Senator Cynthia Lummis and at least one other Republican in Congress are reportedly critical of US President Donald Trump for offering the top holders of his memecoin a dinner and White House tour. According to a May 2 CNBC report, Lummis said the idea that the US president was offering exclusive access to himself and the White House for people willing to pay for it “gives [her] pause.” She wasn’t the only member of the Republican Party to be critical of Trump’s memecoin perks, announced on April 23, roughly three months after the then-president-elect launched the TRUMP token.  “I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to charge people to come into the Capitol and take a tour,” said Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski, according to NBC News.Despite Lummis’ reported “pause” over the president’s actions, on May 2, she posted a video to X of herself speaking on the Senate floor, saying she was “particularly pleased” by Trump’s support of legislation to establish a strategic Bitcoin (BTC) reserve in the United States. The Boosting Innovation, Technology, and Competitiveness through Optimized Investment Nationwide, or BITCOIN, Act would seemingly codify Trump’s executive order to create a national crypto reserve.Related: House Democrats want ethics probe on Trump over crypto projectsThe launch of the TRUMP coin on Jan. 17 was met with outrage from many lawmakers and figures in the crypto industry, who pointed to potential conflicts of interest and implications of allowing foreign actors to channel funds directly to Trump. The criticism continued after Trump announced that a group of the top memecoin holders would have the opportunity to apply for a White House tour and dinner. “Trump once claimed he is so rich he cannot be bought,” said Craig Holman, a government ethics expert with the consumer advocacy organization Public Citizen. “But his obsession with money means he apparently can be bought for a meme.”Calls for impeachment over ties to cryptoGeorgia Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat, called for Trump’s impeachment during an April 25 town hall, claiming the memecoin dinner represented “selling access for what are effectively payments directly to him.” During his first term, Trump was impeached twice in the House of Representatives but acquitted after the Senate votes fell short of the two-thirds majority required for conviction.At the time of publication, it was unclear who, if any, of the memecoin holders would attend the May 22 dinner with Trump. Usernames from the TRUMP leaderboard have led to speculation that staunch supporters like Tron founder Justin Sun and Tesla CEO Elon Musk could be among the attendees. As of May 2, neither the individuals nor the companies have made any formal announcements.Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions

After surging into the $97,000 level this week, Bitcoin appears to be entering a fresh bullish phase. Following weeks of heightened volatility and persistent selling pressure, the market is beginning to shift its tone. Bulls are gaining momentum, and the broader crypto space is showing signs of renewed confidence as price action heats up. Related […]

• #bitcoin

Bitcoin’s long-term holders may be taking profits soon as the market shows stable price movements

• #bitcoin

A micro-cap logistics firm, Freight Technologies, Inc., disclosed this week its intention to acquire the official TRUMP meme coin and retain it as a treasury reserve asset on its balance sheet. Logistics Meets Memes: Freight Tech Embraces Official TRUMP Coin In an unconventional twist on the bitcoin treasury strategy adopted by firms like Strategy (formerly […]

SEC drops Ripple appeal: CLO sees shift to smarter US crypto regulation

Crypto exchange KuCoin said that it may reenter South Korea after its platform was blocked in the country. On March 21, South Korean regulators ordered Google Play to block access to exchanges that were not compliant with the requirements needed to operate in the country. On April 11, South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) ordered the Apple Store to block unregistered crypto exchanges. KuCoin was among those affected by the country’s crackdown on unregistered platforms that were previously available. While the platform is now unavailable to South Koreans, it has not fully abandoned the jurisdiction. In an exclusive interview with Cointelegraph, KuCoin’s newly appointed CEO, BC Wong, said that the crypto exchange has plans to reenter the country. Wong (left), KuCoin EU CEO Oliver Stauber (middle) and Cointelegraph reporter Ezra Reguerra (right) at the Token2049 event in Dubai. Source: Market AcrossRegulators drive global players away from local marketsWong told Cointelegraph that before the exchange can reenter South Korea, it plans to secure compliance with major jurisdictions first. He said: “The resource is there. We need to go one by one. Our strategy will always be that major jurisdictions come first, which means the United States, EU, China, India, and maybe after that, Australia.”Wong confirmed to Cointelegraph that KuCoin representatives had started speaking with regulators. The executive said that operating in crypto is very similar to traditional financial markets, where there’s a need for a clear background in each jurisdiction. The KuCoin CEO also said that regulators are stricter compared to three years ago. He said that this could be a move to drive global players away from local crypto markets. “I'm not so sure that if the regulators’ intention is to regulate the global market or just simply, they want to pave the way to get all the global kind of players to be out from their market, and pave the road for their domestic exchange,” Wong added. Related: Kraken tells how it spotted North Korean hacker in job interviewKuCoin’s EU CEO shares regulatory challenges in EuropeOliver Stauber, who joined KuCoin as its European Union CEO, told Cointelegraph that there are also difficulties operating in the EU, even with the bloc’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) in place. Stauber, who previously worked as the chief legal officer of Bitpanda, told Cointelegraph that while MiCA licenses have a passporting feature, which should allow license holders to provide services across the EU, the executive said that some jurisdictions interpret the laws differently. Stauber said that some jurisdictions may say that licenses were “wrongly assessed,” which gets in the way of operating in some jurisdictions.  “MiCA was said to have a level playing field in crypto all over Europe. However, as long as there are players who are not playing by the books, you know it's getting quite messy and difficult,” Stauber told Cointelegraph. Magazine: Pokémon on Sui rumors, Polymarket bets on Filipino Pope: Asia Express

On Wednesday, speaking from the White House, US President Donald Trump suggested that families scale back on gifts this year.Asked about his tariff program, the president remarked, “Somebody said, ‘Oh, the shelves are gonna be open. Well, maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls, and maybe the two dolls will cost a couple of bucks more.’”But the toy stores where those dolls are sold might have something to say about it. Earlier in the week, Mischief Toy Store in St. Paul, Minnesota joined a growing number of American small businesses suing the president over his emergency tariff plan.Throughout April, a groundswell of lawsuits led by 13 states further challenged Trump’s ambitious tariff program. Their success or failure rests on hundreds of years of judicial policy and American constitutional law. The legal basis for the Trump tariffsWhen Trump first announced his ambitious tariff program to the world, you might have wondered, Why is he allowed to do this? Well, he may not be. The president’s power to unilaterally impose tariffs is not rooted in the office’s constitutional Article II power. Instead, it is a delegation of authority by Congress. Article I of the US Constitution creates Congress, and Section 8 delegates the authority to “lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises.” For much of the United States’ history, this is precisely what it did — through a series of colorfully named tariff programs like the Tariff of Abominations of 1828, the Dingley Tariff of 1897 and culminating in the infamous Smoot-Hawley Tariff of 1930. At the time, Smoot-Hawley was widely perceived as contributing to the devastation of the Great Depression. As a consequence, Congress’s use of tariffs became viewed as corrosively political and dysregulated, spurring change.In the early 1930s, then-President Franklin Delano Roosevelt pushed for legislation to grant his office the authority to negotiate tariffs. He argued that tariffs had wrecked the economy and that he should have the power to reduce them:World trade has declined with startling rapidity. Measured in terms of the volume of goods in 1933, it has been reduced to approximately 70 percent of its 1929 volume; measured in terms of dollars, it has fallen to 35 percent. The drop in the foreign trade of the United States has been even sharper. Our exports in 1933 were but 52 percent of the 1929 volume, and 32 percent of the 1929 value […] a full and permanent domestic recovery depends in part upon a revived and strengthened international trade and that American exports cannot be permanently increased without a corresponding increase in imports.Thus followed the Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act of 1934 (RTAA), which gave the president the power to set tariff rates, provided it came as part of a reciprocal agreement with a counterpart. This allowed the office to negotiate directly with other nations and promoted a period of liberalized trade. The RTAA, however, is not the law that Trump is now relying on. His tariffs are unilateral, not reciprocal, and would require another century of law to conceive. After the RTAA, Congress continued to delegate authority to the president through the midcentury. Notably, this included the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allowed the president to impose unilateral tariffs in response to national security threats; the Trade Act of 1974, which allowed the president to retaliate against unfair trade practices; and, crucially, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, known as IEEPA. Now, the IEEPA doesn’t say anything about tariffs; it is better known as the law that recent presidents have used to levy sanctions against enemy nations like Russia. It grants the president the power to respond to declared emergencies in response to “unusual and extraordinary threat[s]” (the president also has the power to declare emergencies, but that comes from the National Emergencies Act, a different law) by “investigat[ing], regulat[ing], or prohibit[ing] any transactions in foreign exchange.” Related: Trump’s WLFI crypto investments aren’t paying offDespite this novel application, the Trump administration has seized on the law because, unlike all other tariff statutes, it permits the president to act through executive order alone.Throughout his young second term, Trump has used this statute to declare arbitrary tariffs on virtually all of America’s trading partners. First, declaring 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico and then various large tariffs on the rest of the world.To do so, Trump declared a “national emergency posed by the large and persistent trade deficit that is driven by the absence of reciprocity in our trade relationships and other harmful policies like currency manipulation and exorbitant value-added taxes (VAT) perpetuated by other countries.”This was the first time a president had attempted to use the law in this way, and many legal scholars believe it is illegal.Like flies to honeyAlmost immediately after Trump’s tariffs were announced, lawsuits began to trickle in. Fearing retribution from the administration, many trade groups and major players reportedly chose to bow out of proceedings. However, California became the first state to sue on April 16, followed a week later on April 23 by a dozen other states.There are basically two legal arguments you can make against Trump’s tariffs: (1) The IEEPA doesn’t authorize the president to implement his tariff program, and (2) it is unconstitutional for the IEEPA to delegate such broad authority to the president. This is exactly what California and the consortium of 12 states did — arguing that (1) the president’s actions are ultra vires — beyond his legal authority — and (2) they would violate separation of powers. There are a few reasons this might be true. For one, as the states identified, any action under the IEEPA must be tailored to “deal with an unusual and extraordinary threat,” and, “[t]he nearly worldwide 10 percent tariff level is wholly unconnected to the stated basis of the emergency declaration: it applies without regard to any country’s trade practices or purported threat to domestic industries.”Second, there is a constitutional limit on Congress’s authority to delegate Article I powers to the president, known as the “nondelegation doctrine.” While in theory this could be robust, it has generally been nerfed by the obsequious Supreme Court’s past. Nonetheless, there remains an “intelligible principle test” that such delegation may only be allowed “if Congress shall lay down by legislative act an intelligible principle to which the person or body authorized to fix such rates is directed to conform.”Related: If Trump fired Powell, what would happen to crypto?In theory, if Congress had actually given the president plenary authority to fix tariffs according to his whims, it should violate this doctrine. But the Supreme Court has not struck down an executive action on these grounds since Panama Refining Co. v. Ryan in 1935.Despite the constitutional uncertainty, the net of the arguments is broadly perceived as strong. This is why one “prominent conservative lawyer” told ABC News that plaintiffs may win in a fight against Trump:There is a strong argument that the tariffs imposed under the IEEPA are not legal or constitutional. Under that particular statute, tariffs are not listed amongst the various actions a president can take in response to the declaration of a national emergency.But there are some factors in the president’s favor. For one, the administration may be able to hear these claims in the US Court of International Trade (CIT), which has exclusive jurisdiction over most tariff disputes.Appeals from this court are heard in the Federal Circuit, which is generally seen as favorable for Trump. The 12-state complaint was actually filed in this court from the outset, but California filed its complaint in the Northern District of California, which sits in the less deferential Ninth Circuit.If Trump succeeds in removing that action to CIT, it will be an early victory for the administration.More importantly, the administration is attempting to invoke the “political question doctrine.” In the first major Supreme Court case, 1803’s Marbury v. Madison, the Court noted that “[q]uestions, in their nature political or which are, by the Constitution and laws, submitted to the Executive, can never be made in this court.” Ever since then, pusillanimous courts have used the doctrine to avoid difficult questions, most notably in cases involving impeachment, foreign policy and partisan gerrymandering.The Trump administration argued exactly this in its April 29 motion for preliminary injunction and summary judgment in the states’ AG case. Trump argues that “courts have consistently held that the President’s emergency declarations under NEA, and the adequacy of his policy choices addressing those emergencies under IEEPA, are unreviewable” and that “[t]herefore, any challenge to the fact of the emergency itself — particularly the claim that the emergency is not ‘unusual’ or ‘extraordinary’ enough, in plaintiffs’ view — is a nonjusticiable political question that this Court lacks jurisdiction to consider.”To date, no rulings hint at which side the courts are likely to prefer. The president’s track record in court has historically been poor, with a win rate of 35% in the Supreme Court during his first term, compared to an average presidential win rate of 65.2%.The outlook for cryptoAs the tariff fight has matured, the outlook for crypto is uncertain. It is a peculiarity of tariffs that they apply only to goods and not services or digital products. This has left cryptocurrency assets — intangible, borderless and often routed through offshore entities — outside the reach of traditional trade barriers.As markets shuddered at Trump’s policies, Bitcoin (BTC) finished April up 14% on the month. If Trump is allowed to pursue an arbitrary trade policy and abide by Peter Navarro’s wish to turn the United States into a new hermit nation, it may prove the final validation to force cryptocurrency as the medium of international trade. Magazine: Crypto wanted to overthrow banks, now it’s becoming them in stablecoin fight

The United Kingdom’s financial regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), plans to stop retail investors from borrowing money to fund their crypto investments.According to a May 2 Financial Times report, the ban on borrowing to fund crypto purchases is one of the upcoming crypto rules by the FCA. David Geale, FCA executive director of payments and digital finance, told the FT that “crypto is an area of potential growth for the UK, but it has to be done right.” He added:“To do that we have to provide an appropriate level of protection.”Geale denied claims that the FCA is hostile to the crypto industry. Instead, he explained that he views the industry as offering high-risk investments with less consumer protection. “We are open for business,“ he said.The interview follows the FCA seeking feedback on regulating the crypto market. In an attached document, the regulator noted that it is “exploring whether it would be appropriate to restrict firms from accepting credit as a means for consumers to buy cryptoassets.”FCA crypto regulation discussion paper. Source: FCAThe FCA did not respond to Cointelegraph’s inquiry by publication.Related: FCA releases discussion paper on crypto market transparency, abuseFCA’s upcoming rulesThe FCA aims to regulate the domestic cryptocurrency market, ruling over trading platforms, intermediaries, crypto lenders and borrowers, as well as decentralized finance (DeFi) systems. The regulator reportedly plans to introduce stricter rules for crypto services aimed at retail investors than those offered exclusively to professional or sophisticated investors.Gale explained that the agency aims to develop a framework “that is safe and is competitive.” He said that the regulator aims to develop a regulatory regime that would attract businesses:“If we can get the regulatory regime right it actually becomes attractive for firms. That is what we are trying to achieve.”Related: UK’s finance watchdog defends ‘too tough’ crypto stanceThe FCA lending banThe regulator explained that its upcoming ban to restrict lending to fund consumers’ crypto purchases is motivated by a concern over “unsustainable debt, particularly if the value of their crypto asset drops and they were relying on its value to repay.” The ban would also include credit card purchases.While 2024 FCA research showed that “the leading method of payment for cryptoassets among cryptoasset users continues to be the individual’s own disposable cash/income (72%),” it also highlights a growing trend in credit purchases. The research cites that only 6% of purchases were made on credit in 2022, but this metric climbed to 14% in 2024.The FCA also purportedly plans to block retail investors from accessing crypto lenders and borrowers. Other concerns about the crypto market cited by the regulator include market manipulation, conflicts of interest, settlement failures, a lack of transparency, illiquidity, and unreliable trading systems.To alleviate those issues, the regulator plans to require equal trade treatment by crypto trading platforms. Other potential rules include the enforcement of a separation between proprietary trading activities from those done for retail investors and demanding transparency on trade pricing and execution.Trading platforms would be banned from paying intermediaries for order flow, and users of staking services would have to be reimbursed for any potential losses caused by third parties. The FCA plans to exempt DeFi systems without centralized operations, as long as they do not feature a “clear controlling person.”Magazine: Crypto wanted to overthrow banks, now it’s becoming them in stablecoin fight

