Gold gains as Investors realign focus from the Fed to the Middle East conflict

Gold gains as Investors realign focus from the Fed to the Middle East conflict

Opinions, Ideas and Markets Talk

Featuring views and opinions written by market professionals, not staff journalists.

Gold gains as Investors realign focus from the Fed to the Middle East conflict teaser image

Gold futures hit an intraday low of $2004.60 yesterday and closed just off of that low at

$2006.50. The $23 decline was largely in response to the retail sales report which

revealed that consumer sales rose by 0.6% month over month in December. This would

be the second consecutive day of strong price declines in gold.

On Tuesday, January 16, gold futures declined by $21.40. The strong selloff was the

result of dollar strength a gain of + 0.75%, which occurred following comments made by

Governor Christopher Waller, one of the Fed’s twelve voting members at a speech at

the Brookings Institution. His speech reinforced what Chairman Powell said at his press

conference in December.

His statements spoke to counter the unrealistic optimism by many market participants

regarding the Fed cutting rates at the March FOMC meeting. He said that while interest

rate cuts are likely this year, the central bank can take its time relaxing monetary policy.

Furthermore, He addressed the fact during previous cycles the FOMC cut rates quickly

and often by large amounts adding that, “I see no reason to move as quickly or rapidly

as in the past”.

Today market participants shifted their focus from the Federal Reserve as they await

further clarity on the Fed’s future interest rate path and instead focused on the potential

that the Middle East conflict will continue to escalate. Continued attacks in the southern

Red Sea by the Houthis a military proxy of Iran, as well as yesterday’s military action by

Iran. Iran fired missiles into Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan killing at least six civilians.

The escalation of the conflict in the Middle East intensified the allure of the haven asset

gold. As of 5:35 PM ET the most active February contract is up $15.10 or 0.75% and

fixed at $2021.60. It seems that the current major support level at $2000 per ounce is

holding and is providing a price low that attracts investors.

For those who would like more information simply use this link.

Wishing you as always good trading

Kitco Media

Gary Wagner

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

Building the Markethive Kingdom for the 2024 launch

Twenty-six years ago, the Lord set me on a path to build a kingdom for the end times. Twenty-six years ago, the end times seemed so far away, a distant reality.  

 

So we set about building it – We scaled mountain after mountain, we crossed valley after valley, and we built a secure system that delivers email unlike anything else. It delivers almost 100% directly to the inbox. 

 

We built a state-of-the-art inbound marketing system that became a social network of fellow entrepreneurs working together for a common cause to build an ecosystem to stand the test of time in what is the end times era prophesied centuries ago—an out-of-control political world that is out to tear down and destroy entrepreneurs. 

 

We built a system that will boldly stand against that agenda, stand tall in the mountains, and be this blinding light of God's glory of entrepreneurs that will never ever go away. 

 

We built a system that will broadcast the word of freedom to every corner of the world. This year, we need you more than we have ever needed you because it is this year, we're going to kick off this huge system and launch it into something the world has never seen. 

 

The world is going to discover a system that has been built by the Breath of God. A vision that will create a sanctuary for our brothers and sisters who are entrepreneurs who wish to build a better life. Who wish to build a solid family of like-minded individuals, who wish to build a home that is stable, secure, and financially viable, that won’t be ripped out from under them and canceled by the woke mind virus that is proliferating in every sector of every industry. 

 

We have built that system, and we are about to disclose it to the entire world, and we need you. We need every single one of you to pull out a little more to go get an Entrepreneur Account, to take the Entrepreneur One account you already have, and restore it or reactivate it. To buy additional Entrepreneur One accounts. 

 

These E1 subscriptions are loans to Markethive to assist us with development as we build this unparalleled system to eclipse systems like LinkedIn. The financial return you will receive on this is going to be massive, and you are part of this. 

 

We're all part of this vision and want to reward your spirit of determination, your foresight, and your mettle that continues to stand up for all our freedoms and autonomy. Your contributions are important to drive this vision to the next level of building the retail giant of liberty on a massive global scale.

 

We are making a statement here that we will not be stopped by tyrants of the world. We will not be stopped by the agendas of the communists and the global elites’ new world order. 

 

We will become a system that will exist in every nation and every country in the world. We will become a kingdom built on thousands and thousands of cloud systems scattered worldwide, underpinned by blockchain, crypto-energized, and a database system that will withstand a community of millions and terabytes of creative contentㅡa database system that cannot be stopped. 

 

So I have to ask you. What are you going to do? Are you going to be part of this? To contribute financial support is to be that voice that will never give up or go quietly into the dark. 

 

Instead, build the kingdom that will light up the way to stand with the other entrepreneurs, building towards a better way to freely conduct business in an open, honest, and transparent environment. A meritocratic social network of critical thinkers that is so needed in these dark times of subliminal brainwashing. An ecosystem that contributes to your livelihood and financial freedom.  

 

I have dedicated my entire life to this moment, to this building of this Markethive vision. I have spent my entire life putting every penny I have into it. Many of you have, too, and I ask you: Give more; let's make this big. Let's blow it up in 2024. Let the giant rise out of the ocean in 2024, along with the millions of multitudes of entrepreneurs who say we will not go away.

 

Thank you. God bless you.
Thomas Prendergast CEO

To discover the Entrepreneur System and what it can do for you and your future tap here: 

markethive.com/group/1146/blog/markethivesreasonforbeingandmagnanimityentrepreneuroneadivinelegacy 

 

Tim Moseley

Fed rate cuts could push gold prices up 20 this year but silver will jump 48 – AuAg Fund

Fed rate cuts could push gold prices up 20% this year, but silver will jump 48% – AuAg Fund

Kitco News

The Leading News Source in Precious Metals

Kitco NEWS has a diverse team of journalists reporting on the economy, stock markets, commodities, cryptocurrencies, mining and metals with accuracy and objectivity. Our goal is to help people make informed market decisions through in-depth reporting, daily market roundups, interviews with prominent industry figures, comprehensive coverage (often exclusive) of important industry events and analyses of market-affecting developments.

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Fed rate cuts could push gold prices up 20% this year, but silver will jump 48% – AuAg Fund teaser image

(Kitco News) – Although gold has started the new year on a quiet note as prices consolidate above $2,000 an ounce, one investment firm expects a sequence of new all-time highs as both gold and silver embark on a long-term bull market.

In their recently published 2024 outlook, analysts at AuAg Funds said they expect to see a 20% rally in gold prices this year, pushing the market past $2,400 an ounce.

The Sweden-based investment firm expects a shift in the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy to drive the rally in precious metals.

“We believe that central banks will shift away from rate hikes and adopt a more accommodative policy stance in 2024, which will catalyze a substantial upswing in gold prices for the foreseeable future,” the analysts said in the report.

The firm said that as the Fed leads the world in rate cuts this year, the U.S. dollar will weaken, creating another tailwind for gold.

However, gold has struggled in recent days, with prices testing support just above $2,000 an ounce as markets start to lower their expectations for a potential rate cut in March. So far gold prices have dropped about 3% since the start of the new year.

As bullish as the fund is on gold, they expect to see silver outperform this year.

“In this emerging bull market, expected to last many years, we predict the gold-to-silver ratio will drop below 30:1, setting an initial goal for 2024 at 70:1,” the analysts said. “Should gold appreciate by 20%, it would end the year at USD 2,475, and with a gold-to-silver ratio of 70:1, silver would close at USD 35, equating to a 48% return.”

As gold and silver are expected to rise, the firm said investors should also pay attention to the mining sector.

“Gold miners are historically undervalued relative to gold, a trend likely to reverse and overshoot during the forthcoming secular gold bull market,” the analysts said. “Gold miners are also historically undervalued compared to the S&P 500, presenting a unique and attractive entry point.”

With higher gold prices driving margins, the analysts noted that mining companies have healthy balance sheets. In the current environment, AuAg expects smaller and mid-cap producers to outperform the mega-cap companies.

Kitco Media

Neils Christensen

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

Gold silver down as USDX sharply up Treasury yield rise

Gold, silver down as USDX sharply up, Treasury yield rise

Kitco News

The Leading News Source in Precious Metals

Kitco NEWS has a diverse team of journalists reporting on the economy, stock markets, commodities, cryptocurrencies, mining and metals with accuracy and objectivity. Our goal is to help people make informed market decisions through in-depth reporting, daily market roundups, interviews with prominent industry figures, comprehensive coverage (often exclusive) of important industry events and analyses of market-affecting developments.

Gold, silver down as USDX sharply up, Treasury yield rise teaser image

(Kitco News) – Gold and silver prices are lower in midday U.S. trading Tuesday, pressured by strong gains in the U.S. dollar index and a rise in U.S. Treasury yields. February gold was last down $15.60 at $2,035.90. March silver was last down $0.214 at $23.115.

U.S. stock index futures are lower at midday. As U.S. traders get back from a long holiday weekend (U.S. markets were closed Monday for the Martin Luther King holiday.) they found elevated risk aversion in the marketplace following weekend Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, and U.S. and U.K. retaliatory air strikes in Yemen. That helped to push the U.S. dollar index sharply higher today.

In other news, China’s central bank leaving its monetary policy unchanged disappointed those looking for more stimulus amid recent downbeat economic data from the world’s second-largest economy.

The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index sharply higher and hitting a four-week high. Nymex crude oil prices are near steady and trading around $72.75 a barrel. Meantime, the yield on the benchmark U.S. Treasury 10-year note is presently fetching 4.043%.

Technically, February gold futures bulls still have the overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a three-month-old uptrend on the daily bar chart. Bulls’ next upside price objective is to produce a close above solid resistance at $2,100.00. Bears' next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at $2,000.00. First resistance is seen at $2,050.00 and then at today’s high of $2,062.80. First support is seen at today’s low of $2,034.60 and then at $2,025.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 6.5.

March silver futures bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. A six-week-old downtrend is in place on the daily bar chart. Silver bulls' next upside price objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $24.895. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at the November low of $22.26. First resistance is seen at today’s high of $23.50 and then at last week’s high of $23.72. Next support is seen at $23.00 and then at last week’s low of $22.63. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 3.5.

March N.Y. copper closed up 320 points at 377.25 cents today. Prices closed nearer the session high today. The copper bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a fledgling downtrend on the daily bar chart. Copper bulls' next upside price objective is pushing and closing prices above solid technical resistance at 390.00 cents. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid

technical support at 365.00 cents. First resistance is seen at last week’s high of 384.05 cents and then at 388.00 cents. First support is seen at last week’s low of 373.50 cents and then at the December low of 372.90 cents. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 4.0.

Try out my “Markets Front Burner” email report. My next one is due out today and is going to be entitled, “When China sneezes…” Front Burner is my best writing and analysis, I think, because I get to look ahead at the marketplace and do some market price forecasting. And it’s free! Sign up to my new, free weekly Markets Front Burner newsletter, at https://www.kitco.com/services/markets-front-burner.html .

Kitco Media

Jim Wyckoff

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

SOL On Verge Of Ultimate Price Explosion To All-Time Highs As Solana Plans To Unveil Cheaper Saga Successor

SOL On Verge Of Ultimate Price Explosion To All-Time Highs As Solana Plans To Unveil Cheaper Saga Successor

By Brenda Ngari – January 16, 2024

Solana Mobile, the firm behind the first-ever smartphone with an integrated crypto wallet, is preparing to unveil its second crypto-ready smartphone following Saga’s unexpected success. The latest reports say the new phone will have features similar to the original phone but will be cheaper and have different hardware specifications.

Solana Saga 2.0: A More Affordable Crypto Phone

Solana is reportedly preparing to release yet another crypto-forward smartphone.

This ambitious project follows the skyrocketing sales for the Solana Saga, which was unveiled in 2023. The phone first went on sale in May last year, and four months later in August, its price was reduced to $599 from $1000. Today, an unopened Saga device fetches a whopping $3,200 on marketplaces such as eBay. Solana expects the new high-end Android smartphone to help offset the high demand for Saga.

Sales of the Solana Saga phone were initially underwhelming, but the device quickly sold out after crypto traders realized that they came with a free airdrop of BONK meme coins valued at more than the cost of the phone itself.

Like the original Saga phone, the successor comes with the same crypto-friendly features, including a built-in crypto wallet, decentralized application (dapp) store, and customized Android software. However, the new crypto phone will be much cheaper. This strategic move seeks to attract a wider audience beyond early adopters and ardent Solana fans.

Besides coming at a cheaper price point, the soon-to-launch smartphone is also expected to have different hardware compared to its predecessor Saga.

Another Phenomenal Rally Underway?

The news of a more affordable follow-up to the Saga smartphone comes as the price of the SOL token cools off following a parabolic rally last year. At the time, the massive gains in the SOL price were accompanied by an increase in trading activity on the Solana network, which momentarily saw trading volumes on SOL-based decentralized exchanges (DEXs) flip that of Ethereum for the first time in history.

SOL is now trading at $96.36 per coin after topping $122.90 last December. Moreover, Solana DEX volume has slipped to $615 million in the past 24 hours, just a little over half that of Ethereum’s $1 billion, according to data provided by DefiLlama.

While the performance of the wider crypto market undoubtedly plays a key role, sky-high interest in Solana smartphones could once again light a fire under SOL bulls. There is a possibility that the new phone will spark mass adoption and propel SOL to new heights.

DISCLAIMER: None Of The Information You Read On ZyCrypto Should Be Regarded As Investment Advice. Cryptocurrencies Are Highly Volatile, Conduct Your Own Research Before Making Any Investment Decisions.

The original article written by Brenda Ngari and posted on ZyCrypto.com.

Article reposted on Markethive by Jeffrey Sloe

** Loans, secure funding for business projects in the USA and around the world. Learn more about USA & International Financing at Commercial Funding International. **

Tim Moseley

Hedge funds are selling their gold but they are not bearish

Hedge funds are selling their gold, but they are not bearish

Kitco News

The Leading News Source in Precious Metals

Kitco NEWS has a diverse team of journalists reporting on the economy, stock markets, commodities, cryptocurrencies, mining and metals with accuracy and objectivity. Our goal is to help people make informed market decisions through in-depth reporting, daily market roundups, interviews with prominent industry figures, comprehensive coverage (often exclusive) of important industry events and analyses of market-affecting developments.

Hedge funds are selling their gold, but they are not bearish teaser image

Volatility surrounding U.S. interest rates is taking its toll on gold prices as hedge funds liquidated their bullish bets but remain hesitant to make any significant bearish bets, according to the latest trade data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

Although gold prices have managed to hold solid support above $2,000 an ounce, some analysts note that shifting momentum in the marketplace could weigh on prices in the near term.

In an interview with Kitco News, Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at OANDA, said that he sees the price action in the precious metal as a “tossup” as the market lacks a catalyst to drive prices higher.

The CFTC's disaggregated Commitments of Traders report for the week ending Jan. 6 showed money managers decreased their speculative gross long positions in Comex gold futures by 20,051 contracts to 134,333. At the same time, short positions increased by only 639 contracts to 45,874.

The latest selling pressure has pushed gold’s net length to a two-month low. The precious metal is net long by 88,459 contracts. However, the market has been reasonably stable as prices have traded in a range between $2,000 and $2,050 an ounce.

Some analysts note that gold is consolidating as the market has no clear guidance regarding the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy. Markets see a more than 70% chance of a rate cut in March; however, some central bankers have pushed back on that timing, even as they prepare for eventual easing.

Commodity analysts at TD Securities noted that economic data has not provided any clear indication and is adding to the market volatility and uncertainty.

“Investors reduced length as Fed funds futures sold off and doubts emerged surrounding the early timing and magnitude of the pending policy rate reductions. Strong labor markets are associated with continued inflation pressures. And with core CPI much above the two percent target, the market concluded that a very early Fed easing is not in the cards,” the analysts said in a note Friday. “But with the most recent production prices coming in at below expectations, the market is once again going long, as it anticipates an early end to restrictive policy. It is likely that there will be data-driven volatility as gold trends to our $2,200/oz Q2 target.”

Commodity analysts noted that although $4.1 billion flowed out of the gold market last week, the selling pressure has firmly pushed the market outside of overbought territory.

Although the gold market appears to be running out of steam, waiting for the Federal Reserve’s long-expected pivot, analysts note that investors are reluctant to take any major short position in the precious metal.

Some analysts note that renewed chaos in the Middle East as U.S. and U.K. militaries U.S. and UK militaries bomb Houthi militants in Yemen. The U.S. continued its bombardment through the weekend.

Some analysts note that geopolitical safe-haven demand should continue to support gold prices above $2,000 an ounce.

While investors are reluctant to short gold, there is more give and take in the silver market, as investors increase their bearish bets while liquidating their long positions.

The disaggregated report showed that money-managed speculative gross long positions in Comex silver futures fell by 6,032 contracts to 32,392. At the same time, short positions rose by 1,677 contracts to 24,044.

Silver’s net length now stands at 8,348 contracts, down sharply from the previous week, falling to a two-month low.

Along with gold, silver is also struggling due to market volatility surrounding the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy; however, analysts also note that silver is also struggling as concerns over the global economy continue to grow.

During the survey period, silver prices traded in a fairly tight range between $23.00 and $23.50 an ounce.

Many commodity analysts have said that a potential global recession could weaken silver’s industrial demand, which has been a significant support for prices.

At the same time, analysts also see limited downside as the green energy transition and unprecedented demand for solar energy will remain a solid pillar of strength for silver, even in the face of a recession.

Kitco Media

Neils Christensen

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

On-chain data in a volatile market: How traders stay ahead of the curve

Exploring the role of on-chain data in helping traders navigate the volatile cryptocurrency market.

Market volatility, a defining characteristic of the crypto realm, introduces opportunities and risks, demanding a nuanced understanding and adept strategies for effective decision-making. Within this dynamic environment, the significance of on-chain data emerges as a crucial tool for traders seeking to navigate the intricacies of volatile markets.

On-chain data, a term resonating within the realms of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, refers to the wealth of information derived directly from the blockchain. This includes transaction data, wallet balances, and various metrics that capture the activities taking place on the blockchain.

Understanding on-chain data is crucial for unraveling the complex dynamics of the cryptocurrency world. Simply put, on-chain data includes a detailed set of information directly from the blockchain. This information covers various transaction details, wallet balances and metrics that create a clear record of activities on the blockchain.

Unlike traditional financial markets, where data goes through centralized entities, on-chain data provides an unfiltered and decentralized view of interactions in a blockchain network.

Harry Dinh, the chief data scientist of on-chain analytics platform Spot On Chain, told Cointelegraph, “What sets on-chain data apart from traditional financial market data is the decentralization, transparency and immutability nature.”

Dinh said, “During market volatility, while traditional financial markets may have delays in reporting, on-chain data offers real-time transparency, allowing investors to detect unusual patterns promptly and independently without relying on centralized authority. As a result, on-chain data enhances reliability and reduces the risk of manipulation.”

On-chain data in action

To understand on-chain data effectively, it’s crucial to concentrate on fundamental metrics and indicators that shed light on a blockchain’s functionality.

These include the volume of transactions, the number of wallet addresses, the frequency of transactions and the movement of tokens. These metrics are tools for analysts and traders to detect patterns, trends and irregularities in the blockchain.

On-chain data becomes a practical guide by exploring specific metrics that stand out during turbulent times. These metrics act as essential tools for traders trying to understand the market’s underlying dynamics.

The connection between these on-chain metrics and subsequent market shifts forms a compelling story, emphasizing the predictive potential of analyzing blockchain data.

Blockchain analytics tools like Spot on Chain can be used to track wallets and token movements related to venture capitalists and whales. Crypto traders and investors could use this information to gain insights into the activities of major entities in the crypto space.

 

Edited

Tim Moseley

Why is website traffic important?

Why is website traffic important?

Why is website traffic important?

Website traffic is crucial for several reasons, and its importance varies depending on the goals and objectives of a particular website. Here are some key reasons why website traffic is important:

  1. Visibility and Reach: Higher website traffic increases the visibility of your site. It allows more people to discover and explore your content, products, or services. This is particularly important for businesses and individuals looking to establish an online presence.
  2. Brand Awareness: Increased traffic contributes to greater brand exposure. When more people visit your website, they become more familiar with your brand, which can lead to improved brand recognition and trust.
  3. Lead Generation: For businesses, website traffic is often directly linked to lead generation. More visitors mean more potential customers. By optimizing your website for conversions, you can turn website traffic into leads, and ultimately, customers.
  4. Revenue Generation: For e-commerce websites and businesses that rely on online sales, website traffic is directly tied to revenue. The more visitors you have, the more opportunities you have to convert them into paying customers.

FOR WHAT REASONS IS WEBSITE TRAFFIC CRUCIAL?

  1. SEO Performance: Search engines often use website traffic as a factor when determining the relevance and authority of a website. High traffic can positively impact your search engine rankings, making it easier for people to find your site through search engines.
  2. User Engagement: A website with high traffic often indicates that users find the content valuable and engaging. This can lead to increased user interactions, such as comments, social shares, and longer time spent on the site, which can further enhance the overall user experience.
  3. Advertising Opportunities: If you monetize your website through advertising, higher traffic can attract advertisers. Advertisers are more likely to invest in platforms that have a significant and engaged audience.
  4. Data Collection: Analyzing website traffic provides valuable insights into user behavior, preferences, and demographics. This data can be used to make informed decisions about content creation, marketing strategies, and user experience improvements.
  5. Community Building: Websites with high traffic often foster active communities. This sense of community can be valuable for content creators, businesses, and organizations looking to build a loyal and engaged audience.
  6. Competitive Edge: In competitive industries, having high website traffic can give you a competitive edge. It indicates that your website is popular and attracts a substantial audience, which can help you stand out among competitors.

 

In summary, traffic is a key metric that impacts various aspects of online success, including visibility, brand awareness, lead generation, revenue, search engine rankings, user engagement, and more. It is a crucial factor for achieving both short-term and long-term goals in the online space.

ecosystem for entrepreneurs

TRAFFIC MATTERS:

Website traffic is crucial for several reasons.

  1. Sales and Growth: Higher traffic can lead to more sales, new product lines, and business growth.
  2. Understanding Your Audience: Monitoring traffic can provide valuable insights about your customer base and help you improve your marketing strategies

Remember, while traffic is a crucial measure of online success, it’s also important to focus on the quality of the traffic. Attracting the right audience that is likely to engage with your site and become customers is key.

Web traffic refers to the data sent and received by visitors to a website.

It’s the measurement of people who visit a website.

This metric is important as it measures potential customers, business leads, sales, and depending on the nature of your site, readers or followers.

Servers monitor website activity and register whenever a page receives a visitor3.

There are tools available online that can help you analyze web traffic. For example, Similarweb offers a browser extension that provides access to objective traffic data and other insights.

Another tool is the website traffic checker by Neil Patel, which uses global data centers that collect data from over 250 countries.

These tools can provide valuable insights to increase your traffic. However, it’s important to note that these are estimates and may not be 100% accurate.

Remember, understanding your web traffic can help you improve your performance, optimize your marketing strategies, and better serve your visitors.

Using Google Adwords to Drive Traffic to your Website

 

Tim Moseley

Will Bitcoin ETF follow in gold’s footsteps?

Will Bitcoin ETF follow in gold’s footsteps?

The Leading News Source in Precious Metals

Kitco NEWS has a diverse team of journalists reporting on the economy, stock markets, commodities, cryptocurrencies, mining and metals with accuracy and objectivity. Our goal is to help people make informed market decisions through in-depth reporting, daily market roundups, interviews with prominent industry figures, comprehensive coverage (often exclusive) of important industry events and analyses of market-affecting developments.

Will Bitcoin ETF follow in gold’s footsteps? teaser image

(Kitco News) – The gold market continues to hold its own early in the new year as geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East supports safe-haven demand. However, it’s not gold that is attracting a lot of attention.

We saw history made this week after the Securities Exchange Commission approved 11 spot Bitcoin exchange-traded products. What makes the announcement so interesting is that it was preceded by significant confusion. A day before the SEC announced its decision, its social media account was hijacked and a fake announcement was released.

Interestingly, the new ETFs haven’t provided any new momentum for the digital currency. Bitcoin prices are ending the week pretty much where it started. However, most analysts recommend investors look past the short-term price action and if you want to know where cryptocurrencies are headed, you only have to look at gold.

The first gold ETF was launched back in 2008, and it completely transformed the market, creating new opportunities for a wide range of investors. By 2011, gold prices hit its first record highs above $1,800 an ounce. To this day, ETF investor demand remains an important pillar of the marketplace.

The new Bitcoin ETFs will create new opportunities and attract a wider variety of generalist investors. These new ETFs are backed by the world’s biggest asset management firms, including BlackRock, VanEck, and Grayscale, to name just a few. Bitcoin is no longer a fringe asset.

Some analysts have said this could impact the gold market as the market continues to digest the latest evolution in cryptocurrencies. When it comes to accessible alternative assets, gold has always been at the top of the list; it’s liquid, a store of value and has low correlations to the broader marketplace; however, Bitcoin also meets this criteria and now there is a new dimension that puts it on par with gold: it’s accessible.

In an interview with Kitco News, Joy Yang, Global Head of Index Product Management at MarketVector Indexes, said the approval of a Bitcoin ETF could keep gold prices range-bound near $2,000 an ounce through most of the year as the cryptocurrency becomes an attractive alternative asset.

“A Bitcoin ETF will be the shiny new thing in the market, and a lot of investors like shiny new things,” she said.

We have already seen how solid demand for Bitcoin has impacted the gold market. In 2021, gold prices were affected by roughly 3%, as FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) drove Bitcoin prices to record highs of nearly $69,000 per token.

A lot has changed in the last four years and it's unlikely we will see that big of an impact this time around. While Bitcoin ETFs are shiny and new, we have seen in the last couple of years that when uncertainty is high, investors continue to prefer investments that they can hold that have tangible value. Gold has thousands of years of history as being a store of wealth and value right now.

While investment demand may remain sluggish, central banks continue to buy gold nearly as fast as it can be mined out of the ground. This past week The People’s Bank of China bought nine tonnes of gold in December. The buying frenzy has slowed, but it hasn’t disappeared.

Official sector demand has become another important pillar for the gold market and according to many analysts, this sector should continue to support gold above $2,000 an ounce through 2024.

Kitco Media

Neils Christensen

Time to Buy Gold and Silver

Tim Moseley

Markethive Gearing Up To Launch Its ICO With A Difference

Markethive Gearing Up To Launch Its ICO With A Difference

And It's Not an IEO, Not a STO, Not an IDO

Continuing from our previous article, the allure of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) has diminished in recent years. An ICO is a process in which a cryptocurrency startup endeavors to generate interest in its digital currency project by promoting it on its website. This was a new phenomenon in crypto and financial markets in general, allowing individuals to purchase the newly created crypto token directly from the company behind the project. 

No restrictions or regulations were involved, and speculation rather than substantial foundations drove the majority of ICOs. Much of the hype surrounding ICOs attracted casual investors who hoped to achieve significant financial gains despite these projects often being based solely on concepts.

Numerous ICOs faced issues with regulatory entities as their tokens were classified as securities rather than utility tokens, resulting in multiple cryptocurrency companies being required to pay fines and reimburse investors. In the United States, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has struggled to establish a legal definition for tokens in cryptocurrency since the emergence of Bitcoin.

While ICOs were initially created to generate funds in a space without regulations, many deceitful ICOs were launched to exploit unsuspecting investors. By the end of 2017, China enforced a ban on ICOs, causing the cryptocurrency industry to search for alternative methods to finance emerging enterprises. This article will explore the various alternatives for ICOs and delve into the plans for Markethive's utility token, Hivecoin, in the coming year.


Source: Binance Square

Initial Exchange Offering (IEO)

Initial Exchange Offerings (IEOs) are fundraising events for crypto start-ups to raise funds through a trading platform. They occur on a crypto exchange for the company launching new tokens. One advantage is that investors may have greater trust as they witness a crypto token sale on a reputable crypto exchange, which enhances the project's credibility.

To raise funds on the exchange, start-ups must pay a fee and give a percentage of the tokens they sell. Once the Initial Exchange Offering (IEO) is finished, the tokens are listed on the exchange, which increases the company's visibility to potential investors. Unlike Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), where contributions are sent directly to smart contracts, participants in an IEO send their contributions through the hosting platform.

IEOs have gained traction among major cryptocurrency exchanges. Binance Launchpad was among the initial platforms to introduce IEOs in the market, leading to other exchanges quickly adopting the same approach. The primary benefit of these offerings is the enhanced transparency and trust they provide. Since a reputable cryptocurrency exchange carries out the token sale, the risk of fraudulent activities and scams is considerably lower than ICOs. Reputable platforms conduct thorough assessments of projects before making them available to users.

There is a contention that IEOs do not offer higher security compared to ICOs. In the worst case, they can be seen as centralized authorities that control the types of projects that emerge. Furthermore, projects must pay to be included on a centralized exchange, limiting the opportunity to be featured to moderately established projects, not just concepts. Additionally, they may be required to sign agreements restricting them from listing tokens on competing exchanges.


Source: Tokenminds

Security Token Offering (STO)

STOs, or Security Token Offerings, are a relatively new way of raising funds using blockchain and cryptocurrency. They provide an alternative to typical equity investment and are among the most exciting emerging trends in cryptocurrency. Security tokens serve as virtual representations of ownership in various entities such as companies, financial products, investments, securities, and commodities, granting individuals ownership rights in the underlying value of these assets.

The challenges and constraints of obtaining funding from conventional sources have led to the popularity of alternative methods, such as STOs, for sourcing capital. STOs fully comply with laws and regulations, providing a secure means for companies to secure funding. They serve as a platform for start-ups, established businesses, and traditional institutions to raise funds by issuing digital tokens.

STOs are a category of tokens that represent legal ownership of tangible assets in the real world. They provide the opportunity for individuals or entities to obtain ownership rights in digitally secure assets and symbolize ownership in valuable assets such as real estate or company shares. This contrasts the conventional Initial Public Offering (IPO) process, in which companies become listed on the stock exchange.

Instead, companies have the option to create a new enterprise or utilize an already established one with the assistance of smart contracts. These smart contracts are automated legal agreements between two parties stored on public blockchains. This minimizes the challenges encountered in transactions, including issues like fluctuating prices, fraudulent activities, and regulatory compliance complications.

Security tokens are also utilized in the practice of crypto-fractionalization, which involves securing real-world assets through the process of tokenization. Various real-world assets, including real estate, capital markets, commodities, and equity funds, can be tokenized. STOs are specifically designed to meet the regulations set forth by global regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).


Source: Hackernoon

Initial DEX Offering (IDO)

An Initial DEX Offering (IDO) is a contemporary way of crowdfunding or fundraising that occurs on a decentralized exchange (DEX). Unlike previous methods, such as Initial Coin Offerings and Initial Exchange Offerings, where the sale of tokens was controlled on centralized platforms, IDOs offer a transparent platform on a DEX that enables crypto projects to issue and sell tokens to users directly.

The approach has transformed from ICOs, which were troubled by problems like fraud and inconsistencies, to more controlled formats, such as IEOs and STOs. In 2013, the first initial coin offering was held by Mastercoin Protocol, raising $500,000 worth of bitcoin (BTC). IDOs gained attention in 2019 when Raven Protocol made the announcement of the first IDO on Binance DEX.

IDOs have been improving their approaches since they were first introduced, becoming more popular because they are affordable, have fewer restrictions, and give power to individuals instead of central entities. As a result, they have significantly changed the way crypto fundraising is done. IDOs also provide a simpler and more affordable option for smaller projects to release their tokens instead of using more significant centralized exchanges. To ensure fairness, IDOs often have measures to prevent a single investor from purchasing a large quantity of tokens.

On the other hand, it is easier for projects with a questionable reputation to distribute their tokens via IDOs rather than through IEOs on regulated exchanges because there is less oversight on the projects. Moreover, IDOs bypass regulatory approval, increasing the risk of scams and fraudulent activities. Despite these risks, IDOs illustrate a promising advancement in crypto fundraising, demonstrating how the decentralized nature of the crypto ecosystem continues to evolve.


Source: Markethive

Markethive’s One-of-a-kind ICO for Hivecoin

As discussed in a previous article, many fall victim to ICOs. The hype and speculation of its newly minted crypto token are sold to wannabe investors on the promise of high returns and the revolutionary technology and purpose it claims to serve, even though no tangible evidence of its effectiveness exists. 99% of ICOs don’t do what they say they will do, resulting in the naive investor getting stuck “holding the bag” of worthless tokens. Meanwhile, the individuals responsible for the ICOs swiftly exit after amassing substantial funds, seemingly vanishing without a trace.

Markethive is in preparation to launch an ICO-like event, which differs from other coin offerings because it already has an operational system and delivers what other ICOs only promise to give when they commence their fundraising. It's worth noting that Markethive has never conducted an Initial Coin Offering. 

So far, Markethive’s progress has been made possible by utilizing small amounts of money in the form of a loan from members who have subscribed to the Entrepreneur One Upgrade (E1), earning portions of an ILP in return. Additionally, some members have directly purchased ILPs, which also contributes to the development. This method is significantly different from the traditional ICO approach.

As stated by CEO and founder Thomas Prendergast, 

“It’s time to raise money to market and promote Markethive and bring in the millions, if not billions, that can benefit from what Markethive offers. We will raise money not based on speculation but on fact. We’ve already built the system and have our coin with everything ready to go, making Markethive’s ICO very different from all others that have already done ICOs. That should actually have a significant impact on the industry.” 

Thomas also shared his deep concern about the growing population of individuals who are experiencing poverty and financial burden as a result of being deceived, manipulated, and defrauded by online scams. He stated that this concern serves as a driving force behind the development of Markethive, an extensive undertaking intended to establish a platform that can generate a genuine and sustainable income for its users. While Thomas prefers not to speculate on specific timelines, he maintains that despite the obstacles encountered by Markethive, 2024 appears to be the year when everything will come together.


Source: Markethive

So What’s Markethive Got Already?

Markethive offers various features and assets. It has a fully operational wallet and has introduced its cryptocurrency called Hivecoin. With a total quantity of 45 million, Hivecoin is currently used within the platform to make payments and provide incentives. The Markethive Wallet consists of multiple wallets serving different purposes.

  • It’s an Accounting system.
  • It houses The vault.
  • It’s used for Payments.
  • Incorporating a Bitcoin wallet, Solana wallet, and Hivecoin wallet

With its current operational platform, Markethive offers a range of tools and services currently being improved through iterations and UX enhancements. The fundamentals consist of;

  • A full-blown marketing platform.
  • Social network
  • Inbound Marketing 
  • Storefronts
  • Promocodes
  • Customer acquisition 
  • Lead generation
  • Marketing tools

Markethive’s iterations and UX enhancements will incorporate multiple feeds and be likened to;

  • Twitter, a microblogging feed
  • YouTube, a video feed
  • Google Blogger, a blogging feed
  • Scoop.it, a curation feed.

Markethive has been at the forefront of introducing unique initiatives and projects that remain unparalleled in the industry. It combines an automated marketing system, an inbound marketing platform, and a social network. By merging various types of social networks into one and transforming it into a broadcasting platform, Markethive has established itself as a pioneer. With a rapidly expanding community of over 200,000 members, Markethive continues to flourish. 

The Next Four Big Milestones

1: E1 Exchange. The EX1 permits the purchase and sale of Entrepreneur One subscriptions. E1 is an exclusive framework created to financially support Markethive and provide users access to all the platform's tools. Since the company will no longer offer E1 subscriptions, the only means of obtaining one is through the E1 marketplace, where existing E1 holders may choose to sell, making it a highly valuable and scarce asset.

2: Promocode System. The Markethive admin panel has a promocode system that generates unique codes for E1 members. These codes offer giveaways like Hivecoin, Markethive credits, Boosts, and Wheel of Fortune spins. Each E1 member will receive a specific promocode to promote Markethive on different websites and attract potential users. Any signups, bonuses, or airdrops resulting from these promotions will be credited to the person who acquired the prospect.

Entrepreneur One members will also be provided with a control panel where they can create their own Promocodes. They can select the rewards to offer, which can be purchased through the shopping cart. Additionally, Promocodes can be used for individual groups or storefront signups. For example, if someone joins your group, they will receive a gift. The Promocode is made for Markethive’s social network and has never been done in this industry. 
 

3: Premium Upgrade. The Premium upgrade will replace the E1 upgrade. Those with Premium upgrades will have access to all the features and benefits of the E1 package, except for ILPs or Banner Impressions. The cost for the Premium upgrade will be significantly lower than the E1, which is $100 per month and will be classified as a retail product that generates revenue.

4: Login Registration and Incentive. Upon signing up for Markethive, you will be required to complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) process. You will have 30 days to do this, as indicated by a countdown clock that will periodically remind you. After completing your KYC, you will receive a free 30-day Premium Upgrade. Additionally, you will be eligible for an HVC airdrop, and if you used a Promocode during registration, you will also receive all the incentives associated with that particular Promocode offer.

The KYC procedure has been streamlined and now involves recording a brief one-minute video of yourself to demonstrate your identity and provide your credit/debit card information. A small sum will be deducted as part of the verification process. It is worth mentioning that you do not need to submit any other forms of identification. Please be aware that you will only receive bonuses, airdrops, or promocode offers once you have successfully completed the KYC process.

An added bonus is that once KYC status is fulfilled, it will allow you to withdraw HVC from your Markethive wallet; however, in keeping with our security protocols, you must activate the 2FA authenticator to access your wallet. 

On completion of these milestones and the Markethive ICO websites to be used in the ICO campaign, Markethive will embark on an ICO-like event to fund the marketing of these milestones and increase Hivecoin awareness. The funds raised will also pay for the cost of an ICO-dedicated platform and employ it to launch Markethive’s ICO and to guide Markethive on the ICO journey. 

While it is unnecessary for Markethive to be listed on a cryptocurrency exchange to launch an ICO, it would be advantageous to have one. In addition to Markethive’s plans of establishing their own dedicated offshore crypto exchange, Markethive is vetting various crypto exchanges for listing Hivecoin and introducing Markethive to the global cryptocurrency market.

Exciting Update for Members of Entrepreneur One! 

Every single Entrepreneur One member will receive the signups resulting from the ICO campaign as well as the Promocode site to promote the ICO and with incentives such as Markethive giveaways. 

This is the year when Markethive becomes revenue-oriented and retail-oriented with the new dashboard, state-of-the-art capture page system, and autoresponders. These are retail products and are separate from the free marketing system provided to free members. 
 
Additionally, Markethive will promote its system and launch an ICO-style campaign to drive in the multitudes, with the aim of having hundreds of millions of members in the Markethive system. Markethive is expanding the scope and depth of its vision in what it's building for all humanity. 2024 really looks like the year Markethive will ascend to new unprecedented heights and give back to the community that has upheld the Markethive vision. 

 

 

Editor and Chief Markethive: Deb Williams. (Australia) I thrive on progress and champion freedom of speech.  I embrace "Change" with a passion, and my purpose in life is to enlighten people to accept and move forward with enthusiasm. Find me at my Markethive Profile Page | My Twitter Account | and my LinkedIn Profile.

 

 

 

 

Tim Moseley

The Artist that came out of the Winter