Alternative News for You

on April 11, 2025 at 9:02 am

Ja Morant has been suspended twice for brandishing real guns and fined for mimicking fake ones, so he has changed his celebrations to an even more explosive mime.

by Cointelegraph by Ezra Reguerra on April 11, 2025 at 8:51 am

Asset managers Osprey Funds and Grayscale Investments agreed to settle a lawsuit over alleged violations of Connecticut law in the advertising and promotion of Grayscale’s Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). According to an April 9 court filing, the parties agreed to settle the two-year-old case and are finalizing documentation and settlement terms. The filing noted that once those steps are completed, Osprey will withdraw its appeal.“Soon after this appeal was filed, the parties reached a settlement of this case,” the motion stated. “It is expected that all these tasks can be done within 45 days, and it is uncertain whether a shorter extension would suffice.”Details of the settlement have not been made public. Grayscale and Osprey reach settlementThe legal battle between the two firms started on Jan. 30, 2023, when Osprey filed a suit in the Connecticut Superior Court. Osprey claimed it was Grayscale’s only competitor in the over-the-counter Bitcoin (BTC) trust market and that Grayscale had maintained its market share through deceit. Osprey claimed Grayscale promoted its Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) as a means to access a spot Bitcoin ETF through a conversion. Osprey argued that the conversion was presented as a certainty, despite regulatory uncertainty at the time.Grayscale’s application to convert GBTC into a spot ETF was approved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission in January 2024. An August 2023 ruling compelled the SEC to reconsider its rejection of Grayscale’s application to convert the fund into an ETF. The SEC’s approval allowed GBTC to transition into a spot ETF and begin trading on the NYSE Arca exchange.Related: Crypto ETPs shed $240M last week amid US trade tariffs — CoinSharesLawsuit settlement follows Osprey appeal On Feb. 7, Judge Mark Gould sided with Grayscale, ruling that Osprey’s claims against the asset manager were exempted from the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act. Osprey responded by filing a motion for reargument on Feb. 10. The fund claimed that Gould’s ruling came “before the close of discovery,” which is the formal evidence-gathering phase of a lawsuit.The fund claimed that the ruling overlooked the differences between how the Federal Trade Commission and Connecticut courts treat deceptive advertising. The settlement ended one of the more prominent legal clashes among crypto asset managers competing for early ETF dominance. Grayscale’s GBTC remains one of the largest Bitcoin investment vehicles in the United States.Magazine: Illegal arcade disguised as … a fake Bitcoin mine? Soldier scams in China: Asia Express

