Alternative News for You

by Cointelegraph by Alex O’Donnell on April 15, 2025 at 9:14 pm

CleanSpark will start selling a portion of the Bitcoin earned from its mining operations each month in a bid to become financially self-sufficient, the US Bitcoin miner said on April 15. In addition, CleanSpark secured a $200 million credit facility backed by Bitcoin (BTC) through an agreement with Coinbase Prime, the institutional brokerage division of the crypto exchange, according to a statement.Together, the Bitcoin sales and credit line mean CleanSpark has “achieved escape velocity — the ability to self-fund operations, augment our bitcoin treasury, and contribute to expansion capital through operational cash flow,” Zach Bradford, CEO of CleanSpark, said. CleanSpark has opened an institutional Bitcoin trading desk to facilitate the cryptocurrency sales, it added. Crypto mining stocks are down sharply in 2025. Source: MorningstarRelated: Bitdeer turns to self-mining Bitcoin, US operations amid tariff tumult — ReportNavigating market volatility The Bitcoin miner’s emphasis on self-funding comes as mining stocks reel from across-the-board selloffs in the first quarter of 2025. Shares of CoinShares Crypto Miners ETF (WGMI) — a publicly traded fund tracking a diverse basket of Bitcoin mining stocks — are down more than 40% since the start of the year, according to data from Morningstar. “[W]e believe this is the right time to evolve from a nearly 100% hold strategy adopted in mid-2023 and move back using a portion of our monthly production to support operations,” Bradford said. Cheaper stock prices effectively increase Bitcoin miners’ cost of capital and can potentially cause creditors to demand faster loan repayments. Analysts at JP Morgan attributed the downturn to eroding cryptocurrency prices, which added pressure to business models already strained by the Bitcoin network’s April 2024 halving. Halvings occur roughly every four years when the Bitcoin network automatically cuts mining rewards in half. Price per Bitcoin versus network hashrate. Source: JPMorganIn April, pressure on mining stocks worsened when US President Donald Trump announced plans for sweeping tariffs on US imports.US Bitcoin miners are especially vulnerable to trade wars because they rely on specialized mining hardware, often sourced from foreign manufacturers.  Bradford said he expects CleanSpark’s financial self-sufficiency to differentiate it from peers “who continue to rely on equity dilution to fund operating costs or increased leverage to grow their Bitcoin reserves.”Other miners are taking similarly aggressive measures to adapt to the changing market.Bitdeer, a Singapore-based crypto miner, has reportedly touted plans to start manufacturing mining hardware in the United States to mitigate the impact of Trump’s planned import tariffs. Magazine: Illegal arcade disguised as … a fake Bitcoin mine? Soldier scams in China: Asia Express

on April 15, 2025 at 9:07 pm

Alex de Minaur's growing prowess on clay is again on display as he opens his Barcelona Open campaign by dispatching Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straight sets. 

by Josh Brine and Conor Burke on April 15, 2025 at 9:01 pm

Passengers out of SA's biggest regional city could soon see a spike in flight prices as more airports are forced to bring in security screening. 

by Cointelegraph by Marcel Pechman on April 15, 2025 at 8:58 pm

Spot Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded funds saw a total of $872 million in net outflows between April 3 and April 10, causing traders to wonder if overall interest in Bitcoin is fading. The strong selling pressure began on April 3, as global trade tensions increased and fears of an economic recession grew. This trend is especially concerning after two days of spot Bitcoin ETF net flows below $2 million on April 11 and April 14.Spot Bitcoin ETFs aggregate net flows, USD. Source: CoinGlassBitcoin’s price has remained relatively stable near $83,000 for the past five weeks, which further suggests weak interest from both buyers and sellers. On one hand, this lack of volatility could show that Bitcoin is becoming a more mature asset class. For example, several S&P 500 companies have dropped 40% or more from their all-time highs, while Bitcoin’s largest drawdown in 2025 was a healthier 32%.However, Bitcoin’s performance has disappointed those who believed in the “digital gold” narrative. Gold has gained 23% so far in 2025, reaching an all-time high of $3,245 on April 11. Even though Bitcoin outperformed the S&P 500 by 4% over the past 30 days, some investors worry that its appeal is fading, as it is currently uncorrelated with other assets and not acting as a reliable store of value.Average Bitcoin ETF volume surpasses $2 billion per dayWhen looking at the spot Bitcoin ETF market—especially compared to gold—Bitcoin has some advantages. On April 14, spot Bitcoin ETFs had a combined trading volume of $2.24 billion, which is 18% below the 30-day average of $2.75 billion. So, it would not be accurate to say that investor interest in these products has disappeared.Spot Bitcoin ETFs daily volumes, USD. Source: CoinGlassWhile Bitcoin ETF volumes are lower than the $54 billion per day traded by the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), they are not far behind gold ETFs at $5.3 billion and are ahead of US Treasurys ETFs at $2.1 billion. This is impressive, considering that spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US only launched in January 2024, while gold ETFs have been trading for over 20 years and have $137 billion in assets under management.Even when including the Grayscale GBTC Trust, which surpassed 200,000 shares traded per day in 2017 before it was converted to an ETF, Bitcoin investment products are still less than eight years old. Currently, spot Bitcoin ETFs hold about $94.6 billion in assets under management, which is more than the market capitalization of well-known companies such as British American Tobacco, UBS, ICE, BNP Paribas, Cigna, Sumitomo Mitsui and several others.Related: Bitcoin shows growing strength during market downturn — WintermuteRanking of tradable assets by market capitalization, USD: Source: 8marketcapTo see how spot Bitcoin ETFs have become established in the industry, one can look at the top holders of these products. These include well-known names like Brevan Howard, D.E. Shaw, Apollo Management, Mubadala Investment, and the State of Wisconsin Investment. From pension funds to some of the world’s largest independent asset managers, Bitcoin ETFs provide an alternative to traditional assets, regardless of short-term price movements.As the asset class grows and more products like futures and options are listed, Bitcoin may eventually be included in global indexes, whether in the commodities or currencies category. This could lead passive funds to invest, increasing both price potential and trading volume. Therefore, the current lack of strong net inflows or outflows is not unusual and should not be seen as a sign of weakness.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 Sam Bourgi on April 15, 2025 at 8:57 pm

Blockchain infrastructure provider Figment has been selected as the staking provider for 3iQ’s newly approved Solana exchange-traded fund (ETF), underscoring Canada’s continued efforts toward adoption of digital asset financial products.Figment will enable institutional staking for the 3iQ Solana (SOL) Staking ETF, which launches on the Toronto Stock Exchange on April 16 under the ticker SOLQ, the companies said in a statement. In addition to 3iQ, Figment provides staking infrastructure solutions to more than 700 clients. The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), a provincial regulator, green-lighted 3iQ’s SOL fund on April 14. The approval was also extended to other fund managers seeking to offer SOL ETFs, including Purpose, Evolve and CI.As Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas reported at the time, the funds are permitted to stake a portion of their SOL holdings through TD Bank, Canada’s second-largest financial institution by assets. Source: Eric Balchunas3iQ estimates that its SOL fund will provide yields of between 6% and 8%, according to its website. Related: Solana, XRP ETFs may attract billions in new investment — JPMorgan3iQ leads Canadian crypto ETFs as US regulators drag their feetAs US regulators continue to consider various crypto-related fund offerings, Canada has been leading the curve in adoption going back to 2021. That was the year that 3iQ debuted its spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETF, which crossed $1 billion in net assets almost immediately. It would take nearly three more years before spot Bitcoin ETFs were approved in the United States. Like their Canadian counterparts, the US ETFs saw overwhelming success in their first year, generating more than $38 billion in net inflows.In October 2023, 3iQ launched an ETF tied to Ether (ETH), giving investors direct access to the smart contract platform. Unlike the Ether ETFs that US regulators approved the following year, 3iQ’s fund offers staking rewards. As Cointelegraph recently reported, US regulators may be on the cusp of approving staking rewards after they authorized exchanges to list options contracts tied to ETH.Source: James SeyffartRelated: SEC delays staking decision for Grayscale ETH ETFs

by Jack Hislop and Matt Garrick on April 15, 2025 at 8:52 pm

For years, Australia’s de facto online gambling regulator has been based in the Northern Territory. Advocates say that’s a problem and are urging the next federal government to take action.

by Daniel Litjens on April 15, 2025 at 8:42 pm

Despite applying for government drought funding months ago, one South Australian farmer says he is still waiting for assistance.

on April 15, 2025 at 8:37 pm

Patrick Voss will serve a three-game ban for striking Richmond's Nick Vlaustin, with Fremantle unsuccessful in trying to downgrade his penalty to a two-game suspension.

by Caitlin Rawling on April 15, 2025 at 8:32 pm

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton both begin their day in Melbourne, ahead of tonight's ABC-hosted election leaders debate in Parramatta. Follow live. 

by Lucie Cutting on April 15, 2025 at 8:28 pm

Many mysteries remain about five murals painted at Port Arthur during a tourism boom in the 1880s, but it's hoped conservation work will lead to new information.

on April 15, 2025 at 8:24 pm

Emergency services say road closures around the remote South Australian town of Innamincka are likely to be in place for months, prompting concern about the local tourism industry.

by Ahmed Yussuf on April 15, 2025 at 8:13 pm

Home ownership rates in Australia have been falling for decades, and with rental vacancies at record lows and prices at historic highs, many fear their dream of owning a home may be out of reach. Some experts say rental caps could help.

by Freya Jetson and Jeremy Jones on April 15, 2025 at 7:58 pm

A push to get EV chargers installed on Queensland's Capricorn Coast has been suspended following the broadcast of a report on "dirty nickel".

by Liam Walsh on April 15, 2025 at 7:54 pm

"Bitch with the glasses" and "Well f***en get on the team, bitch" were among comments picked up by corruption investigators probing Logan City Council, according to the court documents.

by Fiona Willan on April 15, 2025 at 7:44 pm

While cost of living and housing are important issues to those in Greater Western Sydney, a key detail major parties will also need to address are the adverse effects of the region’s rapid population growth.

on April 15, 2025 at 7:37 pm

Today's debate between the prime minister and the opposition leader will be broadcast by the ABC. 

by Luke Pentony on April 15, 2025 at 7:30 pm

It may still be three months out from the British and Irish Lions series, but Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is giving Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt reason to consider his options at the selection table. 

by Rosa Ritchie on April 15, 2025 at 7:29 pm

Victorian senate candidate Jordan van den Lamb says he will consider an apology to a Victorian woman whose vacant property was occupied by squatters after he published the address online.

by Jonathan Hair on April 15, 2025 at 7:27 pm

Clive Palmer's Trumpet of Patriots party has endorsed a candidate to run in a battleground electorate who has been prohibited from providing health services as he "posed a risk to the health and safety of the public".  

