things primed. From my spot, this readiness points out the fuzzy areas crypto still threads, but it also hints at hope. Through steady chats, firms can head off blowups and grow talks.

In pushing this forward-thinking way, I lean on proof that teamwork brings real upsides. For starters, sharper rule paths boost openness and steady checks, pulling in big-money backers and calming markets. These links foster setups that fire up new ideas while beefing up safety, faith, and money reach around the world. Officials zeroing in on user shields, safety, and honesty find overlap with sector aims, cutting down splits. Take cases like Coinbase, which teams with governments as a go-to crypto middleman, easing dives into the tech. Standard Chartered has joined crypto groups to roll out stablecoins, blending digital bits into banks. Even U.S. ideas for a country-wide Bitcoin stash show official hugs when sparked by sector tips. These back my case for linking up. The flip side, pushing back, has sparked shutdowns in spots like China and parts of Europe.

I stand strong for this path, even if it risks too much control, watering down crypto’s spread-out core. But right now, as crypto mixes into finance with cries for oversight, alliances are vital for growing up. As someone watching this arena, I figure copying these moves across the board could flip crypto from a rule pain to a base of world money flows. The trick is doing it right, mixing push with duty in shifting world plays. If handled well, the field will not just hang on, it will boom, helping creators, funders, and folks everywhere.

Source: https://www.benzinga.com/Opinion/25/11/48750239/co-creating-the-rules-how-crypto-firms-are-shaping-a-sustainable-future-with-government

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j

Crypto rebounds as labour data calms markets but is the rally sustainable?

Crypto rebounds as labour data calms markets but is the rally sustainable?

At first glance, the improvement in global risk appetite appears to stem from a stabilising US labour market, a critical pillar in the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate framework. The ADP employment report for October delivered a modest but symbolically important reversal, showing a net addition of 42,000 private-sector jobs after September’s sharply revised contraction of 29,000, itself an improvement from the initially reported 32,000 decline. This sequential recovery, however slight, offers a glimmer of resilience against the backdrop of persistent inflation concerns and lingering uncertainty around the terminal interest rate.

Equity markets responded with measured enthusiasm. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 gained 0.4 per cent, the Dow Jones climbed 0.5 per cent, and the Nasdaq led the charge with a 0.7 per cent advance. This rebound followed a tech-heavy selloff that had tested investor resolve, and the bounce suggests the presence of committed dip buyers willing to step in at lower levels. The market’s fragility remains evident in the movement of US Treasury yields, which edged higher across the curve.

The two-year yield rose by 5.4 basis points to close at 3.629 per cent, while the 10-year yield jumped 7.4 basis points to 4.159 per cent. Higher yields typically signal either expectations of stronger growth or stickier inflation, both of which could complicate the Fed’s path toward rate cuts in early 2026. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index held steady at 100.17, reflecting a balanced tug-of-war between softening safe-haven demand and the dollar’s relative yield advantage.

In commodities, gold advanced 1.2 per cent to settle at US$3979 per ounce, benefiting from the dollar’s temporary flatlining and ongoing geopolitical tensions that continue to underpin safe-haven demand. Crude oil told a different story. Brent crude dropped 1.4 per cent to US$63.52 per barrel after the Energy Information Administration reported the largest weekly build in US crude stockpiles since July. This inventory surge underscores weakening near-term demand expectations, possibly tied to China’s tepid economic recovery and Europe’s stagnation, and adds downward pressure on energy markets already grappling with oversupply concerns.

Turning to Asia, equity markets closed mixed on Wednesday but opened higher in early Thursday trading, reflecting spillover optimism from the US session. US equity index futures now point to a lower open, hinting at profit-taking or renewed caution as traders digest the week’s data flow and await the Bank of England’s policy decision. The BOE is widely expected to hold its benchmark interest rate at 4.0 per cent, a move that would align with the central bank’s recent dovish tilt amid cooling UK inflation and fragile growth.

