😥Jimmy Carter Dies At 100

☀️Good morning. It's Monday, Dec. 30, and we're covering, Blockchain AI Agent 'ai16z' Surpasses $1.5 Billion Market Cap, Trump Asks Supreme Court To Pause TikTok Ban Law, Tragedy In South Korea: 179 Killed In Passenger Plane Crash, and much more. First time reading? Sign up to get this newsletter: Sign up here. 

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MARKETS

Cryptocurrency Prices by Market Cap

• The global cryptocurrency market cap today is $3.29 Trillion, a 1.18% decrease in the last 24 hours.

• The total crypto market volume over the last 24 hours is $98.28B, which makes a 21.96% increase.

• The total volume in Defi is currently $8.02B, 8.16% of the total crypto market 24-hours.

• The volume of all stablecoins is now $90.07B, which is 91.65% of the total market 24-hour volume.

• Bitcoin’s dominance is currently 56.39%, a decrease of 0.14% over the day.

Bitcoin Drops Below $94K As Bearish Sentiment Grows

Bitcoin has dropped below $94,000, marking a decline from its all-time high of $108,000 on December 17, 2024. Over the past week, the cryptocurrency has fallen by 2.67%, trading below its 20-day exponential moving average (EMA) but remaining above its critical 200-day EMA support level. Market indicators show bearish sentiment, with the Bitcoin Taker-Buy-Sell Ratio dropping to 0.92 and analysts predicting a potential correction to $80,000 due to chart patterns and growing preference for stablecoins like USDT. (Read Deeper)

BUSINESS & FINANCE

Blockchain AI Agent 'ai16z' Surpasses $1.5 Billion Market Cap

The AI-powered blockchain project ai16z recently reached a market cap of $1.5 billion, making it the first Solana Token Extension to surpass the $1 billion milestone. The project, which operates as an AI-agent-run venture capital fund, has gained significant attention due to the rising interest in AI agents. Over the past two months, its value has increased tenfold. Ai16z also oversees the Eliza development framework, allowing developers to create their own AI agents.

Takeaway: Despite facing volatility and internal challenges, ai16z has partnered with Stanford University to study the integration of AI agents with the digital asset economy. While it hasn't yet achieved major exchange listings, whale investors have driven large purchases of the token, contributing to its growth. Ai16z's success highlights the growing intersection of AI and blockchain technologies. (Read Deeper)

Nissan Shares Drop Amid Investor Profit-Taking And Concerns Over Honda Deal

Nissan Motor Co.'s stock fell for the second consecutive day, dropping 6.7% on Monday, totaling a two-day decline of 13%. The slide follows a significant rally after news of a proposed partnership with Honda Motor Co. Investors are taking profits, and disappointment over a reported 5:1 Honda-to-Nissan share transfer ratio has dampened enthusiasm.

Takeaway: The two companies plan to form a joint holding company by August 2026, but specific terms remain undecided. Analysts cite investor concerns over Nissan's financial situation and a global shift in fund investments away from automakers toward tech companies. The broader Japanese stock market also declined, with the Topix index down 0.8%, driven by losses in electronics and automakers. Nissan was the worst-performing stock on the Nikkei 225. (Read Deeper)

TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE

Trump Asks Supreme Court To Pause TikTok Ban Law

President-elect Donald Trump has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to delay the implementation of a law that would force TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app or face a ban in the United States. The law is set to take effect on January 19, 2025, one day before Trump’s inauguration. The Supreme Court will hear arguments on January 10. Free speech advocates criticize the law as akin to censorship, while U.S. officials and lawmakers maintain that TikTok poses a security risk due to its Chinese ownership.

Takeaway: TikTok, which has over 170 million U.S. users, is fighting to overturn the legislation, arguing its operations are secure and U.S.-based. Trump’s request represents a shift from his 2020 stance when he sought to block TikTok over national security concerns. He has since met with TikTok’s CEO and expressed openness to allowing the app to continue operating. (Read Deeper)

SpaceX Set To Launch Final Falcon 9 Mission Of 2024 On New Year's Eve

SpaceX is set to launch its final Falcon 9 mission of 2024 on New Year's Eve, carrying 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with direct-to-cell capability. The launch, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, will occur during a one-hour window starting at 12:34 a.m. EST on Dec. 31. This marks SpaceX’s 134th mission of the year, a record-breaking total that includes 89 Starlink launches.

Takeaway: The Falcon 9’s first stage, making its 16th flight, will aim for a droneship landing in the Atlantic Ocean. Starlink, already the largest satellite constellation, continues to grow with over 6,850 active satellites. This mission highlights SpaceX’s successful and ambitious year in expanding global satellite connectivity. (Read Deeper)

AROUND DE WORLD & POLITICS

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter Dies At 100

Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, passed away at age 100 in Plains, Georgia. President Joe Biden declared January 9th a national day of mourning in his honor. The Camp David Accords highlighted Carter’s presidency (1977–1981), fostering peace between Israel and Egypt, but faced challenges such as economic difficulties and the Iran hostage crisis. After losing reelection to Ronald Reagan in 1980, Carter became a celebrated humanitarian.

Takeaway: His post-presidency work, including the Carter Center's efforts in election monitoring and conflict resolution, earned him a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. A deeply moral and religious man, Carter remained committed to service. Public memorials will honor his legacy before a private burial in his hometown. President Joe Biden declared January 9th a national day of mourning, urging Americans to pay tribute to Carter’s life and legacy. ( Read Deeper)

Tragedy In South Korea: 179 Killed In Passenger Plane Crash

A tragic aviation disaster occurred on Sunday when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crash-landed at Muan International Airport in southwestern South Korea, killing 179 of the 181 people onboard. The two survivors, both crew members, were pulled from the wreckage. This is South Korea's deadliest plane crash since 1997. Families of victims have expressed heartbreak and frustration, demanding answers. The disaster also comes during political instability in South Korea, adding to national tensions.

Takeaway: The aircraft, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, skidded down the runway on its belly before erupting in flames. Initial reports suggest issues with the plane's landing gear, though the cause whether mechanical failure, bird strike, or other factors is under investigation. Authorities have recovered the plane's black box and are working with U.S. investigators, including the FAA and Boeing, to determine the cause. (Read Deeper)

ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

Nottingham Forest Climbs To 2nd In Premier League As Liverpool Dominate

Nottingham Forest moved into second place in the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Everton, continuing its surprising push for a Champions League spot. This marks their highest position since 1979 when they were runners-up behind Liverpool. Liverpool extended its lead at the top with a dominant 5-0 victory over West Ham, fueled by Mohamed Salah’s 17th league goal of the season. Despite Forest’s rise, manager Nuno Espirito Santo remains cautious, noting the team's position is not yet secure. Manchester City marked Pep Guardiola's 500th game with a 2-0 win over Leicester, though their performance remains under scrutiny. (Read Deeper)

Family Christmas Portrait Goes Viral For The Wrong Reasons After Son's Pajamas Don't Match

A viral Christmas family portrait has sparked controversy due to one family member not wearing matching pajamas. In the photos, 5-year-old Trü is seen in a black set with "Christmas Crew" written on it, while his dad, stepmother, and half-siblings all wear coordinated green pajamas. Taylor, Trü's mother, shared her frustration in a TikTok video, explaining that she had sent her son’s pajamas from home, as he wasn’t supposed to be part of the photo shoot. She felt his dad should have left him with her instead. The photos, which were posted on social media, quickly gained 59 million views. Taylor clarified that she didn’t blame Trü's stepmother. (Read Deeper)

PODCAST(WHAT WE ARE LISTENING TO)

• 16 Lessons From 2024 - Chris Bumstead, Elon Musk & Alex Hormozi," host Chris Williamson reflects on key insights from his interviews throughout the year. (Listen)

EXTRA BREVITI

• Starlink, the satellite internet provider, has announced another price increase for its services in Nigeria, effective January 27, 2025. ( Read More)

• Charles Dolan, the media mogul who revolutionized television with the creation of HBO and Cablevision, has passed away at the age of 98. (Read More)

• Google CEO Sundar Pichai Warns Employees: "The Stakes Are High for 2025". (Read More)

• Crypto Venture Funding Sees 28% Increase in 2024, Driven by Bullish Market and Regulatory Optimism. (Read More)