Alternative News for You

by James Taylor and Lucy Loram on April 14, 2025 at 8:01 pm

Brett Williams had "2.1 million reasons" not to kill Craig Dunn on the day the sale of his property was to be finalised, when the tenant who made his life a living hell would finally be out of his life.

by Kellie Scott on April 14, 2025 at 8:00 pm

We look at your obligations when it comes to calling in sick, including what to say and what evidence you may need. 

by Stephanie March on April 14, 2025 at 7:45 pm

To survive the Syrian prison known as the "human slaughterhouse", Moaz had to live a lie. Then it got real.

by Stephen Clarke on April 14, 2025 at 7:40 pm

Researchers are looking for overweight golden retrievers and labradors to take part in a study on dog health.

by Cointelegraph by Ana Paula Pereira on April 14, 2025 at 7:31 pm

The US Department of Homeland Security's El Dorado Task Force has reportedly launched an investigation into Anchorage Digital Bank, a Wall Street-backed cryptocurrency firm. According to an April 14 Barron's report, members of the task force have contacted former employees of the company over the past weeks to examine its practices and policies. Citing unidentified sources, the report claims the probe looks at potential financial crimes within Anchorage. The reported Homeland task force probe hints at cross-national financial activities. Established in 1992, the El Dorado Task Force focuses on “transnational money laundering” activities and financial crimes carried out by organizations. Anchorage is co-founded by Portuguese-American entrepreneur Diogo Mónica and Nathan McCauley, according to its website. Along with its US businesses, Anchorage has operations in Singapore and Portugal. Its investors include Andreessen Horowitz, Goldman Sachs and Visa, among others. Anchorage Digital is the only federally chartered crypto bank in the United States. It received its national trust bank charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in January 2021. Despite its advanced regulatory position, Anchorage Digital has faced regulatory challenges in the US. In April 2022, the OCC issued a consent order against the bank for deficiencies in its Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering compliance programs. At the time, the company was ordered to establish a committee to address the alleged issues under the oversight of the OCC.Cointelegraph reached out to Anchorage for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication. Anchorage's crypto footprintAnchorage was founded in 2017, and since then has been expanding its crypto footprint with services for institutional clients. The company is a custodian of BlackRock's Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) alongside Coinbase and BitGo. BlackRock's BTC funds have attracted over $35.5 billion in cumulative inflows since its launch in January 2024. Another of Anchorage's clients is Cantor Fitzgerald. The company has offered custody and collateral management for Cantor's Bitcoin holdings since March 2025. Anchorage reported over $50 billion in assets under management in 2024. Among Anchorage's custody competitors are players such as Ripple, Kraken, Taurus and Fireblocks, but the storage of digital assets has also attracted traditional financial institutions to the crypto field. HSBC, Citi and BNY Mellon — America's oldest bank — are also competing to safeguard crypto assets for institutional clients. According to Fireblocks’ Adam Levine, senior vice president of corporate development, the US market lacks qualified custodians for digital assets. "[...] there are limited options for certain market participants to keep their digital assets in safe keeping via a qualified custodian,” Levine told Cointelegraph in a previous interview.A 2025 survey by EY reveals that 59% of institutional investors plan to allocate over 5% of their assets under management to cryptocurrencies, indicating a growing demand for institutional-grade custody services.Institutional investors are expected to increase crypto allocations in 2025. Source: EYMagazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

by Cointelegraph by Biraajmaan Tamuly on April 14, 2025 at 7:23 pm

The US Treasury has injected $500 billion into financial markets since February by drawing liquidity from its Treasury General Account (TGA), funding government operations after a $36 trillion debt ceiling was hit on Jan. 2, 2025.Macroeconomic financial analyst Tomas said that this liquidity surge boosted the net Federal Reserve liquidity to $6.3 trillion, and it may support Bitcoin’s (BTC) price in the future, even though risk assets have reflected minimal growth so far. US Treasury General Account’s expected liquidity flow. Source: X.comThe TGA represents the government’s checking account at the Federal Reserve, holding capital for daily operations like paying bills or collecting taxes. A decrease in TGA capital means the balance has been deployed into the broader economy, boosting available cash in the markets. Tomas explained that The TGA drawdown commenced on Feb. 12, following the exhaustion of "extraordinary measures" after the debt ceiling was reached. The TGA balance has dropped from $842 to roughly $342 billion, releasing liquidity into the system, and the targeted liquidity is expected to rise up to $600 billion by the end of April. The analyst added that the current tax season will temporarily drain liquidity, but the drawdown is expected to resume in May. If debt ceiling talks extend to August, net liquidity could hit a multi-year high of $6.6 trillion, which could cause a bullish tailwind for Bitcoin. Bitcoin’s correlation with global liquidity. Source: Lynalden.comAccording to a study by financial analyst Lyn Alden, Bitcoin has historically moved 83% of the time in line with global liquidity in a given 12-month period. The research termed “Bitcoin a Global Liquidity Barometer” compared Bitcoin to other major asset classes such as SPX, gold and VT, and BTC topped the correlation index with respect to global liquidity. Past TGA drawdowns in 2022 and 2023 have fueled speculative assets like Bitcoin. Thus, a $600 billion boost, plus billions more added over Q2-Q3, could lift BTC’s value if market conditions remain stable. Related: Bitcoin traders target $90K as apparent tariff exemptions ease US Treasury yieldsBitcoin eyes $137,000 by Q2-Q3, says analystAnonymous crypto trader Titan of Crypto shared a bullish outlook for Bitcoin, predicting that BTC could surge to a new all-time high of $137,000 by July-August 2025. In a recent X post, the analyst pointed out a bullish pennant pattern on the daily chart, with the price potentially heading toward a positive breakout. Bitcoin bullish pennant by Titan of Crypto. Source: X.comHowever, before pushing chips into a long conviction play, BTC must break and retain a position above its 200-day exponential moving average (EMA). As illustrated in the chart, Bitcoin faces resistance from all three key EMAs, namely, the 50-day, 100-day and 200-day indicators. A collective reclaim above each moving average on a higher time frame chart could further strengthen the bullish case, allowing the crypto to retest its six-figure targets. Bitcoin 1-day chart analysis. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewRelated: Bybit integrates Avalon through CeFi to DeFi bridge for Bitcoin yieldThis 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 Kate Ashton on April 14, 2025 at 7:19 pm

Across the historically conservative stronghold of Goldstein, voters are tuning in for a federal election rematch between the Liberals and the teals. These are some of the issues on their minds.

by Jess Davis, Andy Burns, Mark Doman, Katia Shatoba, Alex Palmer, Thomas Brettell, Fran Rimrod, Lucy Sweeney, and Tim Leslie on April 14, 2025 at 7:14 pm

New data shows dozens of suburbs around the country are at risk of becoming uninsurable, triggering warnings of a "climate-induced credit crunch". 

by Shalailah Medhora on April 14, 2025 at 6:51 pm

Every four days a homeless person aged between 15 and 24 dies, and the majority of deaths are due to suicide.

by Alison Xiao and Evelyn Manfield on April 14, 2025 at 6:46 pm

Independents Monique Ryan and David Pocock say content made by social media creators paid for by politicians should be disclosed. 

by Ian Verrender on April 14, 2025 at 6:41 pm

There's almost no chance the RBA will keep rates on hold in May, but the biggest challenge comes from Donald Trump's erratic behaviour while financial markets have descended into a state of almost constant turmoil.

by Sundance on April 14, 2025 at 6:41 pm

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele has been a key strategic ally for the Trump administration in support of the deportation and repatriation of hundreds of criminal aliens and gang members from the region. Beginning in 2012, supported by President Obama, thousands of criminal gang members from south and central America flooded into the USA.  In The post President Trump Welcomes El Salvador President Nayib Bukele to the White House – Video appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Ben Knight on April 14, 2025 at 6:38 pm

Voters tell ABC's Your Say campaign they are struggling more than ever with housing costs.

by Cointelegraph by Rakesh Upadhyay on April 14, 2025 at 6:37 pm

Bitcoin (BTC) bulls are trying to start the week on a positive note by pushing the price above $85,000. Michael Saylor’s Strategy has used the recent dip to buy 3,459 Bitcoin for $285.5 million at an average price of $82,618. That boosts the total holding of the firm to 531,644 Bitcoin purchased at an average price of $67,556.However, not everyone is bullish in the near term. Several institutional investors seem to have trimmed their holdings. CoinShares reported on April 14 that digital asset exchange-traded products (ETPs) witnessed $795 million in outflows last week. The $7.2 billion in outflows since February have reversed nearly all year-to-date inflows, now at just $165 million.Daily cryptocurrency market performance. Source: Coin360Although Bitcoin seems to have bottomed out in the short term, a roaring bull market rally is unlikely to start in a hurry. The tariff headlines and the outcome of the tariff talks between the United States and other countries could dictate the price action.Could Bitcoin build upon the recovery, pulling altcoins higher? Let’s analyze the charts to find out.S&P 500 Index price analysisThe S&P 500 Index (SPX) witnessed a hugely volatile week, but a positive sign is that lower levels attracted solid buying by the bulls.SPX daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewAfter the massive volatility of the past few days, the index could enter a quieter phase. Sellers are likely to sell the rallies near 5,500, while the bulls are expected to buy the dips to the 5,119 support. That signals a possible range-bound action between 5,500 and 5,119 for some time.The next trending move is expected to begin after buyers push the price above 5,500 or sink below 4,950. If the 5,500 level gets taken out, the index could surge to 5,800.US Dollar Index price analysisThe US Dollar Index (DXY) has been in a freefall since turning down from the 20-day exponential moving average (102.81) on April 10.DXY daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBuyers defended the 99.57 level on a closing basis on April 11, but the bears renewed their selling on April 14. If the price closes below 99.57, the index could tumble to 97.50 and, after that, to 95. The longer the price remains below 99.57, the greater the risk of starting a new downtrend.If buyers want to prevent a downward move, they will have to swiftly push the price back above 99.57. That could start a recovery to 101.Bitcoin price analysisBitcoin broke above the resistance line on April 12, and the bulls successfully held the retest of the breakout level on April 13.BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe 20-day EMA ($82,979) has flattened out, and the RSI is near the midpoint, suggesting that the selling pressure is reducing. The BTC/USDT pair could climb to $89,000, which is likely to act as a stiff resistance. If the price turns down sharply from $89,000 and breaks below the 20-day EMA, it will indicate a range formation. The pair may oscillate between $89,000 and $73,777 for a few days.If sellers want to trap the aggressive bulls and retain control, they will have to quickly pull the price back below the 20-day EMA. If they do that, the pair may descend to $78,500 and subsequently to the vital support at $73,777.Ether price analysisEther (ETH) is facing selling at the 20-day EMA ($1,722), as seen from the long wick on the April 14 candlestick.ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIf the price plummets below $1,546, the ETH/USDT pair could retest the $1,368 support. This is a crucial level for the bulls to defend because a break below $1,368 could start the next leg of the downtrend toward $1,150.Conversely, if buyers propel the price above the 20-day EMA, it signals that the bears are losing their grip. There is resistance at the 50-day SMA ($1,955), but it is likely to be crossed. The pair may then ascend to the solid resistance at $2,111.XRP price analysisXRP (XRP) turned down from the 50-day SMA ($2.24) on April 13, indicating that sellers are active at higher levels.XRP/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe 20-day EMA ($2.10) has flattened out, and the RSI is near the midpoint, indicating a balance between supply and demand. A break below $2 will tilt the advantage in favor of the bears. The XRP/USDT pair could drop to $1.72 and later to $1.61.Buyers will gain the upper hand if they push and maintain the price above the 50-day SMA. If they can pull it off, the pair could rally to the resistance line. Sellers are expected to aggressively defend the resistance line because a break above it signals a potential trend change.BNB price analysisBNB (BNB) is facing resistance at the downtrend line, but a minor positive is that the bulls have not ceded much ground to the bears. BNB/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThat increases the likelihood of a break above the downtrend line. If that happens, the BNB/USDT pair could ascend to $645. Sellers will try to guard the $645 level, but it is likely to be crossed.This positive view will be invalidated in the near term if the price turns down sharply from the downtrend line and breaks below $566. That could keep the pair stuck inside the triangle for a while longer.Solana price analysisSellers are trying to defend the 50-day SMA ($130) in Solana (SOL), but the bulls have kept up the pressure.SOL/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIf the price closes above the 50-day SMA, the SOL/USDT pair could rise to the $147 to $153 resistance zone. Sellers are expected to vigorously defend this zone, but if the bulls prevail, the pair could surge to $180.The first support on the downside is the 20-day EMA ($123). A bounce off the 20-day EMA will keep the positive momentum intact, while a break below it could sink the pair to $110 and eventually to $95.Related: Solana rallies 20% against Ethereum, but is $300 SOL price within reach?Dogecoin price analysisBuyers are trying to start a recovery in Dogecoin (DOGE) but are expected to face stiff resistance from the bears at the moving averages.DOGE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIf the price turns down from the moving averages, the bears will again attempt to sink the DOGE/USDT pair below $0.14. If they manage to do that, the selling could accelerate, and the pair may slump to $0.10.Contrarily, if buyers propel the price above the moving averages, the pair could rally to $0.20. This is an important near-term level to watch out for because a break above it will complete a double-bottom pattern. The pair could then climb toward the pattern target of $0.26.Cardano price analysisBuyers are struggling to push Cardano (ADA) above the 20-day EMA ($0.65), indicating that demand dries up at higher levels.ADA/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIf the price turns down from the 20-day EMA, the next support on the downside is $0.58 and then $0.50. Buyers are expected to fiercely defend the $0.50 level because a break below it could sink the ADA/USDT pair to $0.40.On the upside, buyers will have to drive and maintain the price above the 50-day SMA ($0.71) to signal that the downtrend could be over. That could propel the pair to $0.83 and subsequently to $1.03.UNUS SED LEO price analysisBuyers are trying to push UNUS SED LEO (LEO) above the 20-day EMA ($9.39), but the bears are posing a substantial challenge.LEO/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe flattening 20-day EMA and the RSI near the midpoint suggest a balance between supply and demand. That could keep the LEO/USD pair stuck between $9.90 and $8.79 for a few days.The next trending move could begin on a break above $9.90 or below $8.79. If buyers kick the price above $9.90, the pair will complete a bullish ascending triangle pattern. This bullish setup has a target objective of $12.04.On the downside, a break below $8.70 could signal the start of a deeper correction toward $8.30.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 Emily Clark on April 14, 2025 at 6:36 pm

American beauty founders are warning prices are likely to go up as the global skincare and cosmetics industry comes to terms with Donald Trump's new tariff regime. 

by Cointelegraph by Christopher Tepedino on April 14, 2025 at 6:29 pm

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has delayed a decision on whether to approve Ether staking in two Grayscale funds. The decision on Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF and Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust ETF has been postponed until June 1, according to an April 14 announcement from the SEC. The deadline for a decision is the end of October.On Feb. 14, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) filed a proposed rule change on behalf of Grayscale that would permit investors in the company’s Ether (ETH) ETFs to stake their holdings. Staking is the process of locking up cryptocurrency in a wallet to support the operations and security of a blockchain network, offering stakers rewards in return. The feature is considered a potentially integral part of Ether ETFs, as it could generate yield to investors, increasing the attractiveness of the funds.SEC’s announcement of the delay. Source: SECAnnual yield on staked Ether is estimated at 2.4% on Coinbase, while on Kraken, another US-based exchange, it ranges from 2% to 7%. According to Sosovalue, Ether ETFs have had a cumulative net inflow of $2.28 billion since their launch in 2024. The race for staking on Ether ETFs includes other asset managers, including BlackRock's 21Shares iShares Ethereum Trust. The company sought permission to offer staking services in February and is currently waiting for the agency approval. SEC approves options for multiple spot Ether ETFsDespite the delay on staking filings, the SEC is moving forward with regulatory requests surrounding crypto ETFs. On April 9, the agency approved options trading for multiple spot Ether ETFs, allowing the derivates feature on funds from BlackRock’, Bitwise and Grayscale's ETFs. Options trading involves the right to buy and sell contracts that give the investors the right but not the obligation to buy an asset at a certain price. The approval broadens the funds utility for institutional investors.The efforts to expand the appeal of Ether ETFs reflect the lack of adoption in contrast with Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs launched in January 2024. While the Ether ETFs amassed a net cumulative inflow of $2.2 billion as of April 11, Bitcoin funds flows topped $35.4 billion according to Sosovalue.Ether has also had a rough time during this bull market compared to other assets like XRP (XRP) and Solana (SOL). The asset’s 52-week high of $4,112 did not surpass its November 2021 peak all-time-high value of $4,866. The token is trading below the $2,000 mark on April 14.Magazine: What are native rollups? Full guide to Ethereum’s latest innovation

by Sundance on April 14, 2025 at 6:05 pm

White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett appears on Fox Business to discuss President Donald Trump’s tariff agenda, semiconductor imports, the administration working on new trade deals and the impact of the global trade reset on China. Happy warrior Kevin Hassett notes numerous countries are ready to sign new deals with the USA and The post NEC Director Kevin Hassett Outlines Details of Global Tariff Strategy appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Jacob Greber on April 14, 2025 at 5:54 pm

On Sunday alone, Labor and the Coalition unveiled almost $24 billion in spending. Neither side has detailed how the new promises will be funded, or where the offsetting savings or tax cuts will come from.

by Leanne Wong on April 14, 2025 at 5:53 pm

Both major parties have pitched housing sector reform but experts say the lack of housing supply in Australia is not being adequately addressed.

by Sundance on April 14, 2025 at 5:43 pm

Three months ago, I was in Vietnam reviewing just how expansive the positioning of Chinese investment was in the concurrent communist nation.  The short version is Beijing’s footprint in Vietnam was already huge. As an outcome of the 2018 tariffs against China, which coincided with a President Trump visit to southeast Asia, multiple companies shifted The post Chairman Xi Jinping Pressures Hedge Position in Vietnam with Increased Trade Agreements appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Biraajmaan Tamuly on April 14, 2025 at 4:56 pm

The 2-year and 10-year US Treasury yields dipped on Monday, April 14, after Bitcoin (BTC) closed its best weekly performance since the second week of January. Bitcoin gained 6.79% over the past week, but are enough factors aligned to support continued price upside? The 10-year treasury yield declined by 8.2 basis points to 4.40% during the New York trading session, while the 2-year treasury saw an 8 basis point slip to 3.88%. The drop in yields occurred on the back of possible tariff exemptions on smartphones, computers, and semiconductors, which were introduced to give US companies time to move production domestically. However, US President Donald Trump emphasized these exemptions were temporary in nature.US 10-year treasury bond yields chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe tariff exemptions announced on April 12 came at the end of a bullish week for Bitcoin. After forming new yearly lows at $74,500, BTC price jumped 15% to $86,100 between April 9-13. Easing US treasury yields could be a double-edged sword for Bitcoin. Lower yields reduce the appeal for fixed-income assets, improving capital injection into risk-on assets like BTC. Still, the uncertainty of “temporary exemptions” and the ongoing trade war with China keeps Bitcoin susceptible to further price volatility. As an “inflation hedge,” Bitcoin continues to draw mixed opinions, but recent uncertainty over trade policies increases inflation fears, improving BTC’s store of value narrative. Yet, recent US inflation data suggested a cooling trend, as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March 2025 indicated a year-over-year inflation rate of 2.4%, down from 2.8% in February, marking the lowest since February 2023, which could be indirectly bearish for Bitcoin in the short term.Related: Trade war vs record M2 money supply: 5 things to know in Bitcoin this weekBitcoin price hurdles present at $88K to $90KTrading resource Material Indicators noted that Bitcoin retained a bullish position above its 50-weekly moving average and quarterly open at $82,500. A strong weekly close implied a higher possibility that Bitcoin is less likely to re-visit its previous weekly lows anytime soon. The analysis added, “Bitcoin bulls now face strong technical and liquidity-based resistance between the trend line and the 200-day MA. Expecting “Spoofy” to move asks at $88k and $92k before they get filled.”Likewise, Alphractal founder Joao Wedson suggested that Bitcoin may be nearing a bullish reversal, as the Perpetual-Spot Gap on Binance—a key indicator tracking the price difference between Bitcoin’s perpetual futures and spot markets, has been narrowing since late 2024.Bitcoin Perpetual-spot price gap chart. Source: X.comIn a recent X post, Wedson highlighted that this shrinking gap, currently negative, signals fading bearish sentiment, with historical trends from 2020–2021 and 2024 showing that a positive gap often leads to a Bitcoin rally. Wedson noted that a flip to a positive gap could indicate returning buyer momentum. However, he cautioned that such negative gaps persisted during the 2022–2023 bear market.Related: Michael Saylor’s Strategy buys $285M Bitcoin amid market uncertaintyThis 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 Helen Partz on April 14, 2025 at 3:25 pm