Bitcoin’s recovery to its all-time high may be threatened by rising recession fears, which could ease if the United States and China begin tariff negotiations this month, research analysts told Cointelegraph.Appetite for global risk assets such as Bitcoin (BTC) may take another hit, with analysts from Apollo Global Management predicting a recession by the summer.“Apollo predicting Summer Recession: Sharpest decline in earnings outlook since 2020,” cross-asset analyst Samantha LaDuc wrote in an April 26 X post.The progress on the tariff negotiations may be the most significant factor impacting a potential recession and Bitcoin’s price trajectory, according to Aurelie Barthere, principal research analyst at crypto intelligence platform Nansen.Source: Samantha LaDuc“May is seen as pivotal as Chinese shipments reach the US’s shores, and exemptions on some tariff categories such as auto parts and sub-USD-800 shipments from China/ Hong Kong expire,” Barthere told Cointelegraph, adding that a lack of negotiations in May could lead to an economic recession and “double-digit losses” for Bitcoin.However, this is the least likely scenario, since neither China nor the US “ has an economic interest in the interruption of bilateral trade,” Barthere said, adding:“Given this, the main tariff scenario is for the US reaching deals or at least ‘agreements in principle’ with its main trade partners, probably settling around the 10% reciprocal tariff ‘floor’.”If that scenario plays out and trade tensions ease in May, Bitcoin is likely to revisit its all-time high, Barthere said. The US has “proactively reached out to China through multiple channels,” for signaling its openness for tariff negotiations, Reuters reported on May 1, citing unnamed sources who spoke to state-affiliated Chinese media platform Yuyuan Tantian.Related: Bitcoin treasury firms driving $200T hyperbitcoinization — Adam BackBitcoin may rally despite recessionWhile most analysts hope to see trade negotiations in May alleviate economic concerns, Bitcoin may see more upside even in the face of a potential recession.“Initially, Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies may experience volatility, dropping alongside risk assets like stocks due to investor sell-offs,” Anndy Lian, author and intergovernmental blockchain adviser, told Cointelegraph, adding:“Historical data, such as Bitcoin’s recovery post-2020 recession, suggests it could rebound, especially if seen as a hedge against inflation.”“In stagflation (high inflation and slow growth), Bitcoin, often compared to gold, may perform well, attracting investors seeking value preservation. Yet, its increased correlation with the stock market, particularly tech stocks, introduces uncertainty,” said Lian, adding that crypto investors should continue monitoring economic policy shifts to gauge market direction.BTC/USD, 1-week chart, 2020-2021. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewHowever, Bitcoin’s increasing correlation with tech stocks adds uncertainty to that outlook. Following the COVID-19 crash in March 2020, Bitcoin surged more than 1,050%, climbing from $6,000 to an all-time high of $69,000 in November 2021. That rally came after the Federal Reserve launched its $4 trillion asset purchase program in March 2020.Related: Bitcoin to $1M by 2029 fueled by ETF and gov’t demand — Bitwise execOther industry watchers remain concerned by the crypto market’s response to economic stagnation.“If the analysts are correct about the recession (which is certainly not guaranteed), crypto markets will likely decline alongside broader risk-on assets and equities,” according to Marcin Kazmierczak, co-founder and chief operating officer of blockchain oracle firm RedStone.Kazmierczak said April’s “Liberation Day tariffs and trucking slowdown could create economic contagion that historically hits speculative assets hardest.” “While crypto’s growing institutional adoption introduces some uncertainty, it’s not enough to overcome the fundamental risk-on classification that still dominates market behavior,” he added.Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest, April 13 – 19

• #bitcoin

Key takeaways:XRP’s strongest spot premium phase suggests real buying demand, not just speculative futures trading. The number of XRP addresses holding ≥10,000 tokens has steadily climbed, even during recent price pullbacks. A falling wedge pattern points to a possible breakout toward $3 to $3.78, with up to 70% upside if confirmed.XRP (XRP) is experiencing its strongest sustained phase of spot premium in history, a period where the spot market has been consistently trading at stronger levels compared to perpetual futures.XRP’s 350% rally is backed by real demand Since 2020, most major XRP price peaks happened when the perpetual futures market was leading, noted market analyst Dom in his May 2 post on X. XRP’s futures prices being higher than spot signaled excessive speculation and led to sharp price drops.XRP/USD daily price ft. spot vs premium rates. Source: TradingView/DomAs of 2025, a spot premium suggests that demand from actual XRP buyers is driving the rally, pointing to a more stable price rise compared to past runs powered by leveraged bets.Further reinforcing the case for real demand, Glassnode data shows a consistent rise in the number of XRP addresses holding at least 10,000 XRP (the green wave in the chart below) since late November 2024. XRP’s price has rallied by approximately 350% since then.XRP number of addresses with a balance of over 10,000 tokens vs. price. Source: GlassnodeXRP’s whale count has risen even during its 35% price pullback between January and April. It suggests that larger holders—often viewed as more patient or strategic investors—are steadily accumulating positions in anticipation of further gains.Optimism has been fueled by improving odds of spot XRP ETF approval in the US. The US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) decision to drop its lawsuit against Ripple has further boosted the market’s upside sentiment.Source: Eric BalchunasRelated: SEC punts decisions on XRP, DOGE ETFsFalling wedge hints at 70% XRP price rally XRP has been consolidating within a falling wedge pattern on the weekly chart — a structure defined by downward-sloping, converging trendlines. In technical analysis, this pattern is generally viewed as a bullish reversal signal.A confirmed breakout requires a clear move above the wedge’s upper resistance near $2.52. XRP/USD weekly price chart. Source: TradingViewIf XRP breaks this level, the pattern’s measured move — calculated from the wedge’s maximum height — suggests a potential rally toward $3.78 by June. This would represent an estimated 70% upside from the current prices.Conversely, if XRP fails to break above the $2.52 resistance, the price could pull back toward the wedge’s lower trendline. The pattern’s apex near $1.81 may act as the final potential breakout point.A breakout from the $1.81 level would still keep the pattern’s structure intact, with a potential upside target around $3 by June or July — roughly 35% above current levels.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.

As Ether’s price has struggled in the first quarter of 2025, a US-based investment adviser firm, Two Prime, has dropped support for ETH and adopted a Bitcoin-only strategy.After lending $1.5 billion in loans both in Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) over the past 15 months, Two Prime decided to ditch ETH to focus solely on BTC asset management and lending, the firm announced on May 1.“ETH’s statistical trading behavior, value proposition, and community culture have failed beyond a point that is worth engaging,” Two Primes stated.The firm’s shift to a Bitcoin-only approach comes as ETH has lost 45% of its value year-to-date, with some optimists speculating that ETH is potentially close to the bottom and reversing its negative trend soon.“Ether no longer trades predictably”“As an algorithmic trading firm, we value data more than narratives,” Two Primes said, adding that the “data suggests ETH has fundamentally changed.”In addition to de-correlating from Bitcoin, Ether has become no longer predictable, Two Primes argued, adding:“It trades now like a memecoin rather than a predictable asset. Even during the turbulence of Q1 2025, Bitcoin remained within its fundamental behavior, whereas ETH saw several multi-standard deviation moves.”Two Primes then went on to say that such conditions “create a headache” for both algorithmic trading and ETH-back lending as the asset no longer behaves predictably, “even by the high volatility expectations of digital asset markets.”Founded in 2019 by Alexander Blum and Marc Fleury, Two Prime is an investment advisory firm registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm has been offering trading and lending services for both BTC and ETH for the past six years.Community fires back: ETH bottom signalTwo Prime’s critical remarks about Ether were quick to trigger responses from the community, with many seeing the message as another bottom signal for the cryptocurrency.“What a retarded essay statement,” one market observer wrote on X, citing the high volatility of the S&P 500, which dropped 4.7% YTD.Source: SEMB“Never even heard of them. Seems irrelevant,” another commentator said, expressing doubt on whether the community should rely on Two Prime’s shifting approach to Ether.“If this isn’t a bottom signal for ETH idk [I don’t know] what is,” another poster speculated, joining the many expecting ETH price to bounce following a downtrend cycle.Who else ditched ETH in the past months?Two Primes also mentioned the weak performance of Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs), highlighting that BTC ETF buying has outpaced ETH by almost 24 times. “The failure of ETH’s ETF creates a reflexive loop whereby institutions like BlackRock dedicate fewer resources to their promotion and sale. BTC has found the mainstream while ETH has floundered,” the firm stated.Related: Vitalik Buterin outlines vision as Ethereum ecosystem addresses hit new highDespite Ether ETFs seeing low performance, Ether is still the biggest altcoin for crypto ETFs in terms of assets under management (AUM), far outpacing others like Solana (SOL) and XRP (XRP).According to the latest update from CoinShares, Ether-based exchange-traded products had $9.2 billion in AUM by the end of last week, while Solana and XRP followed with $1.4 billion and $1 billion, respectively.Crypto ETP flows by asset (in millions of US dollars). Source: CoinSharesFollowing approval from the US SEC in May 2024, spot Ether ETFs saw a slow start in 2024, with performance losing ground compared to the massive spot Bitcoin ETF debut.Amid low investor demand, some issuers like VanEck ceased trading futures Ether ETFs, while WisdomTree withdrew its Ethereum Trust ETF proposal in September 2024. In March 2025, ARK liquidated its futures ETFs for both Ether and Bitcoin.Magazine: Ethereum is destroying the competition in the $16.1T TradFi tokenization race

Opinion by: Chris Jenkins, adviser to Pocket NetworkTim Berners-Lee’s vision of the World Wide Web is dead. Instead of an open and accessible global information system, the web is controlled by centralized global data conglomerates, which don’t just restrict free speech but also monetize your data as a price of entry. Web2 firms have built walled gardens with massive information asymmetry between companies and users.Blockchain-based decentralized tech challenges the status quo, offering an alternative to Web2’s closed-source infrastructure. It enables developers and engineers to build a censorship-resistant and accessible open-data web to champion the cause of free speech. Open-source technology creates a paradigmatic shift in a fair and inclusive internet where centralized web companies won’t dictate the terms.A vision deferredIn 1989, Berners-Lee’s invention created a virtual space for collaboration, sharing and learning from one another. The web’s first iteration was based on openness, where anyone could contribute, access information, work together, and enjoy the same opportunities.The internet is no longer free in 2025. Capital’s brute force has emboldened centralized companies to exercise authoritarian control over data and information flows.Unfortunately, these companies have acquired their power and resources from unaware users who unknowingly contributed to their capital accumulation strategies. Web2 companies surreptitiously collect data from users without fair compensation and use that as a weapon to control user behavior.Corporations harness user data to train opaque algorithms and deploy information “discoverability” to shape users’ beliefs and emotions. This practice is visible mainly on centralized social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and X, with multiple scandals and pending litigations eroding user trust.For example, in June 2024, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, received 11 complaints from European Union members. The complaints concerned using personal data like posts and images to train Meta’s AI models without consent, violating EU privacy laws.Recent: The case against Pavel Durov and why it’s important for cryptoThe Cambridge Analytica scandal demonstrated how companies mine data to shape political perspectives and election outcomes. These companies also construct pre-determined narratives and shape market behavior by promoting or subverting curated reports, sometimes shaping public perspectives on health and economic data.Under its Digital Markets Act, the European Commission has initiated a noncompliance investigation into Apple, Meta, Amazon and Alphabet’s practices. Meta has also incurred a $1.3 billion fine for failing to comply with privacy regulations.In this environment, “free speech” remains a far-fetched dream because the entire tech stack is hostile to accessibility and openness. To realize Berners-Lee’s vision, apps must use a decentralized tech stack and be built from the ground up on an open architecture.Make the internet free (again)An app’s tech stack consists of its front and back ends, data storage and Content Delivery Network (CDN). Web2 platforms depend on a centralized tech stack that puts free speech at risk, while most blockchain-powered apps leverage a censorship-resistant decentralized tech stack with high uptime.Some decentralized applications (DApps) build their front end on a decentralized interface. Most of their back end, however, is still stuck on centralized data infrastructure.For example, despite their censorship vulnerabilities and single failure points, decentralized applications (DApps) often use centralized cloud providers and data hosting platforms. These types of attack vectors make projects like Tornado Cash subject to the changing moods of state actors.Shifting to open-source protocols for distributed data storage like InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) and Filecoin upholds the free speech philosophy on DApps. These protocols offer a censorship-resistant, tamper-proof storage facility that remains accessible without arbitrary outages.DApps also use centralized remote procedure call (RPC) providers to supply data from the back-end to the front-end interface, especially across multiple networks. But any outage or attack, like the one on X, can lead to downtime, inaccuracies, data gaps and disconnected information flows. If it doesn’t seem like much, remember downtime or inaccuracies in decentralized finance can cost billions.Decentralized protocols avoid these situations by transforming data accessibility and transfer channels with independent node operators. Data queries are distributed across the network, eliminating any single point of failure and providing uninterrupted data availability. More importantly, it safeguards free speech rights because no single node can block or obstruct data flow, and the network remains accessible even if several nodes go offline.CDNs, yet another crucial component for serving user requests, can become inaccessible due to market pressure or political influence. Opaque decisions from closed-door meetings dictate data flows on CDNs without any certainty in information flows.Start with the basicsDecentralized protocols remove the need for centralized decision-making by enabling apps to directly access data without intermediaries. These permissionless protocols connect open-source data and service providers with users and applications, removing human interaction and associated manufactured problems.Blockchain-powered platforms lay the foundation for a decentralized tech stack that promotes free speech and isn’t controlled by centralized Web2 companies. These permissionless protocols build an open-source world and return the internet to Berners-Lee’s vision of a global and accessible network.Opinion by: Chris Jenkins, adviser to Pocket Network.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.

