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by Cointelegraph by Rakesh Upadhyay on April 13, 2025 at 8:21 pm

Bitcoin (BTC) made a brilliant comeback this week, rising more than 7%, indicating solid buying at lower levels. BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes said in a post on X that the US bond market crisis could be setting the stage for more policy response, and that could result in an “up only mode” for Bitcoin.Blockchain and intelligence platform Glassnode said in a post on X that Bitcoin had built solid support at $79,000, with roughly 40,000 Bitcoin accumulated there. Bollinger Bands creator John Bollinger also echoed similar views. In a post on X, Bollinger said that Bitcoin was forming a “classic Bollinger Band W bottom,” but it needed confirmation.Crypto market data daily view. Source: Coin360Market participants will be closely watching the performance of the US dollar index (DXY), which is trading below the 100 level. Any further weakness in the US dollar could be bullish for Bitcoin. If Bitcoin manages to hold on to the higher levels, it is likely to boost the sentiment in the cryptocurrency sector. That could trigger a recovery in select altcoins. What are the cryptocurrencies that may benefit from Bitcoin’s strength?   Bitcoin price analysisBitcoin broke and closed above the resistance line on April 12, which is the first indication that the corrective phase may be ending.BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe bears are unlikely to give up easily and will try to pull the price back below the 20-day exponential moving average ($82,885). If they manage to do that, it suggests that the bears remain active at higher levels. The BTC/USDT pair could then drop to $78,500.Buyers are likely to have other plans. They will try to defend the 20-day EMA on the way down. If the price rebounds off the 20-day EMA, it will signal a change in sentiment from selling on rallies to buying on dips. That enhances the prospects of a rally to $89,000 and, after that, to $95,000.BTC/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe 20-EMA is sloping up, and the relative strength index (RSI) is in the positive territory, indicating an advantage to the bulls. A rebound off the 20-EMA suggests that the bulls are trying to flip the resistance line into support. The pair may face selling at $89,000, but it is likely to be crossed. That could propel the pair to the $92,000 to $95,000 zone.On the downside, the moving averages are the crucial support for the bulls to defend. If they fail in their endeavor, the pair could plummet to $78,500.Hyperliquid price analysisHyperliquid (HYPE) closed above the 50-day SMA ($15.14) on April 11 and reached the overhead resistance of $17.35 on April 12.HYPE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe 20-day EMA ($13.84) has started to turn up, and the RSI has risen near 56, suggesting buyers have the edge. Sellers are trying to defend the $17.35 resistance, but if the bulls prevail, the HYPE/USDT pair could start a rally to $21 and subsequently to $25.This optimistic view will be negated in the near term if the price turns down from $17.35 and breaks below the 20-day EMA. The pair could then fall to $12, which is expected to attract buyers.HYPE/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe pair has pulled back to the 20-EMA, which is a critical near-term support to watch out for. If the price bounces off the 20-EMA with strength, it signals buying on dips. The bulls will then make one more attempt to overcome the barrier at $17.35. If they succeed, the pair may rise to $21. There is minor resistance at $18, but it is likely to be crossed. Sellers will have to pull and sustain the price back below the 20-EMA to weaken the bullish momentum. The pair could then descend to the 50-SMA.Ondo price analysisOndo (ONDO) has broken out of the downtrend line, suggesting that the bears may be losing their grip.ONDO/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe recovery is facing selling near $0.96 but may find support at the 20-day EMA ($0.83) on the way down. If the price rebounds off the 20-day EMA, the bulls will again try to drive the ONDO/USDT pair above $0.96. If they manage to do that, the pair could pick up momentum and rally toward $1.20.Sellers are likely to have other plans. They will try to pull the price back below the 20-day EMA. If they can pull it off, the pair could drop to $0.79 and later to $0.68.ONDO/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe 4-hour chart shows that the pair is facing selling in the $0.93 to $0.96 resistance zone. Buyers will have to keep the price above the 20-EMA to maintain the upper hand. If the price rebounds off the 20-EMA with strength, the possibility of a break above $0.96 increases. The pair may then climb to $1.05 and later to $1.20.Instead, if the price skids below the 20-EMA, it suggests that demand dries up at higher levels. The pair may then descend to the 50-SMA.Related: Bitcoin price tags $86K as Trump tariff relief boosts breakout oddsRender price analysisRender (RNDR) has reached the overhead resistance of $4.22, where the bears are expected to mount a strong defense.RNDR/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe moving averages are on the verge of a bullish crossover, and the RSI has risen into the positive zone, signaling an advantage to buyers. If the price rises above $4.22, the RNDR/USDT pair will complete a double-bottom pattern. There is minor resistance at $5, but it is likely to be crossed. The pair could then climb to the pattern target of $5.94.Contrary to this assumption, if the price turns down sharply from $4.22 and breaks below the moving averages, it signals a range-bound action in the short term.RNDR/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe pair is facing selling at $4.06, but the pullback is likely to find support at the 20-EMA. If the price rebounds off the 20-EMA with strength, it will suggest that the sentiment remains positive. That improves the prospects of a break above $4.22. The pair may face resistance between $4.60 and $5, but if the price does not dip back below $4.22, it signals the start of a new up move.Alternatively, a break and close below the 20-EMA suggests the bulls are losing their grip. The pair may then slump to the 50-SMA, signaling a consolidation in the near term.Kaspa price analysisKaspa (KAS) rose and closed above the 50-day SMA ($0.07) on April 12, indicating that the selling pressure is reducing.KAS/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe 20-day EMA ($0.07) has started to turn up, and the RSI has risen into the positive territory, suggesting that the path of least resistance is to the upside. If buyers drive the price above $0.08, the KAS/USDT pair will complete a double-bottom pattern. This bullish setup has a target objective of $0.12.Contrarily, if the price turns down from $0.08 and breaks below the 20-day EMA, it will signal a range formation. The pair may swing between $0.08 and $0.05 for some time.KAS/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe pair has turned down from $0.08 but is likely to find support at the 20-EMA. If the price rebounds off the 20-EMA, the pair could rally to the top of the range, which is a crucial resistance to watch out for. If buyers overcome the overhead barrier, the pair could start a new upmove toward $0.09.This positive view will be invalidated in the near term if the price turns down and breaks below the $0.07 support. That could keep the pair stuck inside the range for a while longer.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 Victoria Ellis on April 13, 2025 at 8:20 pm

One of the country's most remote mines is getting a billion-dollar upgrade, taking gold production deeper into the Tanami Desert as gold prices hit record highs.

by Jesse Hyland and Victoria Pengilley on April 13, 2025 at 8:14 pm

Emergency services were called to the property in Windellama, near Goulburn, after a firearm was accidentally discharged. 

by Liz Gwynn on April 13, 2025 at 8:04 pm

Gel blasters look identical to handguns, shotguns and rifles, making it hard even for officers to tell the difference between a toy and a real gun.  

by Freya Jetson and Mackenzie Colahan on April 13, 2025 at 8:02 pm

Queensland's record-breaking rain is set to ease as the Easter weekend approaches, but some residents in the north are isolated following the weekend's deluge.

by Luke Pentony on April 13, 2025 at 8:02 pm

Two-time Olympic silver medallist Nicola Olyslagers throws caution to the wind in attempting to break her national high jump record at the Australian Athletics Championships in Perth.

by Eva Blandis on April 13, 2025 at 8:01 pm

A South Australian nurse has been reprimanded by South Australia's Civil and Administrative Tribunal after admitting to fabricating documents in a bid to gain employment.

by Alan Kohler on April 13, 2025 at 7:53 pm

It seems only a matter of time before Donald Trump uses a crisis and the National Emergencies Act to bring about a revolution in the United States.

by Laura Lavelle on April 13, 2025 at 7:51 pm

With an upstream gauge out of action, Thargomindah had no way of knowing how much destruction a torrent of floodwaters would have on the outback community. One local, who witnessed the levee break, says that's not good enough.

by Eden Hynninen on April 13, 2025 at 7:49 pm

John Green was an ABC reporter for 10 years and never thought he'd end up living on the streets. A mental health episode led to a decade sleeping rough.

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 13, 2025 at 7:47 pm

The price of the Mantra (OM) token, the native cryptocurrency of the Mantra real-world tokenized asset blockchain, has collapsed by over 90% in the last 24 hours.On April 13, Mantra fell from a price of approximately $6.3 to below $0.50 and shed over 90% of its $6 billion market cap.Mantra token market cap and overview. Source: CoinGeckoTraders are characterizing the token collapse as an apparent rug pull. Market investor Gordon wrote: “[The] team needs to address this or OM looks like it could head to zero. Biggest rug pull since LUNA/FTX?"However, the exact reason for the collapse of the OM token's price is not clear at the time of this writing.Related: Mantra unveils $108M fund to back real-world asset tokenization, DeFiThis is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.

by Simon Smale on April 13, 2025 at 7:47 pm

Mathieu van der Poel accuses a fan of "attempted manslaughter" after a full bottle of water hit him in the face during the closing stages of the Paris-Roubaix cycling classic. 

by Kate Ashton on April 13, 2025 at 7:31 pm

While some Kooyong voters in Melbourne's east say teal independent Monique Ryan has performed well, others say they have not seen much change, as the Liberals seek to win back the formerly blue-ribbon seat.

by Claudia Long on April 13, 2025 at 7:29 pm

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton are vying for your vote. Here’s what sets them apart.

by Fiona Blackwood on April 13, 2025 at 7:20 pm

They can look just like a pen that actually works, lip gloss, a car key or an airpod case. They're called penjamins — disguised to look like everyday objects, allowing the user to vape cannabis discreetly.

by Velvet Winter on April 13, 2025 at 7:09 pm

Star-studded satirical horror Death of a Unicorn is a refreshingly unique offering in a sea of remakes and reboots.

by Sundance on April 13, 2025 at 7:07 pm

You can watch Jake Tapper’s brow grow increasingly furrowed in real time as White House Economic Council Director, Kevin Hassett, smiles through the narratives and talks clearly about what is happening with President Trump’s tariff agenda. This is a REALLY good interview.  Kevin “quokka” Hassett just keeps outlining clear examples of what regional tariffs are The post Sunday Talks: Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett Explains China and Global Tariff Distinctions appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Tom Crowley and Maani Truu on April 13, 2025 at 7:07 pm

Both major parties used their campaign launches over the weekend to highlight housing announcements targeted squarely at first home buyers. Here's what you need to know about what they're promising.

by Elise Worthington on April 13, 2025 at 7:04 pm

A decade from now, I don't want to be explaining to my daughters why we've still failed to make progress on gynaecological cancers, writes Elise Worthington.

by Evan Young and Conor Duffy on April 13, 2025 at 7:01 pm

How are your maths skills? Have a crack at these questions for Year 8 students and see how you compare. 

by Conor Duffy on April 13, 2025 at 7:01 pm

One in three Australian students are failing to reach proficiency in maths, and according to a new report, many teachers lack the confidence to teach it. 

by Patricia Karvelas on April 13, 2025 at 6:57 pm

It's rare to see a calm, smart and measured former mandarin angry, but I saw that for the first time yesterday when I spoke with Martin Parkinson about the blockbuster Coalition housing announcement. 

by Riley Stuart and Kathryn Diss on April 13, 2025 at 6:54 pm

In the world of Chinese social media, you don't have to look far to find them — posts encouraging people to join the Russian army are being circulated on accounts with tens of thousands of followers.

by Andrew Greene on April 13, 2025 at 6:51 pm

Russia's long-serving ambassador to Australia quietly packs up and returns to Moscow, and there's uncertainty about when his replacement will be approved.

by Leisa Scott and Ben Cheshire on April 13, 2025 at 6:47 pm

Herding Bob Katter is not an easy task for his long-suffering but loyal staff, who battle to keep him on message. But when he wanders, it can turn into viral gold.

by Kevin Nguyen and Michael Workman on April 13, 2025 at 6:40 pm

Federal election candidates and elected officials are sharing content from The Noticer, a news site regularly publishing articles promoting white supremacist and neo-Nazi ideologies.

by Simon Smale on April 13, 2025 at 6:25 pm

Rory McIlroy looks to protect his two-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau in the final round of the Masters at Augusta National. Follow all the action live.

by Sundance on April 13, 2025 at 6:23 pm

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick appears on ABC This Week, to explain and clarify the purpose of the recently announced tariff exceptions. According to the explanation, there are two “sector specific” tariffs in Semiconductors and Pharmaceuticals that will be announced in the next few months.  The recently announced “exemptions” are products that will be included in The post Sunday Talks: Secretary of Commerce Outlines Purpose of Tariff “Exemptions” – Sector Specific Tariffs Coming Soon appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Sundance on April 13, 2025 at 5:35 pm

HAT TIP to Elon Musk sycophant, Mario Nawfal, who gleefully writes: “Elon’s DOGE just teamed up with Palantir — the AI data company co-founded by Peter Thiel — to help the IRS build a massive “mega API.” What’s a mega API? Think of it like a giant, turbo-charged plug that lets computers talk to each The post Elon Musk is Doing What Eric Holder Dreamed of Doing appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 13, 2025 at 5:10 pm

Strategy co-founder Michael Saylor has signaled that the company plans to acquire more Bitcoin (BTC) following a nearly two-week pause in purchases.The company's most recent acquisition of 22,048 Bitcoin on March 31 brought its total holdings to 528,185 BTC.According to SaylorTracker, Strategy's BTC investment is up by approximately 24%, representing over $8.6 billion in unrealized gains.Strategy continues to accumulate BTC amid the recent market downturn that took Bitcoin's price below the $80,000 level, and the company continues to be closely monitored by BTC investors as a barometer for institutional interest in BTC.Strategy’s Bitcoin purchase history. Source: SaylorTrackerRelated: Has Michael Saylor’s Strategy built a house of cards?Bitcoin's store-of-value narrative grows despite the recent price declineThe current macroeconomic uncertainty from the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China has negatively impacted risk-on assets across the board.Stock markets wiped away trillions in shareholder value in response to Trump's sweeping tariff order, and crypto markets also experienced a deep sell-off.Data from the Total3, an indicator that tracks the market capitalization of the entire crypto sector excluding BTC and Ether (ETH), shows that altcoins have collectively shed over 33% of their value since the market peak in December 2024.By comparison, BTC is only down roughly 22% from its peak of over $109,000 in January 2025 and is currently rangebound, trading around the $84,000 level.The Total3 crypto market cap, pictured in blue, compared to the price of Bitcoin. Source: TradingViewThe price of Bitcoin remained relatively stable amid a $5 trillion sell-off in the stock market, lending credence to Bitcoin's use case as a store-of-value asset as opposed to a risk-on investment.Speaking with Cointelegraph at Paris Blockchain Week 2025, Cypherpunk and CEO of digital asset infrastructure company Blockstream, Adam Back said the macroeconomic pressures from a prolonged trade war would make Bitcoin an increasingly attractive store of value.Back forecasted inflation to surge to 10-15% in the next decade, making real investment returns on traditional asset classes such as stocks and real estate incredibly difficult for market participants."There is a real prospect of Bitcoin competing with gold and then starting to take some of the gold use cases,” Back told Cointelegraph managing editor Gareth Jenkinson.Magazine: Bitcoiner sex trap extortion? BTS firm’s blockchain disaster: Asia Express

by Sundance on April 13, 2025 at 4:03 pm

The baseline tariffs remain, specifically as they pertain to China.  However, in a move to diminish public backlash President Trump has now exempted the majority of consumer electronics from the 125% reciprocal tariff levy. The types of electronic and computer systems exempted, as announced by U.S Customs & Border Protection, Cargo Systems Messaging Service [DATA The post President Trump Exempts Most Chinese Consumer Electronics, Tech Products and Components from Reciprocal Tariffs appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Max Giammario on April 13, 2025 at 3:00 pm

Opinion by: Max Giammario, founder and CEO of KindredThe interfaces and user experience in Web3 tools are terrible, even more so when compared to their Web2 counterparts. This lackluster experience for Web3 is losing the attention of as many users as desired, and with how fast the ecosystem moves, these shortcomings are rarely paid attention to.AI agents can be an excellent tool to overcome these weaknesses. Their potential to improve development and user experience is remarkable, although it has yet to reach its real potential. Once combined with emotional AI, which will enable us to understand contexts beyond their programming, we will see a quantum leap from Web3 tools to ordinary users.Web3’s learning curve is very steepConsider your first interactions with a Web3 wallet — a scary, difficult experience. Many people fear that, at any moment, they could make a mistake, which could mean losing money. This situation can be less uncomfortable if we add agents with emotional AI that can guide new users and provide personalized support, keeping people at ease during their learning process.If the first interaction with Web3 is seamless in this way, adoption could grow. A better user experience would be a win-win for the entire industry, which suffers from having few users. Reaching a level of adoption of a Web2 tool would be a win for the ecosystem.Emotional AI companions would make everything easierWith the potential that emotional AI agents have, they would facilitate the experience of new users, and they could serve as personal assistants to interact with the rest of the Web3 tools in a more autonomous, personalized way.Emotional AI agents could act as motivational coaches, providing continuous, personalized and empathetic accompaniment that enables them to connect deeply with their users and guide them in the best practices to avoid significant losses in Web3.Recent: Inside an AI-powered Web3 game’s race to 100 million usersThese are just some of the most evaluated uses of Web3 today. The more applications it has in the future, the more potential is unlocked. Combining so much state-of-the-art technology, however, entails significant risks that must be considered in its development.Implementing emotional AI in Web3 carries risksIntegrating emotional AI within the Web3 ecosystem could be very beneficial. Still, it must be considered that it entails risks that any AI has, plus what the use of Web3 implies. One of the most significant risks would be using personal information because, as an emotional AI, it will require more information from its users, which increases the danger of data leakage.This same personalization could generate an unhealthy dependence on its emotional AI partner, so safeguards against this would have to be implemented. Even being so personalized, it will generate biased information, which will close the scope of the AI agent.Considering the risks mentioned above, while the technology is under development, by the time emotional AI agents launch, developers can forge the path to reduce these risks and implement all the benefits of this technology.Emotional AI is the key to greater adoption of Web3AI tools have become more widespread at a rate we have not seen since the launch of the internet. The speed of adoption is because AI tools have become straightforward tools to facilitate any task. The next step is emotional AI agents, which allow for closer AI companions who can provide better support.As complicated as the Web3 industry is, if these emotional AI companions became the standard in the ecosystem, all these tools would be available to any user. The Web3 adoption it would facilitate would be enormous, and all this value would be worth the risks.Opinion by: Max Giammario, founder and CEO of Kindred. 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 William Suberg on April 13, 2025 at 2:14 pm

Bitcoin (BTC) hit an eleven-day high on April 13 as the crypto market relief rally closely tracked US financial policy changes.BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBitcoin traders say brace for more volatilityData from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC/USD reaching $86,000 for the first time since April 2.The pair had reacted well to news that US President Donald Trump had decided to exclude certain key products from his ongoing trade tariffs against China.Traditional markets are closed on weekends —creating lower-liquidity trading in crypto markets and raising the chance for price volatility— with Bitcoin subsequently dropping under $84,000.With hours to go until the weekly close, BTC/USD was thus up 7% for the week, having started with a trip to new five-month lows.Commenting, traders were cautious over BTC price strength.Call me crazy but I don’t think I trust this breakout on $BTC.Low volume, overbought stoch, and on a weekend.If we can remain over 84k through Monday I’ll look for higher but for now this seems sketchy. pic.twitter.com/qKVdYAOYPJ— Roman (@Roman_Trading) April 12, 2025Daan Crypto Trades noted the ongoing interplay with the 200-day exponential moving average (EMA) at $85,000.“This is however still a weekend move so far and we know next week will be volatile again with news regarding tariffs and the first big tech earnings coming up,” part of a post on X read.BTC/USD 1-day chart with 200 EMA. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewWell-known trader Peter described the rebound from the lows as looking “more corrective than it does impulsive.”BTC/USD 2-hour chart. Source: Peter Brandt/XPopular trader and analyst Rekt Capital meanwhile saw the true hurdle to a Bitcoin bull market rebound coming in the form of a stubborn long-term daily downtrend.“Bitcoin has Daily Closed above the Downtrend. Thus, breakout confirmation is underway,” one of his latest X updates explained alongside an illustrative chart.“However BTC has previously Daily Closed above the Downtrend but failed its retest (a few of the red circles). Retest needs to be successful and it is in progress.”BTC/USD 1-day chart. Source: Rekt Capital/XAs Cointelegraph reported, the daily downtrend, in place since late 2024, is earmarked as a key hurdle for bulls to overcome.Related: Bollinger Bands creator says Bitcoin forming 'classic' floor near $80KRSI bullish divergence still in playAnother post flagged promising signals on Bitcoin’s relative strength index (RSI) indicator.A classic leading indicator, RSI continued to print another bullish divergence with price on daily timeframes.“Bitcoin is developing yet another Higher Low on the RSI while forming Lower Lows on the price,” Rekt Capital summarized.“Overall, throughout the cycle Bitcoin has formed Bullish Divergences like this on a few occasions already. Each Bull Div preceded reversals to the upside.”BTC/USD 1-day chart with RSI data. Source: Rekt Capital/XThis article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

on April 13, 2025 at 1:59 pm

Check out the live leaderboard as the final round at Augusta National progresses.

by Cointelegraph by Cointelegraph on April 13, 2025 at 1:19 pm

Today in crypto, a non-fungible token (NFT) trader could face up to six years in prison after pleading guilty to underreporting nearly $13 million in profits from trading CryptoPunks, crypto gaming and gambling campaigns are proving tougher to onboard crypto users than other sectors of the industry, and US President Donald Trump has exempted select electronics from trade tariffs.NFT trader faces prison for $13 million tax fraud on CryptoPunk profitsA non-fungible token (NFT) trader could face up to six years in prison after pleading guilty to underreporting nearly $13 million in profits from trading CryptoPunks, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.Waylon Wilcox, 45, admitted to filing false income tax returns for the 2021 and 2022 tax years. The former CryptoPunk investor pleaded guilty on April 9 to two counts of filing false individual income tax returns, federal prosecutors said in an April 11 press release.Back in April 2022, Wilcox filed a false individual income tax return for the tax year 2021, which underreported his income tax by roughly $8.5 million and reduced his tax due by approximately $2.1 million.In October 2023, Wilcox filed another false individual tax income return for the fiscal year of 2022, underreporting his income tax by an estimated $4.6 million and reducing his tax due by nearly $1.1 million.Wilcox pleads guilty to false tax filing, press release. Source: Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania“The total maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is up to six years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine,” according to the statement. However, the exact details and timing of his sentence remain unclear.Crypto gaming and gambling ads “most expensive” for onboarding usersCrypto gaming and gambling campaigns are the most expensive way to acquire users with existing crypto wallets, ranking highest in cost among all sectors of the crypto industry, recent data shows.“Gaming and gambling campaigns are the most expensive, with a median CPW of $8.74 and a lower quartile of $3.40,” Web3 marketing firm Addressable co-founder Asaf Nadler said in a recent report posted on X. CPW results across various sectors of the crypto industry. Source: Asaf NadlerCPW, or cost per wallet, is deemed a higher “quality” metric because it tracks the cost of website visitors with a crypto wallet already installed in their browser.Nadler previously told Cointelegraph that their analysis data showed that users with a wallet are more likely to convert to crypto products.Select electronics spared from reciprocal tariffsSelect electronic products, including smartphones, processing chips, and computers are exempt from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs under President Trump’s sweeping tariff order, a relief to US tech companies and shareholders.According to a release from the US Customs and Border Protection, other consumer electronics such as internet modems, storage devices, and components such as semiconductors are also exempt from the additional reciprocal tariffs.Notice exempting select electronics from reciprocal trade tariffs. Source: US Customs and Border ProtectionThe price of Bitcoin (BTC) surged by approximately 2.5% on the same day of the announcement and broke the $85,000 level. Bitcoin's price reaction could signal that at least some investors are entering the market again as risk appetite rebounds on positive macro headlines.

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 13, 2025 at 1:14 pm

Lomond School, a private institution in Scotland, will begin accepting Bitcoin for tuition payments and is collaborating with Bitcoin author Saifedean Ammous to introduce a new curriculum focused on Bitcoin and Austrian economics. Ammous, author of The Bitcoin Standard, is developing an educational curriculum combining the principles of Bitcoin (BTC) and Austrian economics.“I'm going to be working with Lomond School to develop a curriculum for bitcoin and Austrian economics,” Ammous wrote in an April 12 X post, sharing his excitement for “making the material widely available worldwide.”Source: Saifedean AmmousLomond School Principal Claire Chisholm confirmed the collaboration on April 12, writing that she was “thrilled to be working with Dr. Ammous” and appreciative of the “positivity of the Bitcoin community.”The news comes a day after Lomond School announced it would accept BTC for tuition payments starting from the autumn semester of 2025, becoming the first school in the United Kingdom to adopt BTC payments.Source: Saifedean AmmousAmmous is best known for The Bitcoin Standard, which was first published in 2018. The book outlines the economic philosophy behind Bitcoin and contrasts it with fiat currency systems. It has sold more than one million copies and has been translated into 38 languages, according to Ammous.Cointelegraph has contacted both Ammous and Lomond School for additional details regarding the upcoming curriculum.Related: New York bill proposes legalizing Bitcoin, crypto for state paymentsBitcoin education is gaining momentum worldwideEducational institutions around the world have increasingly embraced Bitcoin as both a subject of academic study and a financial tool.Schools and universities have been launching Bitcoin-based courses since as early as 2013 when the University of Nicosia in Cyprus launched its Master’s in Digital Currency program, which is accessible both in-person and online.New York University’s Stern School of Business launched “The Law and Business of Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies” course in 2014 — one of the first Bitcoin-specific courses in the US.Stanford University also launched its “Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies” course in 2015, focused on the technological and economic aspects of the world’s first cryptocurrency.Related: Swedish MP proposes Bitcoin reserve to finance ministerIn February 2025, the University of Austin announced launching the first first-of-its-kind Bitcoin investment fund of over $5 million as part of the institution’s larger $200 million endowment fund.Source: Eric BalchunasThree months before the University of Austin’s announcement, a regulatory filing revealed that Emory University accumulated over $15 million worth of Bitcoin via Grayscale’s spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund, Cointelegraph reported on Oct. 28.Magazine: SCB tips $500K BTC, SEC delays Ether ETF options, and more: Hodler’s Digest, Feb. 23 –March. 1

by Sundance on April 13, 2025 at 12:26 pm

President Donald Trump was in attendance at UFC 314 on Saturday night in Miami at the Kaseya Center. As President Trump entered the arena, the crowd gave him a thunderous reception. UFC loves President Donald Trump. WATCH: . Dominick Reyes runs over and shake Trump's hand after his win at UFC 314.pic.twitter.com/uE4OQLrUEf — Thomas Sowell The post Crowd Erupts as President Trump Arrives for UFC Fight in Miami, Florida appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 13, 2025 at 11:42 am

A non-fungible token (NFT) trader could face up to six years in prison after pleading guilty to underreporting nearly $13 million in profits from trading CryptoPunks, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.Waylon Wilcox, 45, admitted to filing false income tax returns for the 2021 and 2022 tax years. The former CryptoPunk investor pleaded guilty on April 9 to two counts of filing false individual income tax returns, federal prosecutors said in an April 11 press release.Back in April 2022, Wilcox filed a false individual income tax return for the tax year 2021, which underreported his income tax by roughly $8.5 million and reduced his tax due by approximately $2.1 million.In October 2023, Wilcox filed another false individual tax income return for the fiscal year of 2022, underreporting his income tax by an estimated $4.6 million and reducing his tax due by nearly $1.1 million.Wilcox pleads guilty to false tax filing, press release. Source: Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania“The total maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is up to six years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine,” according to the statement. However, the exact details and timing of his sentence remain unclear.Related: NFT trader sells CryptoPunk after a year for nearly $10M lossThe trader bought and sold 97 pieces of the CryptoPunk NFT collection, the industry’s largest NFT collection, with a $687 million market capitalization.Source: CryptoPunksIn 2021, Wilcox sold 62 CryptoPunk NFTs for a gain of about $7.4 million but reported significantly less on his taxes. In 2022, he sold 35 more CryptoPunks for $4.9 million. The Department of Justice said Wilcox intentionally selected “no” when asked if he had engaged in digital asset transactions on both filings.“IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to unraveling complex financial schemes involving virtual currencies and NFT transactions designed to conceal taxable income,” Philadelphia Field Office Special Agent in charge Yury Kruty said, adding: “In today’s economic environment, it’s more important than ever that the American people feel confident that everyone is playing by the rules and paying the taxes they owe.” The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Criminal Investigation Department.Related: CZ claps back against ‘baseless’ US plea deal allegationsCrypto tax rules gain tractionCrypto tax laws attracted interest worldwide in June 2024 after the IRS issued a new crypto regulation making US crypto transactions subject to third-party tax reporting requirements for the first time.Since January, centralized crypto exchanges (CEXs) and other brokers have been required to report the sales and exchanges of digital assets, including cryptocurrencies.On April 10, US President Donald Trump signed a joint congressional resolution to overturn a Biden administration-era legislation that would have required decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols to also report transactions to the IRS.Set to take effect in 2027, the so-called IRS DeFi broker rule would have expanded the tax authority’s existing reporting requirements to include DeFi platforms, requiring them to disclose gross proceeds from crypto sales, including information regarding taxpayers involved in the transactions.However, some crypto regulatory advisers believe that stablecoin and crypto banking legislation should be a priority above new tax legislation in the US.A “tailored regulatory approach” for areas including securities laws and removing “obstacles in banking” is a priority for US lawmakers with “more upside” for the industry, Mattan Erder, general counsel at layer-3 decentralized blockchain network Orbs, told Cointelegraph.Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

by Cointelegraph by Onkar Singh on April 13, 2025 at 11:41 am

AI is transforming how people interact with financial markets, and cryptocurrency trading is no exception. With tools like OpenAI’s Custom GPTs, it is now possible for beginners and enthusiasts to create intelligent trading bots capable of analyzing data, generating signals and even executing trades.This guide analyzes the fundamentals of building a beginner-friendly AI crypto trading bot using Custom GPTs. It covers setup, strategy design, coding, testing and important considerations for safety and success.What is a custom GPT?A custom GPT (generative pretrained transformer) is a personalized version of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. It can be trained to follow specific instructions, work with uploaded documents and assist with niche tasks, including crypto trading bot development.These models can help automate tedious processes, generate and troubleshoot code, analyze technical indicators and even interpret crypto news or market sentiment, making them ideal companions for building algorithmic trading bots.What you’ll need to get startedBefore creating a trading bot, the following components are necessary:OpenAI ChatGPT Plus subscription (for access to GPT-4 and Custom GPTs).A crypto exchange account that offers API access (e.g., Coinbase, Binance, Kraken).Basic knowledge of Python (or willingness to learn).A paper trading environment to safely test strategies.Optional: A VPS or cloud server to run the bot continuously.Did you know? Python’s creator, Guido van Rossum, named the language after Monty Python’s Flying Circus, aiming for something fun and approachable.Step-by-step guide to building an AI trading bot with custom GPTsWhether you’re looking to generate trade signals, interpret news sentiment or automate strategy logic, the below step-by-step approach helps you learn the basics of combining AI with crypto trading. With sample Python scripts and output examples, you'll see how to connect a custom GPT to a trading system, generate trade signals and automate decisions using real-time market data.Step 1: Define a simple trading strategyStart by identifying a basic rule-based strategy that is easy to automate. Examples include:Buy when Bitcoin’s (BTC) daily price drops by more than 3%.Sell when RSI (relative strength index) exceeds 70.Enter a long position after a bullish moving average convergence divergence (MACD) crossover.Trade based on sentiment from recent crypto headlines.Clear, rule-based logic is essential for creating effective code and minimizing confusion for your Custom GPT.Step 2: Create a custom GPTTo build a personalized GPT model:Visit chat.openai.comNavigate to Explore GPTs > CreateName the model (e.g., “Crypto Trading Assistant”)In the instructions section, define its role clearly. For example:“You are a Python developer specialized in crypto trading bots.”“You understand technical analysis and crypto APIs.”“You help generate and debug trading bot code.”Optional: Upload exchange API documentation or trading strategy PDFs for additional context.Step 3: Generate the trading bot code (with GPT’s help)Use the custom GPT to help generate a Python script. For example, type:“Write a basic Python script that connects to Binance using ccxt and buys BTC when RSI drops below 30. I am a beginner and don’t understand code much so I need a simple and short script please.”The GPT can provide:Code for connecting to the exchange via API.Technical indicator calculations using libraries like ta or TA-lib.Trading signal logic.Sample buy/sell execution commands.Python libraries commonly used for such tasks are:ccxt for multi-exchange API support.pandas for market data manipulation.ta or TA-Lib for technical analysis.schedule or apscheduler for running timed tasks.To begin, the user must install two Python libraries: ccxt for accessing the Binance API, and ta (technical analysis) for calculating the RSI. This can be done by running the following command in a terminal:pip install ccxt taNext, the user should replace the placeholder API key and secret with their actual Binance API credentials. These can be generated from a Binance account dashboard. The script uses a five-minute candlestick chart to determine short-term RSI conditions.Below is the full script:====================================================================import ccxtimport pandas as pdimport ta# Your Binance API keys (use your own)api_key = 'YOUR_API_KEY'api_secret = 'YOUR_API_SECRET'# Connect to Binanceexchange = ccxt.binance({    'apiKey': api_key,    'secret': api_secret,    'enableRateLimit': True,})# Get BTC/USDT 1h candlesbars = exchange.fetch_ohlcv('BTC/USDT', timeframe='1h', limit=100)df = pd.DataFrame(bars, columns=['timestamp', 'open', 'high', 'low', 'close', 'volume'])# Calculate RSIdf['rsi'] = ta.momentum.RSIIndicator(df['close'], window=14).rsi()# Check latest RSI valuelatest_rsi = df['rsi'].iloc[-1]print(f"Latest RSI: {latest_rsi}")# If RSI < 30, buy 0.001 BTCif latest_rsi < 30:    order = exchange.create_market_buy_order('BTC/USDT', 0.001)    print("Buy order placed:", order)else:    print("RSI not low enough to buy.")====================================================================Please note that the above script is intended for illustration purposes. It does not include risk management features, error handling or safeguards against rapid trading. Beginners should test this code in a simulated environment or on Binance’s testnet before considering any use with real funds.Also, the above code uses market orders, which execute immediately at the current price and only run once. For continuous trading, you’d put it in a loop or scheduler.Images below show what the sample output would look like:The sample output shows how the trading bot reacts to market conditions using the RSI indicator. When the RSI drops below 30, as seen with “Latest RSI: 27.46,” it indicates the market may be oversold, prompting the bot to place a market buy order. The order details confirm a successful trade with 0.001 BTC purchased. If the RSI is higher, such as “41.87,” the bot prints “RSI not low enough to buy,” meaning no trade is made. This logic helps automate entry decisions, but the script has limitations like no sell condition, no continuous monitoring and no real-time risk management features, as explained previously.Step 4: Implement risk managementRisk control is a critical component of any automated trading strategy. Ensure your bot includes:Stop-loss and take-profit mechanisms.Position size limits to avoid overexposure.Rate-limiting or cooldown periods between trades.Capital allocation controls, such as only risking 1–2% of total capital per trade.Prompt your GPT with instructions like:“Add a stop-loss to the RSI trading bot at 5% below the entry price.”Step 5: Test in a paper trading environmentNever deploy untested bots with real capital. Most exchanges offer testnets or sandbox environments where trades can be simulated safely.Alternatives include:Running simulations on historical data (backtesting).Logging “paper trades” to a file instead of executing real trades.Testing ensures that logic is sound, risk is controlled and the bot performs as expected under various conditions.Step 6: Deploy the bot for live trading (Optional)Once the bot has passed paper trading tests:Replace test API keys: First, replace your test API keys with live API keys from your chosen exchange’s account. These keys allow the bot to access your real trading account. To do this, log in to exchange, go to the API management section and create a new set of API keys. Copy the API key and secret into your script. It is crucial to handle these keys securely and avoid sharing them or including them in public code.Set up secure API permissions (disable withdrawals): Adjust the security settings for your API keys. Make sure that only the permissions you need are enabled. For example, enable only “spot and margin trading” and disable permissions like “withdrawals” to reduce the risk of unauthorized fund transfers. Exchanges like Binance also allow you to limit API access to specific IP addresses, which adds another layer of protection.Host the bot on a cloud server: If you want the bot to trade continuously without relying on your personal computer, you’ll need to host it on a cloud server. This means running the script on a virtual machine that stays online 24/7. Services like Amazon Web Services (AWS), DigitalOcean or PythonAnywhere provide this functionality. Among these, PythonAnywhere is often the easiest to set up for beginners, as it supports running Python scripts directly in a web interface.Still, always start small and monitor the bot regularly. Mistakes or market changes can result in losses, so careful setup and ongoing supervision are essential.Did you know? Exposed API keys are a top cause of crypto theft. Always store them in environment variables — not inside your code.Ready-made bot templates (starter logic)The templates below are basic strategy ideas that beginners can easily understand. They show the core logic behind when a bot should buy, like “buy when RSI is below 30.” Even if you’re new to coding, you can take these simple ideas and ask your Custom GPT to turn them into full, working Python scripts. GPT can help you write, explain and improve the code, so you don’t need to be a developer to get started. In addition, here is a simple checklist for building and testing a crypto trading bot using the RSI strategy:Just choose your trading strategy, describe what you want, and let GPT do the heavy lifting, including backtesting, live trading or multi-coin support.RSI strategy bot (buy Low RSI)Logic: Buy BTC when RSI drops below 30 (oversold).if rsi < 30:    place_buy_order()Used for: Momentum reversal strategies.Tools: ta library for RSI.2. MACD crossover botLogic: Buy when MACD line crosses above signal line.if macd > signal and previous_macd < previous_signal:    place_buy_order()Used for: Trend-following and swing trading.Tools: ta.trend.MACD or TA-Lib.3. News sentiment botLogic: Use AI (Custom GPT) to scan headlines for bullish/bearish sentiment.if “bullish” in sentiment_analysis(latest_headlines):    place_buy_order()Used for: Reacting to market-moving news or tweets.Tools: News APIs + GPT sentiment classifier.Risks concerning AI-powered trading botsWhile trading bots can be powerful tools, they also come with serious risks:Market volatility: Sudden price swings can lead to unexpected losses.API errors or rate limits: Improper handling can cause the bot to miss trades or place incorrect orders.Bugs in code: A single logic error can result in repeated losses or account liquidation.Security vulnerabilities: Storing API keys insecurely can expose your funds.Overfitting: Bots tuned to perform well in backtests may fail in live conditions.Always start with small amounts, use strong risk management and continuously monitor bot behavior. While AI can offer powerful support, it’s crucial to respect the risks involved. A successful trading bot combines intelligent strategy, responsible execution and ongoing learning.Build slowly, test carefully and use your Custom GPT not just as a tool — but also as a mentor.

by Menagerie on April 13, 2025 at 8:00 am

I am hoping to offer a good message for all Christians, and I had one of our finest and most respected Treepers make this comment in reply several years ago. . “Menagerie, I am not Roman Catholic nor associated with any church denomination. I study the Bible under Pre-Tribulation Dispensational teachings. I find nothing in The post Palm Sunday appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Ciaran Lyons on April 13, 2025 at 7:11 am

Bitcoin (BTC) holders were the first to point out flaws in the United States economic data and position themselves for the potential upside, says crypto entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano.“Bitcoiners were the first large-scale group to recognize the economic data was wrong, and they figured out a way to financially capture upside if they were right,” Pompliano said in an April 12 X post.Pompliano foresees more will realize data is “inaccurate”“The unspoken secret as to why so many finance folks are wrong in their analysis of the tariffs is because the finance folks believe the government data,” he added.Amid the widespread uncertainty and ongoing fear over US President Donald Trump’s imposed tariffs, Pompliano questioned the accuracy of US inflation figures, job numbers, and GDP statistics. He added that “eventually everyone else will realize the data is inaccurate.” It comes after Pompliano pointed out in a March 20 LinkedIn post, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s appearance on the All-In podcast, where Bessent was asked directly if he trusted the data — and replied, “no.”“Even the Treasury Secretary has now publicly acknowledged he doesn’t believe the data. He says we must listen to the people rather than blindly follow the government data reports.”Concerns about the reliability of US economic data have been brewing for a while. A July 2024 report argued that new approaches are needed to “ensure government statistics remain dependable.”Source: Anthony PomplianoIt comes as ongoing concerns over Trump’s imposed tariffs have led some crypto analysts to reinforce the idea that Bitcoin could outlast the US dollar in the long run.Bitwise Invest head of alpha strategies Jeff Parks said on April 9 that there is a “higher chance Bitcoin survives over the dollar in our lifetime after today.” Over the past five days, the US dollar index (DXY) has dropped 3.19%, currently sitting at 99.783 at the time of publication, according to TradingView data.The US dollar index is down 8.06% since the beginning of 2025. Source: TradingViewSeveral Wall Street analysts were under the belief that Trump’s imposed tariffs would bolster the US dollar, according to a recent Wall Street Journal report. Pompliano said, “The mainstream finance conversation has become an intellectual boondoggle where most people regurgitate ill-informed takes based on bad data.”Analysts recently pointed out Bitcoin’s recent breakaway from stocksMeanwhile, analysts recently pointed out that while the stock market was “tanking” on April 4 amid tariff uncertainty, Bitcoin didn’t decline as much as expected. During periods of macroeconomic uncertainty, Bitcoin and crypto assets have historically been more volatile than the stock market.Related: Bitcoin price soars to $83.5K — Have pro BTC traders turned bullish?On April 4, Cointelegraph reported that Bitcoin was steady above the $82,000 level, and as US equities markets collapsed, Bitcoin rallied to $84,720, reflecting price action, which is uncharacteristic of the norm.Meanwhile, former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes said Bitcoin may be entering what he calls “up only mode,” as a deepening crisis in the US bond market potentially drives investors away from traditional haven assets and toward alternative stores of value.Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging research

by Sundance on April 13, 2025 at 4:20 am

In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and Presidency. This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread. Posted in The post April 13th – 2025 Presidential Politics – Trump Administration Day 84 appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Sundance on April 13, 2025 at 4:15 am

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL. The post Sunday April 13th – Open Thread appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Ciaran Lyons on April 13, 2025 at 3:57 am

Crypto gaming and gambling campaigns are the most expensive way to acquire users with existing crypto wallets, ranking highest in cost among all sectors of the crypto industry, recent data shows.“Gaming and gambling campaigns are the most expensive, with a median CPW of $8.74 and a lower quartile of $3.40,” Web3 marketing firm Addressable co-founder Asaf Nadler said in a recent report posted on X. CPW, or cost per wallet, is deemed a higher “quality” metric because it tracks the cost of website visitors with a crypto wallet already installed in their browser.“Higher churn” rate may be to blameNadler previously told Cointelegraph that their analysis data showed that users with a wallet are more likely to convert to crypto products. CPW across different regions during the bull markets in Q1 an Q4 of 2024. Source: Asaf NadlerNadler said the high cost-to-return ratio of crypto gaming and gambling might be due to “higher churn, speculative behavior, and intense competition.” He added:“If Web3 gaming is truly “inevitable,” we need to find a more powerful UA engine to make it as sustainable as in Web2.”However, Axie Infinity co-founder Jeff “JiHo” Zirlin said in an April 11 post on X that periods of high CPW are a good time to experiment.“Create new games/product lines, consolidate our market share, and get ready for the next market expansion,” Zirlin said. “Know when it's a coiling phase. Know when it's time to explode,” he added.Meanwhile, decentralized finance (DeFi) and Centralized Finance (CeFi) campaigns have it a lot easier with attracting new crypto users. “DeFi/CeFi campaigns are the most cost-efficient, with a median CPW of $2.79 and a lower quartile of just $0.10,” Nadler said.The results are based on 200 programmatic campaigns run on Addressable by over 70 advertisers, claiming to target an estimated 9.5 million users globally. CPW results across various sectors of the crypto industry. Source: Asaf NadlerIt tracks how CPW varies across market cycles, regions, campaign strategies, and audience segments.Premium markets cost more to reach crypto users during downturnsNadler said that while premium markets experience low-cost conversions for existing crypto wallet holders during bull runs, attracting their attention becomes significantly more expensive during market downturns. Related: Trump kills DeFi broker rule in major crypto win: Finance RedefinedHe highlighted that in 2024, the US and Western Europe saw CPW increase by four times and 27 times, respectively, between Q1 and Q3, as the markets continued to consolidate and interest from crypto wallet holders waned.“While these markets provide scale and quality during bull runs, they become significantly more expensive when sentiment turns bearish, making them less sustainable during downturns,” Nadler said.Meanwhile, emerging markets like Latin America and Eastern Europe “offer exceptionally low CPW in favorable conditions but can experience extreme cost volatility.” Magazine: Bitcoin eyes $100K by June, Shaq to settle NFT lawsuit, and more: Hodler’s Digest, April 6 – 12

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 12, 2025 at 8:48 pm

Senator Tim Scott, the chairman of the US Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, recently said that he expects a crypto market bill to be passed into law by August 2025.The chairman also noted the Senate Banking Committee's advancement of the GENIUS Act, a comprehensive stablecoin regulatory bill, in March 2025, as evidence that the committee prioritizes crypto policy. In a statement to Fox News, Scott said:"We must innovate before we regulate — allowing innovation in the digital asset space to happen here at home is critical to American economic dominance across the globe."Scott's timeline for a crypto market structure bill lines up with expectations from Kristin Smith, CEO of the crypto industry advocacy group Blockchain Association, of market structure and stablecoin legislation being passed into law by August.The Trump administration has emphasized that comprehensive crypto regulations are central to its plans for protecting the value of the US dollar and establishing the country as a global leader in digital assets by attracting investment into US-based crypto firms.Senator Tim Scott highlights the Senate Banking Committee’s goals and accomplishments in 2025. Source: Fox NewsRelated: Atkins becomes next SEC chair: What’s next for the crypto industrySupport for comprehensive crypto regulations is bipartisanUS lawmakers and officials expect clear crypto policies to be established and signed into law sometime in 2025 with bipartisan support from Congress.Speaking at the Digital Assets Summit in New York City, on March 18, Democrat Representative Ro Khanna said he expects both the market structure and stablecoin bills to pass this year.The Democrat lawmaker added that there are about 70-80 other representatives in the party who understand the importance of passing clear digital asset regulations in the United States.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, pictured left, President Donald Trump in the center, and crypto czar David Sacks, pictured right, at the White House Crypto Summit. Source: The White HouseKhanna emphasized that fellow Democrats support dollar-pegged stablecoins due to the role of dollar tokens in expanding demand for the US dollar worldwide through the internet.Bo Hines, the executive director of the President’s Council of Advisers on Digital Assets, also spoke at the conference and predicted that stablecoin legislation would be passed into law within 60 days.Hines highlighted that establishing US dominance in the digital asset space is a goal with widespread bipartisan support in Washington DC.Magazine: How crypto laws are changing across the world in 2025

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 12, 2025 at 6:31 pm

The US Social Security Administration (SSA) will move all public communications to the X social media platform amid sweeping workforce cuts recommended by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by X owner Elon Musk. According to anonymous sources who spoke with WIRED, the government agency will no longer issue its customary letters and press releases to communicate changes to the public, instead relying on X as its primary form of public-facing communication. The shift comes as the SSA downsizes its workforce from 57,000 employees to roughly 50,000 to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. The agency issued this statement in February 2025:“SSA has operated with a regional structure consisting of 10 offices, which is no longer sustainable. The agency will reduce the regional structure in all agency components down to four regions. The organizational structure at Headquarters also is outdated and inefficient.”Elon Musk, the head of DOGE, has accused the Social Security system of distributing billions of dollars in wrongful payments, a claim echoed by the White House. Musk's comments sparked intense debate about the future of the retirement program and sustainable government spending.Source: Elon MuskRelated: Musk says he found ‘magic money computers’ printing money ‘out of thin air’DOGE targets US government agencies in efficiency pushThe Department of Government Efficiency is an unofficial government agency tasked with identifying and curbing allegedly wasteful public spending through budget and personnel cuts.In March, DOGE began probing the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and gained access to its internal systems, including data repositories.SEC officials signaled their cooperation with DOGE and said the regulatory agency would work closely with it to provide any relevant information requested.Musk and Trump discuss curbing public spending and eliminating government waste. Source: The White houseDOGE also proposed slashing the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) workforce by 20%. The workforce reduction could impact up to 6,800 IRS employees and be implemented by May 15 — exactly one month after 2024 federal taxes are due.Musk’s and the DOGE's proposals for sweeping spending cuts are not limited to slashing budgets and reducing the size of the federal workforce.DOGE is reportedly exploring blockchain to curb public spending by placing the entire government budget onchain to promote accountability and transparency.Magazine: Elon Musk’s plan to run government on blockchain faces uphill battle

by Sundance on April 12, 2025 at 5:33 pm

Comedian and avowed leftist who adored Barack Obama, Bill Maher, used his HBO show to describe what it was like to meet with President Trump for dinner at the White House. There is quite a bit of salty language in this segment that aired on HBO. Proceed accordingly. WATCH: . Posted in Big Government, Donald The post Bill Maher Describes His White House Dinner with President Donald Trump appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 12, 2025 at 5:12 pm

United States President Donald Trump has exempted an array of tech products including, smartphones, chips, computers, and select electronics from reciprocal tariffs, giving the tech industry a much-needed respite from trade pressures.According to the US Customs and Border Protection, storage cards, modems, diodes, semiconductors, and other electronics were also excluded from the ‘reciprocal’ trade tariffs. "Large-cap technology companies will ultimately come out ahead when this is all said and done," The Kobeissi letter wrote in an April 12 X post.US Customs and Border Protection announces tariff exemptions on select tech products. Source: US Customs and Border ProtectionThe tariff relief will take the pressure off of tech stocks, which were one of the biggest casualties of the trade war. Crypto markets are correlated with tech stocks and could also rally as risk appetite increases on positive trade war headlines.Following news of the tariff exemptions, the price of Bitcoin (BTC) broke past $85,000 on April 12, a signal that crypto markets are already responding to the latest macroeconomic development.Related: Billionaire investor would ‘not be surprised’ if Trump postpones tariffsMarkets hinge on Trump's every word during macroeconomic uncertaintyPresident Trump walked back the sweeping tariff policies on April 9 by initiating a 90-day pause on the reciprocal tariffs and lowering tariff rates to 10% for countries that did not respond with counter-tariffs on US goods.Bitcoin surged by 9% and the S&P 500 surged by over 10% on the same day that Trump issued the tariff pause.Macroeconomic trader Raoul Pal said the tariff policies were a negotiation tool to establish a US-China trade deal and characterized the US administration's trade rhetoric as "posturing."Bitcoin advocate Max Keiser argued that exempting select tech products from import tariffs would not reduce bond yields or further the Trump administration's goal of lowering interest rates.Yield on the 10-year US government bond spikes following sweeping trade policies from the Trump administration. Source: TradingViewThe yield on the 10-year US Treasury Bond shot up to a local high of approximately 4.5% on April 11 as bond investors reacted to the macroeconomic uncertainty of a protracted trade war."The concession just given to China for tech exports won’t reverse the trend of rates going higher. Confidence in US bonds and the US Dollar has been eroding for years and won’t stop now," Keiser wrote on April 12.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.Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions

by Cointelegraph by Jack Lu on April 12, 2025 at 3:00 pm

Opinion by: Jack Lu, CEO of BounceBitFor years, crypto has promised a more open and efficient financial system. A fundamental inefficiency remains: the disconnect between US capital markets and Asia’s liquidity hubs.The United States dominates capital formation, and its recent embrace of tokenized treasuries and real-world assets signals a significant step toward blockchain-based finance. Meanwhile, Asia has historically been a global crypto trading and liquidity hub despite evolving regulatory shifts. These two economies operate, however, in silos, limiting how capital can move seamlessly into digital assets.This isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a structural weakness preventing crypto from becoming a true institutional asset class. Solving it will cause a new era of structured liquidity, making digital assets more efficient and attractive to institutional investors.The capital bottleneck holding crypto backInefficiency between US capital markets and Asian crypto hubs stems from regulatory fragmentation and a lack of institutional-grade financial instruments.US firms hesitate to bring tokenized treasuries onchain because of evolving regulations and compliance burdens. Meanwhile, Asian trading platforms operate in a different regulatory paradigm, with fewer barriers to trading but limited access to US-based capital. Without a unified framework, cross-border capital flow remains inefficient.Stablecoins bridge traditional finance and crypto by providing a blockchain-based alternative to fiat. They are not enough. Markets require more than just fiat equivalents. To function efficiently, they need yield-bearing, institutionally trusted assets like US Treasurys and bonds. Without these, institutional capital remains largely absent from crypto markets.Crypto needs a universal collateral standardCrypto must evolve beyond simple tokenized dollars and develop structured, yield-bearing instruments that institutions can trust. Crypto needs a global collateral standard that links traditional finance with digital assets. This standard must meet three core criteria.First, it must offer stability. Institutions will not allocate meaningful capital to an asset class that lacks a robust foundation. Therefore, collateral must be backed by real-world financial instruments that provide consistent yield and security.Recent: Hong Kong crypto payment firm RedotPay wraps $40M Series A funding roundSecond, it must be widely adopted. Just as Tether’s USDt (USDT) and USDC (USDC) became de facto standards for fiat-backed stablecoins, widely accepted yield-bearing assets are necessary for institutional liquidity. Market fragmentation will persist without standardization, limiting crypto’s ability to integrate with broader financial systems.Third, it must be DeFi-native. These assets must be composable and interoperable across blockchains and exchanges, allowing capital to move freely. Digital assets will remain locked in separate liquidity pools without onchain integration, preventing efficient market growth.Without this infrastructure, crypto will continue to operate as a fragmented financial system. To ensure that both US and Asian investors can access tokenized financial instruments under the same security and governance standard, institutions require a seamless, compliant pathway for capital deployment. Establishing a structured framework that aligns crypto liquidity with institutional financial principles will determine whether digital assets can truly scale beyond their current limitations.The rise of institutional-grade crypto liquidityA new generation of financial products is beginning to solve this issue. Tokenized treasuries, like BUIDL and USYC, function as stable-value, yield-generating assets, offering investors an onchain version of traditional fixed-income products. These instruments provide an alternative to traditional stablecoins, enabling a more capital-efficient system that mimics traditional money markets.Asian exchanges are beginning to incorporate these tokens, providing users access to yields from US capital markets. Beyond mere access, however, a more significant opportunity lies in packaging crypto exposure alongside tokenized US capital market assets in a way that meets institutional standards while remaining accessible in Asia. This will allow for a more robust, compliant and scalable system that connects traditional and digital finance.Bitcoin is also evolving beyond its role as a passive store of value. Bitcoin-backed financial instruments enable Bitcoin (BTC) to be restaked as collateral, unlocking liquidity while generating rewards. For Bitcoin to function effectively within institutional markets, however, it must be integrated into a structured financial system that aligns with regulatory standards, making it accessible and compliant for investors across regions.Centralized decentralized finance (DeFi), or “CeDeFi,” is the hybrid model that integrates centralized liquidity with DeFi’s transparency and composability, and is another key piece of this transition. For this to be widely adopted by institutional players, it must offer standardized risk management, clear regulatory compliance and deep integration with traditional financial markets. Ensuring that CeDeFi-based instruments — e.g., tokenized treasuries, BTC restaking or structured lending — operate within recognized institutional frameworks will be critical for unlocking large-scale liquidity.The key shift is not just about tokenizing assets. It’s about creating a system where digital assets can serve as effective financial instruments that institutions recognize and trust.Why this matters nowThe next phase of crypto’s evolution depends on its ability to attract institutional capital. The industry is at a turning point: Unless crypto establishes a foundation for seamless capital movement between traditional markets and digital assets, it will struggle to gain long-term institutional adoption.Bridging US capital with Asian liquidity is not just an opportunity — it is a necessity. The winners in this next phase of digital asset growth will be the projects that solve the fundamental flaws in liquidity and collateral efficiency, laying the groundwork for a truly global, interoperable financial system.Crypto was designed to be borderless. Now, it’s time to make its liquidity borderless, too.Opinion by: Jack Lu, CEO of BounceBit. This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 12, 2025 at 1:52 pm

Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, former CEO of Binance, has denied claims that he agreed to provide evidence against Tron founder Justin Sun as part of a plea deal with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).In an April 11 report, The Wall Street Journal cited unnamed sources alleging that CZ had agreed to testify against Sun under the terms of his settlement with US prosecutors.“As part of Zhao’s plea deal, he agreed to give evidence on Sun to prosecutors,” an “arrangement” that “hasn’t previously been reported,” the WSJ report stated, citing sources familiar with the matter.“WSJ is really TRYING here. They seem to have forgotten who went to prison and who didn't,” Zhao wrote in an April 12 X post. “People who become gov witnesses don’t go to prison. They are protected. I heard someone paid WSJ employees to smear me.”Source: Changpeng ZhaoCZ was sentenced to four months in prison in April 2024 for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) violations. He walked free from federal prison on Sept. 27 as the wealthiest person to ever serve a US prison sentence, with a $60 billion net worth at the time.In a separate April 11 post, CZ claimed multiple individuals had warned him about the Journal’s intentions to publish what he described as a “hit piece.”Source: Justin SunSun said he was “not aware of the circulation rumors,” calling CZ his “mentor and close friend,” Cointelegraph reported on April 11.Related: Trump kills DeFi broker rule in major crypto win: Finance Redefined“Some players are lobbying against us again in the US” — CZCZ further speculated that the report could be linked to lobbying efforts against him and his former company. “I also heard some rumors about some players ‘lobbying’ against us again in the US,” CZ said.Cointelegraph has approached CZ for more details on the lobbying claims.In November 2023, Zhao said that “FTX sought regulatory ‘crack down’ on Binance to increase market share,” citing a Federal Newswire report.Related: New York bill proposes legalizing Bitcoin, crypto for state paymentsZhao’s comments come over a month after crypto donations raised influence concerns among industry participants.Crypto firms spent over $134 million on the 2024 US elections in “unchecked political spending,” which presents some critical challenges, Cointelegraph reported on March 10.Fairshake donations. Source: politicalaccountability.net“While the companies making these contributions may be seeking a favorable regulatory environment, these political donations further erode public trust and expose companies to legal, reputational, and business risks that cannot be ignored,” according to a March 7 report by the Center for Political Accountability (CPA).Magazine: XRP win leaves Ripple and industry with no crypto legal precedent set