Alternative News for You

by Cointelegraph by Ciaran Lyons on April 20, 2025 at 4:04 am

The Bank for International Settlements’ (BIS) push to isolate crypto markets and its controversial recommendations on DeFi and stablecoins is “dangerous” for the entire financial system, warns the CEO of a blockchain investment firm.“Many of their recommendations and conclusions – perhaps due to a mix of fear, arrogance or ignorance--are completely uninformed and frankly, dangerous,” CoinFund president Christopher Perkins said in an April 19 X post, referring to the BIS April 15 report titled “Cryptocurrencies and decentralized finance: functions and financial stability implication.” BIS recommendations exposes TradFi to risks of “unimaginable scale”“Crypto is not communism,” Perkins said, pushing back against the BIS’s call for a “containment” approach to isolate crypto from traditional finance and the broader economy.“It’s the new internet that provides anyone with a connection access to financial services,” Perkins said. “You cannot control it anymore than you control the internet,” he added.Perkins warned that a containment approach to crypto would expose the traditional financial system to massive liquidity risks “of unimaginable scale,” especially when the crypto market operates in real-time, 24/7, while traditional financial markets shut down after trading hours.“If implemented they will cause--not mitigate--the systemic risk they seek to prevent.”The report warned that the number of investors and amount of capital in crypto and DeFi have “reached a critical mass,” with investor protection becoming a “significant concern for regulators.”Source: Michael EgorovPerkins pushed back against the BIS’ claim that DeFi presents significant challenges, arguing instead that it represents a “significant improvement” over the “opacity” and imbalances of the traditional financial system.Related: Crypto industry is not experiencing regulatory capture — AttorneyResponding to the BIS’s concern about the anonymity of DeFi developers, Perkins questioned its relevance:“Sorry, but when was the last time a TradFi company published a list of its developers? Sure, public companies provide a degree of disclosures and transparency, but they seem to be dying off in favor of private markets.”Perkins also critiqued the BIS’s concern around stablecoins that it could lead to “macroeconomic instability in countries like Venezuela and Zimbabwe.”“If there is demand for USD stablecoins and it helps improve the condition of anyone in the developing world, perhaps that is a good thing,” Perkins said.Source: Christopher PerkinsPerkins wasn’t alone in criticizing the controversial report. Lightspark co-founder Christian Catalini also weighed in, posting a series of critiques on X that same day. Catalini summed up the report with the analogy:“Think: writing parking regulations for a fleet of self‑driving drones — earnest work, two technological leaps behind.”Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest, April 13 – 19

by Stephanie Dalzell on April 20, 2025 at 3:56 am

The Coalition has accused Labor of "disgraceful" lies about claims a future Dutton government would scrap almost 90 existing urgent care clinics.

on April 20, 2025 at 3:13 am

Minjee Lee will enter the final day of the LPGA Tour's LA Championship three shots off the lead after fighting back from a mid-round slump.

by Simon Smale on April 20, 2025 at 3:09 am

The Raiders head to the Gold Coast to take on the Titans to kick off Easter Sunday's NRL action. Later, the Knights host the Sharks in Newcastle. Follow live.

by Gareth Hutchens on April 20, 2025 at 2:44 am

Do home owners ever complain when house prices rise? A former prime minister said they didn't, but we're now dealing with the fallout.

by Elizabeth Byrne and Charlotte Gore on April 20, 2025 at 2:27 am

Thousands of people turn out in Canberra for the 59th annual National Folk Festival, with acts ranging from Scottish fiddlers and poetry readings, to folk dancing and a music quiz show. 

on April 20, 2025 at 2:06 am

The state opposition says it's obtained documents showing Melbourne's first COVID curfew was announced without proper health advice.

by Mietta Adams on April 20, 2025 at 1:53 am

The Pilbara is one of the few regions in the country where bilbies are still found. This pastoralist has been working to protect them on her station.

by Mawunyo Gbogbo on April 20, 2025 at 1:36 am

The Sydney Comedy Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary with a program including some of Australia's best known comedians, new talent and guests from across the world.

by Hamish Cole on April 20, 2025 at 1:25 am

Blind cricket gave Scott Jones an opportunity to meet like-minded people after the loss of his eyesight left him with a feeling of grief.

on April 20, 2025 at 1:15 am

The demonstrations ranged from a march through Manhattan and a rally in front of the White House to a demonstration at a Massachusetts Revolutionary War commemoration.

by Elizabeth Byrne and Melissa Brown on April 20, 2025 at 12:55 am

The faithful have gathered throughout Australia to mark one of the holiest days on the Christian calendar.

by Jake Evans on April 20, 2025 at 12:50 am

Coalition MPs say 14 days is an eternity in politics and the party can reclaim ground before voting day in two weeks' time — even as it fends off new claims the Coalition would revive its unpopular work from home plan after the election.

by Scout Wallen on April 20, 2025 at 12:38 am

An antithesis to mass-produced chipboard furniture, a Tasmanian designer is making pieces that should last "hundreds of years".

by Aaron Kelly on April 20, 2025 at 12:30 am

A new study has found mud crabs actually have complex lives. From long distance travel, to carving up food for little fish, these Easter lunch favourites might surprise you. 

by Charlie Mills on April 20, 2025 at 12:11 am

As a storm brews over federal industrial relations changes, government critics say increased worker power will take the resource-rich Pilbara region back to the "bad old days" of union power. But how bad were they?

by Briana Shepherd on April 20, 2025 at 12:04 am

WA Health Department directives restricting filming of ambulance ramping for the TV show Paramedics are labelled dishonest by the state opposition and a disservice to health workers and the public by doctors.

by Jason Dasey on April 19, 2025 at 11:42 pm

Queensland hopeful Reece Walsh may be sidelined for State of Origin I, having sustained a PCL injury in the Broncos' 20-18 golden-point loss to the Warriors in New Zealand.

on April 19, 2025 at 11:32 pm

Trans rights protesters gather in the English capital to protest against the UK's Supreme Court ruling that a woman is someone born biologically female.

on April 19, 2025 at 11:15 pm

Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death of a man in Melbourne's inner south-east this morning, along with an unrelated serious assault of a woman in the coastal town of Barwon Heads.

on April 19, 2025 at 10:57 pm

Vaibhav Suryavanshi shows what all the hype is about by putting his first ball into the stands on debut for the Rajasthan Royals against the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.

by Callum Marshall on April 19, 2025 at 10:51 pm

Two years ago this intersection claimed the lives of five people in one of Victoria's deadliest crashes. Residents say not enough is being done to prevent the next tragedy.

by Nethma Dandeniya on April 19, 2025 at 10:41 pm

Shaun Tait's 161.1 kilometres per hour delivery in 2010 was the fastest ball ever bowled by an Australian and the second fastest ever bowled. Experts are concerned coaching methods may be hindering others from reaching those levels again.

by Crystal McKay on April 19, 2025 at 10:32 pm

About 1 in 12 employed Tasmanians have at least two jobs, but the number of people with multiple jobs across the country is at an all-time high also, data shows.

by Jessica Schremmer on April 19, 2025 at 10:20 pm

Native freshwater turtles have declined by up to 91 per cent in parts of the River Murray, but Indigenous rangers and conservationists are fighting to bring them back.

by Max Walden on April 19, 2025 at 10:08 pm

Dissatisfaction with the Albanese government's stance on Israel-Palestine among many Arab and Muslim voters threatens to unseat Labor MPs, in some places for the first time.

