> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.themarketsunplugged.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 2024 in Crypto: A Year of Milestones and Surprises - URL: https://www.themarketsunplugged.com/2024-in-crypto-a-year-of-milestones-and-surprises/ - Published: 2024-12-31T10:06:34.000Z - Updated: 2024-12-31T10:06:34.000Z - Author: Doc - Tags: Crypto Insights --- This is Doc, and what a year it’s been for the crypto space. From Bitcoin’s historic highs to transformative developments in tokenised assets, the rise of meme coins, and AI-driven projects, 2024 delivered excitement, growth, and plenty of lessons. Let’s break it all down month by month. --- ### **January 2024: A Fresh Start with Institutional Momentum** - [**Bitcoin Spot ETFs**](https://www.themarketsunplugged.com/the-future-of-bitcoin-etfs-whats-next-for-the-cryptocurrency-space/) **Finally Approved**: The long-anticipated Bitcoin spot ETFs from BlackRock, Fidelity, and others launched, marking a new era of institutional adoption. These ETFs offered retail investors regulated access to Bitcoin. - **Bitcoin Price Movement**: Bitcoin opened at $42,280, peaked at $48,969, and closed at $42,583—a steady start to the year. - **Regulatory Progress in Asia**: Japan introduced crypto taxation clarity, and Hong Kong solidified its ambition to become a global crypto hub. - **Meme Coins Spark Interest**: WIF ($WIF) emerged as a favourite among speculative traders, setting the stage for [meme coin mania](https://www.themarketsunplugged.com/the-wild-world-of-meme-coins-a-beginners-guide/) later in the year. - **The Great Exchange Migration**: After SEC’s ETF approval, memes compared navigating new exchanges to stumbling through a chaotic labyrinth, with liquidity pools feeling more like booby traps. --- ### **February 2024: Ethereum Joins the ETF Boom** - **Ethereum Spot ETFs Approved**: Building on Bitcoin’s momentum, the SEC approved Ethereum spot ETFs, unlocking new diversification options for institutions. - **Bitcoin Rally**: Bitcoin soared to $63,913, closing the month at $61,198 as retail and institutional enthusiasm combined. - **Security Breaches Continue**: Reports highlighted over $1.3 billion in crypto losses, with North Korean groups driving much of the hacking activity. - **Layer-2 Adoption Booms**: Protocols like [Optimism](https://www.themarketsunplugged.com/optimism-the-layer-2-solution-thats-changing-ethereum/), [Arbitrum](https://www.themarketsunplugged.com/how-is-arbitrum-making-ethereum-faster-and-cheaper/), and zkSync saw record activity as users sought to bypass Ethereum's high fees. - **Crypto Valentine’s Day**: “I love you so much, I’ll buy you a Bitcoin” quickly turned into “But will you still love me if it dips?” Romance in crypto always comes with volatility. ![red Love 24 hours neon light sign](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1518563795073-6b72265ad862?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDZ8fHZhbGVudGluZXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MzU2Mzg3MjF8MA&ixlib=rb-4.0.3&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Wyron A](https://unsplash.com/@wyron?ref=themarketsunplugged.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) --- ### **March 2024: Legal Precedents and Market Peaks** - **Sam Bankman-Fried Sentenced**: The former FTX CEO received a 25-year prison sentence for fraud, marking a turning point in crypto accountability. - SBF's "Jail Break": After Sam Bankman-Fried's sentencing, there were playful memes about him trying to escape jail using blockchain technology or launching a "jailbreak coin." - **Bitcoin Gains Momentum**: Opening at $61,168, Bitcoin peaked at $73,750 and closed strong at $71,334. - **AI in Blockchain**: Projects like [$FET](https://www.themarketsunplugged.com/untitled-5/) and [$RENDER](https://www.themarketsunplugged.com/what-is-the-render-network-render-a-beginners-guide/) saw explosive growth as blockchain and artificial intelligence converged to offer cutting-edge solutions. - **DeFi Hits New Heights**: Decentralised finance platforms hit a total value locked (TVL) of $150 billion, reaffirming trust in[ DeFi ecosystems](https://www.themarketsunplugged.com/what-is-defi-and-how-is-it-different-from-traditional-finance/). --- ### **April 2024: The Halving and its Ripple Effects** - **Bitcoin’s Fourth Halving**: [On April 10, Bitcoin’s block reward halved from 6.25 to 3.125 BTC,](https://www.themarketsunplugged.com/what-is-bitcoin-halving-and-why-does-it-matter/) igniting debates over long-term miner sustainability. ![yellow and white sliced fruit on brown wooden table](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1580373933363-b888312ffeb0?