Mantra CEO John Mullin addressed key concerns from the community following the sharp decline in the OM token during an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session hosted by Cointelegraph on April 14.Mullin reassured users that Mantra and its partners are actively working to support the recovery of the Mantra (OM) token, though he noted that details around token buybacks and potential burns are still being developed.“We’re still in the early stages of putting together this plan for potential buyback of tokens,” the CEO said, adding that the OM token recovery is Mantra’s “preeminent and primary concern right now.”At the time of writing, OM traded at $0.73, slightly higher than its post-collapse low of $0.52 recorded on April 13 at around 7:30 pm UTC, according to data from CoinGecko.“Baseless allegations”In addition to denying reports claiming that key Mantra investors dumped the OM token pre-crash, the Mantra CEO also denied allegations that the Mantra team controls 90% of the token’s supply.“I think it’s baseless. We posted a community transparency report last week, and it shows all the different wallets,” Mullin said, highlighting the “two sides” of Mantra’s tokenomics.Source: Cointelegraph“You have the Ethereum side and you have the mainnet side,” Mullin noted, adding the Ethereum-based token is hard capped and has been around since August 2020. “The biggest holder of OM on exchange is Binance,” Mullin continued, referring the public to Etherscan records.The top eight addresses of OM holdings. Source: EtherscanHowever, the top OM wallet is currently held by crypto exchange OKX, which controls 14% of the circulating supply, or roughly 130 million tokens.What’s next for Mantra’s $109-million MEF fund?Mullin also addressed the Mantra Ecosystem Fund (MEF), a $109-million fund launched on April 7 in collaboration with its major strategic investors, including Laser Digital and Shorooq.Other investors in the fund also included Brevan Howard Digital, Valor Capital, Three Point Capital, Amber Group, Manifold, UoB Venture, Damac, Fuse, LVNA Capital, Forte and others.Related: Mantra bounces 200% after OM price crash but poses LUNA-like ‘big scandal’ riskAccording to Mullin, the fund does not solely consist of Mantra’s OM token and has “dollar commitments and dollar contributions.”Investors in Mantra’s $109-million fund. Source: Mantra“We’ll continue to invest and support the ecosystem as part of this recovery plan,” the CEO stated.End of the staking program on BinanceIn the AMA, the Mantra CEO also said that a 38-million-OM transaction to the Binance cold wallet on April 14 is related to a staking program on Binance.“It was actually Binance,” Mullin said, adding that Binance had OM tokens on its exchange that it was using as a staking program.Source: Onchain Lens“So, they just returned them because the staking program ended,” he said.Mullin also emphasized that many of the transactions that caught the community’s reactions post-crash involved collaterals by an unnamed exchange.“Effectively, those tokens were being used as collateral on an exchange. Then, the exchange decided that it was not the position they wanted to maintain anymore, for whatever reason,” Mullin said, adding:“So, what happened was basically the positions were taken over by the exchange that took the collateral and started selling, which caused a cascade of sell pressure and forced more liquidations.”Mullin said Mantra remains committed to addressing the situation as transparently as possible.“We’re not running from anything,” he said, adding that the incident was a “very unfortunate situation.”Magazine: Bitcoin eyes $100K by June, Shaq to settle NFT lawsuit, and more: Hodler’s Digest, April 6–12

on April 14, 2025 at 3:00 pm

A suspected arsonist has been charged with attempted homicide, terrorism and aggravated arson, accused of setting fire to the home of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

by Cointelegraph by Leroy Hofer on April 14, 2025 at 3:00 pm

Opinion by: Leroy Hofer, co-founder and CEO at Teneo ProtocolAs the old wisdom goes, nobody knows you’re a dog on the internet. Often enough, nobody knows if you’re a bot either, to the point where the dead internet theory sometimes feels disturbingly tangible. Bot traffic share hit its highest level in 2024, up 2% on the year before, according to the 2024 Imperva Bad Bot Report. The bot pandemic is ravaging the Web. People are taking notice — people like Chanpeng Zhao, for example, who recently urged Elon Musk to ban bots on X. He’s not the only one in the Web3 community to call for such measures, and rightly so. From artificially inflating engagement metrics to orchestrating scams, bots are quickly drowning out real human interactions — and it’s at a time when our lives drift more and more into the online world. While platform owners continue to roll out AI-driven moderation and paywalls to curb bot activity, these solutions fail to address the root problem. Moderation tools also regularly operate with minimal transparency — incorrectly flagging legitimate content without users knowing why.Users also often have to surrender personal data to prove they are not bots, raising privacy concerns and creating barriers to participation. More problems are being made, and a decentralized approach is the only viable path forward.If left to fester, the rise of bots will create repercussions that go way beyond social media. Companies pouring money into digital marketing will see their budgets wasted on fake engagement. It’s even possible to imagine a dirty trick where a rival would use bots to waste the competitor’s money by feeding them fake impressions — this already happens in the digital ad space.People are — and will continue to become — more suspicious of online interactions, making it harder for authentic creators and businesses to earn trust. The user experience also suffers. As automated noise drowns out meaningful discussions, users may eventually abandon social media for good. We need to deal with the bot problem for all these and other reasons — once and for good.The limits of centralized solutionsSocial media giants have been using centralized moderation strategies to tackle the bots issue for quite some time. AI-driven detection systems serve as the first line of defense. They’re far from perfect. Bots are getting smarter, often slipping through the cracks by mimicking human behavior and bypassing safeguards. On top of that, false positives can lead to unfair restrictions on genuine users. Oh, the mighty banhammer, a weapon from a more civilized age. Recent: CZ urges Elon Musk to ban bots on the X social media platformAnother common tactic is the implementation of paywalls, like X’s verification fees, which require users to pay for authentication. This method raises the financial hurdle for bot operators but also creates a two-tiered system that disadvantages users who can’t — or won’t — pay. Paywalls do little to deter well-funded bot farms that can easily overlook these costs. While these measures are well-meaning, they often miss the mark when balancing security with user accessibility.A decentralized solutionA decentralized model hands the reins back to the users and offers an alternative to having centralized entities decide what’s real and what’s not. Using blockchain-based decentralized identity (DID) and reputation systems, platforms can verify real users without compromising their privacy. Decentralized solutions reduce the need for unclear moderation policies and empower people to control their own digital reputations across different platforms.DID solutions enable users to verify their authenticity through cryptographic attestations, so intrusive Know Your Customer processes are unnecessary. Reputation-based systems can help to strengthen bot resistance by rewarding verified users with more social credibility while shrinking the impact of suspicious accounts. The real advantage here is that these systems operate transparently, preventing centralized authorities from imposing rules that may prioritize corporate interests over user rights.Fixing social media’s bot problem without breaking itThe bot problem isn’t just a hassle — it’s a fundamental threat to the integrity of social media. The challenge is finding a solution that gets rid of bots without getting rid of free speech and user control. Centralized solutions are failing. Even worse, centralized systems also introduce new problems under the guise of security. A decentralized, data-driven approach enables people to authenticate themselves on their own terms, making bot-driven manipulation much harder.We urgently need to move beyond the current system and push for decentralized solutions that protect users and bring authenticity back to social media. If social media is to be a space for genuine human interaction, it has to go decentralized before the bots make it useless.Opinion by: Leroy Hofer, co-founder and CEO at Teneo Protocol. 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 Ezra Reguerra on April 14, 2025 at 2:44 pm

Crypto exchange Bybit has denied claims that it charges $1.4 million to list a token on its platform, following allegations made by a social media user with over 100,000 followers.On April 14, X user “silverfang88” accused the exchange of demanding millions from projects in listing fees. The user also alleged that Bybit used key opinion leaders (KOLs) to silence students who were given trial contracts through the platform’s Campus Ambassador program.Bybit CEO Ben Zhou denied the allegations, asking the social media user to provide evidence backing the claims. Zhou added that the crypto space has been chaotic because of rumors posted without evidence. Source: Ben ZhouBybit denies $1.4-million listing fee accusationIn a statement sent to Cointelegraph, a Bybit representative clarified the requirements for listing on the crypto exchange. According to Bybit, the exchange requires three things from projects: a promotion budget, a security deposit and an evaluation process. “Projects are expected to allocate promotional funds for user engagement activities, though legal constraints prevent exchanges from holding tokens directly,” the representative told Cointelegraph. Bybit said it asks for a deposit of $200,000–$300,000 in stablecoins to ensure promotional goals are met. Penalties may apply if the targets are not reached.Apart from the promotional funds, the exchange said its listing process includes form submissions, internal voting, research and a listing review meeting. The representative told Cointelegraph: “Evaluations focus on fundamentals and risk controls, including onchain data, address authenticity, use cases, user distribution, project value, token valuation, value capture mechanisms and team credentials.”Related: Bybit integrates Avalon through CeFi to DeFi bridge for Bitcoin yieldUser claims Bybit provided trial contracts to studentsIn addition to the listing fee allegations, the X user claimed that Bybit had provided trial contracts to students under its 2024 Campus Ambassador program and used KOLs to suppress complaints.The account shared a Campus Ambassador program run by the trading platform in 2024 and said the issue was related to the program. Zhou responded to those claims as well, again calling for proof. “Please show evidence if Bybit has done anything wrong,” he wrote on X.The exchange has not responded directly to the specific claims related to its ambassador program at the time of publication.Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging research

by Cointelegraph by Nancy Lubale on April 14, 2025 at 2:42 pm

Solana’s SOL has rallied more than 20% against Ether (ETH) over the last seven days, and a trader is eyeing a potential breakout to $300, which would mark new all-time highs.SOL/ETH ratio hits highest weekly closeThe SOL/ETH ratio, which reflects the value of Solana in Ether, rose to 0.080 on April 13, marking the highest weekly close ever, according to data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and Binance.The SOL/ETH trading pair has been forming higher highs on the daily chart since April 4, suggesting an uptrend is underway.SOL/ETH daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe SOL/ETH pair gains follow a bullish week for Solana, which has increased by 35% over the last seven days, against a 13% increase in ETH price over the same timeframe. “The SOL/ETH chart has just flashed a sign of strength,” said pseudonymous trader Bitcoinsensus in an April 14 post on X, adding:“Solana has closed its highest weekly close against Ethereum in history, reflecting that we could see continued outperformance of the Solana Ecosystem.”Previously, the SOL/ETH ratio reached as high as 0.093 in January during a rally in crypto prices fueled by US President Donald Trump’s inauguration, which saw the price briefly notch a new all-time high of $295.Can Solana price reach $300 in April?Popular crypto trader BitBull shared a CME futures chart on X that suggests SOL price could break out toward the $300 mark next.The trader cited Ether’s price consolidation around $2,000 on the CME chart before breaking out to all-time highs in 2021. “SOL is now showing a similar structure on the CME futures chart” as it trades with the $120 and $130 range, BitBull pointed out, adding that SOL could follow a similar breakout to all-time highs above $300.“Just like Ethereum's run in 2021, Solana is setting up for a massive move in 2025.”SOL CME Futures chart vs. ETH CME futures chart. Source: BitBullRelated: Fartcoin rallies 104% in a week — Will Solana (SOL) price catch up?Chart technicals aside, several onchain metrics suggest that SOL’s path to new all-time highs faces significant hurdles.For example, Solana’s network fees dropped more than 97% to $898,235 million on April 14, compared to $35.5 million on Jan. 20.Solana network daily transaction fees, USD. Source: DefiLlamaThe decline in Solana fees aligns with reduced trading activity on Raydium, Pump.fun, and Orca. At the same time, fees have stayed unchanged since mid-February on other decentralized applications, such as Jito, Moonshot.money, Meteora and Photon. Similarly, the daily DEX volumes on Solana plummeted to $2.17 billion on April 14, 93% below its Jan. 20 peak of $35.9 billion. Solana weekly DEX volumes, USD. Source: DefiLlamaTherefore, SOL’s journey toward new all-time highs will be a tough challenge unless there is a notable rise in network activity. SOL’s price is up 3% during the past 24 hours to $133 and 54.5% below its Jan. 19 all-time record. 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 Adrian Zmudzinski on April 14, 2025 at 2:39 pm

