Stock futures decline as oil hits $110 and Iran tensions boost Fed rate hike odds to 54%. Nvidia (NVDA) earnings Wednesday could shift sentiment. The post Stock Futures Tumble as Crude Oil Surges Past $110 Amid Escalating Iran Crisis appeared first on Blockonomi.

Tesla (TSLA) stock drops in premarket after CFO sells 3,000 shares for tax obligations. Insider sales reach $30.9M in three months with no purchases. The post Tesla (TSLA) Stock Dips as CFO Taneja Offloads Shares Worth $1.35M appeared first on Blockonomi.

NextNRG (NXXT) stock jumped 92% in premarket trading after Q1 revenue reached $21.1M, surpassing estimates as margins improved and losses narrowed significantly. The post NextNRG (NXXT) Stock Rockets Nearly 92% on Strong Q1 Earnings Performance appeared first on Blockonomi.

Altcoin rotation hopes rise as Van de Poppe links business-cycle signals, copper-gold strength and Clarity Act progress to crypto recovery.

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Iran's proposal could ease geopolitical tensions, potentially stabilizing oil markets and fostering diplomatic progress in the region. The post Iran proposes long truce, Hormuz reopening in US nuclear talks appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Iran's truce proposal may ease regional tensions, potentially stabilizing global oil markets and fostering diplomatic progress with the US. The post Iran proposes truce, Strait of Hormuz reopening amid nuclear talks appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Fresh SEC 13F filing reveals Goldman Sachs completely exited its $154 million spot XRP ETF position, shifting capital to Hyperliquid (PURR) equities.

Bitcoin Magazine Strategy (MSTR) Spends A Massive $2 Billion on More Bitcoin, Lifts Holdings to 843,738 BTC Strategy said Monday it acquired an additional 24,869 bitcoin for approximately $2.01 billion. This post Strategy (MSTR) Spends A Massive $2 Billion on More Bitcoin, Lifts Holdings to 843,738 BTC first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

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Bitcoin Depot (BTCD) filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, closing 9,276 Bitcoin ATMs after revenue dropped 49% and regulators targeted crypto ATM fraud totaling $389M. The post Bitcoin Depot (BTCD) Collapses: America’s Top Crypto ATM Network Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy appeared first on Blockonomi.

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Dominion Energy (D) surges on acquisition talks, LiveRamp (RAMP) jumps on $2.5B deal, Bitcoin Depot (BTM) crashes 63% after bankruptcy filing. The post Major Stock Moves Monday: Dominion Energy (D) Soars on Acquisition Rumors, Bitcoin Depot (BTM) Collapses appeared first on Blockonomi.

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Will BTC's price react the same way it did last time such reports went live?

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Strategy added 24,869 bitcoin to its treasury for approximately $2.01 billion, pushing its total holdings to 843,738 BTC as the company also moves to retire $1.5 billion in convertible debt. Strategy Crosses 843K BTC After $2 Billion Purchase and Convertible Note Buyback Michael Saylor announced the purchase on May 18, 2026, via X, noting an […]

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Nvidia's rising price targets highlight the intense competition and uncertainty in AI infrastructure investment, impacting future market dynamics. The post Aletheia raises Nvidia price target to $270 ahead of earnings appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

The covert bases in Iraq could escalate regional tensions, complicate Iraq's sovereignty, and impact future Middle Eastern alliances. The post Israel reportedly built two covert military bases in Iraq ahead of Iran conflict appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

The incident risks straining Russia-China ties, potentially impacting sanctions evasion networks and increasing regulatory scrutiny on crypto. The post Russian drone strikes Chinese ship near Odessa days before Putin meets Xi Jinping appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Micron (MU) stock jumped 2.49% premarket Monday amid Samsung strike threats and a Bank of America price target hike to $950 on tight memory supply. The post Micron (MU) Stock Climbs 2.5% as Samsung Labor Dispute Threatens Global Memory Chip Supply appeared first on Blockonomi.

XRP consolidates near $1.45 as CLARITY Act optimism rises and SHRMiner cloud mining gains attention. This week, after forming several bullish reversal patterns on the weekly chart, the price of XRP continued to consolidate near a key breakout zone; meanwhile,…

Strategy bought 24,869 BTC for $2.01B, lifting holdings to 843,738 BTC as Bitcoin fell below $77K and ETF outflows rose.

