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

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

by Cointelegraph by William Suberg on April 13, 2025 at 2:14 pm

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

on April 13, 2025 at 1:59 pm

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

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

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

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

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

by Michael Doyle on April 13, 2025 at 1:00 pm

Oscar Piastri has a golden opportunity to be the first driver this season to register multiple victories as he starts the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix from pole. Follow the race standings live.

by Dean Bilton on April 13, 2025 at 12:46 pm

The Port Adelaide-Hawthorn rivalry is very real, but also built on some rather odd foundations. In that sense, their Gather Round grand finale was more than fitting.

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Brett Worthington on April 13, 2025 at 11:29 am

On opposite sides of the nation and of politics, rivals for the same job found themselves echoing familiar pitches, from housing to tax tweaks.

by Luke Cooper on April 13, 2025 at 11:15 am

The pontiff has greeted cardinals and followers of the Catholic Church at the Vatican, less than a month after battling double pneumonia.

on April 13, 2025 at 9:04 am

More than 20 civilians were killed after Russian missiles hit the city of Sumy in north-eastern Ukraine, according acting mayor Artem Kobzar, while dozens more were injured.

by Luke Pentony on April 13, 2025 at 8:38 am

The experience of fourth-place finishes is driving Chad Perris's preparation for this year's Para Athletics World Championships in New Delhi.

on April 13, 2025 at 8:36 am

Emergency services were called to Round Hill Heads in Seventeen Seventy, where the bodies of a 46-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy were later retrieved from the water by helicopter.

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

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

by Luke Pentony on April 13, 2025 at 7:34 am

Gout Gout has clocked the fastest 200 metres of his young career, but wind proved to be his enemy at the Australian Athletics Championships in Perth.

on April 13, 2025 at 7:27 am

Zachariah was a journalist, author and co-hosted The Home Show on the ABC in the 1990s with the television personality and fashion icon Maggie Tabberer.

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

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

by Jacob Greber and Brett Worthington on April 13, 2025 at 6:56 am

Peter Dutton has launched a controversial pitch to regain campaign momentum, countering Anthony Albanese's house deposit pledge with a radical mortgage interest tax deduction for first-home buyers. 

by Luke Pentony on April 13, 2025 at 6:36 am

The redemption of Peter Bol's career has continued, with the three-time Olympian reclaiming the national 800m record at the Australian Athletics Championships in Perth.

on April 13, 2025 at 6:22 am

Australia's Alexander Volkanovski has withstood a torrid challenge from Diego Lopes to reclaim the UFC featherweight title following a unanimous decision victory in Miami. 

by Victoria Pengilley on April 13, 2025 at 5:46 am

Officers were told the nine-year-old had been injured after the accidental discharge of a firearm on a rural property in southern NSW.

by Julia Bergin on April 13, 2025 at 4:53 am

An out-of-control bushfire in central Victoria has come within 100 metres of private property, but authorities say fire behaviour dropped off on Sunday afternoon.

on April 13, 2025 at 4:26 am

A man with a gunshot wound approached officers for help in Melbourne's CBD early Sunday morning after a shooting on Collins Street.

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

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

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

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

by Thomas Kelsall on April 13, 2025 at 4:04 am

With a floodwater levee wrapped around their town, residents in the remote South Australian community of Innamincka say they are stocked up and ready for weeks in isolation. 

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

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

by Holly Richardson on April 13, 2025 at 3:39 am

Squeezed from the skin of a stonefish, a recently discovered toxin shows enormous promise, according to researchers in Far North Queensland.

by Julia André and Aaron Kelly on April 13, 2025 at 3:32 am

Steven Hall says the floods in western Queensland have wiped out most of his flock and destroyed 19 kilometres worth of fencing.

by Jon Healy on April 13, 2025 at 2:53 am

The Tigers consign the Knights to a third straight loss after the Melbourne Storm extend their winning streak to 17 against the Warriors on the back of an explosive first half at a sold-out AAMI Park.

on April 13, 2025 at 2:46 am

An autistic and non-verbal teenage boy who was shot repeatedly by Idaho police has died after being removed from life support, his family says.

by Gareth Hutchens on April 13, 2025 at 2:37 am

In last week's market chaos, traders turned their backs on US government bonds. Is Donald Trump destroying America's "exorbitant privilege"? 

by Justin Huntsdale on April 13, 2025 at 2:29 am

In Stephen Brown's collection of about 20,000 butterflies are three new species he discovered while searching the country's most remote places.

