Alternative News for You

by Matthew Doran on April 22, 2025 at 4:37 pm

Health authorities in the war-ravaged strip say there are not enough supplies of a vital vaccine for 600,000 Palestinian children, as the Israeli blockade of the strip continues.

by Cointelegraph by Yashu Gola on April 22, 2025 at 3:56 pm

Bitcoin’s (BTC) value relative to gold (XAU) may be poised for a steep 35% drop as it mirrors historical bear market signals and reacts to massive turbulence that has wiped out $13 trillion from the US stock market.Bitcoin’s breaks below key gold supportAs of April 22, the BTC/XAU ratio had closed below its 50-period exponential moving average (50-period EMA; the red wave) on the two-week chart for the first time since April 2022.BTC/XAU two-week performance chart. Source: TradingViewHistorically, a decisive close below the 50-period EMA has led to an extended downtrend toward the 200-period EMA (the blue wave).For instance, in both 2021 and 2022, BTC/XAU experienced an initial bounce after testing the 50-EMA, only to eventually break below it and decline toward the 200-EMA, as shown above.Related: Bitcoin longs cut $106M — Are Bitfinex BTC whales turning bearish above $86K?This pattern is now repeating in 2025 after two recent tests of the 50-EMA support level in 2024 and 2025. BTC/XAU is breaking lower, suggesting that a move toward the 200-EMA may be underway, representing an approximately 35% drop.Mike McGlone, the senior commodity strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, offers a similar downside outlook for the Bitcoin-to-Gold ratio, citing its extremely positive correlation with the US stock market.Bitcoin/Gold vs. US stock market cap-to-GDP ratio. Source: Mike McGlone“What's $13 trillion? The 2025 peak-to-trough drop in US stock market capitalization -- almost 50% of GDP,” he wrote, adding:“The Bitcoin/gold cross has same-chart symptoms with market cap-to-GDP.“Bounces should be expected in bear markets,” he added, implying that while short-term relief rallies are possible, the prevailing trend for both Bitcoin and equities may remain downward for now.That is in contrast to the ongoing decoupling narrative between Bitcoin and the US stocks.BTC vs gold breakdowns are historically bearishWeakness in the BTC/XAU pair is not just a relative signal; it often foreshadows absolute declines in Bitcoin’s price.This trend was clearly visible during the 2021–2022 cycle. After BTC/XAU broke below its 50-EMA in late 2021, Bitcoin’s price in USD followed suit, entering a prolonged bear market that saw prices fall from over $42,000 to below $17,000.BTC/XAU vs. BTC/USD two-week price performance chart. Source: TradingViewThe pattern also repeated in earlier cycles, namely the 2019-2020 and 2018-2019 periods. Each time, Bitcoin either bottomed out near its 200-week EMA or declined further below it to establish a cycle low, as shown below.BTC/USD weekly price chart. Source: TradingViewIf the historical correlation between BTC/XAU and BTC/USD holds true in the current cycle, Bitcoin faces an elevated risk of declining toward its 200-week EMA by year’s end, which currently sits near $50,950.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.Bitcoin’s (BTC) value relative to Gold (XAU) may be poised for a steep 35% drop, as it mirrors historical bear market signals and reacts to massive turbulence that has wiped out $13 trillion from the US stock market.Bitcoin’s break below key gold support signals further selloffsAs of April 22, the BTC/XAU ratio had closed below its 50-period exponential moving average (50-period EMA; the red wave) on the two-week chart for the first time since April 2022.BTC/XAU two-week performance chart. Source: TradingViewHistorically, a decisive close below the 50-period EMA has led to an extended downtrend toward the 200-period EMA (the blue wave).In both 2021 and 2022, for instance, BTC/XAU experienced an initial bounce after testing the 50-EMA, only to eventually break below it and decline toward the 200-EMA, as shown above.This pattern is now repeating in 2025 after two recent tests of the 50-EMA support level in 2024 and 2025. BTC/XAU is breaking lower, suggesting that a move toward the 200-EMA may be underway, representing an approximately 35% drop.Mike McGlone, the senior commodity strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, offers a similar downside outlook for the Bitcoin-to-Gold ratio, citing its extremely positive correlation with the US stock market.Bitcoin/Gold vs. US stock market cap-to-GDP ratio. Source: Mike McGlone“What's $13 trillion? The 2025 peak-to-trough drop in US stock market capitalization -- almost 50% of GDP,” he wrote, adding:“The Bitcoin/gold cross has same-chart symptoms with market cap-to-GDP.“Bounces should be expected in bear markets,” he added, implying that while short-term relief rallies are possible, the prevailing trend for both Bitcoin and equities may remain downward for now.Related: Bitcoin longs cut $106M — Are Bitfinex BTC whales turning bearish above $86K?That is in contrast to the ongoing ‘decoupling’ narrative between Bitcoin and the US stocks.BTC/XAU breakdowns are historically bearish for BTC/USDWeakness in the BTC/XAU pair is not just a relative signal; it often foreshadows absolute declines in Bitcoin’s price.This trend was clearly visible during the 2021–2022 cycle. After BTC/XAU broke below its 50-EMA in late 2021, Bitcoin’s price in USD followed suit, entering a prolonged bear market that saw prices fall from over $42,000 to below $17,000.BTC/XAU vs. BTC/USD two-week price performance chart. Source: TradingViewThe pattern repeated in earlier cycles as well, namely the 2019-2020 and 2019-2019 periods. Each time, Bitcoin either bottomed out near its 200-week EMA or declined further below it to establish a cycle low, as shown below.BTC/USD weekly price chart. Source: TradingViewIf the historical correlation between BTC/XAU and BTC/USD holds true in the current cycle, Bitcoin faces an elevated risk of declining toward its 200-week EMA by year’s end, which currently sits near $50,950.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.Bitcoin’s (BTC) value relative to Gold (XAU) may be poised for a steep 35% drop, as it mirrors historical bear market signals and reacts to massive turbulence that has wiped out $13 trillion from the US stock market.Bitcoin’s break below key gold support signals further selloffsAs of April 22, the BTC/XAU ratio had closed below its 50-period exponential moving average (50-period EMA; the red wave) on the two-week chart for the first time since April 2022.BTC/XAU two-week performance chart. Source: TradingViewHistorically, a decisive close below the 50-period EMA has led to an extended downtrend toward the 200-period EMA (the blue wave).In both 2021 and 2022, for instance, BTC/XAU experienced an initial bounce after testing the 50-EMA, only to eventually break below it and decline toward the 200-EMA, as shown above.This pattern is now repeating in 2025 after two recent tests of the 50-EMA support level in 2024 and 2025. BTC/XAU is breaking lower, suggesting that a move toward the 200-EMA may be underway, representing an approximately 35% drop.Mike McGlone, the senior commodity strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, offers a similar downside outlook for the Bitcoin-to-Gold ratio, citing its extremely positive correlation with the US stock market.Bitcoin/Gold vs. US stock market cap-to-GDP ratio. Source: Mike McGlone“What's $13 trillion? The 2025 peak-to-trough drop in US stock market capitalization -- almost 50% of GDP,” he wrote, adding:“The Bitcoin/gold cross has same-chart symptoms with market cap-to-GDP.“Bounces should be expected in bear markets,” he added, implying that while short-term relief rallies are possible, the prevailing trend for both Bitcoin and equities may remain downward for now.Related: Bitcoin longs cut $106M — Are Bitfinex BTC whales turning bearish above $86K?That is in contrast to the ongoing ‘decoupling’ narrative between Bitcoin and the US stocks.BTC/XAU breakdowns are historically bearish for BTC/USDWeakness in the BTC/XAU pair is not just a relative signal; it often foreshadows absolute declines in Bitcoin’s price.This trend was clearly visible during the 2021–2022 cycle. After BTC/XAU broke below its 50-EMA in late 2021, Bitcoin’s price in USD followed suit, entering a prolonged bear market that saw prices fall from over $42,000 to below $17,000.BTC/XAU vs. BTC/USD two-week price performance chart. Source: TradingViewThe pattern repeated in earlier cycles as well, namely the 2019-2020 and 2019-2019 periods. Each time, Bitcoin either bottomed out near its 200-week EMA or declined further below it to establish a cycle low, as shown below.BTC/USD weekly price chart. Source: TradingViewIf the historical correlation between BTC/XAU and BTC/USD holds true in the current cycle, Bitcoin faces an elevated risk of declining toward its 200-week EMA by year’s end, which currently sits near $50,950.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.Bitcoin’s (BTC) value relative to Gold (XAU) may be poised for a steep 35% drop, as it mirrors historical bear market signals and reacts to massive turbulence that has wiped out $13 trillion from the US stock market.Bitcoin’s break below key gold support signals further selloffsAs of April 22, the BTC/XAU ratio had closed below its 50-period exponential moving average (50-period EMA; the red wave) on the two-week chart for the first time since April 2022.BTC/XAU two-week performance chart. Source: TradingViewHistorically, a decisive close below the 50-period EMA has led to an extended downtrend toward the 200-period EMA (the blue wave).In both 2021 and 2022, for instance, BTC/XAU experienced an initial bounce after testing the 50-EMA, only to eventually break below it and decline toward the 200-EMA, as shown above.This pattern is now repeating in 2025 after two recent tests of the 50-EMA support level in 2024 and 2025. BTC/XAU is breaking lower, suggesting that a move toward the 200-EMA may be underway, representing an approximately 35% drop.Mike McGlone, the senior commodity strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, offers a similar downside outlook for the Bitcoin-to-Gold ratio, citing its extremely positive correlation with the US stock market.Bitcoin/Gold vs. US stock market cap-to-GDP ratio. Source: Mike McGlone“What's $13 trillion? The 2025 peak-to-trough drop in US stock market capitalization -- almost 50% of GDP,” he wrote, adding:“The Bitcoin/gold cross has same-chart symptoms with market cap-to-GDP.“Bounces should be expected in bear markets,” he added, implying that while short-term relief rallies are possible, the prevailing trend for both Bitcoin and equities may remain downward for now.Related: Bitcoin longs cut $106M — Are Bitfinex BTC whales turning bearish above $86K?That is in contrast to the ongoing ‘decoupling’ narrative between Bitcoin and the US stocks.BTC/XAU breakdowns are historically bearish for BTC/USDWeakness in the BTC/XAU pair is not just a relative signal; it often foreshadows absolute declines in Bitcoin’s price.This trend was clearly visible during the 2021–2022 cycle. After BTC/XAU broke below its 50-EMA in late 2021, Bitcoin’s price in USD followed suit, entering a prolonged bear market that saw prices fall from over $42,000 to below $17,000.BTC/XAU vs. BTC/USD two-week price performance chart. Source: TradingViewThe pattern repeated in earlier cycles as well, namely the 2019-2020 and 2019-2019 periods. Each time, Bitcoin either bottomed out near its 200-week EMA or declined further below it to establish a cycle low, as shown below.BTC/USD weekly price chart. Source: TradingViewIf the historical correlation between BTC/XAU and BTC/USD holds true in the current cycle, Bitcoin faces an elevated risk of declining toward its 200-week EMA by year’s end, which currently sits near $50,950.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.Bitcoin’s (BTC) value relative to Gold (XAU) may be poised for a steep 35% drop, as it mirrors historical bear market signals and reacts to massive turbulence that has wiped out $13 trillion from the US stock market.Bitcoin’s break below key gold support signals further selloffsAs of April 22, the BTC/XAU ratio had closed below its 50-period exponential moving average (50-period EMA; the red wave) on the two-week chart for the first time since April 2022.BTC/XAU two-week performance chart. Source: TradingViewHistorically, a decisive close below the 50-period EMA has led to an extended downtrend toward the 200-period EMA (the blue wave).In both 2021 and 2022, for instance, BTC/XAU experienced an initial bounce after testing the 50-EMA, only to eventually break below it and decline toward the 200-EMA, as shown above.This pattern is now repeating in 2025 after two recent tests of the 50-EMA support level in 2024 and 2025. BTC/XAU is breaking lower, suggesting that a move toward the 200-EMA may be underway, representing an approximately 35% drop.Mike McGlone, the senior commodity strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, offers a similar downside outlook for the Bitcoin-to-Gold ratio, citing its extremely positive correlation with the US stock market.Bitcoin/Gold vs. US stock market cap-to-GDP ratio. Source: Mike McGlone“What's $13 trillion? The 2025 peak-to-trough drop in US stock market capitalization -- almost 50% of GDP,” he wrote, adding:“The Bitcoin/gold cross has same-chart symptoms with market cap-to-GDP.“Bounces should be expected in bear markets,” he added, implying that while short-term relief rallies are possible, the prevailing trend for both Bitcoin and equities may remain downward for now.Related: Bitcoin longs cut $106M — Are Bitfinex BTC whales turning bearish above $86K?That is in contrast to the ongoing ‘decoupling’ narrative between Bitcoin and the US stocks.BTC/XAU breakdowns are historically bearish for BTC/USDWeakness in the BTC/XAU pair is not just a relative signal; it often foreshadows absolute declines in Bitcoin’s price.This trend was clearly visible during the 2021–2022 cycle. After BTC/XAU broke below its 50-EMA in late 2021, Bitcoin’s price in USD followed suit, entering a prolonged bear market that saw prices fall from over $42,000 to below $17,000.BTC/XAU vs. BTC/USD two-week price performance chart. Source: TradingViewThe pattern repeated in earlier cycles as well, namely the 2019-2020 and 2019-2019 periods. Each time, Bitcoin either bottomed out near its 200-week EMA or declined further below it to establish a cycle low, as shown below.BTC/USD weekly price chart. Source: TradingViewIf the historical correlation between BTC/XAU and BTC/USD holds true in the current cycle, Bitcoin faces an elevated risk of declining toward its 200-week EMA by year’s end, which currently sits near $50,950.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.Bitcoin’s (BTC) value relative to Gold (XAU) may be poised for a steep 35% drop, as it mirrors historical bear market signals and reacts to massive turbulence that has wiped out $13 trillion from the US stock market.Bitcoin’s break below key gold support signals further selloffsAs of April 22, the BTC/XAU ratio had closed below its 50-period exponential moving average (50-period EMA; the red wave) on the two-week chart for the first time since April 2022.BTC/XAU two-week performance chart. Source: TradingViewHistorically, a decisive close below the 50-period EMA has led to an extended downtrend toward the 200-period EMA (the blue wave).In both 2021 and 2022, for instance, BTC/XAU experienced an initial bounce after testing the 50-EMA, only to eventually break below it and decline toward the 200-EMA, as shown above.This pattern is now repeating in 2025 after two recent tests of the 50-EMA support level in 2024 and 2025. BTC/XAU is breaking lower, suggesting that a move toward the 200-EMA may be underway, representing an approximately 35% drop.Mike McGlone, the senior commodity strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, offers a similar downside outlook for the Bitcoin-to-Gold ratio, citing its extremely positive correlation with the US stock market.Bitcoin/Gold vs. US stock market cap-to-GDP ratio. Source: Mike McGlone“What's $13 trillion? The 2025 peak-to-trough drop in US stock market capitalization -- almost 50% of GDP,” he wrote, adding:“The Bitcoin/gold cross has same-chart symptoms with market cap-to-GDP.“Bounces should be expected in bear markets,” he added, implying that while short-term relief rallies are possible, the prevailing trend for both Bitcoin and equities may remain downward for now.Related: Bitcoin longs cut $106M — Are Bitfinex BTC whales turning bearish above $86K?That is in contrast to the ongoing ‘decoupling’ narrative between Bitcoin and the US stocks.BTC/XAU breakdowns are historically bearish for BTC/USDWeakness in the BTC/XAU pair is not just a relative signal; it often foreshadows absolute declines in Bitcoin’s price.This trend was clearly visible during the 2021–2022 cycle. After BTC/XAU broke below its 50-EMA in late 2021, Bitcoin’s price in USD followed suit, entering a prolonged bear market that saw prices fall from over $42,000 to below $17,000.BTC/XAU vs. BTC/USD two-week price performance chart. Source: TradingViewThe pattern repeated in earlier cycles as well, namely the 2019-2020 and 2019-2019 periods. Each time, Bitcoin either bottomed out near its 200-week EMA or declined further below it to establish a cycle low, as shown below.BTC/USD weekly price chart. Source: TradingViewIf the historical correlation between BTC/XAU and BTC/USD holds true in the current cycle, Bitcoin faces an elevated risk of declining toward its 200-week EMA by year’s end, which currently sits near $50,950.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 Thomas Morgan on April 22, 2025 at 3:37 pm