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Former Ripple CTO David Schwartz has sent an undisclosed amount of XRP to John Deaton’s US Senate campaign, giving Deaton’s latest fundraising push a direct signal of support from one of the XRP community’s most recognizable figures. Schwartz Donates XRP To Deaton Senate Bid The exchange played out publicly on X after Deaton appealed for […]

Baidu (BIDU) stock climbed 3% premarket as Q1 AI cloud revenue surged 49%, marking a historic milestone even as net profit tumbled 55% year-over-year. The post Baidu (BIDU) Stock Climbs 3% as AI Cloud Division Crosses Historic Revenue Threshold appeared first on Blockonomi.

Regeneron (REGN) stock falls 11% after fianlimab melanoma drug fails Phase 3 trial vs Keytruda. Analysts slash targets amid mounting pipeline concerns. The post Regeneron (REGN) Stock Plummets 11% Following Late-Stage Melanoma Trial Disappointment appeared first on Blockonomi.

EchoStar (SATS) stock surges near 12-month highs on SpaceX IPO buzz, $40B spectrum deal, and S&P 500 inclusion despite mixed Q1 earnings performance. The post EchoStar (SATS) Stock Surges on SpaceX IPO Speculation and $40B FCC Spectrum Deal appeared first on Blockonomi.

Compass Pathways (CMPS) stock jumped 30% pre-market after Q1 earnings beat, FDA rolling NDA review approval, and Commissioner's Priority Voucher for COMP360. The post Compass Pathways (CMPS) Stock Rockets 30% on FDA Rolling Review and Priority Voucher appeared first on Blockonomi.

Standard Chartered's acquisition of Zodia Custody's crypto business strengthens its position in the competitive digital-asset custody market. The post Standard Chartered plans to acquire Zodia Custody’s crypto business appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Nvidia's Rubin platform could reshape AI infrastructure, intensifying competition and impacting global tech supply chains and market dynamics. The post Nvidia’s Rubin platform to drive AI server growth in second half of 2026 appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

You’ve watched the market move while you slept — and missed it. You’ve heard that hedge funds and algorithm traders are consistently on the right side of trades, not because they’re smarter, but because they have better tools. And every time you’ve looked into quantitative trading, you’ve hit a wall: intimidating dashboards, Python tutorials, or [...] The post Best AI Crypto Trading Bots & Platforms in 2026 (No Code, No Experience Needed) appeared first on Blockonomi.

UK regulators opened feedback on tokenized wholesale markets as 16 firms test live asset issuance and settlement in a sandbox program.

Strategy's Bitcoin acquisition may bolster market confidence, yet it hasn't significantly altered predictions for substantial price increases. The post Strategy buys $2B in Bitcoin, adding 20,879 BTC to holdings appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

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XRP still faces short-term downside risk, with a symmetrical triangle breakdown pointing to a possible drop toward $1.00–$1.10.

Bitcoin analysis says BTC price could revisit the $65,000 demand area after fresh US-Iran war tensions soured the crypto market mood.

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Bitcoin Cash price plunged sharply this week after losing the key psychological $400 support level, raising concerns that the cryptocurrency could revisit its 2025 lows if bearish momentum continues accelerating. According to data from crypto.news, Bitcoin Cash (BCH) price dropped…

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The company's founder hinted at the big buy yesterday on X.

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Cassidy's primary loss underscores the growing influence of Trump-backed candidates, reshaping GOP dynamics and future electoral strategies. The post Cassidy loses Louisiana primary, ending Senate nomination bid appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

This significant Bitcoin acquisition underscores the growing trend of corporations diversifying into cryptocurrency, impacting market dynamics. The post Strategy buys approximately 25,000 Bitcoin for over $2 billion appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

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"The target is just south of $5, and that would be a 240% jump," one analyst predicted.

