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by Cointelegraph by Adrian Zmudzinski on April 23, 2025 at 12:18 pm

Michael Saylor, the CEO of top corporate Bitcoin holder Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), expressed support for newly appointed US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Paul Atkins.In an April 23 X post, Saylor wrote that “SEC Chairman Paul Atkins will be good for Bitcoin.” The statement follows Atkins’ swearing-in as the 34th chairman of the SEC on April 21.Source: Michael SaylorBlue Macellari, the head of digital assets at investment firm T. Rowe Price, also commented positively on Atkins’ swearing in during a recent Bloomberg interview. She seemed hopeful and recognized a change in how the SEC has acted under the new administration, particularly with crypto-related information, including “close to six or seven roundtables” with industry professionals. She said:“I think that that’s gonna feed into the ability to make thoughtful and considerate policies.”Related: SEC and feds charge man over $200M crypto trading schemeWho is Atkins, and what does he mean for crypto?Accolades from representatives of the crypto industry readily followed Atkins’ appointment by US President Trump in late 2024. Bitwise Asset Management general counsel Katherine Dowling said at the time that he is a “great choice,” and Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse said that he “will bring common sense back to the agency.”Not everyone was happy with the choice. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren said during Atkins’s nomination hearing that he had had “staggeringly bad judgment” in his role as a SEC commissioner leading up to the 2008 financial crisis. Atkins served at the agency from 2002 to 2008.She also raised an issue with his consulting firm, Patomak Global Partners, which had advised the crypto exchange FTX before its 2022 collapse. Warren said:“Your clients pay you north of $1,200 an hour for advice on how to influence regulators like the SEC, and if you’re confirmed, you will be in a prime spot to deliver for all those clients who’ve been paying you millions of dollars for years.”Related: SEC says it won’t re-file fraud case against Hex’s Richard HeartAtkins accused of biasWarren also sent a letter to Atkins in late March, stating that he should expect questions about his potential role at the agency due to his ties to the crypto industry through Patomak. Before being appointed, Atkins revealed a personal and family financial portfolio worth more than $327 million, according to a public ethics filing released ahead of his Senate confirmation hearing. Similarly, Trump’s artificial intelligence and crypto czar, David Sacks, filed a notice in early March suggesting that his venture capital firm sold more than $200 million in crypto and related stocks ahead of assuming his role.Magazine: Your AI ‘digital twin’ can take meetings and comfort your loved ones

by Cointelegraph by Amin Haqshanas on April 23, 2025 at 11:51 am

Crypto exchange giant Coinbase is set to expand its footprint by hiring over 130 employees in Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of a broader push to tap into emerging fintech talent pools across the US, a company spokesperson confirmed to Cointelegraph.“Coinbase is making a new investment in Charlotte with a new physical office and an immediate commitment to hire for 130+ local roles across both Compliance and Customer Support over the next six months,” the spokesperson said.They added that Coinbase’s focus on Charlotte is in response to the city’s emergence as a key financial and tech center, making it a prime choice for expansion to address increasing customer and compliance demands.With a fast-growing population and a highly skilled talent pool, Charlotte offers an ideal setting to support Coinbase’s long-term growth, the spokesperson said.Related: Coinbase Derivatives lists XRP futuresCoinbase remains a remote-first companyCoinbase has operated as a remote-first company since 2020, with existing offices in San Francisco and New York.“We are still a remote-first company; however, we have some roles globally that are in office due to the nature of the role and our focus on how we can best deliver for our customers,” the spokesperson said.They added that around 95% of Coinbase’s employees have the option to work from home, an office, or a mix. The bigger picture here is we’re making an intentional push to meet top talent where they are.Related: Paul Atkins’ loosely linked RSR token rises 13% after Coinbase listingThe move comes as Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong outlined plans to add about 1,000 new US employees this year, driven by favorable regulatory signals from President Donald Trump’s pro-crypto administration.“Coinbase is planning to hire about 1,000 people in the United States this year as a direct result of his actions already in the first 60 days or so,” Armstrong said in a video posted to X on March 7.Armstrong revealing hiring intentions outside the White House. Source: Brian ArmstrongAdding 1,000 more employees would increase Coinbase’s total workforce by about 27%, according to Stockanalysis’ most recent data, which shows that the crypto exchange currently has 3,772 employees.The new expansion plans also come as Coinbase has confirmed that it is considering applying for a US federal bank charter.Magazine: Former Love Island star’s tips on how to go viral in crypto: Van00sa, X Hall of Flame

by Cointelegraph by Yashu Gola on April 23, 2025 at 11:12 am

Bitcoin (BTC) has overtaken Alphabet (Google) to become the world’s fifth most valuable asset by market capitalization.As of April 23, Bitcoin’s market cap surged to $1.87 trillion, edging past Alphabet’s $1.859 trillion valuation, according to asset ranking data. BTC is now behind only gold, Apple, Microsoft and Nvidia.Top assets by market cap. Source: CompaniesMarketCap.comBitcoin beats Nasdaq 100 returns in AprilBitcoin’s edge over Alphabet coincides with its ongoing “decoupling” from its long-standing correlation with US tech stocks, especially in April, when BTC’s price rallied 15% despite the Nasdaq 100’s returns of 4.50% in the same period.BTC/USD and Nasdaq 100 price comparison chart. Source: TradingViewThis decoupling followed months of disappointment for crypto bulls, who expected a stronger post-election rally.Even with April’s gains, BTC’s price remains 16% below its $109,000 all-time high set in January, when Trump was re-inaugurated as the US president.Source: Geiger CapitalTrump’s recent criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and his executive order to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) — which is nearing its 60-day review window — is helping reignite investor interest in crypto.Related: Bitcoin could hit $1M if US buys 1M BTC — Bitcoin Policy Institute“Chatter questioning Fed independence is having positive spillover effects on BTC,” said Vetle Lunde, head of research at K33.Macro analyst Fejau stressed that capital outflows from US assets will likely benefit Bitcoin, given countries can’t tariff it — and that it “provides high beta to a portfolio without the current tail risks associated with US tech.”“This market regime is what Bitcoin was built for,” he wrote, adding:“One the degrossing dust settles, it will be the fastest horse out of the gate.Bitcoin market worth more than two TeslasAlphabet is facing headwinds in the form of regulatory crackdowns, antitrust challenges and a slowdown in digital ad revenue. The rise of AI-focused rivals and reduced growth projections have also dented confidence in Google’s long-term dominance.Source: The Japan TimesTo put Bitcoin’s $1.87 trillion valuation into perspective, it’s now worth more than two Tesla companies.The EV giant famously added Bitcoin to its balance sheet in early 2021, when it was trading for around $33,500. It is now sitting on around 180% gains worth over $1 billion.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 Kema Johnson on April 23, 2025 at 11:09 am

A WA mother avoids jail over a crash in 2020 that claimed the life of her daughter and a young boy. 

by Simon Smale on April 23, 2025 at 11:03 am

Lani Pallister only started to swim distance events because she made a mistake with a highlighter. It has turned out to be the best mistake she ever made.

on April 23, 2025 at 10:42 am

The earthquake centred in the Sea of Marmara had a magnitude of 6.2 at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres. 

