The drawdown investors faced in April has been steadily reversing itself Short-term bias was strongly bullish, and $107.5k and $110k may be feasible price targets Bitcoin [BTC], at the time The post THREE reasons why Bitcoin is set to hit $107K next! appeared first on AMBCrypto.

• #bitcoin

Crypto analyst The Alchemist has predicted that the Dogecoin rival Baby Doge is set for a price surge of over 100%. The analyst highlighted a bullish pattern for the meme coin, which could spark this price surge while other meme coins like Shiba Inu remain in the red.  Dogecoin Rival Baby Doge Set For Over […]

Shiba Inu’s price action in the past seven days has been marked by a decline from $0.00001514, struggling to keep up an upward momentum. After briefly touching $0.00001514 on April 26 following Bitcoin’s rally, SHIB has since pulled back and is currently hovering near $0.0000132. This decline reflects a broader hesitation among Shiba Inu traders […]

The US Treasury Department wants to block the Cambodia-based Huione Group from accessing the US banking system, accusing it of helping North Korea’s state-backed Lazarus Group to launder its crypto.The Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) proposed on May 1 to prohibit US financial institutions from opening or maintaining correspondent or payable-through accounts for or on behalf of the Huione Group.Huione Group has established itself as the “marketplace of choice for malicious cyber actors” like the Lazarus Group, who have “stolen billions of dollars from everyday Americans,” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a May 1 statement.“Today’s proposed action will sever Huione Group’s access to correspondent banking, degrading these groups’ ability to launder their ill-gotten gains.”Huione Group has set up a network of businesses, which includes payment service platform Huione Pay PLC, the crypto exchange Huione Crypto, and Haowang Guarantee, an online marketplace offering illicit goods and services.Although the conglomerate doesn’t have correspondent accounts with US financial institutions, it has accounts with foreign firms with US correspondent accounts, the Treasury’s FinCEN noted in its rulemaking submission.The proposed rule is subject to a 30-day public comment period before it can take effect.Source: ChainalysisHuione expanded into sophisticated cybercrime networkFinCEN claimed that Huione Group has laundered at least $4 billion worth of illicit proceeds between August 2021 and January 2025, including more than $36 million from crypto pig butchering scams.At least $37 million worth of the crypto laundered has been linked to North Korea’s “cyber heists,” the Treasury said.Haowang Guarantee has made Huione Group a “one stop shop” for criminals to launder crypto obtained through illicit activities, and ultimately convert it to fiat currency, the Treasury said.Related: North Korean crypto attacks rising in sophistication, actors — ParadigmThe conglomerate has also created a US dollar-pegged stablecoin, the US Dollar Huione (USDH), which FinCEN said cannot be frozen and helps to carry out money laundering activities.The National Bank of Cambodia has stated that payment firms aren’t allowed to deal or trade digital assets in the country and had revoked the company’s local banking license in March.Magazine: Crypto wanted to overthrow banks, now it’s becoming them in stablecoin fight

  Real momentum within the crypto market resumes its ascent because investors now seek projects with practical applications in addition to scalable systems and speed of growth potential. Modern investors focus on practical implementations within their projects alongside expanding platforms and substantial increased capabilities because these elements lead to their success. Blockchain gaming alongside DeFi undergoes disruption through two disruptive leaders known as DexBoss and AurealOne. A portfolio built with Bitcoin together with Quantler (QTLR) and AstroLink (ASTL) offers reliability and dual emerging investments that provide both stability and major growth potential. Here are the top 5 cryptos turning heads The post Best Crypto to Buy Now: AurealOne Raises the Bar – The Gaming Presale Everyone’s Watching! appeared first on The Merkle News.

Do you remember the old adage, “Sell in May and go away.” Well, it’s quite possible that this May might be different. If we look at Bitcoin’s history over the last 15 years, May actually did pretty well. Nine times May was green and only six times it saw red. That’s 67% in the green. Not […] The post 4 Altcoins Ready To Pump in May 2025 appeared first on Altcoin Buzz.

• #litecoin

Visa goes global with stablecoin card rollout, enabling crypto spending at over 150 million merchants. Visa Makes Stablecoin Payments Seamless at 150M Stores Visa and Bridge launched a stablecoin-linked card that enables consumers to use digital assets for everyday purchases on Tuesday. The card allows payments in stablecoins at more than 150 million global merchant […]

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has filed to drop another of its crypto lawsuits, this time its unregistered securities sales case against crypto influencer and YouTuber Ian Balina. The SEC said in a May 1 joint stipulation with Balina to an Austin federal court that it “believes the dismissal of this case is appropriate,” citing the work of the agency’s Crypto Task Force.The agency didn’t give a reason for wanting to dismiss its case, but said its decision “does not necessarily reflect the Commission’s position on any other case.”Balina told Cointelegraph in March that the SEC had informed him it would recommend the court dismiss the case and claimed the agency’s actions were based on a shift in the agency’s priorities.“Obviously, the new administration is pro-crypto,” Balina said. The SEC has seen a change in leadership under US President Donald Trump, who appointed former crypto lobbyist Paul Atkins to chair the agency.The joint stipulation argued a dismissal would also conserve the court’s resources “without costs or fees to either party.”Balina is the CEO of Token Metrics, a crypto influencer with 140,000 followers on X, and a YouTuber who the SEC accused of improperly promoting crypto projects, particularly during the initial coin offering (ICO) boom circa 2017.The SEC sued Balina in 2022, alleging that he conducted an unregistered securities offering of Sparkster (SPRK) tokens when he formed an investing pool on Telegram in 2018.The SEC claimed that US-based investors participated in Balina’s investing pool, using Ether (ETH), which was validated by a network of nodes “which are clustered more densely in the United States than in any other country.”Related: SEC drops investigation into PayPal’s stablecoinThe court sided with the SEC and, in May 2024, ruled that SPRK was an investment contract under US securities laws, where investors pooled money into a common enterprise expecting profits due to the efforts of others.Edit the caption here or remove the textShift in crypto policyThe move is the latest in a long list of crypto-related court actions that the SEC has quashed under the Trump administration’s favorable stance toward the industry. Over the past month, it has dropped several cases and abandoned multiple investigations against crypto firms, including against Coinbase, Ripple, Kraken, Opensea, and PayPal’s stablecoin. Magazine: Japanese porn star’s coin red flags, Alibaba-linked L2 runs at 100K TPS: Asia Express

Cryptocurrency investment firm Galaxy Digital intends to shift the listing of its shares from Canada to the US early next month. The company, established by Mike Novogratz, who is a known Bitcoin advocate, will migrate to the Nasdaq from the Toronto Stock Exchange on May 16, subject to approval by the shareholders at a meeting […]

A jaw-dropping $800 million bitcoin treasure buried in a landfill is being transformed into a global media project, blending real-time drama, tech innovation, and environmental warfare. The Buried Bitcoin Docuseries Unleashes the Craziest Landfill Treasure Hunt Ever Los Angeles-based entertainment media company Lebul announced on April 29 that it has acquired the exclusive rights to […]

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Decentralized finance (DeFi) lending platform Sky has pitched a proposal to finalize its upgrade from Maker by replacing its governance token and enabling staking.The proposal, posted on May 1 to Sky’s decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) forum, would see the Sky (SKY) token take over the Maker (MKR) token as the protocol’s governance token.If the DAO accepts, the change would be slated to take place around May 15 to May 19 and downgrading from SKY to MKR would also be disabled.Sky co-founder Rune Christensen said in response to the proposal that it was a “huge milestone,” which he “fully supports,” and laments that allowing users to downgrade from SKY back to MKR has been a “key limiting factor preventing exchanges from adopting SKY.”“With this change, exchanges are likely to move faster in quickly adopting SKY without concerns about fracturing liquidity,” he said.Source: SkyPenalties on MKR holders who are slow in switching to SKY have also been proposed. According to the proposal, a 1% delayed upgrade penalty would apply to all MKR to SKY upgrades starting Sept. 18, increasing every three months. Users hit with a delayed upgrade penalty will also obtain fewer SKY tokens.Sky staking, temporary pause on liquidationsChristensen said the most important change would be to see SKY staking enabled as part of the changes to the protocol.Rewards for its decentralized stablecoin, USDS, which are based on the income the Sky Protocol generates, will be enabled two or three weeks after the upgrade of the governance contract, with a splitter rate of 50%, according to Christensen.Source: Rune Christensen“Getting past the full upgrade of MKR to SKY is one of the last pieces missing before Sky can transition to 0 fixed costs at the end of 2025, which will ensure an even greater portion of the income the protocol generates goes to the benefit of SKY buybacks, or SKY Staking Rewards,” he said.SKY liquidations will also be temporarily disabled while the one-way MKR to SKY transition is still in its early stages.Related: Sky doubles down on token overhaul: Making MKR unusable, launching subDAOs“This is necessary to prevent risk from price manipulation to the SKY and MKR price while the transition is happening,” Christensen said.“When SKY market liquidity is restored, Sky Governance will lift the liquidation freeze and move risk parameters to long-term targets,” he added.Maker rebranded to Sky in August last year but after confusion and negative feedback, Christensen considered going back to the original Maker name just months later.However, a November poll saw 79% of tokenholders vote to keep the Sky brand as the back end protocol brand with no further changes.Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

Anthony Scaramucci, the founder of SkyBridge Capital and a long-time crypto advocate, believes Elon Musk is poised to weave digital assets into the fabric of X’s planned “super app,” even if the precise mechanism remains under wraps. In a recent interview with Saxo Group, Scaramucci disclosed that although he has “not spoken to Elon directly,” […]

XRP plunged to $2.15 after $13.9M in long liquidations, revealing extreme leverage imbalance. Despite volatility, Ripple’s bullish fundamentals and institutional moves suggest long-term growtThe post XRP faces 1000% liquidation surge as price dips to $2.15 - Is a bullish reversal next? appeared first on AMBCrypto.