Adopting a zero-trust approach is crucial as sophisticated phishing schemes exploit trusted infrastructures, increasing crypto theft risks. The post Jameson Lopp warns crypto holders to adopt zero trust approach after phishing scheme appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

GCT Semiconductor (GCTS) stock jumped 14% premarket after Q1 revenue surged 287% YoY and the company announced a satellite communications deal. The post GCT Semiconductor (GCTS) Stock Jumps 14% on Satellite Partnership and Strong Q1 Growth appeared first on Blockonomi.

The liquidation highlights the crypto market's vulnerability to macroeconomic shifts, potentially leading to increased volatility and cautious trading. The post $563M in crypto longs liquidated in 24 hours, biggest wipeout since February appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

David Schwartz rejected XRP meme coins as investments after FUZZY rumors spread, warning users not to confuse wallet activity with endorsement.

[PRESS RELEASE – Willemstand, Curaçao, May 18th, 2026] International iGaming and crypto-entertainment brand 1win has officially announced the launch of its new global crypto tournament system, featuring competition formats with prize pools ranging from 10,000 USDT to 200,000 USDT. With the new approach to crypto gaming, 1win invited players worldwide to compete for crypto rewards […]

[PRESS RELEASE – London, United Kingdom, May 18th, 2026] Quantography Labs announced the early-access release of Lock.com, a hardware-free crypto wallet built around an isolated, air-gapped security approach. Lock.com is now available to early access users. The platform separates private key storage from network-connected systems, removing the need for dedicated hardware wallet devices. Hardware wallets […]

The lending protocol Aave has reinstated collateral parameters for wETH across six networks. This marks the next phase in the plan to address the aftermath of the April Kelp hack. The next step in the rsETH technical recovery plan has been completed with the restoration of WETH LTVs to their pre-incident levels across all affected networks. Users can now once again borrow against WETH on Aave, including through collateral and debt swaps. https://t.co/6BzxUtu3Ci— Stani (@StaniKulechov) May 17, 2026 Developers have restored the loan-to-value ratio to previous levels in the Ethereum (Core and Prime) networks, Arbitrum, Base, Mantle, and Linea. Users can once again borrow against wETH and utilize collateral and debt swap functions. Restrictions were imposed after attackers exploited a vulnerability in Kelp's rsETH bridge. The hackers managed to mint unsecured tokens worth $292 million and withdrew about $230 million in ETH from Aave pools. As an emergency measure, the protocol set the LTV for wETH to zero, effectively banning its use as collateral. According to governance documents, the LTV ratios have returned to the following levels: Ethereum Core — 80.5%; Ethereum Prime — 84%; Arbitrum, Base, and Linea — 80%; Mantle — 80.5%. The team reports that of the 112,103 rsETH created during the attack, nearly 107,000 coins have been recovered through liquidations in Aave and Compound. The remaining deficit of 5,200 rsETH is expected to be covered by the industry coalition DeFi United. Aave's founder, Stani Kulechov, described the update as a significant step towards the technical recovery of the system. wETH is a key asset in decentralized finance. Lifting the restrictions should restore liquidity and give users access to leverage strategies. In May, Aave liquidated the remaining positions of the Kelp hacker in rsETH as part of the approved recovery plan. Later, representatives from Kelp and Aave announced their intention to return 117,132 rsETH within two weeks.

UnitedHealth (UNH) stock dropped over 5% after Berkshire Hathaway sold its entire stake. Medicare challenges and regulatory issues add to investor concerns. The post UnitedHealth (UNH) Stock Plunges 5% as Berkshire Hathaway Dumps Entire Position appeared first on Blockonomi.

Bank of America initiates ServiceNow (NOW) stock with Buy rating and $130 target, seeing AI workflow opportunities despite 38% YTD decline. The post ServiceNow (NOW) Stock: Bank of America Sets $130 Price Target After Major Selloff appeared first on Blockonomi.

ARK Invest sold $40.6M in TSMC and $10.9M in AMD, adding Cerebras Systems, Tempus AI, and defense stocks. ARKK trails S&P 500 by 11% YTD in 2026. The post ARK Invest Dumps $40M in TSMC Stock, Pivots to Cerebras and AI Healthcare appeared first on Blockonomi.

XRPL validators face a May 27 upgrade deadline as version 3.1.3 brings fixes for NFTs, domains, vaults and lending protocol tools.

