Alternative News for You

by Keely Johnson and Liana Boss on April 1, 2025 at 10:00 pm

Close to a dozen schools have been closed and some residents are being told to prepare for isolation ahead of flooding expected in the state's north-west.

by Cointelegraph by Christopher Tepedino on April 1, 2025 at 9:52 pm

Crypto exchange Backpack has initiated the first phase of the claims process for former FTX users in Europe.According to an April 1 announcement, users will need to create an account on the exchange, submit Know Your Customer information, and connect it to their FTX EU claim account.Backpack has not set a deadline for this phase of the claims process and has yet to provide a timeline for when distributions will begin. Users will face a withdrawal fee of €5 ($5.39) for claims under €2,000 ($2,158) and 0.25% for amounts above it.Source: Armani FerranteBackpack acquired FTX EU in January 2025 to offer crypto derivatives, including perpetual futures, throughout Europe. The acquisition marked the end of a lengthy battle to buy the European arm of the bankrupt exchange. Backpack CEO Armani Ferrante said at the time of the acquisition that the company was committed to returning FTX EU funds as fast and as safely as possible.FTX creditor activist Sunil Kavuri told Cointelegraph in January 2025 that the sale of FTX EU to Backpack added “further confusion and nervousness among FTX EU customers and the repayment of their funds.”“Some FTX EU customers signed up to these distributors, and they are confused about who will be distributing their funds back to them — Backpack, Kraken or Bitgo,” Kavuri said at the time.Related: FTX’s 2-year repayment delay is a ‘win,’ claims trader who predicted FTX’s collapseDetails on the first part of the claims processFor distribution amounts, the FAQ page on Backpack’s website states that all positions were closed using market prices at the time the exchange was shut down, and each was settled in euros.Furthermore, users with pending cryptocurrency withdrawals on Nov. 11, 2022, should have filed a claim in FTX’s US bankruptcy proceedings. Such users may be eligible to receive distributions from the FTX Recovery Trust, which Backpack is not involved with.Additionally, EU residents who signed up for FTX before March 7, 2022, are not considered FTX EU customers and should file their claims with FTX International, not Backpack.FTX Estate’s next round of distributions on May 30FTX Digital Markets, separate from FTX EU, distributed its first round of reimbursements on Feb. 18, with exchanges BitGo and Kraken facilitating the distributions. That first round of reimbursements went to “Convenience Class” members, those with claims under $50,000. The next round of reimbursements tied to FTX’s US bankruptcy proceedings is set to go out on May 30 and includes creditors under Class 5 Customer Entitlement Claims and Class 6 General Unsecured Claims. FTX is expected to use $11.4 billion to make the paymentsMagazine: The $2,500 doco about FTX collapse on Amazon Prime… with help from mom

by Cointelegraph by Turner Wright on April 1, 2025 at 9:47 pm

Texas Senator Ted Cruz proposed a bill aimed at incentivizing crypto miners to use flared gas for energy generation in the state.In an April 1 notice, Cruz said he had introduced the Facilitate Lower Atmospheric Released Emissions, or FLARE, Act in the US Senate, aiming to make Texas “the number one place for Bitcoin mining.” Bitcoin (BTC) miner MARA Holdings endorsed the proposed legislation on X, claiming it would reduce emissions and “unlock stranded energy.”April 1 draft of FLARE Act. Source: Ted CruzAccording to the text of the bill, the FLARE Act proposed amending the US Internal Revenue Code to incentivize market participants — including digital asset miners — that could “capture gas that would otherwise be flared or vented and to use such gas in value-added products.” If signed into law, the legislation would take effect on properties put into service starting in 2026.Related: Bitcoin mining using coal energy down 43% since 2011 — ReportA US Senator serving since 2013, Cruz, a Republican, has sometimes proposed legislation that aligns with mainstream figures in his party, including US President Donald Trump. He introduced a bill in March to prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) and disclosed personally holding up to $100,000 in Bitcoin as of August 2024.Crypto bills moving through US CongressIn addition to the energy incentives proposed in the bill, Cruz ​​said the language “prohibits entities owned by China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia” that may be operating in Texas from recovering their costs in the same manner. Many US miners, including MARA, Riot Platforms and CleanSpark, operate in the state.It’s unclear whether Cruz’s bill will be a legislative priority in the Senate as Congress considers bills to regulate stablecoins and establish a market structure for digital assets in the US. Some lawmakers have also proposed legislation potentially banning a US CBDC and removing regulatory obstacles to allow Americans to invest in crypto for their retirement plans.Magazine: Ex-Alameda hire on ‘pressure’ to not blow up Backpack exchange: Armani Ferrante, X Hall of Flame

by Cointelegraph by Brayden Lindrea on April 1, 2025 at 9:38 pm

Stablecoin issuer Circle Internet Group has filed an S-1 registration statement for an initial public offering in the US, an April 1 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission shows.The USD Coin (USDC) issuer is planning to list its Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CRCL,” the filing shows.Circle’s prospectus does not detail the number of shares to be offered or what the IPO target price will be.The IPO filing also showed that Circle brought in $1.67 billion in revenue for 2024 — marking a 16% year-on-year increase — while its EBIDTA (Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortization) fell 29% to $284.8 million.Circle’s financials over the last three years ended Dec. 31. Source: SECThis is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.

by Cointelegraph by Alex O’Donnell on April 1, 2025 at 9:37 pm

American Bitcoin Corp., a Trump family-backed crypto mining operation, has plans to raise additional capital, including through an initial public offering (IPO), according to an April 1 report by Bloomberg.  On March 31, Hut 8 — a publicly traded Bitcoin (BTC) miner — acquired a majority stake in American Bitcoin (formerly American Data Centers), whose founders include Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. After the deal announcement, Hut 8 transferred its Bitcoin mining equipment into the newly created entity, which is not yet publicly traded. While American Bitcoin will focus on crypto mining, Hut 8 plans to target data center infrastructure for use cases such as high-performance computing. The deal “evolves Hut 8 toward more predictable, financeable, lower-cost-of-capital segments,” Asher Genoot, CEO of Hut 8, said in a statement.“So you can see this in the long term as two sister publicly traded companies,” Genoot told Bloomberg. “One that is energy, infrastructure data centers and the other one that’s Bitcoin, AISCs and reserves and together they form a vertically integrated company that has some of the best economics out there.” According to Bloomberg, American Bitcoin is working with Bitmain, a Chinese Bitcoin mining hardware supplier. Bitmain has faced scrutiny after the US blacklisting of its artificial intelligence affiliate Sopghgo, Bloomberg reported. Bitcoin mining revenues per quarter. Source: Coin MetricsRelated: Analysts eye Bitcoin miners’ AI, chip sales ahead of Q4 earningsPivoting to new business linesBitcoin miners are increasingly pivoting toward alternative business lines, such as servicing artificial intelligence models, after the Bitcoin network’s April 2024 “halving” cut into mining revenues.Halvings occur every four years and cut in half the number of BTC mined per block.Miners are “diversifying into AI data-center hosting as a way to expand revenue and repurpose existing infrastructure for high-performance computing,” Coin Metrics said in a March report.Declining cryptocurrency prices have put even more pressure on Bitcoin miners in 2025, according to a report by JPMorgan.Magazine: Elon Musk’s plan to run government on blockchain faces uphill battle

by Elyse Armanini and Shannon Pearce on April 1, 2025 at 9:27 pm

South Australian councils say they need more federal funding allocated as communities call for improved services ahead of the federal election.

on April 1, 2025 at 9:23 pm

Israel says more than 400,000 tonnes of aid entered Gaza during the ceasefire and there is plenty of food, but a UN spokesperson says, "as far as the UN is concerned, that's ridiculous … we are at the tail end of our supplies".

by Kenith Png on April 1, 2025 at 9:17 pm

From an election triumph, to a prayer for peace — the ABC's finest photographers roamed far and wide to capture these stunning images throughout the month of March.

by Olivia Sanders and Steve Martin on April 1, 2025 at 8:52 pm

Local communities say they need help managing overtourism as mass visitation creates issues for wildlife, raises evacuation concerns, and poses safety risks.

by Oliver Chaseling on April 1, 2025 at 8:47 pm

The Darwin city council will soon begin building a $150 million CBD high-rise to replace its aging civic centre, in partnership with property developer DCOH.

by Samuel Yang on April 1, 2025 at 8:47 pm

Australian stocks are likely to post modest gains at open after Wall Street benchmarks ended in mixed fashion, as investors were caught in limbo ahead of the impending tariff announcements from the Trump administration. Follow the latest updates in our live blog.

by Marnie Vinall on April 1, 2025 at 8:41 pm

A horror motorcycle accident left Christina Vithoulkas with complete loss of feeling and movement below her T5 vertebrae. She is now the world's first female para drifter.

by Cointelegraph by Alex O’Donnell on April 1, 2025 at 8:30 pm

The Ethereum network’s main source of income from layer-2 (L2) scaling chains — “blob fees” — has sunk to the lowest weekly levels so far this year, according to data from Etherscan. In the week ending March 30, Ethereum earned only 3.18 Ether (ETH) from blob fees, according to Etherscan, or approximately $6,000 US dollars as of April 1. This figure marks a 73% drop from the prior week and a more than 95% decline from the week ending March 16, when Ethereum’s income from blob fees exceeded 84 ETH, Etherscan said in an X post. Source: EtherscanRelated: Ethereum fees poised for rebound amid L2, blob uptickPost-Dencun growing painsIn March 2024, Ethereum’s Dencun upgrade migrated L2 transaction data to temporary offchain stores called “blobs.”The upgrade cut costs for users but also reduced overall fee revenue for Ethereum — initially by as much as 95%, according to data from asset manager VanEck.“ETH Fees Were Weak Due to Lack of Blob Revenues as L2s Have Not Filled Available Capacity,” Matthew Sigel, VanEck’s head of digital asset research, said in a Nov. 1, 2024, post on the X platform.Since then, growth in blob fees has been unsteady. Ethereum’s weekly blob fee income peaked at nearly $1 million in November before declining sharply in recent weeks, according to data from Dune Analytics. Ethereum’s blob fee income has been uneven. Source: Dune AnalyticsEthereum’s ongoing struggle to earn meaningful income from blob fees underscores concerns about the network’s scaling model, which relies heavily on L2s for transaction throughput.“Ethereum’s future will revolve around how effectively it serves as a data availability engine for L2s,” arndxt, author of the Threading on the Edge newsletter, said in a March 31 X post. According to an X post by Michael Nadeau, founder of The DeFi Report, L2 transaction volumes would need to increase more than 22,000-fold for blob fees to fully offset Ethereum’s peak transaction fee revenues. However, Ethereum’s economics are still evolving. For instance, the network’s Pectra Upgrade — which aims to significantly change how Ethereum allocates blob space — is scheduled for this year. “The plan is simple: scale Ethereum as much as possible to capture as much marketshare as we can - worry about fee revenue later,” Sassal, founder of The Daily Gwei, said in a March 17 X post. Magazine: AI agents trading crypto is a hot narrative, but beware of rookie mistakes

by Laura Mayers on April 1, 2025 at 8:25 pm

The young child remains in hospital in a serious condition, and the driver is assisting police. 