Against this macro backdrop, the cryptocurrency market staged a modest but notable recovery, rising 2.15 per cent over the past 24 hours. This bounce comes after a punishing weekly decline of 7.8 per cent and a steep monthly drop of 18.25 per cent, suggesting that the asset class may have reached a point of technical and psychological exhaustion. Three interlocking forces appear to be driving this rebound: regulatory reprieve, ETF-related optimism, and a classic technical reset in overextended short positions.

The most immediate catalyst emerged from an unexpected source: the US government shutdown. This administrative pause has temporarily halted the Securities and Exchange Commission’s aggressive probe into the crypto treasury holdings of over 200 publicly traded companies. While shutdowns rarely produce positive market outcomes, this one inadvertently created a window of regulatory calm.

Traders seized on the pause as a signal that enforcement actions, particularly those targeting corporate crypto adoption, would be delayed, if not softened. The psychological relief was enough to lift risk appetite across the board, allowing Bitcoin and key altcoins to claw back from multi-week lows. This respite remains contingent. Once the shutdown ends and the SEC resumes operations, the threat of renewed scrutiny could quickly resurface, potentially triggering another wave of volatility.

A second, more structural driver lies in the evolving landscape of crypto exchange-traded funds. Franklin Templeton’s recent filing of an updated XRP ETF application, utilising the auto-effective S-1 mechanism previously deployed by Bitwise and Canary Capital, marks a significant, if cautious, step toward broader institutional acceptance. The move signals that major asset managers continue to explore avenues to offer crypto exposure through regulated vehicles, even for assets entangled in legal ambiguity. XRP’s unique situation casts a long shadow.

The unresolved SEC versus Ripple case continues to deter full-scale institutional endorsement, and while XRP itself rose 2.3 per cent in response to the ETF news, outpacing Bitcoin’s 1.9 per cent gain, the market’s reaction remained measured. Investors recognise that without a definitive legal resolution, any ETF approval for XRP would face heightened regulatory resistance, limiting its near-term upside potential.

Finally, the rally gained momentum from technical factors rooted in market structure. The total crypto market capitalisation, now at US$3.44 trillion, bounced precisely off the 78.6 per cent Fibonacci retracement level of its recent decline, which sat at US$3.37 trillion, a confluence that often attracts algorithmic and discretionary buyers alike. Simultaneously, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) climbed to 35.87, exiting deeply oversold territory and signalling a reduction in bearish momentum. This technical rebound was amplified by forced short-covering.

As prices began to rise, leveraged short positions faced liquidation, creating a feedback loop that accelerated the upward move. Open interest in perpetual futures contracts increased by 3.11 per cent, indicating fresh capital entering the market. Scepticism lingers: funding rates remain negative at -0.0035 per cent, suggesting that traders are still reluctant to pay a premium to maintain long positions, preferring instead to collect fees from overextended shorts.

Looking ahead, the sustainability of this rally hinges on two competing forces. On one side, the near-perfect correlation between crypto and the Nasdaq, currently at 0.96, ties Bitcoin’s fate to the broader tech sector’s performance. Any stumble in US equities, particularly among mega-cap tech stocks, will likely drag crypto lower. Compounding this vulnerability, US spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen net outflows of US$1.3 billion over the past week, reflecting institutional caution amid macro uncertainty.

On the other side, the potential resumption of ETF approvals, especially for Ethereum or other major assets, could reignite bullish momentum. Similarly, a prolonged regulatory lull might allow the market to rebuild positioning without the spectre of enforcement actions.

For now, traders must watch key levels. Bitcoin faces formidable resistance near US$104,000, a psychological and technical barrier that has repelled previous rallies. Meanwhile, shifts in altcoin liquidity, particularly in assets like XRP, Solana, and Ethereum, will offer clues about whether this bounce evolves into a broader market rotation or remains a fleeting technical correction.