Key points:The US labor market is “still holding up” as nonfarm payrolls data comes in higher than expected.Bitcoin and stocks head higher as US President Donald Trump repeats calls for the Fed to lower interest rates.BTC price action may spark a “liquidity grab” above $97,000, a trader warns.Bitcoin (BTC) hit new multimonth highs after the May 2 Wall Street open as US nonfarm payrolls data beat expectations.BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBitcoin meanders after nonfarm payrolls beatData from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC/USD building on $97,000 as markets digested the latest in a bumper week of macro data.Nonfarm payrolls indicated 177,000 jobs added in April, considerably more than the roughly 140,000 forecast.“The labor market is still holding up,” trading resource The Kobeissi Letter wrote in part of a reaction on X.The strong result is ostensibly less bullish for crypto and risk assets as it implies that the labor market is more resilient to tight financial conditions, including raised interest rates, than expected.This, in turn, gives the US Federal Reserve more leeway to keep those conditions in play for longer, depriving markets of the liquidity influx associated with lower rates.Despite this, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite Index were both up more than 1.3% on the day at the time of writing.In his latest post on Truth Social, meanwhile, US President Donald Trump reiterated calls on the Fed to cut rates — an approach adopted throughout his ongoing implementation of trade tariffs.“Consumers have been waiting for years to see pricing come down. NO INFLATION, THE FED SHOULD LOWER ITS RATE!!!” part of the post stated, referencing various inflation markers.Source: Truth SocialAs Cointelegraph reported, the Fed’s next decision on rates will come on May 7, with markets overwhelmingly seeing no change to the current regime. The latest data from CME Group’s FedWatch Tool puts the odds of a cut next week at just 2%.Fed target rate probabilities for May FOMC meeting. Source: CME GroupWarning over BTC price “liquidity grab”In Bitcoin circles, market participants eyed sellers’ response to continued pushes higher through the week.Related: Bitcoin hodler unrealized profits near 350% as $100K risks sell-off“Going to be an interesting day ahead,” popular trader Skew told X followers alongside a chart of exchange order book liquidity.“Sellers have been defending $97.2K & shorts continue to scale into price. Passive spot flow will probably again decide the trend.”BTC/USDT charts with order book liquidity data. Source: Skew/XFellow trader Daan Crypto Trades warned that current local highs may end up a ploy to take liquidity before a reversal.“$BTC Broke out of the $93K to $96K range after price action got compressed for about a week,” part of an X post read prior to the macro data releases. “So far it's a similar setup as the week before, but I wouldn't want to see it trade back into that $93K-$96K range or this would just be a liquidity grab.”BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: Daan Crypto Trades/XAnother popular trader known as TheKingfisher referenced bid liquidity as a reason for a short-term dip to $95,000.Trader and analyst Rekt Capital, meanwhile, gave an end-of-week BTC price target requirement of $99,000.“If Bitcoin continues to hold above $93,500 (as it has been thus far), then price will be positioned for a move across the range,” he explained alongside the weekly BTC/USD chart the day prior.“However, it's key that $BTC breaks the black Lower High resistance within this Range which is positioned at ~$99k this week.”BTC/USD 1-week chart. Source: Rekt Capital/XThis 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

The US Central Intelligence Agency is increasingly incorporating Bitcoin (BTC) as a tool in its operations, and working with the cryptocurrency is a matter of national security, Michael Ellis, the agency’s deputy director, told podcast host Anthony Pompliano.In an appearance on the market analyst and investor’s show, Ellis told Pompliano that the intelligence agency works with law enforcement to track BTC, and it is a point of data collection in counter-intelligence operations. Ellis added:"Bitcoin is here to stay — cryptocurrency is here to stay. As you know, more and more institutions are adopting it, and I think that is a great trend. One that this administration has obviously been leaning forward into.""It's another area of competition where we need to ensure the United States is well-positioned against China and other adversaries," Ellis said.Podcast host and investor Anthony Pompliano (left) and Deputy CIA director Michael Ellis (right). Source: Anthony PomplianoAlthough Ellis's comments point to Bitcoin maturing as an asset, they also reflect the increased involvement of governments and institutions in Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. This increased involvement runs contrary to the libertarian and cypherpunk ethos originally inherent in crypto.Related: Geopolitical tensions fuel central bank shift toward gold, crypto — BlackRock execBitcoin: from cypherpunk experiment to state reserve assetUS President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve on March 7, to mixed reactions from the Bitcoin community.Bitcoin Magazine CEO David Bailey celebrated the move, while Venice AI founder and BTC advocate Erik Vorhees warned against the government owning any Bitcoin but added that if the US government is to adopt any crypto reserve, it should be Bitcoin-only.Concerns that cryptocurrencies have lost their cypherpunk roots predate the current market cycle and any strategic reserve legislation or comprehensive regulatory frameworks for digital assets.In March 2020, Therese Chambers, the former director of retail and regulatory investigations at the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), argued that cryptocurrencies had become increasingly financialized and institutionalized.Chambers added that digital assets were behaving far more like traditional financial instruments than the privacy-preserving tools they were initially billed as.Magazine: Big Questions: Did the NSA create Bitcoin?

• #bitcoin

In the annals of financial history, few institutions have faced the tempests of competition with the steadfast resolve of Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC). Born in 2013 as a private placement, GBTC pioneered regulated Bitcoin investment, granting investors access to Bitcoin’s (BTC) meteoric rise without the perils of digital wallets or unregulated exchanges.On Jan. 11, 2024, it transitioned into a spot Bitcoin ETF following a landmark victory against the SEC. This marked a pivotal moment with the SEC’s view that ETFs can offer lower expense ratios and enhanced tax efficiency compared to traditional funds. Even still, GBTC’s financial resilience shines, generating $268.5 million in annual revenue, surpassing the $211.8 million of all other US spot Bitcoin ETFs combined, despite losing over half its holdings with $18 billion in outflows since early 2024. This is no fleeting triumph of inertia. The numbers tell a tale of paradox. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), with $56 billion in assets under management (AUM) and a 0.25% fee, generated $137 million in 2024 while achieving $35.8 billion in inflows and $1 billion in daily trading volume within weeks of launch. Meanwhile, GBTC’s 1.5% expense ratio, up to seven times higher than competitors, fuels its revenue lead, even though it bled $17.4 billion in outflows, with a record single-day loss of $618 million on March 19, 2024, driven by investors chasing lower fees or capitalizing on the trust’s historical discount to net asset value (NAV), which plummeted from 50% to near zero by July 2024.This clash of revenue dominance and capital flight demands scrutiny, unveiling the intricate dance of investor psychology, market dynamics and Grayscale’s calculated resilience.Yet, GBTC’s $18 billion in AUM and its ability to generate $268.5 million despite significant outflows points to a deeper narrative: tax friction and institutionalized inertia. The inability of companies, family offices and other institutions to quickly pivot due to tax barriers and company directives bubbles to the surface. The $100-billion total spot Bitcoin ETF market points to the stakes of this contest, with Grayscale’s revenue dominance poised to evolve as competition intensifies.Related: The sentiment engine of Bitcoin ETFs is rewiring market structureWhat sustains GBTC’s revenue crown in this crucible of competition? Is it the arithmetic of high fees applied to a still-formidable AUM, the loyalty of battle-scarred investors, or the unseen weight of tax frictions binding them to their positions?As we probe this question, we uncover the mechanics of GBTC’s dominance and the broader currents shaping the future of crypto investment. The answer lies in a potent blend of history, strategy and the unyielding faith of investors in a titan that, against all odds, refuses to yield.GBTC Rev vs. all other ETFs. Source: CoinGlassGrayscale’s high-fee revenue engineAt the core of GBTC’s revenue dominance lies its 1.5% expense ratio, a towering figure beside competitors like IBIT and FBTC (both 0.25%), Bitwise (0.24%) and Franklin Templeton (0.19%).Applied to $17.9 billion in AUM, this fee yields $268.5 million annually, eclipsing the $211.8-million combined revenue of all other US spot Bitcoin ETFs, which manage $89 billion collectively.ETF Store president Nate Geraci remarked on X, “GBTC still making more [money] than all of the other ETFs combined… And it’s not even close.” This arithmetic edge endures despite $21 billion in outflows since January 2024, including a daily average loss of $89.9 million, underscoring the sheer power of high fees on a substantial asset base.Source: Nate GeraciThe fee structure is both GBTC’s bastion and its Achilles’ heel. Before its ETF conversion, GBTC charged 2%, a rate justified by its monopoly as the sole US vehicle for Bitcoin exposure within traditional portfolios. Post-conversion, the 1.5% fee draws ire, with Bryan Armour, director of passive strategies research for Morningstar, predicting sustained outflows as investors flock to cheaper alternatives. Grayscale’s counterstroke was the Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC), launched in March 2025 with a 0.15% fee (the lowest among US spot Bitcoin ETPs). Seeded with 10% of GBTC’s Bitcoin holdings ($1.7 billion AUM), the Mini Trust has drawn $168.9 million in inflows, targeting cost-conscious investors. However, the Mini Trust’s lower revenue per dollar of AUM ($2.55 million annually) pales beside GBTC’s $268.5 million, reinforcing the latter’s dominance.Grayscale’s dual strategy (high-fee GBTC for revenue, low-fee Mini Trust for retention) reveals a nuanced defense, but the fortress of GBTC’s fees remains unbreached, its revenue crown secure for now.Legacy and loyaltyBeyond the arithmetic of fees, GBTC’s revenue supremacy rests on its storied legacy, the fierce loyalty it inspires and the formidable tax frictions that tether investors to its fold. Since 2013, Grayscale has been the standard-bearer of regulated Bitcoin investment, overcoming regulatory tempests to become the first publicly traded Bitcoin fund in 2015 and the largest spot Bitcoin ETF by AUM ($26 billion) upon its NYSE Arca listing in 2024.Its August 2023 legal victory against the US SEC, which compelled the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs, solidified its stature as a pioneer. This legacy resonates with institutional and accredited investors, many of whom entered GBTC during its private placement phase or at steep NAV discounts, forging a bond that endures.Tax considerations form a silent but mighty anchor. Many early GBTC investors purchased shares at low prices, with Bitcoin trading at $800 in 2013 compared to the mid-$90,000 range by May 2025. This roughly 120-fold increase has generated substantial unrealized capital gains, making sales costly.Related: Bitcoin price recovers, Ethereum RWA value up 20%: April in chartsAn investor who purchased 100 shares of GBTC at $10 in 2015 and now sees them valued at $400 each would be sitting on a $39,000 capital gain. Selling those shares to move into a lower-fee ETF like IBIT or FBTC could trigger a tax bill of $7,800 at the 20% long-term capital gains rate typically applied to high-net-worth individuals or $5,850 at the 15% rate for others. This kind of taxable event often discourages redemptions, particularly for long-term holders in taxable accounts.On the other hand, for those holding GBTC in tax-advantaged vehicles such as IRAs or 401(k)s, gains can be deferred and, in the case of Roth IRAs, avoided entirely, making GBTC comparatively more attractive for legacy investors reluctant to switch.Psychological factors amplify these barriers. Loss aversion (the reluctance to realize taxable gains) and loyalty to Grayscale’s brand deter investors from abandoning a vehicle that weathered Bitcoin’s volatility. The closure of the NAV discount (from 50% to near zero in July 2024) spurred outflows as arbitrageurs cashed out. Still, core holders remain, bolstered by trust in Grayscale’s custodianship via Coinbase Custody, which secures $18.08 billion in AUM in May 2024. Its investor base, spanning crypto-native institutions, hedge funds and retail clients via platforms like Fidelity and Schwab, values its simplicity (no crypto wallets required) and regulatory pedigree.While IBIT and FBTC draw new capital with lower fees and liquidity, GBTC retains a niche among those who see it as a battle-tested titan. Former Grayscale CEO Michael Sonnenshein’s claim that outflows are reaching “equilibrium” suggests a stabilizing core, with tax frictions and legacy fortifying retention. In a market driven by innovation, GBTC’s history, bolstered by tax barriers and investor faith, is its shield, guarding its revenue crown against the relentless advance of newer rivals.A historical timeline graphic showing GBTC milestones (2013 launch, 2015 public trading, 2023 SEC victory, 2024 ETF conversion), with Bitcoin price spikes ($800 to $103,000) and AUM growth overlaid. Source: Dr. Michael Tabone Magazine: ZK-proofs are bringing smart contracts to Bitcoin — BitcoinOS and Starknet

