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Trump exempts select tech products from tariffs, crypto to benefit?
United States President Donald Trump has exempted an array of tech products including, smartphones, chips, computers, and select electronics from tariffs, giving the tech industry a much-needed respite from trade pressures.According to the US Customs and Border Protection, storage cards, modems, diodes, semiconductors, and other electronics were also excluded from the ongoing trade tariffs."Large-cap technology companies will ultimately come out ahead when this is all said and done," The Kobeissi letter wrote in an April 12 X post.US Customs and Border Protection announces tariff exemptions on select tech products. Source: US Customs and Border ProtectionThe tariff relief will take the pressure off of tech stocks, which were one of the biggest casualties of the trade war. Crypto markets are correlated with tech stocks and could also rally as risk appetite increases on positive trade war headlines.Following news of the tariff exemptions, the price of Bitcoin (BTC) broke past $85,000 on April 12, a signal that crypto markets are already responding to the latest macroeconomic development.Related: Billionaire investor would ‘not be surprised’ if Trump postpones tariffsMarkets hinge on Trump's every word during macroeconomic uncertaintyPresident Trump walked back the sweeping tariff policies on April 9 by initiating a 90-day pause on the reciprocal tariffs and lowering tariff rates to 10% for countries that did not respond with counter-tariffs on US goods.Bitcoin surged by 9% and the S&P 500 surged by over 10% on the same day that Trump issued the tariff pause.Macroeconomic trader Raoul Pal said the tariff policies were a negotiation tool to establish a US-China trade deal and characterized the US administration's trade rhetoric as "posturing."Bitcoin advocate Max Keiser argued that exempting select tech products from import tariffs would not reduce bond yields or further the Trump administration's goal of lowering interest rates.Yield on the 10-year US government bond spikes following sweeping trade policies from the Trump administration. Source: TradingViewThe yield on the 10-year US Treasury Bond shot up to a local high of approximately 4.5% on April 11 as bond investors reacted to the macroeconomic uncertainty of a protracted trade war."The concession just given to China for tech exports won’t reverse the trend of rates going higher. Confidence in US bonds and the US Dollar has been eroding for years and won’t stop now," Keiser wrote on April 12.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.Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions
Published: 2 hours ago
Asia holds crypto liquidity, but US Treasurys will unlock institutional funds
Opinion by: Jack Lu, CEO of BounceBitFor years, crypto has promised a more open and efficient financial system. A fundamental inefficiency remains: the disconnect between US capital markets and Asia’s liquidity hubs.The United States dominates capital formation, and its recent embrace of tokenized treasuries and real-world assets signals a significant step toward blockchain-based finance. Meanwhile, Asia has historically been a global crypto trading and liquidity hub despite evolving regulatory shifts. These two economies operate, however, in silos, limiting how capital can move seamlessly into digital assets.This isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a structural weakness preventing crypto from becoming a true institutional asset class. Solving it will cause a new era of structured liquidity, making digital assets more efficient and attractive to institutional investors.The capital bottleneck holding crypto backInefficiency between US capital markets and Asian crypto hubs stems from regulatory fragmentation and a lack of institutional-grade financial instruments.US firms hesitate to bring tokenized treasuries onchain because of evolving regulations and compliance burdens. Meanwhile, Asian trading platforms operate in a different regulatory paradigm, with fewer barriers to trading but limited access to US-based capital. Without a unified framework, cross-border capital flow remains inefficient.Stablecoins bridge traditional finance and crypto by providing a blockchain-based alternative to fiat. They are not enough. Markets require more than just fiat equivalents. To function efficiently, they need yield-bearing, institutionally trusted assets like US Treasurys and bonds. Without these, institutional capital remains largely absent from crypto markets.Crypto needs a universal collateral standardCrypto must evolve beyond simple tokenized dollars and develop structured, yield-bearing instruments that institutions can trust. Crypto needs a global collateral standard that links traditional finance with digital assets. This standard must meet three core criteria.First, it must offer stability. Institutions will not allocate meaningful capital to an asset class that lacks a robust foundation. Therefore, collateral must be backed by real-world financial instruments that provide consistent yield and security.Recent: Hong Kong crypto payment firm RedotPay wraps $40M Series A funding roundSecond, it must be widely adopted. Just as Tether’s USDt (USDT) and USDC (USDC) became de facto standards for fiat-backed stablecoins, widely accepted yield-bearing assets are necessary for institutional liquidity. Market fragmentation will persist without standardization, limiting crypto’s ability to integrate with broader financial systems.Third, it must be DeFi-native. These assets must be composable and interoperable across blockchains and exchanges, allowing capital to move freely. Digital assets will remain locked in separate liquidity pools without onchain integration, preventing efficient market growth.Without this infrastructure, crypto will continue to operate as a fragmented financial system. To ensure that both US and Asian investors can access tokenized financial instruments under the same security and governance standard, institutions require a seamless, compliant pathway for capital deployment. Establishing a structured framework that aligns crypto liquidity with institutional financial principles will determine whether digital assets can truly scale beyond their current limitations.The rise of institutional-grade crypto liquidityA new generation of financial products is beginning to solve this issue. Tokenized treasuries, like BUIDL and USYC, function as stable-value, yield-generating assets, offering investors an onchain version of traditional fixed-income products. These instruments provide an alternative to traditional stablecoins, enabling a more capital-efficient system that mimics traditional money markets.Asian exchanges are beginning to incorporate these tokens, providing users access to yields from US capital markets. Beyond mere access, however, a more significant opportunity lies in packaging crypto exposure alongside tokenized US capital market assets in a way that meets institutional standards while remaining accessible in Asia. This will allow for a more robust, compliant and scalable system that connects traditional and digital finance.Bitcoin is also evolving beyond its role as a passive store of value. Bitcoin-backed financial instruments enable Bitcoin (BTC) to be restaked as collateral, unlocking liquidity while generating rewards. For Bitcoin to function effectively within institutional markets, however, it must be integrated into a structured financial system that aligns with regulatory standards, making it accessible and compliant for investors across regions.Centralized decentralized finance (DeFi), or “CeDeFi,” is the hybrid model that integrates centralized liquidity with DeFi’s transparency and composability, and is another key piece of this transition. For this to be widely adopted by institutional players, it must offer standardized risk management, clear regulatory compliance and deep integration with traditional financial markets. Ensuring that CeDeFi-based instruments — e.g., tokenized treasuries, BTC restaking or structured lending — operate within recognized institutional frameworks will be critical for unlocking large-scale liquidity.The key shift is not just about tokenizing assets. It’s about creating a system where digital assets can serve as effective financial instruments that institutions recognize and trust.Why this matters nowThe next phase of crypto’s evolution depends on its ability to attract institutional capital. The industry is at a turning point: Unless crypto establishes a foundation for seamless capital movement between traditional markets and digital assets, it will struggle to gain long-term institutional adoption.Bridging US capital with Asian liquidity is not just an opportunity — it is a necessity. The winners in this next phase of digital asset growth will be the projects that solve the fundamental flaws in liquidity and collateral efficiency, laying the groundwork for a truly global, interoperable financial system.Crypto was designed to be borderless. Now, it’s time to make its liquidity borderless, too.Opinion by: Jack Lu, CEO of BounceBit. 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.
Published: 4 hours ago
Why is Solana (SOL) price up today?
Solana (SOL) price is outperforming the crypto market on April 11, up 7.45% over the last 24 hours to trade at $121.SOL/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewLet’s take a closer look at the factors behind Solana’s rally today.Renewed SOL ETF approval optimismSolana price appears to be benefitting from a broader market bounce across the entire cryptocurrency market and renewed optimism surrounding a potential Solana ETF approval in the US following Paul Atkins’ appointment as SEC chair. Atkins, known for his crypto-friendly stance, has sparked speculation that altcoin ETFs, including Solana, could face a smoother path to approval. The betting odds for a SOL ETF approval in 2025 now stand at 76% on Polymarket. Over the past three months, the probability of approval has swung 11% in favor of the bulls, which was around 65% on Jan. 4.SOL ETF approval odds on Polymarket. Source: PolymarketSeveral major asset managers have submitted applications for a Solana ETF, including VanEck, Grayscale, 21Shares, Bitwise, and Canary Capital.Market participants believe such an offering could attract new capital and enhance liquidity in SOL trading. Margin short liquidations push SOL price higherRising liquidations in Solana’s derivatives market also played a role in today’s rally, according to data from CoinGlass. The crypto futures market witnessed the liquidation of over $226 million worth of leverage positions in the last 24 hours, with $152.4 million being short liquidations.Over $9.3 million in short SOL positions were liquidated against $2.1 million in long liquidations over the same period. Total crypto liquidations. Source: CoinGlassRelated: Fartcoin rallies 104% in a week — Will Solana (SOL) price catch up?Solana’s RSI shows a bullish divergenceOn SOL’s daily chart, there is a bullish divergence with the daily RSI which preceded today’s price increase.SOL/USD daily chart. Source: TradingViewThe bullish divergence could be a hint that the bulls are gaining control, and if the trend holds, SOL price could rally toward the 50-day SMA above $130 in the short term.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.
