Crypto News

Dubai-based DWF Labs has purchased $25 million in WLFI, the native token of the Trump family-backed World Liberty Financial.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the U.S. economy remains on solid footing despite slowing growth and lingering inflation, while warning that new trade policies could create uncertainty. Powell Channels Ferris Bueller: ‘Life Moves Pretty Fast’ as Fed Navigates Economic Crossroads Speaking at the Economic Club of Chicago, Powell’s speech emphasized the Fed’s dual mandate […]

LaunchLab by Raydium is now live, offering a more robust Solana token launchpad following a break with former ally Pump.fun.

A DOGE whale has drawn the crypto community’s attention following a recent transfer involving millions of the meme coin. This development comes as crypto analyst Master Kenobi predicted that a Dogecoin price breakout will happen “within hours.” DOGE Whale Moves 478 Million Coins As Dogecoin Price Eyes Breakout Whale Alert data shows a DOGE whale The post DOGE Whale Moves 478M Coins As Analyst Predicts Dogecoin Price Breakout “Within Hours” appeared first on CoinGape.

Former FTX CEO Sam “SBF” Bankman-Fried has moved from a transit facility to a California prison that once housed infamous gangster Al Capone.According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website, officials moved Bankman-Fried from the Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City briefly to the Federal Correctional Institution in Victorville before transferring him to a facility in Terminal Island in Los Angeles, California. The federal institution was once home to criminals like former Theranos chief operating officer Ramesh Balwani and Capone, who was convicted of tax evasion in 1931.During his 2023 trial and following his conviction on seven felony counts in 2024, Bankman-Fried was housed at the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York. However, officials moved the former FTX CEO after he was the subject of an interview by right-wing political commentator Tucker Carlson — an activity reportedly unsanctioned by authorities.Related: Sam Bankman-Fried posts for the first time in 2 years, FTX Token pumpsIt’s unclear whether Bankman-Fried will remain at the California facility until his tentative release date in 2044. A New York judge initially allowed SBF to remain in the state to assist during the appeal of his conviction and sentence — a process that could be hampered by the former FTX CEO’s current location.Moving to the right for a pardon?Since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, reports have suggested that Bankman-Fried may be attempting to reach out to right-wing advocates in an attempt to secure a presidential pardon. Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht received a pardon from Trump during his first few days in office — reportedly in a push to win over libertarians in the election — and is scheduled to appear at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas.Other former FTX executives, including Caroline Ellison and Ryan Salame, remain incarcerated in different facilities and largely out of the news since reporting to prison. FTX co-founder Gary Wang and former engineering director Nishad Singh were the only two individuals named in the initial indictment who received time served rather than prison.Magazine: XRP win leaves Ripple and industry with no crypto legal precedent set

US-based crypto trading platforms regaining influence over Bitcoin’s (BTC) token transfer volumes could possibly kick-start a rally in the second half of 2025. Bitcoin researcher Axel Adler Jr pointed out that the "US vs. off-shore ratio," which measures token transfer volumes between US-regulated and offshore exchanges, indicated a drop in dominance from US exchanges after BTC reached an all-time high in January. Bitcoin total transferred ratio chart (US vs off-shore). Source: X.comAs illustrated in the chart, a trend reversal is underway, which implies BTC transfer volumes on US exchanges are beginning to rise again, aligning with previous bull market rallies. A key technical indicator in the chart is the 90-day simple moving average (SMA) crossing above the 365-day SMA. Historically, this crossover has preceded major price rallies. For example, when this signal occurred at $60,000, Bitcoin began a rally within one week. This suggests a potential price surge may occur in the coming weeks.Likewise, verified onchain analyst Boris Vest said Bitcoin is still undervalued. In a quick take post on CryptoQuant, the analyst explained that Bitcoin exchange reserves have fallen to 2018 levels, with only 2.43 million BTC held on exchanges compared to 3.4 million in 2021, indicating long-term holding and reduced supply.The Bitcoin stablecoin supply ratio (SSR) at 14.3 highlighted that significant purchasing power remains, as the ratio is below 2021 levels. Boris said, “Since it hasn't yet reached 2021 levels, we can say that Bitcoin still appears to be undervalued. This suggests the bull market and buying pressure are likely to continue.”Related: Why is Bitcoin price down today?Bitcoin flips key monthly indicator, opening a path to $90KMarkets analyst Dom highlighted that Bitcoin’s recent multimonth downtrend breakout coincides with BTC flipping the monthly VWAP into support for the first time since January. Bitcoin analysis by Dom. Source: X.comThe Volume-Weighted Average Price (VWAP) is a technical indicator that calculates the average price weighted by trading volume. Traders use VWAP to assess trend shifts, identify support or resistance, and gauge whether an asset is overbought or oversold. Dom said, “Bulls have successfully held both of these levels for 4 days now, something we haven't seen in months. A move above yesterday's high and I think BTC runs near 90k.”However, Alphractal founder João Wedson remained cautious with Bitcoin near $86,000. He explained that waiting for a pullback if Bitcoin breaks above this level is the right approach, or bearish control might prevail. This echoes Alphractal's analysis of $86,300 as a key resistance zone with the potential of becoming a bull trap.Related: Bitcoin bulls ‘coming back’ as key metric on Binance flips to neutralThis 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.

The U.S. central bank has been monitoring the impact of Trump’s trade war on the labor market and consumer prices.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) looks primed for a possible breakout as the price action on the weekly chart constricts. Several cryptocurrency analysts are referring to a pattern formation that suggests SHIB could be on the verge of a massive price action following a consolidation phase. Shiba Inu Bullish Predictions Contrast With Technical Indicators One analyst, SHIB The post Shiba Inu Prepares for Weekly Breakout as Price Tightens: How High Can SHIB Go? appeared first on CoinGape.

Optimum Funding:- In a major stride toward addressing blockchain scalability and state access challenges, Optimum, a Web3 infrastructure startup, has raised $11 million in a funding round led by prominent crypto investors. The company is building a “memory layer” that aims to enable instant and permissionless access to historical on-chain data across all major blockchains. The post Optimum Raises $11M Funding to Build “Missed” Memory Layer for Blockchains appeared first on CoinGape.

OpenAI's o3 and o4-mini models introduce breakthrough image reasoning for enhanced performance in reasoning, visual, and coding tasks. The post OpenAI unveils o3 and o4-mini with breakthrough image reasoning appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Auradine, a Silicon Valley-based startup that specializes in equipment for AI data centers and Bitcoin mining, has announced a raise of $153 million in a Series C funding round. The new capital will go to increasing the company’s product suite of infrastructure for AI and blockchain technology.The Series C round was led by StepStone Group and included participation from Maverick Silicon, Premji Invest, Samsung Catalyst Fund, Qualcomm Ventures, and others. Auradine said the round was oversubscribed but did not disclose by how much or at what valuation the funds were raised.Along with the funding round, Auradine announced the launch of AuraLinks AI — its new business group dedicated to networking solutions targeting data centers’ energy and cooling costs.According to Goldman Sachs, energy demand due to AI data centers is expected to rise 165% by 2030. Building a small-scale AI data center can cost $10 million to $50 million, while large-scale AI data centers can cost hundreds of millions.Auradine designs and manufactures application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and related systems for Bitcoin mining. The company sees a strategic opportunity in the current US-China trade tensions and US President Trump’s push to boost domestic manufacturing. Among its main competitors is the Chinese-based firm Bitmain, which reportedly holds a 90% market share in the Bitcoin manufacturing sector. Related: How to mine Bitcoin: A beginner’s guide to mining BTCCrypto mining market to grow at CAGR 13% until 2034According to Precedence Research, the cryptocurrency mining market was valued at $2.5 billion in 2024 and is expected to have a compound annual growth rate of 13% until 2034. If that prediction is accurate, the mining market will reach a size of $8.2 billion by 2034.The rising Bitcoin hashrate, coupled with the increasing energy demands following each halving, is intensifying competition in the mining sector. As a result, the push for greater efficiency and advanced technology may create openings for new players to gain market share.Trump’s dual desires to make the US “the crypto capital of the planet” and bring manufacturing on-shore may also play a role. The US accounts for over 40% of the Bitcoin (BTC) hashrate, but US-based miners still rely heavily on China-manufactured rigs.Auradine’s $80 million Series B round, like its Series C, was oversubscribed. In total, the company has raised over $300 million across all funding rounds.Magazine: Asia Express: Bitcoin miners steamrolled after electricity thefts, exchange ‘closure’ scam

Ahead of a massive token unlock on Thursday, the TRUMP meme coin team withdrew $4.6 million worth of USDC from a liquidity pool.

The U.S. Secret Service, alongside Canadian authorities, has successfully disrupted a major Ethereum phishing scam that led to losses of $4.3 million. The operation, known as “Operation Avalanche,” targeted Ethereum users who fell victim to a scheme known as “approval phishing.” This coordinated effort aimed to track down stolen funds and prevent further damage to The post US Secret Service Teams with Canada to Halt $4.3M Ethereum Phishing Attack appeared first on CoinGape.

Russia's push for its own stablecoins highlights a strategic shift to reduce reliance on Western financial systems amid increasing sanctions. The post Russia’s finance ministry official urges country to launch its own stablecoins after USDT wallet block appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Volatility has not cleared in the broader digital currency ecosystem, as showcased by the trend in the price of Bitcoin (BTC). Over the past 24 hours, Bitcoin’s price has displayed a unique twist that might finally change its trajectory. While both bulls and bears swerve BTC volatility, Gold has shown mainly a bullish divergence. Current The post Gold Soars To New Highs, Will The Bitcoin Price Follow? appeared first on CoinGape.

The digital asset has hovered around the $85K level since Tuesday, but it continues to claw back market share from competing altcoins. Following comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, BTC slipped under the $84K range. BTC Strengthens Its Grip as Altcoins Struggle Bitcoin ( BTC) has maintained its $85K price for the most part, […]

"We may find ourselves in the challenging scenario in which our dual-mandate goals are in tension," said Powell of the effect of the Trump tariffs.

OpenAI lays the groundwork for the agentic layer of AI—those smarter-than-smart assistants that not only talk and write but observe, act, and autonomously handle tasks.

An appellate court has granted a joint request from Ripple Labs and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to pause an appeal in a 2020 SEC case against Ripple amid settlement negotiations.In an April 16 filing in the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the court approved a joint SEC-Ripple motion to hold the appeal in abeyance — temporarily pausing the case — for 60 days. As part of the order, the SEC is expected to file a status report by June 15.April 16 order approving a motion to hold an appeal in abeyance. Source: PACERThe SEC’s case against Ripple and its executives, filed in December 2020, was expected to begin winding down after Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse announced on March 19 that the commission would be dropping its appeal against the blockchain firm. A federal court found Ripple liable for $125 million in an August ruling, resulting in both the SEC and blockchain firm filing an appeal and cross-appeal, respectively.However, once US President Donald Trump took office and leadership of the SEC moved from former chair Gary Gensler to acting chair Mark Uyeda, the commission began dropping multiple enforcement cases against crypto firms in a seeming political shift. Ripple pledged $5 million in XRP to Trump’s inauguration fund, and Garlinghouse and chief legal officer Stuart Alderoty attended events supporting the US president.Related: SEC dropping Ripple case is ‘final exclamation mark’ that XRP is not a security — John DeatonDespite support for the end of the case coming from both Ripple and the SEC, the August 2024 judgment and appellate cases leave some legal entanglements. Alderoty said in March that Ripple would drop its cross-appeal with the SEC and receive a roughly $75 million refund from the lower court judgment. It’s unclear what else may result from negotiations over a settlement in appellate court.New leadership at SEC incomingActing chair Uyeda is expected to step down following the US Senate confirming Paul Atkins as SEC chair on April 9. During his confirmation hearings, lawmakers questioned Atkins about his ties to crypto, which could create conflicts of interest in his role regulating the industry. In financial disclosures, Atkins stated he had millions of dollars in assets through stakes in crypto firms, including Securitize, Pontoro and Patomak. Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

Plus: Ethereum developers privacy debate reignites, Optimum raises funds in seed round, Noble’s new ‘AppLayer’

A Coinbase Research report suggests that the 41% drop in the cryptocurrency market capitalization (excluding bitcoin) from its December 2024 peak to mid-April 2025 may signal a new crypto winter. Uncertainty Stokes Indecision The 41% decline in the total cryptocurrency market capitalization, excluding bitcoin, from its December 2024 peak of $1.6 trillion to $950 billion […]

