April 26, 2025
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Why is Ethereum (ETH) price down today?
Key takeaways:Ether’s price fell over 4% to $2,575 on May 15, mirroring similar downward moves across the wider cryptocurrency market.Long liquidations and a drop in open interest facilitated ETH’s drop.“Overbought” RSI and technical resistance signal profit-taking.Ether (ETH) price declined by over 4% in the last 24 hours to around $2,575 on May 15. ETH’s drop mirrored similar downside moves elsewhere in the cryptocurrency market, with the total capitalization falling by approximately 2.40% to $3.3 trillion.ETH/USD four-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewLet’s look at some of the factors driving Ether’s price down today.ETH price down as long liquidated, and OI falls Ether’s open interest (OI) has decreased by 4.5% to $31.52 billion over the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinGlass. This decline in OI signals reduced trader confidence and liquidity as investors exit the market, driving down prices.ETH derivatives data. Source: CoinGlassThe drawback in ETH price has triggered liquidations, where long positions valued at $64.6 million were forcibly closed on the day, compared to approximately $21 million in short positions.Related: 3 reasons why Ethereum price could rally to $5,000 in 2025The broader crypto market also experienced a sharp deleveraging event, with total liquidations reaching $312 million across all assets.Crypto market liquidations (24 hours). Source: CoinGlassThe combination of forced sell-offs and low market participation has amplified Ether’s bearish momentum.The 24-hour long/short ratio of 0.9558 and a 32.5% drop in trading volume suggest a waning bullish sentiment.ETH Long/Short Ratio Chart. Source: CoinGlassEthereum’s rally stalls with buyer exhaustion Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView shows Ether’s impressive rally over the last week has pushed its relative strength index (RSI) above 70 on shorter and longer timeframe charts, indicating overbought conditions. The RSI heatmap from CoinGlass shows ETH’s RSI at 71 and 73 on the 12-hour and daily timeframes, respectively.ETH/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewEther’s price also faces stiff resistance on the upside, defined by the $2,600 and $2,800 range. Note that this is where the 200-day SMA currently sits.Popular crypto analyst Michael van de Poppe said Ether is required to overcome this barrier to increase its chances of recording new highs for 2025.“If this happens on $ETH, that would signal a lot of potential upside to come for the entire #Altcoin market.”Source: Michael van de PoppeThe downside target for the short term is between $2,100 and $2,230, which could provide a good entry position for late investors, according to Van de Poppe. As Cointelegraph reported, Ether’s crypto market dominance has reached its most overheated levels since May 2021, which have historically preceded major pullbacks.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: 17 minutes ago
Chainalysis CEO offers a clue into recent spate of Paris crypto attacks
Some criminal organizations are yet to receive the memo — crypto is traceable — and could explain the recent string of crypto-related kidnappings, says Chainalysis CEO Jonathan Levin. Law enforcement has been increasingly successful at tracing stolen funds and crypto ransom payments, resulting in a “lot of arrests,” Levin said during the 2025 Consensus crypto conference, covered by Cointelegraph.“For whatever reason, there is a perception that’s out there that crypto is an asset that is untraceable, and that really lends itself to criminals acting in a certain way,” he said. “Apparently, the know that crypto is not untraceable hasn't been received by some of the organized crime groups that are actually perpetrating these attacks, and some of them are concentrated in, you know, France, but not exclusively.” Jonathan Levin (left) says criminals targeting the crypto industry should know that the funds are traceable and law enforcement can track them. Source: CointelegraphThere have been two serious crypto-related attacks in Paris so far this month. On May 13, three assailants attempted to kidnap the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, the co-founder and CEO of French crypto exchange Paymium. Earlier in the month, on May 3, Paris police freed the father of a crypto entrepreneur who was held for several days as part of a 7 million euro ($7.8 million) kidnapping plot. The attacks have prompted France’s interior minister to meet with crypto professionals and address rising security concerns. Last year, blockchain investigator ZachXBT sounded the alarm in October that he’d been receiving messages from multiple victims of crypto home invasion thefts in Western Europe at a much higher rate than other regions.“The message needs to get out there that these payments are traceable and that these units within the law enforcement agencies have actually been very successful at holding some of those people to account in those kidnapping cases,” Levin said.“And even if it’s not the people that are kidnapping those people, but actually going upstream to the organized crime groups that are orchestrating these,” he added. Online streamer Amouranth was the victim of a home invasion in March 2025 when several armed assailants held her at gunpoint and demanded the keys to her crypto wallet, four suspects were charged in connection with the incident and arrested by law enforcement.Crypto kidnapping “not such a profitable business”Levin says he hopes organized crime takes a message from crypto robbers being arrested, specifically, that it’s “not such a profitable business to be in,” and in some instances, the ransom payments might even be recoverable.“There is the ability to potentially recover some of those payments as well. I think that in general, the goal here is not necessarily the recovery of the money, but it’s holding those people to account,” he said.However, despite law enforcement having some success in tracking down criminals targeting the crypto industry, Levin says the spate of offline robberies is still a “bleak” situation, and the industry should be taking extra steps to stifle theft as well. “People need to be very careful about what information is shared about them online,” he said.Related: Teens kidnap Las Vegas man at gunpoint, stealing $4M in cryptoThis year, there have been 22 recorded incidents of in-person crypto-related theft compared to 28 in 2024, according to a GitHub list created by cypherpunk and co-founder of self-custodial firm Casa, Jameson Lopp.However, the number could be higher. A University of Cambridge study released in September last year found these so-called “wrench attacks” are often underreported due to revictimization fears. Additional reporting by Vince Quill.Magazine: Bitcoiner sex trap extortion? BTS firm’s blockchain disaster: Asia Express
Published: 3 hours ago
Crypto startups scaring away VCs with 80x valuations: 10T Holdings
Too many crypto startups are pricing themselves out of venture capital funding by chasing valuations far exceeding their revenues, according to Dan Tapeiro, the CEO of crypto-focused venture capital firm 10T Holdings.“For some reason, founders and CEOs think that they should be raising capital at 50 to 80 times revenue. So that makes it very hard for us to make a return for our liquidity providers,” Tapeiro said while speaking in a panel discussion at the Consensus conference in Toronto on May 14.“So a lot of those deals we just pass almost automatically, even businesses that we really like, we won't invest in if the price isn't reasonable in the beginning.”10T Holdings has passed on over 200 companies for similar reasons, including the now-bankrupt FTX, BlockFi and Celsius, Tapeiro said. Tapeiro said 10T Holdings looks for crypto projects that have valuations above the $400 million to $500 million range with a valuation-to-revenue ratio of 10x or less.Host of Crypto In America Eleanor Terrett (left) moderating a discussion with Pantera Capital CEO Dan Morehead (middle) and Dan Tapeiro (right) at the Consensus conference. Source: CointelegraphVCs often prefer lower valuations because they offer more upside potential with less risk.Realistic valuations often make follow-on funding rounds more attractive to investors while also simplifying the exit process.“Valuation is very important,” Tapeiro said.Despite Tapeiro’s comments, it appears that crypto startups have had no problem attracting VC funds, as PitchBook reported on May 13 that the total value of crypto venture capital deals rose over 100% quarter-on-quarter to $6 billion in Q1 2025, while the number of deals only increased by 8.8%.VCs should diversify their bagsAlso speaking alongside Tapeiro was Pantera Capital CEO Dan Morehead, who said more VCs should opt to receive a mix of private equity and tokens when investing in crypto startups.“Each one has their pros and cons, and then they go in these wild pendulum swings where sometimes tokens are really expensive and ventures cheap. Sometimes it's the opposite.”Related: Crypto VC deals drop in Q1, but funding more than doubles: PitchBook“So as an investor, I always advocate people investing in a wide spectrum of tokens and ventures.”Morehead’s Pantera has taken a more aggressive approach than 10T Holdings over the years and seen considerable success, making a return on 86% of the startups it invested in, with 22 of those reaching unicorn status (companies reaching $1 billion valuations).Magazine: Danger signs for Bitcoin as retail abandons it to institutions: Sky Wee
Published: 7 hours ago
Dogecoin active addresses surge by 528% — Will DOGE price follow?
Key Takeaways: Dogecoin's active addresses surged 528% to 469,477.DOGE’s futures open interest rose 70% to $1.65 billion, indicating strong speculative interest.On May 13, Dogecoin (DOGE) witnessed a staggering 528% increase in active addresses, soaring from 74,640 to 469,477, signaling robust network activity and growing investor interest. This surge followed an update to 21Shares’ filing for a spot Dogecoin ETF, receiving acknowledgement from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The financial services firm confirmed the development on X on May 14.Dogecoin active addresses. Source: GlassnodeThe filing, which aims to track DOGE’s price, aligns with similar efforts by Bitwise and Grayscale, hinting at potential mainstream adoption. This news fueled market optimism, leading to a rise in the memecoin’s network activity. Adding to the momentum, Glassnode reported that DOGE futures open interest rose 70% over the past week, climbing from $989 million to $1.65 billion, despite a price pullback from recent highs. This decoupling of open interest and price suggests persistent speculative positioning, a trend Glassnode noted as “worth monitoring” for potential volatility.Dogecoin futures open interest. Source: GlassnodeDOGE has also seen strong spot-buyer demand, and Cointelegraph reported that DOGE’s spot taker 90-day cumulative volume delta (CVD) is currently "taker buyer dominant," reflecting more aggressive buying than selling since early March. This pattern preceded a 385% rally to $0.48 in Q4 2024. Additionally, the long-term holder net unrealized profit/loss (NUPL) for DOGE holders (holding at least 155 days) recently surpassed 0.5, indicating an optimistic “belief” sentiment.With the network’s activity booming, speculative interest rising, and spot buyers dominating, Dogecoin’s market dynamics are setting the stage for a potential price run to its range highs. Related: Price predictions 5/14: BTC, ETH, XRP, BNB, SOL, DOGE, ADA, SUI, LINK, AVAXDogecoin price targets $0.40Crypto analyst Trader Tardigrade noted that DOGE has hit a key resistance level around $0.24, with a brief consolidation expected over the next few days. A breakout above this resistance could propel DOGE to $0.40, signaling healthy upward momentum. Dogecoin analysis by Trader Tardigrade. Source: X.comMeanwhile, Dogecoin proponent Kriss Pax highlighted an inverse head-and-shoulders pattern on the 1-day chart, suggesting a potential surge to $0.42 with the pattern reflecting a bullish breakout. The trader said, “Stuck between $0.22 and $0.25. Opportunities for buying dips will come. Some will swing trade. But when $DOGE decides to take off, you will want to be on board.”Related: Bitcoin bulls aim for new all-time highs by next week as capital inflows soarThis 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: 9 hours ago
Price predictions 5/14: BTC, ETH, XRP, BNB, SOL, DOGE, ADA, SUI, LINK, AVAX
Key points:Bitcoin remains above $100,000, but buyers are struggling to sustain prices above $105,000.Strong altcoin performances suggest an altseason has started.Bitcoin (BTC) is trading above $103,000, with buyers attempting to drive the price to the all-time high of $109,588. Research firm Santiment said in a post on X that Bitcoin whales and sharks, holding 10 to 10,000 Bitcoin, accumulated 83,105 Bitcoin in the past 30 days, suggesting that “it may be a matter of time” before Bitcoin's all-time high is taken out.Along with Bitcoin, analysts are also gradually turning positive on altcoins. A host of factors, such as falling Bitcoin and USDT dominance and a rally in select altcoins, suggest that an altcoin season may be around the corner.Crypto market data daily view. Source: Coin360However, not everyone is bullish in the short term. Alphractal CEO Joao Wedson said in a post on X that Bitcoin is at the “Alpha Price” zone, which could attract profit booking by long-term holders or whales. Could Bitcoin challenge the all-time high? Will altcoins continue their rally even if Bitcoin consolidates? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.Bitcoin price predictionBitcoin rebounded off $100,718 on May 12, indicating that the bulls are trying to flip the psychologically important $100,000 level into support.BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIf the price maintains above $100,000, the possibility of a retest of the all-time high increases. There is stiff resistance in the $107,000 to $109,588 zone, but if it is crossed, the BTC/USDT pair could skyrocket to $130,000.The risk to the upside is a sharp pullback below the 20-day exponential moving average ($98,407), which could tempt several short-term buyers to book profits. That could sink the pair to the 50-day simple moving average ($89,952). Ether price predictionEther (ETH) skyrocketed above the $2,550 resistance on May 13, but the higher levels are attracting sellers.ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe overbought level on the RSI signals a possible correction or consolidation in the near term. If the price slips below $2,550, the bears will try to strengthen their position by pulling the ETH/USDT pair below $2,400. If they can pull it off, the pair could extend the pullback to the 20-day EMA ($2,147).Contrarily, a bounce off $2,550 indicates that the bulls are buying on every minor dip. That enhances the likelihood of a rally to $3,000.XRP price predictionXRP’s (XRP) rally is facing resistance at $2.65, but a positive sign is that the bulls have not ceded ground to the bears.XRP/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThat improves the prospects of a rally above $2.65. Once the resistance is scaled, the XRP/USDT pair could ascend to $3. Buyers are expected to face significant resistance from the bears in the $3 to $3.40 zone.The 20-day EMA ($2.32) is the vital support to watch out for on the downside. If the price turns down sharply from $2.65 and breaks below the 20-day EMA, it suggests that bears remain sellers on rallies. That could result in a range formation between $2.65 and $2.BNB price predictionBuyers have kept BNB (BNB) above the breakout level of $644 but are struggling to push the price above the $675 level.BNB/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe rising 20-day EMA ($627) and the RSI in the positive territory indicate that buyers have an edge. A break and close above $675 opens the doors for a possible rally to the overhead resistance of $745.This positive view will be invalidated in the near term if the price turns down and breaks below the 20-day EMA. If that happens, the BNB/USDT pair could descend to the 50-day SMA ($603).Solana price predictionSolana (SOL) resumed its up move after breaking above the $180 resistance on May 13, but the bulls are struggling to hold on to the higher levels.SOL/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe bears have pulled the price back below $180 on May 14. If they sustain the lower levels, the SOL/USDT pair could skid to the 20-day EMA ($159). A solid bounce off the 20-day EMA suggests the bullish momentum remains intact. The bulls will then try to catapult the pair to $210.Contrarily, a break and close below the 20-day EMA signals that the breakout above $180 may have been a bull trap. The pair may then tumble to $153.Dogecoin price predictionDogecoin (DOGE) bounced off the breakout level of $0.21 on May 13, signaling that the bulls are trying to flip the level into support.DOGE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe 20-day EMA ($0.20) has started to turn up, and the RSI is near the overbought territory, indicating advantage to buyers. A break and close above $0.26 signals the resumption of the rally. That opens the doors for a rally to $0.28 and thereafter to $0.31.Instead, if the price turns down and breaks below $0.21, it suggests a lack of demand at higher levels. The DOGE/USDT pair may then slump to the 50-day SMA ($0.17), which is likely to act as strong support.Cardano price predictionBuyers have successfully held the retest of the neckline in Cardano (ADA), indicating buying on dips.ADA/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe bulls will try to resume the up move by pushing the price above $0.86. If they manage to do that, the ADA/USDT pair could pick up momentum and rally toward the pattern target of $1.01.This optimistic view will be negated in the near term if the price turns down and breaks below the neckline. That suggests the bears have overpowered the bulls. That could sink the pair to the 50-day SMA ($0.68).Related: Ethereum retakes 10% market share, but ETH bulls shouldn't celebrate yetSui price predictionSui (SUI) has been sandwiched between $4.25 and $3.90 for the past few days, indicating that the bulls are holding on to their positions as they anticipate another leg higher.SUI/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIf buyers propel the price above $4.25, the SUI/USDT pair could pick up momentum and surge to $5. Buyers may find it difficult to clear the overhead zone between $5 and the all-time high of $5.37.Alternatively, if the price turns down and closes below $3.90, it suggests that the bulls are booking profits. The pair may descend to the 20-day EMA ($3.57), which is likely to attract buyers. If the price rebounds off the 20-day EMA, the bulls will make another attempt to overcome the barrier at $4.25.Chainlink price predictionChainlink’s (LINK) up move is facing selling at the resistance line, but a minor positive is that the bulls have not ceded much ground to the bears.LINK/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe upsloping 20-day EMA ($15.43) and the RSI near the overbought zone indicate the path of least resistance is to the upside. A short-term trend change will be signaled if buyers pierce the resistance line. The LINK/USDT pair could then rally toward the target objective of $21.30.Sellers will have to tug the price below the neckline to gain strength. That could pull the pair to the 50-day SMA ($13.96). A break and close below the 50-day SMA suggest the pair may remain inside the descending channel pattern for some more time.Avalanche price predictionAvalanche (AVAX) bounced off the breakout level of $23.50, indicating that the bulls have flipped the level into support.AVAX/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThere is minor resistance at $28.78, but it is likely to be crossed. If that happens, the AVAX/USDT pair could rally to $31.73 and subsequently to $36.The 20-day EMA ($22.63) is the critical support to watch out for on the downside. If bears want to make a comeback, they will have to quickly pull the price below the 20-day EMA. The pair may then slide to $19, which is likely to attract buyers.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: 14 hours ago
Five crypto figures who disappeared, died — or maybe didn’t
Zerebro developer Jeffy Yu has been found alive at his parents’ home in San Francisco, days after faking his suicide on a livestream that launched a supposed posthumous memecoin past $100 million.Yu’s case isn’t the first time crypto has blurred the line between real death, faked death and something in between. From missing founders to sealed caskets, the industry has a long history of exits that left behind more questions than closure.Here are five unsettling cases — real, staged or unresolved — that continue to haunt the crypto world.1. Jeffy Yu faked his death, then his crypto pumpedA clip of Yu broadcasting his “suicide” circulated on May 4. The video showed him smoking a cigarette before pulling the trigger, then the camera dropped.Hours later, a scheduled social media post announced the posthumous launch of LLJEFFY, a memecoin described as his “final art piece.” The coin surged to nearly $105 million in market cap.LLJEFFY’s market fell to $5.63 million from its $105 million peak. Source: DEX ScreenerBut Yu wasn’t dead. Blockchain wallets tied to him kept moving. A copy of a letter — allegedly written by Yu — described the exit design as a response to ongoing harassment and blackmail.Yu’s obituary on online memorial site Legacy.com has now been removed. Source: Vee/Legacy.comReporters from The San Francisco Standard eventually found Yu at his parents’ home. He refused to comment on the suicide stunt or whether he profited from it.In the world of memecoins, this kind of spectacle isn’t new. In late 2024, Pump.fun’s livestream feature triggered a wave of stunts — suicide threats, animal abuse and other shocking acts — to pump token prices. The company shut it down and later relaunched a toned-down version.2. A crypto whistleblower’s descent into paranoia and possible deathIn February 2025, a suspected Chinese programmer who called themselves Hu Lezhi burned 500 Ether (ETH) (worth around $1.3 million at the time) and donated another 1,950 ETH (over $5 million) to various groups like WikiLeaks and the Ethereum Foundation. All of it came with onchain messages alleging that a hedge fund called WizardQuant (aka Kuande Investment) was using “brain-computer weapons” to control its employees — including Hu.Related: 4chan rises from the dead: How the imageboard moves crypto marketsThe messages read like sci-fi horror. Hu claimed he’d been a mind-control test subject since childhood and warned of a future where humans were nothing more than “puppets or complete slaves to the digital machine.”Hu Lezhi’s final messages before disappearing. Source: EtherscanIn one of his last messages, Hu said they would “leave the world” if they reached the final stage of becoming a “complete slave to the digital machine.” Some translated the series of messages as an onchain suicide note.To date, they haven’t re-emerged. And unlike Yu, Hu’s wallet hasn’t moved.3. The crypto whiz and the cryptic tweet before his deathOn Oct. 28, 2022, DeFi developer Nikolai Mushegian posted a chilling tweet: “CIA and Mossad and pedo elite are running some kind of sex trafficking entrapment blackmail ring… they are going to torture me to death.”By the next morning, he was found face-down in the surf near his beach house in Puerto Rico.A final tweet, a washed-up body, and silence louder than truth. Source: Nikolai Mushegian/fucnti0nZer0Mushegian wasn’t a random crypto kid. He was an early developer at MakerDAO and a key architect of the stablecoin ecosystem. He was also increasingly paranoid — or, depending on who you ask, increasingly aware. Critics dismissed the tweet as a mental health crisis, but others weren’t so quick to look away.Related: 8 major crypto firms announce US expansion this yearThe timing of his death sparked a wave of theories: assassination, targeted silencing or even MKUltra-style mind control.Officially, it was ruled an accidental drowning.4. Crypto investors can’t believe QuadrigaCX founder’s deathIn December 2018, Gerald Cotten, the 30-year-old founder of Canadian crypto exchange QuadrigaCX, reportedly died in India from Crohn’s disease. But there was one massive problem: He was the only person with access to $190 million in crypto.Cotten’s case was so high-profile that it became the subject of a Netflix documentary. Source: Netflix/YouTubeAs news of his death spread, so did the questions. There was no public autopsy, his death certificate misspelled his name (spelling Cotten as Cottan), the casket was sealed, and a growing army of investors wanted his body exhumed for DNA testing.Quadriga officially declared bankruptcy in 2019. Thousands of clients were locked out of their funds. Eventually, investigators discovered the cold wallets were empty, prompting auditor EY to begin recovery efforts.Some suspected Cotten had run a Ponzi scheme for years and used his death as the ultimate escape plan. The rumors have not been confirmed, but the official story remains that he died a tragic death, as confirmed by Indian authorities. 5. Reports of Cryptoqueen’s death are greatly exaggeratedSelf-styled “Cryptoqueen” Ruja Ignatova, co-founder of the $4-billion OneCoin scam, hasn’t been seen since she boarded a Ryanair flight from Sofia to Athens in October 2017.Cotten left no access; Ignatova left no trace.Since then, rumors have swirled. Some say that she underwent plastic surgery and lives under a new identity or that she’s being protected by the Bulgarian mafia. A Bulgarian investigative outlet claims Ignatova was allegedly murdered in November 2018 on a yacht in the Ionian Sea and that her body was dismembered and dumped overboard under the orders of Bulgarian crime boss Christophoros Amanatidis to cover his ties to OneCoin.More recently, German officials reportedly assumed that Ignatova is in a South African suburb living with private security.Ignatova has been on the US FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list since 2022. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation raised Ignatova’s bounty to $5 million in June 2024. Source: FBIMagazine: 10 crypto theories that missed as badly as ‘Peter Todd is Satoshi’
Published: 14 hours ago
How high can XRP price go?
Key takeaways:XRP has surged 65% in a month, with technicals pointing to another 45% rally.Liquidation heatmap shows $2.68 as key resistance; a breakout could drive price toward $2.87Symmetrical triangle patterns suggest long-term targets of $5.24 and even $17, based on Fibonacci projections.XRP (XRP) has surged 65% in a month, rebounding from a $1.61 low to $2.65 by May 14, driven by whale accumulation and easing US-China trade tensions.XRP/USD daily price chart. Source: TradingViewHow high can XRP’s price go from here? Let’s examine.XRP rising wedge hints at 45% rally nextXRP has broken out of a multimonth falling wedge pattern, aiming for a potential upside target near $3.69 by June, up around 45% from the current price levels. XRP/USD three-day price chart. Source: TradingViewThe breakout outlook is picking up additional support from XRP’s 20-3D (purple) and 50-3D (red) exponential moving averages (EMA).However, if the price falls back below the wedge’s upper trendline and loses support at these EMAs, the bullish setup could be invalidated, risking a decline toward the lower trendline near $1.75.XRP liquidation heatmap hints at $2.68-2.87The Binance XRP/USDT liquidation heatmap reveals key liquidity zones where large liquidation events may occur. These levels often act as magnet zones, influencing price direction based on the amount of liquidity at a given level.XRP/USDT three-month liquidation heatmap (Binance). Source: CoinGlassA large concentration of leveraged positions near $2.68 marks it as a key resistance level, with around $17.33 million in potential liquidations. XRP nearly tested this level on May 14. A decisive break above $2.68 could trigger a short squeeze scenario, forcing liquidations and potentially driving the price toward the next major liquidity zone at $2.87.XRP price symmetrical triangle points to $17XRP is showing signs of breaking out of a symmetrical triangle forming on the 2-week chart since 2025’s beginning, which may lead to a broader bullish continuation trend in the coming months.XRP/USD two-week price chart. Source: TradingViewSymmetrical triangle breakouts typically lead the price higher by as much as the pattern’s maximum height. This technical rule brings XRP’s upside target to around $5.24, a level which aligns with the 1.618 Fibonacci retracement line.Related: Can XRP price reach $4 in May? Analysts are watching these key levelsApplying the same rule on XRP’s multiyear symmetrical triangle, which entered its breakout stage in November 2024, the upside target is over $17.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: 15 hours ago
Top South Korean presidential hopefuls support legalizing Bitcoin ETFs
South Korea could soon follow Hong Kong in legalizing spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as the country’s top presidential candidates have expressed pro-crypto positions. Still, some industry observers remain cautious about the likelihood of near-term regulatory change.“All three major South Korean presidential candidates support #Bitcoin ETFs and institutional investment,” Ki Young Ju, the founder and CEO of onchain data platform CryptoQuant, wrote in a May 14 X post.Currently, Bitcoin ETFs and institutional crypto investments are banned in South Korea, meaning that “100% [of the] volume comes from retail,” Ju added.From left: Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo and New Reform Party presidential candidate Lee Jun-seok. Source: Ki Young JuRelated: Bitcoin more of a ‘diversifier’ than safe-haven asset: ReportOn May 6, South Korea’s Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung promised to legalize spot crypto ETFs, lower transaction fees and “create a safe investment environment so that young people can [build] assets and plan for the future, according to a report from The Korean Economic Daily (KED).The Democratic Party made similar promises in its 2024 election campaign, including the legalization of spot crypto ETFs, but progress has been delayed, KED reported.Related: SEC delays Solana ETF as decisions for Polkadot, XRP loomCandidates back ETFs, but history casts doubtWhile the crypto-friendly perspectives of the leading candidates suggest a promising future for digital asset legislation in South Korea, regulation experts remain skeptical.“The candidates’ pro-crypto pledges to push to legalize spot Bitcoin ETFs and reduce fees signal a potential shift. But history tempers optimism,” Anndy Lian, author and intergovernmental blockchain adviser, told Cointelegraph, adding:“They will take on similar stances as Hong Kong. Whether the ETFs can perform or not depends on various other factors.”“A pro-crypto president could drive reform, aligning South Korea with global trends like the US, where Bitcoin ETFs have attracted over billions in net inflows,” Lian said, adding that the Financial Services Commission’s tone also suggested “regulatory openness” for cryptocurrencies.However, the People Power Party, elected in 2022, also promised to lift the crypto ETF ban and revise the controversial one-exchange-one-bank rule, “but failed to act before President Yoon’s impeachment,” Lian said.Over in Hong Kong, the first batch of Bitcoin and Ether-based ETFs launched for trading on April 30, 2024, but saw disappointing trading activity compared to their US counterparts, Cointelegraph reported.Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest, April 13 – 19
Published: 19 hours ago
Decentralized OORT AI data hits top ranks on Google Kaggle
An artificial intelligence training image data set developed by decentralized AI solution provider OORT has seen considerable success on Google’s platform Kaggle.OORT’s Diverse Tools Kaggle data set listing was released in early April; since then, it has climbed to the first page in multiple categories. Kaggle is a Google-owned online platform for data science and machine learning competitions, learning and collaboration. Ramkumar Subramaniam, core contributor at crypto AI project OpenLedger, told Cointelegraph that “a front-page Kaggle ranking is a strong social signal, indicating that the data set is engaging the right communities of data scientists, machine learning engineers and practitioners.“Max Li, founder and CEO of OORT, told Cointelegraph that the firm “observed promising engagement metrics that validate the early demand and relevance” of its training data gathered through a decentralized model. He added:“The organic interest from the community, including active usage and contributions — demonstrates how decentralized, community-driven data pipelines like OORT’s can achieve rapid distribution and engagement without relying on centralized intermediaries.“Li also said that OORT plans to release multiple data sets in the coming months. Among those is an in-car voice commands data set, one for smart home voice commands and another for deepfake videos meant to improve AI-powered media verification.Related: AI agents are coming for DeFi — Wallets are the weakest linkFirst page in multiple categoriesThe data set in question was independently verified by Cointelegraph to have reached the first page in Kaggle’s General AI, Retail & Shopping, Manufacturing, and Engineering categories earlier this month. At the time of publication, it lost those positions following a possibly unrelated data set update on May 6 and another on May 14.OORT’s data set on the first Kaggle page in Engineering category. Source: KaggleWhile recognizing the achievement, Subramaniam told Cointelegraph that “it’s not a definitive indicator of real-world adoption or enterprise-grade quality.” He said that what sets OORT’s data set apart “is not just the ranking, but the provenance and incentive layer behind the data set.” He explained:“Unlike centralized vendors that may rely on opaque pipelines, a transparent, token-incentivized system offers traceability, community curation, and the potential for continuous improvement assuming the right governance is in place.“Lex Sokolin, partner at AI venture capital firm Generative Ventures, said that while he does not think these results are hard to replicate, “it does show that crypto projects can use decentralized incentives to organize economically valuable activity.”Related: Sweat wallet adds AI assistant, expands to multichain DeFiHigh-quality AI training data: a scarce commodityData published by AI research firm Epoch AI estimates that human-generated text AI training data will be exhausted in 2028. The pressure is high enough that investors are now mediating deals granting rights to copyrighted materials to AI companies.Reports concerning increasingly scarce AI training data and how it may limit growth in the space have been circulating for years. While synthetic (AI-generated) data is increasingly used with at least some degree of success, human data is still largely viewed as the better alternative, higher-quality data that leads to better AI models.When it comes to images for AI training specifically, things are becoming increasingly complicated with artists sabotaging training efforts on purpose. Meant to protect their images from being used for AI training without permission, Nightshade allows users to “poison” their images and severely degrade model performance.Model performance per number of poisoned images. Source: TowardsDataScienceSubramaniam said, “We’re entering an era where high-quality image data will become increasingly scarce.” He also recognized that this scarcity is made more dire by the increasing popularity of image poisoning:“With the rise of techniques like image cloaking and adversarial watermarking to poison AI training, open-source datasets face a dual challenge: quantity and trust.”In this situation, Subramaniam said that verifiable and community-sourced incentivized data sets are “more valuable than ever.” According to him, such projects “can become not just alternatives, but pillars of AI alignment and provenance in the data economy.“Magazine: AI Eye: AI’s trained on AI content go MAD, is Threads a loss leader for AI data?
Published: 20 hours ago
SEC delays Solana ETF as decisions for Polkadot, XRP loom
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has pushed back its decision on a proposed spot Solana exchange-traded fund (ETF), with the cryptocurrency industry now looking to the deadlines for the Polkadot and XRP-based ETFs in June.The SEC pushed its decision on listing Grayscale’s spot Solana (SOL) Trust ETF on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to October 2025, according to a May 13 filing by the securities regulator.Delay on Grayscale’s Solana ETF. Source: SECThe decision came the week after the SEC delayed its ruling on Canary Capital’s Litecoin (LTC) ETF, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst James Seyffart wrote in a May 5 X post.Source: James SeyffartSpot ETFs are viewed as key drivers of liquidity and institutional adoption for digital assets. For Bitcoin (BTC), the US spot Bitcoin ETFs accounted for an estimated 75% of new investment after launching, which helped BTC recapture the $50,000 mark in February 2024, a month after the ETFs debuted for trading.While a Solana ETF may generate only a fraction of the inflows of Bitcoin ETFs, it could increase Solana’s institutional adoption in the long term by offering investors a “regulated investment vehicle” that may still attract billions of dollars in capital, Ryan Lee, chief analyst at Bitget Research, told Cointelegraph.Related: Solana co-founder proposes meta chain to fix blockchain fragmentationDespite the latest delay by the SEC, the majority of investors are optimistic about the approval of a SOL ETF before the end of 2025.Odds of a Solana ETF approved by Dec. 31, 2025. Source: PolymarketInvestors are predicting an 82% chance for a SOL ETF approval and an 80% chance for a Litecoin ETF approval before the end of the year, according to data from Polymarket, the largest decentralized betting platform.Related: $1B Bitcoin exits Coinbase in a day as analysts warn of supply shockPolkadot, XRP, DOGE ETFs await SEC decision in JuneSeveral other crypto ETF applications are approaching SEC deadlines in June. The SEC will decide on Grayscale’s Polkadot (DOT) ETF by June 11, and 21Shares’ Polkadot ETF on June 24, according to a court filing from the SEC.On June 17, the SEC is set to make a decision on Franklin Templeton’s spot XRP (XRP) ETF and Bitwise’s spot Dogecoin (DOGE) ETF, official filings show.However, those decisions may also be delayed. The SEC typically takes full advantage of its 240-day review period when evaluating crypto-related financial products, as seen in its handling of the Bitcoin and Ether (ETH) ETF applications in 2023 and 2024. Magazine: Metric signals $250K Bitcoin is ‘best case,’ SOL, HYPE tipped for gains: Trade Secrets
Published: 22 hours ago
Ex-Cred execs plead guilty to wire fraud over $150M crypto collapse
Two former executives of the bankrupt crypto lending service Cred have pleaded guilty to wire fraud connected to the company’s collapse.Former Cred CEO Daniel Schatt and chief financial officer Joseph Podulka admitted to wire fraud as part of a plea deal with prosecutors, according to a May 13 text filing in a California District Court.District Judge William Alsup accepted the plea deals and set a sentencing hearing for Aug. 26. Wire fraud can carry up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines for individuals and $500,00 for businesses.After accepting the defendant's guilty plea, Judge William Alsup set a sentencing hearing for August. Source: PACERLaw360 reported that as part of the plea agreement, Schatt and Podulka admitted to selectively presenting positive “information [while] failing to disclose negative news” as part of a plan to “induce customers to lend their US currency and digital currencies to Cred.”Federal prosecutors have reportedly submitted a possible sentence range of up to 72 months for Schatt and up to 62 months for Podulka. Schatt and Podulka were facing 13 charges of wire fraud and money laundering.Cred customer losses exceed $150 million When Cred collapsed and filed for bankruptcy, its customers suffered losses of up to $150 million, but the US Department of Justice said in May 2024 that the assets had since climbed to a market value exceeding $783 million.In the plea agreement, the defendants agreed that their actions led to losses of between $65 million and $150 million for users.Former Cred chief commercial officer James Alexander was also hit with wire fraud and money laundering charges.Prosecutors alleged that the Cred executives misled customers about Cred’s lending and investment practices and didn’t disclose that its loan book relied heavily on the Chinese firm MoKredit, which made unsecured microloans to Chinese gamers.Cred also allegedly claimed to only engage in collateralized lending, and all its crypto investments were hedged, which prosecutors say was false.After the price of Bitcoin (BTC) dropped by 40% on March 11, 2020, Cred could not meet its margin calls and neared insolvency, and the three executives sought out new customers while downplaying the risks, prosecutors claimed. When Cred declared bankruptcy in November 2020, numerous users turned to social media to voice concerns and ask if their funds were safe.Related: Uphold exchange denies owing millions to failed crypto lender CredOther crypto founders have also faced legal consequences this year. Alex Mashinsky, the founder and former CEO of bankrupt crypto lending platform Celsius, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for fraud on May 8.Meanwhile, Wolf Capital co-founder and head trader Travis Ford pleaded guilty on Jan. 10 to wire fraud conspiracy charges for his role in raising over $9 million from investors with false promises of high returns.Magazine: ChatGPT a ‘schizophrenia-seeking missile,’ AI scientists prep for 50% deaths: AI Eye
Published: 1 day ago
Solana network and DeFi activity suggest SOL price rally will continue
Key takeaways:Solana's $10.9 billion TVL surpassed the entire Ethereum layer-2 ecosystem.Solana’s 30-day fee revenue ($43.4 million) rose 109% compared to the previous month.SOL’s 8% funding rate shows healthy leverage demand from bulls.Solana’s native token SOL (SOL) surged 24.8% between May 6 and May 10, following the broader altcoin market rally after Bitcoin broke above $100,000. Since then, SOL has struggled to stay above $180, but derivatives and onchain data still suggest further gains are in store.SOL/USD (blue) vs. altcoin market cap. Source: TradingView / CointelegraphWhile Solana ranks the fifth largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Solana Network is the vice-leader in key onchain metrics including the total value locked (TVL).Blockchain ranked by TVL, USD. Source: DefiLlamaSolana’s $10.9 billion total value locked (TVL) surpasses the entire Ethereum layer-2 ecosystem, which includes Base, Arbitrum, and Optimism. Even BNB Chain, which integrates seamlessly with Binance and Trust Wallet, cannot match Solana’s numbers. Notable 30-day TVL increases for Solana include Raydium DEX, up 78%, Jito liquid staking solution, up 41%, and Marinade, which gained 56%.Rising fee revenue boosts SOL demand and momentumGaining traction in decentralized finance (DeFi) does not always translate into demand for the native token, since some networks have extremely low fees. For example, over a recent 30-day period, the Ethereum network generated just $24.9 million in base layer fees, while Tron captured $51.9 million and Solana totaled $43.3 million, according to DefiLlama.Solana network DApps revenue (left) vs. chain fees (right). Source: DefiLlamaSolana’s DApps revenues and chain fees have shown consistent growth over the past four weeks. The latest figures are approaching their highest levels in three months, which is highly positive for SOL, as it drives demand. With 65% of the SOL supply involved in staking, this dynamic also supports upward price momentum.Related: Solana co-founder proposes meta chain to fix blockchain fragmentationTo gauge whether traders are becoming more optimistic about SOL’s price outlook, it is helpful to look at leverage demand. A positive funding rate means that long positions (buyers) are paying to keep their trades open.SOL perpetual futures annualized funding rate. Source: Laevitas.chCurrently, the SOL perpetual futures funding rate is at 8%, which falls within the neutral range of 5% to 10% based on the cost of capital. However, with SOL still trading 40% below its all-time high of $295 from Jan. 19, there is little reason for excessive optimism just yet. Still, the increasing activity on the Solana network suggests that SOL could reach $200 soon, potentially outperforming its competitors.The exact catalyst that could propel SOL’s price higher remains uncertain, but possibilities include the potential approval of a spot Solana exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the US, as well as Solana’s eventual inclusion in a state-level digital asset strategic reserve. Additionally, some analysts are optimistic about traditional asset tokenization on Solana, which could unlock further value for SOL.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: 1 day ago
Altcoins’ roaring returns and falling USDT stablecoin dominance suggest ‘altseason’ is here
Key Takeaways:Declining Bitcoin dominance and rising strength in altcoins and memecoins could be a sign that it’s altseason.USDT dominance could drop to 2022 lows, indicating an accelerating capital rotation into Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The cryptocurrency market shows signs that an altseason, a period where altcoins significantly outperform Bitcoin (BTC), could be on the horizon. Technical charts and market sentiment align to suggest that May 2025 might start a broader altcoin rally, driven by key indicators and shifting capital flows.The TOTAL2 chart, representing the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies, excluding Bitcoin, has broken above a downtrend line in place since January 2025. This breakout is accompanied by a bullish break of structure (BOS) on the daily chart, forming higher-low patterns. TOTAL2 chart 1-day. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewA decisive move above the $1.25 trillion resistance level could support a decisive uptrend comprised of higher lows and higher highs. This shift signals capital rotation from Bitcoin into altcoins.Similarly, the Bitcoin Dominance (BTC.D) chart is signaling a potential market peak, having declined 4% over the past six days—the steepest drop since November 2024. A falling BTC.D typically indicates capital flowing from Bitcoin to altcoins, enabling altcoins to gain market share and drive collective price surges. Michael Van Poppe, founder of MN Capital, highlighted this trend, noting a bearish divergence accompanied by declining volume. The analyst said, “Strong bearish divergence on the weekly timeframe, indicating that the #Bitcoin dominance has peaked. The end of the bear market for #Altcoins.”Bitcoin dominance analysis by Michael Van Poppe. Source: X.com Related: History rhymes? XRP price gained 400% the last time whale flows flippedUSDT dominance could dip to new lowsThe tether (USDT) dominance chart has dropped to its lowest level since early February, at 4.59% on May 13. As illustrated below, the USDT.D chart may find support around 3.90%, as it exhibits a descending triangle pattern. A bearish breakout could lead to new lows since 2021, matching previous altseason levels. USDT. Dominance 1-week chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewUSDT dominance declines imply capital rotation occurs in other assets like Bitcoin and altcoins. Over the past seven days, Ether (ETH), XRP (XRP) and Solana (SOL) have gained 44.3%, 20.6% and 22% respectively, compared to BTC’s 10% rise. Complementing the recovery with a deeper analysis, crypto trader ZERO IKA observed that many altcoins have formed a higher time frame break of structure above their February and March highs. The analyst noted that despite recent upside, most altcoins remain 70% to 90% below their all-time highs, indicating a "relatively early" opportunity for a recovery. The weakening stablecoin and Bitcoin dominance, coupled with a rise in altcoin market cap, opens the door for an altseason, as long as the above key trends remain intact. Related: Dogecoin traders predict 180% DOGE price rally if Bitcoin gains continueThis 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
$1B Bitcoin exits Coinbase in a day as analysts warn of supply shock
Institutional demand for Bitcoin is growing, as Coinbase, the world’s third-largest cryptocurrency exchange, recorded its highest daily outflows of Bitcoin in 2025 on May 9.On May 9, Coinbase saw 9,739 Bitcoin (BTC), worth more than $1 billion, withdrawn from the exchange — the highest net outflow recorded in 2025, according to Bitwise head of European research André Dragosch.“Institutional appetite for bitcoin is accelerating,” Dragosch added in a May 13 X post.Source: André DragoschRelated: Nasdaq-listed GDC plans to buy Bitcoin and TRUMP memecoin for $300MThe outflow occurred as Bitcoin traded above $103,600 and just days after the White House announced a 90-day reduction in reciprocal tariffs between the US and China, easing market concerns and lifting broader investor sentiment.Joint statement on US-China meeting in Geneva. Source: The White HouseThe 90-day suspension of additional tariffs removes the risk of “sudden re-escalation,” which may help Bitcoin, altcoins and the wider stock market rally due to improved risk appetite, Nansen’s principal research analyst, Aurelie Barthere, told Cointelegraph.Related: Bitcoin ETFs, gov’t adoption to drive BTC to $1M by 2029: Finance RedefinedCorporate Bitcoin investment may lead to supply shockGrowing demand from institutional investors and corporations may lead to a diminishing Bitcoin supply on exchanges, signaling a potential price rally driven by a “supply shock,” which occurs when buyer demand meets decreasing available BTC, leading to price appreciation.While Bitcoin may experience short-term corrections, Dragosch remains “very bullish” for the rest of 2025, he told Cointelegraph during the Chain Reaction daily X show on May 12.“In 2025 alone, corporations have bought four times more Bitcoin than all US spot Bitcoin ETFs combined, which is crazy,” he said. “We’re close to 200,000 Bitcoin already, which is the annual supply of new Bitcoin.”Despite the bullish backdrop, Dragosch noted that the crypto market may still see short-term corrections due to what he described as overheated investor sentiment. Bitcoin illiquid supply. Source: GlassnodeMeanwhile, Bitcoin’s “illiquid supply” reached a record 14 million BTC, according to Glassnode data, signaling that large investors continue accumulating, Cointelegraph reported on May 13.Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest, April 13 – 19
Published: 2 days ago
History rhymes? XRP price gained 400% the last time whale flows flipped
Key takeaways:XRP price has risen 55% since April and is now flashing bullish continuation signals.Whale flows have flipped positive for the first time since November 2024, historically signaling trend reversals.A falling wedge breakout projects 40% gains ahead, but $2.80 may act as interim resistance.XRP (XRP) has bounced by more than 55% since forming a local bottom at around $1.61 in April. It now signals a further price surge owing to bullish technical patterns and onchain data. XRP/USD daily price chart. Source: TradingViewXRP’s whale flows mirror 2024 price boomXRP whale wallets (addresses holding large amounts of XRP) have been aggressively reducing their holdings since November 2024, according to data resource CryptoQuant. XRP whale flow 30-day moving average vs. price. Source: CryptoQuantThe trend pushed net flows deep into negative territory, preceding the sharp correction in XRP’s price from above $3.55 to under $2.00.As of mid-May 2025, however, the trend has reversed. Whale outflows have been slowing down, turning the 90-day moving average of net flows positive. In the past, most instances where whale flows turned positive after a prolonged negative trend has marked major bottoms or trend reversals. A notable example is XRP’s rally from around $0.43 in July 2024 to $3.55 in January 2025, or around 400% gains, which began as whale outflows slowed and eventually flipped to net inflows.XRP price technical breakout targets $3.45XRP price technicals show it breaking out of a multimonth falling wedge pattern on the 3-day chart, typically viewed as a bullish reversal setup. The wedge, formed between December 2024 and early May 2025, had been compressing price action while volume declined, a classic sign of accumulation.XRP/USD three-day price chart. Source: TradingViewThe breakout occurred in early May near the $2.25 level, just above the 50-period exponential moving average (EMA), which now acts as key support. Based on the wedge’s height, the breakout projects a price target near $3.45, around 40% above current levels.Related: Can XRP price reach $4 in May? Analysts are watching these key levelsXRP’s relative strength index (RSI) also supports the bullish case, bouncing back above 57 and showing renewed buying momentum.The move may not be a straight shot to the target, however. Analyst Mags highlights a key resistance near $2.80 that could temporarily cap XRP’s upside. Source: X/MagsIn the near term, XRP may consolidate above its 50-day EMA, particularly as whale inflows often signal the start of an accumulation phase before a stronger price breakout.“The pace of outflows is slowing, and the bars are curling upward,” wrote Kripto Mavsimi, an analyst associated with CryptoQuant, adding:“It’s not full reversal yet — but it’s the first real sign of stabilization in months.”Such a base-building period would be a healthy development if consistent with how previous whale-driven rallies have unfolded.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
Brave adds Cardano blockchain support to browser and Web3 wallet
Update (May 13, 1:00 pm UTC): This article has been updated to add third-party commentary from Robert Roose.Web3 and privacy-focused web browser Brave Browser has integrated the Cardano blockchain into its native and standalone wallets.According to a May 12 announcement, the integration stems from a partnership between Brave Browser and Cardano development firm Input Output. Together, the two firms “will integrate Cardano into the Brave Wallet, enabling Cardano blockchain access and token management.” Brendan Eich, co-founder and CEO of Brave and the Basic Attention Token (BAT), said:“Integrating Cardano into Brave Wallet not only expands multi-chain access, but also enhances security, governance participation, and the overall user experience.”Eich said that Brave focuses on maximizing user choice while providing tools to engage with decentralized ecosystems. With this integration, users of the Web3 browser and standalone wallet will gain direct access to Cardano’s blockchain without leaving the interfaces.Brave had not responded to Cointelegraph’s request for comment by publication.Robert Roose, founder of Cardano interoperability protocol Mynth, told Cointelegraph that “this is a fantastic moment” for the ecosystem. AHe saidBrave Browser support is “a huge step” toward making Cardano “more widespread and interoperable.Roose also said that Cardano decentralized applications (DApps) are now “within easy reach” through the Brave Browser. He highlighted:“I really don’t see significant hurdles here. Most of the infrastructure and tooling work has already been done, so Cardano is truly ready for prime time."Related: Charles Hoskinson says he ‘knew nothing’ of ADA being selected for US reserveBrave browser keeps expandingBrave already supports the Ethereum and Solana blockchains. The announcement explicitly cites Midnight (NIGHT) as an ecosystem that would benefit from the support:“The partnership also sets the stage for future innovation around engagement with Cardano’s governance and Midnight, a blockchain developed by Shielded Technologies, an Input | Output spinout focused on confidential smart contracts and data protection.“Midnight is a privacy-focused Cardano sidechain. Input Output CEO Charles Hoskinson recently suggested that the network could also enable free transactions for non-fungible token (NFT) ticket holders.Hoskinson explained that users would be given NFTs on sign-up, which would then give them the right to a certain number of transactions per day. This, he explained, would allow for use cases resembling those of the Web2 model:“Then all of a sudden you have the entire Web2 business model: you can have free accounts and free apps for people to use and they’re using crypto infrastructure but they don’t have to have a token.”Source: MinternMynth’s Roose said that Midnight “extends what Cardano can do,” and this was why his firm partnered with the protocol. He explained that “Mynth brings privacy-focused, interoperable crosschain swaps to the table, and Midnight brings private smart-contract interaction.”Together, the two protocols allow Cardano users to enjoy heightened privacy levels. Roose said that more is to come, with projects bringing zero-knowledge proof-based solutions to the network as well.Related: Is Cardano (ADA) a “zombie crypto”?The first collaboration in a long-term partnershipThe announcement hints at more developments from the newly formed partnership between Brave Browser and Input Output. The post notes that the collaboration “sets the stage for future innovation around engagement with Cardano’s governance and Midnight.”Eran Barak, the CEO of Midnight, told Cointelegraph in February that transparency, one of blockchain’s biggest selling points, also hinders widespread adoption and applications in fields like business and medicine. He said metadata allows individuals to be identified and tracked, hindering blockchain adoption.The development of Midnight follows the team behind the Cardano ecosystem announcing a software toolkit allowing developers to deploy custom-built sidechains in early 2023.Magazine: Charles Hoskinson, Cardano and Ethereum – for the record
Published: 2 days ago
Solana co-founder proposes meta chain to fix blockchain fragmentation
Solana Labs co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko proposed a new data availability (DA) solution to improve persistent fragmentation and lack of interoperability across blockchain networks.In a May 12 post on X, Yakovenko proposed a “meta blockchain” to aggregate and order data posted across multiple layer-1 chains, including Ethereum, Celestia and Solana.“This would actually allow the meta chain to use the cheapest currently available DA offer,” Yakovenko said. Data availability layers are third-party solutions ensuring that blockchains have the necessary data to validate transactions.Source: Anatoly YakovenkoBlockchain interoperability is one of the most pressing issues for Web3 developers, since today’s siloed layer-1 (L1) blockchain networks have no means of communicating or exchanging data, creating a need for crosschain interoperability solutions like DA layers.Other leading blockchains are also focused on improving DA solutions. Ethereum’s upcoming Fusaka upgrade, expected in late 2025, will focus on scaling the Ethereum mainnet’s capacity as a DA layer by introducing EIP-7594.Ethereum data capacity upgrades. Source: Binance ResearchThis upgrade may boost Ethereum’s value accrual, depending on whether existing layer-2 blockchains continue choosing Ethereum for data availability in the future, a Binance Research spokesperson told Cointelegraph.Related: Nasdaq-listed GDC plans to buy Bitcoin and TRUMP memecoin for $300MMaking data availability cheap makes “everything else cheap”Creating cheaper DA solutions is essential to reduce the costs associated with blockchain-based transactions, Yakovenko said in a response to his initial post, adding:“Making data availability cheap allows for making everything else cheap. Bandwidth is the irreducible bottleneck.”He also suggested that a more advanced solution could eliminate external sequencers by using a rule-based system to merge transactions across chains, allowing users to send transactions “anywhere.”Related: Bunq, Europe’s second-largest neobank, expands into cryptoOther prominent blockchain industry leaders have also called for more interoperability and collaborative tokenomics among the leading blockchains.Speaking at Paris Blockchain Week 2025, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson emphasized the need for collaborative economics in the crypto industry to counter growing competition from traditional tech firms entering the blockchain space.Charles Hoskinson. 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.”Aiming to align blockchain network incentives, Cardano has been working on “Minotaur,” a multi-resource consensus protocol that combines multiple consensus mechanisms and networks to pay a unified block reward to multiple networks at the same time.Magazine: Bitcoin eyes ‘crazy numbers,’ JD Vance set for Bitcoin talk: Hodler’s Digest
Published: 2 days ago
Tether Gold enters Thailand with listing on Maxbit exchange
Tether, issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin, USDt, is rolling out its tokenized gold digital asset in Thailand with a listing on local cryptocurrency exchange Maxbit.In a May 13 announcement, Tether said its gold-backed token, Tether Gold (XAUt), has been listed on Thai exchange Maxbit.According to an X announcement by Maxbit, the platform is the first in Thailand to offer a “tokenized gold pair backed by physical gold.”Launched in January 2020, Tether Gold is a gold-backed digital asset with a market cap of $802 million, with each XAUt representing ownership of one troy ounce of gold.Thailand greenlighted stablecoins like Tether USDt in MarchTether Gold’s entrance in the Thai cryptocurrency market follows other notable stablecoin-related regulatory developments in the country.In March, the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission approved US dollar-backed stablecoins such as Tether’s USDt (USDT) and Circle’s USDC (USDC) for cryptocurrency trades, allowing the stablecoins to be listed on regulated exchanges across Thailand.Major Maxbit shareholders. Source: Thai SECLaunched in October 2023, Maxbit is a licensed digital asset exchange based in Thailand, operating under the oversight of the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).Related: Crypto exchange KuCoin enters crowded Thailand marketAccording to official SEC records, Thai energy conglomerate PTG Energy is the largest shareholder of Maxbit, with a 35% stake in the firm. Other Maxbit backers include two local private firms, Spearhead Labs and Unit Company, holding 29% and 28.7% in the digital asset business.Maxbit yet to gain market share in ThailandAt the time of its Tether Gold listing, Maxbit had yet to emerge as a prominent cryptocurrency exchange in Thailand in terms of trading volumes.According to its website, Maxbit allows users to trade more than 80 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH) and USDT. The exchange had fewer than 300 subscribers on its X page at the time of publication.The exchange is not listed on major crypto data websites like CoinGecko and CoinMarketCap, with both sites referring to the local exchange Bitkub as the biggest Thai exchange with a market share of at least 75%.Bitkub’s biggest trading pair is the USDT/Thai baht pairing, which accounts for more than 30% of its daily trading volumes. The platform does not list any gold-backed tokens by publishing time, according to CoinGecko.Market share of the four largest crypto exchanges in Thailand (2022 trading volume). Source: CoinGeckoCointelegraph approached Tether and Maxbit for comment regarding the Tether Gold listing but did not receive a response at the time of publication.Magazine: Finally blast into space with Justin Sun, Vietnam’s new national blockchain: Asia Express
Published: 2 days ago
Nasdaq-listed GDC plans to buy Bitcoin and TRUMP memecoin for $300M
GD Culture Group (GDC), a Nasdaq-listed holding company focused on livestreaming, e-commerce and artificial intelligence-powered digital human technology, plans to raise up to $300 million for a cryptocurrency treasury reserve.In a May 12 statement, GDC and its subsidiary, AI Catalysis, announced entering into a common stock purchase agreement with a British Virgin Islands limited liability company to sell up to $300 million of its common stock.The proceeds from the stock sale will be used to fund the firm’s crypto treasury, which will include purchases of Bitcoin (BTC) and the Official Trump (TRUMP) token.“Under this initiative, and subject to certain limitations, GDC intends to allocate a significant portion of the proceeds from any share sales under the facility to the acquisition, long-term holding, and integration of crypto assets into its core treasury operations,” the company said in the announcement. GDC described the strategy as a move to align with the broader “decentralization transformation.”GDC stock price, 1-year chart. Source: NasdaqFounded in 2016, GDC is a micro-cap company with a current $34 million market capitalization, according to Nasdaq data.Related: Multi-wallet usage up 16%, but AI may address crypto fragmentation gapGDC’s chairman and CEO, Xiaojian Wang, said the initiative builds on the company’s strengths in digital technologies and positions it for a blockchain-powered industrial shift.“GDC’s adoption of crypto assets as treasury reserve holdings is a deliberate strategy that reflects both current industry trends and our unique strengths in digital technologies and the livestreaming e-commerce ecosystem,” Wang said.The stock offering was announced over a month after the firm received a noncompliance warning from Nasdaq related to its stockholders’ equity. The notice indicated that the firm reported stockholders’ equity of only $2,643, well below the minimum requirement of $2.5 million.The firm was given until May 4 to submit a plan to comply with the listing requirements. If accepted by Nasdaq, the compliance plan will allow up to 180 days from the notification period to comply with the requirements.The Nevada-based company joins a small but growing group of public firms that are allocating part of their balance sheets to crypto assets. Related: Crypto speculation dominates $600B cross-border payments: BIS reportTrump token dinner planned for top holdersGDC’s announcement coincides with an upcoming high-profile event tied to the Trump token project. The 25 largest holders of TRUMP tokens are set to attend a private dinner at the White House on May 22.However, the TRUMP memecoin project said in a May 12 X post that it has stopped considering additional purchases for the dinner and that the attendees had been notified to apply for background checks.According to data provided on the project’s leaderboard, the top 220 wallets held more than 13.7 million tokens as of May 12, worth about $174 million at the time of publication.Top 10 TRUMP memecoin holders as of May 12. Source: TRUMP memecoin projectSome US lawmakers have criticized the dinner. Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis reportedly said that the idea of the US president offering exclusive access for people willing to pay “gives [her] pause.”Crypto regulation experts also fear that the Trump family’s crypto endeavors may trigger more regulatory scrutiny by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, as politically affiliated memecoins introduce a new challenge for crypto legislation.Magazine: Uni students crypto ‘grooming’ scandal, 67K scammed by fake women: Asia Express
Published: 2 days ago
Trump-owned Truth Social denies it is launching a memecoin
Truth Social, the social media network owned by Trump Media, has denied it is launching a memecoin following circulating rumors on social media.“Contrary to rumors, Truth Social is not launching a memecoin,” the official Truth Social account posted on its platform. The social media platform is owned by the Trump Media & Technology Group, with US President Donald Trump owning a majority stake in the company.“There’s no truth whatsoever about Truth Social launching a memecoin. Don’t be fooled by false information people are circulating,” Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of President Donald Trump, stated on X.Truth Social denies rumors that it is launching a memecoin. Source: Truth SocialThe rumors started circulating after influencer Ran Neuner, who hosts the Crypto Banter podcast, tweeted that a Truth Social token will be launched within the next 72 hours and that it appears to be backed by a similar team involved with the launch of the TRUMP token.Cointelegraph reached out to Neuner to find out more about the source of the claim, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.Trump is no stranger to memecoins and crypto plays The US president is known for his pro-crypto stance and has launched his own TRUMP token, while first lady Melania Trump launched a MELANIA token.However, Trump has found himself amid controversies after announcing that the top tokenholders of the TRUMP token will be invited to a special gala dinner on May 22.The move drew criticism from many, including many US senators, who had previously demanded that Trump be impeached for launching the TRUMP token.Related: Trump-linked miner American Bitcoin going public via Gryphon mergerMeanwhile, a Bloomberg report indicated that the vast majority of the top holders of the TRUMP token might not be from the US, sparking concern from US lawmakers.According to the latest data, 220 wallets held more than 13.7 million TRUMP tokens, worth approximately $174 million at the time of publication.While it is unclear who the top holders are, wallets with the names of “Sun” and “elon” appear to reference Tron founder Justin Sun and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, both of whom are Trump supporters.The TRUMP token is down more than 80% after hitting an all-time high of $73.43 on Jan. 19. However, the token is up nearly 14% in the past 7 days and is currently trading at $12.52, according to CoinGecko.Magazine: Finally blast into space with Justin Sun, Vietnam’s new national blockchain: Asia Express
Published: 2 days ago