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDQ0fHxoYWxmfGVufDB8fHx8MTczNTYzOTM4MXww&ixlib=rb-4.0.3&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [henry perks](https://unsplash.com/@hjkp?ref=themarketsunplugged.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) - **Price Volatility**: Bitcoin fluctuated wildly, opening at $71,333, dropping to $59,120, and closing at $60,637. - **Mining Industry Reshuffles**: Increased mining difficulty forced smaller miners to shut down operations while larger players consolidated their dominance. - **Regulatory Advances in Europe**: The European Union unveiled its comprehensive crypto framework, balancing innovation and compliance. --- ### **May 2024: Recovery and Innovation** - **Bitcoin Price Rebound**: Bitcoin opened at $60,610, reached a high of $71,946, and closed at $67,491, stabilising after April’s volatility. - **Ethereum 2.0 Fully Functional**: [Ethereum’s proof-of-stake network became fully operational](https://www.themarketsunplugged.com/what-is-ethereum-2-0-and-how-will-it-change-the-blockchain-landscape/), scaling effectively while reducing energy consumption. - **Tokenisation of Real Assets**: Tokenised [real-world assets (RWAs)](https://www.themarketsunplugged.com/understanding-real-world-assets-rwas-in-crypto-a-beginners-guide-to-tokenising-traditional-assets-on-the-blockchain/) like real estate and art gained adoption as institutional interest soared. - **Latin America Steps Up**: Argentina and Brazil deepened Bitcoin integration into their financial systems, driving regional adoption. - **FBI’s "Trap Token"**: A fake token sting operation nabbed crypto manipulators, blending humour with justice. --- ### **June 2024: Meme Coins and Layer-2 Growth** - **Bitcoin Consolidates**: Bitcoin opened at $67,490, peaked at $71,908, and closed at $62,678 as the market paused after strong gains. - **Meme Coin Momentum**: WIF ($WIF) and new entrants like $PEPE 2.0 captured traders’ imaginations, achieving substantial market caps. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1f/a8/1fa84cb8-a9d7-42fa-9a80-c94ebf166e86/content/images/2024/12/peachespeaches.webp) - **Corporate Accumulation**: MicroStrategy increased its holdings to 444,262 BTC, doubling down on its conviction in Bitcoin as digital gold. - **DeFi Platforms Evolve**: Security improvements and user-friendly interfaces led to higher engagement on decentralised platforms. --- ### **July 2024: Breaking Barriers** - **Bitcoin Approaches $70K**: Bitcoin reached $69,987 before closing at $64,619, with rising confidence in crypto’s long-term potential. - **AI Tokens Gain Steam**: Projects like $RENDER and OriginTrail ($TRAC) strengthened their positions as leaders in combining AI with blockchain. - **Decentralised Social Media Expands**: Lens Protocol and other decentralised platforms gained traction as users sought control over their data. - **India’s Crypto Tax**: India proposed a controversial 28% tax on crypto transactions, sparking debates in its growing Web3 ecosystem. - **AI Tokens Thrive**: Projects like [$RENDER](https://www.themarketsunplugged.com/what-is-the-render-network-render-a-beginners-guide/) saw consistent growth, bridging blockchain and artificial intelligence. - **Humour Amidst the Lull**: Memes about the "crypto summer slump" kept the community entertained. --- ### **August 2024: Market Corrections** - **Bitcoin’s Dip**: Bitcoin opened at $64,626, dropped to a low of $49,121, and closed at $58,970 as broader market sentiment turned cautious. - **Real-Asset Tokenisation Gains Traction**: Gold and oil tokenisation attracted institutional and retail interest, reshaping traditional markets. ![sunset](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1516199423456-1f1e91b06f25?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDE5fHxvaWwlMjB8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzM1NjM5MTc1fDA&ixlib=rb-4.0.3&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Zbynek Burival](https://unsplash.com/@zburival?ref=themarketsunplugged.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) - **Shifts in Volume**: Centralised exchanges reported declining trading volumes, while DeFi platforms experienced steady growth. - **ZachXBT’s Investigations**: The crypto sleuth traced a $243 million Bitcoin theft, showcasing community-led justice. - **Pig Butchering Scams**: Education around these scams gained traction, emphasising vigilance. --- ### **September 2024: Markets Unplugged and Volatility** - **Markets Unplugged Launches Paid Tiers**: [**Alpha Insider** and **Data Vision** launched](https://www.themarketsunplugged.com/signup/), providing exclusive analytics, bespoke altcoin reports, and real-time portfolio reviews to the community. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1f/a8/1fa84cb8-a9d7-42fa-9a80-c94ebf166e86/content/images/2024/12/homepage.png) - **FOMC Rate Cut**: A 50 basis-point rate cut by the Federal Reserve spiked volatility in traditional and crypto markets. - **Binance Under Fire**: Increased scrutiny in India raised concerns over the exchange’s operations. - **Bitcoin Range-Bound**: Bitcoin remained steady, closing the month at $63,330 as traders awaited fresh market catalysts. - **U.S. Debates Stablecoin Act**: Congress discussed[ stablecoin](https://www.themarketsunplugged.com/what-are-stablecoins-a-beginners-guide/) regulations to bring clarity and security to issuers and users. --- ### **October 2024: Mystery and Bullish Momentum Builds** - **Bitcoin Rallies**: Opening at $63,336, Bitcoin peaked at $73,577 and closed at $70,215, driven by renewed institutional interest. - **Trump’s Crypto Push**: The U.S. presidential race highlighted pro-crypto policies, with Trump advocating for clearer regulations and adoption. - **AI Integration Deepens**: Hedge funds began deploying AI-driven tools for predictive analysis and high-frequency trading. - **HBO’s Satoshi Documentary**: The documentary *Money Electric* speculated on Peter Todd’s role as Satoshi Nakamoto, which he strongly denied, [reigniting debates about Bitcoin’s origins](https://www.themarketsunplugged.com/who-is-satoshi-nakamoto-the-enigma-that-seduces-us-all/). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1f/a8/1fa84cb8-a9d7-42fa-9a80-c94ebf166e86/content/images/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-31-at-1.42.42-pm.png) Money Electric – Image Courtesy of HBO - **Chainalysis Report**: Advanced scams like "pig butchering" and address poisoning were on the rise, fuelling concern. --- ### **November 2024: Trump and Bitcoin’s ATH** - **Trump Wins Presidency**: Trump’s victory brought optimism for clearer crypto regulations, with speculation about SEC leadership changes. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1f/a8/1fa84cb8-a9d7-42fa-9a80-c94ebf166e86/content/images/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-11-06-at-2.38.58-pm.webp) Image Credit: Reuters - **Bitcoin’s Surge**: Bitcoin opened at $70,217, hit $99,655, and closed at $96,449, reflecting growing enthusiasm for crypto as an asset class. - **Ethereum ETFs Excel**: Ethereum ETFs reported record inflows, highlighting demand for diversified blockchain assets. - **Tokenised Real Estate Expands**: Platforms offering fractional ownership of real estate through blockchain reported significant growth. - **DOGE Goes Mainstream**: Musk’s endorsement and Trump’s "DOGE Department" brought Dogecoin into the spotlight, bridging meme culture and mainstream adoption. - **Justin Sun’s Banana Stunt**: Eating a $120,000 banana turned Sun into meme fodder, with jokes about him redefining "rich taste" in Web3. --- ### **December 2024: Bitcoin’s Historic High** - **All-Time High Achieved**: Bitcoin reached a record-breaking $108,300 before closing the year at $92,643, cementing 2024 as a pivotal year for crypto. ![a bitcoin snowflake with a bitcoin on it](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1639710342143-f87416f1a913?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDE0fHxiaXRjb2lufGVufDB8fHx8MTczNTU2MjMxMnww&ixlib=rb-4.0.3&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Traxer](https://unsplash.com/@traxer?ref=themarketsunplugged.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) - **Bitcoin’s ATH Party**: Celebrations for Bitcoin’s $108,300 ATH featured memes of “hodl shuffles” and confetti replaced by Bitcoin logos. No need for champagne when there’s a green candle rally. - **Corporate Blockchain Adoption**: Apple and Nike launched blockchain-based loyalty programs, integrating [NFTs](https://www.themarketsunplugged.com/from-digital-art-to-virtual-real-estate-exploring-the-fascinating-world-of-nfts/) into customer experiences. - **DeFi TVL Hits $180 Billion**: Decentralised finance closed the year strong, with innovative solutions driving adoption. - **Community Engagement**: **Markets Unplugged** continued to enhance value for Alpha Insider and Data Vision subscribers, offering market-leading insights and a deeper understanding of crypto dynamics. --- ### **Conclusion: A Year of Transformation** As 2024 comes to a close, it’s evident that the crypto space has matured. From Bitcoin’s ATH to groundbreaking advancements in AI, tokenisation, and DeFi, this year laid a robust foundation for what’s to come. For us at **Markets Unplugged**, it’s been an honour to grow with our community. Here’s to a prosperous and exciting 2025\. Stay sharp, stay curious, and as always—stay plugged in. ---