• The cryptocurrency market soared in January with the biggest winners tokens that fell by the most last year.
• Layer 1 blockchain Aptos‘ APT token was the biggest winner among 160 assets in the CoinDesk Market Index, surging 387% this month.
• Gaming- and metaverse-affiliated tokens including Gala Games‘ GALA token and Decentraland’s MANA token gained 233% and 149%, respectively.

The beginning of 2021 has been an exciting time for cryptocurrency markets, as a broad-based rally has seen some of the year’s biggest losers rise to the top of the leaderboard. In particular, Layer 1 blockchain Aptos’ native APT token has seen remarkable gains, surging 387% this month according to the CoinDesk Market Index.

Aptos is a blockchain-based platform that seeks to enable the development of decentralized applications, and its token is used to power transactions on the network. The token’s meteoric rise is a sign of renewed investor interest in the space, as the cryptocurrency market continues to recover from its prolonged bear market of 2022.

The January surge has been broad-based, with many gaming- and metaverse-affiliated tokens also enjoying strong gains. Gala Games’ GALA token and Decentraland’s MANA token both saw impressive returns of 233% and 149%, respectively. These tokens have become increasingly popular as the metaverse continues to grow, and investors are seeing them as a way to gain exposure to the sector’s potential.

Martin Leinweber, digital assets product specialist at MarketVector Indexes, said of the rally: “It’s not unusual to see the hardest-hit coins rallying the most when the market turns bullish. Those smaller altcoins have a higher beta to bitcoin on the way up and on the way down.”

This sentiment was echoed by other analysts, who noted that the rally was a sign that investors have become more confident in digital assets after years of bearishness. This confidence has seen bitcoin and ether, the two largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, rise about 40% and more than 60%, respectively, this month.

The January surge in the cryptocurrency market has come at a crucial time for the sector, as it looks to regain the attention of mainstream investors. With such broad-based gains, it appears that investors are embracing the sector and its potential once again. It remains to be seen if this enthusiasm will last, but for now, it’s been an exciting start to the year for the cryptocurrency market.

• Axie Infinity’s AXS token has been soaring, rising 40% over the past 24 hours to a four month high of $13.94.
• Layer 1 blockchain Aptos‘ APT tokens are also up 250% over the past 14 days.
• The price of APT traded just shy of $13 on Monday, up from last week’s $7 and from a low of $3 in November.

Online game Axie Infinity’s AXS cryptocurrency has been experiencing a surge in its market value in the past 24 hours, rising 40% to hit a four-month high of $13.94. This impressive increase has been despite the looming unlocking of millions of dollars worth of the tokens. On the other hand, the layer 1 blockchain Aptos’ APT tokens have also seen a significant increase in their value, as they have gone up 250% in the past 14 days.

The price of APT was just shy of $13 on Monday, which is a dramatic increase compared to the $7 it was trading at last week and its low of $3 in November. This surge can be attributed to the increasing demand for these tokens, as well as the positive sentiment surrounding the cryptocurrency market in general.

The strong performance of the AXS and APT tokens is a testament to the growing popularity of the cryptocurrency market, as more and more people are turning to these digital assets as a way to diversify their investment portfolios. This has been further fuelled by the recent move of major financial institutions, such as Goldman Sachs, into the crypto space.

The increasing demand for these tokens has also been driven by the increasing accessibility of the cryptocurrency market. As more and more countries begin to regulate the space, investors from around the world are able to enter the market with greater ease and confidence. This has led to a surge in trading activity and an overall rise in the value of the tokens.

Overall, the strong performance of the AXS and APT tokens is a sign of the growing confidence in the cryptocurrency market, as investors and institutions alike are turning to these digital assets as an attractive investment option. With the continued development of the space, it is likely that these tokens will continue to rise in value in the coming days and weeks.

• Tribeca Film Festival has partnered with crypto exchange OKX to launch VIP passes as NFTs.
• The passes will provide access to exclusive screenings, parties, and other perks.
• The NFTs cost $899 and are available for purchase through the Tribeca website or with ether (ETH) through the OKX NFT marketplace.

The Tribeca Film Festival, one of the most popular film festivals in the world, has announced an exciting new development – the launch of VIP passes as non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The passes mark the annual film festival’s expansion into the world of blockchain and crypto, and are being developed in partnership with crypto exchange OKX.

The NFTs cost $899 and are available for purchase directly through the Tribeca website using a credit card, or with ether (ETH) through the OKX NFT marketplace for more experienced NFT collectors. Minted on the Ethereum blockchain, the passes will provide special access to screenings and exclusive events with the festival’s co-founders, Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro. Additionally, the NFTs feature unique artwork inspired by the landscapes of Lower Manhattan, where this year’s festival will take place on June 7-18.

Nate Zou, head of Web3 products at OKX, commented on the partnership, “We are excited to leverage blockchain technologies to reach new audiences and bring the event into Web3. The Tribeca audience is perfectly spread across all different demographics – from elders to millennials – and NFTs could be a great way to engage this audience in a new and innovative way.”

This isn’t the first time that NFTs have been used to provide access to special events and experiences. Crypto Collectibles, a company that specializes in NFTs, has previously worked with the likes of Coachella and Burning Man to provide digital access to events. With the use cases for NFTs continuing to expand, it is no surprise to see Tribeca joining the trend.

For those interested in attending this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, the VIP passes are available now for purchase through the Tribeca website or the OKX NFT marketplace. With the passes, attendees will receive special access to screenings, parties, and other exclusive perks that only VIPs can enjoy. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to experience one of the world’s most popular film festivals in a totally new and innovative way.

• The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board) and the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA Institute) have issued guidelines regarding cryptocurrency investing and advice.
• The CFP Board issued a “Notice to CFP Professionals Regarding Financial Advice About Cryptocurrency-Related Assets” in November 2020.
• Financial advisors are warned to look before they leap when it comes to crypto investing.

Cryptocurrency has been gaining traction in the financial world as of late, and financial advisors are taking note. However, regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Labor, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) have all taken steps to make sure that advisors are providing their clients with the best possible advice when it comes to crypto investments. But perhaps the loudest voice of all when it comes to advisor best practices and compliance is the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board) and the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA Institute).

The CFP Board recently issued guidelines in November 2020 in a “Notice to CFP Professionals Regarding Financial Advice About Cryptocurrency-Related Assets”. This document is intended to govern how holders of the CFP certifications should provide their clients with advice related to crypto investments. The notice outlines the various risks associated with cryptos, including the lack of liquidity, volatility, and the potential for fraud or manipulation. It also provides guidance on how advisors should approach the disclosure of these risks, as well as the due diligence necessary when recommending any type of crypto investment.

Meanwhile, the CFA Institute issued a statement in October 2020 encouraging members to remain mindful of the risks associated with crypto investments, as well as how they may affect the financial markets in general. The statement also notes that members should educate themselves on the specifics of cryptos and the associated risks before providing advice to their clients.

Given the potential risks associated with crypto investments and the lack of clarity surrounding the regulations of the industry, it is clear that financial advisors must look before they leap when it comes to making any crypto-related recommendations. By following the guidelines set forth by the CFP Board and the CFA Institute, advisors can ensure that their clients are making informed decisions when it comes to any type of crypto-related investments.