HODL to Headlines: Crypto’s Coming of Age
Explore crypto's journey: from faucets to ETFs, adoption trends, key news, and a dash of humor
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This is the Hodl Report, where we filter the latest in crypto and dish out insights faster than Saylor can buy up your Bitcoin.
This week, we’re bringing you:
Crypto’s Journey So Far 🌟
Adoption: What’s Next 🚀
Top Headlines of the Week 📰
A Laugh or Two 😂
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As we stand on the cusp of 2025, it's time to briefly reflect on the wild ride of crypto adoption.
Buckle up, because this journey has been nothing short of legendary! 👊
Crypto’s Early Years: The Wild West 🤠
Back in the day, Bitcoin wasn’t “digital gold”, it was more like “digital outlaw.”
Headlines ranted about hackers, scams, and exchange heists, while the entire narrative was about Bitcoin being the currency of criminals.
Most people back then thought Bitcoin was Monopoly money, and “altcoins” sounded like a typo.
And yet, in the middle of all this chaos, there was the Bitcoin faucet. It gave away 5 whole BTC just for solving a captcha!
2017 was the year crypto went semi-mainstream, thanks to the ICO craze. Suddenly, everyone and their dog was a “founder,” armed with nothing but a buzzword-filled whitepaper and a dream. The hype was so real, millions poured into ideas that (spoiler alert) mostly went absolutely nowhere.
Crypto’s Teenage Years: Altcoins Take the Stage
As crypto matured, it wasn’t just buzz anymore - real projects launched, real users showed up, and actual financial activity started flowing.
Decentralized programmable blockchains took center stage, giving us shiny new toys like NFTs and DeFi.
But with bigger value came bigger villains. The scammers leveled up, swapping amateur cons for more sophisticated schemes.
Turns out, when there’s more treasure, the pirates upgrade their ships.
Crypto Today: When Institutions Came Knocking
Fast forward to today, and crypto isn’t just in the spotlight, it is the spotlight.
We’ve got US Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs bridging the gap between Wall Street and Web3, making it easier than ever for TradFi to dip its toes in the crypto waters.
Oh, and let’s not forget the cherry on top: an incoming US President who’s all about crypto and boosting the economy. Translation? Green lights for innovation, adoption, and (fingers crossed) prices soaring to the moon.
But we’ve been covering all this for months now, so where are we heading?
Crypto Tomorrow: Adoption Outlook
Our trusty 4-year cycle has been the North Star guiding us through the crypto cosmos. Historically, Bitcoin has taken longer to reach its peak with each cycle - 750 days, 845 days, and 1,060 days, respectively. As of December 26, 2024, we're at day 766, suggesting that if the trend holds, we could see another 10 months to a year before a real peak.
Remember when the internet was the new kid on the block? Bitcoin's adoption rate is outpacing the internet's early days. In just 12 years, Bitcoin reached 135 million users, and it's projected to hit 1 billion by 2025.
When BlackRock says, “Hey, maybe put 1-2% of your portfolio in Bitcoin,” you know it’s not just a fad anymore - it’s a legit asset class. And when you zoom out to compare crypto’s value to other asset classes, it’s obvious: we’re still in the opening act of this story. The best chapters are yet to come.
So, to all the OG HODLers out there - take a bow!
Give yourselves a pat on the back!
You've weathered storms that would make seasoned sailors seasick. Surviving multiple 50%+ drawdowns within days is no small feat. Your diamond hands have held strong, and now, with Bitcoin crossing the $100k milestone, it's clear: we're here to stay, and the best is yet to come.
Next Week: The Roadmap to 2025 🗺️🔮
Stay tuned, because in our next edition, we'll break down the drivers, predictions, and strategies for navigating the crypto landscape in 2025. From institutional investments to national adoption, we'll cover it all to keep you ahead of the curve.
We will also look ahead to the $10 Trillion dream and decode what that means for crypto prices.
Until then, give yourself a pat on the back, enjoy the holiday season, and get ready for the next leg of our crypto adventure.
Onward and upward! 🎉🚀
Hodl Headlines
The Week’s Most Interesting News
Russia Is Using Bitcoin for Foreign Trade: Russia's Finance Minister has announced that the country is utilizing Bitcoin for international trade transactions. This development underscores a strategic move to circumvent traditional financial systems amid geopolitical tensions.
SEC Approves Crypto Wallet Maker Exodus to List on NYSE: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has granted approval for Exodus, a crypto wallet provider, to list its shares on the NYSE American exchange. This decision comes after an initial denial in May, marking a significant milestone for crypto companies seeking mainstream financial integration.
MicroStrategy Calls Shareholders Meeting to Fund More Bitcoin Purchases: MicroStrategy has convened a special shareholders' meeting to seek approval for expanding its equity issuance, aiming to bolster its Bitcoin acquisition strategy. The company plans to increase authorized shares significantly to support its ambitious 21/21 Plan, which involves purchasing an additional $42 billion worth of Bitcoin over the next three years.
HAWK Memecoin Draws Lawsuit, but 'Hawk Tuah' Girl Not Sued: A lawsuit has been filed against the creators of the HAWK memecoin, alleging fraudulent activities following its rapid market collapse. Notably, Haliey Welch, known as the 'Hawk Tuah' girl who promoted the coin, is not named in the suit, highlighting the complexities of influencer involvement in crypto projects.
Big thanks for making it to the end of this week’s Hodl Report! 👊
If you enjoyed the ride, had a good laugh or learned a thing or two, feel free to share the love! Just copy/paste this link over to anyone:
The more, the merrier - because who doesn’t love a bigger party? 🥳
Happy Friday!
Disclaimer: The content from Hodl Report should not be taken as trading, investment or financial advice or solicitation to buy or sell any assets. This newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only. Please be careful out there and DYOR (do your own research).