Published: 20 hours ago
Trump kills DeFi broker rule in major crypto win: Finance Redefined
Trump kills DeFi broker rule in major crypto win: Finance Redefined, April 4–11In a significant win for decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, US President Donald Trump overturned the Internal Revenue Service’s DeFi broker rule, which would have expanded existing reporting requirements to include DeFi platforms.Increasing US crypto regulatory clarity will attract more tech giants to the space, requiring existing crypto projects to focus on more collaborative tokenomics to survive, according to Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson.Trump signs resolution killing IRS DeFi broker ruleTrump signed a joint congressional resolution overturning a Biden administration-era rule that would have required DeFi protocols to report transactions to the Internal Revenue Service.Set to take effect in 2027, the IRS DeFi broker rule would have expanded the tax authority’s existing reporting requirements to include DeFi platforms, requiring them to disclose gross proceeds from crypto sales, including information regarding taxpayers involved in the transactions.Trump formally killed the measure by signing off on the resolution on April 10, marking the first time a crypto bill has been signed into US law, Representative Mike Carey, who backed the bill, said in a statement.“The DeFi Broker Rule needlessly hindered American innovation, infringed on the privacy of everyday Americans, and was set to overwhelm the IRS with an overflow of new filings that it doesn’t have the infrastructure to handle during tax season,” he said.Continue readingCrypto needs collaborative tokenomics against tech giants — HoskinsonThe next generation of cryptocurrency projects must embrace a more collaborative approach to compete with major centralized tech companies entering the Web3 space, according to Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson.Speaking at Paris Blockchain Week 2025, Hoskinson said one of the main criticisms of the crypto and DeFi space is its “circular economy,” which often means that the rally of a specific cryptocurrency is bolstered by funds exiting another token, limiting the growth of the whole industry.Hoskinsin said that to have a chance against the centralized technology giants joining the Web3 industry, cryptocurrency projects need more collaborative tokenomics and market structure.Hoskinson on stage at Paris Blockchain Week. Source: Cointelegraph“The problem right now, with the way we’ve done things in the cryptocurrency space, is the tokenomics and the market structure are intrinsically adversarial. It’s sum 0,” said Hoskinson. “Instead of picking a fight, what you have to do is you have to find tokenomics and market structure that allows you to be in a cooperative equilibrium.”He argued that the current environment often sees one crypto project’s growth come at the expense of another rather than contributing to the sector’s overall health. He added that this is not sustainable in the face of trillion-dollar firms like Apple, Google and Microsoft, which may soon join the Web3 race amid clearer US regulations.Continue readingBitcoin’s 24/7 liquidity: Double-edged sword during global market turmoilBitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are often praised for offering around-the-clock trading access, but that constant availability may have contributed to a steep sell-off over the weekend following the latest US trade tariff announcement.Unlike stocks and traditional financial instruments, Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies enable payments and trading opportunities 24/7 thanks to the accessibility of blockchain technology.After a record-breaking $5 trillion was wiped from the S&P 500 over two days — the worst drop on record — Bitcoin remained above the $82,000 support level. But by Sunday, the asset had plummeted to under $75,000.Sunday’s correction may have occurred due to Bitcoin being the only large tradable asset over the weekend, according to Lucas Outumuro, head of research at crypto intelligence platform IntoTheBlock. “There was a bit of optimism last week that Bitcoin might be uncorrelating and fairing better than traditional stocks, but the [correction] did accelerate over the weekend,” Outumuro said during Cointelegraph’s Chainreaction live show on X, adding:“There’s very little people can sell on a Sunday because most markets are closed. That also enables the correlation because people are panicking and Bitcoin is the largest asset they can sell over the weekend.”Outumuro noted that Bitcoin’s weekend trading can also have upside effects, as prices often rally in calmer conditions.Continue readingBybit recovers market share to 7% after $1.4 billion hackBybit’s market share rebounded to pre-hack levels following a $1.4 billion exploit in February, as the crypto exchange implemented tighter security and improved liquidity options for retail traders.The crypto industry was rocked by the largest hack in its history on Feb. 21, when Bybit lost over $1.4 billion in liquid-staked Ether (stETH), Mantle Staked ETH (mETH) and other digital assets.Despite the scale of the exploit, Bybit has steadily regained market share, according to an April 9 report by crypto analytics firm Block Scholes.“Since this initial decline, Bybit has steadily regained market share as it works to repair sentiment and as volumes return to the exchange,” the report stated.Block Scholes said Bybit’s proportional share rose from a post-hack low of 4% to about 7%, reflecting a strong and stable recovery in spot market activity and trading volumes.Bybit’s spot volume market share as a proportion of the market share of the top 20 CEXs. Source: Block ScholesThe hack occurred amid a “broader trend of macro de-risking that began prior to the event,” which signaled that Bybit’s initial decline in trading volume was not solely due to the exploit.Continue readingNearly 400,000 FTX users risk losing $2.5 billion in repaymentsAlmost 400,000 creditors of the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX risk missing out on $2.5 billion in repayments after failing to begin the mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) verification process.About 392,000 FTX creditors have failed to complete or at least take the first steps of the mandatory Know Your Customer verification, according to an April 2 court filing in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.FTX users originally had until March 3 to begin the verification process to collect their claims.“If a holder of a claim listed on Schedule 1 attached thereto did not commence the KYC submission process with respect to such claim on or prior to March 3, 2025, at 4:00 pm (ET) (the “KYC Commencing Deadline”), 2 such claim shall be disallowed and expunged in its entirety,” the filing states.FTX court filing. Source: Bloomberglaw.comThe KYC deadline has since been extended to June 1, giving users another chance to verify their identity and claim eligibility. Those who fail to meet the new deadline may have their claims permanently disqualified.According to the court documents, claims under $50,000 may account for about $655 million in disallowed repayments, while claims over $50,000 could amount to $1.9 billion, bringing the total at-risk funds to more than $2.5 billion.Continue readingDeFi market overviewAccording to data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView, most of the 100 largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization ended the week in the red.The EOS (EOS) token fell over 23%, marking the week’s biggest decline in the top 100, followed by the Near Protocol (NEAR) token, down over 19% on the weekly chart.Total value locked in DeFi. Source: DefiLlamaThanks for reading our summary of this week’s most impactful DeFi developments. Join us next Friday for more stories, insights and education regarding this dynamically advancing space.
Published: 1 day ago
Price analysis 4/11: BTC, ETH, XRP, BNB, SOL, DOGE, ADA, LEO, LINK, AVAX
Bitcoin (BTC) is showing strength as buyers have pushed the price above $82,500, but higher levels are likely to attract solid selling from the bears. CryptoQuant analysts said in a recent market report that Bitcoin could face resistance around $84,000, but if the level is surpassed, the next stop may be $96,000.Although trade tensions between the United States and China have flared up, institutional crypto investment firm Bitwise remains bullish on Bitcoin. Bitwise chief investment officer Matt Hougan said in a post on X that the firm’s previously predicted year-end target of $200,000 for Bitcoin remains in play.Crypto market data daily view. Source: Coin360However, market participants remain cautious in the near term. The US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds continued to witness outflows on April 9 and April 10, according to Farside Investors data. Could Bitcoin break and sustain above the overhead resistance? Will altcoins follow Bitcoin higher? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.Bitcoin price analysisBitcoin’s recovery from the $73,777 support has reached near the resistance line, which is a critical level to watch out for in the near term.BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe 20-day exponential moving average ($82,435) is turning down, but the relative strength index (RSI) has risen close to the midpoint, indicating that the bearish momentum is weakening. The BTC/USDT pair is expected to face intense selling at the resistance line, but if the bulls prevail, the rally could reach $89,000 and then $95,000.Sellers are likely to have other plans. They will try to defend the resistance line and pull the price below the immediate support at $78,500. If they manage to do that, the pair could retest the vital support at $73,777.Ether price analysisEther (ETH) rebounded off the $1,368 support on April 9, but the bulls are struggling to sustain the higher levels.ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe downsloping moving averages and the RSI in the negative territory suggest that the bears hold the edge. Sellers will try to sink the ETH/USDT pair below $1,368. If they can pull it off, the selling could accelerate, and the pair may tumble to $1,150.If buyers want to prevent the breakdown, they will have to quickly push the price above $1,754. That clears the path for a rally to the breakdown level of $2,111. This is an essential level for the bears to defend because a break above $2,111 suggests a short-term trend change.XRP price analysisXRP (XRP) rose back above the breakdown level of $2 on April 9, but the recovery is facing selling at the 20-day EMA ($2.09).XRP/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIf the price turns down from the 20-day EMA, the bears will try to sink the XRP/USDT pair to the critical support at $1.61. Buyers are expected to fiercely defend the $1.61 level because a break below it may clear the path for a decline to $1.27.Alternatively, if the price rises above the 20-day EMA, it suggests that the markets have rejected the breakdown below $2. The pair could rally to the resistance line, where the bears are expected to mount a strong defense.BNB price analysisBNB (BNB) has reached the 20-day EMA ($590), which is an important near-term resistance to watch out for.BNB/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewSellers will try to defend the zone between the 20-day EMA and the downtrend line, but if the bulls do not give up much ground, it improves the prospects of a break above the overhead resistance zone. The BNB/USDT pair could then ascend to $644.Contrary to this assumption, if the price turns down sharply from the overhead resistance, it suggests that the bears have not given up. That could keep the pair stuck inside the triangle for a while longer.Solana price analysisSolana (SOL) rose above the breakdown level of $110 on April 9, but the bulls are facing resistance at the 20-day EMA ($121).SOL/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewA minor advantage in favor of the bulls is that the bears did not allow the price to slip back below $110 on April 10. That shows buying on dips. If the bulls kick the price above the 20-day EMA, the SOL/USDT pair may rally to the 50-day SMA ($133) and then to $153.This positive view will be invalidated in the short term if the price turns down sharply from the 20-day EMA and breaks below $110. The pair could then retest the April 7 intraday low of $95. Dogecoin price analysisBuyers have successfully defended the $0.14 in Dogecoin (DOGE) but are yet to clear the moving averages.DOGE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIf the price turns down sharply from the moving averages, it suggests that the sentiment remains negative and traders are selling on rallies. That increases the likelihood of a break below $0.14. The DOGE/USDT pair could then plummet toward the next significant support at $0.10.Conversely, a break and close above the moving averages will be the first sign of strength. There is resistance at $0.20, but if the bulls overcome it, the pair will complete a double-bottom pattern. The pair could march to $0.24 and subsequently to $0.26.Cardano price analysisCardano (ADA) has reached the 20-day EMA ($0.65), which is a strong near-term resistance to watch out for.ADA/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIf the price breaks above the 20-day EMA, the ADA/USDT pair could reach the 50-day SMA ($0.71). This level may again pose a strong challenge, but if the buyers prevail, the pair could rally to $0.83.On the contrary, if the price turns down sharply from the 20-day EMA, it signals that the bears are selling on every minor rally. That heightens the risk of a break below the $0.50 support. If that happens, the pair could slide to $0.40.Related: Bollinger Bands creator says Bitcoin forming 'classic' floor near $80KUNUS SED LEO price analysisUNUS SED LEO (LEO) rose back above the uptrend line on April 9, signaling solid demand at lower levels.LEO/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe 20-day EMA ($9.38) is flattening out, and the RSI is near the midpoint, suggesting a balance between supply and demand. If the price breaks above the 20-day EMA, the LEO/USD pair could reach the overhead resistance at $9.90. If the price turns down from the 20-day EMA, it suggests that the bears continue to sell on rallies. The bears will then make one more attempt to sink the pair below $8.79. If they succeed, the decline could extend to $8.30.Chainlink price analysisChainlink (LINK) has been trading inside a descending channel pattern for several days. The rebound on April 9 shows that the bulls are trying to defend the support line.LINK/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe moving averages are expected to act as a stiff resistance on the way up. If buyers propel the price above the moving averages, the LINK/USDT pair could pick up momentum and rally to $16 and later to $17.50.Contrarily, if the price turns down from the moving averages, it suggests that the bears are active at higher levels. The bears will then make one more attempt to sink the pair below the support line.Avalanche price analysisAvalanche (AVAX) rebounded sharply off the $15.27 support on April 9, indicating solid buying at lower levels.AVAX/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThere is resistance in the zone between the 50-day SMA ($20) and the downtrend line, but if the buyers overcome it, the AVAX/USDT pair could surge to $23.50.Sellers are expected to aggressively defend the $23.50 level because a break and close above it will complete a double bottom pattern. This reversal setup has a target objective of $31.73.Instead, if the price turns down from the overhead resistance, it suggests that the pair could remain range-bound between $15.27 and $23.50 for some time.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.
Published: 1 day ago
Trump memecoins worth $321M to hit the market next week
United States President Donald Trump’s official memecoin is set to unlock $321 million worth of vested tokens on April 18.Token vesting tracker Tokenomist data shows that 40 million Trump tokens will be released in a cliff unlock, meaning the tokens will be available all at once. With the tokens currently trading at about $8, the unlock represents about $321 million in supply entering the market at once.Token vesting is a common practice in the crypto space to incentivize long-term holding and prevent early investors or team members from dumping tokens during the start of the project. Instead, projects impose a vesting period that allows individuals or entities to gradually get access to the tokens. Trump memecoin down 89% since its peakWhile the token’s creators reportedly profited by more than $350 million, retail investors have not fared as well. Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis estimates that at least 813,000 wallets suffered losses totaling roughly $2 billion following the memecoin’s rapid rise and fall.Trump’s official token has seen a sharp decrease in value since its peak. On Jan. 19, the token reached an all-time high (ATH) of $73.43. This happened a day before the then-incoming US president was inaugurated. The hype surrounding the token has died down since. Its current value of $8 represents an 89% drop since its ATH. The forthcoming token unlock might also cause a further price drop for the Trump memecoin. Massive token unlocks are often followed by sharp declines in crypto prices as holders who previously couldn’t sell will be allowed to offload their crypto. In March 2024, Arbitrum unlocked $2.32 billion in vested crypto tokens. At the time, its ARB token was worth $1.89. However, the event was followed by a decline in the crypto asset’s value, with the token trading at $0.29 at the time of writing, an 84% drop since the unlock. The Trump token is the largest single crypto unlock scheduled for the week of April 14–20. It accounts for roughly 61% of the total $519 million in tokens set to be released across several projects, according to Tokenomist.$519 million in locked crypto tokens will be released next week. Source: TokenomistRelated: Trump administration reportedly shutters DOJ’s crypto enforcement teamTokens worth $519 million due to be unlocked next weekIn addition to Trump’s memecoin, projects including Arbitrum, Fasttoken and Starknet will release vested tokens next week. FTN’s unlock is the second-biggest release after Trump’s memecoin. Tokenomist data shows the project will release 20 million FTN worth $80 million. The crypto assets are allocated to the team and its founders. Arbitrum will release ARB (ARB) tokens worth over $27 million next week, which will be unlocked for its founders, team members and private investors. Meanwhile, Starknet will release 127 million STRK (STRK) tokens worth $16 million. Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging research
Published: 1 day ago
New York bill proposes legalizing Bitcoin, crypto for state payments
A New York lawmaker has introduced legislation that would allow state agencies to accept cryptocurrency payments, signaling growing political momentum for digital asset integration in public services.Assembly Bill A7788, introduced by Assemblyman Clyde Vanel, seeks to amend state financial law to allow New York state agencies to accept cryptocurrencies as a form of payment.It would permit state agencies to accept payments in Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Litecoin (LTC) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH), according to the bill’s text.Source: Nysenate.govAccording to the bill, state offices could authorize crypto payments for “fines, civil penalties, rent, rates, taxes, fees, charges, revenue, financial obligations or other amounts,” as well as penalties, special assessments and interest.Related: Trump’s tariff escalation exposes ‘deeper fractures’ in global financial systemCryptocurrency legislation is becoming a focal point in New York, with Bill A7788 marking the state’s second crypto-focused legislation in a little over a month.In March, New York introduced Bill A06515, aiming to establish criminal penalties to prevent cryptocurrency fraud and protect investors from rug pulls.Crypto-focused legislation has gathered momentum since President Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20, with Trump signaling during his campaign that his administration intends to make crypto policy a national priority, as well as making the US a global hub for blockchain innovation.Related: Illinois Senate passes crypto bill to fight fraud and rug pullsNew York may mandate state “service fee” on crypto paymentsIf passed, the bill would mark a significant shift in how New York handles digital assets. It would allow state entities to integrate cryptocurrency into the payment infrastructure used for collecting public funds.The proposal also includes a clause allowing the state to impose a service fee on those choosing to pay with crypto. According to the text, the state may require “a service fee not exceeding costs incurred by the state in connection with the cryptocurrency payment transaction.” This could include transaction costs or fees owed to crypto issuers.Assembly Bill A7788 has been referred to the Assembly Committee for review and may advance to the state Senate as the next step.New York’s legislation comes shortly after the state of Illinois passed a crypto bill to fight fraud and rug pulls after the recent wave of insider schemes related to memecoins, Cointelegraph reported on April 11.Magazine: XRP win leaves Ripple and industry with no crypto legal precedent set
Published: 1 day ago
What is a bear raid, and how do whales use them in crypto trading?
Key takeawaysBear raids involve deliberate efforts by whales to drive down crypto prices using short-selling, FUD and large-scale sell-offs to trigger panic and profit from the dip.These raids create volatility, trigger liquidations and damage retail confidence. However, they can also expose weak or fraudulent projects.Signs include sudden price drops, high trading volume, absence of news and quick recoveries, indicating price manipulation rather than natural market trends.Traders can guard against bear raids by using stop-loss orders, diversifying portfolios, monitoring whale activity and trading on reputable, regulated platforms.Not all market moves are organic in the dynamic world of crypto trading; some are engineered to make quick profits. One such tactic is the bear raid, often driven by powerful market players known as whales. These traders strategically use short-selling, where they borrow and sell assets at current prices, aiming to repurchase them cheaper once the price drops. So, how exactly does this tactic play out? This article dives into what a bear raid is and how it functions. It also covers how bear raids impact the crypto market, what the signs are and how retail investors can protect their interests. What is a bear raid?A bear raid is a deliberate strategy to drive down the price of an asset, typically through aggressive selling and the spread of fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD). The tactic dates back to the early days of traditional stock markets, where influential traders would collaborate to manipulate prices for profit.Execution of a bear raid involves selling large volumes of a targeted asset to flood the market. The sharp increase in supply creates downward pressure on the price. At the same time, the perpetrators circulate negative rumors or sentiments, often through media, to amplify fear and uncertainty. As panic sets in, smaller or retail investors often sell off their holdings, further accelerating the price drop.Bear raids differ from natural market downturns. While both lead to falling prices, a bear raid is orchestrated and intentional, meant to benefit those holding short positions. Natural downturns are driven by broader economic trends, market corrections or legitimate changes in investor sentiment.Bear raids are generally considered a form of market manipulation. Regulatory agencies monitor trading activities, investigate suspicious patterns and penalize fraudulent practices such as pump-and-dump schemes or wash trading. To enhance transparency, they require exchanges to implement compliance measures, including KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) protocols. By imposing fines, bans, or legal action, regulators work to maintain fair markets and protect investors. Regulators attempt to deter cryptocurrency market manipulation by enforcing strict rules and oversight. In the US, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) focuses on crypto assets that qualify as securities, while the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regulates commodities and their derivatives. Under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) law, enforcement in the EU is the responsibility of financial regulators in the member states. Did you know? In 2022, over 50% of Bitcoin’s daily trading volume was influenced by just 1,000 addresses — commonly called whales — highlighting their market-shaking power.Who executes bear raids?In the crypto world, “whales” are big investors capable of executing bear raids. Because of their substantial holdings of cryptocurrencies, whales can influence market trends and price movements in ways smaller retail traders cannot.Compared to other traders, whales operate on a different scale, thanks to their access to more capital and advanced tools. While you might be looking for short-term gains or simply following trends, whales often use strategic buying or selling to create price shifts that benefit their long-term positions. Their moves are carefully planned and can affect the market without you even realizing it.If you are a regular crypto trader, you might be aware of the massive crypto movement between wallets. Such large-scale transfer of crypto causes panic or excitement in the cryptocurrency community. For example, when a whale transfers a large amount of Bitcoin (BTC) to an exchange, it may signal a potential sell-off, causing prices to dip. Conversely, removing coins from exchanges to self-custodial wallets might suggest long-term holding, which can lead to a price upswing.The relatively low liquidity of crypto markets gives whales such influence over crypto trading. With fewer buyers and sellers compared to traditional financial markets, a single large trade can dramatically swing prices. This means whales can manipulate market conditions, intentionally or not, often leaving retail traders struggling to keep up.Did you know? Bear raids often trigger automated liquidations in leveraged positions, sometimes causing crypto prices to nosedive by over 20% in minutes.Real-world examples of whales profiting from falling pricesIn crypto, cases of bear raids are generally hard to confirm due to anonymity. Nevertheless, these examples of incidents when whales made profits from falling cryptocurrency prices will help you understand how such scenarios work:Terra Luna collapse (May 2022)A Bank for International Settlements (BIS) report disclosed that during the 2022 crypto market crash, triggered by the collapse of Terra (LUNA), whales made a profit at the expense of retail investors. Smaller retail investors predominantly purchased cryptocurrencies at lower prices, whereas whales primarily sold off their holdings, profiting from the downturn.In May 2022, the Terra blockchain was briefly suspended following the failure of its algorithmic stablecoin TerraUSD (UST) and the associated cryptocurrency LUNA, resulting in a loss of nearly $45 billion in market value in one week. The company behind Terra filed for bankruptcy on Jan. 21, 2024. FTX collapse (November 2022)In November 2022, close financial ties between FTX and Alameda Research set off a chain reaction: a bank run, failed acquisition deals, FTX's bankruptcy and criminal charges for founder Sam Bankman-Fried.Yet again, as FTX collapsed, retail investors rushed to buy the dip. Whales, however, sold crypto in bulk right before the steep price decline, according to the same BIS report that discussed the fall of Terra Luna.Graph 1.B illustrates a transfer of wealth, where larger investors liquidated their holdings, disadvantaging smaller investors. Furthermore, Graph 1.C reveals that following market shocks, large Bitcoin holders (whales) reduced their positions, while smaller holders (referred to as krill in the report) increased theirs. The price trends indicate that whales sold their Bitcoin to krill before significant price drops, securing profits at the krill's expense.Bitconnect (BCC) shutdown (January 2018)Bitconnect, a cryptocurrency promising unusually high returns via an alleged trading bot, experienced a dramatic collapse in early 2018. Despite reaching a peak valuation of over $2.6 billion, the platform was widely suspected of operating as a Ponzi scheme. The token suffered a steep fall of over 90% in value within hours. While this was not a classic bear raid, the sudden exit of insiders and whale sell-offs, combined with negative publicity, created a cascading effect that devastated retail investors.Did you know? Whale wallets are tracked so closely that some platforms offer real-time alerts for their trades, helping retail traders anticipate possible bear raids.How whales execute bear raids in crypto, key stepsIn the crypto space, whales can execute bear raids by leveraging their massive holdings to trigger sharp price drops and profit from the following panic. These tactics typically unfold in a few steps:Step 1: Accumulating a position: Whales begin by taking positions that will benefit from falling prices, such as shorting a cryptocurrency or preparing to buy large quantities once the price drops. Step 2: Initiating the raid: Next, the whale triggers the sell-off by dumping large volumes of the targeted crypto asset. This sudden surge in supply causes the price to drop sharply, shaking market confidence.Step 3: Spreading FUD: To maximize the impact, whales may spread FUD using coordinated social media campaigns or fake news. Rumors like adverse regulatory action or insolvency can spread quickly, prompting retail traders to sell in panic.Step 4: Triggering sell-offs: The combination of visible large sell orders and negative sentiment induces other investors to sell their holdings, amplifying the downward pressure on the asset's price.Step 5: Profiting from the dip: Once the price plunges, the whale steps in to either buy back the asset at a lower price or close their short positions for a profit.The whales’ playbook: How do they manipulate the market? Crypto whales use sophisticated tactics to carry out bear raids and manipulate the market to their advantage. These tactics give whales an edge over retail traders, enabling them to manipulate prices and profit while the latter are left to deal with the chaos:Trading bots and algorithms: Advanced bots allow whales to execute large sell orders in milliseconds, triggering sharp price drops. Before the market can react, the whales turn the situation in their favor.Leverage and margin trading: Whales rely (to a large extent) on leverage and margin trading to make profits. Borrowing funds enables them to increase their position size and amplify the sales pressure. It triggers stronger market reactions than would be possible with their holdings.Low liquidity on certain exchanges: Whales can place large sell orders in illiquid markets with fewer participants and a low volume of trades, causing disproportionate price drops. They may even manipulate order books by placing and canceling large fake orders, known as spoofing, to trick other traders.Collaborate with other whales: Whales may collaborate with other large holders or trading groups to coordinate attacks, making the bear raid more effective and harder to trace.Impact of bear raids on the crypto market Bear raids can significantly disrupt the crypto market. Here is how they impact different players and the broader ecosystem: Effects on retail traders: Retail investors tend to react overwhelmingly during a bear raid. The sudden price drop and spread of fear often lead to panic selling, resulting in heavy losses for the investors who exit at the bottom. Most retail traders sell emotionally, not realizing they are playing into the whale’s strategy. Broader market consequences: Bear raids increase market volatility, making it riskier for new and existing investors. These events can shake overall confidence in the crypto space, leading to reduced trading activity and investor hesitation. In extreme cases, they can even trigger liquidations across multiple platforms. Potential positive outcomes: Bear raids can sometimes have cleansing effects on the crypto market. Market corrections induced by such raids remove overvalued assets from unsustainable highs. In some cases, these raids may expose weak or fraudulent projects, forcing investors to reassess their choices.Signs of crypto bear raidsBear raids are misleading market moves that resemble genuine downturns, often tricking traders into selling too soon. A quick drop in price may look like the start of a bearish trend, leading to impulsive decisions by retail traders. Often, these dips are short-lived and followed by a swift recovery once the whales take their profits. Recognizing the signs of crypto bear raids is key to avoiding losses.Here are a few signs of crypto bear raids:A sudden price drop that seems to break support levels Spike in trading volume during a market declineQuick rebound after the dipNegative sentiment causing trader panic No major news to explain the dropHow to protect yourself from crypto bear raidsTo safeguard your investments from crypto bear raids, you can use the following strategies:Conduct thorough technical analysis: Regularly analyze price charts and indicators to discern genuine market trends from manipulative movements. Implement stop-loss orders: Set predetermined sell points to automatically exit positions if prices fall to a certain level, limiting potential losses during sudden downturns. Diversify your portfolio: Spread investments across various assets to mitigate risk. A well-diversified portfolio is less vulnerable to the impact of a bear raid on any single asset. Stay informed: Monitor market news and developments to better anticipate and respond to potential manipulative activities. Use reputable exchanges: Engage with trading platforms that have robust measures against market manipulation, ensuring a fairer trading environment.The ethical debate: Crypto market manipulation vs free market dynamicsThe principles of free market dynamics starkly contrast to market manipulation tactics, such as bear raids. Proponents of free markets favor minimal regulatory intervention, arguing that it fosters innovation and self-regulation. A free market is an economic system in which supply and demand determine the prices of goods and services. Still, the decentralized and often unregulated nature of crypto markets has made them susceptible to manipulative practices. Bear raids require coordinated efforts by perpetrators to drive down asset prices, misleading investors and undermining market integrity. Such tactics bring losses to retail investors and erode trust in the financial system. Critics point out that without adequate oversight, these manipulative strategies can proliferate, leading to unfair advantages and potential economic harm. While free market dynamics are valued for promoting efficiency and innovation, the implications of unchecked market manipulation in the cryptocurrency space can be disastrous. Incidents like bear raids highlight the need for balanced regulation to ensure fairness and protect investors.Crypto regulations worldwide for market manipulation tacticsCryptocurrency market manipulation, including tactics like bear raids, has prompted varied regulatory responses worldwide. In the US, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) classifies digital currency as commodities and actively pursues fraudulent schemes, including market manipulation practices such as spoofing and wash trading. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has also taken action against individuals who have manipulated digital asset markets. The European Union has implemented the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation to establish a comprehensive framework addressing market manipulation and ensure consumer protection regarding stablecoins.These efforts notwithstanding, the decentralized and borderless nature of cryptocurrencies presents challenges for regulators. Global cooperation and adaptive regulatory frameworks are essential to effectively combat market manipulation and safeguard investors in the evolving landscape of digital finance.Progression articlesLong and short positions in crypto, explainedA beginner’s guide on how to short Bitcoin and other cryptocurrenciesWhat is a bear trap in trading and how to avoid it?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.
