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Bitcoin Finally Breaches $67,000: Here’s Why BTC is Pumping

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Bitcoin surges to $67,000, fueled by positive sentiments around the US election data and growing inflows from the US Bitcoin spot ETFs.

Bulls stamped their market control after driving Bitcoin, the largest crypto asset by market cap, to a three-month high of $67,901 on Tuesday. With the bullish surge, Bitcoin has sustainably traded above the $66,000 price level after three failed attempts since June.

Notably, multiple factors have fueled the price upsurge, including increased inflows into the US spot ETFs and positive news from the US political scene ahead of the November presidential election.

Trump’s Extended Odds Lead Sparks Bitcoin Surge

A notable catalyst for the recent Bitcoin growth is the growing win odds of Republican nominee Donald Trump. Data from Polymarket shows that Trump’s chances of winning the November election have surged to 58.9%, trumping that of Kamala Harris by 18%.

This huge lead has sparked market fury as crypto investors grow increasingly confident that Trump, the pro-crypto candidate, will triumph in November. Notably, Trump’s warm embrace of digital assets has endeared him among key industry proponents and the broader crypto fan base.

Analysts at Bernstein predicted this market outcome last week, stating that events leading up to the presidential election will drive Bitcoin’s price movement. The research and brokerage firm asserted that the premier crypto asset would surge as Trump’s odd increase and depreciate in a reversed scenario.

Interestingly, Standard Chartered has predicted that Bitcoin would surge to its all-time high of around $74,000 before the election. The banking giant also cited the surging odds for Trump and the growing pro-crypto environment in the US following Harris’ comments that her administration will support a crypto regulatory framework.

Bitcoin Inflows Add to Bullish Sentiments

Another factor driving Bitcoin’s price upsurge is the renewed investor traction from the US spot ETFs. For context, the funds have seen an inflow of $1.18 billion in the past three days, with Monday’s $555 million Bitcoin purchase the highest since June.

The inflows have taken the cumulative flows into the funds to $19.73 billion, with a net asset value of $63.13 billion. Notably, ETFs from US spot issuers like BlackRock and Fidelity rank among the best-performing ETFs in the past decade.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin continued its bullish push today, surging over 2% in the past 24 hours. The firstborn crypto asset currently trades at $67,159 with a market cap of $1.3 trillion.

Litecoin Targets $100 in a Rising Channel as Bitcoin Surpasses $67K

Will the surge in bullish momentum help Litecoin reclaim the $100 psychological mark? 

With Bitcoin crossing the $67,000 mark, its close cousin Litecoin is making a bullish comeback. Amid this recovery, Bitcoin Cash has surpassed the $350 mark, while Litecoin targets $100.

Can Litecoin reach the $100 mark by the end of this month as the altcoin market heats up?

Litecoin Price Analysis

Litecoin has a market cap of $5.31 billion and is currently trading at a market price of $70.72. With a 5.56% surge in the last 24 hours, the LTC price has increased by 7.64% in the past seven days. 

In the daily chart, the LTC price action reveals a trend reversal rally surpassing the falling channel pattern. Fueled by underlying demand and broader market recovery, it is forming a rising channel pattern despite increased volatility.

Fueled by the underlying demand and broader market recovery, firms have a rising channel pattern despite the increased volatility. 

Litecoin Price Chart
Litecoin Price Chart

The current recovery run is challenging the overhead resistance trend line and the 38.20% Fibonacci level at $72.26. The bullish cycle, which has seen a price jump of 9.38% over the last two days, faces resistance at the 38.20% Fibonacci level and the overhead resistance trend line.

Will Litecoin Top $100?

As the dynamic resistance of the 200-day EMA keeps bullish growth in check, Litecoin struggles to maintain levels above $70. However, with improving market sentiment, the rising 50-day EMA hints at a potential golden crossover.

Additionally, the MACD and signal line have generated a bullish crossover, accompanied by a surge in positive histograms. According to Fibonacci levels, a breakout above the 38.20% level is likely to challenge the 61.80% level at $84.58.

In a bullish scenario, if Bitcoin reaches a new all-time high this month, Litecoin could surpass the $100 psychological mark, with $109.13 as a potential price target by the end of the month.