The macro environment offers neither clear tailwinds nor unambiguous headwinds. Instead, it presents a narrow corridor of opportunity, flanked by regulatory uncertainty, monetary policy crosscurrents, and fragile sentiment. Navigating this terrain will require precision, patience, and a keen eye on both data and discretion.

 

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j

Markets rally on Middle East ceasefire: But is it sustainable?

Markets rally on Middle East ceasefire: But is it sustainable?

Markets are a reflection of both human sentiment and hard data, reacting in real-time to geopolitical shifts, central bank rhetoric, and the emergence of new asset classes. Currently, a confluence of events easing tensions in the Middle East, measured commentary from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, and a surge of momentum in the cryptocurrency space have created a fascinating moment for investors.

Global risk sentiment has found a tailwind, lifting stocks, nudging commodities, and even breathing fresh life into digital assets like Bitcoin.

A ceasefire sparks relief

The Middle East has long been a geopolitical powder keg, and any hint of de-escalation sends ripples through global markets. The recent ceasefire between Iran and Israel, announced by President Trump, has done just that. For weeks, tensions between these two nations had kept investors on edge, with fears of a broader conflict threatening oil supplies and regional stability.

Now, with a delicate truce in place, the sigh of relief is almost audible in trading rooms from New York to Tokyo. This isn’t just about avoiding worst-case scenarios. It’s about the psychological boost it gives to risk-taking. When the world feels a little less chaotic, investors are more willing to step out of the bunkers of safe-haven assets and into the sunlight of equities and growth plays.

The evidence is clear in the US stock markets’ performance on Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 1.19 per cent, a hearty gain that reflects broad confidence across industries. The S&P 500 wasn’t far behind, up 1.11 per cent, signalling strength in the backbone of America’s largest companies.

And the Nasdaq Composite? It outpaced them both with a 1.43 per cent rise, suggesting that tech and innovation-driven stocks are capitalising on this newfound optimism. This rally feels like a release valve—after months of bracing for bad news, the market is finally catching its breath. But it’s a fragile moment. Financial markets remain closely watching the region, hopeful yet wary that this ceasefire will hold. One misstep, and that relief could evaporate as quickly as it arrived.

The Fed’s steady hand

While the Middle East offers a dose of good news, the Federal Reserve is playing a more measured tune. On Tuesday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell took the stage, emphasising the central bank’s unwavering focus on taming inflation. His message was clear: don’t expect rate cuts anytime soon, not until the Fed has a firmer grasp on how tariffs might jolt prices.

It’s a pragmatic stance, one that acknowledges the messy interplay between trade policy and economic stability. Powell’s upcoming testimony before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on Wednesday night looms large. Investors are hungry for clues; Will he double down on this wait-and-see approach, or hint at flexibility if the data shifts?

To me, Powell’s caution feels like a tightrope walk. On the one hand, holding rates steady could anchor inflation expectations, providing businesses and consumers with a sense of predictability. On the other hand, it risks stifling growth if the economy cools too fast. The bond market seems to share this ambivalence.

US Treasury yields dipped on Tuesday, with the 10-year yield falling about 3 basis points to 4.29 per cent and the two-year yield shedding 1.4 basis points to 3.81 per cent. This suggests some investors are still hedging their bets, parking cash in bonds as they await more clarity. The US Dollar Index, down 0.57 per cent to 97.86, echoes this uncertainty; a weaker dollar often signals less demand for the greenback as a safe haven.

In my view, the Fed’s balancing act is a linchpin here. If Powell’s testimony strikes the right chord, it could solidify this risk-on mood; if it falters, we might see a quick retreat.

Commodities feel the shift

Commodities, ever sensitive to global currents, are telling their own story. Gold, the classic refuge in times of trouble, took a hit, dropping 1.5 per cent to US$3316.80 per ounce. It’s lowest in over two weeks. That’s no surprise. With Middle East tensions easing, the need for a safe-haven metal fades, and investors are cashing out.

