EigenLayer to begin &#039;slashing&#039; restakers in April

EigenLayer plans to start “slashing” restakers on April 17, resulting in the Ethereum restaking protocol’s “first feature-complete iteration,” it said in an April 2 announcement. Implementing slashing will mark EigenLayer’s final step toward establishing the protocol as “infrastructure for a new generation of verifiable apps and services built on the Verifiable Cloud,” it said in a post on the X platform.In 2024, EigenLayer started distributing rewards — including emissions of its native EIGEN token — to incentivize restakers. However, slashing has so far been limited to EigenLayer’s testnets.Once slashing is live, node operators and restakers will be able to voluntarily “opt-in,” resulting in a gradual transition for users, EigenLayer said in a blog post.Slashing starts on EigenLayer’s mainnet soon. Source: EigenLayerRelated: EigenLayer eyes consumer adoption post EIGEN unlock, founder saysGradual roll-outLaunched in 2023, EigenLayer secures third-party protocols — dubbed actively validated services (AVSs) — against a pool of “restaked” cryptocurrencies used as collateral. Restaking involves taking a token that has already been staked — posted as collateral with a validator in exchange for rewards — and using it to secure other protocols simultaneously. Slashing is the primary method for securing proof-of-stake protocols — including Ethereum as well as “restaking” protocols such as EigenLayer — and involves penalizing a network’s node operators for poor performance or misbehavior.“If Operators do not meet the conditions set, the AVS may penalize them. But, if the Operator runs the service successfully, AVSs can reward the Operator’s performance and incentivize specific activity,” EigenLayer said in an April 3 blog post. This “allows for a free marketplace where Operators can earn rewards for their work and AVSs can launch verifiable services,” the post said. EigenLayer’s total value locked (TVL) over time. Source: DeFILlamaGrowing ecosystemUpward of 30 AVSs are already live on EigenLayer’s mainnet, and dozens more are being developed.They include EigenDA — run by EigenLayer developer Eigen Labs — and ARPA Network, a protocol specializing in trustless randomization.In October, EigenLayer unlocked its native token, EIGEN. It is designed as a more flexible option for securing consensus-based protocols than other proof-of-stake tokens, such as Ether, according to EigenLayer.EigenLayer is prioritizing onboarding crypto-native apps in segments such as decentralized finance (DeFi) and gaming before expanding beyond Web3, founder Sreeram Kannan told Cointelegraph in October. “We’re starting with the inside-out approach, focusing on high-throughput consumer apps like DeFi and gaming, but once we grow a little bigger and have critical mass, we’ll go outside and start targeting broader consumer markets,” Kannan said.Magazine: XRP win leaves Ripple a ‘bad actor’ with no crypto legal precedent set

Gemini to open Miami office after judge stays SEC case

The cryptocurrency exchange Gemini, backed by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, plans to move into a Miami-area office space, as US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement case may have reached its end.According to a March 31 post from Sterling Bay Properties, Gemini signed a lease for an office in Miami’s Wynwood Art District. The move would expand the exchange’s offices from Europe and New York to Florida, where some crypto companies are headquartered.Bloomberg reported Gemini was expected to move into the Miami office by May. Cointelegraph reached out to the exchange for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.Wrapping up regulatory issues?The move to Florida came amid a federal judge ordering a 60-day stay on the SEC’s lawsuit against Gemini Global Capital “to allow the parties to explore a potential resolution.” The enforcement action, filed in January 2023, alleges the crypto firm offered and sold unregistered securities through its Gemini Earn program. Cameron Winklevoss said in February that the regulator had closed an investigation into a separate matter involving Gemini. The firm also agreed in January to a $5 million penalty imposed by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission over alleged “false and misleading” statements related to its 2017 bid to offer Bitcoin (BTC) futures contracts.Related: Crypto PAC-backed Republicans win US House seats in Florida special electionsGemini reportedly filed confidentially for an initial public offering (IPO) earlier this year. The exchange may have pursued an IPO as early as 2021 before shares of many US-based crypto firms were publicly traded. Several crypto firms have regional offices in Miami, possibly due to Florida’s seemingly favorable regulatory environment and the lack of state income tax for residents. Ripple Labs has an office in the Wynwood neighborhood, not far from Gemini’s future location, and BTC miner MARA Holdings is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale.Magazine: Crypto City: The ultimate guide to Miami

XRP holds $2 support as chart pattern hints at 73% gain

XRP (XRP) stabilized near its $2 support after today’s marketwide sell-off sent the altcoin and several other cryptocurrencies close to their swing lows.  Data now shows the XRP/USD pair exhibiting early signs of a bullish breakout. Ripple’s RLUSD integration could boost XRP priceRipple’s integration of its RLUSD stablecoin into its cross-border payments system, Ripple Payments, could significantly boost XRP’s price by enhancing its utility and liquidity. On April 2, Ripple, the company behind XRP, announced that it had integrated its stablecoin into the company's cross-border payments system to boost adoption for Ripple USD (RLUSD).RLUSD, a USD-pegged stablecoin launched in December 2024, complements XRP by providing stability for transactions, while XRP serves as a fast, liquid bridge currency. This dual-asset strategy targets the $230 billion cross-border payments market, and ims to increase demand for both assets. Source: X / RippleRLUSD’s market cap now stands at $244 million, with 87% growth in March alone, according to data from rwa.xyz. As adoption grows, financial institutions using Ripple Payments may rely more on XRP for liquidity, especially in volatile corridors. Pairing RLUSD with XRP on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and exchanges could drive trading volume and activity on XRPL’s decentralized exchange, tightening XRP’s supply. Positive sentiment from RLUSD’s success could also lift XRP’s value, with analysts suggesting increased adoption might push XRP toward $3.50 or higher.“Ripple's $RLUSD integration is a pivotal move for cross-border payments,” said crypto market insights provider Alva in an April 3 post on X.As a result, “optimism around $RLUSD soaring, with eyes on its ripple effect on XRP,” Alva said, adding:“Overall: A solid play for strengthening Ripple's ecosystem and pushing stablecoin adoption forward. Get ready for potential shifts!”Related:  How many US dollars does XRP transfer per day?XRP pattern points to $3.51 targetXRP’s price action between Jan. 16 and April 3 has led to the formation of a symmetrical triangle pattern on the daily chart. The price is retesting the lower trendline of the triangle at $1.98, suggesting that a rebound could be in the making.Note that the price has successfully rebounded from this trendline two to three times in the past, with each retest leading to a significant price recovery.If a similar scenario plays out, XRP could recover from current levels and with good volumes, it may break above the triangle’s descending trendline at $2.40 (embraced by the 50-day SMA).The target is set by the distance between the triangle’s lowest and highest points, which would bring XRP price to $3.51, an approximate 73% gain from the current price.XRP/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewSeveral analysts also share similar bullish outlooks for the altcoin, citing XRP’s adoption, chart technicals and the end of Ripple’s long-standing case with the SEC as the reasons. Citing a chart similar to the one shared above, XRP investor Steph Is Crypto said the price was “heavily compressing” before a massive breakout. “This breakout will create many new millionaires!”Using Elliott Wave theory, crypto analyst Dark Defender shared an optimistic price prediction for XRP, saying that the token’s correction in the monthly timeframe “will be over within weeks.”His targets remain between $5 and $18 in the medium and long term.When #XRP hit $3.3999, we set a 5 Elliott Wave Structure and explained that XRP completed the Monthly 3rd Wave and entered into correction, Wave 4.We set the Wave 4 dip with a precision of $2.02.B is in action; we also have precise levels for B Wave. While everybody… pic.twitter.com/CVlrkaVged— Dark Defender (@DefendDark) April 2, 2025According to CasiTrades, the XRP’s relative strength index shows a bullish divergence on multiple timeframes and this signals a price bottom, and an upside target of $3.80.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.

Crypto.com Integrates PayPal for Crypto Payments in EU

Crypto.com, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has expanded its payment options for European Union (EU) users by allowing them to fund crypto purchases directly through PayPal. This move marks a significant step in making crypto payments accessible to a broader audience and bridging the gap between traditional finance and the fast-growing digital asset market. The integration … Continue reading "Crypto.com Integrates PayPal for Crypto Payments in EU"

How to sell crypto via MetaMask: A beginner’s guide to cashing out

Key takeawaysNot all tokens can be sold immediately. Airdropped or obscure tokens may lack liquidity or could be scams, so it’s important to check before attempting to cash out.Swapping and bridging may be required. To sell, you might need to convert tokens to ETH or stablecoins and bridge them to the Ethereum mainnet.MetaMask integrates fiat off-ramps. You can use the MetaMask Portfolio to sell ETH directly, but be prepared for KYC with third-party providers.Non-KYC and P2P options exist. Platforms like Bisq or LocalCoinSwap allow trading without ID, but they carry more risk and require caution.There are plenty of ways you might end up with a mix of different cryptocurrencies sitting in your MetaMask wallet.Maybe you work in Web3 — as a developer, copywriter or designer — and your client paid you in their project’s native token.Or maybe you’re part of a Bitcoin mining pool and occasionally receive rewards straight to your wallet.You could be farming yield in decentralized finance (DeFi), earning annual percentage yield (APY) on your locked assets. Or, perhaps the most straightforward of all: You completed a few SocialFi tasks and received some community tokens via an airdrop.Whatever the case, you’ve got crypto in your MetaMask — and now you want to turn it into cash.In this guide, you’ll learn all the ways you can sell your crypto and withdraw the funds to your bank account or even in cash — whether you’re going through official Know Your Customer (KYC) channels or sticking to more private, non-KYC routes.Things to know before selling tokens on MetaMaskBefore you can turn your tokens into cash, there are a few things you need to get sorted in MetaMask because “not all tokens are created equal.” It’s not always as simple as hitting a “sell” button — especially if you’ve just received tokens via an airdrop or from a lesser-known project.1. Why some airdropped tokens can’t be sold (yet)Just because a token shows up in your wallet doesn’t mean it’s ready to be sold. In fact, many airdropped tokens aren’t listed on exchanges at all. That means there’s no market where you can sell them — not yet, anyway. You might see a price attached to the token, but without buyers or liquidity, that value isn’t something you can actually realize right now. So, while it’s great to receive free tokens, they may end up sitting idle in your wallet for a while.Did you know? If you see a “100% sell fee detected” warning on a token, it’s likely a scam. Scammers airdrop these tokens, hoping you’ll try to sell or interact with them. But when you do, the smart contract takes the full amount — leaving you with nothing. Worse, some link to fake decentralized applications (DApps) that ask you to “claim” or “unlock” the tokens. Connecting your wallet or signing a transaction there can let scammers drain your real assets.2. Adding missing tokens to your walletSometimes, you’ll receive tokens that don’t even show up in MetaMask at first. That doesn’t mean they’re not there — it just means MetaMask doesn’t recognize them by default. You’ll need to add them manually by grabbing the token’s contract address (usually from the project’s official site or Etherscan) and importing it into your wallet. Once you do that, your balance will show up properly.Similarly, if you want to receive any asset other than Ether (ETH), the “Import Tokens” option lets you manually add these missing tokens so they show up in the assets list.3. Getting ready to swap or bridgeEven if your tokens are visible in MetaMask and technically have value, that doesn’t always mean you can sell them for cash right away. Many smaller or newer tokens don’t have direct fiat trading pairs — so you won’t be able to exchange them straight into dollars or euros. To get around this, you’ll usually need to swap them for something more liquid, like ETH or a stablecoin such as USDC (USDC), which are more commonly supported by fiat off-ramps.In some cases, your tokens might also be sitting on a different blockchain — like Arbitrum, BNB Chain or Polygon — while most fiat withdrawal options only support Ethereum mainnet. When that’s the case, you’ll need to bridge your tokens over to Ethereum before you can sell them.One way to handle both of these steps — swapping and bridging — is by using platforms that combine them into a single flow. For example, with Symbiosis.finance, you can swap a token on one chain and receive a more widely accepted token on Ethereum, all in one transaction. This can save you a few steps and reduce the chance of user error when hopping between tools.How to sell crypto with MetaMaskThe simplest way to sell crypto that you hold on MetaMask is by using the application itself. Here’s what to do:Open MetaMask portfolio: In your MetaMask extension or app, click the “Buy & Sell” button. This will take you to the MetaMask Portfolio site, where you can manage all your assets and begin the selling process.Start the sale process: Click on “Move crypto” at the top of the page and select “Sell” from the dropdown options.Choose your region and currency: MetaMask will ask for your country of residence and preferred fiat currency. This step ensures you’re shown accurate provider options and payout methods available in your area.Enter sale amount: Select Ether and enter how much you’d like to convert.Pick a payout option: Next, choose where you want the fiat to go. Depending on your region and provider availability, you might be able to send it to a bank account, PayPal or another method.Compare offers: MetaMask aggregates offers from several third-party providers (like MoonPay, Transak, Sardine, etc.), showing you real-time exchange rates, fees and estimated payout times. Take a moment to compare and pick the best option for you.Complete the sale: Once you’ve chosen a provider, MetaMask will guide you through sending the crypto. You’ll confirm the transaction in your wallet, and the funds will be transferred to the provider, who handles the fiat payout.There are two things to keep in mind when using the MetaMask application:Firstly, while the application itself might not ask you for KYC, the third-party providers will. So, expect to get your documents ready for this one.Secondly, MetaMask’s sell feature only supports ETH on the Ethereum mainnet. This is where the bridging will come in as was explained earlier.Withdrawing crypto via centralized exchangesIf you’d rather cash out your crypto through a centralized exchange, Coinbase is a popular option. It’s beginner-friendly, offers fiat withdrawals, and supports a wide range of assets. Just note: You’ll need to complete KYC verification before withdrawing any fiat.Here’s how to do it, step by step:1. Send crypto from MetaMask to Coinbase First things first: You’ll need to move your funds from MetaMask to Coinbase.Log in to your Coinbase account and hit “Send & Receive” at the top.Switch to the “Receive” tab, pick the crypto you’re sending (like ETH or USDC), and copy the wallet address Coinbase gives you.Make sure the network matches — for example, if you’re sending ETH, it should be on the Ethereum (ERC-20) network.Now open MetaMask:Click “Send,” paste in that Coinbase address, and enter how much you want to transfer.Double-check the network — if you send it to the wrong one, your funds could disappear.Hit “Confirm,” and your crypto should show up in Coinbase after a few minutes.2. Sell crypto for fiat on CoinbaseOnce your funds land in Coinbase, it’s time to cash out.Head to “Buy & Sell” at the top and switch to the “Sell” tab.Choose the crypto you just received and decide how much you want to sell.Pick where you want the money to go — like your linked bank account, PayPal or your Coinbase balance.Review the details (including any fees), then hit “Sell.”Did you know? When withdrawing via centralized exchanges, be cautious of minimum withdrawal amounts and any associated fees. Check these details in advance to make sure the limits and costs are acceptable to you before committing to this route.Peer-to-peer with KYCWith peer-to-peer (P2P), you’re not selling your crypto to the exchange. Instead, you’re selling it to another user. You choose a buyer based on their offer and preferred payment method (like bank transfer, Revolut, Wise, etc.). Once they send the money to your account, you release the crypto to them. The platform holds your crypto in escrow during the process, so no one can just disappear with your funds.With centralized exchanges, you’ll have to complete KYC before you’re able to trade in this manner. Selling via P2P on BinanceGo to Trade > P2P.Choose the coin you want to sell and browse the list of available buyers.Select a deal, confirm the order, and wait for the buyer to make the payment.Once the payment has arrived in your account, confirm it and release the crypto from escrow.Did you know? Some peer-to-peer (P2P) cryptocurrency exchanges offer a “cash by mail” option, allowing users to send physical cash through postal services or couriers to settle transactions.Cashing out of your MetaMask wallet without KYCFor those looking to convert cryptocurrency from their MetaMask wallet to fiat currency without undergoing Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, there are still a few viable paths.Decentralized P2P platforms let you trade directly with other users, much like their centralized counterparts, though often with minimal or no KYC requirements. LocalCoinSwap: A non-custodial P2P marketplace that supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies and payment methods, including cash. It offers escrow protection and emphasizes privacy.Bisq: A fully decentralized exchange that supports a variety of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Monero (XMR). It runs on a peer-to-peer protocol and doesn’t require user accounts or KYC.However, without KYC, you’re responsible for vetting the person you’re trading with. Check their reputation, review any available trade history, and always follow platform safety guidelines.Using cryptocurrency ATMs to withdraw crypto from MetaMaskWithdrawing funds from your MetaMask wallet using cryptocurrency ATMs — often referred to as Bitcoin ATMs — is an option that allows you to convert your digital assets into cash. Here’s how you can approach this method:Locate a cryptocurrency ATM: Begin by finding a cryptocurrency ATM in your vicinity. Websites like CoinATMRadar provide directories of Bitcoin ATM locations worldwide, detailing the services they offer and the cryptocurrencies they support.Prepare your MetaMask wallet: Ensure that the cryptocurrency you intend to withdraw is supported by the ATM. Bitcoin ATMs predominantly support Bitcoin (BTC), so you may need to use a decentralized exchange (DEX) to swap your current tokens for BTC within your MetaMask wallet. Be mindful of transaction fees and exchange rates during this process.Initiate the withdrawal process: At the ATM, select the option to withdraw cash. The machine will prompt you to specify the amount you wish to withdraw and provide a QR code representing the ATM’s wallet address.Transfer funds from MetaMask: Using your MetaMask wallet, scan the QR code provided by the ATM to input the recipient address accurately. Enter the exact amount of cryptocurrency required and confirm the transaction. Be aware that network congestion can affect transaction times.Collect your cash: Once the blockchain confirms the transaction, the ATM will dispense the equivalent amount in cash, minus any applicable fees. This process can take anywhere from a few minutes to longer, depending on network conditions.When using crypto ATMs, you should expect very high fees, and while small transactions don’t usually require KYC, larger ones still might.Are MetaMask crypto transactions taxable?Taxes aren’t the most exciting topic, but they matter when converting crypto from a MetaMask wallet into fiat. Selling crypto, whether through MetaMask, an exchange or a P2P deal, may trigger a taxable event, and understanding the applicable rules is essential.Selling crypto = possibly taxableIn most countries, including the US, selling crypto for fiat (like US dollars, euros, etc.) is treated like selling property. That means if you bought ETH at $1,000 and sold it later for $1,500, you’ve made a $500 capital gain — and that’s usually taxable.Even swapping one crypto for another (say, ETH for USDC) can trigger the same kind of tax obligation, even if no fiat is involved. So, yeah, it’s not just cashing out that counts — any trade can be reportable.To stay on top of it, keep a record of:When you bought and sold each assetHow much you bought and/or soldWhat it was worth in fiat at the timeAny fees paid along the way.These details make life way easier when tax season rolls around — or if your accountant gives you that look.Know your local rulesCrypto laws aren’t one-size-fits-all. Every country has its own stance, and even within the same country, rules can vary depending on how you’re using crypto.In the US, for example, selling crypto could fall under capital gains tax rules or even money transmission laws, depending on how you’re moving the funds. Other countries might have more lenient — or much stricter — regulations.So, here’s what to do:Look up your local crypto tax laws (even if they seem vague or outdated).Stay current — regulations are evolving fast.Talk to a pro if you’re unsure. A crypto-savvy accountant or legal adviser can help you avoid nasty surprises.Even if you’re using non-KYC methods or decentralized tools, tax authorities may still expect a full report. Being proactive about it will save you headaches later — and might even save you money.Happy cashing out!

10-year Treasury yield falls to 4% as DXY softens — Is it time to buy the Bitcoin price dip?

On April 3, yields on long-term US government debt fell to their lowest levels in six months as investors reacted to growing concerns over the global trade war and the weakening of the US dollar. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note briefly touched 4.0%, down from 4.4% a week earlier, signaling strong demand from buyers.US 10-year Treasury yield (left) vs. Bitcoin/USD (right). Source: TradingView / CointelegraphAt first glance, a higher risk of economic recession may seem negative for Bitcoin (BTC). However, lower returns from fixed-income investments encourage allocations to alternative assets, including cryptocurrencies. Over time, traders are likely to reduce exposure to bonds, particularly if inflation rises. As a result, the path to a Bitcoin all-time high in 2025 remains plausible.Tariffs create ‘supply shock’ in the US and impact inflation and fixed-income returnsOne could argue that the recently announced US import tariffs negatively impact corporate profitability, forcing some companies to deleverage and, in turn, reducing market liquidity. Ultimately, any measure that increases risk aversion tends to have a short-term negative effect on Bitcoin, particularly given its strong correlation with the S&P 500 index.Axel Merk, chief investment officer and portfolio manager at Merk Investments, said that tariffs create a “supply shock,” meaning the reduced availability of goods and services due to rising prices causes an imbalance relative to demand. This effect is amplified if interest rates are declining, potentially paving the way for inflationary pressure.Source: X/AxelMerkEven if one does not view Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation, the appeal of fixed-income investments diminishes significantly in such a scenario. Moreover, if just 5% of the world’s $140 trillion bond market seeks higher returns elsewhere, it could translate into $7 trillion in potential inflows into stocks, commodities, real estate, gold, and Bitcoin.Weaker US dollar amid gold all-time highs favors alternative assetsGold surged to a $21 trillion market capitalization as it made consecutive all-time highs, and it still has the potential for significant price upside. Higher prices allow previously unprofitable mining operations to resume and it encourages further investment in exploration, extraction, and refining. As production expands, the supply growth will naturally act as a limiting factor on gold’s long-term bull run.Regardless of trends in US interest rates, the US dollar has weakened against a basket of foreign currencies, as measured by the DXY Index. On April 3, the index dropped to 102, its lowest level in six months. A decline in confidence in the US dollar, even in relative terms, could encourage other nations to explore alternative stores of value, including Bitcoin.US Dollar Index (DXY). Source: TradingView / CointelegraphThis transition does not happen overnight, but the trade war could lead to a gradual shift away from the US dollar, particularly among countries that feel pressured by its dominant role. While no one expects a return to the gold standard or Bitcoin to become a major component of national reserves, any movement away from the dollar strengthens Bitcoin’s long-term upside potential and reinforces its position as an alternative asset.Related: Trump 'Liberation Day' tariffs create chaos in markets, recession concernsTo put things in perspective, Japan, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore collectively hold $2.63 trillion in US Treasuries. If these regions choose to retaliate, bond yields could reverse their trend, increasing the cost of new debt issuance for the US government and further weakening the dollar. In such a scenario, investors would likely avoid adding exposure to stocks, ultimately favoring scarce alternative assets like Bitcoin.Timing Bitcoin’s market bottom is nearly impossible, but the fact that the $82,000 support level held despite worsening global economic uncertainty is an encouraging sign of its resilience.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.

Not a Meme! DePIN Can Take Crypto Mainstream

TON's Dramatic Volatility Signals Market Uncertainty

Toncoin (TON) Price Dips 10% Before Reclaiming Key Support

Cango sells legacy China business, goes all-in on Bitcoin mining: Report

Cango, a publicly traded Chinese conglomerate, has agreed to sell its legacy China operations to an entity associated with peer Bitmain in a bid to go all-in on Bitcoin (BTC) mining, according to a report by The Miner Mag. Cango agreed to sell its legacy Chinese auto financing business to Ursalpha Digital Limited in a $352 million deal, according to the report. Additionally, Bitmain is reportedly transferring 32 exahashes per second (EH/s) to Cango. The deal effectively brings Bitmain’s mining assets to the public market, The Miner Mag said.Exahashes measure a miner’s contribution to the Bitcoin network’s hashrate, the total computing power securing the network.The Miner Mag said Ursalpha Digital Limited has the same corporate address and founding director as Antalpha, an entity ultimately controlled by the chairman of Bitcoin miner Bitmain. Proxies for Cango’s shares on the NYSE are up 25% this month. Source: Google FinanceRelated: Analysts eye Bitcoin miners’ AI, chip sales ahead of Q4 earningsTrump-family connectionBitmain has experienced US scrutiny after the country blacklisted its artificial intelligence affiliate Sopghgo, Bloomberg reported. According to Bloomberg, Bitmain has a working relationship with American Bitcoin, a Trump-family-affiliated mining entity created in March as part of a deal with Hut 8, a provider of power and computing infrastructure. On March 31, Hut 8 bought a majority ownership interest in American Bitcoin (formerly American Data Centers), whose founders include US President Donald Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. Hut 8 has transferred its Bitcoin mining equipment to American Bitcoin, which is reportedly mulling an initial public offering (IPO), according to Bloomberg. The companies said that American Bitcoin will focus on crypto mining, while Hut 8 targets data center infrastructure for applications such as high-performance computing. In 2025, Bitcoin mining stocks have struggled amid declining cryptocurrency prices and pressure on business models caused by the Bitcoin network’s April halving, according to a JPMorgan research note shared with Cointelegraph.Every four years, the amount of BTC mined per “block” — a bundle of transaction data stored on the chain — is cut in half. April’s halving slashed mining rewards from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC per block.Magazine: Elon Musk’s plan to run government on blockchain faces uphill battle

Crypto-Friendly Prime Broker Hidden Road in Active Takeover Talks: Sources

Pre-seed crypto startup deals have grown 767% since 2021: Report

The number of pre-seed funding rounds for Bitcoin (BTC) startup companies has grown by 767% since 2021, according to a report from venture capital firm Trammell Venture Partners (TVP).Bitcoin pre-seed transactions increased 50% year-over-year in 2024, with a 27.5% year-over-year increase in the number of startup companies funded.Christopher Calicott, TVP's managing director, attributed the increased deals to the robust security of the BTC network:"Many entrepreneurs across crypto are revisiting the Bitcoin stack as the long-term place to build their companies. It makes perfect sense: The objectively most secure, reliable, and decentralized blockchain is the obvious platform of choice."However, the capital raised in Bitcoin pre-seed funding rounds declined by over 22% in 2024, with the median funding round size and the median startup valuation steadily declining from 2021 to 2023. Median valuations for pre-seed Bitcoin startups fail to reclaim 2021 levels. Source: Trammell Venture PartnersThe value of funding rounds reclaimed some lost ground in 2024 but failed to reach highs established during the previous bull cycle in 2021, primarily due to unclear crypto regulations in the United States under the previous Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) leadership.More recently, macroeconomic uncertainty due to fears of a prolonged trade war, relatively high interest rates, and the possibility of a recession in the United States have also eroded the risk appetite for speculative assets like crypto.Total number of funding deals and unique Bitcoin startup companies has steadily risen since 2021. Source: Trammell Venture PartnersRelated: VC Roundup: 8-figure funding deals suggest crypto bull market far from overCrypto VCs don't expect 2025 funding to reach 2021-2022 levelsIn January, Deng Chao, CEO of institutional asset manager HashKey Capital, told Cointelegraph that pro-crypto regulations in the United States would increase VC investment in the sector in 2025.However, the executive warned that macroeconomic uncertainty and geopolitical turmoil could increase price volatility and disrupt the trend brought on by positive regulatory tailwinds.On April 2, US President Donald Trump signed a sweeping tariff order establishing a 10% baseline tariff on import goods from all countries and a regime of reciprocal trade tariffs on trading partners that sent financial markets tumbling.Crypto markets took a nosedive amid trade war fears and macroeconomic uncertainty. Source: CoinMarketCapRisk-on assets such as stocks and cryptocurrencies typically suffer during trade wars and macroeconomic uncertainty, as investors flee risk assets for safer alternatives such as cash, government securities, and durable commodities.Venture capital firm Haun Ventures invested $1.5 billion into crypto firms in 2022 but recently announced it seeks to raise only $1 billion in the first half of 2025, citing changed market conditions.Similarly, analysts at Galaxy Digital also predicted a 50% year-over-year rise in VC-led crypto investments in 2025 but said that VC funding will fail to reach highs established in 2021–2022.Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again

US lawmakers vote to advance anti-CBDC bill

The US House Financial Services Committee has advanced a bill aimed at preventing federal banks from using or issuing central bank digital currencies, or CBDCs, paving the way for a vote in the chamber.In an April 2 committee session, lawmakers voted 27-22 in favor of passing the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act. The bill was one of five the committee considered in a markup hearing discussing possible amendments. Lawmakers also approved a bill regulating payment stablecoins, setting up the legislation for a full House vote.“Last Congress, this bill passed out of the House of Representatives by a 216-192 vote,” said Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer, the anti-CBDC bill’s sponsor. “So far this Congress, this bill has 114 cosponsors and support from groups ranging from the Independent Community Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association to Club for Growth, Heritage Action, and the Blockchain Association.”Many Republican lawmakers have targeted institutions like the Federal Reserve or Treasury Department from exploring CBDC development, often citing financial privacy concerns. After reintroducing the bill in March, Rep. Emmer suggested it was an attempt to codify an executive order from US President Donald Trump into law. That order, signed on Jan. 23, prohibited “the establishment, issuance, circulation, and use” of a CBDC in the United States.Related: Crypto regulation must go through Congress for lasting change — Wiley NickelThis is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.

Bitcoin drops 8%, US markets shed $2T in value — Should traders expect an oversold bounce?

Bitcoin (BTC) and US stock markets all sold off sharply after US President Donald Trump shook up financial markets by announcing a list of reciprocal tariffs on several countries. On April 3, the S&P 500 saw a 4.2% drop at market open, its most significant single-day decline since June 2020. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 3.41%, to 40,785.41 from 42,225.32, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 5.23%. Overall, $1.6 trillion in value was wiped out from US stock at the market open. Bitcoin’s value dropped by 8%, but a positive is bulls seem capable of defending the $80,000 support level. These steep declines essentially stem from uncertainty surrounding the new tariffs and amplify investors’ concerns about impending recession.Source: XData from CoinGecko suggests that the total crypto market has dropped 6.8% over the past 24 hours and it seems unlikely that a relief rally is viable in the short-term.Related: Bitcoin price risks drop to $71K as Trump tariffs hurt US business outlookCrypto liquidations soar to $573MAccording to CoinGlass, in the past 24 hours, more than 200,000 traders were liquidated, with the total amount exceeding $573.4 million. The largest liquidation occurred on Binance, with an ETH/USDT position worth $11.97 million being force closed.Total crypto liquidation chart. Source: CoinGlassMeanwhile, Bitcoin’s open interest dropped below $50 billion, reducing market leverage. Joao Wedson, CEO of Alphractal, mentioned that the liquidation heatmaps indicate heavy leverage around $80,000, raising the potential for a potential drop to $64K-$65K if Bitcoin breaks this level with high trading volume.Bitcoin liquidation maps. Source: XRelated: Trump 'Liberation Day' tariffs create chaos in markets, recession concernsThis 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.

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Luxor's Aaron Forster (Credit: Aaron Forster)

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digital cash, dollar bill (Ryan Quintal/Unsplash, Modified by CoinDesk)

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Bitcoin Nears $80K but 'Turning Point' in Sight, Suggests Analyst

Bitcoin falls toward $80K and prints ‘death cross’ as US stocks mimic 2020 COVID-19 crash

Bitcoin (BTC) hit new monthly lows at the April 3 Wall Street open as US unemployment data added to pressure on risk assets.BTC/USD 4-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBitcoin gives early April gains as stocks plummetData from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView confirmed the first trip below $82,000 for BTC/USD since the start of the month.After initially surging as high as $88,580 as the US government unveiled reciprocal trade tariffs, Bitcoin soon ran out of steam as the reality of the stronger-than-expected measures hit home.US stocks then followed, with the S&P 500 down over 4% on the day at the time of writing.“Today's -3.7% drop puts the S&P 500 on track for its largest daily decline since the 2020 pandemic lockdowns,” trading resource The Kobeissi Letter wrote in part of a reaction on X. “Since the after hours high at 4:25 PM ET yesterday, the S&P 500 has erased nearly $3 TRILLION in market cap.”S&P 500 1-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThereafter, US initial jobless claims came in below estimates, at 219,000 versus the anticipated 228,000, per data from the US Department of Labor (DoL).“The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 224,000 to 225,000. The 4-week moving average was 223,000, a decrease of 1,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 224,000 to 224,250,” an official press release stated.Stronger labor market trends are traditionally associated with weaker risk-asset performance as they imply that policymakers can keep financial conditions tighter for longer.Data from CME Group’s FedWatch Tool nonetheless continued to see markets favor an interest-rate cut from the Federal Reserve at the June meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC).Fed target rate probabilities (screenshot). Source: CME Group“As recession odds rise, markets think that the Fed will be forced to cut rates as soon as next month,” Kobeissi added.Bearish BTC price action could last “3-6 months”BTC price action predictably continued to disappoint on short timeframes as $80,000 support became uncomfortably close.Related: Bitcoin price risks drop to $71K as Trump tariffs hurt US business outlook“Stair step up then elevator down,” popular trader Roman summarized in part of his latest X analysis.Market commentator Byzantine General flagged short positions increasing across major crypto pairs, concluding that tariffs would ensure that lackluster conditions would continue.“I could see a stop hunt below the local lows before a pump to squeeze shorts, then probably more chop that slopes downward,” he told X followers. “I do think that with the tariff responses that are most likely coming upside will be limited.”Bitcoin and Ethereum market data. Source: Byzantine General/XOnchain analytics firm Glassnode had more bad news. According to their data, Bitcoin printed a new “death cross” involving the convergence of two midterm moving averages (MAs).“An onchain analogue to the Death Cross has emerged. The 30-day volume-weighted price of $BTC has crossed below the 180-day, signaling weakening momentum,” an X post announced. “Historically, this pattern preceded 3–6 months of bearish trends.”Bitcoin realized price “death cross” impact data. Source: Glassnode/XEarlier this week, Glassnode observed that speculative sell-offs in recent months have fallen considerably short of volumes traditionally associated with blow-off BTC price tops.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.