• #bitcoin

Key points:Bitcoin trends toward $100,000. Will bears sell at this level?Altcoins are trading above their respective support levels, suggesting that an altcoin rally is brewing.Bitcoin’s (BTC) tight consolidation resolved in favor of the bulls with a break above the $95,000 barrier on May 1. The bulls are trying to push the price to the psychologically crucial level at $100,000, which may again witness a tough battle between the bulls and the bears. Veteran trader Peter Brandt sounded positive when he said in a post on X that Bitcoin could rally to the $125,000 to $150,000 range by August or September 2025 if it manages to regain its broken parabolic slope. However, Brandt cautioned that the rally could be followed by a sharp correction of more than 50%.Crypto market data daily view. Source: Coin360As Bitcoin nears the 100,000 mark, onchain analytics firm Glassnode cautions that the long-term holders (LTHs) may be tempted to book profits. The firm said in its newsletter that the LTHs tend to book profits when their profit margin reaches 350%, and that level will be hit at $99,900. A significant amount of buy-side pressure is needed to overcome the selling to continue the up move.Could Bitcoin break above $100,000, pulling select altcoins higher? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.Bitcoin price predictionBitcoin’s break above $95,000 signals an advantage to buyers, but the bears are unlikely to give up easily.BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewSellers will try to pull the price back below $95,000, trapping the aggressive bulls. If they can pull it off, the BTC/USDT pair could test the 20-day exponential moving average ($91,391). This is a necessary support to watch out for as a solid bounce off the 20-day EMA suggests the bullish sentiment remains intact. That increases the likelihood of a break above $100,000. The pair may then reach $107,000.This optimistic view will be invalidated in the short term if the price turns down and breaks below the 20-day EMA. The pair may then tumble to the 50-day simple moving average ($86,236).Ether price predictionBuyers successfully defended Ether’s (ETH) drop to the 20-day EMA ($1,757) on April 30, signaling demand at lower levels.ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe gradually upsloping 20-day EMA and the RSI in the positive territory indicate a slight edge to the bulls. If the price maintains above $1,857, the ETH/USDT pair could climb to the breakdown level of $2,111. There is minor resistance at $1,957, but that is likely to be crossed.This positive view will be invalidated in the near term if the price turns down and plunges below the moving averages. That could pull the pair down to $1,537, which is expected to attract buyers.XRP price predictionThe bulls have managed to keep XRP (XRP) above the moving averages, but the bounce lacks strength.XRP/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe flattening 20-day EMA ($2.17) and the RSI just above the midpoint do not give a clear advantage either to the bulls or the bears. Buyers will seize control on a break and close above the resistance line. That clears the path for a rally to $3.On the contrary, a break and close below the moving averages could sink the XRP/USDT pair to the solid support at $2. This is a critical level to keep an eye on because a break below $2 could pull the pair to $1.61.BNB price predictionBNB (BNB) is witnessing a seesaw battle between the bulls and the bears at the moving averages.BNB/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIf the price maintains below the moving averages, the BNB/USDT pair could slump to $576 and later to $566. Buyers are expected to vigorously defend the $566 level because a break below it may sink the pair to $520.The bulls will have to push the price above $620 to signal strength. The pair could then rise to $644, which is likely to act as a strong resistance. If buyers bulldoze their way through, the pair could surge to $680.Solana price predictionSolana (SOL) continues to face selling at the $153 level, but a positive sign is that the bulls have not ceded much ground to the bears.SOL/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe upsloping 20-day EMA ($142) and the RSI in the positive zone suggest that the path of least resistance is to the upside. If buyers push and maintain the price above $153, the SOL/USDT pair could rally to $180.Contrary to this assumption, if the price turns down sharply and breaks below the 20-day EMA, it suggests profit booking by the short-term bulls. The pair could then slump to the 50-day SMA ($132).Dogecoin price predictionDogecoin (DOGE) rebounded off the moving averages on May 1, indicating that the bulls are trying to keep the price inside the upper half of the range.DOGE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe bulls will attempt to push the price to the top of the range at $0.21, which is a critical near-term resistance level to watch out for. If buyers pierce the $0.21 level, the DOGE/USDT pair will complete a double-bottom pattern. That could start a move to $0.25 and then to the pattern target of $0.28.Contrarily, a break and close below the moving averages opens the doors for a fall to the support of the range at $0.14. Buyers are expected to defend the $0.14 level with all their might because a break below it may sink the pair to $0.10.Cardano price predictionBuyers bought the dip to the moving averages in Cardano (ADA), but the failure to build upon the rebound suggests a lack of demand at higher levels.ADA/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBuyers will have to drive the price above the $0.75 resistance to gain the upper hand. If they do that, the ADA/USDT pair could rally to $0.83. Sellers will try to halt the up move at $0.83, but if the bulls prevail, the pair could reach $1.On the downside, a break and close below the moving averages tilts the short-term advantage in favor of the bears. The pair could slide to $0.58, where the buyers are expected to step in. Related: Moon soon? XRP's strongest spot premium aligns with 70% rally setupSui price predictionBuyers pushed Sui (SUI) toward the $3.90 overhead resistance on May 1, but the long wick on the candlestick shows that bears are aggressively defending the level.SUI/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe first support on the downside is $3.27, and then the 20-day EMA ($3.01). If the price rebounds off the 20-day EMA with strength, the bulls will again try to drive the SUI/USDT pair above $3.90. If they manage to do that, the pair could rally to $4.25 and subsequently to $5.Instead, if the price breaks below the 20-day EMA, it suggests that the bulls have given up. The pair may slump to the solid support at $2.86. If the price rebounds off the $2.86 support, the pair may form a range.Chainlink price predictionChainlink (LINK) turned up from the moving averages on May 1, indicating that the sentiment remains positive.LINK/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBuyers will try to push the price above the $16 overhead resistance and challenge the resistance line of the descending channel pattern. Sellers are expected to fiercely defend the resistance line because a break and close above it signals a potential trend change.If the price turns down from the overhead resistance and breaks below the moving averages, it suggests selling on rallies. The LINK/USDT pair may drop to $11.68, extending its stay inside the channel for some more time.Avalanche price predictionAvalanche (AVAX) bounced off the 20-day EMA ($20.89) on May 1, indicating that the bulls are buying on dips.  AVAX/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBuyers will try to propel the price above the $23.50 overhead resistance. If they manage to do that, the AVAX/USDT pair will complete a double-bottom pattern. That may start an up move to $28.78 and later to the pattern target of $31.73.The moving averages are the crucial support to watch out for. If the price turns down from the current level or the overhead resistance and breaks below the 50-day SMA ($19.79), it suggests that the range-bound action may continue for a few more days.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

The cryptocurrency market continued its recovery in the past week as the total crypto market capitalization breached the $3 trillion mark for the first time since the beginning of March.Bitcoin (BTC) rose to an over two-month high of $97,300 last seen at the end of February, before the “Liberation Day” tariffs announcement in the US, bolstering analyst predictions for a rally driven by “structural” institutional and exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows into the world’s first cryptocurrency.Risk appetite continued rising among crypto investors, as Chinese state-linked news outlets indicated that the Trump administration has quietly contacted Beijing to discuss tariff reductions.Total crypto market cap, 1-year chart. Source: CoinMarketCapIn the wider crypto space, Ethereum developers proposed a new token standard to improve the interoperability of the world’s second-largest blockchain network.Bitcoin to $1 million by 2029 fueled by ETF and gov’t demand — Bitwise execBitcoin’s expanding institutional adoption may provide the “structural” inflows necessary to surpass gold’s market capitalization and push its price beyond $1 million by 2029, according to Bitwise’s head of European research, André Dragosch.“Our in-house prediction is $1 million by 2029. So that Bitcoin will match gold's market cap and total addressable market by 2029,” he told Cointelegraph during the Chain Reaction daily X spaces show on April 30.Gold is currently the world’s largest asset, valued at over $21.7 trillion. In comparison, Bitcoin’s market capitalization sits at $1.9 trillion, making it the seventh-largest asset globally, according to CompaniesMarketCap data.Top 10 global assets by market capitalization. Source: CompaniesMarketCapFor the 2025 market cycle, Bitcoin may surpass $200,000 in the “base case” and $500,000 with more governmental adoption, Dragosch said.Continue readingEric Trump: USD1 will be used for $2 billion MGX investment in BinanceAbu Dhabi-based investment firm MGX will use a stablecoin linked to US President Donald Trump’s family to settle a $2 billion investment in Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.The World Liberty Financial USD (USD1) US dollar-pegged stablecoin was launched by the Trump-associated crypto platform World Liberty Financial (WLFI) in March 2025.MGX will use the USD1 stablecoin for its $2 billion investment in the Binance exchange, according to an announcement by Eric Trump during a panel discussion at Token2049 in Dubai. Trump, the son of the president, serves as executive vice president of the Trump Organization.Source: CointelegraphMGX announced its investment in Binance on March 12, marking the first institutional investment in the exchange and one of the biggest funding deals in the entire Web3 industry.At the time, Binance declined Cointelegraph’s request to disclose what stablecoin was used in the transaction.  This marks the Abu Dhabi-based investment firm’s first venture into the cryptocurrency space.Continue readingEthereum to simplify crosschain transactions with new token standardsEthereum developers are working to improve blockchain interoperability with two new token standards: ERC-7930 and ERC-7828.“There’s no standard way for wallets, apps, or protocols to interpret or display this information,” decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem development organization Wonderland wrote in a May 1 X post. Wallets, decentralized applications (DApps), block explorers and smart contracts follow different rules.“The result? A messy, inconsistent experience that breaks crosschain UX,“ Wonderland stated.Wonderland is a group of developers, researchers and data scientists focused on improving the Ethereum DeFi ecosystem. The organization partnered with multiple DeFi protocols, including Optimism, Aztec, Connext and Yearn.Wonderland’s ERC-7828 and ERC-7930 explanation post. Source: WonderlandIn the post, the organization shared what was discussed at a recent Ethereum Foundation interoperability working group call. Teddy from Wonderland explained that the current goal is to finalize both token standards within the next two weeks. He added:“We badly need feedback on the ETH-Magicians forum.”Continue readingCrypto hackers hit DeFi for $92 million in April as attacks double from MarchCryptocurrency hackers stole more than $90 million in April, dealing another blow to the industry’s mainstream reputation despite ongoing efforts to improve cybersecurity.Hackers made off with $92 million of digital assets across 15 incidents in April, according to an April 30 research report by blockchain cybersecurity firm Immunefi.The total marks a 124% month-over-month increase from March, when hackers stole $41 million.Crypto stole in April 2025. Source: ImmunefiThe month’s largest hack on open-source platform UPCX accounted for most of the damage in April, with over $70 million in losses, while KiloEx lost $7.5 million as April’s second-largest hack.The KiloEx exploiter returned the stolen funds just days after the attack occurred.All of April’s reported attacks targeted decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. Centralized exchanges reported no incidents during the month, the report noted.Top 10 losses in April. Source: ImmunefiImmunefi, which says it helps protect $190 billion in user funds, has paid more than $116 million in bounties to white hat hackers.Continue readingCrypto group asks Trump to end prosecution of crypto devs, Roman StormThe crypto lobby group, the DeFi Education Fund, has petitioned the Trump administration to end what it claimed was the “lawless prosecution” of open-source software developers, including Roman Storm, a creator of the crypto mixing service Tornado Cash.In an April 28 letter to White House crypto czar David Sacks, the group urged President Donald Trump “to take immediate action to discontinue the Biden-era Department of Justice's lawless campaign to criminalize open-source software development.” The letter specifically mentioned the prosecution of Storm, who was charged in August 2023 with helping launder over $1 billion in crypto through Tornado Cash. His trial is still set for July, and his fellow charged co-founder, Roman Semenov, is at large and believed to be in Russia.The DeFi Education Fund said that in Storm’s case, the Department of Justice is attempting to hold software developers criminally liable for how others use their code, which is “not only absurd in principle, but it sets a precedent that potentially chills all crypto development in the United States.”The group also called for the recognition that the prosecution contradicts the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) guidance from Trump’s first term, which established that developers of self-custodial, peer-to-peer protocols are not money transmitters. Source: DeFi Education Fund“This kind of legal environment does not just chill innovation — it freezes it,” they argued. The letter added that it also “empowers politically-motivated enforcement and puts every open-source developer at risk, regardless of industry.”In January, a federal court in Texas ruled that the Treasury overstepped its authority by sanctioning Tornado Cash. Continue readingDeFi market overviewAccording to data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView, most of the 100 largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization ended the week in the green.The Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL) token rose over 103% as the week’s biggest gainer, followed by the Solayer (LAYER) token, up over 29% during the past week.Total value locked in DeFi. Source: DefiLlamaThanks for reading our summary of this week’s most impactful DeFi developments. Join us next Friday for more stories, insights and education regarding this dynamically advancing space.

• #bitcoin

XYO Network has onboarded more than 10 million nodes to its decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN), co-founder Markus Levin told Cointelegraph in an interview.The nodes mostly comprise human users who provide data in exchange for rewards via the network’s mobile application, COIN. “The vast majority of our 10 million nodes are mobile users, but some are IoT devices like smart speakers,” Levin told Cointelegraph. Approximately 80% of XYO’s users are non-crypto natives who are participating in Web3 for the first time, he added.They include truckers, rideshare drivers, delivery people, and nurses among others, Levin said, adding that “95% convert after onboarding through the COIN app.”XYO launched a layer-1 blockchain network in January. Source: XYO Related: DePIN XYO launches on SolanaDePIN TokenomicsIn exchange for data, XYO awards its users points that are redeemable for its native XYO token, as well as “BTC, ETH or even gift cards,” he said. In October 2024, XYO bridged its native token to Solana (SOL) in a bid to reach more users. The XYO token has a market capitalization of roughly $180 million as of May 2, according to data from CoinMarketCap.XYO earns revenue by collecting and validating data in sectors ranging from real-world assets (RWAs) to gaming. It then uses a portion of that income to buy back XYO. In January, XYO launched its layer-1 blockchain, which collates real-world data from across XYO’s nodes onto a public ledger. The network’s validators stake XYO and earn rewards denominated in XL1, the network’s newly-launched gas token. XYO has a market capitalization of around $180 million. Source: CoinMarketCapDePINs are blockchain protocols aimed at decentralizing real-world infrastructure and systems, including communications networks, data warehouses, energy markets, and more.They are among Web3’s “next big use case[s],” with the potential to onboard “a significant number of new users to the crypto space,” according to a September 2024 report by MV Global, a Web3 investing firm.According to MV Global, the DePIN ecosystem comprises upward of 1,000 projects and represents roughly $50 billion in total market capitalization.Magazine: 10 crypto theories that missed as badly as ‘Peter Todd is Satoshi’

Key Takeaways:Analyst predicts a low VIX (Bitcoin network economist Timothy Peterson raised Bitcoin’s (BTC) chances of hitting a new high in 100 days, and he maintains an optimistic outlook in 2025. In an analysis shared on X that ties BTC’s price action to the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) —an indicator that measures 30-day market volatility expectations — the analyst pointed out that the VIX index has dropped from 55 to 25 over the past 50 trading days. A VIX score below 18 implied a “risk-on” environment, favoring assets like Bitcoin. Peterson’s model, which had a 95% tracking accuracy, predicted a $135,000 target within the next 100 days if the VIX remains low. This aligns with Bitcoin’s sensitivity to market sentiment, as a low VIX reduces uncertainty, encouraging investment in riskier assets.Speaking on Bitcoin’s volatility, Fidelity’s director of global macro, Jurrien Timmer, compared Bitcoin’s nature to “Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde.” Timmer believed Bitcoin’s ability to act as both a store of value (Dr. Jekyll) and a speculative asset (Mr. Hyde) differentiates it from gold, which remains a consistent “hard money” asset. Timmer emphasized the dynamics between Bitcoin and the global money supply and said, “Note that when M2 has grown and the stock market is rallying, Bitcoin has been off to the races because it has both attributes working for it. But when M2 has grown and equities are correcting, not so much.”Bitcoin price against global money supply. Source: X.comThis underscores Bitcoin’s sensitivity to macroeconomic conditions, making its performance less predictable than gold’s.Related: Crypto ‘decoupling’ story ends as stocks follow Bitcoin’s rallyStablecoin market cap hits record $220 billionData from CryptoQuant highlighted that the stablecoin market capitalization hit a record $220 billion, signaling a liquidity surge in the crypto market. This marks Bitcoin’s exit from a bearish phase as capital flows return, and with stablecoins representing crypto liquidity, new BTC highs could be a likely outcome in the coming weeks. While BTC continues its uptrend, lower-time frame (LTF) charts reveal a shift in market dynamics. The funding rate for BTC futures has turned negative again, indicating a rise in short positions as traders bet against the rally. Bitcoin 4-hour chart and funding rate. Source: Velo.chartThe 4-hour chart's funding rate has reached its most negative level in 2025, indicating that short-side liquidity significantly exceeds long-side liquidity. This creates a condition for a potential short squeeze.This imbalance could propel BTC toward the $100,000 level. Cointelegraph pointed out that over $3 billion is at risk for a short-side liquidation, which may amplify upward momentum, catching bearish traders off guard. Bitcoin short liquidations data. Source: X.comRelated: Bitcoin hodler unrealized profits near 350% as $100K risks sell-offThis 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