Bitcoin (BTC) has risen above $85,000, signaling that the bulls are trying to form a higher low at $83,000. The short-term price action remains susceptible to news related to the US tariffs and the ongoing trade war with China.Gold has been a clear winner during the current bout of macroeconomic uncertainty. Citing data from Bank of America (BoA), The Kobeissi Letter said that gold funds are on track to hit $80 billion in net inflows year-to-date, roughly double the amount seen in 2020. In comparison, spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds’ net inflows have shrunk to just $165 million after weeks of continuous outflows, per CoinShares data.Crypto market data daily view. Source: Coin360However, some cryptocurrency investors are happy about gold’s rally because a popular theory suggests that Bitcoin not only copies but exceeds gold’s rally with a few months’ lag. Anonymous crypto trader Titan of Crypto said in a post on X that Bitcoin could hit $137,000 by July-August 2025.Could Bitcoin bulls build momentum and push the price above the overhead resistance? Will the altcoins also see a short-term rally? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.Bitcoin price analysisBitcoin failed to rise above the 200-day simple moving average ($87,660) on April 15, but a minor positive is that the buyers have sustained the price above the 20-day exponential moving average ($83,289).BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe flattish 20-day EMA and the relative strength index (RSI) near the midpoint suggest the sellers are losing their grip. Buyers will have to propel the price above the 200-day SMA to seize control. If they manage to do that, the BTC/USDT pair could jump to $95,000 and eventually to the psychologically crucial level at $100,000.Contrarily, a break and close below the 20-day EMA indicates that the bulls have given up. That could pull the pair down to $78,500 and later to $73,777.Ether price analysisEther’s (ETH) relief rally stalled at the 20-day EMA ($1,697) on April 14, suggesting that bears remain active at higher levels.ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewSellers will try to strengthen their position by pulling the price below $1,471. If they do that, the ETH/USDT pair could fall to $1,368. Buyers will try to guard the $1,368 level, but the pair could slump to $1,150 if the bears have their way.The first sign of strength will be a break and close above $1,754. That opens the gates for a possible rally to $2,111. The 50-day SMA ($1,919) may act as a barrier, but it is likely to be crossed. Buyers will have to shove the price above $2,111 to signal that the downtrend may have ended.XRP price analysisXRP (XRP) broke below the 20-day EMA ($2.10) on April 15 and reached near the critical support at $2 on April 16. XRP/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe flattish 20-day EMA and the RSI just below the midpoint suggest a possible range-bound action in the near term. The XRP/USDT pair may swing between $2 and the 50-day SMA ($2.23) for a while.A break and close above the 50-day SMA could clear the path for a rally to the resistance line. This is an important level for the bears to defend because a break above it will signal a short-term trend change. On the downside, a break and close below $2 could sink the pair to $1.61.BNB price analysisBNB (BNB) has been trading inside a triangle, signaling buying near the support line and selling close to the downtrend line. BNB/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe downsloping moving averages and the RSI just below the midpoint indicate a slight edge to the bears. There is support at $566 and then at $550. If the price rebounds off the support, the bulls will again try to shove the price above the downtrend line. If they can pull it off, the BNB/USDT pair could rally to $644.Sellers are likely to have other plans. They will try to pull the price below $550 and retest the support line.Solana price analysisSellers successfully defended the 50-day SMA ($130) in Solana (SOL) and are trying to pull the price below the $120 support.SOL/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe flattish 20-day EMA ($124) and the RSI near the midpoint suggest a balance between supply and demand. Buyers are expected to defend the $120 to $110 support zone. If the price rebounds off the support zone, the bulls will again attempt to drive the SOL/USDT pair above the 50-day SMA. If they succeed, the pair could reach $153.Alternatively, if the price continues lower and breaks below $110, it indicates that bears remain in control. The pair could then tumble to the $95 support.Dogecoin price analysisDogecoin (DOGE) has been gradually sliding to the vital support at $0.14, where the buyers are expected to step in.DOGE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe positive divergence on the RSI suggests that the bearish momentum could be weakening. If the price turns up from the current level or $0.14, the possibility of a break above the 50-day SMA ($0.17) increases. The DOGE/USDT pair will complete a double-bottom pattern on a break above $0.21, signaling that the downtrend may have ended.Conversely, a break and close below $0.14 signals the resumption of the downtrend toward the next major support at $0.10.Cardano price analysisCardano (ADA) turned down from the 20-day EMA ($0.64) on April 13, indicating that the bears continue to sell on rallies.ADA/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewSellers will try to strengthen their position by pulling the price below the $0.58 support. If they succeed, the ADA/USDT pair could slump to the critical level at $0.50. Buyers are expected to defend the level with all their might because the failure to do so may extend the downtrend to $0.40.On the upside, buyers are likely to face selling in the zone between the moving averages. A break and close above the 50-day SMA ($0.70) opens the doors for a rally to $0.83.Related: Why is XRP price down today?UNUS SED LEO price analysisBuyers have pushed UNUS SED LEO (LEO) above the 20-day EMA ($9.39), which is a positive sign.LEO/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThere is minor resistance at the 50-day SMA ($9.58), but the level is expected to be crossed. The LEO/USD pair may then retest the critical overhead resistance of $9.90. If buyers overcome the barrier at $9.90, the pair will complete an ascending triangle pattern. That could start a move toward the target objective of $12.04.Sellers will have to pull and maintain the price below $9.24 to gain the upper hand. That could start a decline to $8.79. Chainlink price analysisBuyers are struggling to propel Chainlink (LINK) above the 20-day EMA ($12.81), but they have kept up the pressure.LINK/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThere is minor support at $11.68, but if the level cracks, the LINK/USDT pair could plunge to the support line of the descending channel pattern. Buyers are expected to defend the level, but if the bears prevail, the pair could drop to $8.If buyers want to make a comeback, they will have to kick the price above the moving averages. The pair could then climb to $16 and later to the resistance line. A break and close above the channel signals a potential trend change.Avalanche price analysisThe failure to push Avalanche (AVAX) above the downtrend line may have attracted profit booking by the short-term bulls.AVAX/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe bears are trying to sink the AVAX/USDT pair below the 20-day EMA ($18.98). If they manage to do that, the pair could descend to the $15.27 support. Buyers are expected to vigorously defend the $15.27 level because a break below it may start the next leg of the downtrend to $14 and then $12.The first sign of strength will be a break and close above the downtrend line. That opens the doors for a rally to $23.50. If buyers overcome this barrier, the pair will complete a double-bottom pattern with a target objective of $31.73.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.

Tokenization company Securitize has expanded its digital asset operations by acquiring MG Stover’s fund administration business, in a move the company said has significantly grown its assets under management and ability to serve institutional clients.With the acquisition, MG Stover’s fund administration business has been absorbed into Securitize Fund Services, Securitize’s wholly owned subsidiary, the company disclosed. Securitize Fund Services now manages more than $38 billion in assets across 715 funds. Founded in 2007, MG Stover offers full-service fund administration spanning traditional financial industries like hedge funds, venture capital and private equity, as well as digital asset funds. A Securitize spokesperson informed Cointelegraph that the acquisition pertains only to MG Stover’s fund administration business and not the company as a whole.In an emailed statement to Cointelegraph, Securitize co-founder and CEO Carlos Domingo said, “The MG Stover acquisition significantly strengthens our institutional offering by adding one of the most experienced digital asset fund administration teams in the industry to Securitize Fund Services.” He continued:“Legacy fund administrators were never designed for the speed, complexity, or global reach of digital assets. Their systems struggle with the pressure of 24/7 markets, and they weren’t built to handle stablecoin flows or real-time settlements.”Securitize is one of the largest real-world asset (RWA) tokenization companies, having issued more than $3.3 billion in onchain assets, most notably the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund, also known as BUIDL.BUILD currently has nearly $2.5 billion in assets, according to industry data. BUIDL leads the booming market for tokenized US Treasurys. Source: RWA.xyzRelated: VC Roundup: 8-figure funding deals suggest crypto bull market far from overTokenization market heats upTokenized RWAs are a rapidly expanding segment of the blockchain industry, attracting both traditional investors and crypto-native users. RWA growth has defied the broad downtrend in the cryptocurrency market, with the total value of onchain financial assets surging 11.2% to $21 billion over the past 30 days, according to RWA.xyz.Amid the tokenization wave, Securitize recently partnered with Ethena Labs to create a new blockchain for the RWA economy. The forthcoming Converge blockchain will allow retail and institutional investors to access tokenized assets and decentralized finance applications. Meanwhile, the Mantra blockchain recently unveiled a $109 million ecosystem fund to bootstrap startups building across the RWA and DeFi economies. Related: Bitwise makes first institutional DeFi allocation

Trump WLFI New Advisor:- The Trump-endorsed WLFI (World Liberty Financial Initiative) has made a strategic addition in its advisory board. It has announced on April 15 the appointment of Bilal Bin Saqib, a British-Pakistani entrepreneur and angel investor. Bilal is a graduate of the London School of Economics and has been listed on Forbes’ 30 The post Trump-backed WLFI Crypto Project Brings New Advisor – Who Is Bilal Bin Saqib? appeared first on CoinGape.

This content is provided by a sponsor. PRESS RELEASE. Victoria, Seychelles, 16 April 2025 – Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has launched a groundbreaking addition to its affiliate program: the first-ever on-chain affiliate initiative in the crypto exchange sector, offering partners up to 40% in rebates alongside existing commission structures. This innovative […]

Solana price could be heading toward a major drop, according to crypto analyst Ali. In a recent analysis, Ali suggested that SOL might be retesting the breakout zone from a right-angled ascending broadening pattern. Analysis Points to Downside Potential For Solana Price Ali’s SOL analysis expects the price to drop to $65. This bearishness comes The post Analyst Reveals Why The Solana Price Can Still Drop To $65 appeared first on CoinGape.

Candidate Hong Joon-pyo promised to elevate virtual assets into a fully recognized industry and introduce the technology into public services.

Just $57,000 of the $11 billion collected in income tax in Colorado since 2022—0.0005%—was paid using crypto.

XRP consolidates near $2.10 as traders eye potential breakout levels across key timeframes amid mixed technical signals. XRP The 1-hour chart shows XRP recovering from a downtrend that saw prices dip to $2.035, forming a potential double-bottom reversal pattern. A recent green candle near $2.10, accompanied by rising volume, suggests bullish momentum resurgence. Traders eye […]

Asset manager Bitwise has listed four Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) exchange-traded products on the London Stock Exchange, expanding its presence in the European region.The listings include the Bitwise Core Bitcoin ETP, the Bitwise Physical Bitcoin ETP, Bitwise's Physical Ethereum ETP, and the Bitwise Ethereum Staking ETP, according to the April 16 announcement.The products are available to institutional or otherwise-qualified investors with an accreditation, and not open to retail investors.Bitwise is applying to launch crypto investment vehicles as digital assets gain a greater foothold in global financial markets, attracting more institutional interest in crypto and increasing the legitimacy of the nascent asset class.Related: Bitwise doubles down on $200K Bitcoin price prediction amid trade tensionBitwise expands ETF offerings following a regulatory shift in the USThe resignation of former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler triggered a wave of crypto ETF applications in the United States. Asset managers and crypto firms rushed to submit filings in anticipation of a relaxed regulatory regime once Gensler left the agency in January.Bitwise's BTC and ETH ETF, which gives investors exposure to both digital assets in a single investment vehicle, was granted preliminary approval by the SEC in January but still requires final approval before listing.In March 2025, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) submitted an application for a rule change to list the Bitwise Dogecoin ETF on the US-based exchange.If approved, Dogecoin (DOGE) would be the first memecoin with a US-listed investment vehicle and could attract more institutional inflows into the dog-themed social token.Bitwise also filed for an Aptos ETF in March. The proposed Bitwise Aptos ETF will hold the native cryptocurrency of the high-throughput layer-1 blockchain, APT (APT), and will not feature staking rewards.Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan predicted Bitcoin ETFs would attract $50 billion in inflows during 2025.Institutional inflows into crypto ETFs act as a price stabilizer for digital assets with investment vehicles, lowering volatility through a pipeline siphoning capital from traditional investors in the stock market to cryptocurrencies.Magazine: Bitcoin ETFs make Coinbase a ‘honeypot’ for hackers and governments: Trezor CEO

Dogecoin price is still stuck in a bear market after crashing by almost 70% from its last year’s high. This performance is happening as on-chain data shows that whales are capitulating and dumping their tokens. Still, one popular crypto analyst believes that the DOGE price will bounce back if it flips a key resistance level.  The post Expert Says Dogecoin Price Will Rally, But Whales Dump DOGE. Should You Buy? appeared first on CoinGape.

The U.S.-based Bitcoin mining firm has raised more than $300 million in total capital from its investors.

Bitcoin price consolidated around $84,000 on Wednesday, while top altcoins like XRP, Solana, and Ethereum experienced minor sell-offs ranging between 3% and 6% on the 24-hour candle. With bearish sentiment dominating U.S. equities, Bitcoin’s prevailing bullish catalysts may persist long enough to fuel a rally toward $100,000. BTC tops $84,000 as NVIDIA stock gets caught The post Bitcoin Price Forecast: Metaplanet and NVIDIA Form Bullish BTC Catalysts, $100K rally ahead? appeared first on CoinGape.

The president’s son will discuss his mining venture American Bitcoin alongside Asher Genoot, Chief Executive Officer of Hut 8.