A crypto trader who staked solana for two years and earned $145,000 in rewards still exited with a net loss of $1.05 million. A Loss Despite Earning Staking Rewards The trader’s total cost basis stood at roughly $2.91 million. Over two years of staking, the wallet earned an additional 1,711 SOL in rewards, worth approximately […]

Baidu's earnings beat highlights the potential for AI and autonomous driving investments to drive growth, despite macroeconomic uncertainties. The post Baidu posts Q1 2026 earnings beat as revenue hits 32.08 billion yuan appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

AI21's pivot to Maestro highlights the volatility in AI markets, emphasizing the need for adaptability and strategic partnerships to sustain growth. The post AI21 cuts over 60% of staff, shifts focus to Maestro platform appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Monero price continued sliding this week after losing a major ascending trendline support, increasing the risk of a deeper correction toward the $350 region as bearish momentum strengthens. According to data from crypto.news, Monero (XMR) price traded around $387 at…

Increased military preparations by Israel and the IDF could destabilize the region, reducing prospects for peace and heightening conflict risks. The post Israeli preparations signal potential escalation in Iran conflict appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Standard Chartered's acquisition enhances its competitive edge in the growing institutional crypto custody market, aligning with regulatory trends. The post Standard Chartered moves to take full control of Zodia Custody’s digital asset business appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Zcash whale faces a $19.68 million liquidation at $494.55, putting the WSJ's "next Bitcoin" narrative to a brutal market test.

XRP Ledger Validators face crucial deadline ahead of May upgrade.

Crypto users face phishing emails that abuse real Google alerts targeting exchange and DeFi accounts with hidden links and fake login traps.

Bitcoin Depot Inc, once the largest operator of Bitcoin ATMs in the world, watched its stock lose more than 40% in the week before Monday’s bankruptcy announcement, dragging the year-to-date loss to 67%. When the filing became public, the company’s shares, BTM, dropped an additional 20% in overnight trading. The NASDAQ-listed company had built its […]

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PRESS RELEASE. Lucky Projects has announced that two major names from the global iGaming industry – BC.GAME and Roobet – have officially joined the Statto.com revival project as strategic partners and investors, supporting the platform’s ongoing redevelopment ahead of its highly anticipated relaunch. The announcement follows LuckyVerse Projects Ltd’s acquisition of Statto.com, one of the […]

A bond selloff could destabilize markets, challenging traditional investment strategies and potentially prompting central bank intervention. The post Morgan Stanley warns stock rally at risk from bond selloff appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Increased military focus may escalate US-Iran tensions, reducing chances for diplomatic solutions and impacting regional stability. The post Trump convenes Situation Room meeting as US-Iran nuclear deal stalls appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

The 25th-largest Bitcoin treasury company acquired $15 million worth of BTC as one of only four treasury firms to announce a corporate Bitcoin investment during May.

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Bitcoin started the week with a dip toward new May lows as ongoing BTC price pressures included "collapsing" US bond markets.

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AFX, a sovereign Layer 1 purpose-built for decentralized derivatives trading, has officially commenced the operation of its L1 Mainnet, signaling a definitive end to the era of trade execution compromised by general-purpose blockchain congestion.

Goldman Sachs cut its crypto ETF exposure in Q1 2026, exiting XRP and Solana funds while trimming Bitcoin and Ether ETFs and reshaping equity bets.

South Korea’s FSC is reportedly reviewing Hana Bank’s $668 million Dunamu stake under “banking-commerce separation” rules that limit bank ownership tied to crypto firms.

Proof of Talk, widely known as the Davos of Web3, today confirmed its 2026 programme and opened remaining passes for its fourth edition at the Louvre Palace in Paris on June 2–3.

Geopolitical tensions heighten market volatility, undermining investor confidence in Bitcoin's stability and potential for significant gains. The post Bitcoin falls below $77,000 as Trump warns on Iran tensions appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

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Multiple phishing emails have been sent out to cryptocurrency exchange users in a new phishing campaign.

South Korea’s FSC is reviewing Hana Bank’s $668M Dunamu stake under bank-commerce rules as finance firms push deeper into crypto assets now.