Ben McKenzie, an actor known for his roles on television shows including Gotham and The OC, will make his directorial debut in a scathing documentary about cryptocurrency.According to an April 29 Deadline report, McKenzie wrote, directed, and produced the documentary Everyone Is Lying To You For Money, set to premiere at SXSW London in June. The film features footage from 2022 of former FTX CEO Sam “SBF” Bankman-Fried and former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky before their respective companies folded. “Why is the false story of crypto still spreading?” said McKenzie, according to Deadline. “That’s the question I set out to answer with this film.”Sam Bankman-Fried (left) with Ben McKenzie (right). Source: InstagramWorking with The New Republic staff writer Jacob Silverman, McKenzie pivoted from a role in Hollywood to speaking out against many of the issues surrounding cryptocurrency in 2021. After the collapse of FTX in November 2022, the actor testified at a US Senate hearing investigating the downfall of the crypto exchange. In addition to interviews with SBF and Mashinsky, the documentary will reportedly explore El Salvador President Nayib Bukele’s connections to crypto. Bukele rose to prominence in the industry after proposing that El Salvador recognize Bitcoin (BTC) as legal tender in 2021.Related: Peter Todd forced into hiding after HBO doc claims he invented BitcoinIt’s unclear what, if anything, could be revealed in the Bankman-Fried and Mashinsky interviews. Cointelegraph reached out to McKenzie for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.Bankman-Fried in prison, Mashinsky could soon follow The former FTX CEO has been the subject of other documentaries, interviews, and a Michael Lewis book. Bankman-Fried was found guilty on seven felony charges related to his role in the collapse of FTX and sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2024.Mashinsky, who pleaded guilty to two felony charges as part of a deal with US prosecutors in December 2024, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 8. Authorities requested that a judge impose a 20-year sentence on the former CEO of Celsius.Magazine: The $2,500 doco about FTX collapse on Amazon Prime… with help from mom

Merchants in Cannes, France, the site of the international Cannes Film Festival, are set to begin accepting crypto payments by summer this year in an effort to attract clientele with high disposable income by modernizing the city's commercial payment ecosystem.According to Artem Shaginyan, founder and head of strategy of Web3 payment company Lunu Pay, the Cannes municipal government is aiming for a 90% adoption rate among local merchants. The executive also told Cointelegraph:"This is a big signal. When a city like Cannes, known globally for culture and commerce, starts integrating crypto at scale, it shows that Web3 payments aren’t just a niche thing anymore. It’s about proving that crypto can work in everyday settings, not just online or in theory."In February, Cannes Mayor David Lisnard announced a crypto payment integration training session for business owners and professionals to promote the widespread acceptance of crypto payments in the city.The Rue d’Antibes, Canne’s shopping and commercial district. Source: City of CannesCanne's shift toward embracing cryptocurrencies reflects the broader trend of crypto adoption by city, state, and federal governments as these institutions seek to remain competitive on the global stage.Related: Panama's capital to accept crypto for taxes, municipal feesAhead of the curve? Other jurisdictions modernize with cryptoIn December 2023, the Swiss city of Lugano started accepting Bitcoin (BTC) and stablecoin payments for taxes and municipal fees as part of the city's broader initiative to become a global crypto hub.Governor Jared Polis of the US state of Colorado directed the state's Department of Revenue to begin accepting crypto tax payments in September 2022.The Canadian city of Vancouver passed a motion in December 2024 to make the jurisdiction a “Bitcoin-friendly city” by exploring integrating BTC into the city's financial system and potentially adopting a Bitcoin treasury strategy.More recently, in April 2025, the capital city of Panama announced that taxes and municipal fees could now be paid in crypto, including Bitcoin, Ether (ETH), Circle's US-dollar stablecoin (USDC), and Tether's USDt (USDT) token.Panama City mayor Mayer Mizrachi suggested the move would modernize the city and bring increased investment as well as global recognition.Magazine: Crypto City Guide to Seattle: Site of CZ’s downfall and pot crypto vendors

Ethereum’s relative dominance among layer-1 (L1) blockchain networks has declined, resulting in an “open race” to become the leading Web3 platform, according to Alex Svanevik, CEO of data service Nansen.“If you’d asked me 3–4 years ago whether Ethereum would dominate crypto, I’d have said yes,” Svanevik said during a panel discussion at the LONGITUDE by Cointelegraph event. “But now, it’s clear that’s not what’s happening.”Ethereum is still the most popular L1 network. According to data from DefiLlama, its roughly $52 billion in total value locked (TVL) represents 51% of cryptocurrency residing on blockchain networks.However, Ethereum’s dominance has diminished sharply since 2021, when the L1 controlled as much as 96% of aggregate TVL, the data shows. Panelists at the LONGITUDE by Cointelegraph event in Dubai. Source: Cointelegraph“It’s an open race between multiple L1s for becoming the go-to platform for trading and broader blockchain use,” Svanevik said.“We’re seeing smaller chains grow extremely fast, and a group of five or six chains emerging as leaders. It’s an exciting time,” he said.Cointelegraph’s LONGITUDE is an event series that brings together leaders and innovators from the blockchain and Web3 space for exclusive discussions.TVL distribution among blockchain networks. Source: DeFiLlamaRise of SolanaSolana (SOL), an alternative layer-1 known for faster transactions and lower fees than Ethereum, is in pole position to become Web3’s next leading chain, according to the Nansen CEO. “Solana has overtaken Ethereum on most onchain metrics — active addresses, transaction volume, even gas fees,” Svanevik said. “Ethereum still leads in TVL, and stablecoin issuance is still strong, but Solana’s growth is undeniable.”Meanwhile, dozens of smaller L1s are also vying for market share — and not all of them are gaining sustainable traction, Vardan Khachatryan, chief legal officer of trading platform Fastex, told Cointelegraph during the panel. "Unfortunately, what we see in reality is that chains become popular when they are the hype of that particular bull run, new coins, airdrops, etc., rather than sustained adoption,” Khachatryan said.Magazine: ZK-proofs are bringing smart contracts to Bitcoin — BitcoinOS and Starknet

Solana’s recent 8% surge amid global market challenges has demonstrated the power of resilience and adaptability in the crypto world. Building on this momentum, Ruvi AI emerges as a pioneering blockchain project, combining artificial intelligence and blockchain technology to deliver transformative solutions across industries. Ruvi AI Redefining Blockchain Utility Ruvi AI was created with a [...] The post Solana (SOL) Holds Its Ground While Experts Are Betting on Ruvi AI (RUVI) To Turn $200 into $50,000 appeared first on Blockonomi.

XRP is showing strong signs of a bullish trend shift after breaking previous structure and forming a bullish EMA crossover. The token now eyes a move towards the $2.50 resistance. Ripple’s (XRP) price action has recently flipped to a bullish…

Bitcoin surpasses $97K as altcoin momentum accelerates across major and emerging tokens. Negative exchange netflows and ETF inflows underscore strong conviction and reduced sell pressure. BiThe post Crypto market today: Bitcoin hits $97K as Dogecoin, Sonic, Litecoin & AERO lead altcoin rally appeared first on AMBCrypto.

• #litecoin
• #bitcoin

The price of XRP has finally risen above the moving average lines after falling below them on April 30. Price analysis by Coinidol.com.

Ethereum’s relative dominance among layer-1 (L1) blockchain networks has declined, resulting in an “open race” to become the leading Web3 platform, according to Alex Svanevik, CEO of data service Nansen.“If you’d asked me 3–4 years ago whether Ethereum would dominate crypto, I’d have said yes,” Svanevik said during a panel discussion at the LONGITUDE by Cointelegraph event. “But now, it’s clear that’s not what’s happening.”Ethereum is still the most popular L1 network. According to data from DefiLlama, its roughly $52 billion in total value locked (TVL) represents 51% of cryptocurrency residing on blockchain networks.However, Ethereum’s dominance has diminished sharply since 2021, when the L1 controlled as much as 96% of aggregate TVL, the data shows. Panelists at the LONGITUDE by Cointelegraph event in Dubai. Source: Cointelegraph“It’s an open race between multiple L1s for becoming the go-to platform for trading and broader blockchain use,” Svanevik said.“We’re seeing smaller chains grow extremely fast, and a group of five or six chains emerging as leaders. It’s an exciting time,” he said.Cointelegraph’s LONGITUDE is an event series that brings together leaders and innovators from the blockchain and Web3 space for exclusive discussions.TVL distribution among blockchain networks. Source: DeFiLlamaRise of SolanaSolana (SOL), an alternative layer-1 known for faster transactions and lower fees than Ethereum, is in pole position to become Web3’s next leading chain, according to the Nansen CEO. “Solana has overtaken Ethereum on most onchain metrics — active addresses, transaction volume, even gas fees,” Svanevik said. “Ethereum still leads in TVL, and stablecoin issuance is still strong, but Solana’s growth is undeniable.”Meanwhile, dozens of smaller L1s are also vying for market share — and not all of them are gaining sustainable traction, Vardan Khachatryan, chief legal officer of trading platform Fastex, told Cointelegraph during the panel. "Unfortunately, what we see in reality is that chains become popular when they are the hype of that particular bull run, new coins, airdrops, etc., rather than sustained adoption,” Khachatryan said.Magazine: ZK-proofs are bringing smart contracts to Bitcoin — BitcoinOS and Starknet

Crucial metric shows that XRP growth has extended across the DeFi space

Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) declared this week she is “particularly pleased” with President Donald Trump’s endorsement of her proposed strategic bitcoin reserve, a plan she claims will tackle the national debt and solidify U.S. dominance in financial innovation. ‘America Must Lead’ on Bitcoin, Says Lummis After Trump Backs Reserve Plan The Boosting Innovation, Technology, and […]

• #bitcoin

Merchants in Cannes, France, the site of the international Cannes Film Festival, are set to begin accepting crypto payments by summer this year in an effort to attract clientele with high disposable income by modernizing the city's commercial payment ecosystem.According to Artem Shaginyan, founder and head of strategy of Web3 payment company Lunu Pay, the Cannes municipal government is aiming for a 90% adoption rate among local merchants. The executive also told Cointelegraph:"This is a big signal. When a city like Cannes, known globally for culture and commerce, starts integrating crypto at scale, it shows that Web3 payments aren’t just a niche thing anymore. It’s about proving that crypto can work in everyday settings, not just online or in theory."In February, Cannes Mayor David Lisnard announced a crypto payment integration training session for business owners and professionals to promote the widespread acceptance of crypto payments in the city.The Rue d’Antibes, Canne’s shopping and commercial district. Source: City of CannesCanne's shift toward embracing cryptocurrencies reflects the broader trend of crypto adoption by city, state, and federal governments as these institutions seek to remain competitive on the global stage.Related: Panama's capital to accept crypto for taxes, municipal feesAhead of the curve? Other jurisdictions modernize with cryptoIn December 2023, the Swiss city of Lugano started accepting Bitcoin (BTC) and stablecoin payments for taxes and municipal fees as part of the city's broader initiative to become a global crypto hub.Governor Jared Polis of the US state of Colorado directed the state's Department of Revenue to begin accepting crypto tax payments in September 2022.The Canadian city of Vancouver passed a motion in December 2024 to make the jurisdiction a “Bitcoin-friendly city” by exploring integrating BTC into the city's financial system and potentially adopting a Bitcoin treasury strategy.More recently, in April 2025, the capital city of Panama announced that taxes and municipal fees could now be paid in crypto, including Bitcoin, Ether (ETH), Circle's US-dollar stablecoin (USDC), and Tether's USDt (USDT) token.Panama City mayor Mayer Mizrachi suggested the move would modernize the city and bring increased investment as well as global recognition.Magazine: Crypto City Guide to Seattle: Site of CZ’s downfall and pot crypto vendors

Bitcoin Magazine Senator Lummis Says Trump Supports Her BITCOIN Act That Could Erase U.S. Debt In a powerful address on Capitol Hill today, Senator Cynthia Lummis made her stance clear: the United States is out of time—and out of traditional options. “The BITCOIN Act is the only solution to our nation’s $36T debt,” she said, while mentioning she has President Donald Trump’s support for her initiative. “I’m grateful for a […] This post Senator Lummis Says Trump Supports Her BITCOIN Act That Could Erase U.S. Debt first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.

• #bitcoin

XRP ETF approval odds hit 78% as regulatory optimism grows among investors

Bitcoin Magazine Las Vegas Bitcoin Conference Extends Invitation to Roswell, New Mexico Mayor and City Council Roswell City Council and Mayor invited to Bitcoin 2025 after an anonymous donation online seeded a Bitcoin Reserve. This post Las Vegas Bitcoin Conference Extends Invitation to Roswell, New Mexico Mayor and City Council first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Guy Malone.

• #bitcoin

U.S. stocks rallied Friday as better-than-expected job growth and fresh signals from China about trade negotiations helped investors shake off recent concerns around tariffs.  The S&P 500 extended its winning streak to nine days, which is the longest in 20…

Fidelity’s Jurrien Timmer claims that it could be Bitcoin’s turn to take the lead

• #bitcoin

The stablecoin USD1, issued by World Liberty Financial, has been chosen to handle a major $2 billion investment from MGX into Binance, according to reports. This move marks a new chapter for the crypto exchange and adds fresh attention to the stablecoin space. Related Reading: The Bitcoin That Got Away: Docuseries Explores $800 Million Trash […]

Trump’s second term fuels crypto momentum through executive orders and pro-market policies. Musk’s X super app could secretly embed crypto into mainstream U.S. digital infrastructure. DoThe post Elon - crypto nexus continues? Anthony Scaramucci predicts major integrations appeared first on AMBCrypto.