The International Monetary Fund says the US will be hardest hit by its own increased tariffs, which the organisation says is the biggest upheaval to global trade in 80 years.

by Cointelegraph by William Suberg on April 22, 2025 at 3:19 pm

Bitcoin (BTC) hit six-week highs on April 22 as US trade war tensions emboldened crypto bulls.BTC/USD 1-hour chart with 200SMA. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBitcoin lines up resistance flips around $90,000Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed BTC/USD above $91,000 after the Wall Street open — its highest since March 7.Bitcoin and gold benefited from increasing market nerves over how China, Japan and others would respond to US trade tariffs.XAU/USD set fresh all-time highs on the day, while BTC/USD faced a key bull market support trend line that has been acting as resistance since early March.BTC/USD 1-day chart with 200SMA. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewFor traders, the 200-day simple moving average (SMA) at $88,370 thus became the level to flip back to support on daily timeframes.“Closing in on the big $90K-$91K horizontal area which acted as the previous range low,” popular trader Daan Crypto Trades wrote in part of ongoing analysis on X. An accompanying chart showed the need to crack the area around $93,000 — Bitcoin’s yearly open — to confirm the moving average reclaim. BTC/USDT perpetual contract 1-day chart. Source: Daan Crypto Trades/XContinuing, Keith Alan, co-founder of trading resource Material Indicators, had similar views.“If history has taught us anything, it's important to watch for fake outs and confirmations,” he noted. “IMO, confirmation of the trend reversal will come when BTC reclaims the Yearly Open. That move will put price on a trajectory to unwind the key moving averages and deliver a series of Golden Crosses in the days and weeks ahead.”BTC/USD 1-day chart. Source: Keith Alan/XBTC price rebound skepticism remainsFellow trader Roman, meanwhile, was among those staying cautious on the validity of a short-term BTC price swing.Related: US dollar goes 'no-bid' — 5 things to know in Bitcoin this week“Price now retesting prior support as resistance for now. A breakout above 93k would be great for bulls, however, I’m unsure if we get it,” he told X followers about the weekly chart. “Wait for weekly close before you make assumptions or get excited. We’ve seen so many fakeouts before. 5 days left!”BTC/USD 1-week chart with 200SMA. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewAlso unsure that the move would last was popular analytics resource Ecoinometrics, which acknowledged that Bitcoin ultimately lost out when the Nasdaq 100 index was below its own 200-day SMA.“Bitcoin is climbing. The NASDAQ is sliding. That kind of divergence doesn’t usually last,” it summarized on the day. “Historically, when the NASDAQ’s 200-day moving average trend is down, Bitcoin runs into macro headwinds.”BTC/USD vs. Nasdaq 100 chart. Source: Ecoinometrics/XThis article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

by Cointelegraph by Max Moeller on April 22, 2025 at 3:10 pm

What is Crocodilus malware? Crocodilus is the latest in a string of Android crypto malware built to steal your cryptoassets.Crocodilus is a sophisticated piece of malware that steals digital assets from Android devices. Named after crocodile references scattered throughout its code, Crocodilus targets Android 13 devices or later. The Android wallet malware utilizes overlays, remote access and social engineering to take over your device and drain your crypto wallet. Fraud prevention firm Threat Fabric discovered Crocodilus malware in March 2025 and published detailed research on the new virus. As of April 2025, users in Spain and Turkey are the primary targets. Threat Fabric predicts Crocodilus will expand globally in the coming months. How Crocodilus infects Android devices Crocodilus’ primary method of infection is still unknown, but it likely follows a path similar to other malware.What sets Crocodilus apart from typical crypto wallet malware is how deeply it integrates with your device. It does more than just trick you via social engineering. It takes complete control of your Android.While the leading cause of infection is unknown, malware like this often appears in a few ways:Fake apps: Crocodilus may disguise itself as a legitimate cryptocurrency-related app on the Google Play Store or on third-party app-hosting sites. Threat Fabric says the malware can bypass the Google Play Store’s safety scanners.SMS promotions: SMS scams are increasingly common. If you receive a random text with a suspicious link, don’t click on it. It may redirect you to a page that downloads malware.Malicious advertising: Infected ads run rampant on adult or software piracy websites. Each ad is strategically placed to make you accidentally tap, and it only takes one tap to download malware.  Phishing attempts: Some malware campaigns send malicious phishing emails that impersonate cryptocurrency exchanges. Double-check the sender’s e-mail address to verify its legitimacy.Once Crocodilus infects your device, the malware will request accessibility service permissions. Accepting these permissions connects Crocodilus to its command-and-control (C2) server, where attackers can display screen overlays, track keystrokes or activate remote access to control your device.However, the malware’s main identifying trait is its wallet backup trick. If you log into your cryptocurrency wallet app using a password or PIN, Crocodilus displays a fake overlay. It reads: “Back up your wallet key in the settings within 12 hours. Otherwise, the app will be reset, and you may lose access to your wallet.” If you click “continue,” Crocodilus prompts you to type in your seed phrase. The malware tracks your inputs via its keylogger. Then, the attackers have everything they need to steal your assets.Crocodilus’ fake overlay imitates legitimate wallet software. Its “continue” button is easy to press without thinking, but know that a recognizable wallet app would never urge you to back up your wallet in this way. If you see this overlay, uninstall the app and consider a clean install of your device.Unfortunately, keylogging is just the start. Crocodilus circumvents two-factor authentication (2FA) processes via its screen recorder, capturing verification codes from apps like Google Authenticator and sending them to C2.  Worst of all, Crocodilus displays a black overlay and mutes your device’s audio to cover up its activities. It pretends your phone is locked while silently stealing your assets in the background. The malware can conduct 45 commands in total, including:SMS takeover: Crocodilus can retrieve your text messages, text your contacts list, and even make itself your default SMS app.Remote access: The malware takes complete control of your device, allowing it to open apps, activate your camera or start your screen recorder.Modify text: While Crocodilus tricks you into inputting your wallet information, it can alter or generate text to help C2 access your private apps using data it finds on your device.Did you know? Stealthy malware threats to crypto wallets are common. Zero-click attacks — malware that infects your device without any input from you — are another form of crypto malware in 2025. What if you’ve fallen victim to a Crocodilus attack? Falling victim to Crocodilus requires immediate action.If you’ve fallen victim to the Android Trojan Crocodilus, immediately follow these crypto wallet protection tips:Isolate your device: Disconnect your device from Wi-Fi or data and turn it off. Remove the battery if possible.Recover your assets: You should have your wallet’s seed phrase stored in a safe, physical location. Use it to recover your wallet to an uncompromised device.Get rid of your infected device: Unfortunately, using your infected device is a massive risk. Factory resetting it might not get rid of the malware. Moving to another device is your safest option.Report the threat: If you downloaded a malicious app, such as one from the Google Play Store, report it to the relevant parties.Did you know? If you lose your cryptoassets, there’s no getting them back. Some may consider this one of the downsides to decentralization — a lack of a central authority to monitor and insure theft. How to check for a Crocodilus attack Regular checks go a long way toward protecting your cryptocurrencies. Learn how to detect crypto malware.While Crocodilus manipulates your device in secret, there are some telltale signs of infection to watch out for. Here’s how to protect crypto on Android if you’re suspicious of a Crocodilus attack:Suspicious app activity: Check your device activity tracker. An unaccounted-for uptick in cryptocurrency or banking apps may be cause for concern.Check app permissions: Regularly review the app permissions you've allowed, especially those that request accessibility permissions. Increased battery drain: A small but significant sign of infection is increased battery drain. If your battery drains faster than usual, your phone may be running malware in the background. Data usage spikes: Crocodilus continually transmits data to its C2 server. Monitor your data usage and be aware of any sudden increases. This is one of the most apparent signs your wallet app is compromised. How to prevent a Crocodilus hack Prevention is the best form of protection.According to blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis, an estimated $51 billion in cryptocurrencies was stolen via crypto hacks in 2024. The group expects this number to increase in 2025 and beyond. Cybersecurity is more important than ever as we continue to move toward decentralized digital finance.While it’s impossible to remain 100% safe from cyberthreats, consider adopting the following behaviors to protect yourself. Crypto wallet security in 2025 is more important than ever:Browse safely: Avoid suspicious websites that exist to trap users into downloading Crocodilus and other malware stealing crypto keys.Use a hardware wallet: As of April 2025, Crocodilus targets Android devices, specifically. Keeping your cryptocurrencies in a hardware wallet limits the malware’s reach.  Triple-check app downloads: Don’t side-load applications from unsafe websites. Make sure to triple-check apps on the Google Play Store and only download those you’re sure are official.Check official sources: Follow reputable cybersecurity websites, subreddits and other spaces to stay current on Crocodilus protection methods.Finally, be wary of unexpected backup prompts and monitor app behavior for suspicious activity.

by Cointelegraph by Ahmad Shadid on April 22, 2025 at 3:00 pm

Opinion by: Ahmad Shadid, CEO of O.xyzThe DeepSeek saga made it abundantly clear that cheaper AI models can offer breakthrough advantages. DeepSeek challenges traditional investments with low-cost, high-performance technology. Yet its rise brings serious risks. The most concerning aspects of such models are data privacy and security issues. The fact that such advanced models can be developed at a fraction of the standard expense does boost innovation and investment prospects, but at what cost?Cost-cutting AI models can create dangerous vulnerabilities, even if they democratize AI development. A recent Cisco study found that DeepSeek’s R1 model had a 100% attack success rate. In simple terms, the model failed to block a single harmful prompt. Why does security take a backseat during such innovation?DeepSeek sparks AI frenzy in China DeepSeek developers claim that its R1 chatbot costs a fraction of what rivals like OpenAI spend. Industry voices labeled this as the biggest AI chatbot story since November 2022. Microsoft and Amazon Web Services moved quickly to support DeepSeek. This progress comes with risks. DeepSeek’s AI model stores user data on servers in China. Chinese law forces companies to share data with state agencies. This policy may allow the Chinese government to harvest US consumer data.OpenAI raised concerns over DeepSeek in a letter to the US government. The 15-page letter highlighted that DeepSeek’s advancements, particularly with its R1 model, are narrowing the US lead in AI. From a financial viewpoint, DeepSeek’s announcement triggered a global panic. Tech stocks dropped sharply. Nvidia, a leader in chip manufacturing, lost nearly 17% in a single day. Investors reevaluated the cost and competitiveness of the AI industry. The loss in market value reached hundreds of billions of dollars. As risk sentiment spread, the shockwaves moved quickly into other sectors like crypto. The fast and hasty reaction itself is a critical concern. If AI developers want to cash in on this low-cost development trend, we might see more models like DeepSeek emerge that sacrifice user privacy for the sake of rapid deployment. The spillover effects on cryptoThe DeepSeek saga revealed a more concerning trend for the crypto industry. Cryptocurrencies have grown closely linked with tech stocks. When DeepSeek hit the headlines, the crypto market was not spared. Bitcoin (BTC), the most prominent digital asset, fell below $100,000. Analysts also noted that Bitcoin’s six‐month rolling correlation with the Nasdaq Composite rose to about 0.5. This indicates that risk assets like Bitcoin follow suit when tech stocks falter. So, future developments that damage the mainstream tech market can also take a toll on the crypto market. Critics, including Jean Rausis of Smardex, maintain that DeepSeek’s technology “has nothing to do with Bitcoin” on a fundamental level. The prevailing market fear, however, meant that any shock in the tech sector transmitted quickly to the crypto market. Many Bitcoin miners had moved into AI data center operations and saw shares decline by 13%–18%. This drop added to the overall uncertainty in the market.Another concern is the increasing avenue of scams. Several DeepSeek-themed or even fake AI-themed tokens emerged and captured investors’ attention. New investors would know very little about trading on decentralized exchanges and identifying pump-and-dump or rug-pull schemes. Security risks that can’t be ignored Security researchers pointed out that the DeepSeek R1 iOS app uses outdated encryption. Such flaws expose users to the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches. This cost-cutting can leave the system vulnerable to manipulation and misuse. The possibility that a low-cost AI model might serve foreign state interests casts a long shadow over its adoption.Recent: OpenAI expects to 3X revenue in 2025 but Chinese AI firms are heating upSecurity risks of this nature require urgent attention from companies and regulators alike. US officials worry about the storage of sensitive consumer data on Chinese servers. Regulators may impose stricter data protection standards to safeguard market confidence. Industry experts also debate the long-term influence of DeepSeek. Some argue that its cost-efficiency could push the entire AI sector forward. They see lower training costs as an opportunity to drive innovation and increase competition. This could lead to broader adoption of AI tools and lower costs. Yet the security shortcomings remain unresolved. The risk that cheaper models expose users to data breaches and cyberattacks overshadows potential benefits.What’s ahead? As regulators and industry leaders step in to examine these issues, the future of AI depends on how well we manage these security risks. We must demand higher standards for data protection, even as we push for innovation. DeepSeek’s case reminds us that breakthroughs in efficiency must come with strong safeguards. The choices made now will shape the future of AI and consumer data protection. The debate over cheaper, faster but riskier technology is far from over and will continue to influence the tech and crypto space for years to come.Opinion by: Ahmad Shadid, CEO of O.xyz. 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 Cointelegraph on April 22, 2025 at 2:04 pm

Today in crypto, a new lawsuit against Coinbase from Oregon’s attorney general refers to XRP and other digital assets as unregistered securities, Paul Atkins has been officially sworn in as US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chief, taking over from acting chair Mark Uyeda, and new filings reveal crypto companies among donors to US President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Oregon 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.Paul Atkins, nominated by Trump, sworn in as SEC chairPaul Atkins has officially been sworn in as the 34th chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission.The April 21 announcement comes nearly two weeks after Atkins’ position was confirmed by the US Senate in a 52-44 vote on April 9.Source: US House Committee on Financial Services Republicans“I am honored by the trust and confidence President Trump and the Senate have placed in me to lead the SEC,” said Atkins, who served as an SEC commissioner between 2002 and 2008.Atkins is widely expected to lead a more crypto-friendly SEC than former chair Gary Gensler under the Biden administration.Consensys, Solana, Uniswap CEO donated to Trump's $239 million inauguration fundNew filings from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) reveal that several cryptocurrency firms and their executives made significant contributions to US President Donald Trump’s inauguration fund after the results of the 2024 election. According to FEC filings made public on April 20 by the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, Uniswap CEO Hayden Adams donated more than $245,000, Solana Labs donated $1 million, and software firm Consensys sent $100,000 in January to support the then-president-elect’s inauguration. Many major crypto firms had previously announced their support of Trump through donations to the inaugural fund, including Coinbase, Ripple Labs, Kraken, Ondo Finance, and Robinhood.Altogether, the fund reported more than $239 million in net donations between Nov. 15 and April 20 from companies and individuals. These included $1 million from McDonald’s, $1 million from Meta, $1 million from Apple CEO Tim Cook, $1 million from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and various contributions from Delta Air Lines, ExxonMobil, FedEx, Nvidia, PayPal, Target, and Coca-Cola. Jan. 9 contribution from Uniswap CEO Hayden Adams to Trump-Vance inauguration fund. Source: FECSince Trump took office on Jan. 20 and appointed Mark Uyeda as acting chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the agency has dropped multiple investigations and enforcement actions against crypto firms, including those that donated to the president’s 2024 campaign or inauguration fund. In February, Uniswap reported that the SEC had dropped its probe into the firm, and Consensys founder Joseph Lubin said the agency had agreed to end a separate lawsuit. 

by Cointelegraph by Amin Haqshanas on April 22, 2025 at 1:56 pm

Bitcoin mining firm Bitdeer secured $60 million in loans to ramp up its Bitcoin ASIC manufacturing efforts as global mining competition intensifies amid record-breaking network hashrates.According to its annual report, Bitdeer entered a loan agreement in April with affiliate firm Matrixport, a crypto financial services company founded by Bitdeer’s chairman, Jihan Wu.The facility offers up to $200 million, backed by Bitdeer’s Sealminer hardware, with a floating interest rate of 9% plus market benchmarks. As of April 21, Bitdeer had drawn $43 million from the credit line.Source: Bitdeer’s Annual ReportThe latest funding adds to a $17 million unsecured loan obtained in January, alongside previous capital raises totaling $572.5 million via convertible notes in 2024. Bitdeer also issued over six million shares, raising nearly $119 million in equity markets this year.Related: Top Bitcoin miners produced nearly $800M of BTC in Q1 2025Bitdeer acquires 101 MW Alberta power projectIn February 2025, Bitdeer acquired a fully licensed 101 megawatt (MW) gas-fired power project near Fox Creek, Alberta, for $21.7 million in cash, per the annual filing.The site, with potential to scale up to 1 gigawatt, includes all necessary permits for construction and a 99 MW grid connection. The power plant is set to be developed with an EPC partner and is expected to be operational by the fourth quarter of 2026.In March, the company also purchased 40 MW worth of liquid-cooled mining containers from Saiheat.More recently, it was reported that Bitdeer is expanding its self-mining operations and investing in United States-based production. The shift came in response to cooling demand for its mining hardware from other miners.“Our plan going forward is to prioritize our own self-mining,” Jeff LaBerge, Bitdeer’s head of capital markets and strategic initiatives, reportedly said. Additionally, on Feb. 28, 2025, Bitdeer launched a $20 million share repurchase program, effective through February 2026. To date, it has repurchased 1,056,500 Class A shares valued at about $12 million under this program.Related: American Bitcoin’s ambition is to dominate mining — Hut 8 CEOBitcoin hashrate surges while miner revenues shrinkBitdeer’s expansion comes as Bitcoin’s network computing power hit a record 1 sextillion hashes per second in early April, according to BitInfoCharts.Bitcoin hashrate. Source: BitInfoChartsA higher hashrate indicates that more miners (or more powerful machines) are competing to solve Bitcoin blocks. As competition rises, each individual miner’s chance of earning block rewards decreases, implying declining profitability.Further hurting miner revenue are low transaction fees. As of now, the average Bitcoin transaction fee hovers around $1, down from over $16 per transfer in April last year, according to YCharts.The low transaction fees and rising hashrate forced public miners to sell over 40% of their BTC production in March — the highest since late 2024.Firms like Hive, Bitfarms and Ionic Digital reportedly sold more than 100% of their monthly output.Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest, April 13 – 19