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 11, 2025 at 8:27 am

The Illinois Senate by a vote of 39 to 17 passed a regulatory bill aimed at curbing cryptocurrency fraud and protecting investors from deceptive practices, including rug pulls and misleading fee structures.On April 10, the chamber passed Senate Bill 1797 (SB1797), also known as the Digital Assets and Consumer Protection Act, which Senator Mark Walker introduced in February.The bill gives the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation authority to oversee digital asset business activity within the state.Under the legislation, any entity engaging in digital asset business with Illinois residents must be registered with the state’s financial regulator. The bill also requires crypto service providers to offer advance full disclosure of user fees and charges.Bill SB1797. Source: Ilga.gov“A person shall not engage in digital asset business activity, or hold itself out as being able to engage in digital asset business activity, with or on behalf of a resident unless the person is registered in this State by the Department under this Article [...],” the bill states.Related: Trump family memecoins may trigger increased SEC scrutiny on cryptoWalker has previously highlighted the need to address crypto-related fraud in Illinois. In an April 4 X post, he stated:“The rise of digital assets has opened the door for financial opportunity, but also for bankruptcy, fraud and deceptive practices. We must set standards for those who have evolved in the crypto business to ensure they are credible, honest actors.”Illinois’ push for stronger oversight follows a wave of high-profile memecoin meltdowns and insider-led scams that have left retail investors with substantial losses.In March, New York introduced Bill A06515, aiming to establish criminal penalties to prevent cryptocurrency fraud and protect investors from rug pulls.Related: Trump’s tariff escalation exposes ‘deeper fractures’ in global financial systemMemecoin scams spark regulatory momentumOne of the most notorious recent cases was the collapse of the Libra token, a memecoin reportedly endorsed by Argentine President Javier Milei. In March, the project’s insiders allegedly withdrew over $107 million in liquidity, causing a 94% price crash and wiping out roughly $4 billion in market value.Libra token crash. Source: Kobeissi LetterInsider scams and “outright fraudulent activities” like rug pulls, which are “not only unethical but also clearly illegal, with case law to support enforcement,” should see more thorough regulatory attention, Anastasija Plotnikova, co-founder and CEO of blockchain regulatory firm Fideum, told Cointelegraph, adding:“In my view, these activities should fall firmly within the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies.”The latest meltdown occurred on March 16, after Hayden Davis, the co-creator of the Official Melania Meme (MELANIA) and the Libra token, launched a Wolf of Wall Street-inspired token (WOLF).Source: BubblemapsOver 82% of the token’s supply was held by the same entity, which led to a 99% price crash after the token peaked at a $42 million market capitalization.Argentine lawyer Gregorio Dalbon has asked for an Interpol Red Notice to be issued for Davis, citing a “procedural risk” if Davis were to remain free as he could access vast amounts of money that would allow him to either flee the US or go into hiding.Magazine: Caitlyn Jenner memecoin ‘mastermind’s’ celebrity price list leaked

by Marnie Vinall on April 11, 2025 at 8:20 am

Collingwood are looking to make it four wins in a row but standing in the way is an in-form Sydney side. Follow live.

on April 11, 2025 at 8:20 am

In his first public comments about the US-China trade war, President Xi Jinping said there are no winners in a tariff war.

on April 11, 2025 at 8:14 am

Former Married at First Sight contestant Tim Smith has made a citizen's arrest, detaining a teenager allegedly wielding a machete in the streets of Prahran. 

by Tony Ibrahim on April 11, 2025 at 7:48 am

Within minutes of Mr Trump's social media post, the S&P 500 shot up more than 7 per cent. It finished the day up 9.5 per cent.

by Stephen Clarke on April 11, 2025 at 7:35 am

An appeal against "manifestly inadequate" sentences given to two teenagers who attacked former Wallaby star Toutai Kefu and his family in their home in 2021 has been heard in the Supreme Court.

on April 11, 2025 at 7:33 am

Just days after breaking the 70-metre barrier for the first time, Australia's Matt Denny throws 74.25 metres, just shy of the world record. 

by Samantha Dick on April 11, 2025 at 7:16 am

The Australian Electoral Commission has finalised the order of candidates on federal election ballot papers using a blindfold and numbered balls.

by Olivia Sanders and Jean Bell on April 11, 2025 at 7:12 am

Robert Charles Eccles has pleaded not guilty to four charges of indecent acts and five charges of sexual penetration involving a 16-year-old boy in Warrnambool in 2012 and 2013. 

by Bridget McArthur and Jacqueline Lynch on April 11, 2025 at 7:10 am

Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Jacinta Nampijinpa Price was in the WA seat of Forrest on Friday to talk about the failed Voice to Parliament and campaign for the Liberal Party ahead of the federal election. 

by Phoebe Pin on April 11, 2025 at 7:09 am

Former One Nation senator Rod Culleton has been referred to the Australian Federal Police for a third time over allegations he failed to disclose his bankruptcy status when nominating as a candidate in the upcoming federal election.

by Josh Dye and Lottie Twyford on April 11, 2025 at 6:56 am

Tim Jordan welcomes ASIC's decision not to take action against Bonza's directors, but laments the impact the failure of the enterprise has had on customers and staff.

by Eva Blandis on April 11, 2025 at 6:39 am

Former South Australian Liberal Party leader David Speirs started using cocaine in June 2024 when it was offered to him by a "third party" to cope with stress, a court has heard. 