by Cointelegraph by Cointelegraph on April 19, 2025 at 9:50 pm

Today in crypto, Charles Schwab CEO eyes April 2026 window for debut of spot Bitcoin trading, a new report from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) warns that crypto and stablecoins may destabilize finance and widen inequality, and Lyn Alden shares her current outlook on Bitcoin.Charles Schwab CEO hints spot BTC trading may come in April 2026Charles Schwab CEO Rick Wurster said the financial services company is looking at a potential April 2026 target to rollout spot Bitcoin trading to its clients.According to RIABiz, the CEO said that crypto was attracting traffic to the financial service company's crypto-focused website.70% of that traffic was not Schwab clients and represented potentially new prospects, Wurster said. The Schwab CEO gave a timeline for the rollout:“Our expectation is that with the changing regulatory environment, we are hopeful and likely to be able to launch direct spot crypto. Our goal is to do that in the next 12 months."The move comes at a time when many traditional financial institutions are increasingly adopting crypto or offering digital asset products to their clients.Crypto, DeFi may widen wealth gap, destabilize finance: BIS reportThe growing adoption of cryptocurrencies may pose risks to the traditional financial system and exacerbate wealth inequality, according to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).In an April 15 report, the BIS warned that the number of investors and amount of capital in crypto and decentralized finance (DeFi) have “reached a critical mass,” with investor protection becoming a “significant concern for regulators.”The size of the crypto market signals that authorities should be worried about the “stability of crypto over and above the role it may have for TradFi and the real economy,” the report states, highlighting the role of stablecoins, which the BIS said have “become the means through which participants transfer value within crypto.”BIS report on crypto and DeFi’s functions and financial stability implications. Source: BISThe report calls for targeted stablecoin regulation on stability and reserve asset requirements that will guarantee the redemption of stablecoins for US dollars during “stressed market conditions.”Lyn Alden lowers Bitcoin forecast after “tariff kerfuffle,” eyes liquidityMacroeconomist Lyn Alden expects Bitcoin to finish 2025 higher than its current price of around $85,000, though she says it would have been much higher if not for US President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement in February.“Before all this tariff kerfuffle, I would have had a higher price target,” Alden told Natalie Brunell on the April 17 episode of Coin Stories. “My guess is that we end up higher at the end of the year than we are now, at least,” she added.Lyn Alden spoke to Coin Stories’ host Natalie Brunell on April 17. Source: Natalie BrunellHowever, she said that a “massive liquidity unlock” could be the catalyst needed for Bitcoin to reach more optimistic targets, similar to those before the tariffs were introduced.For example, if the US bond market “broke” and the US Federal Reserve had to step in with measures like yield curve control or heavy quantitative easing (QE), Alden explained.

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 19, 2025 at 9:30 pm

Financial educator, author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad, and investor Robert Kiyosaki recently forecasted a $1 million Bitcoin (BTC) price by 2035 as the US dollar continues to lose value to inflationary monetary policies."I strongly believe, by 2035, that one Bitcoin will be over $ 1 million, Gold will be $30,000, and silver $3,000 a coin," Kiyosaki wrote in an April 18 X post.Kiyosaki, a self-described gold bug, has long argued that bearer assets like gold, silver, and more recently Bitcoin, are critical hedges against inflation and key to long-term generational wealth accumulation through economic cycles.United States M2 money supply 1959-2025. Source: TradingView"In 2025, credit card debt is at all-time highs, US debt is at all-time highs, unemployment is rising, 401k’s are losing, and pensions are being stolen. The USA may be heading for a greater depression," Kiyosaki warned.Kiyosaki, like many other sound money advocates, has continually warned of an impending financial crash brought on by expansionist monetary policies and fiscal irresponsibility. Bitcoin maximalists argue that loose monetary policy will drive the price of Bitcoin to seven-figures.Related: Bitcoin could hit $1M if US buys 1M BTC — Bitcoin Policy InstituteAnalysts eye $1 million BTC in the 2030sIn May 2024, Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey forecasted that the price of a single BTC would be $1 million by 2030 and could appreciate further.Trader and investor Michaël van de Poppe told Cointelegraph, in November 2024, that Bitcoin could go to $1 million. However, the price appreciation would come with hyperinflation and a broader economic collapse, the trader said.Blockstream CEO Adam Back said the price of Bitcoin could rise to $1 million per coin if the Trump administration established a Bitcoin strategic reserve for the United States and started buying Bitcoin on the open market.On Dec. 10, Eric Trump delivered the keynote speech at the Bitcoin MENA event in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and predicted that Bitcoin would hit $1 million due to its scarcity.More recently, in February 2025, Ark Invest CEO Cathie Wood said that Bitcoin could hit $1.5 million by 2030 if demand for the digital asset continues to grow.Magazine: TradFi fans ignored Lyn Alden’s BTC tip — Now she says it’ll hit 7 figures: X Hall of Flame

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 19, 2025 at 7:45 pm

Charles Schwab Corp CEO Rick Wurster is reportedly eyeing an April 2026 launch window to provide spot Bitcoin (BTC) trading services to Schwab clients.According to RIABiz, Wurster cited a 400% increase in traffic to Schwab's crypto website as evidence of investor interest in digital assets. The CEO predicted:“Our expectation is that with the changing regulatory environment, we are hopeful and likely to be able to launch direct spot crypto. Our goal is to do that in the next 12 months, and we are on a great path to be able to do that.”The Schwab CEO's comments reflect the growing trend of traditional financial (TradFi) institutions adopting crypto products and offering services that blur the line between the digital asset world and TradFi.Related: Lyn Alden lowers Bitcoin forecast after ‘tariff kerfuffle,’ eyes liquiditySchwab makes crypto moves under new CEO Rick Wurster assumed the helm at Schwab in 2025, and in a November 2024 Yahoo Finance interview, said the company was happy to provide services to clients who want to trade digital assets.At the time, Wurster told the financial news outlet that Schwab wanted to offer crypto directly to its clients but was waiting for a positive regulatory catalyst.Following the re-election of Donald Trump in the United States, Wurster said the financial services company anticipated a much better regulatory environment to expand its digital asset services.The Schwab CEO previously said he did not own any cryptocurrency, adding that he felt "silly" for not investing in the nascent asset class as it has continued to provide outsized investment gains.Rick Wurster speaking to Yahoo Finance in November 2024. Source: Yahoo FinanceIn January 2025, Charles Schwab partnered with the Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG) to provide customized exchange-traded funds and cryptocurrency services for the upcoming "Truth.Fi" service.Truth.Fi will encompass digital assets and traditional financial services as a proposed alternative to the legacy banking system.TMTG CEO, and White House official, Devin Nunes said the goal of TMTG is to provide an option for individuals worried about unfair banking practices and "cancellation, censorship, debanking, and privacy violations committed by big tech and woke corporations.”Magazine: Researchers accidentally turn ChatGPT evil, Grok ‘sexy mode’ horror: AI Eye

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 19, 2025 at 5:39 pm

Brandon Ferrick, general counsel at Douro Labs, said that the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) openness to public input on crypto policy and their roundtable discussions are positive signs that the crypto industry is not currently experiencing regulatory capture.In an interview with Cointelegraph, Ferrick identified signs of regulatory capture including, a public-to-private sector revolving door of employees, the same roster of attendees at regulatory events, and special treatment given to certain crypto projects. However, Ferrick added:"The reason why I am not worried today is that a lot of what you're seeing from the regulatory side, like the SEC, for example, is totally open, public, and there are available opportunities to have conversations with the regulators about changing or thinking about the regulatory structures.""[The SEC] has a public portal where you can just submit written commentary on your thoughts for the crypto regulatory environment, and you can schedule meetings with them," the attorney continued.Crypto Industry executives and panelists discuss cohesive crypto regulation at the SEC’s first crypto roundtable in March 2025. Source: SEC As the crypto industry becomes more integrated with the traditional financial system and engages state regulators more, some analysts and executives are worried that the industry is experiencing regulatory capture that will skew incentives and politicize the burgeoning crypto sector.Related: SEC staff gives guidance on how securities laws could apply to cryptoSEC hosts several roundtable discussions on crypto policyThe SEC has hosted several crypto roundtable discussions and panels, with more slated in the coming months — a sharp contrast from the agency's regulation-by-enforcement approach under former SEC chairman Gary Gensler.On March 21, the regulatory agency hosted its first crypto roundtable, which featured crypto industry executives, SEC officials, and even opponents of the crypto industry.Former SEC official John Reed Stark was highly critical of the industry and opposed comprehensive regulatory reform, arguing that digital assets must comply with existing securities laws.Former SEC official John Reed Stark addresses the SEC’s March 2025 crypto roundtable. Source: SECThe SEC's April 11 roundtable focused on trading rules and included a different set of panelists, including representatives from Uniswap and Coinbase.The next SEC panel will occur on April 25 and focus on establishing guidelines for crypto custodians and other firms holding crypto on behalf of customers.Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

by Sundance on April 19, 2025 at 5:21 pm

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced an Easter ceasefire of all hostilities in order to celebrate the holiest of Christian holy days.  According to his announcement the ceasefire will last from 6 p.m. Moscow time (1500 GMT) on Saturday, to midnight (2100 GMT) Monday, following Easter Sunday. “We assume that the Ukrainian side will follow The post Russian President Vladimir Putin Announces Easter Ceasefire appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Sundance on April 19, 2025 at 4:01 pm