Brent crude oil followed suit, plunging 6.1 per cent to US$67.14 per barrel. This drop is a double-edged sword. On one side, it’s a sign of supply stability as fears of disrupted oil flows recede; on the other, it could signal softer demand or an oversupply looming on the horizon.

I find the oil move particularly striking. Lower energy costs could ease inflationary pressures, giving the Fed more breathing room; however, if prices continue to decline, energy-dependent economies might feel the pinch.

Asia’s quiet watch

Across the Pacific, Asian markets are holding steady, if not exactly surging. Wednesday’s open saw equities mostly flat, mirroring a cautious tone in US equity index futures. But there’s plenty on the radar. Thailand’s Bank of Thailand (BOT) is expected to maintain its key rate at 1.75 per cent, a decision that signals a vote for stability in a region navigating global crosswinds.

Meanwhile, the Summer Davos in Tianjin is drawing attention, with heavyweights like China’s Premier Li Qiang, Vietnam’s PM Pham Minh Chinh, and Singapore’s PM Lawrence Wong set to speak. Their words could sway sentiment, offering insights into Asia’s economic playbook at a time when every policy signal counts. Asia’s muted response so far suggests a wait-and-see approach, watching the US and the Middle East before making any big moves.

Crypto’s big moment

And then there’s the cryptocurrency market, which is seizing this moment with both hands. Bitcoin blasted past US$105,000 on Tuesday, Ether leapt above US$2,400, and XRP hit US$2.19—a rally sparked by the ceasefire but fuelled by something bigger. The Senate’s Banking Committee dropped a bombshell: a new crypto bill aimed at reining in the SEC’s oversight and setting clear rules for digital assets.

Led by Chairman Tim Scott and Senator Cynthia Lummis, this legislation could redefine cryptocurrency as a commodity or security, allow exchanges to register with the CFTC, and loosen the regulatory chokehold envisioned by SEC Chair Gary Gensler. Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev called it a game-changer on CNBC, arguing it could help the US reclaim its edge in a space where Europe has been gaining ground.

The momentum doesn’t stop there. Financial titans like Goldman Sachs and Citadel Securities poured money into Digital Asset, a blockchain-focused firm, signalling that Wall Street is warming to crypto’s potential. And in Norway, Green Minerals—a deep-sea mining company—announced a US$1.2 billion plan to build a Bitcoin treasury, joining a wave of public firms betting on digital gold.

Their stock took a hit Tuesday, perhaps reflecting investor skepticism, but the move underscores a broader trend: corporations are starting to see Bitcoin as a legitimate asset. Since January, public companies have snapped up 251,700 BTC, worth US$26.51 billion today. This feels like a tipping point. The ceasefire gave crypto a spark, but these regulatory and institutional shifts could turn it into a wildfire.

My take: A market at a crossroads

Stepping back, I see a global market teetering on the edge of opportunity and caution. The Middle East ceasefire has unlocked a wave of relief, lifting stocks and cryptocurrencies while easing pressure on safe-haven plays like gold and bonds. Powell’s steady hand at the Fed offers reassurance, but his reluctance to signal rate cuts keeps a lid on exuberance.

Investors want certainty, and he isn’t ready to provide it. In Asia, the calm feels deceptive; big decisions and speeches could shift the tide. In the crypto world, we’re witnessing a potential sea change, with regulatory clarity and institutional buy-in that could catapult digital assets into the mainstream.

The takeaway is this: we’re in a moment of transition. The risk-on vibe is real, but it’s fragile, hinging on a ceasefire that could unravel, a Fed that could pivot, and a crypto market that’s still finding its footing. As an observer, I’m cautiously optimistic. The data points to resilience.

Stocks are up, crypto is soaring, and yields are steady, but the human element, the unpredictability of geopolitics and policy, keeps me on edge. This isn’t a time for blind bets; it’s a time to watch, analyse, and adapt. 

 

Source: https://e27.co/markets-rally-on-middle-east-ceasefire-but-is-it-sustainable-20250625/

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j