Notably, a major factor supporting further uptrend for Litcoin is the recent application for LTC ETF filed by asset manager Canary Capitals.

Meanwhile, in the case of a bearish scenario, Litecoin investors may look at price levels of $65 and $60 for support.

Bitcoin Sees Dominance Surge as Exchange Reserves Hit Multi-Year Lows

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Bitcoin dominance nears 60%, indicating a market shift as exchange reserves drop and open interest hits record highs.

Bitcoin dominance has reached new cycle highs, reflecting shifts in the crypto market. Notably, market data confirms that BTC dominance, which had dropped significantly from above 58% in May 2021 to below 40%, has seen a substantial recovery over the past two years.

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By October 2024, Bitcoin dominance has climbed back above 58%. Notably, this increase comes at a time when various factors, such as rising open interest and reduced exchange reserves, are influencing Bitcoin’s performance.

Steady Rebound in Bitcoin Dominance

The period from May 2021 through late 2022 marked a steep decline in BTC dominance as altcoins gained market share. However, by early 2023, Bitcoin began to recover, experiencing a steady and persistent uptrend. The moving averages also point to positive momentum, with Bitcoin dominance consistently trading above these indicators since late 2022. 

As dominance approaches the 60% mark, market analysts have weighed in. Crypto analyst Miles Deutscher noted that while some may interpret this trend as bearish for altcoins, it is actually beneficial. According to Deutscher, a strong Bitcoin is essential for setting the stage for an eventual altcoin rally.

He explains that the increase in BTC dominance, coupled with its price rise, represents the first phase of this market movement. He believes this is a healthy sign for the overall cryptocurrency market, as Bitcoin’s strength often precedes a broader market expansion, ultimately benefiting altcoins.

Declining Exchange Reserves 

Simultaneously, another factor affecting Bitcoin’s market performance has been the withdrawal of BTC from exchanges. Over the past eight months, over 400,000 BTC—worth $24 billion—has been withdrawn, according to market analyses. 

 

Rising Open Interest

In addition to these developments, Bitcoin’s open interest across exchanges has reached record highs, suggesting increased market activity. By mid-October, open interest had soared to $19.75 billion. Notably, spikes in open interest have often preceded significant price movements, and with this metric now at an all-time high, further volatility could kick in. 

Venture Capitalist Calls SEC Chair Gensler the Worst Regulator in Crypto History

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Bradley Tusk, CEO of Tusk Ventures, recently voiced sharp criticism of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler.

Specifically, he called him the “single worst regulator in the history of crypto imaginable.” Tusk, whose firm has invested in major crypto players such as Coinbase, Circle, and FanDuel, expressed frustration over Gensler’s handling of cryptocurrency regulations.

Speaking on CNBC, Tusk highlighted the difficulties crypto investors have faced under Gensler’s leadership. He noted that the ambiguity around what is or isn’t considered legal in crypto has suppressed innovation.

“It’s one thing to say, ‘This is okay, this is not okay,’ and we can debate that,” said Tusk, “But to leave it unclear and say, ‘Do what you want, and maybe I’ll put you in jail, maybe I won’t’—that’s un-American.”

Another key regulatory issue Tusk touched upon was the ongoing turf war between the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the SEC over who should regulate crypto. 

Like many in the crypto space, Tusk favors the CFTC, which regulates crypto as a commodity, rather than the SEC, which views it as a security. He argues that a clearer regulatory framework is essential for the industry to move forward.

November Election Now Win-win for Crypto Investors

Additionally, Tusk pointed out that the forthcoming presidential election could bring much-needed clarity to crypto policy. With President Biden dropping out of the race, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are now actively courting the crypto community for support. 

The industry pundit asserted that the election race is now a win-win situation for crypto investors. He believes that whoever comes to power will be more favorable to crypto by replacing Gensler from SEC leadership, giving the industry a much-needed boost.

This week, Kamala Harris issued a statement promising to clarify crypto regulations if she becomes president. She commits to addressing long-standing industry frustrations over regulatory ambiguity. This development has bolstered investor confidence, propelling Bitcoin and other crypto assets to new heights.