by Sean Tarek Goodwin and Courtney Barrett Peters on April 13, 2025 at 2:07 am

Families of the victims and dignitaries commemorate the April 13 stabbing attack inside Westfield Bondi Junction that claimed six lives.

by Emma Siossian on April 13, 2025 at 1:52 am

High school student Frida Aaso is part of Australia's top Lego robotics team that has won through to the US final of an international competition.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Sundance on April 12, 2025 at 12:39 pm

A slight change of venue in Russia as President Trump envoy Steve Witkoff travels to St Petersburg for his third meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks come as President Trump’s other special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, is apparently starting to realize Vladimir Putin is not going to return the four Russian speaking The post Steve Witkoff Has Third Meeting in St Petersburg, Russia with President Vladimir Putin appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 12, 2025 at 12:18 pm

An investor has sold a CryptoPunk non-fungible token (NFT) at a nearly $10 million realized loss, reflecting the continued decline in the once-booming blue-chip NFT market.A whale, or large cryptocurrency investor, sold a CryptoPunk NFT for 4,000 Ether (ETH) worth more than $6 million at the time of writing.The investor originally purchased the NFT for 4,500 ETH, or roughly $15.7 million, a year ago, according to blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain.“Did he only lose 500 $ETH($774K)? No—he actually lost $9.73M!” Lookonchain wrote in an X post. “When he bought it, $ETH was trading at $3,509. By the time he sold, $ETH had dropped 57%,” the platform added.CryptoPunk buy and sell. Source: Arkham Intelligence / LookonchainDespite the steep loss, the $6 million transaction still ranks as the largest NFT sale over the past 30 days, according to data from CryptoSlam.Top NFT sales past 30 days. Source: CryptoSlamThe sale comes during a period of stagnation for NFTs, which have been lacking wider trader interest. NFT trading volume on Ethereum is down more than 53% over the past month, while Polygon’s NFT trading volume fell 41%.CryptoPunks saw a temporary floor price surge of 13% after rumors that its owner, Yuga Labs, might be “in the process” of selling the collection’s intellectual property, Cointelegraph reported on Jan. 14.Related: Sentient completes record 650K NFT mint for decentralized ‘loyal’ AI modelBlue-chip collections see steep dropThe top blue-chip NFT collections remain significantly down from their 2021 highs amid a lack of trading activity.CryptoPunks currently have a floor price of about 43 ETH, or $68,000, down more than 61% from their record high of 113.9 ETH in October 2021.CryptoPunks NFT floor price, all-time chart. Source: NFTpricefloor The Bored Ape Yacht Club’s floor price is also down 89%, while the Mutant Ape Yacht Club collection is down 93%, NFTpricefloor data shows.Related: Trump family memecoins may trigger increased SEC scrutiny on cryptoHowever, the Pudgy Penguin collection remains an outlier. It reached a new all-time high of over 25 Ether on Dec. 16, 2024, and amassed the highest sales volume of over $72 million in the first quarter of 2025, Cointelegraph reported on March 28.Source: Yuga Labs At the start of March, the US Securities and Exchange Commission closed its three-year investigation into Yuga Labs, an investigation initiated under former Chair Gary Gensler, which aimed to probe NFT creators and marketplaces, to see if some NFTs, such as fractional NFTs, were securities.Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging research

by Sundance on April 12, 2025 at 12:02 pm

Regarding the recently released Russiagate files. Again, emphasizing that process matters, let me explain how and why we are being purposefully misled, even with Trump ‘allies’ in control of various govt agencies (silos). Using the reference of the James Wolfe storyline, let me outline how process matters and how you can tell when the process The post The Process Matters When Confronting the Deep State appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 12, 2025 at 10:45 am