The White House provides the following Easter message from President Donald Trump. “As we approach this joyous Easter Sunday, I want to wish Christians everywhere a happy, and beautiful, and blessed holiday. America is a nation of believers. We need God. We want God. And with His help, we will make our nation stronger…” –President The post President Trump Delivers an Easter Message appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Sundance on April 19, 2025 at 3:54 pm

On this 250th Anniversary of the first Patriots Day, the battle of Lexington and Concord, the White House posts the following historical account for our consideration.  Thank You President Donald J Trump. . Posted in Christian Values, Culture, Heros, History, Patriotism, President Trump, Uncategorized The post 250 Year Anniversary of “The Shot Heard Around the World” – The Battle of Lexington and Concord appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Jin Kwon on April 19, 2025 at 3:00 pm

Opinion by: Jin Kwon, co-founder and chief strategy officer at SagaCrypto has come a long way in boosting transaction throughput. New layer 1s (L1s) and side networks offer faster, cheaper transactions than ever before. Yet, a core challenge has come into focus: liquidity fragmentation — the scattering of capital and users across an ever-growing maze of blockchains.Vitalik Buterin, in a recent blog post, highlighted how scaling successes have led to unforeseen coordination challenges. With so many chains and so much value splintered among them, participants face a daily tangle of bridging, swapping and wallet-switching. While these issues affect Ethereum, they also affect nearly every ecosystem. No matter how advanced, new blockchains risk becoming liquidity “islands” that struggle to connect with one another.The real costs of fragmentationLiquidity fragmentation means there is no single “pool” of assets for traders, investors or decentralized finance (DeFi) applications to tap into. Instead, each blockchain or side network hosts its own siloed liquidity. For a user who wants to buy a token or access a specific lending platform, this siloing introduces multiple headaches. Switching networks, opening specialized wallets and paying multiple transaction fees are far from seamless, especially for those less tech-savvy. Liquidity is also thinner in each isolated pool, leading to price disparities and higher slippage on trades. Many users resort to bridges to move capital across chains, yet these have been frequent targets for exploits, raising fear and mistrust. If it’s too cumbersome or risky to move liquidity around, DeFi fails to gain mainstream momentum. Meanwhile, projects scramble to deploy across multiple networks or risk being left behind.Some observers worry that fragmentation could drive people back to a few dominant chains or centralized exchanges, undermining the decentralized ideals that fueled blockchain’s rise.Familiar fixes, with persisting gapsSolutions have emerged to tackle this tangle. Bridges and wrapped assets enable basic interoperability, but the user experience remains cumbersome. Crosschain aggregators can route tokens through a chain of swaps, yet they generally don’t merge the underlying liquidity. They only help users navigate it. Meanwhile, ecosystems like Cosmos and Polkadot bring interoperability within their frameworks, though they are separate realms in the broader crypto landscape.The problem is fundamental: Each chain views itself as distinct. Any new chain or sub-network must be “plugged in” at the ground level to truly unify liquidity. Otherwise, it adds another liquidity island that users must discover and bridge into. This challenge is compounded by chains, bridges and aggregators seeing one another as competition, leading to intentional siloing and making fragmentation even more pronounced.Integrating liquidity at the base layerIntegration at the base layer addresses liquidity fragmentation by embedding bridging and routing functions directly into a chain’s core infrastructure. This approach appears in certain layer-1 protocols and specialized frameworks, where interoperability is treated as a foundational element rather than an optional add-on. Recent: What are exit liquidity traps — and how to detect them before it is too lateValidator nodes automatically handle crosschain connections, so new chains or side networks can launch with immediate access to the broader ecosystem’s liquidity. This reduces reliance on third-party bridges that often introduce security risks and user friction.Ethereum’s own challenges with heterogeneous layer-2 (L2) solutions underscore why integration is essential. Different participants — Ethereum as a settlement layer, L2s focusing on execution, and various bridging services — have their own motivations, resulting in fragmented liquidity. Buterin’s references to this issue highlight the need for more cohesive designs. An integrated base-layer model brings these components together at launch, ensuring that capital can flow freely without forcing users to navigate multiple wallets, bridge solutions, or rollups.An integrated routing mechanism also consolidates asset transfers, mimicking a unified liquidity pool behind the scenes. By capturing a fraction of the overall liquidity flow rather than charging users for every transaction, such protocols reduce friction and encourage capital mobility across the network. Developers deploying new blockchains gain instant access to a shared liquidity base while end-users avoid juggling multiple tools or encountering unexpected fees. This emphasis on integration helps maintain a seamless experience, even as more networks come online.Not just an Ethereum issueWhile Buterin’s blog post focuses on Ethereum’s rollups, fragmentation is ecosystem-agnostic. Whether a project builds on an Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible chain, a WebAssembly-based platform, or something else, the fragmentation trap arises if liquidity is fenced off. As more protocols explore base-layer solutions — embedding automatic interoperability into their chain design — there’s hope that future networks won’t splinter capital further but instead help unify it.A clear principle emerges: Throughput means little without connectivity.Users shouldn’t need to think about L1s, L2s or sidechains. They just want seamless access to decentralized applications (DApps), games and financial services. Adopting will follow if stepping onto a new chain feels identical to operating on a familiar network.Toward a unified and liquid futureThe crypto community’s focus on transaction throughput has revealed an unexpected paradox: The more chains we create for speed, the more we fragment our ecosystem’s strength, which lies in its shared liquidity. Each new chain intended to boost capacity creates another isolated pool of capital.Building interoperability directly into blockchain infrastructure offers a clear path through this challenge. When protocols handle crosschain connections automatically and route assets efficiently, developers can expand without splintering their user base or capital. Success in this model comes from measuring and improving how smoothly value moves throughout the ecosystem.The technical foundations for this approach exist today. We must implement them thoughtfully, with attention to security and user experience.Opinion by: Jin Kwon, co-founder and chief strategy officer at Saga. 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 Zoltan Vardai on April 19, 2025 at 2:31 pm

Whales and institutions are increasing their Bitcoin holdings ahead of Easter, as market analysts predict a weekend with less volatility after two weeks of heightened volatility driven by escalating global trade tensions.A wallet linked to London-based investment firm Abraxas Capital acquired 2,949 Bitcoin (BTC) worth more than $250 million during the four days leading up to April 19.In the latest transaction, the firm bought over $45 million worth of Bitcoin from Binance on April 18, according to crypto intelligence firm Lookonchain, citing Arkham Intelligence data.Source: Arkham Intelligence, LookonchainThe investment came days after Michael Saylor’s Strategy bought $285 million worth of Bitcoin at an average price of $82,618 per BTC, as the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holders signal continued confidence in Bitcoin, amid global tariff uncertainty.Large Bitcoin investors, or whales, continue accumulating, absorbing over 300% of Bitcoin’s yearly issuance as exchanges continue losing coins at a historic pace, Cointelegraph reported on April 18.Related: Spar supermarket in Switzerland starts accepting Bitcoin paymentsCrypto analysts eye quiet Easter weekend after weeks of turmoilDespite continued accumulation from whales and institutions, volatility concerns were raised by significant movements from the medium-term Bitcoin cohort, which holds coins for an average of three to six months.Over 170,000 Bitcoin entered circulation from the medium-term cohort, a development that may signal “imminent” crypto market volatility, according to pseudonymous CryptoQuant analyst Mignolet.“The effect of this metric on LTF moves is overstated as large onchain movement of coins hardly ever affects weekend price action since it’s not on liquid markets or CEX markets,” analysts at Bitfinex exchange told Cointelegraph, adding:“It is important to note that funding rates remain relatively flat currently. Moreover, US markets are closed as we have a long weekend for Easter, so volatility could be suppressed barring headlines from the White House.”Related: Crypto, DeFi may widen wealth gap, destabilize finance: BIS reportMarcin Kazmierczak, chief operating officer of RedStone Oracles, added that the recent movements may be operational transfers, not necessarily signs of imminent selling pressure.Still, concerns over weekend volatility have been amplified over the past two weeks after the Mantra (OM) token’s price collapsed by over 90% on Sunday, April 13, from roughly $6.30 to below $0.50, triggering market manipulation allegations and highlighting “critical” liquidity issues in the industry.Two weeks ago, on April 6, Bitcoin fell below $75,000 on Sunday, as investor concerns spread from a record-breaking  $5 trillion sell-off from the S&P 500, its largest on record.BTC, SPX, year-to-date chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe correction was caused by Bitcoin’s 24/7 trading availability, which made it the only large liquid asset available for de-risking on Sunday, Blockstream CEO Adam Back told Cointelegraph.“On a weekend, there’s not much volume. So you have a worse risk of rapid sort of flash crashes or flash dips that get filled in again,” he said.Magazine: Bitcoin ATH sooner than expected? XRP may drop 40%, and more: Hodler’s Digest, March 23 – 29

by Cointelegraph by Yashu Gola on April 19, 2025 at 2:15 pm

XRP (XRP) has bounced nearly 30% after a four-month low of $1.61 amid rising tariff tensions. However, the rebound may be short-lived as technical patterns and on-chain signals now point to a deeper correction ahead.XRP cup-and-handle pattern hints at 40% drop XRP is forming a classic bearish reversal pattern that could see its price falling by at least 40% in the coming weeks.Dubbed inverse-cup-and-handle (IC&H), the pattern forms when the price rounds off in a curved descent (cup) followed by a brief consolidation phase (handle) — all atop a common neckline support level. Inverted cup-and-handle pattern illustrated. Source: MediumThe pattern is confirmed by a breakdown stage, where the price breaks decisively below support and falls by as much as the pattern’s maximum height. As of April 19, XRP had entered the pattern’s handle-formation phase, eyeing a decisive close below the neckline support at around $2. In this case, the primary downside target will likely be around $1.24, almost 40% below current prices.XRP/USD three-day price chart. Source: TradingViewThe IC&H target aligns with XRP’s 200-3D exponential moving average (200-3D EMA; the blue wave) at around $1.28 — and further coincides with a November 2024 top.Additionally, veteran trader Peter Brandt suggests that XRP’s market cap could drop by 50% in the coming weeks.Source: Peter BrandtXRP onchain fractal hints at 50% correction XRP’s inverse cup-and-handle pattern is unfolding in line with its historical price behavior, signaling that its 2025 rally may have topped out. For instance, the cryptocurrency saw sharp pullbacks to its aggregated realized price following major surges in previous cycles, most notably in 2018 and 2021.XRP realized price by age (aggregated). Source: GlassnodeFor traders, the realized price serves as a psychological benchmark, representing the average price at which the XRP supply was last moved. When the market price trades well above this level, most holders are in profit, which can encourage complacency or profit-taking. Conversely, if the price nears the realized price, fear of losses tends to rise, and selling pressure can intensify.In 2025, XRP surged past $3.20 before losing steam, repeating patterns seen in past bull-to-bear cycles. The current realized price at around $1, a likely downside target in 2025 down about 50% from the current prices.Interestingly, XRP’s $1 realized price target is closer to its 200-week EMA (the blue wave in the chart below) at $0.81, a bear market target discussed in Cointelegraph’s analysis in late March.XRP/USD weekly price chart. Source: TradingViewAdding to the bearish outlook, over 80% of XRP addresses are currently in profit. The metric historically reached similar levels during previous market tops, often preceding significant rounds of profit-taking and pullbacks. Related: 81.6% of XRP supply is in profit, but traders in Korea are turning bearish — Here is whyXRP percent of addresses in profit. Source: GlassnodeIf history repeats, such similar conditions could incentivize traders to exit positions, accelerating XRP’s retracement toward the realized price.Odds of XRP hitting record highs are declining Sentiment around XRP reaching a new all-time high above the $3.55 level is deteriorating, according to prediction market data from Polymarket. As of April 19, the odds of XRP achieving this milestone before 2026 have dropped to just 35%, marking a sharp 25% decline from peak confidence levels in March, as shown below.XRP all-time highs before 2026 odds. Source: PolymarketThe upside momentum in the crypto market has faded overall in April, coinciding with a broader decline in risk appetite driven by escalating global tariff tensions under Donald Trump’s trade policies.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 William Suberg on April 19, 2025 at 1:07 pm

Bitcoin (BTC) faces “unprecedented” US dollar correlation as new BTC price research gives a $75,000 floor.In one of his latest analyses on April 18, network economist Timothy Peterson calculated that BTC/USD may rise as high as $138,000 within the next three months.BTC price probabilities give bulls the upper handBitcoin is navigating highly unusual macroeconomic conditions as a result of the ongoing US trade war, but history still offers clues as to where BTC price action may head next.For Peterson, the US High Yield Index Effective Yield, currently at over 8%, holds the key.“This has happened 38 times since 2010 (monthly data),” he summarized. “3 months later: Bitcoin was up 71% of the time. The median gain was +31%. If it went lower, the worst loss was -16%.”US High Yield Index Effective Yield. Source: Timothy Peterson/XWith BTC/USD performance thus skewed to the upside, Peterson gave hope to those waiting for a rematch of all-time highs from January.“This likely puts Bitcoin between $75k and $138k within 90 days,” he concluded.Bitcoin would need to deliver 62% gains within that period to achieve that maximum level.As Cointelegraph reported, Peterson has been a frequent contributor to BTC price forecasts in 2025, with one of his proprietary tools, Lowest Price Forward, giving 95% odds of a $69,000 floor in March.Bitcoin DXY correlation will flip negativeTurning his attention to the dramatic drop in the US dollar index (DXY) thanks to US trade tariffs, he predicted that its unusual positive correlation with BTC would ultimately end.Related: Bitcoin price volatility 'imminent' as speculators move 170K BTC — CryptoQuant“This level of BTC-USD correlation is unprecedented. The relationship is not causal, but reflective of underlying conditions affecting both,” he explained.  “Historically inverse, the relationship flipped in 2024 as both assets began responding to the same macro stressors: tightening liquidity, high real rates, and global risk aversion.  BTC will decouple and rise when real yields drop + liquidity returns.”BTC/USD vs. US dollar index (DXY). Source: Timothy Peterson/XDXY continued to stay below the key 100 mark on April 18, per data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView, reflecting some of its lowest levels in the past three years.Earlier, separate analysis nonetheless saw the potential for Bitcoin to directly benefit from dollar weakness in a manner similar to the early innings of the bull run in 2023.US dollar index (DXY) 1-week chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThis 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 Zoltan Vardai on April 19, 2025 at 11:43 am

The growing adoption of cryptocurrencies may pose risks to the traditional financial system and exacerbate wealth inequality, according to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).In an April 15 report, the BIS warned that the number of investors and amount of capital in crypto and decentralized finance (DeFi) have “reached a critical mass,” with investor protection becoming a “significant concern for regulators.”The size of the crypto market signals that authorities should be worried about the “stability of crypto over and above the role it may have for TradFi and the real economy,” the report states, highlighting the role of stablecoins, which the BIS said have “become the means through which participants transfer value within crypto.”BIS report on crypto and DeFi’s functions and financial stability implications. Source: BISThe report calls for targeted stablecoin regulation on stability and reserve asset requirements that will guarantee the redemption of stablecoins for US dollars during “stressed market conditions.”Related: Spar supermarket in Switzerland starts accepting Bitcoin paymentsThe report comes two weeks after the US House Financial Services Committee passed the Stablecoin Transparency and Accountability for a Better Ledger Economy, or STABLE Act, with a 32–17 vote on April 2.Source: Financial Services GOPThe STABLE Act aims to create a clear regulatory framework for dollar-denominated payment stablecoins, emphasizing transparency and consumer protection.On March 13, the GENIUS Act, short for Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins, passed the Senate Banking Committee by a vote of 18–6. The act aims to establish collateralization guidelines and require full compliance with Anti-Money Laundering laws from stablecoin issuers.Related: $400M Web3 investment fund ABCDE halts new investments, fundraisingCrypto may exacerbate wealth gapThe BIS also raised concerns about how crypto markets may worsen income inequality by enabling larger investors to capitalize on the emotions of less sophisticated retail participants, as seen during the FTX collapse in 2022.Whale vs retail activity after FTX collapse. Source:  BIS“As prices tumbled in 2022, users actually traded more,” the BIS report noted. “Most disturbingly, large bitcoin holders (“whales”) were selling as ordinary retail investors (“krill”) were buying.” It added:“This implies that the crypto market, which is often presented as an opportunity for inclusive growth and financial stability, can be a means for redistributing wealth from the poorer to the wealthier.”The report concludes that DeFi and TradFi have similar underlying economic drivers, but DeFi’s “distinctive features,” like “smart contract and composability,” present new challenges that need proactive regulatory interventions to “safeguard financial stability, while fostering innovation.”Magazine: Uni students crypto ‘grooming’ scandal, 67K scammed by fake women: Asia Express

