Economy
Can AI Startups Predict Ethereum’s Price Rise? DeFi Trading Gets Smarter
Ethereum has emerged as the dominant platform for Decentralized Finance (DeFi). Unlike traditional finance controlled by central institutions, DeFi uses blockchain technology to create a peer-to-peer financial system.
Ethereum’s programmable capabilities allow developers to build innovative financial applications, such as lending platforms, decentralized exchanges (DEXs), and yield farming protocols.
This has promoted the growth of DeFi, with the total value locked (TVL) in DeFi applications reaching record highs in recent years.
The year 2024 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for Ethereum. Experts predict a huge rise in Ethereum’s network activity and revenue, potentially doubling to $5 billion.
This bullish sentiment is further bolstered by the highly anticipated EIP-4844 upgrade, which aims to drastically reduce transaction costs and make the network more accessible to mainstream users.
While Ethereum forms the technological foundation, a new wave of innovation is surging in the DeFi space – AI startups. These young companies are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to develop solutions that can transform DeFi trading.
With Ethereum’s price and network poised for significant growth, can AI startups predict Ethereum’s price rise and contribute to a smarter DeFi trading industry? Read on to learn!
Ethereum’s Revenue Surge and EIP-4844
Ethereum’s future appears bright, with analysts at Bitwise Asset Management predicting a staggering doubling of its revenue to $5 billion in 2024. This impressive growth projection reflects the increasing adoption and usage of DeFi applications built on the Ethereum network.
As DeFi protocols continue to attract users, the fees generated from transactions on the Ethereum blockchain will naturally rise.
A significant catalyst for this growth is the upcoming EIP-4844 upgrade, expected to be implemented later in 2024. This much-anticipated upgrade aims to address one of Ethereum’s biggest challenges – high transaction fees (gas fees).
EIP-4844 introduces a new transaction type called “blob-carrying transactions,” which store less critical data off-chain, significantly reducing the cost of transactions on the Ethereum network.
According to estimates, they range from 5-10x cheaper to 40-100x cheaper depending on the rollup type, which is paving the way for wider user adoption and further DeFi innovation.
DeFi’s Obstacles
Despite its rapid growth, DeFi still faces hurdles that hinder mainstream adoption. One of the biggest roadblocks is the issue of high transaction fees. On the Ethereum network, gas fees can fluctuate significantly depending on network congestion.
These fees can be a major deterrent for casual users and smaller transactions, making DeFi seem inaccessible and expensive.
Another challenge is the complexity of DeFi applications. Using DeFi platforms often requires a certain level of technical knowledge and familiarity with cryptocurrency concepts.
The user interfaces of many DeFi protocols can be intimidating for newcomers, hindering wider participation in the DeFi ecosystem.
The Position Of AI In DeFi Trading
The burgeoning field of AI startups is rapidly transforming the industry of DeFi trading. These innovative companies are developing sophisticated AI-powered solutions that address key challenges and open new possibilities for participants in the DeFi ecosystem.
Price Prediction Models
One of the most intriguing applications of AI in DeFi is the development of price-prediction models. These models leverage machine learning algorithms to analyze vast amounts of historical market data, including price movements, trading volumes, and on-chain activity.
AI models attempt to forecast future price movements for assets like Ethereum by identifying patterns and trends within this data.
While not foolproof, AI-powered price predictions can be a valuable tool for DeFi traders by providing insights and potentially mitigating risk.
For instance, a price prediction model might indicate a potential surge in Ethereum’s price, prompting a trader to buy before the price increase occurs.
Automated Trading Strategies
Human emotions can often cloud judgment and lead to irrational trading decisions. AI-powered automated trading strategies aim to address this by removing human bias from the equation.
These strategies are pre-programmed sets of rules that guide trading activities based on specific market conditions.
For example, an automated trading strategy could be configured to buy Ethereum if the price falls below a certain threshold or sell it if it reaches a pre-defined profit target.
This approach allows traders to automate repetitive tasks and potentially improve their trading performance by adhering to a disciplined strategy.
Sentiment Analysis
Social media and news outlets are a constant stream of information that can influence market sentiment. AI startups are developing tools that utilize sentiment analysis to gauge the overall market mood towards Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies.
These tools analyze text data from social media posts, news articles, and online forums to identify positive, negative, or neutral sentiment toward Ethereum.