This content is provided by a sponsor. PRESS RELEASE. May 2, 2025 – BTCC, one of the world’s longest-serving cryptocurrency exchanges, made a spectacular splash on the first day of TOKEN2049 Dubai with its eye-catching basketball-themed booth and widely popular mascot Nakamon, attracting thousands of crypto enthusiasts, traders, and industry professionals. Following the announcement of […]

Ben McKenzie, an actor known for his roles on television shows including Gotham and The OC, will make his directorial debut in a scathing documentary about cryptocurrency.According to an April 29 Deadline report, McKenzie wrote, directed, and produced the documentary Everyone Is Lying To You For Money, set to premiere at SXSW London in June. The film features footage from 2022 of former FTX CEO Sam “SBF” Bankman-Fried and former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky before their respective companies folded. “Why is the false story of crypto still spreading?” said McKenzie, according to Deadline. “That’s the question I set out to answer with this film.”Sam Bankman-Fried (left) with Ben McKenzie (right). Source: InstagramWorking with The New Republic staff writer Jacob Silverman, McKenzie pivoted from a role in Hollywood to speaking out against many of the issues surrounding cryptocurrency in 2021. After the collapse of FTX in November 2022, the actor testified at a US Senate hearing investigating the downfall of the crypto exchange. In addition to interviews with SBF and Mashinsky, the documentary will reportedly explore El Salvador President Nayib Bukele’s connections to crypto. Bukele rose to prominence in the industry after proposing that El Salvador recognize Bitcoin (BTC) as legal tender in 2021.Related: Peter Todd forced into hiding after HBO doc claims he invented BitcoinIt’s unclear what, if anything, could be revealed in the Bankman-Fried and Mashinsky interviews. Cointelegraph reached out to McKenzie for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.Bankman-Fried in prison, Mashinsky could soon follow The former FTX CEO has been the subject of other documentaries, interviews, and a Michael Lewis book. Bankman-Fried was found guilty on seven felony charges related to his role in the collapse of FTX and sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2024.Mashinsky, who pleaded guilty to two felony charges as part of a deal with US prosecutors in December 2024, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 8. Authorities requested that a judge impose a 20-year sentence on the former CEO of Celsius.Magazine: The $2,500 doco about FTX collapse on Amazon Prime… with help from mom

Meerkat, the rising memecoin project that blends viral culture with real blockchain utility, has launched its global marketing campaign ahead of the official $MERK listing. With content already appearing across Telegram, YouTube, Twitter, and other major platforms, Meerkat is positioning itself as the next big name in crypto—backed by tech, not just hype. Viral by [...] The post Meerkat Kicks Off Global Marketing Campaign as $MERK Ecosystem Gains Momentum appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways:Analyst predicts a low VIX (Bitcoin network economist Timothy Peterson raised Bitcoin’s (BTC) chances of hitting a new high in 100 days, and he maintains an optimistic outlook in 2025. In an analysis shared on X that ties BTC’s price action to the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) —an indicator that measures 30-day market volatility expectations — the analyst pointed out that the VIX index has dropped from 55 to 25 over the past 50 trading days. A VIX score below 18 implied a “risk-on” environment, favoring assets like Bitcoin. Peterson’s model, which had a 95% tracking accuracy, predicted a $135,000 target within the next 100 days if the VIX remains low. This aligns with Bitcoin’s sensitivity to market sentiment, as a low VIX reduces uncertainty, encouraging investment in riskier assets.Speaking on Bitcoin’s volatility, Fidelity’s director of global macro, Jurrien Timmer, compared Bitcoin’s nature to “Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde.” Timmer believed Bitcoin’s ability to act as both a store of value (Dr. Jekyll) and a speculative asset (Mr. Hyde) differentiates it from gold, which remains a consistent “hard money” asset. Timmer emphasized the dynamics between Bitcoin and the global money supply and said, “Note that when M2 has grown and the stock market is rallying, Bitcoin has been off to the races because it has both attributes working for it. But when M2 has grown and equities are correcting, not so much.”Bitcoin price against global money supply. Source: X.comThis underscores Bitcoin’s sensitivity to macroeconomic conditions, making its performance less predictable than gold’s.Related: Crypto ‘decoupling’ story ends as stocks follow Bitcoin’s rallyStablecoin market cap hits record $220 billionData from CryptoQuant highlighted that the stablecoin market capitalization hit a record $220 billion, signaling a liquidity surge in the crypto market. This marks Bitcoin’s exit from a bearish phase as capital flows return, and with stablecoins representing crypto liquidity, new BTC highs could be a likely outcome in the coming weeks. While BTC continues its uptrend, lower-time frame (LTF) charts reveal a shift in market dynamics. The funding rate for BTC futures has turned negative again, indicating a rise in short positions as traders bet against the rally. Bitcoin 4-hour chart and funding rate. Source: Velo.chartThe 4-hour chart's funding rate has reached its most negative level in 2025, indicating that short-side liquidity significantly exceeds long-side liquidity. This creates a condition for a potential short squeeze.This imbalance could propel BTC toward the $100,000 level. Cointelegraph pointed out that over $3 billion is at risk for a short-side liquidation, which may amplify upward momentum, catching bearish traders off guard. Bitcoin short liquidations data. Source: X.comRelated: Bitcoin hodler unrealized profits near 350% as $100K risks sell-offThis 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

Bitcoin has exited its bearish phase as improving liquidity conditions and record stablecoin reserves signal renewed market strength, according to a recent report by blockchain analytics firm Cryptoquant. Stablecoin Surge Signals Bitcoin Recovery, Cryptoquant Reports The total market capitalization of stablecoins reached a record high, a threshold historically linked to upward momentum for bitcoin ( […]

• #bitcoin

Online gambling is evolving, and now you can play at crypto casinos without having to go through the Know Your Customer (KYC) process. This means you can enjoy your favorite games without sharing personal information, making the experience faster and more private. In this article, we’ll introduce you to the best no KYC crypto casinos. [...] The post 24+ Best No KYC Crypto Casinos & Gambling Sites: Our Top Picks Ranked & Reviewed! appeared first on Blockonomi.

Bitcoin Magazine Bitcoin Covenants: OP_CAT (BIP 347) The fifth article in the Covenant series, examining the OP_CAT reactivation proposal from Ethan Heilman and Armin Sabouri. This post Bitcoin Covenants: OP_CAT (BIP 347) first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Shinobi.

• #bitcoin

Pepe faces a crucial moment as it rejects from a key resistance level aligned with the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement. Price action now tests the lower bounds of the current trading range. The memecoin Pepe (PEPE) has seen increased volatility over…

Cardano has captured the crypto community’s attention with its latest developments, including the Lace wallet’s integration with Bitcoin and moves toward blockchain interoperability. As Cardano showcases the potential of seamless blockchain connectivity, Ruvi AI is carving out its distinct path by blending artificial intelligence and blockchain for groundbreaking innovation and unmatched investment opportunities. Ruvi AI [...] The post Cardano’s (ADA) Cross-Chain Integration Captivates Markets, But Analysts Think Ruvi AI (RUVI) Is The project to Watch As Price Prediction see 6,500% Increase appeared first on Blockonomi.

• #Cardano

Over the last few months, the Ethereum price has performed incredibly poorly, dashing the hopes of investors who believed in its potential. While the Bitcoin price has made multiple new highs with expectations that the ETH price could follow, the opposite has been the case. In the last five months, Ethereum has gone from $4,000 […]

Whale accumulation and network growth supported Ethereum’s bullish momentum. Long liquidations signal short-term caution, but there is clear room for stronger price recovery. Ethereum [ETHThe post Ethereum: Will THESE 2 factors drive ETH toward $2,000? Assessing... appeared first on AMBCrypto.

Senator Lummis stated that President Donald Trump supports her plan to buy 1 million BTC.

• #bitcoin

Google is bringing zero-knowledge proofs to Google Wallet, allowing users to verify their age on websites without revealing personal details like birthdates.  The privacy-enhancing feature marks a major step in making cryptographic identity tools more accessible—and more invisible—for everyday users.…

XYO Network has onboarded more than 10 million nodes to its decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN), co-founder Markus Levin told Cointelegraph in an interview.The nodes mostly comprise human users who provide data in exchange for rewards via the network’s mobile application, COIN. “The vast majority of our 10 million nodes are mobile users, but some are IoT devices like smart speakers,” Levin told Cointelegraph. Approximately 80% of XYO’s users are non-crypto natives who are participating in Web3 for the first time, he added.They include truckers, rideshare drivers, delivery people, and nurses among others, Levin said, adding that “95% convert after onboarding through the COIN app.”XYO launched a layer-1 blockchain network in January. Source: XYO Related: DePIN XYO launches on SolanaDePIN TokenomicsIn exchange for data, XYO awards its users points that are redeemable for its native XYO token, as well as “BTC, ETH or even gift cards,” he said. In October 2024, XYO bridged its native token to Solana (SOL) in a bid to reach more users. The XYO token has a market capitalization of roughly $180 million as of May 2, according to data from CoinMarketCap.XYO earns revenue by collecting and validating data in sectors ranging from real-world assets (RWAs) to gaming. It then uses a portion of that income to buy back XYO. In January, XYO launched its layer-1 blockchain, which collates real-world data from across XYO’s nodes onto a public ledger. The network’s validators stake XYO and earn rewards denominated in XL1, the network’s newly-launched gas token. XYO has a market capitalization of around $180 million. Source: CoinMarketCapDePINs are blockchain protocols aimed at decentralizing real-world infrastructure and systems, including communications networks, data warehouses, energy markets, and more.They are among Web3’s “next big use case[s],” with the potential to onboard “a significant number of new users to the crypto space,” according to a September 2024 report by MV Global, a Web3 investing firm.According to MV Global, the DePIN ecosystem comprises upward of 1,000 projects and represents roughly $50 billion in total market capitalization.Magazine: 10 crypto theories that missed as badly as ‘Peter Todd is Satoshi’

The U.S. economy added a higher-than-expected 177,000 jobs in April, sparking a rally in traditional markets as bitcoin climbed closer to $98K. Strong Employment Figures Push Bitcoin Toward $98K Threshold The U.S. Department of Labor surprised bearish economists when it published its highly anticipated jobs report on Friday, showing a stronger-than-expected 177,000 jobs added to […]

• #bitcoin

Bitcoin’s price is approaching major resistance zones while funding rates flip increasingly positive—an indication that long exposure is building up. But is this bullish pressure sustainable, or a sign of overheating? Bitcoin’s (BTC) current price movement is testing a key…

• #bitcoin

Morgan Stanley, one of the world’s largest investment banks, is reportedly set to introduce cryptocurrency trading on its consumer platform, E*Trade. According to a Bloomberg report citing sources familiar with the matter, the banking giant plans to allow customers to buy and sell cryptocurrencies starting next year, capitalizing on the recent deregulation efforts spearheaded by […]

Bitcoin's momentum ratio outlined three potential scenarios for BTC's next leg. Given that a correction has already occurred, a deeper pullback is less probable. Bitcoin [BTC] started May ofThe post 3 roads lie ahead for Bitcoin - Which one will BTC choose? appeared first on AMBCrypto.

• #bitcoin

The cryptocurrency market continued its recovery in the past week as the total crypto market capitalization breached the $3 trillion mark for the first time since the beginning of March.Bitcoin (BTC) rose to an over two-month high of $97,300 last seen at the end of February, before the “Liberation Day” tariffs announcement in the US, bolstering analyst predictions for a rally driven by “structural” institutional and exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows into the world’s first cryptocurrency.Risk appetite continued rising among crypto investors, as Chinese state-linked news outlets indicated that the Trump administration has quietly contacted Beijing to discuss tariff reductions.Total crypto market cap, 1-year chart. Source: CoinMarketCapIn the wider crypto space, Ethereum developers proposed a new token standard to improve the interoperability of the world’s second-largest blockchain network.Bitcoin to $1 million by 2029 fueled by ETF and gov’t demand — Bitwise execBitcoin’s expanding institutional adoption may provide the “structural” inflows necessary to surpass gold’s market capitalization and push its price beyond $1 million by 2029, according to Bitwise’s head of European research, André Dragosch.“Our in-house prediction is $1 million by 2029. So that Bitcoin will match gold's market cap and total addressable market by 2029,” he told Cointelegraph during the Chain Reaction daily X spaces show on April 30.Gold is currently the world’s largest asset, valued at over $21.7 trillion. In comparison, Bitcoin’s market capitalization sits at $1.9 trillion, making it the seventh-largest asset globally, according to CompaniesMarketCap data.Top 10 global assets by market capitalization. Source: CompaniesMarketCapFor the 2025 market cycle, Bitcoin may surpass $200,000 in the “base case” and $500,000 with more governmental adoption, Dragosch said.Continue readingEric Trump: USD1 will be used for $2 billion MGX investment in BinanceAbu Dhabi-based investment firm MGX will use a stablecoin linked to US President Donald Trump’s family to settle a $2 billion investment in Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.The World Liberty Financial USD (USD1) US dollar-pegged stablecoin was launched by the Trump-associated crypto platform World Liberty Financial (WLFI) in March 2025.MGX will use the USD1 stablecoin for its $2 billion investment in the Binance exchange, according to an announcement by Eric Trump during a panel discussion at Token2049 in Dubai. Trump, the son of the president, serves as executive vice president of the Trump Organization.Source: CointelegraphMGX announced its investment in Binance on March 12, marking the first institutional investment in the exchange and one of the biggest funding deals in the entire Web3 industry.At the time, Binance declined Cointelegraph’s request to disclose what stablecoin was used in the transaction.  This marks the Abu Dhabi-based investment firm’s first venture into the cryptocurrency space.Continue readingEthereum to simplify crosschain transactions with new token standardsEthereum developers are working to improve blockchain interoperability with two new token standards: ERC-7930 and ERC-7828.“There’s no standard way for wallets, apps, or protocols to interpret or display this information,” decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem development organization Wonderland wrote in a May 1 X post. Wallets, decentralized applications (DApps), block explorers and smart contracts follow different rules.“The result? A messy, inconsistent experience that breaks crosschain UX,“ Wonderland stated.Wonderland is a group of developers, researchers and data scientists focused on improving the Ethereum DeFi ecosystem. The organization partnered with multiple DeFi protocols, including Optimism, Aztec, Connext and Yearn.Wonderland’s ERC-7828 and ERC-7930 explanation post. Source: WonderlandIn the post, the organization shared what was discussed at a recent Ethereum Foundation interoperability working group call. Teddy from Wonderland explained that the current goal is to finalize both token standards within the next two weeks. He added:“We badly need feedback on the ETH-Magicians forum.”Continue readingCrypto hackers hit DeFi for $92 million in April as attacks double from MarchCryptocurrency hackers stole more than $90 million in April, dealing another blow to the industry’s mainstream reputation despite ongoing efforts to improve cybersecurity.Hackers made off with $92 million of digital assets across 15 incidents in April, according to an April 30 research report by blockchain cybersecurity firm Immunefi.The total marks a 124% month-over-month increase from March, when hackers stole $41 million.Crypto stole in April 2025. Source: ImmunefiThe month’s largest hack on open-source platform UPCX accounted for most of the damage in April, with over $70 million in losses, while KiloEx lost $7.5 million as April’s second-largest hack.The KiloEx exploiter returned the stolen funds just days after the attack occurred.All of April’s reported attacks targeted decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. Centralized exchanges reported no incidents during the month, the report noted.Top 10 losses in April. Source: ImmunefiImmunefi, which says it helps protect $190 billion in user funds, has paid more than $116 million in bounties to white hat hackers.Continue readingCrypto group asks Trump to end prosecution of crypto devs, Roman StormThe crypto lobby group, the DeFi Education Fund, has petitioned the Trump administration to end what it claimed was the “lawless prosecution” of open-source software developers, including Roman Storm, a creator of the crypto mixing service Tornado Cash.In an April 28 letter to White House crypto czar David Sacks, the group urged President Donald Trump “to take immediate action to discontinue the Biden-era Department of Justice's lawless campaign to criminalize open-source software development.” The letter specifically mentioned the prosecution of Storm, who was charged in August 2023 with helping launder over $1 billion in crypto through Tornado Cash. His trial is still set for July, and his fellow charged co-founder, Roman Semenov, is at large and believed to be in Russia.The DeFi Education Fund said that in Storm’s case, the Department of Justice is attempting to hold software developers criminally liable for how others use their code, which is “not only absurd in principle, but it sets a precedent that potentially chills all crypto development in the United States.”The group also called for the recognition that the prosecution contradicts the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) guidance from Trump’s first term, which established that developers of self-custodial, peer-to-peer protocols are not money transmitters. Source: DeFi Education Fund“This kind of legal environment does not just chill innovation — it freezes it,” they argued. The letter added that it also “empowers politically-motivated enforcement and puts every open-source developer at risk, regardless of industry.”In January, a federal court in Texas ruled that the Treasury overstepped its authority by sanctioning Tornado Cash. Continue readingDeFi market overviewAccording to data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView, most of the 100 largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization ended the week in the green.The Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL) token rose over 103% as the week’s biggest gainer, followed by the Solayer (LAYER) token, up over 29% during the past week.Total value locked in DeFi. Source: DefiLlamaThanks for reading our summary of this week’s most impactful DeFi developments. Join us next Friday for more stories, insights and education regarding this dynamically advancing space.