by Cointelegraph by Helen Partz on April 22, 2025 at 1:46 pm

Mantra founder and CEO John Mullin has begun an $80 million burn of OM tokens to regain users’ trust following the token’s crash earlier in April. However, the question of the underlying reasons for the crash remains unanswered, blockchain investigators told Cointelegraph.Unpacking Mantra’s OM crash would require a detailed forensic study rather than just basic blockchain analysis, said Natalie Newson, senior blockchain investigator at the blockchain security firm CertiK.“A full forensic investigation, akin to what we saw post-FTX, would be needed to substantiate claims of calculated exploitation,” Newson told Cointelegraph, highlighting challenges of tracing over-the-counter (OTC) transactions.Newson’s perspective on the OM crash came days after Mantra released its post-crash statement, asking centralized exchange partners to collaborate on further unpacking the incident.Onchain activity versus opaque OTC dealsAddressing the OM token crash, Newson stressed the importance of distinguishing between public onchain activity and the “more opaque nature of OTC deals.”Mantra CEO Mullin disclosed in an interview with Coffeezilla on April 15 that the Mantra team had “done a small amount of OTCs,” up to $30 million of OM tokens.Mantra’s founder and CEO, John Mullin, in an interview with Coffeezilla. Source: YouTubeUnlike traceable transactions on centralized exchanges, OTC crypto transfers involve a method of buying and selling cryptocurrencies outside of exchanges, designed to enable deep liquidity and big trades while mitigating the volatility of prices.“In this case, the accumulation of approximately 100 million OM by a whale appears to have been the result of secondary market transactions — not necessarily direct activity from Mantra insiders,” Newson said.Analysis by Arkham or Nansen is not enoughAs previously mentioned, Mullin denied allegations that the OM crash resulted from an insider token dump, claiming that blockchain analytics platform Arkham had “mislabelled” some wallets.Newson said that data from Arkham and similar platforms like Nansen would be insufficient to confirm or deny insider involvement.“To confirm coordinated insider behavior, it would likely require more than just basic wallet tracing on platforms like Arkham or Nansen,” Newson said, adding:“Blockchain analytics tools can provide directional clues, but without access to offchain agreements and centralized exchange records, drawing definitive conclusions would be difficult.”Newson is not alone in highlighting the complicated nature of tracing transactions in the OM token crash.Related: Mantra OM token crash exposes ‘critical’ liquidity issues in crypto“There are ways to get data from the node, but it does not seem to be easy to get a full history,” Whale Alert’s co-founder Frank Weert told Cointelegraph.Mullin previously said that the team had been considering hiring a forensic auditor following the OM crash but had made no decision as of April 16.Arkham did not respond to multiple Cointelegraph inquiries to comment on the Mantra incident.Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest, April 13 – 19

by Cointelegraph by Nancy Lubale on April 22, 2025 at 1:45 pm

Bitcoin (BTC) rallied above $89,000 on April 22, its highest level since early March, buoyed by strong spot demand during US trading hours on April 21. The recovery, however, faced a serious challenge in breaking above $90,000 as sell-side liquidity blocked the way.BTC/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBitcoin price faces stiff resistance on the upsideData from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView shows that the price has been steadily moving toward the $89,000 level over the last six hours, leading to questions about whether the barrier at $90,00 will finally give in.BTC/USD hourly chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView“BTC is closing in on the big $ 90 K-$91 K horizontal area which acted as the previous range low,” said popular trader Daan Crypto Trades in an April 22 post on X. The trader explained that the price had swept the $89,000 level as it was consolidating below it. Note that the 200-day simple moving average (SMA) is currently located just above this level, reinforcing its significance.Daan Crypto Trades said that the price needs to overcome these barriers in order to confirm a breakout. “Quite a few resistances close by, but a few percentage moves and you'll break through all of them, and the chart looks pretty great. Bulls know what to do.”BTC/USD daily chart. Source: Daan Crypto TradesBitcoin price breaking $91-$92K is key — AnalystMeanwhile, CryptoQuant’s head of Research, Julio Moreno, said that the traders’ onchain realized price between $91,000 and $92,000 is the real test for Bitcoin bulls. Related: Bitcoin risks 10%-15% BTC price dip after key rejection near $89KAccording to Moreno, the traders’ realized price usually acts as resistance when the crypto market is bearish, which is the current situation of Bitcoin.Source: Julio MorenoThis 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 Amin Haqshanas on April 22, 2025 at 1:21 pm

Organized crime groups across Southeast Asia have scaled their operations by exploiting cryptocurrency and launching their own coins, exchanges and blockchain networks to launder billions of dollars, according to a new report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).The report said criminal syndicates are no longer just using existing crypto infrastructure. Instead, they are actively building tailored financial ecosystems to evade detection.One example cited in the report is the Chinese-language ecosystem and marketplace known as Huione Guarantee, now rebranded as Haowang, which has processed more than $24 billion in crypto linked to fraud over the past four years.Value of crypto funds received by Huione Guarantee continues to rise. Source: UNODCHeadquartered in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the platform has grown to more than 970,000 users and thousands of interconnected vendors.“Concerningly, Huione has recently launched a range of its own cryptocurrency-related products, including a cryptocurrency exchange and trading application, online gambling platform, blockchain network, and US dollar-backed stablecoin designed to circumvent government controls,” the report stated.Related: CFTC partners up to warn on crypto pig butchering scamsSoutheast Asia emerges as crypto crime hubThe UNODC warned that scam centers in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos have industrialized cybercrime, combining blockchain, artificial intelligence and stablecoins to fuel operations.These centers run complex fraud schemes, including phishing, investment scams and “pig butchering,” generating billions annually, per the report. Some of the largest pig butchering syndicates are reportedly clustered around the region, according to Cointelegraph Magazine.Over the past year, several raids have led to the arrests of hundreds of people, including Chinese, Filipino, Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese nationals found at suspected cyber-enabled fraud operations.In October 2024, Hong Kong police busted a scam center and arrested 27 people they accused of using AI deepfakes to carry out a crypto romance investment scam that defrauded victims of more than $46 million.Likewise, in December 2024, Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency arrested 792 people in a raid on a building in the country’s largest city that it claimed was a hub for a massive crypto romance scam operation.Locations of reported scam centers in Mekong. Source: UNODCRelated: Coinbase users hit by $46M in suspected phishing scamsCustom stablecoins and exchanges evade oversightThe UN report highlights that syndicates are issuing their own stablecoins and creating private exchanges to bypass global financial regulations, which allows criminals to move funds seamlessly across borders without relying on mainstream platforms subject to Anti-Money Laundering controls.Huione Guarantee has launched a suite of crypto-related products, which also includes a cryptocurrency exchange, a blockchain network (Xone Chain) and an online gambling platform. The group also announced the launch of a Huione Visa card in February 2025.While Southeast Asia remains the epicenter, UNODC noted that these crypto-fueled operations are expanding into Africa, South America and the Pacific.“The growing global impact of expanding Asian money laundering and underground banking networks cannot be understated,” the report stated, urging governments to close loopholes.Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

on April 22, 2025 at 1:11 pm

World leaders are expected to attend the Pope's funeral, which the Vatican has confirmed will take place on Saturday. 

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 22, 2025 at 12:57 pm

Cryptocurrency firms and exchanges are increasingly moving into Wall Street territory, launching more traditional investment offerings and showcasing the increasing connection between crypto and traditional finance (TradFi).“There’s a growing synergy between traditional financial investments and the emerging crypto space,” according to Gracy Chen, the CEO of Bitget, the world’s sixth-largest crypto exchange.“Crypto players are now checking out traditional finance as they see the opportunity to bridge it,” Chen told Cointelegraph.“The lines are blurring — investors want flexibility, and products that can straddle both worlds are naturally attractive,” Chen said. “Some players see TradFi as a safety net; others, like Bitget, see it as a launchpad for broader adoption.” She added:“In a volatile market, integration is smarter than isolation.”Related: Trump’s tariff escalation exposes ‘deeper fractures’ in global financial systemChen’s comments come a week after crypto exchange Kraken launched access to 11,000 US-listed stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as the first part of a global expansion into TradFi offerings, Cointelegraph reported on April 14.Kraken’s expansion into traditional stock offerings was announced a week after the S&P 500’s record-breaking two-day loss of over $5 trillion, triggered by US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal import tariffs announcement on April 2.Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong echoed a similar vision. During the company’s latest earnings call, Armstrong said Coinbase aims to help modernize the global financial system and bring more of the world’s GDP onto crypto rails.“We think that’s a more efficient, fair, free world that will accelerate progress, and it creates economic freedom,” he said during Coinbase’s latest earnings call.Related: 70% chance of crypto bottoming before June amid trade fears: NansenCrypto and TradFi relationship is “inherently symbiotic” The relationship between “digital assets and more traditional assets is inherently symbiotic,” a spokesperson for Coinbase, the world’s third-largest crypto exchange, told Cointelegraph, adding:“Core to our mission to enable economic freedom by onboarding one billion users to crypto, is supporting more of ‘traditional finance’ to be integrated with crypto.”“As regulatory clarity and institutional adoption increase globally, we expect more of the global GDP to be running on crypto rails,” the spokesperson added.Related: Bitcoin rally above $100K may follow US Treasury buybacks — Arthur HayesBlockchain technology brings “speed and transparency” while TradFi introduces “trust, scale and compliance,” in an “inevitable convergence,” Omri Hanover, general manager at Gems Trade cryptocurrency platform, told Cointelegraph.“Together, TradFi and crypto unlock new pathways for both retail and institutional investors, especially those seeking exposure to digital assets without navigating the full complexity of native crypto products,” he explained.Traditional investment platforms such as eToro and Robinhood have also launched cryptocurrency offerings.Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest, April 13 – 19

on April 22, 2025 at 12:55 pm

Local police have described the incident as a "terror attack", while India's Prime Minister has vowed to bring those responsible to justice.

by Tom Crowley on April 22, 2025 at 12:38 pm

The third leaders debate saw both Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese pulled up for using "talking points" in a clash which came after hundreds of thousands of Australians had already cast their ballots.

by Andrew Greene and Jane Norman on April 22, 2025 at 12:35 pm

Peter Dutton will pledge to better prepare Australia for future geostrategic threats by spending an additional $21 billion between now and 2030, which would be almost double Labor's planned increase to the defence budget.

by Cointelegraph by Elaine Hu on April 22, 2025 at 12:17 pm

The cryptocurrency market has witnessed a surge in the adoption of automated trading solutions, with trading bots gaining prominence for their ability to analyze vast data sets and execute trades with precision.Cointelegraph has dissected historical bot revenues and token price rollercoasters and backtested strategy returns against the buy-and-hold yardstick to decode what bots shine brightest — and when — so you can pick the perfect bot to match your style and stomach for risk.We have examined three types of trading bots: Telegram bots trading on decentralized exchanges (DEX), non-Telegram bots trading on DEXs and on centralized exchanges (CEXs), and the recently evolving AI agent bots.Choosing the right trading bot depends on the user’s goals, risk tolerance and experience. At a glance:Telegram bots are ideal for fast, opportunistic trading like token launches and memecoins.AI agent bots, such as ai16z or Virtuals, suit users who want hands-off automation and are comfortable with experimental strategies.CEX bots offer the most control and are best for structured strategies like dollar-cost averaging (DCA), grid or signal-based trading.Bot trading strategies and performanceTrading bots are sophisticated automated systems that use algorithms to analyze cryptocurrency market data and autonomously execute trades on centralized exchanges or decentralized platforms. These bots typically operate continuously, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, requiring minimal human oversight. Their core function involves the analysis of extensive amounts of real-time and historical market data, including price fluctuations, trading volumes and order book information. There are numerous potential advantages to employing AI agent trading bots. Their continuous operation ensures that no trading opportunities are missed, as they can monitor markets around the clock, accommodating global market movements. Some platforms offering these bots also provide backtesting capabilities, enabling users to evaluate the potential effectiveness of different trading strategies using historical data before deploying them with real capital.Telegram DEX bots Telegram bots operate via Telegram, leveraging its accessibility and real-time communication to execute trades directly on DEXs. They often focus on speed and sniping new tokens, appealing to users in fast-moving ecosystems like Solana. The recently launched protocols also included additional features that are often available in CEX trading bots, such as grid trading, DCA and limit orders.Telegram bots such as Maestro and Unibot first appeared around 2020–2021. In 2022, many of these bots were already offering advanced features like copy trading and arbitrage.By the end of 2023, Solana-based bots like BONKBot and Trojan Bot gained prominence for their speed in trading memecoins on DEXs. The biggest advantage of Telegram bots is their ability to trade on mobile devices without the need for a web browser extension to connect to a wallet. It hugely improves the usability of mobile trading, monitoring and integration with social networks.The top five Telegram bots by historical trading volume across all blockchains are Trojan, BonkBot, Maestro, Banana Gun and Sol Trading Bot. The majority of the trading volumes in the past 90 days happened on Solana, where all of the top five Telegram bots operate.DEX trading bot wars. Source: Dune AnalyticsThe functionalities offered by the Telegram bots are very similar, with the exception that some of them (i.e., Maestro and Banana Gun) focus on multichain operations, whereas the rest focus on Solana.The main use case for Telegram bots is to automatically identify profitable entry and exit points and execute trades quickly; it’s very difficult to track the profits or losses made by individual users from each trade. Since some of the Telegram bots, such as Banana Gun and BonkBot, offer a revenue-sharing model tied to their own tokens in the form of purchasing back their tokens with the 1% fee they charge, the token price and revenue (fees received) are used as an approximation of the performance of Telegram bots.Daily revenue in USD among Telegram bots. Source: Dune DashboardDaily revenue out of total revenue. Source: Dune DashboardLooking at the total revenue in the past six months, Trojan has received the most nominal amount in fees (around $109 million), whereas Sol Trading Bot has the highest median daily revenue when normalizing the daily revenue in terms of the total revenue.They all saw a peak around January 2025 during the memecoin season but are now facing a low-revenue period due to the broader bearish market conditions.Daily token price percentage change. Source: Dune AnalyticsThe two Telegram bots that share revenue through their tokens are Banana Gun and BonkBot. Looking at the price evolution in the past six months, the performance of the remaining parts is very similar, except for the significant rise in BONK’s price in November 2024. They both experienced significant price drops during the recent bearish market conditions.Related: The whale, the hack and the psychological earthquake that hit HEXAI agent bots AI agent trading bots are sophisticated automated systems that leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML) algorithms to analyze cryptocurrency market data and autonomously execute trades.The term “agent” suggests these bots possess a degree of independence and decision-making capability that extends beyond the fixed rules of traditional automated trading systems. The most well-known AI agent frameworks that exist today are Virtuals and ai16z.Virtuals Protocol, launched in October 2024 on the Ethereum layer-2 network Base, is an AI agent generator platform designed to simplify the creation and deployment of AI agents on the blockchain. While Virtuals is not solely focused on trading, the platform enables the development of AI agents that could potentially be designed for trading purposes. For instance, Aixbt, an experimental AI agent on the platform, tracks discussions on X to identify potential market insights, suggesting a strategy that could inform trading decisions.Since Virtuals Protocol focuses on a launchpad model where agents are tokenized individually (e.g., LUNA and AIXBT) and operate across different areas such as gaming, trading and entertainment, we’ll only look into the performance of AIXBT, the token of the trading agent with the largest market capitalization on Virtuals.AIXBT price history. Source: CoinMarketCapAi16z is an AI-powered trading fund operating on the Solana blockchain. Launched in October 2024, ai16z utilizes sophisticated AI agents, powered by the Eliza framework, to autonomously analyze market data, including price movements, social media sentiment and onchain analytics, and execute trades.The fund functions as an AI investment decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), allowing holders of its native token to participate in governance by voting on key decisions and influencing trading strategies through a “virtual marketplace of trust.” AI Marc, a virtual fund manager built using the Eliza framework, oversees the fund’s trading activities. AI16Z tokens represent ownership in the fund and grant governance rights, with the agent’s actions driving token value. AI16Z price history. Source: CoinMarketCapComparing the trading volumes from these two agents, they both reached a peak in January 2025, with AI16Z reaching $501 million and AIXBT reaching $682 million. AI16Z’s price hit its peak slightly earlier than its volume high, whereas for AIXBT, the price and volume peaks coincided around the same time.AI16Z and AIXBT price and volume comparison. Source: CoinMarketCapAIXBT’s price performance is more impressive than AI16Z. At the peak, the token price was almost 4,000x the initial price in November 2024, whereas for AI16Z, this was around 111x. Even after the recent downturn and the broader market trending down, the latest price record at the end of March 2025 is still 478x the initial price for AIXBT and 6.8x for AI16Z.DEX/CEX bots These platforms are web-based and operate outside Telegram. You can trade directly on DEXs through wallet connection or connect to a CEX via APIs or a simple login option as part of their integrated exchange solutions.These web-based platforms offer a wide range of strategies and broader market access; they cater to users preferring both CEX liquidity and reliability as well as DEX’s decentralized, non-custodial nature. Some of these platforms also offer a quick switch between DEX and CEX with one click, making the discovery of price discrepancies between CEX and DEX (or CEX-DEX arbitrage) much easier.The most common strategies available on these platforms are grid, DCA and signal bot. A DCA bot invests a fixed amount of money into a cryptocurrency at regular intervals — regardless of the asset’s price. The idea is to spread out your entry points over time, which helps reduce the impact of market volatility. This type of strategy tends to perform well during price-trending periods.A grid bot is built for active trading — buying low and selling high in a structured way to profit from price fluctuations. A grid bot places a series of buy and sell limit orders at preset intervals above and below a set price range. This creates a “grid” of orders, and the bot profits from each completed buy-low/sell-high cycle. Grid bot works best in sideways markets with high volatility.A signal bot executes trades based on external signals — these usually come from technical indicators, market analysis or third-party services. These signals can be relative strength index (RSI), exponential moving averages (EMA), Bollinger Bands, etc.The following table shows the historical performance for the token pairs BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT and SOL/USDT for the three trading strategies. The parameter selection for the grid bot utilizes the 3Commas AI optimization built-in functionality to select the best parameters, whereas for DCA, the most popular classic trading strategy from their users is selected. For the signal bot, Dash2Trade provides strategy presets where the top strategy for each token is selected. These strategies are backtested on a proprietary system used to trade on live markets but are only available for the 120 days before Jan. 26, 2025.Due to a lack of consistent availability of data on the platforms, three backtesting periods were used for each of the three strategies. The table below shows the simple price change during the corresponding period, which is also the return for the simple benchmark buy-and-hold strategy.The available data suggests that performance can vary widely based on the specific bot, the trading strategy employed and the prevailing market conditions at the time the backtests were run. BTC and ETH price. Source: CoinMarketCapDuring the 120-day period from Sept. 26, 2024, to Jan. 26, 2025, when the signal bots were backtested, the market prices for Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH) and Solana (SOL) were all upward trending with a buy-and-hold return of 58%, 23% and 55%, respectively. The signal bots’ strategies were performing in line with the buy-and-hold strategy (in some cases slightly worse) for BTC (58.15%), ETH (16.79%) and SOL (48.68%). Comparing the same 120-day period but from Dec. 4, 2024, to April 4, 2025, when grid bots were backtested, the market prices for BTC, ETH and SOL were all experiencing a downward trend, with a buy-and-hold return of -16%, -53% and -49%, respectively, which is completely different from the previous 120-day backtesting period. The grid bots’ strategies were performing much better than the buy-and-hold strategy during the downward-trending, high-volatility market conditions, giving positive returns for BTC (9.6%), ETH (10.4%) and SOL (21.88%).BTC and SOL price. Source: CoinMarketCapFor the longest 180-day backtesting period from Oct. 4, 2024, to April 4, 2025, when the DCA bots were backtested, the buy-and-hold returns for BTC, ETH and SOL were 34%, -25% and -18%, respectively. The signal bots’ strategies were performing very differently for the three tokens compared to the buy-and-hold strategy. For BTC, a 17.75% return is generated from the DCA bots, which is worse than the buy-and-hold strategy. However, for ETH (58.12%) and SOL (80.92%), the DCA returns are much better than the buy-and-hold returns. This might be due to the fact that ETH and SOL experienced much higher volatility during the period compared to BTC, and the DCA strategy was able to spread out entry prices to reduce exposure to bad timing.Related: Market maker deals are quietly killing crypto projectsTrading bot performance comparisonTelegram DEX bots like Trojan and Sol Trading Bot dominated in revenue over the past six months, with Trojan earning about $109 million in fees. Sol Trading Bot stood out for consistent daily earnings relative to its size.However, all bots saw revenue peak during the January 2025 memecoin hype and have since slowed due to bearish market sentiment. Token-linked bots (BANANA, BONK) followed a similar pattern — brief surges (notably BONK in November 2024) followed by steep drops tied to broader market trends.AI agent bots showed explosive growth during the same period. AIXBT reached a peak price 4,000x its initial value, far outperforming AI16Z (111x). Even post-correction, AIXBT held strong at 478x vs. AI16Z’s 6.8x. Volume-wise, both peaked in January 2025, but AIXBT’s token price closely tracked its volume rise, suggesting strong speculative momentum.CEX/DEX signals, grid and DCA bots showed the importance of market conditions, and the performance results vary quite a lot compared to the buy-and-hold strategy.Signal bots performed close to the buy-and-hold strategy during the uptrend market condition (backtesting period September 2024–January 2025), with marginally lower or similar returns.Grid bots excelled during a downtrend and high volatility environment (backtesting period December 2024–April 2025), beating the buy-and-hold strategy by wide margins, flipping negative market returns into double-digit gains.DCA bots over a 180-day backtesting period (October 2024–April 2025) had mixed results; they underperformed the buy-and-hold strategy for BTC but dramatically outperformed ETH and SOL, most likely due to their ability to absorb and capitalize on volatility.Key takeawaysWe have dived into the wild world of AI-powered crypto trading bots, pitting Telegram DEX bots, AI agent bots and CEX/DEX bots against each other — each a unique tool tailored to different traders and market conditions.Telegram DEX bots are designed for ease of use, with a simple interface embedded in the Telegram app. These bots focus on trading memecoins or participating in token launches onchain. They appeal to mobile-savvy traders and memecoin enthusiasts who prioritize quick trades and social integration, with features such as copy trade and revenue-sharing through tokens.Telegram DEX bots generated significant revenue in the past six months, peaking in January 2025’s memecoin season. But not all of them share revenue with the users. The only two who did (BANANA, BONK) faltered in the recent bearish market, with token prices dropping sharply. AI agent bots use natural language interfaces and AI decision-making to lower the barrier to entry for users interested in governance (e.g., AI16Z’s DAO model) or sentiment-driven strategies (e.g., AIXBT’s X analysis). Their primary strength lies in abstracting complex trading strategies through conversational interfaces.Although AI agent bots’ token price exhibited explosive growth, the recent market downtrend has led to less trading activity and lower token prices. AI agent bots stand out as a more experimental category. They remain under development and are best suited for users who are tech-curious or seeking a hybrid between simplicity and automation.Bots operating on DEXs or CEXs directly offer web-based platforms with diverse strategies, suiting more experienced traders who need high-speed execution, multi-exchange access, deep liquidity and complex configurability. The backtesting results show signal bots give similar returns to the bullish buy-and-hold strategy, whereas grid bots thrive in volatile downturn markets, and DCA bots outperform the buy-and-hold strategy for more volatile assets.Magazine: Your AI ‘digital twin’ can take meetings and comfort your loved ones

by Cointelegraph by Helen Partz on April 22, 2025 at 12:00 pm

Cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs) showed signs of recovery last week with minor inflows, after shedding more than $1 billion in outflows in the previous two weeks.Crypto investment products saw inflows of $6 million during the week of April 14–18, reflecting mixed investor sentiment, CoinShares reported on April 22.“While the week began with minor inflows, stronger-than-expected US retail sales figures mid-week likely triggered outflows of $146 million,” CoinShares’ head of research James Butterfill wrote.Weekly crypto ETP flows since late 2024. Source: CoinSharesTotal assets under management (AUM) in crypto ETPs edged up 1.4% from $129 billion as of April 11 to $131 billion on April 18.All US Bitcoin ETFs are red in April so farAccording to the report, BlackRock’s iShares exchange-traded funds saw the biggest inflows last week at $182 million, while major issuers like Fidelity saw $123 million of outflows from the issuer’s crypto ETPs.Bitwise was among a few of the US issuers that saw inflows in its crypto ETPs, totaling $24 million, while the European issuer 21Shares saw bigger inflows at $37 million.Flows by issuer (in millions of US dollars). Source: CoinSharesEven with minor inflows, all US crypto ETP issuers are currently in the red month-to-date. European-based 21Shares was the only issuer that had maintained $28 million of inflows in April.Related: BlackRock reports $3B in digital asset inflows during Q1Year-to-date, BlackRock’s iShares ETFs are solid with more than $3 billion of inflows, with the majority of issuers being in red, except for Proshares with $340 million of inflows and Cathie Wood’s ARK with $19 million YTD.XRP stood out with $37.7 million inflowsAsset-wise, Ether (ETH) saw the largest ETP outflows among other cryptocurrencies last week, totaling $26.7 million.XRP (XRP) saw significant inflows of $37.7 million, standing out as the biggest gainer among other crypto ETPs.Flows by asset (in millions of US dollars). Source: CoinSharesBitcoin saw minor outflows of $6 million, extending April outflows to $894 million. The asset still has $541 million of ETP inflows YTD, the biggest inflows before Ether and XRP, totaling $215 million and $214 million YTD, respectively.Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest, April 13 – 19

by Cointelegraph by Ezra Reguerra on April 22, 2025 at 11:33 am

A Solana address with over 1 million tokens is sitting on more than $153 million in profit after a four-year staking play on the crypto asset. Blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain flagged the wallet address of a whale that staked nearly 1 million Solana (SOL) tokens in 2021. At the time of the staking, Solana tokens were worth around $27, which means the trader spent about $27 million to execute the play. Four years later, the whale’s total staked Solana holdings have reached 1.29 million. With Solana appreciating to about $140, the whale’s holdings have increased in value to about $180 million. On April 22, the whale started offloading a portion of the token stash to cash out on the gains. Lookonchain reported that the whale had unstaked 100,000 SOL tokens (about $14 million) and sent them to Binance. Sending tokens to crypto exchanges often indicates an intent to sell. Lookonchain said the whale still has 1.19 million Solana, worth around $166 million. Since the trader spent $27 million on the play, the total unrealized profit for the address is about $153 million. Source: LookonchainSolana whales turn $37 million to $200 million in four-year playThe Solana whale’s unstaking and token offloading follow another Solana staking play that involved hundreds of millions earlier in April. On April 4, Arkham Intelligence data showed four wallets that staked $37 million in tokens in 2021 had their tokens unlocked, meaning they can unstake and sell them. The blockchain intelligence platform called the event “the largest single-day unlock of staked SOL.”During the unlock, the tokens were worth over $206 million. After the tokens were unlocked, about $50 million in tokens were sold. Related: Babylon total value locked drops 32% as wallets unstake $1.2B in BitcoinSolana briefly flips Ethereum in staking market capAs many whales have turned to Solana for staking plays, the network briefly flipped Ethereum in the staking market cap. On April 20, the blockchain overtook Ethereum in staked token value after reaching over $53 billion. Still, the event was short-lived as Ethereum recovered the top spot. While the event may seem bullish, community members were split on whether Solana overtaking Ethereum was bullish or bearish for the network. Magazine: Uni students crypto ‘grooming’ scandal, 67K scammed by fake women: Asia Express

by Cointelegraph by Nancy Lubale on April 22, 2025 at 11:05 am

XRP (XRP) has been trapped within a tight range over the last eight days. The altcoin was trading just above its $2.00 support after a marketwide recovery over the weekend.Onchain and technical data now show that the XRP/USD pair is well-positioned for a breakout toward $3.00.XRP/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewXRP whale accumulation is backXRP’s price has been consolidating between $2.03 and $2.13 since April 14. The daily relative strength index (RSI) remained flat at around 49 over the same period, signaling market indecision.Despite this sideways price action, whale activity paints a promising picture, with onchain data showing large investors took advantage of the drop to $1.61.Related: Coinbase Derivatives lists XRP futuresXRP whale addresses holding between 10 million and 100 million XRP (black line) have increased sharply since April 1, according to data from Santiment. Similarly, addresses holding more than 1 billion XRP (red line) have steadily increased as well. This whale cohort currently accounts for 39.4% of the total XRP supply, compared to 37.7% toward the end of March. This possibly underscores the confidence of these large investors in XRP price rising despite growing macroeconomic risks and uncertainties. XRP supply distribution. Source: SantimentAdditionally, XRP experienced a significant drop in exchange reserves. XRP balance on exchanges peaked at 3.27 billion XRP in November 2024. Today, around 2.7 million XRP are held on exchanges. The metric has also dropped by 10% over the last 30 days despite the market turbulence experienced since the beginning of April.XRP balance on exchanges. Source: CryptoQuantCan XRP price rise to $3?XRP’s price action between April 7 and April 22 has led to the formation of a bull flag pattern on the daily chart. The price is retesting the upper trendline of the flag at $2.10, suggesting that a possible breakout is in play.Note that the price has unsuccessfully tried to rise above this trendline two or three times in the last 10 days, with each retest leading to new buyers accumulating around this region.A decisive close above this trendline could see XRP recover from the current level. It may break out toward the flag’s technical target at $2.93 or the $3.00 psychological level if backed by strong volume.XRP/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewSeveral analysts echoed this bullish outlook, citing XRP’s consolidation as a precursor to a significant move upward.Citing a chart showing XRP price consolidating above $2.00 in the weekly timeframe, trader Dark Defender said the altcoin was retesting a key multimonth resistance line.If this resistance is broken, the price will break out, with Wave 5 playing out toward $4.00.“The XRP is bullish, and the crypto is more bullish than ever before.”XRP/USD daily chart. Source: Dark DefenderThe key levels to watch are the $2.22 and $2.75 on the upside and the $1.80 and $1.61 on the downside, according to the analyst. Meanwhile, fellow trader CasiTrades said that the rejection at $2.24 implied that the price is likely to sweep major support levels around $1.90 or $1.55 before “XRP is ready to break out.”As earlier reported by Cointelegraph, Wyckoff reaccumulation and falling wedge patterns are painting a bullish target for XRP above $3.50.This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

by Cointelegraph by Adrian Zmudzinski on April 22, 2025 at 11:03 am

Oregon 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.Still, Noy explained that the court decision could be used by regulators and potential plaintiffs to build and make their cases. He said:“Just like the decision in the Ripple case which the complaint seems to be ignoring entirely, did not make all tokens immediately listable on US platforms, I don’t expect the opposite to happen here.”Related: Court grants 60-day pause of SEC, Ripple appeals caseA long list of crypto assetsParadigm’s vice president of regulatory affairs Justin Slaughter called the action a “kitchen sink lawsuit.” The list of tokens cited includes high-profile altcoins such as Aave (AAVE), Avalanche (AVAX), Uniswap (UNI) and Near Protocol (NEAR), as well as the wrapped version of Terra’s collapsed token, wLUNA — but not LUNA itself.The complaint does not explain why certain wrapped assets were included while others were excluded. It states:“Coinbase—through the Coinbase Platform and Prime—has made available for trading in Oregon crypto assets that are offered and sold as investment contracts, and thus as securities. This includes, but is not limited to, the units of each of the crypto securities further described below.“Related: Circle, BitGo about to apply for bank charters, others may follow: WSJXRP in the legal crosshairs once againRipple Labs, the firm behind XRP, has already faced a years-long legal battle with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Ripple was hit with a lawsuit by the SEC in late 2020, calling XRP a “$1.3 billion unregistered securities offering.”The same lawsuit was dropped by the SEC in late March, but it provided little legal certainty for the crypto industry. Oregon’s complaint comes amid growing concern among state officials that federal regulators are pulling back from crypto enforcement. The suit appears to be part of a broader trend of state-level authorities stepping in.Before Oregon’s action, XRP’s legal standing was being viewed as increasingly clear. Coinbase — a crypto exchange known for its relatively cautious stance on regulatory matters — added XRP futures to its derivatives trading platform on April 21.Magazine: XRP win leaves Ripple and industry with no crypto legal precedent set

by Cointelegraph by Adrian Zmudzinski on April 22, 2025 at 11:02 am

US-based publicly traded crypto exchange Coinbase confirmed that it is considering applying for a US federal bank charter.In a statement sent to Cointelegraph, Coinbase said it is considering pursuing a US federal bank charter, according to a company spokesperson.“This is something Coinbase is actively considering but has not made any formal decisions yet,” the spokesperson told Cointelegraph. Coinbase in-office photo. Source: CoinbaseThe comments follow recent reports suggesting that Coinbase and multiple other major crypto firms were planning to apply for US banking licenses. Coinbase, stablecoin issuers Circle and Paxos, and crypto custodian BitGo were the other firms mentioned.Coinbase did not clarify to Cointelegraph why it is considering pursuing a bank charter. Still, a license could potentially allow crypto firms to operate like traditional lenders, taking deposits and making loans. Cointelegraph also reached out to the other firms reportedly considering applying for a charter.Still, firms that obtain banking charters are subject to stricter reporting and regulatory oversight. One example is Anchorage Digital, a crypto firm holding a federal bank charter.Despite the firm obtaining the license, recent reports indicate that the US Department of Homeland Security’s El Dorado Task Force has launched an investigation into Anchorage Digital Bank.Related: Crypto companies seeking bank charters under Trump admin — ReportMany crypto firms are likely to applyThe reports also follow the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency granting a preliminary conditional approval for a US bank charter to Paxos back in 2021. Firms may now be considering applying as US regulators take a softer stance on crypto regulation and integrating stablecoins in the broader financial system.The change in stance is visible at multiple levels of the US federal government. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently said that as digital assets gain mainstream adoption, establishing a legal framework for stablecoins is a “good idea.” He also recognized that the crypto space delivered a consumer use case that “could have wide appeal.”Related: ECB flags risk of financial contagion from US crypto pushEvolving US stablecoin regulationThe US House Financial Services Committee passed a Republican-backed stablecoin framework bill earlier in April — the Stablecoin Transparency and Accountability for a Better Ledger Economy (STABLE) Act.Another bill that is moving through the US legislative process is the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act. The STABLE and GENIUS bills differ in how they regulate the stablecoin industry in their current form.The GENIUS Act was introduced first and passed the US Senate Banking Committee in mid-March. The STABLE Act, on the other hand, emphasizes federal oversight, while the GENIUS Act seeks a more flexible path that considers both state and federal regulations.The STABLE Act would enforce a two-year moratorium on issuing collateralized stablecoins that are backed by self-issued digital assets. The bill would also require that stablecoin reserves be held separate from business funds.The GENIUS Act would establish a legal framework for stablecoin payments and leverage US-based stablecoin issuers in an attempt to reinforce the dollar’s global dominance. The bill would also enhance Anti-Money Laundering (AML) safeguards, reserve and liquidity standards and sanctions checks. It classifies stablecoin issuers as financial institutions.Magazine: Coinbase and Base: Is crypto just becoming traditional finance 2.0?

by Cointelegraph by Helen Partz on April 22, 2025 at 10:43 am

As gold reached new highs above $3,500, Peter Schiff — a prominent gold advocate and Bitcoin critic — argued that the precious metal is money, fueling backlash from the crypto community.“Gold is not just any commodity, it’s money,” Schiff wrote in an X post on April 22 after gold prices briefly broke above $3,500.While praising gold, Schiff sounded the alarm about the state of the economy, emphasizing that gold’s abnormal rally in the past few weeks holds negative implications for the US dollar.Source: Peter Schiff“This is the end of the US dollar’s dominance. Life in America is about to change in ways few can imagine,” he stated.Gold is up 31% YTD, USD is down 9%Schiff’s comments came amid gold futures surging to a record-breaking $3,500 on April 22, while spot gold has yet to touch the milestone after reaching $3,498 on Tuesday, according to TradingView.Since the beginning of 2025, spot gold has gained as much as 31.6% of value, while its one-year price is up more than 44%.Spot gold (XAU) price chart since Jan. 1, 2025. Source: TradingViewThe US dollar has seen a notable decline year-to-date, with the US Dollar Index (DXY) tumbling more than 9% in 2025, based on TradingView data.Community questions gold as “money”Schiff’s observations on the state of the US dollar in the context of gold’s rally have received some traction on social media, but many commentators have questioned whether the term “money” corresponds to gold.Some crypto community members specifically highlighted that gold fails to serve as a viable payment method, one of the four foundational functions of money.“I shaved a bit off my gold bar at Starbucks this morning. They accepted it as payment. First time in a while,” cryptocurrency advocate Mike Alfred responded in Schiff’s X thread, referring to gold being rarely used as a method of payment.Related: Jack Dorsey pushes Signal to adopt Bitcoin paymentsUnlike gold, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) are able to serve the payment use case, many posters stressed.“I paid for my haircut last week in Bitcoin,” one commentator said, adding:“Merchants won't accept gold because how do they test if it's real?”Amid the ongoing gold rally, the narrative of gold versus “digital gold” Bitcoin has been on the rise. According to Cathie Wood, a major Bitcoin bull and ARK Invest founder, Bitcoin is a “much bigger idea than gold,” and has a potential to gain from gold’s $23 trillion market.Others believe that gold and Bitcoin should not be seen as competitors because the assets are different in their nature and have different missions.Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest, April 13 – 19

by Cointelegraph by Amin Haqshanas on April 22, 2025 at 9:51 am

Update April 22, 2:17 pm UTC: This article has been updated to include comments from Cato Institute analyst Nicholas Anthony.The European Central Bank (ECB) raised an alarm over potential fallout from aggressive US support for the crypto industry, warning that a surge in dollar-backed stablecoins could destabilize Europe’s financial system.According to a policy paper seen by Politico, the ECB has asked for a revision of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) framework for cryptocurrencies just months after it came into effect.The concern is that US reforms backed by President Donald Trump could flood European markets with dollar-denominated stablecoins.The ECB fears this could trigger a flight of European capital into US assets, undermining EU financial sovereignty and exposing banks to liquidity risks.“I do not believe the United States’ embracing cryptocurrency poses a threat to Europe,” Nicholas Anthony, a policy analyst at the Cato Institute’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, told Cointelegraph. “The ECB is desperately clinging to any justification it can to create the digital euro, but it has repeatedly failed to truly justify it.”ECB and European Commission clash over MiCA rulesWhile the ECB called for tighter controls, the European Commission dismissed the warnings as exaggerated, per the report.The report, citing two diplomats and one EU official, said that the existing MiCA framework is robust enough to manage stablecoin risks despite potential US policies like the Stablecoin Transparency and Accountability for a Better Ledger Economy (STABLE) and the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS), two bills aimed at expanding America’s crypto footprint.“The Commission was quite clear that they had different views on this topic,” and “not very many (countries) supported the idea that we should now jump the gun and start making quick changes in (the rules) based on this alone,” one of the diplomats reportedly told Politico.The stablecoin sector now commands a valuation of $234 billion, according to data from CoinMarketCap.The ECB warned that European issuers could face redemption pressures from EU and foreign holders without stricter limits, potentially sparking a financial “run” and harming exposed institutions.“The worry is warranted,” Mikko Ohtamaa, co-founder and CEO at Trading Strategy, said in a post on X. “However, the EU had the first mover advantage with the regulation and they screwed it up.”Ohtamaa said no EU stablecoin is globally competitive due to MiCA’s restrictive rules, which are influenced by bank and legacy finance lobbying.Source: Mikko Ohtamaa“Rapid legislative changes risk creating more uncertainty in a time where people need to know the rules of the road,” Anthony said, adding:“Considering this call came amid the United States embracing cryptocurrency, it’s likely the ECB will seek to make it harder for financial innovation in Europe to take place. Once again, the ECB is moving in the wrong direction.”Related: US regulator,s FDIC and CFTC, ease crypto restrictions for banks, derivativesTether remains a major critic of MiCA​Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin, USDt (USDT), has long been a critic of the EU’s MiCA regulation.Last year, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino argued that MiCA’s requirements, particularly the mandate for stablecoin issuers to hold at least 60% of reserves in EU bank accounts, could introduce systemic risks to both stablecoins and the broader banking system.Due to noncompliance with MiCA, USDT has faced delistings from major European exchanges, including Coinbase, Crypto.com and Kraken.Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest

on April 22, 2025 at 9:36 am

From Italy to Mexico, large crowds gathered around the world, to mourn the death of the pontiff.

by Cointelegraph by Ezra Reguerra on April 22, 2025 at 9:27 am

Polygon-based non-fungible tokens (NFTs) took the top spot in digital collectible sales after surging 20% in the last seven days. On April 22, NFT data tracker CryptoSlam showed that Polygon NFTs overtook Ethereum, reaching a $22.3 million volume in the past week. This represented 24% of last week’s overall NFT sales volume, which reached $92.9 million. The network also had over 39,000 NFT buyers for the week, an 81% increase over the previous week. Ethereum remained second in sales, with a $19.2 million NFT sales volume for the week. Mythos Chain followed with $14.3 million, while Bitcoin-based collections ranked fourth with $14.1 million for the week. Top blockchains by seven-day NFT sales volume. Source: CryptoSlamRWA NFT collection drives Polygon surgeThe Polygon NFT surge was driven by a single real-world asset (RWA) NFT collection, highlighting that the RWA narrative has reached the NFT space.RWA tokenization refers to tangible assets minted on the blockchain to increase accessibility and trading opportunities for the assets. Simply put, it’s transforming real-world assets like art, property or even stocks into digital tokens on a blockchain that can be bought, held or traded.CryptoSlam data shows that increased sales from Courtyard NFTs caused the Polygon NFT surge. The collection reached a sales volume of $20.7 million, eclipsing the performances of other popular NFT projects for the week. Courtyard NFT collection tops digital collectible sales volume list. Source: CryptoSlamRelated: Bybit shuts down four more Web3 services after axing NFT marketplaceCourtyard is an RWA marketplace for graded physical card collections. This includes the Pokémon, basketball and baseball cards that are popular among collectors. The platform operates by storing and insuring tokenized cards in a vault operated by a security company. This means that NFTs are physically backed. After purchasing NFTs, users can opt to redeem the physical card. When this happens, the NFT is burned and will no longer be traded in the marketplace. Onchain RWAs have been a strong narrative in the first quarter of 2025. Data from RWA.xyz shows that tokenized assets have reached $21.2 billion, with total asset holders of more than 97,000. This excludes the value of stablecoins, which is already at $227 billion. Magazine: Your AI’ digital twin’ can take meetings and comfort your loved ones

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 22, 2025 at 9:09 am

Bitcoin is decoupling from the US stock market and starting to trade more like precious metals, in another signal of Bitcoin’s growing role as a safe-haven asset against global economic disruption.Bitcoin’s (BTC) price is showcasing its growing maturity as a global asset, becoming “less Nasdaq — more gold” over the past two weeks, according to Alex Svanevik, co-founder and CEO of the Nansen crypto intelligence platform.Bitcoin staged a 12% recovery in the two weeks leading up to April 22, despite ongoing tariff escalation between the world’s largest trading nations. The US increased reciprocal tariffs on China to 125% as of April 9, while China raised import tariffs from 84% to 125% effective April 12.Source: Alex SvanevikBitcoin was “surprisingly resilient” amid the trade war compared to altcoins and indexes like the S&P 500, but remains vulnerable to economic recession concerns, Svanevik told Cointelegraph, adding:“We expect gold to be more resilient, although gold holdings could be net sold in case investors panic and want to cover margin call. This was seen one to two days at the worst of the trade war earlier this month."Still, Bitcoin will continue benefiting from regulatory development and the US Bitcoin Reserve-related news, particularly with more developments on how the “Treasury is looking for ways to swap reserves into BTC,” added Svanevik.Related: Bitcoin rally above $100K may follow US Treasury buybacks — Arthur HayesWhile the US Bitcoin reserve will initially hold BTC forfeited in government criminal cases, President Donald Trump’s executive order instructed the government to develop “budget-neutral strategies” to buy more Bitcoin. LATEST: Executive Director of Digital Assets Bo Hines said the US government may buy Bitcoin using tariff revenue. pic.twitter.com/Gfc2HiEJoL— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) April 15, 2025The US is looking at “many creative ways” to fund its Bitcoin investments, including from tariff revenue and by reevaluating the Treasury’s gold certificates, creating a paper surplus to fund the BTC reserve without selling gold, Bo Hines of the Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets said in an interview on April 14.Related: Bitcoin up 33% since 2024 halving as institutions disrupt cycleUS recession odds rise to 60%, says JPMorganDespite Bitcoin’s resilience against tariff concerns, a potential US recession may slash investor demand for risk assets.The probability of a US recession in 2025 has risen from 40% to 60%, according to an April 15 research report from JPMorgan, which wrote: “The latest unwinding of the Liberation Day tariffs reduces the shock to the global trading order, but the remaining universal 10% tariff is still a material threat to growth and the 145% tariff on China keeps the probability of a recession at 60%.”Global Recession Outlook. Source: JPMorgan Global EconomicsJPMorgan expects the Fed to “start easing in September, with further cuts at every meeting thereafter through January 2026 — reaching a 3% policy rate by June 2026,” added the report. Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest, April 13 – 19

by Isabella Tolhurst on April 22, 2025 at 9:07 am

Voters in the small remote community of Pirlangimpi on the Tiwi Islands, north of Darwin, have become some of the first to cast their votes for the federal election.

by Simon Smale on April 22, 2025 at 9:01 am

Alexa Leary twice swam under her previous world record time in the S9 100m freestyle at the Australian Open Swimming Championships in Brisbane.

by Alysia Thomas-Sam on April 22, 2025 at 9:00 am

From 1945 to 2022 Kooyong was Liberal heartland. Now it's a battleground as the Coalition try to reclaim it with allegations of dirty tricks from both sides being aired.

on April 22, 2025 at 8:58 am

Hawthorn midfielder Conor Nash is sent straight to the AFL Tribunal after being reported for striking Geelong forward Gryan Miers.

by Samantha Dick on April 22, 2025 at 8:45 am

Santos's offshore Barossa gas project off the coast of the Northern Territory has won final approvals from the national offshore gas regulator. 

by Charlotte Gore and Harry Frost on April 22, 2025 at 8:37 am

For Deb Stevens Burrangiri aged care respite facility in Canberra's south was a "lifeline" as her mother's dementia progressed, but the ACT's Health Minister says it's unlikely the facility will be the recipient of a promised $10 million federal funding boost should an Albanese government be re-elected.

on April 22, 2025 at 8:24 am

New Zealand's populist party has introduced a bill to parliament to define women and men by their biology, preventing trans people from being recognised by law. 

by Brittany Carter on April 22, 2025 at 7:01 am

The Super Netball trophy is modelled off Romelda Aiken-George's on-court battles across her 18-year career in Australia, but the league dropped the ball when it came to celebrating her record-breaking appearance.

on April 22, 2025 at 6:42 am

The Wests Tigers recall Lachlan Galvin a week after dumping the five-eighth to reserve grade.

by Brett Worthington on April 22, 2025 at 6:31 am

Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese both paid tribute to the late Pope Francis today, semi-suspending their campaigns before the third leaders' debate tonight. 

by Mya Kordic, Dunja Karagic, and Esse Deves on April 22, 2025 at 6:09 am

A 38-year-old man appears in Derby Magistrate's Court charged with murder after the death of a woman in the state's Kimberley region.

by Cointelegraph by William Suberg on April 22, 2025 at 6:08 am

Bitcoin (BTC) traders see a BTC price reversal beginning as classic resistance stops bulls in their tracks.BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView200-day moving average keeps BTC price pinnedData from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView shows BTC/USD cooling after hitting new April highs of $88,874.Having found strength at the start of the week, Bitcoin raised hopes of a gold copycat move as the latter set multiple all-time highs.Those highs continued on April 22, while BTC price action conversely saw rejection at the key 200-day simple moving average (SMA).“Interesting spot. Broke above the Daily 200EMA (Blue) and diagonal resistance. So far, saw a sharp rejection from the Daily 200MA (Purple),” trader Daan Crypto Trades said in a post on X alongside an explanatory chart. “Fun won't start until we get some daily closes back above the previous range low at ~$90K. Important to hold ~$85K below I'd say.”BTC/USD 1-day chart. Source: Daan Crypto Trades/XThe 200-day SMA traditionally forms support during Bitcoin bull markets, but was lost in March as crypto faced sell-side pressure when the US trade war began.Since then, BTC/USD has seen five-month lows under $75,000, and despite a healthy rebound, some market participants are keen to call time on the latest episode of price upside.Among them is fellow trader Roman, who referenced stochastic relative strength index (RSI) values in “overbought” territory.“As we approach horizontal resistance, I wanted to show that the last 4 times stoch RSI has been overbought, we’ve seen a 10-15% correction,” he noted, adding that such a move “would make perfect sense” given downward momentum on the S&P 500.Daily stochastic RSI was at the top of its 0-100 scale on April 22.BTC/USD 1-day chart with 200 SMA, stoch RSI data. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBitcoin “reversal has started,” says traderAs Cointelegraph continues to report, other bullish market commentary focuses on the confluence of macroeconomic factors that traditionally fuel BTC price gains.Related: US dollar goes ‘no-bid’ — 5 things to know in Bitcoin this weekThese include rapidly weakening US dollar strength, all-time highs in the global M2 money supply and a delayed reaction to gold’s breakout.“In the past few weeks, I’m looking at different onchain data and global events, which makes me believe that BTC reversal has started,” trader Cas Abbe concluded in a dedicated X thread on the topic.Abbe rejected the idea that the current BTC rebound will end up as a “bull trap,” pointing to whale accumulation and the reemerging Coinbase premium in addition to macroeconomic factors.“I believe that $74K-$75K zone was the bottom for $BTC. Most alts have also bottomed out and we could see a sustained rally,” he added.BTC/USD vs. XAU/USD chart. Source: Cas Abbe/XThis article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

by Jamie Tram on April 22, 2025 at 6:02 am

Sinners is the first entirely original film written and directed by Ryan Coogler, and it thrums with the unruly spirit of someone finally bursting free of the franchise blockbuster death spiral.

by Cointelegraph by Stephen Katte on April 22, 2025 at 6:00 am

A US judge has granted Binance’s motion to transfer a case involving allegations it facilitated money laundering to the Southern District of Florida due to a similar case that had already been before the courts there.The case, filed in August 2024 in Washington, focused on the same core issue as a suit filed in June 2023 in Florida, accusing Binance of allowing cybercriminals to use the platform for money laundering, US District Judge Barbara Rothstein said in an April 21 order. “Although the two complaints describe the proposed classes in slightly different terms, both encompass the same proposed class of individuals whose cryptocurrency was stolen and transferred to a Binance.com account during the relevant period,” Judge Rothstein said.“Therefore, this Court concludes that the classes of plaintiffs are sufficiently similar to warrant application of the first-to-file rule.”US District Judge Barbara Rothstein said transferring the Washington lawsuit to Florida was appropriate given the similarity to a case already being heard there. Source: Law360The first-to-file rule allows a court to decline a ruling on a matter when a complaint involving the same parties and issues has already been filed in another district. Generally, the court that first hears the case usually retains jurisdiction, according to legal resource LSD Law.Plaintiffs say the lawsuits differ in key areas Lawyers acting for the plaintiffs in the Washington case argued that it differed from the Florida suit because it added other accusations not present in the Florida lawsuit and named former CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao as a defendant. They also argued that transferring the case could postpone both court actions to the “detriment of all plaintiffs.”Jude Rothstein said in her ruling that it’s not apparent transferring the suit would delay resolution in either case, and would promote efficiency by “avoiding duplicative litigation,” which is one of the “first-to-file rule’s purposes.”“To allow two parallel class actions to proceed in separate districts would be duplicative and inefficient,” she said. Related: Binance to face class action after US Supreme Court denies petition for reviewThree crypto investors launched a suit in August 2024 against Binance and CZ in Washington, alleging their crypto was stolen and the funds were sent to Binance by the thieves to launder the funds.A year before, Michael Osterer filed his lawsuit in Florida in June 2023, alleging Binance aided the conversion of stolen crypto. A Florida court ordered the case to arbitration in July 2024.Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

by Cointelegraph by Jesse Coghlan on April 22, 2025 at 5:56 am

US-based Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) had their largest day of net inflows since late January, as crypto markets remained buoyant over the Easter weekend.The 11 Bitcoin (BTC)-tracking funds saw a joint net inflow of $381.3 million on April 21, largely carried by a $116.1 million inflow into the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB), according to CoinGlass data.It's the largest inflow day for the ETFs since the funds had a $588.1 million joint net inflow on Jan. 30, days after Bitcoin hit a peak and was trading with a six-figure price tag.Total Bitcoin ETF flows since their launch in January 2024. Source: CoinGlassThe ETFs have struggled to maintain inflows over the past few weeks amid US President Donald Trump’s trade war threats. CoinGecko shows Bitcoin fell below $100,000 in early February and hit a 2025 low of $74,773 on April 7, days after Trump placed tariffs on every country, which also caused a stock market slump.The Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) saw the second-largest inflow for April 21, with $87.6 million, while the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) and the company’s Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF (BTC) saw joint net inflows of $69.1 million.The Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF (BTCO) and the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund (BTCW) saw no inflows or outflows on April 21. Source: CoinGlassBlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT), the largest of the group by assets under management, saw net inflows reach $41.6 million, about half of the inflows it saw before the weekend trading break on April 17.Crypto stays afloat over long weekendUS markets had shut down on April 18 in observance of Good Friday, and trading on Monday, April 21, saw them close in the red, with the S&P 500 down 2.4%, while the Nasdaq and the Dow Jones each dropped 2.5%.Related: Bitcoin rally above $100K may follow US Treasury buybacks — Arthur HayesThe crypto markets, meanwhile, were able to hold onto gains made over the long weekend, with the total crypto market capitalization climbing by $800 billion over the three-day break to hold at $2.84 trillion.Bitcoin has boosted that total, having climbed above a market value of $1.75 trillion for the first time since March 22 as its price struck above $88,500, a four-week high.Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again

by Jade Toomey and Coquohalla Connor on April 22, 2025 at 5:49 am

The late Pope Francis is remembered as "charitable" leader by members of the Catholic Church in Canberra.

by Cointelegraph by Martin Young on April 22, 2025 at 5:45 am

A planned settlement between the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission and crypto exchange KuCoin will likely be delayed after a policy shift at the CFTC to deprioritize cases against crypto companies under the Trump administration. CFTC attorney John Murphy submitted a letter on April 21 to District Judge Valerie Caproni, asking for more time to secure approval for a deal negotiated under the Biden administration, reported Law360.“It appears unlikely that such authorization will be granted in the near term,” he said, referencing a recent statement by acting CFTC Chair Caroline Pham that the agency’s enforcement division was to deprioritize cases against crypto companies.The CFTC charged KuCoin with “multiple violations of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and CFTC regulations” in March 2024.According to the Justice Department, which also filed charges against KuCoin and two founders for violating Anti-Money Laundering laws, the exchange received more than $5 billion and sent more than $4 billion in “suspicious and criminal funds.” KuCoin, trading under Mek Global Limited, reached a $297 million settlement with the Department of Justice in January and agreed to exit the US market for at least two years. In December, the CFTC and KuCoin informed the court that they reached an agreement in principle to settle the case, however terms and details of the proposed deal were not disclosed. In March, KuCoin asked the judge for a 14-day stay to address further negotiations in line with President Trump’s executive order curtailing enforcement actions against the digital asset industry. However, this request was denied, with the judge pressing for negotiation status updates. No majority at CFTCWhen Pham announced in February that the Commission would wind down its practice of regulation by enforcement, she also noted that terminating active cases would be more difficult to deal with.The CFTC needs a majority to dismiss a case or authorize its settlement, and there is currently no majority, with two members from each party sitting on its governing body.This could change if the Senate confirms the appointment of Trump nominee Brian Quintenz to lead the financial regulator.Both parties have requested an additional 60 days or until the Commission provides “definitive direction” on the matter. Related: US regulators FDIC and CFTC ease crypto restrictions for banks, derivativesOn April 21, the CFTC’s Divisions of Market Oversight issued a request for comment to better inform them on the potential uses, benefits, and risks of perpetual contracts in derivatives markets.“Innovation and new technology have created a renaissance in markets that presents new opportunities that are accessible to more people, as well as risks,” said Pham. Magazine: Altcoin season to hit in Q2? Mantra’s plan to win trust: Hodler’s Digest

by Ian Verrender on April 22, 2025 at 5:33 am

US President Donald Trump has again rattled global investment markets, this time with his threats to interfere with the independence of America's central bank. 

by Cointelegraph by Brayden Lindrea on April 22, 2025 at 5:17 am

Crypto law firm Burwick Law has called out Solana-based non-fungible token platform Metaplex’s plan to sweep unclaimed Solana (SOL) into its treasury instead of returning it to investors, suggesting it could be at risk of litigation if it follows through with the plan.Last year, Metaplex, an NFT protocol, discovered a way to reduce the amount of onchain storage required for certain NFTs. By resizing the NFTs, Solana NFT holders can claim a small amount of SOL. In October, Metaplex said that Metaplex Token Metadata (TM) NFT holders will be able to execute a “resize optimization” for all TM accounts with a deadline of April 25. Those who didn’t do it voluntarily by the deadline would have their excess SOL transferred to the Metaplex DAO automatically, with how they’re to be used yet to be determined. However, Burwick criticized the firm’s plan to sweep unclaimed funds to its DAO treasury instead of returning them to NFT holders.“Many minters never received clear notice that these lamports could be swept, let alone diverted to a treasury they do not control,” Burwick said in an April 22 open letter to Metaplex and the broader Solana community.Burwick said over 54,000 SOL tokens are at risk, and according to Metaplex’s website, only 7,043 SOL have been claimed. At current market prices, more than $6.5 million remains unclaimed.Burwick said many of the NFT collectors it represents have shared “deep concerns” about the plan.Burwick added that Metaplex’s plan “erodes trust” and “violates the spirit of crypto.”“‘Code is law’ only works when the rules are clear and immutable. If a protocol can rewrite yesterday’s deal tomorrow, the promise of decentralised permanence rings hollow.”Source: Burwick LawBurwick said such a move could entitle victims to restitution should a court find the sweep constituted unjust enrichment or violates consumer protection laws.Metaplex hasn’t responded to Burwick’s X post. Cointelegraph reached out to Metaplex but didn’t receive an immediate response.Metaplex said the unclaimed SOL may be used for the DAO to vote on airdrops, distribute grants to ecosystem builders, or other initiatives. Source: MetaplexBurwick pitches what Metaplex should do insteadThe crypto lawyers advised Metaplex to pause the plan and refund rent directly to current NFT holders while retaining a “modest” network-maintenance bounty of 10%.“A 90 / 10 split protects users, preserves DAO funding, and proves that the Solana ecosystem can self‑regulate—without a courtroom.”Related: Coinbase distances Base from highly criticized memecoin that dumped $15MBurwick noted that other DeFi protocols have resolved similar issues this way.The lawyers said there is still plenty of time for Metaplex to execute such a strategy and avoid litigation where funds could be frozen.“The ball is in the DAO’s court. Let’s show the world that Web3 corrects its own course and lives up to its founding principles of transparency, immutability, and fair dealing.”Magazine: Meet lawyer Max Burwick — ‘The ambulance chaser of crypto’

by David Weber on April 22, 2025 at 5:13 am

A man accused of murdering Cassius Turvey is a "liar" who had no justification in striking the Perth teenager with a trolley pole, a prosecutor tells the WA Supreme Court.

by Janel Shorthouse and Owen Jacques on April 22, 2025 at 5:05 am

Former Australian Test cricketer and television host Michael Slater has been sentenced to four years in prison yet has walked free after already serving more than a year in custody.

on April 22, 2025 at 5:04 am

About 200 people gathered in Melbourne's west to call for greater mental health supports after the police shooting death of Abdifatah Ahmed.

by James Oaten on April 22, 2025 at 4:59 am

In Japan, it's called "shokunin", and it might be the reason why Tokyo is now the world's culinary capital.