With the top crypto assets reaching new heights, traders may be looking into potential opportunities in this sector. While Bitcoin (BTC) is currently attracting the most attention, it would be unwise to ignore other crypto assets, such as Ethereum (ETH). Each digital asset brings its unique features and opportunities for traders and investors. In this article, we’ll explore the main factors and key events affecting these two top crypto assets in 2024. Additionally, we will look at the Bitcoin vs. Ethereum correlation and its potential development in the near future. However, keep in mind that forecasts are not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Bitcoin, the pioneer of cryptocurrencies, boasts a current market cap of over $1 trillion, maintaining its status as a cornerstone of the crypto world. Launched in 2009, Bitcoin has experienced remarkable growth over the years, becoming the key player in the digital currency space. It has gained over 50% so far this year, and there may be more potential growth ahead in the near future.

If you aren’t familiar with the concept of crypto trading, especially when it comes to trading CFDs, have a look at this video tutorial to learn the basics.

Now let’s have a look at the main points to consider when analysing the Bitcoin price and looking for potential opportunities.

One key aspect that sets Bitcoin apart is its limited supply. The total number of Bitcoin to be mined is set at 21 million, with 19 million already in circulation. The original protocol requires regular halvings, which reduce the reward issued for each new mined block. This in turn decreases the production volume, limiting the supply of new bitcoins to the market.

Bitcoin halving events occur approximately every four years, when the number of mined blocks reaches a certain amount. The upcoming Bitcoin halving in April 2024 will reduce mining rewards from 6.25 BTC to 3.12 BTC. This means that there will be fewer Bitcoins released on the market for each mined block, reducing supply and potentially driving prices higher.

There is no exact date for the upcoming Bitcoin halving in April 2024. It will occur as soon as the number of mined blocks reaches 840 000. It may be useful to keep an eye on the news to prepare for the event and make informed decisions.

What happened after the last Bitcoin halving?

Historically, Bitcoin traders have witnessed halving events trigger additional volatility. It would, in turn, lead to both pre-halving rallies and subsequent price increases. For instance, the Bitcoin price gained a staggering 533% in the year following the previous halving in May 2020. 

While this trend may suggest a bullish outlook, it’s crucial to consider various factors influencing the Bitcoin price. These might include market sentiment, demand, and other external events. Keep in mind that past performance does not guarantee any future price movements, as there may be various factors affecting assets at different times.

Some traders may also consider applying different approaches to catch trading opportunities among price swings following Bitcoin halving in 2024. For example, short selling may allow traders to trade not only long positions (BUY), but also short positions (SELL). Have a look at this detailed material to learn more about this method for trading price corrections: Trading Method for a Falling Market: Short Selling with CFDs.

How much will Bitcoin rise after halving?

The anticipation surrounding the Bitcoin halving in 2024 raises the question of how much the crypto asset will rise after the halving. Past halving events have seen substantial increases, but it’s important to note that the Bitcoin price is influenced by multiple factors, making precise predictions challenging.  So, traders should carefully consider any additional factors that may affect their potential trades and apply appropriate risk-management tools.

The approval of 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in January 2024 marked a significant milestone. This added to the nearly 60% surge in Bitcoin prices, reaching a record high of $73,000 in March 2024. In just 2 months post-approval, the ETFs have acquired over 800,000 BTC. This amounts to 4% of all available Bitcoins, further reducing the supply on the market and driving the price higher.

Ethereum boasts a market cap of $356.7 billion, making it a prominent player in the crypto market. The asset’s growth has been substantial, gaining over 50% so far this year. Let’s review some of the main events that may affect its price down the line.

Ethereum recently underwent a significant upgrade known as Dencun. It aims to reduce transaction costs by storing large data chunks off-chain, resulting in lower fees for users. While Ethereum’s price hasn’t seen significant changes post-upgrade, it may be worth monitoring its performance in the near future.

Some Ethereum investors are hopeful for SEC approval of the first spot Ethereum ETFs. There are several large firms, including Fidelity Investments and BlackRock, ready to launch spot Ethereum ETFs upon approval. Considering that Bitcoin prices skyrocketed after their spot ETFs were approved, it might be a good idea to keep an eye on any related news. 

You may refer to the economic calendar to stay on top of the most important market news. The SEC is expected to decide on several applications to launch spot Ethereum ETFs around May. You may check the ‘Market analysis’ section of the IQ Option traderoom to stay informed.

Ethereum and Bitcoin are sometimes compared to silver and gold, respectively. Ethereum, similar to silver, is perceived as the more affordable and less traded counterpart to Bitcoin’s gold. This analogy suggests that while Ethereum may follow Bitcoin’s price movements, it has the potential to outperform in the longer run.

In the current landscape of 2024, both Ethereum and Bitcoin have attracted a lot of attention and investment. Bitcoin is currently trading below its historic all-time highs of nearly $73,000. Meanwhile, Ethereum is striving to remain close to its $4,000 milestone.

However, external factors such as the economic conditions might significantly influence both assets. Rising interest rates, for instance, triggered a crypto winter in 2022, leading to industry bankruptcies and plummeting crypto prices. Which means that high inflation levels and interest rates could challenge the crypto market’s bullish momentum. There is a general expectation that the US Federal Reserve might reduce interest rates before summer 2024. This highlights the importance of monitoring macroeconomic indicators for potential impacts on Bitcoin and Ethereum prices.

In summary, while both Ethereum and Bitcoin continue to play significant roles in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, their paths forward may differ due to distinct market dynamics and external factors, including macroeconomic conditions and monetary policy decisions. So it’s up to the traders to analyse the Bitcoin vs. Ethereum correlation and choose the suitable assets for their trading approach.

