Top 10 Crypto Highlights of 2024: From Bitcoin Hitting $100K to Pro-Crypto Policy
2024 left a defining mark on the history of the crypto industry, with a string of major events shaping the future of the market. Here are the 10 most notable moments, from Bitcoin's explosive price surge to significant political and regulatory shifts. 1. Trump Wins the U.S. Presidential Election: A New Era for Crypto On November 6, Donald Trump officially defeated Kamala Harris to become President of the United States. With a pro-crypto stance, he pledged to push for friendlier policies, including plans to overhaul financial regulation, expand the CFTC's authority, and resolve the ongoing dispute between the SEC and crypto businesses.
2024 left a defining mark on the history of the crypto industry, with a string of major events shaping the future of the market. Here are the 10 most notable moments, from Bitcoin's explosive price surge to significant political and regulatory shifts.
1. Trump Wins the U.S. Presidential Election: A New Era for Crypto
On November 6, Donald Trump officially defeated Kamala Harris to become President of the United States. With a pro-crypto stance, he pledged to push for friendlier policies, including plans to overhaul financial regulation, expand the CFTC's authority, and resolve the ongoing dispute between the SEC and crypto businesses.
2. Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs Approved: Crypto Welcomes Wall Street
Early in 2024, the SEC approved a spot Bitcoin ETF, marking a major milestone for crypto's entry into traditional financial markets. Just months later, a spot Ethereum ETF also received the green light, opening a new era of investment for both institutions and retail investors.
3. Bitcoin Breaks $100K: A Historic Milestone
On December 5, Bitcoin officially hit $100,000 for the first time in history. Market cap surpassed $2 trillion, making Bitcoin the seventh most valuable asset in the world and cementing its irreplaceable place in the digital economy.
4. DOGE Explodes Thanks to Musk's "DOGE Dept"
Backed by Elon Musk and the U.S. government, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was established, delivering a massive boost to Dogecoin. DOGE's price surged nearly 6x, peaking at $0.48 toward year-end.
5. CZ Completes Prison Sentence and Relaunches His Career
Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder of Binance, completed his 4-month prison sentence in September. Upon his return, he turned his focus to the Giggle Academy education platform, marking a notable reinvention for one of the most powerful figures in crypto.
6. Polymarket Rises Up: Leading Election Predictions
Prediction platform Polymarket hit a record with over $2.5 billion in trading volume in November, becoming the most trusted forecasting tool during the U.S. election. The betting market demonstrated crypto's power to reflect real-world outcomes.
7. MicroStrategy Joins the Nasdaq 100
On December 14, MicroStrategy was officially added to the Nasdaq 100, marking a major milestone for a crypto-focused company. Holding over 423,650 BTC, MicroStrategy affirmed its pioneering role in driving Bitcoin adoption at the corporate level.
8. HBO Releases Documentary on Satoshi Nakamoto
HBO's film "Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery," released in October, once again ignited debate over the true identity of Satoshi Nakamoto. Although the designated subject, Peter Todd, denied the claim, the event sparked a wave of lively discussion across the crypto community.
9. Stablecoin Market Cap Reaches $200B
Driven by the widespread adoption of stablecoins like USDT and USDC, the stablecoin market cap peaked at $200 billion in December, reinforcing their critical role in the digital financial ecosystem and global commerce.
10. SEC Chair Gary Gensler Resigns: Fresh Air for the Market
On November 22, SEC Chair Gary Gensler announced his resignation, bringing his contentious tenure to a close. The move raised fresh hopes for the crypto industry, with more open-minded policies expected to fuel market growth.
In summary, 2024 was a breakout year packed with watershed moments. From political and regulatory developments to technological and market advances, crypto is increasingly asserting its place in the global financial and technology landscape.