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SEC Nominee Paul Atkins at his confirmation hearing (Senate Banking Committee)

How zero-knowledge proofs can make AI fairer

Opinion by: Rob Viglione, co-founder and CEO of Horizen LabsCan you trust your AI to be unbiased? A recent research paper suggests it’s a little more complicated. Unfortunately, bias isn’t just a bug — it’s a persistent feature without proper cryptographic guardrails.A September 2024 study from Imperial College London shows how zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) can help companies verify that their machine learning (ML) models treat all demographic groups equally while still keeping model details and user data private. Zero-knowledge proofs are cryptographic methods that enable one party to prove to another that a statement is true without revealing any additional information beyond the statement’s validity. When defining “fairness,” however, we open up a whole new can of worms. Machine learning biasWith machine learning models, bias manifests in dramatically different ways. It can cause a credit scoring service to rate a person differently based on their friends’ and communities’ credit scores, which can be inherently discriminatory. It can also prompt AI image generators to show the Pope and Ancient Greeks as people of different races, like Google’s AI tool Gemini infamously did last year.  Spotting an unfair machine learning (ML) model in the wild is easy. If the model is depriving people of loans or credit because of who their friends are, that’s discrimination. If it’s revising history or treating specific demographics differently to overcorrect in the name of equity, that’s also discrimination. Both scenarios undermine trust in these systems.Consider a bank using an ML model for loan approvals. A ZKP could prove that the model isn’t biased against any demographic without exposing sensitive customer data or proprietary model details. With ZK and ML, banks could prove they’re not systematically discriminating against a racial group. That proof would be real-time and continuous versus today’s inefficient government audits of private data.  The ideal ML model? One that doesn’t revise history or treat people differently based on their background. AI must adhere to anti-discrimination laws like the American Civil Rights Act of 1964. The problem lies in baking that into AI and making it verifiable. ZKPs offer the technical pathway to guarantee this adherence.AI is biased (but it doesn’t have to be)When dealing with machine learning, we need to be sure that any attestations of fairness keep the underlying ML models and training data confidential. They need to protect intellectual property and users’ privacy while providing enough access for users to know that their model is not discriminatory. Not an easy task. ZKPs offer a verifiable solution. ZKML (zero knowledge machine learning) is how we use zero-knowledge proofs to verify that an ML model is what it says on the box. ZKML combines zero-knowledge cryptography with machine learning to create systems that can verify AI properties without exposing the underlying models or data. We can also take that concept and use ZKPs to identify ML models that treat everyone equally and fairly. Recent: Know Your Peer — The pros and cons of KYCPreviously, using ZKPs to prove AI fairness was extremely limited because it could only focus on one phase of the ML pipeline. This made it possible for dishonest model providers to construct data sets that would satisfy the fairness requirements, even if the model failed to do so. The ZKPs would also introduce unrealistic computational demands and long wait times to produce proofs of fairness.In recent months, ZK frameworks have made it possible to scale ZKPs to determine the end-to-end fairness of models with tens of millions of parameters and to do so provably securely.  The trillion-dollar question: How do we measure whether an AI is fair?Let’s break down three of the most common group fairness definitions: demographic parity, equality of opportunity and predictive equality. Demographic parity means that the probability of a specific prediction is the same across different groups, such as race or sex. Diversity, equity and inclusion departments often use it as a measurement to attempt to reflect the demographics of a population within a company’s workforce. It’s not the ideal fairness metric for ML models because expecting that every group will have the same outcomes is unrealistic.Equality of opportunity is easy for most people to understand. It gives every group the same chance to have a positive outcome, assuming they are equally qualified. It is not optimizing for outcomes — only that every demographic should have the same opportunity to get a job or a home loan. Likewise, predictive equality measures if an ML model makes predictions with the same accuracy across various demographics, so no one is penalized simply for being part of a group. In both cases, the ML model is not putting its thumb on the scale for equity reasons but only to ensure that groups are not being discriminated against in any way. This is an eminently sensible fix.Fairness is becoming the standard, one way or anotherOver the past year, the US government and other countries have issued statements and mandates around AI fairness and protecting the public from ML bias. Now, with a new administration in the US, AI fairness will likely be approached differently, returning the focus to equality of opportunity and away from equity. As political landscapes shift, so do fairness definitions in AI, moving between equity-focused and opportunity-focused paradigms. We welcome ML models that treat everyone equally without putting thumbs on the scale. Zero-knowledge proofs can serve as an airtight way to verify ML models are doing this without revealing private data.  While ZKPs have faced plenty of scalability challenges over the years, the technology is finally becoming affordable for mainstream use cases. We can use ZKPs to verify training data integrity, protect privacy, and ensure the models we’re using are what they say they are. As ML models become more interwoven in our daily lives and our future job prospects, college admissions and mortgages depend on them, we could use a little more reassurance that AI treats us fairly. Whether we can all agree on the definition of fairness, however, is another question entirely.Opinion by: Rob Viglione, co-founder and CEO of Horizen Labs. 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.

ParaSwap rebrands to Velora, introduces intent-based DEX trading feature

Decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator ParaSwap announced its rebrand to Velora and is moving on to a new intents-based trading feature.According to an announcement shared with Cointelegraph, Velora’s just introduced its Delta v.2.5 upgrade. This supposedly results in improved flexibility and agility in trade execution on the DEX.Paraswap has seen 18,000 monthly active users over the last month with 4.3 million smart contract interactions over the past 365 days, according to TokenTerminal data. The platform first introduced intents-based trading back in the summer of 2024, with hopes that it would mitigate the negative impact of maximum extractable value (MEV) bots. Since then, ParaSwap submitted orders in three steps. First the order is preprocessed defining the expected trade price, then this is submitted to an auction to determine the most efficient execution strategy considering liquidity and timing. The winning agent executes the trade while taking the user’s intent into account and purportedly minimizing MEV exploitation risks.Related: Hyperliquid DEX trading volumes cut into CEX market share: DataA crypto MEV bot is an automated program that exploits profit opportunities in blockchain transaction ordering—using tactics like front-running and arbitrage to capture extra value. The project’s founder Mounir Benchemled said at the time:The presence of MEV impacts not only individual transactions but also the overall fairness, accessibility and decentralization of the DeFi ecosystem, making it one of the most pressing issues that needs addressing.”Velora’s intent-based trading implementationVelora’s implementation of intent-based trading is more customizable, giving the user “full control over their execution preferences, unlocks advanced features like limit orders, overcoming the constraints of single-block execution and increasing flexibility.” The new aggregator is also reportedly designed to allow for seamless cross-chain trading and enhanced performance.Related: Curve Finance clocks $35B trading volume in Q1 2025Sergej Kunz, Co-Founder of DEX aggregator 1inch, told Cointelegraph that “end users shouldn't have to worry about the complexities” of decentralized finance. According to him, an intent-based system removes much of this complexity:“An intent-based system is designed to shift all risk and complexity away from users and into the hands of professionals who specialize in executing advanced DeFi strategies. A true intent-based DEX must provide MEV protection at the protocol level and offload execution complexity to professional trading bots.“Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again

Trump’s pick for SEC chair makes it out of committee

Lawmakers in the US Senate Banking Committee confirmed the nomination of Paul Atkins to be a member of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), paving the way for a full floor vote in the chamber.In an April 3 executive session of the banking committee, lawmakers voted 13-11 to confirm Atkins for two consecutive terms as an SEC commissioner, taking over former Chair Gary Gensler’s term and another term ending in 2031. Atkins’ nomination will soon go to the Republican-controlled Senate for a full floor vote, where many experts suggest he is also likely to be confirmed.Senator Tim Scott addressing lawmakers on April 3. Source: US Senate Banking CommitteeBefore calling for a vote, committee chair Tim Scott said Atkins would bring “much-needed clarity for digital assets.” Ranking member Elizabeth Warren reiterated earlier concerns about Trump’s SEC pick helping “billionaire scammers” like former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried and Tesla CEO Elon Musk “actively trying to destroy” federal agencies. This is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.

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Beyond the hype: How Bitcoin stays true to its values

Bitcoin’s (BTC) journey from a radical experiment to a trillion-dollar asset has been fueled by grand narratives: Digital gold, decentralized money and an alternative financial system. Beyond the hype, how does Bitcoin remain true to its core values? That’s the central theme of the latest episode of The Clear Crypto Podcast, where hosts Nathan Jeffay and Gareth Jenkinson are joined by Charlie Spears, co-founder of Blockspace Media, to unpack Bitcoin’s evolving role in the global financial system.Bitcoin’s evolutionFrom the outset, Bitcoin was designed as a decentralized alternative to traditional money.But as adoption has surged, so too has the debate over its scalability and usability. Jenkinson began the conversation by explaining the origins of the original cryptocurrency and how that has shifted over time:“It started out as digital gold and electronic money, and it was supposed to be that. And this is why there is that shift towards scaling and different transactional capabilities that people are looking to bring onto the network.”The discussion underscores the growing importance of layer-2 solutions like the Lightning Network, which aim to make Bitcoin practical for everyday transactions by enabling users to transact in satoshis — the smallest unit of Bitcoin — rather than traditional currencies.Related: 4 key Bitcoin metrics suggest $80K BTC price is a discountBitcoin’s core principlesDebates over Bitcoin’s direction often center on its philosophical roots. Some purists argue that any modification risks altering the essence of what makes Bitcoin unique. Others see thoughtful updates as a way to reinforce its role as a global financial system. Spears compares this to interpreting historical texts: “Reading what Satoshi wrote years ago is like analyzing the words of the Founding Fathers. The world changes, and we have to decide what that means for Bitcoin today.”The discussion highlights how some proposed upgrades aren’t new but were initially removed as a precaution. Now, with Bitcoin’s maturity, developers are considering reinstating them to improve functionality. “Bitcoin is in the hands of its users,” Spears emphasizes. “We get to decide what it should be, just as much as those who were there 15 years ago.”As Bitcoin continues to evolve, The Clear Crypto Podcast cuts through the noise to deliver insightful conversations about where it’s headed next. To hear the full conversation on The Clear Crypto Podcast,  listen to the full episode on Cointelegraph’s Podcasts page, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And don’t forget to check out Cointelegraph’s full lineup of other shows! Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

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Trump &#039;Liberation Day&#039; tariffs create chaos in markets, recession concerns

US President Donald Trump introduced a slew of tariffs on April 2, sending markets into a tailspin and dividing crypto observers as to their possible long-term effects. At a special event at the White House, Trump signed an executive order and claimed emergency powers, leveling reciprocal tariffs at every country that has a tariff on US goods, starting at a 10% minimum.The long-term effect that this swathe of new taxes could have on global markets is unknown. The uncertainty is compounded by the ambiguous methodology the Trump administration used to determine the tariff rates. Some believe that the crypto market is due for a boom as investors seek an alternative for traditional investments. Others note the effect tariffs could have on mining equipment, hampering profitability. More still are concerned about the broader impact of tariffs and a possible recession. Trump’s tariffs “provide certainty” for marketsFinancial markets crashed immediately on the news of the tariffs, with crypto markets no exception. Bitcoin (BTC) had nearly reached a session high at $88,500 but dropped 2.6% back to around $83,000. Ether (ETH) fell from $1,934 to $1,797 immediately following the tariff announcement, and the total crypto market capitalization dropped 5.3% to $2.7 trillion. Crypto shows red across the board after Trump’s tariff order. Source: Coin360Some market analysts aren’t shaken. Trader Michaël van de Poppe wrote that the tariffs “won’t be as bad as the entire population expects them to be.”“Uncertainty fades away. Gold will drop. ‘Buy the rumor, sell the news,’” he said. “Altcoins & Bitcoin goes up. ‘Sell the rumor, buy the news.’”BitMEX founder Arthur Hayes said that while the tariffs may reduce the trade deficit, fewer exports could limit the demand for US Treasurys, requiring domestic intervention from the Federal Reserve to stabilize the market. “The Fed and banking system must step up to ensure a well-functioning treasury [market], which means Brrrr,” he said.“Brrrr” — a reference to the Reserve printing more money — is a theory Hayes has previously suggested could be positive for Bitcoin’s price as increased liquidity enters the market.What about crypto miners?American crypto miners may have less cause for optimism about the tariffs, as they are directly affected by the markups on goods — namely crypto mining rigs — imported from Asia.Mitchell Askew, head analyst at mining-as-a-service firm Blockware Solutions, said: “Tariffs have MASSIVE implications for Bitcoin Miners. [Expect] off-shore supply to get squeezed, increasing demand for on-shore miners. If this is coupled with a BTC run we could see ASIC [mining rig] prices rip 5 to 10x like they did in 2021.”Mason Jappa, CEO of Blockware, said that the tariffs will have “a major impact” on the Bitcoin mining industry. “Most of the current Bitcoin Mining Server imports were coming from Malaysia/Thailand/Indonesia. Rigs already landed in the USA will become more valuable,” he wrote.Related: Crypto miner backs US senator's efforts to incentivize using flared gasSome mining companies are already rushing to get mining rigs out of the export country before the tariffs take effect. Lauren Lin, head of hardware at Bitcoin mining software firm Luxor Technology, told Bloomberg on April 3 that her firm was “scrambling.” “Ideally, we can charter a flight and get machines over — just trying to be as creative as possible to get these machines out,” she said.Tariffs’ doubtful math, “extraordinary nonsense,” and a looming recession The convenient tariff percentage charts displayed at the signing event at the White House left many questioning exactly how the Trump administration came up with the numbers and why certain countries were chosen. Yale Review editor James Surowiecki wrote that the administration didn’t actually calculate tariff rates plus non-tariff barriers to determine their rates, but rather “just took our trade deficit with that country and divided it by the country's exports to us.” “What extraordinary nonsense this is.”Some have even floated the theory that the administration used ChatGPT to come up with the countries and numbers. NFT collector DCinvestor said that he was able to nearly exactly duplicate the list through prompts on the generative AI. “I was able to duplicate it in ChatGPT. it also told me that this idea hadn't been formalized anywhere before, and that it was something it came up with. ffs Trump admin is using ChatGPT to determine trade policy,” he said. Also of note: some of the smaller countries and territories on the White House’s list. The full list, as reported by Forbes, levies a 10% tariff on the Heard and McDonald Islands in response to their 10% duties on the United States. The Heard and McDonald Islands are uninhabited, barren and some of the most remote places on earth, located 1,600 km from Antarctica. No one lives there; no trade exists.   Heard Island, a snow-covered rock. Source: WikipediaThe dubious maths and contents of the tariff list have many doubting the administration’s economic calculus. Nigel Green, CEO of global financial advisory giant deVere Group, told Cointelegraph that the president “peddles in economic delusion.”“It’s a seismic day for global trade. Trump is blowing up the post-war system that made the US and the world more prosperous, and he’s doing it with reckless confidence,” he said.Related: Lawmaker alleges Trump wants to replace US dollar with his stablecoinAdam Cochrane, a partner at Cinneamhain Ventures, said that tariffs “work great for most of those things” when they target industries that also have present-day production to offset the increased cost of imported goods.  “The US doesn’t have that, nor the factories for it, not the labor to offset it, nor the raw materials for it. So you end up just paying more for the same good.”At the end of March, Goldman Sachs had already tipped the chance of a recession in the US at 35%. After Trump signed the order, betting markets on Kalshi increased that to over 50%.Betting markets aren’t betting on the American economy. Source: KalshiTrump, for his part, contended that the tariffs will “make America great again” and give the US economy a competitive edge with its former allies and trade partners. He argued in his signing speech that the Great Depression of the 1930s would have never happened if tariffs had been maintained. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which raised tariffs during the Depression, is widely credited as being a contributing factor to worsening the Depression and has become synonymous with disastrous economic policymaking. Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again

Wintermute transfers $75M FDUSD since depegs, in $3M arbitrage opportunity

Market makers’ blockchain transactions point to a potential $3 million arbitrage opportunity related to the depegging of the FDUSD stablecoin.The First Digital US dollar-pegged stablecoin (FDUSD) depegged on April 2, after Tron founder Justin Sun claimed that the stablecoin issuer was insolvent.Market marker Wintermute transferred over 75 million FDUSD tokens back to First Digital within a day since the stablecoin depegged to $0.87.Source: Lookonchain“Since $FDUSD depegged, #Wintermute has transferred 75M $FDUSD to First Digital Labs,” wrote blockchain intelligence platform Lookonchain, in an April 3 X post, adding:“They likely bought $FDUSD at a discount during the depeg and redeemed it 1:1 through First Digital—making a solid profit.”Source: LookonchainWintermute with over 31 million FDUSD tokens from Binance right after the depegging occurred. “Assuming they bought $FDUSD near the bottom at $0.90, they would make over $3M when $FDUSD returned to the peg,” added Lookonchain.Related: Bitcoin price can hit $250K in 2025 if Fed shifts to QE: Arthur HayesThe selling patterns of market makers have been closely watched since February’s $2.24 billion crypto liquidation event, which saw large-scale selling from multiple market participants, including market makers.Reasons for the crypto market crash. Source: Evgeny GaevoyHowever, the crypto market crashes of 2025 have been “directly linked to TradFi events,” such as DeepSeek and Trump’s tariffs, according to Evgeny Gaevoy, the founder of Wintermute.Related: 70% chance of crypto bottoming before June amid trade fears: NansenFirst Digital: “Our stablecoin remains fully backed and solvent”Despite the insolvency claims, First Digital assured users they are completely solvent and said that FDUSD is still fully backed and redeemable with the US dollar on a 1:1 basis.“First Digital stands firm: Justin Sun’s baseless accusations won’t distract from Techteryx’s own failures— our stablecoin FDUSD remains fully backed and solvent,” wrote First Digital in an April 3 X post.Source: First DigitalStill, some analytics tools have previously highlighted potential weaknesses in FDUSD’s stability, which was rated as 4 or “constrained” according to the S&P Global Ratings’ stablecoin stability assessment, shared with Cointelegraph on March 19.Source: S&P Global Ratings“Our stablecoin stability assessments range from 2 (strong) to 5 (weak) in terms of a stablecoin's ability to maintain its peg to a fiat currency,” and “the quality of the assets backing the stablecoin is a critical driver of the final assessment,” an S&P Global Ratings spokesperson told Cointelegraph, adding:“Weaknesses in other areas, including regulation and supervision, governance, transparency, liquidity and redeemability, and track record, contributed to those stablecoins with lower assessments.”First Digital said it would take legal action against Sun’s false bankruptcy allegations, which led to the stablecoin’s depegging.Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again

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Itaú's building in Colombia (Jose Gil/Unsplash)

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CEX listings outperform Nasdaq and Dow IPOs with 80% average returns

Cryptocurrency listings have outperformed the average of traditional stock listings, despite recent community criticism regarding the manipulation potential of token listings on centralized exchanges.Token listing procedures on centralized cryptocurrency exchanges (CEXs) drew significant controversy after Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, co-founder and former CEO of Binance, called the process flawed after disappointing performances of some token listings.Despite the criticism, crypto exchanges have outperformed traditional stock exchanges in terms of listings with positive returns on investment (ROI) and average ROI, according to an April 3 CoinMarketCap report shared exclusively with Cointelegraph.Over the past 180 days, crypto exchange listings had an average return of over 80%, outperforming the largest traditional stock indexes such as the Nasdaq and Dow Jones, as well as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH).CEX listings, top indexes, average ROI. Source: CoinMarketCapThe 80% return refers to the average performance of all listed tokens by the seven major exchanges, including Binance, Bybit, Coinbase, OKX, Bitget, Gate and KuCoin.Moreover, 68% of crypto exchange listings boasted a positive ROI, outperforming the New York Stock Exchange’s (NYSE) 54% and the Nasdaq’s 51%.Source: CoinMarketCap“This data suggests that crypto exchanges have made progress in refining their listing,” the report said.Related: 70% chance of crypto bottoming before June amid trade fears: NansenCryptocurrencies listed on CEXs generally see high demand from investors as the exchanges provide significant new liquidity that can boost the coins’ price performances after listing.Token-listing criteria on CEXs started garnering attention in November 2024, after Tron founder Justin Sun claimed that Coinbase allegedly asked for $330 million in total fees to list Tron (TRX), a surprising allegation since Coinbase claims to charge no fees for listing new cryptocurrencies.Related: Trump-linked crypto ventures may complicate US stablecoin policyToken listing performance still depends on broader market conditions: BinanceRecent investor disappointment with some token listings may stem from historic profit expectations due to the significant upside of numerous CEX-listed tokens.Still, the returns of a cryptocurrency after listing depend on the wider market appetite, a Binance spokesperson told Cointelegraph, adding:“Outcomes can vary depending on broader market conditions. As the industry matures, we’re seeing reduced volatility compared to earlier cycles — a shift that reflects greater stability and long-term sustainability in the crypto market.”“Crypto investors’ expectations for new listings to perform well are understandable and often shaped by the historic success” of CEX listings, added the spokesperson.Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, listed 77 cryptocurrencies throughout 2023 and 2024, with a 0% delisting rate.Binance announced a community voting mechanism for token listings on March 9, to make the listing process more decentralized.Magazine: Memecoins are ded — But Solana ‘100x better’ despite revenue plunge

Bybit Beefs Up Asset Security Following $1.45B Hack

US sanctions 8 crypto wallets tied to Garantex, Houthis

The US Treasury Department sanctioned eight cryptocurrency wallet addresses linked to Russian crypto exchange Garantex and the Houthis.The United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned eight crypto addresses that data from blockchain forensic firms Chainalysis and TRM Labs had linked to the organizations. Two are deposit addresses at major crypto platforms, while the other six are privately controlled.Visualization of transaction flow related to OFAC sanctions. Source: ChainalysisThe addresses in question reportedly moved nearly $1 billion worth of funds linked to sanctioned entities. Most of the transactions funded Houthi operations in Yemen and the Red Sea region.Slava Demchuk, a crypto-focused money laundering specialist and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime consultant told Cointelegraph that “the inclusion of Houthi-linked wallets reflects a broader recognition of crypto’s role in geopolitical conflicts and terrorism financing.” He said:“The implications are far-reaching—compliance frameworks must adapt swiftly, attribution efforts will intensify, and decentralized platforms may face increased scrutiny.“Demchuk highlighted that such a situation reshapes the regulatory landscape. According to him, crypto “is now firmly within the scope of international security.Who are the Houthis?The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, are a Yemeni political and armed movement that emerged from the Zaidi Shia community. Originating as a revivalist and reformist group, they later became a major force in Yemen’s ongoing conflict.Related: US DOJ says it seized Hamas crypto meant to finance terrorismIn recent years, the Houthis have engaged in attacks against both military and civilian vessels in the Red Sea with missiles and drones. In January, US President Donald Trump designated the group as a foreign terrorist organization.The announcement noted that “the Houthis’ activities threaten the security of American civilians and personnel in the Middle East, the safety of our closest regional partners, and the stability of global maritime trade.” The group was recently struck by a US bombing campaign.Related: Binance claims’ no special relationship’ with Hamas, argues to dismiss lawsuitGarantex: Russia’s crypto laundromatGarantex is a Russian crypto exchange that was sanctioned and shut down in early March after purportedly helping money-laundering efforts. At the time, Tether — the leading stablecoin operator and issuer of USDt — froze $27 million in USDt on the platform, forcing it to halt operations.The platform has reportedly shifted millions of dollars as it sought to reboot under its new brand, “Grinex.” In mid-March, officials with India’s Central Bureau of Investigation announced the arrest of Lithuanian national Aleksej Bešciokov, who was alleged to have operated the cryptocurrency exchange Garantex. The arrest of the alleged Garantex founder was based on US charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business and conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again

Crypto Daybook Americas: Bitcoin Slides to $83K as U.S. Tariffs Rattle Stocks, Currencies

Crypto donations top $1B in 2024, gain traction after Myanmar, Thailand quake

Binance co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao donated over half a million dollars worth of crypto to the earthquake disaster relief effort in Thailand and Myanmar, in another testament to the growing utility of blockchain-based emergency charity efforts.Zhao donated 1,000 BNB (BNB) tokens worth almost $600,000 to the disaster relief funds for the region on March 3, blockchain data shows.Zhao donates 1,000 BNB. Source: BscScan“Sent 1000 BNB for the donation for Myanmar and Thailand,” wrote Zhao in an April 3 X post.The crypto donation comes after Thailand and Myanmar were hit by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28, causing severe damage to buildings and widespread flooding.Related: 70% chance of crypto bottoming before June amid trade fears: NansenAt least 2,719 people have been confirmed dead in Myanmar and 18 in Thailand, with 76 people still unaccounted for, according to the latest figures shared by Reuters.The $600,000 donation comes nearly a week after Zhao pledged to donate 500 BNB for the relief efforts, an initial commitment that he doubled. Cryptocurrency-based donations have emerged as a significant lifeline for the region, due to banking restrictions caused by damaged infrastructure.Source: The Giving BlockCrypto donations exceeded $1 billion in 2024, spurred by increasing digital asset valuations and growing crypto regulatory clarity. About 16% of the donations went toward education, while 14% went toward medicine and health-related efforts.The Giving Block has launched a crypto-based emergency relief effort for Myanmar and Thailand to raise $500,000 for the devastated region.Source: TheGivingBlockThe organization expects crypto donations to reach $2.5 billion in 2025 on growing crypto wealth generation and increasing adoption due to a more favorable political landscape.Related: Trump-linked crypto ventures may complicate US stablecoin policyCrypto donations gain traction for emergency relief effortsZhao’s donation is a testament to the growing role of cryptocurrency in humanitarian aid, according to Anndy Lian, author and intergovernmental blockchain expert.“Crypto donations, compared to traditional fiat contributions, offer unique advantages, especially in emergencies,” Lian told Cointelegraph, adding:“Speed is a key factor—transactions on blockchain networks can settle in minutes, bypassing the delays of banks or intermediaries, which is critical when time saves lives.”“In disaster-stricken areas like Myanmar or Thailand, where infrastructure might be compromised, crypto can reach recipients directly via digital wallets, no SWIFT codes or wire transfers required,” Lian explained.Source: Anndy LianLian also donated 44 BNB tokens to the relief efforts in Myanmar and Thailand, a move that was publicly praised by Zhao.Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has been known for his crypto donations. In October, Buterin donated over $180,000 in Ether (ETH) to the biotech charity Kanro.Magazine: GUN token’s $69M milestone, Pudgy Penguins go to LOL Land: Web3 Gamer

Bitcoin Development Mailing List Briefly Goes Offline After 'Malicious' Warning

Bitcoin’s Hash Rate Hits Record High, Yet Price and Activity Tell Another Story

Justin Sun Calls for Reform of Hong Kong's Trust Laws After TUSD Misappropriation Allegations

Justin Sun speaks at a press conference in Hong Kong (Tron)

U.S. Recession Odds Surge in Prediction Markets on Tariff Shock. What Next for BTC?

Alabama, Minnesota lawmakers join US states pushing for Bitcoin reserves

Lawmakers in the US states of Minnesota and Alabama filed companion bills to identical existing bills that if passed into law, would allow each state to buy Bitcoin.The Minnesota Bitcoin Act, or HF 2946, was introduced to the state’s House by Republican Representative Bernie Perryman on April 1, following an identical bill introduced on March 17 by GOP state Senator Jeremy Miller.Meanwhile, on the same day in Alabama, Republican state Senator Will Barfoot introduced Senate Bill 283, while a bi-partisan group of representatives led by Republican Mike Shaw filed the identical House Bill 482, which allows for the state to invest in crypto, but essentially limits it to Bitcoin (BTC).Twin Alabama bills don’t explicitly name BitcoinMinnesota’s Bitcoin Act would allow the state’s investment board to invest state assets in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies and permit state employees to add crypto to retirement accounts.It would also exempt crypto gains from state income taxes and give residents the option to pay state taxes and fees with Bitcoin.Source: Bitcoin LawsThe twin Alabama bills don’t explicitly identify Bitcoin, but would limit the state’s crypto investment into assets that have a minimum market value of $750 billion, a criterion that only Bitcoin currently meets.26 Bitcoin reserve bills now introduced in the USIntroducing identical bills is not uncommon in the US and is typically done to speed up the bicameral legislative process so laws can pass more quickly.Bills to create a Bitcoin reserve have been introduced in 26 US states, with Arizona currently the closest to passing a law to make one, according to data from the bill tracking website Bitcoin Laws.Arizona currently leads in the US state Bitcoin reserve race. Source: Bitcoin LawsPennsylvania was one of the first US states to introduce a Bitcoin reserve bill, in November 2024. However, the initiative was reportedly eventually rejected, with similar bills also killed in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.Related: North Carolina bills would add crypto to state’s retirement system Montana, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Wyoming are the five states thathave  rejected Bitcoin reserve initiatives. Source: Bitcoin LawsAccording to a March 3 report by Barron’s, “red states” like Montana have faced setbacks to the Bitcoin reserve initiatives amid political confrontations between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.Additional reporting by Helen Partz.Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again

Bitcoin gets $71K target as tariffs deal rare US business outlook slump

Bitcoin (BTC) faces conditions similar to the 2022 bear market bottom as US business sees “very high risk” to come.In his latest analysis, Charles Edwards, the founder of quantitative Bitcoin and digital asset fund Capriole Investments, queried when the US would start printing money.”Higher than expected” US tariffs pressure BitcoinBitcoin reacted noticeably worse than US stocks after President Donald Trump announced worldwide reciprocal trade tariffs on April 2.BTC/USD fell up to 8.5% on the day, while the S&P 500 managed to end the Wall Street trading session 0.7% higher.Despite this, Edwards notes that US business expectations reflect the type of uncertainty seen only three times since the turn of the millennium.“Consider this as tariffs come in higher than expected. The Philly Fed Business Outlook survey is showing expectations today comparable to 2000, 2008 and 2022,” he told X followers.An accompanying chart showed the Philadelphia Fed’s Business Outlook Survey (BOS) back under 15 for the first time since the start of 2024. Late 2022, meanwhile, was the pit of the most recent crypto bear market when BTC/USD reversed at $15,600.Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey vs. S&P 500. Source: Charles Edwards/XIn Capriole’s latest market update on March 31, Edwards acknowledged that BOS data can produce unreliable signals over market sentiment but argued that it should not be ignored.“While no guarantee of the future outlook (this metric does have false signals) this is a data reading we have had before at very high risk zones (year 2000, 2008 and 2022), telling us to keep a very open mind,” he wrote. “Especially if the tariff war escalates significantly beyond current expectations or corporate margins start to fall.”For Bitcoin, a key level to watch in the tariff aftermath is $91,000, with Capriole suggesting that US macroeconomic moves would “decide the ultimate technical trend from here.”“All else equal, a daily close above $91K would be a strong bullish reclaim signal,” the update explained alongside the weekly BTC/USD chart. “Failing that, a dip into the $71K zone would likely see a sizable bounce.”BTC/USD 1-day chart (screenshot). Source: Capriole InvestmentsBTC price focus on US liquidity trendAs Cointelegraph reported, a silver lining for crypto and risk assets could come in the form of increasing global liquidity.Related: Bitcoin sales at $109K all-time high 'significantly below' cycle tops — GlassnodeIn the US, the Fed has already begun to loosen tight financial policy, with bets on a return to so-called quantitative easing (QE) varying.“How long until the Powell printer starts humming?” Edwards queried.M2 money supply, meanwhile, is due for an “influx” — something which has historically spawned major BTC price upside.“The BIG take-away (the most important observation) is that a big M2 influx is coming. The exact date is less important,” popular analyst Colin Talks Crypto predicted in an X thread this week.A comparative chart hinted at a potential BTC price rebound by the start of May.US M2 money supply vs BTC/USD chart. Source: Colin Talks Crypto/XThis article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

Treasure DAO announces huge pivot in hopes of extending runway to February

Decentralized video game ecosystem Treasure DAO is restructuring as “a matter of survival” to extend its financial runway to at least February 2026.Treasure DAO's chief contributor John Patten says in an April 2 video posted to X that he has resumed a leadership role and is taking a plan to the DAO to streamline operations, eliminate unnecessary costs, and center the organization around a few key projects.“I will introduce this after all of you provide your opinions at this time. I have my own thoughts, but we must make this decision as a community through long deliberation. The best ideas need to rise to the surface,” he said. The Next Chapter of Treasure ✨We're releasing an official statement on our pivotal transition, outlining the rationale behind leadership changes, financial restructuring, and our bold new strategic direction.Full details ? pic.twitter.com/BjWgZxc98l— Treasure (@Treasure_DAO) April 2, 2025As part of cost-cutting to reduce Treasure DAO's annual burn rate of $8.3 million, Patten says 15 contributors have either left or been laid off, and game publishing support and the treasure chain will be terminated. At the same time, he is proposing to withdraw an idle $785,000 from the market maker Flowdesk to increase the DAO’s treasury.Patten says that, with the current runway, “stablecoins will last until roughly December,” but if the DAO approves withdrawing the funds from Flowdesk, this could be extended to February 2026, in “an optimistic scenario.”The DAO's current treasury only has $2.4 million left, and the ecosystem fund holds 22.3 million MAGIC, valued at $2.3 million, according to Patten, but if “Magic falls,” the DAO is “unsustainable sometime between December and February.” Treasure DAO to refocus on four products Patten says the DAO also needs to focus its energy on a few key products and future partnerships will be based on revenue generation for the DAO, where users of the platform will need to generate value through token use.“The DAO should officially commit to a focused, streamlined approach of four products and four products only, the marketplace, Bridgeworld, Smolworld and AI agent, scaling technology,” he said. Related: Illuvium CEO says firm has gone ‘super lean’ to speed up development“That’s all that Treasure should be through 2025. Bridgeworld and Smolworld will be use cases to demonstrate how other projects utilize magic marketplace and our AI framework and back end to run many, many agents concurrently.”TreasureDAO, launched in 2021, offered services to provide game publishers access to infrastructure and advisory services to launch Web3-based games. However, Patten says it “didn't have a scalable business model” and hasn’t grown since the Arbitrum airdrop in March 2023. The Treasure ecosystem token MAGIC is down 16.5% to $0.0872 for the last 24 hours, according to CoinGecko. Overall, the token has shed 98% after hitting its all-time high of $6.32 on Feb. 19, 2022. Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again

XRP in Focus as RLUSD Sees $100M Minted on Ripple Payments Boost

Whales have boosted their ADA stash by more than 40% this year. (Pixabay)

Wobble in Bitcoin, Ether, XRP Prices Cause Crypto Bulls and Bears to See $450M Liquidations Each

Did ChatGPT come up with Trump’s tariff rate formula?

There’s a crazy theory on social media that US President Donald Trump's newly announced reciprocal tariff plan — which hits all countries with a minimum 10% tariff — could have been designed by an artificial intelligence chatbot.Only a short period after Trump announced the tariffs at the White House Rose Garden on April 2, some X users claim they were able to duplicate the same tariff plan with a rudimentary prompt using OpenAI’s ChatGPT. “I was able to duplicate it in ChatGPT,” NFT collector DCinvestor told his 260,000 followers on X following the Donald Trump announcement of reciprocal tariffs on 185 countries on April 2. “It also told me that this idea hadn’t been formalized anywhere before, and that it was something it came up with,” he added, referring to the chatbot’s ability to calculate the tariff rates. “FFS. Trump admin is using ChatGPT to determine trade policy,” he added.Of course, the similarities between the artificial intelligence-generated tariff plan and Trump’s plan could also be simply coincidental.DCInvestor’s observation came in response to crypto trader Jordan Fish, also known as Cobie, who also asked ChatGPT using the prompt: “What would be an easy way to calculate the tariffs that should be imposed on other countries so that the US is on even playing fields when it comes to trade deficit. Set a minimum of 10%.” ChatGPT response to question on tariff calculations. Source: CobieJournal of Public Economics editor Wojtek Kopczuk also experimented with ChatGPT, which generated the same results. “I think they asked ChatGPT to calculate the tariffs from other countries, which is why the tariffs make absolutely no fucking sense,” he said. Author Krishnan Rohit postulated on X that this “might be the first large-scale application of AI technology to geopolitics.” ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Grok all give the same answer to the question on how to impose tariffs easily, he observed. Trump's reciprocal tariffs lead to crypto dipFounder and CEO of supply chain logistics platform Flexport, Ryan Petersen, said his firm had reverse-engineered the formula the Trump administration used to generate the reciprocal tariffs. “It’s quite simple, they took the trade deficit the US has with each country and divided it by our imports from that country,”An editor at The Yale Review, James Surowiecki, said something similar, “they just took our [US] trade deficit with that country and divided it by the country’s exports to us.”Related: ‘National emergency’ as Trump’s tariffs dent crypto pricesTrump’s reciprocal tariffs, which come into effect on April 5, have hit all countries with a 10%  levy, with some nations facing even larger rates, such as China with a 34% tariff, Japan with 24%, and the European Union with 20%. Crypto markets reacted particularly badly, plunging 5% after the announcement as Bitcoin (BTC) fell by $5,500 to $82,277 before recovering marginally, according to CoinGecko. Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again

XRP Nears Topping Pattern That Could Lead to a Downtrend, Establishing $1.07 as Support: Technical Analysis

XRP bears chalk out a H&S pattern. (Unsplash, mana5280)

Bitcoiner speculates ‘massive’ bot spam briefly took down Bitcoin mailing list

One of Bitcoin’s key communication tools used to discuss potential protocol changes was knocked out for several hours starting on April 2, with one moderator speculating it may have been a targeted attack assisted by bots. For several hours across April 2 and 3, Bitcoin core developers and researchers were unable to interact on Google Groups after Google banned the group for spam. “Bitcoin Development Mailing List has been identified as containing spam, malware, or other malicious content,” Google’s warning stated at the time.The Bitcoin Development Mailing List’s warning before the ban was lifted. Source: GoogleBitcoin Core developer Bryan Bishop told Cointelegraph that the ban may have been triggered by individuals or bots mass-reporting the Bitcoin mailing list from multiple accounts.It’s a common tactic by attackers looking to ban or censor a community, Bishop said, noting that similar incidents occur on YouTube, X and TikTok fairly often.“So it’s possible that this whole thing might have been triggered through something like that. It might have just been someone clicking those links on a massive scale to report it.”Google Workspace Support’s X account confirmed that the issue had been resolved on April 3 at 2:23 am UTC in response to one of the Bitcoin mailing list’s other moderators, Ruben Somsen.Bitcoin advocate and head of Block Inc, Jack Dorsey, also called attention to the ban, urging Google CEO Sundar Pichai to investigate the issue.Related: Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto may be wealthier than Bill GatesMailing lists typically involve one moderator email sending information to subscribers in a group to discuss and collaborate on a topic or shared interest.The Bitcoin mailing list is used by Bitcoin core developers and researchers to discuss potential protocol changes to Bitcoin, which secures more than $1.6 trillion worth of value for network users around the world.It has become one of the main Bitcoin mailing lists since the network’s pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, shared Bitcoin’s white paper on the Cryptography Mailing List on Oct. 31, 2008.Bitcoin mailing list moderators plan to stay on Google GroupsDespite the incident, Bishop said the Bitcoin mailing list moderators have no intention of moving away from communicating via email:“The reality of the situation is that this particular mailing list has always been email, and so the contributors that discuss Bitcoin protocol development through email, in order to provide continuity of service, you have to replace it with email.”The Bitcoin mailing list officially migrated to Google Groups in February 2024. Source: Bryan BishopBefore that, the mailing list was hosted on the Linux Foundation, Oregon State University Open Source Lab’s infrastructure and SourceForge.net.Bishop suggested that a Bitcoin forum shouldn't be limited to one particular platform, pointing out that there are several other platforms where Bitcoin developments are discussed, including GitHub and the decentralized social network Nostr.Magazine: 10 crypto theories that missed as badly as ‘Peter Todd is Satoshi’

Bitcoin Nears Death Cross, Yuan Tumbles with Asian Markets After Trump Tariffs Put Focus on China's Response

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Digital Asset Summit in New York City. (Nikhilesh De)

Hackers are selling counterfeit phones with crypto-stealing malware

Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky says it has uncovered thousands of counterfeit Android smartphones sold online with preinstalled malware designed to steal crypto and other sensitive data. The Android devices are sold at reduced prices, cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Labs said in an April 1 statement, but are riddled with a version of the Triada Trojan that infects every process and gives the attackers “almost unlimited control” over the device. Dmitry Kalinin, a cybersecurity expert at Kaspersky Labs, said that once the trojan grants the attackers access to devices, they can steal crypto by replacing wallet addresses. “The authors of the new version of Triada are actively monetizing their efforts; judging by the analysis of transactions, they were able to transfer about $270,000 in various cryptocurrencies to their crypto wallets,” he said. “However, in reality, this amount may be larger; the attackers also targeted Monero, a cryptocurrency that is untraceable.”Among the trojan’s other capabilities are stealing user account information and intercepting incoming and outgoing texts, including two-factor authentication. The trojan penetrates smartphone firmware even before the phone reaches users, and some online sellers might not even be aware of the ticking time bomb in the device, according to Kalinin.“Probably, at one of the stages, the supply chain is compromised, so stores may not even suspect that they are selling smartphones with Triada,” he said. At this stage, Kaspersky researchers say they have found 2,600 confirmed infections through this scam in different countries, with the majority of users in Russia encountering it in the first three months of 2025. The Android devices are sold at reduced prices but are riddled with malware. Source: HovatekThe Triada malware first surfaced in 2016 and is known for targeting financial applications and messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook and Google Mail, according to cybersecurity firm Darktrace. It is generally delivered through malicious downloads and phishing campaigns. “The Triada Trojan has been known for a long time, and it still remains one of the most complex and dangerous threats to Android,” Kalinin said. The best way to avoid falling victim to this scam is to only purchase devices from legitimate distributors and install security solutions immediately after purchase, according to Kaspersky Labs. Other firms have also been raising the alarm over new forms of malware targeting crypto users. Related: Crypto exploit, scam losses drop to $28.8M in March after February spikeCybersecurity firm Threat Fabric said in a March 28 report it found a new family of malware that can launch a fake overlay to trick Android users into providing their crypto seed phrases as it takes over the device.On March 18, tech giant Microsoft said it found a new remote access trojan (RAT) that targets crypto held in 20 wallet extensions for the Google Chrome browser. Magazine: Mystery celeb memecoin scam factory, HK firm dumps Bitcoin: Asia Express

US House committee passes stablecoin-regulating STABLE Act

The US House Financial Services Committee has passed a Republican-backed stablecoin framework bill, which will now head to the House floor for a full vote.The Committee passed the Stablecoin Transparency and Accountability for a Better Ledger Economy, or STABLE Act, with a 32-17 vote on April 2. The bill would provide rules around payment stablecoins, a type of crypto token tied to a currency such as the US dollar, and aims to ensure issuers give information about their business and how they back their tokens.Related: Lawmaker alleges Trump wants to replace US dollar with his stablecoinOther stablecoin-related bills are also working their way through Congress, including the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, which lays out oversight and reserve rules for issuers.This is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.Magazine: How crypto laws are changing across the world in 2025

DDoS attacks now a dominant means of waging political cyber-warfare

Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks are outpacing many traditional cyber threats and are no longer just a tool but a “dominant geopolitical weapon,” according to network security firm Netscout.Global DDoS activity increased by 12.7% in the second half of 2024 compared to the first half, totaling almost 9 million attacks, according to the firm. A DDoS attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal web traffic of a targeted server, service, or network by overwhelming the target or its surrounding infrastructure with a flood of internet traffic.The largest increases have been in Latin America and the Asia Pacific regions, with around 30% and 20% increases from the first half, respectively.  Netscout reported that there were a total of 7.9 million DDoS attacks in the first half of 2024, with a combined total of 16.8 million for the full year, up almost 30% from the 13 million attacks the firm recorded in 2023.  Attackers have been using the internet disruption tool to “exploit moments of national vulnerability to amplify chaos and erode trust in institutions,” the researchers said.The report described DDoS attacks as “precision-guided digital weapons” capable of disrupting infrastructure at critical moments, highlighting how they have been deployed during sociopolitical conflicts, elections, protests, and policy disputes.Weekly DDoS statistics, 2024. Source: NetscoutAI is supercharging DDoS attacks DDoS-for-hire services, including booters and stressers, are “more powerful than ever,” they added, as cyber criminals leverage AI and automation to bypass CAPTCHA, with automation “advancing toward capabilities such as behavior mimicry and real-time attack adjustments.”The researchers concluded that DDoS attacks “are no longer just about raw bandwidth,” adding that they are “adaptive, persistent, and deeply embedded in modern cyber and geopolitical conflicts.”“The shift to high-powered enterprise infrastructure, turnkey reconnaissance, the rise of AI-enhanced automation and the expansion of DDoS-for-hire services mean that attackers are evolving faster than ever.”The role of DDoS attacks is evolving, Corero Network Security chief technology officer Ashley Stephenson told Forbes recently, adding, “By automating tasks that were once labor-intensive or required specialized skills, AI lowers the barrier to entry for attackers.”Related: Crypto crime in 2024 likely exceeded $51B, far higher than reported: ChainalysisA DDoS attack targeted Elon Musk’s social media platform X in August, aimed at disrupting his interview with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. X was targeted again in March when a massive cyberattack prevented some users from accessing the platform. A hacking group with ties to Russia called “Dark Storm” claimed responsibility for the DDoS attack on Musk’s platform, claiming that it was not politically motivated. Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again

Elon Musk’s Neuralink seeks patients globally to try its brain chips

Elon Musk’s computer-chip brain implant company Neuralink is seeking patients all around the world to trial its device that allows one’s thoughts to control a computer.Neuralink is looking for people with quadriplegia — those who are not able to use their arms or legs — to sign up for a clinical trial, it said in an April 2 post on X, the social media platform also owned by Musk.As of January, Neuralink has said three patients have been implanted with a device. All are quadriplegic and are testing a small brain implant that tracks neural activity to control a computer or smartphone as part of a clinical trial called the Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface, or PRIME study.Neuralink is one of several companies and academic institutions developing and testing so-called brain-computer interfaces, which vary from small wire-like implants as part of clinical trials to non-invasive devices akin to a hat.Source: NeuralinkNeuralink’s website says its clinical PRIME study, which will take around six years, is looking for quadriplegics with spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis to use their thoughts to control a computer.Musk also heads vehicle maker Tesla and is the Trump administration's government cost-cutting czar. He has said he wants Neuralink to move beyond just allowing humans to operate computers by thinking and wants to help “give people superpowers.”First Neuralink patient reports no side effects after a yearNoland Arbaugh, Neuralink's first patient, said in a March 28 X post that he’s “had no negative side effects, neither physically nor psychologically” in the year after receiving his brain implant. Arbaugh, a quadriplegic, demoed his brain chip about a year ago by controlling a computer cursor to play chess and surf the web.Arbaugh said he’s now using his brain chip “for all sorts of things” and guessed he’s using it for over 10 hours a day.Related: SpaceX flight bankrolled by crypto investor launches first manned polar orbitHe said the company’s researchers were “figuring out how to control a wheelchair with the implant,” which he added he won’t use “unless it’s next to perfect. I think it benefits everyone if I don’t lose control and drive into traffic.”Arbaugh said he had found work as a traveling keynote speaker, which he attributed to Neuralink’s implant, which helped him write, research, and communicate online.“I can’t tell you how much hope and purpose this technology has provided me,” he wrote. “It’s only a matter of time before the implant is in dozens, then hundreds, then thousands of people.”Magazine: Crypto fans are obsessed with longevity and biohacking — Here’s why

U.S. House Committee Advances Stablecoin Bill, While Dems Warn of Trump Conflicts

Though many Democrats on the House Financial Services Committee voted with Republicans to move the bill, they raised flags about the Trump-tied stablecoin.

‘National emergency’ as Trump’s tariffs dent crypto prices

Crypto markets dipped after US President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency and sweeping tariffs on all countries as part of his latest salvo in the ongoing trade war. The Trump administration has hit all countries with a 10% tariff starting April 5, with some countries facing even larger rates, such as China facing a 34% tariff, the European Union 20%, and Japan 24%. During an April 2 speech in the Rose Garden at the White House, Trump said the US is charging countries “approximately half of what they are and have been charging us.”? @POTUS signs an Executive Order instituting reciprocal tariffs on countries throughout the world.It's LIBERATION DAY in America! pic.twitter.com/p7UnfE617B— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 2, 2025The crypto market briefly went up at the news of a 10% sweeping tariff,  but once the full scope became known, it dipped with bleeding across the board. Bitcoin (BTC) had been staging a rally, reaching a session high at $88,500 but dropped 2.6% back to around $82,876. Meanwhile, CoinGecko data shows Ether (ETH) dropped over 6% from $1,934 to $1,797 following the tariff announcements and the total crypto market cap dropped 5.3% to $2.7 trillion. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index, which measures market sentiment for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, returned a score of 25, classed as extreme fear, in its latest April 2 update. However, prices have clawed back some losses since. Bitcoin has recovered 0.8% to $83,205. While Ether regained 1.2% to take back $1,810.The crypto Fear & Greed Index score has returned an average rating of fear for the last week but has now dipped to extreme fear. Source: Alternative.meStock markets didn't fare much better; trading resource The Kobeissi Letter said in an April 2 post to X that the stock market index S&P 500 erased over $2 trillion in market cap, working out to be roughly $125 billion per minute.Trump tariffs could bring certainty to marketsRachael Lucas, a crypto analyst at Australian crypto exchange BTC Markets, said the brief surge was a case of “uncertainty relief,”  then a sell-off as the full tariff details were released. “On BTC Markets, trading volume surged 46% as local traders scrambled to reposition. Big players took profit on the spike, while smaller investors hesitated,” she said in a statement. Source: Daan Crypto TradesShe added that if China or the European Union “hit back hard,” expect another round of panic selling.US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged US trading partners in an April 2 interview with Bloomberg against taking retaliatory steps, arguing this is the high end of the number” for tariffs if they don't try to add more levies in response, which could provide a “ceiling” and certainty for markets.David Hernandez, a crypto investment specialist at crypto asset manager  21Shares, told Cointelegraph that markets experienced significant volatility during Trump’s speech, but the clarity could be a good thing in the long term. “Although the tariff rates were slightly higher than expectations, the announcement provided much-needed clarity on the scope and scale of the policy,” he said.Related: 70% chance of crypto bottoming before June amid trade fears: Nansen“Markets thrive on certainty, and with speculation now largely removed, institutional investors may see an opportunity over the coming days to take advantage of compressed valuations.”Hernandez says global responses will be key for the market going forward, speculating that Mexico and key East Asian economies, including China, South Korea, and Japan, could be evaluating countermeasures.Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again

Former New York governor advised OKX over $505M federal probe: Report

Cryptocurrency exchange OKX reportedly hired former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to advise it over the federal probe that resulted in the firm pleading guilty to several violations and agreeing to pay $505 million in fines and penalties.Cuomo, a New York-registered attorney, advised OKX on legal issues stemming from the probe sometime after August 2021 when he resigned as New York overnor, Bloomberg reported on April 2, citing people familiar with the matter.“He spoke with company executives regularly and counseled them on how to respond to the criminal investigation,” Bloomberg said.The Seychelles-based firm pled guilty to operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business in violation of US Anti-Money Laundering laws on Feb. 24 and agreed to pay $84 million worth of penalties while forfeiting $421 million worth of fees earned from mostly institutional clients.The breaches occurred from 2018 to 2024 despite OKX having an official policy preventing US persons from transacting on its crypto exchange since 2017, the Department of Justice noted at the time.A spokesperson for Cuomo, Rich Azzopardi, told Bloomberg that Cuomo has been providing private legal services representing individuals and corporations on a variety of matters since resigning as New York governor.“He has not represented clients before a New York city or state agency and routinely recommends former colleagues for positions,”  Azzopardi added.OKX reportedly wasn’t willing to comment on its relationships with outside firms.Cuomo also influenced OKX to make executive appointments: BloombergCuomo, who is now running for mayor of New York City, also advised OKX to appoint his friend US Attorney Linda Lacewell to OKX’s board of directors, Bloomberg said.Lacewell, a former superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services, was added to the board in 2024 and was named OKX’s new chief legal officer on April 1, according to a recent company statement.Source: Linda LacewellRelated: New York bill aims to protect crypto investors from memecoin rug pullsAfter the investigation concluded, OKX said it would seek out a compliance consultant to remedy the issues stemming from the federal probe and bolster its regulatory compliance program.“Our vision is to make OKX the gold standard of global compliance at scale across different markets and their respective regulatory bodies,” OKX CEO Star Xu said in a Feb. 24 X post.Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again

EY updates privacy L2 as nixed Tornado Cash sanctions ease fears

Big Four accounting firm EY, formerly Ernst & Young, has changed its enterprise-focused Ethereum layer-2 blockchain Nightfall to a zero-knowledge rollup design as it says corporate clients are more comfortable with privacy solutions with easing US sanctions.EY said in an April 2 announcement that Nightfall’s new source code, “Nightfall_4,” simplifies the network’s architecture and offers near-instant transaction finality on Ethereum while making it more accessible to users than its previous optimistic rollup-based version.EY’s global blockchain leader, Paul Brody, told Cointelegraph that switching to a ZK-rollup model “means instant finality, but it also makes operations simpler since you don’t need a challenger node to secure the network,” which verifies the correctness of transactions.The move away from optimistic rollups means Nightfall users won’t need to challenge potentially incorrect transactions on Ethereum and wait out the challenging period, leading to faster transaction finality.No such feature is present with zero-knowledge rollups, meaning that a transaction becomes final as soon as it is added into a Nightfall block, EY said. It is the fourth major update to Nightfall since EY launched the business-focused Ethereum layer 2 in 2019.Nightfall enables the firm’s business partners to transfer tokens privately using Ethereum’s security while being cheaper than the base network. It also uses a technology that binds a verified identity to a public key through digital signatures to try to stem counterparty risk.Nixed Tornado Cash sanctions “helped people feel comfortable”Brody said the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions on the crypto mixing service Tornado Cash “had a chilling effect on legitimate business user interest.”“Even though we long ago took steps to make Nightfall unattractive to bad actors, since it cannot be used anonymously, the removal of OFAC sanctions has really helped people feel comfortable that using a privacy technology will not be risky,” he added.Nightfall’s code is open source on GitHub but remains a permissioned blockchain for EY’s customer base, competing with the likes of the IBM-backed Hyperledger Fabric, R3 Corda and the Consensus-built Quorum.Brody said that EY’s blockchain team is working toward “a single environment that supports payments, logic, and composability.”Currently, the firm requires Nightfall and Starlight, a tool that can change smart contract code to enable zero-knowledge proofs “to enable complex multiparty business agreements under privacy,” he added.“We’ll spend some time supporting Nightfall_4 deployments initially,” Brody said. “Then we’ll move on to the development of Nightfall_5.”Magazine: What are native rollups? Full guide to Ethereum’s latest innovation

Kraken Secures Restricted Dealer Status in Canada Amid 'Turning Point' for Crypto in the Country

Trump imposes 10% tariff on all countries, reciprocal levies on trading partners

United States President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing reciprocal tariffs on trading partners and a 10% baseline tariff on all imports from all countries.The reciprocal levies on will be approximately half of what trading partners charge for US imports, Trump said. For example, China currently has a tariff of 67% on US imports, so US reciprocal tariffs on Chinese goods will be 34%. Trump also announced a standard 25% tariff on all automobile imports.Trump told the media that tariffs would return the country to economic prosperity seen in previous centuries:“From 1789 to 1913, we were a tariff-backed nation. The United States was proportionately the wealthiest it has ever been. So wealthy, in fact, that in the 1880s, they established a commission to decide what they were going to do with the vast sums of money they were collecting.”“Then, in 1913, for reasons unknown to mankind, they established the income tax so that citizens, rather than foreign countries, would start paying,” Trump said.Full breakdown of reciprocal tariffs by country. Source: CointelegraphTrump presented the tariffs through the lens of economic protectionism and hinted at returning to the economic policies of the 19th century by using them to replace the income tax.Related: Bitcoin rally to $88.5K obliterates bears as spot volumes soar — Will a tariff war stop the party?Trump proposes eliminating federal income tax and replacing it with tariff revenueTrump proposed the idea of abolishing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and funding the federal government exclusively through trade tariffs while still on the campaign trail in October 2024.According to accounting automation company Dancing Numbers, Trump's plan could save each American taxpayer $134,809-$325,561 in taxes throughout their lives.US President Donald Trump addresses the media about reciprocal trade tariffs at the April 2 press event. Source: Fox 4 DallasThe higher range of the tax savings estimate will only occur if other wage-based taxes are eliminated at the state and municipal levels.Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who assumed office in February, also voiced support for replacing the IRS with the “External Revenue Service.”Lutnick said that the US government cannot balance a budget yet consistently demands more from its citizens every year. Tariffs will also protect American workers and strengthen the US economy, he said.Magazine: Elon Musk’s plan to run government on blockchain faces uphill battle

US lawmakers press SEC for info about Trump family-backed crypto firm

Two Democratic lawmakers in the US Senate and House of Representatives have called on acting Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Mark Uyeda to preserve information regarding World Liberty Financial, the crypto firm backed by President Donald Trump’s family.In an April 2 letter, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Maxine Waters — ranking members of the Senate Banking Committee and House Financial Services Committee, respectively — asked Uyeda to provide information to Congress based on Trump’s ties to World Liberty Financial (WLFI). The two lawmakers suggested the SEC may be being influenced by the firm, and “this conflict of interest may be interfering with its mission to protect investors and maintain fair and orderly markets.”“The Trump family’s financial stake in World Liberty Financial represents an unprecedented conflict of interest with the potential to influence the Trump Administration’s oversight — or lack thereof — of the cryptocurrency industry, creating an obvious incentive for the Trump Administration to direct federal agencies, including the SEC, to take positions favorable to cryptocurrency interests that directly benefit the President's family,” said the letter.April 2 letter to acting SEC chair Mark Uyeda. Source: House Financial Services CommitteeThe letter came roughly a week after WLFI announced it had launched a stablecoin, USD1, on the BNB Chain and Ethereum blockchain. However, since January, Trump has followed through with several crypto policies and projects with potential conflicts of interest, including plans to establish a national cryptocurrency stockpile and the launch of a TRUMP memecoin.Related: Crypto has a regulatory capture problem in Washington — Or does it?According to Warren and Waters, Americans deserved transparency about Trump’s crypto ventures and how they could potentially influence policy at the SEC, a financial regulatory agency largely intended to be independent of the administration. The two called on Uyeda to preserve records and communications related to WLFI from Trump and his family, as well as communications with the SEC.“The American people deserve to know whether their financial markets are being regulated impartially or whether regulatory decisions are being made to benefit the President's family financial interests,” wrote the Democratic lawmakers.The letter reiterated arguments Waters made in an April 2 House Financial Services Committee hearing. The California lawmaker said that without oversight and accountability, Trump could install WLFI’s stablecoin for government payments and profit directly from his position as president. Many other lawmakers and financial experts across the political spectrum have expressed concern over Trump’s potential conflicts of interest with the crypto industry.SEC leadership under TrumpSince Trump appointed Uyeda as acting chair, the SEC has dropped investigations and enforcement actions into several crypto firms, including those with executives who contributed directly to the president’s 2024 campaign. Paul Atkins, Trump’s pick to chair the SEC after Uyeda, is expected to face a vote in the Senate Banking Committee on April 3. If Atkins’ nomination moves out of committee, the full chamber will decide whether to confirm him.Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions

Curve Finance clocks $35B trading volume in Q1 2025

Curve Finance, a decentralized lending protocol and exchange, notched record-breaking trading volumes of nearly $35 billion in the first quarter of 2025, a spokesperson for the protocol told Cointelegraph. Trading volumes increased more than 13% from the first quarter of 2024, largely due to a surge in transactions, from around 1.8 million to some 5.5 million in Q1 2025, Curve said. The strong Q1 volumes come amid overall declines in the cryptocurrency market, with the total market capitalization of cryptocurrencies dropping by more than 20% in the year-to-date as of March 31, according to data from CoinGecko.Curve’s total value locked (TVL) over time. Source: DefiLlamaRelated: Curve Finance launches ‘Savings crvUSD’ yield-bearing stablecoinChanging DeFi LandscapeLaunched in 2020, Curve has taken numerous steps in the past year to keep pace with the changing decentralized finance (DeFi) landscape.In June 2024, Curve adopted crvUSD, its stablecoin, for fee distribution to tokenholders, replacing an older model that paid holders in shares of the 3crv liquidity pool.In November, Curve partnered with Elixir, a blockchain network, to help onboard BlackRock’s tokenized money market fund, BUIDL, to DeFi. By the end of 2025, Curve plans to consolidate its lending markets into a single user interface and provide borrowers with more time to close positions before they are liquidated, it told Cointelegraph. Curve founder Michael Egorov said in March that he expects many decentralized exchanges (DEXs) to evolve into bespoke platforms for stablecoins pegged to various currency denominations. "Exchanges between stablecoins of different denominations like the euro, US dollar, and others are not yet properly solved. How to provide liquidity without losing money, but while earning a lot of money, is kind of an open question that I think will be solved soon,” Egorov said.Despite the rise in transactions, the total value locked (TVL) on Curve’s platform is approximately $1.8 billion as of April 2, according to data from DefILlama, down from highs of roughly $2.5 billion at the start of the year. Curve’s native token, Curve DAO (CRV), has a market capitalization of approximately $640 million at this writing, marking a more than 40% decline in the year-to-date, according to data from Cointelegraph.Related: BTC miners adopted ‘treasury strategy,’ diversified business in 2024: Report

Fidelity introduces retirement accounts with minimal-fee crypto investing

Fidelity, a financial services company with $5.9 trillion in assets under management, has introduced new retirement accounts that will allow Americans to invest in crypto nearly fee-free.The three accounts — a tax-deferred traditional IRA and two Roth IRAs (one is a rollover) — permit the buying and selling of Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), and Litecoin (LTC). While there are no fees to open or maintain the accounts, Fidelity charges a 1% spread on the execution price of crypto buy and sell transactions.The crypto IRAs are offered by Fidelity Digital Assets, a subsidiary of Fidelity that has traditionally offered institutional investors the opportunity to buy and sell crypto.The broadening of its client base may be another signal of the changing crypto landscape in the United States, which has seen the adoption of a strategic Bitcoin reserve and multiple companies, including stablecoin issuer Circle, filing for an initial public offering.Fidelity states that, for security, it holds the majority of its crypto in cold storage, which consists of crypto wallets not connected to the internet. Related: Bitcoin ETFs for retirement planning: A beginner’s guideBTC and ETH exposure already offered for retirement accountsWhile the direct purchase of cryptocurrencies in an IRA has never been strictly prohibited, few IRA providers have allowed such purchases, according to Investopedia. Therefore, Fidelity’s new IRAs may signal a change in the environment.Still, for enthusiasts of BTC and ETH, there have been other options since 2024, such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) of those corresponding coins.Since the debut of those ETFs, investors in the US have been able to gain exposure to crypto markets from their retirement accounts — depending on the brokerage. There has also been the rise of Bitcoin IRAs, which are self-directed retirement accounts that offer tax advantages.Some crypto companies offer digital-asset-specific IRAs like BitIRA, where individuals can add altcoins such as LTC to their retirement portfolios.The move to allow more Americans to invest crypto into retirement accounts may be gaining momentum. On April 1, Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville announced the reintroduction of a bill to allow Americans to add cryptocurrency to their 401(k)s. The process would involve scaling back regulations issued by the Department of Labor.Magazine: X Hall of Flame: Bitcoin will ‘start ripping’ as Trump’s polls improve — Felix Hartmann

The Protocol: Vana Introduces Token Standard for Data-Backed Assets

Ethereum price may have bottomed, but pro traders show little interest in buying ETH

Ether (ETH) price has risen 6.4% from its March 30 $1,768 low but the altcoin has struggled to regain the $2,000 level. Some traders believe that the downturn is partially connected to the deflating memecoin market, which, while not exclusive to the Ethereum network, significantly reduced activity across the decentralized applications (DApps) ecosystem and broader crypto space.Ether is currently 44% down year-to-date, and derivatives metrics indicate that traders are far from bullish and show little confidence in a strong recovery in the near term. Proof of this can be found in the premium on Ether futures relative to spot markets. While the figure rose to 4% on April 2, up from 2% on March 31, it is still below the neutral 5% threshold. This data indicates that Ether investors remain far from turning bullish, despite the strengthening support at the $1,800 price level.Ether 2-month futures annualized premium. Source: Laevitas.chTo assess whether whales and market makers lack confidence in Ether’s performance, one should analyze the ETH options market. Under neutral conditions, the 25% delta skew should be balanced between call (buy) and put (sell) options, typically ranging from -6% to 6%.Deribit ETH 30-day options 25% delta skew (put-call). Source: Laevitas.chThe Ether delta skew metric has retreated from the 9% level seen on March 31, yet the current 7% reading suggests that risk-aversion sentiment remains strong. The rising cost of hedging indicates that whales fear further downside for ETH, suggesting it may take longer for traders to regain confidence.Ethereum adoption remains strong despite DApps revenue dropIt’s easy to attribute much of Ether’s price decline to the 49% drop in Ethereum DApps revenue between January and March. However, while the reduced network activity limits the influx of new users and dampens overall demand for ETH, its advantages over traditional financial markets and its dominance in decentralized finance (DeFi) remain unchanged.The stablecoin holdings on Ethereum are nearing an all-time high of $124.5 billion, and Ethereum is still the undisputed leader, with $49 billion in total value locked (TVL). This data suggests significant potential for ETH adoption, particularly as new use cases emerge, such as structured products and more complex DeFi applications leveraging synthetic assets.Despite the early struggles of metaverse applications, declining interest in memecoins, and the sharp downturn in non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace activity, the Ethereum network continues to expand.ETH funding rate neutral as ETFs dampen retail trading enthusiasmInstead of focusing solely on how professional traders are positioned, it is also valuable to assess retail investors’ sentiment. Perpetual futures (inverse swaps) typically follow spot prices closely, as leverage imbalances are corrected through a fee known as the funding rate, which is charged every eight hours. In neutral markets, this rate fluctuates between 0.1% and 0.3% over a seven-day period.Ether 8-hour perpetual futures funding rate. Source: Laevitas.chThe ETH perpetual funding rate has been neutral since March 31, indicating that retail traders are not attempting to catch a falling knife. A key factor behind this lack of enthusiasm is the spot Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which saw $37 million in net outflows over the past two weeks.While derivatives data is often backward-looking and does not necessarily signal further ETH price declines, sentiment could shift quickly given the positive momentum from the Trump family’s World Liberty Financial investment in ETH and Eric Trump’s vocal support for Ether. For the time being, professional traders and retail investors remain cautious about ETH’s price outlook.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.

President Trump to Order 'Reciprocal Tariffs' to Begin at Midnight

Bitcoin rally to $88.5K obliterates bears as spot volumes soar — Will a tariff war stop the party?

Bitcoin price caught an unexpected bid by rallying to a session high at $88,500, but will the price gains be capped at a multimonth overhead resistance that is aligned with the 50-day moving average? Key points:Bitcoin extended its April. 1 gains as news that the Trump administration had not finalized its “Liberation Day” tariffs emerged. Israel, Mexico and India have already rolled back their tariffs on US imports or suggested that they will not do “tit for tat” tariffs in response to the expected April 2 US tariffs. Bitcoin (BTC) trades slightly below a 3-month descending trendline resistance where the price has consistentlybeen rejected during past rallies. Total market liquidations over the past 12-hour trading period have reached $145 million, with $69.4 million of the figure being Bitcoin shorts.  Data from Kingfisher, CoinGlass and Velo show short liquidations playing a role in today’s push above $88,500. Crypto market liquidations in the past 12-hours. Source. CoinGlass For the past few months, Bitcoin price has struggled to hold the gains accrued from rallies driven by leverage. Looking beyond futures markets, there are some positives that suggest that the market structure is slowly transitioning from bearish to bullish. As shown in the chart below, recent rallies were accompanied by a strong bid in the spot market and the return of the Coinbase Pro premium, leading some analysts to speculate that the shift was influenced by buying from Strategy and other companies focused on building Bitcoin reserves. Coinbase premium index. Source: CryptoQuantOver the last two weeks, GameStop, MARA, Metaplanet and Strategy all announced plans to buy more Bitcoin, with GameStop being on the verge of purchasing and Strategy actively adding to its BTC position. GameStop secures $1.5B for possible BTC purchase. Source: ArkhamIn the short-term, sustained spot buy volumes at Binance and Coinbase Pro, and the crypto and equities markets’ response to President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs are likely to be the most impactful factors that will influence the current bullish momentum seen in Bitcoin price.  Related: Bitcoin price on verge of breaking 10-week downtrend — Is $90K BTC next?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.

West Virginia&#039;s BTC reserve bill is &#039;freedom&#039; from a CBDC — State Senator

West Virginia’s Bitcoin (BTC) strategic reserve bill would give the state more sovereignty from the federal government and freedom from a potential central bank digital currency (CBDC), State Senator Chris Rose told Cointelegraph in an exclusive interview.“You hear these rumors that there are people at the federal government that will want to have a central bank digital currency,” Rose said. “And people don’t want that. People want decentralized currency. They want freedom.”The bill, introduced in February, seeks to allow the state treasury to invest up to 10% of public funds in precious metals like gold and silver, stablecoins, or any digital asset that has had a $750 million market capitalization or higher over the last 12 months. Currently, the only digital asset with such a market cap is Bitcoin.West Virginia State Senator Chris Rose. Source: CointelegraphRose, the bill's sponsor, said that the reason they decided on the market cap requirement was to allow the state to have exposure to cryptocurrency, but not to get trapped “in any things like memecoins.”Adopting Bitcoin on the state level would “give us a little more state sovereignty,” Rose added. “And I think that’s one reason why you see a lot of people who normally buy [Bitcoin] for themselves want to see their state government do the same.”He added that a 10% allocation of state funds would be a “good way to introduce [Bitcoin] to the state” while avoiding any fear from people who don’t understand digital assets. “It’s a good way to cap that where they feel comfortable, but also give us at least a decent exposure as well.”Bitcoin: “a very powerful” investment and freedom toolRose said that one of the roadblocks to getting the bill passed is fear, in particular among those who don't understand cryptocurrency. “Just like any other state, we have people who understand it. We also have people that don’t understand it, and people are always afraid of what they don’t know.”He added that “once they understand it, they realize it’s a very powerful investment tool and freedom tool for every one of us to adopt.”Excerpt of West Virginia Bitcoin reserve bill. Source: West Virginia LegislatureWest Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, who has envisioned a future state economy powered by crypto and other tech, won’t be a roadblock, Rose said. And the state treasurer, whom Rose consulted before introducing the bill, won’t either.However, according to WVNews, a West Virginia publication, some lawmakers and financial experts remain skeptical. Investing state funds into Bitcoin may be risky due to the asset’s volatility and price swings, which can cause financial instability and make Bitcoin a controversial choice for state investments.Although Bitcoin strategic reserve bills have been popping up in state legislatures around the United States, some bills have failed to pass or have scrapped key provisions, including some of those in traditionally conservative states.Currently, 47 strategic Bitcoin reserve bills have been introduced in 26 states according to Bitcoin Laws. While, in most of the states, the bills have only been introduced or referred to committees, some have made headway in three: Arizona, Oklahoma, and Texas.Related: Texas Senate passes Bitcoin strategic reserve billRose clarified that the 10% of state funds allocated to precious metals, stablecoins, or Bitcoin would be sourced from two key areas.“It would be the assets under the pensions fund and under the severance tax fund,” Rose said. “They would be able to divest some of those ETF funds into these assets. We wanted to keep it separate from the petty cash fund, which is day-to-day, just paying the bills of the state. We wanted to keep it to our longer-term assets,” he added.Magazine: X Hall of Flame, Benjamin Cowen: Bitcoin dominance will fall in 2025

DoubleZero protocol announces validator funding round

The DoubleZero Protocol, a blockchain infrastructure network aiming to multiply speeds and efficiency for distributed networks, announced a validator funding round to sell token-purchase agreements for its native token to prospective validators.Applications for the funding round will be accepted April 2-10 through the CoinList platform, marking its first public token sale in the United States since 2019. The round is only available to accredited investors.According to the protocol, only validators currently serving the high-throughput Solana, Celestia, Sui, Aptos, and Avalanche networks are eligible to apply.Interested parties are invited to submit bids declaring a per-unit token price and maximum budgets, which will be aggregated to determine the final sale price offered to the participating validators.A diagram of the DoubleZero validator funding round process. Source: CoinListIn a statement to Cointelegraph, Austin Federa, co-founder of the Double Zero protocol and former Strategy lead at the Solana Foundation, said:"The DoubleZero CoinList sale is a first-of-its-kind opportunity for the validators who are already securing the most performant and distributed blockchains. It opens access to infrastructure that will power the next generation of distributed systems.""This industry has seen huge investment and innovation at the top of the stack — it is time to revolutionize the physical infrastructure layer powering high-performance distributed systems,” Federa said in the statement.The funding round comes amid a recent uptick in capital fundraising from crypto firms and crypto venture capitalists — suggesting that the market has room to grow in 2025.Related: Crypto VC giant targets $1B for new funds, expects oversubscription — ReportDoubleZero protocol targets mainnet launch in the second half of 2025The DoubleZero Protocol is aiming to launch its mainnet during the second half of 2025 following a successful $28 million fundraising round completed in March.Crypto venture capital firms Multicoin Capital and Dragonfly Capital led the previous fundraising round.First page of the DoubleZero Protocol white paper. Source: DoubleZeroDoubleZero aims to increase the speed and communication of blockchain networks by using a dedicated network of fiber optics to provide the physical infrastructure for high-speed, low-latency blockchain connectivity.The focus on a dedicated fiber optic network for higher speeds is similar to the shift from dial-up internet that used 56K modems operating through 20th-century telecommunication infrastructure to broadband systems in the early 2000s.Magazine: Is measuring blockchain transactions per second (TPS) stupid in 2024? Big Questions

Bitcoin price on verge of breaking 10-week downtrend — Is $90K BTC next?

Bitcoin’s (BTC) price is off to a swift start in Q2, rallying by 5.53% to an intraday high of $87,333 on April 2. Currently, Bitcoin is emerging from a ten-week downtrend that began on Jan. 20 when the price peaked at $110,000. A decisive close above the trendline might lead to continued bullish momentum for Bitcoin in the coming days.Bitcoin 1-day chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBitcoin spot traders drive the rallyThroughout March, spot traders on Binance and Coinbase held opposite stances in the market. Binance traders were aggressive BTC sellers, while Coinbase showed significant spot bids around the $80,000 price level. This dynamic contributed to the sideways price action during the majority of March. Fast forward to April, and spot traders on major exchanges have collectively turned bullish over the past three days. Binance, Coinbase spot buyers data. Source: Aggr.tradeData from aggr.trade highlights that Coinbase and Binance spot bids are driving positive action for BTC. The buying pressure is particularly high on Coinbase, with spot bids increasing as high as $7.98 million over the past few hours. Likewise, Dom, a crypto markets analyst, pointed out that Bitcoin’s current rally is possibly due to Binance sellers tapering off. The analyst said, “BTC has been able to breathe ever since the Binance selling tapered off. We are even seeing some spot buying from them for the first time in over a week.”Related: Bitcoin breaks $86K as US tariff 'Liberation Day' risks 11% BTC price dipBitcoin flips key resistance at $84K to $85KFrom a technical perspective, Bitcoin has flipped an important resistance range between $84,000 and $85,000 into support. Likewise, the cryptocurrency has attained a bullish position above the 50-day, 100-day and 200-day exponentially moving averages (EMAs). Bitcoin 4-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewHowever, based on the external liquidity levels between $87,700 and $88,700, which formed the previous highs, BTC prices might struggle to break this range immediately. Consolidation between the green box (as illustrated in the chart) is likely a net positive, which might fuel BTC’s $90,000 retest for the first time since March 7. On the flip side, an immediate correction to the current support at $84,000 and $85,000 could possibly discourage bulls, and short sellers might take control of price action. Bullish invalidation could be on the cards if BTC price closes below $85,000 over the next few days. With markets bracing for further market volatility ahead of President Trump’s  “Liberation Day” tariffs, Bitcoin price is expected to react further during today’s White House press conference at 4 pm Eastern Time. Related: Bitcoin price can hit $250K in 2025 if Fed shifts to QE: Arthur HayesThis 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.

Hbar Foundation Teams Up With OnlyFans Founder for TikTok Bid: Reuters

HBAR Foundation joins OnlyFans founder startup to bid on TikTok

Zoop, the social app created by OnlyFans founder Tim Stokely, and the HBAR Foundation have reportedly submitted a bid to purchase the video-sharing app TikTok in the United States.According to an April 2 Reuters report, the HBAR Foundation and Zoop filed an intent to bid on TikTok with the Trump administration the previous week. The bid will follow others from major technology companies, including Amazon, Oracle, Microsoft, and Rumble, in an attempt to keep the video-sharing app’s services alive for US users.“Our bid for TikTok isn’t just about changing ownership, it’s about creating a new paradigm where both creators and their communities benefit directly from the value they generate,” Zoop co-founder RJ Phillips reportedly said.In 2024, the US Congress passed, and former President Joe Biden signed a bill into law that could potentially ban TikTok if the firm’s operations weren’t separated from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. The initial deadline for the sale of the company under the law was Jan. 19. After assuming office, President Donald Trump signed a 75-day extension for enforcement, pushing the potential TikTok sale until April 5.Cointelegraph reached out to the HBAR Foundation and Zoop but did not receive a response at the time of publication.This is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.

Wall Street Giant DTCC Unveils Tokenized Collateral Platform in Crypto Push

CDCROP: Business, technology, internet and network concept. Young guy working with a halogram screen sees the inscription: DTCC (Getty Images)

Pump.fun launches lending platform to finance memecoin buys

Pump.fun is launching a lending platform to enable users to buy memecoins and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with borrowed cryptocurrency, the Solana-based memecoin launchpad said. Dubbed Pump.Fi, the onchain lending protocol provides “immediate… financing for [any] digital asset,” Pump.fun said in an April 1 X post.According to Pump.fun, borrowers pay one-third up front and the rest over 60 days. In addition, Pump.Fi will create a marketplace for lenders to buy debt. The protocol did not specify how Pump.Fi — which doesn’t do credit checks — plans to ensure repayment of undercollateralized onchain loans. Pump.Fi will let users borrow to buy memecoins. Source: Pump.funRelated: Pump.fun launches own DEX, drops RaydiumCompetitive market Pump.fun has been grappling with a sharp drawdown in memecoin trading activity on Solana after several high-profile scandals — such as the LIBRA token’s disastrous launch — soured sentiment on memecoins among retail traders. Adding onchain lending has the potential to draw more liquidity into the space, which has seen trading volumes stabilize in recent weeks, according to data from Dune Analytics.Pump.fun has also been expanding its offerings to stay ahead of mounting competition from rival platforms.Raydium, Solana’s largest decentralized exchange (DEX) by volume, plans to roll out its own memecoin launchpad, LaunchLab. Other rival protocols — including Daos.fun, GoFundMeme, and Pumpkin — are also vying for a share of Solana’s memecoin market. Number of tokens successfully “bonding” on Pump.fun each day. Source: Dune AnalyticsOn March 20, Pump.fun launched its own DEX — known as PumpSwap — to replace Raydium as the final home for tokens that successfully bootstrap liquidity on Pump.fun.Switching to PumpSwap has streamlined PumpFun’s process for listing new tokens and cut costs for users, it said.PumpSwap also plans to start distributing a portion of trading fees to coin creators, according to Pump.fun co-founder Alon. The newly launched DEX has already captured a more than 10% share of Solana’s trading volumes and even overtaken Raydium — along with every other Solana app — in 24-hour fees, according to data from Dune Analytics and DefiLlama. On April 1, PumpSwap generated nearly $4 million in fees. Magazine: Help! My parents are addicted to Pi Network crypto tapper

Galaxy Secures UK Approval for License to Expand Derivatives Trading

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Lawmaker alleges Trump wants to replace US dollar with his stablecoin

California Representative Maxine Waters, ranking member of the US House Financial Services Committee, used her opening statement at a markup hearing to criticize President Donald Trump’s business and ethical entanglements with the crypto industry, including the launch of a stablecoin by a family-backed company.Addressing lawmakers at an April 2 hearing, Waters said Trump had used his position as president to leverage “multiple crypto schemes” for profit, including a US dollar-pegged stablecoin launched by World Liberty Financial (WLFI) — the firm backed by his family. The California lawmaker pointed to Trump’s memecoin launched in January, his plans to establish a national cryptocurrency stockpile, and “his own stablecoin,” referring to WLFI’s USD1 token launched in March.Rep. Maxine Waters addressing the House Financial Services Committee on April 2. Source: GOP Financial Services“With this stablecoin bill, this committee is setting an unacceptable and dangerous precedent, validating the president and his insiders’ efforts to write rules of the road that will enrich themselves at the expense of everyone else,” said Waters, adding:“Trump likely wants the entire government to use stablecoins from payments made by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, to Social Security payments, to paying taxes. And which coin do you think Trump would replace the dollar with? His own, of course.”Waters does not stand alone in her criticism of Trump’s crypto ventures, with many lawmakers and experts across the political spectrum suggesting potential conflicts of interest. Committee Chair French Hill, who spoke on stablecoins before Waters, also reportedly said that the Trump family’s involvement in the industry makes legislation “more complicated.”“If there is no effort to block the President of the United States of America from owning his stablecoin business [...] I will never be able to agree on supporting this bill, and I would ask other members not to be enablers,” said Waters. Related: Crypto has a regulatory capture problem in Washington — Or does it?Representative Bryan Steil, who introduced the Stablecoin Transparency and Accountability for a Better Ledger Economy, or STABLE Act, did not immediately address Waters’ concerns about Trump’s stablecoin but referred to establishing safeguards for consumers. Hill did not mention Trump in his opening statement but said there needed to be a “clear federal framework” for payment stablecoins.Crypto legislation moving through CongressThe committee will consider amendments to the STABLE Act, as well as bills to combat illicit finance using emerging financial technologies and blocking the US government from issuing a central bank digital currency, or CBDC. The markup hearing was a necessary step before the committee could vote on whether to advance the bills to the House of Representatives. Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions

FDUSD stablecoin depegs following claims made by Justin Sun

The First Digital US-dollar pegged stablecoin (FDUSD) depegged on April 2 following claims of insolvency from Tron network founder Justin Sun, who said that the issuer of the tokenized fiat equivalent, First Digital, is insolvent.First Digital responded to the claims by assuring users that the issuer is completely solvent and said that the dispute is with TrueUSD (TUSD), another stablecoin. The firm wrote in an April 2 X post:"Every dollar backing FDUSD is completely secure, safe and accounted for with US-backed Treasury Bills. The exact ISIN numbers of all of the reserves of FDUSD are set out in our attestation report and clearly accounted for."First Digital also indicated they would be taking legal action against Sun for making the claims on social media.FDUSD loses its dollar peg following online claims. Source: CoinMarketCapThis is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.

Price analysis 4/2: BTC, ETH, XRP, BNB, SOL, DOGE, ADA, TON, LINK, LEO

Bitcoin (BTC) bulls have pushed the price above the $87,000 level even as US trade tariffs are slated to kick in on April 2. Bitcoin may remain volatile in the near term, but analysts remain bullish for the long term.According to Fidelity analyst Zack Wainwright, Bitcoin is currently in an acceleration phase, which “can conclude with a sharp, dramatic rally” if history repeats itself. If that happens, Wainwright expects $110,000 to be the starting base of the next leg of the upmove.Crypto market data daily view. Source: Coin360BitMEX co-founder and Maelstrom chief investment officer Arthur Hayes said in a post that if the Federal Reserve pivots to quantitative easing, then Bitcoin could rally to $250,000 by year-end.Could Bitcoin break above the $89,000 overhead resistance, starting a rally in select altcoins? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.Bitcoin price analysisBitcoin has risen close to the resistance line, where the sellers are expected to pose a solid challenge.BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe flattening 20-day exponential moving average ($85,152) and the relative strength index (RSI) just above the midpoint signal the bears are losing their grip. That improves the prospects of a rally above the resistance line. If that happens, the BTC/USDT pair could climb to $95,000 and eventually to $100,000.Alternatively, if the price turns down sharply from the resistance line and breaks below $81,000, it will suggest that the bears are back in the driver’s seat. The pair may then tumble to $76,606.Ether price analysisEther (ETH) rebounded off the $1,754 support on March 31, signaling that the bulls are attempting to form a double-bottom pattern.ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe bears will try to stall the relief rally at the 20-day EMA ($1,965). If the price turns down from the 20-day EMA, the possibility of a break below $1,574 increases. The ETH/USDT pair may then collapse to $1,550.Contrarily, a break and close above the 20-day EMA opens the doors for a rise to the breakdown level of $2,111. If buyers pierce this resistance, the pair will complete a double-bottom pattern, starting a rally to the target objective of $2,468.XRP price analysisXRP’s (XRP) weak bounce off the crucial $2 support suggests a lack of aggressive buying by the bulls at the current levels.XRP/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThat heightens the risk of a break below $2. If that happens, the XRP/USDT pair will complete a bearish head-and-shoulders pattern. This negative setup could start a downward move to $1.27. There is support at $1.77, but it is likely to be broken.On the upside, a break and close above the 50-day SMA ($2.39) suggests solid buying at lower levels. The pair may then rally to the resistance line, where the bears are expected to mount a strong defense. A break and close above the resistance line signals a potential trend change.BNB price analysisBNB’s (BNB) recovery attempt stalled at the moving averages on April 1, indicating that the bears are selling on rallies.BNB/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe bears will try to strengthen their position by pulling the price below $587. If they can pull it off, the BNB/USDT pair could descend to the 50% Fibonacci retracement level of $575 and later to the 61.8% retracement of $559. The deeper the pullback, the greater the time needed for the pair to recover.A break above the moving averages is the first sign that the selling pressure has reduced. The pair may rally to $644 and then to $686, which is likely to attract sellers.Solana price analysisSolana (SOL) is getting squeezed between the 20-day EMA ($132) and the $120 support, signaling a possible range expansion in the short term.SOL/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIf the price breaks and closes above the 20-day EMA, it suggests that the buyers have overpowered the sellers. The SOL/USDT pair may rise to the 50-day SMA ($145) and, after that, to $180.This positive view will be invalidated in the near term if the price turns down from the moving averages and breaks below $120. That could pull the price to $110, where the buyers are expected to step in.Dogecoin price analysisDogecoin (DOGE) remains pinned below the 20-day EMA ($0.17), indicating that the bears continue to sell on minor rallies.DOGE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe first sign of strength will be a break and close above the 20-day EMA. The DOGE/USDT pair may climb to $0.21, which could act as a strong barrier. If buyers pierce the $0.21 resistance, the pair may rally to $0.24 and later to $0.29.Sellers are likely to have other plans. They will try to defend the moving averages and pull the price below $0.16. If they manage to do that, the pair could descend to the $0.14 support. A break and close below the $0.14 level may sink the pair to $0.10.Cardano price analysisBuyers are trying to push Cardano (ADA) back above the uptrend line, but the bears are likely to sell near the moving averages.ADA/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe downsloping 20-day EMA ($0.71) and the RSI just below the midpoint signal that bears have the edge. If the price turns down and breaks below $0.63, the ADA/USDT pair could plunge to $0.58 and thereafter to $0.50.Buyers will have to drive and maintain the price above the 50-day SMA ($0.75) to signal a potential trend change in the near term. The pair could rally to $0.84, which may act as a hurdle. Related: Is Bitcoin price going to crash again?Toncoin price analysisToncoin (TON) broke above the $4.14 resistance on March 1, but the bulls could not sustain the breakout.TON/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewA minor positive in favor of the bulls is that they have not allowed the price to slip much below $4.14. That increases the possibility of a break above the overhead resistance. The TON/USDT pair could rally to $5 and later to $5.50.The 20-day EMA ($3.71) is the critical support to watch out for on the downside. If the support cracks, it will signal that the bulls are losing their grip. The pair may slide to the 50-day SMA ($3.48) and then to $2.81.Chainlink price analysisChainlink (LINK) tried to rise above the 20-day EMA ($14.32) on April 1, but the bears held their ground.LINK/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewSellers will try to pull the price to the support line of the descending channel pattern, which remains the key short-term level to keep an eye on. If the price breaks below the support line, the LINK/USDT pair could descend to $10.If buyers want to prevent the downside, they will have to push and maintain the price above the 50-day SMA ($15.47). If they manage to do that, the pair could rally to $17.50 and subsequently to the resistance line.UNUS SED LEO price analysisUNUS SED LEO (LEO) turned down from the overhead resistance of $9.90 and plunged below the uptrend line on March 30.LEO/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewHowever, the bears could not sustain the lower levels, and the bulls pushed the price back into the triangle on April 1. The recovery is expected to face selling at the 20-day EMA ($9.60). If the price turns down from the 20-day EMA and breaks below the uptrend line, it increases the risk of a fall to $8.Instead, if the LEO/USD pair breaks above the 20-day EMA, it suggests that the markets have rejected the breakdown. A breakout and close above $9.90 will complete an ascending triangle pattern, which has a target objective of $12.04.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.

Most opportune time to buy Bitcoin? Now — Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan explains why

If you’ve ever wondered when is the right time to invest in Bitcoin (BTC), you won’t want to miss our latest interview with Matt Hougan. As the chief investment officer at Bitwise, Hougan provides an in-depth analysis, explaining why, from a risk-adjusted perspective, there has never been a more opportune time to buy Bitcoin.In our discussion, Hougan lays out a compelling argument: Bitcoin’s early days were filled with uncertainty — technology risks, regulatory threats, trading inefficiencies, and reputational concerns. Fast forward to today, and those risks have significantly diminished. The launch of Bitcoin ETFs, adoption by major institutional investors, and even the US government’s strategic Bitcoin reserve have all cemented its place in the global financial ecosystem. “Bitcoin is only 10% of gold. So just to match gold, which I think is just a stopping point on its long-term journey, it has to ten-x from here,” he said. But that’s just the beginning. Hougan also touches on Bitcoin’s long-term price potential, why institutional adoption is about to accelerate, and how market fundamentals could push Bitcoin to new heights. “There's just too much structural long-term demand that has to come into this market against a severely limited new supply,”  he said.Watch the full interview now on our YouTube channel, and don’t forget to subscribe!

First Digital to 'Pursue Legal Action' Over Justin Sun Allegations as FDUSD Drops

Bitcoin miner Bitfarms secures up to $300M loan from Macquarie

Bitfarms, a global computer infrastructure company known for its Bitcoin mining operations, has entered into a $300 million loan agreement with Macquarie Group to finance the development of its high-performance computing (HPC) data centers.According to an April 2 announcement, Macquarie’s private debt facility will provide $50 million in initial funding for Bitfarms’ Panther Creek data center project in Pennsylvania. The remaining $250 million will be released once Bitfarms achieves “specific development milestones at its Panther Creek location,” the announcement said.Once developed, Panther Creek will have a nearly 500-megawatt capacity fueled by several power sources. Panther Creek “will be sought after by HPC tenants once construction of the project is underway,” said Joshua Stevens, an associate director at Macquarie Group. Source: BitfarmsThe project is being delivered at a time when AI applications are fueling growing demand for new sources of computational power and data storage capacity. Bitcoin miners are rushing to fill the void — and to secure reliable revenue streams for themselves in a post-halving environment. However, Bitfarms disclosed in its recent quarterly report that it continues to face “regulatory challenges in expanding its energy capacity,” with the approval timeline ranging from 12 to 36 months. In the meantime, Bitfarms expects its $125 million acquisition of Stronghold Digital Mining to do much of the heavy lifting in providing additional capacity, CEO Ben Gagnon told investors.Related: Bitfarms sells Paraguay site to Hive for $85M, refocuses on USAmid industry pressure, miners are HODLing Bitfarms mined 654 Bitcoin (BTC) in the final quarter of 2024 at an average all-in cash cost of $60,800. Like other miners, Bitfarms has elected to retain a significant portion of its mined Bitcoin. Industry data shows it currently holds 1,152 BTC on its books, placing it among the top 25 publicly traded Bitcoin investors.Miners like Hive Digital have doubled down on their long-term Bitcoin “hodl” strategy as a way to bolster their balance sheet. The company’s Bitcoin holdings have swelled to 2,620 BTC. Meanwhile, MARA Holdings has accumulated 46,374 BTC and has announced plans for a $2 billion stock offering to acquire more Bitcoin. Source: Frank HolmesLike Bitfarms, Hive Digital, Core Scientific, Hut8 and Bit Digital have also made a strategic pivot toward AI and HPC.Hive executives told Cointelegraph that the company has repurposed a portion of its Nvidia GPUs for such tasks. They said AI applications can generate more than $2.00 per hour in revenue, compared to just $0.12 per hour for crypto mining activities. Related: BTC miners adopted ‘treasury strategy,’ diversified business in 2024: Report

Avalanche's AVAX Could Rise 10-Fold by 2029: Standard Chartered

Sentient open-source AI search outperforms GPT-4o and Perplexity

Sentient, an artificial intelligence development platform backed by Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund, has released an open-source AI search framework that it says outperforms leading closed-source competitors.The company announced the public release of Open Deep Search (ODS) on April 2, describing it as a high-performance, developer-friendly alternative to platforms like Perplexity AI and OpenAI’s GPT-4o.Sentient’s ODS aims to empower developers with open-source “Loyal AI” models, which Sentient says preserve the original intent of their developers.The firm’s fingerprinting technology allows developers to protect intellectual property while maintaining model openness — aiming to solve the biggest issue of open-source AI, the challenges of monetizing a model without centralization.“AI should belong to the community, not controlled by closed-source corporations,” according to Himanshu Tyagi, co-founder of Sentient and professor at the Indian Institute of Science.“We’re building, monetizing and delivering open-source AI with a key principle in mind: singularity in intelligence but plurality in use cases,” he added. ”Open-source development ensures performance and user control that closed systems simply cannot match.”Related: Crypto trader turns $2K PEPE into $43M, sells for $10M profitSentient’s ODS outperforms ChatGPT, PerplexitySentient’s ODS scored 75.3% accuracy on the “Frames” benchmark, which measures factuality, retrieval and reasoning capabilities, used to answer complex “multi-hop questions” that require the integration of multiple sources.ODS surpassed OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4o Search Preview’s 50.5% and the Perplexity Sonar Reasoning Pro, which scored 44.4%. To prevent potential bias, Sentient ensured that its researchers didn’t have access to the Frames testing sets during the benchmarking process.Dobby NFT mint. Source: Sentient“Independent verification is only needed for closed-source solutions because open-source solutions have no incentive to falsely report the evaluations,” Tyagi said, adding:“Anyone with a computer can run our code, reproduce our results, and verify whether it is correct or not. The numbers reported can be reproduced using the repo's eval section by anyone and thus are globally verifiable.”The ODS release follows growing interest in Sentient’s platform. The firm said it amassed more than 1.8 million waitlist registrations in the lead-up to the launch.Related: $1T stablecoin supply could drive next crypto rally — CoinFund’s PakmanA turning point for open-source AIThe release of Sentient’s new open-source search framework comes amid a tipping point for open-source AI development.“We’re witnessing a significant shift as open-source AI solutions increasingly challenge closed-source dominance,” Tyagi said.“Examples such as DeepSeek’s advancements in reasoning, Manus’s innovations with agents, and now our own contributions to ODS with advanced AI search frameworks highlight this shift,” he added.“Open-source models can easily outperform closed-source giants with the right architecture,” said Sewoong Oh, Sentient’s lead researcher and professor at the University of Washington. “The results of these benchmarks validate our mission to create an open ecosystem that benefits all AI builders and users.”The launch also builds on Sentient’s earlier momentum. In February, the firm completed one of the largest NFT minting campaigns to date, with more than 650,000 participants gaining fractional ownership of its AI models.Magazine: ‘Chernobyl’ needed to wake people to AI risks, Studio Ghibli memes: AI Eye

Solana's Jupiter Buys DRiP Haus, DeFi Exchange's First NFT Play

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Bitcoin ETFs Could See $3B in Q2 Inflows Even Without Price Recovery, Says Analyst

Institutional investors could pour up to $3 billion into the spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds in Q2. (Getty Images)

SMBC, Ava Labs, Fireblocks sign MoU for stablecoin framework in Japan

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMBC), a Japanese banking and financial services conglomerate, along with business systems firm TIS Inc, Ava Labs — the developer of the Avalanche network — and digital asset infrastructure company Fireblocks, have signed an agreement to explore a framework for commercializing stablecoins in Japan.Under a Memorandum of Understanding, the companies will focus on developing strategies around issuing and circulating stablecoins pegged to the US dollar and Japanese yen, according to a joint announcement.Additionally, the collaboration will explore stablecoins as a settlement mechanism for tokenized real-world assets such as stocks, bonds, and real estate.Stablecoins continue to be a major focus of crypto regulatory frameworks worldwide, and one of the sectors venture capitalists are eyeing in 2025 as nation-states push stablecoins to the forefront of their digital asset strategies.Stablecoin total market overview. Source: RWA.XYZRelated: Stablecoins, tokenized assets gain as Trump tariffs loomStablecoins become central to US digital asset policySpeaking at the White House Crypto Summit on March 7, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that comprehensive stablecoin regulation was central to President Donald Trump’s stated goal to become the worldwide leader in crypto.Bessent said stablecoins would help protect US dollar hegemony in global markets by expanding the use and scope of the dollar across the world.Centralized overcollateralized stablecoins rely on short-term US Treasury instruments and fiat money held in banks to back the value of the tokenized real-world assets.According to Paolo Ardoino, the CEO of stablecoin issuer Tether, the company is now the seventh-largest buyer of US Treasury bills, beating out sovereign countries such as France, Singapore, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.Stablecoin issuer Tether is now the seventh-largest buyer of US Treasury bills. Source: Paolo ArdoinoStablecoin issuers like Tether and Circle accumulate the yield from holding US debt instruments as part of their profit from issuing tokenized fiat assets to buyers.Recently, calls to share stablecoin yield with customers have escalated, with industry leaders like Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong proposing that stablecoin laws change in the US to allow firms to distribute yield to clients onchain.US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand disagreed with those proposals and warned against stablecoin issuers sharing yield with clients, arguing that it would displace the banking industry and disrupt home mortgage loans, small business loans, and local bank lending.Magazine: Unstablecoins: Depegging, bank runs and other risks loom

Crypto's Fairshake Notches Latest Wins in Florida Congressional Races

Crypto PAC Fairshake (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk)

As markets sold off late Wednesday, President Trump touted the domestic investments from Big Tech as companies like Apple (AAPL), Nvidia (NVDA), and others pledge billions to expand their respective … [+1679 chars]

US stock futures plunged after President Donald Trump announced 10% tariff on all US trading partners, sending shockwaves through markets and the global...

Yahoo Entertainment

Stock market today: Nasdaq futures lead stock plunge, Dow drops 1,000 points as Trump's punishing tariffs rip through markets

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Stock market today: S&P 500, Nasdaq set to tank, Dow to drop over 1,000 points as Trump's tariffs rip through markets worldwide

The reaction to President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs announcement didn't take long to hit the United States stock market, with Dow Futures plummeting over 1,000 points by Wednesday evening.
The… [+2469 chars]

The reaction to Trump's sweeping tariffs announcement didn't take long to hit the U.S. stock market, with Dow Futures plummeting over 1,000 points by Wednesday evening.

ABC News

US stock futures plummet in the wake of Trump's tariffs announcement

ALISO VIEJO, Calif., April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (NASDAQ: RXST)  RxSight, Inc., an ophthalmic medical device company dedicated to providing high-quality customized vision to patients following… [+7802 chars]

ALISO VIEJO, Calif., April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (NASDAQ: RXST) – RxSight, Inc., an ophthalmic medical device company dedicated to providing high-quality customized vision to patients following cataract surgery, today announced select preliminary reven…

GlobeNewswire

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The Trump administration is charging baseline sweeping tariffs of 10 percent, but CUSMA-compliant goods are tariff-free
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The Trump administration is charging baseline sweeping tariffs of 10 percent, but CUSMA-compliant goods are tariff-free.

Financial Post

Four things to know about Trump’s big tariff announcement, and what comes next

Asia-Pacific markets plunged on Thursday, after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed hefty reciprocal tariffs on over 180 countries and territories - several of which are in the region.
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The White House told CNBC’s Eamon Javers that the true tariff rate on Beijing under this Trump term is 54%.

CNBC

Asia markets live: Stocks set to fall

SAN DIEGO, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robbins Geller Rudman &amp; Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ: APP) securities between May 10, 2023 and Feb… [+4161 chars]

SAN DIEGO, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ: APP) securities between May 10, 2023 and February 25, 2025, inclusive (the “Class Period”), have until Monda…

APP INVESTOR DEADLINE: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP Announces that AppLovin Corporation Investors with Substantial Losses Have Opportunity to Lead Investor Class Action Lawsuit

US stocks plunged in after-hours trading Wednesday as investors digested President Donald Trumps decision to impose sweeping tariffs that could escalate a growing trade war and upend the global econo… [+2997 chars]

Wall Street had hoped for a rally. Stock futures are in a free fall as investors digest President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.

Stock futures plunge as investors digest Trump’s tariffs | CNN Business

NEW YORK, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mesoblast (Nasdaq:MESO; ASX:MSB), global leader in allogeneic cellular medicines for inflammatory diseases, today provided an update on its plans to meet … [+7343 chars]

NEW YORK, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mesoblast (Nasdaq:MESO; ASX:MSB), global leader in allogeneic cellular medicines for inflammatory diseases, today provided an update on its plans to meet with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to…

Mesoblast Files Request for Type B Meeting with FDA to Discuss Accelerated Approval Pathway for Revascor® in Ischemic Heart Failure

On Liberation Day, President Trump announced a series of broad tariffs that will hit each country differently and market experts said they had more questions than answers following his hotly anticipa… [+147 chars]

On “Liberation Day,” President Trump announced a series of broad tariffs that will hit each country differently and market experts said they had more questions than answers following his hotly anticipated Rose Garden address. Ahead of the announcement, the S&…

Biztoc.com

Trump claims his tariffs are ‘kind’ to other countries. In America, consumers will ‘feel the pinch quite quickly,’ top economist says

President Donald Trump on Wednesday afternoon announced a raft of new tariffs, including a universal tariff on all imports, as he seeks to reshape the global economy and right perceived economic wron… [+5646 chars]

President Donald Trump rolled out his tariffs package that aims to reshape the global economy and try to force manufacturing back to the U.S.

Newsweek

Donald Trump Tariffs: Three Takeaways from Liberation Day Announcement

CNBC host Jon Fortt called Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs “worse than worst-case scenario” as he watched their plummeting effect on the market happen in real-time.
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"I've never seen anything like it," host Jon Fortt says
The post CNBC Calls Trump Tariffs ‘Worse Than Worst-Case Scenario’ as Markets Drop Live On-Air | Video appeared first on TheWrap.

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