Alternative News for You

by Cointelegraph by Turner Wright on April 2, 2025 at 10:15 pm

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

by Meghan Dansie and Emily Dobson on April 2, 2025 at 10:12 pm

Glencore has confirmed that it will close its Mount Isa Mines' copper underground operation in 12 weeks' time, affecting about 500 jobs directly.

by Cointelegraph by Cointelegraph on April 2, 2025 at 10:00 pm

Today in crypto, First Digital’s stablecoin depegged after Justin Sun’s claims of insolvency. Meanwhile, VanEck became the first company to propose a potential BNB exchange-traded fund in the United States and stablecoin issuer Circle filed for a public listing on Wall Street. FDUSD stablecoin depegs following insolvency claims by Justin SunThe 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 they are completely solvent and said that FDUSD is still fully backed and redeemable with the US dollar on a 1:1 basis.The firm also said that the ongoing 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. "This is a typical Justin Sun smear campaign to try to attack a competitor to his business," spokespeople for First Digital wrote.FDUSD loses dollar peg: Source: CoinMarketCapVanEck eyes BNB ETF with latest Delaware trust filingInvestment company VanEck filed to register a Delaware trust company for an exchange-traded fund (ETF) tracking Binance-linked BNB cryptocurrency.VanEck, on March 31, registered a new entity under the name VanEck BNB ETF in Delaware, according to public records on the official Delaware state website.VanEck BNB ETF trust registration in Delaware. Source: Delaware.govIn filing 10148820, the entity is registered as a trust corporate service company in Delaware, hinting at a potential spot BNB (BNB) ETF in the United States.Circle files for Initial Public Offering planned for AprilUSDC (USDC) stablecoin issuer Circle Internet Group filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1 to go public later this month on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “CRCL.”Its Form S-1 registration statement didn’t detail the number of shares it would offer or what its initial public offering target price would be, but it did shed some light on the firm’s financials.The filing shows Circle’s revenue last year was $1.67 billion in revenue for 2024, a 16% year-on-year bump, while its 2024 net income was $155.6 million — a 41.8% fall from 2023.Circle’s financials over the last three years ended Dec. 31. Source: SECOver 99% of Circle’s revenue in 2024 came from its stablecoin reserves. The company issues the second-largest stablecoin by market cap behind only Tether (USDT) and generates part of its income by holding yield-bearing Treasury bills.Circle attempted to go public via a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) merger in 2021— which it abandoned in December 2022 — and again in January 2024 via a confidential filing with the SEC.

by Cointelegraph by Alex O’Donnell on April 2, 2025 at 9:54 pm

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

by Cointelegraph by Christopher Tepedino on April 2, 2025 at 9:44 pm

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 

by Jake Evans on April 2, 2025 at 9:42 pm

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australians have "every right" to view US President Donald Trump's tariffs as undermining the relationship, warning the country has powers to take the United States to court over the trade punishments.

by Amelia Bernasconi on April 2, 2025 at 9:22 pm

Australia will be subject to a 10 per cent reciprocal tariff and while Donald Trump is signalling big impacts on Australian beef, he is yet to detail just how large the tariff will be.

by Nicolas Perpitch on April 2, 2025 at 9:18 pm

The WA government's move to hold a special inquiry backed by all the major parties into the management of the March state election shows what's a stake — public trust in the democratic process.

by Cointelegraph by Marcel Pechman on April 2, 2025 at 9:15 pm

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.

by Grace Nakamura on April 2, 2025 at 9:05 pm

In a reprieve for weather-weary Queenslanders rainfall is set to ease, but floodwaters will linger for days at least as graziers start to calculate the full extent of livestock losses.

by Nikki Sorbello on April 2, 2025 at 9:00 pm

Despite anecdotal sightings of quolls, months of camera trapping surveys failed to find any evidence of the animals across more than 100,000 hectares of land in Queensland.

on April 2, 2025 at 8:58 pm

The US will place tariffs of at least 10 per cent on foreign imports from Saturday, after President Donald Trump finally unveiled his long-awaited "liberation day" trade policy.

by Grace Atta and Isabella Tolhurst on April 2, 2025 at 8:46 pm

Darwin, Australia's smallest capital city, has been ranked the country's second-most-expensive place to rent a house, along with Canberra. A local shelter says the city is in desperate need of more affordable housing.

on April 2, 2025 at 8:27 pm

Josh Hazlewood is the target of Jos Buttler's power hitting as Gujarat Titans easily chase down a target against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.

by Tavleen Singh on April 2, 2025 at 8:26 pm

The Victorian government has tasked councils with approving native timber logging projects for private land, creating a loophole that allows harvesting despite a statewide ban.

by Cointelegraph by Big Smokey on April 2, 2025 at 8:22 pm

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.

by Charmayne Allison on April 2, 2025 at 8:18 pm

Since they met on the set of Top Gun in 1986 as bitter fictional rivals, Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer have shared a close friendship.

by Cointelegraph by Christopher Tepedino on April 2, 2025 at 8:15 pm

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

on April 2, 2025 at 8:02 pm

Daria Kasatkina, Australia's newest tennis star, overcomes the stress of switching allegiances in a straight-sets win.

by Sarah Lawrence and Shannon Schubert on April 2, 2025 at 7:55 pm

A customer suffering a severe reaction to a skincare balm says she warned Kmart a month before a teen was hospitalised.

by Molly Slattery on April 2, 2025 at 7:43 pm

Study calls for for state and federal leaders to help home owners future-proof their properties before they're lost entirely. 

by Kate McKenna on April 2, 2025 at 7:41 pm

Two-year-old Kaydence Mills was killed by her stepfather Tane Desatge at Chinchilla on the Western Downs in 2017 — just months after child protection services returned her to her biological mother, Sinitta Dawita.

