According to a Study, Bitcoin-Related Job Openings Grew at Least 400% in the United States of America

Most of the job offers were in the areas of software and finance. Companies are now looking for blockchain developers and engineers.

Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies had, in 2021, good performance, and that situation even managed to extend to the workplace.

According to a recent analysis led by the social network for jobs LinkedIn, job offers with titles containing terms like bitcoin, Ethereum, blockchain, and cryptocurrencies grew at least 395% in the United States of America during 2021.

 LinkedIn reported in a press release that, while most of the job openings were in software and finance, other industries are also seeing an increase in demand for cryptocurrency talent.

In addition to the job areas, cryptocurrency-related jobs were offered in accounting, consulting, and the IT hardware and staffing sectors, the company said.

LinkedIn also assures that companies are looking for blockchain developers and engineers.

The Real Reasons for the Growth

According to LinkedIn, many companies aimed at the cryptocurrency sector, inspired by businessmen such as Elon Musk, a prominent promoter of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and dogecoin. Musk said he owns bitcoin, Tesla owns bitcoin, and SpaceX also owns bitcoin.

While with DOGE, Musk joined the Dogecoin Foundation, an organization that seeks to accelerate the development of cryptocurrency.

Additionally, LinkedIn believes that bitcoin-related jobs have also grown as investors poured considerable amounts of money into cryptocurrency and blockchain companies.

Those investments mostly appear to be in profit. At the end of 2021, bitcoin achieved an appreciation of 63.2%, widely exceeding the returns of traditional assets, as reported by CriptoNoticias.

On the other hand, regarding its market capitalization, bitcoin went from USD 597 billion on January 1, 2021, to USD 907 billion. The cryptocurrency experienced an increase of USD 310 billion, at least 51.9% this year; thus turning into a business that results attractive to investors.

Growth Since 2018

The growth that the prominent presence of “bitcoin” and “blockchain” has had among the requests made by American employers should not be surprising.

This momentum for Bitcoin is a situation that happened several years ago, and it keeps going on and on. In 2018, the blockchain developer job ranked as No. 1 in the list of emerging jobs, which grew at least 33 times. While companies requested people with programming language knowledge to write smart contracts Solidity and the Node.js environment

Also, in Latin America, there is considerable growth in searches for professionals related to Bitcoin. This information comes from a series of investigations recently carried out by other media outlets in which they present how the cryptocurrency has grown in Argentina, Venezuela, and Mexico.

By: Jenson Nuñez

How the Whales Have Affected the Price of Bitcoin in the Last Week

The whales transferred 26,559 BTC between cryptocurrency exchanges while moving 21,325 BTC from unknown wallets to those platforms. As the price has support at around USD 40,000, the upward trend might be in the USD 45,000/USD 47,000 resistance zone.

This month, the Bitcoin whales have been adapting to what is happening in the market. However, there is a contrast to previous weeks, which this report will show.

Over the last seven days, the Bitcoin whales have moved 67,742 BTC through 42 transactions. Below are the details of those operations and how they may have influenced the price of BTC.

Of course, it is necessary to contextualize that activity to better dig into the status of the whales and the market as a whole. However, this is only a micro approach to one of the factors that may influence the performance of BTC.

Analysis of the Activity of the Whales in the Last Week

The 42 operations the Bitcoin whales made over the last week are even fewer than in the previous seven days. Although the figures in both periods did not reach 100, that does not mean that the whales do not remain active.

The predominant trend was the transfer of 26,559 BTC between exchanges, equivalent to 39.20% of the weekly total. However, there were no operations of that type during the weekend.

The second-highest trend in the last week was the introduction of liquidity to the market. Thus, 21,325 BTC went from unknown wallets to cryptocurrency exchanges, representing 31.48% of the weekly total.

Accumulation was the third-highest trend, as the whales only moved 19,858 BTC from cryptocurrency exchanges to unknown wallets. In that way, it became the weakest trend, representing 29.31% of the weekly total.

The Performance of Bitcoin Over the Last Week

Bitcoin is currently trading at around USD 41,966 and has accumulated a 0.4 loss in the last 24 hours. That shows that it has slightly recovered from the bearish trend prevailing throughout the week. However, it is still not enough to indicate a definite bullish rebound in the market.

BTC has traded within a tight range in the last week, relieving market participants after the volatile start of the year. Various analytics firms indicate that no fresh capital is entering the market, and no one is willing to buy or sell coins. That seems to explain why the Bitcoin whales have not made as many movements as usual.

The price has support at around the USD 40,000 level, limiting pullbacks in the near term. Despite that, the upward trend might restrict itself to the USD 45,000/USD 47,000 resistance zone. According to the Bitcoin Relative Strength Index, the bullish momentum is starting to wane on the weekly and monthly charts. That reduces the possibility of significant buying by the whales.

The price of Bitcoin is 39% below the all-time high of USD 69,044.77 that it reached on November 10th, 2021. However, the crypto asset still leads the market due to its capacity to recover from the worst crisis it has shown throughout its history. It is only a matter of time before it reaches record levels again.

By Alexander Salazar

Microsoft Bets $69 Billion on the Metaverse with Activision Blizzard Purchase

This deal is Microsoft’s largest deal to date. The move will allow it to grow its video game portfolio with famous Activision franchises like Call of Duty and Candy Crush while also exploring the metaverse.

Microsoft is making a multi-million dollar play for the metaverse after announcing the acquisition of video game developer Activision Blizzard.

The tech giant agreed to acquire Activision, the gaming company behind famous games like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Diablo, for at least $68.7 billion. This deal is Microsoft’s largest acquisition to date, and it would intend to boost the company’s video game business by opening up a space in the metaverse industry.

The deal reportedly took place in cash and is expected to close by fiscal 2023. Microsoft paid $26 billion to acquire LinkedIn in 2016, which had been the company’s largest acquisition to date.

Microsoft has been looking to expand its video game business. Last year, the company acquired game maker Bethesda for $7.5 billion.

Microsoft Acquires Activision, and it is the Biggest deal it has Ever Done

Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, commented that Microsoft’s latest deal sheds light on the long-term direction the company is taking. In addition, it is the company’s most prominent agreement in the video game sphere and its first big step into the metaverse.

Once the deal closes, Microsoft will add a roster of Activision video games to its Xbox Game Pass service, which currently has 25 million subscribers. Regarding the acquired games, Game Pass users will have access to popular franchises like Warcraft, Diablo, Call of Duty, Overwatch, and Candy Crush.

Phil Spencer, CEO of games at Microsoft Phil Spencer, said that once they close the deal, Microsoft will offer as many Activision Blizzard games as they can within Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. New titles and games from the incredible Activision Blizzard catalogue will be available for Microsoft users.

The deal could also ensure tremendous success for Microsoft in the realm of video games and virtual worlds. Activision Blizzard counts on nearly 400 million monthly active players in 190 countries and $3 billion franchises.

The technology giant pointed out in this regard that, once they close the negotiation, it will allow it to become the third-largest game company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony.

Microsoft added in the statement that this acquisition would accelerate the growth of Microsoft’s gaming business across mobile, PC, console, and cloud, providing building blocks for the metaverse.

By: Jenson Nuñez

Francis Suárez Wants Miami to Become the Capital of Cryptocurrencies in the World

Miami mayor stated that blockchain technology helps move away from surveillance capitalism towards democratization and participation. Suárez has encouraged people to use Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in the city and received his salary in BTC.

The mayor of Miami, Francis Suárez, recently said that his city is the capital of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. He predicted that true innovators in the blockchain technology sector would lead the bright future lying ahead.

Suárez mentioned that, in the city administration, they believe in the power of Web 3.0 and new technologies. He commented that their development could benefit virtually all industries and sectors of society as they provide a more secure and inclusive resilient infrastructure.

He also stated that they consider Miami a place for greater economic prosperity and a participatory and responsible government. He highlighted that those technologies help use technology more efficiently by moving away from surveillance capitalism towards democratization and participation.

The Mayor Takes Those Innovative Ideas Very Seriously

For that reason, the mayor expressed the relevance of his government management taking cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology very seriously. In that sense, he noted that he was open to receiving projects that helped strengthen his city.

The official announced that he wants to implement air-quality sensors on a large scale. He also said they should work together on the most pressing problems through blockchain technology.

He thinks they have to embrace innovation to address the ideological division, climate change, and unequal access to digital and physical resources.

Francis Suárez has shown support to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies over the past twelve months. Various media outlets have reported some of the actions by the politician to encourage people to use crypto assets in the city.

He revealed that he would collect his salary in cryptocurrencies to set an example for the inhabitants of Miami. Likewise, he mentioned his interest in making the city the capital of cryptocurrencies in the US and worldwide.

Suárez Is Open to Accepting Chinese Bitcoin Miners in Miami

In June, the mayor of Miami expressed that he was willing to offer spaces of his city to Bitcoin miners fleeing from China. He told them they could find the infrastructure to produce electricity with renewable and non-polluting sources.

The measures taken by China against Bitcoin mining in provinces like Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang created uncertainty. That led the owners of digital farms to abandon their activity within the following two months. Those two areas of the Asian country concentrated 48% of the total Bitcoin hash rate.

Some regions with low energy costs and politicians open to cryptocurrencies, like Texas and Wyoming, could receive Chinese miners. Francis Suárez said they could find everything they needed to develop their activity in Miami.

The relevant role of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in the current economic system is increasingly evident. Politicians like the mayor of Miami believe that they can help citizens become independent from controlling authorities. He also considers new projects with blockchain technology can strengthen his city.

By Alexander Salazar

Although Bitcoin Price Drops by 20%, Bitcoin Miners Will Not Capitulate

The Bitcoin mining activity keeps growing despite current prices, and new data show that a massive crisis in the sector is unlikely. A Twitter user recently said that the value of Bitcoin is around 20% above the production cost for miners.

Although the Bitcoin price has fallen by USD 27,000 below its all-time high, miners find it more attractive than ever. The hash rate, an estimate of the total processing power used for mining, reached new record levels.

Those concerned that a further drop in the Bitcoin price could pressure miners to sell their coins. However, they received new data covering how much BTC/USD they should trade for breaking even.

Using the Bitcoin production cost indicator of Charles Edwards as a reference, Twitter user Venturefounder revealed the current price break-even point is USD 34,000. He added that the capitulation of miners in December 2018 and March 2020 caused the worst crises of BTC.

When the value of Bitcoin reached USD 30,000 in May, there was a risk of miner capitulation. Edwards, the CEO of asset manager Capriole, said that the current production cost is USD 34,000, 20% below the current price.

However, miners do not have to sell their BTC, thanks to the current profitability and prospects of the cryptocurrency market. In 2019, Edwards noted that transaction fees give them an additional cushion against spot price incursions below the production cost.

The Current Accumulation by Bitcoin Miners Does Not Signal a Sell-Off

New data shows that Bitcoin miners are accumulating more coins than ever before in the last five months. That could signal current prices will not lead to a sell-off.

Likewise, Twitter account Bitcoin Archive stated that the accumulation by miners is massive. Besides, Glassnode shows that the trend has accelerated since the price hit the high of USD 69,000.

The overall market balance looks healthy and shows that current fears about future economic difficulties are insignificant in the mining sector. In that regard, renowned analysts predict a Bitcoin price of no less than USD 30,000 in the worst case.

Many Bitcoin Miners Seek to Flee from Kazakhstan

After Kazakhstan became the country with the second-highest Bitcoin hash rate in 2021, it is now inconvenient for mining. According to Reuters, many leading mining operators could be considering leaving the Asian country.

The report notes that Bitcoin mining farms are afraid of the political instability and threat of stricter regulations in Kazakhstan. For that reason, they are considering transferring part of their operations to destinations like the US and Russia to avoid going bankrupt.

In early January, massive protests in Kazakhstan forced the government to take extreme measures. They cut the energy supply and the Internet service, which kept mining nodes disconnected from the network. That situation caused an abrupt drop of 12% in Bitcoin computing power.

There are reports about the solution to the situation in Kazakhstan and the withdrawal of the Russian peacekeeping troops. However, Bitcoin miners believe that the development and stability of the mining industry are still at risk in the country.

By Alexander Salazar

Amid Signs of Recovery in the Market, the Cardano and Dogecoin Price Jumps Significantly

The value of Cardano increased by 22%, and the number of projects based on smart contracts grew on its network. The comments of Elon Musk once again boosted the price of Dogecoin, which skyrocketed by over 18%.

The crypto market is showing signs of recovery after the price of most altcoins dropped in the last week. The value of almost 70% of cryptocurrencies has recovered, with gains above 20%.

Cardano (ADA), which has rebounded by 22% after implementing its smart contract platform, leads the top cryptocurrencies. Concerning Dogecoin (DOGE), the memecoin received a 17% boost thanks to billionaire Elon Musk, who enabled DOGE payments on Tesla.

The value of Bitcoin (BTC) has risen again in the last seven days, after the fall it suffered in early 2022. That increase has oscillated in a range between USD 40,000 and USD 44,000.

According to market analysts, BTC reacted positively to the announcement by the US Department of Labor. They indicated that inflation in the North American country was 7% in the last year.

Bitcoin is currently trading at around USD 42,108 and has accumulated a 0.3% gain in the past week. Its daily trading volume is above USD 15.81 billion, and its market capitalization is about USD 795.54 billion, according to CinGecko.

In the last week, the price of Ether (ETH) has increased by 1.2%, reaching between USD 3,031.17 and USD 3,395.75. The burning of coins on the network reached a new all-time high of 19,424 ETH eliminated in a single day.

The Number of Projects Based on Cardano Smart Contracts Grow

The Input Output team, responsible for developing ADA, announced the progress of its new Cardano smart contract platform. Between December 13th, 2021, and January 13th, 2022, there have been 72 new projects.

John Woods, the director of Cardano Architecture,  said that new decentralized apps (dApps), decentralized exchanges (DEX), and DeFi apps would emerge. After that announcement, the price of ADA registered a significant increase within the framework of constant progress.

The cryptocurrency is trading at around USD 1.48 and has accumulated a 25% gain over the past seven days. Its daily trading volume is above USD 3.65 billion, and its market capitalization is about USD 47.43 billion, according to CoinGecko.

The Comments of Elon Musk Boost the Dogecoin Price Again

The original memecoin saw consecutive gains in the past week and hit a weekly high above USD 0.20. The billionaire owner of Tesla confirmed that they have started accepting DOGE for their accessories.

Besides the announcement from Elon Musk, the growth in whale activity has contributed to the rise in the memecoin price. WhaleStats data reveals that long-term holders have transferred more than 407 million DOGE.

Dogecoin is trading at around USD 0.16 and has accumulated an 11.4% gain in the last seven days. Its daily trading volume is above USD 935.06 million, and its market capitalization is about USD 22.25 billion, according to CoinGecko.

By Alexander Salazar