Good Morning Crypto Enthusiasts!

Glad to have you back for another edition of the UseTheBitcoin.com newsletter.

1. Fed's Powell Addresses Digital Dollar Concerns: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reassures the public that the United States is far from implementing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) and emphasizes that any potential CBDC would not involve surveillance of users' transactions.

2. Gemini's Merger Plans with Genesis Unveiled: Gemini co-founder Cameron Winklevoss reportedly contemplated a merger with Digital Currency Group (DCG) and its subsidiary, Genesis Global Capital (GGC), to create a formidable entity that could rival major players like Coinbase and FTX.

3. SafePal and Fiat24 Launch USDC-Powered Visa Card: Singaporean fintech firm SafePal partners with Swiss bank Fiat24 to introduce a crypto Visa card and in-app banking service powered by US Coin (USDC). The service, accessible through the SafePal mobile wallet, enables users to create USDC wallets, send funds to traditional financial institutions, and transact across more than 40 blockchains.

4. Pantera Initiates Fundraise for Solana Purchase from FTX Estate: Pantera Capital raises funds for the Pantera Solana Fund, aiming to acquire up to $250 million worth of Solana (SOL) tokens from the bankrupt FTX exchange's estate. The investment opportunity offers prospective investors a chance to purchase SOL at a discounted rate and is expected to facilitate FTX's bankruptcy proceedings.

5. 💡Feature of the Day - Nissan Launches Immersive Metaverse Experience: Nissan Motor Co. unveils a new metaverse experience, the "Heritage Cars & Safe Drive Studio," combining historical car exhibits with interactive safety demonstrations.

6. 🫨 What’s Buzzing? - When Should you Buy Bitcoin? Before or After the Halving? UseTheBitcoin got you covered!

7. 
   All this and more in today’s headlines!

📰 News Highlights:

🏦 Fed's Powell Addresses Digital Dollar Concerns [Source][Source][Source]

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has reassured the public that the United States is far from implementing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) and emphasized that any potential CBDC would not involve surveillance of users' transactions.

Powell's remarks came during a March 7 hearing before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

While nations like Hong Kong and the BRICS bloc explore CBDC initiatives, Powell stressed that the U.S. remains distant from such developments. He underscored the Fed's commitment to privacy, citing China's digital yuan as an example of surveillance that the U.S. would not condone.

Powell reiterated that a retail-focused CBDC would not entail individual accounts for Americans and would instead be facilitated through the banking system. He emphasized the need for congressional authorization before the Fed could pursue a retail CBDC, echoing sentiments expressed in a December 2023 executive order from President Joe Biden.

🔄 Gemini's Merger Plans with Genesis Unveiled [Source]

Gemini co-founder Cameron Winklevoss reportedly contemplated a merger with Digital Currency Group (DCG) and its subsidiary, Genesis Global Capital (GGC), in a bid to create a formidable entity that could rival major players like Coinbase and FTX. DCG CEO Barry Silbert revealed the discussions in an email from October 2022, three months before Genesis declared bankruptcy.

While the proposed merger ultimately fell through, Silbert's email outlined ambitious plans for the combined entity, envisioning a publicly-listed powerhouse capable of competing with industry giants.

Despite acknowledging GGC's financial challenges, Silbert maintained transparency during discussions with Winklevoss, who ultimately opted against the merger.

💳 SafePal and Fiat24 Launch USDC-Powered Visa Card [Source][Source]

Singaporean fintech firm SafePal has partnered with Swiss bank Fiat24 to introduce a crypto Visa card and in-app banking service powered by US Coin (USDC) as the default deposit currency.

The service, accessible through the SafePal mobile wallet, allows users to create USDC wallets, send funds to traditional financial institutions, and transact across more than 40 blockchains.

SafePal's initiative underscores the growing popularity of self-custody wallets in the wake of centralized finance collapses. The move aligns with broader trends in the industry, with platforms like Block and Bitget Wallet also expanding their offerings to meet increasing demand for decentralized solutions.

💰 Pantera Initiates Fundraise for Solana Purchase from FTX Estate [Source][Source]

Pantera Capital is reportedly raising funds for the Pantera Solana Fund, aiming to acquire up to $250 million worth of Solana (SOL) tokens from the bankrupt FTX exchange's estate. The move follows FTX's agreement to settle disputes with BlockFi, paving the way for liquidators to repay investors.

Pantera's investment opportunity offers prospective investors a chance to purchase SOL at a discounted rate, with the aim of addressing FTX's financial obligations.

The potential sale is expected to facilitate FTX's bankruptcy proceedings and ensure full repayment to its customers.

💡 Feature of the Day: 

🚗 Nissan Launches Immersive Metaverse Experience [Source][Video]

Nissan Motor Co. has unveiled a new metaverse experience, the "Heritage Cars & Safe Drive Studio," combining historical car exhibits with interactive safety demonstrations.

The exhibit, commemorating Nissan's 90th anniversary, features iconic models such as the Silvia Q's S13 and the Skyline 2000GTX-E, offering users a blend of automotive history and driver education.

Developed in collaboration with researchers from Japanese universities, the metaverse exhibit underscores Nissan's commitment to innovation and engagement with emerging technologies. The launch coincides with advancements in AR and VR hardware, signaling the automotive industry's embrace of immersive digital experiences.

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🫨 What’s Buzzing?:

🕰️ Timing the Bitcoin market around the halving event is a hot topic for investors. But when's the best time to buy? Let's dissect the factors and potential strategies:

🔍 Why Halving Matters: Bitcoin halving occurs every four years, reducing the reward for miners and limiting the total supply to 21 million coins.

🚨 Caution Advised: High trading activity and global demand signal a bullish market, but excessive enthusiasm could lead to increased volatility and risk.

🔮 Future Outlook: Analysts forecast potential price increases post-halving, with predictions ranging from $125,000 to $200,000 by 2025.

🤔 Your Decision: Ultimately, the decision to invest during, before, or after the halving depends on your risk tolerance and investment goals.

📈 Long-Term View: Despite short-term uncertainties, Bitcoin has demonstrated resilience and long-term growth potential.

⚖️ Balancing Risk and Reward: Consider your risk tolerance, investment horizon, and market conditions before making any decisions.

🛑 Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Carefully evaluate your options and seek advice from financial professionals before making any investment decisions.

⏳ Read the whole article about it written by UsetheBitcoin and let's keep a close watch on the Bitcoin halving journey and navigate the crypto market with caution and informed decision-making!

😂 Crypto Meme of the Day: 

And that’s it for this today.

With all of the recent hacks taking place, remember to protect your crypto assets with today’s sponsor Trezor hardware wallets.

See you all for monday’s edition!

Jonathan Gibson
UseTheBitcoin.com