Crypto Market Recap: CFTC to Hold Crypto Industry Forum

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin is trading at US$96,087, recording a 0.4 percent decrease over 24 hours as of the market’s close on Friday. The day's trading range saw a high of US$100,097 and a low of US$95,746.

Meanwhile, Ether is priced at US$2,595.45, marking a decline of 3.7 percent over 24 hours. The cryptocurrency reached an intraday high of US$2,794.36 and a low of US$2,590.32.

Altcoin price update

• SOL is currently valued at US$189.99, 1 percent lower over 24 hours, after hitting a daily high of US$202.86 and a low of US$189.95 as the markets closed for the weekend.

• XRP rose to US$2.38 at the end of the trading day, marking a 2.2 percent increase. The cryptocurrency reached an intraday high of US$2.53 and a low of US$2.36.

• SUI is trading at US$2.97, near its lowest valuation of the day and a 6 percent decline. It achieved a daily high of US$3.37 and a low of US$2.96.

• Finally, ADA is down, priced at US$0.7041, reflecting a 0.6 percent decrease over 24 hours. Its highest price on Friday was US$0.7485 at the opening bell and its lowest was US$0.6994.

Crypto news to know

Acting Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chair Caroline Pham announced a forum where crypto CEOs from companies including Coinbase, Circle and Ripple can provide input on an upcoming digital asset pilot program.

Earlier this week, Pham said the CFTC will be dividing its task force into two main groups and will be “ending regulation by enforcement,” turning its attention to fraud and consumer protection instead.

Elsewhere, a US federal judge has decreed that Coinbase will be required to face allegations brought to it by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in June 2023, rejecting the crypto exchange’s argument that it does not meet the criteria of a statutory seller. According to Reuters, US District Judge Paul Engelmayer said, “customers on Coinbase transact solely with Coinbase itself,” effectively concluding that Coinbase is a seller.

The SEC has also requested more time to reach a final decision regarding an application by Nasdaq’s International Securities Exchange to list options contracts for BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA).

The decision is now due in April of this year.