• #bitcoin

Key points:Bitcoin trends toward $100,000. Will bears sell at this level?Altcoins are trading above their respective support levels, suggesting that an altcoin rally is brewing.Bitcoin’s (BTC) tight consolidation resolved in favor of the bulls with a break above the $95,000 barrier on May 1. The bulls are trying to push the price to the psychologically crucial level at $100,000, which may again witness a tough battle between the bulls and the bears. Veteran trader Peter Brandt sounded positive when he said in a post on X that Bitcoin could rally to the $125,000 to $150,000 range by August or September 2025 if it manages to regain its broken parabolic slope. However, Brandt cautioned that the rally could be followed by a sharp correction of more than 50%.Crypto market data daily view. Source: Coin360As Bitcoin nears the 100,000 mark, onchain analytics firm Glassnode cautions that the long-term holders (LTHs) may be tempted to book profits. The firm said in its newsletter that the LTHs tend to book profits when their profit margin reaches 350%, and that level will be hit at $99,900. A significant amount of buy-side pressure is needed to overcome the selling to continue the up move.Could Bitcoin break above $100,000, pulling select altcoins higher? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.Bitcoin price predictionBitcoin’s break above $95,000 signals an advantage to buyers, but the bears are unlikely to give up easily.BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewSellers will try to pull the price back below $95,000, trapping the aggressive bulls. If they can pull it off, the BTC/USDT pair could test the 20-day exponential moving average ($91,391). This is a necessary support to watch out for as a solid bounce off the 20-day EMA suggests the bullish sentiment remains intact. That increases the likelihood of a break above $100,000. The pair may then reach $107,000.This optimistic view will be invalidated in the short term if the price turns down and breaks below the 20-day EMA. The pair may then tumble to the 50-day simple moving average ($86,236).Ether price predictionBuyers successfully defended Ether’s (ETH) drop to the 20-day EMA ($1,757) on April 30, signaling demand at lower levels.ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe gradually upsloping 20-day EMA and the RSI in the positive territory indicate a slight edge to the bulls. If the price maintains above $1,857, the ETH/USDT pair could climb to the breakdown level of $2,111. There is minor resistance at $1,957, but that is likely to be crossed.This positive view will be invalidated in the near term if the price turns down and plunges below the moving averages. That could pull the pair down to $1,537, which is expected to attract buyers.XRP price predictionThe bulls have managed to keep XRP (XRP) above the moving averages, but the bounce lacks strength.XRP/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe flattening 20-day EMA ($2.17) and the RSI just above the midpoint do not give a clear advantage either to the bulls or the bears. Buyers will seize control on a break and close above the resistance line. That clears the path for a rally to $3.On the contrary, a break and close below the moving averages could sink the XRP/USDT pair to the solid support at $2. This is a critical level to keep an eye on because a break below $2 could pull the pair to $1.61.BNB price predictionBNB (BNB) is witnessing a seesaw battle between the bulls and the bears at the moving averages.BNB/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIf the price maintains below the moving averages, the BNB/USDT pair could slump to $576 and later to $566. Buyers are expected to vigorously defend the $566 level because a break below it may sink the pair to $520.The bulls will have to push the price above $620 to signal strength. The pair could then rise to $644, which is likely to act as a strong resistance. If buyers bulldoze their way through, the pair could surge to $680.Solana price predictionSolana (SOL) continues to face selling at the $153 level, but a positive sign is that the bulls have not ceded much ground to the bears.SOL/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe upsloping 20-day EMA ($142) and the RSI in the positive zone suggest that the path of least resistance is to the upside. If buyers push and maintain the price above $153, the SOL/USDT pair could rally to $180.Contrary to this assumption, if the price turns down sharply and breaks below the 20-day EMA, it suggests profit booking by the short-term bulls. The pair could then slump to the 50-day SMA ($132).Dogecoin price predictionDogecoin (DOGE) rebounded off the moving averages on May 1, indicating that the bulls are trying to keep the price inside the upper half of the range.DOGE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe bulls will attempt to push the price to the top of the range at $0.21, which is a critical near-term resistance level to watch out for. If buyers pierce the $0.21 level, the DOGE/USDT pair will complete a double-bottom pattern. That could start a move to $0.25 and then to the pattern target of $0.28.Contrarily, a break and close below the moving averages opens the doors for a fall to the support of the range at $0.14. Buyers are expected to defend the $0.14 level with all their might because a break below it may sink the pair to $0.10.Cardano price predictionBuyers bought the dip to the moving averages in Cardano (ADA), but the failure to build upon the rebound suggests a lack of demand at higher levels.ADA/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBuyers will have to drive the price above the $0.75 resistance to gain the upper hand. If they do that, the ADA/USDT pair could rally to $0.83. Sellers will try to halt the up move at $0.83, but if the bulls prevail, the pair could reach $1.On the downside, a break and close below the moving averages tilts the short-term advantage in favor of the bears. The pair could slide to $0.58, where the buyers are expected to step in. Related: Moon soon? XRP's strongest spot premium aligns with 70% rally setupSui price predictionBuyers pushed Sui (SUI) toward the $3.90 overhead resistance on May 1, but the long wick on the candlestick shows that bears are aggressively defending the level.SUI/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe first support on the downside is $3.27, and then the 20-day EMA ($3.01). If the price rebounds off the 20-day EMA with strength, the bulls will again try to drive the SUI/USDT pair above $3.90. If they manage to do that, the pair could rally to $4.25 and subsequently to $5.Instead, if the price breaks below the 20-day EMA, it suggests that the bulls have given up. The pair may slump to the solid support at $2.86. If the price rebounds off the $2.86 support, the pair may form a range.Chainlink price predictionChainlink (LINK) turned up from the moving averages on May 1, indicating that the sentiment remains positive.LINK/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBuyers will try to push the price above the $16 overhead resistance and challenge the resistance line of the descending channel pattern. Sellers are expected to fiercely defend the resistance line because a break and close above it signals a potential trend change.If the price turns down from the overhead resistance and breaks below the moving averages, it suggests selling on rallies. The LINK/USDT pair may drop to $11.68, extending its stay inside the channel for some more time.Avalanche price predictionAvalanche (AVAX) bounced off the 20-day EMA ($20.89) on May 1, indicating that the bulls are buying on dips.  AVAX/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBuyers will try to propel the price above the $23.50 overhead resistance. If they manage to do that, the AVAX/USDT pair will complete a double-bottom pattern. That may start an up move to $28.78 and later to the pattern target of $31.73.The moving averages are the crucial support to watch out for. If the price turns down from the current level or the overhead resistance and breaks below the 50-day SMA ($19.79), it suggests that the range-bound action may continue for a few more days.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

S&P 500 and Nasdaq have regained their levels before 'Liberation Day,' as strong jobs report eases recession fears.

Coinspeaker Bitcoin Dominance Retests 4-Year High as US Job Data Shifts Sentiment IMX has surged nearly 12% in the last 24 hours, breaking free from a multi-month downtrend as bullish momentum gains strength. Bitcoin Dominance Retests 4-Year High as US Job Data Shifts Sentiment

• #bitcoin

When you’re staring down a chart and wondering, “Did I already miss it?”—you’re not alone. That’s the gut-punch question every crypto degen’s been hit with. And right now? With meme coins fueling overnight millionaires again, the pressure’s on to pick the right horse before it bolts. Shiba’s whispering comeback tales, MEW just rewrote the rules, [...] The post 4 Tokens Like BTFD and MEW You Can’t Ignore This May—Best Meme Coin Presale to Buy Now is Doubling Bags with a 100% Bonus! appeared first on Blockonomi.

The U.S. could reduce its current 145% tariff rate on China “within a few weeks,” White House Council of Economic Advisers Chair Stephen Miran said in an interview. Speaking to Bloomberg TV on Friday, Miran said that while he is…

• #bitcoin

Digital assets edged higher Friday in step with U.S. equities, buoyed by hints that Washington and Beijing are dialing back their trade spat. The sector’s total capitalization has touched $3.03 trillion, and bitcoin is fetching $97,938 per coin. Fed in Trump’s Crosshairs Again—Markets Surge on Job Data and Trade Hopes Wall Street is on a […]

• #bitcoin

XRP shows steady gains, but SUI and Remittix may outpace it with scalability and remittance tech driving strong momentum. #partnercontent

• #litecoin

Bitcoin Magazine Brown University Bought And Owns $4.9 million of BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF  According to a new SEC filing today, Brown University, a private university based in Providence, Rhode Island, revealed a large position in BlackRock’ spot Bitcoin ETF, IBIT, as first reported by market analyst MacroScope. The position showed Brown held $4,915,050 in IBIT as of March 31, 2025, which sees the school become the third U.S. […] This post Brown University Bought And Owns $4.9 million of BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF  first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.

• #bitcoin

The BNB price has bounced above the moving average lines after failing to break above resistance at $620.

Presales are known as the golden ticket in the swiftly evolving world of cryptocurrencies, which allows early investors to attempt to seek the next breakout project. These events allow individuals to purchase tokens before they are released to the wider market, frequently at huge discounts. This article will look in-depth at five of the most [...] The post Best Presale Cryptos: Unlocking Liquidity- DexBoss and the Future of Decentralized Finance!! appeared first on Blockonomi.

Chainlink price moved sideways on Friday, but the ongoing whale activity and technicals point to an eventual rebound. Chainlink (LINK) was trading at $14.20, where it has stalled over the past few days. This price is about 45% above its…

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Britain’s financial watchdog, has decided to step in and stop financial institutions from giving credit to facilitate the purchase of cryptocurrency assets. The decision is part of a larger set of rules the institution aims to include to streamline crypto regulation. “Crypto is an area of potential growth for the […]

eToro's potential IPO signals renewed market confidence and could catalyze further fintech and crypto-related public offerings. The post eToro eyes US IPO launch as early as next week amid easing concerns over Trump’s tariffs appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

In the annals of financial history, few institutions have faced the tempests of competition with the steadfast resolve of Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC). Born in 2013 as a private placement, GBTC pioneered regulated Bitcoin investment, granting investors access to Bitcoin’s (BTC) meteoric rise without the perils of digital wallets or unregulated exchanges.On Jan. 11, 2024, it transitioned into a spot Bitcoin ETF following a landmark victory against the SEC. This marked a pivotal moment with the SEC’s view that ETFs can offer lower expense ratios and enhanced tax efficiency compared to traditional funds. Even still, GBTC’s financial resilience shines, generating $268.5 million in annual revenue, surpassing the $211.8 million of all other US spot Bitcoin ETFs combined, despite losing over half its holdings with $18 billion in outflows since early 2024. This is no fleeting triumph of inertia. The numbers tell a tale of paradox. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), with $56 billion in assets under management (AUM) and a 0.25% fee, generated $137 million in 2024 while achieving $35.8 billion in inflows and $1 billion in daily trading volume within weeks of launch. Meanwhile, GBTC’s 1.5% expense ratio, up to seven times higher than competitors, fuels its revenue lead, even though it bled $17.4 billion in outflows, with a record single-day loss of $618 million on March 19, 2024, driven by investors chasing lower fees or capitalizing on the trust’s historical discount to net asset value (NAV), which plummeted from 50% to near zero by July 2024.This clash of revenue dominance and capital flight demands scrutiny, unveiling the intricate dance of investor psychology, market dynamics and Grayscale’s calculated resilience.Yet, GBTC’s $18 billion in AUM and its ability to generate $268.5 million despite significant outflows points to a deeper narrative: tax friction and institutionalized inertia. The inability of companies, family offices and other institutions to quickly pivot due to tax barriers and company directives bubbles to the surface. The $100-billion total spot Bitcoin ETF market points to the stakes of this contest, with Grayscale’s revenue dominance poised to evolve as competition intensifies.Related: The sentiment engine of Bitcoin ETFs is rewiring market structureWhat sustains GBTC’s revenue crown in this crucible of competition? Is it the arithmetic of high fees applied to a still-formidable AUM, the loyalty of battle-scarred investors, or the unseen weight of tax frictions binding them to their positions?As we probe this question, we uncover the mechanics of GBTC’s dominance and the broader currents shaping the future of crypto investment. The answer lies in a potent blend of history, strategy and the unyielding faith of investors in a titan that, against all odds, refuses to yield.GBTC Rev vs. all other ETFs. Source: CoinGlassGrayscale’s high-fee revenue engineAt the core of GBTC’s revenue dominance lies its 1.5% expense ratio, a towering figure beside competitors like IBIT and FBTC (both 0.25%), Bitwise (0.24%) and Franklin Templeton (0.19%).Applied to $17.9 billion in AUM, this fee yields $268.5 million annually, eclipsing the $211.8-million combined revenue of all other US spot Bitcoin ETFs, which manage $89 billion collectively.ETF Store president Nate Geraci remarked on X, “GBTC still making more [money] than all of the other ETFs combined… And it’s not even close.” This arithmetic edge endures despite $21 billion in outflows since January 2024, including a daily average loss of $89.9 million, underscoring the sheer power of high fees on a substantial asset base.Source: Nate GeraciThe fee structure is both GBTC’s bastion and its Achilles’ heel. Before its ETF conversion, GBTC charged 2%, a rate justified by its monopoly as the sole US vehicle for Bitcoin exposure within traditional portfolios. Post-conversion, the 1.5% fee draws ire, with Bryan Armour, director of passive strategies research for Morningstar, predicting sustained outflows as investors flock to cheaper alternatives. Grayscale’s counterstroke was the Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC), launched in March 2025 with a 0.15% fee (the lowest among US spot Bitcoin ETPs). Seeded with 10% of GBTC’s Bitcoin holdings ($1.7 billion AUM), the Mini Trust has drawn $168.9 million in inflows, targeting cost-conscious investors. However, the Mini Trust’s lower revenue per dollar of AUM ($2.55 million annually) pales beside GBTC’s $268.5 million, reinforcing the latter’s dominance.Grayscale’s dual strategy (high-fee GBTC for revenue, low-fee Mini Trust for retention) reveals a nuanced defense, but the fortress of GBTC’s fees remains unbreached, its revenue crown secure for now.Legacy and loyaltyBeyond the arithmetic of fees, GBTC’s revenue supremacy rests on its storied legacy, the fierce loyalty it inspires and the formidable tax frictions that tether investors to its fold. Since 2013, Grayscale has been the standard-bearer of regulated Bitcoin investment, overcoming regulatory tempests to become the first publicly traded Bitcoin fund in 2015 and the largest spot Bitcoin ETF by AUM ($26 billion) upon its NYSE Arca listing in 2024.Its August 2023 legal victory against the US SEC, which compelled the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs, solidified its stature as a pioneer. This legacy resonates with institutional and accredited investors, many of whom entered GBTC during its private placement phase or at steep NAV discounts, forging a bond that endures.Tax considerations form a silent but mighty anchor. Many early GBTC investors purchased shares at low prices, with Bitcoin trading at $800 in 2013 compared to the mid-$90,000 range by May 2025. This roughly 120-fold increase has generated substantial unrealized capital gains, making sales costly.Related: Bitcoin price recovers, Ethereum RWA value up 20%: April in chartsAn investor who purchased 100 shares of GBTC at $10 in 2015 and now sees them valued at $400 each would be sitting on a $39,000 capital gain. Selling those shares to move into a lower-fee ETF like IBIT or FBTC could trigger a tax bill of $7,800 at the 20% long-term capital gains rate typically applied to high-net-worth individuals or $5,850 at the 15% rate for others. This kind of taxable event often discourages redemptions, particularly for long-term holders in taxable accounts.On the other hand, for those holding GBTC in tax-advantaged vehicles such as IRAs or 401(k)s, gains can be deferred and, in the case of Roth IRAs, avoided entirely, making GBTC comparatively more attractive for legacy investors reluctant to switch.Psychological factors amplify these barriers. Loss aversion (the reluctance to realize taxable gains) and loyalty to Grayscale’s brand deter investors from abandoning a vehicle that weathered Bitcoin’s volatility. The closure of the NAV discount (from 50% to near zero in July 2024) spurred outflows as arbitrageurs cashed out. Still, core holders remain, bolstered by trust in Grayscale’s custodianship via Coinbase Custody, which secures $18.08 billion in AUM in May 2024. Its investor base, spanning crypto-native institutions, hedge funds and retail clients via platforms like Fidelity and Schwab, values its simplicity (no crypto wallets required) and regulatory pedigree.While IBIT and FBTC draw new capital with lower fees and liquidity, GBTC retains a niche among those who see it as a battle-tested titan. Former Grayscale CEO Michael Sonnenshein’s claim that outflows are reaching “equilibrium” suggests a stabilizing core, with tax frictions and legacy fortifying retention. In a market driven by innovation, GBTC’s history, bolstered by tax barriers and investor faith, is its shield, guarding its revenue crown against the relentless advance of newer rivals.A historical timeline graphic showing GBTC milestones (2013 launch, 2015 public trading, 2023 SEC victory, 2024 ETF conversion), with Bitcoin price spikes ($800 to $103,000) and AUM growth overlaid. Source: Dr. Michael Tabone Magazine: ZK-proofs are bringing smart contracts to Bitcoin — BitcoinOS and Starknet