by Michael Doyle on April 11, 2025 at 6:34 am

St George Illawarra and the Gold Coast are coming off losses in round five and will be hoping to bounce back in Wollongong. Follow live.

by Alex Brewster on April 11, 2025 at 6:32 am

Queensland's deputy premier has defended the state's energy minister, after a testing week involving an explosion at a trouble-plagued Central Queensland power plant.

by Tamara Clark on April 11, 2025 at 6:19 am

A controversial mining project in northern Victoria has been cleared to proceed despite staunch community opposition.

by Cointelegraph by Stephen Katte on April 11, 2025 at 6:18 am

US authorities have charged a tech app founder with fraud, alleging that his advertised artificial intelligence-powered e-commerce app actually relied on human workers in the Philippines.Albert Saniger of Barcelona, Spain, founder and former CEO of the company Nate, was charged with one count of securities fraud and wire fraud, the Justice Department said in an April 9 statement, while the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a parallel civil action.Court documents said Saniger founded Nate around 2018 and launched an app of the same name in July 2020, marketing it as an AI-powered universal shopping cart that offered users the ability to complete online retail transactions, including filling in shipping details and sizing, without human input.The Justice Department alleged that, in reality, “Saniger used hundreds of contractors, or ‘purchasing assistants,’ in a call center located in the Philippines to manually complete purchases occurring over the nate app.”Source: US Attorney's Office, Southern District of New YorkInvestors gave Saniger over $40 million, feds sayActing US Attorney for New York Matthew Podolsky alleged Saniger duped investors by “exploiting the promise and allure of AI technology to build a false narrative about innovation that never existed.” Under the guise of investing in the AI-powered app, Sangier allegedly solicited more than $40 million in investments from venture capital firms and told employees to hide the true source of Nate's automation. “This type of deception not only victimizes innocent investors, it diverts capital from legitimate startups, makes investors skeptical of real breakthroughs, and ultimately impedes the progress of AI development,” Podolsky said. The company acquired AI technology from a third party and had a team of data scientists develop it, but authorities claimed the app never achieved the ability to consistently complete e-commerce purchases, and its actual automation rate was effectively zero. Related: Aussie regulator to shut 95 ‘hydra’ firms linked to crypto, romance scamsDuring a busy holiday season in 2021, it’s alleged that Sanger directed Nate’s engineering team to develop bots to automate some transactions on the app along with the human workers. Nate ceased operations in January 2023, and Saniger terminated all of Nate’s employees after media reports started casting doubt on the app’s capabilities, according to the SEC’s court filing. The securities and wire fraud charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years behind bars. The SEC suit is asking the courts to ban Saniger from holding office in any similar company and return investor funds.Cointelegraph contacted Nate for comment. Information on Saniger’s lawyers was not immediately available. Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging research

by Brett Worthington on April 11, 2025 at 6:02 am

The opposition leader questions why the prime minister is so 'obsessed' with him while Meta enjoys an election advertising cash splash. 