The Company offers CFDs on cryptocurrencies only.

With so many blockchain-based games on the rise, it’s easy to keep hearing about the same familiar gaming networks. However, plenty of overlooked platforms drive the Web3 gaming space forward with setups that welcome new gamers.

Below, you’ll find six under-the-radar Web3 gaming ecosystems that deserve a spot on your watchlist.

1. Oasys

Oasys zeroes in on delivering a smooth, scalable blockchain experience built around gaming. It runs a “Hub Layer” at Layer 1 and specialized “Verse Layers” at Layer 2, so it can handle a high number of transactions without grinding to a halt. Over the last 30 days, Oasys has tallied 134.83k total unique active wallets (UAW), 3.93 million transactions, and $1.63 million in DApp volume across 57 different DApps as per DappRadar data.

Key Highlights

• Zero Gas Fees: Lowers the cost barrier for everyone, including casual players.

• EVM Compatibility: Makes the move from Ethereum relatively painless.

• Industry Support: Early validators include notable names like SEGA and Ubisoft.

You’ll also find unique titles here, such as Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles (Ubisoft’s strategy game that uses NFT champions) and Battle of Three Kingdoms (a historical strategy game featuring collectible NFTs).

Source XAI

2. Xai

Xai is a Layer 3 solution on top of Arbitrum’s Layer 2, aiming to keep transactions fast and gaming fees low. In the last month, it’s seen 79.44k total UAW and 4.27 million transactions. By managing crypto wallets in the background, Xai keeps the user experience straightforward for players.

Key Highlights

• Layer 3 Scalability: Ideal for games needing higher speed.

• Low Fees: Helps keep in-game purchases affordable.

• User-Friendly Integration: Handles crypto details so players can focus on having fun.

Xai’s titles include Final Form, a collectible card battler that leans on NFT characters, and The Lost Glitches, an RPG that merges deck-building mechanics with a strong narrative. Both invite trading and strategizing with blockchain assets.

Xai has also introduced ‘Proof-of-Skill‘, a Solidity-based protocol that tokenizes Steam achievements into ownable blockchain assets, awards $XAI tokens for milestones or leaderboard success, and bridges Web2 and Web3 gaming ecosystems through a blockchain-based rewards mechanism.

3. Nakamoto Games (NAKA)

Nakamoto Games embraces the play-to-earn model across a variety of titles—from ultra-casual mini-games to AAA-quality releases. It also boasts the NAKAVERSE, a metaverse environment where owning virtual land can become a new way to generate income.

Key Highlights

• Diverse Ecosystem: Ranges from casual time-killers to deeper AAA experiences.

• Polygon Integration: Zero gas fees mean fewer headaches for players.

• Developer-Friendly: Welcomes third-party studios to expand its library.

They’ve already attracted 200,000+ players. The NAKA token supports everything from staking to in-game purchases, while the NAKAVERSE continues to open up new revenue streams for digital entrepreneurs.

Nakamoto Games also has free-to-play titles requiring no cryptocurrency and the new NAKA Wallet, which features multi-chain support, Telegram integration, and QR code payments for transactions.

4. SKALE Network

SKALE is set on bringing gas-free, high-speed transactions to blockchain games. Some SKALE titles, including StrayShot and Haven’s Compass, are featured on the Epic Games Store, introducing blockchain gaming to a broader audience.

Key Highlights

• AppChain Technology: Lets each game run on its own blockchain for flexibility.

• Zero Gas Fees: A big plus for drawing in mainstream players.

• High Throughput: Posted 397.7 TPS in a Dartmouth Blockchain study.

SKALE has also started a $5 million grant program to encourage more developers to join. With every title getting its own chain, network congestion becomes less of a concern.

Source TikTrix

5. TikTrix

TikTrix blends short-form media and casual gaming, powered by Meer Chain, another Arbitrum Layer 3 solution. Players move through the platform using a simple swipe-based system plus a dual-token economy: $TRIX for platform governance and $WORM for utility functions.

TikTrix’s Meer Nodes form the platform’s backbone by decentralizing content delivery, validating transactions, and rewarding contributors.

Key Highlights

• AI-Driven Expansion: Future plans call for personalized gaming via AI.

• Meer Nodes: Decentralized network infrastructure that rewards contributors.

• Large-Scale Tournaments: Adds a competitive edge to its casual user base playing classic games.

As of March 2025, TikTrix is rolling out AI-powered content tools to keep the platform fresh and interactive. Its user-friendly approach targets mobile players who might not have tried blockchain games before.

6. QORPO

QORPO started as a game studio but has evolved into a full-blown Web3 ecosystem that includes esports, an NFT marketplace, and a single-account login. It runs on AWS for stability and connects to multiple chains—Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon, and Immutable X.

Key Highlights

• Unreal Engine 5: Powers AAA graphics for games like Citizen Conflict and AneeMate.

• All-in-One Account: One login grants access to your games, wallet, and marketplace.

• Play-to-Earn Model: Rewards with NFTs, stablecoins, and seasonal airdrops.

By bundling everything under one roof, QORPO aims to attract both blockchain veterans and gamers who’ve never touched crypto before. Its multi-chain support lets developers pick what suits them best, encouraging a diverse game library.

Conclusion

These six platforms may not be the biggest names in Web3 gaming yet, but each carves out a unique niche. From zero gas fees and layer-based scalability to casual play, AAA visuals, and fun games – they’re all striving to make blockchain gaming more accessible and engaging. If you’re ready to branch out from the usual networks, put these on your list.