by Michelle Rimmer on April 15, 2025 at 7:15 pm

With war on their doorstep, Europeans have been warned to prepare survival kits with enough essentials to last them 72 hours, and Britain's leading disaster expert says the idea has been borrowed from Australia.

by Rachel Rasker on April 15, 2025 at 7:11 pm

Hacks stars Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder talk comedy's power to platform women in Hollywood beyond their looks, in a new series its creators call the "most autobiographical" yet. 

by Inga Ting and Alex Palmer on April 15, 2025 at 7:02 pm

Exclusive data shows skyrocketing rents have outpaced income growth in every regional area in Australia and all but one capital city.

by Miriam Corowa on April 15, 2025 at 7:00 pm

The ABC's inaugural Elder-in-residence, Professor Jackie Huggins, has come full circle after beginning at the broadcaster as a teenager and will now help lead responses to the Listen Loudly, Act Strongly report into racism.

by Annabel Crabb on April 15, 2025 at 7:00 pm

Ute drivers have become a convenient hi-vis political icon for the Coalition but the increase in utes and SUVs in Australia outnumbers tradies as tax policies make buying big cars attractive. 

by Riley Stuart on April 15, 2025 at 6:53 pm

Moscow's relationship with Jakarta is in the spotlight, after a report claimed the Kremlin had asked to station war planes at an air base 1,200 kilometres from Darwin. 

by Cointelegraph by Sam Bourgi on April 15, 2025 at 6:45 pm

Large language model developer OpenAI is reportedly working on a new social media network, putting the company on a collision course with Elon Musk’s X and Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta Platforms.Citing anonymous sources, The Verge reported on April 15 that OpenAI is developing an “X-like social network” that combines ChatGPT’s image generation tools and a social feed, presumably to allow users to share their AI-generated pictures with a broader audience. It’s unclear whether OpenAI will spin out a new social media platform or roll the features into ChatGPT, the sources said.OpenAI has become one of the most powerful technology companies in the world following the overwhelming success of its ChatGPT models. Its first-mover advantage in the AI race allowed it to raise $40 billion at a $300 billion valuation in a funding deal that was spearheaded by SoftBank Group.ChatGPT has 400 million weekly active users as of February 2025 — up from 50 million at the beginning of 2023. Source: Demandsage A pivot into social media — a natural landing spot for an AI company whose tools can be used for content creation and building chatbots for specialized tasks — would up the ante in the ongoing battle between former colleagues Sam Altman and Elon Musk. Related: OpenAI to release its first ‘open’ language model since GPT-2 in 2019Musk and Altman: A complicated historyThe rivalry between the two entrepreneurs stems from OpenAI’s commercialization efforts and Altman’s alleged abandonment of the startup’s founding mission as a nonprofit. Musk and a group of investors reportedly tabled a $97.4 billion buyout offer for OpenAI in February, but the proposed deal was apparently rejected by Altman, who took to social media to say “no thank you.”Altman did, however, express interest in buying X for $9.74 billion, or one-tenth of the proposed OpenAI buyout bid. The curt response may or may not have been genuine. Source: Sam AltmanMusk responded to Altman’s post by calling him a “swindler.”Musk acquired X, formerly Twitter, in a $44 billion deal in 2022. The platform remains a hotbed for social media engagement across the cryptocurrency industry. On March 7, US President Donald Trump used X to deliver welcoming remarks for the “first-ever White House Digital Asset Summit” in Washington, DC. Source: POTUSMagazine: 3 reasons Ethereum could turn a corner: Kain Warwick, X Hall of Flame

by Cointelegraph by Marie Poteriaieva on April 15, 2025 at 6:42 pm

On April 6, Bitcoin price formed a death cross on a daily chart — a technical pattern where the 50-day moving average (MA) falls below the 200-day MA. Historically associated with trend reversals and long bearish trading periods, this ominous signal has sometimes preceded major market drawdowns.The latest death cross comes amid growing macroeconomic uncertainty. Equities are reeling from what appears to be the early stages of a tariff war, volatility is rising, and fear continues to dominate investor sentiment. For some investors, Bitcoin’s death cross could be the final blow to hopes of a near-term rally. Early signs of capitulation from short-term holders may already be emerging.Still, not everyone sees doom ahead.Bitcoin death crosses historyBy definition, a death cross confirms the end of a bullish phase. When the 50-day MA drops below the 200-day MA, it suggests recent price action has weakened relative to the longer-term trend. Its counterpart, the golden cross, occurs when the opposite happens — often heralding a new rally.Since its inception, Bitcoin has experienced 10 such death crosses, with the 11th unfolding right now. Analyzing their dates and durations gives a major insight: every bear market included a death cross, but not every death cross has led to a bear market. This distinction is key to understanding the current setup.BTC/USD 1-day death cross history (log). Source: Marie Poteriaieva, TradingViewIndeed, there are two types of death crosses: those that happen during bear markets and the rest. The three death crosses that formed during the bear markets of 2014-2015, 2018, and 2022 were long and painful. They lasted for 9 to 13 months and saw drawdowns between 55% and 68% from the day of the cross to the cycle bottom.The remaining seven were far less severe. They lasted from 1.5 months to 3.5 months and saw Bitcoin decline anywhere from 27% to nothing at all. In many cases, these signals marked local bottoms and were followed by renewed rallies.This brings us to the critical question: Is Bitcoin already in a bear market, or is this another bear trap?A bearish signal?If Bitcoin is indeed in bear territory, as CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju believes, the current death cross could signal 6 to 12 more months of downward price action. This outlook aligns with his observations of the difference between the current market cap and the realized cap (average cost basis for each wallet x amount of BTC held).“If Realized Cap is growing, but Market Cap is stagnant or falling, it means capital is flowing in, but prices aren’t rising—a classic bearish signal.”Current data clearly points to the latter, Ki Young Ju adds.“Sell pressure could ease anytime, but historically, real reversals take at least six months—so a short-term rally seems unlikely.”BTC growth rate difference. Source: CryptoQuantOther market participants disregard the presence of the death cross. Crypto analyst Mister Crypto argued that the current death cross is a setup for a rally rather than a slide. “The trap is set again. This will be the most hated rally of 2025!” he posted alongside a chart showing previous false signals of this cycle.Bitcoin death cross during the bull market. Source: Mister CryptoCoinShares head of research James Butterfill also downplayed the signal’s significance. As he put it, “For those of you that think the Bitcoin death cross means anything - empirically, it's total nonsense, and in fact, often a good buying opportunity.” Butterfill’s data shows that, on average, Bitcoin prices are only slightly lower one month after a death cross (-3.2%) and often higher three months out.Related: Trump tariffs reignite idea that Bitcoin could outlast US dollarInterestingly, Bitcoin isn’t the only asset flashing warning signs. The Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500 are both on the verge of forming their own death crosses, while individual tech stocks — including Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Alphabet — have already triggered them or are close to doing so. Bitcoin’s recent move is part of a larger market reset, for better or for worse. At the moment, however, it leans more toward the "worse" side: as some analysts point out, what’s bad for the Nasdaq tends to be bad for Bitcoin, too. Unless, of course, Bitcoin fully claims its role as digital gold.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 Jake Evans on April 15, 2025 at 6:17 pm

For the first time in generations of elections, the major parties are both promising policies to lift housing supply, and again handing out gifts to first homebuyers. But there's an elephant in the room neither Labor nor the Coalition will discuss.

by Cointelegraph by Christopher Tepedino on April 15, 2025 at 6:14 pm

US President Donald Trump is venturing deeper into the world of digital assets, with a new project blending gaming and cryptocurrency elements, Fortune reported, citing sources familiar with the project.The project, set to launch in late April, will resemble MONOPOLY GO!, a mobile game where players travel around a board and earn money for constructing buildings in a digital city, according to the report.Bill Zanker, a member of Trump’s circle and part of the team that helped launch Trump’s memecoin and various NFT collections, is behind the game, Fortune cited the sources as saying. A spokesperson for Zanker denied any similarity to Monopoly, while confirming that Zanker is working on a game, according to the report.The Monopoly board game is owned by Hasbro, a company that acquired Parker Brothers, its original publisher, in 1991. Zanker reached out to Hasbro in May 2024 to seek a license for a Trump-branded Monopoly game, according to the sources, who requested anonymity due to the ongoing nature of business dealings. Zanker declined Fortune's requests for an interview. Related: Trump’s tariff escalation exposes ‘deeper fractures’ in global financial systemTrump’s crypto ventures detailedOnce a crypto skeptic, Trump showed Web3 enthusiasm during his 2024 presidential campaign. The president’s crypto endeavors include Official Trump (TRUMP), a memecoin with a $1.5 billion market capitalization at this writing, along with numerous non-fungible token (NFT) projects and a decentralized finance venture called World Liberty Financial.In February, Trump-owned DTTM Operations filed for a slew of trademarks for a Trump-branded metaverse and NFT marketplace. The metaverse would allow users to shop for physical and virtual goods, enjoy transport by limousine, aircraft, automobile and train, as well as watch public service programs.Trump's crypto ventures signal a significant change in his perspective regarding the crypto space. In 2021, Trump called Bitcoin “a scam against the dollar” and said the token was “based on thin air.” Since then, he has pivoted to court crypto voters and signed an executive order to create a strategic Bitcoin reserve in the US.Web3 gaming struggles amid macroeconomic turmoilTrump's crypto game may have trouble gaining traction. According to an April 10 report from DappRadar, daily active users of Web3 games dipped 6% in the first quarter of 2025, while investments in the sector dropped 71% quarter-over-quarter to $91 million.DappRadar cites the complex macroeconomic environment, including trade wars and geopolitical tensions, as reasons behind the slump in Web3 enthusiasm. The company notes that “investor sentiment remains cautious” in this environment.Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions

by Cointelegraph by Yashu Gola on April 15, 2025 at 5:42 pm

The total-value-locked (TVL) on Mantra’s RWA blockchain protocol reached a yearly high despite OM’s 90% price crash.Mantra TVL surges 500% following OM’s crashAs of April 15, Mantra’s TVL (in OM terms) jumped to 4.21 million OM (~$3.24 million), an increase of over 500% from two days prior, according to data resource DefiLlama.Mantra’s cumulative TVL chart. Source: DefiLlama.Interestingly, the TVL rise accompanied a dramatic collapse in OM prices, which plunged over 90% during the weekend. The Mantra team attributed the sell-off to “reckless forced liquidations” initiated by centralized exchanges.A rising TVL typically indicates that users are locking more tokens into a protocol’s smart contracts via staking, liquidity pools, lending, or farming for yield or network participation. Analyst DOM spotted “aggressive buying” on crypto exchanges during the 90% OM price crash on April 13, amounting to $35 million worth of OM purchases when “the [Mantra] collapse was happening.” Mantra total aggregated spot CVD vs. Binance spot price. Source: DOMDespite the 90% price crash, the simultaneous TVL spike and “aggressive buying” suggest that certain participants saw the collapse as a buying opportunity. The fact that millions of dollars were deployed while the crash unfolded points to tactical accumulation, possibly by whales, insiders, or opportunistic speculators betting on a rebound or farming incentives.As of April 15, OM’s price was trading for as high as $0.99, up around 170% from the weekend lows.OM/USDT daily price chart. Source: TradingView97% of Mantra TVL is one DApp Increases in Mantra’s TVL accompany red flags.For instance, around 97% of Mantra’s TVL growth came from Mantra Swap, the protocol’s native decentralized exchange. Its automated market-making pools accounted for 4.11 million OM in TVL, making it the primary driver behind the sharp uptick.Mantra Swap TVL performance chart. Source: DefiLlama A more decentralized ecosystem would have a greater capital distribution with multiple liquidity sources across lending markets, staking platforms, derivatives, etc. Related: Mantra says one particular exchange may have caused OM collapseAdditionally, Mantra’s fully diluted valuation (FDV) of $1.88 billion as of April 15 dwarfs the total value locked (TVL) of $3.24 million, a glaring disconnect that could signal potential overvaluation.Mantra TVL vs. FDV (in dollar terms). Source: DefiLlamaWith only 0.17% of its theoretical value actively deployed in its ecosystem, the protocol shows low capital efficiency and limited real-world usage. This imbalance suggests the market cap is likely driven more by speculation than adoption, and with a large portion of tokens likely still locked, there’s a high risk of future dilution as vested tokens are unlocked.Analyst JamesBitunix posed Mantra’s FDV as a huge risk to OM dip buyers, saying:“A lot of traders jumped in at this ‘bottom’ — both on spot and with leverage. Personally, I’d trigger another correction — preferably a sweep of the lows followed by a quick bounce.”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 Biraajmaan Tamuly on April 15, 2025 at 5:31 pm

After consecutive drawdowns of 17.39% and 2.3% in February and March, Bitcoin’s (BTC) Q2 is shaping up nicely, with a return of 3.77% in April. While fresh yearly lows were formed at $74,500, BTC is currently closer to $90,000 than its new range bottom. Bitcoin 1-day chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBitcoin’s higher time frame (HTF) market structure has achieved its first breakout of 2025, fueling optimism among bulls for significant upward momentum. However, the following factors could limit BTC’s gains over the next two weeks, likely capping its price at around $90,000.Related: Can 3-month Bitcoin RSI highs counter bearish BTC price 'seasonality?'Bitcoin needs spot volume, not just leverage-drivenCointelegraph identified a cooldown period in the futures market as the BTC-USDT futures leverage ratio dropped by 50%. De-leveraging in the futures market is a positive development over the long term, but derivatives traders have taken control of the market at the time as well. Bitcoin cumulative net take volume. Source: X.comBitcoin researcher Axel Adler Jr. pointed out that Bitcoin’s cumulative net taker volume spiked to $800 million on April 11, hinting at a surge in aggressive buying. BTC price also jumped from $78,000 to $85,000 within three days, confirming previous historical patterns where high net take volume triggers price rallies. Likewise, Maartunn, a community analyst at CryptoQuant, confirmed that the current rally is a “leverage-driven pump.” The discrepancy arises because retail or spot traders are still not as relevant.Bitcoin 30-day apparent demand. Source: CryptoQuantAs illustrated in the chart, Bitcoin apparent demand is on a recovery path, but it is not net positive yet. Historically, 30-day apparent demand can move sideways for a prolonged period after BTC reaches a local bottom, leading to a sideways chop for the crypto. Thus, it is less likely that Bitcoin could breach $90,000 in the first attempt after dropping close to 20% until there is collective buying pressure from both spot and futures markets.Large liquidation clusters between $80-$90K may bait tradersWith futures traders positioning in either direction, data from CoinGlass highlighted significant cumulative long and short liquidation leverage between $80,000 and $90,000. Taking $85,100 at the base price, total cumulative short positions at risk of liquidation are at $6.5 billion if BTC price hits $90,035. Bitcoin exchange liquidation map. Source: CoinGlassOn the other hand, $4.86 billion in long orders will be wiped out if BTC drops to $80,071. While liquidation clusters do not determine directional bias, they can create long or short squeezes, baiting traders on either side of respective trades. With such high capital at risk under $90,000, it is possible that Bitcoin may target each cluster before moving toward the dominant side. Related: Bitcoin traders target $90K as apparent tariff exemptions ease US Treasury yieldsThis 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 Alex O’Donnell on April 15, 2025 at 5:15 pm

Bitcoin miner Bitdeer is reportedly expanding its self-mining operations and investing in United States-based production as looming trade wars rock global supply chains and cryptocurrency markets. Bitdeer has begun prioritizing mining Bitcoin (BTC) itself in response to cooling demand for its mining hardware from other miners, Bloomberg reported on April 15.“Our plan going forward is to prioritize our own self-mining,” Jeff LaBerge, Bitdeer’s head of capital markets and strategic initiatives, reportedly said. Additionally, Bitdeer plans to scale US hardware manufacturing in the second half of the year as US President Donald Trump touts plans to penalize foreign imports and promote domestic manufacturing, Bloomberg said.“This is something we’ve been planning for a long time,” LaBerge said about the manufacturing plans. “We want to bring jobs and manufacturing back to America.”In April, Trump tipped plans for sweeping tariffs on US imports. The Bitcoin network is especially vulnerable to trade barriers since mining hardware involves complex global supply chains.Bitcoin’s hash price is near all-time lows. Source: Hashrate IndexRelated: Tariffs, capital controls could fragment blockchain networks — ExecsSector-wide strugglesBitcoin miners — including Bitdeer — have struggled in 2025 as volatile crypto markets worsen the impact of the Bitcoin network’s April 2024 halving. In February, Bitdeer’s stock dropped by roughly 28% after the Bitcoin miner announced lower-than-expected earnings and revenues for the fourth quarter of 2024. Bitdeer’s “lower performance compared to Q4 2023 was primarily driven by the impact of the April 2024 halving,” among other factors, Harris Bassett, Bitdeer’s chief strategy officer, said during Bitdeer’s earnings call. Every four years, the amount of BTC mined per “block” — a bundle of transaction data stored on the blockchain — is cut in half. The April 2024 halving reduced mining rewards from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC per block.Bitcoin price versus stocks. Source: 21SharesSince then, mining revenues and gross profits have dropped by an average of 46% and 57%, respectively, JPMorgan said previously in a research note shared with Cointelegraph. Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s hash price — a measure of miner profitability — has sunk to nearly all-time lows, according to data from the Hashrate Index. In 2024, Bitdeer tried to offset declining mining revenues by selling its own energy-efficient Bitcoin mining rigs. However, sales growth has been limited and did not offset weakness in other business lines in Q4. The market turbulence comes as Bitcoin Trump family-backed crypto mining operation American Bitcoin reportedly is considering an initial public offering. Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging research

by Matthew Doran on April 15, 2025 at 4:29 pm

Benjamin Netanyahu said recognising a Palestinian state would be a "huge reward for terrorism", after Emmanuel Macron suggested France could take the step in coming months.

by Cointelegraph by Sam Bourgi on April 15, 2025 at 4:28 pm

Synthetic stablecoin developer Ethena Labs is winding down its German operations less than a month after regulators identified “deficiencies” in its dollar-pegged USDe (USDE) stablecoin, signaling heightened scrutiny around crypto assets in Europe’s largest economy.Ethena Labs reached an agreement with Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, also known as BaFin, to cease all operations of its local subsidiary, Ethena GmbH, according to an April 15 announcement.Source: Ethena LabsAs such, Ethena Labs “will no longer be pursuing MiCAR authorization in Germany,” the company said, referring to the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation.The company reiterated that Ethena’s German subsidiary has not conducted any mint or redeem activity for USDe since March 21, the day BaFin halted the stablecoin’s activities. As Cointelegraph reported at the time, the German regulator identified compliance failures and potential securities law violations tied to USDe.“All whitelisted mint and redeem users previously interacting with Ethena GmbH have at their request been onboarded with Ethena (BVI) Limited instead and have no ongoing relationship with Ethena GmbH whatsoever,” the company said.  Unlike popular stablecoins USDt (USDT) and USDC (USDC), Ethena’s USDe maintains its dollar peg through an automated delta-hedging strategy that includes a combination of spot holdings, onchain custody and liquidity buffers.  USDe is the fourth-largest stablecoin with a total circulating value of $4.9 billion, according to CoinMarketCap.The $233-billion stablecoin market is dominated by USDT and USDC. Source: CoinMarketCapRelated: Northern Marianas vetoes bill for Tinian to launch its own USD stablecoinMiCA tightens the noose around stablecoin usageMiCA is a comprehensive framework for cryptocurrency usage across the European Union, enforcing strict compliance standards and consumer protections.To meet the new requirements, stablecoin issuers must have adequate reserves backing their tokens, ensure reserve assets are segregated from users’ assets and fulfill regular reporting obligations.As of February, 10 stablecoin issuers have been approved under MiCA, including Circle, Crypto.com, Societe Generale and Membrane Finance.Patrick Hansen, Circle’s senior director of EU strategy and policy, told Cointelegraph that a total of 10 euro-pegged stablecoins and five US dollar-pegged stablecoins have been approved so far.However, notably absent from the list is USDt issuer Tether, which has decided not to pursue MiCA registration at this time.Magazine: Bitcoin eyes $100K by June, Shaq to settle NFT lawsuit, and more: Hodler’s Digest, April 6-12

on April 15, 2025 at 4:14 pm

Papers filed last week accuse the online influencer, a self-described misogynist, of rape and sexual assault, and of pointing a gun at a woman's face.

by Cointelegraph by Blake Cassidy on April 15, 2025 at 3:00 pm

Opinion by: Blake Cassidy, CEO of BambooCrypto podcasts have been newcomers’ go-to source of information, helping bring crypto into the mainstream. Podcasters must remember, however, that fresh faces are constantly tuning in as they grow.While you may say, “FOMO, buy the dip, ignore the FUD because WAGMI,” your poor listener — tuning in for the first time just trying to learn crypto — might decide learning Spanish is easier.Podcasters are more vital to crypto’s adoption rate than everKeeping regular listeners engaged is important, but so is making sure newbies, who are only listening because they’re sick of hearing their mates brag about crypto at work, can follow along, too.You can see this balance pulled off well in some of the biggest crypto podcasts out there. Crypto podcasts that cater to the hodler and the novice enjoy dedicated followings and high view counts, whether the market is feeling bullish or bearish. Some worry that making things newbie-friendly will turn off industry professionals, but that’s not the case. Even the experts appreciate simplified content — it helps them stay on top of the week without digging through all the noise themselves.How do you get that balance right? Work in the week’s biggest news, and it’ll appeal to everyone — whether they’re new to crypto or industry veterans. Even if it’s just a segment of your podcast, crypto enthusiasts at any level love having a go-to podcast that sums up the week before they’ve even had their morning coffee.Crypto’s accessibility problemAccessibility has always been one of crypto’s biggest hurdles. The tech, the endless list of coins, even Web3-powered video games — many see it all as too complicated, unnecessary or just another scam. Some of these views represent a misunderstanding at best and outright ignorance at worst.On the flip side, podcasters talk about quantum-resistant blockchains, unlimited transactions per second or Ethereum’s dreaded Surge, Verge, Purge and Splurge malarky. There is a delicate balancePodcasters can play a key role in moving blockchain solutions further into the mainstream by helping to overcome the high knowledge entry requirements we’ve seen previously.There is a balance, however, as nobody wants to listen to an explainer podcast that feels like a weekly dictionary of crypto-bro jargon. The key is for podcasters to imagine they are in a room with a friend who knows nothing about crypto and someone who’s already clued in. Create content that works for both. If jargon is a must, which is often in this niche, a “here’s what we mean when we say this” now and then can go a long way to avoid alienating newcomers.Non-technical terms like “WAGMI” and “NGMI” should be spelled out instead of gatekeeping if we want to see retail swarm exchanges. Make it as easy as possible for the audienceSeveral successful podcasts do a great job of providing timestamps in their podcast episodes, which often run longer than an hour. If an audience member can quickly understand what is included in the podcast and navigate to the sections most interesting to them, this will only strengthen engagement and loyalty.Additionally, similes, analogies, metaphors and outright storytelling can help demystify some harder-to-grasp crypto concepts. There are so many ways that podcasters can help rather than hinder the mainstream adoption of crypto. In any discipline, providing clear and concise information so that audiences can make more informed decisions is a responsibility — why should crypto podcasts be any different?Opinion by: Blake Cassidy, CEO of Bamboo. 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 15, 2025 at 2:45 pm

Bitcoin (BTC) eyed new April highs at the April 15 Wall Street open amid skepticism over BTC price strength.BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBitcoin price faces multiple resistance hurdlesData from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC/USD seeking to break through $86,000.Continued strength through the weekend had set up the pair for an attack on levels closer to $90,000, these absent since early March.Concerns over macroeconomic volatility, with the US trade war at its center, nonetheless kept market participants from calling an end to the Bitcoin bull market correction.“It's funny watching sentiment shift so quickly - just days ago everyone was calling for 50k, now they're rushing to flip bullish at the first green candle. This emotional rollercoaster is exactly why most traders lose money,” trading resource Stockmoney Lizards wrote in part of its latest analysis on X.“While short-term momentum appears bullish, we still face multiple resistance hurdles before confirming the correction is complete.”BTC/USDT perpetual contract 2-day chart. Source: Stockmoney Lizards/XStockmoney Lizards saw rangebound BTC price action continuing prior to a retest of the most significant longer-term resistance nearer $100,000.“My outlook remains cautiously optimistic - expect continued ranging between 78-88k for several weeks as Bitcoin builds energy for its next move,” they forecast. “Once we clear the 97k zone, the path to 110k+ becomes much more viable by late summer.”Brandt: BTC trendline break is not “transition of trend”A key topic of conversation among traders was a BTC price breakthrough attempt focusing on a multimonth downward trend line.Related: Can 3-month Bitcoin RSI highs counter bearish BTC price 'seasonality?'As Cointelegraph reported, this has been in place since BTC/USD set its current all-time highs in January. Now, its status as resistance appears to be waning.It didn't break a multimonth downtrend just for $86K, it wants to challenge for a higher high near the 200 MA,” popular trader SuperBro summarized in part of a recent X update.SuperBro referred to the 200-day simple moving average (SMA), a classic bull market support trend line, currently at $87,566.“If the HH is successful, which is likely imo, then it can retrace for a HL anywhere above the low before it runs for the wedge target above $100K,” he added.BTC/USD 1-day chart. Source: SuperBro/XNot everyone, however, was convinced that breaking the downtrend would mark a watershed moment for Bitcoin bulls.For veteran trader Peter Brandt, nothing could be gained from observing price behavior around the trend line.“Of all chart construction, trendlines are the LEAST significant,” he told X followers on the day. “A trendline violation does NOT signify a transition of trend $BTC.”BTC/USD 1-day chart. Source: Peter Brandt/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.

by Cointelegraph by Nancy Lubale on April 15, 2025 at 2:28 pm

Ether’s (ETH) market is very close to hitting all-time lows as a classic bearish chart pattern hints at a deeper correction toward $1,100.Ethereum’s market dominance keeps fallingOn April 9, Ethereum’s market dominance, or the measure of Ether’s share of crypto’s overall market capitalization, hit a new multiyear low of 7.18%, according to Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView data. This value was merely a hair’s breadth above the all-time low of 7.09% reached in September 2019.“Ethereum dominance is so very close to registering new all-time lows,” said popular crypto analyst Rekt Capital in an April 13 post on X, adding:“Ethereum Dominance needs to hold this green area to position itself to become more market-dominant over the coming months.”ETH market dominance %. Source: Rekt CapitalEther’s market share is now at its lowest value since 2019-2020. Meanwhile, Ether’s closest competitor in terms of market capitalization, XRP (XRP), has seen its dominance rise by over 200% over the same timeframe.  Its top layer-1 rival tokens, BNB Chain’s (BNB) and Solana’s (SOL), have also seen 40% and 344% increases in their market dominance since 2023. Several reasons for this underwhelming performance include weak institutional demand evidenced by negative ETF flows, a sluggish derivatives market, and increasing competition from other layer-1 blockchains.More trouble for Ethereum could also be found when analyzing the total value locked (TVL) of competing blockchains. Although Ethereum remains the leader with a market dominance of 51.7%, this metric has decreased from 61.2% in February 2024. In comparison, Solana’s dominance in terms of TVL has increased by 172% over the same period. Total value locked market share (%). Source: DefiLlamaETH price “bear flag” targets $1,100Ether price, or the ETH/USD trading pair, is expected to resume its prevailing bearish momentum despite recovering from recent lows as a classic (bearish) chart pattern emerges.Related: Ethereum could be AI’s key to decentralization, says former core devEther’s price action over the past three weeks is painting a possible bear flag pattern on the daily chart, as shown in the figure below. A daily candlestick close below the flag’s lower boundary at $1,600 would signal the start of a massive move downward.The flagpole’s height sets the target, putting Ether’s potential price drop target at $1,100, or a 33% drop from the current price.ETH/USD daily chart with potential bear flag. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewMeanwhile, one key indicator to keep an eye on remains the relative strength index, or RSI, which is still below the 50 mark, suggesting that the market trend still favors the downside.As Cointelegraph reported, ETH's price may ultimately bottom out at around $1,000 based on several other factors. 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 15, 2025 at 2:06 pm

The recent collapse of the Mantra (OM) token triggered comparisons to the infamous Terra ecosystem crash in May 2022, with some commentators referring to Mantra as the “next Terra.” Still, many in the community argue that the two projects share nothing in common besides visual similarities in price charts.“While it’s tempting to draw parallels between OM’s recent crash and the Terra Luna collapse, they’re fundamentally very different events,” said Ben Yorke, vice president of ecosystem at the decentralized finance (DeFi) project Woo, in a statement to Cointelegraph.Alexis Sirkia, chairman of the DeFi infrastructure project Yellow Network, agreed. “There are no real similarities apart from the visual of the price dropping,” he said.Visual similarity — different numbersMantra’s OM token dropped 92% on April 13, dropping from over $6 to around $0.52 within hours. According to data from CoinGecko, OM lost $5.4 billion in market capitalization in less than four hours.By contrast, TerraClassicUSD (formerly UST) took five days to lose a similar percentage, shedding $17.2 billion.Mantra’s OM crash in April 2025 versus USTC (formerly UST) crash in May 2022 (seven-day chart). Source: CoinGeckoThe LUNA crash was more gradual than both the OM token and USTC. It started plummeting some time before the UST token depegged on May 9, 2022.Still, the visual resemblance of the price charts has prompted comparisons among observers, despite significant structural differences between the projects.Terra collapse was systemic in contrast to MantraWoo’s Yorke and Yellow Network’s Sirkia agreed that Terra’s collapse was systemic and occurred due to the failure of its algorithmic stablecoin, while Mantra was not proven to be subject to any systemic flaws.“OM appears to be more of a case of mismanagement or negligence,” Yorke said, adding that the Mantra crash involved a “large number of insider-held tokens” moved to exchanges, which sparked cascading liquidations.Source: ZachXBT“The issue wasn’t a structural flaw in the protocol, but rather a breakdown in token handling and trust,” he noted.Related: Mantra CEO says OM token recovery ‘primary concern’ but in early stages“Mantra is not broken. There was no peg to fail. This is a market structure issue, not a protocol failure,” Sirkia stated, stressing that only an event like a smart contract failure could indicate a serious issue in the protocol. He added:“Terra collapsed because of how it was built. Mantra went through a market-driven correction. The team remained transparent throughout. After the drop, OM bounced over 200%, showing real demand and community belief. That kind of recovery never happened with Luna.”Yorke and Sirkia’s Mantra comments mark the second day after the OM crash, with the token slightly recovering to $0.80 by publishing time after a brutal sell-off from above $6 to $0.50 per token on April 13.According to the latest update by Mantra CEO John Mullin, Mantra expects to share a post-mortem report detailing the events leading to the crash of the OM token in the next 24 hours.Magazine: Illegal arcade disguised as … a fake Bitcoin mine? Soldier scams in China: Asia Express

by Cointelegraph by Cointelegraph on April 15, 2025 at 2:05 pm

Today in crypto, data from the Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador has revealed that just 11% of registered Bitcoin service providers in the country are operational, Emblem Vault CEO Jake Gallen said he lost thousands worth of digital assets after a suspicious Zoom meeting, and Anchorage Digital Bank is reportedly under investigation by the US Department of Homeland Security.Only 11% of El Salvador’s registered Bitcoin firms operational Only 20 of the 181 Bitcoin service providers registered with El Salvador’s central bank are operational, with the rest failing to meet the country’s requirements under its Bitcoin Law. Local media outlet El Mundo cited data from the Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador, showing that 11% of the service providers are operational. According to the central bank’s database, the rest of the providers are classified as non-operational. The data showed that at least 22 non-operational providers have failed to meet most of the country’s Bitcoin Law requirements, which mandate that providers implement stringent supervision of their financial systems. El Salvador’s Bitcoin Law requires providers to maintain an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) program, keep records that accurately reflect the company’s assets, liabilities and equity and have a tailored cybersecurity program depending on the nature of its services. The data showed that 89% of the registered providers have failed to meet some of these obligations to be classified as operational. Still, a few firms have satisfied the legal criteria, including the state-backed Chivo Wallet and companies including Crypto Trading & Investment and Fintech Américas.Crypto exec issues warning on Zoom after losing $100,000 in cryptoJake Gallen, the CEO of the non-fungible token (NFT) platform Emblem Vault, has warned crypto users to be wary of the meeting app Zoom, saying a threat actor known as “ELUSIVE COMET” stole over $100,000 worth of crypto assets from him.Gallen said he had a “complete computer compromise” that ended up with a loss of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) assets from different wallets in a scam that took place over Zoom.“We were able to retrieve a malware file that was installed on my computer during a Zoom call with a YouTube personality of over 90k subs,” said Gallen, who said he set up a call after being contacted by a verified X account with 26,000 followers that claims to be the founder and CEO of a crypto mining platform. Source: Jake GallenDuring the call, Gallen said he was tricked into giving permission for Zoom to allow the host of the call to have remote access to his computer. The host, supposedly ELUSIVE COMET, then installed malware that stole credentials and accessed Gallen’s crypto wallets. SEAL security researcher Samczsun told Cointelegraph that Zoom, by default, allows meeting participants to request remote control access. “At this point in time we believe the victim still needs to be social engineered into granting access,” they said. Other X users recommended those using Zoom change the app’s settings to block other users from being able to remotely control their device.Anchorage Digital faces scrutiny from US Homeland Security — ReportThe US Department of Homeland Security's El Dorado Task Force has reportedly launched an investigation into Anchorage Digital Bank, a Wall Street-backed cryptocurrency firm. According to an April 14 Barron's report, members of the task force have contacted former employees of the company over the past weeks to examine its practices and policies. The report cites unidentified sources. The reported Homeland task force probe hints at cross-national financial activities. Established in 1992, the El Dorado Task Force focuses on “transnational money laundering” activities and financial crimes carried out by organizations. Anchorage is co-founded by Portuguese-American entrepreneur Diogo Mónica and Nathan McCauley, according to its website. Along with its US businesses, Anchorage has operations in Singapore and Portugal. Its investors include Andreessen Horowitz, Goldman Sachs and Visa, among others. 

by Cointelegraph by Adrian Zmudzinski on April 15, 2025 at 1:35 pm

Market data shows PumpSwap, the decentralized exchange of memecoin launch platform Pump.Fun, processed $2.5 billion of trades last week.DefiLlama data shows that in the week of April 6, PumpSwap saw a trading volume increase of nearly 40% over the previous week starting on March 30, with its trading volume of $1.8 billion. Since its launch in late March, the decentralized exchange (DEX) has processed $98.4 million of trades.The news follows Pump.Fun launching PumpSwap on March 19, as a dedicated “frictionless environment” for trading memecoins. The DEX attracted considerable trading activity, exceeding $1 billion of volume in its first week of activity.Related: Pump.fun memecoins are dying at record rates, less than 1% surviveAccording to Dune data, PumpSwap’s trades reached a new record high daily count of over 6.1 million on April 12, and on April 14 the platform saw over 5.7 million swaps. It also saw its highest daily active wallets, reaching nearly 264,500 — over 163,000 recurring and 101,000 new.PumpSwap daily active wallets. Source: DuneOn April 15, PumpSwap broke its daily volume record, reaching $417.8 million at the time of publication. The previous record was reported on Monday, April 14, when the volume reached $412.7 million.PumpSwap’s trading volume shows a clear uptrend. Source: DefiLlamaRelated: Memecoins, markets and Trump: Cointelegraph’s Q1 editorial roundtableRevenues are growing alongside volumePumpSwap’s income is growing alongside its trading volume, with Dune data showing that daily fees reached a record of over $1.05 million on April 14. That day, $840,000 were liquidity provider fees and $210,000 protocol fees.PumpSwap daily fees. Source: DuneParaSwap features a 0.25% fee, with 0.2% going to liquidity providers and 0.05% to the protocol itself. The total lifetime fees generated by the DEX stand at $14.2 million at the time of publication, out of which $3.56 million were destined for the protocol.Pump.Fun making millionairesThe developers behind the platform are not the only ones who managed to make money on Pump.Fun. Dune data shows that 506 wallets managed to earn over $1 million on the platform, while over 9,000 made over $100,000.Top five 30-day active Pump.Fun wallets. Source: DuneThe most profitable wallet over the past 30 days has realized gains of nearly $40.6 million, the data shows.Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging research

by Cointelegraph by Ezra Reguerra on April 15, 2025 at 1:17 pm

Decentralized exchange (DEX) KiloEx has offered the hacker who exploited $7.5 million in crypto from its platform a 10% white hat bounty. On April 15, KiloEx posted an offer directed to the hacker who stole millions from the DEX. KiloEx said it had worked with law enforcement, cybersecurity agencies and exchanges to uncover information about the hacker’s activities. The DEX also shared wallet addresses linked to the hackers that the DeFi platform and other organizations are actively monitoring. KiloEx said they were prepared to freeze the stolen funds. However, the DEX offered the hacker $750,000 in exchange for returning 90% of the stolen assets. KiloEx said that it would treat the incident as a white hat exploit if the hacker returned the funds.Hacker stole $7.5 million from KiloExOn April 14, cybersecurity companies reported that an exploiter looted the platform through a price oracle vulnerability. A report from PeckShield said that about $3.3 million in Base, $3.1 million opBNB and $1 million BSC tokens were taken. The blockchain security company said that the information used by a smart contract to determine price assets was manipulated, which led to the exploit. In response to the attack, the platform suspended its DEX. The platform also said the exploit had been contained. Related: Ethical hacker intercepts $2.6M in Morpho Labs exploitKiloEx to pursue legal action if the hacker doesn’t return the fundsThe DEX added that it would drop the matter and publicly acknowledge that the incident is settled if the hacker agrees to return the funds. KiloEx wrote: “We will tweet about this resolution, acknowledging your cooperation and closing the case without further action.”The DEX informed the hacker to contact its email or send an onchain message if they accepted the offer. If the hacker doesn’t accept the offer, the DEX said it would escalate the matter with the relevant law enforcement and pursue the investigation with its cybersecurity partners. “Your identity and activities will be exposed to relevant authorities. We will pursue legal action relentlessly. The choice is yours. Act now to avoid irreversible consequences,” KiloEx wrote. Magazine: Illegal arcade disguised as … a fake Bitcoin mine? Soldier scams in China: Asia Express

by Cointelegraph by Aaron Wood on April 15, 2025 at 1:13 pm

The crypto industry’s inability to access banking services still concerns many industry observers despite recent policy victories.In past years, financial services firms and banks concerned about fiduciary risk, reporting liabilities and reputational risk often would refuse to offer service to crypto firms — i.e., “debanking” them. Legislative efforts in the United States and Australia are attempting to remove these barriers for the crypto industry. In the former, legislators repealed guidelines that made it difficult for banks to custody crypto assets, as well as those stating that crypto carried “reputational risk” for banks. In the latter, the Labor Party has introduced a bill to create a legal framework for crypto, giving banks the clarity they need to interact with the crypto industry.Despite these tangible efforts, some crypto industry observers say that the crypto’s debanking problem is far from over. US crypto execs say debanking is still an issue The crypto industry has long decried “Operation Chokepoint 2.0,” its nickname for a suite of policies that they claim constrained the crypto industry from growing under the administration of former President Joe Biden. Among these were measures making it more difficult for crypto firms to access banking services. The early days of the second administration of President Donald Trump have seen many of these repealed or changed. One of the first was the repeal of Staff Accounting Bulletin 121, which required banks offering custody for customers’ cryptocurrencies to list them as liabilities on their balance sheets — this made it very difficult for banks to justify offering such services. The administration also appointed a new head of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Rodney Hood. Dennis Porter, CEO of the Bitcoin-focused policy organization Satoshi Action, told Cointelegraph that under Hood’s tenure, the OCC has already said banks can offer crypto-related services like custody, stablecoin reserves and blockchain participation.Related: Atkins becomes next SEC chair: What’s next for the crypto industry“This opens the door for broader adoption of digital asset technology and custodial services by traditional financial institutions, signaling a major shift in how banks engage with crypto,” he said.Despite these victories, Caitlin Long, founder and CEO of Custodia Bank, said on March 21 that debanking is likely to remain a problem for crypto firms into 2026. Long said the non-partisan board of governors of the Federal Reserve is “still controlled by Democrats,” alluding to Democrats’ more skeptical stance on crypto. Long claimed that “there are two crypto-friendly banks under examination by the Fed right now, and an army of examiners was sent into these banks, including the examiners from Washington, a literal army just smothering the banks.”Long noted that Trump won’t be able to appoint a new Fed governor until January, meaning that, while other agencies may be more crypto-friendly, there are still roadblocks. Australia’s Labor Party to create crypto frameworkStand With Crypto, the “grassroots” crypto advocacy organization started by Coinbase that has spread to the US, UK, Canada and Australia, said that “in Australia, debanking is quietly shutting out innovators and entrepreneurs — particularly in the crypto and blockchain space.”In a post on X, the organization claimed that debanking results in “reputational damage, loss of revenue, increased operational costs, and inability to launch or sustain services.” It also claimed that it forces some companies to move offshore. In response to these concerns, the ruling center-left Labor Party in Australia has proposed a new set of laws for the cryptocurrency industry. The changes to current financial services law seek to tackle the issue of debanking in the country’s cryptocurrency industry.Australia’s Treasury says its new crypto regulations have four priorities. Source: Australian Department of the TreasuryEdward Carroll, head of global markets and corporate finance at MHC Digital Group — an Australian crypto platform — told Cointelegraph that in Australia, debanking decisions were “not the result of regulatory directives.”“Rather, they appear to stem from a more general sense of risk aversion due to the current lack of a clear regulatory framework.”Related: US gov’t actions give clue about upcoming crypto regulationCarroll was optimistic about the Labor Party’s proactive stance. The major political parties were “showing a shift in sentiment and a shared commitment to establishing formal crypto regulation.” “We are hopeful that this will give banks the confidence to reengage with crypto businesses that meet compliance standards,” he said.Canada unlikely to relieve crypto firmsIn Canada, “debanking remains a serious and ongoing challenge for the Canadian crypto industry,” according to Morva Rohani, executive director of the Canadian Web3 Council.“While some firms have successfully established relationships with banking partners, many continue to face account closures or denials with little explanation or recourse,” she told Cointelegraph. While debanking actions aren’t explicit, financial institutions’ interpretation of Anti-Money Laundering and Know Your Customer regulations “creates a risk-averse environment where banks weigh compliance and reputational concerns against the relatively low revenue potential of crypto clients.”The end result, per Rohani, is a systemic debanking problem for the digital assets industry.But unlike in the US and Australia, the Canadian crypto industry may not find relief anytime soon. Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose more crypto-skeptic Liberal Party is surging in the polls ahead of the April 28 snap elections, is himself a crypto-skeptic.Polls show Carney firmly in the lead. Source: IpsosCarney has stated that the future of money lies more in a “central bank stablecoin,” otherwise referred to as a central bank digital currency.Rohani said that “no comprehensive legislative solution has been implemented” with regard to debanking. “A more structured approach, including mandated disclosure of reasons for account termination and regulatory oversight, is needed,” she said.Critics claim crypto is “hijacking” the debanking issueThere is another side to the debanking debate, which claims that crypto’s debanking “problem” is a non-issue or a vehicle for crypto firms to get what they want in terms of regulation. Molly White, the author of Web3 Is Going Just Great and the “Citation Needed” newsletter, has noted that, in the US at least, crypto firms have claimed to be victims of debanking while lauding Trump’s efforts to end protections for debanking at the same time.In a Feb. 14 post, White stated that the crypto industry had “hijacked” the discussion around debanking, which contains legitimate concerns regarding access to financial services — particularly regarding discrimination due to race, religious identity or industry affiliation. She claims the crypto industry has used debanking as a means to deflect legitimate regulatory inquiries into crypto companies’ compliance efforts. Further of note is the fact that Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has applauded the efforts of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), with Elon Musk at the helm, to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). One of the CFPB’s responsibilities is to investigate claims of debanking. But when DOGE instructed the agency to halt all work, Armstrong said it was “100% the right call,” in addition to making dubious claims about the agency’s constitutionality. In the meantimeWhether the industry’s debanking concerns stem from legitimate discrimination or an attempt at regulatory capture, crypto firms are developing solutions in the interim. Porter said that, as an alternative to banking services, “many crypto companies have leaned on stablecoins as a primary tool for managing finances,” while others have worked with “smaller regional banks or specialized trust companies open to digital assets.”Rohani said that this kind of “patchwork of relationships” can increase operational costs and risks and are “not sustainable long-term solutions for growth or to build a competitive, regulated industry.”Porter concluded that the banking workarounds could actually strengthen the industry’s position, stating that they may “continue evolving into fully integrated relationships with traditional financial institutions, further cementing crypto’s place in mainstream finance.”Magazine: UK’s Orwellian AI murder prediction system, will AI take your job? AI Eye

by Cointelegraph by Arunkumar Krishnakumar on April 15, 2025 at 12:55 pm

Bitcoin joins the safe-haven debate as trade tensions rise For decades, investors fled to gold and US Treasurys during crises, but in today’s digital, decentralized world, Bitcoin is starting to enter the safe-haven conversation. Despite its volatility, Bitcoin (BTC) has shown signs of resilience during global turbulence, including trade wars, prompting a fresh look at its role in preserving value.Let’s rewind a bit to understand where this question comes from. For decades, whenever uncertainty rattled the global economy, be it war, inflation, or sudden political shifts, investors did what they always do — run to the safest hills. Historically, those hills were made of gold or filled with US Treasury bonds. But things are changing. In a world that’s more digital, decentralized, and volatile than ever, people are asking whether Bitcoin might now be part of the conversation as a modern safe-haven asset, especially during disruptive events like trade wars.To get into this, you need to explore what makes an asset a safe haven in the first place, how Bitcoin has behaved during recent trade-related turbulence and whether it has earned its spot alongside more traditional defensive plays.First, the concept of a “safe haven” isn’t about making a profit. It’s about preserving value. In times of crisis, investors want assets that hold up under pressure. Gold has done this for decades. The US dollar, despite being fiat, is often seen as a safe haven due to its global reserve status and the strength of US financial institutions. Treasury bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the US government. All these assets are supposed to be relatively low in volatility and high in liquidity.Now, here’s the twist: Bitcoin is not low in volatility. It’s notoriously wild. But despite that, you might have seen moments where it behaves like a safe haven. Not always, but sometimes, and that’s interesting.Isn’t it? The 2018-19 trade war vs Bitcoin’s role in times of turmoil During the 2018–19 US-China trade war, Bitcoin surged as traditional markets faltered, hinting at its potential as a hedge in turbulent times. While its “digital gold” narrative gained traction, Bitcoin’s behavior often mirrors that of speculative tech stocks, keeping its safe-haven status an open question.Take the 2018–19 US-China trade war, for example. As tariff threats escalated and tensions between the two economic giants intensified, global markets became increasingly jittery. Tech stocks took a hit. Commodities wavered. Amid all this, something strange happened. Bitcoin quietly surged. From April to July 2019, the price of Bitcoin climbed from about $5,000 to over $12,000. It wasn’t alone. Gold also rallied during that time. However, this was one of the earliest signs that Bitcoin might not be just a risk-on asset but could also serve as a hedge in turbulent times. That period sparked a new narrative: Bitcoin as “digital gold.”The fixed supply of 21 million coins gave it scarcity. Its decentralized nature meant it wasn’t bound to any single government’s policies. And because it lived on a global, censorship-resistant network, it was insulated from the kind of capital controls that often follow during periods of financial stress. These qualities started to resonate with investors looking for alternatives to traditional safe havens.To be fair, Bitcoin hasn’t always stuck to the script. While there are moments where it moves inversely to risk assets, more often than not, it behaves like a speculative tech stock, especially over short time frames. Historically, Bitcoin has had a strong correlation with the Nasdaq. So, while the “digital gold” narrative is growing, it still sits side-by-side with the idea of Bitcoin being a high-beta bet for risk-seeking investors.Did you know? A 2025 study titled Institutional Adoption and Correlation Dynamics: Bitcoin’s Evolving Role in Financial Markets analyzed daily data from 2018 to 2025. The study found that Bitcoin’s correlation with the Nasdaq 100 intensified following key institutional milestones, with peaks reaching 0.87 in 2024. This suggests that Bitcoin has transitioned from an alternative asset toward a more integrated financial instrument. Inside the Trump tariff wars of 2025: Markets rattle, Bitcoin rises In early 2025, Trump’s sweeping tariffs triggered panic across financial markets, with the Nasdaq and S&P suffering historic drops. Within two days, US stock indexes lost trillions, reigniting the debate over Bitcoin's role as a modern safe haven.Fast forward to April 2025, and the question of whether Bitcoin can serve as a safe haven got tested again. This time, it was in a much more pronounced way. In February 2025, Trump, now in his second term as president, announced a fresh wave of aggressive tariffs aimed at revitalizing American manufacturing. This was the kind of headline that immediately spooks financial markets, especially when major trading partners began whispering about retaliation. By April 2, Trump had declared what he called “Liberation Day,” a sweeping set of tariffs covering nearly all imported goods. It was framed as economic patriotism, but to markets, it spelled chaos.Chaos came quickly. On April 3, the Nasdaq Composite plunged by nearly 6%, losing over 1,000 points in one session. This was a record-setting drop in terms of raw numbers. The S&P 500 didn’t fare much better, falling close to 5%. Investors began to panic about supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures and a possible global slowdown. Then came April 4, and the panic only deepened. The Nasdaq slid into official bear market territory, and the Dow lost over 2,200 points in a single day. Within 48 hours, America’s major stock indexes had lost trillions in value.Did you know? Barry Bannister, chief equity strategist at Stifel, noted that Bitcoin and the Nasdaq 100 have been driven by speculative fervor fueled by lenient Fed policies. He highlighted that Bitcoin tends to trade in tandem with highly leveraged tech-focused ETFs, indicating a strong correlation between Bitcoin and tech stocks. Bitcoin didn’t soar amid market crash, but It didn’t sink either During the April 2025 market crash, Bitcoin held steady while stocks plunged, surprising many with its resilience. It didn’t surge, but its stability amid chaos hinted at its growing role as a value-preserving asset in turbulent times.So, what did Bitcoin do? Surprisingly, nothing catastrophic, and that was the story. While nearly everything else was tanking during the tariff-fueled sell-off, Bitcoin didn’t crash. That alone turned heads.In a market where even the most established benchmarks were falling apart, Bitcoin’s relative stability stood out to portfolio managers and institutional watchers.Long criticized as too volatile for serious portfolios, Bitcoin quietly weathered the storm better than many traditional assets. This wasn’t a moonshot moment. It was a resilience moment. Value preservation over value multiplication. And that’s what investors look for in a safe haven. Its ability to hold ground while the Nasdaq and S&P plunged gave more weight to the idea that Bitcoin might be evolving into something sturdier.To be clear, Bitcoin hasn’t fully decoupled from risk assets. It still responds to liquidity flows, monetary policy and investor sentiment. But at times like April 2025, it showed something different. It didn’t break. It held! And for a growing number of investors, that’s starting to matter. Bitcoin isn’t the new gold, but it’s not the old BTC either Bitcoin’s growing resilience stems from a maturing market, rising institutional adoption and its appeal as a non-sovereign, portable hedge in times of financial or geopolitical stress. While not yet the ultimate safe haven, it’s clearly moved beyond its speculative roots and is earning a seat at the table.Part of this growing strength is structural. Over the past few years, the Bitcoin market has matured. Institutional adoption has risen. Spot Bitcoin ETFs now live in major markets. Custody solutions are better. And perhaps most importantly, there’s a broader understanding of what Bitcoin represents. Bitcoin is not just a speculative coin anymore. It’s a tool for financial sovereignty, for hedging against fiat depreciation and for stepping outside the boundaries of politicized financial infrastructure.There’s also the fact that Bitcoin is entirely non-sovereign. In a trade war scenario, where fiat currencies can be weaponized, and capital controls are deployed, Bitcoin becomes very attractive to people who want to move money across borders without interference. It’s portable, permissionless and increasingly liquid. These are three attributes of an asset you want in a crisis.Of course, none of this means Bitcoin is now the undisputed king of safe havens. Gold still plays that role for most of the world’s conservative investors. The US dollar is still the default when people want liquidity in a crunch. And Bitcoin’s price swings can still make people nervous. But you are seeing it graduate amid the market chaos. It’s no longer the outsider it once was. Bitcoin in times of crisis, safe haven 2.0? In both 2019 and 2025, Bitcoin showed flashes of safe-haven behavior, proving it can act as a hedge in times of geopolitical stress. While it’s not gold just yet, its unique properties make it an increasingly serious contender in the global financial playbook.During both the 2019 trade tensions and the 2025 tariff escalation, Bitcoin acted more like a hedge than it did in earlier cycles. And that’s noteworthy. Even if Bitcoin doesn’t yet consistently play the safe-haven role, it’s starting to show it can, at least in specific contexts.There’s a bigger question brewing here, too. What does it mean for financial markets if Bitcoin does become a mainstream safe-haven asset? How does that change portfolio construction, risk models or even geopolitical strategy? After all, Bitcoin isn’t gold. It plays by entirely different rules.Bitcoin is programmable. It can be moved across the world instantly. It can be sliced into satoshis and embedded into smart contracts. If it becomes part of the global toolkit for navigating crises, that changes the game. So, is Bitcoin the new safe haven during trade wars? Not quite, at least not in the traditional sense. But it has undoubtedly earned a seat at the table. Bitcoin may not be the asset your grandparents bought to protect themselves in uncertain times, but for a growing number of investors, especially in the digital age, it’s becoming their version of safety. As geopolitical tensions rise and confidence in traditional financial systems erodes, Bitcoin is positioning itself as a potential hedge for the future.

by Cointelegraph by Shailey Singh on April 15, 2025 at 12:47 pm

Key takeawaysPi coin finally went live on open mainnet in February 2025, unlocking real-world use cases after years in closed beta.You can spend Pi coin, but mostly within P2P communities and KYC-verified Pi apps — mainstream adoption is still in its early stages.Pi is now tradable on several CEXs, such as OKX, Bitget and MEXC, but Binance still hasn’t listed it despite 2 million+ user voters lobbying for the listing.Merchant adoption is growing slowly, with real goods and services being exchanged for Pi in localized markets and app-based ecosystems.Often described as a crypto for the people, Pi is a decentralized project that runs without the need for GPUs or gas fees. But five years since its closed mainnet launch in 2021, the million-dollar question still hangs in the air: Can you actually buy anything with Pi coin in 2025?Let’s dive into the Pi Network’s real-world usability and answer what every Pi miner and curious crypto observer is wondering: Does Pi coin work in real life, or is it still just theoretical digital dust?What is Pi coin, and what’s driving the attention around it in 2025? Launched in March 2019 by a trio of Stanford Ph.D.s — Nicolas Kokkalis, Chengdiao Fan and Vincent McPhillip — the Pi Network set out to solve one of crypto’s core problems: accessibility. Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, which require specialized hardware to mine, Pi coin was designed to be mined directly from a smartphone, without draining battery or data. The idea? Democratize crypto from the palm of your hand.The Pi Network quickly went viral, spreading through invitation-only mining that created a sense of exclusivity and social virality. By 2021, the app had surpassed 20 million engaged users, or “Pioneers,” and by late 2023, that number had reportedly hit 47 million, making it one of the largest pre-mainnet crypto communities in the world.Here’s a quick timeline of key moments:March 2019: The Pi Network launches a beta version of its app on Android and iOS.2020–2021: User growth accelerates through referrals; Pi phases move toward testnet. December 2021: Closed mainnet goes live; Pi transactions remain within the ecosystem. 2022–2024: Over 100 Pi apps are built for testing in the closed economy.February 2025: Pi Network officially launches its open mainnet, enabling blockchain interaction with the outside world. This long-awaited mainnet move opened the doors for Pi (PI) coin to be listed on centralized exchanges (CEXs) and used outside its sandbox — finally bringing the project closer to its goal of becoming a real digital currency for everyday use.From an ambitious student project to one of the most downloaded crypto apps ever, Pi Network’s journey has been anything but ordinary. But now that the tech is live and tradable, the big question is: Can you actually use Pi coin to buy things?Did you know? Over 2 million users voted for Binance to list Pi coin — and yet, Binance has remained completely silent. Despite Pi Network boasting 47 million users and a fully launched mainnet, the world’s biggest exchange hasn’t budged. Why? Some say it’s a lack of decentralization. Others point to the controlled KYC rollout. Either way, it’s a reminder that in crypto, even a viral army can’t force the gatekeepers to open the doors.Where can you buy Pi coin in 2025?Following the launch of Pi Network’s open mainnet in February 2025, Pi coin has become available for trading on several cryptocurrency exchanges. As of April 2025, Pi coin is listed on the following exchanges:​OKX: One of the first to list PI, offering trading pairs such as PI/USDT.​Bitget: Provides PI trading with liquidity and user-friendly interfaces.​MEXC: Another early adopter, supporting PI trading pairs.​BitMart: Supports PI trading, though some listings may be IOUs.​HTX (formerly Huobi): Has listed PI, though it’s based on IOU listings.Despite community efforts, including over 2 million votes in favor, Binance has not listed Pi coin as of April 2025. Concerns over blockchain compatibility, transparency and regulatory issues have been touted as reasons for the hesitation.Did you know? Many Pi coin listings on exchanges are actually IOUs, which is not the real deal. These “I Owe You” tokens are speculative placeholders that aren’t backed by mainnet Pi, meaning you can’t withdraw or use them within the Pi Network ecosystem. It’s like trading a movie ticket for a film that hasn’t even premiered yet. Always check whether you’re buying the actual PI token or just a promise.What can you actually buy with Pi coin?Here’s where things get real (or not so real). While you might not be buying a Tesla with Pi (yet), the Pi community has been documenting purchases such as:T-shirts, mugs and phone accessoriesFreelance graphic design servicesBasic electronics and gadgetsFood, drinks and small restaurant meals (in localized Pi events)Handmade crafts and collectibles.The catch? Most of these transactions happen via social media groups, Telegram chats or Pi’s own ecosystem apps such as Pi Browser and Pi Chat. These platforms act as informal marketplaces, often relying on trust and reputation rather than formal escrow systems.So, while Pi isn’t quite ready for prime time in major retail environments, it is functioning — in a grassroots, community-driven way. Think of it more as a barter system with crypto flair than a fully integrated payment network. For now, at least.Pi Network merchant list — fact or fiction?If you search “Pi coin accepted stores” on Google, hoping for a list of your favorite retailers, you’ll be disappointed.There is no official Pi Network merchant list that guarantees where Pi is accepted. Instead, adoption is grassroots and highly localized. One group of Pi Pioneers in Indonesia might be able to buy food with Pi, while another in Vietnam uses it for mobile data top-ups. But it’s hard to track, standardize or verify.Merchant adoption is still early — but gaining traction.Now that Pi Network’s open mainnet is live, the conversation is no longer about “if” Pi will integrate with the broader crypto ecosystem — it’s about how fast it can onboard real merchants and use cases.One promising trend is the rise of Know Your Customer (KYC)-verified Pi apps, platforms that require users and businesses to complete identity verification before participating in the Pi economy. This layer of trust helps Pi Network build a more legitimate commercial environment, where merchants feel more confident accepting Pi coin as payment.In the months following the open mainnet launch, Pi Network’s developers and community have focused on scaling real-world integrations, which include:Local businesses in countries such as Nigeria, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines accept Pi for goods and services. Pi Chain Mall and other marketplaces are enabling digital commerce in Pi. Third-party integrations are being tested to connect Pi with decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, crosschain bridges and non-fungible token (NFT) platforms. Pi Browser and Pi Apps allow decentralized application (DApp) developers to launch new payment-enabled services using mainnet Pi.With over 100 Pi apps already built during the testnet phase — and a global army of KYC-verified users — Pi Network now has the tools to grow a real, scalable economy. Whether that turns into a bustling merchant network or a niche payment layer depends on what the community builds next.With that said, there’s growing interest in onboarding merchants through KYC-verified Pi apps, hinting at a slow but potentially scalable adoption model.Now with the open mainnet live, Pi is also expected to launch integrated DeFi protocols, decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and NFT marketplaces. If these integrations succeed, serious use cases beyond the Pi bubble could be unlocked.Did you know? During PiFest 2025, over 1.8 million users engaged in transactions using Pi coin across 58,000 active merchants worldwide. This event showcased Pi Network’s growing real-world adoption and its potential to facilitate everyday commerce.Is Pi coin ready for real-world payments?Let’s be honest: Pi coin isn’t a Visa killer at the moment. It’s not ready to power global commerce or even compete with Bitcoin in El Salvador. However, it serves as a testbed for what crypto payments might look like when driven by community trust rather than institutional backing.Think of it less like a universal payment tool and more like a local barter system on crypto steroids.If the Pi Network nails its open mainnet rollout and expands merchant onboarding with real compliance and liquidity support, 2025 could mark the moment Pi goes from playful experiment to actual contender.Final verdict: Can you buy stuff with Pi coin?Yes — but with limitations.You can spend Pi coin, but only in select peer-to-peer (P2P) markets, community-driven stores or pilot programs run by Pi Pioneers. Most of it is still happening in closed circuits, with no large-scale merchant integration yet.But is that really a problem?Maybe not. After all, the early days of Bitcoin weren’t much different — experimental, niche and often dismissed.Back then, buying a pizza with Bitcoin (BTC) was groundbreaking. Now, BTC sits in exchange-traded fund (ETF) portfolios and corporate treasuries.Whether Pi Network breaks through or fades into obscurity depends on what happens next: regulatory clarity and whether the network can scale beyond its internal community.Believer or skeptic, one thing’s certain: The real-world test of the Pi Network economy is just getting started — and the world is watching.

by Cointelegraph by Ezra Reguerra on April 15, 2025 at 12:06 pm

A crypto investment executive said the biggest problem with digital asset markets is price manipulation, claiming that collusion between market makers and exchanges distorts token prices. Arthur Cheong, founder of crypto investment firm DeFiance Capital, said in an X post that market makers and crypto projects work together to create artificial prices that can be sustained for long periods. Cheong wrote: “You don’t know whether the price is a result of organic demand & supply or simply due to projects and market makers colluding to fix the price to achieve other objectives.”He added that if the industry’s players don’t step up and improve the situation, a big part of the crypto market will remain “uninvestable for the foreseeable future.”Centralized exchanges turning a “blind eye” Cheong said it was strange that centralized exchanges (CEXs) are “turning an absolute blind eye” to the issue. He described the altcoin market as a “lemon’s market,” a term in economics that describes a market where low-quality products drive out the good due to information asymmetry.In addition, Cheong described most token generation event pricing in 2025 as an “absolute joke” where the assets’ prices went down by 70% to 90% a few months after listing. “Anyone that bought is down massively,” Cheong added. Related: Binance, KuCoin, MEXC report service issues due to AWS network interruption88% of crypto tokens listed on Binance in 2025 declined after listing Data compiled by crypto analyst Miles Deutscher showed that among crypto tokens listed this year on the trading platform Binance, only 3 out of 27 are performing well. This means that 88% of the tokens have declined since listing. The price drops ranged from 19% up to 90%. Deutscher said this was the reason why retail investors were quitting. Only 3 out of 27 tokens listed in Binance in 2025 are in the green. Source: Miles Deutscher A community member responded to the data saying that this is where the industry is currently at. The X user added that they hoped Binance would realize starting at a high valuation wasn’t good for users. Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao previously admitted that Binance’s listing process needs reform. On Feb. 10, the former Binance CEO said that the current system is flawed and suggested that CEXs should automate listings similar to how decentralized exchanges (DEXs) work. Magazine: New ‘MemeStrategy’ Bitcoin firm by 9GAG, jailed CEO’s $3.5M bonus: Asia Express

by Cointelegraph by Nancy Lubale on April 15, 2025 at 12:05 pm

XRP (XRP) price is up 15% over the past seven days from a low of $1.61. According to several technical analysts, a sustained recovery daily close above $2.20 will signal a strong trend reversal that could put double digits within reach. XRP/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewXRP price must reclaim $2.20After the cryptocurrency market experienced a relief rally due to US President Donald Trump’s announcement of tariff exemptions for a range of tech products, traders are optimistic about the possibility of XRP price breaking into double digits.Analyst DOM said XRP’s recent retest of the support at $1.96 saw it regain a key “value area” above $2.00, established in December 2024. “$2.20 is now the only objective here,” the analyst said in an April 13 post on X, adding that a decisive move above this level would lead to a rise toward $2.50.An accompanying chart showed that the price has also reclaimed the election VWAP (Volume Weighted Average Price) at $2.03, suggesting a potential for further gains.“If $2.00 and election VWAP stay as support, this chart looks very constructive.”XRP/USD chart. Source: DomXRP’s immediate support at $2.10, also the 100-day exponential moving average (EMA), is especially important, according to the liquidation heatmap.A wall of bid liquidity is building around this level, suggesting that a retest of support and a liquidity grab here is becoming increasingly likely in the short term.XRP liquidation heatmap. Source: CoinGlassWill XRP price hit $20 in 2025?Following the recent recovery in XRP price, Maelius, an anonymous crypto analyst, said that the altcoin could reach $10 and an “optimistic” target of between $15 and $20, according to the Elliott Wave Theory on the weekly time frame chart.“Conservative case assumes XRP has completed its W3, currently in the process of finalizing W4, before expanding to a final W5.”He added that the price action and RSI were mirroring the 2017 cycle, with the RSI topping out in the resistance area (in red), suggesting overbought conditions. If the current cycle repeats, Maelius predicts XRP could reach a W5 target of around $10 toward the end of the year. “Conservative assumption is for a magnitude of W5 to replicate the one of W3, thus targeting $10.”XRP/USD weekly chart. Source: MaeliusContinuing, the analyst argued that there is a possibility that the W3 top is not in just yet.Related: Price analysis 4/14: SPX, DXY, BTC, ETH, XRP, BNB, SOL, DOGE, ADA, LEOThe reason given is a larger accumulation period compared to the 2017 cycle in terms of both price and the RSI.“Therefore, there is a possibility we have just completed W3 out of larger W3, meaning it is just taking a bit more time than previously,” Maelius explained. If it is taking longer this time, Maelius expects the RSI to retest the resistance to confirm the completion of the third wave. Also, the Eliott Wave count would be in line with the previous cycle, with a longer fourth wave within the third wave as before.“In such a case, the final W5 top could easily get prolonged to Q1-2 of 2026, with higher targets than in the conservative case, i.e. likely in the range of $15-$20 or even higher. ” XRP/USD weekly chart. Source: MaeliusMeanwhile, fellow analyst XForceGlobal noted that XRP is still in a “major bull market,” with its price action standing out dramatically from the rest of the crypto market from an Elliott Wave Theory perspective.“If we have all the ideas aligned together with even the simple technical analysis, there is a very good chance that we’re are gonna be working for all-time highs at the very minimum expectation.” XRP/USD daily chart. Source: XForceGlobalAs reported by Cointelegraph, XRP’s symmetrical triangle pattern suggests a possible rally to new all-time highs over $3.50. 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 Ezra Reguerra on April 15, 2025 at 11:18 am

Only 20 of the 181 Bitcoin service providers registered with El Salvador’s central bank are operational, with the rest failing to meet the country’s requirements under its Bitcoin Law. Local media outlet El Mundo cited data from the Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador, showing that 11% of the service providers are operational. According to the central bank’s database, the rest of the providers are classified as non-operational. The data showed that at least 22 non-operational providers have failed to meet most of the country’s Bitcoin Law requirements, which mandate that providers implement stringent supervision of their financial systems. Most of El Salvador’s Bitcoin service providers are non-operationalEl Salvador’s Bitcoin Law requires providers to maintain an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) program, keep records that accurately reflect the company’s assets, liabilities and equity and have a tailored cybersecurity program depending on the nature of its services. The data showed that 89% of the registered providers have failed to meet some of these obligations to be classified as operational. Still, a few firms have satisfied the legal criteria, including the state-backed Chivo Wallet and companies including Crypto Trading & Investment and Fintech Américas.Related: Cathie Wood to kick off El Salvador’s AI public education programEl Salvador’s Bitcoin experimentIn 2021, El Salvador became the first country to accept Bitcoin as legal tender along with the US dollar. This move made Bitcoin integral to El Salvador President Nayib Bukele’s economic strategy. However, the Central American country recently signed a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a $1.4 billion loan in exchange for rolling back some of its Bitcoin-related efforts. Under the agreement, taxes will be paid in US dollars and public institutions will limit their use of Bitcoin.On March 3, the IMF asked the country to stop its public sector Bitcoin buys. Still, Bukele said the government will continue to purchase Bitcoin, seemingly contradicting its IMF deal.The IMF deal prompted speculation about whether the country would rescind Bitcoin’s status as legal tender. John Dennehy, an El Salvador-based Bitcoin activist and educator, said in an X Space with Cointelegraph that a rollback law changing Bitcoin’s legal status is set to take effect on April 30.Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging research

by Cointelegraph by Adrian Zmudzinski on April 15, 2025 at 10:46 am

Bitcoin is showing growing resilience to macroeconomic headwinds compared with traditional financial markets, according to an April 14 report from crypto market maker Wintermute.The report noted that Bitcoin (BTC) has held up relatively well during the ongoing market downturn, even as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq dropped to their lowest levels in a year and bond yields surged to highs that had not been seen since 2007.“Bitcoin’s decline was comparatively modest, revisiting price levels from around the US election period,“ Wintermute wrote.According to Wintermute, “This marks a notable shift from its historical behavior in crisis situations.” In the past, Bitcoin’s losses were considerably greater than those of traditional finance indexes. The shift highlights Bitcoin’s “apparent growing resilience amid macroeconomic turbulence.“Founder of Obchakevich Research, Alex Obchakevich, told Cointelegraph that he expects this to be a temporary trend:“As the trade war intensifies, Bitcoin may return to the list of risky assets. Because investors will most likely look for salvation in gold.“Obchakevich said that factors that caused the stability of Bitcoin were growing institutional interest through exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and the promotion of Bitcoin as digital gold due to its decentralization and independence.Related: Bitcoin traders target $90K as apparent tariff exemptions ease US Treasury yieldsA change in Bitcoin market dynamicsOver the past week, Bitcoin’s price increased by 7% to $83,700 — later reaching nearly $86,000 at the time of publication. This growth occurred as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 2.4% year-over-year, with a month-over-month decline of 0.1% — the first monthly decrease since May 2020. This signals that inflation is cooling off.Year-over-year CPI percentage change. Source: US Bureau of Labor StatisticsFurthermore, the Producer Price Index (PPI) rose 2.7% year-over-year in March. The same metric stood at 3.2% in February, also showing signs of disinflationary pressures. Still, according to Wintermute, the trend may soon reverse:“Despite this progress toward the Fed’s 2% inflation target, the recent escalation in global trade tensions introduced new potential inflationary risks, which are not yet reflected in March’s data.”Monthly PPI percentage change. Source: US Bureau of Labor StatisticsRelated: Trade wars could spur governments to embrace Web3 — TruebitMore market turmoil expectedBitwise analyst Jeff Park recently argued that US President Donald Trump’s trade policies will create worldwide macroeconomic turmoil and short-term financial crises that will ultimately lead to greater adoption of Bitcoin. He said that we should expect an inflation increase:“The tariff costs, most likely through higher inflation, will be shared by both the US and trading partners, but the relative impact will be much heavier on foreigners. These countries will then have to find a way to fend off their weak growth issues.”Wintermute explained that the ongoing trade war heightens the risk of increased inflation and economic slowdown. Prediction market Kalshi traders recently placed the odds of a recession hitting the US this year at 61%, and JPMorgan sees a 60% likelihood.Magazine: Bitcoin eyes $100K by June, Shaq to settle NFT lawsuit, and more: Hodler’s Digest, April 6 – 12

by Cointelegraph by William Suberg on April 15, 2025 at 10:30 am

Bitcoin (BTC) demands a breakout as a key leading indicator reaches its highest levels since January.Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView shows the relative strength index (RSI) hinting at more BTC price gains next.Bitcoin RSI breakout has days to “full confirmation” Bitcoin bull runs traditionally begin with telltale RSI signals, and on daily timeframes, conditions are ripe for a classic BTC price rebound.As BTC/USD made lower lows over the past month, RSI began trending in the opposite direction, setting higher lows and attempting a type of bullish divergence.More recently, the daily RSI broke above the 50 midpoint, only to successfully retest it as support from above before making new multimonth highs.BTC/USD 1-day chart with RSI data. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewAmong those monitoring the topic is popular trader and analyst Rekt Capital.“Bitcoin has successfully retested red as support & the Daily RSI Higher Low continues to maintain itself as well,” he commented alongside a chart in an X post this weekend.“Growing signs of a maturing Bullish Divergence here, with price just below the key Price Downtrend (blue).”BTC/USD 1-day chart with RSI data. Source: Rekt Capital/XRekt Capital also reported that RSI trends suggested a long-term BTC price floor at around $70,000.Meanwhile, fellow analyst Kevin Svenson captured similarly promising signals on weekly RSI this week.“Once confirmed, weekly RSI breakout signals have proven to be among the most reliable macro breakout indicators,” he told X followers. “6 Days until full confirmation.”BTC/USD 1-week chart with RSI data. Source: Kevin Svenson/XAs Cointelegraph reported, another key breakout currently under the microscope for Bitcoin market participants involves a downward-sloping trendline in place since January’s all-time highs.April BTC price performance far below medianCountering the bullish anticipation is an analysis focusing on the troublesome macroeconomic conditions in which Bitcoin now finds itself.Related: Bitcoin price metric that called 2020 bull run says $69K new bottomThe ongoing US trade war and risk-asset rout make for an unlikely influx of capital to BTC, which has closely followed stocks while gold sets repeated all-time highs.In his latest forecast for April, network economist Timothy Peterson saw little reason to celebrate.Uploading a chart of the median yearly price path for BTC/USD, he concluded that this year was a firm underperformer.“Half the days are above the blue line and half are below it. This April is obviously a 'below' month,” part of accompanying commentary read.“That is almost certainly not going to change, given the level of interest rates and other risk factors at work in the market and economy.”BTC price seasonality. Source: Timothy Peterson/XOther perspectives likewise see a lackluster April before bullish undercurrents catch up with Bitcoin, these in the form of record global M2 money supply and a weakening US dollar index (DXY).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.