The market cap of Circle’s Euro Coin (EURC), a euro-pegged stablecoin, is growing quickly as the ongoing trade war pushes the US dollar price lower. “In recent weeks, interest in the euro has grown tremendously” and “this interest has not escaped the Circle EURC stablecoin,” Obchakevich Research founder Alex Obchakevich wrote in a recent X post.The euro has risen by 2.2%, reaching its highest price since February 2022 at its current price of $1.13.Obchakevich said that amid this happening, decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol Aave saw €2.3 million of Euro Coin inflows in April alone. He further highlighted that EURC’s capitalization is growing at a rapid pace.Source: Obchakevich’sCoinMarketCap data shows EURC’s market cap rose from under $84 million at the end of 2024 to more than $198 million as of mid-April — a 136% increase year to date.Related: ECB exec renews push for digital euro to counter US stablecoin growthThe euro grows amid an increasingly harsh trade warThe euro’s recent rally comes as the US dollar weakens on the back of escalating trade tensions. Since Dec. 31, 2024, the dollar has dropped from 0.97 euro to 0.88 euro, a 9.3% decline against the euro.The US and European Union “are likely to reach an agreement on a trade deal that will stabilize the euro at $1.11 to the dollar,” Obchakevich said. Still, he expects the Euro Coin to keep growing:“EURC will continue to grow through integration with various payment systems and blockchains.“The analyst said that after launching on Ethereum, Euro Coin was also deployed on Avalanche, Base, Stellar, Sonic and Solana, leading to a growing supply. He shared his outlook on future market developments:“I predict EURC to grow to 400 million euros by the end of this year. This will be further impacted by MiCa regulatory support and economic challenges.“Related: Digital euro to be ‘most private electronic payment option’MiCA works in Circle’s favorEuro Coin and USDC (USDC) issuer Circle is reaping the rewards of its regulatory-friendly strategy. The firm’s products are the top euro and US dollar-pegged stablecoins that comply with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation.The current stablecoin market leader is Tether, with its USDt (USDT) stablecoin currently having a market cap of $144 billion according to CoinMarketCap data. This is significantly higher than leading stablecoin USDC’s $60 billion market cap.Still, many expect this gap to shrink as the USDt keeps being pushed from the European Union’s market due to a lack of MiCA compliance. This trend culminated in the world’s leading crypto exchange, Binance, delisting USDt for its European Economic Area-based users to comply with the rules in March.Magazine: How crypto laws are changing across the world in 2025

on April 14, 2025 at 2:24 pm

The pop star, alongside other celebrities, joined Jeff Bezo's fiancée in the first all-female flight in more than six decades. 

by Cointelegraph by Cointelegraph on April 14, 2025 at 2:12 pm

Today in crypto, Mantra CEO John Mullin denied reports of insider sales by investors, including Laser Digital, ahead of the OM token’s 90% crash — despite onchain data suggesting otherwise. Mullin also pointed to one exchange in particular, which the Mantra team believes may have played a role in the token’s collapse.Mantra CEO denies insider OM token dump, says Arkham “mislabeled” walletsMantra CEO John Mullin denied reports suggesting large-scale token transfers by major Mantra investors in the days leading up to the sharp collapse of the OM token, while speaking in an AMA hosted by Cointelegraph on April 14.“The Mantra association, our key investors, our advisers — no one has sold, and we are going to categorically deny and also provide verifiable proof onchain proof that this is the case,” Mullin stated in the AMA.Previous reports suggested that Laser Digital, a strategic Mantra investor, cashed out large portions of Mantra (OM) tokens before the cryptocurrency collapsed on April 13.At least two wallets linked to Laser Digital were among 17 wallets that moved a combined 43.6 million OM tokens — worth about $227 million at the time — to exchanges before the crash, the blockchain analytics platform Lookonchain reported on April 13, citing Arkham Intelligence data.Source: LookonchainLaser Digital is a digital asset business backed by Nomura. The firm announced a strategic investment in Mantra in May 2024.According to Arkham data, one Laser Digital-linked wallet had moved about 6.5 million OM tokens ($41.6 million at the time) to OKX in seven transactions since April 11.The last recorded transaction from the wallet occurred on April 11 at around 10:00 pm UTC, days before the Mantra crash, which took place on April 13 at roughly 7:00 pm UTC, according to data from CoinGecko.Another wallet sent about 2.2 million OM (worth $13 million) to Binance in a series of transfers starting April 3.The data also indicated that Laser Digital may have started reducing its OM holdings as early as February. The wallets linked to the firm reportedly received a large portion of their OM from crypto trading firm GSR in 2023.Mantra (OM) outflows from one of the wallets linked to Laser Digital. Source: ArkhamLaser Digital subsequently denied reports alleging its involvement in the OM volatility, claiming that the referenced wallets did not belong to it.Mantra says one exchange “in particular” may have caused OM collapseThe team behind real-world tokenized asset blockchain Mantra says its native token’s sudden 90% plunge was caused by exchanges forcibly closing positions without notice, with one currently unnamed exchange potentially to blame. On April 13, Mantra (OM) price dropped from $6.30 to below $0.50, rapidly shedding over 90% of its $6 billion market cap.Source: John Mullin“We have determined that the OM market movements were triggered by reckless forced closures initiated by centralized exchanges on OM account holders,” Mantra co-founder John Mullin wrote in an April 13 statement on X.“The timing and depth of the crash suggest that a very sudden closure of account positions was initiated without sufficient warning or notice,” he added. Mullin told an X user they believe one exchange “in particular” was to blame but said they were still “figuring out the details.” He told others that the centralized exchange in question wasn’t Binance. Mantra token collapses by 90% but retraces some valueThe price of the Mantra token collapsed by over 90% on April 13 but regained some lost value following statements from the Mantra team and co-founder JP Mullin.Mantra's (OM) price collapsed to a low of approximately $0.38 before crossing back over $1, and is currently at that level.Mantra token price and overview. Source: CoinGeckoAccording to the Mantra team, OM’s price decline was due to "reckless liquidations" that the Mantra team is investigating."One thing we want to be clear on: this was not our team. We are looking into it and will share more details about what happened as soon as we can," the team wrote in an April 13 X post. 

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 14, 2025 at 2:00 pm

Kraken is expanding beyond cryptocurrencies by offering US-listed stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in a move aimed at appealing to more traditional investors.Kraken, the world’s 13th largest centralized cryptocurrency exchange by volume, announced the launch of 11,000 US-listed stocks and ETFs with commission-free trading in an effort to bring “equities and digital assets together” under one trading platform.As of April 14, US-based users in New Jersey, Connecticut, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Idaho, Iowa, Rhode Island, Kentucky, Alabama and the District of Columbia can access these stocks and ETFs within their Kraken account, the company announced.Kraken expands to stocks and ETFs. Source: KrakenThe exchange plans to continue expanding access to clients in other US states, marking the first part of a “phased national rollout.”Related: Trump’s tariff escalation exposes ‘deeper fractures’ in global financial systemBoth traditional and cryptocurrency investor sentiment took a significant hit after US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal import tariff announcement on April 2.Kraken’s traditional stock offering comes over a week after the S&P 500 posted a $5-trillion loss in market capitalization over two days, marking its largest drop on record, surpassing a $3.3-trillion decline in March 2020 after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.Related: 70% chance of crypto bottoming before June amid trade fears: NansenCrypto is “becoming the backbone for trading”Kraken’s expansion into traditional investment products signals the growing utility of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, according to Arjun Sethi, co-CEO of Kraken.“Crypto isn’t just evolving, it’s becoming the backbone for trading across asset classes, such as equities, commodities and currencies. As demand for 24/7 global access grows, clients want a seamless, all-in-one trading experience.” Sethi added that expanding into traditional equities is a “natural step” toward the tokenization of real-world assets and the “borderless” future of trading built on blockchain rails.Kraken also plans to expand its stock trading offering to other large international markets, including the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia.Magazine: Illegal arcade disguised as … a fake Bitcoin mine? Soldier scams in China: Asia Express

by Luke Cooper on April 14, 2025 at 1:57 pm

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has invited US President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine to witness the devastation from the attacks in Sumy first-hand.

by Cointelegraph by Adrian Zmudzinski on April 14, 2025 at 1:43 pm

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin said privacy should be a top priority for developers, warning that assumptions about transparency and good intentions in global politics are overly optimistic.In an April 14 blog post, Buterin argued that privacy is essential to maintain individual freedom and protect against the growing power of governments and corporations. He criticized the idea that increased transparency is inherently beneficial, saying it relies on assumptions about human nature that are no longer valid.“These assumptions include believing that global political leadership is generally well-intentioned and sane, and that social culture continues to progress in a positive direction,” Buterin wrote. “Both are proving to be increasingly untrue.”Buterin claimed there was “no single major country for which the first assumption is broadly agreed to be true.” Furthermore, he wrote that cultural tolerance is “rapidly regressing,” which is reportedly demonstrable by an X post search for “bullying is good.” Buterin’s personal privacy issuesButerin said that he found his lack of privacy unsettling at times. He added:“Every single action I take outside has some nonzero chance of unexpectedly becoming a public media story.”Covertly taken photos of Vitalik Buterin. Source: Vitalik.ethWhile this may appear as a suggestion that privacy is an advantage only for those who venture outside the social norms, he highlighted that “you never know when you will become one of them.”Buterin only expects the need for privacy to increase as technology develops further, with brain-computer interfaces potentially allowing automated systems to peer directly into our brains. Another issue is automated price gouging, with companies charging individuals as much as they expect them to be able to pay.Related: Messaging apps are spying on you — Here’s how to stay safe in 2025There is no privacy with government backdoorsButerin also argued strongly against the idea of adding government backdoors to systems designed to protect privacy. He said such positions are common but inherently unstable.He highlighted how, in the case of Know Your Customer data, “it’s not just the government, it’s also all kinds of corporate entities, of varying levels of quality” that can access private data. Instead, the information is handled and held by payment processors, banks, and other intermediaries.Similarly, telecommunication companies can locate their users and have been found to illegally sell this data. Buterin also raised concerns that individuals with access will always be incentivized to abuse it, and data banks can always be hacked. Lastly, a trustworthy government can change and become untrustworthy in the future, inheriting all the sensitive data. He concluded:“From the perspective of an individual, if data is taken from them, they have no way to tell if and how it will be abused in the future. By far the safest approach to handling large-scale data is to centrally collect as little of it as possible in the first place.“Related: Privacy will unlock blockchain’s business potentialAuthorities have more data than everButerin raised the issue of governments being able to access anything with a warrant “because that‘s the way that things have always worked.” He noted that this point of view fails to consider that historically, the amount of data available for obtaining through a warrant was far lower.He said the traditionally available data would still be available even “if the strongest proposed forms of internet privacy were universally adopted.” He wrote that “in the 19ᵗʰ century, the average conversation happened once, via voice, and was never recorded by anyone.”Buterin’s proposed solutionsButerin suggested solutions based mainly on zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-proofs) because they allow for “fine-grained control of who can see what information.” ZK-proofs are cryptographic protocols that allow one party to prove a statement is true without revealing any additional information.One such system is a ZK-proof-based proof of personhood that proves you are unique without revealing who you are. These systems rely on documents like passports or biometric data paired with decentralized systems.Another solution suggested is the recently launched privacy pools, which allow for regulatory-compliant Ether (ETH) anonymization. Buterin also cited on-device anti-fraud scanning, checking incoming messages and identifying potential misinformation and scams.These systems are proof of provenance services for physical items using a combination of blockchain and ZK-proof technology. They track various properties of an item throughout its manufacturing cycle, ensuring the user of its authenticity.The post follows Buterin’s recent privacy roadmap for Ethereum. In it, he highlighted the short-term changes to the base protocol and ecosystem needed to ensure better user privacy.Magazine: Cypherpunk AI: Guide to uncensored, unbiased, anonymous AI in 2025