By understanding the prevailing market sentiment, traders can make more informed decisions about their DeFi investments.
The Impact On DeFi Trading
AI-powered trading offers a multitude of benefits for DeFi users, fundamentally transforming the trading experience. Firstly, AI automates repetitive tasks such as order execution and market monitoring, freeing up valuable time for users to focus on strategic analysis and portfolio management.
This increased efficiency allows traders to react more quickly to market opportunities and make informed decisions.
Secondly, AI-powered risk management tools can help users mitigate risk by automatically implementing stop-loss orders and other safeguards. This data-driven approach helps to remove emotional biases from trading decisions, potentially leading to more disciplined and profitable outcomes.
Finally, AI has the potential to democratize DeFi trading by making it more accessible to new users. User-friendly interfaces and automated strategies can simplify the complexities of DeFi, attracting those with less technical knowledge and fostering wider participation in the DeFi ecosystem.
Can AI Predict Ethereum’s Price Rise?
AI-based price prediction models hold immense potential, but it’s important to acknowledge their limitations. The cryptocurrency market remains inherently volatile, susceptible to unforeseen events and external factors that can disrupt even the most sophisticated AI models.
Additionally, AI predictions themselves can influence market behavior, potentially creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Therefore, AI should be viewed as a valuable tool for informed decision-making, not a guaranteed crystal ball for predicting Ethereum’s future price movements.
Wrapping Up
As Ethereum’s network activity and revenue surge, AI startups emerge as a powerful force in DeFi trading. These companies are developing innovative solutions like bitcoin pro air that utilize AI to predict price movements, automate trading strategies, and analyze market sentiment.
This confluence of AI and DeFi holds immense promise for the future. AI can facilitate DeFi trading, reduce risks associated with emotional decision-making, and make the DeFi ecosystem more accessible to a broader range of users.
As AI technology continues to evolve and integrate further with DeFi, we can expect even more groundbreaking advancements that will reshape the landscape of decentralized finance.
Economy
Nigerian Stocks Close 1.13% Higher to Remain in Bulls’ Territory
By Dipo Olowookere
The local stock market firmed up by 1.13 per cent on Friday as appetite for Nigerian stocks remained strong.
Investors reacted well to the 2026 budget presentation of President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly yesterday, especially because of the more realistic crude oil benchmark of $64 per barrel compared with the ambitious $75 per barrel for 2025. This year, prices have been between $60 and $65 per barrel.
Business Post observed profit-taking in the commodity and energy sectors as they respectively shed 0.14 per cent and 0.03 per cent.
But, bargain-hunting in the others sustained the positive run, with the consumer goods index up by 3.82 per cent.
Further, the industrial goods space appreciated by 1.46 per cent, the banking counter improved by 0.08 per cent, and the insurance industry gained 0.04 per cent.
As a result, the All-Share Index (ASI) increased by 1,694.33 points to 152,057.38 points from 150,363.05 points and the market capitalisation chalked up N1.080 trillion to finish at N96.937 trillion compared with Thursday’s closing value of N95.857 trillion.
A total of 34 shares ended on the advancers’ chart, while 24 were on the laggards’ log, representing a positive market breadth index and bullish investor sentiment.
Austin Laz gained 10.00 per cent to close at N2.42, Union Dicon also jumped 10.00 per cent to N6.60, Tantalizers increased by 9.80 per cent to N2.69, Aluminium Extrusion improved by 9.78 per cent to N12.35, and Champion Breweries grew by 9.71 per cent to N16.95.
Conversely, Sovereign Trust Insurance dipped by 7.42 per cent to N3.87, Royal Exchange lost 6.84 per cent to trade at N1.77, Omatek slipped by 6.84 per cent to N1.09, Eunisell depreciated by 5.88 per cent to N80.00, and Eterna dropped 5.63 per cent to close at N28.50.
Yesterday, traders transacted 1.5 billion units worth N21.8 billion in 25,667 deals compared with the 839.8 million units sold for N32.8 billion in 23,211 deals in the preceding session, showing a surge in the trading volume by 76.61 per cent, an uptick in the number of deals by 10.58 per cent, and a shrink in the trading value by 33.54 per cent.
Economy
FrieslandCampina, Two Others Erase N26bn from NASD OTC Bourse
By Adedapo Adesanya
Three stocks stretched the bearish run of the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange by 1.21 per cent on Friday, December 19, with the market capitalisation giving up N26.01 billion to close at N2.121 billion compared with the N2.147 trillion it ended a day earlier, and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) dropping 43.47 points to 3,546.41 points from 3,589.88 points.