by Cointelegraph by Ciaran Lyons on April 11, 2025 at 6:01 am

It may be too early for Bitcoiners to start getting bullish over the longer-term impacts of a potential recession on Bitcoin’s price, says 10x Research head of research Markus Thielen.Thielen said in an April 11 markets report that credit spreads continue to widen, indicating that “recessionary concerns may be seeping deeper into the economy.”“Expecting a bullish impulse is too early,” he said.Bitcoin may face short-term headwindsWhile the long-term effects of a recession could be bullish for Bitcoin (BTC) — due to the monetary easing that typically follows US Federal Reserve rate cuts — Thielen warned that Bitcoin may face headwinds before gaining bullish momentum.“Normally, Bitcoin first sells off when China devalues or the Fed cuts, as the first cut might not be so impactful and also confirms economic weakness,” Thielen told Cointelegraph. Bitcoin is trading at $80,620 at the time of publication. Source: CoinMarketCapWhite House crypto and AI czar David Sacks said in an April 10 X post that it is “time for a rate cut” after the core Consumer Price Index increased 2.8% year-by-year for March, the lowest it has been since March 2021.CME Group’s FedWatch Tool shows a 64.8% chance of no rate cut at the Federal Reserve’s May Federal Open Market Committee meeting.Traders typically see interest rate cuts and monetary supply expansions as positively affecting asset prices, especially Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.However, Thielen said that historically, when year-over-year credit spreads “begin to widen,” Bitcoin often faces more downside pressure and takes longer to recover.Related: Bitcoin ‘significantly de-risked here’ as nearly 80% of cyclical price correction is done — Analyst“This pattern suggests that while a longer-term opportunity may emerge, Bitcoin could still face pressure in the near term,” Thielen said. He added that currency devaluations have also historically been bearish for markets in the short term before being bullish in the long term.It comes amid growing concern among market participants over the weakening US dollar.The US Dollar Index (DXY) is sitting at 100.337, down 2.92% over the past five days, according to TradingView data. The DXY is sitting at 100.337 at the time of publication. Source: TradingViewTrading resource account, The Kobeissi Letter, said in an April 10 X post, “The US dollar has exited the room. Once again, something is broken.”Meanwhile, BlackRock’s head of digital assets, Robbie Mitchnick, said in late March that Bitcoin would most likely thrive in a recessionary macro environment. “I don’t know if we’ll have a recession or not, but a recession would be a big catalyst for Bitcoin,” Mitchnick said.Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging researchThis article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

by Cointelegraph by Martin Young on April 11, 2025 at 5:50 am

Crypto-critical US Senator Elizabeth Warren has led six Senate Democrats in urging the Department of Justice to reverse its decision to terminate its crypto investigations and prosecutions division.In an April 10 letter to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, the Senators said the decision to disband the department’s National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team was a “grave mistake” that would support “sanctions evasion, drug trafficking, scams, and child sexual exploitation.”Senators Richard Durbin, Mazie Hirono, Sheldon Whitehouse, Christopher Coons and Richard Blumenthal signed the letter in addition to Warren.On April 7, Blanche shuttered the DOJ’s crypto enforcement team, saying in a memo that “The Department of Justice is not a digital assets regulator.”The senators claim that the decision gave a “free pass to cryptocurrency money launderers” and claimed that crypto mixing services — used to obfuscate blockchain transactions — are “go-to tools for cybercriminals.” “It makes no sense for DOJ to announce a hands-off approach to tools that are being used to support such terrible crimes,” the letter said.An excerpt of Democrat’s letter to the DOJ. Source: US Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban AffairsThe senators also questioned why the Justice Department  had decided not to prosecute a “host of crimes involving digital assets, including violations of the Bank Secrecy Act.”They claimed that this creates a “systemic vulnerability in the digital assets sector,” which “drug traffickers, terrorists, fraudsters, and adversaries” will exploit on a large scale. The lawmakers requested a staff-level briefing no later than May 1, providing “detailed information on the rationale behind these decisions.” Targeting Trump family crypto endeavors The letter also took a swipe at the Trump family’s crypto projects, suggesting potential conflicts of interest.Related: SafeMoon boss cites DOJ’s nixed crypto unit in latest bid to toss suitA press release accompanying the letter stated that the senators are raising concerns about the “potential connections” between the DOJ’s actions and the crypto ventures of President Donald Trump and his family.The Trumps have an interest in and have backed the crypto platform World Liberty Financial along with its token. The platform is also planning to launch a stablecoin while President Trump’s sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., are working to launch a crypto-mining company called American Bitcoin.“Your decisions give rise to concerns that President Trump’s interest in selling his cryptocurrency may be the reason for easing law enforcement scrutiny,” the Democrats stated.  In a memo announcing the crypto enforcement team’s disbandment, Blanche accused the Biden administration of using the Justice Department to “pursue a reckless strategy of regulation by prosecution.”Magazine: Illegal arcade disguised as … a fake Bitcoin mine? Soldier scams in China: Asia Express

by Harry Frost on April 11, 2025 at 5:41 am

Canberra Liberals Senate candidate Jacob Vadakkedathu says "there will be voluntary redundancies" as part of a plan to cut public service jobs.

by Jessica Black, Janelle Miles, and Kate McKenna on April 11, 2025 at 5:40 am

Monash IVF, which operates nationally, discovered the mistake at a Brisbane clinic in February, after the birth parents asked to transfer their remaining frozen embryos to another provider. 

on April 11, 2025 at 5:18 am

Prosecutors say the man was captain of the Chinese-crewed but Togolese-registered ship Hong Tai 58, which is accused of damaging a cable with its anchor. 

by Yasmin Jeffery on April 11, 2025 at 5:12 am

There are movies you'd expect to see Viola Davis star in, and there are those you wouldn't. G20 is the latter.

by Cointelegraph by Brayden Lindrea on April 11, 2025 at 5:08 am

US Bitcoin mining firms will try to capitalize on the Trump administration’s recent tariff pause by stocking up on mining rigs, but the baseline 10% tariffs will still leave the industry at a disadvantage, industry executives say.President Donald Trump paused his administration's hefty reciprocal tariffs until July 8, but kept a minimum 10% tariff on most countries bar China, which had its rate hiked to 145%.Hashlabs CEO Jaran Mellerud told Cointelegraph that while the 10% levy is much lighter than the initial tariffs, US miners are still at a “clear disadvantage” when it comes to purchasing mining machines compared to competitors abroad.He said the baseline US tariffs aren’t enough “to make mining in the US unprofitable, but it definitely raises capital expenditure and will impact the long-term viability of new investments.”“We expect to see a short-term spike in machine imports as miners rush to get ahead of potential future tariff hikes,” Mellerud added.Source: Jaran MellerudA price hike on crypto mining rigs is already happening, Luxor Technology’s chief operating officer Ethan Vera told Cointelegraph.“US miners are still looking to purchase machines ahead of the potential further increase in 90 days. In addition, US-landed machines have run up in price, as have contracts with onshore assembly.”On April 2, Trump’s hiked tariffs placed levies on Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia — countries home to three of the largest mining rig manufacturers — at respective rates of 36%, 32% and 24%. Tariff instability will stunt US Bitcoin mining growthMellerud said in an April 8 report, before the pause on the hiked tariffs, that Trump’s levies could collapse US demand for mining rigs, to the benefit of non-US mining operations, as manufacturers will look outside the US to sell their surplus inventory for cheaper.He told Cointelegraph the now-lowered tariffs would offer some relief for US miners, but imposing the tariffs and then suddenly pausing them only added uncertainty to US Bitcoin mining firms looking to plan and scale.“What miners need is predictability and stable rules — not policy whiplash every few months.”Luxor’s Vera said that the policy changes “will certainly hurt growth” in the US.Related: Bitcoin hashrate tops 1 Zetahash in historic first, trackers showVera said Luxor has even been forced to rethink its strategy and consider expanding into international markets for future expansion.Trump pledged during his presidential campaign that he wanted all the remaining Bitcoin (BTC) to be “made in the USA.”Several members of Trump’s family have also partnered with Bitcoin mining firm Hut 8 to lead Bitcoin mining venture “American Bitcoin” late last month. The venture aims to build the world’s largest Bitcoin mining firm with strategic reserves. While the tariffs are broad in nature, the crypto mining industry simply isn’t a “high priority” for the Trump administration, Vera said.Trump’s tariffs have shaken up almost every market, including the crypto markets and Bitcoin, which is down 1.2% over the last 24 hours to $80,555, CoinGecko data shows.Bitcoin is now 26% off the $108,786 all-time high it set on Jan. 20 — the same day that Trump returned to the White House.Asia Express: Illegal arcade disguised as … a fake Bitcoin mine? Soldier scams in China

on April 11, 2025 at 5:07 am

South Australian police have arrested two men and charged them with the murder of a Woodville Gardens man who was found dead after a house fire in November 2024. 

by Josh Brine on April 11, 2025 at 5:06 am

A Mount Gambier woman has received a suspended prison sentence after admitting to the ill treatment of six dogs in her care.

by Cointelegraph by Nancy Lubale on April 11, 2025 at 4:54 am

Bitcoin (BTC) price bounced quickly from its five-month low of $74,300 to reach $83,565 on April 9, but the rejection from the $83,500 level raises questions about whether BTC will be able to hold the $80,000 zone.BTC/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewWill Trump’s 90-day tariff pause create a BTC trend reversal?On April 9, US President Donald Trump authorized a 90-day pause on proposed tariff hikes while introducing a blanket 10% reciprocal tariff on all countries except China. In contrast to his broader olive branch, Trump doubled down on his trade war with China, escalating tariffs on Chinese imports to the US to 125%, citing Beijing's lack of "respect for world markets." This move triggered a historic market rally, with Bitcoin surging over 7% to $82,000 as investor nerves eased. The pause offers temporary relief, reducing immediate trade war fears that had previously tanked risk assets. However, China’s retaliatory 84% tariffs on US imports, effective April 10, signal an escalating standoff. If negotiations fail and the US-China trade war deepens after the 90-day window, Bitcoin could face renewed downward pressure as markets recoil from heightened uncertainty. “With China singled out so explicitly, market participants are bracing for Beijing's counterpunch,” trading firm QCP Capital wrote in a Telegram note to investors. QCP Capital added: “Should retaliation materialize in force, the exuberant rally could quickly morph into a classic bull trap.”While the pause buys time, its ability to prevent a crash hinges on whether Trump can de-escalate tensions with China—a tall order, given his aggressive rhetoric.Inflationary pressures could weigh down BTC priceAnother factor adding to Bitcoin price headwinds is macroeconomic factors like inflation fears and potential recessions. Bitcoin has increasingly correlated with tech stocks and broader market sentiment, as seen in its sharp declines during periods of market turmoil. For instance, when Trump’s initial tariff announcements triggered a sell-off in equities, Bitcoin dropped nearly 10% from its highs earlier this year, slipping below $80,000. Analysts argue that if trade tensions escalate further or central banks tighten monetary policy to combat inflation, investors may flee risk assets like Bitcoin, pushing its price lower. This sensitivity to macroeconomic shifts suggests that any sudden economic shock—like a Federal Reserve rate hike or a global growth slowdown—could spark another crash, especially if Bitcoin fails to break its current trading range of $80,000-$90,000.Market participants now shift their focus on the April 10 CPI data, which is poised to refocus attention on the domestic economy. “A weaker print would be welcome,” QCP capital said, adding that it would help to “offset the inflationary overhang introduced by the blanket tariff policy.”Lowering interest rates is unlikely before June, despite one Fed meeting scheduled in the interim, according to CME Group’s FedWatch Tool.Fed target rate probabilities for the May 7 FOMC meeting. Source: CME GroupThe odds of the Fed keeping interest rates unchanged at the May 7 meeting are 81.5%. This could further dampen enthusiasm for BTC and push its price lower if key price levels do not hold.Related: Bitcoin price soars to $83.5K — Have pro BTC traders turned bullish?Key Bitcoin levels to watchBitcoin breached the $75,000 level on April 8 before retracing to the current levels. Traders are now focused on key areas around this level and the $109,000 peak, which the BTC price might revisit in the near future.From a technical perspective, key Bitcoin levels to watch are the 111-day moving average (MA) at $93,000, the 200-day MA at $87,000 and the 365-day MA at $76,000, according to market intelligence firm Glassnode.In its latest Week's On-chain report from Glassnode highlights that after losing the 111-day MA and the 200-day MA in the recent drawdowns, the price must now hold above the 365-day MA to avoid another crash.“This is a key momentum level that has thus far held as support but needs to remain as support to avoid further downside momentum from being established.” Bitcoin: Technical levels to watch. Source: GlassnodeAnother level to watch, according to Glassnode, is the short-term holder (STH) cost basis at $93,000 (coinciding with the 111-day MA), which, if reclaimed, would signal the first sign of strengthening momentum.However, if Bitcoin fails to hold above $80,000, it will embark on another downward path. Key levels to watch below the 365-day EMA are the active realized price at $71,000 and, in dire cases, the true market mean of around $65,000.“We now have confluence across several onchain price models, highlighting the $65k to $71k price range as a critical area of interest for the bulls to establish long-term support”Bitcoin: True market mean. Source: GlassnodeAs earlier reported by Cointelegraph, Bitcoin risks another sweep of the five-month lows at $71,000 if the tariff wars and stock market tumult continue. 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 Briana Shepherd and Grace Burmas on April 11, 2025 at 4:45 am