US crypto exchange Kraken has detailed a North Korean hacker’s attempt to infiltrate the organization by applying for a job interview.“What started as a routine hiring process for an engineering role quickly turned into an intelligence-gathering operation,” the company wrote in a May 1 blog post.Kraken said the applicant’s red flags appeared early on in the process when they joined an interview under a name different from what they applied with and “occasionally switched between voices,” apparently being guided through the interview.Rather than immediately rejecting the applicant, Kraken decided to advance them through its hiring process to gather information about the tactics used.International sanctions have effectively cut North Korea off from the rest of the world, and the country’s ruling Kim family dictatorship has long targeted crypto companies and users to top up the country’s coffers. It’s stolen billions worth of crypto so far this year.Kraken reported that industry partners had tipped them off that North Korean actors were actively applying for jobs at crypto companies. “We received a list of email addresses linked to the hacker group, and one of them matched the email the candidate used to apply to Kraken,” it said. With this information, the firm’s security team uncovered a network of fake identities used by the hacker to apply to multiple companies. Kraken also noted technical inconsistencies, which included the use of remote Mac desktops through VPNs and altered identification documents.Kraken CSO @c7five recently spoke to @CBSNews about how a North Korean operative unsuccessfully attempted to get a job at Kraken. Don’t trust. Verify 👇 pic.twitter.com/1vVo3perH2— Kraken Exchange (@krakenfx) May 1, 2025The applicant’s resume was linked to a GitHub profile containing an email address exposed in a past data breach, and the exchange said the candidate’s primary form of ID “appeared to be altered, likely using details stolen in an identity theft case two years prior.”During final interviews, Kraken chief security officer Nick Percoco conducted trap identity verification tests that the candidate failed, confirming the deception. Related: Lazarus Group’s 2024 pause was repositioning for $1.4B Bybit hack“Don’t trust, verify. This core crypto principle is more relevant than ever in the digital age,” Peroco said. “State-sponsored attacks aren’t just a crypto or US corporate issue — they’re a global threat.”North Korea pulls off biggest-ever crypto hackNorth Korea-affiliated hacking collective Lazarus Group was responsible for February’s $1.4 billion Bybit exchange hack, the largest ever for the crypto industry.North Korean-linked hackers also stole more than $650 million through multiple crypto heists during 2024, while deploying IT workers to infiltrate blockchain and crypto companies as insider threats, according to a statement released by the US, Japan and South Korea in January. In April, a subgroup of Lazarus was found to have set up three shell companies, with two in the US, to deliver malware to unsuspecting users and scam crypto developers. Magazine: Japanese porn star’s coin red flags, Alibaba-linked L2 runs at 100K TPS: Asia Express

Michael Saylor’s $10 million bitcoin prophecy gains traction as trillions remain locked behind advisor restrictions, signaling a massive institutional breakout is only just beginning. $10M Bitcoin? Saylor Says That’s When Financial Advisors Finally Get It Wealth management firms controlling more than $50 trillion in assets continue to limit access to bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), according […]

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Dogecoin (DOGE), once dismissed as an internet joke due to its meme coin origins, is now making a strong comeback, as 21Shares, a leading asset management firm, goes ultra-bullish on it. Following news of its ETF filing, 21Shares released a report positioning Dogecoin as a serious portfolio inclusion, emphasizing that it has evolved beyond its […]

Key takeaways:Despite weak US manufacturing data, Federal Reserve liquidity plans and strong corporate earnings keep equities and crypto afloat.The total crypto market capitalization rose 8.5% since March.Cryptocurrency traders have frequently zoomed in on the need for crypto to show a clear “decoupling” from the stock market, and over the past 10 days, the intraday movements of Bitcoin (BTC) and major altcoins have closely tracked those of the S&P 500, even as trade war developments have dominated market sentiment.S&P 500 futures (left) vs. Total crypto cap, USD (right). Source: TradingView/CointelegraphA decoupling would validate digital assets as an independent class and address growing concerns about a potential global economic recession. This ongoing correlation has led market participants to question whether the cryptocurrency market is destined to follow the stock market’s lead indefinitely, and what conditions would be necessary for a genuine decoupling to occur.Stock market shows strength despite trade tensionsThe S&P 500 reached its peak on Feb. 19 and has since struggled to reclaim the 5,800 level, a support that had held for four months. Despite persistent pressure from US trade disputes with Canada and Mexico, as well as the imposition of new tariffs affecting nearly every major economic region, equities have demonstrated notable resilience.Chinese state media recently reported that the United States has quietly initiated trade negotiations. Although China officially maintains a 125% retaliatory tariff on US imports, it has granted waivers for sectors such as ethane, semiconductors, and certain pharmaceuticals. The United States, in turn, has partially exempted automakers from new tariffs. These actions suggest that both sides are gradually making concessions.There is a reasonable possibility that the S&P 500 established a bottom at 4,835 on April 7, with further gains from the current 5,635 level remaining plausible. The stock market has responded positively to robust first-quarter earnings, as companies adapt to tariffs by relocating production outside China or expanding operations within the United States.For instance, Microsoft reported a 13.2% year-over-year increase in revenue, with higher margins and strong demand for artificial intelligence. Meta also delivered earnings and revenue that exceeded market expectations on April 30. These results have alleviated concerns about a potential AI bubble or the risk that the trade war could force companies to reduce investment.The market’s focus shifts to the Federal ReserveRather than concentrating on the recent decline in US PMI manufacturing data-which reached a five-month low in April, market participants are closely monitoring the Federal Reserve’s next policy moves. Following a year of balance sheet reduction, the Fed is now considering asset purchases to help ease selling pressure.An increase in liquidity is typically favorable for risk-oriented assets. Therefore, even if a full decoupling does not occur, cryptocurrencies could still benefit from a more supportive macroeconomic environment.S&P 500 futures (left) vs. Total crypto cap, USD (right). Source: TradingView/CointelegraphDespite the short-term correlation, the cryptocurrency market has outperformed equities in recent months. Since March, the total crypto market capitalization has risen by 8.5%, while the S&P 500 has declined by 5.3%. Over a six-month period, this divergence becomes even more pronounced: the total crypto market cap is up 29%, while the S&P 500 is down 2%. It is therefore inaccurate to suggest that these markets move in perfect synchrony, particularly when viewed over longer timeframes.Related: Bitcoin to $1M by 2029 fueled by ETF and gov’t demand — Bitwise execIt is still premature to declare a definitive bottom for the S&P 500 or to conclude that the trade war has been resolved. An economic recession would likely have negative implications for both markets. However, the current strength in equities indicates reduced risk aversion among investors. For the time being, the elevated correlation between cryptocurrencies and stocks may represent the most favorable scenario.This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

• #bitcoin

Tether, the company behind the world’s largest stablecoin by market capitalization, has released its financials for the first quarter of 2025, disclosing nearly $120 billion in exposure to US Treasurys and over $1 billion in operating profit.According to Tether’s Q1 2025 financial report, the company’s assets include $98.5 billion in direct US Treasury bills, along with over $23 billion in additional exposure through repurchase agreements and other cash-equivalent assets. Excerpt from Tether’s Q1 2025 financial report. Source: TetherAccording to the announcement, Tether holds $5.6 billion in excess of reserves for its USDt (USDT) stablecoin, down from $7.1 billion in excess from the last quarter of 2024. The stablecoin has a market capitalization of $149 billion as of May 1.“Circulating supply of USDT grew by approximately $7 billion in Q1, with a 46 million increase in user wallets,” it said. The company's excess capital continues to fund strategic investments, with more than $2 billion allocated in renewable energy, artificial intelligence, peer-to-peer communications, and data infrastructure. The stablecoin market is broadly dominated by tokens pegged to the US dollar, with USDT and Circle’s USDC holding a combined 87% share. According to the US Treasury’s Q1 2025 report, the market cap for dollar-backed stablecoins is poised to reach $2 trillion by 2028. European Union officials have recently raised concerns about the risks of overreliance on dollar-pegged stablecoins. According to the Bank of Italy, disruptions in the stablecoins market or the underlying bonds could have “repercussions for other parts of the global financial system.”Magazine: Crypto wanted to overthrow banks, now it’s becoming them in stablecoin fight

Crypto exchange Kraken has completed its acquisition of the futures trading platform NinjaTrader and reported its first quarter revenues jumped 19% year-on-year to $471.7 million.Kraken said in a May 1 report that its NinjaTrader acquisition would give its US customers access to the traditional derivatives market, aligning with its plans to expand its offerings and be the go-to platform for all types of trading.NinjaTrader is a registered Futures Commission Merchant with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Last month, it rolled out trading for over 11,000 stocks and exchange-traded funds to certain US clients.The deal, which Kraken dubbed the largest ever between a crypto and traditional finance firm, allows NinjaTrader to expand to the UK, continental Europe and Australian markets and comes as Kraken is preparing for an initial public offering in early 2026. The company is exploring a debt package worth between $200 million and $1 billion to facilitate that transaction.Kraken revenue, trading volume falls on Trump’s returnKraken’s $471.7 million revenue in Q1 marked a 19% increase from the year-ago quarter but a 6.8% fall from Q4 2024.The exchange reported that trading volume fell 9.6% quarter-over-quarter to $208.7 billion while the value of its custodied assets fell 18% to $34.9 billion over the same time.Kraken attributed the drop to a “slowdown in overall market trading activity” as US President Donald Trump’s threats of implementing sweeping tariffs triggered an 18% fall in the crypto market cap over the quarter.Key metrics from Kraken’s Q1 report. Source: KrakenKraken is one of several crypto platforms that saw record or near-record highs in trading activity in Q4 as Trump's November election win sparked larger-than-usual market volatility.Related: Kraken rolls out ETF and stock access for US crypto tradersKraken said that despite a “softening market,” its adjusted EBITDA  — earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization — jumped 1% from the previous quarter to $187.4 million.The firm also saw the number of funded accounts on its platform increase 10% quarter-on-quarter to 3.9 million, signaling “deeper client engagement.”Reuters reported on April 18 that Kraken restructured its workforce after Arjun Sethi was appointed as co-CEO last October. Sethi has laid off around 400 employees since.Magazine: Crypto wanted to overthrow banks, now it’s becoming them in stablecoin fight

Stablecoins are rapidly transforming U.S. Treasury demand, reshaping financial markets, and redefining the global role of the U.S. dollar. US Treasury Signals Stablecoin Boom Could Reshape Fiscal Strategy The U.S. Department of the Treasury published on April 30 the official minutes from the April 29, 2025, meeting of the Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee, emphasizing the […]

Bitcoin has finally broken above the $96,000 mark, signaling a potential shift in market structure after weeks of consolidation and selling pressure. This breakout gives bulls the upper hand as momentum builds across the board, with renewed optimism that BTC could reclaim the $100K milestone in the near term. The market’s tone has shifted, and […]

• #bitcoin

Over 3.7 million crypto projects have failed since 2021, mostly in 2024–2025. Bitcoin’s dominance surged in 2025, shrinking the altcoin market by $300 billion. The year 2025 has ushered The post Crypto crisis unfolds: 1.8M tokens fail in Q1 2025 - What sparked it? appeared first on AMBCrypto.

Crypto exchange Kraken has completed its acquisition of the futures trading platform NinjaTrader and reported its first quarter revenues jumped 19% year-on-year to $471.7 million.Kraken said in a May 1 report that its NinjaTrader acquisition would give its US customers access to the traditional derivatives market, aligning with its plans to expand its offerings and be the go-to platform for all types of trading.NinjaTrader is a registered Futures Commission Merchant with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Last month, it rolled out trading for over 11,000 stocks and exchange-traded funds to certain US clients.The deal, which Kraken dubbed the largest ever between a crypto and traditional finance firm, allows NinjaTrader to expand to the UK, continental Europe and Australian markets and comes as Kraken is preparing for an initial public offering in early 2026. The company is exploring a debt package worth between $200 million and $1 billion to facilitate that transaction.Kraken revenue, trading volume falls on Trump’s returnKraken’s $471.7 million revenue in Q1 marked a 19% increase from the year-ago quarter but a 6.8% fall from Q4 2024.The exchange reported that trading volume fell 9.6% quarter-over-quarter to $208.7 billion while the value of its custodied assets fell 18% to $34.9 billion over the same time.Kraken attributed the drop to a “slowdown in overall market trading activity” as US President Donald Trump’s threats of implementing sweeping tariffs triggered an 18% fall in the crypto market cap over the quarter.Key metrics from Kraken’s Q1 report. Source: KrakenKraken is one of several crypto platforms that saw record or near-record highs in trading activity in Q4 as Trump's November election win sparked larger-than-usual market volatility.Related: Kraken rolls out ETF and stock access for US crypto tradersKraken said that despite a “softening market,” its adjusted EBITDA  — earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization — jumped 1% from the previous quarter to $187.4 million.The firm also saw the number of funded accounts on its platform increase 10% quarter-on-quarter to 3.9 million, signaling “deeper client engagement.”Reuters reported on April 18 that Kraken restructured its workforce after Arjun Sethi was appointed as co-CEO last October. Sethi has laid off around 400 employees since.Magazine: Crypto wanted to overthrow banks, now it’s becoming them in stablecoin fight

Strategy’s bitcoin-first model catapults its stock 3,142%, outpacing tech giants and signaling a seismic market shift toward sound money assets. MSTR’s Bitcoin Standard Bet Crushed Legacy Finance Microstrategy (Nasdaq: MSTR), which recently rebranded as Strategy, has achieved a staggering return of 3,142% since transitioning to a bitcoin-focused business model. The dramatic surge in the company’s […]

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Bullish sentiment has slightly dropped in the general crypto market, affecting major digital assets like Dogecoin, which fell to the $0.168 level as Wednesday drew to a close. DOGE may be struggling to sustain its recent upward trend, but indicators suggest that an upside movement is more likely than a downside movement. An End In […]

Morgan Stanley is gearing up to offer direct crypto trading on E*Trade, signaling a seismic shift as Wall Street embraces bitcoin amid a more favorable regulatory environment in the United States. Morgan Stanley Plans E*Trade Crypto Launch Global investment bank Morgan Stanley is preparing to introduce cryptocurrency trading to its E*Trade platform, Bloomberg reported on […]

Market actually seeing respective potential for recovery, but volume is not there

• #bitcoin

Bitcoin’s Coin Days Destroyed dropped, indicating long-term holders slowed down redistribution activity. BTC appeared poised for a breakout, but confirmation depended on holding above key resThe post Bitcoin: Is there a shift in whale behavior? - THESE metrics say so appeared first on AMBCrypto.

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The new entity will raise up to $250 million in capital with the sole purpose of accumulating bitcoin. Metaplanet Launches U.S. Operations With New Subsidiary Metaplanet, the Japanese bitcoin treasury firm that pivoted away from hotel development last year, has entered the U.S. market and set up a new wholly-owned subsidiary in Miami, Florida, according […]

Whale moved $170 million in BTC during market dip, raising questions of accumulation or exit strategy. Sell-side pressure grew, with spot volume delta turning sharply negative across major exchThe post Crypto market in shock! - Whale moves $170M Bitcoin: Why & what next? appeared first on AMBCrypto.

• #bitcoin

Key takeaways:Despite weak US manufacturing data, Federal Reserve liquidity plans and strong corporate earnings keep equities and crypto afloat.The total crypto market capitalization rose 8.5% since March.Cryptocurrency traders have frequently zoomed in on the need for crypto to show a clear “decoupling” from the stock market, and over the past 10 days, the intraday movements of Bitcoin (BTC) and major altcoins have closely tracked those of the S&P 500, even as trade war developments have dominated market sentiment.S&P 500 futures (left) vs. Total crypto cap, USD (right). Source: TradingView/CointelegraphA decoupling would validate digital assets as an independent class and address growing concerns about a potential global economic recession. This ongoing correlation has led market participants to question whether the cryptocurrency market is destined to follow the stock market’s lead indefinitely, and what conditions would be necessary for a genuine decoupling to occur.Stock market shows strength despite trade tensionsThe S&P 500 reached its peak on Feb. 19 and has since struggled to reclaim the 5,800 level, a support that had held for four months. Despite persistent pressure from US trade disputes with Canada and Mexico, as well as the imposition of new tariffs affecting nearly every major economic region, equities have demonstrated notable resilience.Chinese state media recently reported that the United States has quietly initiated trade negotiations. Although China officially maintains a 125% retaliatory tariff on US imports, it has granted waivers for sectors such as ethane, semiconductors, and certain pharmaceuticals. The United States, in turn, has partially exempted automakers from new tariffs. These actions suggest that both sides are gradually making concessions.There is a reasonable possibility that the S&P 500 established a bottom at 4,835 on April 7, with further gains from the current 5,635 level remaining plausible. The stock market has responded positively to robust first-quarter earnings, as companies adapt to tariffs by relocating production outside China or expanding operations within the United States.For instance, Microsoft reported a 13.2% year-over-year increase in revenue, with higher margins and strong demand for artificial intelligence. Meta also delivered earnings and revenue that exceeded market expectations on April 30. These results have alleviated concerns about a potential AI bubble or the risk that the trade war could force companies to reduce investment.The market’s focus shifts to the Federal ReserveRather than concentrating on the recent decline in US PMI manufacturing data-which reached a five-month low in April, market participants are closely monitoring the Federal Reserve’s next policy moves. Following a year of balance sheet reduction, the Fed is now considering asset purchases to help ease selling pressure.An increase in liquidity is typically favorable for risk-oriented assets. Therefore, even if a full decoupling does not occur, cryptocurrencies could still benefit from a more supportive macroeconomic environment.S&P 500 futures (left) vs. Total crypto cap, USD (right). Source: TradingView/CointelegraphDespite the short-term correlation, the cryptocurrency market has outperformed equities in recent months. Since March, the total crypto market capitalization has risen by 8.5%, while the S&P 500 has declined by 5.3%. Over a six-month period, this divergence becomes even more pronounced: the total crypto market cap is up 29%, while the S&P 500 is down 2%. It is therefore inaccurate to suggest that these markets move in perfect synchrony, particularly when viewed over longer timeframes.Related: Bitcoin to $1M by 2029 fueled by ETF and gov’t demand — Bitwise execIt is still premature to declare a definitive bottom for the S&P 500 or to conclude that the trade war has been resolved. An economic recession would likely have negative implications for both markets. However, the current strength in equities indicates reduced risk aversion among investors. For the time being, the elevated correlation between cryptocurrencies and stocks may represent the most favorable scenario.This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

• #bitcoin

Tether, the company behind the world’s largest stablecoin by market capitalization, has released its financials for the first quarter of 2025, disclosing nearly $120 billion in exposure to US Treasurys and over $1 billion in operating profit.According to Tether’s Q1 2025 financial report, the company’s assets include $98.5 billion in direct US Treasury bills, along with over $23 billion in additional exposure through repurchase agreements and other cash-equivalent assets. Excerpt from Tether’s Q1 2025 financial report. Source: TetherAccording to the announcement, Tether holds $5.6 billion in excess of reserves for its USDt (USDT) stablecoin, down from $7.1 billion in excess from the last quarter of 2024. The stablecoin has a market capitalization of $149 billion as of May 1.“Circulating supply of USDT grew by approximately $7 billion in Q1, with a 46 million increase in user wallets,” it said. The company's excess capital continues to fund strategic investments, with more than $2 billion allocated in renewable energy, artificial intelligence, peer-to-peer communications, and data infrastructure. The stablecoin market is broadly dominated by tokens pegged to the US dollar, with USDT and Circle’s USDC holding a combined 87% share. According to the US Treasury’s Q1 2025 report, the market cap for dollar-backed stablecoins is poised to reach $2 trillion by 2028. European Union officials have recently raised concerns about the risks of overreliance on dollar-pegged stablecoins. According to the Bank of Italy, disruptions in the stablecoins market or the underlying bonds could have “repercussions for other parts of the global financial system.”Magazine: Crypto wanted to overthrow banks, now it’s becoming them in stablecoin fight

Sachs explained that the Trump administration’s emphasis on applying tariffs on rival governments would not impact the growth of China and Russia if international trade continues to follow WTO rules. Jeffrey Sachs Labels Tariffs as a Mistake, Disregards Effects in Global Trade The Trump administration’s tariff move and its subsequent effects on global trade continue […]

Crypto exchange Coinbase has announced it will suspend trading of the Movement Network token (MOVE), the native cryptocurrency of the Movement layer-2 blockchain protocol, developed by Movement Labs, effective May 15.The decision was shared in a May 1 X post, with Coinbase citing the token’s failure to meet its listing standards. The price of the MOVE token also declined by approximately 14.5% in the last 24 hours. Coinbase specified the details of the suspension in an announcement:"Trading for MOVE will be suspended on Coinbase, Simple and Advanced Trade, Coinbase Exchange, and Coinbase Prime. We have moved our MOVE order books to limit-only mode. Limit orders can be placed and canceled, and matches may occur."The suspension of the token follows a recently announced third-party review orchestrated by the Movement Network Foundation into an agreement allegedly signed by Movement Labs and a market-making firm, which is said to be behind the downfall of the MOVE token price in December 2024.Source: Coinbase AssetsA Movement Network Foundation spokesperson recently confirmed to Cointelegraph that the third-party investigation, which commenced on April 21, is ongoing. The investigation is being conducted by Groom Lake, an independent cybersecurity and intelligence firm, and has cast a cloud over the MOVE token's price.Related: Binance to purge 14 tokens following ‘vote to delist’ processInvestigation launched into Movement Labs dealThe details of the ongoing investigation, reported by CoinDesk on April 30, revealed an agreement between Movement Labs and Web3Port, a market maker to help distribute the Move token at launch.According to the report, a company called “Rentech” helped to broker the agreement between the two firms, appearing on both sides of the deal — as a Web3Port subsidiary and as an agent of the Movement Foundation.The deal reportedly gave Rentech control of over 66 million MOVE tokens that it sold-off after the token launch in early December 2024, triggering $38 million in downward price pressure.The price action for the MOVE token. Source: TradingViewThe MOVE token has been in a downtrend ever since early January 2025 and is trading at around $0.20 at the time of this writing.Magazine: Arbitrum co-founder skeptical of move to based and native rollups: Steven Goldfeder

Paolo Ardoino, CEO of stablecoin issuer Tether, addressed criticism over the company's decision not to seek registration under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, arguing that the regulations were risky for stablecoins.Speaking to Cointelegraph at the Token2049 conference in Dubai, Ardoino reiterated that Tether had no plans to apply for its US dollar-pegged stablecoin USDt — the largest by market capitalization — to be compliant under MiCA in European countries, potentially forcing exchanges to delist the stablecoin. He added that though crypto firms had to follow regulations, there was a “fear of compliance” among companies in the EU.“[...] MiCA license is very dangerous when it comes to stablecoins, and I believe that is even more dangerous for the small, medium banking system in Europe,” said the Tether CEO, adding that banks in the region could “go belly up” in the next few years thanks to MiCA's requirements, such as keeping 60% of stablecoins reserves in insured cash deposits in European banks. Ardoino added:“I decided to not apply to the MiCA license because I need to protect the 400 million+ users that we have around the world. They are not as lucky as Europeans. I love Europe, but I think that unfortunately European Central Bank is more interested [in pushing] the digital euro as a way to control people and control how they spend their money.”Related: Paolo Ardoino: Competitors and politicians intend to ‘kill Tether’After years of planning and research, EU officials began to implement requirements under MiCA in December 2024. Tether, which is regulated and headquartered in El Salvador, is required to comply with MiCA regulatory requirements if offering products or services in EU member states.Since the regulations went into effect, many crypto exchanges acted to ensure their platforms listed MiCA-compliant tokens. Kraken delisted 5 stablecoins, including USDt, and Crypto.com announced plans to delist 10 stablecoins as of January. On nations establishing crypto reservesSpeaking on its intentions for operating in the United States, Ardoino said the country “would require a different type of product,” given the competition with local stablecoin issuers. He added that the US’s and other countries’ efforts to establish a Bitcoin (BTC) stockpile were “just inevitable.”“In the medium to long term, the more Bitcoin education, the more companies will set the example […] then everyone else will follow,” said the Tether CEO. “It’s never too late to buy Bitcoin.”Ardoino’s statements came the same day that Tether announced roughly $120 billion in exposure to US Treasurys as of the first quarter of 2025. As of May 1, USDt had a market capitalization of roughly $149 billion.Magazine: Crypto wanted to overthrow banks, now it’s becoming them in stablecoin fight