The right market maker can be a launchpad for a cryptocurrency project, opening the door to major exchanges and providing valuable liquidity to ensure a token is tradeable — but when the wrong incentives are baked into the deal, that market maker can become a wrecking ball.One of the most popular and misunderstood offerings in the market-making world is the “loan option model.” This is when a project lends tokens to a market maker, who then uses them to create liquidity, improve price stability, and help secure listings at a cryptocurrency exchange. In reality, it has been a death sentence for many young projects.But behind the scenes, a number of market makers is using the controversial token loan structure to enrich themselves at the expense of the very projects they’re meant to support. These deals, often framed as low-risk and high-reward, can crater token prices and leave fledgling crypto teams scrambling to recover.“How it works is that market makers essentially loan tokens from a project at a certain price. In exchange for those tokens, they essentially promise to get them on big exchanges,” Ariel Givner, founder of Givner Law, told Cointelegraph. “If they don’t, then within a year, they repay them back at a higher price.”What often happens is that market makers dump the loaned tokens. The initial sell-off tanks the price. Once the price has cratered, they buy the tokens back at a discount while keeping the profit.Source: Ariel Givner“I haven’t seen any token really benefit from these market makers,” Givner said. “I’m sure there are ethical ones, but the bigger ones I’ve seen just destroy charts.”The market maker playbookFirms like DWF Labs and Wintermute are some of the best-known market makers in the industry. Past governance proposals and contracts reviewed by Cointelegraph suggest that both firms proposed loan option models as part of their services — though Wintermute’s proposals call them “liquidity provision” services.DWF Labs told Cointelegraph that it doesn’t rely on selling loaned assets to fund positions, as its balance sheet sufficiently supports its operations across exchanges without relying on liquidation risk. “Selling loaned tokens upfront can damage a project’s liquidity — especially for small- to mid-cap tokens — and we’re not in the business of weakening ecosystems we invest in,” Andrei Grachev, managing partner of DWF Labs, said in a written response to Cointelegraph’s inquiry.Related: Who’s really getting rich from the crypto bull run?While DWF Labs emphasizes its commitment to ecosystem growth, some onchain analysts and industry observers have raised concerns about its trading practices.Wintermute did not respond to Cointelegraph’s request for comment. But in a February X post, Wintermute CEO Evgeny Gaevoy published a series of posts to share some of the company’s operations with the community. He bluntly stated that Wintermute is not a charity but in the “business of making money by trading.” Source: Evgeny GaevoyWhat happens after the market maker gets the tokens?Jelle Buth, co-founder of market maker Enflux, told Cointelegraph that the loan option model is not unique to the well-known market makers like DWF and Wintermute and that there are other parties offering such “predatory deals.”“I call it information arbitrage, where the market maker very clearly understands the pros and cons of the deals but is able to put it such that it’s a benefit. What they say is, ‘It’s a free market maker; you don’t have to put up the capital as a project; we provide the capital; we provide the market-making services,’” Buth said.On the other end, many projects don’t fully understand the downsides of loan option deals and often learn the hard way that they weren’t built in their favor. Buth advises projects to measure whether loaning out their tokens would result in quality liquidity, which is measured by orders on the book and clearly outlined in the key performance indicators (KPIs) before committing to such deals. In many loan option deals, KPIs are often missing or vague when mentioned.Cointelegraph reviewed the token performance of several projects that signed loan option deals with market makers, including some that worked with multiple firms at once. The outcome was the same in those examples: The projects were left worse off than when they started.Six projects that worked with market makers under the loan option agreement tanked in price. Source: CoinGecko“We’ve worked with projects that were screwed over after the loan model,” Kristiyan Slavev, co-founder of Web3 accelerator Delta3, told Cointelegraph.“It’s exactly the same pattern. They give tokens, then they’re dumped. That’s pretty much what happens,” he said.Not all market-maker deals end in disasterThe loan option model isn’t inherently harmful and can even benefit larger projects, but poor structuring can quickly turn it predatory, according to Buth.A listings adviser who spoke to Cointelegraph on the condition of anonymity echoed the point, emphasizing that outcomes depend on how well a project manages its liquidity relationships. “I’ve seen a project with up to 11 market makers — about half using the loan model and the rest smaller firms,” they said. “The token didn’t dump because the team knew how to manage price and balance the risk across multiple partners.”The adviser compared the model to borrowing from a bank: “Different banks offer different rates. No one runs a money-losing business unless they expect a return,” they said, adding that in crypto, the balance of power often favors those with more information. “It’s survival of the fittest.”But some say the problem runs deeper. In a recent X post, Arthur Cheong, founder of DeFiance Capital, accused centralized exchanges of feigning ignorance of artificial pricing fueled by token projects and market makers working in lockstep. “Confidence in the altcoin market is eroding,” he wrote. “Absolutely bizarre that CEXs are turning an absolute blind eye to this.”Still, the listings adviser maintained that not all exchanges are complicit: “The different tier exchanges are also taking really extreme actions against any predatory market makers, as well as projects that might look like they rugged. What exchanges do is they actually immediately lock up that account while they do their own investigation.”“While there is a close working relationship, there is no influence between the market maker and the exchange of what gets listed. Every exchange would have their own due diligence processes. And to be frank, depending on the tier of the exchange, there is no way that there would be such an arrangement.”Related: Crypto’s debanking problem persists despite new regulationsRethinking market maker incentivesSome argue for a shift toward the “retainer model,” where a project pays a flat monthly fee to a market maker in exchange for clearly defined services rather than giving away tokens upfront. It’s less risky, though more expensive in the short term.“The retainer model is much better because that way, market makers have incentives to work with the projects long term. In a loan model, you get, like, a one-year contract; they give you the tokens, you dump the tokens, and then one year after that, you return the tokens. Completely worthless,” Slavev said.While the loan option model appears “predatory,” as Buth put it, Givner pointed out that in all these agreements, both parties involved agree to a secure contract.“I don’t see a way that, at this current time, this is illegal,” Givner said. “If somebody wanted to look at manipulation, that’s one thing, but we’re not dealing with securities. So, that gray area is still there in crypto — [to] some extent the Wild West.”The industry is becoming more aware of the risks tied to loan option models, especially as sudden token crashes increasingly raise red flags. In a now-deleted X post, onchain account Onchain Bureau claimed that a recent 90% drop in Mantra’s OM token was due to an expiring loan option deal with FalconX. Mantra denied the claim, clarifying that FalconX is a trading partner, not its market maker.Edited LinkedIn copy of Onchain Bureau’s LinkedIn post. Source: Nahuel AngeloneBut the episode highlights a growing trend: The loan option model has become a convenient scapegoat for token collapses — often with good reason. In a space where deal terms are hidden behind NDAs and roles like “market maker” or “trading partner” are fluid at best, it’s no surprise the public assumes the worst.“We’re speaking up because we make money off the retainer model, but also, this [loan option model] is just killing projects too much,” Buth said.Until transparency and accountability improve, the loan option model will remain one of crypto’s most misunderstood and abused deals.Magazine: What do crypto market makers actually do? Liquidity or manipulation

The pause in the SEC-Ripple appeal signals potential regulatory shifts in crypto, impacting future enforcement and industry compliance standards. The post SEC vs Ripple court appeal paused as XRP case nears resolution appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

DWF Labs has announced its expansion into the U.S. market by opening a new office in New York City. As part of this move, the crypto market maker has invested $25 million in World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a decentralized finance (DeFi) project supported by the Trump family. This marks a major step for DWF Labs The post DWF Labs Expands To US with $25M Investment in Trump-Backed WLFI Token appeared first on CoinGape.

Crypto dips, China open to Tariff talks, Nvidia faces chip ban FOMO HOUR EP338 BTC falls below 200D MA in bearish sign. BTC correlation to stocks nearly 0. BTC miners are main sellers amid higher costs. US may purchase BTC with tariff revenue. Oklahoma BTC reserve bill fails to pass. Semler Scientific to raise $500m to buy BTC. Metaplanet issues $10m bonds to buy BTC. XRP ETFs may be the next SEC approved product. VanEck proposes US refinance debt with BTC. Tether & Ethena set to collab on ecosystem. OKX launches CEX and wallet in US. BNB chain completes 31st quarterly burn. MOVE to conduct internal investigation on founder. New OM CEO to burn all of his team’s tokens. PLAYLIST = https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGSgoImPFTiVpkHhLXF78cE_Z3uG7VNGL PODCAST = https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fomohour LIVE SPACE = https://x.com/i/spaces/1jMKgkyMZYkKL JOIN YEET NOW = https://yeet.com/register?aff=fomohour Links: https://linktr.ee/fomohour https://twitter.com/fomohour https://www.rug.fm/ https://x.com/rugradio https://linktr.ee/rugradio Hosts: https://twitter.com/farokh https://twitter.com/rektmando https://twitter.com/tyler_did_it Myriad: https://myriad.markets https://x.com/MyriadMarkets https://www.instagram.com/myriadmarkets FOMO HOUR brings you the biggest daily news, updates and events from inside and outside of the crypto and macro spheres! Join hosts Farokh, Mando and Tyler as they cover some of the biggest topics at present with some of the biggest names in the ecosystem. Streaming live 5 days per week, Monday to Friday 10:00 AM EST to 11:00 AM EST on YouTube and X. #bitcoin #crypto #podcast

The other major cryptocurrency is becoming the global settlement layer for on-chain assets, says Advantage Blockchain’s Alec Beckman.

The president’s trade war has yielded persistent headwinds for risk assets, Coinbase’s global head of research noted.

Bitcoin (BTC) centered on $84,000 at the April 16 Wall Street open amid hopes that a weak US dollar would fuel a bull market comeback.BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBitcoin analysis calls for 2023 rally repeatData from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC/USD consolidating after a swift comedown from local highs the day prior.That volatility had accompanied ongoing developments in the US-China trade war, with crypto and risk assets staying sensitive to headlines and statements from parties such as US President Donald Trump.The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite Index traded down 1.4% and 2.2%, respectively, at the time of writing.Gold remained the standout winner, having set new all-time highs above $3,300 per ounce on the day.“Unlike gold, BTC has not caught a safe-haven bid,” trading firm QCP Capital summarized in its latest bulletin to Telegram channel subscribers. “The ‘alternative store of value’ narrative isn't gaining traction in the current macro regime. Positioning remains defensive. Participants are still focused on hedging their downside until greater clarity emerges.”Gold/USD price 1-hr candle chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewLooking for potential tailwinds, market participants focused on the US dollar’s inability to reclaim prior support after sliding precipitously as the trade war took hold.The US dollar index (DXY) hovered near multiyear lows after rejecting at the psychologically significant 100 mark.US Dollar Index price 1-hr candle chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView“DXY is dropping at its fastest pace since 2023,” popular trader BitBull told followers in a post on X.BitBull drew comparisons to BTC price performance from the time, with early 2023 seeing Bitcoin and altcoins emerge from the pit of the 2022 bear market.“Back then, $BTC had already bottomed (Q4 2022) and went on to rally 200%+ within a year,” he continued.“I guess it’s time for btc to repeat the 2023-24 rally.”Source: X/@AkaBull_Andre Dragosch, European head of research at asset management firm Bitwise, meanwhile flagged Goldman Sachs research seeing further DXY downside to come.“NOTE: US Dollar is still significantly overvalued according to GS,” he commented alongside a Goldman chart of dollar strength versus US growth performance. “Lots of room for USD depreciation = upside potential for BTC to re-rate.”Source: X/@Andre_DragoschBTC price gives cautious bullish hintsBitcoin traders eyed various positive chart signals on the day, with these including a potential bottom formation on the 4-hour chart.Related: Can 3-month Bitcoin RSI highs counter bearish BTC price 'seasonality?'“Forming an Inverse Head & Shoulders Pattern on the 4H timeframe, if we manage to hold a Higher Low in the coming days,” popular trader Luca suggested.Source: X/@MirageMogulCrypto trader, analyst and entrepreneur Michaël van de Poppe hoped for a fresh retest of resistance, for him one of two key areas of interest.“Bitcoin is still nicely consolidating between the two levels,” he concluded. “The test at $87K did happen, and I think that we'll see a big breakout once we'll retest it again. What's next? Likely a run to ATH at the end of this quarter.”Source: X/@CryptoMichNLThis 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.

Publicly traded firm Janover disclosed the acquisition of 80,567 SOL for $10.5 million in its latest announcement. The company added that it will “begin staking its newly acquired SOL immediately.” From Nasdaq to Node Operator—Janover Stakes Its Claim on Solana Janover Inc. (Nasdaq: JNVR), a publicly traded company that operates an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered online […]

A report by CoinDesk Indices provides a detailed analysis of the crypto market’s recent performance and the significant shift being driven by institutions. Dive into the results with CoinDesk’s Joshua de Vos and Jacob Joseph.

Cardano price has crumbled by double digits from its peak in November last year. However, its fundamentals, especially the incoming Bitcoin staking on its network, coupled with a highly bullish chart pattern, could trigger an ADA surge, potentially to the all-time high of $3 in this cycle. Cardano Price Could Surge Ahead of Bitcoin Integration The post ‘This Time is Different’ – Could Cardano Price Hit $3 Ahead of Bitcoin Staking? appeared first on CoinGape.

In the latest development in the long-running XRP lawsuit, the US Court of Appeals has granted Ripple and the SEC’s joint motion to suspend their respective appeals. This will give both parties time to finalize the settlement in the long-running legal battle. XRP Lawsuit: Court Grants Ripple & SEC’s Joint Motion As revealed in a The post XRP Lawsuit: Court Grants Ripple And SEC’s Joint Motion To Suspend Appeal appeared first on CoinGape.

The protocol's NUSD token generates yield by arbitraging locked altcoins, a $10 billion private market, Neutrl co-founder Behrin Naidoo said in an interview.

MARA Holdings and CleanSpark outperformed BTC, while miners with exposure to high-performance computing, such as Bitdeer, TeraWulf, IREN and Riot Platforms underperformed.

This content is provided by a sponsor. PRESS RELEASE. Geneva, Switzerland – April 16, 2025 – Messari, a leading provider of digital asset market intelligence products, released a research report highlighting the TRON network’s significant advancements in blockchain activity, ecosystem expansion, and innovation throughout Q1 2025. This report emphasizes TRON’s growing role in decentralized finance […]

Opinion by: Mārtiņš Beņķītis, co-founder and CEO of Gravity TeamAs crypto adoption plateaus in some developed nations, emerging markets have led the charge for adoption. Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America have become rapid growth centers, with new activity driven by limited banking options, local currency instability and growing smartphone use. The need for alternative finance in these regions is acute. While blockchain technology can deliver it, it certainly won’t be easy.A significant hurdle in emerging crypto markets is market-making, where traditional approaches have struggled as a result of specific challenges, including limited infrastructure and economic instability. Standard market-making strategies often fail or are simply unable to account for these complexities. A new approach known as “boutique market-making” can unlock growth, providing tailored liquidity solutions that consider local factors like regional regulations, cultural nuance and specific pain points for each market. This “boutique” approach will bring enormous benefits to the average person in emerging markets and, for the first time, create access to financial services and give them control over their economic outlook.Providing liquidity in emerging markets is challengingWhile the potential for growth in emerging crypto markets is clear to see, tapping into it is not. The path is fraught with challenges that require a specialized and nuanced approach. Here, standard market-making strategies are largely ineffective. Consider trying to navigate the regulatory maze of a country where the rules keep changing and the economy is delicate and volatile. That’s the reality in Argentina. Stringent capital controls create a technical minefield for crypto transactions, requiring 24/7 monitoring and hyper-reactive strategies to ensure compliance. Why would any liquidity provider want to work with such uncertainty?Then there’s the technological issue. Many local exchanges are built on outdated infrastructure with high latency and slippage. It’s far from the seamless APIs and lightning-fast execution of the world’s top platforms. It leads to traders and liquidity providers being discouraged from participating, resulting in thin order books, a persistent drought, and a vicious cycle of low liquidity and limited opportunity. FX volatility further compounds the issue. Some fiat currencies experience wild fluctuations that deliver immediate conversion risks. Many local banking systems, aiming to protect their clients from this volatility, have implemented blanket bans on crypto-related transactions, causing settlement friction. This cocktail of issues has pushed people away from centralized banking and right into the waiting arms of peer-to-peer trading, where direct transactions further fragment liquidity and make it hard for localized cryptocurrency exchanges to gain traction. These technical hurdles, however, can be overcome. They just require a contextually rich approach to market making, one that is acutely aware of every risk, issue, human need and cultural factor.Why standardized solutions fail in emerging marketsTraditional market-making firms are used to standardized protocols, which makes it hard for them to adapt, leading to inadequate liquidity failures. This is particularly evident in regions like Argentina and Turkey, where local conditions demand bespoke solutions, despite Turkey having the highest crypto adoption rate in the world at 27.1%, followed by Argentina at 23.5%. These are well above the global crypto ownership rate estimated at 11.9%.In Argentina, boutique firms can facilitate US dollar stablecoin flows to provide a crucial lifeline for those needing a stable alternative to the volatile peso and capital controls. Even considering this kind of service requires a deep understanding of local regulations and a proactive compliance approach.In Turkey, price discrepancies between global and local platforms create considerable inefficiencies. Boutique market-makers stepped in to act as bridges, smoothing out inefficiencies and ensuring fairer prices for local traders.Recent: Cryptocurrency investment should favor emerging marketsTake a look at Bolivia. Cryptocurrency was legalized in June 2024, with local crypto exchanges launching soon after but being starved of liquidity. Large firms didn’t want to touch them. Suddenly, when boutique market-makers stepped in, slippage was reduced, and prices stabilized, making trading more viable for investors of all sizes. The people won. The ability to build trust and forge lasting relationships with local communities and regulators is crucial. Hands must be shaken, and words must be kept.Stable liquidity fuels opportunitiesBoutique market makers work hard to deliver stable liquidity, in turn unlocking countless opportunities for people within emerging crypto markets. By providing consistent buy and sell orders, they reduce slippage and price volatility, creating a reliable environment for developers to build tools, platforms and decentralized applications tailored to local needs. The stability provided by boutique market makers stems from their tailored strategies, using local knowledge, navigating regulatory mazes and bridging fragmented markets. This is unlike standardized approaches, which often falter on outdated tech or compliance hurdles. For users, this means accessible, liquid markets that support practical crypto use, from remittances to daily transactions, driving real-world adoption.A boutique market making futureEmerging crypto markets stand at a tipping point. With their agility and local insight, boutique market-makers are the key to turning potential into action and opportunity. It’s time for stakeholders, exchanges, regulators and communities to properly rally behind these specialized players, nurturing ecosystems where innovation thrives and everyday users gain real access. The path ahead is about building a foundation for a decentralized economy that works for all. To get there, liquidity is essential. Opinion by: Mārtiņš Beņķītis, co-founder and CEO of Gravity Team.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.

Troubled decentralized finance (DeFi) platform Mantra released an official statement addressing the reasons for a 92% flash crash of its OM token on April 13.An April 16 announcement titled “Statement of Events: 13 April 2025” reiterates that the crash did not involve any token sales by the project itself, and the Mantra team remains fully functional and continues investigating the incident.Although Mantra CEO John Mullin previously said that the team was preparing a post-mortem, the new statement offered few new details about the reasons behind the rapid movement of OM tokens to exchanges and the subsequent liquidation cascade.Limited circulation of mainnet OM tokensThe post also reiterated that there are two types of OM tokens, with one being Ethereum-based (ERC-20) and the other running on Mantra’s mainnet.“The incident almost exclusively involved ERC-20 OM, as ERC-20 OM represents virtually the entire liquid market,” Mantra said in the statement.Launched in August 2020, the original ERC-20 OM token has a fixed supply of 888.8 million OM, with 99.9% of these tokens being in public circulation as of April 15.However, Mantra mainnet OM tokens had only 77.5 million in circulation after the Mantra Chain minted an equivalent amount of OM in October 2024.Mantra’s conclusionsAdditionally, the post mentions a divergence in OM spot prices on OKX and Binance. The discrepancy began around 6:00 pm UTC, around an hour before the OM token’s crash, according to CoinGecko.Among its conclusions, Mantra stated that further information from its exchange partners will “provide more clarity on these events, adding:“We invite our centralized exchanges partners to collaborate on providing more clarity on trading activities during this time.”The Mantra team confirmed that it is preparing a support plan for OM that includes both a token buyback and a supply burn. No timeline for the rollout of this plan was provided.Related: Mantra CEO plans to burn team’s tokens in bid to win community trustAs previously reported by Cointelegraph, OKX CEO Star Xu called Mantra a “big scandal” in a post published hours following the crash. Mantra CEO Mullin also said Binance is the biggest holder of the OM token, citing Etherscan records.Cointelegraph contacted the Mantra team for further comment on the April 16 statement but did not receive a response by publication time.Magazine: Memecoins are ded — But Solana ‘100x better’ despite revenue plunge

Analyst says retail pullback tied to tariff concerns will drag on Coinbase revenue through 2025.

That level represents the average investor’s cost basis, said James Check.

Panama City's crypto adoption for taxes may accelerate digital economy growth and influence global regulatory frameworks for digital assets. The post Panama City accepts Bitcoin, Ether, and stablecoins for tax and fee payments appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

After rising to $1,687 earlier this week, the Ethereum price has pulled back to $1,575 as traders start taking profit. It has also retreated as the bearish sentiment among investors remain. Still, some crypto analysts expect ETH price to bounce back soon, citing its encouraging technicals and some fundamental data.  This article examines whether Ethereum The post Will Ethereum Price Hit $3K before Solana (SOL) Reaches $200? appeared first on CoinGape.

Bitcoin’s price moved within a narrow range of $83,524 to $84,156 over the past 60 minutes, reflecting a momentary consolidation. With a market capitalization of $1.66 trillion and a 24-hour trading volume of $25.66 billion, the asset traded within an intraday range from $83,219 to $86,186. Bitcoin The one-hour chart reveals a market caught in […]

Shiba Inu price is consolidating within the range lows amid a lack of buying momentum. However, the meme coin’s consolidation is happening within a bullish pattern, with a breakout suggesting that the price may be poised for a 17x surge to $0.0002. At the same time, the SHIB burn rate is soaring, with 132M tokens The post Analyst Forecasts Shiba Inu Price Rally to $0.0002 Amid 132M SHIB Burn appeared first on CoinGape.

Real estate-focused financial technology firm Janover has acquired 80,567 Solana tokens for roughly $10.5 million.According to an April 15 announcement, with its latest purchase, Janover’s Solana (SOL) holdings reached 163,651.7 — worth about $21.2 million, including staking rewards. With this investment, the amount of Solana per each of the 1.5 million shares reached 0.11 SOL, valued at $14.47 — an increase of 120%.Janover stock price chart. Source: Google FinanceJanover plans to start staking the newly acquired SOL immediately to generate additional revenue. The announcement follows the company raising about $42 million with the expressed intent to enhance its digital asset treasury strategy.The new capital was raised in a convertible note and warrants sale from Pantera Capital, Kraken, Arrington Capital, Protagonist, The Norstar Group, Third Party Ventures, Trammell Venture Partners and 11 angel investors. At the same time, a team of former Kraken executives has taken control of the company.Joseph Onorati, former chief strategy officer at Kraken, stepped in as chairman and CEO at Janover following the group’s purchase of over 700,000 common shares and all Series A preferred stock. Related: Real estate firm Fathom can now add Bitcoin to its balance sheetAltcoins on the balance sheet?Janover is one of the latest companies to decide to add digital assets to their corporate treasury. What makes it an outlier is the decision to accumulate an asset that is not Bitcoin (BTC).The most notable example of a Bitcoin-accumulating firm is Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy). Strategy is a publicly traded business intelligence company founded as MicroStrategy in 1989.In 2020, the firm pivoted to acquiring as much Bitcoin as possible. Strategy now holds well over 2.5% of all Bitcoin that will ever be produced.Related: Bitcoin on corporate balance sheets: What’s the risk and reward?Bitcoin dominates balance sheetsBitcoinTreasuries.NET data shows that Strategy holds 528,185 BTC worth nearly $44.2 billion at the time of writing. The company has leveraged debt to accumulate its Bitcoin.Another example of a company that is now focused on accumulating Bitcoin is Metaplanet, often referred to as “Japan’s MicroStrategy.” Both companies hold Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and as part of a broader strategy to diversify and modernize their treasuries.According to some analysts, this strategy may soon pay off. Bitcoin is showing growing resilience to macroeconomic headwinds compared with traditional financial markets, according to a recent Wintermute report. Still, not everyone is convinced that the trend will hold, with the founder of Obchakevich Research, Alex Obchakevich, saying:“As the trade war intensifies, Bitcoin may return to the list of risky assets. Because investors will most likely look for salvation in gold.“Magazine: Bitcoin eyes $100K by June, Shaq to settle NFT lawsuit, and more: Hodler’s Digest, April 6 – 12

VeChain, a layer-1 blockchain platform focused on real-world applications, has added Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White as its newest official adviser to raise more mainstream awareness of blockchain technology.White, also the founder of Power Slap, will join VeChain’s advisory board next to Nobel Prize-winning physicist Konstantin Novoselov to drive real-world blockchain adoption through “complementary expertise in mass marketing and scientific innovation.”“VeChain is an incredible partner for the UFC and Power Slap, and I’m honored to join their advisory board,” White said in a statement shared with Cointelegraph. “I’m passionate about technology, and with their products and innovation, I’m looking forward to helping elevate their brand to the next level.”UFC CEO Dana White (left) with Sunny Lu, co-founder and CEO of VeChain (right). Source: Jeff Bottari, UFCRelated: 4th gen crypto needs collaborative tokenomics against tech giants — HoskinsonThe move could significantly expand blockchain’s reach. UFC broadcasts reach more than 950 million households globally, giving VeChain a major opportunity to connect with new users.White will play a pivotal role in amplifying VeChain’s sustainability initiative, VeBetterDAO, a decentralized platform incentivizing “real-world sustainable actions” through the DAO’s incentive tokens (B3TR).White will not receive any B3TR or VeChain (VET) tokens as compensation for his advisory role, VeChain confirmed to Cointelegraph.Related: Bitcoin still on track for $1.8M in 2035, says analystUFC taps VeChain for tokenized fighter glovesThe UFC has already implemented VeChain’s technology, with Near-field communication (NFC) chips integrated into a new generation of fighter gloves.Source: VeChain“This was done to combat fraud, as fighter apparel is often auctioned off for charity and other causes, but suffers from a high degree of fraud,” Sunny Lu, co-founder and CEO of VeChain, told Cointelegraph, adding:“The NFC + blockchain combination helps demonstrate the items are authentic. An example of how VeChain creates 'RWA' and phygital goods.”“Additional conversations are underway with the UFC, the UFC Foundation and other partners to provide opportunities for VeChain and the VeBetter app ecosystem,” with details to be revealed in the coming weeks, Lu added.VeChain is a layer-1 smart contract platform designed to enhance the supply chain and accelerate the mass adoption of blockchain technology.Magazine: Bitcoin eyes $100K by June, Shaq to settle NFT lawsuit, and more: Hodler’s Digest, April 6 – 12

The Mantra (OM) token price has surged after founder JP Mullin announced plans for a massive token burn. Mullin clarified that he intends to burn his personal team token allocation and implement a “comprehensive burn program for other parts of the OM supply.” OM Pumps After Founder’s Burn Announcement The OM token, which had experienced The post Mantra (OM) Price Pumps As Founder Reveals Massive Token Burn Plan appeared first on CoinGape.

OM recently fell from over $6 to under $0.45 in a matter of hours on no apparent catalyst

Today in crypto, a new report from crypto exchange Coinbase paints a grim picture of a shrinking crypto market but expects a potential rebound later in 2025, Strive is urging Inuit to buy Bitcoin after it successfully convinced GameStop to do so, and Ethena Labs exited Germany after regulators flagged “deficiencies” in its USDe stablecoin.Crypto in a bear market, rebound likely in Q3 — CoinbaseA monthly market review by publicly traded US-based crypto exchange Coinbase shows that while the crypto market has contracted, it appears to be gearing up for a better quarter.According to Coinbase’s April 15 monthly outlook for institutional investors, the altcoin market cap shrank by 41% from its December 2024 highs of $1.6 trillion to $950 billion by mid-April. BTC Tools data shows that this metric touched a low of $906.9 billion on April 9 and stood at $976.9 billion at the time of writing.Venture capital funding to crypto projects has reportedly decreased by 50%–60% from 2021–22. In the report, Coinbase’s global head of research, David Duong, highlighted that a new crypto winter may be upon us.“Several converging signals may be pointing to the start of a new ‘crypto winter’ as some extreme negative sentiment has set in due to the onset of global tariffs and the potential for further escalations,” he said.Duong cited some metrics to indicate when the crypto market is moving between bull and bear market phases, including risk-adjusted performance and the 200-day moving average.Another metric was the Bitcoin (BTC) Z-score, which compares market value and realized value to identify overbought and oversold conditions. A Z-score shows how unusual current price performance is when compared to historic data.Bitcoin’s risk-adjusted performance. Source: CoinbaseThis metric “naturally accounts for crypto’s larger volatility,” but it is also slow to react. This metric tends to generate few signals in stable markets. Coinbase’s model, based on it, determined that the bull market ended in late February but has since deemed the market neutral.Strive urges Intuit to buy Bitcoin after converting GameStopStrive Asset Management CEO Matt Cole has urged fintech firm Intuit to add Bitcoin (BTC) to its balance sheet in an April 14 open letter after successfully convincing game retailer GameStop to buy the cryptocurrency for its books.Cole told Intuit CEO Sasan Goodarz in the letter that Bitcoin is the best way to ensure the company’s long-term success and hedge against any potential disruption caused by artificial intelligence.He said the firm needs an additional hedge as its flagship tax preparation app, TurboTax, is at risk of being automated away by AI. Intuit is also known for its small business accounting software, Quickbooks.An excerpt from Matt Cole’s letter urging Intuit to consider adding Bitcoin to its balance sheet, among other suggestions. Source: Strive Asset Management “We believe an additional hedge is warranted,” Cole wrote, pitching a Bitcoin “war chest” as “the best option available” as it would ensure Intuit has “enough strategic capital to weather the AI storm and act from a position of strength through the turbulence of the AI revolution.”Cole sent a similar letter to GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen in February to advise it to use its $4.6 billion in cash to buy Bitcoin. GameStop said in early April that it raised $1.5 billion, some of which would be used for Bitcoin.Ethena Labs exits German market following agreement with BaFinSynthetic stablecoin developer Ethena Labs is winding down its German operations less than a month after regulators identified “deficiencies” in its dollar-pegged USDe (USDE) stablecoin, signaling heightened scrutiny around crypto assets in Europe’s largest economy.Ethena Labs reached an agreement with Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, also known as BaFin, to cease all operations of its local subsidiary, Ethena GmbH, according to an April 15 announcement.As such, Ethena Labs “will no longer be pursuing MiCAR authorization in Germany,” the company said, referring to the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation.The company reiterated that Ethena’s German subsidiary has not conducted any mint or redeem activity for USDe since March 21, the day BaFin halted the stablecoin’s activities.As Cointelegraph reported at the time, the German regulator identified compliance failures and potential securities law violations tied to USDe.Source: Ethena Labs

Crypto market maker DWF Labs announced a $25 million investment in World Liberty Financial, the decentralized finance (DeFi) project backed by US President Donald Trump and his sons, as the company expands into the United States with an office in New York City. On April 16, Dubai-based DWF Labs said it had purchased World Liberty Financial (WLFI) tokens through a private transaction.The firm said the transaction reflects its intent to participate in WLFI’s governance. As tokenholders, DWF Labs will be able to vote on decisions that impact the ecosystem.WLFI launched on Sept. 16, 2024, to promote DeFi and US dollar-pegged stablecoins. During the launch, Trump said the family was “embracing the future with crypto and leaving the slow and outdated big banks behind.”DWF Labs to provide liquidity for USD1 stablecoinAlongside the WLFI investment, DWF Labs said the collaboration includes providing liquidity for the project’s stablecoin, World Liberty Financial USD (USD1). On March 24, the DeFi project launched USD1 on BNB Chain and Ethereum. However, the project clarified that the stablecoin was not yet tradable. DWF Labs is a market maker that provides liquidity for over 60 exchanges around the globe. A market maker allows traders to execute their trades by providing liquidity. They make or take orders from traders, allowing smooth trading operations. The investment coincides with DWF’s expansion into the US. The market maker said it had established an office in New York City as part of its global expansion plans. The company expects the expansion to improve its institutional partnerships with banks, asset managers and fintech companies. It also aims to strengthen its engagement with US regulators. Related: DWF Labs launches $250M fund for mainstream crypto adoptionWLFI has raised over $600 million since its launchSince its launch in September, World Liberty Financial has already raised over $600 million for its DeFi protocol. The company raised $300 million during its first token sale by selling 20 billion WLFI tokens. The company sold another 5 billion tokens at $0.05 each, meeting its price target of an extra $250 million on March 14. This puts the overall WLFI public token sales earnings at $550 million. On Nov. 25, Tron Founder Justin Sun purchased 2 billion WLFI tokens for $30 million. Investment platform Web3Port also announced a $10 million WLFI investment, while venture capital firm Oddiyana Ventures announced a strategic investment without disclosing the amount. Magazine: What do crypto market makers actually do? Liquidity, or manipulation

Bitcoin ETFs added $76.42 million in net inflows on Tuesday, April 15, extending their rebound for a second day with support from five major funds. Meanwhile, ether ETFs remained under pressure, posting $14.18 million in outflows led by Grayscale’s ETHE. Bitcoin ETFs See Second Day of Gains Led by Blackrock, Ark 21Shares Bitcoin exchange-traded funds […]

XRP (XRP) fell on April 7, down 4% in the last 24 hours to trade at $2.07, fueled by a mix of macroeconomic uncertainty, market dynamics, and technical factors.XRP/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewKey catalysts driving the XRP prices lower today include:Crypto falls as US tariffs breed uncertainty in global markets.Export restrictions on Nvidia have further dampened sentiment for risk assets like XRP. Continued rejections at the $2.17 resistance level.XRP's rising wedge pattern signals a potential price plunge to $1.60.XRP drops in tandem with crypto marketThe bearish sentiment was not only exclusive to XRP as crypto prices dropped across the board, fueled largely by the US-China trade war. Bitcoin (BTC) is down 2% over the last 24 hours. While Ether (ETH) has lost more than 3% of its value over the last 24 hours to trade just below $1,600. Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), and Sui (SUI) bore the brunt of today’s market drawdown among the top-cap cryptocurrencies, each posting more than 5% daily losses.As a result, the global crypto market capitalization is down 2.6% on the day at $2.64 trillion.24-hour performance of top-cap cryptocurrencies: Source: Coin360This broader correction stems from uncertainty surrounding possible US-China trade talks and the latest restrictions on tech exports.On April 16, the White House said that US President Donald Trump is open to making a trade deal with China, but the ball was in Beijing’s court. This has turned traders risk-off as they wait on the potential resolution.“Olive Branch or Retreat?,” trading firm QCP Capital asked in an April 16 Telegram note to investors, arguing that in spite of both sides maintaining a hawkish public posture, cracks were beginning to emerge. QCP Capital pointed out that the White House’s over-the-weekend tariff exemption on tech products (smartphones, computers and chips) was answered by “China’s 'complete cancellation' of their reciprocal tariffs.” “So who blinks first? Washington is angling for leverage, while Beijing seeks room to breathe. Yet neither can afford to project weakness.”Additionally, export restrictions on Nvidia, a key player in AI and tech, have dampened sentiment for risk assets like XRP. This risk-off sentiment has driven investors toward safe havens like gold, which is hitting new record highs.XRP price validates a rising wedge patternXRP has confirmed a rising wedge pattern on the daily chart after closing below the support line of the wedge at $2.15.In technical analysis, a rising wedge is a bearish reversal chart pattern that comprises two converging trend lines that connect higher lows and higher highs. This convergence indicates weakening upward momentum. The pattern resolves when the price breaks below the lower trendline, suggesting a potential price decline. XRP is currently testing the support level at $2.00 after the wedge’s lower trendline turned into resistance on April 15.A key level to watch for a possible bounce is the four-hour support around $1.90. However, a high-volume move below this support level could accelerate the XRP lower.The maximum loss target from the wedge’s height indicates that XRP could drop to $1.73 or revisit the starting point of the rising wedge at $1.60 over the next few days. This would represent another 23% drop from the current level.XRP/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe relative strength index (RSI) has dropped from 67 to 48 over the last three days, indicating an increasing bearish momentum.Related: XRP price analysts project $10 next, ‘optimistic’ target of $20Meanwhile, crypto analyst CasiTrades said that the lower trendline of the wedge around $2.17 continues to “act as a strong ceiling” for XRP.“As of now, we don’t have a new high or low, so there’s still no confirmation of the next move,” CasiTrades explained, adding:“If this rejection continues to play out, support at $1.90 and $1.55 remains firmly in play.”XRP/USD hourly chart. Source: CasiTradesThis 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.

Elastos dropped a bombshell today with the launch of Elacity, a Web3 platform that hands creators the keys to tokenize and monetize their digital content—think music, films, or essays—directly to fans, bypassing the usual platform tolls. Per the press release, it’s a bid to redefine the creator economy, and it’s got some meat on its The post Elastos Launches Elacity: A Web3 Platform Empowering Creators with True Content Ownership appeared first on CoinGape.

Key takeawaysA Vtuber is a real person behind a digital avatar, blending performance, storytelling, and creativity to connect with audiences through livestreams, games, podcasts, and more.Becoming a VTuber involves designing a unique avatar (2D or 3D), using motion capture for animation, and leveraging software tools like Live2D, VSeeFace, and AI voice modifiers.In 2025, VTubing success often starts with short-form mobile platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Cross-posting to Discord, X, or Twitch helps build community and drive monetization.Aspiring VTubers should be aware of risks like burnout, privacy breaches, platform dependency, and unpredictable income.Virtual YouTubers, or VTubers, have gained popularity in recent years. VTubers create content for their channels using computer-generated avatars. Although VTubers are particularly popular in Japan and other Asian countries, the trend is slowly spreading across the world.So, what exactly is a VTuber? How does VTubing work, and how can you become one in 2025? This article explores what a VTuber is, the tools and software, and how to start VTubing in 2025. What is a VTuber?Have you ever scrolled Twitch or YouTube and stumbled upon a virtual anime-style character live streaming, playing games and chatting with viewers? That was a VTuber.A VTuber is a digital content creator who uses a virtual avatar to produce videos or live content. These avatars are often animated in real-time using motion tracking and face capture, creating an online personality. These avatars can look like anime characters, animals, robots or even abstract creatures. However, behind every VTuber is a real person, using their voice, expressions and personality to bring the character to life.But how does an avatar actually copy your movements? Motion capture, or mocap, is the technology behind avatars that records a person’s movements using sensors to create realistic animations for virtual characters in games, movies or virtual reality. It converts real-world movement into digital 3D data for more lifelike animation.Some VTubers are run by professional businesses or agencies, while others are single creators with their own background stories and hand-crafted avatars. Whether they’re broadcasting games, selling merchandise, podcasting or just vibing with their audience, VTubers have established a space where technology meets creativity, and it’s growing day by day.VTuber vs. traditional YouTube content creatorAren’t VTubers just YouTubers with cool avatars? Well, not exactly. It all comes down to how they show up on screen. While traditional YouTubers appear as themselves, VTubers use animated avatars to represent their online persona, whether a space alien or a talking cat. The core content and interaction with the audience might be similar. Still, VTubing often leans into storytelling, roleplay and unique esthetics to create a more immersive experience for their fans, making the methods and approaches differ. Did you know? In 2024, the VTuber market was valued at $2.55 billion; by 2035, it is projected to reach $20.0 billion.How VTubing works and what tools are neededAs more creators dive into VTubing, the preparation required has also evolved, with a greater emphasis on crafting recognizable and unique characters to stand out in a crowded space. Below are the key aspects that make up the process of becoming a VTuber, ensuring your avatar captures attention and engages audiences. Virtual avatarThe process of creating a VTuber avatar in 2025 begins with concept development that involves designing the avatar’s appearance, personality and backstory. Once the concept is in place, you can move on to creating the 2D or 3D model using specialized software such as Live2D Cubism for 2D models and Blender, Viverse Avatar or Vroid Studio for 3D models. Choosing between a 2D or 3D avatar depends on your desired level of detail and animation, with 2D offering a more stylized, simpler look and 3D allowing for more dynamic, lifelike movement and depth.After designing the avatar, the next step is rigging, which involves adding bones and joints to enable movement. This process is done by using rigging software like Live2D or VUP for 2D and tools like VSeeFace for 3D models. These tools allow the virtual avatar to replicate the performer’s movements, making the character blink, talk and gesture in real-time.To capture and animate the performer’s movements, many VTubers use face-tracking mocap software such as VTube Studio or VSeeFace to track facial expressions. Livestreaming and content creationThe VTuber can start creating livestream content once the virtual avatar has been designed and animated. Livestreaming on platforms like YouTube and Twitch and gaming streams can be realized using software like OBS Studio or Streamlabs OBS. To edit pre-recorded videos, creators rely on software such as DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere Pro. Additionally, voice changers like Voicemod or MagicVox can help modify the creator’s voice to match their avatar. Custom graphics and overlays can be created using tools like Photoshop or Canva.Engaged audienceThe power of the virtual avatar to have real-time conversations with the audience is a unique feature of VTubing. Building a credible brand is essential to becoming a successful VTuber, just like it is for other types of content creation. This means creating a unique character or identity for the virtual avatar and creating content that appeals to the intended audience.How to become a VTuber in 2025Besides the core aspects of VTubing covered above, there are a few more essentials to consider if you’re serious about starting VTubing in 2025.Use AI or avatar builders: Tools like Inworld or Ready Player Me offer plug-and-play solutions with simple customization. These are ideal for beginners who want to skip drawing and rigging. AI can also help with real-time voice modulation, AI-powered NPCs, or “non-player characters,” for collabs and even AI-generated scripts. Some VTubers are blending AI sidekicks into their streams.Customize stream setup: In 2025, customizing your VTuber stream setup entails incorporating stylish overlays, notifications, background music and chat widgets. Also, practicing your stream flow is essential to ensure smooth delivery of voice, emotive reactions and transitions.VTubing on TikTok and mobile: Short-form VTuber content is booming, especially on TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Many new creators start on mobile-first platforms before moving to full streams. Creating and sharing videos on platforms such as TikTok, X or Discord is essential for cross-platform marketing to reach new audiences, move your fans across platforms, and attract potential brand partnerships for sponsorship and ads.Did you know? Kuzuha from Nijisanji topped the 2024 view hours chart with over 40 million hours, retaining his position as a fan favorite for the second year in a row, according to Vstats, which compiles data from websites such as YouTube, Twitch and Soop.VTubing trends of 2025Due to developing technologies and shifting audience tastes, starting a VTuber career in 2025 means understanding the latest trends to stand out in an increasingly crowded industry.Niche contentIn 2025, standing out as a VTuber can also mean going niche. GFE or BFE, girlfriend or boyfriend experience, continue to lead the charge. These formats build one-sided emotional connections with fans who often become long-term supporters through monetizing exclusive content on platforms like Patreon.Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) content continues to thrive, though creators must now carefully navigate platform rules to avoid demonetization. This content is designed to trigger relaxing tingles through soft sounds and visuals. Gaming and “Let’s Play” content continue to be a cornerstone while being an oversaturated niche. In the end, the most prominent VTubers in the competitive landscape of 2025 are those who establish a clear identity, respect boundaries, and provide consistent, emotionally resonating material.2D estheticsAnime-style VTubers remain fan favorites, but 2025 has brought an extra layer of polish. Expect hyper-stylized 2D models with dynamic lighting, soft shading and intricate accessories. Subtle breathing, animated eyes and natural motion physics are raising the bar for Live2D designs.Focus on culture and uniqueness Avatar localization and distinctiveness extend beyond language; it entails modifying features, content and tactics to conform to regional norms, cultural preferences and local regulations. Platforms may increase user engagement by creating a feeling of community and relevance by customizing themselves for particular geographic areas.Decentralized identities and NFTsSome VTubers use blockchain to secure their avatars and sell collectibles such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), helping monetize the avatars. Risks of becoming a VTuber in 2025While the VTuber space continues to grow rapidly in 2025 — with better tools, bigger audiences and even corporate sponsorships — aspiring creators should be aware of the risks involved. Here are key challenges to consider before jumping in:Burnout and creative fatigue: VTubing often requires constant content creation, livestreaming and staying in character, which can quickly lead to exhaustion without proper balance or breaks.Privacy and doxxing threats: While VTubers use avatars to remain anonymous, popular creators are still at risk of having their real identities exposed, especially in toxic or competitive environments.Platform dependency: Most VTubers rely heavily on platforms like YouTube, Twitch or TikTok. Sudden algorithm changes, demonetization or account bans can drastically affect visibility and income.Monetization challenges: Generating steady income as a VTuber isn’t guaranteed. Success depends on audience growth, sponsorships and fan support — all of which can take years to build.High upfront costs: Creating a professional-grade 2D or 3D avatar, along with streaming equipment and software, often requires significant financial investment before any returns are made.Intense market competition: As the VTuber space grows globally, it becomes harder for new creators to stand out without a unique niche, strong branding or technical polish.AI impersonation and deepfakes: In 2025, advanced AI tools make it easier for bad actors to clone VTuber voices or designs, increasing the risk of content theft, brand damage or viewer confusion.So, becoming a VTuber in 2025 offers creative freedom, global reach and new career paths — but it’s not without challenges. From financial risks to mental strain and evolving tech threats, success requires more than just a good avatar. Do your research, protect your privacy, and approach the journey with both passion and preparedness.

Bitcoin Cash (BCH) joined Avalanche (AVAX) as a top underperformer, also declining 2.1%.

Binance Chain has completed its 31st quarterly BNB token burn, removing $916 million worth of coins permanently from circulation. This move has sparked speculations of a possible BNB price rally, with analysts and traders remaining enthusiastic. Notably, this token burn brings BNB Chain’s vision of reducing BNB token’s total supply to 100 million. Currently, BNB The post Binance Chain Burns $916M BNB Tokens, What Awaits BNB Price? appeared first on CoinGape.

TRON's Q1 success highlights its pivotal role in DeFi and stablecoin markets, potentially reshaping digital finance landscapes. The post Messari reports strong Q1 for TRON with record revenue, $19B daily USDT volume appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Blue-chip brands Netflix, DC Comics, and MLB are entering an AI-powered metaverse as Futureverse expands its digital footprint.

XRP price is on the verge of a bullish breakout as the SEC vs. Ripple lawsuit nears conclusion, paving the way for spot ETF approvals. Wall Street giant JPMorgan estimates that these products will secure $8 billion in inflows. If this happens, how high will the Ripple price rally? Let’s explore.  XRP Price Forecast if The post XRP Price Prediction If Ripple ETFs Attract $8B Inflows Per JP Morgan Estimates appeared first on CoinGape.

Stablecoins are "perfect rails for yield distribution," the protocol's CEO and founder Ivan Kozlov said in an interview.

A recent Reuters report reveals that China holds 15,000 bitcoin ( BTC) confiscated through criminal investigations. However, officials are currently entangled in deliberations over how to handle these digital assets, as cryptocurrency trading remains prohibited in the country. Local Governments in China Sit on Bitcoin Fortune, Face Legal and Strategic Gridlock Reuters reports that municipal […]

DWF Labs opened a New York office and invested in World Liberty Financial, backing its stablecoin USD1 and decentralized finance growth

Key intraday averages look to cross bearish as bulls struggle to engineer a breakout above $86K.

VanEck’s head of research has pitched a new type of US Treasury bond partially backed by Bitcoin to help refinance $14 trillion in US debt.Matthew Sigel pitched the concept of “BitBonds” — US Treasury bonds with exposure to Bitcoin (BTC) — at the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Summit 2025 on April 15.The new 10-year bonds would be composed of 90% US traditional debt and 10% BTC exposure, Sigel said, appealing to both the US Treasury and global investors.Even in a scenario where Bitcoin “goes to zero,” BitBonds would allow the US to save money to refinance the estimated $14 trillion of debt that will mature in the next three years and will need to be refinanced, he said.Bitcoin to boost investor demand for T-bonds“Interest rates are relatively high versus history. The Treasury must maintain continued investor demand for bonds, so they have to entice buyers,” Sigel said during the virtual event.Meanwhile, bond investors want protection from the US dollar inflation and asset inflation, which makes Bitcoin a good fit for being a component of the bond, as the cryptocurrency has emerged as an inflation hedge.An excerpt from Matthew Sigel’s presentation on Bitbonds at the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Summit 2025. Source: Matthew Sigel With the proposed structure and a 10-year term, a BitBond would return a “$90 premium, along with whatever value that Bitcoin contains,” Sigel stated, adding that investors would receive all the Bitcoin gains up to a maximum annualized yield to maturity of 4.5%.“If Bitcoin gains are big enough to provide that above a 4.5% annualized yield, the government and the bond buyer split the remaining gains 50 over 50,” the exec said.Upsides and downsidesCompared to standard bonds, the proposed 10-year BitBonds would offer the investor substantial gains in a scenario where Bitcoin gains exceed the break-even rates, Sigel said.A downside, however, is that Bitcoin must attain a “relatively high compound annual growth rate” on lower coupon rates in order for the investor to break even, he added.Source: Matthew Sigel From the government’s perspective, if they are able to sell the bond at a coupon of 1%, the government will save money “even if Bitcoin goes to zero,” Sigel estimated, adding:“The same thing if the coupon is sold at 2%, Bitcoin can go to zero, and the government still saves money versus the current market rate of 4%. And it’s in these 3% to 4% coupons where Bitcoin has to work in order for the government to save money.Previous BitBonds pitches to the governmentWhile the idea of crypto-backed government bonds is not new, Sigel’s BitBond pitch follows a similar proposal by the Bitcoin Policy Institute in March.The BPI estimates the program could generate potential interest savings of $70 billion annually and $700 billion over a 10-year term.Treasury bonds are debt securities issued by the government to investors who loan money to the government in exchange for future payouts at a fixed interest rate.Related: Bitcoin could hit $1M if US buys 1M BTC — Bitcoin Policy InstituteCrypto-enabled bonds are linked to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, allowing investors to gain exposure to potentially more enticing rewards.Source: Bitcoin Policy Institute As the US government grows bullish on crypto under President Donald Trump’s administration, the narrative for potential Bitcoin-enhanced Treasury bonds has been on the rise.Magazine: Bitcoin eyes $100K by June, Shaq to settle NFT lawsuit, and more: Hodler’s Digest, April 6 – 12

John Patrick Mullin, co-founder and CEO of Mantra, claims he’ll burn his OM after the token’s Sunday crash.

Pi Coin price has slipped nearly 15% today to $0.6 but Pi Community appears to have remained optimistic about the future trajectory of the coin. A renowned figure from the community said that the Pi Network’s “slow” growth is a strategic move by the team. Besides, another expert has recently revealed key reasons behind the The post Pi Community Highlights Pi Coin’s Slow Growth As ‘Strategic’ appeared first on CoinGape.

Ethereum’s push toward layer-2 (L2) blockchain scalability may be a double-edged sword for Ether, potentially weakening the value accrual of the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency, according to a new report from Binance Research.The report suggests that Ethereum’s L2 blockchain networks — built to improve mainnet scalability and lower transaction costs — may be cannibalistic of the Ethereum base layer, negatively impacting the price of Ether (ETH).Ethereum’s dominance in terms of decentralized exchange (DEX) volume and fees generated is “under threat” by Solana and BNB Smart Chain, Binance Research wrote.Ethereum, Solana, BNB, DEX volume. Source: Binance ResearchThe main factors include slow and expensive transactions, fragmented “developer mindshare and liquidity, and reduced value accrual to the L1 due to the rise of L2s,” the report said. Ethereum’s roadmap already includes future upgrades aimed at creating cheaper transactions, additional security, and more future-proof incentives for the mainnet.Still, Ether’s value accrual may continue to suffer in the near term since the next two major upgrades don’t immediately address these issues, but are aimed at creating more scalability around data availability and incorporating more L2 networks. Related: Google to enforce MiCA rules for crypto ads in Europe starting April 23Concerns have been reignited around the Ethereum mainnet’s economic incentives since Ether’s price fell to $1,410 on April 7, marking its lowest level since March 2023.ETH/USD, 1-year chart. Source: CointelegraphEther’s price fell over 61% during a four-month downtrend, which started on Dec. 16, 2024, when ETH briefly peaked above $4,100, Cointelegraph Markets Pro data shows.Ethereum’s Pectra, Fusaka upgrade won’t address Ether’s value accrualAfter initial delays, Ethereum’s highly anticipated Pectra upgrade is set to go live on the mainnet on May 7.The Pectra upgrade aims to improve Ether staking and L2 network scalability, increase blob capacity to enable more data handling on the mainnet and improve overall network capacity.The Fusaka upgrade, expected in late 2025, will focus on scaling the Ethereum mainnet as a data availability layer by introducing EIP-7594. Fusaka may also bring an update to the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), resulting in a “more structured approach” to smart-contract creation, reducing runtime overhead and improving developer experience.Ethereum data capacity upgrades. Source: Binance ResearchEthereum’s commitment to L2 scaling may be a “double-edged sword” due to concerns around the mainnet’s “competitiveness as a data availability layer” and “the sustainability of value accrual to Ethereum the asset,” the report said.Related: Ethereum shorter gains $1.1M on 50X leverage in 2 days“One promising path for stronger ETH value accrual is the development of based rollups,” which “contribute significantly more in fees” to Ethereum compared with L2s like Base, Arbitrum and Optimism, according to a Binance Research spokesperson.L2s, rollups by costs paid to Ethereum mainnet. Source: Binance Research“Another avenue is Ethereum’s evolving role as a data availability layer,” the spokesperson told Cointelegraph, adding:“Value accrual through this model depends on external factors: L2s must continue to choose Ethereum for data availability, and blockspace demand must grow in a competitive landscape where alternatives like Solana and BNB Smart Chain are gaining traction.”“Aligning incentive structures between Ethereum and L2s, whether through fee sharing, MEV capture, or protocol-level integrations, will be essential to ensure sustainable value flow back to ETH as an asset should Ethereum continue to commit to scaling with L2s,” he added.Magazine: 3 reasons Ethereum could turn a corner: Kain Warwick, X Hall of Flame

China has its sights on a mass sale of a cache of Bitcoins confiscated from illicit activities, threatening to sink prices in the short term. Chinese authorities are sitting on 15,000 Bitcoin, sparking debates over the handling of seized cryptocurrencies. China Mulls Over Bitcoin Sale On Foreign Exchanges Local governments in China are reportedly keen The post China Plans To Sell 15,000 Bitcoin On Offshore Exchanges appeared first on CoinGape.

OKX has officially announced its launch in the United States, introducing a centralized cryptocurrency exchange and the OKX Wallet, with its regional headquarters established in San Jose, California. Roshan Robert has been appointed as the US CEO, emphasizing the company’s commitment to enhancing access to digital assets in a secure and compliant manner. The phased […]

A Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI) executive floated a $1 million Bitcoin price scenario if the United States were to buy 1 million BTC. In a Bitcoin Magazine podcast, Zach Shapiro, the head of policy for the Bitcoin-focused BPI think tank, said that a 1 million Bitcoin (BTC) purchase by the US would have a massive impact on the price of the asset. “If the United States announces that we are buying a million Bitcoin, that’s just a global seismic shock. [...] I think first, Bitcoin price goes through the roof,” Shapiro said. “I think we’d probably go very quickly to something like a million dollars per Bitcoin.”   The discussion followed US President Donald Trump’s March 7 executive order establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a Digital Asset Stockpile.A “Bitcoin superpower” should hold more Bitcoin BPI executive director Matthew Pines said that other nations are watching how the US positions itself with Bitcoin before formulating their own strategies.The executive added that holding more Bitcoin aligns with Trump’s promise to make the US a Bitcoin superpower. “If Donald Trump wants to make good on his promise to be a Bitcoin superpower, that ultimately comes down to how much Bitcoin you have. This is a measure of how much the United States is making good on that rhetorical objective,” Pines said. Trump’s executive order also directs the Treasury and Commerce secretaries to develop “budget-neutral” strategies for acquiring more Bitcoin to expand the reserve without additional taxpayer burden.On March 12, Senator Cynthia Lummis reintroduced the Boosting Innovation, Technology, and Competitiveness through Optimized Investment Nationwide (BITCOIN) Act to push US holdings above 1 million BTC. Related: Semler Scientific reports $42M paper loss on Bitcoin, floats $500M stock saleTariff earnings a “budget-neutral” strategy for buying BitcoinPines also suggested ways to acquire Bitcoin in a budget-neutral fashion. He floated the idea of using tariff revenues to buy Bitcoin and other potential ways for the US government to purchase more BTC. “Revenues that the government can use to acquire more Bitcoin would be things like tariff revenue or other fees that the government collects that are not tax-based fees,” Pines said. This could include royalties from oil and gas leases, sales of federal land, physical gold and other digital assets.On April 2, Trump imposed a 10% baseline tariff on all imports from all countries through an executive order. The president’s order also included reciprocal tariffs for countries that charge tariffs on US imports. However, the administration’s evolving tariff policy has created ongoing market uncertainty.Magazine: Riskiest, most ‘addictive’ crypto game of 2025, PIXEL goes multi-game: Web3 Gamer

China's crypto liquidation highlights regulatory gaps, risking corruption and necessitating urgent reforms to align with national policies. The post China’s local authorities liquidate seized crypto to support public finances amid economic slowdown appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Your day-ahead look for April 16, 2025

A monthly market review by publicly traded US-based crypto exchange Coinbase shows that while the crypto market has contracted, it appears to be gearing up for a better quarter.According to Coinbase’s April 15 monthly outlook for institutional investors, the altcoin market cap shrank by 41% from its December 2024 highs of $1.6 trillion to $950 billion by mid-April. BTC Tools data shows that this metric touched a low of $906.9 billion on April 9 and stood at $976.9 billion at the time of writing. Venture capital funding to crypto projects has reportedly decreased by 50%–60% from 2021–22. In the report, Coinbase’s global head of research, David Duong, highlighted that a new crypto winter may be upon us.“Several converging signals may be pointing to the start of a new ‘crypto winter’ as some extreme negative sentiment has set in due to the onset of global tariffs and the potential for further escalations,” he said.Related: How trade wars impact stocks and cryptoMacroeconomic woes cause crypto turmoilThe report notes that lower venture capitalist interest “significantly limits the onboarding of new capital into the ecosystem,” which is felt primarily in the altcoin sector. The cause of that, according to Duong, is the current macroeconomic environment:“All of these structural pressures stem from the uncertainty of the broader macro environment, where traditional risk assets have faced sustained headwinds from fiscal tightening and tariff policies, contributing to the paralysis in investment decision making.“According to Coinbase researchers, those facts have resulted in “a difficult cyclical outlook for the digital asset space,” and warrant continued caution in the next four to six weeks. Still, the report’s author said that the market is likely to change directions explosively:“When the sentiment finally resets, it’s likely to happen rather quickly and we remain constructive for the second half of 2025.“Duong cited some metrics to indicate when the crypto market is moving between bull and bear market phases, including risk-adjusted performance and the 200-day moving average.Another metric was the Bitcoin (BTC) Z-score, which compares market value and realized value to identify overbought and oversold conditions. A Z-score shows how unusual current price performance is when compared to historic data.Bitcoin’s risk-adjusted performance. Source: CoinbaseThis metric “naturally accounts for crypto’s larger volatility,” but it is also slow to react. This metric tends to generate few signals in stable markets. Coinbase’s model, based on it, determined that the bull market ended in late February but has since deemed the market neutral.Coinbase’s Z-score Bitcoin model. Source: CoinbaseInstead, Coinbase’s analyst suggested that the 200-day moving average is a better indicator for determining market trends. It smooths out short-term noise while being relevant by considering the last 200 days’ worth of market data.Coinbase’s 200-day moving average Bitcoin model. Source: CoinbaseThe report also said that gauging the broader crypto market’s trend by the direction in which Bitcoin is moving is increasingly less reliable. This is because crypto expands into new sectors with decentralized finance (DeFi), decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN), artificial intelligence agents, and more, all with particular market forces independent of Bitcoin.Related: Bitcoin’s wide price range to continue, no longer a ’long only’ bet — AnalystAre we in a bear market?Duong points out that the 200-day moving average suggests that Bitcoin’s recent decline moved it into bear market territory in late March. Still, applying the same model to the Coin50 Coinbase index based on the top 50 crypto assets shows a bear market since the end of February.Coinbase’s 200-day moving average model applied to the Coin50 index. Source: CoinbaseRecent reports indicated that Bitcoin is showing growing resilience to macroeconomic headwinds compared with traditional financial markets. “Bitcoin’s decline was comparatively modest, revisiting price levels from around the US election period, “according to Wintermute.Duong sees Bitcoin becoming less of a generalized crypto indicator as a consequence of this trend. He wrote:“As Bitcoin’s role as a ‘store of value’ continues to grow, we think a holistic evaluation of crypto’s aggregate market activity will be needed to better define bull and bear markets for the asset class.“Magazine: Bitcoin eyes $100K by June, Shaq to settle NFT lawsuit, and more: Hodler’s Digest, April 6 – 12

The altcoins underperformed relative to the broader market in today’s trading, despite some encouraging recent news emerging for the Solana ecosystem.

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The combined valuation of all cryptocurrencies has fallen by around 3.65%, or $97 billion, in the past 24 hours to reach $2.58 trillion on April 16. TOTAL crypto market cap four-hour performance chart. Source: TradingViewThe top catalysts that are driving the crypto market lower today include:An ongoing tech sector slump.Reports about China potentially dumping $16 billion in Bitcoin.Liquidations in the futures market.Weakening technicals.Export restrictions on Nvidia hurt stocks, crypto Today, the crypto market’s declines mirrored similar downside sentiment in the broader risk market. Wall Street sentiment turned sour after the Donald Trump administration imposed new restrictions on Nvidia’s chip exports to China, stoking fears of another intense tariff cycle. On April 16, Nasdaq 100 futures dropped over 2.30%, while European markets sank, with chipmakers ASML Holding NV falling more than 7% on weaker demand expectations. The market turbulence spilled over into cryptocurrencies, a sector that has shown a consistent correlation with US stocks since May 2020.TOTAL crypto market cap and Nasdaq 100’s 52-week correlation coefficient. Source: TradingViewMeanwhile, gold markets continued acting as a global safe haven in times of economic uncertainty led by Trump’s zigzag tariff policies. The precious metal rose to a new record high of over $3,317 an ounce on April 16. Related: Bitcoin trader sees gold 'blow-off top' as XAU nears new $3.3K recordGold has outperformed Bitcoin (BTC) in 2025 so far, rising by 26.50% year-to-date compared to BTC dropping by 11.50%.XAU/USD vs. BTC/USD year-to-date performance chart. Source: TradingViewThat further signals a dampening risk appetite among investors and traders alike, which is hurting Bitcoin and the broader crypto market.China may dump $16 billion in Bitcoin holdingsThe crypto market’s decline occurred amid reports that China may start offloading seized Bitcoin assets, a complete opposite of the US’s plans to employ such assets for national reserves. Multiple Chinese municipalities are reportedly offloading around 15,000 BTC (worth $1.4 billion) through offshore exchanges to counter domestic economic slowdowns. ​The report appears months after CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju claimed that the Chinese government likely sold nearly $20 billion worth of Bitcoin seized from the PlusToken Ponzi scheme in January.However, recent data shows that the government has been holding 190,000 BTC—worth over $16 billion—since January 2024.China’s Bitcoin holdings chart. Source: BitcoinTreasuries.netPast selloffs by Germany and the US have shown that even modest state liquidations can spark panic and drive prices lower.Crypto market suffers $245M in liquidationsThe cryptocurrency market’s sell-off today coincides with a wave of liquidations in the futures market, totaling $245.37 million in the last 24 hours. Notably, the futures market witnessed long liquidations worth $173.83 million of the total wipeout. In comparison, short traders saw comparatively lower liquidations at $71.55 million.Crypto market’s liquidation heatmap (24 hours). Source: CoinGlassBitcoin and Ether (ETH) led the losses with $51.54 million and $49.81 million in liquidations, respectively. Mantra’s OM followed with $18.33 million, while Solana (SOL) and Worldcoin (WCT) saw $12.74 million and $11.58 million liquidated, respectively.Crypto market technicals show weaknessFrom a technical standpoint, the crypto market’s ongoing decline is occurring after failing to break above a multimonth resistance at around the $2.6 trillion level.The chart below shows the market retesting the upper boundary of a descending channel, a level that aligns with the 50-day exponential moving average (50-day EMA; the red wave) near $2.72 trillion. TOTAL crypto market cap daily performance chart. Source: TradingViewHistorically, every test of this trendline and moving average since January has resulted in a rejection and further decline. The market has also remained below the 200-day EMA, currently at $2.81 trillion, reinforcing the bearish bias.The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is hovering around 47, below the neutral 50 mark, suggesting weakening buying pressure.If the pattern holds, the market risks dropping toward the lower boundary of the descending channel near $2.2 trillion. This level also served as a strong support zone in late 2023, adding to its significance.Until the market breaks decisively above the 50-day EMA and the descending trendline, the setup favors continued downside toward $2.2 trillion.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.

STH MVRV dropped to 0.82, signaling investor stress — while long-term holders quietly accumulate.

Layer 2 payments blockchain Fuse has announced a partnership with Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP) to develop and deploy a real-time threat prevention security layer for its blockchain. This collaboration aims to secure smart contracts and wallets by identifying and mitigating threats before they can develop, shifting blockchain defense from detection to proactive […]

Bitcoin’s (BTC) price has dropped by over 2.5% over the last 24 hours to $83,400 as concerns over tariff impacts continue to sour investor sentiment.BTC/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewSeveral factors are behind Bitcoin’s decline today, including:Sluggish institutional demand as spot Bitcoin ETF flows turn negative.Bullish momentum stalls.Low whale accumulation.BTC price rejection at key trendlines.Negative spot Bitcoin ETF flows returnSpot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have been a significant driver of institutional interest, but recent data suggest the demand is waning.Spot Bitcoin ETFs saw a total of $964 million in net outflows between March 28 and April 15, according to data from Farside Investors. The strong selling pressure began at the end of March, as global trade tensions increased and fears of an economic recession grew.Negative inflows into spot BTC ETFs signal waning demand from institutional investors. This lack of fresh capital reduces buying pressure, pushing prices down as supply outpaces demand.Spot Bitcoin ETF flows table. Source: Farside InvestorsInvestors are now closely monitoring spot Bitcoin ETFs as a persistent outflow trend could exacerbate the correction.“ETF demand is cooling,” said a market intelligence firm, CryptoQuant, in an April 14 post on X.The CEO of the onchain data provider, Ki Young Ju, said:“When the total assets under management of spot Bitcoin ETF products experience a significant decrease, it can be considered a substantial withdrawal of institutional investors.”ETF demand is cooling.A sharp drop in Bitcoin spot ETF assets signals institutional outflows.Watch this trend closely. pic.twitter.com/IVVNL1kPYy— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) April 14, 2025Bitcoin bulls are absentMarket sentiment has shifted bearish, with bulls notably absent, according to CryptoQuant.Its head of research, Julio Moreno, shared a chart showing that the Bull Score Index, a metric that gauges Bitcoin’s market health, has been Off (below 50) for 58 of the last 60 days.This marks the longest streak of days with the metric in bearish territory since September 2022, when Bitcoin was firmly in a bear market."Bull off" suggests a decline in bullish momentum or a weakening of bullish sentiment in the market, potentially signaling a continuation of the current bearish conditions. This condition is historically associated with negative price trends. “Similar patterns occurred in July 2021, January 2022, and June 2022, when the Index stayed below 50 for 60 consecutive days during periods of sharp market declines.”Bitcoin bull score index. Source: CryptoQuantAdditionally, Bitcoin accumulation by large investors remains weak.The chart below shows whale holdings have declined by approximately 30,000 BTC over the last seven days. Their monthly accumulation rate dropped from 2.7% at the end of March to just 0.5%, its slowest pace since Feb. 20.“This is happening in the context of US-China trade tensions as a result of US tariffs.”Bitcoin: Total whale holdings and % monthly change. Source: CryptoQuantThis absence of bullish conviction leaves Bitcoin vulnerable to further sell-offs as speculative traders and short-term holders capitulate. Without a catalyst to reignite bullish momentum, the market struggles to find a floor, pushing prices lower.Related: Bitcoin trader sees gold 'blow-off top' as XAU nears new $3.3K recordMoving averages cap Bitcoin’s priceBTC’s drop today is part of a prevailing downtrend that began when the price was rejected from a major resistance zone, as shown in the chart below.Bitcoin’s latest recovery attempt was curtailed by this resistance zone, namely at the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) ($84,180) and the 200-day SMA ($87,650). BTC/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe next support level to watch is the $80,000 psychological level. Further down, the main area of interest lies between the $74,400 range low (from April 7) and the $76,600 low reached on March 11.These are important levels for Bitcoin to maintain a bullish structure, according to MN Capital founder Michael van de Poppe.#Bitcoin is still stuck in the range, and as long as it stays above $80K, I think we'll be fine with further upwards momentum on this one. pic.twitter.com/oIXG9FyqKS— Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) April 16, 2025As earlier reported by Cointelegraph, Bitcoin’s death cross is still in play on the daily timeframe, which could further dampen hopes of a short-term rally.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.

The Aergo price has seen a significant uptrend following the recent announcements by prominent exchanges like Binance and DigiFinex Global. Within a day, Aergo surged by 18%, reaching a new all-time high. Binance Launches Aergo Perpetual Contracts, Price Surges In a stunning announcement, Binance, a top crypto exchange, revealed its decision to launch Aergo Perpetual The post AERGO Price Rockets Amid Binance & Other Major Listings appeared first on CoinGape.

The cryptocurrency price prediction for today, April 16, suggests choppy moves will continue as Bitcoin price defends $80,000 while Ethereum holds on to the $1,500 support level. Meanwhile, macro trends are shifting as President Trump considers pausing auto tariffs. If this happens, altcoins are poised to rally. In this article, we look at the top The post Cryptocurrency Price Prediction: 5 Altcoins Likely to Explode This Week appeared first on CoinGape.

Ethena GmbH has been ordered by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) to wind up its business related to the issuance of its USDe tokens. BaFin revealed it found serious deficiencies in Ethena GmbH’s operations during the authorization procedure and imposed sanctions, leading to the requirement for the company to reverse its USDe token […]

Italy’s minister of economy and finance warned that US stablecoin policies are more concerning than President Donald Trump’s tariffs, citing the potential for these crypto assets to undermine the euro’s dominance in cross-border payments.Speaking at an event in Milan, Giancarlo Giorgetti said that while trade tariffs dominate headlines, new US policies on dollar-backed stablecoins present an “even more dangerous” threat to European financial stability, according to a Reuters report.US stablecoins allow users to invest in a widely accepted method for cross-border payments without opening a US bank account, Giorgetti said. He warned that the growing appeal of US stablecoins to Europeans should not be underestimated. Giorgetti urged European Union lawmakers to take more steps to boost the euro’s position as an international currency. He added that the digital euro under development by the European Central Bank (ECB) will be essential to minimize the need for Europeans to resort to foreign solutions. US lawmakers advance stablecoin billsPresently, stablecoin regulation in the US remains fragmented. Instead of a unified framework, multiple agencies apply existing laws to regulate stablecoins. However, lawmakers are working to implement changes, with several pieces of stablecoin legislation progressing. On April 2, the US House Financial Services Committee passed the Stablecoin Transparency and Accountability for a Better Ledger Economy (STABLE) Act. The bill is now headed to the House floor for a full vote. The bill was introduced on Feb. 6 by Committee Chair French Hill and the Digital Assets Subcommittee Chair Bryan Steil. It would ensure that stablecoin issuers provide information on their businesses, including how their tokens are backed. In addition, the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act establishes rules that require issuers to maintain reserves backed one-to-one, comply with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws, protect consumers and boost dollar dominance in the global economy. The GENIUS Act still requires approval by both chambers of Congress and a presidential signature before becoming law.Related: Stablecoins are the best way to ensure US dollar dominance — Web3 CEOECB exec renews digital euro pushApart from Giorgetti, ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone also urged European lawmakers to intensify their efforts to combat dollar-backed stablecoin dominance in Europe. On April 8, Cipollone wrote an article expressing concerns about the growing popularity of US stablecoins. The official suggested launching a central bank digital currency to combat this threat to the euro. He said this would aid in preserving the monetary sovereignty of the eurozone. Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging research

Seychelles-based cryptocurrency exchange OKX announced that it is reentering the US market.According to an April 16 blog post, OKX will return to the United States market along with the appointment of former Barclays director Roshan Robert as its US CEO. Robert said in the post:“Today, I’m thrilled to announce the launch of OKX’s centralized crypto exchange and OKX Wallet in the United States, alongside the establishment of our regional headquarters in San Jose, California.“All existing Okcoin users will be migrated to the new platform, which Robert said will lead to a better overall experience. The promised improvements include deeper liquidity, lower fees and advanced trading tools.Source: OKXRelated: Standard Chartered and OKX pilot crypto, tokenized fund collateralsStep by stepOKX will not roll out the upgrade in one shot. Instead, the new platform will take a phased approach to onboard new customers. The exchange plans to follow the cautious approach with a nationwide launch later in 2025.“We’re beginning with a phased rollout for new customers to ensure a smooth and secure onboarding process, with a broader nationwide launch planned later this year,“ Robert said.OKX also promised integrations with local banks and support for major assets, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), USDt (USDT) and USDC (USDC). Robert noted that the company maintains a global proof of reserves for all its assets, which is published monthly by cybersecurity firm Hacken.Hacken had not responded to Cointelegraph’s request for comment by publication time.In addition to its trading platform, the firm is also rolling out OKX Wallet to its US-based customers. The wallet supports 130 blockchains and features a decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator, allowing access to over 10 million tokens on platforms including Ethereum, Solana and Base.Related: Malta regulator fines OKX crypto exchange $1.2M for past AML breachesOKX gets out of US troublesThe report follows OKX hiring former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to advise it over a federal probe that resulted in the firm pleading guilty to several violations and agreeing to pay $505 million in fines and penalties.The exchange admitted on Feb. 24 to operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business in violation of US Anti-Money Laundering laws. As a consequence, OKX agreed to pay $84 million worth of penalties while forfeiting $421 million worth of fees earned from primarily institutional clients.After the investigation concluded, OKX said it would seek out a compliance consultant to remedy the problems revealed by the federal probe and improve its compliance efforts. OKX’s CEO Star Xu wrote in a Feb. 24 X post:“Our vision is to make OKX the gold standard of global compliance at scale across different markets and their respective regulatory bodies.”OKX had not responded to Cointelegraph’s request for comment by publication timeMagazine: XRP win leaves Ripple and industry with no crypto legal precedent set

UNDER EXPOSED EP21: Macro, BTC Outperforms and Trading Roundtable UNDER EXPOSED brings you coverage of the biggest macro news of the week impacting crypto and broader markets, with a focus on the newest trends, trades and narratives. Join hosts TylerD, Deeze, Geebz and Peter Jennings as they have longer conversations on the hottest sectors in crypto and NFTs, what is moving markets and what they’re buying and selling. Streaming live every Tuesday from 12:00 PM EST to 1:00 PM EST on YouTube and X. LIVE AUDIO SPACE - https://x.com/i/spaces/1LyxBWbvloYKN/peek Links: https://www.rug.fm/ https://x.com/rugradio https://linktr.ee/rugradio Hosts: https://twitter.com/deeze https://twitter.com/CSURAM88 https://twitter.com/artgeebz https://twitter.com/tyler_did_it Myriad: https://myriad.markets https://x.com/MyriadMarkets https://www.instagram.com/myriadmarkets #bitcoin #crypto #podcast

Soneium, a layer-2 (L2) blockchain network developed by Sony Block Solutions Labs, said it has slashed its blockchain finality time by over 98%, as it aims to solve one of the biggest challenges in blockchain scalability.Astar, a Japanese Web3 adoption collective bridging Astar Network and Soneium, announced a strategic partnership with AltLayer and EigenLayer to launch a “Fast Finality Layer” for Sony’s L2 blockchain.In blockchain settlement, finality is the assurance that a transaction is irreversible, which happens after it is added to a block on the blockchain ledger.The new finality layer provides a crypto-economic security guarantee through a decentralized network of validators to reduce the reliance on centralized sequencers and enable more secure crosschain interactions.Soneium, ALtLayer, EigenLayer partnership. Source: Astar NetworkThis could result in a sub-10-second transaction finality for Soneium, a 98% reduction from its initial 15-minute finality, which was achieved through Optimism’s OP Stack, according to an announcement shared with Cointelegraph.The new validator network will be secured by both restaked Ether (ETH) and Astar (ASTR) tokens.Reducing blockchain finality is key for enabling more advanced decentralized finance (DeFi) use cases and improving developer and user experience since most solutions experience finality delays from 15 minutes to several days, according to Maarten Henskens, head of Astar Foundation.The new partnership is a “crucial step toward secure, high-speed, crosschain interoperability,” he told Cointelegraph, adding:“It’s a foundational improvement in UX and trust: users no longer need to wait or “double-check” if a transaction will be reversed, and developers can confidently build real-time, interactive applications without worrying about delayed finality.”“This milestone is just the beginning — and there’s a much larger story unfolding around how fast finality will reshape developer UX, DeFi, and crosschain experiences,” he added.L2s by blockchain finality time. Source: L2beat Arbitrum One is currently the fastest blockchain, with an average finality time of one minute, the same as Coinbase’s Base L2 network, both relying on optimistic rollups, L2beat data shows.Related: Crypto lending down 43% from 2021 highs, DeFi borrowing surges 959%Blockchain L2 finality a key bottleneck for adoptionSolving blockchain finality remains the biggest barrier to mainstream Web3 adoption, according to YQ Jia, CEO of AltLayer.“By combining EigenLayer’s restaking with MACH validation and support from Astar Network, we’re creating an infrastructure that offers the best of both worlds — Ethereum’s security guarantees with near-instant finality,” Jia said. “This is exactly the kind of solution needed to bring blockchain technology to mainstream adoption.”Related: Kraken rolls out ETF and stock access for US crypto tradersEigenLayer has sought to advance mainstream blockchain adoption since it launched.In February 2025, EigenLayer and blockchain protocol Cartesi launched a new initiative to find the next key prototype consumer application with new use cases that may bolster mainstream crypto adoption.Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again