Fantom Targets $1 After Surpassing Key Fibonacci Level

Fantom has recently surpassed the 50% Fibonacci level at $0.71, indicating a potential breakout rally to $1 if this momentum continues.

Altcoins are back in the game as the broader cryptocurrency market witnesses a boost in bullish momentum. Among the top-performing altcoins, the DeFi token Fantom is gradually building momentum and revealing significant upside potential.

With a 7.31% surge in the past seven days and a $2.11 billion market cap, Fantom prepares for a high-momentum breakout rally. Will this breakout rally lead to a price jump above the $1.00 psychological mark? Let’s find out. 

Fantom Price Analysis

Currently, the FTM token is trading at $0.7543 with an intraday pullback of 0.61%. However, Fantom increased by 3.48% last night, resulting in a second consecutive bullish candle and a breakout above the $0.75 psychological mark.

Fantom Price Chart
Fantom Price Chart

In the daily chart, Fantom’s recovery rally has a rounding bottom pattern that breaks above a long-term falling channel. This breakout has shifted the price action between the $0.61 and $0.71 boundaries.

These two key levels align with the 38.20% and 50% Fibonacci levels, respectively. Amid the broader market recovery, a 15% jump in the first two days of this week led to a bullish breakout.

Short-term price action indicates a flag channel breakout, with FTM surpassing the 50% Fibonacci level. Moreover, the medium-term trend shows a rounding bottom breakout rally.

Technical Indicators Support Fantom

With the DeFi token gaining momentum from various bullish patterns, the uptrend is likely to continue. The MACD and signal line have generated a positive crossover, with bullish histograms resurfacing.

Additionally, the 100-day and 200-day EMAs have shown a bullish crossover, signaling a buying opportunity for Fantom.

Will Fantom Reach $1?

According to the Fibonacci levels, the recovery rally could reach the psychological $1 mark if it surpasses the 61.80% level at $0.8186. If the broader market recovery continues to support Fantom’s momentum, the price could potentially reach $1.1442 by the end of this month, increasing the likelihood of setting a new 52-week high above $1.2291.

On the flip side, a potential retest of the $0.7181 breakout level is possible, with the next support at the 50-day EMA, currently at $0.6064.

Tesla Moves 11,509 Bitcoin to New Wallets for First Time in 2 Years, Sparking Sales Debate

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Elon Musk’s Tesla has moved its Bitcoin stash to new addresses, sparking speculation that the electric vehicle company is looking to dump the premier crypto asset.

 

Blockchain data platform sourced by Arkham Intelligence drew attention to Tesla’s recent on-chain activity after over two years of dormancy.

The on-chain analysis shows that wallets tied to the car manufacturing company moved all its Bitcoin holdings to new addresses, sparking speculations of an alleged sale. Tesla moved 11,509 BTC, valued at $773 million at the time, to new wallets by 21:30 UTC on Tuesday.

Is Elon Musk Selling?

Although neither Tesla nor Elon Musk have commented on the latest transfer, widespread speculation has it that they could be selling their Bitcoin stash. Notably, the late October 15 transfer is Tesla’s first on-chain Bitcoin transfer since early 2022.

Tesla became one of the largest public companies holding Bitcoin when it acquired $1.5 billion worth of the asset in February 2021. The firm noted then that the acquisition was part of its broader plan to obtain and hold the firstborn crypto asset as a long-term investment.

However, Elon Musk’s Tesla sold 85% of the stash a year later at a loss. The car company sold 10% in the first quarter of 2022 and the other 75% in July that year. Notably, Bitcoin was trading around $23,000 at the time.

The latest shuffle came after Tesla confirmed in a recent financial statement that it still held its 11,509 BTC. If the transaction were a sale, the company would incur a profit of $515 million.

Meanwhile, the potential sales would come as a shock to the crypto community, considering Elon Musk’s pedigree as a crypto advocate. The SpaceX founder has long been an admirer of cryptocurrencies, especially Dogecoin.

In an interview in July, Musk stated that Bitcoin and some other cryptocurrencies could have “some merits” but noted that his soft spot remains with the meme coin Doegecoin. Notably, his incessant admission that he admired the dog-themed token saw him embroidered in a lawsuit with aggrieved investors.

CryptoQuant CEO Says No Market Impact

Amidst the heated speculations, CryptoQuant’s CEO, Ki Young Ju, has insisted that the alleged sales would not impact the market. In a tweet, Ju noted that even if the latest shuffle were a sale, it would not affect Bitcoin’s price.

The CEO based his arguments on the fact that the market absorbed the selling pressure from the German government pretty well. For context, the German government sold 50,000 BTC seized from the Movie2k.to operators in June.

Ju stated that the German government realized $816 million from the sales, which was well below Tesla’s $515 million gains from its stash. Hence, he expects the market to absorb the sales well.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin was trading at $66,870, down less than 1% in the past 24 hours at the time of writing.

Ripple President Confirms Plans to Use XRP and RLUSD in Ripple Payment Solution

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Ripple reassures the public of its commitment to utilizing XRP alongside its stablecoin RLUSD within its payment solution. 

Ripple’s President Monica Long made the assertion yesterday while reacting to the unveiling of RLUSD’s initial exchange partners. 

RLUSD Exchange Partners 

On the first day of Ripple’s annual conference, Ripple Swell, Long disclosed the exchange partners for its highly anticipated stablecoin. 

According to her, RLUSD will be available on Bitstamp, Independent Reserve, Bitso, MoonPay, CoinMENA, Bullish, and Uphold once the New York Department of Financial Service (NYDFS) approves the stablecoin’s launch. 

Ripple Stablecoin Key Features 

Notably, Ripple also shared the development on X, triggering reactions among top crypto stakeholders, including Long. The Ripple president confirmed that she announced RLUSD’s exchange partners on stage at the company’s annual conference. 

Per Long, the stablecoin is designed for financial applications such as tokenization, payments, and decentralized finance (DeFi). Additionally, she suggested that RLUSD was introduced in response to requests for enterprise-grade stablecoin. 

She said RLUSD will deliver an enterprise-grade stablecoin to Ripple’s partners and customers. 

XRP and RLUSD Will Be Used in Ripple Payments Solution 

Meanwhile, she addressed concerns within the XRP community regarding Ripple’s plan to replace XRP with RLUSD. These concerns have gained momentum since Ripple introduced the stablecoin earlier this year. 

Some XRP enthusiasts speculate that RLUSD might sideline XRP in Ripple’s payments solution, especially as the latter is currently involved in a heated lawsuit between the SEC and Ripple. 

However, Long reassured the community that Ripple will use both XRP and RLUSD in its payment solution to enable more reliable, faster, and cost-effective cross-border settlements. 

With Ripple planning to use RLUSD and XRP together, its clients can use any of the tokens for cross-border payments. 

Ripple CTO Echoes Similar Sentiment 

It is worth mentioning that Ripple’s CTO, David Schwartz, also acknowledged that Ripple USD will not replace XRP. According to him, only XRP can be used to pay transaction fees on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), a function that cannot be replaced by any other tokens, including RLUSD. 

Furthermore, the Ripple CTO highlighted certain features that make XRP unique from other assets. These include the fact that XRP cannot be frozen on XRPL, carries no counterparty risks, and has no jurisdictional limitations. 

RLUSD Recent Updates 

Meanwhile, RLUSD, currently in closed beta testing on XRPL and Ethereum, is gearing up for its mainnet launch. Although Ripple has not officially revealed RLUSD’s mainnet launch date, the company has been preparing to roll out the token for public use. 

As of October 14, RLUSD boasts a total supply of $47.4 million. $34.8 million of the supply was issued on XRPL, while the remaining $12.6 million was minted on Ethereum. 

Yesterday, Ripple announced an advisory board for the stablecoin. The committee features top financial players like Ripple’s co-founder Chris Larsen, former FDIC Chair Sheila Bair, and former JPMorgan executive David Ruth. 

Currently, the major factor preventing the stablecoin from going live on the mainnet is the regulatory approval from NYDFS. The financial regulator is still reviewing the token to ascertain whether it meets certain regulatory requirements. 

If approved, RLUSD will be available to Bitstamp, Uphold, Independent Reserve, CoinMENA, MoonPay, and Bullish users. 

Financial Expert Reveals ONLY XRP Retirement Strategy You Need

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Financial expert Levi Rietveld has broken down what he believes is the ultimate XRP retirement plan for crypto investors. 

Rietveld first emphasized that strategic investments, rather than risky leveraging or speculative bets, are key to building long-term wealth. He outlined what he believes to be proven and back-tested methods that mitigate risk while maximizing gains.

Understanding XRP’s Past and Future Potential

According to Rietveld, XRP’s price history highlights its potential. He noted that during XRP’s first four years, the price hovered around a fraction of a cent. Early investors who purchased XRP at these levels saw massive returns when the price first surged above $1.

Indeed, in 2014, when XRP traded as low as $0.0032, a $100 investment would acquire 31,250 XRP tokens. By late 2017, when XRP first broke $1, that investment appreciated to $31,250. Emphatically, this is a 312X return.

Meanwhile, Rietveld expressed confidence in similar promising prospects for XRP in the future. Based on historical cycles, he believes that XRP will surpass its previous all-time high. He predicts that by 2025, XRP could see gains of up to 20x, with the price potentially rising above $10 per coin.

Realistic Path to Wealth

For those who missed XRP’s early years, Rietveld advised against the unrealistic mindset that a small investment of $10 could lead to millions, urging investors to take a more practical approach. 

Instead, he recommended committing around $50,000 in XRP, noting that the holdings could grow to $1 million in the next few years. While $50K could be a lot for a one-time investment, he proposed breaking it down into smaller contributions over 12 months and 365 days.

Specifically, a total investment of $50,000 over 12 months translates to approximately $4,166 per month or $138.88 per day. Accordingly, this investment would yield a value of approximately $1 million should XRP witness a 20-fold price growth over the next few years. However, such a 20-fold rise remains uncertain.

Notably, Rietveld highlighted that this approach best suits individuals with a stable income. Currently, XRP costs $0.5408 and has remained in this range over the past year. Amidst this low valuation, he encouraged investors to take advantage of the opportunity before the next major bull run.

Grayscale Files to Convert Multicoin Fund Containing XRP to ETF

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Leading asset manager Grayscale has filed for a new exchange-traded fund (ETF), this time for its fund containing multi-coins, including XRP.

 

Crypto investors are bracing for the first multiple-coin fund after Grayscale filed to convert one of its long-standing investment vehicles, containing assets like Bitcoin and XRP, to an ETF. According to a Tuesday filing, Grayscale has filed to convert its Digital Large Cap Fund to an exchange-traded fund.

On October 15, the NYSE submitted the 19b-4 filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission in Grayscale’s stead. If approved, the exchange will list and trade the ETF, providing investors with exposure to multiple digital assets in one fund.

ETF to Provide Multi-Coin Exposure, Including XRP

The Digital Large Cap Fund, with ticker GDLC, has existed as a closed-end investment product since July 2022, accruing an asset under management of $524 million. Notably, the fund is weighted with five crypto assets, all in the top 20 cryptocurrency rankings by market cap.

According to Grayscale’s website, the GDLC contains 75% Bitcoin, 18% Ethereum, 4.16% Solana, 1.76% XRP, and 0.66% Avalanche. As of October 15, the fund trades over the counter at $23.15 per share.

Grayscale GDLC Holdings
Grayscale GDLC Holdings

If approved, the fund will be the market’s first multi-token digital asset investment vehicle. It would also give US investors their first ETF-related exposure to assets like XRP, Solana, and Avalanche.

Notably, Grayscale is not the first to push an ETF that offers investors alternative exposure to more than one cryptocurrency. Franklin Templeton filed for a Bitcoin and Ethereum Index ETF with the Wall Street regulator earlier this month.

Crypto Gearing up For Regulatory Landscape Shift

It bears mentioning that the number of ETFs filed recently has grown substantially. For instance, Bitwise and Canary have filed for an XRP ETF. Also, Ark Investment and VanEck filed for a Solana ETF earlier in the year.

These ETF filings have increased as the November presidential elections draw nearer. According to ETF Store president Nate Geraci, the applications depict increased confidence among crypto firms in a regulatory shift in the US when a new administration comes into office.

Both Republican and Democratic nominees have embraced the nascent innovation, promising to set clear regulatory reforms that would favor the crypto industry. Meanwhile, key industry players have preferred Donald Trump due to his clear plans for the sector, including firing SEC chair Gary Gensler.

Analysts have argued that the chances of approving both XRP and Solana ETFs are higher if Trump becomes president. Also, an end to the years-long battle between the SEC and Ripple, which would further boost the chances of an XRP ETF approval, could take effect when Gensler is out of office.

Deaton Brings Up XRP in Fiery Debate with Senator Warren

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Pro-crypto Senate candidate John Deaton highlighted the direct impact of his victory in the XRP case during debate against Senator Warren.

In a heated debate between Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senate candidate John Deaton, crypto regulation took the spotlight, with Deaton pointing to his victory in the SEC vs. Ripple case as a major accomplishment.

Deaton, a prominent lawyer renowned in the crypto community, noted that his legal battle to protect small retail investors from the SEC’s overreach in the XRP lawsuit had major consequences beyond the case itself.

Deaton Spotlights Victory in XRP Case

During the debate, Deaton took the opportunity to highlight how his efforts in the XRP case have had ripple effects—both literally and politically. He claimed that his work, which he said he conducted pro bono, helped to prevent the SEC from unfairly targeting small investors. 

The Massachusetts Senate candidate also mentioned that his efforts led to a federal judge declaring XRP not a security, a significant win in the legal battle between Ripple and the SEC.

In the debate, Deaton recounted his role in the lawsuit, framing it as a fight for justice. He pointed out that the judge who ruled in his favor was a lifelong Democrat. This fact underlined the bipartisan nature of his victory.

Deaton also boasted about the accolades he received for his work on the case, including awards for Lawyer of the Year and Consumer Advocate of the Year. According to Deaton, his defense of XRP was not only a victory for crypto but also a win for everyday investors.

He linked his legal success to recent political donations. The attorney noted that Ripple Chairman Chris Larsen, who supported his Senate campaign, had recently donated millions of XRP tokens to Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign. 

Deaton argued that without his amicus brief and the victory in the XRP case, such contributions would not have been possible. He humorously directed his comments to Harris, noting, “Madam Vice President, if you’re watching, you’re welcome.”

Broader Debate

While Deaton framed his involvement in the XRP case as a defense of small retail investors, Senator Warren took a different stance on crypto regulation. 

She maintained her position as a staunch advocate for stricter regulations in the crypto industry. Warren argued that cryptocurrencies pose a threat to financial stability, consumer protection, and even national security. 

She defended her stance on building an “anti-crypto army,” stating that she simply wants crypto to follow the same rules as traditional financial institutions like banks and credit unions.

Warren also raised concerns about Deaton’s financial ties to the crypto industry, suggesting that he might be serving the interests of his crypto backers rather than the people of Massachusetts. 

Throughout the debate, the two candidates clashed over the implications of cryptocurrency regulation. Deaton positioned himself as a champion of the underdog, someone fighting against both government overreach and big banks that have historically failed the poor. 

He cited personal experiences from his own life, particularly his mother’s struggles with traditional banking fees, as reasons why he believes in the potential of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to help unbanked populations.

Questions Around JP Morgan Case

During the debate, Deaton criticized Senator Warren for her focus on cryptocurrency while avoiding other pressing issues, particularly her lack of action regarding the sex trafficking case involving J.P. Morgan and Jeffrey Epstein. 

Deaton accused Warren of not asking a single question about the bank’s $290 million settlement related to Epstein’s trafficking operation when she had the opportunity to question the CEO of J.P. Morgan. 

He pointed out the senator’s apparent silence on the issue, suggesting it was due to connections involving Democratic donors and political allies. However, Warren avoided directly addressing Deaton’s claims, instead reiterating her broader fight against predatory banking practices.