Bitcoin remains on track to surpass $1.8 million by 2035 despite recent price corrections and waning investor appetite caused by ongoing global trade tensions, according to Joe Burnett, director of market research at Unchained.Speaking during Cointelegraph’s Chainreaction live show on X, Burnett said that Bitcoin is still in a long-term bullish cycle and could potentially rival or surpass gold’s $21 trillion market capitalization within the next decade.Despite tariff uncertainty limiting risk appetite among investors, research analysts remain optimistic about Bitcoin’s (BTC) long-term prospects for the next decade.“When I think about where Bitcoin will be in 10 years, there are two models I admire,” Burnett said. “One is the parallel model, which suggests that Bitcoin will be about $1.8 million in 2035.” “The other is Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin 24 model, which suggests Bitcoin will be $2.1 million by 2035.” Burnett emphasized that both are “good base cases,” adding that Bitcoin’s trajectory could exceed these predictions depending on broader macroeconomic factors.Could Bitcoin really hit $10m by Q1 2035? Perhaps.But first, we need to unravel the tangled web of the markets this week, and for both discussions, @rkbaggs and @gazza_jenks are joined today by Joe Burnett (@IIICapital) on the #CHAINREACTION show! https://t.co/hfyEwGUCsh— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) April 11, 2025Related: Bitcoin price can hit $250K in 2025 if Fed shifts to QE: Arthur HayesBitcoin outlook remains long-term bullish“The automobile industry is significantly more valuable than the horse and buggy industry,” Burnett said, adding that Bitcoin’s more advanced technological properties will make it surpass the $21 trillion market capitalization of gold. He added:“The gold market is an estimated $21 trillion market. If Bitcoin just hit $21 trillion and had Bitcoin-gold parity, Bitcoin would be $1 million per coin today.”Since US President Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration, global markets have been under pressure due to heightened trade war fears. Hours after taking office, Trump threatened to impose sweeping import tariffs aimed at reducing the country’s trade deficit, weighing on risk sentiment across both equities and crypto.While Bitcoin’s role as a safe-haven asset may reemerge amid ongoing trade war concerns, physical gold and tokenized gold remain the current winners.Top tokenized gold assets, trading volume. Source: CoinGecko, Cex.ioTariff fears led tokenized gold trading volume to surge to a two-year high this week, topping $1 billion for the first time since the US banking crisis in 2023, Cointelegraph reported on April 10.Related: Bitcoin’s 24/7 liquidity: Double-edged sword during global market turmoilStrong hands hold during drawdownsBitcoin’s volatility is falling during both bear and bull markets, signaling its growing maturity as an asset class.While another 80% drawdown during future bear markets is still possible, this will act as a robust acquisition period for the “strongest” holders, Burnett said, adding:“The highs bring [Bitcoin] attention, and the deep, dark bear markets move coins into the hands of the strongest, most convicted holders, as fast as possible.”Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX and chief investment officer at Maelstrom, predicted Bitcoin could climb to $250,000 by the end of 2025 if the US Federal Reserve formally enters a quantitative easing cycle.Despite the optimistic predictions, investors remain cautious and continue “rebalancing their portfolios” but are unlikely to take on significant positions in the next 90 days before markets gain more clarity on global tariff negotiations, Enmanuel Cardozo, market analyst at real-world asset tokenization platform Brickken, told Cointelegraph.“With money flowing out of Bitcoin ETFs, investors are looking for safer spots to hold their cash right now, including strong currencies. Gold’s a traditional vehicle in these cases and a go-to when markets are uncertain,” he added.BTC, gold, year-to-date chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewSince the beginning of 2025, the price of gold has risen over 23%, outperforming Bitcoin, which has fallen by more than 10% year-to-date, TradingView data shows.Magazine: Bitcoin’s odds of June highs, SOL’s $485M outflows, and more: Hodler’s Digest, March 2 – 8

by Cointelegraph by Bradley Peak on April 12, 2025 at 10:10 am

Key takeawaysLottery mining is cheap and fun, but don’t count on hitting a block.Solo ASIC mining gives you complete control, but it’s a long-odds game.Pool mining is the most practical way to earn steady payouts at home.Cloud mining saves you the hassle but usually isn’t worth the cost.Bitcoin is rapidly gaining legitimacy, and you couldn’t be blamed for wanting to peek behind the curtain to see how it’s made.Throughout 2024 and into 2025, you've seen a whirlwind of institutional investment from companies like Strategy, which continues to aggressively accumulate Bitcoin (BTC), and Metaplanet, Japan’s listed company that recently adopted BTC as a treasury reserve asset. Moreover, on the regulatory front, the return of a US President Donald Trump administration signals a friendlier stance toward crypto, with talk of rolling back SEC overreach and possibly supporting US-based mining. Across the Atlantic, the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation has gone into effect in the EU, offering clearer guidelines and reducing regulatory uncertainty for retail investors and miners alike.Then there's the price. Bitcoin finally broke the long-anticipated $100,000 resistance level in early 2025, following a post-halving supply shock and increased ETF-driven demand. As institutions pour in and supply tightens, more individuals are re-evaluating how to get involved.Whatever your motivation, one thing’s certain: You want to mine from the comfort of your home. This article will explain four realistic ways to mine Bitcoin at home in 2025, what gear you’ll need, how much it might cost, and what kind of returns you can expect.Did you know? Bitcoin mining has developed into a sizable industry, with revenues growing by over 6,700% from 2021 to 2025. Option 1: Lottery mining – Low power, high risk, rare rewardsIf you’re working with a limited budget but still want to try Bitcoin mining, lottery mining offers an interesting — if highly unpredictable — way.In July 2024, a solo miner using just three TH/s of hash power — roughly what you’d get from two small USB devices — successfully mined an entire Bitcoin block. The reward was 3.192 BTC, worth over $200,000 at the time. Statistically, that kind of result should take thousands of years. But with some luck and help from the Solo CKPool platform, it actually happened.These wins are extremely rare, but they do happen. And that’s what keeps some people interested.Most lottery miners use small, low-power devices like the Bitaxe HEX, an open-source miner built with actual Antminer chips. It runs at around three TH/s, costs about $600 and pairs easily with a Raspberry Pi. Another popular option is the GekkoScience R909, a USB miner running at 1.5 TH/s and a favorite among hobbyists. These devices aren’t built for steady income. They’re closer to digital slot machines, but ones that still contribute to securing the Bitcoin network.So why do people do it?Three main reasons:Running an independent node supports the health and resilience of the Bitcoin network.It’s a good way to get familiar with how mining works.A single successful block can be worth a lot, and it’s all yours if it happens.For most, it’s not about making money. It’s about the challenge and the curiosity, like building a custom PC or restoring a vintage radio. And yes, it also looks great plugged in on a shelf, blinking quietly under a glowing Bitcoin lamp.Next up: ASICs, the heavy-duty hardware of serious miners.Did you know? Solo CKPool is designed for independent miners who want to submit their shares directly to the Bitcoin network. Unlike traditional mining pools, if you’re successful here, the entire reward goes to you (minus a small pool fee). There’s no revenue sharing, no splitting blocks.Option 2: ASIC mining – Solo mining with real hardwareIf lottery mining is like buying a single ticket and hoping for a lucky break, solo mining with an ASIC is showing up with a small stack. Your chances improve, but it’s still a long shot.ASICs — application-specific integrated circuits — are purpose-built for Bitcoin mining. In 2025, high-end models like the Antminer S21 Hydro deliver impressive performances, reaching around 400 terahashes per second with improved energy efficiency over previous generations.Let’s look at the numbers.The Bitcoin network currently runs at around 500 exahashes per second. With one S21 Hydro, you’d control roughly 0.00008% of the total hashrate. That gives you odds of about one in 8.6 billion of finding a block on any given day. It's still extremely unlikely, but it's far better than what you’d get with low-power USB miners.To meaningfully improve your chances, you’d need to scale up.Running 20 ASICs could put you past eight petahashes per second, enough, in theory, to find a block about once a year. But that setup requires significant capital, proper ventilation or immersion cooling and a reliable energy supply. Even then, outcomes are unpredictable. The Bitcoin network might find several blocks in an hour or none at all.Still, some miners go this route. The appeal is simple: If you do find a block on your own, you keep the entire reward, currently over three BTC, plus transaction fees. There is no need to split the payout with anyone else.But for most people, even those with top-tier ASICs, solo mining remains a high-risk approach with uncertain rewards.Did you know? The cost of the latest mining equipment has significantly decreased, with prices around $16 per terahash in 2025, compared to $80 per terahash in 2022, enhancing mining efficiency.That’s why many home miners eventually turn to a more consistent and scalable model:Joining a mining pool.Option 3: Pool mining – Strength in numbersIf solo mining is a long shot, pool mining is the practical alternative. It’s how most home miners approach Bitcoin mining in 2025 – and with good reason.By joining a mining pool, you combine your hashrate with thousands of other participants. When the pool successfully mines a block, the reward is split based on each miner’s contribution. You’re no longer chasing a rare solo win, but earning smaller, steady payouts. It’s more predictable, less risky and not so dependent on luck.For example, if you’re running an Antminer S21 Hydro at 400 TH/s, that hash power earns you a proportional share of the pool’s rewards. You’ll likely see consistent daily income tied directly to your contribution.The largest pools today — Foundry USA, Antpool, ViaBTC, F2Pool — handle thousands of blocks every month. Many offer FPPS (Full Pay Per Share) models, where you’re paid for every valid share you submit, regardless of whether a block is found that day. Others use PPLNS (Pay Per Last N Shares), which only pays out when a block is discovered, but can result in slightly higher returns over time. The choice depends on how much payout fluctuation you're comfortable with.Setting things up is straightforward:Create an account with your chosen pool.Point your ASIC miner to the pool’s server.Add your Bitcoin payout address.Monitor your stats from the pool’s web dashboard.The returns won’t be massive, but they’ll be consistent, and for many miners, that’s exactly the goal.But what if you want to skip the hardware, the setup and the electricity costs altogether? What if you want exposure to mining without running a machine?That’s where cloud mining comes in.Option 4: Cloud mining – Mining without the machinesCloud mining lets you rent hash power from a remote provider, who runs the hardware on your behalf. You don’t have to manage equipment, deal with heat or noise, or worry about electricity costs. You simply buy a contract, and if all goes well, you will receive a portion of the mining rewards.On paper, it sounds straightforward. You select a provider, choose how much hash power you want to rent, and pay either upfront or through a subscription. The provider takes care of the infrastructure, including maintenance and cooling. In return, you earn a share of the Bitcoin mined, proportional to your rented power.But there are trade-offs – and risks.Cloud mining has gained a mixed reputation. Over the years, the space has been flooded with questionable operators, unrealistic return promises and outright scams. Many contracts turn out to be unprofitable once you factor in service fees, maintenance costs and the increasing difficulty of mining. You're effectively trusting a third party to operate machines you'll never see.That said, there are a few reputable providers. Platforms like NiceHash, BitDeer and ECOS have remained active in the space and offer flexible, transparent options. Some let you choose specific coins or pools. Still, even with these more established names, margins tend to be very thin, especially during bear markets or when global hashrates spike.Cloud mining may be worth considering if:You have limited access to cheap electricity or space for equipment.You’re looking for a low-effort way to get exposure to mining.You view it more as a speculative bet than a reliable income stream.However, if your goal is consistent returns or hands-on experience, then running your own gear or just buying and holding Bitcoin is likely a better use of resources.The bottom lineThere’s no single right way to mine Bitcoin at home in 2025. It comes down to what you’re after. Lottery mining is fun and cheap, but the odds are long. Going solo with an ASIC gives you full control and full risk. Mining pools are the go-to for steady, reliable payouts. Cloud mining offers convenience but not much certainty.If you're in it for the learning, the experience, or to slowly stack sats over time, there’s a setup that’ll fit. Just know what you’re getting into and why you’re doing it. 

by Sundance on April 12, 2025 at 10:00 am

After having his annual physical at Walter Reed hospital, President Trump delivers remarks to the assembled press pool aboard Air Force One. President Trump notes he feels great and has a great heart and good soul. lol  WATCH: . Posted in Donald Trump, President Trump, Press Secretary - Trump The post President Trump Delivers Remarks on Air Force One Following Physical at Walter Reed appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Ciaran Lyons on April 12, 2025 at 8:19 am

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and crypto exchange Binance have asked a US federal judge for an additional two-month pause in their nearly two-year legal battle.“Since the Court stayed this case, the Parties have been in productive discussions, including discussions concerning how the efforts of the crypto task force may impact the SEC’s claims,” both parties said in an April 11 joint status report with the US District Court for the District of Columbia.SEC requests Binance to agree to the extensionAccording to the filing, the SEC requested and Binance agreed to another 60-day extension as the regulator continues to seek permission to “approve any resolution or changes to the scope of this litigation.” “The Defendants agreed that continuing the stay is appropriate and in the interest of judicial economy,” the filing said.The request comes not long after the SEC dropped a string of crypto-related lawsuits against crypto exchanges Coinbase, Kraken, and Gemini, as well as Robinhood and Consenys.At the end of the 60-day period, the SEC and Binance plan to submit another joint status report. This marks the second 60-day pause the SEC and Binance have requested this year, following a previous extension granted by the judge on Feb. 11.The recently launched crypto task force was a key reason behind the request for the second extension. Source: CourtListenerThe request in February came just days after crypto skeptic Gary Gensler stepped down as SEC chair on Jan. 20, with crypto-friendly SEC commissioner Mark Uyeda taking over as acting chair.At the time, the SEC and Binance also cited the establishment of the SEC’s Crypto Task Force as a reason for the pause.Related: Crypto Biz: Ripple’s ‘defining moment,’ Binance’s ongoing purgeFormed just a day after Gensler resigned on Jan. 21, the task force said it aims to “help the Commission draw clear regulatory lines, provide realistic paths to registration, craft sensible disclosure frameworks, and deploy enforcement resources judiciously.” The SEC’s legal battle with Binance has dragged on for almost two years. It began in June 2023 when the agency filed a lawsuit against Binance, its US platform, and CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao.The US regulator pressed 13 charges against Binance, including unregistered offers and sales of the BNB and Binance USD tokens, the Simple Earn and BNB Vault products, and its staking program.Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging research