Alternative News for You

by Matthew Doran on April 20, 2025 at 7:11 pm

Israel Police have been accused of turning Jerusalem's Old City into a "militarised zone" and blocking worshippers from praying over Easter, after violent scuffles broke out near one of Christianity's holiest sites.

by Patricia Karvelas on April 20, 2025 at 7:00 pm

New data suggests that gender and politics are getting more polarised and the views of women and men more divided. It is consequential for how we understand this election.

by Alan Kohler on April 20, 2025 at 7:00 pm

The policies of both parties designed to increase housing supply are fine — they're just nowhere near enough.

by Luke Cooper on April 20, 2025 at 6:58 pm

More than 35 years on from its debut, The Simpsons has been extended, but US Census data shows the nature of a typical family life has vastly changed since the beloved show has been on-air.

by Nick Sas, Chrisnrita Aumanu-Leong, and Caroline Tiriman on April 20, 2025 at 6:57 pm

A video showing the slaughter of hundreds of dolphins in Solomon Islands has gone viral on social media, sparking heated debate in Solomon Islands and the broader Pacific about the ancient practice.

by Maani Truu on April 20, 2025 at 6:56 pm

Political polling has been around as long as democracy itself and its influence on the election cycle is undeniable, but insiders say it’s never been more challenging to get right. 

by Isabella Higgins on April 20, 2025 at 6:55 pm

The vast majority of new arrivals in Australia end up in our capital cities. Experts and locals weigh in on how it's affecting our housing crisis.

by Jeremy Story Carter on April 20, 2025 at 6:53 pm

From our coffee addiction to a weekend pub tradition, some of the simple pleasures many Australians have taken for granted now feel like luxuries. But if patrons can no longer afford to visit the pubs and cafés we love, there may be something bigger at stake.

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 20, 2025 at 6:09 pm

Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget discovered "abnormal trading activity" on the VOXEL/USDT perpetual futures contract on April 20, between 8:00 to 8:30 UST, and paused accounts that the exchange suspected of market manipulation.According to an April 20 announcement from the exchange, Bitget will roll back the accounts suspected of market manipulation within 24 hours, clawing back gains made from the trades.Bitget CEO Gracy Chen told Cointelegraph the trades were between individual market participants and not the platform itself. Chen also said that the losses are not platform-wide and that user funds remain safe.VOXEL-USDT perpetual futures contract spikes by over 138% in a single day. Source: TradingViewThe crypto exchange also plans to compensate users who suffered losses due to the alleged market manipulation and will announce a compensation plan soon, Chen confirmed to Cointelegraph. The Bitget CEO added:"For any residual losses, Bitget is fully prepared to offer compensation. Our $300 million protection fund provides more than sufficient backing to support our users in such events, assuring that user assets remain secure."The incident has called into question the obligations of exchanges under pressure from trading abnormalities and electronic trading bugs, with some traders comparing the Bitget incident to the Hyperliquid-Jelly exploit in March 2025.Related: Hyperliquid JELLY ‘exploiter’ could be down $1M, says ArkhamHyperliquid debacle all over again?On March 26, a trader "exploited" the price of the Jelly-my-Jelly (JELLY) memecoin on the Hyperliquid exchange by hedging a long position against an equivalent short position.The price of JELLY pumped by over 400%, triggering a liquidation of the short positions. However, because the position was too large, it was sent through the Hyperliquidity Provider Vault (HLP).JELLY memecoin surges by over 400% during Hyperliquid incident. Source: TradingViewIn response to the trading activity, Hyperliquid delisted JELLY perpetual contracts, drawing widespread condemnation from the crypto community.Bitget CEO Gracy Chen was among the most vocal critics of Hyperliquid, slamming the exchange for delisting Jelly and causing financial losses for users."The decision to close the JELLY market and force settlement of positions at a favorable price sets a dangerous precedent. Trust — not capital — is the foundation of any exchange," Chen wrote in a March 26 X post.Magazine: DeFi will rise again after memecoins die down: Sasha Ivanov, X Hall of Flame 

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 20, 2025 at 4:17 pm

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has proposed replacing the current Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) contract language with the RISC-V instruction set architecture to improve the speed and efficiency of the Ethereum network's execution layer.Buterin's April 20 proposal outlined several long-term bottlenecks for scaling the Ethereum network including, stable data availability sampling, ensuring block production remains competitive, and zero-knowledge EVM proving.The Ethereum co-founder argued that implementing the RISC-V architecture in smart contracts would keep block production markets competitive and improve the efficiency of zero knowledge functions for the execution layer. Buterin wrote:"The beam chain effort holds great promise for greatly simplifying the consensus layer of Ethereum, but for the execution layer to see similar gains, this kind of radical change may be the only viable path."The proposal highlights the Ethereum network's struggle to improve throughput and remain competitive with next-generation monolithic blockchains such as Solana and the Sui networks at a time when investors are losing confidence in the original smart contract blockchain.Buterin provides numbers suggesting that implementing the proposal could lead to efficiency gains of 100x. Source: Vitalik ButerinRelated: Vitalik Buterin unveils roadmap for Ethereum privacyEthereum's scaling woes and a collapse of Ether's priceEthereum's blob fees, transaction fees taken from Ethereum layer-2 scaling networks, dropped to a weekly low of 3.18 Ether (ETH) during the week of March 30, according to data from Etherscan.Using current Ether prices, the 3.18 ETH collected for blob fees during the period equaled approximately $5,000.In April 2025, Ethereum network fees dropped to their lowest levels since 2020, averaging around $0.16 per transaction.According to Santiment marketing director Brian Quinlivan, the dramatic reduction in fees is due to fewer users sending transactions on the Ethereum base layer, opting instead to use smart contracts or one of Ethereum's many layer-2 scaling solutions.Ethereum network weekly transaction fees declined significantly in Q1 2025. Source: Token TerminalEthereum's layer-2 networks have been described as a double-edged sword that dramatically lowered transaction costs on the base layer but also cannibalized the Ethereum base layer's revenue.Concerns surrounding revenue generation on the base layer and the corrosive effects of layer-2 scaling solutions on Ethereum's market share have driven the price of Ether to historic lows and could plunge Ether prices further to around $1,100 if investor confidence continues to wane.Magazine: Proposed change could save Ethereum from L2 ‘roadmap to hell’