on April 1, 2025 at 8:15 pm

In a statement, her family says Ms Giuffre's vehicle was hit by a school bus in rural Western Australia, but she returned home before going to hospital.

by Justine Longmore on April 1, 2025 at 8:09 pm

Nearly 50 pre-packaged salad products are being recalled by major supermarkets after E. coli was found during routine testing.

by Abbey Halter, Emily Dobson, and Hannah Walsh on April 1, 2025 at 8:07 pm

As farmers face months without income, consumers are being warned meat will cost more as the loss of livestock and infrastructure takes its toll.

on April 1, 2025 at 8:03 pm

Ricky Ponting's Punjab Kings make light work of Justin Langer's Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL as players leave rave reviews for Ponting in the aftermath of the result.

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 1, 2025 at 8:01 pm

APX Lending, a crypto-backed loan company, has gained exemptive relief from the Canadian Securities Administration (CSA) to offer crypto-backed loans without requiring traditional dealer registration or prospectus filings.“Over the last 2 years, APX developed a regulatory framework in collaboration with the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) to facilitate this, as no such framework previously existed in Canada,” a spokesperson for APX told Cointelegraph. “This exemption is specific to APX and does not establish a precedent for other companies.”The platform currently supports Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) as backing collateral for loans in Canadian or US dollars. APX plans to add more digital assets and fiat currencies options in the near future.The company claims to be expanding its reach to the United States, with future expansions planned for Australia and New Zealand pending regulatory approval. Andrei Poliakov, founder and CEO of APX Lending, said in a statement:“By engaging with Canadian regulators and leading the way in Canada, we are setting a new benchmark for compliance and security in crypto-backed lending, helping retail and institutional borrowers unlock liquidity while maintaining ownership of their digital assets."APX loans range from 20%-60% loan-to-value (LTV), with an automated liquidation mechanism triggered at 90% if no corrective action is taken by the borrower to top up collateral or partially repay the loan when LTV reaches the 80% warning level and they are notified of the potential liquidation.Loan terms range from three months to five years, reflecting the comparatively flexible structure of crypto-backed lending versus the more rigid and often less accessible options found in traditional financial systems.APX Lending is registered with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). Its key competitors in the local market include Ledn, Nexo, and YouHodler, among others.APX Lending founder and CEO Andrei Poliakov onstage at the Blockchain Futurist Conference in 2024. Source: Blockchain Futurist ConferenceRelated: What Canada’s new Liberal PM Mark Carney means for cryptoCanada’s shifting political landscape could spell trouble for crypto regulationsRecently elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is a former central banker who once criticized Bitcoin for being supply-capped, calling the 21 million maximum supply a “serious deficiency.”In a speech to the Scottish Economics Conference at Edinburgh University in March 2018, Carney said: “Recreating a virtual global gold standard would be a criminal act of monetary amnesia.”Carney’s critical view of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies may influence the direction of regulation in Canada and raise uncertainty about the future of the country’s crypto industry.However, Carney’s 2025 platform outlined goals to make Canada a global leader in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and “digital industries” amid increasing geopolitical competition and trade tensions with the United States.Magazine: Home loans using crypto as collateral: Do the risks outweigh the reward?

by Anastasia Safioleas on April 1, 2025 at 8:00 pm

A new report has revealed that Australia's divorce rates have fallen to their lowest levels in almost 50 years. But the reason why is not as simple as it seems.   

by Kenji Sato on April 1, 2025 at 7:55 pm

A bid to build affordable units on church land in Brisbane's east has been approved despite protests from home owners who claim it's "inappropriate".

by Courtney Gould, Tom Lowrey, and Isobel Roe on April 1, 2025 at 7:54 pm

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton both kick off their fifth day of the campaign trail in Victoria. Follow live.

by Hannah Walsh on April 1, 2025 at 7:47 pm

Queenslanders displaced by catastrophic flooding are sitting tight as they wait to return to their homes, but it is already clear that the road to recovery will be long and difficult.

by Stephen Clarke on April 1, 2025 at 7:43 pm

Parts of south-east Queensland could get up to 100 millimetres of rain on Wednesday as the remnants of ex-Tropical Cyclone Dianne sweep the state.

by Julius Dennis and Will Murray on April 1, 2025 at 7:42 pm

There are calls for the state government to set a concrete timeline for its target of preserving 17 per cent of its landmass, with just 595,000 hectares protected since 2022.

by Cointelegraph by Turner Wright on April 1, 2025 at 7:39 pm

Kristin Smith, CEO of the US-based Blockchain Association, will be leaving the cryptocurrency advocacy group for the recently launched Solana Policy Institute.In an April 1 notice, the Blockchain Association (BA) said Smith would be stepping down from her role as CEO on May 16. According to the association, the soon-to-be former CEO will become president of the Solana Policy Institute on May 19.The association’s notice did not provide an apparent reason for the move to the Solana advocacy organization nor say who would lead the group after Smith’s departure. Cointelegraph reached out to the Blockchain Association for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.Blockchain Association CEO Kristin Smith’s April 1 announcement. Source: LinkedInSmith, who has worked at the BA since 2018 and was deputy chief of staff for former Montana Representative Denny Rehberg, will follow DeFi Education Fund CEO Miller Whitehouse-Levine, leaving his position to join the Solana Policy Institute as CEO. According to Whitehouse-Levine, the organization plans to educate US policymakers on Solana.Related: Congress on track for stablecoin, market structure bills by August: Blockchain AssociationWith members from the crypto industry, including Coinbase, Ripple Labs, and Chainlink Labs, the BA has filed a lawsuit against the US Internal Revenue Service, challenging regulations requiring brokers to report crypto transactions. The group often criticized the US Securities and Exchange Commission under former chair Gary Gensler for its “regulation by enforcement” approach to crypto, resulting in steep legal fees for many companies.Less than 48 hours after the Solana Policy Institute’s launch, it’s unclear what the group’s immediate goals may be for engaging with US lawmakers and advocating for the industry. The organization described itself as a non-partisan nonprofit group.Magazine: Solana ‘will be a trillion-dollar asset’: Mert Mumtaz, X Hall of Flame

on April 1, 2025 at 7:36 pm

A High Court hearing for a challenge between PepsiCo and the Australian Tax Office today will be an important test of Australia's laws set up to tax overseas companies appearing to derive profits here. 

by Fiona Willan on April 1, 2025 at 7:30 pm

Western Sydney, which is a region made up of 14 seats, is considered as integral to the major parties for the upcoming federal election. 

by Michael Doyle on April 1, 2025 at 7:28 pm

The saga surrounding Red Bull Racing and its drivers has dominated the Formula 1 news cycle, as the next chapter begins at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

on April 1, 2025 at 7:26 pm

Rick Nugent confirms he will not apply for the ongoing position but says he is still Victoria's acting chief commissioner amid media reports.

by Cointelegraph by Biraajmaan Tamuly on April 1, 2025 at 7:23 pm

Ethereum’s native token, Ether (ETH), registered four consecutive red monthly candles after the altcoin dropped 18.47% in March. The altcoin’s current market structure reflects a sustained bearish trend not seen since the bear market of 2022. With each monthly close taking place below the previous month’s low, analysts are beginning the debate about whether ETH is approaching a bottom or if there is more downside ahead for the altcoin. Ethereum/Bitcoin ratio hits new 5-year lowOn March 30, the Ethereum/Bitcoin ratio dropped to a five-year low of 0.021. The ETH/BTC ratio measures ETH’s value against Bitcoin (BTC), and the current decline underlines Ether’s underperformance against Bitcoin over the past five years. In fact, the last time the ETH/BTC ratio dipped to 0.021, ETH was valued between $150-$300 in May 2020. Ethereum/Bitcoin 1-month chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewData from the token terminal showed Ethereum’s monthly fees dropped to $22 million in March 20205, its lowest level since June 2020, indicating low network activity and market interest. Ethereum fees represent the cost users pay for transactions, which is influenced by network demand. When network fees begin to drop, it indicates reduced network utility. Ethereum fees and price. Source: token terminalDespite the price action and revenue malaise, Ethereum analyst VentureFounder said that the ETH/BTC bottom could occur over the next few weeks. The analyst hinted at a potential bottom between 0.017 and 0.022, suggesting that the ratio might drop further before a recovery. The analyst said, “Maybe another lower low RSI and one more push downward lots of similarity with 2018-2019 Fed tightening & QE cycle, expecting the first higher high after May FOMC when Fed ends QT & begin QE.”Ethereum/Bitcoin analysis by venture founder. Source: X.comRelated: Ethereum price down almost 50% since Eric Trump's 'add ETH' endorsementHistorical odds favor a short-term bottomSince its inception, ETH has registered three or more consecutive bearish monthly candles on five occasions, and each time, a short-term bottom was the result. The chart below shows that the most back-to-back red months occurred in 2018, with seven, but prices jumped 83% after the correction. Ethereum monthly chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIn 2022, after three consecutive bearish months, ETH price consolidated in a range for almost a year, but the bottom was in on the third bearish candle in June 2022. Historically, Ethereum has a 75% probability of having a green month in April. Based on Ethereum’s past quarterly returns, the altcoin experienced the least number of drawdowns in Q2 compared to other quarters. With the average returns in Q2 as high as 60.59%, the likelihood of positive returns in April. Ethereum Quarterly returns. Source: CoinGlassRelated: Why is Ethereum (ETH) price up today?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 Luke Pentony on April 1, 2025 at 7:21 pm

Max Jorgensen's season is not over, but the boom winger will need to make up ground if he is to regain full fitness ahead of the British and Irish Lions series, writes Luke Pentony.

by Tom Crowley on April 1, 2025 at 7:13 pm

As Labor makes a pitch to minimum-wage workers, the Coalition proposes a new government agency to attract private investment to Australia.

by Cointelegraph by Christopher Tepedino on April 1, 2025 at 7:04 pm

GoMining, a platform that allows users to mine Bitcoin (BTC) through data centers, is launching a $100 million Bitcoin mining fund for institutional investors. Custodied by Bitgo, the fund promises annual distributions from mining yield and a strategy that focuses on Bitcoin rewards and reinvestment.GoMining’s Alpha Blocks Fund comes as more companies have added Bitcoin to their balance sheets, capturing enthusiasm surrounding the resurgence of the world’s top cryptocurrency by market capitalization. Companies that have done so, including Japan’s Metaplanet and medical technology company Semler Scientific, have seen their stock prices increase.“Unlike passive equity investments, the Alpha Blocks Fund offers direct exposure to mined Bitcoin via a fully managed, compounding hashrate strategy,” a GoMining spokesperson told Cointelegraph.“BTC rewards are reinvested to increase the fund’s hashrate and improve miner efficiency — creating real, yield-driven outcomes. Our model is built for performance, not market sentiment, and integrates utility-based advantages that listed mining companies typically don’t offer.”According to a press release shared with Cointelegraph, GoMining Institutional operates with 7.3 Exahash of active hash power.Related: Is cryptocurrency mining still profitable in 2025?“This framework ensures compliance with relevant regulatory requirements and supports our focus on delivering institutional-grade exposure to Bitcoin mining yield strategies,” said the spokesperson, adding that retail users can access a separate digital mining product. The fund will charge a 2% flat annual management fee, with no performance fees applied. While GoMining’s Bitcoin fund caters to institutional investors, its flagship product is geared toward retail miners who may lack the funds to create a heavy-duty mining rig. In 2024, it revealed an attempt to gamify Bitcoin mining through the use of non-fungible tokens.Institutional investment in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies like Ether (ETH) has been on the rise since 2024, when the first cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds were launched in the United States. Regulatory clarity from Europe’s MiCA and the enthusiasm for digital assets in the United States might be changing institutional investors’ skepticism about cryptocurrencies. In March 2025, a report by Coinbase revealed that 83% of institutions are planning a crypto allocation.Magazine: AI may already use more power than Bitcoin — and it threatens Bitcoin mining

by Cointelegraph by Turner Wright on April 1, 2025 at 5:02 pm

For the second time, Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville is set to reintroduce a bill aimed at allowing Americans to add cryptocurrency to their retirement savings plans.In a March 31 Fox News interview, Tuberville said he planned to reintroduce his “Financial Freedoms Act” legislation after two failed attempts to get the legislation through Congress in 2022 and 2023. In announcing the bill, the Alabama senator said he wanted to help US President Donald Trump’s perceived role as a “crypto president.” “Give people a chance to breathe for once [...] let them do what they do best [which] is invest their money,” said the senator. The Financial Freedom Act, which Tuberville first introduced in the US Senate in May 2022, proposed scaling back regulations with the Department of Labor over the types of investments used in 401(k) retirement plan fiduciaries. The senator said he would reintroduce the bill on April 1, but congressional records showed no movement at the time of publication.Related: Trump-linked crypto ventures may complicate US stablecoin policyWyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis was a cosponsor of the 2023 bill, but at the time of publication, it was unclear whether she intended to support it again. In a 2022 interview, the Republican senator said she was “very comfortable with making sure that people can include Bitcoin in their retirement funds.”Crypto legislation in the 119th session of CongressThe crypto retirement bill came as members of the Republican-controlled Congress considered legislation to establish market structure rules for the industry and stablecoin regulations. Proponents of the legislation have suggested that lawmakers get the bills to Trump’s desk to sign into law before the August recess. After that time, they could become more politically charged issues. On April 1, Florida voters will decide on their House representatives in the state’s 1st and 6th congressional districts. Republicans Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine have support from the crypto industry through media buys financed by the Defend American Jobs political action committee. As of March 22, the PAC has spent roughly $1.5 million to support the two candidates.Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions

by Cointelegraph by Alex O’Donnell on April 1, 2025 at 4:11 pm

Asset manager Grayscale has filed to list an exchange-traded fund (ETF) holding a diverse basket of spot cryptocurrencies, US regulatory filings show.On April 1, Grayscale submitted an S-3 regulatory filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which is required to convert the non-listed fund to an ETF. The Grayscale Digital Large Cap Fund, which was created in 2018 but is not yet exchange-traded, holds a crypto index portfolio comprising Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Solana (SOL), XRP (XRP) and Cardano (ADA). As of April 1, the fund has more than $600 million in assets under management (AUM) and is only available to accredited investors (entities or individuals with high net worth), according to Grayscale’s website.The filing follows an Oct. 29 request by NYSE Arca, a US securities exchange, for permission to list the Grayscale index fund. Grayscale’s digital large cap fund holds a diverse basket of digital assets. Source: GrayscaleRelated: US crypto index ETFs off to slow start in first days since listingIndex ETFs in focusThe filing underscores how ETF issuers are accelerating planned crypto product launches now that US President Donald Trump has led federal regulators to a softer stance on digital asset regulation. In December, the SEC greenlighted the first batch of mixed crypto index ETFs. However, the funds — sponsored by Hashdex and Fidelity — hold only Bitcoin and Ether. They have seen relatively modest inflows since debuting in February.  In February, the SEC acknowledged more than a dozen exchange filings related to cryptocurrency ETFs, according to records. The filings address issues such as staking and options for existing funds as well as new fund proposals for altcoins such as SOL and XRP. According to industry analysts, crypto index ETFs are a main focus for Wall Street's issuers after ETFs holding BTC and ETH debuted last year. “The next logical step is index ETFs because indices are efficient for investors — just like how people buy the S&P 500 in an ETF. This will be the same in crypto,” Katalin Tischhauser, head of investment research at crypto bank Sygnum, told Cointelegraph in August.Magazine: How crypto laws are changing across the world in 2025

by Cointelegraph by William Suberg on April 1, 2025 at 3:40 pm

Bitcoin (BTC) repeated earlier volatility at the April 1 Wall Street open as US trade tariff talk kept markets nervous.BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBitcoin stays erratic ahead of crunch tariffsData from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC/USD making rapid moves within its weekly trading range of around $83,000.US stocks ticked lower at the open, while gold came off fresh all-time highs of $3,149 per ounce.Talk of recession began to return to the spotlight ahead of US President Donald Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day,” due on April 2 and on which he promised to unveil a new round of trade tariffs.“Equity markets are clearly pricing-in a recession: The S&P 500 is down -2% since Fed rate cuts began in September 2024,” trading resource The Kobeissi Letter wrote in part of an X thread on the topic.Kobeissi referred to the Federal Reserve easing of financial policy in the form of interest rate cuts — something now on pause but which markets see resuming in June, per data from CME Group’s FedWatch Tool.Fed target rate probabilities for June 18 FOMC meeting. Source: CME GroupWhile this would be a clear bullish catalyst for crypto and risk assets, Kobeissi noted that history had not favored strong equities rebounds under similar circumstances.“In the case of rate cuts during a recession, the S&P 500 declined -6% in 6 months -10% within 12 months,” it continued.“The AVERAGE post-pivot return is +1% in 6 months.”S&P 500 performance comparison. Source: The Kobeissi Letter/XTrading firm QCP Capital was similarly cautious about the overall market landscape thanks to macroeconomic forces.“With consumer confidence plumbing 12-year lows and equity markets already rattled by a 4-5% weekly drawdown, the timing couldn't be worse,” it wrote about tariffs in its latest bulletin to Telegram channel subscribers. “There is a real risk that a broad and aggressive regime could deepen recession fears and send risk assets spiraling. That said, political theatre often leaves room for recalibration. A softer-than-expected rollout could offer markets a brief reprieve.”BTC price action heads to key resistanceBTC price action thus left market observers keen for stronger signals over momentum, even as fundamental support at $80,000 held firm.Related: Bitcoin sellers 'dry up' as weekly exchange inflows near 2-year low“Some upside momentum today, but it’s still just a 3-wave move, and resistance is holding strong,” trading channel More Crypto Online summarized about an Elliott Wave schematic for the 30-minute chart, adding that “the rally’s got more to prove.”BTC/USD 30-minute chart. Source: More Crypto Online/XPopular trader Jelle noted BTC/USD respecting the 50-week simple moving average (SMA), currently at $76,600, as support.Bitcoin, he hoped, would reclaim $84,500 as its next leg up, having rejected there earlier in the day.BTC/USD 1-week chart with 50SMA. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewQCP meanwhile shared positive news from investors eyeing possible higher levels to come next.“On our desk, activity was skewed bullish into Asia open,” it reported. “Buyers were seen taking topside exposure ($85k-$90k strikes) and selling downside risk ($75k strikes), a potential bet on a firmer start to Q2.”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 1, 2025 at 3:06 pm

A number of altcoins and memecoins saw a sharp sell-off on April Fools’ Day, April 1, with some tokens, including Act I The AI Prophecy, dropping nearly 60% in minutes.Act I The AI Prophecy (ACT), a token associated with the eponymous project focused on artificial intelligence, plunged 58% from $0.19 to $0.08 in less than an hour on April 1, with its market cap shedding $96 million, according to data from CoinMarketCap.The sharp drop of ACT came along with notable red action in the altcoin market, with memecoins like sudeng (HIPPO), CZ’S Dog (BROCCOLI), Kishu Inu (KISHU), DeXe (DEXE), dForce (DF) and more seeing significant price declines.Cryptocurrency market at a glance. Source: Coin360The broader crypto market hasn’t reacted negatively to panic in altcoin markets, with major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) remaining green at the time of writing.Act I “fully aware of the situation” The massive drop in the ACT token has not gone unnoticed on social media, with Act I taking to X to assure its community that the project is fully aware of the current situation.“Our team is actively investigating and working collaboratively with all relevant parties to address this matter,” Act I wrote, adding that it also started developing a “response plan” with its trusted partners.Source: Act I The AI ProphecySome crypto commentators linked the sudden price movement to a margin update by Binance.Binance’s leverage update triggers a $3.8 million whale liquidationAccording to data from the blockchain analytics tool Lookonchain, Binance’s update of leverage and margin tiers on tokens like ACT on April 1 has triggered some massive liquidations among whales.“Binance updated leverage and margin tiers on tokens like ACT — and a whale got liquidated for $3.79M at $0.1877,” Lookonchain said in an X post.Source: LookonchainAccording to a blog post by Binance, its derivatives platform, Binance Futures, updated to leverage and margin tiers for pairs such as ACT versus Tether USDt (USDT) at 10:30 UTC.Related: Listing an altcoin traps exchanges on ‘forever hamster wheel’ — River CEOThe update affected existing positions opened before the update, potentially leading to some position expirations, Binance noted.Speculation over Wintermute sellingThe altcoin bleeding came amid community speculation surrounding selling by the global algorithmic trading firm Wintermute, which reportedly liquidated multiple altcoin positions on April 1.Some market observers even suggested that the selling was due to a hack, while many expressed confusion over possible reasons for the selling’s root cause.“MMs don’t just nuke their own books for fun. Either it’s a hack, insolvency, or someone is getting margin called hard,” DEFI Kadic commented.Some also speculated about Wintermute interacting with the USD1 stablecoin by Donald Trump-linked World Liberty Financial.Source: Daniele (Degen Arc)“That being a major deal for them, they are derisking all assets that might be non-compliant or non-matching the new brand direction they are taking of an institutional player,” the X user claimed.Wintermute co-founder and CEO Evgeny Gaevoy denied the company’s involvement in the altcoin massacre on April 1 in a social media exchange with X user ilikeblocks.“Not us [for what it's worth], but also curious about that post mortem,” Gaevoy wrote.Source: ilikeblocks and Wintermute co-founder and CEO Evgeny Gaevoy (wishfulcynic)Ilikeblocks later posted to express regret for their initial allegation about Wintermute.“They’re making markets better for all of us and in comparison to their competition they’re really not that shady,” they added.Cointelegraph approached Wintermute for comment regarding the market action but did not receive a response by the time of publication.Magazine: Memecoins are ded — But Solana ‘100x better’ despite revenue plunge

by Cointelegraph by Michael Tabone on April 1, 2025 at 3:00 pm

Opinion by: Dr. Michael Tabone, senior economist for CointelegraphBitcoin (BTC) has long been hailed as unbreakable and untouchable, a digital stronghold against the forces of change. Bitcoin’s bedrock of security is facing its first true test with quantum computing, which should be addressed sooner rather than later. Its cryptographic armor will crack if not addressed, forcing the network to adapt or perish.Bitcoin’s node count is growing, but incentives are still absentBitcoin’s full node network has grown over time, a sign of increasing adoption and a more robust infrastructure, but the core issue remains. The voluntary act of running a node still has no financial incentive. Miners earn rewards for securing the network, yet full node operators get nothing for their role in keeping Bitcoin decentralized.At the same time, a significant portion of these nodes are run by exchanges, custodians and large mining pools. These are centralized entities with financial incentives to maintain control. Suppose Bitcoin’s node network continues to expand without proper incentives. In that case, the risk remains that validation will become increasingly dependent on a few well-funded players rather than a truly distributed base of individual users (see Figure 1).FBitcoin node operation has increased by only 15,605 in 8 years. Source: Bitnodes.io All of this comes as running a Bitcoin node has never been easier. Plug-and-play solutions like Umbrel, Start9, RaspiBlitz, Cubit and Ronin Dojo allow anyone to set up a full node on low-cost hardware with minimal technical knowledge. These tools have lowered the barrier to entry, making node operation more accessible than ever before.Yet adoption remains stagnant. Despite the ease of setup, most Bitcoin users still do not run their own nodes. The reason is simple: There is no financial incentive to do so.Recent: Decentralization is in danger — We can fix itUnlike miners, who earn block subsidies and transaction fees for securing the network, full node operators receive nothing. They validate transactions, enforce consensus rules, and contribute to Bitcoin’s decentralization, yet their efforts go unrewarded. As a result, node operation remains an ideological commitment rather than an economically viable activity.If Bitcoin must be forked, we must use it to strengthen decentralizationCritics of the proposal argue that Bitcoin’s monetary policy should remain untouched. Others warn that introducing full node incentives could lead to Sybil attacks, where bad actors spin up thousands of fake nodes to exploit rewards. These concerns are valid — but they ignore the larger reality.Bitcoin is on the path toward a forced consensus change. The honest debate is not whether Bitcoin should change but whether we will use this moment to strengthen it. If full Bitcoin node incentives are implemented correctly, they could drive a surge in node adoption, strengthening the network’s censorship resistance and reinforcing its decentralization. This would reduce dependence on large mining pools and exchanges for validation, spreading control more evenly among individual participants. Bitcoiners will have to continue pushing to keep Bitcoin resilient against corporate influence in a post-quantum world where security and decentralization will matter more than ever in the years ahead.Poorly designed incentives could introduce risks, particularly Sybil attacks, where bad actors spin up thousands of fake nodes to exploit rewards. These challenges can be solved with the right Sybil resistance mechanisms in place. Ignoring them entirely would be far riskier than addressing them head-on.Source: Michael TaboneBitcoin’s future depends on this momentBitcoin’s greatest strength is its ability to remain decentralized and censorship-resistant. But that strength is not automatic; it requires an infrastructure that encourages broad participation.The quantum-resistant hard fork will be a once-in-a-generation event. We may not get another chance if we fail to use it to fix Bitcoin’s broken incentive structure. Bitcoin’s future depends on getting this moment right.This conversation should continue, but you should have some skin in the game and run a node yourself first. Opinion by: Dr. Michael Tabone, senior economist for Cointelegraph.This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

by Cointelegraph by Adrian Zmudzinski on April 1, 2025 at 2:41 pm

Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has announced the shutdown of its non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace.In an April 1 announcement, Bybit warned its users that its NFT marketplace will cease operations on April 8, 2025, at 4:00 pm (UTC). Furthermore, at that time, the exchange will also shut down its Inscription Marketplace and its initial decentralized exchange offering initiative.The announcement explains that the measures are part of Bybit’s “efforts to streamline our offerings.” The decision follows a similar decision by major NFT marketplace X2Y2 announced earlier this week.Charu Sethi, president at NFT-focused Polkadot and Kusama chain Unique Network, told Cointelegraph at the time that the market moved on from speculative to utility-based:“The speculative phase focused on collectibles and trading is over, but NFTs are now entering their next growth era as core infrastructure enabling massive opportunities in gaming, AI, fan engagement and content authentication.“The NFT market is on a downward trendThe non-fungible token market at large is seeing a significant downturn. Daily NFT trading volume was over $18 million 364 days ago and stands at $5.34 million at the time of publication — a 70% fall.Related: Bitcoin NFTs, layer-2 and restaking hype ‘completely gone’The fall is even more dire when contrasted with the heights reported on Dec. 17, 2024, when volume exceeded $113.6 million. Since then, volume has fallen by over 95%.NFT marketplace daily trading volume. Source: Token TerminalWeak investor interest in speculative NFTs is felt throughout the market. Reports resurfaced earlier today show that NFT project Gutter Cat Gang (GCG) saw a rocky token launch of its GANG token on Apechain on March 31, attributed to a “technical issue” by a third party. However, others pointed to reportedly low interest in the token.Related: Bybit: 89% of stolen $1.4B crypto still traceable post-hackData shared online indicated that the project only attracted 3.66 Ether (ETH), worth about $6,800, in its token sale. This is a far cry from the project’s $1 million target — but the team has not yet addressed those claims.A late March report shows that NFT sales dropped sharply in the first quarter of 2025, plunging 63% year-over-year. Still, the report points out some outliers such as Doodles, Milady Maker and Pudgy Penguins all outperforming expectations.Magazine: Trump-Biden bet led to obsession with ‘idiotic’ NFTs —Batsoupyum, NFT Collector

by Cointelegraph by Adrian Zmudzinski on April 1, 2025 at 1:47 pm

Publicly traded US-based crypto exchange Coinbase saw its worst quarter since the collapse of crypto exchange FTX in 2022.Coinbase shares started 2025 trading at just over $257 on Jan. 2 and ended the quarter at a little over $172 on March 31, a dip of 33%, according to market data.This makes the first quarter of 2025 the worst for Coinbase’s stock performance since the collapse of FTX in November 2022. In Q4 of that year, its share price went from nearly $66 on Oct. 3 to $35.4 on Dec. 30, a loss of 46.4%.Coinbase shares year-to-date price chart. Source: Google FinanceCoinbase has gained a significant foothold in the crypto market. Its prevalence is substantial enough that some industry experts recently told Cointelegraph its emergence as the Ethereum network’s largest node operator raises concerns about network centralization.Related: South Carolina dismisses its staking lawsuit against Coinbase, joining VermontCoinbase is expected to release its 2025 financials in early May. The firm’s recent shareholder letter shows that the company has generated about $750 million in transaction revenue through Feb. 11 and expects subscription revenue of $685 million to $765 million. While Coinbase has not yet released its Q1 profit figures, MarketBeat analysis estimates them to be around $1.87 billion.A large-scale crypto downturnMost publicly traded crypto companies reported similar results in the first quarter of 2025. Major crypto mining firm Marathon Digital Holdings started Q1 at nearly $17.50 and closed it at $11.00, a loss of over 37%.Competing crypto mining firm Riot Platforms opened Q1 2025 at just under $10.50 and closed it at $7.12, a loss of over 32%. Bitfarms, an energy infrastructure and crypto mining firm, opened the year at $1.56 and closed the first quarter at $0.7882, losing nearly half its value.Related: Riot appoints adviser with experience pivoting BTC mining assets to AIDatacenter and crypto mining firm Hut 8 started the year at $21.10 and ended the quarter at $11.62, resulting in a loss of nearly 45%. The firm continues painting red candles at the time of writing despite its recent partnership with US President Donald Trump’s sons to launch American Bitcoin, aiming to build the world’s biggest Bitcoin mining operation with strategic reserves.The list continues. Datacenter and mining firm Hive Digital Technologies saw its stock go from $2.97 to $1.45 in Q1, losing more than half its price. Lastly, mining hardware producer Canaan Creative started the quarter at $2.11 and ended at $0.8778 for a loss of nearly 58.4%.Geopolitics plays a roleThe broader stock market, not just the crypto industry, has also taken a significant hit widely attributed to recent geopolitical shifts. United States stock market index S&P 500 opened the quarter at $5,890 and closed at $5,610 — losing over 4.75%.Market participants feel uncertain as US President Donald Trump continues waging a trade war on multiple fronts. This week, reports suggest that concerns over a global trade war continue to pressure traditional and cryptocurrency markets as investors brace for a potential US tariff announcement on April 2.Founder of Obchakevich Research, Alex Obchakevich, told Cointelegraph: “Trump’s tariffs are weighing heavily on the market, making it as unpredictable as possible.” He pointed out that Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) is holding up surprisingly well, with its price losing just under 3.95% as it went from $300.11 down to $288.27 during Q1 2025. He said:“Its stock has held up thanks to a bet on Bitcoin and 400% growth in 2024.”Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions

by Cointelegraph by Ezra Reguerra on April 1, 2025 at 1:38 pm

Update April 1, 1:42 pm UTC: This article has been updated to add comments from Cyvers co-founder and chief technology officer Meir Dolev.An unauthorized party withdrew about $70 million in digital assets from open-source payment platform UPCX, according to a security alert issued on April 1.The blockchain security firm Cyvers flagged suspicious activity involving 18.4 million UPC tokens, estimating the value of the compromised funds at $70 million.Cyvers said someone accessed a UPCX address and upgraded its ProxyAdmin contract. The attacker then executed a function that allows admins to withdraw, leading to fund transfers from three different management accounts. At the time of writing, the stolen tokens had not been swapped for other crypto assets.Cointelegraph contacted UPCX for comment but did not receive an immediate response. UPC price dips 7% following unauthorized transferUPCX acknowledged it had detected “unauthorized activity” involving its management accounts. The team suspended deposits and withdrawals for UPCX in response to the incident. It said user assets are unaffected by the issue and it is actively investigating the matter. UPC’s token price dropped amid news of the incident. According to CoinGecko, UPC’s token prices dropped 7%, from a high of $4.06 to a low of $3.77 during the incident. UPCX 24-hour price chart. Source: CoinGeckoRelated: Hacker steals $8.4M from RWA restaking protocol ZothUPC hack mirrors previous attack patternsIn a statement, Cyvers co-founder and chief technology officer Meir Dolev told Cointelegraph that while the root cause of the attack remained under investigation, these types of incidents often stem from compromised credentials or flawed access control mechanisms. Dolev told Cointelegraph that both of these vulnerabilities have been the predominant cause of Web3 losses in 2024. The executive said the same causes were responsible for over 80% of the stolen funds during the year. The cybersecurity executive also said the attack pattern was similar to previous exploits. Dolev told Cointelegraph: “This incident mirrors attack patterns we’ve documented in prior exploits, where access to critical administrative roles enabled malicious upgrades and fund drainage.”The executive added that the hack underscored an urgent need to enhance security around wallet permissions, multisignature implementations and runtime transaction validation. The $70 million stolen in the incident would more than double the amount lost in the previous month. In March, crypto stolen from hacks only reached $33 million. Magazine: Memecoins are ded — But Solana ‘100x better’ despite revenue plunge

by Cointelegraph by Nancy Lubale on April 1, 2025 at 12:52 pm

The cryptocurrency market is up today, with the total market capitalization rising by approximately 3.8% in the last 24 hours to reach $2.73 trillion on April 2. The gains were led by Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH), which have risen around 3% and 5%, respectively.Crypto market performance Jan. 30. Source: Coin360Let’s look at the top catalysts driving the crypto market rebound today.Markets take “deep breath” ahead of Trump’s “liberation day”The crypto market’s recovery today aligns closely with similar rebounds in the US stock market, ahead of Trump’s “liberation day,” with Bitcoin leading the market higher.What you should know:Dubbed by President Donald Trump as a pivotal moment for US trade policy, the “Liberation Day” on April 2 promises the announcement of reciprocal tariffs aimed at rebalancing global trade. Recent weeks have seen cryptocurrencies retreat amid fears of a tariff-induced economic slowdown, with Bitcoin dropping nearly 23% from its all-time high due to macroeconomic uncertainty. However, today’s gains suggest a possible shift in sentiment, with market analysts viewing it as a moment of calm before the storm.This has spurred a risk-on sentiment, with Bitcoin climbing back above $84,000 and Ether edging above $1,800. This suggests that investors are positioning themselves ahead of tomorrow’s potentially market-moving news.Dogecoin (DOGE) and Cardano (ADA) rose over 6%, while XRP (XRP), Solana (SOL) and BNB (BNB) were up nearly 3.5%.Looks like global market sentiment is taking a "take a deep breath" approach in the countdown to Donald Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcement, said Reuters’ Kevin Buckland in a Morning Bid newsletter.“Nothing has really changed: We still are no wiser as to what Trump is set to announce on Wednesday,” Buckland continued, adding:“Any expectations that there might be room for trade partners to negotiate apparently came undone with the US president's statement late on Sunday that essentially every country will be slapped with reciprocal levies.”Commenting on this trading firm, QCP Capital said that a “broad and aggressive regime could deepen recession fears and send risk assets spiraling.” QCP Capital added:“That said, political theatre often leaves room for recalibration. A softer-than-expected rollout could offer markets a brief reprieve.”Crypto investment funds flows remain positiveThe crypto market’s ongoing correction aligns with significant inflows into crypto investment products. Key takeaways:Digital asset investment products saw inflows for the second week in a row, totaling $226 million during the week ending March 28, as per CoinShares report.This brings the last two weeks of inflows to $870 million, following five weeks of outflows.Bitcoin investment products saw investor inflows totaling $197 million, while altcoins saw inflows for the first time in 5 weeks totaling $33 million.Capital flows for crypto investment products. Source: CoinSharesThis indicates institutional investors are increasing their exposure to digital assets, albeit in a “cautious” manner, according to CoinShares head of research James Butterfill.Butterfill said: “Following the largest outflows on record, ETPs have seen 9 consecutive trading days of inflows.”Related: March 2025 in charts: Trump trade war hits Bitcoin, $22M in DeFi hacksCrypto market technical reboundFrom a technical perspective, the crypto market’s bounce today has occurred primarily due to its oversold relative strength index (RSI).Key points:The RSI on the 4-hour timeframe dipped below 30, entering oversold territory.A slight rebound in RSI suggests buyers are stepping in to absorb selling pressure.TOTAL crypto market cap 4-hour candle chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewAs a rule of technical analysis, oversold conditions typically lead to short-term relief rallies.Furthermore, the crypto market is eyeing extended recovery as it paints a potential double-bottom pattern.Note that:The total crypto market cap chart shows two consecutive lows around $2.60 trillion, forming a double bottom pattern.A double-bottom is considered a bullish reversal structure, resolving when the price breaks above its neckline resistance and rises by as much as the pattern’s maximum height.Confirmation of this pattern would require a decisive breakout and a four-hour candlestick close above the neckline at $2.67 trillion.If the breakout occurs, the measured move target is $2.76 trillion.The target lies above a critical supply zone stretching from $2.72 trillion and $2.74 trillion, where all the major moving averages lie.Failure to break above this barrier may result in continued consolidation between $2.70 trillion and $2.72 trillion.According to popular analyst Crypto Zone, the crypto market is still “gripped by fear,” with the Fear & Greed Index sitting at 24, even as the total market cap rises.The analyst added:“This mixed sentiment suggests caution, but also potential buying opportunities for those who dare to be greedy when others are fearful.”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 Bradley Peak on April 1, 2025 at 12:44 pm

Key takeawaysSmart money consists of institutional investors with advanced tools and knowledge that can influence crypto market trends.Key concepts like order blocks, liquidity zones and fair value gaps can help traders align with smart money strategies.Real-time tracking tools such as Glassnode, Nansen and CoinGecko allow traders to follow smart money’s moves and capitalize on them.Following the movements of smart money is akin to navigating the open sea, using its wake to position yourself for success in the crypto market.Smart money refers to the money being invested by individuals or organizations that know the markets inside and out. We’re talking about institutional investors, hedge funds and well-seasoned traders. These are the big players who have access to more information and tools than most of us, and they use that knowledge to make strategic decisions.In the crypto world, “smart money” is especially powerful because the market is still growing and changing quickly. These investors have a massive impact on the market. Their moves can shake things up, push prices up or down and even shift the way people feel about a particular coin or token.For example, when major players like BlackRock launch a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), it can send waves through the market, influencing Bitcoin’s (BTC) price and the broader market. How do institutional investors influence crypto market trends?Institutional investors have substantial financial muscle, and when they enter the crypto market, they can make a big impact in several ways:Liquidity and stability: These investors bring in large amounts of capital, which makes it easier to buy and sell without dramatically affecting prices. This helps stabilize the market and makes it more attractive for other investors to get involved. When more money is flowing in and out smoothly, it creates a healthier, more balanced market. Price movements and volatility: When these big players make large investments (or sell off their holdings), it can cause prices to move quickly, either up or down. While this can create volatility, it also opens the door for traders to take advantage of those price swings.Regulation and legitimacy: As institutional investors get involved, they push for clearer regulations, which helps bring more legitimacy to the crypto space. For instance, the approval of Bitcoin ETFs has given institutional investors a regulated way to invest in Bitcoin, and that’s made the market more credible overall.In short, smart money is invested by experienced, informed players who make strategic moves, while ordinary money is often invested by individuals without deep market knowledge or insight.Smart money concepts (SMC) in crypto tradingSMC is a trading strategy focused on analyzing and capitalizing on the movements of smart money. The key elements of SMC include order blocks, liquidity zones and fair value gaps. Let’s break these down simply.Order blocks (OB)Order blocks are areas on the chart where big investors (the smart money) are making large buy or sell orders. These areas usually act like walls of support or resistance, meaning they are strong levels where prices tend to bounce back. You can spot order blocks by looking for clusters of high-volume candlesticks at certain price levels. These are often periods of sideways price movement followed by a sharp move up or down. When the price comes back to these areas, expect it to react in some way, as that’s where the smart money has been. Liquidity zonesLiquidity zones are collections of buy and sell orders at certain price points. These are like gathering spots where a lot of market participants are placing their orders, creating areas where price reversals or breakouts are likely to happen. Smart money investors love these zones because they can place large trades without drastically moving the market in one direction or the other. By understanding where liquidity zones are, you can predict where the market might go next.Fair value gaps (FVG)A fair value gap occurs when there’s a big imbalance between the buy and sell orders for an asset, creating a gap on the chart. This usually happens when the price moves quickly without much trading in between, and you can spot these gaps as spaces between candlesticks. These gaps act like magnets for the price. Markets often return to fill these gaps before continuing their trend. When you spot a gap, it could be a great opportunity to enter the market, knowing the price might come back to fill it before resuming its movement.How to track smart money moves in real timeThere are several tools that help decode blockchain data and spot smart money maneuvers instantly.1. GlassnodeCategory: On-chain analyticsWebsite: glassnode.comGlassnode gives you visibility into blockchain data unavailable through price charts alone. It shows how crypto flows between wallets, exchanges, and large holders, which is perfect for tracking institutional activity.Key features for smart money tracking:Exchange inflows/outflows: Watch for sudden spikes in BTC or Ether (ETH) moving in/out of exchanges, often a sign that big players are preparing to buy or sell.Whale metrics: Metrics like “Number of addresses holding 10K+ BTC” help identify when whales are accumulating or distributing.Realized cap and dormancy: This tells you whether older coins are moving, often a clue that long-term holders (smart money) are repositioning.Top tip! If you notice a sharp drop in exchange reserves for ETH on Glassnode, that could signal whales are withdrawing ETH to cold storage (a bullish sign). Combine this with price action, and you may have a high-confidence entry point.2. Nansen Category: Wallet and whale tracking Website: nansen.aiKey features for smart money tracking:Smart money dashboard: A curated list of wallets considered “smart” based on their historical returns and behavior.Token god mode: See what tokens smart money is buying or selling and how holdings have changed over time.Real-time alerts: Set alerts for transactions by specific wallets or token movements.Top tip! Suppose that you see that multiple smart money wallets started buying a low-cap altcoin over the past 24 hours. That might be a sign they know something before the broader market does. You can monitor for a breakout and act accordingly.3. CoinGecko Category: Market data and volume analysis Website: coingecko.comKey features for smart money tracking:Volume spikes: Watch for sudden increases in 24-hour volume that are not yet reflected in price — often a prelude to a move.Liquidity data: Find coins with deep liquidity where institutions might be operating.Exchange data: Monitor volume by exchange. If one exchange suddenly has massive buy pressure, smart money might be active there.Top tip! Perhaps a small-cap token sees a 5x spike in volume on Binance but hasn’t moved much in price yet. That divergence can indicate accumulation. You could do a deeper dive with onchain tools Nansen or Glassnode to confirm.4. Santiment Category: Market sentiment and onchain analytics Website: santiment.netKey features for smart money tracking:Social volume and sentiment: Gauge hype levels around tokens. Smart money often moves counter to the crowd.Whale transaction count: See how many large transactions (e.g., $100,000+) are happening for a given coin.Development activity: Some smart money tracks developer activity as a proxy for long-term value.Top tip! A token sees decreasing positive sentiment but a spike in whale transactions. That disconnect can signal smart money is accumulating while retail exits, a classic contrarian play.5. ChainalysisCategory: Blockchain forensics and risk detectionWebsite: chainalysis.comChainalysis focuses more on risk detection and compliance, but it can still be useful to track large, high-risk wallet movements and avoid traps or manipulated markets.Key features for smart money tracking:Address labeling: Know whether a wallet belongs to an exchange, scam, hacker group or institutional custodian.Transaction monitoring: Track big inflows/outflows and the origin of funds. Are they from DeFi protocols, over-the-counter (OTC) desks or mixers?Risk scoring: Avoid getting caught in tokens or wallets associated with pump-and-dump schemes or hacks.Top tip! If you see a large amount of ETH being sent from a wallet flagged as a known DeFi VC to an exchange, that could be a sign of upcoming selling pressure. Conversely, tracking inflows to cold wallets from institutions can be a bullish signal.Follow the Man o’ WarThink of crypto trading as the open sea, with smart money as powerful Man o’ War ships, navigating with advanced tools and knowledge. As a retail trader, you may not be in control of these ships, but you can follow their course.Using platforms such as Glassnode, Nansen, CoinGecko, Santiment and Chainalysis, you can track the movements of smart money in real-time. While you might not steer the ship, by observing its wake, you can adjust your course and position yourself for profitable opportunities.You don’t need to command the ship; just follow its lead to find your way to safe, profitable shores.

by Cointelegraph by Ezra Reguerra on April 1, 2025 at 12:37 pm

A former executive of the Web3 game Blade of God X (BOGX) accused the project of abandoning its blockchain-based roadmap after raising funds through the crypto space.On April 1, BOGX’s former chief marketing officer Amber Bella claimed in an X post that despite being funded by Web3 sources, the game “completely abandoned” its Web3 goals and the team working on its Web3 features.  “Web3 was completely abandoned, and my Web3 team’s salaries went from delayed payments to no payments at all,” Bella claimed.The former game executive also said that instead of compensating users and repaying funds to non-fungible token (NFT) buyers, the game’s founder, Tnise Liu Yang, decided to block her from all personal communication channels.Related: Kalshi sues Nevada and New Jersey gaming regulatorsFormer BOGX exec says founder avoided refund conversation In the X thread, Bella claimed she attempted to convince Yang to properly liquidate the game’s Web3 assets, but the BOGX founder blocked all communications. Bella wrote: “When I requested that Tnise refund all sold NFTs and properly address the Web3 community, including returning the in-game purchases made by Web3 users during the third test, I discovered I had been blocked from all personal communication channels without any advance notice.”Bella said this happened when she proposed “settling the Web3 side” responsibly if they were to shift the game into a fully Web2 project. In addition, the former exec accused the game’s Web2 team of claiming prizes allocated for players. Bella said that while the Web3 team was working to improve player benefits, they discovered that the Web2 team was using their own accounts to complete and claim cash prizes that should’ve gone to players. “They concealed this from the Web3 team entirely and initially denied it when confronted. Only when we presented evidence showing that the accounts were linked to their own wallets did they finally remove these accounts,” Bella wrote. Cointelegraph reached out to Blade of God X for comments but did not receive a response by publication. BOGX is a game action role-playing game (RPG) developed by Void Labs. On May 11, 2024, Web3 investment fund OKX Ventures announced its investment in the game. In a now-deleted press release, OKX Ventures wrote that the game “merges advanced AI agents with blockchain technology.” Magazine: Classic Sega, Atari and Nintendo games get crypto makeovers: Web3 Gamer

by Cointelegraph by Helen Partz on April 1, 2025 at 12:12 pm

The use of hydrocarbon fuels in Bitcoin mining has seen a sharp decline over the past 13 years, with the use of coal energy dropping significantly. The share of coal energy use in Bitcoin (BTC) mining has dropped from 63% in 2011 to 20% in 2024, according to a new report released by the industry organization MiCA Crypto Alliance in collaboration with the risk metrics data platform Nodiens.In parallel, the share of renewable energy used in Bitcoin mining has steadily increased, growing at an average rate of 5.8% per year.Bitcoin absolute energy consumption trends and share of renewable and coal energy. Source: MiCA Crypto AllianceThe data reflects a steady shift of Bitcoin mining to cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions, with the study forecasting further decarbonization and mitigation of BTC’s environmental footprint in the coming years.Global coal energy use surged to new highs in 2024While Bitcoin mining’s coal energy consumption reportedly has been dropping at an average annual 8%, global coal consumption has been rising.According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), a Paris-based intergovernmental policy organization, global coal use surged to a new record in 2024, estimated at 8.8 billion tons.Global coal consumption from 2000 to 2026. Source: IEAAccording to the IEA, global demand for coal energy is set to stay close to record levels through 2027 as emerging economies like India, Indonesia and Vietnam are expected to see increased coal consumption in the coming years.Five scenarios for Bitcoin’s energy path to 2030The report outlines five future scenarios for Bitcoin’s carbon footprint, ranging from a bearish $10,000 BTC price to an ultra-bullish $1 million scenario.The study specifically included five BTC price scenarios, with $10,000 considered as a low price scenario, a base price scenario at $110,000, a medium price scenario at $250,000, a high price scenario at $500,000 and a “very bullish” price scenario at $1 million per BTC.Peak annual carbon footprint estimations for Bitcoin price scenarios and IEA’s energy transition scenarios. Source: MiCA Crypto AllianceIn a medium-price scenario, renewable energy is estimated to constitute between 59.3% and 74.3% of Bitcoin’s total electricity usage, depending on the policy scenario, excluding nuclear energy use, the report stated.Related: Crusoe to sell Bitcoin mining business to NYDIG to focus on AIThe report also mentioned an expected peak in Bitcoin mining energy consumption around 2030, echoing a similar forecast in a study by the digital asset platform NYDIG released in September 2021.According to NYDIG’s estimations, even in a high-price scenario, Bitcoin’s electricity consumption will peak at 11 times its 2020 level, accounting for 0.4% of global primary energy consumption and 2% of global electricity generation.Magazine: Bitcoin ATH sooner than expected? XRP may drop 40%, and more: Hodler’s Digest, March 23 – 29

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 1, 2025 at 11:46 am

Japan-based Metaplanet has expanded its Bitcoin holdings, purchasing 696 BTC for 10.2 billion yen ($67 million), the company announced in an April 1 post on X. The investment lifts Metaplanet’s total Bitcoin stash to 4,046 BTC, valued at over $341 million at the time of writing.Source: MetaplanetStock split targets investor accessibilityThe acquisition comes shortly after Metaplanet issued 2 billion Japanese yen ($13.3 million) of bonds to buy more BTC, Cointelegraph reported on March 31.Source: Simon GerovichThe move also comes shortly after Metaplanet’s 10-to-1 reverse stock split. The company had previously warned in a Feb. 18 filing that its share price had risen significantly, creating a high barrier to entry for retail investors.“We implemented a reverse stock split consolidating 10 shares into 1. Since then, our stock price has risen significantly, and the minimum amount required to purchase our shares on the market has now exceeded 500,000 yen, creating a substantial financial burden for investors,” according to a Feb. 18 notice.Stock split announcement. Source: MetaplanetThe stock split aims to lower the price per trading unit to improve liquidity and expand the firm’s investor base.Metaplanet stock split history. Source: Investing.comThe 10-to-1 stock split was completed on March 28, according to investing.com.Related: $1T stablecoin supply could drive next crypto rally — CoinFund’s PakmanMetaplanet, often referred to as “Asia’s MicroStrategy,” aims to accumulate 21,000 BTC by 2026 as part of a plan to lead Bitcoin adoption in Japan. With 4,046 BTC in its treasury, it currently ranks as the ninth-largest corporate Bitcoin holder globally, according to Bitbo data.Related: Crypto trader turns $2K PEPE into $43M, sells for $10M profitStrategy is also buying the Bitcoin dipMetaplanet’s purchase comes during a period of institutional dip buying, with Michael Saylor’s Strategy announcing its latest acquisition on March 31. Strategy purchased 22,048 Bitcoin for $1.92 billion at an average price of $86,969 per Bitcoin in its latest weekly BTC haul.The company now holds over 528,000 Bitcoin acquired for $35.6 billion at an average price of $67,458 per BTC, Saylor said in a March 31 X post.Source: Michael SaylorInstitutions are showing confidence in Bitcoin despite the global market uncertainty around US President Donald Trump’s looming tariff announcement, which may create significant volatility in both crypto and traditional markets.“Risk appetite remains muted amid tariff threats from President Trump and ongoing macro uncertainty,” Nexo dispatch analyst Iliya Kalchev told Cointelegraph.The April 2 announcement is expected to detail reciprocal trade tariffs targeting top US trading partners, a development that may increase inflation-related concerns and limit demand for risk assets like Bitcoin.Magazine: SCB tips $500K BTC, SEC delays Ether ETF options, and more: Hodler’s Digest, Feb. 23 – March 1

by Cointelegraph by Adrian Zmudzinski on April 1, 2025 at 11:27 am

Tether, issuer of the USDT stablecoin, acquired 8,888 Bitcoin in the first quarter of 2025, according to onchain data.Onchain transaction data shows that Tether moved its newly acquired Bitcoin (BTC), worth roughly $750 million at the time of writing, from a Bitfinex address to a wallet it controls. Data provided by onchain analytics platform Arkham Intelligence shows that the firm currently holds 100,521 BTC, worth about $8.46 billion.Tether’s Bitcoin balance chart. Source: Arkham IntelligenceThe news follows mid-February reports that Tether could be forced to sell part of its Bitcoin holdings to comply with proposed US regulations. JP Morgan wrote in a report that potential stablecoin regulation could consider a significant portion of the firm’s current reserve as non-compliant:“Under the proposed bills, Tether would have to implicitly replace its non-compliant assets with compliant assets. This would imply sales of their non-compliant assets (such as precious metals, Bitcoin, corporate paper, secured loans.”Still, Tether argued against the conclusion of the JP Morgan analyst. A Tether spokesperson criticized the analysts in correspondence sent to Cointelegraph, saying “they understand neither Bitcoin nor Tether” and highlighting that the US stablecoin laws have yet to be finalized.Related: Binance ends Tether USDT trading in Europe to comply with MiCA rulesTether becomes an investment powerhouseTether reported $13 billion of profit in 2024, leading to a significant capital reserve that the firm funneled into large-scale investment ventures. As a result of this explosive growth, the stablecoin issuer became the world’s seventh-largest buyer of US Treasurys, surpassing financially significant countries such as Canada, Taiwan, Mexico, Norway and Hong Kong.At the end of March, Tether invested 10 million euros ($10.8 million) in Italian media company Be Water. In February, the firm acquired a majority stake in Juventus FC, a major Series A football club based in Turin, Italy, and also sought to acquire a majority stake in South American agribusiness Adecoagro.The firm’s influence is already growing as a result of those investments. Rumble, a video platform in which Tether invested $775 million in late 2024, recently announced the launch of its wallet for content creator payments with support for Tether’s USDt.Related: ‘Stablecoin multiverse’ begins: Tether CEO Paolo ArdoinoUSDt keeps growingTether’s USDt is the world’s leading stablecoin and the third digital asset by market cap, according to CoinMarketCap data. At the time of writing, USDt’s total supply stands at just under 148 billion.Ignoring the minor deviations from the US dollar’s value, that supply would place the current market cap at almost $148 billion. Whale Alert data shows that on March 31, Tether minted a billion dollars worth of USDt on the Tron blockchain.USDt minting, burning and Bitcoin price. Source: Whale AlertBitcoin’s price has historically tended upward following upticks in USDt minting and large-scale USDt minting has usually followed significant Bitcoin price increases. David Pakman, managing partner at crypto-native investment firm CoinFund, recently said that the global stablecoin supply could surge to $1 trillion by the end of 2025, potentially becoming a key catalyst for broader cryptocurrency market growth.Magazine: Chinese Tether laundromat, Bhutan enjoys recent Bitcoin boost: Asia Express

by Cointelegraph by Marcel Deer on April 1, 2025 at 10:55 am

What are crypto ETP outflows? Crypto ETPs give exposure to digital assets via traditional financial instruments. When more money exits these products rather than entering them, it is known as an “outflow” rather than an “inflow” — i.e., more people are selling than buying. Crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) hold crypto assets as their underlying commodity. The goal is for them to provide an exchange-traded investment for investors who want exposure to crypto without directly buying the digital assets. Many investors, particularly institutions, prefer this method, as it opens up crypto investing within traditional financial instruments. There is no need to venture into unregulated market areas or take responsibility for the security and safety of crypto assets. There are several types of crypto ETPs available, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs), exchange-traded commodities (ETCs) and exchange-traded notes (ETNs). Most famously, Bitcoin ETFs were approved and began trading in January 2024. These crypto ETPs are widely traded and often account for the majority of trading volumes — both inflows and outflows. If you’ve been following the price action of cryptocurrency like Bitcoin (BTC), then you’ll likely have seen stories about crypto ETP outflows. So, what are crypto ETP outflows? This occurs when money flows out of these investment products, indicating that the market is eager to sell off positions. The reasons for this can vary, including profit-taking, negative market sentiment or risk adjustment.Crypto ETP investment trendsThese crypto fund outflows can be large and drive serious volatility in the markets. For example, in March 2025, global crypto products shed $1.7 billion over the course of a week. This compounded outflow totals $6.4 billion in the trailing five weeks. During this time, 17 consecutive days of outflows were recorded, causing the longest streak since records began in 2015. As an investor, understanding ETP flow offers insight into institutional investor sentiment. This can often precede the wider market movements in the coming days and weeks. Outflows can signal warning signs of a changing market dynamic. In the case of record-breaking outflows, it could point to a shift in how institutional money is viewing risk within the crypto markets.  Factors driving crypto ETP outflows ETP outflows are driven by a mix of factors, which include economic conditions, industry concerns, regulation, market cycles and more, that can be used to spot upcoming market moves. So, if ETP flows can be a useful way to gauge sentiment changes in the market, then it is critical to understand what drives these flows. Crypto markets are fickle and can move quickly on news cycles. Adding to this, there are several other common factors that correlate to driving ETP outflows:Macroeconomic headwinds: Economic uncertainty and bad news can lead to money flooding out of risky assets. This often includes US Federal Reserve policy concerns, inflation data and interest rate uncertainty. Security concerns: Hiccups within the industry can make investors nervous, especially during news of fraud and hacks such as the $1.5-billion Bybit hack in early 2025.Regulation development: Shifting government positions on crypto can lead to money flows. Particularly, anti-crypto political moves and taxation can spook ETP investors. Market cycles: After significant market gains, pullbacks start to occur as institutions enter a profit-taking phase to book in their profits. This selling action draws money out of the market. Institutional sentiment: Major financial institutions make up a significant chunk of the market. If they decide to reassess their crypto allocation, outflows can begin as strategies move to less risky assets. Technical indicators: Many investors watch technical indicators closely. If key support levels are broken on major cryptocurrencies, selling pressure intensifies quickly.Often, multiple factors, as explained above, can create a perfect storm for retreating investor sentiment and lead to an unprecedented scale of outflows. Understanding these factors can help you to spot the difference between normal volatility and fundamental market shifts. Impact of ETP outflows on crypto markets Crypto ETP outflows are signals of significant sentiment shifts, which in turn continue to put downward pricing pressure on crypto markets. Prolonged outflow streaks are cause for concern for crypto investors, as they indicate a critical shift in investor sentiment for cryptocurrency. Long streaks suggest that market conditions have become particularly challenging. Generally, outflows start with Bitcoin ETPs, as it is the most well-known and largest cryptocurrency. This can then spread to ETPs for other assets like Ether (ETH) before creating a loss of confidence in the whole crypto market. During these periods, you’ll quickly see direct price pressure on crypto assets trickle down the markets. During large ETP outflows, cryptocurrency experiences significant price corrections, which can hit 20% or more in a matter of weeks. Liquidity is also affected, with total assets under management (AUM) dropping by billions of dollars. With more sellers than buyers in the market, the reduced liquidity makes selling harder for many crypto assets, further adding to the downward price pressures. Market sentiment quickly becomes contagious as negativity spreads from institutions to retail investors. When this happens, even the strongest growth streaks can be terminated as excitable bull runs halt. ETP outflow indicators Knowing the key indicators can help provide early warning signals for investors looking to anticipate big market moves. The concentration of flows in specific products and understanding regional discrepancies can create targeted monitoring to spot investment opportunities. Indicators favored by investors include:Volume: Unusual spikes in ETP trading volumes usually precede large outflow events. Typically, this spike can signal something important about investor sentiment or market conditions. For instance, a large uptick in volume may indicate that investors are preparing for or responding to news, market movements or shifts in sentiment.Premium/discount shifts: Premiums and discounts refer to the difference between the price at which an ETP is trading in the market and its actual net asset value (NAV), which is the value of the assets held. Shifts in premium/discount can give insight into market sentiment or potential future price movements. For instance, if an ETP that usually trades at a premium suddenly starts trading at a discount, it could signal waning investor confidence in the underlying assets or broader market concerns.Leading product indicators: Leading product indicators are products or assets that tend to signal broader market trends. For example, a movement in the BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), a dominant Bitcoin ETF, can indicate growing institutional interest in Bitcoin, which may signal future market growth. These products often lead the way for similar assets or broader market sectors. The performance of industry-leading products is closely monitored by investors, as their price fluctuations can act as a barometer for upcoming trends in both crypto and traditional markets, helping predict broader market shifts.Institutional holdings reports: Institutional holdings refer to the positions held by large investment entities like mutual funds, pension funds and hedge funds. These firms often hold large quantities of assets or securities, and their decisions can have a significant impact on the market. A change in major institutional positions could indicate a shift in how these large players view the market or specific assets. For example, if a large institutional investor starts reducing its position in a particular stock or ETP, it might signal that the investor believes the asset’s price is going to decrease or that they are adjusting their portfolio based on broader economic factors.Flow momentum indicators: Flow momentum indicators track the rate at which capital flows in or out of a market or asset. An acceleration in outflows typically signals panic or growing market uncertainty as investors rush to withdraw funds. Conversely, the deceleration of outflows suggests a stabilization in sentiment, as fears may subside or investors look to reenter the market. Monitoring these indicators helps investors assess the intensity of market sentiment over short (days/weeks) and medium (months) terms, offering insights into whether the market is facing a temporary dip or a more prolonged downturn.Regional flow discrepancies: Regional flow discrepancies refer to the varying capital outflow patterns across different geographic regions. During market sell-offs, US-based investors often lead the way in pulling funds out of the market due to their significant market share and risk appetite. This can result in more substantial outflows in US markets compared to other regions. However, these discrepancies can also present opportunities for international investors, especially when one region shows resilience while others are panicking. Tracking regional trends is crucial for understanding the global dynamics that drive market movements and investor sentiment.Cross-asset correlations: Cross-asset correlations examine how different asset classes, like cryptocurrencies and traditional financial markets, move in relation to one another. Typically, high-risk assets like Bitcoin often show a correlation with tech stocks or other volatile assets. When traditional markets experience turbulence, such as a downturn in equities, crypto markets may also dip as investors seek safety. Conversely, during periods of growth in traditional markets, cryptocurrencies might see inflows as investors look for higher returns. Understanding these correlations enables investors to make more informed decisions by anticipating how crypto markets will react to broader economic conditions. Crypto ETP inflows and outflows: 2024–Q1 2025 trends and insights In 2024, crypto ETPs saw record inflows of $44.2 billion, led by Bitcoin and Ether products, despite minor year-end outflows. However, 2025 experienced a sharp reversal, with significant outflows starting in February, resulting in $2.55 billion in net inflows by March 10.Here are the key highlights of 2024–2025 crypto ETP flows:2024 net inflows: According to CoinShares, the total net inflows for 2024 reached $44.2 billion, a 320% increase from the previous record of $10.5 billion set in 2021.Bitcoin ETPs inflows: Bitcoin ETPs alone saw $38 billion in inflows, accounting for 29% of Bitcoin’s total AUM of $130 billion.Ether ETPs inflows: Ether-based ETPs also performed well, with late 2024 momentum pushing annual inflows to $4.8 billion, representing 26% of ETH’s $18.6 billion AUM.Minor outflows in 2024: Despite the overall positive net inflows, there were periods of outflows, notably in the last trading week of 2024, which saw $75 million in net outflows, as reported on Jan. 6, 2025.Overall positive net inflows in 2024: These outflows were minor compared to the year’s inflows, and overall, 2024 had no significant net outflows, with the net flow being positive at $44.2 billion.Strong start to 2025: The year 2025 started strongly, with the first three days of January 2025 seeing $585 million in inflows.2025 net inflows by Feb. 10: By Feb. 10, 2025, year-to-date net inflows reached $7.3 billion, with five consecutive weeks of inflows, including a notable week ending Feb. 10 with $1.3 billion in inflows, where Ether ETPs saw $793 million in inflows, outpacing Bitcoin.Reversal of inflows starting Feb. 17, 2025: However, there was a sharp reversal starting from the week ending Feb. 17, 2025, with the first significant weekly net outflows of $415 million, according to CoinShares.End of 19-week inflow streak: This marked the end of a 19-week inflow streak post-US election, amassing $29.4 billion, far surpassing the $16 billion in the first 19 weeks of US spot ETF launches in 2024.Continued outflows in late Feb. 2025: The outflows continued, with the week ending Feb. 24, 2025, seeing $508 million in Bitcoin outflows, and the week ending March 3, 2025, recording the largest weekly outflows on record at $2.9 billion, bringing the three-week total to $3.8 billion.March 2025 outflows: The week ending March 10, 2025, saw another $876 million in outflows, bringing the total outflows over these four weeks to $4.75 billion. Starting the week of March 17, cryptocurrency ETPs saw liquidations accelerate, with $1.7 billion in outflows recorded. This brought the total outflows over the past five weeks to $6.4 billion, according to CoinShares’ report. Crypto ETP inflows surge; AUM declines (as of March 31): Global crypto ETPs saw $226 million in inflows for the week ending March 30, following $644 million the week before. Despite this two-week positive trend after a five-week outflow streak, total AUM dropped below $134 million by March 28. Altcoins recorded $33 million in inflows after four weeks of outflows totaling $1.7 billion. Future of crypto ETPs Despite worryingly large outflow events in 2025, the continuing growth in new ETP varieties hitting the market indicates a continued financial interest in the space.Especially considering the longer-term growth trend of crypto AUM, the future of crypto ETPs as a strong investment vehicle and market driver is strong. Large outflows can be concerning for investors in the short term, but even severe pullbacks of 20%–30% can be recovered during a larger market cycle. In fact, many investors believe these pullbacks are healthy during periods of growth as investors take profits and consolidate market positions.Regulatory evolution appears positive, particularly in the US, with President Donald Trump being pro-crypto. He’s even signed executive orders to try and improve approaches to crypto regulation and form a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and digital asset stockpile. New crypto ETPs are frequently being filed by financial institutions eager to broaden their offerings for investors. In addition to Bitcoin and Ether products, Solana and XRP ETPs have gained significant attention following their approval and launch. These new products have even seen inflows despite downturns in Bitcoin and Ether ETPs.As the crypto market continues to evolve, the launch of new ETPs is likely to drive further innovation and attract a broader range of investors. With increasing regulatory clarity and growing institutional interest, future offerings may expand to include other promising cryptocurrencies. As a result, you can expect continued diversification in the crypto ETP space, with potential for increased inflows and new market opportunities, even amid fluctuations in established assets like BTC and ETH.

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 1, 2025 at 10:52 am

A US dollar-pegged stablecoin launched by a cryptocurrency platform tied to US President Donald Trump’s family could complicate ongoing bipartisan efforts to pass stablecoin legislation in Congress, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.The Trump-linked World Liberty Financial (WLFI) crypto platform launched the World Liberty Financial USD (USD1) US dollar-pegged stablecoin in early March, prompting concerns over potential conflicts of interest.Despite political pushback from Democratic Party lawmakers, WLFI’s stablecoin plans are in line with the current US stablecoin legislation, according to Anastasija Plotnikova, co-founder and CEO of blockchain regulatory firm Fideum.“The planned backing, audits, qualified custody, public blockchains and no native yield-bearing — all these elements are well in line with the GENIUS and STABLE acts,” she said in an interview with Cointelegraph.“I would argue that this is a direct expression of support to the US-based stablecoins, and in any case, the stablecoin issuer is subject to the authorization of OCC, state regulators and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve,” she added.Related: Stablecoins, tokenized assets gain as Trump tariffs loomThe launch comes as two major stablecoin bills move through Congress. The STABLE Act, introduced on Feb. 6, aims to create a clear regulatory framework for dollar-denominated payment stablecoins. It focuses on transparency and consumer protection and enables issuers to choose between federal and state oversight.Source: STABLE ActThe GENIUS Act, short for Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins, would establish collateralization guidelines for stablecoin issuers while requiring full compliance with Anti-Money Laundering laws. The act recently passed the Senate Banking Committee by a vote of 18–6.Related: Trump turned crypto from ‘oppressed industry’ to ‘centerpiece’ of US strategyTrump’s USD1 stablecoin is “throwing a wrench into bipartisan efforts”While some see WLFI’s stablecoin as a positive signal for crypto adoption, others fear it may complicate the passage of current legislation, politicizing it in the process.“Trump’s new US dollar-pegged stablecoin, USD1, is throwing a wrench into bipartisan efforts to pass stablecoin legislation, possibly something like the GENIUS Act,” according to Dmitrij Radin, the founder of Zekret and chief technology officer of Fideum.“With the Trump family holding a major stake and revenue share, critics like Senator [Elizabeth] Warren and Representative [Jim] Himes are calling out potential conflicts of interest,” Radin told Cointelegraph, adding:“The concern would be that any law could be seen as financially benefiting Trump, making some lawmakers hesitant. While the bill could still pass, this twist might delay it or force stricter rules to keep it neutral.”While stablecoins appear ready for mainstream adoption, “political drama” may push innovation offshore if regulators become overly restrictive, Radin said, adding that banks and the Federal Reserve are still “pushing back” against stablecoin adoption.Meanwhile, crypto industry professionals have urged US lawmakers to create more regulatory clarity around stablecoins and crypto banking relationships before legislators switch their focus to crypto tax laws.Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered