Bitcoin ETFs approved and trading in the US; SEC’s X account is hacked, causing havoc in markets; and Venezuela discontinues its national cryptocurrency, Petro. Source: https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/sec-hacked-bitcoin-etfs-go-live-venezuela-shuts-down-petro-hodlers-digest-jan-7-13/

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink suggests that Bitcoin may not become the go-to currency for everyday spending and asserts that he hasn’t contemplated the potential price trajectory of Bitcoin. Source: …

Spot Bitcoin ETFs were also reportedly not currently available for purchase on the brokerage platforms of Citi, Merill Lynch, Edward Jones, and UBS. Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/vanguard-investors-threaten-to-close-accounts-ban-spot-bitcoin-etfs

United States SEC Commissioner Hester Pierce says spot Bitcoin ETF approval “comes only begrudgingly,” after more than 10 years since the first application was submitted. Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/grayscale-ruling-appeals-court-key-bitcoin-etf-approval-sec-hester-peirce

The SEC’s official X account posted that a spot Bitcoin ETF had been approved, only to claim its account had been compromised half an hour later. Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-etf-approved-sec-twitter-hack-false-informa

CleanSpark CEO Zachary Bradford said the strategic call option is a “hedge” against rising miner prices, which he said went up as much as fivefold in the last bull …

Social media users have pointed out that the regulator’s “no go to FOMO” warning comes amid heightened anticipation over spot Bitcoin ETF approvals. Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/sec-issues-crypto-fomo-warning-ahead-bitcoin-etf-approval

Próspera’s tax commissioner, Jorge Colindres, said the development would expand the financial and monetary freedom for individuals in the area. Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/honduras-special-economic-zone-prospera-recognizes-bitcoin-unit-of-account

BlackRock is reportedly set to break the news to 600 employees in the coming days, amid hopes for the approval of its spot Bitcoin ETF application. Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/blackrock-workforce-cuts-bitcoin-etf-deadline

The SEC is backed into a corner on Bitcoin ETF approval, the IRS has new rules for crypto transactions in 2024, and the original version of the Mickey Mouse …