by Cointelegraph by Amin Haqshanas on April 23, 2025 at 10:30 am

Crypto markets have faced a wave of liquidations over the past 24 hours, with total losses reaching $635.9 million, according to market data. Most of the liquidations (over $560 million) came from short positions, signaling growing pressure on bearish traders.Bitcoin (BTC) led the liquidation charts, with $293 million in short positions wiped out as BTC surged past $94,000, marking a 6.29% gain within one day, according to CoinGlass data.Ether (ETH) followed, with over $109 million in short liquidations as its price climbed nearly 10% to $1,787.Data from exchanges showed Binance accounted for the largest share of liquidations at $18.7 million in the last four hours, with 78% of that targeting short positions. Bybit and OKX also saw significant liquidation volumes, reflecting widespread volatility across major platforms.Crypto market sees a wave of liquidations. Source: CoinGlassRelated: Bitcoin breaks downtrend with spike toward $92.6K, but who’s behind the price momentum?Trader says Bitcoin liquidity building around $100,000 levelAmid the market turbulence, crypto analyst Mister Crypto noted that liquidity is “piling up around $100,000” for Bitcoin.In a recent post on X, he warned that bears are showing signs of desperation, suggesting a potential short squeeze could drive BTC closer to the six-figure mark.A short squeeze occurs when a rapid price increase forces traders betting against the market to cover their positions, fueling further upward momentum.Mister Crypto also shared a Binance BTC/USDT Liquidation Heatmap, showing that a large amount of Bitcoin trading activity and liquidation orders are building up around the $100,000 level, meaning many traders have set positions that could be triggered if the price reaches that point.Source: Mister CryptoBitcoin surged to a 45-day high above $94,000 on April 23. The leading cryptocurrency was trading at $94,236, up by more than 6% over the past day, at the time of writing, according to data from CoinMarketCap.Related: Bitcoin price prepares for ‘70% to 80%’ gain as onchain metrics and spot BTC ETF inflows spikeNot everyone believes Bitcoin will hit $100,000 soonHowever, not everyone is optimistic about an imminent Bitcoin surge to $100,000.“Bitcoin’s climb to $94K reflects renewed global optimism, but its path to $100K remains uncertain,” Vincent Liu, chief investment officer at Kronos Research, told Cointelegraph.He said the outcome of the May 6 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, ongoing trade negotiations with India and China, and broader macro conditions will be critical. He added:“Cleared tariffs and potential Fed rate cuts could ignite further momentum, while rate hikes or unresolved tensions may keep BTC range-bound. US monetary policy will be pivotal in determining if Bitcoin reaches this milestone.”Magazine: XRP win leaves Ripple and industry with no crypto legal precedent set

on April 23, 2025 at 10:20 am

The two tech giants were fined by the European Union's watchdogs as they step up enforcement of digital competition rules. 

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 23, 2025 at 9:54 am

Investments in Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) rebounded to levels last seen in January, signaling a recovery in investor sentiment from concerns about global trade tariff escalations.US spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs had over $912 million worth of cumulative net inflows on April 22, marking their highest daily investment in more than three months since Jan. 21, Farside Investors data shows.Bitcoin ETF Flow, millions. Source: Farside Investors“Bitcoin ETPs just saw the largest daily inflows since 21st January in a dramatic improvement in sentiment,” according to James Butterfill, head of research at CoinShares.Related: Bitcoin still on track for $1.8M in 2035, says analystInvestor sentiment appeared to improve after US President Donald Trump said that import tariffs on Chinese goods will “come down substantially,” adopting a softer tone in negotiations.The de-escalation and growing ETF inflows pushed Bitcoin price above $93,000 for the first time in seven weeks, Cointelegraph reported on April 23.The growing institutional investment and presence of ETFs may also accelerate the historic four-year cycle and bolster BTC to new highs before the end of 2025, analysts told Cointelegraph.US dollar weakness may reinforce Bitcoin’s safe-haven appealThe US dollar’s weakness may contribute to the growing investor demand for Bitcoin. DXY, year-to-date chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the strength of the greenback against a basket of leading fiat currencies, has declined 9% since the beginning of 2025, touching a three-year low of 98.8 last seen in April 2022, TradingView data shows.“Macro factors like a weakening dollar and rising gold correlation” may reinforce Bitcoin’s appeal as a hedge against economic volatility, Ryan Lee, chief analyst at Bitget Research, told Cointelegraph.Related: Crypto, stocks enter ‘new phase of trade war’ as US-China tensions riseBitcoin no longer trading in the “shadow of tech”Crypto and traditional stock markets are “walking a tightrope between political drama and economic reality,” with Bitcoin staging a significant rebound thanks to “strong ETF inflows, institutional acquisitions, and a weakening US dollar,” according to Nexo dispatch analyst Iliya Kalchev:“Bitcoin’s strength amid dollar weakness, record gold prices, and renewed institutional buying reflects a market recalibrating what safety looks like.”“The conversation has clearly shifted. Bitcoin is no longer trading in the shadows of tech — it’s becoming a lens through which macro uncertainty is priced,” he added.Nansen CEO Alex Svanevik also praised Bitcoin’s resilience, noting that the maturing asset has become “less Nasdaq — more gold” in the past two weeks, increasingly acting as a safe haven asset against economic turmoil, though concerns over economic recession may limit its price trajectory.On April 21, BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes predicted that this might be the “last chance” to buy Bitcoin below $100,000, as the incoming US Treasury buybacks may signal the next significant catalyst for Bitcoin price.Magazine: Bitcoin’s odds of June highs, SOL’s $485M outflows, and more: Hodler’s Digest, March 2 – 8

by Cointelegraph by Adrian Zmudzinski on April 23, 2025 at 9:45 am

Crypto drainers, malware designed to steal cryptocurrency, have become easier to access as the ecosystem evolves into a software-as-a-service (SaaS) business model.In an April 22 report, crypto forensics and compliance firm AMLBot revealed that many drainer operations have transitioned to a SaaS model known as drainer-as-a-service (DaaS). The report revealed that malware spreaders can rent a drainer for as little as 100 to 300 USDt (USDT).Crypto drainers report image. Source: AMLBotAMLBot CEO Slava Demchuk told Cointelegraph that “previously, entering the world of cryptocurrency scams required a fair amount of technical knowledge.” That is no longer the case. Under the DaaS model, “getting started isn’t significantly more difficult than with other types of cybercrime.”Demchuk explained that would-be drainer users join online communities to learn from experienced scammers who provide guides and tutorials. This is how many criminals involved with traditional phishing campaigns transition to the crypto drainer space.Related: North Korean hackers target crypto devs with fake recruitment testsCybercrime in Russia — almost legalGroups offering crypto drainers as a service are increasingly bold and some are evolving almost like traditional business models, Demchuk said, adding:“Interestingly, some drainer groups have become so bold and professionalized that they even set up booths at industry conferences — CryptoGrab being one such example.“When asked how a criminal operation can send representatives to information technology industry events without repercussions, such as arrests, he pointed to Russian cybercrime enforcement as the reason. “This can all be done in jurisdictions like Russia, where hacking is now essentially legalized if you're not operating across the post-Soviet space,” he said.The practice has been an open secret in the cybersecurity industry for many years. Cybersecurity news publication KrebsOnSecurity reported in 2021 that “virtually all ransomware strains” deactivate without causing harm if they detect Russian virtual keyboards installed.Similarly, the information stealer Typhon Reborn v2 checks the user’s IP geolocation against a list of post-Soviet countries. According to networking firm Cisco, if it determines that it is located in one of those countries, it deactivates. The reason is simple: Russian authorities have shown that they will act if local hackers hit citizens of the post-Soviet bloc.Related: What is Bitcoinlib, and how did hackers target it?Drainers keep growingDemchuk further explained that DaaS organizations usually find their clientele within existing phishing communities. This includes gray and black hat forums on both clearnet (regular internet) and darknet (deep web), as well as Telegram groups and channels and gray market platforms.In 2024, Scam Sniffer reported that drainers were responsible for about $494 million in losses, a 67% increase over the previous year, despite a 3.7% increase in the number of victims. Drainers are on the increase, with cybersecurity giant Kaspersky reporting that the number of online resources dedicated to them on darknet forums rose from 55 in 2022 to 129 in 2024.Developers are often recruited through normal job adverts. AMLBot’s open-source intelligence investigator, who prefers to remain anonymous for safety reasons, told Cointelegraph that while researching drainers, his team “did come across several job postings specifically targeting developers to build drainers for Web3 ecosystems.”He provided one job advert that described the required features of a script that would empty Hedera (HBAR) wallets. Once again, the offer was mainly targeted at Russian speakers:“This request was originally written in Russian and shared in a developer-focused Telegram chat. It’s a clear example of how technical talent is actively recruited in niche, often semi-open communities.“The investigator further added that ads like this appear in Telegram chats for smart-contract developers. Those chats are not private or restricted, but they are small, with usually 100 to 200 members.Administrators quickly deleted the announcement provided as an example. Still, “as is often the case, those who needed to see it had already taken note and responded.”Traditionally, this kind of business was conducted on specialized clearnet forums and deep web forums accessible through the Tor network. Still, the investigator said that much of the content moved to Telegram thanks to its policy against sharing data with authorities. This changed following the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov:“As soon as Telegram announced that it was giving out data, then the outflow to Tor started again, because it is easier to protect oneself there.”Still, this is a concern to cybercriminals that may no longer be relevant. Earlier this week, Durov expressed misgivings over a growing threat to private messaging in France and other European Union countries, warning that Telegram would rather exit certain markets than implement encryption backdoors that undermine user privacy.Magazine: As Ethereum phishing gets harder, drainers move to TON and Bitcoin

