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Crypto funding surge following Bitcoin’s strong performance

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After enduring a prolonged period of volatility and uncertainty, the crypto industry witnessed a resurgence in venture funding in the fourth quarter of 2023, marking the first uptick since the onset of the “crypto winter” nearly two years ago.

According to data from PitchBook released on Thursday, venture funding for crypto-related companies reached $1.9 billion in the final quarter of 2023, representing a 2.5% increase compared to the previous quarter.

This positive trend comes as a relief for crypto entrepreneurs who have struggled amidst the challenging fundraising landscape in recent years.

The “crypto winter,” characterized by a downturn in investor sentiment and heightened regulatory scrutiny, dampened the fundraising efforts of crypto startups throughout 2022.

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Rising interest rates from major central banks further exacerbated the situation, prompting investors to retreat from riskier assets including cryptocurrencies.

Crypto winter

Compounding the challenges were high-profile collapses of crypto firms such as Do Kwon’s Terra and Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX, leading to significant losses for major venture funds like Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital.

However, with a resurgence in crypto asset prices and improved public market valuations for companies like Coinbase and MicroStrategy, investor confidence has begun to rebound. Over the past year, bitcoin has more than doubled in price, surpassing $52,000 per coin, while Coinbase stock has surged nearly 140%.

“We’re starting to see a correlation between investments in private markets and the public markets,” says a spokesperson from PitchBook in an interview with CNBC.

“The uptrend in publicly-traded crypto companies is now being reflected in private investments as well.”

Capital flowing

While the total number of deals declined slightly in the fourth quarter, PitchBook suggests that capital is flowing towards stronger startups within the crypto space.

This concentration of investment is evident in notable fundraises such as those for Swan Bitcoin and Blockchain.com, which raised $165 million and $100 million, respectively.

Ahron Young is an award winning journalist who has covered major news events around the world. Ahron is the Managing Editor and Founder of TICKER NEWS.

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Gold plunges as investors react to Middle East ceasefire

Gold prices fall over 2% to below $4,000, as investors shift from safe-haven assets after Gaza ceasefire news.

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Gold prices fall over 2% to below $4,000, as investors shift from safe-haven assets after Gaza ceasefire news.


Gold prices have fallen sharply, dropping over two per cent to below $4,000 per ounce, as investors took profits following the announcement of a Gaza ceasefire agreement. The deal between Israel and Hamas triggered a shift away from safe-haven assets, with silver and platinum also sliding.

The U.S. dollar strengthened as markets responded to the news, making precious metals more expensive for foreign buyers. Analysts say the pullback is likely temporary, with long-term demand for gold and silver expected to remain strong amid global instability and rising debt levels.

Market experts warn that volatility will continue as geopolitical tensions persist, even as short-term optimism grows around the Middle East peace process.

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Gold and silver prices drop after Gaza ceasefire

Gold dips below $4,000/oz amid profit-taking and Gaza ceasefire; silver also softens from record highs

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Gold dips below $4,000/oz amid profit-taking and Gaza ceasefire; silver also softens from record highs

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In Short:
– Gold prices fell over 2% to below $4,000 per ounce due to a stronger dollar and profit-taking.
– Silver eased to $48.93 per ounce, influenced by market activity and ongoing high demand despite supply issues.
Gold prices fell over 2% on Thursday, dropping below $4,000 per ounce. The decline followed a strong rise earlier in the year and was influenced by a stronger dollar and profit-taking after a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.Spot gold decreased to $3,959.48 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures for December delivery settled at $3,972.6.

Silver also experienced a slight decline, easing from its record high to $48.93 per ounce. The dollar index increased, making gold more expensive for overseas buyers.

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Traders noted increased activity in the market as profit-taking coincided with reduced tensions in a historically volatile region.

An independent metals trader stated that while gold and silver may need to consolidate further, the underlying demand drivers remain intact.

Market Overview

Gold surpassed $4,000 per ounce on Wednesday, reaching $4,059.05, boosted by geopolitical tensions and strong demand from central banks. The asset has gained about 52% this year, reflecting a significant increase due to various economic factors. The U.S. central bank’s decision to cut rates in September also contributed to the rally, with expectations for future cuts in the coming months.

Silver’s price increase of 69% this year is tied closely to similar economic trends impacting gold. Notably, liquidity issues in the silver market are being exacerbated by strong demand and tight supply conditions. Other precious metals, such as platinum and palladium, also saw declines during this period.

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North Korean hackers steal $2 billion in crypto

North Korean hackers steal over $2 billion in cryptocurrency, marking the largest annual total in history

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North Korean hackers steal over $2 billion in cryptocurrency, marking the largest annual total in history

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In Short:
– North Korean hackers stole over $2 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025, nearly tripling last year’s total.
– A shift to social engineering tactics has led to increased targeting of high-net-worth individuals for cyber attacks.
North Korean hackers have reportedly stolen over $2 billion in cryptocurrency assets in 2025, setting a record with three months still left in the year.
Data from blockchain analytics firm Elliptic indicates that this amount nearly triples the total stolen last year, accounting for approximately 13% of North Korea’s estimated GDP and raising the regime’s total crypto theft to over $6 billion since 2017.Banner

A significant portion of the 2025 theft is attributed to the February hack of cryptocurrency exchange Bybit, which amounted to $1.46 billion.

The FBI has linked this breach to state-sponsored North Korean hackers, who exploited weaknesses in Bybit’s wallet management system. More than 30 additional cyber attacks have also been associated with North Korea this year, including notable breaches at LND.fi and WOO X.

Shift In Tactics

A shift in methodology among North Korean hackers has been observed, as they now focus on social engineering rather than technical exploits. According to Elliptic, the primary vulnerability lies with individuals rather than technology.

High-net-worth individuals and corporate executives are increasingly targeted due to their relatively weaker security measures.

The hackers utilise deceptive tactics, including phishing schemes and fake job offers, to access private cryptocurrency wallets. Intelligence reports suggest that the stolen funds are used to finance North Korea’s nuclear programmes.

The regime has also improved its money laundering techniques by employing various cryptocurrencies and mixing methods to obscure fund origins. Blockchain analysts are actively tracking these stolen assets, with notable progress achieved in identifying recoverable funds.


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