Published: 1 day ago
SEC, Ripple file joint motion to pause appeals in XRP case
The US Securities and Exchange Commission and blockchain payments firm Ripple agreed to pause their appeals in the ongoing XRP legal battle, signaling a potential move toward a final settlement.The SEC and Ripple agreed to put their appeals in “abeyance,” meaning the proceedings are now paused pending an anticipated settlement of the XRP (XRP) case.“An abeyance would conserve judicial and party resources while the parties continue to pursue a negotiated resolution of this matter,” the parties jointly stated in an April 10 court filing.Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse previously announced the end of the XRP case on March 19, and the new filing hints that the SEC is ready to settle once nominated and approved Chair Paul Atkins takes office, according to some community speculation.The filing cancels Ripple’s April 16 brief deadlineAccording to Ripple’s defense attorney, James Filan, the new filing supersedes the April 16 deadline for Ripple to respond to the SEC’s brief filed in January. “The settlement is awaiting commission approval. No brief will be filed on April 16,” Filan wrote in an April 10 X post.Some legal observers suggested the SEC’s willingness to pause the proceedings indicates that the agency may be prepared to drop the case after Atkins assumes office.Source: James Filan“SEC is ready to settle but is waiting for Atkins to take the helm as the new SEC chief so he can start off with dropping the biggest case of their career and start with a huge win,” one user suggested in a reply to Filan’s thread on X.When is Atkins expected to officially assume office?While the Senate confirmed Atkins as the new SEC chair on Wednesday, April 9, it’s unclear when he will take office.Related: Ripple acquisition of Hidden Road a ‘defining moment’ for XRPL — Ripple CTOIt could be several days before Atkins is sworn into office as the new SEC chair.Former SEC Chair Gary Gensler was sworn in three days after his confirmation in 2021, suggesting Atkins could take office as soon as April 12.A spokesperson for the SEC declined to comment to Cointelegraph on when Atkins is expected to be sworn in as the new SEC chair.Magazine: XRP win leaves Ripple and industry with no crypto legal precedent set
Published: 1 day ago
Conor McGregor’s REAL memecoin: Everything you need to know
What Is REAL? Conor McGregor’s staking-enabled memecoin explained Conor McGregor, also known as “Notorious,” is an Irish mixed martial artist born in Dublin on July 14, 1988. He is renowned for his achievements in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he became the first fighter to simultaneously hold titles in two weight classes — featherweight and lightweight. Beyond his fighting career, McGregor ventured into entrepreneurship, in 2018 launching his whiskey brand, Proper No. Twelve, named after his Dublin roots. He leveraged his UFC fame to market the triple-distilled blend. In 2021, McGregor sold a majority stake to Proximo Spirits for an estimated $600 million, while retaining a significant role.In April 2025, McGregor ventured into the crypto market by introducing a memecoin named “REAL.” Promising to change the crypto world, the digital token was launched through a sealed-bid auction to prevent interference from bots and snipers. Developed in collaboration with the Real World Gaming (RWG) decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), the REAL memecoin offers holders staking rewards and voting rights within its ecosystem. What happened during REAL memecoin fundraising? With the REAL memecoin, McGregor aimed to make a big impact in the crypto world. However, things didn’t go as planned.McGregor partnered with RWG, a decentralized autonomous organization, to raise funds for the project with a minimum goal of $1,008,000. But during the 28-hour presale, the DAO collected $392,315 in USDC (USDC) from 668 contributors, only 39% of its target.RWG acknowledged that the auction failed to hit the minimum raise, stating that they would fully refund all the bids. McGregor himself endorsed the announcement.For the fundraising, the REAL token was sold through a sealed-bid auction on Axis Finance. Users privately submitted bids specifying the quantity and price they desired, and tokens were allocated to the highest bidders at a single clearing price.After deliberating where they went wrong, RWG is now looking to relaunch the fundraising. The team hasn’t yet provided a date for the relaunch.McGregor has remained outspoken, characteristically announcing or endorsing project updates with his signature line, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is REAL!” The team plans to reshape the token’s purpose and possibly modify its fundraising approach for a more successful relaunch.Did you know? Memecoins often rise in value due to community hype and viral trends, not technical innovation. While they lack strong fundamentals, social media buzz and celebrity endorsements can drive massive short-term gains, making them popular among high-risk, high-reward investors. Reasons for REAL memecoin’s fundraising failure RWG’s attempt to launch the REAL memecoin faced multiple challenges, leading to the DAO’s failure to meet fundraising goals. Several factors contributed to this outcome:Market timing: The launch coincided with a downturn in the cryptocurrency market. Major cryptocurrencies, including Ether (ETH) and Solana (SOL), faced sharp declines. Only Bitcoin (BTC) was an exception, as investors viewed it as a value holder. Memecoins faced almost a 60% decline after Dec. 24, except GHIBLI. Such a gloomy environment wasn’t conducive for the launch of yet another memecoin.Economic conditions: The world economy is going through a phase of reconstruction due to the Trump administration's reorganization of tariffs. This resulted in a US stock crash of about $5 trillion, more than the total market cap in crypto. (Though the crash happened after the fundraising failure, the story was in the making). The tariffs led to uncertainty in the world economic system, which also impacted the crypto market. Recession fears and substantial losses in US equities made investors more cautious. Scams surrounding memecoins: In 2024, over $500 million was lost to memecoin rug pulls and scams, as reported by Merkle Science, fostering significant distrust toward memecoins. One instance involved hackers compromising Kylian Mbappe’s X account to promote a fraudulent memecoin that reached a $460 million market cap before a rug pull. Similarly, Wiz Khalifa’s 35.7 million X followers were targeted with a fake WIZ token that briefly hit a $3.4 million market cap before collapsing. This decline in investor confidence likely affected the REAL token’s reception. Nansen Research’s Nicolai Sondergaard noted that experienced traders were quickly taking profits.Misinterpretation of the token’s objective: Despite McGregor’s assertions that REAL was a legitimate project with real-world applications, many perceived it as another celebrity-endorsed memecoin. This misunderstanding may have undermined the token’s credibility and deterred potential investors.Investor skepticism toward celebrity tokens: The crypto community has grown wary of celebrity-backed tokens, especially after several high-profile failures. Even tokens tied to Donald Trump and Melania declined sharply, causing investors significant losses. Other known celebrity token failures include Hawk Tuah (HAWK) by Haliey Welch and Daddy Tate (DADDY) by Andrew Tate. Several celebrities associated with crypto earned a bad name for themselves. Davido, a popular Nigerian Afrobeat star, launched his memecoin Davido (DAVIDO) and made money using pump and dump. These incidents caused investors to view memecoins with suspicion.McGregor’s image: While central to his success in the UFC, Conor McGregor's brash persona worked against him in the crypto world. His history of controversies and impulsive behavior undermined trust in the project’s legitimacy. His image raised red flags, especially in a space already plagued with scams. Did you know? Some memecoins have sparked real-world donations and activism. Dogecoin’s community once raised over $50,000 to send the Jamaican bobsled team to the 2014 Winter Olympics, showing that memecoins can fuel fun and philanthropy. Purpose and tokenomics of REAL memecoin The purpose of REAL is to facilitate functions like staking, governance, and utility, as well as a real-world MMA fight simulator and future business integrations. Its tokenomics, however, have come under criticism.According to the RWG team, the REAL memecoin tokenomics model was designed for transparency and community engagement, as 32% of the total supply was allocated to the DAO treasury to support ecosystem growth, while 17% was distributed to the community to incentivize participation. To earn governance rights and rewards, tokenholders could stake the coin; 10% was reserved for the development team. The model aimed to fund sports and gaming startups, blending hype with practical utility.Critics found flaws in the tokenomics, and many regard that as a reason for the poor show in fundraising. They were particularly harsh on the token's 12-hour unlock window. This allowed investors to sell their tokens shortly after the acquisition and make profits, even while the price declined. Several projects had used such a structure earlier for pump and dump, which created a bad precedent. This deterred long-term investors seeking sustainable growth.The project’s marketing strategy also raised concerns, as many felt the project added no real value and was just an attempt to take advantage of a celebrity’s name. The use of third-party logos on its website led to accusations of misleading promotional tactics, undermining the project’s credibility and deterring potential investors. And the lack of a clear roadmap for REAL only amplified investor skepticism. Broader risks of celebrity-backed tokens The fate of McGregor’s REAL memecoin fundraising highlights the broader risks of celebrity crypto endorsements. While celebrities bring attention and massive followings, their involvement often lacks substance, long-term commitment or technical understanding of the projects they promote. Celebrity-backed tokens often ride on hype rather than real value, leading to pump-and-dump scenarios where early investors benefit while latecomers suffer losses. The credibility of the crypto industry suffers when such projects collapse, reinforcing public distrust. The way REAL’s fundraising event turned out serves as a warning that fame doesn’t equal a project’s credibility.Regulators also scrutinize such endorsements more closely, potentially bringing legal consequences for misleading promotions. For the crypto space to mature, projects must prioritize transparency, utility and experienced leadership over viral marketing. The REAL memecoin fundraising failure emphasizes that genuine trust and long-term vision are more valuable than celebrity clout in crypto fundraising.Did you know? Shiba Inu, launched in 2020 by “Ryoshi,” was dubbed the “Dogecoin killer.” With a quadrillion-token supply and a vibrant “Shib Army” community, it hit a $40 billion market cap in 2021. What can investors learn from the failure of REAL memecoin fundraising? Investors in the crypto space can learn many lessons from the failed fundraising of REAL memecoin. First and foremost, hype is not a substitute for value. Relying solely on celebrity influence without understanding the fundamentals of a project can lead to poor investment decisions.REAL also revealed how quickly investor sentiment can shift. Initial excitement turned into skepticism as users noticed the lack of community involvement and utility behind the token. McGregor’s limited engagement and controversial public image further fueled doubts, proving that star power doesn’t guarantee project longevity or trustworthiness.Investors need to recognize the importance of doing their own research (DYOR). Just because a celebrity backs a token doesn’t mean it is credible. Checking for real-world use cases, developer activity, tokenomics and community feedback is essential.Finally, the collapse of REAL fundraising highlights the need for regulatory clarity in celebrity endorsements. Without it, misleading promotions will continue to hurt retail investors and ultimately undermine the credibility of the crypto industry.
Published: 1 day ago
Illinois Senate passes crypto bill to fight fraud and rug pulls
The Illinois Senate, by a vote of 39 to 17, passed a regulatory bill aimed at curbing cryptocurrency fraud and protecting investors from deceptive practices, including rug pulls and misleading fee structures.On April 10, the chamber passed Senate Bill 1797 (SB1797), also known as the Digital Assets and Consumer Protection Act, which Senator Mark Walker introduced in February.The bill gives the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation authority to oversee digital asset business activity within the state.Under the legislation, any entity engaging in digital asset business with Illinois residents must be registered with the state’s financial regulator. The bill also requires crypto service providers to offer advance full disclosure of user fees and charges.Bill SB1797. Source: Ilga.gov“A person shall not engage in digital asset business activity, or hold itself out as being able to engage in digital asset business activity, with or on behalf of a resident unless the person is registered in this State by the Department under this Article [...],” the bill states.Related: Trump family memecoins may trigger increased SEC scrutiny on cryptoWalker has previously highlighted the need to address crypto-related fraud in Illinois. In an April 4 X post, he stated:“The rise of digital assets has opened the door for financial opportunity, but also for bankruptcy, fraud and deceptive practices. We must set standards for those who have evolved in the crypto business to ensure they are credible, honest actors.”Illinois’ push for stronger oversight follows a wave of high-profile memecoin meltdowns and insider-led scams that have left retail investors with substantial losses.In March, New York introduced Bill A06515, aiming to establish criminal penalties to prevent cryptocurrency fraud and protect investors from rug pulls.Related: Trump’s tariff escalation exposes ‘deeper fractures’ in global financial systemMemecoin scams spark regulatory momentumOne of the most notorious recent cases was the collapse of the Libra token, a memecoin reportedly endorsed by Argentine President Javier Milei. In March, the project’s insiders allegedly withdrew over $107 million in liquidity, causing a 94% price crash and wiping out roughly $4 billion in market value.Libra token crash. Source: Kobeissi LetterInsider scams and “outright fraudulent activities” like rug pulls, which are “not only unethical but also clearly illegal, with case law to support enforcement,” should see more thorough regulatory attention, Anastasija Plotnikova, co-founder and CEO of blockchain regulatory firm Fideum, told Cointelegraph, adding:“In my view, these activities should fall firmly within the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies.”The latest meltdown occurred on March 16, after Hayden Davis, the co-creator of the Official Melania Meme (MELANIA) and the Libra token, launched a Wolf of Wall Street-inspired token (WOLF).Source: BubblemapsOver 82% of the token’s supply was held by the same entity, which led to a 99% price crash after the token peaked at a $42 million market capitalization.Argentine lawyer Gregorio Dalbon has asked for an Interpol Red Notice to be issued for Davis, citing a “procedural risk” if Davis were to remain free as he could access vast amounts of money that would allow him to either flee the US or go into hiding.Magazine: Caitlyn Jenner memecoin ‘mastermind’s’ celebrity price list leaked
Published: 1 day ago
Is XRP price going to crash again?
XRP (XRP) price has recovered from its low of $1.61 reached on April 7, but it’s still trading below a key resistance zone. Will XRP’s price sustain the recovery or drop further in the coming days?XRP/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewOne of the clearest signs that there is more trouble ahead for XRP is the presence of negative funding rates and low open interest (OI) in its futures markets.Funding rates are periodic payments made between long and short traders in perpetual futures contracts to keep prices aligned with the spot market. When this metric turns negative, it means short sellers are paying long holders, indicating that bearish sentiment dominates.XRP funding rates have been hovering below 0% since early February, indicating bearish sentiment dominates the market.XRP perpetual futures funding rates across all exchanges. Source: GlassnodeSimilarly, XRP’s OI in the futures market has dropped from its local peak of $7.87 billion on Jan. 17 to $3.06 billion as of April 10.OI measures the total number of outstanding futures contracts, and a decrease suggests more traders are exiting positions.XRP futures open interest. Source: CoinGlassHistorically, assets with declining open interest struggle to maintain upward momentum, as there’s insufficient capital and enthusiasm to drive prices higher. For XRP, this could mean that even minor selling pressure might trigger a cascade of liquidations, especially if leveraged positions are unwound. Without renewed interest from institutional or retail traders, XRP’s price risks sliding back into a downward spiral.Related: Ripple acquisition of Hidden Road a ‘defining moment’ for XRPL — Ripple CTOXRP price runs into resistance at $2.20XRP price traders are reassessing its breakout strength after the token failed to sustain momentum.XRP’s 21.5% rally on April 9 was stopped by supplier congestion around the $2.20 level. XRP also failed to rise above this level on April 5, reinforcing the importance of this zone. The price is required to flip this level back into support to increase the chances of a sustained recovery.The altcoin is still trading below the 50-day and 100-day SMAs, as shown in the chart below. The token now enjoys support at $1.86, embraced by the 200-day SMA.XRP/USD weekly chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewA decisive close above the resistance level at $2.20 and later a rise above the 50-day SMA at $2.28, accompanied by high volume, could see XRP price rally toward the 100-day SMA around $2.50.Contrarily, the RSI is still moving below the middle line, suggesting that the market conditions still favor the downside. As such, if XRP closes below the 200-day SMA at $1.86, it will drop lower to retest the local low at $1.61 or lower toward $1.07, as earlier predicted by veteran trader Peter Brandt.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.
Published: 2 days ago
Fartcoin rallies 104% in a week — Will Solana (SOL) price catch up?
Solana-based memecoin Fartcoin (FARTCOIN) has outperformed the broader crypto market so far in April, rising over 104% versus SOL being down 2% for the week. As of April 10, it was trading for as high as $0.87.FARTCOIN/USD vs. TOTAL crypto market cap 30-day performance. Source: TradingViewThe cryptocurrency’s outperformance appears despite US President Donald Trump’s seesaw tariff announcements that have wiped nearly $160 billion from the crypto market capitalization in April.FARTCOIN has outperformed even other memecoins inside the Solana ecosystem, the primary being Official Trump (TRUMP), which has dropped by approximately 25% in April. As it seems, the third-largest Solana memecoin could rise another 30% in April due to a classic bullish continuation setup.FARTCOIN bull flag hints a new highsFARTCOIN’s bullish technical outlook arises from its prevailing bull flag setup.On April 10, FARTCOIN was breaking out of the channel range to the upside. FARTCOIN/USDT four-hour price chart. Source: TradingViewThis trend projects a potential move toward $0.95—just under the psychologically significant $1 mark—by April.The relative strength index (RSI) is hovering in bullish territory above 66, suggesting there’s still room for further gains before entering overbought conditions above the 70 mark. Additionally, FARTCOIN’s price is gaining support from its 50-4H (red) and 200-4H (blue) exponential moving averages (EMA). As long as Fartcoin stays above them, the bull flag breakout may play out in full, potentially resulting in a rally to $0.95.FARTCOIN mimicks Pepe’s path to a $3 billion market capFartcoin is showing the same signs that preceded Pepe’s (PEPE) explosive run from around $300 million to over $3 billion in market cap in the 2023-2024 period, according to market analyst @theunipcs.“I'm talking $300m to $500m in daily [spot] volume,” the analyst wrote about Fartcoin while mentioning its absence at Binance, Coinbase, Bybit, Upbit, and OKX exchanges.In the past 24 hours, FARTCOIN’s volume has been over $446.84 million versus Bonk’s (BONK) $129.85 million and Shiba Inu’s (SHIB) $319.43 million, according to data resource CoinMarketCap. Top memecoins and their price and volume performances. Source: CoinMarketCapMeanwhile, Fartcoin is going head-to-head with TRUMP, which posted approximately $661.78 million in trading volume over the past 24 hours. However, onchain data reveals that Fartcoin is processing nearly double the value in actual transfers, suggesting deeper engagement and utility despite TRUMP's headline volume figures.FARTCOIN vs. TRUMP daily transfer value chart. Source: SOLSCANAs a result, FARTCOIN appears to be in the middle of a powerful hype-driven rally, which improves its interim bullish outlook. 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.
Published: 2 days ago
Tariffs, capital controls could fragment blockchain networks — Execs
Escalating geopolitical tensions threaten to balkanize blockchain networks and restrict users' access, crypto executives told Cointelegraph. On April 9, US President Donald Trump announced a pause in the rollout of tariffs imposed on certain countries — but the prospect of a global trade war still looms, especially because Trump still wants to charge a 125% levy on Chinese imports. Industry executives said they fear a litany of potential consequences if tensions worsen, including disruptions to blockchain networks’ physical infrastructure, regulatory fragmentation, and censorship. “Aggressive tariffs and retaliatory trade policies could create obstacles for node operators, validators, and other core participants in blockchain networks,” Nicholas Roberts-Huntley, CEO of Concrete & Glow Finance, told Cointelegraph. “In moments of global uncertainty, the infrastructure supporting crypto, not just the assets themselves, can become collateral damage.”According to data from CoinMarketCap, cryptocurrency’s total market capitalization dropped approximately 4% on April 10 as traders weighed conflicting messages from the White House on tariffs amid a backdrop of macroeconomic unease. Crypto’s market cap retraced on April 10. Source: CoinMarketCapRelated: Trade tensions to speed institutional crypto adoption — ExecsBitcoin’s vulnerabilitiesBitcoin (BTC) is especially vulnerable to a trade war since the network depends on specialized hardware for Bitcoin mining, such as the ASIC chips used to solve the network’s cryptographic proofs. “Tariffs disrupt established ASIC supply chains,” David Siemer, CEO of Wave Digital Assets, told Cointelegraph. Chinese manufacturers such as Bitmain are key suppliers for miners.However, “the greater threat is the erosion of blockchain’s core value proposition—its global, permissionless infrastructure,” Siemer said. This could be especially problematic for everyday crypto holders. “If global trade breaks down and capital controls tighten, it may become harder for citizens in restrictive countries to acquire bitcoin,” said Joe Kelly, CEO of Unchained. “Governments could crack down on exchanges and on-ramps, making accumulation and usage more difficult,” Kelly added.Bitcoin’s performance versus stocks. Source: 21SharesIronically, these types of fears also underscore the importance of cryptocurrencies and decentralized blockchain networks, the executives said. Bitcoin has already shown “signs of resilience” amid the market turbulence, highlighting the coin’s role in hedging against geopolitical risks. “While the environment is challenging, it also creates an opening for crypto to prove its long-term value and utility on the global stage,” noted Fireblocks’ executive Neil Chopra.Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging research
Published: 2 days ago
Cosmos launches Eureka to connect Ethereum and IBC networks
Cosmos, a blockchain network aiming to become the “internet of blockchains,” has launched Eureka, an interoperability layer designed to link its inter-blockchain communication (IBC) protocol with Ethereum.According to an April 10 announcement, Eureka has expanded the Cosmos IBC protocol, changing IBC from an ecosystem standard “to a universal interoperability protocol,” setting the hub on a course to become the home of multichain apps.Cosmos projects are integrating into IBC Eureka. Source: CosmosWith the introduction of Eureka, many Cosmos-based applications and blockchains are now accessible to more users by expanding IBC to the Ethereum network. With the new protocol, developers can reportedly build multichain apps across multiple ecosystems without fragmenting the user base.Related: Cosmos co-founder proposes peer-to-peer clearing system in white paperThe announcement said that most projects rely on bridges for interoperability, resulting in the introduction of intermediaries as well as user and liquidity fragmentation. With bridges, users can simply move assets between blockchains, while with Eureka, developers promise to deliver native interoperability.Cosmos Hub Integration Image. Source: CosmosCointelegraph reached out to the Interchain Foundation, the organization behind Cosmos, but did not receive a response by publication.How IBC Eureka worksEureka relies on a distribution zone allowing developers to access all IBC connections, users, liquidity and services without additional infrastructure. The Cosmos Hub also allows users to access apps, services and assets across the included ecosystems.Related: Cosmos ecosystem rocked by North Korean developer allegationsSome early use cases include Bitcoin staking protocol Babylon, whose users will now be able to transfer Bitcoin liquid staking tokens from Ethereum to Babylon’s Cosmos-based chain. Similarly, decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol Elys will enable trading with Wrapped Ether (WETH), Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) and USDt (USDT) from Ethereum.More integrations comingIn the future, developers promise that users will be able to leverage Eureka-powered multichain features in major decentralized exchange (DEX) dYdX. Real-world asset tokenization platform Mantra will also reportedly bridge capital from Ethereum into Cosmos-based real-estate markets, staking infrastructure and permissioned DeFi applications.According to the announcement, IBC — which Eureka upgrades — has facilitated an average of up to $3 billion in transaction volume among more than 115 blockchains every month since its launch. Still, the integration was far from seamless for blockchains that were not part of the Cosmos ecosystem.Magazine: Arbitrum co-founder skeptical of move to based and native rollups: Steven Goldfeder
Published: 2 days ago
Jack Dorsey pushes Signal to adopt Bitcoin payments
Jack Dorsey, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur and former Twitter CEO, is encouraging Signal Messenger to integrate Bitcoin for peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, a move that could shift the platform’s crypto strategy away from altcoins.“Signal should use Bitcoin for P2P payments,” Dorsey wrote on X on April 9, replying to a post by Bitcoin developer Calle, who suggested that Bitcoin (BTC) would be a perfect fit for Signal’s private communication channel.Source: Jack DorseyDorsey’s call to action was echoed by other industry leaders, including former PayPal president David Marcus, who wrote that “all non-transactional apps should connect to Bitcoin.”The endorsements reflect a growing push to promote Bitcoin as a functional payment system rather than just digital gold or a pure store of value, which alone — according to Dorsey — won’t ensure the success of BTC.Signal offers payments with Sentz, formerly MobileCoinFounded in 2014, Signal is an open-source, encrypted messaging service for instant messaging, voice calls and video calls.The messenger currently offers in-app payments in MobileCoin (MTCN), a privacy-focused ERC-20 token, which rebranded to Sentz in November 2023.Signal’s website mentions the old name of Sentz (MobileCoin) as the only supported cryptocurrency within the messenger. Source: SignalBacked by high-profile industry players like BlockTower Capital and Coinbase Ventures, Sentz was founded in 2017 by Josh Goldbard and Shane Glyn to enable a “fast, private, and easy-to-use cryptocurrency.”Related: Kraken taps Mastercard to launch crypto debit cards in Europe, UKSignal came under fire over its MobileCoin integration in 2021, with many raising concerns over potential ties between Signal’s founder and MTCN, opacity around its issuance and suspicious gains leading up to the partnership’s announcement.Cointelegraph reached out to Signal regarding potential plans to integrate Bitcoin but had not received a response as of publication.Social media apps historically pushed altcoinsSignal is far from being alone in pushing altcoin payments instead of offering its users payments in Bitcoin, which is designed for P2P payments as its core use case, according to its anonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.Although former PayPal president Marcus is now advocating for Bitcoin usage by all non-transactional apps, he previously led Meta’s (formerly Facebook) project developing the firm’s own payment cryptocurrency, initially known as Libra, which eventually failed.Source: DogeDesignerTelegram, another messenger popular in the community, has also been aggressively pushing its ecosystem to use Toncoin (TON), a crypto asset linked to Telegram founders, though not technically managed by Telegram.Elon Musk’s “everything app” X has also been suspected of planning to launch its own coin for a long time, but Musk publicly denied that in August 2023.Magazine: 3 reasons Ethereum could turn a corner: Kain Warwick, X Hall of Flame
Published: 2 days ago
Synthetix USD stablecoin loses dollar peg, drops to 5-year low of $0.83
The Synthetix protocol’s native stablecoin, Synthetix USD (sUSD), fell to its lowest value in five years, extending a months-long struggle to maintain its $1 peg.The asset has faced persistent instability since the start of 2025. On Jan. 1, sUSD dropped to $0.96 and only rebounded to $0.99 in early February. Prices continued to fluctuate through February before stabilizing in March.On April 10, sUSD fell to a five-year low of $0.83, according to data from CoinGecko.SUSD is a crypto-collateralized stablecoin. Users lock up SNX tokens to mint sUSD, making its stability highly dependent on the market value of SNX.1-month price chart of Synthetix USD stablecoin. Source: CoinGeckoSynthetix USD’s “death spiral” risksWhen the sUSD token dropped to $0.91 on April 1, Rob Schmitt, the co-founder of the risk tokenization platform Cork Protocol, explained the potential “death spiral scenario” of the stablecoin. Schmitt said the stablecoin’s design shares similarities with Terra’s TerraUSD (UST) stablecoin, which collapsed in 2022. While he noted key differences in collateralization and debt management, Schmitt said the fundamental risk remains:“The death spiral scenario remains the same though, if the value of SNX drops sufficiently, sUSD is no longer fully backed. If fear of sUSD being unbacked triggers users to redeem sUSD for SNX and sell this, it creates further downwards pressure on SNX, creating a cascading deleveraging event.”Despite the concern, Schmitt emphasized that such a collapse is unlikely due to Synthetix’s $30 million treasury, which holds about half of the outstanding sUSD debt. He said this reserve could be deployed against a spiral scenario.“The biggest factor why sUSD won’t death spiral is because the Synthetix treasury hodls about $30 million of sUSD, which is about half the outstanding debt. To avoid a death spiral, this sUSD can be unwound,” Schmitt wrote. Synthetix founder Kain Warwick previously responded to the dips, saying that while he had feared a death spiral during the last seven years, he sleeps “great” these days. He explained that the dips happened because the primary driver of sUSD buying had been removed. “New mechanisms are being introduced but in this transition there will be some volatility,” Warwick wrote. The Synthetix founder added that since sUSD is a pure crypto collateralized stablecoin, the peg can drift. However, the executive said there are mechanisms to push it back in line if it goes above or below its peg. “These mechanisms are being transitioned right now, hence the drift,” Warwick added. Cointelegraph approached Warwick for further comment but had not heard back by publication. Related: Ukraine floats 23% tax on some crypto income, exemptions for stablecoinsStablecoin loses dollar peg amid market sell-offApart from sUSD, another stablecoin has also recently strayed from its dollar pegs as the crypto market has seen downturns. On April 7, Synnax Stablecoin (syUSD) dropped to $0.94. The project said concentrated sell activities temporarily caused a “slight deviation” from its dollar peg. The project said it was working on implementing a fully open redemption system. Magazine: 3 reasons Ethereum could turn a corner: Kain Warwick, X Hall of Flame
Published: 2 days ago
Bybit recovers market share to 7% after $1.4B hack
Bybit’s market share has rebounded to pre-hack levels following a $1.4 billion exploit in February, as the crypto exchange implements tighter security and improves liquidity options for retail traders.The crypto industry was rocked by its largest hack in history on Feb. 21 when Bybit lost over $1.4 billion in liquid-staked Ether (stETH), Mantle Staked ETH (mETH) and other digital assets.Despite the scale of the exploit, Bybit has steadily regained market share, according to an April 9 report by crypto analytics firm Block Scholes.“Since this initial decline, Bybit has steadily regained market share as it works to repair sentiment and as volumes return to the exchange,” the report stated.Block Scholes said Bybit’s proportional share rose from a post-hack low of 4% to about 7%, reflecting a strong and stable recovery in spot market activity and trading volumes.Bybit’s spot volume market share as a proportion of the market share of the top 20 CEXs. Source: Block ScholesThe hack occurred amid a “broader trend of macro de-risking that began prior to the event,” which signals that Bybit’s initial decline in trading volume was not solely due to the exploit.Related: Can Ether recover above $3K after Bybit’s massive $1.4B hack?It took the Bybit hackers 10 days to launder all the stolen Bybit funds through the decentralized crosschain protocol THORChain, Cointelegraph reported on March 4.Source: Ben ZhouDespite efforts, 89% of the stolen $1.4 billion was traceable by blockchain analytics experts.Related: THORChain generates $5M in fees, $5.4B in volume since Bybit hackLazarus Group’s 2024 pause was repositioning for Bybit hackBlockchain security firms, including Arkham Intelligence, have identified North Korea’s Lazarus Group as the likely culprit behind the Bybit exploit, as the attackers have continued swapping the funds in an effort to render them untraceable.Illicit activity tied to North Korean cyber actors declined after July 1, 2024, despite a surge in attacks earlier that year, according to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis.The slowdown in crypto hacks by North Korean agents had raised significant red flags, according to Eric Jardine, Chainalysis cybercrimes research Lead.North Korean hacking activity before and after July 1. Source: ChainalysisNorth Korea’s slowdown “started when Russia and DPRK [North Korea] met for their summit that led to a reallocation of North Korean resources, including military personnel to the war in Ukraine,” Jardine told Cointelegraph during the Chainreaction show on March 26, adding:“So, we speculated in the report that there might have been additional things unseen in terms of resources reallocation from the DPRK, and then you roll forward into early February, and you have the Bybit hack.”https://t.co/jOlqMt4Hag— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) March 26, 2025The Bybit attack highlights that even centralized exchanges with strong security measures remain vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks, analysts said.The attack shares similarities with the $230 million WazirX hack and the $58 million Radiant Capital hack, according to Meir Dolev, co-founder and chief technical officer at Cyvers.Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions
Published: 2 days ago
81.6% of XRP supply is in profit, but traders in Korea are turning bearish — Here is why
XRP has struggled to find sustained bullish momentum since reaching its cycle peak at $3.40 on Jan. 16, 2025. XRP (XRP) dropped as much as 46% over the past three months, but despite its recent drawdown, Glassnode data indicates that 81.6% of XRP’s current circulating supply remains in profit. While the profit supply percentage is down from its year-to-date high of 92%, the data set highlighted the retention value for holders despite the recent corrections. Percentage Supply in Profit for XRP, BTC, SOL ETH, TRX. Source: X.comCurrently, only Tron (TRX) has a higher profitable supply with 84.6%, while Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH) and Solana (SOL) exhibited 76.8%, 44.9% and 31.6%, respectively.Analyst says Korean XRP traders are bearishData shows traders in Korea played a significant role in buying the first XRP dip below $2 on Feb. 3. Investors on Upbit and Bybit exchange filled their bids below $2, pushing the altcoin’s value back to $2.89 on Feb. 13. However, the sentiment has flipped over the past few days. Anonymous market analyst Dom pointed out that Korean traders executed 1.4 million trades on the XRP/KRW pair, with 62% being sell orders, resulting in a net sale of $120 million in XRP between April 6-7. XRP selling on Korean markets. Source: X.comThe data follows a trend of heavy selling from long-term whales and new investors as “retail confidence” in XRP continues to slip. Last week, Cointelegraph reported over $1 billion in positions being offloaded at an average price of $2.10Related: XRP price gains 13% after Trump 90-day tariff pause and XXRP ETF launchXRP’s higher time frame (HTF) chart lost its $2 support, dropping to a new yearly low of $1.61 on April 7, but the altcoin managed to reclaim this critical level on April 9. Even if XRP holds the $2 level, the price reflects a bearish market structure on multiple time frames. XRP 1-day chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewAs illustrated in the chart, XRP will potentially close a daily candle below its 200-day moving average (orange line), leading to a prolonged correction period over the next few weeks. The key demand zone remains between $1.63 and $1.27 (blue box), where a period of accumulation might unfold for the altcoin. Related: Ripple acquires crypto-friendly prime broker Hidden Road for $1.25BThis 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.
Published: 3 days ago
3 reasons why Ethereum price keeps falling
Ether’s (ETH) most recent sell-off saw it lose the crucial $1,500 support level, and a number of technical indicators suggest that ETH may witness a deeper correction before embarking on a sustained recovery.Data shows Ether’s price dropped below its realized price — an onchain metric that recalculates the market value of a cryptocurrency based on the price at which each coin last moved on the blockchain.According to CryptoQuant contributor, theKriptolik, ETH price trading below this metric, which is historically a bearish sign. When the realized price is above the spot price, it usually acts as resistance and places “most holders suddenly in a loss position,” the analyst said.The analyst added:“Drops below the realized price often mark the capitulation phase, where investors lose confidence and begin selling en masse.”Ethereum realized price for accumulation addresses. Source: CryptoQuantIn June 2022, Ether’s realized price fell below the spot price, preceding a 51% drop in ETH price following the Terra Luna market crash. A similar scenario was witnessed in November 2022, when the metric fell below the price before Ether dropped 35% following the FTX collapse. Now that a similar scenario is playing out, the current setup loosely echoes those prior bearish continuation phases, with ETH price at risk of a deeper correction. Spot Ethereum ETF flows remain weakSpot Ethereum ETFs continue to weaken, with more than $3.3 million in net outflows on April 8. In fact, these investment products have recorded $94.1 million in outflows over the last two weeks against $13 million in inflows.The lack of investor interest is concerning, especially since institutional demand was considered a key part of Ether’s appeal and played a role in the gains accrued in May 2024 as investors bet on an ETF approval from the US Securities and Exchange Commission.Spot Ether ETF flows table. Source: Farside InvestorsThis is also reflected across all other Ether products, with the report from CoinShares pointing out that flows into Ethereum investment funds align with the bearishness seen across the market, with $37.4 million outflows recorded during the week ending April 4.ETH open interest is low, and funding rates are negativeAnother factor weighing Ether’s price down is the lack of enthusiasm in its derivatives market, evidenced by low open interest and negative funding rates. Open interest (OI)—the total number of outstanding futures and options contracts—remains low, indicating reduced trader participation and speculative activity. Currently, at $16.7 billion, the metric is 48% below its peak of $32.3 billion witnessed on Jan. 24.Declining OI signals waning investor confidence or interest, which can exacerbate the price decline as buying pressure dries up.ETH open interest across all exchanges. Source: CoinGlassCompounding this issue are negative funding rates in Ether’s perpetual futures markets, which are hovering below 0%, indicating that bearish sentiment dominates the market.Related: Ethereum whale sells ETH after 900 days, missing $27M possible peak profitWhen rates turn negative, it means shorts (bets against the price) are paying longs to keep their positions open, suggesting a dominance of bearish sentiment. ETH funding rates across all exchanges. Source: GlassnodeCompeting layer-1 blockchains outpace Ethereum network activityEthereum’s high gas fees offer an opportunity for competing layer-1 blockchains focusing on high scalability to eat into its market share in the space. While a fraction of the activity has moved to Ethereum layer-2 solutions, some users and developers opt for other top layer-1 alternatives such as the BNB Chain, Solana, Avalanche and Tron.As a result, Ethereum’s network activity growth has fallen behind that of its rivals. Top blockchains ranked by 24-hour DApps volume, USD. Source: DappRadarEthereum’s unique active wallets (UAW) — addresses engaging with decentralized applications (DApps) on the platform — declined by over 33% over the last 30 days compared to just a 16% decrease on Solana and a 16% increase on Tron.Similarly, the total number of transactions deployed on the Ethereum network dropped by 40.5% during the same period, while transactions on the BNB Chain, Solana and Avalanche decreased by 16%, 30% and 23%, respectively. Transactions on Tron and Fantom increased by 23% and 16%.There’s no indication that the factors weighing on Ether’s price — such as declining network activity and low demand for its spot ETF products — will reverse anytime soon. While this doesn’t guarantee that Ether’s price will remain in an extended downtrend, the technical setup suggests that ETH's price may bottom at $1,000.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.
Published: 3 days ago