by Cointelegraph by William Suberg on April 23, 2025 at 9:40 am

Key points:Whales on Binance join Coinbase in adding BTC exposure as Bitcoin recovers above $90,000.The Coinbase premium is back in the green amid a broad risk-asset relief rally.Resistance attributed to an entity dubbed “Spoofy the Whale” at $90,000 disappears.Bitcoin (BTC) has fresh whale buying pressure across major exchanges as large-volume investors boost BTC price gains.New data from onchain analytics platform CryptoQuant reports both Binance and Coinbase whales “pushing the market up.”Coinbase BTC premium hits highest since FebruaryBitcoin whales are wasting no time adding BTC exposure as BTC/USD hits its highest levels in over six weeks.This is reflected in market data, including the so-called Coinbase premium — the difference in pricing between the BTC/USD pair on the largest US exchange, Coinbase, and Binance’s BTC/USDT equivalent.A positive premium indicates US buyer interest, with current values showing “alternate” demand between Coinbase and Binance.“These two exchanges, which can be considered the largest in the world, have their whales alternately pushing the market up, creating a very positive situation, CryptoQuant contributor Crypto Dan summarized in one of its “Quicktake” blog posts.Coinbase premium index. Source: CryptoQuantCrypto Dan added that retail investors had undergone a shakeout thanks to the recent unpredictable BTC price action.“Recently, most people had shifted their view to a bearish cycle, and public interest had significantly decreased,” he wrote. “Furthermore, with Bitcoin and altcoins in an oversold condition, the market has effectively shaken off the retail investors (the ‘small fish’), which means the market is now ready for a rise.”Mystery whale “relinquished control” of Binance order bookBinance order book data appears to corroborate the theory.Related: US dollar goes ‘no-bid’ — 5 things to know in Bitcoin this weekAs highlighted by Keith Alan, co-founder of trading resource Material Indicators, all classes of whales on Binance have begun buying.In addition, a wall of resistance at $90,000, which Allen previously attributed to an entity he dubbed “Spoofy the Whale,” has vanished.“Spoofy the Whale has relinquished control of the BTC order book on Binance,” he summarized in an X post on April 23.BTC/USDT order book liquidity. Source: Keith AlanXAlan reiterated that Bitcoin still needed a decisive reclaim of its yearly open at around $93,500 to complete a bullish turnaround and leave its multimonth downtrend behind.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.

on April 23, 2025 at 9:22 am

Police have confirmed a man has died after a stabbing in the Darwin suburb of Nightcliff on Wednesday afternoon.

by Katrina Tap on April 23, 2025 at 9:17 am

The Shire of Coolgardie has confirmed the resignation of long-standing chief executive James Trail as an investigation into issues at the council continues.

by Cointelegraph by Nancy Lubale on April 23, 2025 at 9:14 am

Key catalysts driving the crypto market up today include:Optimism over easing US-China trade-war tensions.A “short squeeze” in the derivatives market, with over $540 million in short liquidations in the past 24 hours.Strengthening technical setup with a break of a multimonth downtrend.The cryptocurrency market is up today, with the total market capitalization rising by approximately 6.7% in the last 24 hours to reach $2.94 trillion on April 23. The gains were led by Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH), which have risen around 6.4% and 13%, respectively.Crypto market performance April 23. Source: Coin360Easing US-China trade-war tensionsA significant catalyst for today’s crypto rally is the potential de-escalation of the trade war between the United States and China. Recent statements from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on April 22 contributed to easing investor concerns. As reported by Bloomberg, Bessent described the tariff standoff with China as "unsustainable," hinting at an increased likelihood of de-escalation.Source: CointelegraphLater, while speaking to reporters at the White House, President Trump said that the US tariffs on goods from China "will come down substantially" from the current 145% level, signaling a possible thaw in economic relations. Trump also added that he has no plans to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, following recent pressure on the head of the US central bank to lower borrowing rates.This renewed confidence in global trade stability has contributed to the latest rally in crypto prices, with Bitcoin climbing above $94,000 on April 23, with altcoins following suit.Massive short liquidations fuel price surgeAnother driver of today’s rally is a wave of short liquidations that have triggered a powerful “short squeeze,” as data from CoinGlass shows.In the past 24 hours, over $624 million in crypto positions have been liquidated across the crypto market, with $545 million representing short position liquidations.Total crypto liquidations. Source: CoinGlass“Short squeeze!”  remarked CoinGlass in response to today’s liquidation event, adding:“The biggest short liquidation so far this year.”The magnitude of this liquidation mirrors the Nov. 6 liquidation event, where more than $426 million in short leveraged positions were liquidated, accompanying a 16% increase ($356 billion) in the total crypto market capitalization on the same day.The short squeeze has played a crucial role in amplifying the current rally, particularly for Bitcoin, which has led the market’s charge past $93,000.Related: Bitcoin analysts target $95K as Trump’s trade war cools — Do BTC futures agree?Total market cap validates a falling wedge patternFinally, the crypto market’s technical outlook is providing a bullish foundation for this rally. TOTAL, the combined market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies, has recently broken out of a multimonth downtrend, specifically a falling wedge pattern, as observed on the daily chart below. This breakout, confirmed by a retest of the upper resistance line at $2.6 trillion and the ultimate breaching of the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) at $2.68 trillion, is a strong bullish signal. TOTAL is now eying the technical target of the wedge at $3.12 trillion, representing a 7.5% increase from the current level. However, to reach the target, bulls must first overcome a stiff barrier presented by the 100-day and 200-day SMAs between $2.93 trillion and $2.94 trillion.TOTAL daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe relative strength index (RSI) has climbed from its low of 30 on April 7 to 65 at the time of writing, indicating an increasing bullish momentum.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 Isobel Roe on April 23, 2025 at 9:09 am

More than 3 million current and former university students promised 20 per cent reductions in their student debts under Labor would not get that saving under a Peter Dutton government, and electric vehicle subsidies will be scrapped under the party's proposal to cut "wasteful spending".

by Chloe Henville and Piper Duffy on April 23, 2025 at 9:05 am

A major air, land and water search is underway for a 19-year-old man who has been missing off the state's mid-west coast for more than a day.

on April 23, 2025 at 8:57 am

Richmond's Noah Balta speaks for the first time since his sentencing for an assault charge, expressing his remorse and apologising to the victim.

on April 23, 2025 at 8:52 am

Hawthorn's Conor Nash is handed a four-game suspension by the AFL tribunal for a hit that left Geelong's Gryan Miers concussed.

by Cointelegraph by Amin Haqshanas on April 23, 2025 at 8:47 am

Binance is set to implement new compliance measures for South African users, requiring sender and receiver information for all crypto deposits and withdrawals.In an announcement on April 23, the largest exchange in terms of daily trading volume of cryptocurrencies said the move comes in response to local regulatory demands.Starting April 30, Binance users in South Africa will be prompted to provide additional information when transferring crypto.For deposits, users must disclose the sender’s full name, country of residence, and, if applicable, the name of the originating crypto exchange. Similarly, withdrawals will require beneficiary details before processing.Binance to require information for all crypto transfers in South Africa. Source: BinanceThe update will only impact crypto deposits and withdrawals, leaving trading and other platform features unaffected.Related: US judge transfers Binance lawsuit to Florida, citing first-to-file ruleMissing transfer details may reverse transactionsBinance warned that failure to provide the required information may result in delayed transactions or, in some cases, a return of funds to the sender.In preparation for the rollout, users will need to re-login to their accounts starting April 24.The change comes as South Africa moves to boost oversight of the rapidly moving crypto sector.On April 2, Bloomberg reported that South Africa’s Revenue Service (SARS) is urging individuals, crypto exchanges and intermediaries involved in crypto transactions to register with the authority, warning that failure to do so is now illegal.In March, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa issued a public warning against two unlicensed crypto firms, Afriinvest and Mutualwealth, accusing them of soliciting investments while promising unrealistic returns of up to 10,000 rand ($542) per day.Related: Binance, KuCoin, MEXC report service issues due to AWS network interruptionSouth Africa pushes to become key crypto hubEmerging economies across Africa, particularly South Africa, are positioning themselves as potential digital asset hubs amid growing regulatory clarity, Ben Caselin, chief marketing officer (CMO) of Johannesburg-based crypto exchange VALR, told Cointelegraph in September 2024.Caselin said that South Africa’s strong legal framework and ease of business make it a key entry point for crypto expansion across the continent.The South African crypto market is projected to generate $278 million in revenue in 2025, with expectations to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.86% and reach $332.9 million by 2028, according to Statista.Revenue in South Africa’s crypto market is expected to grow by 7.86% by 2028. Source: StatistaRegulatory momentum is increasing, with the FSCA approving 59 crypto platform licenses in March 2024, while over 260 applications remain under review.Cointelegraph contacted Binance for comments but did not receive a response by publication.Magazine: Former Love Island star’s tips on how to go viral in crypto: Van00sa, X Hall of Flame

on April 23, 2025 at 8:40 am

Pope Francis's open coffin has been carried in procession from the Vatican to St Peter's Basilica.

by Cointelegraph by Dilip Kumar Patairya on April 23, 2025 at 8:05 am

What are spot Solana ETFs and why are they important? A spot Solana ETF is an exchange-traded fund that holds Solana (SOL) tokens directly, providing investors real-time exposure to the asset’s market price. Rather than using complex trading platforms or crypto wallets, you can access Solana via a regulated financial product traded on a traditional stock exchange. The value of Solana ETFs is directly tied to the open market price of SOL, offering a simple way to gain exposure to the blockchain’s performance without directly holding the asset. Unlike futures-based ETFs that use derivative contracts to speculate on Solana’s future prices, a spot ETF tracks the performance of the actual asset. This distinction is significant because futures products may face pricing inefficiencies, leading to performance mismatches over time. Spot ETFs are more transparent and directly reflect SOL's real-time supply and demand on the Solana blockchain.Spot Solana ETFs mark a significant step toward mainstream crypto adoption. These products enable retail and institutional investors to gain exposure to the Solana ecosystem while operating within the bounds of securities regulations.Like spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, spot Solana exchange-traded funds are expected to expand market access and serve as another entry point to decentralized finance (DeFi) for traditional investors.Did you know? Spot ETFs aim to mirror an asset’s current price by directly holding the asset, while futures ETFs use derivative contracts to speculate on future price movements. Launch of spot Solana ETFs on the Toronto Stock Exchange On April 16, 2025, four spot Solana ETFs started trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange, following approval from the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). With this, Canada became the first country to launch spot SOL ETFs with staking. The OSC granted approval to the spot Solana ETFs of four asset managers: 3iQ, Purpose, Evolve and CI Financial. Unlike products that only track Solana’s price, these funds hold SOL tokens, giving investors direct ownership of the asset. The funds are secured via institutional-grade cold storage custody. Each fund tracks a distinct Solana-related index, offering diverse strategies with onchain asset backing. Despite their structural differences, these ETFs are all designed for long-term investment, reflecting the issuers' strong belief in Solana's future in DeFi.By incorporating staking, these spot Solana ETFs provide an active way for investors to earn returns in the cryptocurrency market, all within a regulatory framework and secure, institutional-grade custody services.These ETFs enable staking through a partnership with TD Bank, allowing the SOL they hold to actively support and secure the Solana network. In return, the network issues staking rewards, which can be passed on to investors. Since Solana typically offers higher staking yields than Ethereum, this structure may translate into greater potential returns for investors. How does staking boost returns for Solana ETF investors? By offering staking, these spot Solana ETFs may boost returns for investors by an estimated 2%-3.5% annually, in addition to the performance of the underlying SOL. The ETFs generate yield by working with staking partners that delegate up to 50% of the fund’s assets for staking. Staking rewards generated by the ETF are typically shared between shareholders and the fund manager, with the specific allocation varying depending on the ETF issuer.Management fees of these spot Solana ETFs vary from 0.15% to 1%, with some providers offering fee waivers during the initial launch phase. After two days of trading, the combined assets under management for the four ETFs total about $73.5 million.Staking Solana may yield higher returns than staking Ether (ETH). The ETFs intend to pass these additional rewards on to investors, potentially reducing the long-term cost of owning the ETF.Here is a comparison between the various spot Solana ETFs with staking approved in Canada:Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest has incorporated staked Solana into its ARKW and ARKF ETFs, with both funds now holding shares of Canada’s 3iQ Solana Staking ETF (SOLQ).Did you know? Altcoin ETFs track the prices of one or more cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin (BTC). They diversify investor exposure within the cryptocurrency market, as various altcoins exhibit different price behaviors and underlying strengths. How Canada’s spot Solana ETFs unlock passive income opportunities Canada offering spot Solana ETFs with staking is an innovative step. Existing SOL investment products, such as the crypto ETFs in Europe and the futures-based ETFs in the US do not offer an opportunity to earn staking yield.Incorporating yield into a regulated crypto ETF structure addresses a long-standing demand from investors and asset managers interested in proof-of-stake (PoS) networks like Solana and Ethereum. As staking is central to these tokens’ value, its inclusion enables SOL ETFs to offer a passive income component, making them more appealing to traditional investors seeking income-generating opportunities. The OSC’s approval of the staking feature for spot Solana ETFs may boost SOL’s position. However, staking carries risks, such as potential losses from validator penalties (slashing) or network disruptions, which could affect returns.Nonetheless, this approval reinforces Canada’s pioneering role in crypto ETF innovation, having launched the world’s first spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in 2021, ahead of many other jurisdictions. By allowing staking rewards in spot Solana ETFs, Canadian regulators have signalled a growing acceptance of crypto-powered finance. Did you know? ETFs aren’t without risks. Market fluctuations can lead to losses, and tracking errors can cause an ETF'’s performance to differ from its benchmark index, affecting investor outcome. What Canada’s launch of Solana ETFs with staking means for pending SEC applications Canada’s decision provides alternative cryptocurrency investment choices for its investors and may serve as an example for other countries considering spot ETFs for cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin.Despite a subdued global macroeconomic climate — partly shaped by trade tensions during Donald Trump’s presidency — Canada’s regulators have taken a proactive stance, embracing innovation in the digital asset space. The greenlighting of Solana ETFs with staking reflects a maturing approach to crypto policy and signals confidence in alternative layer-1 networks.Meanwhile, in the United States, anticipation is building. The launch of Solana futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) on March 17, 2025, is seen as a stepping stone toward a US spot ETF. The SEC is currently reviewing 72 crypto-related ETF applications as of April 21, covering a spectrum of assets from major altcoins like XRP (XRP) to memecoins like Dogecoin (DOGE), including proposals for leveraged and derivative products.As of April 21, 2025, the SEC is reviewing 72 crypto-related ETF applications, including derivatives. The filings range from major cap altcoins to memecoins and include leveraged products and options. The outcome of Canada’s pioneering approach may offer valuable insights to regulators and could potentially influence the SEC’s decisions regarding these filings.However, the SEC’s stance may differ significantly from Canada’s due to structural and regulatory complexities within the US financial system. Unlike Canada's more unified regulatory framework, the US divides oversight between multiple agencies — including the SEC, CFTC, and state regulators — creating friction in crypto policymaking.Canada’s trailblazing move could nonetheless offer a valuable case study for US regulators. As markets await the SEC’s decisions, the key question remains whether Washington will follow Ottawa’s lead — or chart its own course and a slower timeline for non-Bitcoin spot ETFs.

by Jean Kennedy on April 23, 2025 at 7:54 am

NSW Police have charged a man over a major data breach involving the alleged downloading of thousands of sensitive court documents.

by Andrew Greene on April 23, 2025 at 7:25 am

Senior opposition figure Andrew Hastie has warned Australia's long-standing military alliance with the United States faces uncertainty under President Donald Trump's "unpredictable" America First agenda.

by Digby Werthmuller on April 23, 2025 at 7:17 am

An elderly man is in hospital after allegedly being assaulted by a teenager outside a polling booth in Sydney's inner west.

by Georgia Hargreaves and Chela Williams on April 23, 2025 at 7:11 am

WA's largest and oldest dairy company is looking for new owners after its Chinese owner defaulted a $200 million loan.

by David Claughton on April 23, 2025 at 7:06 am

Bunnings plant suppliers will now have written agreements under a new statement of principles designed to protect growers, following complaints about the hardware giant during last year's supermarket inquiry.

on April 23, 2025 at 7:04 am

The 66-year-old woman was helping her husband into a hospital in Berwick when she allegedly tried to stop a thief from stealing their car.

by Charmayne Allison on April 23, 2025 at 7:02 am

The ACCC alleges that in advertising cars driving through water and rough terrains, LDV has misrepresented their "durability".

by Hamish Cole on April 23, 2025 at 6:32 am

Two candidates for the federal seat of Calare believe their campaign posters may have been damaged by people who have "an issue with a woman running in the election".

by Brett Worthington on April 23, 2025 at 6:30 am

Andrew Hastie is back on the campaign trail and the politicians the government and opposition are sending to Pope Francis's funeral have been revealed. 

by Jamie McKinnell on April 23, 2025 at 6:27 am

The former SAS soldier has accused Nine journalist Nick McKenzie of improper access to his legal strategy during the long-running defamation case.

on April 23, 2025 at 6:11 am

Jock Campbell will start for the first time this year as the refreshed Queensland Reds brace for a Blues backlash in their Anzac Day clash.

by Cointelegraph by Martin Young on April 23, 2025 at 6:02 am

Ethereum’s price has surged after having been in the doldrums for weeks, helping boost its market share after it hit record lows.Ether (ETH) has surged almost 15% over the past 24 hours, topping $1,800 on April 23. It has outperformed Bitcoin, which notched a 6% gain, and the wider crypto market, which has climbed almost 5% to reclaim a total market value of $3 trillion. Ether has now managed to recover almost 30% since its April 9 crash to $1,400, leading some analysts to suggest that the worst may be over for the world’s second-largest crypto asset.“You can hate Ethereum all you want, but when it has a big day, the entire crypto ecosystem goes up,” crypto trader and analyst “Income Sharks” commented to their 640,000 X followers.Market analyst “Ash Crypto” said ETH was “about to explode,” drawing comparison from the current chart pattern for Ether to that for Bitcoin’s performance in late 2024. BTC vs ETH performance and prediction. Source: Ash Crypto Jeff Mei, chief operating officer at the crypto exchange BTSE, was not conviced Ethereum was moving idependently, and told Cointelegraph that Ether’s gain “was largely due to it tracking the price of Bitcoin and the overall market,” and that that Paul Atkins’ confirmation as chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission had boosted overall market sentiment.Earlier this month, ETH had fallen back to bear market prices and had seen its market share dwindle amid a wide market downturn marred by fears of a trade war. On April 22, analyst “Rekt Capital” said that ETH’s market dominance has fallen back to all-time lows but “managed to protect 2019 all-time lows as support.” ETH dominance fell to its September 2019 low of 7% on April 22, according to TradingView. However, its subsequent price pump has seen that share bounce off this critical support level and return above 7.5% on April 23. ETH dominance lows. Source: Rekt CapitalFundamental catalysts supporting the move10x Research’s Markus Thielen told Cointelegraph that it hasn’t taken much to drive Ethereum higher, as a “heavily shorted market is now experiencing a squeeze.” Related: Ethereum Foundation shifts focus to user experience, layer-1 scaling Technically, Ethereum was oversold on both daily and weekly timeframes, setting the stage for a rebound, he said. “With the upcoming upgrade moving to mainnet, there’s also a fundamental catalyst supporting the move.” Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest

by Catherine Taylor on April 23, 2025 at 5:58 am

Mykola Bychok is the youngest cardinal in the Catholic Church and the only one with a link to Australia. He will join the conclave to elect a new pope.

by Chris De Silva on April 23, 2025 at 5:57 am

The AFL does not pull punches when it comes to on-field incidents, but its soft handling of the Noah Balta case shows it is time to get just as serious about matters off the field.

by Cointelegraph by Ciaran Lyons on April 23, 2025 at 5:51 am

Bitcoin’s 12% rally over the week and a surge in related exchange-traded fund inflows have analysts thinking it could soon reach $100,000, but one crypto analyst has said to temper hopes as a key indicator is still giving mixed signals.“Given that our stablecoin minting indicator has yet to return to high-activity levels, we remain cautious about the sustainability of the current Bitcoin rally,” 10x Research head of research Markus Thielen said in an April 23 markets report.Stablecoin absence may limit Bitcoin upsideThielen explained that a measured move from the falling wedge pattern, which traders perceive as a potential bullish reversal signal, shows that Bitcoin (BTC) may reclaim $99,000.He added, however, that “the absence of strong stablecoin inflows raises questions about follow-through.”Markus Thielen is watching the stablecoin minting indicator before confirming the Bitcoin uptrend is sustainable. Source: 10x ResearchBitcoin was trading at $93,133 at the time of writing, up 11.42% over the past seven days, according to CoinMarketCap. Thielen told Cointelegraph that stablecoin inflows “tend to correlate strongly with stickier money, while an increase in futures leverage could simply mean that fast traders are taking advantage of a quick move higher.” Spot Bitcoin ETF inflows surge, a true “demand-led rally”It comes as spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US posted inflows of $912.7 million on April 22, the highest level since Jan. 17, according to Farside data.Swyftx lead analyst Pav Hundal told Cointelegraph that the inflows suggest “this is a true, demand-led rally. Not just a hot flash of excited futures traders moving price.”“If the news headlines finally quieten, we could break new highs sooner than everyone thinks. A fast track to $100,000 looks plausible, but things change quickly in a Trump presidency.”Thielen said if uncertainty continues to decline, “a further acceleration could provide the liquidity needed to support a more sustained rally.”Related: Bitcoin risks 10%-15% BTC price dip after key rejection near $89KThe crypto market has experienced volatility and broader financial markets since US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs in early February. However, Trump’s recent comments have traders speculating that he’s softening his stance on the trade war, with some seeing this as bullish for markets.Thielen said the $95,000 price level is a key resistance level for Bitcoin and a “potential trigger point for short-stop liquidations.”He said it could push Bitcoin’s price higher if market strength continues.Magazine: Former Love Island star’s tips on how to go viral in crypto: Van00sa, X Hall of FlameThis 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 23, 2025 at 5:18 am

Four people, including a patched member of the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang, are arrested as part of a police operation into an alleged drug trafficking syndicate in regional Victoria.

by Cointelegraph by Stephen Katte on April 23, 2025 at 5:15 am

Brandon Lutnick, chair of investment banking firm Cantor Fitzgerald, is reportedly partnering with SoftBank, Tether and Bitfinex to create a $3 billion crypto acquisition company.Lutnick and the consortium hope to create a publicly listed crypto acquisition company to capitalize on the market under crypto-friendly US President Donald Trump, and replicate Michael Saylor’s company Strategy, the Financial Times reported on April 23, citing three people who have been briefed on the plan.Cantor Equity Partners raised $200 million in January for the new firm called 21 Capital. At the same time, stablecoin issuer Tether will fork out $1.5 billion in Bitcoin (BTC), Japanese investment holding firm Softbank Group will contribute $900 million, and the crypto exchange Bitfinex will add $600 million.Lutnick’s new venture hopes to raise another $350 million in convertible bonds and a separate $200 million private equity placement to buy additional Bitcoin.Eventually, Tether, Bitfinex, and SoftBank’s Bitcoin investments will be converted into 21 Capital shares, with the value of the Bitcoin locked in at $85,000 per coin and shares costing $10 a pop.However, the deal hasn’t been finalized yet, and some details could change before it’s officially announced. Brandon Lutnick was named chair of Cantor Fitzgerald when his father, Howard Lutnick, stepped down to become the US Secretary of Commerce.Brandon Lutnick was named chair of Cantor Fitzgerald when his father, Howard Lutnick (right), became the US Secretary of Commerce. Source: White HouseCantor Fitzgerald, SoftBank, Tether and Bitfinex didn’t immediately respond to Cointelegraph’s request for comment.Cantor already well versed in crypto market Cantor Fitzgerald has managed Tether’s Treasury portfolio and $134 billion of reserves, mainly in US Treasury bills, since 2021. The firm also owns a 5% stake in the stablecoin issuer.Previously, Cantor acted in an advisory role for Tether’s $775 million investment in YouTube alternative Rumble in December last year.Related: Commerce Secretary Lutnick walks back tariff relief on electronicsMeanwhile, on March 11, Cantor Fitzgerald said it was rolling out a Bitcoin financing business with $2 billion in initial capital to help institutional investors borrow against their crypto holdings. Anchorage Digital and Copper were selected as Bitcoin custodians and collateral managers.Cantor Fitzgerald currently holds over $5 billion worth of assets across 275 total holdings, according to Fintel data.Magazine: XRP win leaves Ripple and industry with no crypto legal precedent set

by Cointelegraph by Martin Young on April 23, 2025 at 4:45 am

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has said it doesn't intend to refile its securities fraud complaint against Hex founder Richard Schueler, who goes by Richard Heart.“Plaintiff Securities and Exchange Commission provides this notice that it does not intend to file an amended complaint in this matter,” the regulator’s lawyer, Matthew Gulde, stated in an April 21 letter to New York District Court Judge Carol Bagley Amon. The court had previously dismissed the SEC’s original complaint on Feb. 28 as Judge Amon said the regulator failed to establish that it had jurisdiction over Heart’s activities, which she said were not specifically targeted at US investors.She granted leave for the SEC to file an amended complaint by March 20, later extending the deadline to April 21.Heart posted to X on April 22 that “Richard Heart, PulseChain, PulseX, and HEX have defeated the SEC completely and have achieved regulatory clarity that nearly no other coins have.”Letter from the SEC to Judge Amon. Source: PACERHeart added that the SEC walked away from some of its other cryptocurrency cases voluntarily, but claimed his was the only case where “the SEC lost and crypto won across the board, with a dismissal in court of every single claim the SEC brought.”Heart said it was a victory for open-source software, cryptocurrency and free speech because the SEC “actually sued software code itself in this case.” SEC hunted Heart in FinlandThe SEC sued Heart in July 2023 for alleged unregistered securities offerings of three tokens, HEX, PulseChain (PLS), and PulseX (PSLX), claiming he made more than $1 billion by touting the tokens as a “pathway to grandiose wealth for investors.”In April 2024, Heart tried to have the suit tossed, claiming the regulator “has no sway over him,” because he didn’t reside in the United States. Related: Finnish police seize watches worth $2.6M from Hex founder Richard Heart: ReportThe SEC opposed this in August, claiming he touted the tokens at a Las Vegas event. In December 2024, Interpol issued a Red Notice for Heart, seeking his arrest in Finland, where he was also suspected of tax evasion. The PulseChain native token (HEX) hit an all-time high of $0.031 in December 2024 but has since tanked 76% as most altcoins have failed to follow Bitcoin’s momentum this year. The SEC has dropped or suspended several cases against crypto firms so far this year under the Trump administration.Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest

by Cointelegraph by Brayden Lindrea on April 23, 2025 at 4:36 am

Tesla has held onto its Bitcoin during the first quarter of 2025 as CEO Elon Musk promised shareholders that he would scale back his time working as the Trump administration’s cost-cutting czar.Musk’s comment appears to have been the main catalyst behind Tesla’s (TSLA) 5.4% price jump in after-hours trading on April 22 to $250.80 after closing the trading day up 4.6%, according to Google Finance. It comes as the automaker’s Q1 results released the same day show revenues hit $19.34 billion, missing Wall Street estimates by 7.85% and marking a 9.2% fall from the same period last year.Tesla’s net income of $409 million also marked an 80.8% quarter-on-quarter drop and a 70.5% fall from Q1 2024.Source: TeslaTesla’s digital asset holdings dropped 11.61% in value from $1.076 billion to $951 million in Q1, alongside Bitcoin’s (BTC) 11.56% price fall to $82,514 over the same time, according to CoinGecko data.A new rule from the Financial Accounting Standards Board allows public companies to report their crypto holdings at market value. Before, only losses were recorded — unless the crypto was sold. Tesla’s 11,509 Bitcoin stash is now worth over $1.07 billion as a result of the market rebound over the last week, according to Bitcoin Treasuries data. Tesla’s Bitcoin holdings haven’t changed since June 30, 2022.Musk to ease up on DOGE dutiesIn an April 22 earnings call, Musk promised that he would scale back his time working at the Trump administration's so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to focus more on Tesla.“Starting probably next month, May, my time allocation to DOGE will drop significantly,” Musk said. “I’ll be allocating far more of my time to Tesla now that the major work of establishing the Department of Government Efficiency is done.”Musk said he’ll continue to spend “a day or two per week” on DOGE-related matters for as long as US President Donald Trump needs to ensure the “waste and fraud that we stop does not come roaring back.”Related: Peirce signals SEC ‘reorientation’ under new chair Paul AtkinsTesla’s 5.4% rise in after-hours came on the back of a 4.6% increase to nearly $237 during the April 22 trading day as the broader market clawed back some losses from earlier in the week.Tesla shares are still down over 37% year-to-date, driven partially by declining sales, Musk’s increased political presence and economic uncertainty stemming from Trump’s tariffs.Magazine: Crypto fans are obsessed with longevity and biohacking: Here’s why

by Sundance on April 23, 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 23rd – 2025 Presidential Politics – Trump Administration Day 94 appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Sundance on April 23, 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 April 23rd – Open Thread appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Sundance on April 23, 2025 at 4:05 am

President Trump takes questions from the assembled press pool in the oval office at the conclusion of the ceremony swearing in Paul Atkins as SEC Chairman.  WATCH (prompted): . Posted in President Trump, Press Secretary - Trump The post President Trump Takes Media Questions Following Swearing in Ceremony for Paul Atkins as U.S SEC Chairman appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Ciaran Lyons on April 23, 2025 at 3:55 am

Bitcoin has broken above $93,000 for the first time in seven weeks, extending its post-Easter rally as recent macro events have analysts expecting more upside.Bitcoin (BTC) has climbed 5.62% over the past 24 hours and surpassed $93,000 on April 22 for the first time since March 3, continuing a 12% price rally its seen over the past seven days, according to CoinMarketCap.Bitcoin traders eye “craziest one-minute candle”Bitcoin quickly jumped from just below $91,500 to $93,000 in minutes, leaving traders guessing where the rally could go next.“This is the craziest one-minute candle I’ve ever seen on the Bitcoin chart,” Bitcoin commentator Michael Sullivan said in an April 22 X post.Edit the caption here or remove the textPseudonymous crypto trader Crypto General said Bitcoin “is going as planned, as stated in the last post, a breakout was eyes and today we witnessed our breakout.”Just hours before Bitcoin’s upside swing, crypto commentator “Ted” told his 158,200 X followers that Bitcoin is “going to catch up” with gold and the $100,000 price level, which it hasn’t seen since Feb. 3, is “loading.”It comes amid an improvement in crypto market sentiment, more money flowing into spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds and US President Donald Trump’s softer tone on the trade war.On the same day, Trump said he had “no intention of firing” US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell after previously criticizing him for not cutting interest rates. It comes only days after Trump called for his termination again in an April 17 Truth Social post, which led to speculation that he would follow through on threats and find a way to remove Powell.Trump just ticked “bullish boxes,” says traderAlongside this, Trump said tariffs on Chinese goods will “come down substantially,” though they “won’t be zero,” which led to an uptick in positive sentiment among crypto analysts.Related: Bitcoin-to-gold ratio risks 35% decline following Wall Street’s $13T wipeoutIn an April 22 X post, economist and crypto trader Alex Kruger said, “Trump just ticked most de-escalation/bullish boxes.” Investing with Brandon said the news was “bullish” too. Meanwhile, the day before, the 11 US spot Bitcoin ETFs saw a joint net inflow of $381.3 million.Traditional financial markets also ended the April 22 trading day in the green, with the S&P 500 up 2.51%, the Nasdaq rising 2.87%, and the Dow Jones gaining 2.66%, according to Google Finance data.Magazine:  Former Love Island star’s tips on how to go viral in crypto: Van00sa, X Hall of FlameThis 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 Martin Young on April 23, 2025 at 3:21 am

US President Donald Trump’s media conglomerate, Trump Media and Technology Group, has signed an agreement with crypto exchange Crypto.com to launch exchange-traded funds “with a Made in America focus.”Trump Media, which operates the social media site Truth Social, said on April 22 that it signed a binding agreement with Crypto.com and asset manager Yorkville America Digital to launch ETFs, which “are expected to comprise digital assets as well as securities with a Made in America focus spanning diverse industries such as energy.”The funds will launch through Trump Media’s decentralized finance brand, Truth.Fi, and will be available through Crypto.com’s broker-dealer, Foris Capital. The funds are expected to go live later in 2025, subject to regulatory approval. Trump Media plans to invest some of its cash reserves into the ETFs, which will be launched alongside a number of Truth.Fi Separately Managed Accounts. The US law firm Davis Polk will be advising on the development and launch of the products.The initiative is part of the firm’s financial services and fintech strategy, using up to $250 million custodied by Charles Schwab following a partnership agreement with the bank in January. The finalization of the agreement follows Trump Media and Crypto.com signing a non-binding deal in March.It's set to be the latest crypto-related venture involving Trump and his family. The Trumps helped launch a crypto platform, World Liberty Financial, in October, which has a linked token and plans for a stablecoin.President Trump’s sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., have also gone in on a crypto mining venture called American Bitcoin.Spot crypto ETFs rebounding Spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US have seen a turnaround in institutional interest, with more than $1 billion in aggregate inflows so far this week as crypto markets rebounded. Spot Bitcoin ETF flows turn positive. Source: CoinGlassRelated: Trump’s next crypto play will be Monopoly-style game — ReportIt comes after Bitcoin ETFs have been plagued by outflows over the past few weeks as the wider market entered a downturn, as Trump ramped up fears of a trade war with threats of tariffs, which were eventually implemented in early April.Meanwhile, Crypto.com’s native token, Cronos (CRO), has surged 12% after the company inked the deal with Trump Media, reaching $0.09. However, the exchange token remains down 90% from its 2021 all-time high of just under a dollar. Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest

by Cointelegraph by Jody McDonald on April 23, 2025 at 3:09 am

The US Securities and Exchange Commission and federal prosecutors have charged a man they allege created a crypto scheme that swindled 90,000 people out of $200 million in the hopes of earning returns from Bitcoin and forex trading.The SEC said on April 22 that it had charged Ramil Palafox, a dual citizen of the US and the Philippines, claiming he misappropriated over $57 million in investor funds gained through his company, PGI Global, between January 2020 and October 2021.The regulator alleged Palafox used a multilevel marketing model to execute a “Ponzi-like” scam until the company’s collapse in 2021. The SEC said he lured investors through “false claims of crypto industry expertise and a supposed AI-powered auto-trading platform.”The SEC claimed Palafox hosted lavish events in Dubai and Las Vegas to recruit new members who were offered referral bonuses to recruit others and used investor funds to pay other investors to further promote the scheme, as well as to line his own pockets.Excerpt from the SEC’s complaint against Ramil Palafox. Source: SEC“Palafox attracted investors with the allure of guaranteed profits from sophisticated crypto asset and foreign exchange trading, but instead of trading, Palafox bought himself and his family cars, watches, and homes using millions of dollars of investor funds,” said Scott Thompson, associate director of the SEC’s Philadelphia office. The SEC is charging Palafox with violating the anti-fraud and registration provisions of the federal securities laws and is seeking a permanent injunction to ban him from the future sale of securities and crypto assets, repayment of ill-gotten gains and civil penalties. Justice Department files twin actionThe SEC’s complaint is running parallel to action brought by the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, which arraigned Ramil Palafox on criminal charges. According to an indictment filed under seal on March 13, federal prosecutors charged Palafox with wire fraud, money laundering and unlawful monetary transactions.Prosecutors alleged Palafox misled investors with false promises of daily returns ranging from 0.5% to 3% from Bitcoin trading and hid information about PGI’s profitability, licenses, and business activity. The indictment said Palafox told investors that substantial returns were being generated via the company’s crypto exchanges and that “his traders were able to make money regardless of whether the price of Bitcoin was going up or down.” However, the Justice Department alleged that, in reality, most investors' money was never used to buy or trade Bitcoin, and many lost some or all of their funds.Property listed in the indictment that would be forfeited by Palafox if convicted includes over $1 million in cash, 17 vehicles, including two Teslas, a Ferrari 458 Special, two Lamborghinis, and two Porsches, plus a variety of designer bags, wallets, shoes, jewellery and watches.Related: Crypto crime goes industrial as gangs launch coins, launder billions — UNVarious linked companies were included in the scheme, including the Praetorian Group International Trading Inc., the website for which was seized by the Department of Justice in 2021, leading to its UK-based operations being shut down by the UK’s High Court.  It’s the agency’s first crypto-related case under its crypto-friendly SEC chair, Paul Atkins, who was sworn in on April 22.The SEC had brought a case against Nova Labs in January, accusing it of selling unregistered securities by offering devices that mined the Helium (HNT) token. The SEC reached a settlement with Nova Labs in April that resulted in the lawsuit being dismissed and a $200,000 civil penalty.Magazine: Uni students crypto ‘grooming’ scandal, 67K scammed by fake women: Asia Express

by Cointelegraph by Stephen Katte on April 23, 2025 at 2:58 am

The Federal Court of Australia has sided with fintech firm Block Earner in an appeal against a ruling that found it was required to hold a financial services license for its now-discontinued crypto-related products. Block Earner’s crypto-linked fixed-yield earning product is not a financial product, or a managed investment scheme, and is not a derivative under the Corporations Act, Justices David O’Callaghan, Wendy Abraham and Catherine Button said in an April 22 judgment. The trio said Block Earner’s yield product couldn’t be classed as an investment or financial product because users loaned crypto under fixed terms for interest payments and didn’t pool contributions to generate further benefits. The terms and conditions framed it as a loan, and users had no exposure to the firm’s business outside of the agreed interest rate, they added.A court has dismissed the legal proceedings against Block Earner and ordered Australia's financial regulator to pay costs. Source: ASICThe Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), which first brought the case, has been ordered by the court to pay costs for the proceedings, including appeals. The regulator said in an April 22 press release that it is currently “considering this decision.”Block Earner’s chief commercial officer, James Coombes, told Cointelegraph the court decision brings clarity that crypto assets shouldn’t be treated differently from other asset classes when applying existing laws. “Our product was simply defined as one where customers would lend their assets to us for a fixed return, there was no share in the upside of the pool of assets and as such no Managed Investment Scheme existed,” he said. “The fact that it included crypto assets should not alter that simple definition, and I believe this case forms a bedrock for ambitious brands around Australia to build from.”An ASIC spokesperson declined further comment.Earner product won’t make a return Despite the win in court, Block Earner will not be reviving its Earner product after axing it when legal proceedings began, but Coombes said that “crypto-backed loans products remain the core focus of the company.”“Regulation going forward is not an easy task, and we empathise with the regulators on this point,” Coombes added. “We hope a collaborative process can bring about positive change.” Related: Australia outlines crypto regulation plan, promises action on debankingASIC launched civil legal proceedings in November 2022, arguing that Block Earner needed an Australian Financial Services License to offer its three crypto-linked fixed-yield earning products.In February 2024, an Australian court initially found the fintech firm would need a financial services license to operate its crypto yield-bearing products. Another June 2024 ruling released Block Earner from any financial penalties because it had “acted honestly” and pursued its legal opinions before launching the products, which ASIC appealed.Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

by Cointelegraph by Brayden Lindrea on April 23, 2025 at 12:51 am

Former SEC Chair Jay Clayton confirmed that he has been appointed as the interim US Attorney for the Southern District of New York after the Democratic Party’s Senate leader used a “blue slip” to block a vote confirming Clayton’s position.The appointment comes a little over five months after US President Donald Trump nominated Clayton to take on the role. He replaces Damian Williams, who played a major role in the conviction of former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried and other high-profile crypto cases.Clayton said on April 22 his top priorities would be to protect public safety, ensure the integrity of the US financial system, defend national security interests and combat fraud, particularly against the elderly and most vulnerable.The temporary nature of Clayton’s appointment resulted from Democrat Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s use of a blue slip to block Clayton’s confirmation on April 16, effectively preventing a Senate vote and official confirmation of his position. Blue slips can be used by senators to block US attorney or district court judicial nominees in their home states. Clayton is allowed to serve as interim US attorney for up to 120 days without Senate confirmation. After that, he will need to be approved in a Senate vote or receive a temporary extension of his interim status from Manhattan’s federal court.Trump criticized Schumer’s move in an April 17 Truth Social post, pointing out that Clayton received bipartisan support in the Senate and that Clayton complied with all requests asked of him.Source: Donald TrumpThe interim status of Clayton’s position will last until around Aug. 20. The role will see him as the top law enforcement officer for New York’s Southern District, encompassing the counties of New York, Bronx, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess and Sullivan.The Southern District of New York is the oldest federal court district in the US, and its location in the country’s financial epicenter means it often handles high-profile cases involving white-collar crime.Clayton has shared mostly positive views on cryptoClayton served as SEC chair between May 4, 2017, and Dec. 23, 2020, and brought 56 cases against crypto firms during his tenure.Related: Oregon AG lawsuit against Coinbase calls XRP unregistered securityHe stated in a December 2021 CNBC interview that he’s a “huge believer in crypto technology,” adding that “the efficiency benefits in the financial system and otherwise from tokenization are immense.”Clayton has also praised Bitcoin (BTC) as a prominent store of value, but didn’t allow Bitcoin exchange-traded products during his time as SEC chair.The first US Bitcoin investment product was approved in 2021 under former SEC Chair Gary Gensler.Magazine: XRP win leaves Ripple and industry with no crypto legal precedent set

by Cointelegraph by Christopher Tepedino on April 22, 2025 at 10:00 pm

Chiliz, a SportsFi company, has met with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to discuss an investment and reentry into the US crypto market under the crypto-friendly White House and increased push for regulatory clarity surrounding digital assets.According to the meeting request made public by the SEC, Chiliz plans a reentry into the US market around the time of the 2026 FIFA World Cup international football (soccer) tournament. The comeback would be accompanied by a $50 million to $100 million investment in the local market. National Basketball Association and National Football League teams are said to be interested in launching fan tokens if regulatory clarity improves.The meeting with the federal agency was held on April 22 — the same day Chiliz CEO Alexandre Dreyfus shared a photo with Bo Hines, executive director of Trump’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets, suggesting a second meeting with White House officials.Source: Alexandre DreyfusAccording to the meeting document, Chiliz discussed the proposed structure of a fan token and why “it should not be classified as a security.” Broadly, a security is an investment wherein the investor expects a profit due to the efforts of someone other than the investor.Whether cryptocurrencies and related assets are securities has been a key issue in the regulation of Web3 within the United States.Related: Chiliz’ Socios.com secures in-principle license approval in MaltaChiliz ecosystem sees lower TVL in 2025Chiliz, despite its partnerships with football clubs, gaming teams, and racing companies, has seen a significant drop in activity within its ecosystem. DefiLlama data shows the protocols’ total value locked has fallen from $17.8 million on Dec. 9, 2024, to $6.5 million on April 22, 2025, marking a 63.5% drop.Chiliz TVL. Source: DefiLlamaIts governance token hasn’t fared particularly well, either. According to CoinMarketCap, the Chiliz (CHZ) token price has declined 67% over the past 12 months. The company is known for its fan tokens, which allow enthusiasts to own the official cryptocurrencies of their favorite sports clubs.The company has made headway into the soccer market, partnering with Football Club Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester City, among others.Related: FIFA launches NFT collection amid 2023 Club World CupChiliz invested $80 million in partnerships within the US market in 2021, the document shows. However, regulatory uncertainty and the fallout from FTX’s collapse led to a “strategic exit” in the following year.The next World Cup is expected to take place in June 2026. The United States will be the main host of the tournament, while Canada and Mexico will act as auxiliary hosts.Magazine: ‘Normie degens’ go all in on sports fan crypto tokens for the rewardsChiliz, a SportsFi company, has met with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to discuss an investment and reentry into the US crypto market under the crypto-friendly White House and increased push for regulatory clarity surrounding digital assets.According to the proposed meeting request made public by the SEC, Chiliz plans a reentry into the US market around the time of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The comeback would be accompanied by a $50 million to $100 million investment in the local market. NBA and NFL teams are allegedly interested in launching fan tokens if regulatory clarity improves.The meeting with the federal agency was held on April 22 — the same day Chiliz CEO Alexandre Dreyfus shared a photo with Bo Hines, executive director of Trump’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets, suggesting a second meeting with White House officials. Source: Alexandre DreyfusAccording to the meeting document, Chiliz discussed the proposed structure of a fan token and why “it should not be classified as a security.” Broadly, a security is an investment wherein the investor expects a profit due to the efforts of someone other than the investor.Whether cryptocurrencies and related assets are securities has been a key issue in the regulation of Web3 within the United States.Related: Chiliz’ Socios.com secures in-principle license approval in MaltaChiliz ecosystem sees lower TVL in 2025Chiliz, despite its partnerships with football clubs, gaming teams, and racing companies, has seen a significant drop in activity within its ecosystem. DefiLlama data shows the protocols’ total value locked has fallen from $17.8 million on Dec. 9, 2024, to $6.5 million on April 22, 2025, marking a 63.5% drop.Chiliz TVL. Source: DefiLlamaIts governance token hasn’t fared particularly well either. According to CoinMarketCap, the Chiliz (CHZ) token price has declined 67% over the past 12 months. The company is known for its fan tokens, which allow enthusiasts to own the official cryptocurrencies of their favorite sports clubs.The company has made headway into the soccer market, partnering with Football Club Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester City, among others.Related: FIFA launches NFT collection amid 2023 Club World CupChiliz invested $80 million in partnerships within the US market in 2021, the document shows. However, regulatory uncertainty and the fallout from FTX’s collapse led to a “strategic exit” in the following year. The next World Cup is expected to take place in June 2026. The United States will be the main host of the tournament, while Canada and Mexico will act as auxiliary hosts. Magazine: ‘Normie degens’ go all in on sports fan crypto tokens for the rewards

by Cointelegraph by Cointelegraph on April 22, 2025 at 9:53 pm

Today in crypto, Trump Media has finalized its ETF deal with Crypto.com, publicly listed companies are broadening their crypto reserves to include more tokens, and Oregon’s attorney general labels XRP and other digital assets as unregistered securities in a lawsuit.Trump Media inks deal with Crypto.com for crypto, ‘Made in America’ ETFsUS President Donald Trump’s company, Trump Media and Technology Group, signed a binding agreement with crypto exchange Crypto.com on April 22 to launch exchange-traded funds (ETFs) “with a Made in America focus.”Trump Media said the funds, set to go live later this year, will launch through its decentralized finance brand Truth.Fi and will be available through Crypto.com’s broker-dealer, Foris Capital. The company said the ETFs “are expected to comprise digital assets as well as securities with a Made in America focus spanning diverse industries such as energy.”The finalization of the agreement follows Trump Media and Crypto.com signing a non-binding deal in March.The ETFs will be the latest crypto-related venture involving Trump or his family. The president has financial ties to the crypto platform World Liberty Financial, which has a token and plans for a stablecoin, and he and First Lady Melania Trump both launched memecoins days before entering office.President Trump’s sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., have also gone in on a crypto mining venture called American Bitcoin.DeFi Development Corp adds $11.5M SOL, shares jump 12%DeFi Development Corporation, formerly known as Janover, is ramping up its Solana treasury strategy following a buyout led by Kraken executives.According to an April 22 announcement, the company added 88,164 Solana (SOL) to its treasury, worth $11.5 million and bringing its Solana stake to $34.4 million.On April 7, DeFi Development Corporation was acquired by a group of former Kraken executives. As part of the deal, the company announced a shift toward crypto, including a rebrand and a Solana-based reserve treasury. Before the transition, Janover operated in the real estate financing space, linking lenders with commercial property buyers.Since the takeover, the company has made multiple purchases of SOL, including a buy of $10.5 million on April 16. With the latest purchase, DeFi Development Corporation’s total holdings stand at 251,842. The company plans to stake the tokens to generate additional yield.Shares of DeFi Development Corporation (JNVR) were up 12.83% on the news, according to Google Finance.DeFi Development Corporation's intraday performance. Source: Google FinanceOregon AG lawsuit against Coinbase calls XRP unregistered securityOregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield’s lawsuit against Coinbase argues that XRP and other digital assets are unregistered securities.Rayield sued US-based, publicly traded crypto exchange Coinbase for allegedly violating Oregon’s securities law. In an April 18 announcement, the Oregon Department of Justice said the suit was part of an effort to fill what it described as a regulatory vacuum left by federal agencies under the Trump administration:“States must fill enforcement vacuum being left by federal regulators who are abandoning these cases under Trump administration,“ the department said.Coinbase chief legal officer Paul Grewal voiced his frustration over the lawsuit in an April 21 X post. Justin Slaughter, the vice president of regulatory affairs at crypto investment firm Paradigm, pointed out that the lawsuit claims a long list of digital assets, including XRP (XRP), are unregistered securities.Source: Paul GrewalYarden Noy, partner at crypto legal firm DLT Law, told Cointelegraph that if the court ruled these assets are securities, it “would mostly create more confusion in this regard.” It would not be a binding precedent in other cases, not even within Oregon, he added.