Heightened geopolitical tensions could disrupt global oil markets, impacting economic stability and complicating diplomatic resolutions. The post G7 meets in Paris as Iran plans Strait of Hormuz transit fees amid tensions appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

The entry of Kalshi and Polymarket into India could reshape the global prediction market landscape, potentially influencing regulatory frameworks. The post Kalshi and Polymarket open doors to Indian users, creating a prediction market duopoly in one of the world’s largest betting markets appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

SpaceX's IPO could reshape capital markets, drawing significant institutional funds and impacting tech investment dynamics globally. The post SpaceX plans to file for IPO as soon as this week appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

A coordinated exploit drained approximately $11.5 million from the Verus-Ethereum bridge on May 18, with security firm Blockaid linking the attacker’s wallet to Tornado Cash. Attacker Converts Loot to ETH and Tornado Cash Trail Emerges The Verus-Ethereum bridge was drained of approximately $11.5 million in a coordinated exploit, with analytics confirming that the attacker extracted […]

Goldman Sachs exited XRP and Solana ETFs in Q1, trimmed Bitcoin and Ether funds and added crypto-linked stocks in its latest SEC 13F filing.

• #litecoin

Hyperliquid price stabilized over the weekend after reclaiming a key bullish chart structure, while growing institutional adoption narratives continued supporting investor sentiment around the decentralized derivatives protocol. According to data from crypto.news, Hyperliquid (HYPE) price was trading around $45 at…

Rising bond yields could shift investment away from risk assets, impacting crypto and equities, while central banks face policy challenges. The post Global bond selloff drives yields to multi-year highs amid market turmoil appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Despite a broader cryptocurrency market sell-off that dragged Bitcoin below $77,000, the HYPE token rebounded by over 5% on Monday, briefly matching and surpassing its previous peak of $47. HYPE Rebounds Amid Crypto Sell-Off Just days after plunging nearly 10% on reports that rivals ICE and CME had urged U.S. regulators to target Hyperliquid, HYPE […]

Jury weighs Elon Musk's lawsuit against Sam Altman and OpenAI over alleged breach of nonprofit mission. Trial reveals power struggles and political ambitions. The post Inside the Musk-OpenAI Legal Battle: Jury Weighs Nonprofit Promises and Billion-Dollar Claims appeared first on Blockonomi.

Ethereum price continued moving lower on Monday as rising macroeconomic uncertainty, weakening institutional demand, and growing exchange inflows pressured the broader crypto market. According to data from crypto.news, Ethereum (ETH) price fell more than 5% over the past 24 hours…

Nvidia stock fell 4.4% ahead of May 20 earnings. Analysts raised targets to $320 despite UBS warning of crowded positions. Is NVDA stock a buy now? The post Nvidia (NVDA) Stock Drops 4.4% Before Wednesday’s Earnings Report: Should You Buy? appeared first on Blockonomi.

Tesla (TSLA) raises Model Y prices up to $1,000 while automotive margins hit 21%. Analysis of TSLA stock valuation amid declining EV market. The post Tesla (TSLA) Stock: Price Hikes Continue Despite Broader EV Market Decline appeared first on Blockonomi.

Bitcoin slid under $77K as ETF outflows, Fed minutes, jobs data and Nvidia earnings set up a volatile week for crypto markets this week now

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A hacker drained approximately $11.58 million in assets from the Verus-Ethereum Bridge in a single transaction on May 17, 2026 — targeting a cross-chain infrastructure project that had explicitly marketed itself as immune to the kind of smart contract exploit that just gutted it. Related Reading: Iran Launches Bitcoin Payment Platform For Strait Of Hormuz […]

US investment in Intel may reshape global chip dynamics, impacting trade policies and tech dependencies, while challenging TSMC's dominance. The post Trump claims Intel would dominate chip market if he were president appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Metaplanet's engagement with Japanese lawmakers could accelerate Bitcoin's integration into national policy and traditional markets. The post Metaplanet CEO meets Japanese lawmaker to discuss Bitcoin strategy appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

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Increased military tensions could destabilize regional security, hinder diplomatic efforts, and impact global markets and alliances. The post Trump discusses resuming combat operations against Iran with security team appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt global shipping routes, impacting oil markets and international trade stability. The post Iran warns US as tensions rise in Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

SpaceX completes 5-for-1 stock split ahead of massive IPO. Details on timeline, valuation, Musk's compensation package, and impact on space sector stocks. The post SpaceX IPO: Everything You Need to Know About the Stock Split and Public Offering appeared first on Blockonomi.