Cryptocurrency can accelerate artificial intelligence adoption by helping AI startups onboard users, according to Polygon's co-founder Sandeep Nailwal. “You can use crypto incentives and disincentives to onboard users to onboard the ecosystem players,” Nailwal said during a panel discussion at the LONGITUDE by Cointelegraph event. He added that projects with effective onchain incentive structures might even “build a better AI because you have this incentive engine that brings in developers,” Nailwal said on May 1. Cointelegraph’s LONGITUDE is an event series that brings together leaders and innovators from the blockchain and Web3 space for exclusive discussions. Joining the panel, Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of the Near Protocol, expanded on crypto's long-term synergy with AI, forecasting that crypto-native AI agents could replace traditional web application front-ends as the primary user interfaces for Web3."We don’t need applications or websites anymore. Your AI becomes the interface to computing and the internet,” Polosukhin said.Sandeep Nailwal and Illia Polosukhin speaking at Cointelegraph's LONGITUDE in Dubai. Source: CointelegraphRelated: AI memecoins will become utility tokensHowever, Nailwal cautioned that the rise of AI-related tokens onchain has also attracted a wave of opportunistic scams. “We know that 99% of those projects are literally token scams, but very few projects are actually trying to have some meaningful AI project,” he said. The era of Web3 AI agentsAI agents are expected to take on a more prominent role within decentralized communities, J.D. Seraphine, co-founder of Web3 developer Raiinmaker, recently told Cointelegraph. According to a report by VanEck, over 1 million AI agents could enter the market in 2025, with many of them tied to decentralized finance applications. Such agents are already reshaping the digital economy, building decentralized applications, launching tokens, and interacting with humans autonomously. AI token cumulative market cap. Source: CoinGecko“AI is an extremely centralizing force. A few companies could become the warlords of the world,” Nailwal said. “That’s why crypto-native, peer-to-peer AI solutions are so important—they enable privacy-preserving innovation,” Polosukhin said.Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest, April 13 – 19

Key takeaways:Bitcoin could reach $150,000 by August or September of this year if BTC breaks above the parabolic slope pattern. Bitcoin (BTC) price jumped to new quarterly highs at $96,700 on May 1, a day after the US GDP contracted -0.3% for the first time since Q2 2022. Amid heightened economic concerns, the probability of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut rose to 62.8% for the June 18 Federal Reserve meeting. Over the past 24 hours, short position liquidations exceeded $137 million, with Alphractal founder Joao Wedson observing that BTC's price momentum continues to favor bullish trends.Bitcoin aggregated liquidation heatmap. Source: X.comPeter Brandt predicts a $150K Bitcoin top by Q3In a recent post on X, veteran trader Peter Brandt forecasted a Bitcoin price rally, potentially reaching $125,000 to $150,000 by August or September 2025. The trader predicted a parabolic arc pattern in Bitcoin’s price chart—a technical formation often signaling rapid rises followed by sharp corrections, as seen in the 2017 Bitcoin surge. Bitcoin 1-week analysis by Peter Brandt. Source: X.comBrandt noted that Bitcoin must reclaim its broken parabolic slope to achieve the above target. However, he cautioned that a 50%+ correction could follow the peak, reflecting the pattern’s characteristic volatility. From an onchain perspective, Bitcoin researcher Axel Adler Jr. pointed out that Bitcoin is on the cusp of a “start” rally zone. The analyst underlined three scenarios, with the optimistic (bull) case outlining a price target above $150,000. Adler Jr. added, “If the Ratio breaks through 1.0 and holds above it, the NUPL/MVRV metrics will show a new impulse, and the price could reach $150-175K, repeating the cycle logic of 2017 and 2021.”Bitcoin Composite Index. Source: CryptoQuantIn a baseline scenario, BTC's price may consolidate within a $90,000 to $110,000 range if new capital inflows remain limited and existing investors do not increase their positions.Lastly, a bearish case could unfold if further profit-taking from short-term holders takes place, leading to a correction down to $85,000-$70,000. Over the past two weeks, Bitcoin has displayed a consistent breakout pattern, surging 13% before entering sideways consolidation, then breaking out again to reach $93,000–$96,000. BTC is currently breaking out of its existing resistance range. Still, as shown in the chart below, a significant volume cluster between $96,000 and $99,000 suggests a phase of consolidation before Bitcoin can test the $100,000 mark. Bitcoin 1-day chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewRelated: Bitcoin price about to ‘blast’ higher as Fed rate cut odds jump to 60%This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

• #bitcoin

Retail investors are running out of time to accumulate Bitcoin as institutional adoption accelerates, according to Sergej Kunz, co-founder of exchange aggregator 1inch. Bitcoin (BTC) is evolving into an alternative reserve currency, propelling institutional demand and potentially pricing out retail investors, Kunz said during Cointelegraph's LONGITUDE event in Dubai. "Every retail user should be thinking about getting at least one Bitcoin — very soon they won’t be able to afford it,” Kunz said. If the United States starts buying Bitcoin for a strategic reserve, even smaller countries may soon struggle to acquire the cryptocurrency, he added. "I’m pretty sure we’ll soon see countries battling over who owns more Bitcoin. The US will start.”Bitcoin demand has accelerated since US President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on US imports in April, setting off a global trade war. “The only thing that still acts as a true hedge — across borders, against inflation — is Bitcoin,” Animoca Brands co-founder Yat Siu said during the panel. Yat Siu and Sergej Kunz at Cointelegraph's LONGITUDE. Source: CointelegraphRelated: US President Donald Trump issues 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffsGlobal reserve asset?During the week of April 21-25, Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) attracted more than $3 billion in inflows as institutions sought safety in “digital gold” amid mounting macroeconomic uncertainty. Analysts say demand from financial institutions could push Bitcoin’s price as high as $200,000 per coin this year. By 2029, institutional Bitcoin adoption could propel the cryptocurrency’s price past $1 million, Bitwise’s head of European research, André Dragosch, said.Asset managers still prefer gold for hedging against macro risk. Source: Binance ResearchFor Bitcoin, “[t]he silver lining is that economic uncertainty has historically accelerated institutional interest in digital assets as a diversification strategy,” David Siemer, co-founder and CEO of Wave Digital Assets, told Cointelegraph.As of May 1, Bitcoin ETFs and other institutional funds hold upward of $128 billion worth of BTC, according to data from BitcoinTreasuries.NET. Corporate treasuries hold another roughly $73 billion, the data shows. Sovereign states — including the US, China, and the United Kingdom — collectively hold more than $130 billion worth of BTC. However, much of those holdings are from crypto assets seized by law enforcement, not outright Bitcoin buys. Magazine: TV hit Peaky Blinders to launch crypto game, FIFA Rivals on Polkadot: Web3 Gamer

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A Texas member of the US House of Representatives has proposed that government officials consider installing cryptocurrency ATMs in federal buildings across the country.In a May 1 letter to Stephen Ehikian, the acting administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) — the entity responsible for managing the US government’s properties — Rep. Lance Gooden claimed that introducing crypto ATMs to federal buildings would serve as an “educational resource” and reflect advances in financial technology. He requested that the GSA begin exploring the necessary guidelines and regulations needed to install such ATMs in government-controlled properties across the US, citing alignment with President Donald Trump’s goals.May 1 letter pitching crypto ATMs to GSA. Source: Rep. Lance GoodenAccording to financial disclosure reports filed with the US House of Representatives, Gooden had held no investments in cryptocurrency or ATM companies since taking office in 2019. He had not yet filed any financial disclosures with the government for 2025 investments.The GSA website stated it may provide space to ATMs from federal credit unions, but it was unclear whether the acting administrator had the authority to expand the regulations to include digital asset ATMs tied to private companies like Bitcoin Depot or CoinFlip. Cointelegraph reached out to Gooden’s office for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.Related: Eric Trump: USD1 will be used for $2B MGX investment in BinanceGooden, a Republican and Trump supporter, made the proposal as lawmakers in the US Senate consider legislation to crack down on fraud through crypto ATMs. In February, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act, aimed at placing “common sense guardrails” against fraud affecting many senior citizens.Who would ultimately make the decision?It’s unclear whether Ehikian, a Trump appointee, would have the authority to unilaterally — or even with the president’s approval — install the crypto ATMs without an act of Congress to authorize funding. Cointelegraph reached out to the GSA for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.Trump has significant exposure to cryptocurrencies and digital asset firms through his personal holdings, presidential campaign funds, family-backed businesses, and the TRUMP memecoin. In April, the president announced a dinner in DC for top holders of his memecoin. Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions

Michael Saylot's tech firm Strategy has earned shareholders a Bitcoin yield of 13.7% in the year-to-date, the company said in its May 1 earnings report.That equates to a Bitcoin gain of more than 61,000 Bitcoin (BTC), worth approximately $5.8 billion, according to the company. Bitcoin yield and Bitcoin gain are unofficial accounting metrics that Strategy uses to benchmark the success of its BTC buying strategy. Bitcoin yield measures the ratio of Strategy’s Bitcoin holdings to the number of outstanding shares of its stock, MSTR. Bitcoin gain quantifies that figure in terms of accrued Bitcoin, Strategy said in February. “We are increasing our 2025 ‘BTC Yield’ target to 25% and our 2025 ‘BTC $ Gain’ target to $15 billion,” Andrew Kang, Strategy’s chief financial officer, said in a statement.Strategy generated a Bitcoin yield of 11% and a Bitcoin gain of nearly 50,000 BTC in the first quarter of 2025, it added. The company also announced plans to offer an additional $21 billion worth of stock to finance future Bitcoin buys.Strategy’s earnings call highlights. Source: StrategyRelated: Bitcoin, showing 'signs of resilience', beats stocks, gold as equities fold — BinanceBitcoin buying spreeShares of MSTR are up more than 27% in the year-to-date to around $381 on May 1, according to data from Google Finance. The stock is still trading below November highs of more than $470 per share. Since starting its Bitcoin buying spree in 2020, Strategy has accumulated a total of more than 550,000 BTC, costing the company nearly $38 billion, according to its earnings report. The purchases equate to an average price of approximately $68,500 per Bitcoin. As of May 1, Strategy’s treasury is worth more than $53 billion. Industry executives say institutional Bitcoin buying — including from corporate buyers such as Strategy — could eventually price retail investors out of the market. As of May 1, public companies hold upward of $73 billion worth of Bitcoin in aggregate, according to data from BitcoinTreasuries.NET. Bitcoin ETFs and other institutional funds hold another roughly $128 billion, the data shows.Magazine: Pokémon on Sui rumors, Polymarket bets on Filipino Pope: Asia Express

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Avraham Eisenberg was sentenced to more than four years in prison on child sexual abuse material charges, unrelated to his role in the 2022 exploit that drained the decentralized exchange Mango Markets of roughly $100 million.According to reporting from Inner City Press, a judge sentenced Eisenberg to 52 months in prison at a May 1 hearing in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. The case was filed in April 2024 after Eisenberg’s 2023 indictment on fraud for the Mango Markets exploit.Eisenberg was initially scheduled to be sentenced in July 2024 following his guilty plea on the child porn charge. In May 2024, the judge suggested the sentencing for both cases would occur simultaneously in a consolidated proceeding. However, as of May 1, the fraud sentencing remains pending. The prosecution in the Mango Markets case reflects the growing probability of apprehension for hackers and cybersecurity exploiters plaguing the crypto industry with malicious attacks on platforms and users.Related: SafeMoon boss cites DOJ’s nixed crypto unit in latest bid to toss suitThe case of Avraham EisenbergMango Markets, a former decentralized crypto exchange, was exploited in October 2022 through a price oracle manipulation, losing $100 million in user funds as a result.The exchange’s native token, Mango (MNGO), also plummeted immediately following the hack, shedding 52% of its value within 24 hours and leading the Mango Markets team to suspend deposits.Eisenberg defended the exploit, arguing that the $100 million heist was done through “legal open-market actions” and claimed that he negotiated a settlement for the return of user funds after the exchange’s insurance fund failed to cover the shortfall.In December 2022, US federal law enforcement authorities arrested Eisenberg in Puerto Rico. FBI officials charged the hacker with one count of commodities fraud and one count of commodities manipulation.A jury found Eisenberg guilty of wire fraud, commodities fraud, and commodities manipulation in April 2024. The defense argued that the exploit was not a cybercrime and represented a “successful and legal trading strategy.”Following the conviction, the Mango Markets exploiter’s attorneys filed a motion for acquittal in September 2024, which was heavily opposed by US prosecutors, who argued that Eisenberg was correctly convicted through careful evaluation of a “mountain of evidence.”Magazine: Influencers shilling memecoin scams face severe legal consequences