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 14, 2025 at 1:22 pm

The crypto lending market’s size remains significantly down from its $64 billion high, but decentralized finance (DeFi) borrowing has made a more than 900% recovery from bear market lows.Crypto lending enables borrowers to use their crypto holdings as collateral to obtain a crypto or fiat loan, while lenders can loan their holdings to generate interest.The crypto lending market is down over 43%, from its all-time high of $64.4 billion in 2021 to $36.5 billion at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, according to a Galaxy Digital research report published on April 14.“The decline can be attributed to the decimation of lenders on the supply side and funds, individuals, and corporate entities on the demand side,” according to Zack Pokorny, research associate at Galaxy Digital.Crypto lending key events. Source: Galaxy ResearchThe decline in the crypto lending market started in 2022 when centralized finance (CeFi) lenders Genesis, Celsius Network, BlockFi and Voyager filed for bankruptcy within two years as crypto valuations fell.Their collective downfall led to an estimated 78% collapse in the size of the lending market, with CeFi lending losing 82% of its open borrows, according to the report.While the overall value of the crypto lending market has yet to reach its previous highs, DeFi lending has made a significant recovery according to some metrics.Related: Trump kills DeFi broker rule in major crypto win: Finance RedefinedDeFi borrows grow nearly 10-foldThe crypto lending market found its bottom at $1.8 billion in open borrows during the bear market in the fourth quarter of 2022.However, DeFi open borrows rose to $19.1 billion across 20 lending applications and 12 blockchains by the end of 2024, representing a 959% increase over the eight quarters from the 2022 market bottom.“DeFi borrowing has experienced a stronger recovery than that of CeFi lending,” wrote Galaxy Digital’s research associate, Pokorny, adding:“This can be attributed to the permissionless nature of blockchain-based applications and the survival of lending applications through the bear market chaos that felled major CeFi lenders.”“Unlike the largest CeFi lenders that went bankrupt and no longer operate, the largest lending applications and markets were not all forced to close and continued to function,” he added.Related: Google to enforce MiCA rules for crypto ads in Europe starting April 23Outstanding CeFi borrows are worth a collective $11.2 billion, which is 68% lower compared to the peak $34.8 billion combined book size of the CeFi lenders achieved in 2022.CeFi Lending Market Size by Quarter End. Source: Galaxy ResearchThe three largest CeFi lenders, Tether, Galaxy and Ledn, account for a combined 88.6% of the total CeFi lending market and 27% of the total crypto lending market.Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging research

by Jake Evans on April 14, 2025 at 12:57 pm

Greens leader Adam Bandt will spend his week in Queensland, seeking to sandbag the party's three seats of Griffith, Ryan and Brisbane and announcing the Greens would push to establish an $11.6 billion free school lunches program in the next term of parliament.

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 14, 2025 at 12:39 pm

Michael Saylor’s digital asset firm, Strategy, purchased 3,459 Bitcoin for $285.5 million, signaling continued confidence in Bitcoin even as global markets face trade-related headwinds.Strategy acquired the 3,459 Bitcoin (BTC) for $285.5 million at an average price of $82,618 per BTC. The purchase brings Strategy’s total Bitcoin holdings to 531,644 BTC, acquired for a cumulative $35.92 billion at an average price of $67,556 per coin, achieving an over 11.4% yield since the beginning of 2025, Saylor wrote in an April 14 X post.Source: Michael SaylorThe $285 million purchase marks Strategy’s first Bitcoin investment since March 31, when the company acquired $1.9 billion worth of Bitcoin, Cointelegraph reported.According to data from Saylortracker, the firm is currently sitting on more than $9.1 billion in unrealized profit, representing a 25% gain on its total Bitcoin position as of 12:20 pm UTC.Strategy total Bitcoin holdings. Source: Saylortracker Strategy’s continued accumulation comes despite a broader market pullback and declining appetite for risk assets. The downturn has been largely attributed to global trade policy uncertainty after US President Donald Trump announced a new round of tariffs.Trump announced a 90-day pause on higher reciprocal tariffs on April 9, reverting the tariffs to the 10% baseline for most countries, except for China, which currently faces a 145% import tariff.Related: New York bill proposes legalizing Bitcoin, crypto for state paymentsCrypto markets open with “cautious strength” ahead of key economic releasesDespite continued uncertainty around the outcome of trade negotiations, Bitcoin staged an over 10% recovery in the past seven days to above $85,000 as of 1:10 pm UTC, Cointelegraph Markets Pro data shows.BTC/USD, 1-year chart. Source: Cointelegraph“Crypto markets opened the week with cautious strength, continuing a broad recovery from last Monday’s tariff-induced sell-off,” Stella Zlatareva, dispatch editor at digital asset investment platform Nexo, told Cointelegraph, adding:“Bitcoin trades above $84,000, marking a robust rebound despite the global macro background. While investor focus remains fixed on US-China trade dynamics, crypto’s relative stability stands out.”“This week’s calendar includes key data from China, Fed commentary and updates on retail sales, all of which could shape the next leg of risk asset performance,” she added.Related: Bitcoin ‘more likely’ to hit $110K before $76.5K — Arthur HayesDespite the tariff-related uncertainty, some analysts, including Jamie Coutts, predicted that the growing money supply could push Bitcoin’s price above $132,000 before the end of 2025.Zooming out to the next decade, Bitcoin remains on track to surpass $1.8 million by 2035, in a development that may see Bitcoin surpass gold’s $21 trillion market capitalization as the superior savings technology, Joe Burnett, director of market research at Unchained, told Cointelegraph.Magazine: Bitcoin ATH sooner than expected? XRP may drop 40%, and more: Hodler’s Digest, March 23 – 29

by Cointelegraph by Adrian Zmudzinski on April 14, 2025 at 12:29 pm

Crypto exchange Bybit has partnered with lending protocol Avalon to offer Bitcoin yield to its users.According to an April 14 Avalon Labs X announcement, the centralized decentralized finance (CeDeFi) protocol will now be a part of the exchange’s yield product, Bybit Earn. Avalon said it will allow the platform’s users to earn yield from Bitcoin (BTC) by arbitrating on its fixed-rate institutional borrowing layer.Source: Avalon LabsAvalon Labs announced in March that it raised a minimum of $2 billion worth of credit with possible scaling as the need arises. The product allows institutional borrowers to access USDt (USDT) liquidity without liquidating their Bitcoin holdings at a fixed 8% borrowing cost.In February, Avalon Labs also announced it was considering issuing a Bitcoin-backed debt-focused public fund. Venus Li, co-founder of Avalon Labs, said at the time that the fund could be issued by leveraging a Regulation A US securities exception:“We have spent years researching how Regulation A has been applied in traditional finance and whether it could be a viable path for crypto companies. While successful precedents in the crypto industry are limited, our analysis of previous SEC-approved cases suggests a viable path forward.”Related: Bitcoin yield opportunities are booming — Here’s what to watch forCentralized and decentralized finance uniteAvalon Labs’ product is a CeDeFi protocol, somewhere between decentralized finance (DeFi) and centralized finance (CeFi). This product category — with increased control over capital flows and access — often has advantages in meeting regulatory requirements for integrating with CeFi platforms.The Bybit Earn integration leverages Avalon Labs’ 1:1 Bitcoin-pegged token FBTC, developed by DeFi protocol Mantle and Bitcoin-centric crypto developer Antalpha Prime. These tokens are then bridged onto Ethereum and other blockchains.Related: Ethena Labs, Securitize launch blockchain for DeFi and tokenized assetsA multi-protocol systemAvalon Labs’ platform accepts FBTC as collateral and lends it at fixed rates. The borrowed USDt stablecoin is then deployed to high-yield strategies through the Ethena Labs synthetic dollar protocol. The assets employed in those strategies include Ethena USD (USDe) and Ethena Staked USD (sUSDE). The announcement claims:“Returns are stable, secure, and passed back to Bybit Earn users—making Bitcoin a productive asset while maintaining simplicity and risk control.“In other words, Avalon Labs serves as a bridge between Bybit and the yield-earning potential of Ethena Labs’ protocol. Avalon Labs describes this as a “CeFi to DeFi” bridge.The news follows Ethena raising $100 million in late February to deploy a new blockchain and launch a token focused on traditional finance. In January, Ethena also announced plans to roll out iUSDe, a product identical to USDe but designed for regulated financial institutions.Bybit did not respond to Cointelegraph’s inquiries by publication.Magazine: The real risks to Ethena’s stablecoin model (are not the ones you think)

by Cointelegraph by Ezra Reguerra on April 14, 2025 at 12:02 pm

Digital asset exchange-traded products (ETPs) saw almost $800 million in outflows last week, marking their third consecutive week, according to a report from crypto asset manager CoinShares. On April 14, CoinShares reported that crypto ETPs saw $795 million in outflows last week, with Bitcoin (BTC)-based products accounting for $751 million, while Ether (ETH) products followed with $37.6 million. While the major tokens saw increased outflows, some altcoins went against the flow, seeing small gains. These included XRP, Ondo Finance, Algorand and Avalanche. According to CoinShares, the total outflows of crypto ETPs since February have reached $7.2 billion, nearly wiping out the year-to-date (YTD) inflows from the investment products. Tariff activity weighs in on crypto ETPsCoinShares head of research James Butterfill attributed the outflows to the recent tariff-related activities initiated by United States President Donald Trump. On April 2, Trump signed an executive order imposing a 10% baseline tariff on all imports from all countries. The president also set reciprocal tariffs for countries that charge tariffs on US imports. The Trump administration then continued flip-flopping over tariff policy, bringing market uncertainty. Butterfill wrote that the “wave of negative sentiment” that started in February has resulted in record outflows of $7.2 billion. The outflows have nearly wiped out all the YTD inflows, now amounting to $165 million.In addition to Bitcoin and Ether-based products, altcoins like Solana, Aave and Sui also collectively saw outflows of over $6 million last week. While Bitcoin-related products have also seen huge outflows, its YTD gains still stand at $545 million. Furthermore, short-Bitcoin products also saw outflows totaling $4.6 million. Related: This year’s top ETF strategy? Shorting Ether — Bloomberg IntelligenceBlackRock’s iShares lead crypto ETP outflows BlackRock’s iShares exchange-traded funds (ETFs) had the most outflows among ETP providers. CoinShares data shows that BlackRock’s ETFs saw $342 million in outflows last week, putting its total month-to-date outflows at $412 million. Crypto ETP flows chart by asset provider. Source: CoinSharesEven though BlackRock had massive outflows this month, the ETF issuer still has about $2.8 billion in YTD inflows. The asset manager also holds over $49.6 billion in assets under management (AUM).Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging research

by Cointelegraph by SK Arora on April 14, 2025 at 11:49 am

Key takeawaysStablecoin attestation reports provide third-party verification that each token is backed by real-world assets like cash and US Treasurys.Attestation ≠ audit: Attestations are point-in-time checks, not deep financial audits, so users should still perform broader due diligence.Not all tokens are redeemable. Time-locked, test or frozen tokens are excluded from reserve calculations to reflect only actively circulating coins.USDC sets an industry benchmark with regular third-party attestations, transparent reserve reporting and compliance with MiCA regulations.Stablecoins play a crucial role in the digital asset ecosystem, bridging traditional fiat currencies and the decentralized world of cryptocurrencies. How can you be confident that each stablecoin is backed by real-world assets? This is where stablecoin attestation reports come in. Understanding how to read attestation reports is essential for anyone interacting with stablecoins like USDC (USDC) or Tether USDt (USDT). This guide explains everything you need to know about stablecoin attestation reports, how they work and why they matter.What is a stablecoin attestation report?A stablecoin attestation report is a formal document issued by an independent third party  —  a certified public accountant (CPA) firm — that verifies whether the stablecoin issuer holds sufficient reserves to back the coins in circulation. Unlike full audits, which evaluate broader financial systems and controls, attestations are narrower in scope. They confirm specific facts, like whether reserve balances match circulating supply at a single point in time.Think of an attestation as a snapshot taken by accountants saying, “Yes, we’ve checked, and the money is there right now.”It’s not as deep or wide as an audit, but it still builds trust.For example, if a stablecoin issuer claims that each token is backed 1:1 by US dollars, an attestation report would provide evidence supporting that claim. Stablecoins like USDC regularly publish such reports to prove that their coins are fully backed, helping to build trust in their ecosystem.Attestation reports are especially critical for investors and institutions that depend on stablecoins for cross-border settlements, collateral in lending protocols and participation in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. Without confidence in the reserves’ authenticity, the stablecoin system risks collapse, which can impact the broader crypto market.Purpose of stablecoin attestations: Why transparency matters?Transparency is essential in the crypto space, especially for stablecoins, which serve as a medium of exchange, a store of value and collateral on DeFi platforms. Attestation reports offer a window into a stablecoin issuer’s reserves and disclosure practices, allowing users, regulators and investors to evaluate whether the issuer is operating responsibly.Issuers like Circle, the company behind USDC, publish attestation reports to demonstrate compliance with regulatory expectations and assure users that the coins they hold are not only stable in name but also in substance. In doing so, they promote stablecoin investor safety and support market integrity.This transparency builds the foundation for regulatory trust and helps attract traditional financial institutions into the space. It also aligns with broader industry goals for increasing stablecoin compliance, particularly as governments worldwide explore stablecoin-specific regulations.Who conducts the attestation?Stablecoin attestation reports are prepared by independent accounting firms. For instance, Circle’s USDC attestation reports are conducted by Deloitte (as of April 13, 2025), a leading global audit and advisory firm. These firms follow professional standards set by bodies like the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants).Independent attestors are essential because they remove conflicts of interest. Having a third-party review reserves ensures that the information is unbiased, credible and aligned with global assurance standards.AICPA’s 2025 criteria: Standardizing stablecoin attestationsIn response to growing concerns over inconsistent stablecoin disclosures, the AICPA introduced the 2025 Criteria for Stablecoin Reporting, a standardized framework for fiat-pegged, asset-backed tokens. These criteria define how stablecoin issuers should present and disclose three key areas: Redeemable tokens outstanding.The availability and composition of redemption assets.The comparison between the two.What makes the 2025 Criteria important is its emphasis on transparency and comparability. For example, token issuers must clearly define redeemable versus nonredeemable tokens (such as time-locked or test tokens), identify where and how reserves are held and disclose any material legal or operational risks affecting redemption.By aligning attestation reports with this framework, accounting firms ensure that evaluations are conducted using suitable, objective and measurable criteria, a key requirement under US attestation standards. This gives investors, regulators and DeFi users a more consistent and reliable basis for evaluating stablecoin solvency and trustworthiness.As adoption grows, the 2025 Criteria may become the industry benchmark, especially as regulatory bodies increasingly rely on standardized reporting to assess stablecoin risks and enforce compliance.Did you know? Not all stablecoins in circulation are redeemable. Some, like time-locked tokens, are temporarily restricted and can’t be accessed until a specific date. Others, known as test tokens, are used only for internal system testing and are never meant to be redeemed. These tokens are excluded from reserve calculations in attestation reports to ensure an accurate picture of what’s backing user-accessible stablecoins.Behind the peg: How to read a stablecoin report and spot real backingReading a stablecoin attestation report isn’t just about scanning numbers. It’s about knowing whether the stablecoin you’re holding is backed. Here’s how to break it down step by step and spot what really matters:Check the report date: Attestations are point-in-time reviews. Look for the exact date the report covers (e.g., Feb. 28, 2025). It confirms reserves on that day only, not before or after.Compare circulating supply vs reserves: Find the number of tokens in circulation and the total value of reserves. The reserves should be equal to or greater than the supply. If not, that’s a red flag.Look at what backs the reserves: Reserves should be held in safe, liquid assets like US Treasurys or cash in regulated financial institutions. Watch out for risky or vague asset descriptions.Review custodian and asset details: Check who’s holding the funds (e.g., major banks or money market funds) and where they’re stored. Remember, reputable custodians add credibility.Understand the methodology: The report should explain how the review was conducted, what data was verified, what systems were used and which standards (like AICPA) were followed.Identify excluded tokens: Some tokens, like test tokens or time-locked tokens, are excluded from circulation counts. Look for notes explaining these exceptions.Check who performed the attestation: An independent and recognized accounting firm (like Deloitte or Grant Thornton) adds legitimacy. If the attestor isn’t disclosed or independent, treat with caution. A signed statement from the accounting firm verifies the accuracy of the issuer’s claims.Investors may also look for supplementary notes within the report, such as jurisdiction of reserve accounts, legal encumbrances on assets or clarification of valuation techniques. All these elements help paint a fuller picture of risk and reliability.What the February 2025 USDC attestation report revealsIn March 2025, Circle released its latest reserve attestation report, offering a transparent look at what backs one of the most widely used digital dollars in crypto.The report was independently examined by Deloitte, one of the “Big Four” global accounting firms. Deloitte confirmed that, as of both Feb. 4 and Feb. 28, 2025, the fair value of Circle’s reserves was equal to or greater than the amount of USDC in circulation.The below snapshot from Circle's February 2025 attestation report shows that the amount of USDC in circulation stood at $54.95 billion on Feb. 4 and $56.28 billion on Feb. 28. The fair value of reserves held to back USDC exceeded these figures, totaling $55.01 billion and $56.35 billion on the respective dates.What’s in the reserves?Circle holds its USDC reserves mainly in:US Treasury securitiesTreasury repurchase agreementsCash at regulated financial institutionsThese assets are kept separate from Circle’s corporate funds and are managed through the Circle Reserve Fund, a regulated money market fund.The attestation also accounts for technical factors like “access-denied” tokens (e.g., frozen due to legal or compliance reasons) and tokens not yet issued, ensuring an accurate measure of circulating USDC.For users, this means greater confidence that every USDC token is backed by high-quality, liquid assets, just like the company claims.Did you know? As of Feb. 4 and Feb. 28, 2025, 993,225 USDC remained permanently frozen on deprecated blockchains, including the FLOW blockchain. These tokens are excluded from the official USDC in circulation totals reported by Circle.How are stablecoin reserves verified?Stablecoin attestation reports serve as a form of proof of reserves, providing independent confirmation that a stablecoin issuer holds enough assets to back the tokens in circulation. The verification process typically involves several key steps:Reviewing bank statements and financial records.Confirming cash balances held by custodians.Cross-checking reported reserves with third-party documentation.Comparing the supply of stablecoins onchain with the reported reserve amount.As mentioned, these procedures are carried out by independent accounting firms and are designed to ensure that the reserves are not only sufficient but also liquid and accessible.Some attestation reports also include details on the tools and technologies used to maintain transparency, such as real-time API integrations with custodians and onchain monitoring systems. These advancements are helping bridge the gap between traditional finance and blockchain, reinforcing trust through verifiable, tamper-resistant data.What happens if reserves don't match supply?If an attestation report reveals that a stablecoin issuer does not hold sufficient reserves, the consequences can be severe. The issuer may face:Regulatory scrutiny: Noncompliance with financial regulations.Market sell-offs: A drop in user confidence may lead to mass redemptions.Price instability: The stablecoin may lose its 1:1 peg.These concerns highlight the need for regular, transparent crypto reserve reports. For instance, Tether has faced ongoing criticism for the lack of clarity surrounding its reserves, fueling demands for greater disclosure. This opacity has also led to Tether’s delisting in Europe under Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations as exchanges brace for stricter compliance requirements.Lack of transparency can also invite speculation and misinformation, which can cause unnecessary panic in the markets. As a result, proactive disclosure is not just a best practice; it’s a business imperative for stablecoin issuers.Limitations of stablecoin attestation reportsWhile attestation reports are crucial, they are not a cure-all. Here are some limitations:Point-in-time snapshots: Reports only verify reserves on a specific date.No forward-looking guarantees: Attestations don’t predict future solvency.Limited operational insight: They typically don’t cover risks like hacking, mismanagement or liquidity issues.For example, the latest USDC attestation (as discussed in this article) confirms full reserves as of Feb. 4 and Feb. 28, 2025, but it says nothing about what happens on March 1 or any day after. Users must understand these limitations and avoid assuming that attestation equals absolute safety.This is why combining attestation reports with other forms of due diligence like reading legal disclaimers, following regulatory updates and tracking company behavior is key for responsible crypto participation.Not just a report — A roadmap to trust in cryptoReading a stablecoin attestation report is more than scanning numbers; it's a key step in assessing the trustworthiness of a digital asset. By understanding how to read attestation reports, crypto users can make informed decisions, avoid unnecessary risks and support projects that prioritize stablecoin compliance and transparency.With clearer frameworks from institutions like the AICPA and growing public pressure for stablecoin disclosure practices, the ecosystem is moving toward greater accountability. As regulators sharpen their focus and investors demand more visibility, learning to navigate crypto attestation reports will become an essential skill for all participants in the crypto economy.Whether you're a retail investor, developer or institutional player, mastering these reports helps protect your assets and support a more transparent and trustworthy crypto future.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 Helen Partz on April 14, 2025 at 11:29 am