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 2, 2025 at 7:40 pm

The DoubleZero Protocol, a blockchain infrastructure network aiming to multiply speeds and efficiency for distributed networks, announced a validator token sale to sell token-purchase agreements for its native token to prospective validators.Applications for the sale 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 token-purchase agreement 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 most recent 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

by Will Murray, Claudia Williams, and Bridget Walker on April 2, 2025 at 7:38 pm

Shincheonji calls itself a religious organisation based on the teachings of the Bible, but former members say there is a much darker side — one that consumes its members' lives, controls their movements and uses threats of divine retribution to prevent them from leaving.

by Cointelegraph by Biraajmaan Tamuly on April 2, 2025 at 7:25 pm

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.

by Tim McGlone and Duncan Bailey on April 2, 2025 at 7:24 pm

After trespassers vandalised Koonalda Cave on the Nullarbor Plain a round-the-clock surveillance system was installed to help protect the nationally significant heritage site.

by Tom Saunders and Tyne Logan on April 2, 2025 at 7:21 pm

An AI forecast about ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred's path was far more accurate than leading weather models used by meteorological organisations.

by Anna Kelsey-Sugg on April 2, 2025 at 7:19 pm

An impressive exhibition full of hundreds of flowers — painted, sculpted and woven into dresses — makes a powerful point about our connection to the environment, and the value of slowing down to appreciate it.

by Sohani Goonetillake on April 2, 2025 at 7:13 pm

The frenzy to create Ghibli-style art using ChatGPT has sparked a heated debate about the ethical concerns of AI-generated art, copyright issues and the future livelihoods of artists.

by Scout Wallen on April 2, 2025 at 7:09 pm

Hobart seafood business Mures Tasmania stops serving Tasmanian salmon in its restaurant due to "concerns" over industry practices, which have drawn national attention in recent months.

by Rachael Merritt on April 2, 2025 at 7:04 pm

Despite the growing number of adult female prisoners across Australia, advocates say there are few gender-specific support services to help them transition back into the community.

by Jessica Longbottom and Ben Butler on April 2, 2025 at 7:02 pm

Jim* moved into an apartment rented by a disability company linked to suspected NDIS fraudster Khawaja Haroon. He's now facing homelessness and has paid thousands of dollars of his NDIS funding for services he didn't receive. 

by David Speers on April 2, 2025 at 7:00 pm

The opposition leader is trying to talk to two audiences: the pro-Trump supporters on his right flank, and the Trump-anxious voters in the middle. 

by Geraldine Fela on April 2, 2025 at 7:00 pm

Former prime minister John Howard has always downplayed involvement in the waterfront dispute, but new evidence raises more questions about the government's knowledge of the events leading up to it. 

by Cointelegraph by Turner Wright on April 2, 2025 at 6:59 pm

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 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.Posting the TikTok logo on its X account on April 2, hinting at a bid to purchase the company. Source: HBAR FoundationIn 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 to April 5.The HBAR Foundation is an organization working with Hedera (HBAR), which had a market capitalization of more than $7.3 billion at the time of publication. Cointelegraph reached out to the foundation and Zoop regarding the TikTok deal but did not receive a response by the time of publication.Related: Reddit co-founder trying to buy TikTok and bring it ‘on chain’It’s unclear how Trump intends to proceed with the sale or ban of TikTok. He could sign another extension to delay enforcement of the law, but only an act of Congress could countermand it.The US president planned to announce sweeping tariffs against unnamed countries at 4:00 pm ET, shaking up markets. Since Trump took office on Jan. 20, the price of Bitcoin (BTC) has dropped under $100,000 to reach $86,927 at the time of publication.Magazine: Dorsey’s ‘marketplace of algorithms’ could fix social media… so why hasn’t it?

by Cointelegraph by Turner Wright on April 2, 2025 at 5:27 pm

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

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 2, 2025 at 5:17 pm

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 they are completely solvent and said that FDUSD is still fully backed and redeemable with the US dollar on a 1:1 basis.The firm also said that the ongoing 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. "This is a typical Justin Sun smear campaign to try to attack a competitor to his business," spokespeople for First Digital wrote.FDUSD loses dollar peg: Source: CoinMarketCapRelated: SMBC, Ava Labs, Fireblocks sign MoU for stablecoin framework in JapanProof of reserves: the answer to FUD, runs on the bank, and depegging?Proof-of-reserve audits are onchain cryptographic verifications that a custodian, crypto firm, or stablecoin issuer has the digital assets it claims to hold.These proof-of-reserve audits use zero-knowledge tech and Merkle Trees — a data structure used to verify onchain information — as an alternative to audit reports or attestations widely used in the crypto industry.Despite proof-of-reserve technology not yet tracking liabilities against reserves, the system promises to be better than the current system of audits that do not use real-time, onchain data.First Digital’s audit report of reserves as of Feb. 28, 2025. Source: First DigitalTal Zackon, founder of the Tres Finance auditing and reporting platform, previously told Cointelegraph that current attestations and third-party audit reports only represent "snapshots" of reserves that can be manipulated, exploited, or misconstrued.Stablecoin issuers will likely need to adopt proof-of-reserve tools as the tokenized fiat equivalents become more integrated into global capital markets and critical financial infrastructure such as stock exchanges, escrow services, and clearinghouses.This integration will require stablecoin issuers to provide up-to-date, real-time data, which may need to be updated several times per minute as opposed to the monthly audit reports that are typically released by firms to attest to asset reserves.Magazine: Justin Sun reignites HTX feud, India reconsiders crypto hate: Asia Express

by Cointelegraph by Rakesh Upadhyay on April 2, 2025 at 5:06 pm

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.

by Cointelegraph by Marco Castrovilli on April 2, 2025 at 5:00 pm

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!

by Cointelegraph by Sam Bourgi on April 2, 2025 at 4:43 pm

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

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 2, 2025 at 4:00 pm

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

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 2, 2025 at 3:44 pm

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

by Cointelegraph by William Suberg on April 2, 2025 at 3:09 pm

Bitcoin (BTC) reached new April highs at the April 2 Wall Street open as markets braced for US “Liberation Day.”BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBitcoin teases breakout in US tariff countdownData from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed local highs of $86,444 on Bitstamp, the best performance for BTC/USD since March 28.Volatility remained in the run-up to US President Donald Trump announcing a sweeping round of reciprocal trade tariffs.The measures would be unveiled in an address from the White House Rose Garden at 4 pm Eastern Time, with Trump then holding a press conference.While US stocks traded slightly down after the open, Bitcoin managed to claw back lost ground, acting in a key area of interest filled with long-term trend lines.As Cointelegraph reported, these include various simple (SMA) and exponential (EMA) moving averages, among them the 200-day SMA — a classic bull market support line currently lost.  BTC/USD 1-day chart with 200 SMA. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIn his latest observations, popular trader and analyst Rekt Capital made additional reference to the 21-week and 50-week EMAs.“The consolidation between the two Bull Market EMAs continues. However, the 21-week EMA (green) represents lower prices as it declines,” he wrote in a post on X alongside an illustrative chart.“This week the green EMA represents $87650. The declining nature of this EMA will make it easier for $BTC to breakout.”BTC/USD 1-week chart with 21, 50 EMA. Source: Rekt Capital/XRekt Capital flagged more bullish news in the making, thanks to BTC/USD attempting to break out of an extended downtrend on daily timeframes.He confirmed:“Bitcoin is one Daily Candle Close above & retest of the Downtrend away from breaking out into a new technical uptrend.”BTC/USD 1-day chart. Source: Rekt Capital/XLast month, Bitcoin’s daily relative strength index (RSI) metric broke free from its own downtrend that had been in place since November 2024.Analysis warns $76,000 BTC price may returnContinuing on the macro picture, however, trading firm QCP Capital was uninspired.Related: Bitcoin sales at $109K all-time high 'significantly below' cycle tops — GlassnodeRisk assets, it told Telegram channel subscribers on the day, were likely to “remain under pressure” following the tariffs announcement.“In crypto, sentiment remains broadly subdued. BTC continues to trade without conviction, while ETH is holding the line at $1,800 support. Across the board, crypto markets are showing signs of exhaustion with numerous coins down 90% YTD, with some shedding over 30% in the past week,” it summarized. “Without a material shift in macro or a compelling catalyst, we don't expect a meaningful reversal. While light positioning could support a grind higher, we're not chasing any upside moves until the broader macro picture improves.”Previous tariff moves in Q1 almost unanimously delivered downward BTC price reactions.Other industry participants were more hopeful, including asset management firm Swissblock, which argued that “no sign of an imminent collapse” occurred on Bitcoin.“Will $BTC hold as a hedge, or follow TradFi into a pullback?” it queried in an X thread on March 31, describing BTC price action as being “at a crossroads.”Bitcoin price momentum chart. Source: Swissblock/XSwissblock saw the potential for a return to $76,000 multimonth lows in the event of a negative reaction — a drop of 11% versus current levels.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.

by Cointelegraph by James Strudwick on April 2, 2025 at 3:00 pm

Opinion by: James Strudwick, executive director, Starknet FoundationThe outlook surrounding the use of new technologies has shifted in Washington. Tesla CEO and presidential adviser Elon Musk’s proposition to incorporate blockchain technology into the US Treasury has placed blockchain and its use for state finances at the forefront of the global debate. According to Musk, much of this drive is rooted in the concern over the unsustainability of current government spending. With its immutable ledgers and transparent audit trails, blockchain is waiting in the wind, offering a potential solution to managing vast public finances. Musk advocates for a unified information system that can track real-time payments, credentials and government resources, spurring a debate within the fintech community about the pros and cons of introducing such a tool at the government level. The idea is compelling, as the description on the blockchain tin effectively promises accountability, traceability and streamlined operations. The shift here, namely to a blockchain-powered government infrastructure, presents several challenges that may prove to be beyond what the new administration has expected thus far.Blockchain as state appendage A concern for stakeholders orbiting the blockchain world revolves around the sheer scale of government operations. Every day, the US government handles thousands of transactions across various departments. The feasibility of Musk’s vision is put into question simply as a result of its own complexity. The provable security that blockchain technology must offer while handling millions of daily transactions without buckling under the load to succeed at this scale is enormous.A proposed solution by Musk is a hybrid model that uses “Validium” zero-knowledge rollups. The speed and efficiency of modern ZK-rollups, which can handle hundreds of millions of transactions daily, have the potential to make sure each citizen’s share of government transactions is intact and verifiable. The technology’s rapidly evolving nature, scaling to handle even higher transaction volumes in the coming years, indicates that this could be achievable.Unfortunately, this in itself comes with its own hurdles, particularly when integrating public services, which tend to operate in silos.The human questionThe great irony here is that Musk’s declarations of government inefficiency as a reason for the ongoing shakeups could be one of the biggest reasons not to go ahead with the plan. The real obstacle here is not so much technological as it is deeply, irrevocably human. The transition from archaic legacy systems to the more modern infrastructure of blockchain requires not just software updates but an entire reprogramming of the workforce. Government employees embedded in bureaucracy are used to outdated systems, and retraining them will be no small task.Recent: US housing dept mulls blockchain, stablecoin to pay and monitor grants: ReportMoreover, current government databases are a labyrinth of poorly documented, indecipherable data. Extracting and migrating this data to a blockchain infrastructure is itself a task that may require serious investment. For all its elegance, blockchain wasn’t built to contend with such inefficiency. Despite its potential for handling complex, distributed environments, the difficulties present in the system itself could make the transition more complicated than the hassle is worth.Balancing transparency and confidentiality Transparency of federal spending is also a factor worth highlighting. The innate strength of blockchain and its much-lauded appeal is its strength. It permits citizens to track how public funds are allocated and spent. Musk’s premise could foster a so-far unseen level of accountability, which makes transactions, every delegation of power and every resource distribution visible to the public in real-time. The problem is that sensitive government data, classified information or personal identification could be dangerously exposed on a public blockchain. Musk’s response is to try to tether sensitive data to private channels in the blockchain and ensure that only individuals with the appropriate authorization or from specific departments can access confidential information. Theoretically, this addresses the security concern while allowing blockchain’s public verifiability.Musk’s offer could lead to a more efficient, accountable system. The social drive behind this is the longstanding criticism of wasted spending and resource misallocation. There is also a possibility of strengthening democratic processes by holding public officials more accountable. A decentralized authority has the broader impact of empowering citizens through real-time access.There is a forward-thinking aspect to the vision. It raises a profound question. Technology could address human governance challenges, but we run the risk of a fundamental shift in how we understand privacy and accountable authority. As we question the nature of governance, it warrants careful consideration of the role of blockchain and what it could ultimately mean for the future of society as a whole.Opinion by: James Strudwick, executive director, Starknet Foundation.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.

by Cointelegraph by Adrian Zmudzinski on April 2, 2025 at 2:36 pm

Major cryptocurrency asset manager Grayscale Investments announced two new Bitcoin outcome-oriented exchange-traded funds (ETFs).According to an April 2 announcement, the new products are the Grayscale Bitcoin Covered Call ETF (BTCC) and the Grayscale Bitcoin Premium Income ETF (BPI). According to an email sent to Cointelegraph, the two new Bitcoin (BTC) funds are meant to generate revenue by harnessing BTC volatility:“Both strategies may be considered as an alternative income stream that’s less correlated to traditional income-oriented investments.“A complex derivative productThe Bitcoin Covered Call product seeks to capture the highest premiums and maximize potential income. Grayscale suggests that it may serve as a complement to Bitcoin exposure.Related: Bitcoin traders are overstating the impact of the US-led tariff war on BTC priceThe fund's strategy involves systematically writing calls very close to spot prices. The hope is that, due to Bitcoin’s historically high volatility, it would generate income through paid call generation.On the other hand, the Bitcoin Premium Income product seeks to balance upside participation with a degree of income generation. This is meant to act as an alternative to direct Bitcoin ownership and seeks a balance between growth and income generation.This fund systematically writes calls targeting strike prices well out-of-the-money on Bitcoin ETFs, including Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) and Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC). The announcement reads:“By focusing on this type of call writing strategy, BPI allows investors to participate in much of Bitcoin's upside potential while possibly benefiting from some dividend income.“Related: Bitcoin price gearing up for next leg of ‘acceleration phase’ — Fidelity researchGrayscale Investments promises that both the new products will allow for a differentiated source of revenue that “delivers an uncorrelated source of income for investors.” Furthermore, the new derivatives will feature monthly distributions and systematic options management.Just the latest grayscale filingEarlier this week, Grayscale also filed to list an exchange-traded fund (ETF) holding a diverse basket of spot cryptocurrencies. This new product includes Bitcoin, Ether (ETH), XRP, Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA).In late March, the US stock exchange Nasdaq also filed to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) seeking permission to list Grayscale Investments’ spot Avalanche ETF. Grayscale’s website lists 28 crypto products, of which 25 are single-asset derivatives, and three are diversified.Grayscale is also among the asset managers currently waiting for the approval of its XRP spot ETF, as well as other products. Among those products, we can find the spot Cardano ETF filing and its Litecoin Trust conversion to an ETF. Magazine: Bitcoin ATH sooner than expected? XRP may drop 40%, and more: Hodler’s Digest, March 23 – 29

by Cointelegraph by Nick M on April 2, 2025 at 1:57 pm

A new report by Cointelegraph Research explores Coreum’s role in institutional blockchain adoption. It analyzes the project’s technical architecture, compliance framework and its potential impact on regulated asset tokenization. The report presents insights into transaction efficiency, security mechanisms and crosschain interoperability. It also evaluates how Coreum fits into the evolving financial landscape.Blockchain evolution and institutional requirementsThe adoption of blockchain technology by financial institutions has been increasing in lockstep, with the value locked in tokenized real-world assets (RWA). The latter grew by 85% in 2024. Our report examines how third-generation blockchains, such as Coreum, are addressing the challenges of scalability, regulatory compliance and interoperability. Improvements in the infrastructure on the base layer will lead to more seamless institutional adoption in the future.Read the full version of the report for free here.Coreum is structured to support applications that require predictable transaction costs, regulatory oversight and seamless integration with financial infrastructure. Network data indicates that Coreum achieves a transaction throughput in excess of  7,000 TPS and a time to finality of about 1.2 seconds. This positions Coreum well in a crowded and highly competitive layer-1 blockchain landscape. Coreum integrates most of its compliance features at the protocol level, a critical factor for institutional adoption. The network includes onchain KYC and AML monitoring in collaboration with AnChain.ai, an AI-driven compliance provider. This is unlike conventional blockchains, where compliance tools are third-party application-layer software. Coreum puts compliance at its foundation together with real-time risk assessment and fraud detection.Decentralized exchange (DEX) and institutional trading infrastructureOur report also analyses Coreum’s decentralized exchange (DEX) infrastructure. While many layer-1 blockchains rely on liquidity pools, Coreum features a built-in onchain order book. There are important differences between the models. Coreum’s order book DEX allows for deterministic trade execution with minimal slippage, which makes it well-suited for institutional trading strategies. In contrast, AMM-based DEXs rely on liquidity pools that sometimes lead to price inefficiencies and higher exposure to impermanent loss. Coreum’s DEX architecture also supports high-frequency trading, with transaction processing speeds comparable to traditional financial exchanges.A notable aspect of Coreum’s DEX is its advanced API, which enables integration with institutional trading systems. The API is designed to provide low-latency access to order book data, market execution tools and automated trading strategies. This infrastructure allows financial firms and market makers to integrate Coreum’s DEX into their existing trading workflows. It ensures compliance with industry standards and benefits from blockchain-based settlement efficiencies.Read the full version of the report for free here.Interoperability and network connectivityCoreum’s interoperability strategy includes connections with the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and the Cosmos/IBC network. These integrations enable crosschain liquidity and asset transfers, which creates support for financial applications that require seamless movement between blockchain ecosystems. This integration allows institutional users to leverage XRPL’s efficiency in payments and Cosmos’ modular interoperability framework with over 100 connected chains. The ability to interact with multiple networks without sacrificing security or compliance aligns with institutional requirements for blockchain adoption.Conclusion: Networks designed for institutional adoption will need to address compliance, scalability and interoperability challenges. Coreum’s technical structure and regulatory considerations provide a case study for how blockchain networks may evolve to meet these requirements. With its deterministic fee structure, built-in compliance framework and high-speed trading infrastructure, Coreum represents an example of how third-generation blockchains are positioning themselves at the intersection of crypto and regulated financial markets.Read the full version of the report for free hereDisclaimer. 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.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.Cointelegraph does not endorse the content of this article nor any product mentioned herein. Readers should do their own research before taking any action related to any product or company mentioned and carry full responsibility for their decisions.

by Cointelegraph by Nancy Lubale on April 2, 2025 at 1:51 pm

Bitcoin (BTC) is up 16% from the four-month low of $76,600 to reach $88,700 on March 24. The price has since hovered around $85,000 on April 2. The latest rejection from the $85,500 resistance level raises questions about whether BTC price could drop further over the next few days.BTC/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewTrump’s tariffs could drive Bitcoin prices lower?April 2 marks what US President Donald Trump dubbed “Liberation Day,” unveiling sweeping reciprocal tariffs targeting imports from numerous countries. Market participants are concerned this might trigger another sell-off in cryptocurrencies, pushing prices lower.Key takeaways:The proposed tariffs include a 25% levy on auto imports and broad duties on goods from nations like China, Canada, and Mexico.While these measures aim to reduce the US trade deficit and bolster domestic manufacturing, they could result in inflation and a risk-off mood.This could spook investors in the global market, with risk-on assets like Bitcoin bearing most of the brunt.For instance, when Trump imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China in early March, Bitcoin dropped from $105,000 to $92,000 overnight.Commenting on the current risk-asset landscape, trading firm QCP Capital emphasized the effects of Trump’s trade tariffs release today, especially as investors brace for retaliatory measures from affected nations. “The US seems increasingly intent on isolating itself in pursuit of more favorable trading terms,” the firm said in a Telegram note to investors, adding that the targeted countries are “not likely to concede.”QCP also pointed out that “rather than fracturing under pressure,” global players appear to be closing ranks, particularly after a meeting by officials from China, Japan and Korea to explore deeper regional trade cooperation.“In the short term, we expect all risk assets to remain under pressure.”Inflationary pressures and a shift to safe havensTrump’s tariffs are widely expected to fuel short-term inflation, a dynamic that typically pressures risk-on assets like Bitcoin. Key points:Higher import costs translate to rising consumer prices, prompting a flight to traditional safe-haven assets such as gold, which hit a record high of $3,150 per ounce this year, or US Treasurys. Unlike gold, Bitcoin has yet to fully establish itself as a reliable inflation hedge in the eyes of investors. While some view it as “digital gold,” BTC price remains highly correlated to stocks. The February 2025 crypto crash, which saw $2 billion in liquidations after earlier tariff announcements, underscores this vulnerability. Liquidity could tighten as the Fed is signaling a cautious approach to rate cuts.Lowering of interest rates, for example, is unlikely before June, despite one Fed meeting scheduled in the interim, according to CME Group’s FedWatch Tool.Fed target rate probabilities for May 7 FOMC meeting. Source: CME GroupThe odds of the Fed keeping interest rates unchanged at the May 7 meeting are 83.5%. This could further dampen enthusiasm for BTC and push its price lower if key price levels do not hold.Related: Bitcoin price can hit $250K in 2025 if Fed shifts to QE: Arthur HayesBitcoin price analysis sees a ‘lot of volatility’ aheadBitcoin’s price is notoriously prone to overreactions, amplified by leveraged trading in the crypto derivatives market. The uncertainty surrounding the scope and retaliation to Trump’s April 2 tariffs could spark panic selling, triggering a cascade of liquidations.“Today is the day where the Trump administration shares details about the proposed tariffs on the rest of the world,” popular trader Daan Crypto Trades wrote on X. Market participants have been looking forward to this event over the last few weeks, which has caused a lot of uncertainty. “Depending on the severity of the tariffs and how the market interprets it, a larger move is due,” the trader said, adding:“Regardless of what happens, a lot of volatility is pretty much a guarantee today.”Others doubted the severity of Trump’s tariffs, with analyst and entrepreneur Michaël van de Poppe arguing that it could be “a big non-event or an event that's heavily priced into the markets.”“I would expect the markets to go back to neutral after today is over.”Fellow analyst AlphaBTC believes that Bitcoin price must hold above $84,000 to avoid deeper corrections. The analyst shared a chart showing that a breakdown of the $84,000 support would trigger a sell-off to areas below $80,000, with the March 14 low at $79,900 being the first level of interest.#Bitcoin must hold 84K Keeping it simple, no H4 close below 64K and last the day without Trump dumping on markets.#Crypto #BTC https://t.co/UPRkWfegdP pic.twitter.com/OkJDc5jXWl— AlphaBTC (@mark_cullen) April 2, 2025This 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.

by Cointelegraph by Aaron Wood on April 2, 2025 at 1:37 pm

The crypto industry’s sway in Washington, DC has made it more likely that the industry will get beneficial legislation, but it’s also creating problems. Concerns of regulatory capture — a situation in which regulators or lawmakers are co-opted to serve the interests of a small constituency — have grown as crypto lobbying gains influence in Washington.The risks of regulatory capture are twofold: First, the public interest is shut out from policy-making in favor of a single industry or company, and second, it can make regulators blind to or paralyzed by economic risks. Now, not even three months into Trump’s presidency, American lawmakers and industry crypto observers have voiced concerns that this regulatory capture could not only negatively affect the country but curb competition within the crypto industry as well. Regulatory capture in the battle for crypto policyIn a March 28 letter, prominent members of the US Senate Banking Committee and Committee on Finance addressed Acting Comptroller Rodney Hood and Michelle Bowman, chair of the Federal Reserve Board of Governor’s Committee on Supervision and Regulation.The letter specifically addresses the launch of USD1, a stablecoin project from the Trump family’s decentralized finance project, World Liberty Financial (WLFI), as Congress considers GENIUS Act legislation on stablecoins. Related: Trump’s crypto project launches stablecoin on BNB Chain, EthereumThe senators suggest there are opportunities for regulatory capture and conflict of interest. “President Trump may review any actions the OCC takes with regard to USD1’s stablecoin application. He would be positioned to intervene in and deny the OCC from promulgating stablecoin safeguards, or force the agency to refrain from initiating any enforcement actions against WLF.”Son Eric Trump pumps his father’s memecoin ahead of the inauguration. Source: Eric TrumpThey added that he could attempt to intervene or deny assistance to USD1’s competitors and that the GENIUS Act provides no provisions to prevent such conduct. Crypto industry observers have also echoed concern over a single entity’s undue influence over policy when it comes to Coinbase’s influence in Washington’s development of stablecoin policy.In January, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong signaled that his firm would be willing to delist Tether’s USDt (USDT), the world’s largest stablecoin, if the version of the stablecoin bill under consideration in Congress became law.Under those terms, USDC (USDC), in which Coinbase is a major shareholder, would essentially be fencing out its largest competitor from the US market. Castle Island Ventures partner Nic Carter cried foul, stating that “regulatory capture is poison. Reminds me of what SBF used to do.”Related: SBF always played both sides of the aisle despite new Republican pleaAt the time, Vance Spencer, founder of crypto venture firm Framework Ventures, said that it was “a blatant attempt at regulatory capture by US players done at the expense of US national interest.”“The future of stablecoins can be US dollar-based only if we allow a broader competitive set of stablecoin issuers to flourish and deny gatekeeping/gaslighting by those interested in regulatory capture,” he concluded.George Selgin, senior fellow and director emeritus of the Cato Institute’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, told Cointelegraph that the Bitcoin (BTC) reserve is another clear example of the crypto lobby’s influence over the regulatory process. Trump signs the Bitcoin reserve executive order. Source: David Sacks“It’s unlikely that anyone would have considered it desirable, let alone necessary, for the US government to maintain digital asset stashes — in fact, there’s no good reason for its doing so — had it not been for intense pressure from cryptocurrency enthusiasts,” he said.Regulatory capture is old hat in Washington lawmakingDifferent lobbies influencing policymaking in Washington are nothing new, so much so that “regulatory capture” to the layman would seem to describe business as usual. Selgin said that the Biden administration’s approach to crypto was equally an example of regulatory capture, just in favor of traditional financial firms that, with their lobbying efforts, wished to limit competition from industry upstarts. “Regulators’ relatively hostile stance toward crypto [under Biden] was no less evidence of regulatory capture than their more indulgent stance toward it today. The main difference was in who did the capturing,” he said. “Financial regulatory capture is an old story; only some new players are now proving to be adept hunters.”When asked how one would differentiate between legitimate industry advocacy and regulatory capture, Selgin said, “I don’t think you need to. First of all, the line between them is very thin.”Industries rarely take complete control of regulators due in part to the fact that individual firms within an industry have different ideas about what ideal regulation looks like, said Selgin.Furthermore, any kind of successful advocacy “captures regulators to some extent,” if only by virtue of the fact that it makes them change their beliefs about how best to regulate.What is to be done?The question remains then: Is regulatory capture just to be accepted as a natural part of the policymaking process?Some academics have suggested creating entirely new government bodies to deal with the problem. Gerard Caprio, William Brough professor of economics, emeritus at Williams College, proposed the creation of an expert panel dubbed a “Sentinel” to oversee regulator behavior. But such proposals face nearly impossible headwinds, not only because of their technical complexity but due to the simple fact that lawmakers have no incentive to set up an organization that oversees them. Related: Trump’s CFTC pick Brian Quintenz gets crypto’s foot in the revolving doorAccording to Selgin, the ultimate determination is not “whether or how the industry manages to influence regulators. It’s whether the resulting regulatory regime serves the public interest [...] If a regulation is harmful, it’s harmful whether it was lobbied for or not.”And the public’s interest in crypto is getting harder to see. Polls about crypto sentiment, trust and ownership vary wildly, and the Trump administration’s personal interest has done little to endear it to skeptics or middle-of-the-road voters. Some industry surveys claim that a whopping 70% of Americans own crypto. Source: NFT EveningEven crypto lobbyists admit that the (barely) bipartisan drive for crypto is driven by a desire to appease the crypto industry’s deep pockets ahead of the 2026 midterms. Dave Grimaldi, executive vice president of government relations at Blockchain Association, said, “There are [...] pro-crypto candidates who won and were funded by our industry and had votes coming to them from crypto users in their district. [...] And then there were also incumbent, sitting members of Congress who lost their seats because they were so negative for completely unnecessary and illogical reasons.”Little can be done until lawmakers and regulators agree there is a problem to solve and exert the political will to solve it. Magazine: Arbitrum co-founder skeptical of move to based and native rollups: Steven Goldfeder

by Cointelegraph by Ray Salmond on April 2, 2025 at 1:30 pm

Social messaging apps tend to make major news headlines a few times per year for either their use in planning some sort of crime or, more routinely, for users’ privacy concerns over how companies like Meta — which owns WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger — handle user data. In a somewhat separate event, the Trump administration became the focus of national discussion after members of US President Donald Trump’s cabinet were found to be using Signal to plan military actions in Yemen. While a hack, backdoor access or misuse of user data was not the source of criticism in this scenario, the event did raise national security concerns about Signal’s security and whether or not high-ranking government officials should be using messaging apps to discuss classified information. Apple’s recent decision to stop offering end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) cloud storage in the UK instead of creating a backdoor that would allow the UK government access to user data also raised eyebrows, and it highlights the ability of tech companies to make unilateral decisions about users’ data and their privacy. On Episode 58 of The Agenda podcast, hosts Ray Salmond and Jonathan DeYoung spoke to Sessions technical co-founder Kee Jefferys about how the decentralized, encrypted messaging app works to protect users’ privacy and data. Decentralize, or else the writing is on the wallBy downloading and using messaging apps, users, whether they realize it or not, often give the app and its operator permission to track their location, view their contacts and other data on their phone, and also keep records of their conversations.Even in instances where the app operator pledges not to do any of the above, if they process and keep user data on just one or two servers, the company itself is a risk of being compromised by hackers — and this presents a direct risk to users. Related:The case against Pavel Durov and why it's important for cryptoWhen asked whether Apple’s aforementioned decision to cease E2EE services rather than grant a government request backdoor access was an isolated event, Jeffreys said it likely was not. “I see countries moving more towards this ideology of pushing applications like backdoors for applications and arresting developers of open-source code,” he said. “I mean, obviously, we saw this with Durov, the founder of Telegram, being arrested in France. Even though he himself didn't do anything wrong, because Telegram was being used for malicious acts, the French government felt empowered to arrest the founder, even though all of the Telegram code is open source. So, that's really concerning from my perspective.” As mentioned earlier, malicious attacks also remain an ever-present threat to users and the companies that operate messaging apps. Jeffreys explained that Session messages are E2EE, the app does not require a mobile phone number to sign up, and the platform uses Onion routing to hide users’ IP addresses, and he said that blockchain is one of the most optimal solutions for decentralizing and hardcoding security to applications. Jeffreys said: “In Session, you don't reveal your IP address to the nodes that you store your messages on, and then it's decentralized as well. So it doesn't have a single central server where all of the messages are stored. It actually has this decentralized network of around 2,200 nodes, which kind of splits and stores your messages temporarily on the network. So from that perspective, like it's censorship-resistant, it hides a lot of metadata when you use the service, and it doesn't require these real-world identifiers when you sign up for Session.” When asked for some suggestions that normal people can take if they want to increase their privacy, Jefferys said that there are some very “simple steps [people] can take to protect themselves, mostly against hackers and corporate intrusion.”  “Making sure that your social media footprint, like the things that you put out there publicly, are as clean as possible. So, like going through your old social media posts and removing things which are publicly accessible not only to train AI tools, but also to start forming these pictures about you, about what your interests are, what products do you like. Those are things that are publicly accessible. I would just remove as much as possible and be careful about what you're saying online and the digital footprint that you're creating as well.”To hear more from Jeffreys’ conversation with The Agenda — including his future vision for blockchain-based messaging apps — 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: Did Telegram’s Pavel Durov commit a crime? Crypto lawyers weigh inThis 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.

by Cointelegraph by Jonathan DeYoung on April 2, 2025 at 1:23 pm

DNA testing firm 23andMe is bankrupt, and now the genomic data of its 15 million users is up for sale to the highest bidder. Could that data end up on the blockchain?The company announced on March 23 that it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and that its CEO, Anne Wojcicki, had stepped down. The announcement sent waves of concern among 23andMe’s customers, many of whom are now scrambling to delete their data from the service.Privacy advocates and government officials have weighed in, urging users to download and then delete their data. The sense of urgency increased on March 26 when a judge gave 23andMe the official stamp of approval to sell user data. Still, there is the question of where these users should move their data and whether there is a better alternative.In the wake of the bankruptcy, blockchain advocates have seized the opportunity to make the case that DNA is better off on the blockchain, whether directly stored on the servers of a decentralized network or using some elements of Web3 technology on the back end. The promise of a more private 23andMe, where users control their own data, is alluring to many, yet actually bringing the world of DNA sequencing onto the blockchain is not without its challenges.23andMe’s complicated privacy history23andMe may be most known for selling DNA testing kits and offering ancestry and health reports, but its core business model is selling its customers' genetic data to pharmaceutical companies and other researchers.The company’s privacy policy states that it will only share a user’s DNA with a third party if the user grants permission. Around 80% of its users ultimately opt into this agreement. 23andMe also claims that any user information is anonymized before being shared, though it’s not inconceivable that someone’s unique genetic data could still be linked back to them.A December 2024 study by data removal service Incogni found that 23andMe’s privacy policy was actually one of the strongest among its competitors. Still, the agreement also states that user data can be sold or transferred if the company is acquired, and the new owner may not have the same privacy policy.How DNA testing services use genetic information. Source: IncogniDarius Belejevas, head of Incogni, told Cointelegraph that customers give their genetic data to companies like 23andMe under the assumption that it will be protected under the privacy terms they agreed to. “A bankruptcy sale fundamentally alters the terms of that agreement, potentially exposing their most sensitive biological information to use by the highest bidder,” he said.“Yet again, we see a regulatory gap in the data collection industry, which, in this case, will likely leave 23andMe users never knowing what really happens with their physical samples and sensitive information.”Privacy policy concerns aside, 23andMe has also faced data leaks. In 2023, hackers stole ancestry data of about 6.9 million users, roughly half of its customer base at the time. What was particularly concerning was that the hack may have specifically targeted users of Ashkenazi Jewish and Chinese descent.A user of an online forum claimed to be selling stolen 23andMe data in October 2023. Source: ResecuritySecurity experts have warned that stolen genomic information could potentially be used to carry out identity theft or even design targeted bioweapons. In July 2022, US lawmakers and military officials issued a warning at the Aspen Security Forum that the data held by DNA testing services — specifically calling out 23andMe — were potential targets for foreign adversaries aiming to develop such bioweapons.“There are now weapons under development, and developed, that are designed to target specific people,” said Representative Jason Crow, a Democrat from Colorado who sits on the House Intelligence Committee. “That's what this is, where you can actually take someone's DNA, you know, their medical profile, and you can target a biological weapon that will kill that person.”Putting 23andMe on the blockchainPutting DNA on the blockchain is not a novel idea; Genecoin pitched it as early as 2014. But 23andMe’s bankruptcy is making headlines, and several blockchain projects are capitalizing on the momentum to make their respective pitches for why they offer a better alternative.At least four potential buyers have publicly declared their interest in 23andMe, and one of them is the Sei Foundation, an organization dedicated to advancing the Sei blockchain. The mechanics of how the foundation would bring 23andMe onto the blockchain are not entirely clear, but it reiterated on March 31 that it would ensure “one of the nation’s most valuable assets - the health of its people, survives on chain.”Source: SeiPhil Mataras, founder of the decentralized cloud network AR.IO, which is built atop Arweave, said that the move was a “flashy, but exciting prospect,” in comments shared with Cointelegraph. “The data would be more secure and tamper-resistant than any other kind of centralized data storage solution.”AR.IO has itself been pushing for 23andMe users to download their data and move it over to the ArDrive decentralized storage solution, which has published a step-by-step guide explaining how to upload the data to an encrypted drive. “This is something you can do right now, and then you won’t have to even worry about what will happen to your data, since it will no longer be in the 23andMe database,” said Mataras.Blockchain project Genomes.io, which describes itself as “the world’s largest user-owned genomics database,” has seen new users flocking to the platform since 23andMe’s bankruptcy. “Hundreds of new users per week are joining us,” its CEO, Aldo de Pape, told Cointelegraph.According to de Pape, “This is a clear use case for decentralized technology to improve a process that has been flawed from the beginning, and which is this essence of bringing data sovereignty back to individuals, giving the health information back to an individual, making sure that the owner and the health data are one.”Genomes.io uploads users’ genomic data into what it calls “vaults,” which are end-to-end encrypted so that only the user holds the private keys needed to access the data. This also means that users' DNA will still be secured if the company is ever hacked or sold.Users can then opt into specific studies on a case-by-case basis, and they get paid in the project’s native token when their data is used. Related: Stop giving your DNA data away for free to 23andMe, says Genomes.io CEOAnother solution, GenoBank, has an alternative approach: tokenizing genetic information onchain as “BioNFTs.” The company offers DNA testing kits linked to non-fungible tokens that are self-custodied by the customer, meaning they can have their DNA sequenced anonymously.“What if this moment of disruption could actually become a catalyst for positive change?” asked its CEO, Daniel Uribe, in a March 24 blog post. Much like Genomes.io, Uribe laid out a vision where everyone owns their data, controls who accesses it, captures its value and maintains privacy. “This isn’t science fiction. The technology exists today.”Blockchain comes with its own concernsDespite the current hype around bringing blockchain to DNA, there are still challenges in doing so, and decentralized solutions offer their own set of potential risks.If a customer misplaces the private keys to their genomic data, there is only so much any project or company can do to help them. Perhaps more terrifying is the idea of a user having their private keys hacked and their genomic data stolen.De Pape said that Genomes.io, for its part, will work with customers to secure their vaults if their private keys are compromised, although they are unable to actually unlock a user’s vault.Then there are additional privacy concerns at the laboratory level. Even if the final data is stored in the most private, secure manner possible, the sequencing laboratories themselves may not follow the same strict guidelines.In terms of uploading DNA data directly to the blockchain, there could be an astronomical cost associated. A raw whole genome sequencing file a laboratory generates can be up to 30 GB. This means uploading the raw files for 15 million customers — the total number of people who have given their DNA to 23andMe — to a decentralized storage solution like Arweave would cost upward of $492 million as of April 1. 450,000 TB of raw DNA data would cost nearly half a billion dollars to upload to Arweave. Source: Arweave Fees“Don't upload it [DNA] to the blockchain. That is the biggest mistake you could make,” argued de Pape. In addition to the cost, he said there are privacy concerns.Blockchain, more often than not, is a public space, right? So, even if you put it on the blockchain, it doesn't mean that it's entirely private to you. There is a track record of you uploading the data there.Finally, regulations add another layer of complexity to the matter. A 2020 study written in part by GenoBank’s Uribe found that regulatory frameworks like the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, which sets strict guidelines for the handling of user data, have “generated some challenges for lawyers, data processors and business enterprises engaged in blockchain offerings, especially as they pertain to high-risk data sets such as genomic data.”So, while blockchain certainly offers several advantages over centralized companies like 23andMe, it’s no panacea, and it may not be for everyone.But regardless of where users choose to move their data, the message from privacy advocates and security experts remains clear: Don’t leave it with 23andMe.Magazine: Crypto fans are obsessed with longevity and biohacking: Here’s why