El Salvador will limit its Bitcoin mandates, reducing public sector activity and merchant obligations under a $1.4 billion IMF loan agreement aimed at lowering its debt-to-GDP ratio. IMF Loan Prompts El Salvador to Limit Bitcoin Use As part of a $1.4 billion loan deal with the International Monetary Fund, El Salvador is going to limit public sector engagement in Bitcoin-related economic activities, make merchant adoption of Bitcoin voluntary, and unwind its involvement in the little-used Chivo wallet.

Powell said on Wednesday that the central bank is not allowed to hold bitcoin and has no plans to change the law.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated that the central bank could not and would not hold Bitcoin.

Key Points:

Bitcoin price started another decline below the $105,000 zone. BTC is down nearly 5% and attempting a close below the $100,000 support zone.

Today, December 19, 2024, the overall cryptocurrency market is experiencing notable losses, with major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Solana (SOL), Ethereum (ETH), and XRP seeing significant price declines over the past 24 hours. A potential reason for this drop is the recent Federal Reserve rate cut meeting.

Under the agreement, El Salvador will make Bitcoin acceptance voluntary for the private sector while restricting public sector involvement.

U.S. Senator foresees 2025 as a pivotal year for cryptocurrency, highlighting plans for a strategic bitcoin reserve and sweeping pro-crypto legislation under new leadership. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and Digital Asset Laws Set to Redefine 2025 U.S.

El Salvador secures a $1.4 billion financing package from the IMF to support economic reforms, boosting growth and stability.

On Wednesday, the price of bitcoin plummeted below the $100,000 mark, hitting an intraday low of $99,997 per coin. The whole crypto market has taken a hit, dropping 5.74% in the past 24 hours, with numerous coins feeling the sting of heavy losses.

Metaplanet Inc., a publicly traded company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, is ramping up its efforts to build its Bitcoin portfolio. According to multiple reports, the Japanese Bitcoin consulting company has issued ¥4.5 billion ($30 million) in zero-interest bonds to finance its Bitcoin acquisition strategy.

XRP dives 10% as Fed's hawkish stance rattles investors. SEC leadership changes could reshape Ripple's legal trajectory.

One Bitcoin developer argues that any change to Bitcoin's fixed supply, while theoretically possible, wouldn't be considered “Bitcoin” anymore.

Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki predicts bitcoin will hit $350K by 2025, emphasizing its inclusive design to build wealth even with small investments.

Litecoin (LTC), a Bitcoin hard fork, has become one of the biggest gainers in the cryptocurrency market. On December 18, 2024, LTC surged over 5% in the last 24 hours, defying declines in the two leading cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), which saw losses of 3% and 5%, respectively.

El Salvador's struck a loan deal with the IMF and will make Bitcoin acceptance voluntary and roll back government involvement in Bitcoin-related projects.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has dismissed the idea of the Fed holding bitcoin, emphasizing legal restrictions, as U.S. crypto policies and market dynamics rapidly shift.

With bitcoin rising, the luxury world is reportedly showing more interest in allowing cryptocurrency payments. As Reuters reported Wednesday (Dec. 18), until recently just a handful of brands — including Gucci and LVMH watch labels Hublot and Tag Heuer — had permitted crypto payments.

On Wednesday, there was a distinct stumbling-near-the-finish-line quality to the crypto market. Although the Federal Reserve's rate cut announced that day was welcome, if expected, speculation about future slices wasn't as encouraging.

U.S. states like Ohio, Texas, and Pennsylvania are exploring Bitcoin as a reserve asset to hedge against inflation. However, experts like Nic Carter caution that its volatility could destabilize the global financial system.

Bitcoin's New Year rally has stalled, prompting concerns about whether the bullish momentum is weakening. According to the given chart, Bitcoin is currently trading at $104,899, a 1.21% decrease after retracing slightly after reaching $106,214.

The Fed's 25 basis point cut on Wednesday was expected, but analysts suggest concerns over prolonged high rates may be overblown for Bitcoin.

Bitcoin could surge to $500,000 as Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan highlights the potential of a US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Backed by growing political interest, this initiative could set the stage for unprecedented crypto market shifts.

Crypto exchange Coinbase has cited risks linked to Tron-founder Justin Sun during a lawsuit over its delisting of Wrapped Bitcoin (wBTC).

BOB (Build on Bitcoin), a hybrid layer two (L2) network, has advanced its mission to position Bitcoin at the center of decentralized finance (DeFi) by integrating with Babylon, a Bitcoin staking protocol. This collaboration enables BOB to secure transactions using Bitcoin as its anchor chain, providing a level of finality and irreversibility unique to the

Bitcoin fell sharply for the first time in four days as markets reacted to the Federal Reserve's latest rate decision. The apex crypto tumbled by as much as 5.3%, dropping to $100,752 after briefly soaring past $108,000 earlier this week in a record-breaking rally.

El Salvador secures IMF deal, adjusting Bitcoin policy to voluntary acceptance, focusing on fiscal reform and economic resilience. The post El Salvador secures IMF deal as Bitcoin acceptance turns voluntary appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Jerome Powell confirmed the Federal Reserve cannot hold Bitcoin, leaving the decision to Congress. Though some lawmakers and President elect Trump support a U.S. Bitcoin reserve.

Metaplanet, an investment firm based in Tokyo, is expected to record its first consolidated operating profit in seven years as it continues to improve its financial position. The firm claimed that it has shifted its focus to Bitcoin as the leading cryptocurrency, which has been profitable, especially with the current price increases.

Ohio joins states like Pennsylvania and Texas in exploring Bitcoin reserves to protect public funds and modernize financial strategies.

Bitcoin (BTC) experienced a sharp decline today, dropping from $105,500 to $100,227 after the U.S. Federal Reserve announced a quarter-point reduction in the benchmark interest rate. The sudden market movement left many traders reeling as bitcoin's value hovered between $100,900 to $101,150 per coin by press time.

Bitcoin price sold off, and the wider crypto market corrected following the Federal Reserve's hawkish 2025 outlook on inflation.

Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis has become a leading figure in advocating for Bitcoin's integration into the United States' financial system. In recent statements, Lummis emphasized the need for the U.S. to establish a national Bitcoin reserve, which she believes could offer long-term solutions to the country's growing national debt and inflation concerns.

BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes suggests that Trump's administration should move from the Gold standard and incline more towards establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve.

A federal judge denied BiT Global's request for a temporary restraining order, allowing Coinbase to delist WBTC, or Wrapped Bitcoin.

Bitcoin's price has taken a noticeable dip after reaching an all-time high of $108,000. The sharp drop has left many investors questioning the reasons behind this sudden turn in the market.

Hong Kong is solidifying its position as a global digital asset hub by granting licenses to four new cryptocurrency exchanges.

U.S. Federal Reserve Jerome Powell said the central bank is not allowed to hold bitcoin and is "not looking for a law change."

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Wednesday that the U.S. central bank has no desire to be involved in any government effort to hold large amounts of bitcoin.

The price of Bitcoin is testing $100,000 after Fed Chair Jerome Powell issued a statement on the central bank's ability to hold BTC. Powell took questions from reporters after announcing the Fed it has lowered its key interest rate by a quarter percentage point in its third consecutive reduction.

Bitcoin ETFs surpass gold with $129 billion in assets. BlackRock's Bitcoin Trust leads, managing $60 billion in Bitcoin ETFs.

A Bitcoin (BTC) whale that last transacted about 44 months ago has awakened and moved over half a billion dollars worth of the flagship crypto asset, according to on-chain data.

Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell reiterated the bank's position on a Bitcoin reserve from an existing legal perspective.

Bitcoin (BTC) fell to a low of $100,300 following hawkish comments by Fed chair Jerome Powell during the Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC) Markets retreated lower despite the expected 25 basis point cut in the US interest rate, bringing the rate to the 4.5% to 4.75% range.

The total crypto market cap is down by another $200 billion in a few hours.

Jack Mallers, CEO of the payment application Strike, has made headlines with his bold prediction that Bitcoin could reach a staggering $1 million per coin. This would represent an approximately 871% increase from its current price of around $106,994.

Cryptocurrency markets are trading lower on Wednesday despite the Federal Reserve announcing a 0.25% rate cut in its latest FOMC meet. Cryptocurrency Price Gains +/- Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $102,173.74 -3.9% Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $3,714.81 -5.5% Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $210.29 -7.3% XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $2.36 -9.3% Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.3654 -8.4% Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.00002458 -8.2% Notable Statistics: IntoTheBlock data shows large transaction volume decreasing by 3.4% and daily active addresses falling by 12.8%.