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 19, 2025 at 9:59 am

Web3 and blockchain-focused investment fund ABCDE is halting new investments, but the $400 million fund remains committed to supporting its existing projects.In an April 19 X post, ABCDE co-founder and Huobi exchange founder Du Jun said the $400 million fund will no longer invest in new projects or raise capital for the second phase of the fund.However, Jun said the fund will continue to “post-investment support and exit arrangements of existing projects” to ensure the firm’s commitment to entrepreneurs and liquidity providers (LPs).“My personal work focus will also gradually shift from financial investment in the primary market to strategic investment-led and deep incubation-based, focusing more on industrial synergy and long-term value creation,” Jun added.Source: Du JunThe announcement comes nearly three months after ABCDE’s last investment into an Ethereum layer-2 (L2) solution, Soon (Solana Optimistic Network), which raised $22 million through a non-fungible token sale to mark the launch of its mainnet, Cointelegraph reported on Jan. 22.SOON block times, compared to other blockchains. Source: SOONThe Soon mainnet claims to outperform Solana in speed and efficiency, delivering average block times of 50 milliseconds compared to Solana’s 400 milliseconds.ABCDE is a $400 million fund, with 28% of its investments in Bitcoin (BTC) scaling technology, 16% in Ethereum liquid staking derivatives finance (LSDFi) infrastructure, and an additional 12% invested in L2s, restaking and smart contract platforms, Cryptorank data shows.ABCDE investments focus area, average round size. Source: CryptorankABCDE has invested over $40 million worth of capital into over 30 projects over the past three years, with an internal rate of return (IRR) “still at the global leading level,” despite the current market environment, Jun said.Related: Trump family memecoins may trigger increased SEC scrutiny on cryptoNew incubator brand Vernal announcedABCDE’s suspension of fundraising efforts was announced a month after the fund’s co-founder launched a new incubator brand, Vernal.Source: Du JunThe new incubator is set to announce its shareholders and incubation rules for the first batch of projects in May, along with its first investments.Jun said that the decision to halt ABCDE’s fundraising efforts was not made due to financial constraints or lack of funds but because of a fundamental concern for the current development trajectory of the crypto industry.Related: Crypto, stocks enter ‘new phase of trade war’ as US-China tensions rise.“Frankly speaking, I am increasingly unable to agree with the current ecological atmosphere of the primary market,” Jun said in an April 19 X post, adding:“Many projects are extremely short-sighted and only think about how to get listed on the exchange as soon as possible, and what is left behind is often a mess.”“What is more worrying is that some primary funds not only have no reflection on this, but also hype up their ‘listed projects’ and short-term market value performance, but never mention the value creation of the projects themselves,” he added.Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has urged fourth-generation cryptocurrency projects to embrace more collaborative tokenomics to compete with major centralized tech companies entering the crypto industry.Charles Hoskinson. Source: Cointelegraph“The problem right now, with the way we’ve done things in the cryptocurrency space, is the tokenomics and the market structure are intrinsically adversarial. It’s sum 0,” Hoskinson said at Paris Blockchain Week on April 9. “Instead of picking a fight, what you have to do is you have to find tokenomics and market structure that allows you to be in a cooperative equilibrium.”“You can’t build a global ecosystem this way, and you can’t win this way,” he added. “Because here’s the thing. The incumbents are much larger.”Magazine: Your AI ‘digital twin’ can take meetings and comfort your loved ones

by Cointelegraph by Ciaran Lyons on April 19, 2025 at 8:06 am

The creator of Ethereum layer 2 blockchain Base, Jesse Pollak, has apologized following backlash over posting digital artwork that controversially played on Base’s tagline, “Base is for everyone.”Several social media users found the artwork offensive and inappropriate.“It was a single phrase among many, but I’ll own this was a mistake and apologize,” Pollak said in an April 18 X post referring to his decision to reshare a GIF image that featured the phrase “Base is for...” followed by a rotating sequence of words, including both controversial terms like “pimping” and “squirting,” as well as more neutral ones like “art,” “minting,” and “ideas.”Pollak says he appreciates “provocative art”Pollak emphasized that the artwork was made by a creator, not him, and specifically apologized for the image featuring the phrase “Base is for pimping.”Pollak said that while he wants to support artists building on Base and admits he appreciates “provocative art,” he recognizes the need to be mindful of his shared messages, especially when they appear to come directly from him.Source: Jesse PollakIt comes after criticism from several crypto industry participants who took to social media to voice their disappointment over Pollak’s endorsement of the image, calling out the use of the word “pimping.”Crypto commentator “Kristel” said in an April 18 X post, “so we’re just casually platforming pimping now?” “I get pushing boundaries, but this isn’t it,” she said.“This isn’t provocative and ‘edgy,” she added. Kanto Labs founder said it is an “absolute PR nightmare.”Meanwhile, crypto commentator David Z. Morris said this “doesn’t just hurt Base, it hurts crypto.” Morris added:“The specific allusion to sex trafficking (not “sex work,” pimping is pretty fundamentally exploitation) is specifically bad for a sector that needs to advance the narrative that open finance is a net social positive.”However, many praised Pollak for the apology and his continued efforts to push boundaries in the crypto industry. “Love the honesty. We all make mistakes, but it’s about how we grow from them,” crypto commentator Zuri said.Bankless co-founder David Hoffman said, “I respect the leadership here.” Milk Road co-founder Kyle Reidhead said, “Do and share whatever you want without apology.”Base was at the center of controversy only days ago when the official X account shared a post promoting a memecoin with its marketing tagline, “Base is for everyone.” Related: Base creator Jesse Pollak to join Coinbase exec team and lead wallet chargeIt also shared a link to a token of the same name on Zora, a social network where users can make posts into tokens for others to speculate on.In just over an hour after it was created, the Base is for everyone token hit a peak market capitalization of $17.1 million — then dropped by nearly 90% over the next 20 minutes to a market value of $1.9 million, according to DEX Screener data.A Coinbase spokeswoman distanced Base from the token, telling Cointelegraph on April 17, "Base did not launch a token.” “This is not an official Base token, and Base did not sell this token. Base posted on Zora, which automatically tokenizes content,” the spokeswoman said.Magazine: Make Ethereum feel like Ethereum again: Based rollups explained

by Cointelegraph by Dilip Kumar Patairya on April 19, 2025 at 7:55 am

What are tariffs? Tariffs are taxes placed on imported goods by a government or a supranational union. Occasionally, tariffs can be applied to exports as well. They generate government revenue and serve as a trade regulation tool, often to shield domestic industries.Four main categories of tariffs are:Ad valorem tariffs: These are calculated as a percentage of the good’s value. For instance, a 20% tax might be placed on $100 of goods.Specific tariffs: These are fixed fees based on the quantity of goods. For example, there might be a tariff of $5 per imported kilogram of sugar.Compound tariffs: These combine a specific duty and an ad valorem duty applied to the same imported goods. Both tariffs are calculated together to determine the total tax. For example, a country might place a tariff on imported wine at $5 per liter plus 10% of the wine’s value.Mixed tariffs: Mixed tariffs apply either a specific duty or an ad valorem duty, based on predefined conditions. For instance, for imported trucks, a country might charge either $5,000 per vehicle or 15% of the car’s value, whichever is greater.The objective of such policy is to influence international trade flows, protect domestic industries, and respond to unfair practices by foreign countries. When a tariff is applied to an imported good, it raises its cost, making domestically produced alternatives more lucrative for customers regarding price.In the US, the Trump administration uses reciprocal tariffs as a key instrument in influencing the trade policies of other countries. Reciprocal tariffs are trade duties a country imposes in retaliation to tariffs or barriers set by another country. This policy seeks to correct trade imbalances and safeguard domestic industries.Tariffs are generally collected by the customs departments of a country at ports of entry based on the declared value and classification of goods.Did you know? Some countries use tariff-rate quotas, allowing a set quantity of a product to be imported at a lower tariff. Once the quota is exceeded, a higher tariff kicks in. This system balances domestic protection with access to global markets, especially in sectors like agriculture and textiles. Trump administration’s reciprocal tariff policy US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 2, 2025, a day he called Liberation Day, citing his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The order placed a minimum 10% tariff on all US imports effective April 5, 2025. Reciprocal tariffs went into effect on April 9, 2025. Trump stated that the US would apply reciprocal tariffs at roughly half the rate imposed by other countries. For instance, the US imposed a 34% tariff in response to China’s 67%. A 25% tariff on all automobile imports was also announced.The Trump administration’s reciprocal tariff policy is rooted in the belief that the US faced long-standing trade imbalances and unfair treatment by global trading partners. To address this, his administration pushed for what it called reciprocal tariffs, aiming at setting a tariff structure that matched or at least was close to tariffs that foreign nations imposed on American exports.Under this approach, the administration used tariff policies to pressure countries to lower their trade barriers or renegotiate trade deals. The policy drew support from domestic manufacturers and labor groups for attempting to rebalance trade and support the US industry. But it also sparked criticism from economists and international allies who viewed it as protectionist and destabilizing the prevalent economic system in the world. The reciprocal tariffs policy has reshaped US trade relations and marked a departure from decades of multilateral, open global trade policy.Did you know? Tariffs can reshape supply chains. To avoid high import taxes, companies often relocate manufacturing to countries with favorable trade agreements. This shift doesn’t always benefit consumers, as savings are not always passed down, and logistics become more complex. The US–China tariff war: A defining economic conflict The US–China tariff war, which began in 2018 under the first Trump administration, marked a significant shift in global economic relations. The conflict between the world’s two largest economies had broad implications for global supply chains, inflation and geopolitical dynamics.The trade conflict between the US and China wasn’t just a bilateral spat. It signaled a structural rethinking of trade policy in a multipolar world. The trade war began after the US imposed sweeping tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, citing unfair trade practices, intellectual property theft and forced technology transfers by China. Over time, the US levied tariffs on more than $360 billion worth of Chinese goods. China retaliated with tariffs on $110 billion of US exports, targeting key sectors like agriculture and manufacturing.The conflict disrupted major supply chains and raised costs for American businesses and consumers. American farmers were hit hard by retaliatory Chinese tariffs on soybeans, leading the US government to provide billions in subsidies to offset losses.While the Phase One Agreement in 2020 eased tensions and required China to increase purchases of US goods and enforce intellectual property protections, many tariffs remained in place. The Biden administration retained most of the economic measures imposed by the first Trump administration, signaling bipartisan concern over China’s trade practices.As of April 10, 2025, Trump had imposed 125% tariffs on China, while for 75 countries, he had paused the imposition of tariffs for 90 days.Compared to disputes with allies like the European Union or Canada, the stakes are higher in the US–China conflict, and the consequences are more far-reaching. Here are the responses of various governments to Trump’s tariffs:Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney implemented a 25% tariff on US-made cars and trucks.China will impose a 34% tariff on all US imports, effective April 10.The French prime minister described the tariffs as an economic catastrophe.Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the tariffs as wrong.European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen pledged a unified response and prepared countermeasures.Taiwan’s government denounced the tariffs as unreasonable. How do tariffs work? When a tariff is applied — for example, a 30% tax on imported steel — it raises the price of that good for importers. They, in turn, pass these added costs to downstream businesses, which further transfer these costs to consumers.For importers, tariffs mean higher purchase costs. If a US company imports machinery from abroad and faces a tariff, its total cost increases. This possibly reduces its profit margins or forces it to search for alternatives. Exporters in other countries may suffer if US buyers reduce orders due to higher prices, hurting their competitiveness.Domestic producers may benefit initially from a high tariff regime. Tariffs can shield them from cheaper foreign competition, allowing them to increase sales and potentially make profits. But if their operations rely on imported components subject to tariffs, their input costs may rise, offsetting gains.Consumers often bear the brunt. Tariffs can lead to price hikes on everyday goods — from electronics to apparel. In the long term, high tariffs contribute to inflation and reduce purchasing power.Tariffs also disrupt global supply chains. Many products are assembled using components from multiple countries. High tariffs on one component can cause delays, prompt redesigns, or force companies to relocate manufacturing, increasing complexity and costs.Overall, while tariffs aim to protect domestic industries, their impact is felt across the economy through altering prices, trade flows and business strategies. One way or another, tariffs influence everyone — from factory owners to workers and everyday shoppers.Trump excluded various tech products, such as smartphones, chips, computers and certain electronics, from reciprocal tariffs, providing the tech sector with crucial relief from tariff pressure. This step of Trump eased pressure on tech stocks. Trump’s tariff announcement on April 2 triggered a sharp sell-off in both equities and Bitcoin (BTC), with BTC plunging 10.5% in a week. Once seen as a non-correlated asset, Bitcoin now trades in sync with tech stocks during macro shocks. According to analysts, institutional investors increasingly treat BTC as a risk-on asset closely tied to policy shifts. While some view Bitcoin as digital gold, recent behavior shows it reacting more like Nasdaq stocks — falling during global uncertainty and rallying on positive sentiment.Did you know? Tariff exemptions can be highly strategic. Governments may exclude specific industries or companies, allowing them to import goods tariff-free while competitors pay more. This creates an uneven playing field and can spark domestic controversy. Why do tariffs matter for global markets? Tariffs are a robust tool in the hands of governments to shape a nation’s economic and trade strategy. They are not merely taxes on imports but a tool that influences domestic production, consumer behavior and global trade relationships.For the US, tariffs have historically been used to assert economic power on the global stage, protect emerging industries, and respond to unfair trade practices. When countries with large economies are involved, tariff decisions can impact global supply chains, shift manufacturing hubs, and alter the price of goods worldwide. Even for the smaller countries, in an interconnected world, tariffs matter because their impact goes far beyond national borders. Domestically, tariffs could boost local industries by making foreign goods more expensive. This can create jobs and support economic resilience in the short term. Governments getting larger revenue via tariffs will enable them to reduce direct taxes as Trump proposed. But they can also raise prices for consumers, hurt exporters, and trigger retaliation from trade partners.As geopolitical tensions rise and nations reevaluate their economic dependencies, tariffs have reemerged as a central element of US trade policy. Whether used defensively or offensively, they shape the balance between protectionism and global engagement. This makes tariffs a matter not just of economics, but of national strategy and global influence. Who sets tariff policy in the US? In the US, tariff policy is shaped by a combination of legislative authority, executive power and administrative enforcement. Various agencies also help in the execution of tariff policy.Congress holds the constitutional authority to regulate trade and impose tariffs. Over time, Congress has given the president significant power to change tariffs for national security, economic threats or trade violations.The Office of the US Trade Representative plays a central role in formulating and negotiating US trade policy. It leads trade talks, manages disputes, and recommends tariff actions, often in coordination with the president and Congress.US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for enforcing tariffs at ports of entry. CBP collects duties based on the classification and value of imported goods according to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.Several major trade laws have shaped tariff policy in the US. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, aimed at protecting US farmers during the Great Depression, led to retaliatory tariffs and worsened global trade. Later, the Trade Act of 1974 gave the president tools like Section 301, which was used extensively during the US–China trade war to impose retaliatory tariffs on unfair foreign practices.Together, these actors and laws form the foundation of US tariff policy. Criticism of Trump’s tariff policy Criticism of Trump’s tariff policy surfaced following the announcement of reciprocal tariffs. Critics say this move bypasses Congress and sets a dangerous precedent for unchecked executive power in economic matters.Detractors argue that these tariffs hurt American businesses more than their intended foreign targets. A Vox article argued that low-income people would be hit more by Trump’s tariffs than by the already reeling Wall Street. Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers fears that America may slip into recession due to tariffs, probably costing 2 million jobs nationwide.Legal challenges have also emerged regarding Trump’s tariff policy. The New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA), a conservative legal group, has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Simplified, a small business based in Florida that sells planners and sources goods from China. The lawsuit claims that the president overstepped his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) when imposing tariffs in a non-emergency trade context.Small and mid-sized businesses, many of which rely on global supply chains, will have to deal with rising import costs due to tariffs. This may lead to inflation and reduced competitiveness of such businesses. While the tariffs might hit China financially in the short term, the action could result in higher prices for US consumers and disrupt operations for American firms if the tariff policy continues for a long time.

by Cointelegraph by Ciaran Lyons on April 19, 2025 at 5:50 am

Crypto entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano says that US President Donald Trump shouldn’t follow through on his recent threat to fire the head of the US Federal Reserve, saying it would set a dangerous precedent — especially considering the true motive behind it.“I do not believe that the President of the United States should come in and unilaterally fire the Fed President,” Pompliano said in a video posted on X on April 18.Firing over disagreement is a slippery slope, says PomplianoPompliano said, “Where you have a disagreement and then the firing, I think that’s not really the area that we want to go into.”“The idea of firing the Fed chairman is a very bad precedent to set this way.”It comes after Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to accuse Fed chair Jerome Powell of being too slow to cut interest rates. “Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!” Trump said on April 17.Anthony Pompliano made the remarks on his online show “From The Desk of Anthony Pompliano.” Source: Anthony Pompliano Pompliano explained that while the Fed is meant to operate independently, he agrees with critics who argue it’s not truly independent. “The Fed, I think, is highly politicized, even though they pretend not to be,” he said.Pompliano acknowledged his own criticism of the Fed, saying he's not exactly a fan, but emphasized that even if the Fed has made mistakes, responding in kind isn't the right approach.“I still think that just because somebody else is doing something wrong doesn't mean that you should do something wrong,” Pompliano said.US Senator Elizabeth Warren recently warned that if Trump eventually moves to fire Powell, it could undermine investor confidence in the integrity of US capital markets and trigger a financial crash. “A big part of our economy strong, and a big part of the world economy strong, is the idea that the big pieces move independently of politics,” Warren said during an appearance on CNBC.Related: Fed’s Powell reasserts support for stablecoin legislationLower interest rates often lead to increased liquidity, which has historically led to higher prices of perceived riskier assets like Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.It comes not long after Powell said establishing a stablecoins legal framework was a “good idea.” In an April 16 panel at the Economic Club of Chicago, Powell said, “The climate is changing, and you’re moving into more mainstreaming of that whole sector, so Congress is again looking [...] at a legal framework for stablecoins.”Magazine: Your AI’ digital twin’ can take meetings and comfort your loved ones

by Sundance on April 19, 2025 at 4:20 am

In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and Presidency. This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread. Posted in The post April 19th – 2025 Presidential Politics – Trump Administration Day 90 appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Ciaran Lyons on April 19, 2025 at 4:15 am

Macroeconomist Lyn Alden expects Bitcoin to finish 2025 higher than its current price of around $85,000, though she says it would have been much higher if not for US President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement in February.“Before all this tariff kerfuffle, I would have had a higher price target,” Alden told Natalie Brunell on the April 17 episode of Coin Stories. “My guess is that we end up higher at the end of the year than we are now, at least,” she added.Bitcoin’s 24/7 trading bolsters volatility when TradFi “freaking out”However, she said that a “massive liquidity unlock” could be the catalyst needed for Bitcoin (BTC) to reach more optimistic targets, similar to those before the tariffs were introduced.For example, if the US bond market “broke” and the US Federal Reserve had to step in with measures like yield curve control or heavy quantitative easing (QE), Alden explained.Lyn Alden spoke to Coin Stories’ host Natalie Brunell on April 17. Source: Natalie BrunellWhile Alden said that there is a “good chance” Bitcoin reclaims the $100,000 price level before the end of the year, she emphasized that broader financial market “down days” will remain a challenge for the asset, especially since Bitcoin trades 24/7, unlike traditional stock markets with trading hours.“Because it trades 24/7, if people are worried about how things are going to open on Monday, some pools of capital can sell their Bitcoin on a Sunday and prepare,” she said. Alden explained that crypto's round-the-clock trading contributes to its "volatile pricing," particularly when traditional financial markets are “freaking out.”Bitcoin is down 0.95% over the past 30 days. Source: CoinMarketCapAt the time of publication, Bitcoin is trading at $84,950, according to CoinMarketCap data.However, Alden said Bitcoin can “disconnect” from the Nasdaq 100, especially in situations that “hurt Nasdaq margins” without affecting global liquidity. As an example, she pointed to a potential repeat of the five years leading up to the 2008 global financial crisis, which she believes could be favorable for Bitcoin.Related: Bitcoin whales absorb 300% of newly mined BTC supply — Is $100K next?She pointed to the 2003–2007 period, where there was a weaker US dollar cycle, and while there wasn’t a mass exodus of capital, it did flow into “emerging markets,” commodities, gold, and other assets — with US stocks not “really being the place to be.”“If we encounter a five-year period like that again, that could be a period where Bitcoin does pretty well, even as the US stock market doesn’t do particularly well.”Alden wrote in a September research report that Bitcoin moves in the direction of global M2 83% of the time 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 concerning global liquidity.Magazine: Uni students crypto ‘grooming’ scandal, 67K scammed by fake women: Asia Express

by Sundance on April 19, 2025 at 4:15 am

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL. The post Saturday April 19th – Open Thread appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 18, 2025 at 10:20 pm

US Senator Elizabeth Warren warned that if President Donald Trump eventually moves to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, it could undermine investor confidence in the integrity of US capital markets and trigger a financial crash.During an appearance on CNBC, the Massachusetts Senator said the President does not have the legal authority to remove Powell from his position. Moreover, removing Powell would weaken the financial infrastructure of the US, Warren added:"If Chairman Powell can be fired by the President of the United States, it will crash the markets. The infrastructure that keeps this stock market strong and, therefore, a big part of our economy strong, and a big part of the world economy strong, is the idea that the big pieces move independently of politics.""If interest rates in the United States are subject to a president who just wants to wave his magic wand, this doesn't distinguish us from any other two-bit dictatorship," Warren continued.Trump discusses US economic policies with reporters. Source: The White HousePresident Trump has repeatedly called for Powell's termination, citing the chairman's hesitancy to lower interest rates. Lower interest rates are usually considered a positive catalyst for risk-on asset prices, including cryptocurrencies, and could reverse the market downturn brought on by the trade war and current macroeconomic pressures.Related: Fed's Powell reasserts support for stablecoin legislationTrump's feud with the Federal Reserve chairmanTrump criticized Powell for not cutting interest rates and called for his termination again in an April 17 Truth Social post, which inflamed speculation that he would follow through on threats and find a way to remove the chairman.Senator Rick Scott echoed Trump's calls to remove Powell. "It’s time to clean house of everyone working at the Federal Reserve who isn’t on board with helping the American people and fighting for their best interests," Scott wrote in an opinion piece published on Fox News. Source: Donald TrumpThe Trump administration has repeatedly stated that lowering interest rates is a top priority. Market analyst and investor Anthony Pompliano recently speculated that Trump deliberately crashed financial markets to force lower interest rates.At the time, Pompliano cited a reduction in the yield of the 10-year US Treasury Bond to just 4%. The 10-year bond yield has climbed back up to 4.3% since then.Magazine: Meebits and CryptoPunks are like Hot Wheels for adults: New MeebCo owner Sergito

by Cointelegraph by Alex O’Donnell on April 18, 2025 at 9:31 pm

United States asset manager Canary Capital has filed to list an exchange-traded fund (ETF) holding the Tron blockchain network’s native token, TRX (TRX), regulatory filings show. The fund intends to hold spot TRX and stake a portion of the tokens for added yield, the filing said. According to CoinMarketCap, the TRX token has a total market capitalization of more than $22 billion. Staking TRX generates an annualized yield of approximately 4.5%, data from Stakingrewards.com shows.The filing is the latest in an outpouring of submissions aimed at listing ETFs holding alternative cryptocurrencies, or “altcoins.” However, Canary’s proposed fund is relatively unique in requesting permission to stake its crypto holdings in its initial application. Other US ETFs, such as those holding the Ethereum network’s native token, Ether (ETH), have sought approval for staking only after successfully listing a fund holding the spot token. They are still waiting for a regulatory decision. Tron is a proof-of-stake blockchain network founded by Justin Sun, who also owns Rainberry (formerly Bittorrent), the developer of the BitTorrent protocol. In March 2023, the SEC sued Sun for allegedly fraudulently inflating the prices of the Tron token and BitTorrent’s BTT token. In February, the SEC and Sun asked the judge overseeing the lawsuit to pause the case to allow the parties to enter into settlement talks. Platforms for staking TRX. Source: Stakingrewards.comRelated: Canary Capital proposes first Sui ETF in US SEC filingAltcoin ETF seasonSince US President Donald Trump took office in January, US regulators have acknowledged dozens of filings for proposed crypto investment products. They include plans for ETFs holding native layer-1 tokens such as Solana (SOL) as well as memecoins such as Official Trump (TRUMP). Since 2024, Canary has filed for several proposed US crypto ETFs, including funds holding Litecoin (LTC), XRP (XRP), Hedera (HBAR), Axelar (AXL), Pengu (PENGU), and Sui (SUI).Some industry analysts doubt that ETFs holding non-core cryptocurrencies will be embraced by traditional investors.“Most crypto ETFs will fail to attract AUM and cost issuers money,” crypto researcher Alex Krüger said in a March post on the X platform.Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

by Cointelegraph by Christopher Tepedino on April 18, 2025 at 9:30 pm

An Aptos community member submitted a proposal on April 18 to slash staking rewards for the network’s native token, Aptos (APT), by nearly 50%The proposal, submitted by a community member called MoonSheisty, aims at reducing reward yields from 7% to 3.79% in a three-month period, aligning Aptos staking rewards with other layer-1 blockchains and encouraging capital efficiency.The proposal has sparked curiosity on X, but early comments on GitHub show some initial resistance.A community member going by ElagabalxNode noted that reducing the staking reward without “compensatory mechanisms like a robust delegation program” could push smaller validators out of the network, thus weakening the Aptos blockchain’s decentralization and long-term resistance.Related: Aptos to accelerate innovation with new tech, investment in IndiaThe proposal addresses the validators’ role in the network, stating that Aptos should consider a community validator program to give grants and stake to small validators contributing to the ecosystem.”Aptos was founded in 2021 by a group of former Meta engineers. According to DefiLlama, the Aptos blockchain has a total value locked of $974 million as of April 18, with nearly a $320 million coming from lending protocol Aries Markets.Aptos TVL and other metrics. Source: DefiLlamaWhile high staking rewards can incentivize users to lock up tokens on Aptos, MoonSheisty argues that they may also discourage participation in higher-risk, higher-reward opportunities within the ecosystem, such as restaking, DePIN infrastructure, MEV, and decentralized finance.Staking ‘real reward rates’ vary considerablyStaking rewards can vary significantly across blockchains. According to CoinLedger, real returns on the BNB Smart Chain are among the highest at 7.43%, while Cardano offers one of the lowest at just 0.55%.Staking offers multiple benefits: It incentivizes users to lock their tokens on-chain, supports validators and helps secure the network. Rewards work similarly to interest earned on a savings account — but instead of cash, stakers earn crypto, which can fluctuate in fiat value.Related: Coinbase’s Ethereum staking dominance risks overcentralization: ExecsFrom time to time, proposals emerge aiming to modify staking procedures. In June 2024, Polkadot introduced a proposal to reduce the time needed to unstake to just two days. In September, the Starknet community voted to pass a new staking mechanism, while Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin proposed solutions to staking issues a few weeks later.While staking gives the community a true “stake” in the network, there are risks associated with it, including the consolidation of smaller pools into larger ones. This trend can undermine decentralization and weaken the blockchain’s overall resilience. Magazine: Ethereum restaking — Blockchain innovation or dangerous house of cards?

by Cointelegraph by Turner Wright on April 18, 2025 at 9:04 pm

Ivan Soto-Wright, CEO of cryptocurrency payment firm MoonPay, is calling on US lawmakers to leave a path open to state-level regulators when passing legislation on stablecoins.In an April 18 X post, Soto-Wright said he wanted Congress to “keep state-regulated issuers in the game” when it comes to stablecoin regulation, referencing efforts in the House of Representatives and Senate to create a federal regulatory framework. Lawmakers are considering whether to pass the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins, or GENIUS Act, in the Senate and the Stablecoin Transparency and Accountability for a Better Ledger Economy, or STABLE Act, in the House.“While the cryptocurrency industry has called for federal legislation for years, it has been these state regulators who have provided and continue to provide regulatory clarity and supervision to ensure consumer protection and enable growth in the sector,” said Soto-Wright. “As federal legislation now approaches the finish line, it is essential to preserve viable state pathways for PSIs [permitted stablecoin issuers] that place the state regulators who meet the standards set out in GENIUS and STABLE on equal footing with federal regulators.”April 17 letter from MoonPay CEO to congressional leadership. Source: Ivan Soto-WrightThe MoonPay CEO’s comment echoed those of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS), which wrote to leadership on the House Financial Services Committee in an April 1 letter and recommended a similar state-level approach. Both the Senate Banking Committee and House Financial Services Committee voted to advance the bills in March and April, respectively, paving the way for a full floor vote.Related: Lawmaker alleges Trump wants to replace US dollar with his stablecoinThe STABLE Act, a companion bill modeled after the GENIUS Act, proposed regulating payment stablecoins by limiting them to “permitted payment stablecoin issuers,” allowing for “state qualified” ones. Soto-Wright said the GENIUS bill “stacks the deck” for permitted stablecoin issuers through federal regulators over state-level ones and the Federal Reserve to be the “sole federal regulator for all state PSIs.”Trump family-backed venture launched its own stablecoinIt’s unclear whether the bills have the necessary votes to pass both chambers before being signed into law by US President Donald Trump. The president and his family members have also backed the launch of their own stablecoin through World Liberty Financial, despite allegations of conflicts of interest and potential complications getting the bills through the House and Senate.  World Liberty Financial, which launched in September 2024, has already received roughly $600 million — largely through token sales — from investors including Tron founder Justin Sun, market maker DWF Labs, venture capital firm Oddiyana Ventures, and investment platform Web3Port. According to the project, its USD1 stablecoin was not tradable as of March 24.Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions

by Cointelegraph by Alex O’Donnell on April 18, 2025 at 8:36 pm

Tokenized stocks are on track to exceed $1 trillion in market capitalization in the coming years as adoption accelerates, two industry executives said at the TokenizeThis conference in New York. The total addressable market for tokenized stocks — a type of tokenized real-world asset (RWA) —  is difficult to project but is “definitely a bigger trillion-dollar market,” Arnab Naskar, STOKR’s CEO, said during an April 16 panel at the event.In 2025, demand for the instruments has “exploded” from institutions ranging from Web3 wallets to neobanks to traditional financial services firms, according to Anna Wroblewska, Dinari’s Chief Business Officer. “We've had an enormous influx of demand from a much broader scope of potential partners than you might even imagine [...] it's actually been really interesting,” Wroblewska said.Tokenized stocks are still a small portion of the total RWA market. Source: RWA.xyzRelated: Tokenization can transform US markets if Trump clears the waySmall but growing market shareAs of April 18, tokenized stocks comprise around $350 million in cumulative market capitalization, according to data from RWA.xyz. This represents only a sliver of the total RWA market, which is worth upward of $18 billion, the data shows. But this could change as tokenized stocks capture a growing share of the US equities market, Wroblewska said. The US stock market has an aggregate value of more than $50 trillion, according to Siblis Research. There is a “huge appetite for US public equities... even individual investors globally want exposure to US capital markets. Tokenization makes it fast and cheap,” Wroblewska said. She added that tokenized US Treasury Bills are already in high demand for similar reasons. They currently comprise nearly $6 billion in total market cap, RWA.xyz data shows. Meanwhile, Coinbase is considering making tokenized shares of its stock available on Base, its Ethereum layer-2 network.Collectively, tokenized RWAs represent a $30 trillion market opportunity globally, Colin Butler, Movement Labs’ global head of institutional capital, told Cointelegraph in an August interview.“Tokenization will become a mirror of the market. If the user experience is better, faster, and cheaper, people will default to tokenized assets,” Wroblewska said.Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered