BTC Surges Above $100,000, Trump Appoints Pro-Crypto SEC Chair Paul Atkins, Powell Compares BTC to Gold, and More: Dec 5

Bitcoin is currently priced at $102,402.32 with a 6.23% increase in the past 24 hours, while Ethereum trades at $3,861.17, up 5.75% over the same period. The futures market remains balanced, with a 50% long and 50% short position ratio. The Fear and Greed Index, a key measure of market sentiment, climbed from 78 (Extreme Greed) yesterday to 84 (Extreme Greed) today.

President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of pro-crypto advocate Paul Atkins to replace Gary Gensler as SEC Chair signals a potential shift toward more favorable regulations. Bitcoin, often compared to digital gold, has approached $102,402.32, buoyed by growing institutional interest and evolving perceptions of its role in the financial ecosystem. Meanwhile, Ripple’s XRP has surged past a $150 billion market cap, rivaling top U.S. companies, and Grayscale has joined the race to launch the first spot Solana ETF. This period of transformation highlights the intersection of regulation, innovation, and market dynamics in shaping the future of digital assets.

1. Jerome Powell says Bitcoin is a strong competitor to gold at The New York Times' DealBook Summit on Dec.4.
2. Circle announced it is the first stablecoin issuer to meet Canada's new listing rules.
3. Bitcoin mining company Hut 8 announced a $500 million and a $250 million stock buyback plan in order to buy more Bitcoin.

 Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me 

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Bitcoin hit an all-time high today surpassing $102,402.32 for the first time. The price surged to $102,402.32 during early trading hours with a 6.4 percent increase in the past 24 hours. Institutional investment has grown by over $8 billion this quarter fueling demand. Analysts point to recent pro-crypto policy shifts including Paul Atkins' nomination as SEC Chair and a projected 18 percent increase in adoption rates by 2025. Bitcoin now commands a market capitalization of over $1.95 trillion solidifying its dominance as the largest cryptocurrency.

BTC Price Chart | Source: KuCoin

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Paul Atkins to lead the SEC, fulfilling his campaign promise to crypto voters. Trump praised Atkins as a "proven leader for common sense regulations" due to his tenure as an SEC commissioner from 2002 to 2008 and his role as Co-Chairman of the Digital Chamber's Token Alliance since 2017.

“Paul is the CEO and Founder of Patomak Global Partners, a risk management consultancy,” Trump said. “As Co-Chairman of the Digital Chamber’s Token Alliance since 2017, he has worked on and studied the digital assets industry.”

Atkins' appointment follows Gary Gensler’s resignation on Nov. 21 after years of legal battles with crypto firms. The SEC initiated 104 lawsuits against the industry between 2021 and 2023, costing companies $426 million in legal fees. Analysts expect the SEC's focus on enforcement to ease under Atkins, potentially opening the door for clearer regulations and renewed growth.

Legal battles cost the industry $426 million in legal fees and created uncertainty in the market. Analysts predict a softer stance on enforcement under Atkins, allowing firms to focus on innovation and growth. Pantera’s chief legal officer, Katrina Paglia, said new leadership could ease regulatory pressure. "The lawsuits targeting cryptocurrency firms and blockchain projects will likely diminish," she explained. Atkins’ leadership could mark the beginning of clearer, more supportive regulation for digital assets.

Source: X

U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently drew parallels between Bitcoin and gold, emphasizing its role as a speculative asset rather than a competitor to the dollar.

“People use Bitcoin as a speculative asset, right? It’s like gold,” Powell said at The New York Times' DealBook Summit. “It’s just like gold, only it’s virtual, it’s digital.” 

Bitcoin’s volatility remains a concern, but its price has approached $100,000, with current trading levels around $97,400. This growth follows President-elect Trump’s pro-crypto stance and institutional interest in digital assets. Powell acknowledged Bitcoin’s "staying power," but the Federal Reserve continues to monitor its interaction with traditional banking systems to ensure financial stability.

Source: KuCoin

 XRP has experienced a meteoric rise, with its market cap soaring to $150 billion, surpassing companies like Pfizer ($144 billion) and Citigroup ($136 billion). Ripple’s asset now ranks as the third-largest cryptocurrency, trailing only Bitcoin and Ethereum.

XRP surged by 409% after the November elections, reaching a high of $2.82 before settling at $2.61. Market analysts attribute this growth to increasing institutional interest and optimism about a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment.

If classified as a company, XRP would rank as the 68th largest in the S&P 500, outshining 86% of the index, including notable firms like Lockheed Martin ($122.5 billion). This positioning underscores the growing acceptance of digital assets as viable investments within traditional financial frameworks.

Grayscale Investments filed with the SEC on Dec. 3 to convert its existing Grayscale Solana Trust (GSOL) into a spot Solana ETF. The trust, holding $134.2 million in assets, represents approximately 0.1% of all Solana in circulation.

Grayscale joins competitors like 21Shares, VanEck, and Bitwise in seeking SEC approval for a spot Solana ETF. The move reflects a broader push to integrate cryptocurrencies into mainstream financial products, potentially unlocking new levels of institutional participation.

Extract from Grayscale’s 19b-4 filing to list a spot Solana ETF. Source: NYSE

Read More: GBTC vs. Bitcoin: Which One Should You Invest In?

Gary Gensler’s departure and the anticipated leadership of Paul Atkins have sparked optimism across the crypto industry. Filings for a Solana ETF surged immediately after Gensler’s resignation, and analysts predict continued altcoin rallies into 2025.

Pantera’s chief legal officer, Katrina Paglia, suggested that the SEC’s aggressive stance on crypto firms will likely diminish under new leadership. “The lawsuits targeting cryptocurrency firms and blockchain projects could quietly go away,” she said.

The crypto industry stands at a pivotal moment. Leadership changes, regulatory shifts, and market innovations signal a new era for digital assets. From Bitcoin nearing $100,000 to XRP rivaling top U.S. companies, the market reflects growing maturity and integration into traditional financial systems. Grayscale’s pursuit of a spot Solana ETF and Paul Atkins’ nomination as SEC Chair underscore the momentum building behind crypto. As these developments unfold, they are likely set for reshaping the regulatory landscape and solidifying digital assets’ place in the global economy.