Despite reports in February suggesting that 2 million pro-crypto voters could decide the outcome of this week’s Australian Federal Election, crypto has barely rated a mention during the campaign.“I think it’s a missed opportunity,” Independent Reserve founder Adrian Przelozny told Cointelegraph. “Neither side has made crypto a headline issue because they’re wary of polarizing voters or sounding too niche.”But the good news is that after more than a decade of inaction, both the ruling Australian Labor Party (ALP) and the opposition Liberal Party are promising to enact crypto regulations developed in consultation with the industry. In April, Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor promised to release draft crypto regulations within the first 100 days after taking office, while the Treasury itself has draft bills on “regulating digital asset platforms” and “payments system modernization” scheduled for release this quarter.Amy-Rose Goodey, CEO of the Digital Economy Council of Australia, said that both parties “are equally invested in getting this draft legislation across the line.” “Irrespective of who gets in, we’re in a better position than we were about a year ago.”Pro-crypto voters have choices in the Senate, too, with the Libertarian Party issuing a 23-page Bitcoin policy in March — calling for the creation of a national Bitcoin (BTC) Reserve and the acceptance of Bitcoin as legal tender. The minor party is fielding five Senate candidates in different states, including former Liberal MP Craig Kelly, but doesn’t currently have anyone in the Senate. The progressive left-wing Greens party has not outlined a position on crypto, while the conservative right-wing One Nation party has campaigned against debanking and CBDCs.The Libertarian Party’s Bitcoin Policy Whitepaper. Source: The LibertariansMore than a decade of inaction on cryptoAustralia’s first parliamentary inquiry into digital assets was held back in 2014, but there’s been more than a decade of regulatory inaction since. The industry says this has led to stagnation and a brain drain of talent to jurisdictions like Singapore and the UAE.The former Liberal Government was considering the landmark Digital Services Act, based on the 2021 Senate Committee’s crypto recommendations, when it lost office in 2022. Despite ongoing consultations since, the ALP government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, hasn’t put forward any legislation to parliament.But there has definitely been a vibe shift from the ALP recently, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers telling Cointelegraph that digital assets “represent big opportunities for our economy.””We want to seize these opportunities and encourage innovation at the same time as making sure Australians can use and invest in digital assets safely and securely with appropriate regulation.”His office said exposure draft legislation would be released “in 2025” for consultation, introduced into Parliament “once that feedback has been considered” with the subsequent reforms “phased in over time to minimize disruptions to existing businesses.”The shadow assistant treasurer, Luke Howarth, said the ALP has been slow to act because it didn’t have a blockchain policy when it was elected.“It wasn’t until the FTX collapse that they acknowledged the need for regulation,” he told Cointelegraph. “The Albanese government initially promised it would put in place regulation by 2023 but have failed to draft legislation or give a clear time-frame for action. After three years, all that was offered to industry was a six-page placeholder document.”He’s referring to Treasury’s March statement “on developing an innovative Australian digital asset industry.” It provides for the licensing of Digital Asset Platforms (DAPS), a framework for payment stablecoins and a review of Australia’s Enhanced Regulatory Sandbox.Related: A guide to crypto trading bots: Analyzing strategies and performanceWhile short on detail, those aims are broadly similar to the crypto regulation priorities that Howarth outlines to Cointelegraph — the big difference being that the opposition has committed to a faster time frame. Przelozny praised the 100-day promise as “exactly the kind of urgency we need.”If elected, the Liberal Party’s legislation is expected to take some of its cues from Senator Andrew Bragg’s private members bill in 2023 and some from the more recent work done by the Treasury.Shadow Assistant Treasurer Luke Howarth. Source: Luke HowarthThe government steps up effortsThe Treasury has been quietly drafting legislation this year, which Goodey understands is “almost complete.”“There’s been prioritization within Treasury, and I know that their team has almost doubled — the digital asset team — for writing that draft legislation. So, there has been an investment in that over the past six months.”Przelozny characterizes the ALP’s approach as “cautious and methodical, but it’s been slow,” prioritizing consumer protection and risk management. BTC Markets CEO Caroline Bowler said the election of a pro-crypto Trump administration and the UK’s draft regulations (released this week) likely forced both sides of politics to finally get serious. ”Australia has ground to make up, and I would anticipate this also being a factor in the savvy move by both parties,” she said. Sydney is the 10th most crypto-friendly city according to a recent poll.Stand With Crypto campaign and ASICThe Stand With Crypto campaign is active in Australia but has been fairly low-key during the campaign, with a focus on debanking.Coinbase managing director for APAC John O’Loghlen called on whoever wins the election to launch a “Crypto-Asset Taskforce (CATF) within the first 100 days.” This would include industry and consumer representatives to finally get crypto regulations over the line.“If Australia doesn’t move now, we risk falling even further behind,” he told Cointelegraph. “The next government must move beyond consultation and into legislation.”The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is the local equivalent of the US Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). It released its own crypto regulatory proposals in December. Related: Trump’s first 100 days ‘worst in history’ despite crypto promisesJoy Lam, Binance’s head of global regulatory and APAC legal, told Cointelegraph she doesn’t expect ASIC to suddenly change direction if a new government comes in, as the SEC did.“ASIC doesn’t make the law,” she said. “I don’t expect a complete kind of 180 because ASIC, it is independent, and it does have its own mandate, but it obviously operates within the legislative framework that the government is going to be setting.”April 20 poll. Source: YouGovWho should single-issue crypto voters back?In February, a poll by YouGov and Swyftx found that 59% of crypto users would vote for a pro-crypto candidate in the federal election above all other issues. That equates to around 2 million Australians and would be enough to determine the outcome of the election one way.But the similarities between the major parties on crypto regulation are much greater than the differences. Goodey said both sides of politics have genuinely engaged with the industry about its concerns and priorities.“You can see in some of the language with their media releases that they both released in March, April this year, that they are in agreement on what the industry issues are,” she said. Owing to Senator Bragg’s campaigning on crypto, the industry sees the Liberal Party as more enthusiastic about digital assets, but after three years in government, the ALP looks to have arrived at roughly the same place. Recent YouGov and Resolve polls suggest the government is likely to be reelected.While internal Liberal polling suggests an ALP minority government is a genuine possibility, the major parties would have enough votes between them to pass bipartisan crypto legislation. Whatever happens, 2025 looks like the year Australia will finally provide the crypto industry with the certainty it needs.“For industry, the timing is really quite critical now because obviously it’s something that has been discussed and kicked around for quite a few years,” Lam said. “I would say that we are cautiously optimistic.”Magazine: ZK-proofs are bringing smart contracts to Bitcoin — BitcoinOS and Starknet

Animoca Brands is looking at trends in real-world tokenized assets, AI projects, and the gaming sector to invest in and develop, according to Omar Elissar, the company's managing director for the Middle East and the head of Global Strategic Partnerships.In an interview with Cointelegraph's Sam Bourgi at Token2049, Elissar said that stablecoins, real-world asset tokenization, the intersection between AI and crypto, alternative use cases such as decentralized science, and Web3 gaming were all niches the company is exploring.Gaming is "part of our DNA," the executive said before reflecting on the current state of the Web3 gaming industry:"It's gone quiet for some time in terms of less PR, but there's been building in the background. Recently, there have been a few games that have come out that have been truly fun to play, which I think has been one of the main negative sentiments about Web3 gaming."Animoca Brands is one of the foremost crypto-native venture capital firms in the space and can serve as a barometer of hot or emerging market trends for crypto investors.Related: VC Roundup: Funding surge targets confidentiality, tokenization and Web3 infrastructureAnimoca Brands inks stablecoin, blockchain dealsIn February 2025, Animoca Brands, Standard Chartered Bank, and Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) signed a deal to develop a Hong Kong dollar stablecoin that will be overcollateralized and pegged to the Hong Kong dollar at a 1:1 ratio.The stablecoin must first be approved by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) before it begins trading. Hong Kong's financial authorities are currently working on establishing comprehensive stablecoin regulations.On March 27, Animoca Brands inked a deal with Soneium, a layer-1 blockchain network developed by Japanese tech company Sony, to develop a digital identification system that features pictures of anime characters that can be assigned to an onchain user to signify identity.Animoca releases financial assets and token reserves for 2024 as part of its overall financial report for the company’s 2024 fiscal year. Source: Animoca BrandsAnimoca reported that it recorded 12% year-over-year growth during the 2024 fiscal year in "bookings" — a figure that accounts for the sum of all revenue plus revenue that has been booked but not yet received by the company.Magazine: Crypto ‘more taboo than OnlyFans,’ says Violetta Zironi, who sold song for 1 BTC

Bitcoin Magazine Strategy Reports $5.8 Billion Year-to-Date Bitcoin Gain, Doubles Capital Plan to $84 Billion Today, Strategy delivered its Q1 2025 earnings report, announcing a 13.7% year-to-date “BTC Yield” and a $5.8 billion “BTC $ Gain.” The company now holds 553,555 bitcoins at a total cost of $37.9 billion—an average of $68,459 per coin—making it the undisputed leader in corporate Bitcoin reserves.  The company also announced it is doubling its […] This post Strategy Reports $5.8 Billion Year-to-Date Bitcoin Gain, Doubles Capital Plan to $84 Billion first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.

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Despite reports in February suggesting that 2 million pro-crypto voters could decide the outcome of this week’s Australian Federal Election, crypto has barely rated a mention during the campaign.“I think it’s a missed opportunity,” Independent Reserve founder Adrian Przelozny told Cointelegraph. “Neither side has made crypto a headline issue because they’re wary of polarizing voters or sounding too niche.”But the good news is that after more than a decade of inaction, both the ruling Australian Labor Party (ALP) and the opposition Liberal Party are promising to enact crypto regulations developed in consultation with the industry. In April, Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor promised to release draft crypto regulations within the first 100 days after taking office, while the Treasury itself has draft bills on “regulating digital asset platforms” and “payments system modernization” scheduled for release this quarter.Amy-Rose Goodey, CEO of the Digital Economy Council of Australia, said that both parties “are equally invested in getting this draft legislation across the line.” “Irrespective of who gets in, we’re in a better position than we were about a year ago.”Pro-crypto voters have choices in the Senate, too, with the Libertarian Party issuing a 23-page Bitcoin policy in March — calling for the creation of a national Bitcoin (BTC) Reserve and the acceptance of Bitcoin as legal tender. The minor party is fielding five Senate candidates in different states, including former Liberal MP Craig Kelly, but doesn’t currently have anyone in the Senate. The progressive left-wing Greens party has not outlined a position on crypto, while the conservative right-wing One Nation party has campaigned against debanking and CBDCs.The Libertarian Party’s Bitcoin Policy Whitepaper. Source: The LibertariansMore than a decade of inaction on cryptoAustralia’s first parliamentary inquiry into digital assets was held back in 2014, but there’s been more than a decade of regulatory inaction since. The industry says this has led to stagnation and a brain drain of talent to jurisdictions like Singapore and the UAE.The former Liberal Government was considering the landmark Digital Services Act, based on the 2021 Senate Committee’s crypto recommendations, when it lost office in 2022. Despite ongoing consultations since, the ALP government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, hasn’t put forward any legislation to parliament.But there has definitely been a vibe shift from the ALP recently, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers telling Cointelegraph that digital assets “represent big opportunities for our economy.””We want to seize these opportunities and encourage innovation at the same time as making sure Australians can use and invest in digital assets safely and securely with appropriate regulation.”His office said exposure draft legislation would be released “in 2025” for consultation, introduced into Parliament “once that feedback has been considered” with the subsequent reforms “phased in over time to minimize disruptions to existing businesses.”The shadow assistant treasurer, Luke Howarth, said the ALP has been slow to act because it didn’t have a blockchain policy when it was elected.“It wasn’t until the FTX collapse that they acknowledged the need for regulation,” he told Cointelegraph. “The Albanese government initially promised it would put in place regulation by 2023 but have failed to draft legislation or give a clear time-frame for action. After three years, all that was offered to industry was a six-page placeholder document.”He’s referring to Treasury’s March statement “on developing an innovative Australian digital asset industry.” It provides for the licensing of Digital Asset Platforms (DAPS), a framework for payment stablecoins and a review of Australia’s Enhanced Regulatory Sandbox.Related: A guide to crypto trading bots: Analyzing strategies and performanceWhile short on detail, those aims are broadly similar to the crypto regulation priorities that Howarth outlines to Cointelegraph — the big difference being that the opposition has committed to a faster time frame. Przelozny praised the 100-day promise as “exactly the kind of urgency we need.”If elected, the Liberal Party’s legislation is expected to take some of its cues from Senator Andrew Bragg’s private members bill in 2023 and some from the more recent work done by the Treasury.Shadow Assistant Treasurer Luke Howarth. Source: Luke HowarthThe government steps up effortsThe Treasury has been quietly drafting legislation this year, which Goodey understands is “almost complete.”“There’s been prioritization within Treasury, and I know that their team has almost doubled — the digital asset team — for writing that draft legislation. So, there has been an investment in that over the past six months.”Przelozny characterizes the ALP’s approach as “cautious and methodical, but it’s been slow,” prioritizing consumer protection and risk management. BTC Markets CEO Caroline Bowler said the election of a pro-crypto Trump administration and the UK’s draft regulations (released this week) likely forced both sides of politics to finally get serious. ”Australia has ground to make up, and I would anticipate this also being a factor in the savvy move by both parties,” she said. Sydney is the 10th most crypto-friendly city according to a recent poll.Stand With Crypto campaign and ASICThe Stand With Crypto campaign is active in Australia but has been fairly low-key during the campaign, with a focus on debanking.Coinbase managing director for APAC John O’Loghlen called on whoever wins the election to launch a “Crypto-Asset Taskforce (CATF) within the first 100 days.” This would include industry and consumer representatives to finally get crypto regulations over the line.“If Australia doesn’t move now, we risk falling even further behind,” he told Cointelegraph. “The next government must move beyond consultation and into legislation.”The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is the local equivalent of the US Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). It released its own crypto regulatory proposals in December. Related: Trump’s first 100 days ‘worst in history’ despite crypto promisesJoy Lam, Binance’s head of global regulatory and APAC legal, told Cointelegraph she doesn’t expect ASIC to suddenly change direction if a new government comes in, as the SEC did.“ASIC doesn’t make the law,” she said. “I don’t expect a complete kind of 180 because ASIC, it is independent, and it does have its own mandate, but it obviously operates within the legislative framework that the government is going to be setting.”April 20 poll. Source: YouGovWho should single-issue crypto voters back?In February, a poll by YouGov and Swyftx found that 59% of crypto users would vote for a pro-crypto candidate in the federal election above all other issues. That equates to around 2 million Australians and would be enough to determine the outcome of the election one way.But the similarities between the major parties on crypto regulation are much greater than the differences. Goodey said both sides of politics have genuinely engaged with the industry about its concerns and priorities.“You can see in some of the language with their media releases that they both released in March, April this year, that they are in agreement on what the industry issues are,” she said. Owing to Senator Bragg’s campaigning on crypto, the industry sees the Liberal Party as more enthusiastic about digital assets, but after three years in government, the ALP looks to have arrived at roughly the same place. Recent YouGov and Resolve polls suggest the government is likely to be reelected.While internal Liberal polling suggests an ALP minority government is a genuine possibility, the major parties would have enough votes between them to pass bipartisan crypto legislation. Whatever happens, 2025 looks like the year Australia will finally provide the crypto industry with the certainty it needs.“For industry, the timing is really quite critical now because obviously it’s something that has been discussed and kicked around for quite a few years,” Lam said. “I would say that we are cautiously optimistic.”Magazine: ZK-proofs are bringing smart contracts to Bitcoin — BitcoinOS and Starknet

Animoca Brands is looking at trends in real-world tokenized assets, AI projects, and the gaming sector to invest in and develop, according to Omar Elissar, the company's managing director for the Middle East and the head of Global Strategic Partnerships.In an interview with Cointelegraph's Sam Bourgi at Token2049, Elissar said that stablecoins, real-world asset tokenization, the intersection between AI and crypto, alternative use cases such as decentralized science, and Web3 gaming were all niches the company is exploring.Gaming is "part of our DNA," the executive said before reflecting on the current state of the Web3 gaming industry:"It's gone quiet for some time in terms of less PR, but there's been building in the background. Recently, there have been a few games that have come out that have been truly fun to play, which I think has been one of the main negative sentiments about Web3 gaming."Animoca Brands is one of the foremost crypto-native venture capital firms in the space and can serve as a barometer of hot or emerging market trends for crypto investors.Related: VC Roundup: Funding surge targets confidentiality, tokenization and Web3 infrastructureAnimoca Brands inks stablecoin, blockchain dealsIn February 2025, Animoca Brands, Standard Chartered Bank, and Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) signed a deal to develop a Hong Kong dollar stablecoin that will be overcollateralized and pegged to the Hong Kong dollar at a 1:1 ratio.The stablecoin must first be approved by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) before it begins trading. Hong Kong's financial authorities are currently working on establishing comprehensive stablecoin regulations.On March 27, Animoca Brands inked a deal with Soneium, a layer-1 blockchain network developed by Japanese tech company Sony, to develop a digital identification system that features pictures of anime characters that can be assigned to an onchain user to signify identity.Animoca releases financial assets and token reserves for 2024 as part of its overall financial report for the company’s 2024 fiscal year. Source: Animoca BrandsAnimoca reported that it recorded 12% year-over-year growth during the 2024 fiscal year in "bookings" — a figure that accounts for the sum of all revenue plus revenue that has been booked but not yet received by the company.Magazine: Crypto ‘more taboo than OnlyFans,’ says Violetta Zironi, who sold song for 1 BTC

XRP bulls return as funding rate turns positive

Bitcoin Magazine Blockstream Announces Major Growth & Expansion Plans for 2025 Following $210M Raise Blockstream, a leader in Bitcoin-powered financial infrastructure, has shared a new update detailing its growth plans for 2025. Following a successful $210 million raise in October 2024 led by Fulgur Ventures, the company is accelerating its development across infrastructure, software, mining, and institutional investment offerings. “We are at a pivotal moment for Bitcoin’s growth,” stated […] This post Blockstream Announces Major Growth & Expansion Plans for 2025 Following $210M Raise first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.

A Londoner’s years-long quest for an $800 million Bitcoin-containing hard drive hidden somewhere in a Welsh landfill has now been licensed into a cross-platform documentary series. Entertainment company LEBUL announced this week that it has secured exclusive rights to tell the story of James Howells, the British engineer known for losing access to 8,000 Bitcoin […]

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Bitcoin demand momentum fell to -480k BTC, showing heavier selling from STHs than LTHs. Short-term selling activity weighed on Bitcoin, slowing the ongoing price rally. Over the past week, BThe post 26K Bitcoin floods exchanges in 24 hours – But one concern arises appeared first on AMBCrypto.

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Strategy, the corporate bitcoin treasury firm formerly known as Microstrategy, revealed plans for a $21 billion at-the-market (ATM) common stock offering to acquire additional bitcoin ( BTC), even as it reported a first-quarter net loss of $4.2 billion, or $16.49 per diluted share. Strategy Wants More Bitcoin The company’s net loss included a $5.9 billion […]

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Kuwait initiated a major crackdown on crypto mining, citing growing strains on the electric grid.

Strategy posted a $4.2B Q1 loss but plans to raise $21B through equity to keep expanding its Bitcoin holdings. The post Strategy reports $4.2B loss but aims to raise $21B to buy more Bitcoin appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

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Avraham Eisenberg was sentenced to more than four years in prison on child pornography charges, unrelated to his role in the 2022 exploit that drained the decentralized exchange Mango Markets of roughly $100 million.According to reporting from Inner City Press, a judge sentenced Eisenberg to 52 months in prison at a May 1 hearing in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. The case was filed in April 2024 after Eisenberg’s 2023 indictment on fraud for the Mango Markets exploit.Eisenberg was initially scheduled to be sentenced in July 2024 following his guilty plea on the child porn charge. In May 2024, the judge suggested the sentencing for both cases would occur simultaneously in a consolidated proceeding. However, as of May 1, the fraud sentencing remains pending. The prosecution in the Mango Markets case reflects the growing probability of apprehension for hackers and cybersecurity exploiters plaguing the crypto industry with malicious attacks on platforms and users.Related: SafeMoon boss cites DOJ’s nixed crypto unit in latest bid to toss suitThe case of Avraham EisenbergMango Markets, a former decentralized crypto exchange, was exploited in October 2022 through a price oracle manipulation, losing $100 million in user funds as a result.The exchange’s native token, Mango (MNGO), also plummeted immediately following the hack, shedding 52% of its value within 24 hours and leading the Mango Markets team to suspend deposits.Eisenberg defended the exploit, arguing that the $100 million heist was done through “legal open-market actions” and claimed that he negotiated a settlement for the return of user funds after the exchange’s insurance fund failed to cover the shortfall.In December 2022, US federal law enforcement authorities arrested Eisenberg in Puerto Rico. FBI officials charged the hacker with one count of commodities fraud and one count of commodities manipulation.A jury found Eisenberg guilty of wire fraud, commodities fraud, and commodities manipulation in April 2024. The defense argued that the exploit was not a cybercrime and represented a “successful and legal trading strategy.”Following the conviction, the Mango Markets exploiter’s attorneys filed a motion for acquittal in September 2024, which was heavily opposed by US prosecutors, who argued that Eisenberg was correctly convicted through careful evaluation of a “mountain of evidence.”Magazine: Influencers shilling memecoin scams face severe legal consequences

Dogecoin emerges as one of the top gainers for today

The bitcoin development community is divided over a proposal to remove certain guardrails designed to deter the use of its blockchain for storing arbitrary data (or ‘spam’). Some developers argue that this change will impact the future of bitcoin, while others assert that it is already happening. ‘Spam’ Drama Grows: Is Bitcoin Destined to Save […]

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Michael Saylot's tech firm Strategy has earned shareholders a Bitcoin yield of 13.7% in the year-to-date, the company said in its May 1 earnings report.That equates to a Bitcoin gain of more than 61,000 Bitcoin (BTC), worth approximately $5.8 billion, according to the company. Bitcoin yield and Bitcoin gain are unofficial accounting metrics that Strategy uses to benchmark the success of its BTC buying strategy. Bitcoin yield measures the ratio of Strategy’s Bitcoin holdings to the number of outstanding shares of its stock, MSTR. Bitcoin gain quantifies that figure in terms of accrued Bitcoin, Strategy said in February. “We are increasing our 2025 ‘BTC Yield’ target to 25% and our 2025 ‘BTC $ Gain’ target to $15 billion,” Andrew Kang, Strategy’s chief financial officer, said in a statement.Strategy generated a Bitcoin yield of 11% and a Bitcoin gain of nearly 50,000 BTC in the first quarter of 2025, it added. The company also announced plans to offer an additional $21 billion worth of stock to finance future Bitcoin buys.Strategy’s earnings call highlights. Source: StrategyRelated: Bitcoin, showing 'signs of resilience', beats stocks, gold as equities fold — BinanceBitcoin buying spreeShares of MSTR are up more than 27% in the year-to-date to around $381 on May 1, according to data from Google Finance. The stock is still trading below November highs of more than $470 per share. Since starting its Bitcoin buying spree in 2020, Strategy has accumulated a total of more than 550,000 BTC, costing the company nearly $38 billion, according to its earnings report. The purchases equate to an average price of approximately $68,500 per Bitcoin. As of May 1, Strategy’s treasury is worth more than $53 billion. Industry executives say institutional Bitcoin buying — including from corporate buyers such as Strategy — could eventually price retail investors out of the market. As of May 1, public companies hold upward of $73 billion worth of Bitcoin in aggregate, according to data from BitcoinTreasuries.NET. Bitcoin ETFs and other institutional funds hold another roughly $128 billion, the data shows.Magazine: Pokémon on Sui rumors, Polymarket bets on Filipino Pope: Asia Express

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Missed out on BNB at $0.15? Don’t kick yourself too hard—another chance just showed up, and it’s already making serious waves. In a crypto world full of copycats and hype coins, one presale is standing out in 2025 like BNB did back in the day. It’s called Qubetics, and folks lucky (or smart) enough to [...] The post Missed BNB? Qubetics Might Be the Best Crypto Presale to Join in 2025 for the Next 7000% Moonshot appeared first on Blockonomi.

MicroStrategy posts $5.8B Bitcoin gain, boosts 2025 yield and investment targets

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A Texas member of the US House of Representatives has proposed that government officials consider installing cryptocurrency ATMs in federal buildings across the country.In a May 1 letter to Stephen Ehikian, the acting administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) — the entity responsible for managing the US government’s properties — Rep. Lance Gooden claimed that introducing crypto ATMs to federal buildings would serve as an “educational resource” and reflect advances in financial technology. He requested that the GSA begin exploring the necessary guidelines and regulations needed to install such ATMs in government-controlled properties across the US, citing alignment with President Donald Trump’s goals.May 1 letter pitching crypto ATMs to GSA. Source: Rep. Lance GoodenAccording to financial disclosure reports filed with the US House of Representatives, Gooden had held no investments in cryptocurrency or ATM companies since taking office in 2019. He had not yet filed any financial disclosures with the government for 2025 investments.The GSA website stated it may provide space to ATMs from federal credit unions, but it was unclear whether the acting administrator had the authority to expand the regulations to include digital asset ATMs tied to private companies like Bitcoin Depot or CoinFlip. Cointelegraph reached out to Gooden’s office for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.Related: Eric Trump: USD1 will be used for $2B MGX investment in BinanceGooden, a Republican and Trump supporter, made the proposal as lawmakers in the US Senate consider legislation to crack down on fraud through crypto ATMs. In February, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act, aimed at placing “common sense guardrails” against fraud affecting many senior citizens.Who would ultimately make the decision?It’s unclear whether Ehikian, a Trump appointee, would have the authority to unilaterally — or even with the president’s approval — install the crypto ATMs without an act of Congress to authorize funding. Cointelegraph reached out to the GSA for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.Trump has significant exposure to cryptocurrencies and digital asset firms through his personal holdings, presidential campaign funds, family-backed businesses, and the TRUMP memecoin. In April, the president announced a dinner in DC for top holders of his memecoin. Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions

Bitcoin Magazine Relai Launches Bitcoin-Backed Loans in Partnership with Sygnum Bank Swiss Bitcoin app Relai teams up with Sygnum Bank to offer Bitcoin-backed loans to high-net-worth clients, unlocking cash flow without having to sell Bitcoin. This post Relai Launches Bitcoin-Backed Loans in Partnership with Sygnum Bank first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.

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Anthony Pompliano’s blank-check firm, Procap Acquisition Corp., has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to raise $200 million in an initial public offering (IPO). Pompliano-Led ProCap to Hunt for Fintech Targets With $200M War Chest Procap Acquisition Corp., incorporated in the Cayman Islands and led by Anthony Pompliano as chief executive officer, […]

With Cardano making strides in innovation, including the Lace wallet’s integration of Bitcoin and significant accumulation of ADA by whale investors, attention in the blockchain community is at an all-time high. While Cardano continues to expand its horizons, Ruvi AI presents a forward-thinking investment opportunity that combines cutting-edge technology with real-world applications. About Ruvi AI [...] The post Cardano (ADA) Expands its Ecosystem While Ruvi AI (RUVI) Offers 3,500% Potential to Early Investors appeared first on Blockonomi.

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Ethereum Foundation researcher Dankrad Feist has cautioned that ETH’s base layer could slip into irrelevance within a decade unless the community embraces a far more aggressive roadmap for on-chain scaling and protocol overhaul. Writing in a post on the Ethereum Magicians forum, Feist introduces a draft EIP that would pre-commit the network to a multi-year […]

A cycle bottom-catching metric suggested that Solana was at or near its market bottom. The rising transaction activity in 2024 was a major boost to the network, despite the Q1 2025 setback. The post Solana: Why $100-$120 could be the sweet spot for buyers appeared first on AMBCrypto.

XRP’s April rebound signals bullish outlook for the cryptocurrency

XRP’s Momentum Builds as ETF Wave Reshapes Outlook XRP continues to attract renewed attention after jumping over 40% in April, closing the month near $2.36. The rollout of futures-based ETFs — alongside the conclusion of the SEC case — has reshaped how institutions perceive the asset. With major players showing interest and the potential for [...] The post XRP Price Ready for a $9.75 Explosion? Analysts Say MAGACOIN FINANCE and Sei (SEI) Could Outperform in Q2 2025 appeared first on Blockonomi.

What if you had the chance to get into the next big crypto project before the world catches on? That’s exactly what the Nexchain 2025 Presale offers. It is more than just a new token.  Nexchain is a powerful, AI-driven Layer-1 blockchain designed for speed, low fees, eco-friendly transactions, and real-world use. With a presale [...] The post This Hidden Gem Crypto Could Dominate Presales In 2025 — Introducing Nexchain appeared first on Blockonomi.

Retail investors are running out of time to accumulate Bitcoin as institutional adoption accelerates, according to Sergej Kunz, co-founder of exchange aggregator 1inch. Bitcoin (BTC) is evolving into an alternative reserve currency, propelling institutional demand and potentially pricing out retail investors, Kunz said during Cointelegraph's LONGITUDE event in Dubai. "Every retail user should be thinking about getting at least one Bitcoin — very soon they won’t be able to afford it,” Kunz said. If the United States starts buying Bitcoin for a strategic reserve, even smaller countries may soon struggle to acquire the cryptocurrency, he added. "I’m pretty sure we’ll soon see countries battling over who owns more Bitcoin. The US will start.”Bitcoin demand has accelerated since US President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on US imports in April, setting off a global trade war. “The only thing that still acts as a true hedge — across borders, against inflation — is Bitcoin,” Animoca Brands co-founder Yat Siu said during the panel. Yat Siu and Sergej Kunz at Cointelegraph's LONGITUDE. Source: CointelegraphRelated: US President Donald Trump issues 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffsGlobal reserve asset?During the week of April 21-25, Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) attracted more than $3 billion in inflows as institutions sought safety in “digital gold” amid mounting macroeconomic uncertainty. Analysts say demand from financial institutions could push Bitcoin’s price as high as $200,000 per coin this year. By 2029, institutional Bitcoin adoption could propel the cryptocurrency’s price past $1 million, Bitwise’s head of European research, André Dragosch, said.Asset managers still prefer gold for hedging against macro risk. Source: Binance ResearchFor Bitcoin, “[t]he silver lining is that economic uncertainty has historically accelerated institutional interest in digital assets as a diversification strategy,” David Siemer, co-founder and CEO of Wave Digital Assets, told Cointelegraph.As of May 1, Bitcoin ETFs and other institutional funds hold upward of $128 billion worth of BTC, according to data from BitcoinTreasuries.NET. Corporate treasuries hold another roughly $73 billion, the data shows. Sovereign states — including the US, China, and the United Kingdom — collectively hold more than $130 billion worth of BTC. However, much of those holdings are from crypto assets seized by law enforcement, not outright Bitcoin buys. Magazine: TV hit Peaky Blinders to launch crypto game, FIFA Rivals on Polkadot: Web3 Gamer

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Forget about $1 million Bitcoin price predictions. One of the most prominent venture capitalists thinks BTC is heading to infinity

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U.S. stocks climbed on Thursday, led by the Nasdaq, as upbeat earnings from Microsoft and Meta reassured investors who were wary of the economic impact of President Trump’s escalating trade war with China. The Nasdaq Composite index closed near session…

Bitcoin miners brought in $40 million less in revenue during April than they did in March, marking the fourth straight month of dwindling returns since December as the sector continued its downward earnings trend. April Wrecks Bitcoin Miners Again—Revenue Slides for Fourth Month in a Row Though the dip wasn’t dramatic, it was nonetheless a […]

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Bitcoin &#40;BTC&#41; is trading above its recent high and current support as it targets the $100,000 psychological price level.<br />

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BTC consolidated tightly around $95K ahead of Friday’s U.S. Jobs report.  Ripple's offer to acquire Circle for $5 billion was reportedly rejected as ‘too low.’ Bitcoin [BTC] extended The post Here’s what happened in crypto today - Ripple’s bid for Circle, BTC, & more appeared first on AMBCrypto.

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Key takeaways:Bitcoin could reach $150,000 by August or September of this year if BTC breaks above the parabolic slope pattern. Bitcoin (BTC) price jumped to new quarterly highs at $96,700 on May 1, a day after the US GDP contracted -0.3% for the first time since Q2 2022. Amid heightened economic concerns, the probability of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut rose to 62.8% for the June 18 Federal Reserve meeting. Over the past 24 hours, short position liquidations exceeded $137 million, with Alphractal founder Joao Wedson observing that BTC's price momentum continues to favor bullish trends.Bitcoin aggregated liquidation heatmap. Source: X.comPeter Brandt predicts a $150K Bitcoin top by Q3In a recent post on X, veteran trader Peter Brandt forecasted a Bitcoin price rally, potentially reaching $125,000 to $150,000 by August or September 2025. The trader predicted a parabolic arc pattern in Bitcoin’s price chart—a technical formation often signaling rapid rises followed by sharp corrections, as seen in the 2017 Bitcoin surge. Bitcoin 1-week analysis by Peter Brandt. Source: X.comBrandt noted that Bitcoin must reclaim its broken parabolic slope to achieve the above target. However, he cautioned that a 50%+ correction could follow the peak, reflecting the pattern’s characteristic volatility. From an onchain perspective, Bitcoin researcher Axel Adler Jr. pointed out that Bitcoin is on the cusp of a “start” rally zone. The analyst underlined three scenarios, with the optimistic (bull) case outlining a price target above $150,000. Adler Jr. added, “If the Ratio breaks through 1.0 and holds above it, the NUPL/MVRV metrics will show a new impulse, and the price could reach $150-175K, repeating the cycle logic of 2017 and 2021.”Bitcoin Composite Index. Source: CryptoQuantIn a baseline scenario, BTC's price may consolidate within a $90,000 to $110,000 range if new capital inflows remain limited and existing investors do not increase their positions.Lastly, a bearish case could unfold if further profit-taking from short-term holders takes place, leading to a correction down to $85,000-$70,000. Over the past two weeks, Bitcoin has displayed a consistent breakout pattern, surging 13% before entering sideways consolidation, then breaking out again to reach $93,000–$96,000. BTC is currently breaking out of its existing resistance range. Still, as shown in the chart below, a significant volume cluster between $96,000 and $99,000 suggests a phase of consolidation before Bitcoin can test the $100,000 mark. Bitcoin 1-day chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewRelated: Bitcoin price about to ‘blast’ higher as Fed rate cut odds jump to 60%This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

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Cryptocurrency can accelerate artificial intelligence adoption by helping AI startups onboard users, according to Polygon's co-founder Sandeep Nailwal. “You can use crypto incentives and disincentives to onboard users to onboard the ecosystem players,” Nailwal said during a panel discussion at the LONGITUDE by Cointelegraph event. He added that projects with effective onchain incentive structures might even “build a better AI because you have this incentive engine that brings in developers,” Nailwal said on May 1. Cointelegraph’s LONGITUDE is an event series that brings together leaders and innovators from the blockchain and Web3 space for exclusive discussions. Joining the panel, Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of the Near Protocol, expanded on crypto's long-term synergy with AI, forecasting that crypto-native AI agents could replace traditional web application front-ends as the primary user interfaces for Web3."We don’t need applications or websites anymore. Your AI becomes the interface to computing and the internet,” Polosukhin said.Sandeep Nailwal and Illia Polosukhin speaking at Cointelegraph's LONGITUDE in Dubai. Source: CointelegraphRelated: AI memecoins will become utility tokensHowever, Nailwal cautioned that the rise of AI-related tokens onchain has also attracted a wave of opportunistic scams. “We know that 99% of those projects are literally token scams, but very few projects are actually trying to have some meaningful AI project,” he said. The era of Web3 AI agentsAI agents are expected to take on a more prominent role within decentralized communities, J.D. Seraphine, co-founder of Web3 developer Raiinmaker, recently told Cointelegraph. According to a report by VanEck, over 1 million AI agents could enter the market in 2025, with many of them tied to decentralized finance applications. Such agents are already reshaping the digital economy, building decentralized applications, launching tokens, and interacting with humans autonomously. AI token cumulative market cap. Source: CoinGecko“AI is an extremely centralizing force. A few companies could become the warlords of the world,” Nailwal said. “That’s why crypto-native, peer-to-peer AI solutions are so important—they enable privacy-preserving innovation,” Polosukhin said.Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest, April 13 – 19

Bitcoin has surged on the back of a textbook short squeeze, but now finds itself at a decisive resistance zone. Will it break out or roll over? Bitcoin’s (BTC) recent price action has caught many off guard, with a powerful…

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Although April brought modest gains to the broader crypto economy, data reveals a continued descent in non-fungible token (NFT) sales, which contracted by 39.62% over the past 30 days. Ethereum retained its status as the leading blockchain by NFT sales volume, yet its figures receded by 44.86% compared with the previous month. NFT Sector Pummeled: […]

Certik, a leading blockchain security firm, reported on April 30, 2025, that the crypto industry lost approximately $364 million to exploits, hacks, and scams in April, with $18.2 million returned, resulting in a net loss of $345.8 million. The firm highlighted that $337 million of the total losses stemmed from phishing attacks, underscoring the persistent […]

Paolo Ardoino, CEO of stablecoin issuer Tether, addressed criticism over the company's decision not to seek registration under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, arguing that the regulations were risky for stablecoins.Speaking to Cointelegraph at the Token2049 conference in Dubai, Ardoino reiterated that Tether had no plans to apply for its US dollar-pegged stablecoin USDt — the largest by market capitalization — to be compliant under MiCA in European countries, potentially forcing exchanges to delist the stablecoin. He added that though crypto firms had to follow regulations, there was a “fear of compliance” among companies in the EU.“[...] MiCA license is very dangerous when it comes to stablecoins, and I believe that is even more dangerous for the small, medium banking system in Europe,” said the Tether CEO, adding that banks in the region could “go belly up” in the next few years thanks to MiCA's requirements, such as keeping 60% of stablecoins reserves in insured cash deposits in European banks. Ardoino added:“I decided to not apply to the MiCA license because I need to protect the 400 million+ users that we have around the world. They are not as lucky as Europeans. I love Europe, but I think that unfortunately European Central Bank is more interested [in pushing] the digital euro as a way to control people and control how they spend their money.”Related: Paolo Ardoino: Competitors and politicians intend to ‘kill Tether’After years of planning and research, EU officials began to implement requirements under MiCA in December 2024. Tether, which is regulated and headquartered in El Salvador, is required to comply with MiCA regulatory requirements if offering products or services in EU member states.Since the regulations went into effect, many crypto exchanges acted to ensure their platforms listed MiCA-compliant tokens. Kraken delisted 5 stablecoins, including USDt, and Crypto.com announced plans to delist 10 stablecoins as of January. On nations establishing crypto reservesSpeaking on its intentions for operating in the United States, Ardoino said the country “would require a different type of product,” given the competition with local stablecoin issuers. He added that the US’s and other countries’ efforts to establish a Bitcoin (BTC) stockpile were “just inevitable.”“In the medium to long term, the more Bitcoin education, the more companies will set the example […] then everyone else will follow,” said the Tether CEO. “It’s never too late to buy Bitcoin.”Ardoino’s statements came the same day that Tether announced roughly $120 billion in exposure to US Treasurys as of the first quarter of 2025. As of May 1, USDt had a market capitalization of roughly $149 billion.Magazine: Crypto wanted to overthrow banks, now it’s becoming them in stablecoin fight

Dogecoin is  sparking renewed enthusiasm in the cryptocurrency market while Ruvi AI is emerging as a standout investment opportunity. While Dogecoin’s community anticipates the possibility of hitting a $1 trillion market cap, Ruvi AI combines innovative technology and real-world applications to attract discerning investors who seek more than just speculative gains. About Ruvi AI Ruvi [...] The post Dogecoin (DOGE) Could Rise Again Thanks to Community Supports, But Ruvi AI (RUVI) Is Expected to 100x in 2025 appeared first on Blockonomi.

Bitcoin and most altcoins started the month well, with the total market cap of all coins jumping to over $3 trillion.  JasmyCoin (JASMY) price jumped by 6.2%, while Chainlink (LINK), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Pi Network (PI) were up by over…

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Sonic broke out of a triple bottom pattern, signaling a potential trend reversal. Daily transactions surged from about 240K to about 600K in 10 days. Sonic's [S] price action suggested a potThe post Can Sonic [S] rise 130% after 360K surge in transactions? appeared first on AMBCrypto.

PopCat has shown consistent strength in its market structure, forming higher highs and higher lows since bouncing from the $0.13 region. However, its ability to hold key support will determine what comes next. The meme coin PopCat (POPCAT) has recently…

Enso has partnered with Stargate and LayerZero to create a one-click liquidity migration solution for Unichain, setting the stage for up to $3.5b liquidity inflow. As Web3 advances, smooth movement across networks becomes more essential. Until now, transferring liquidity to…

Ethereum wiped out nearly half its value in 2025, price dropped over 46% year-to-date as ETFs failed to attract capital inflows and the largest altcoin lost revenue. After months of debate on the future of the Ethereum foundation and Vitalik Buterin’s new proposal for higher scalability, Ethereum eyes a comeback, likely the biggest one of the year.

Bitcoin Magazine How Bitcoin Mining Can Energize Real Estate Mining could potentially be used as a way to mitigate costs associated with real estate ownership through proper energy management. This post How Bitcoin Mining Can Energize Real Estate first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Leon Wankum.

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After more than a week of uninterrupted gains, both bitcoin and ether ETFs saw net outflows on Wednesday, April 30. Bitcoin ETFs lost $56 million, while ether ETFs gave back $2.36 million, pausing the recent bullish streak. Bitcoin ETFs See $56M Outflow, Snapping 8-Day Inflow Streak As Ether ETFs Slip Too The inflow party took […]

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The delisting of MOVE token by Coinbase highlights the critical need for transparency and robust governance in blockchain projects. The post Coinbase to delist Movement’s MOVE token amid market-making controversy appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Adam Back is certain that Hal Finney is not Satoshi

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Coinbase announced on Thursday that it will suspend trading of the Movement token on May 15 at 2:00 p.m. ET, citing routine asset reviews to ensure that listing standards are met.  The exchange said MOVE (MOVE) order books have already…

In a conversation with podcast host Anthony Pompliano, Michael Ellis—recently sworn in as Deputy Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)—offered an unusually forthright assessment of Bitcoin’s role inside the national-security apparatus. Why The CIA Is Excited About Bitcoin Ellis began by acknowledging the myth that Bitcoin is fully anonymous. “People may have thought […]

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After an 11-day consolidation beneath $19.2, HYPE managed to flip the level to support. This breakout was accompanied by a bearish momentum divergence. Hyperliquid [HYPE] surpassed the fees The post Hyperliquid breaks $19.2 amidst bearish signals - Is $22 possible? appeared first on AMBCrypto.

Jobless claims surged at the end of April according to fresh data from the Department of Labor, but both traditional and crypto markets still rallied Thursday morning. Markets Rally: Bitcoin Hits $97K Even as Jobs Data Disappoints The number of unemployed Americans filing for jobless benefits swelled to a seasonally adjusted 241,000 for the week […]

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Solana ($SOL) has recently captured the crypto community’s attention, fueled by a bullish Cup and Handle pattern that analysts believe could signal a rally to $450. But while Solana continues to make headlines, a lesser-known but remarkably promising project is quietly captivating savvy investors. Ruvi AI (RUVI), an innovative blockchain initiative powered by artificial intelligence, [...] The post Solana (SOL) Could Surprise Again During Altcoin Season, but Experts Think Ruvi AI (RUVI) Will Generate 19,900% Profits to Early Investors appeared first on Blockonomi.

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Pipe Network is launching rewards for node operators that help build the decentralized version of the internet.

Bitcoin Magazine SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT: BRYAN JOHNSON CONFIRMED FOR BITCOIN CONFERENCE 2025 Bryan Johnson joins Bitcoin 2025—bringing his message of longevity, self-sovereignty, and life beyond fiat to the stage in Las Vegas. This post SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT: BRYAN JOHNSON CONFIRMED FOR BITCOIN CONFERENCE 2025 first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Conor Mulcahy.

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World App has introduced a large retail rollout of decentralized finance tools, giving over 25 million users access to lending, borrowing, and yield-generating products directly within the app. The integration, powered by Morpho—a decentralized lending platform with over $4.5 billion…

As Uniswap's native blockchain kicks off, three innovators will facilitate migration

DeFi Development Corp. announced Thursday it has secured $24 million through a private investment in public equity (PIPE) deal to scale its Solana accumulation strategy. The round attracted prominent investors including Galaxy Digital, Arrington Capital, Republic Digital, Borderless Capital, and…