The trio of FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc, Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, and NASD Plc overpowered the gains printed by four other securities.
FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc lost N6.00 to sell at N54.00 per unit versus N60.00 per unit, NASD Plc shrank by N3.50 to N58.50 per share from N55.00 per share, and CSCS Plc depleted by N2.91 to N33.87 per unit from N36.78 per unit.
On the flip side, Air Liquide Plc gained N1.01 to close at N13.00 per share versus N11.99 per share, Golden Capital Plc appreciated by 70 Kobo to N7.68 per unit from N6.98 per unit, Geo-Fluids Plc added 39 Kobo to sell at N5.50 per share versus N5.11 per share, and IPWA Plc rose by 8 Kobo to 85 Kobo per unit from 77 Kobo per unit.
During the trading day, market participants traded 1.9 million securities versus the previous day’s 30.5 million securities showing a decline of 49.3 per cent. The value of trades went down by 64.3 per cent to N80.3 million from N225.1 million, but the number of deals jumped by 32.1 per cent to 37 deals from 28 deals.
Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company (InfraCredit) Plc finished the session as the most active stock by value on a year-to-date basis with 5.8 billion units valued at N16.4 billion, followed by Okitipupa Plc with 178.9 million units transacted for N9.5 billion, and MRS Oil Plc with 36.1 million units traded for N4.9 billion.
The most active stock by volume on a year-to-date basis was still InfraCredit Plc with 5.8 billion units worth N16.4 billion, trailed by Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc with 1.2 billion units sold for N420.7 million, and Impresit Bakolori Plc with 536.9 million units traded for N524.9 million.
Economy
Naira Crashes to N1,464/$1 at Official Market, N1,485/$1 at Black Market
By Adedapo Adesanya
It was not a good day for the Nigerian Naira at the two major foreign exchange (FX) market on Friday as it suffered a heavy loss against the United States Dollar at the close of transactions.
In the black market segment, the Naira weakened against its American counterpart yesterday by N10 to quote at N1,485/$1, in contrast to the N1,475/$1 it was traded a day earlier, and at the GTBank forex counter, it depreciated by N2 to settle at N1,467/$1 versus Thursday’s closing price of N1,465/$1.
In the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEX) window, which is also the official market, the nation’s legal tender crashed against the greenback by N6.65 or 0.46 per cent to close at N1,464.49/$1 compared with the preceding session’s rate of N1,457.84/$1.
In the same vein, the local currency tumbled against the Euro in the spot market by N2.25 to sell for N1,714.63/€1 compared with the previous day’s N1,712.38/€1, but appreciated against the Pound Sterling by 73 Kobo to finish at N1,957.30/£1 compared with the N1,958.03/£1 it was traded in the preceding session.
The market continues to face seasonal pressure even as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is still conducting FX intervention sales, which have significantly reduced but not remove pressure from the Naira. Also, there seems to be reduced supply from exporters, foreign portfolio investors and non-bank corporate inflows.
President Bola Tinubu on Friday presented the government’s N58.47 trillion budget plan aimed at consolidating economic reforms and boosting growth.
The budget is based on a projected crude oil price of $64.85 a barrel and includes a target oil output of 1.84 million barrels a day. It also projects an exchange rate of N1,400 to the Dollar.
President Tinubu said inflation had plunged to an annual rate of 14.45 per cent in November from 24.23 per cent in March, while foreign reserves had surged to a seven-year high of $47 billion.
Meanwhile, the cryptocurrency market was dominated by the bulls but it continues to face increased pressure after million in liquidations in previous session over accelerating declines, with Dogecoin (DOGE) recovering 4.2 per cent to trade at $0.1309.
Further, Ripple (XRP) appreciated by 3.9 per cent to $1.90, Cardano (ADA) rose by 3.5 per cent to $0.3728, Solana (SOL) jumped by 3.4 per cent to $126.23, Ethereum (ETH) climbed by 2.9 per cent to $2,982.42, Binance Coin (BNB) gained 2.0 per cent to sell for $853.06, Bitcoin (BTC) improved by 1.7 per cent to $88,281.21, and Litecoin (LTC) soared by 1.2 per cent to $76.50, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) traded flat at $1.00 each.
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