A 21-year-old Perth man who fatally stabbed a teenager during a botched, phoney drug deal is sentenced to life in prison.

on April 11, 2025 at 4:37 am

The corporate watchdog alleges delays by Hollard Insurance over a storm damage claim left a Victorian couple with no choice but to demolish their home.

by Cointelegraph by Stephen Katte on April 11, 2025 at 4:32 am

Blockchain gaming for the first quarter of 2025 has been a “mixed bag,” seeing a greater number of deals while the amount invested significantly dipped, says blockchain analytics platform DappRadar.Web3 gaming projects raised $91 million in Q1 2025, marking a 71% decrease from the fourth quarter of 2024 and a 68% drop compared to the same quarter a year ago, DappRadar said in its April 10 State of Blockchain Gaming report.DappRadar analyst Sara Gherghelas wrote the figures showed “the growing pressure on early-stage startups and hint that 2025 may prove more challenging than previous years — unless broader market conditions improve.”Another factor for the drop in investments in blockchain games is investors are increasingly shifting toward real-world assets and artificial intelligence, according to Gherghelas.Over the same time, the number of blockchain gaming-related deals that closed increased by 35% quarter-over-quarter.Web3 gaming projects raised $91 million for the quarter, marking a 71% decrease from Q4 2024. Source: DappRadarGherghelas said the jump in deals shows that “while investors are writing smaller checks, they're still actively engaging with a broader range of projects — indicating continued interest, albeit with more cautious allocation."Web3 gaming investors go big in infrastructureThe lion’s share of funding for Web3 gaming in the first quarter went to infrastructure-focused projects, with most focused on scalable gaming infrastructure, according to the report.Gherghelas said the focus on infrastructure funding signaled that “investor confidence in the long-term potential of Web3 gaming remains intact,” with a few stand-out projects in the quarter, such as those from MARBLEX and The Game Company.MARBLEX, the blockchain gaming division of South Korean game developer Netmarble, has plans for a Semi-Publishing Model to support a wider variety of Web3 games, backed by a joint fund exceeding $20 million with Immutable. Most of the funding for Web3 gaming last quarter went to infrastructure-focused projects. Source: DappRadarMeanwhile, Dubai-based startup The Game Company, a firm focused on blockchain-based cloud gaming, received $10 million in funding on Feb. 6 to help develop a platform that allows users to play any game on any device.Related: Blockchain gaming market is a ‘game of musical chairs’ — Gunzilla execGherghelas said that as the Web gaming industry matures, there is “a clear push toward quality, innovation, and interoperability — whether through upgraded gameplay, new identity layers, or AI-enhanced mechanics.”Magazine: Illegal arcade disguised as … a fake Bitcoin mine? Soldier scams in China: Asia Express