• #bitcoin

Start the month with the latest crypto insights, read U.Today’s daily news digest!

• #bitcoin

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson used his 1 May 2025 livestream to unveil the first quantitative performance figures for Ouroboros Leios, the protocol upgrade that—if it performs in production as the prototype already does in simulation—promises what he called “an infinitely scalable protocol, a one-minus-delta protocol.” Ouroboros Leios: Cardano’s Boldest Upgrade Yet Speaking from Colorado, Hoskinson […]

• #Cardano

Transaction value has climbed to a significant high on the TRON network, with daily transactions crossing a new threshold TRX could see a breakout rally to $0.32, with just one key obstacle aheThe post All about TRON's $10B latest milestone and why TRX traders are split appeared first on AMBCrypto.

This content is provided by a sponsor. Fantasy Pepe ($FEPE) brings together three massive worlds; football, meme culture, and crypto, into a wild and unpredictable fantasy game that’s powered by AI. The core idea is simple but brilliant: users predict the outcomes of meme football matches managed by AI personalities like ChatGPT and DeepSeek, and […]

Ethereum price has been in a strong downward trend against Bitcoin, and a rare chart pattern points to more downside.  Ethereum (ETH) dropped to 0.01890, its lowest level since January 2020 and 80% below its 2021 high.  This decline comes…

Cardano gains attention in 2025, but Lightchain AI’s $19.6m presale hints at even stronger investor momentum. #partnercontent

• #bitcoin
• #Cardano

The US Central Intelligence Agency is increasingly incorporating Bitcoin (BTC) as a tool in its operations, and working with the cryptocurrency is a matter of national security, Michael Ellis, the agency’s deputy director, told podcast host Anthony Pompliano.In an appearance on the market analyst and investor’s show, Ellis told Pompliano that the intelligence agency works with law enforcement to track BTC, and it is a point of data collection in counter-intelligence operations. Ellis added:"Bitcoin is here to stay — cryptocurrency is here to stay. As you know, more and more institutions are adopting it, and I think that is a great trend. One that this administration has obviously been leaning forward into.""It's another area of competition where we need to ensure the United States is well-positioned against China and other adversaries," Ellis said.Podcast host and investor Anthony Pompliano (left) and Deputy CIA director Michael Ellis (right). Source: Anthony PomplianoAlthough Ellis's comments point to Bitcoin maturing as an asset, they also reflect the increased involvement of governments and institutions in Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. This increased involvement runs contrary to the libertarian and cypherpunk ethos originally inherent in crypto.Related: Geopolitical tensions fuel central bank shift toward gold, crypto — BlackRock execBitcoin: from cypherpunk experiment to state reserve assetUS President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve on March 7, to mixed reactions from the Bitcoin community.Bitcoin Magazine CEO David Bailey celebrated the move, while Venice AI founder and BTC advocate Erik Vorhees warned against the government owning any Bitcoin but added that if the US government is to adopt any crypto reserve, it should be Bitcoin-only.Concerns that cryptocurrencies have lost their cypherpunk roots predate the current market cycle and any strategic reserve legislation or comprehensive regulatory frameworks for digital assets.In March 2020, Therese Chambers, the former director of retail and regulatory investigations at the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), argued that cryptocurrencies had become increasingly financialized and institutionalized.Chambers added that digital assets were behaving far more like traditional financial instruments than the privacy-preserving tools they were initially billed as.Magazine: Big Questions: Did the NSA create Bitcoin?

• #bitcoin

Brown University is the first Ivy League school to buy Bitcoin

• #bitcoin

eToro Group Ltd. is preparing to launch its long-delayed U.S. initial public offering as soon as next week, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.  The Israel-based trading platform had paused its IPO plans in early April amid market…

Strategy's ambitious but risky Bitcoin bets are gaining endorsements from Wall Street.

• #bitcoin

Start the month with the latest crypto insights, read U.Today’s daily news digest!

• #bitcoin

Brown University has revealed a new $4.9 million investment in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust. This investment stems from a 13F filing, which reveals that 105,000 shares were purchased, marking the university’s initial reported investment in a spot Bitcoin ETF. The…

• #bitcoin

Key points:The US labor market is “still holding up” as nonfarm payrolls data comes in higher than expected.Bitcoin and stocks head higher as US President Donald Trump repeats calls for the Fed to lower interest rates.BTC price action may spark a “liquidity grab” above $97,000, a trader warns.Bitcoin (BTC) hit new multimonth highs after the May 2 Wall Street open as US nonfarm payrolls data beat expectations.BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBitcoin meanders after nonfarm payrolls beatData from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC/USD building on $97,000 as markets digested the latest in a bumper week of macro data.Nonfarm payrolls indicated 177,000 jobs added in April, considerably more than the roughly 140,000 forecast.“The labor market is still holding up,” trading resource The Kobeissi Letter wrote in part of a reaction on X.The strong result is ostensibly less bullish for crypto and risk assets as it implies that the labor market is more resilient to tight financial conditions, including raised interest rates, than expected.This, in turn, gives the US Federal Reserve more leeway to keep those conditions in play for longer, depriving markets of the liquidity influx associated with lower rates.Despite this, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite Index were both up more than 1.3% on the day at the time of writing.In his latest post on Truth Social, meanwhile, US President Donald Trump reiterated calls on the Fed to cut rates — an approach adopted throughout his ongoing implementation of trade tariffs.“Consumers have been waiting for years to see pricing come down. NO INFLATION, THE FED SHOULD LOWER ITS RATE!!!” part of the post stated, referencing various inflation markers.Source: Truth SocialAs Cointelegraph reported, the Fed’s next decision on rates will come on May 7, with markets overwhelmingly seeing no change to the current regime. The latest data from CME Group’s FedWatch Tool puts the odds of a cut next week at just 2%.Fed target rate probabilities for May FOMC meeting. Source: CME GroupWarning over BTC price “liquidity grab”In Bitcoin circles, market participants eyed sellers’ response to continued pushes higher through the week.Related: Bitcoin hodler unrealized profits near 350% as $100K risks sell-off“Going to be an interesting day ahead,” popular trader Skew told X followers alongside a chart of exchange order book liquidity.“Sellers have been defending $97.2K & shorts continue to scale into price. Passive spot flow will probably again decide the trend.”BTC/USDT charts with order book liquidity data. Source: Skew/XFellow trader Daan Crypto Trades warned that current local highs may end up a ploy to take liquidity before a reversal.“$BTC Broke out of the $93K to $96K range after price action got compressed for about a week,” part of an X post read prior to the macro data releases. “So far it's a similar setup as the week before, but I wouldn't want to see it trade back into that $93K-$96K range or this would just be a liquidity grab.”BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: Daan Crypto Trades/XAnother popular trader known as TheKingfisher referenced bid liquidity as a reason for a short-term dip to $95,000.Trader and analyst Rekt Capital, meanwhile, gave an end-of-week BTC price target requirement of $99,000.“If Bitcoin continues to hold above $93,500 (as it has been thus far), then price will be positioned for a move across the range,” he explained alongside the weekly BTC/USD chart the day prior.“However, it's key that $BTC breaks the black Lower High resistance within this Range which is positioned at ~$99k this week.”BTC/USD 1-week chart. Source: Rekt Capital/XThis 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

Has Bitcoin price prediction turned a corner, with real on-chain movement toward $175,000 — or are we skipping steps by already entertaining BlackRock’s $700,000 thesis? BTC nears $98K as bullish momentum reignites After weeks of sideways movement, Bitcoin (BTC) nearly…

• #bitcoin

Bitcoin whales have continued to choose Coinbase for possible liquidation reasons

• #bitcoin

In just 15 days, the tokenized Treasury market ballooned by $560 million, catapulting its total value to an impressive $6.5 billion as of May 2, 2025. BUIDL and USTB Drive 98% of Tokenized Treasury Market Growth in Just Two Weeks The Blackrock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL), powered by Securitize, captured the lion’s share […]

Bitcoin ready to replace money, former PayPal president predicts

• #bitcoin

Bitcoin Magazine Maya Parbhoe’s Credibility Crisis: Suriname Unlikely To Be Next Bitcoin Country The Surinamese political candidate has projected an image of herself as a successful businesswoman running as a pro-Bitcoin presidential candidate to the international Bitcoin community, but those who’ve interacted with her on the ground — or those who’ve obtained reported government intel on her — tell a different story. This post Maya Parbhoe’s Credibility Crisis: Suriname Unlikely To Be Next Bitcoin Country first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Frank Corva.

• #bitcoin

Coinspeaker Crypto Regulation: UK FCA Calls For Public Input on DeFi Offerings The FCA wants input on staking, lending, DeFi, and more as it moves to regulate crypto under upcoming UK law. Crypto Regulation: UK FCA Calls For Public Input on DeFi Offerings

Coinspeaker Tether Plans U.S. Expansion with New Stablecoin Amid Strong Market Performance and Strategic Investments Tether is launching a U.S.-based stablecoin to expand its presence and comply with American crypto regulations. Tether Plans U.S. Expansion with New Stablecoin Amid Strong Market Performance and Strategic Investments

Coinspeaker Immutable (IMX) Turns Bullish as Volume Skyrockets 300% IMX has surged nearly 12% in the last 24 hours, breaking free from a multi-month downtrend as bullish momentum gains strength. Immutable (IMX) Turns Bullish as Volume Skyrockets 300%

A Texas Republican congressman has proposed installing cryptocurrency ATMs in United States federal buildings. Rep. Lance Gooden wrote a May 1 letter to Stephen Ehikian, who is presently acting administrator for the General Services Administration (GSA), news reports said. Related Reading: The Bitcoin That Got Away: Docuseries Explores $800 Million Trash Tragedy Trump Ally Frames […]

• #bitcoin

Strategy was left with $56B in capital to be raised in its $84B fund plan.  MSTR doubled BTC gains during the Q2 2025 recovery.  Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) has doubled its initial BThe post Bitcoin: MicroStrategy unveils $84B capital plan for more BTC buys - Details appeared first on AMBCrypto.

• #bitcoin

Traders watching where XRP price goes next

Texas Representative Lance Gooden has formally asked the General Services Administration to consider installing cryptocurrency ATMs in federal buildings across the United States.  Gooden cited the need to modernize public infrastructure and support a growing segment of Americans engaging with…

The Fed's decision to maintain rates could stabilize markets, but Trump's push for cuts highlights ongoing debates over economic strategy. The post Trump urges Fed to lower rates, but strong jobs data makes a cut in June less likely appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

XRP lawyer John Deaton reveals why Circle may have rejected Ripple USDC bid, and why it is not end yet

Binance Coin continued to consolidate at a crucial resistance level as the number of transactions in the network rose. It also wavered as its staking yield and inflows continued rising.  Binance Coin (BNB) price was trading at $600 on Friday,…

Bitcoin rose to highs of $97,059

• #bitcoin

Dogecoin’s remarkable 6% surge has reaffirmed its enduring appeal within the cryptocurrency market, drawing the attention of traders and investors alike. This performance underscores the importance of resilience and innovation in blockchain technology. Building on this momentum, Ruvi AI emerges as a groundbreaking platform set to redefine the blockchain space with its practical applications and [...] The post Dogecoin’s (DOGE) Resilience Inspires Markets While Ruvi AI (RUVI) Is Expected to Turn $900 into $90,000 in 2025 appeared first on Blockonomi.