by Cointelegraph by Henry Duckworth on April 20, 2025 at 3:00 pm

Opinion by: Henry Duckworth, founder and CEO of AgriDexWe all need and buy it. Food is a common, universal ground across the planet. It should come as no surprise then that the agricultural industry is enormous. In 2023, the European Union alone imported 154 million tonnes of agricultural products and exported 134 million tonnes more. The market is growing too, projected to expand by 3.45% annually from this year to reach $5.52 trillion by 2029. Yet, farmers and agricultural traders are confronted with a serious problem. They need to export food abroad and interact with foreign currencies. The financial system — particularly in Africa — is, however, underdeveloped. Inefficiencies in their trade result in high transaction costs, delayed cross-border payments, and high interest rates for loans. Large corporations can better navigate financial hurdles, but this isn’t always the case for small farmers, who suffer the most from outdated banking systems.Blockchain technology and stablecoins promise to smooth unstable waters for agricultural traders. Eliminating intermediaries and providing financial inclusion, the technology gives farmers direct access to global markets. With Africa’s food and agriculture market predicted to be valued at $1 trillion by 2030, stablecoins stand to be much more than simply another financial trend for the industry.Cross-border payments are hiding significant costsCross-border payments are the beating heart of agricultural trade, central to accessing resources, such as equipment and seeds, or engaging in trade between countries. International transactions are vital to African agriculture, as exports within Africa represent only 17% of total African exports. Local banking systems are, however, underdeveloped and impede these payments to a shocking degree. A huge sticking point is that traditional banking systems are expensive — they charge farmers between 3% and 6% in fees. This is no small matter when profit margins are already thin.In transactions, the demand for an intermediary currency, typically the US dollar, leads to even more exchange rate losses, often falling within the 3%-10% range. This affects small businesses in Africa, which can pay nearly 200% more than larger companies to clear their transactions through formal channels.As if the expense wasn’t bad enough, the process is also painfully slow. Farmers can expect to wait up to 120 days for payment settlements. These delays are devastating for businesses relying on quick access to funds. They are forced to take out high-interest loans with no immediate liquidity, further eroding their earnings.Stablecoins can fix agricultural tradeFrustratingly outdated financial systems hamper the global agricultural industry, but a glimmer of hope is arriving in the form of stablecoins. Poised to reshape the agricultural trade, crypto offers farmers three key pillars of transformation.Stablecoins mean farmers and traders can bypass banking inefficiencies. With intermediaries taken out of the picture, they can transact instantly and with lower costs. Farmers save between 3%-6% per payment, and funds are received in minutes rather than in painful waits of weeks or months. The result? These players have the working capital needed to stay in business.Traders can forget about unstable local currencies. By pricing their goods in a stable digital asset, they can gain access to global markets. Fluctuating exchange rates will become a problem of the past. Businesses operating in countries with volatile currencies will feel that relief most acutely, as sudden devaluations in a currency have the power to wipe out profits overnight.Recent: Web2 is failing vertical farms — they need DePIN to surviveThe agricultural trade is crippled by immense, systemic fraud and supply chain inefficiencies, with global food fraud costing $40 billion annually and global trade in fake goods another staggering $500 billion. Stablecoins could be transformative in reducing the original movement of counterfeit goods across supply chains, making the industry far more efficient.Results are already being seen in African agribusiness. Zimbabwe-based conglomerate Parrogate, for example, is committing to blockchain to streamline payments to its suppliers while improving cross-border trade efficiency. The company, which prides itself on growth and development across the continent, is just one of numerous African businesses getting behind stablecoins and reaping the benefits.Agriculture still faces global challengesStablecoins should be music to the ears of those working in agriculture. The road there could, however, be rocky. Significant regulatory uncertainty, especially in Africa, is one hurdle. Many nations have strict capital outflow controls, so farmers and traders must comply with local regulations or face legal issues.Another limitation is technological barriers and an education gap across the industry, which prevent some farmers from fully grasping and using the technology. European farmers, who need stablecoins less because infrastructure is pretty well established, will also not have full access to these stable mechanisms for facilitating trade.There are barriers, but the demand for stablecoins in African agriculture is undeniable. There is a strong willingness within the agricultural community to get on board with compliant stablecoins that support cross-border liquidity.The mass adoption of stablecoins won’t happen overnight, but that’s not to say that this industry isn’t progressing toward the digital. The offer of stablecoins is tantalizing — instant transactions, lower fees and enhanced financial access. It’s only a matter of time before more farmers make the switch.Agricultural traders struggling under the weight of an outdated and intrusive banking system are ready for greater financial inclusion. And we should be, too. This industry connects us all and will be lifted by stablecoins. The tech will be transformative for the field — not just as an innovation, but as an essential evolution.Opinion by: Henry Duckworth, founder and CEO of AgriDex.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 Matthew Doran on April 20, 2025 at 2:03 pm

One commander has been dismissed as a result of an investigation into the killing of 15 Palestinian paramedics and emergency workers, who were found in a shallow grave a month ago.

by Cointelegraph by Cointelegraph on April 20, 2025 at 1:40 pm

Today in crypto, the Dogecoin community celebrates “Dogeday,” CoinFund’s president takes aim at the latest crypto report from the Bank for International Settlements, and Charles Schwab’s CEO eyes April 2026 window for debut of spot Bitcoin trading.Dogecoin holders celebrate “Dogeday” 4/20 as ETF decision draws nearDogecoin holders worldwide celebrate “Dogeday” on April 20, as the memecoin’s community awaits upcoming deadlines for Dogecoin-related exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications.Dogeday marks the unofficial holiday of the Dogecoin (DOGE) community. It gained traction in the memecoin community four years ago, in 2021, during International Weed Day on April 20.Source: BitgetDespite its reputation as a joke token, Dogecoin remains the eighth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, currently valued at $23.3 billion, according to CoinMarketCap.Dogecoin’s tokenomics have often been criticized for issuing 14.4 million worth of new DOGE into circulation per day, giving it a daily inflation rate of over $2.16 million.Dogecoin’s staying power “stems from a blend of community-driven enthusiasm, low entry barriers, and speculative appeal,” according to Anndy Lian, author and intergovernmental blockchain expert.“Crypto is not communism” — Exec slams BIS’ take on cryptoThe Bank for International Settlements’ (BIS) push to isolate crypto markets and its controversial recommendations on DeFi and stablecoins is “dangerous” for the entire financial system, warns the head of a blockchain investment firm.“Many of their recommendations and conclusions — perhaps due to a mix of fear, arrogance, or ignorance — are completely uninformed and, frankly, dangerous,” CoinFund president Christopher Perkins said in an April 19 X post, referring to the BIS’ April 15 report titled “Cryptocurrencies and Decentralized Finance: Functions and Financial Stability Implications.” “Crypto is not communism,” Perkins said, pushing back against the BIS’ call for a “containment” approach to isolate crypto from traditional finance and the broader economy.“It’s the new internet that provides anyone with a connection access to financial services,” Perkins said. “You cannot control it anymore than you control the internet,” he added.Charles Schwab CEO hints spot BTC trading may come in April 2026Charles Schwab CEO Rick Wurster said the financial services company is looking at a potential April 2026 target to rollout spot Bitcoin trading to its clients.According to RIABiz, the CEO said that crypto was attracting traffic to the financial service company's crypto-focused website.70% of that traffic was not Schwab clients and represented potentially new prospects, Wurster said. The Schwab CEO gave a timeline for the rollout:“Our expectation is that with the changing regulatory environment, we are hopeful and likely to be able to launch direct spot crypto. Our goal is to do that in the next 12 months."The move comes at a time when many traditional financial institutions are increasingly adopting crypto or offering digital asset products to their clients.

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 20, 2025 at 1:34 pm

Bitcoin holders are celebrating one year since the 2024 Bitcoin halving by praising BTC’s resilience amid a global trade war and suggesting an accelerated market cycle due to a growing institutional presence.The 2024 Bitcoin halving reduced block rewards from 6.25 Bitcoin (BTC) to 3.125 BTC, slashing new BTC issuance in half.Despite rising concerns over a global trade war and escalating tariff tensions between the United States and China, BTC has climbed more than 33% since April 2024, Cointelegraph Markets Pro data shows.BTC/USD, 1-year chart. Source: Cointelegraph Markets Pro“So, even though Bitcoin’s showing resilience, I think the mix of past experiences, economic uncertainty, and this selling pressure is keeping investors on the sidelines, waiting for a stronger green light before they jump in,” said Enmanuel Cardozo, a market analyst at asset tokenization platform Brickken.Cardozo added that institutional investment from firms such as Strategy and Tether could speed up Bitcoin’s traditional four-year halving cycle. He added:“For the 2024 halving in May, that puts the bottom around Q3 this year and a peak mid-2026, but I think we might see things move it a bit sooner because the market’s more mature now with more liquidity.”However, Bitcoin’s trajectory remains tied to broader monetary policy, the analyst added. He said a US Federal Reserve rate cut in May or June may “pump more money into the system and push Bitcoin up faster.”The halving is a built-in feature of the Bitcoin network that assures Bitcoin’s scarcity, which is considered one of BTC’s defining monetary characteristics.Related: Crypto, stocks enter ‘new phase of trade war’ as US-China tensions riseETFs and institutions fuel faster cycleInstitutional adoption and Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) may be contributing to a shorter market cycle, according to Vugar Usi Zade, chief operating officer at Bitget exchange.Continued institutional buying, including by Bitcoin ETFs, paired with Bitcoin’s rising scarcity, may accelerate Bitcoin’s rise to new highs, he told Cointelegraph.“With growing scarcity triggered by the halving, Bitcoin will likely retest its all-time high if it breaches the $90,000 mark in the coming weeks,” Usi Zade said. “While the halving offers a good basis for growth based on demand and scarcity, the timeline for impact on price can vary over time.”He noted that Bitcoin’s growth remains closely tied to traditional financial markets and investor sentiment.Related: Bitcoin speculative appetite declines as investors seek safetyBitcoin reached a new all-time high above $109,000 on Jan. 20, 273 days after the 2024 Bitcoin halving, signaling an accelerated market cycle.Source: JelleIn comparison, it took Bitcoin 546 days to reach an all-time high after the 2021 halving, and 518 days after the 2017 halving, according to data shared by popular crypto trader Jelle, in an April 8 X post.Magazine: Bitcoin’s odds of June highs, SOL’s $485M outflows, and more: Hodler’s Digest, March 2 – 8

by Cointelegraph by William Suberg on April 20, 2025 at 1:29 pm

Bitcoin (BTC) tapped 3-day lows into the April 20 weekly close as analysis warned of a fresh liquidity grab next.BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewAnalysis sees Bitcoin crossing $83,000Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC/USD dropping 1.5% to $83,974 on the day before rebounding.Still broadly less volatile over the weekend, Bitcoin sought to stem the week’s downside as doubts appeared over the strength of nearby support.Investigating the current liquidity setup across exchange order books, popular analyst Mark Cullen was particularly skeptical of $83,000.“Bitcoin 90k liquidity still calling. BUT, i think the 83k level isn't safe, those lows from last Sunday and Wednesday are likely to get run first,” he summarized on X. “THEN we wait for the reaction and bullish structure to build back inside the range low.”Bitcoin order book liquidity chart. Source: Mark Cullen/XCullen and others nonetheless saw a short-term BTC price range between $83,000 and $86,000 staying in place over the Easter holiday weekend.#Bitcoin Range BoundThe long easter weekend is likely yo see $BTC play out a range between83k and 86k. With it al ready sweeping the highs of the range late last week, IMO we are going to see liquidity sought from the lows before continuation higher.#Crypto #BTC https://t.co/iNllx4LexJ pic.twitter.com/6zx5gXZx79— AlphaBTC (@mark_cullen) April 20, 2025“Pretty slow market during this long weekend as expected. I think next week will get interesting as the charts are quite compressed. Any decent good/bad headline could spark a pretty large move I think. Even if its just from positions getting squeezed,” popular trader Daan Crypto Trades continued. “Generally those moves are not one you want to be fading when it occurs. $83K-$86K is the range to watch in the short term.”BTC/USDT 15-minute chart with CME futures data. Source: Daan Crypto Trades/XAn accompanying chart showed BTC price action relative to the latest closing point of CME Group’s Bitcoin futures, potentially inviting the creation of a “gap” that could provide a short-term price magnet.Fellow trader Roman meanwhile eyed what could become a return to multimonth lows as part of a bullish inverse head and shoulders reversal pattern.“If volume is decreasing on the way to 76k, I’ll take longs,” he told X followers.Confidence increases over BTC price breakoutUpdating readers on the daily chart, popular trader and analyst Rekt Capital had good news.Related: Bitcoin can reach $138K in 3 months as macro odds see BTC price upsideBitcoin, he confirmed, had definitively broken out of a multimonth downtrend without violating it during retests as support.“Bitcoin hasn't just broken the Downtrend and successfully retested it as support for the first time since Downtrend formation,” he wrote.“But Bitcoin has also been able to sustainably maintain above the Downtrend for a period of several consecutive days now.”BTC/USD 1-day chart. Source: Source: Rekt Capital/XAs Cointelegraph reported, the fate of the downtrend had been on the radar for weeks, with not everyone agreeing that price had left it behind for good.This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

by Cointelegraph by Yashu Gola on April 20, 2025 at 11:50 am

Bitcoin (BTC) price has rebounded by 14.60% after plunging below $75,000 for the first time in five months in April. However, its failure to break above the $85,000 resistance level decisively has sparked concerns that the ongoing recovery may trap bulls.BTC/USD daily price chart. Source: TradingViewGold’s rally may risk crashing Bitcoin below $50,000 Bitcoin could continue to underperform as Donald Trump’s intensifying global trade war drives investors toward safer assets like gold, according to Bloomberg’s Senior Commodity Strategist Mike McGlone.McGlone argues that risk assets are showing signs of reverting to long-term means, mainly their 200-week moving averages that have historically served as critical floor during major price corrections.Bitcoin and S&P 500 weekly chart comparison. Source: Mike McGloneAs of April 20, Bitcoin’s 200-week moving average was around $46,300, down by about 45% compared to current price levels at around $85,000. Meanwhile, gold has surged to a record high of $3,115 per ounce in April, up over 19% year-to-date. The precious metal continues to attract capital amid rising geopolitical tensions, recession fears, and tariff-driven inflation risks. XAU/USD versus BTC/USD year-to-date performance chart. Source: TradingViewAccording to McGlone, this rotation into hard assets like gold and out-of-high-beta plays like crypto reflects a classic flight to safety.The divergence between gold and Bitcoin is evident in institutional investment trends.For instance, the ETFs backed by the precious metal have seen consistent inflows in 2025, attracting over $27.10 billion year-to-date, according to data resource World Gold Council.Gold vs Bitcoin ETF holdings year-to-date comparison. Source: World Gold Council, GlassnodeConversely, Bitcoin ETFs have experienced $12.38 billion in outflows, according to data resource Glassnode.However, not all analysts see gold’s rally lasting. Veteran trader Peter Brandt pointed to a possible “blow-off top” for gold, warning that such rapid gains typically end in sharp reversals, though timing the peak remains risky. Some believe that if gold’s momentum fades, Bitcoin could continue its bull run, providing its history of lagging the precious metal rally by several months.Source: Lawrence LepardBitcoin’s unrealized losses suggest early bear market riskGlassnode data reveals a growing divergence between short-term and long-term Bitcoin holders, hinting at potential early-stage bear market conditions, albeit not a confirmed crash.Notably, short-term holders (STHs)—those who acquired Bitcoin within the past few months—have been facing substantial unrealized losses relative to the current drawdown. Bitcoin STH unrealizes losses per percent chart. Source: GlassnodeThis level of loss, normalized by drawdown percentage, is comparable to the early stages of past bear markets, including late 2018 and early 2022.In contrast, long-term holders (LTHs)—those holding Bitcoin for over 155 days—remain broadly in profit. Bitcoin STH vs LTC unrealized loss per percent chart. Source: Glassnode However, the data suggests a growing risk: as BTC top buyers from recent highs age into LTH status, more unrealized losses could shift into the long-term cohort. Historically, most shifts in loss absorption have preceded bear market regimes.Therefore, the risk lies in whether LTH profitability can withstand prolonged market weakness—or if capitulation sets in as it did during previous downtrends. For now, caution may be warranted, but this data does not yet confirm an outright crash.Bitcoin is still in bull market, PlanB assertsSome analysts view the current dip as a standard correction within a broader bull trend. Among them is pseudonymous analyst PlanB, who argues that Bitcoin remains structurally bullish.According to PlanB’s Stock-to-Flow (S2F) and 200-week moving average models, Bitcoin’s current price action mirrors historical consolidation phases seen before major rallies. Bitcoin 200-week moving averages vs 200-week geometric mean chart. Source: PlanBIn particular, past cycles show that when the 200-week simple moving average (black line) converges with the 200-week geometric mean (gray line), Bitcoin tends to surge soon after. This convergence is happening again in April.PlanB also highlights the red-dot phase—representing the 6-month pre-halving to the 18-month post-halving window—as historically bullish. Bitcoin is now seven months into this period, which has consistently delivered explosive price action in previous cycles.Edit the caption here or remove the text"On-chain indicators still point to a bull market," PlanB noted, suggesting that the recent pullback is more likely a setup for the next leg higher above $100,000 than a breakdown into a bear market.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 Mazoe Ford on April 20, 2025 at 10:46 am

The pope, who is still recovering from a near-fatal bout of double pneumonia, drew cheers and applause from the gathered crowds.

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 20, 2025 at 9:45 am

Dogecoin holders worldwide celebrate “Dogeday” on April 20, as the memecoin’s community awaits upcoming deadlines for Dogecoin-related exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications.Dogeday marks the unofficial holiday of the Dogecoin (DOGE) community. It gained traction in the memecoin community four years ago, in 2021, during International Weed Day on April 20.Source: BitgetDespite its reputation as a joke token, Dogecoin remains the eighth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, currently valued at $23.3 billion, according to CoinMarketCap.Dogecoin’s tokenomics have often been criticized for issuing 14.4 million worth of new DOGE into circulation per day, giving it a daily inflation rate of over $2.16 million.Related: Altseason 2025: ‘Most altcoins won’t make it,’ CryptoQuant CEO saysTop 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. Source: CoinMarketCapDogecoin’s staying power “stems from a blend of community-driven enthusiasm, low entry barriers, and speculative appeal,” according to Anndy Lian, author and intergovernmental blockchain expert.Dogecoin’s inflationary tokenomics may also contribute to its retail appeal, Lian told Cointelegraph, adding:“Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, Dogecoin’s inflationary supply — adding roughly 5 billion coins annually — keeps prices accessible, typically under $1, making it psychologically appealing for retail investors.”“The retail appeal is amplified by Dogecoin’s meme-driven branding, which resonates with younger, internet-savvy investors,” explained Lian.Related: Solana, XRP ETFs may attract billions in new investment — JPMorganMemecoins like Dogecoin lack underlying blockchain use cases and typically rally based on social media traction and retail hype alone.In November 2024, Dogecoin surpassed Porsche’s market capitalization, driven by continued social media endorsements by billionaire Elon Musk.Dogecoin community awaits DOGE ETFs deadline in MayThe Dogecoin community is closely watching the US Securities and Exchange Commission as it weighs several DOGE-related ETF applications.There are four Dogecoin ETF filings awaiting approval: the Bitwise Dogecoin ETF, the Grayscale Dogecoin ETF, the 21Shares Dogecoin ETF and the Osprey Fund Dogecoin ETF.Grayscale’s ETF application is due for a response on May 21 after the SEC delayed its decision on multiple crypto ETF filings.The SEC has delayed deciding to approve several altcoin ETFs. Source: SECBitwise’s filing could receive a response on May 18, which marks the end of the SEC’s 75-day initial review period after the 19b-4 filing. However, the 240-day review period could enable the regulator to delay the decision until October 2024 for both filings.The ETF applications from 21Shares and Osprey are still pending review for their initial 19b-4 filings, with no set deadline from the securities regulator.Magazine: Crypto ‘more taboo than OnlyFans,’ says Violetta Zironi, who sold song for 1 BTC

on April 20, 2025 at 9:44 am

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia is making a pretence of a ceasefire to advance on Ukraine's frontline.

by Cointelegraph by Alon Muroch on April 20, 2025 at 9:00 am

Opinion by: Alon Muroch, founder of SSV LabsEven though Ethereum remains a leader in terms of total value locked (TVL), things aren’t looking great. Network activity is hemorrhaging, and momentum is slipping. Ethereum has become locked in a fight for its future. Without meaningful change, Ethereum risks becoming inaccessible to the builders and users it needs to thrive. Ethereum needs fresh ideas to bolster the ecosystem out of its slump, unify it, and genuinely support innovation.Enter based applications (bApps), which are any application or service that uses the Ethereum validator set for security. Inspired by the based movement, bApps enable any project to bootstrap directly from the Ethereum layer 1 (L1), enabling interoperable, scalable and cost-effective development.High stakes and high costsThe recent decline in network activity highlights a deep issue across Ethereum, and it boils down to UX. The race to scale a blockchain isn’t just about TVL and transactions per second (TPS). It’s about the experience of users and developers who co-create the ecosystem. Ease of development and interoperable developer ecosystems and applications are paramount. Improving the developer experience is crucial for improving user experience, which drives adoption.Today, builders are presented with two options. The first and more popular one is restaking, which has become the default mechanism for bootstrapping new services by locking up validators’ withdrawal keys or large amounts of capital for security. That leaves teams with only one other inconvenient alternative: self-bootstrapping. Building a validator set from scratch is resource-heavy, technically complex and often starts off centralized. Both choices are limiting for builders and don’t solve the fragmentation problems we see today in Ethereum.It is not just builders but validators that are affected by this system. In the current restaking setup, validators who want to earn more yield by supporting new services must restake, lock up their withdrawal keys, and take on additional risk. By locking up withdrawal keys to secure applications with slashable capital, validators are exposed to cascading risks, which, at scale, could affect Ethereum itself — a core departure from Ethereum’s founding vision.bApps are more securebApps provide a third, more accessible option for self-bootstrapping and restaking. Using based security infrastructure drastically lowers entry barriers for any size protocol to build securely and sustainably, all while preserving the traditional network effects of Ethereum. Validators are incentivized to join through risk-free yield opportunities; developers can affordably access security to build; and users benefit from a unified and interoperable ecosystem.Recent: SSV Network to create ‘based’ apps infrastructure for EthereumMission-critical services like rollups, bridges and oracles don’t need to reinvent the wheel. They simply plug into an existing, trusted security model. Using Ethereum validators as a primary security base, any out-of-protocol service can inherit the Ethereum L1’s decentralization and Sybil resistance. It’s also possible to extend this paradigm beyond Ethereum, enabling other L1 validators to secure bApps. This potentially turns bApps into a marketplace for multichain security, dramatically reducing the complexity (and cost) for developers and raising the bar for the entire ecosystem, offering a “based” path forward.bApps empower validators to earn more with their existing stake. By primarily using the validator principle as non-slashable security, validators can opt into many services through their existing Ethereum validator role without needing to restake or supply extra stakes. This would encourage broader validator participation, especially from smaller or more risk-averse operators, which is excellent considering solo stakers are an important ecosystem pillar.bApps unlock scalabilitybApps also revolutionize Ethereum’s current bootstrapping ecosystem, which relies heavily on slashable capital. In restaking, one participant’s gain may directly correspond to another’s loss, creating a zero-sum model. Building a competitive dynamic where participants must add or reallocate resources instead of sharing them, consequently working against new entrants by creating competition for limited attention and resources.The based economy, conversely, promotes an infinite-sum game, transforming competition for resources into a synergistic environment where new applications, services and participants increase the overall value of the platform. Each new validator increases security for bApps, and each new bApp provides new opportunities for validators. This infinitely scalable model breaks free from the limitations of a zero-sum model, enabling seamless bootstrapping, rewarding innovation and building more secure, inclusive and resilient ecosystems.Unifying Ethereum’s fractured ecosystemFor Ethereum to grow, fragmentation has to be addressed. Builders need building blocks, which need to be secure, low-cost, interoperable and scalable. Think about what cloud computing did for Web2. BApps offer just that — by introducing an infinite-sum game, they unlock scalability and provide a safe and affordable way to bootstrap with Ethereum’s proof-of-stake network.If Ethereum is to be the foundation of tomorrow’s decentralized world, it must empower the builders of today. The way forward is to solve Ethereum’s user and developer experience problem with a based infrastructure. Going based is the clear solution.Opinion by: Alon Muroch, founder of SSV Labs. 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 Ciaran Lyons on April 20, 2025 at 6:54 am

Jan3 CEO Samson Mow says that Bitcoin dominance hasn’t yet exhausted its upside trajectory after analyzing how altcoin prices would stack up against Bitcoin if all were on equal terms of total supply.His forecast for Bitcoin (BTC) Dominance to rise further comes as the ratio has already exceeded the levels many crypto analysts expected it would reach by late 2024.“Unit bias is absolutely destroying the uninitiated,” Mow said in an April 19 X post. Mow suggested that unit bias — a psychological method in behavioral economics that suggests that individuals usually like to own a complete unit or stock regardless of its price and size — often causes less experienced investors to assume cheaper whole altcoins are better value than owning part of a Bitcoin.Mow questions altcoin valuations on level playing field“You can buy one twenty-one millionth of the BTC supply for ~$85,000,” Mow said. He asked, “What happens if you remove unit bias from alts to calculate the equivalent of 1/21 million?”He pointed out that Ether (ETH) would be priced at $9,200, XRP (XRP) would be priced at $5,800, and Solana (SOL) would be priced at $3,400 — representing increases of approximately 278,746%, 470%, and 2,328%, respectively, from their prices at the time of publication, according to CoinMarketCap data.“No way these alts are worth that much,” Mow said. Source: Samson MowSunny Po, an anonymous Bitcoin proponent, said on Jan. 12 that “Unit bias is a core foundational framework of the normie mind. ‘Cheaper better.’”Mow said that “most” altcoins take advantage of unit bias by implementing a very high total supply so market participants “can’t figure out what they’re buying.”Related: XRP: Why it’s outperforming altcoins — and what comes nextBased on his calculations, Mow said Bitcoin dominance is going “so much higher.” Bitcoin dominance — a metric that reflects Bitcoin’s share of the total crypto market capitalization — is often used by traders to gauge when Bitcoin might be nearing a price peak. Historically, when Bitcoin Dominance declines, it often signals the start of altcoin season, with capital flowing from Bitcoin into altcoins to find higher returns.Bitcoin Dominance is up 9.11% over the past six months. Source: TradingViewAt the time of publication, Bitcoin Dominance is sitting at 63.69%, as per TradingView data.Several crypto analysts were forecasting Bitcoin Dominance to top out at 60% in late 2024 before the beginning of an altcoin season. In August 2024, Into The Cryptoverse founder Benjamin Cowen said “I don’t think it is going back up to 70%, my target for Bitcoin dominance has been 60%.”Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest, April 13 – 19

by Tessa Flemming on April 20, 2025 at 6:53 am

NASA astronaut Don Pettit, who spent 220 days in the ISS and orbited the Earth 3,520 times, landed back on Earth in Kazakhstan on Saturday local time. 

by Menagerie on April 20, 2025 at 5:00 am

  Reading 1 Acts 10:34a, 37-43 Peter proceeded to speak and said: “You know what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for The post He is Risen appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Andrew McGarry and Marnie Vinall on April 20, 2025 at 4:46 am

In the aftermath of their 71-point victory over St Kilda, the Western Bulldogs will be sweating on Sam Darcy's scan results after he was forced from the field with a serious knee injury.

by Ethan Rix and Melissa Brown on April 20, 2025 at 4:45 am

Two men remain missing since Friday, one in NSW and the other in Victoria, as the search to recover their bodies has so far failed.

by Kellie Scott on April 20, 2025 at 4:29 am

Luke Tribe didn't feel ready to get another dog soon after saying goodbye to his best friend of 10 years. But that time did eventually come.

by Sundance on April 20, 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 20th – 2025 Presidential Politics – Trump Administration Day 91 appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Sundance on April 20, 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 20th – Open Thread appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Ciaran Lyons on April 20, 2025 at 4:04 am

The Bank for International Settlements’ (BIS) push to isolate crypto markets and its controversial recommendations on DeFi and stablecoins is “dangerous” for the entire financial system, warns the head of a blockchain investment firm.“Many of their recommendations and conclusions — perhaps due to a mix of fear, arrogance, or ignorance — are completely uninformed and, frankly, dangerous,” CoinFund president Christopher Perkins said in an April 19 X post, referring to the BIS’ April 15 report titled “Cryptocurrencies and Decentralized Finance: Functions and Financial Stability Implications.” BIS recommendations exposes TradFi to risks of “unimaginable scale”“Crypto is not communism,” Perkins said, pushing back against the BIS’ call for a “containment” approach to isolate crypto from traditional finance and the broader economy.“It’s the new internet that provides anyone with a connection access to financial services,” Perkins said. “You cannot control it anymore than you control the internet,” he added.Perkins warned that a containment approach to crypto would expose the traditional financial system to massive liquidity risks “of unimaginable scale,” especially when the crypto market operates in real-time, 24/7, while traditional financial markets shuts down after trading hours.“If implemented they will cause--not mitigate--the systemic risk they seek to prevent.”The report warned that the number of investors and amount of capital in crypto and DeFi have “reached a critical mass,” with investor protection becoming a “significant concern for regulators.”Source: Michael EgorovPerkins pushed back against the BIS’ claim that DeFi presents significant challenges, arguing instead that it represents a “significant improvement” over the “opacity” and imbalances of the traditional financial system.Related: Crypto industry is not experiencing regulatory capture — AttorneyResponding to the BIS’s concern about the anonymity of DeFi developers, Perkins questioned its relevance:“Sorry, but when was the last time a TradFi company published a list of its developers? Sure, public companies provide a degree of disclosures and transparency, but they seem to be dying off in favor of private markets.”Perkins also critiqued the BIS’s concern around stablecoins that it could lead to “macroeconomic instability in countries like Venezuela and Zimbabwe.”“If there is demand for USD stablecoins and it helps improve the condition of anyone in the developing world, perhaps that is a good thing,” Perkins said.Source: Christopher PerkinsPerkins wasn’t alone in criticizing the controversial report. Lightspark co-founder Christian Catalini also weighed in, posting a series of critiques on X that same day. Catalini summed up the report with the analogy:“Think: writing parking regulations for a fleet of self‑driving drones — earnest work, two technological leaps behind.”Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest, April 13 – 19

by Stephanie Dalzell on April 20, 2025 at 3:56 am

The Coalition has accused Labor of "disgraceful" lies about claims a future Dutton government would scrap almost 90 existing urgent care clinics.

on April 20, 2025 at 3:13 am

Minjee Lee will enter the final day of the LPGA Tour's LA Championship three shots off the lead after fighting back from a mid-round slump.

by Simon Smale on April 20, 2025 at 3:09 am

The Sharks hammered the insipid Knights 34-14 in Newcastle. Earlier, the Titans led Canberra 16-0 in their contest on the Gold Coast, before the Raiders roared back to win 30-20.

by Gareth Hutchens on April 20, 2025 at 2:44 am

Do home owners ever complain when house prices rise? A former prime minister said they didn't, but we're now dealing with the fallout.

by Elizabeth Byrne and Charlotte Gore on April 20, 2025 at 2:27 am

Thousands of people turn out in Canberra for the 59th annual National Folk Festival, with acts ranging from Scottish fiddlers and poetry readings, to folk dancing and a music quiz show. 

on April 20, 2025 at 2:06 am

The state opposition says it's obtained documents showing Melbourne's first COVID curfew was announced without proper health advice.

by Mietta Adams on April 20, 2025 at 1:53 am

The Pilbara is one of the few regions in the country where bilbies are still found. This pastoralist has been working to protect them on her station.

by Mawunyo Gbogbo on April 20, 2025 at 1:36 am

The Sydney Comedy Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary with a program including some of Australia's best known comedians, new talent and guests from across the world.

by Hamish Cole on April 20, 2025 at 1:25 am

Blind cricket gave Scott Jones an opportunity to meet like-minded people after the loss of his eyesight left him with a feeling of grief.

on April 20, 2025 at 1:15 am

The demonstrations ranged from a march through Manhattan and a rally in front of the White House to a demonstration at a Massachusetts Revolutionary War commemoration.

by Menagerie on April 20, 2025 at 12:15 am

Exult, let them exult, the hosts of heaven, exult, let Angel ministers of God exult, let the trumpet of salvation sound aloud our mighty King’s triumph! Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her, ablaze with light from her eternal King, let all corners of the earth be glad, knowing an end to The post The Exsultet (Easter Proclamation) appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 19, 2025 at 9:30 pm

Financial educator, author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad, and investor Robert Kiyosaki recently forecasted a $1 million Bitcoin (BTC) price by 2035 as the US dollar continues to lose value to inflationary monetary policies."I strongly believe, by 2035, that one Bitcoin will be over $ 1 million, Gold will be $30,000, and silver $3,000 a coin," Kiyosaki wrote in an April 18 X post.Kiyosaki, a self-described gold bug, has long argued that bearer assets like gold, silver, and more recently Bitcoin, are critical hedges against inflation and key to long-term generational wealth accumulation through economic cycles.United States M2 money supply 1959-2025. Source: TradingView"In 2025, credit card debt is at all-time highs, US debt is at all-time highs, unemployment is rising, 401k’s are losing, and pensions are being stolen. The USA may be heading for a greater depression," Kiyosaki warned.Kiyosaki, like many other sound money advocates, has continually warned of an impending financial crash brought on by expansionist monetary policies and fiscal irresponsibility. Bitcoin maximalists argue that loose monetary policy will drive the price of Bitcoin to seven-figures.Related: Bitcoin could hit $1M if US buys 1M BTC — Bitcoin Policy InstituteAnalysts eye $1 million BTC in the 2030sIn May 2024, Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey forecasted that the price of a single BTC would be $1 million by 2030 and could appreciate further.Trader and investor Michaël van de Poppe told Cointelegraph, in November 2024, that Bitcoin could go to $1 million. However, the price appreciation would come with hyperinflation and a broader economic collapse, the trader said.Blockstream CEO Adam Back said the price of Bitcoin could rise to $1 million per coin if the Trump administration established a Bitcoin strategic reserve for the United States and started buying Bitcoin on the open market.On Dec. 10, Eric Trump delivered the keynote speech at the Bitcoin MENA event in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and predicted that Bitcoin would hit $1 million due to its scarcity.More recently, in February 2025, Ark Invest CEO Cathie Wood said that Bitcoin could hit $1.5 million by 2030 if demand for the digital asset continues to grow.Magazine: TradFi fans ignored Lyn Alden’s BTC tip — Now she says it’ll hit 7 figures: X Hall of Flame

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 19, 2025 at 7:45 pm

Charles Schwab Corp CEO Rick Wurster is reportedly eyeing an April 2026 launch window to provide spot Bitcoin (BTC) trading services to Schwab clients.According to RIABiz, Wurster cited a 400% increase in traffic to Schwab's crypto website as evidence of investor interest in digital assets. The CEO predicted:“Our expectation is that with the changing regulatory environment, we are hopeful and likely to be able to launch direct spot crypto. Our goal is to do that in the next 12 months, and we are on a great path to be able to do that.”The Schwab CEO's comments reflect the growing trend of traditional financial (TradFi) institutions adopting crypto products and offering services that blur the line between the digital asset world and TradFi.Related: Lyn Alden lowers Bitcoin forecast after ‘tariff kerfuffle,’ eyes liquiditySchwab makes crypto moves under new CEO Rick Wurster assumed the helm at Schwab in 2025, and in a November 2024 Yahoo Finance interview, said the company was happy to provide services to clients who want to trade digital assets.At the time, Wurster told the financial news outlet that Schwab wanted to offer crypto directly to its clients but was waiting for a positive regulatory catalyst.Following the re-election of Donald Trump in the United States, Wurster said the financial services company anticipated a much better regulatory environment to expand its digital asset services.The Schwab CEO previously said he did not own any cryptocurrency, adding that he felt "silly" for not investing in the nascent asset class as it has continued to provide outsized investment gains.Rick Wurster speaking to Yahoo Finance in November 2024. Source: Yahoo FinanceIn January 2025, Charles Schwab partnered with the Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG) to provide customized exchange-traded funds and cryptocurrency services for the upcoming "Truth.Fi" service.Truth.Fi will encompass digital assets and traditional financial services as a proposed alternative to the legacy banking system.TMTG CEO, and White House official, Devin Nunes said the goal of TMTG is to provide an option for individuals worried about unfair banking practices and "cancellation, censorship, debanking, and privacy violations committed by big tech and woke corporations.”Magazine: Researchers accidentally turn ChatGPT evil, Grok ‘sexy mode’ horror: AI Eye

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 19, 2025 at 5:39 pm

Brandon Ferrick, general counsel at Douro Labs, said that the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) openness to public input on crypto policy and their roundtable discussions are positive signs that the crypto industry is not currently experiencing regulatory capture.In an interview with Cointelegraph, Ferrick identified signs of regulatory capture including, a public-to-private sector revolving door of employees, the same roster of attendees at regulatory events, and special treatment given to certain crypto projects. However, Ferrick added:"The reason why I am not worried today is that a lot of what you're seeing from the regulatory side, like the SEC, for example, is totally open, public, and there are available opportunities to have conversations with the regulators about changing or thinking about the regulatory structures.""[The SEC] has a public portal where you can just submit written commentary on your thoughts for the crypto regulatory environment, and you can schedule meetings with them," the attorney continued.Crypto Industry executives and panelists discuss cohesive crypto regulation at the SEC’s first crypto roundtable in March 2025. Source: SEC As the crypto industry becomes more integrated with the traditional financial system and engages state regulators more, some analysts and executives are worried that the industry is experiencing regulatory capture that will skew incentives and politicize the burgeoning crypto sector.Related: SEC staff gives guidance on how securities laws could apply to cryptoSEC hosts several roundtable discussions on crypto policyThe SEC has hosted several crypto roundtable discussions and panels, with more slated in the coming months — a sharp contrast from the agency's regulation-by-enforcement approach under former SEC chairman Gary Gensler.On March 21, the regulatory agency hosted its first crypto roundtable, which featured crypto industry executives, SEC officials, and even opponents of the crypto industry.Former SEC official John Reed Stark was highly critical of the industry and opposed comprehensive regulatory reform, arguing that digital assets must comply with existing securities laws.Former SEC official John Reed Stark addresses the SEC’s March 2025 crypto roundtable. Source: SECThe SEC's April 11 roundtable focused on trading rules and included a different set of panelists, including representatives from Uniswap and Coinbase.The next SEC panel will occur on April 25 and focus on establishing guidelines for crypto custodians and other firms holding crypto on behalf of customers.Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

by Sundance on April 19, 2025 at 5:21 pm

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced an Easter ceasefire of all hostilities in order to celebrate the holiest of Christian holy days.  According to his announcement the ceasefire will last from 6 p.m. Moscow time (1500 GMT) on Saturday, to midnight (2100 GMT) Monday, following Easter Sunday. “We assume that the Ukrainian side will follow The post Russian President Vladimir Putin Announces Easter Ceasefire appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Sundance on April 19, 2025 at 4:01 pm

The White House provides the following Easter message from President Donald Trump. “As we approach this joyous Easter Sunday, I want to wish Christians everywhere a happy, and beautiful, and blessed holiday. America is a nation of believers. We need God. We want God. And with His help, we will make our nation stronger…” –President The post President Trump Delivers an Easter Message appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Sundance on April 19, 2025 at 3:54 pm

On this 250th Anniversary of the first Patriots Day, the battle of Lexington and Concord, the White House posts the following historical account for our consideration.  Thank You President Donald J Trump. . Posted in Christian Values, Culture, Heros, History, Patriotism, President Trump, Uncategorized The post 250 Year Anniversary of “The Shot Heard Around the World” – The Battle of Lexington and Concord appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Jin Kwon on April 19, 2025 at 3:00 pm

Opinion by: Jin Kwon, co-founder and chief strategy officer at SagaCrypto has come a long way in boosting transaction throughput. New layer 1s (L1s) and side networks offer faster, cheaper transactions than ever before. Yet, a core challenge has come into focus: liquidity fragmentation — the scattering of capital and users across an ever-growing maze of blockchains.Vitalik Buterin, in a recent blog post, highlighted how scaling successes have led to unforeseen coordination challenges. With so many chains and so much value splintered among them, participants face a daily tangle of bridging, swapping and wallet-switching. While these issues affect Ethereum, they also affect nearly every ecosystem. No matter how advanced, new blockchains risk becoming liquidity “islands” that struggle to connect with one another.The real costs of fragmentationLiquidity fragmentation means there is no single “pool” of assets for traders, investors or decentralized finance (DeFi) applications to tap into. Instead, each blockchain or side network hosts its own siloed liquidity. For a user who wants to buy a token or access a specific lending platform, this siloing introduces multiple headaches. Switching networks, opening specialized wallets and paying multiple transaction fees are far from seamless, especially for those less tech-savvy. Liquidity is also thinner in each isolated pool, leading to price disparities and higher slippage on trades. Many users resort to bridges to move capital across chains, yet these have been frequent targets for exploits, raising fear and mistrust. If it’s too cumbersome or risky to move liquidity around, DeFi fails to gain mainstream momentum. Meanwhile, projects scramble to deploy across multiple networks or risk being left behind.Some observers worry that fragmentation could drive people back to a few dominant chains or centralized exchanges, undermining the decentralized ideals that fueled blockchain’s rise.Familiar fixes, with persisting gapsSolutions have emerged to tackle this tangle. Bridges and wrapped assets enable basic interoperability, but the user experience remains cumbersome. Crosschain aggregators can route tokens through a chain of swaps, yet they generally don’t merge the underlying liquidity. They only help users navigate it. Meanwhile, ecosystems like Cosmos and Polkadot bring interoperability within their frameworks, though they are separate realms in the broader crypto landscape.The problem is fundamental: Each chain views itself as distinct. Any new chain or sub-network must be “plugged in” at the ground level to truly unify liquidity. Otherwise, it adds another liquidity island that users must discover and bridge into. This challenge is compounded by chains, bridges and aggregators seeing one another as competition, leading to intentional siloing and making fragmentation even more pronounced.Integrating liquidity at the base layerIntegration at the base layer addresses liquidity fragmentation by embedding bridging and routing functions directly into a chain’s core infrastructure. This approach appears in certain layer-1 protocols and specialized frameworks, where interoperability is treated as a foundational element rather than an optional add-on. Recent: What are exit liquidity traps — and how to detect them before it is too lateValidator nodes automatically handle crosschain connections, so new chains or side networks can launch with immediate access to the broader ecosystem’s liquidity. This reduces reliance on third-party bridges that often introduce security risks and user friction.Ethereum’s own challenges with heterogeneous layer-2 (L2) solutions underscore why integration is essential. Different participants — Ethereum as a settlement layer, L2s focusing on execution, and various bridging services — have their own motivations, resulting in fragmented liquidity. Buterin’s references to this issue highlight the need for more cohesive designs. An integrated base-layer model brings these components together at launch, ensuring that capital can flow freely without forcing users to navigate multiple wallets, bridge solutions, or rollups.An integrated routing mechanism also consolidates asset transfers, mimicking a unified liquidity pool behind the scenes. By capturing a fraction of the overall liquidity flow rather than charging users for every transaction, such protocols reduce friction and encourage capital mobility across the network. Developers deploying new blockchains gain instant access to a shared liquidity base while end-users avoid juggling multiple tools or encountering unexpected fees. This emphasis on integration helps maintain a seamless experience, even as more networks come online.Not just an Ethereum issueWhile Buterin’s blog post focuses on Ethereum’s rollups, fragmentation is ecosystem-agnostic. Whether a project builds on an Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible chain, a WebAssembly-based platform, or something else, the fragmentation trap arises if liquidity is fenced off. As more protocols explore base-layer solutions — embedding automatic interoperability into their chain design — there’s hope that future networks won’t splinter capital further but instead help unify it.A clear principle emerges: Throughput means little without connectivity.Users shouldn’t need to think about L1s, L2s or sidechains. They just want seamless access to decentralized applications (DApps), games and financial services. Adopting will follow if stepping onto a new chain feels identical to operating on a familiar network.Toward a unified and liquid futureThe crypto community’s focus on transaction throughput has revealed an unexpected paradox: The more chains we create for speed, the more we fragment our ecosystem’s strength, which lies in its shared liquidity. Each new chain intended to boost capacity creates another isolated pool of capital.Building interoperability directly into blockchain infrastructure offers a clear path through this challenge. When protocols handle crosschain connections automatically and route assets efficiently, developers can expand without splintering their user base or capital. Success in this model comes from measuring and improving how smoothly value moves throughout the ecosystem.The technical foundations for this approach exist today. We must implement them thoughtfully, with attention to security and user experience.Opinion by: Jin Kwon, co-founder and chief strategy officer at Saga. 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 19, 2025 at 2:31 pm

Whales and institutions are increasing their Bitcoin holdings ahead of Easter, as market analysts predict a weekend with less volatility after two weeks of heightened volatility driven by escalating global trade tensions.A wallet linked to London-based investment firm Abraxas Capital acquired 2,949 Bitcoin (BTC) worth more than $250 million during the four days leading up to April 19.In the latest transaction, the firm bought over $45 million worth of Bitcoin from Binance on April 18, according to crypto intelligence firm Lookonchain, citing Arkham Intelligence data.Source: Arkham Intelligence, LookonchainThe investment came days after Michael Saylor’s Strategy bought $285 million worth of Bitcoin at an average price of $82,618 per BTC, as the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holders signal continued confidence in Bitcoin, amid global tariff uncertainty.Large Bitcoin investors, or whales, continue accumulating, absorbing over 300% of Bitcoin’s yearly issuance as exchanges continue losing coins at a historic pace, Cointelegraph reported on April 18.Related: Spar supermarket in Switzerland starts accepting Bitcoin paymentsCrypto analysts eye quiet Easter weekend after weeks of turmoilDespite continued accumulation from whales and institutions, volatility concerns were raised by significant movements from the medium-term Bitcoin cohort, which holds coins for an average of three to six months.Over 170,000 Bitcoin entered circulation from the medium-term cohort, a development that may signal “imminent” crypto market volatility, according to pseudonymous CryptoQuant analyst Mignolet.“The effect of this metric on LTF moves is overstated as large onchain movement of coins hardly ever affects weekend price action since it’s not on liquid markets or CEX markets,” analysts at Bitfinex exchange told Cointelegraph, adding:“It is important to note that funding rates remain relatively flat currently. Moreover, US markets are closed as we have a long weekend for Easter, so volatility could be suppressed barring headlines from the White House.”Related: Crypto, DeFi may widen wealth gap, destabilize finance: BIS reportMarcin Kazmierczak, chief operating officer of RedStone Oracles, added that the recent movements may be operational transfers, not necessarily signs of imminent selling pressure.Still, concerns over weekend volatility have been amplified over the past two weeks after the Mantra (OM) token’s price collapsed by over 90% on Sunday, April 13, from roughly $6.30 to below $0.50, triggering market manipulation allegations and highlighting “critical” liquidity issues in the industry.Two weeks ago, on April 6, Bitcoin fell below $75,000 on Sunday, as investor concerns spread from a record-breaking  $5 trillion sell-off from the S&P 500, its largest on record.BTC, SPX, year-to-date chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe correction was caused by Bitcoin’s 24/7 trading availability, which made it the only large liquid asset available for de-risking on Sunday, Blockstream CEO Adam Back told Cointelegraph.“On a weekend, there’s not much volume. So you have a worse risk of rapid sort of flash crashes or flash dips that get filled in again,” he said.Magazine: Bitcoin ATH sooner than expected? XRP may drop 40%, and more: Hodler’s Digest, March 23 – 29

by Cointelegraph by Yashu Gola on April 19, 2025 at 2:15 pm

XRP (XRP) has bounced nearly 30% after a four-month low of $1.61 amid rising tariff tensions. However, the rebound may be short-lived as technical patterns and on-chain signals now point to a deeper correction ahead.XRP cup-and-handle pattern hints at 40% drop XRP is forming a classic bearish reversal pattern that could see its price falling by at least 40% in the coming weeks.Dubbed inverse-cup-and-handle (IC&H), the pattern forms when the price rounds off in a curved descent (cup) followed by a brief consolidation phase (handle) — all atop a common neckline support level. Inverted cup-and-handle pattern illustrated. Source: MediumThe pattern is confirmed by a breakdown stage, where the price breaks decisively below support and falls by as much as the pattern’s maximum height. As of April 19, XRP had entered the pattern’s handle-formation phase, eyeing a decisive close below the neckline support at around $2. In this case, the primary downside target will likely be around $1.24, almost 40% below current prices.XRP/USD three-day price chart. Source: TradingViewThe IC&H target aligns with XRP’s 200-3D exponential moving average (200-3D EMA; the blue wave) at around $1.28 — and further coincides with a November 2024 top.Additionally, veteran trader Peter Brandt suggests that XRP’s market cap could drop by 50% in the coming weeks.Source: Peter BrandtXRP onchain fractal hints at 50% correction XRP’s inverse cup-and-handle pattern is unfolding in line with its historical price behavior, signaling that its 2025 rally may have topped out. For instance, the cryptocurrency saw sharp pullbacks to its aggregated realized price following major surges in previous cycles, most notably in 2018 and 2021.XRP realized price by age (aggregated). Source: GlassnodeFor traders, the realized price serves as a psychological benchmark, representing the average price at which the XRP supply was last moved. When the market price trades well above this level, most holders are in profit, which can encourage complacency or profit-taking. Conversely, if the price nears the realized price, fear of losses tends to rise, and selling pressure can intensify.In 2025, XRP surged past $3.20 before losing steam, repeating patterns seen in past bull-to-bear cycles. The current realized price at around $1, a likely downside target in 2025 down about 50% from the current prices.Interestingly, XRP’s $1 realized price target is closer to its 200-week EMA (the blue wave in the chart below) at $0.81, a bear market target discussed in Cointelegraph’s analysis in late March.XRP/USD weekly price chart. Source: TradingViewAdding to the bearish outlook, over 80% of XRP addresses are currently in profit. The metric historically reached similar levels during previous market tops, often preceding significant rounds of profit-taking and pullbacks. Related: 81.6% of XRP supply is in profit, but traders in Korea are turning bearish — Here is whyXRP percent of addresses in profit. Source: GlassnodeIf history repeats, such similar conditions could incentivize traders to exit positions, accelerating XRP’s retracement toward the realized price.Odds of XRP hitting record highs are declining Sentiment around XRP reaching a new all-time high above the $3.55 level is deteriorating, according to prediction market data from Polymarket. As of April 19, the odds of XRP achieving this milestone before 2026 have dropped to just 35%, marking a sharp 25% decline from peak confidence levels in March, as shown below.XRP all-time highs before 2026 odds. Source: PolymarketThe upside momentum in the crypto market has faded overall in April, coinciding with a broader decline in risk appetite driven by escalating global tariff tensions under Donald Trump’s trade policies.This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

by Cointelegraph by William Suberg on April 19, 2025 at 1:07 pm

Bitcoin (BTC) faces “unprecedented” US dollar correlation as new BTC price research gives a $75,000 floor.In one of his latest analyses on April 18, network economist Timothy Peterson calculated that BTC/USD may rise as high as $138,000 within the next three months.BTC price probabilities give bulls the upper handBitcoin is navigating highly unusual macroeconomic conditions as a result of the ongoing US trade war, but history still offers clues as to where BTC price action may head next.For Peterson, the US High Yield Index Effective Yield, currently at over 8%, holds the key.“This has happened 38 times since 2010 (monthly data),” he summarized. “3 months later: Bitcoin was up 71% of the time. The median gain was +31%. If it went lower, the worst loss was -16%.”US High Yield Index Effective Yield. Source: Timothy Peterson/XWith BTC/USD performance thus skewed to the upside, Peterson gave hope to those waiting for a rematch of all-time highs from January.“This likely puts Bitcoin between $75k and $138k within 90 days,” he concluded.Bitcoin would need to deliver 62% gains within that period to achieve that maximum level.As Cointelegraph reported, Peterson has been a frequent contributor to BTC price forecasts in 2025, with one of his proprietary tools, Lowest Price Forward, giving 95% odds of a $69,000 floor in March.Bitcoin DXY correlation will flip negativeTurning his attention to the dramatic drop in the US dollar index (DXY) thanks to US trade tariffs, he predicted that its unusual positive correlation with BTC would ultimately end.Related: Bitcoin price volatility 'imminent' as speculators move 170K BTC — CryptoQuant“This level of BTC-USD correlation is unprecedented. The relationship is not causal, but reflective of underlying conditions affecting both,” he explained.  “Historically inverse, the relationship flipped in 2024 as both assets began responding to the same macro stressors: tightening liquidity, high real rates, and global risk aversion.  BTC will decouple and rise when real yields drop + liquidity returns.”BTC/USD vs. US dollar index (DXY). Source: Timothy Peterson/XDXY continued to stay below the key 100 mark on April 18, per data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView, reflecting some of its lowest levels in the past three years.Earlier, separate analysis nonetheless saw the potential for Bitcoin to directly benefit from dollar weakness in a manner similar to the early innings of the bull run in 2023.US dollar index (DXY) 1-week chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThis 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.