Update (April 14, 1:15 pm UTC): This article has been updated to add comments by Mantra CEO John Mullin from an AMA event hosted by Cointelegraph.Update (April 14, 4:33 pm UTC): This article has been updated with data from Arkham Intelligence.Mantra CEO John Mullin denied reports suggesting large-scale token transfers by major Mantra investors in the days leading up to the sharp collapse of the OM token, while speaking in an AMA hosted by Cointelegraph on April 14.“The Mantra association, our key investors, our advisers — no one has sold, and we are going to categorically deny and also provide verifiable proof onchain proof that this is the case,” Mullin stated in the AMA.Previous reports suggested that Laser Digital, a strategic Mantra investor, cashed out large portions of Mantra (OM) tokens before the cryptocurrency collapsed on April 13.Laser Digital is a digital asset business backed by Nomura. The firm announced a strategic investment in Mantra in May 2024.At least two wallets linked to Laser Digital were among 17 wallets that moved a combined 43.6 million OM tokens — worth about $227 million at the time — to exchanges before the crash, the blockchain analytics platform Lookonchain reported on April 13, citing Arkham Intelligence data.Laser Digital says not involved in millions in OM moved to Binance, OKX According to Arkham data, a Laser Digital-linked wallet, “0x84EE7,” sent 6.5 million OM tokens to an unlabelled Arkham wallet address, “0xB37DB,” on April 11.The “0xB37DB” address subsequently dumped the tokens on the OKX exchange in several transactions, Arkham data shows.Arkham did not immediately respond to Cointelegraph’s request to comment on Laser Digital’s wallets’ tags.Laser Digital-linked wallet and the 6.5 million OM transfer to 0xB37DB. Source: ArkhamLaser Digital subsequently denied Lookonchain reports alleging its involvement in the OM crash, claiming that the referenced wallets did not belong to it.Source: Laser Digital“Laser has no involvement in the recent price collapse of $OM,” Laser said in an X post on April 14. “Assertions circulating on social media that link Laser to ‘investor selling’ are factually incorrect and misleading,” the firm added.Action from other Mantra investorsIn addition to Laser Digital, some social media reports also linked the OM onchain activity to an address allegedly tied to another Mantra investor, Shorooq Partners.According to Lookonchain data, a wallet associated with Shane Shin, a founding partner of Shorooq Partners, received 2 million OM tokens on April 13 at 11:52 am UTC, hours before the crash.Mantra (OM) flows by a wallet potentially linked to Shorooq’s Shane Shin. Source: ArkhamThe tokens came from a previously dormant wallet that received 2.75 million OM in April 2024, Lookonchain reported.Shin also subsequently denied selling the tokens, stating that the transfers implied wallet-to-wallet transactions rather than transfers to an exchange.Source: Shane Shin“No tokens have been sold. The community can check the wallet address and all its transactions to understand the situation fully. Here is the wallet address for full transparency,” Shin wrote in a post on X, attaching his wallet address.Both Laser Digital and Shorooq were among the investors in the $109 million Mantra Ecosystem Fund (MEF) announced on April 7.Related: Mantra bounces 200% after OM price crash but poses LUNA-like’ big scandal’ risk“It is important to note up front that Shorooq (its funds and founding partners) and Mantra (management and team members) have not sold OM tokens in the lead up to, or during, this crash,” a spokesperson for Shorooq told Cointelegraph.The representative also emphasized that Shorooq is an equity investor in Mantra, not solely a token investor. “This means that our focus is on the long-term growth of the project,” the spokesperson added.“We don’t know who those wallets belong to,” CEO saidWhile denying the accuracy of Arkham’s data, Mantra CEO Mullin stressed that the company was not aware of the identity of the addresses dumping OM prior to its crash.“I don’t know who those wallets belong to,” Mullin said during the Cointelegraph AMA, adding:“I know they don’t belong to Shorooq. I know they don’t belong to Laser. I know they don’t belong to our key institutional partners.”Mullin said that Mantra believes the wallets were “mislabeled by Arkham,” adding that the platform provided its key wallet addresses in a transparency report published on April 8.Binance attributes OM collapse to “cross-exchange liquidations”As OKX and Binance were among exchanges that saw significant OM activity before and during the crash, both exchanges addressed the issue. OKX founder Star Xu called the incident a “big scandal to the whole crypto industry.”While Mantra CEO John Mullin attributed the OM crash to one exchange, Binance hinted at “cross-exchange liquidations.”“Our initial findings indicate that the developments over the past day are a result of cross-exchange liquidations,” Binance said in an announcement on April 14.In an update on April 14, OKX said that Mantra’s tokenomics had gone through major changes since October 2024 and flagged suspicious activity across multiple exchanges.Magazine: Illegal arcade disguised as … a fake Bitcoin mine? Soldier scams in China: Asia Express

by Tessa Flemming and Jason Whittaker on April 14, 2025 at 11:10 am

Housing ministers face-off on Q+A after big-spending pledges for first home buyers in campaign launches on Sunday.

by Brittany Carter on April 14, 2025 at 10:34 am

Sunshine Coast shooter Cara Koenen's super shot form is being heavily scrutinised but she isn't the only Diamonds star struggling at the Lightning. 

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 14, 2025 at 10:17 am

Google will begin enforcing stricter advertising policies for cryptocurrency services in Europe under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, the company said in a recent policy update.The move could be a “double-edged sword” for regulation that may prevent initial coin offering (ICO) frauds, but risks further enforcement gaps, according to legal advisers.Starting April 23, cryptocurrency exchanges and crypto wallet advertising in Europe must be licensed under Europe’s MiCA framework or under the Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) regulation.Crypto advertisers on Google will also have to comply with “local legal requirements,” including “national-level restrictions or requirements beyond MiCA” and be “certified by Google,” according to a March 24 Google policy announcement.The new advertising policy will apply to most European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.Policy violations “won’t lead to immediate account suspensions,” as a warning will be issued at least seven days before any account suspensions, added Google’s policy update.The policy shift follows the implementation of the MiCA framework in December 2024, which introduced the first comprehensive regulatory structure for digital assets across the European Union.Related: EU MiCA rules pose ‘systemic’ banking risks for stablecoins — Tether CEOGoogle’s policy seen as double-edged swordGoogle’s new crypto advertising requirements present a “double-edged sword” for crypto regulation, according to Hon Ng, chief legal officer at Bitget.“On one hand, they do enhance investor protection by filtering out unregulated actors,” he told Cointelegraph.“The MiCA framework’s strict AML/CFT and transparency requirements create a safer ecosystem, reducing scams like the ICO frauds that plagued the industry pre-2023,” he said.However, Ng warned the policy could be “overly restrictive” without flexible implementation, especially since transition periods for national licensing vary across jurisdictions.Since Google’s transition period for national licenses varies by country, this may create “temporary gaps in enforcement,” and even bigger challenges around compliance costs, Ng said, adding:“Smaller exchanges may struggle with MiCA’s capital requirements (15,000–150,000 euros) or the bureaucratic hurdle of dual certification (both Google and local regulators). These measures are a net positive for trust but need flexibility to avoid stifling innovation.”Related: Most EU banks fail to meet rising crypto investor demand — SurveyOther industry watchers don’t see this as a fundamental change for Google or investor protection.The updates may be more oriented toward “protecting Google from liability than protecting the investors themselves,” according to Mattan Erder, general counsel at layer-3 decentralized blockchain network Orbs.“Any impact of this change in Google’s policy is downstream of the regulations themselves. If MiCA or CASP registration turns out to be burdensome, expensive and only accessible to big players, then smaller players will have a lot of difficulty competing in these jurisdictions,” Erder told Cointelegraph.Magazine: How crypto laws are changing across the world in 2025

by Cointelegraph by Nancy Lubale on April 14, 2025 at 9:57 am

Bitcoin (BTC) price has been consolidating within a roughly $3,000 range since April 9 as the 200-day SMA trendline remains a stubborn barrier.Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and Bitstamp shows that BTC price oscillates within a tight range between $83,000 and $86,000, as shown in the chart below.BTC/USD four-hour chart. Cointelegraph/TradingViewKey factors behind Bitcoin’s flat price action include:Trump’s mixed signals on technology tariffs.Buy and sell pressure equilibrium with BTC price trapped between two key levels. Trump tariffs breed market uncertaintyOne significant factor contributing to Bitcoin price flatlining is the White House’s semiconductor and technology tariff inconsistency.Key points:Bitcoin price rallied on April 11 after US President Trump announced tariff exemptions for an array of tech products, including smartphones, chips, computers, and semiconductors.On April 13, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick walked back on this announcement, saying that the tariff relief on electronics was temporary.This was later confirmed by President Trump, who stated that the tariff rate would be announced next week, adding that there would be flexibility for some companies in the sector.This flip-flopping breeds uncertainty, as tariffs could disrupt supply chains for tech firms, many of which are intertwined with crypto infrastructure like mining and blockchain companies.According to capital markets commentator The Kobeissi Letter, the "Clarification of Exceptions Under Executive Order 14257" note published by the White House on April 11 did not present a “new list of exemptions.”Rather, it was a clarification that the “goods were never actually intended to be subject to 145% tariffs,” The Kobeissi Letter explained in an April 14 post on X. “It appears that the news and most investors, along with customs enforcement themselves, never truly understood what was being tariffed to begin with. This was a complete misunderstanding by almost everyone involved.”As a result, market participants have taken a wait-and-see approach, as clarity on policy could either ignite a rally or trigger a sell-off.Related: Trade war vs. record M2 money supply: 5 things to know in Bitcoin this weekBTC price trapped between two key trendlinesAnother reason why Bitcoin price remains stuck in limbo is that it trades within two significant levels, as shown in the chart below:BTC price trades between the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) at $84,400 and the 200-day SMA at $87,500.This confirms the 200 SMA as resistance and the 50 SMA as support on the daily candle chart.The value of the RSI close to the midline at 52 suggests that there is a tug-of-war between the bears and the bulls.Bitcoin needs to break the 200 SMA trendline and confront resistance at the $90,000 psychological level. Falling below the 50-day SMA will likely lead to a deeper correction.BTC/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewMeanwhile, the Bitcoin liquidation heatmap reveals heavy ask orders around the 200-day SMA and bid positions just below the 50-day SMA, as shown in the figure below. This further highlights the liquidity clusters that are currently containing BTC prices within the current market structure.Bitcoin liquidation heatmap. Source: CoinGlassThis 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 Yashu Gola on April 14, 2025 at 9:44 am

Mantra’s OM (OM) token staged a sharp rebound after plunging 90% over the weekend, following an active response from the project’s team addressing allegations of a rug pull scam.OM bounces 200% as co-founder addresses concernsAs of April 14, OM was trading for as high as $1.10, almost 200% higher than its post-crash low of $0.37 a day prior. OM/USDT daily price chart. Source: TradingViewThe rebound came after Mantra addressed rug-pull allegations. Co-founder JP Mullin reassured the community that the project remains active, pointing to the official Telegram group being “still online.”“We are here and not going anywhere,” Mullin wrote, also sharing a verification address to prove the team’s OM token holdings. He attributed the OM’s crash to “reckless forced closures initiated by centralized exchanges.”Source: JP Mullin The assurance calmed the OM token sell-off that had obliterated over $5 billion in market capitalization and liquidated $75.9 million worth of futures positions in a day.Numerous online commentators claimed the Mantra team, reportedly controlling 90% of the token supply, orchestrated the sell-off amid suspicious OM transfers to centralized exchanges right before the crash.Source: AltcoinGordonAnalyst Ed further alleged that the Mantra team used their OM holdings as collateral to secure high-risk loans on a centralized exchange. He noted that a sudden change in the platform’s loan risk parameters triggered a margin call, contributing to the token’s sharp decline. Source: EdExchanges adjust loan risk parameters to manage market volatility and protect themselves from potential insolvency due to falling collateral values. Centralized exchanges like OKX have changed their parameters since Mantra’s tokenomics update in October 2024.Notably, Mantra doubled the total supply of OM tokens from 888,888,888 to 1,777,777,777 that month. It further transitioned from a capped to an uncapped, inflationary model with an initial 8% annual inflation rate.Source: Wu BlockchainOKX CEO Star Xu called Mantra a “big scandal,” adding that it would release relevant reports regarding its crash in the coming days.OM bounce might resemble LUNA’s bulltrap OM’s 200% rebound from its $0.37 low may look impressive, but its structure closely resembles the classic bull trap pattern seen in Terra’s LUNA debacle in May 2022.OM’s price has crashed below the 50-week exponential moving average (50-week EMA; the red wave) support near $3.25 and is now testing resistance at the 200-week EMA (the blue wave) at around $1.08.OM/USDT weekly price chart. Source: TradingViewMeanwhile, OM’s weekly relative strength index (RSI) has dropped to 33.31, signaling weakening momentum and increasing the risk of another breakdown.Related: What is a rug pull in crypto and 6 ways to spot it?This setup strongly mirrors LUNA’s post-crash behavior. After its sharp decline in May 2022, the price staged a brief recovery but failed to reclaim its 50-week and 200-week moving averages, triggering a deeper and more prolonged downtrend. LUNA/USD weekly price chart. Source: TradingViewOM now faces mounting skepticism despite the temporary bounce, with chartist AmiCatCrypto saying that the Mantra token can plunge 90% within a day after rallying for 100 days.“If you ask me if bull market is over. Short answer. YES,” she wrote, adding: “Any gains from this point is considered bounces.”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 Brianna Morris-Grant on April 14, 2025 at 9:28 am

Young Australians are most at risk, according to new research by the University of Adelaide. 

by Jean Kennedy on April 14, 2025 at 9:16 am

Police divers have recovered the body of an 86-year-old man after he drove his car into the Parramatta River, hitting his elderly wife while she was standing on the riverbank.

by Heloise Vyas on April 14, 2025 at 9:11 am

The manufacturer of GLAD waste disposal and food storage bags, hit with $8.25 million federal penalty for making incorrect product recycling claims.

by Adelaide Miller and Rhiana Whitson on April 14, 2025 at 8:59 am

New housing policies likely to increase house prices due to surging demand from first home buyers. 

by Cointelegraph by William Suberg on April 14, 2025 at 8:52 am

Bitcoin (BTC) is holding down the fort as the US trade war rages on into the third week of April.BTC price action attempts to overcome a long-term resistance trend line without success as trade war concerns dictate traders’ expectations.Tariffs are the key macroeconomic topic of the week as risk assets brace for potential surprise headlines.Bitcoin ETFs lost almost $800 million in a week, while Strategy indicates it has purchased the dip.Despite tariff pressures, the weakness of the US dollar could be a blessing in disguise for Bitcoin and risky assets.Global M2 money supply is at an all-time high and rising; will Bitcoin follow history and replicate its past?Bulls battle a key BTC price resistance lineWith traders on the lookout for tariff-related volatility this week, BTC price analysis is zooming out.BTC/USD closed last week up 6.7%, data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView confirms.BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewNext, however, comes the real test, breaking beyond a downward-sloping trend line that has capped the upside for months.$BTC - #Bitcoin: I’m watching this chart closely. We might be ready. pic.twitter.com/Dtv1jkrzkP— Crypto Caesar (@CryptoCaesarTA) April 12, 2025“Rejected at key resistance, following the trendline perfectly,” trader Bitbull wrote in his latest post on the topic on X. “If the breakdown continues, eyes on the $70K-$72K support zone for a possible bounce.”BTC/USD 12-hour chart. Source: Bitbull/XFellow trader and analyst Rekt Capital is also eyeing the trend line as a breakout proves hard to confirm.“Bitcoin has Daily Closed above the Downtrend. Thus, breakout confirmation is underway,” he told X followers over the weekend.“However BTC has previously Daily Closed above the Downtrend but failed its retest (a few of the red circles). Retest needs to be successful and it is in progress.”BTC/USD 1-day chart. Source: Rekt Capital/XPopular trader AK47 on X posted separate upside and downside BTC price targets, depending on the outcome of the trend line retest.“$BTC might push to $88K — but don’t get too comfy,” he cautioned.“Could be a fakeout, grabbing liquidity before dipping to $81K for that inverse head & shoulders setup. If that plays out, $95K–$100K isn’t far.”BTC/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: AK47/XTariff talk keeps markets on edgeA quieter week for US macroeconomic data leaves initial jobless claims as the highlight while the ongoing trade war continues to dominate.With China in focus, risk assets and crypto face flash volatility should more surprises involving trade tariffs surface.The weekend saw snap relief in that respect as US President Donald Trump announced a pause on tariffs for key tech products. As a result, Bitcoin climbed to 11-day highs above $86,000.Subsequent indications that the measures would be temporary then put renewed pressure on stocks’ futures, while BTC/USD retreated to circle $84,000 at the time of writing.“We think the ‘tariff exemptions’ announced this weekend were originally intended to be temporary,” trading resource The Kobeissi Letter wrote in part of an X reaction. “The goal was to bring treasury yields back down before resuming the trade war.”S&P 500 1-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewKobeissi suggested that markets had originally considered the move as a signal that the trade war might end completely, only to be disappointed a day later.“Bonds will likely still rally along with stocks, but uncertainty has only grown. The bond market is king,” it added.Continuing, trading firm Mosaic Asset agreed that bonds may have been crucial in altering policy trajectory last week.“It’s the volatility in other areas of the markets like currencies and Treasury bonds that might have forced a quick pivot on trade and tariff policy,” it summarized in the latest edition of its regular newsletter, “The Market Mosaic,” on April 13.“The uncertainty around tariffs has become a binary and unpredictable event for the stock market. Signs of tensions fuel further downside, while an easing of tensions sends stocks sharply in the other direction.”Bitcoin ETF outflow “barely registers”A sign of how turbulent last week was came in the form of net flows from the US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs).In one of the worst weeks ever for the ETF products since their debut in early 2024, total outflows passed $750 million.For network economist Timothy Peterson, however, there is little to worry about.Zooming out, he noted that even a nine-figure drawdown such as this makes hardly any difference to the overall investment pool that the ETFs have created in little more than a year.“Last week, US Bitcoin ETFs had their 5th worst week ever (in terms of outflows). Over $700 million. Yet it barely registers as a blip on the chart,” he told X followers. “That's how big Bitcoin has become. That's how sticky these investments are.”US spot Bitcoin ETF balances. Source: Timothy Peterson/XAmong major investors seeking to “buy the dip,” meanwhile, was business intelligence firm Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), whose co-founder Michael Saylor hinted that it was upping its BTC exposure this weekend.“No Tariffs on Orange Dots,” he wrote in an X post alongside a chart of Strategy’s acquisitions. Strategy Bitcoin holdings data. Source: Michael SaylorWhether Bitcoin will emerge as an attractive proposition for the institutional investor cohort while trade war uncertainty continues is dubious.A survey by Bank of America in late March showed that respondents overwhelmingly favored gold as a volatility hedge, with 58% choosing it.“This compares to just 9% for 30-year Treasury Bonds and 3% for Bitcoin,” Kobeissi wrote while reporting on the findings. “Throw in the US deficit spending crisis and gold quickly becomes the only global safe haven asset.”BoA survey results. Source: The Kobeissi Letter/XDollar dive gives risk assets hope of reliefThe US dollar may yet provide some light at the end of the tunnel for wary risk-asset traders this week.The trade war has taken its toll on the greenback, and when measured against major trading partner currencies, its weakness is plain to see.The US Dollar Index (DXY) fell to three-year lows last week and, at the time of writing, is challenging those lows once more.Markets selling dollar even lower Monday. DXY fell through 100 and also the 2023 low over last few hours, now at lowest in 3 years pic.twitter.com/MJ8wvvJuY2— David Ingles (@DavidInglesTV) April 14, 2025While far from constant, Bitcoin’s relationship with dollar strength tends to show that gains occur after major DXY losses, albeit with a delay of several months.To that end, popular analytics account Bitcoindata21 is eyeing a repeat of events from 2017, resulting in BTC/USD all-time highs at the end of the year.US Dollar Index (DXY) fractal. Source: Bitcoindata21/XAnother chart uploaded to X over the weekend showed the relationship between DXY, Bitcoin and the S&P 500, providing ideal conditions for a long-term bottom in the latter.The last time such a signal came was around one month before the pit of the Bitcoin bear market in late 2022.“I got 99 problems but the DXY aint 1,” Bitcoindata21 summarized.BTC/USD vs. S&P 500 vs. DXY chart. Source: Bitcoindata21/XA bull market rebound in the making?On longer timeframes, an equally promising trend is playing out for Bitcoin bulls.Related: Bollinger Bands creator says Bitcoin forming ‘classic’ floor near $80KThe global M2 money supply, with which Bitcoin price action is positively correlated, is seeking to break out beyond all-time highs.“Global M2 has remained at an ATH for 3 days in a row,” analyst Colin Talks Crypto noted in a dedicated X post on the phenomenon this weekend. “This is a fantastic sign for what it signals will be coming into risk assets in ~108 days.”BTC/USD vs global M2 supply. Source: Colin Talks Crypto/XThe post refers to a chain reaction in which sharp moves in global M2 spark copycat behavior for Bitcoin once the latency period expires.Before that, however, there may be a final opportunity to “buy the dip.”“Global M2 (with a 108-day offset) doesn’t show a blast-off for another ~2 1/2 weeks, and actually shows a slow bleed into next week until around April 16th or 17th,” Colin Talks Crypto acknowledged.Earlier this month, the analyst predicted a “big M2 influx” incoming, with a corresponding BTC price rebound beginning in May.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 Talissa Siganto on April 14, 2025 at 8:36 am

A Lockyer Valley man accused of killing his wife in a "murderous rage" allegedly staged the crime scene and sent text messages to himself to make it look like an accident, a court has heard.