Capital B has expanded its bitcoin treasury after deploying newly raised capital into the purchase of 192 BTC worth €13 million ($15.1 million). In a Monday announcement, Capital B said the latest acquisition followed the completion of three separate capital…

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Berkshire Hathaway sold $24B in stocks and tripled its Alphabet stake to $23B in Greg Abel's first quarter as CEO. Full portfolio breakdown inside. The post Berkshire Hathaway Offloads $24B in Equities While Expanding Alphabet Position Under New Leadership appeared first on Blockonomi.

ETH fell near $2,100 after Tom Lee linked selling to oil. crypto.news noted ETF outflows, whale deposits and higher exchange reserves today.

Cross-chain bridges, infrastructure that allows assets to move between separate blockchain networks, have now lost $328.6 million to attackers across eight separate incidents in May 2026. Crypto’s Worst Year for Cross-Chain Hacks Blockchain security and data analytics firm Peckshield released a mid-May tally of eight bridge-related exploits that collectively drained $328.6 million from cross-chain protocols […]

IKEA is cutting 1,650 jobs across Inter IKEA and Ingka Group amid declining sales, rising costs, and weakened consumer confidence from the Iran conflict. The post IKEA Announces 1,650 Job Cuts Amid Falling Sales and Economic Headwinds appeared first on Blockonomi.

Dominion Energy (D) stock jumped 11%+ in premarket after NextEra Energy reportedly offered $76/share in a potential $66 billion utility sector megadeal. The post Dominion Energy (D) Stock Soars 11% on Reported $66B NextEra Acquisition Bid appeared first on Blockonomi.

Ryanair (RYAAY) stock dropped 3% despite record FY26 profits of €2.26B as fuel costs surge past $150/barrel and the airline withholds FY27 guidance. The post Ryanair (RYAAY) Stock Drops Despite Record Profits as Fuel Price Uncertainty Looms appeared first on Blockonomi.

In contrast, BCH and PI have dumped the most from the large- and mid-cap alts.

• #litecoin
• #bitcoin

The potential automation of white-collar jobs by AI could reshape workforce dynamics, necessitating rapid adaptation and policy responses. The post Microsoft AI CEO predicts automation of white-collar jobs by 2027 appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

The EU's shift away from Chinese suppliers could reshape global supply chains, impacting costs, innovation, and geopolitical dynamics. The post European Union plans to mandate sourcing from non-Chinese suppliers by May 29 appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

On May 18, bitcoin fell to about $76,580 — the lowest since May 1. Altcoins slipped in its wake. Hourly chart of BTC/USDT on Binance. Source: TradingView. Fear and Greed Index stands at 27. Source: Alternative. Analysts linked the drop to rising U.S. Treasury yields, a stronger dollar and an escalation in the Middle East. The day before, U.S. president Donald Trump threatened Iran with military action if peace talks drag on. Against this backdrop, Brent crude rose to $111 and WTI to $107.7. Source: Trading Economics. Investors fear that pricier oil could nudge the Fed toward tighter policy. According to BTSE’s chief operating officer Jeff Mei, the market is pricing the risk of interest-rate hikes to fight inflation. Uncertainty has bled into crypto ETFs: $1 billion was withdrawn in the week of May 13–17, snapping a six-week run of inflows. Presto Research’s Min Jun noted that institutions are trimming exposure to risk assets ahead of macro data. Bitrue Research Institute called the pullback a “healthy correction” and highlighted support around $74,000. The sharp move triggered mass liquidations. In just 15 minutes at the start of the Asian session, almost $500 million of long positions were wiped out. Total forced long closures exceeded $606 million. Source: CoinGlass. BTC Markets analyst Rachel Lucas called bitcoin’s correction “a macroeconomic story.” In her words, risk appetite has declined, pushing up oil prices and bond yields while the stock market fell.  On Deribit, demand rose for put options with a $77,500 strike. Sean McNulty of FalconX added that the drop amplified the triggering of stop-losses set by investors last week. Retail investors Inflows of bitcoin from small players to Binance have fallen to record lows, according to an analyst who goes by Darkfost. 🗞️ Retail activity hits historic Lows as BTC Inflows collapseIt is often said that the Bitcoin market is constantly evolving and transforming over time.This can notably be observed through the behavior of different market participants, especially retail investors. Here,… pic.twitter.com/2E9SdmfOHp— Darkfost (@Darkfost_Coc) May 18, 2026 The expert classifies retail investors as wallet holders with balances under 1 BTC.  The current average monthly inflow from such users to Binance is 314 BTC. For comparison: during the bear phase of the current cycle it hovered around 1,800 BTC; at the March 2024 peak — about 1,200 BTC; in January 2024 — 1,000 BTC.  Previous cycles were far livelier: in 2018 retail inflows reached 5,400 BTC, and in 2021 — 2,600 BTC. Over two years the figure has fallen by more than threefold. Darkfost noted that retail investors are gradually “disappearing from observable on-chain activity.” He sees this as a market transformation: some small players may have exited the industry entirely, while others prefer to invest in bitcoin through spot ETFs rather than holding the asset directly. Long-term investors Darkfost observed an increase in the supply of bitcoin held by long-term holders (LTHs): they control 15.26 million BTC — the level of August 2024. Over the past 30 days the figure has risen by roughly 316,000 BTC. 📈 The supply held by Long Term Holders (LTHs) continues to increase as investors keep holding their BTC.➡️ We are now back to 15.26 million BTC held by these investors, who are generally considered much more stable than STHs. This brings the metric back to levels last seen… pic.twitter.com/0Cri4aFraB— Darkfost (@Darkfost_Coc) May 16, 2026 The picture has changed from late November, when net outflows from LTH wallets totaled 650,000 BTC. The expert noted that investors who bought the cryptocurrency around six months ago are in no hurry to take profits.  Darkfost expects a notable jump in the metric around May 23: 800,000 BTC previously moved by Coinbase will officially enter the “held for more than six months” category and add to the long-term holder supply. On May 13, the leading cryptocurrency fell below $80,000 amid accelerating U.S. inflation.

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Figure AI conducted a live 10-hour experiment where robots competed against a human in sorting parcels. We got bored. Time for Man vs. Machine https://t.co/HIqPGygWnF— Brett Adcock (@adcock_brett) May 17, 2026 The task involved identifying a barcode and placing the parcel on the conveyor belt with the barcode facing down. The robots worked in shifts: after about an hour, one bot replaced another, and over three hours later, the shift changed again. The human, by law, was entitled to breaks and lunch, while the robots worked non-stop. During the broadcast, Polymarket accepted bets on the winner. Many were confident in the androids' victory, although the task remains challenging for them, requiring quick reactions and fine motor skills. The expectation was simple: the human would tire and slow down. This did happen, yet he still won—12,924 parcels against the robots' 12,732. The average speed of both differed by only 0.04 seconds—2.79 per parcel versus 2.83. “This is the last time a human will ever win,” declared Figure AI CEO Brett Adcock. Congrats to Aime!! He said his left forearm is basically broken 😂Final scores:→ F.03: 12,732 packages (2.83 seconds/package)→ Aime: 12,924 packages (2.79 seconds/package)This is the last time a human will ever win pic.twitter.com/CalDzPZz4d— Brett Adcock (@adcock_brett) May 18, 2026 At the end of the 10-hour shift, the human received a beer, calloused hands, and a sore left forearm. The robots continued sorting—the broadcast is still ongoing. Back in February 2025, the startup Figure introduced its proprietary artificial intelligence, Helix, for integration with robots.

The dollar remains near six-week highs as Iran tensions escalate, oil prices jump 2%, and markets price in 70% odds of a Fed rate hike by December. The post Dollar Maintains Strength Amid Iran Crisis and Federal Reserve Rate Hike Expectations appeared first on Blockonomi.