by Cointelegraph by Nancy Lubale on April 11, 2025 at 4:28 am

XRP (XRP) price has recovered from its low of $1.61 reached on April 7, but it’s still trading below a key resistance zone. Will XRP’s price sustain the recovery or drop further in the coming days?XRP/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewOne of the clearest signs that there is more trouble ahead for XRP is the presence of negative funding rates and low open interest (OI) in its futures markets.Funding rates are periodic payments made between long and short traders in perpetual futures contracts to keep prices aligned with the spot market. When this metric turns negative, it means short sellers are paying long holders, indicating that bearish sentiment dominates.XRP funding rates have been hovering below 0% since early February, indicating bearish sentiment dominates the market.XRP perpetual futures funding rates across all exchanges. Source: GlassnodeSimilarly, XRP’s OI in the futures market has dropped from its local peak of $7.87 billion on Jan. 17 to $3.06 billion as of April 10.OI measures the total number of outstanding futures contracts, and a decrease suggests more traders are exiting positions.XRP futures open interest. Source: CoinGlassHistorically, assets with declining open interest struggle to maintain upward momentum, as there’s insufficient capital and enthusiasm to drive prices higher. For XRP, this could mean that even minor selling pressure might trigger a cascade of liquidations, especially if leveraged positions are unwound. Without renewed interest from institutional or retail traders, XRP’s price risks sliding back into a downward spiral.Related: Ripple acquisition of Hidden Road a ‘defining moment’ for XRPL — Ripple CTOXRP price runs into resistance at $2.20XRP price traders are reassessing its breakout strength after the token failed to sustain momentum.XRP’s 21.5% rally on April 9 was stopped by supplier congestion around the $2.20 level. XRP also failed to rise above this level on April 5, reinforcing the importance of this zone. The price is required to flip this level back into support to increase the chances of a sustained recovery.The altcoin is still trading below the 50-day and 100-day SMAs, as shown in the chart below. The token now enjoys support at $1.86, embraced by the 200-day SMA.XRP/USD weekly chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewA decisive close above the resistance level at $2.20 and later a rise above the 50-day SMA at $2.28, accompanied by high volume, could see XRP price rally toward the 100-day SMA around $2.50.Contrarily, the RSI is still moving below the middle line, suggesting that the market conditions still favor the downside. As such, if XRP closes below the 200-day SMA at $1.86, it will drop lower to retest the local low at $1.61 or lower toward $1.07, as earlier predicted by veteran trader Peter Brandt.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 Sundance on April 11, 2025 at 4:20 am

In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and Presidency. This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread. Posted in The post April 11th – 2025 Presidential Politics – Trump Administration Day 82 appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Sundance on April 11, 2025 at 4:15 am

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL. The post Friday April 11th – Open Thread appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Martin Young on April 11, 2025 at 3:56 am

New York Attorney General Letitia James has sent a letter to US congressional leaders urging “common sense” federal crypto regulations and to keep digital assets out of US pensions.“I am urging Congress to pass legislation that would strengthen federal regulations on the cryptocurrency industry to protect investors, strengthen financial markets, and stop fraud,” James said in a 14-page letter shared on April 10, outlining six major risks if the sector remains unregulated.She said that without appropriate safeguards, the “unchecked proliferation of digital assets” undermines US dollar dominance, weakens national security due to criminal activity, and “undermines the stability of financial markets.” Unregulated crypto also subjects investors to “price manipulation and rigged markets,” facilitates fraud that “drains billions of dollars from hardworking Americans, and extracts assets and investments from the American economy,” she said. An excerpt of James’ letter to Congress. Source: Office of the New York State Attorney GeneralJames made a number of recommendations and pushed Congress for legislation that would require stablecoin issuers to have a US presence and regulatory oversight and mandate backing stablecoins with US dollars or treasuries. She also wants regulations that require platforms to work only with anti-money laundering-compliant entities, establish registration requirements for issuers and intermediaries, protect against conflicts of interest and promote price transparency and require fraud prevention measures.No crypto assets in pension funds The New York’s top lawyer also aired her concerns about including crypto in pension funds. “Digital assets are uniquely unsuitable for retirement savings due to their high volatility,” she said, claiming that they have no value.“The underlying value of cryptocurrency is unpredictable and not determined by true price discovery because they have no intrinsic value on which their prices are based.”James also urged against retirement funds investing in crypto-tracking exchange-traded funds, stating that “unlike traditional exchange-traded funds backed by stocks and bonds, cryptocurrency held to back cryptocurrency ETFs are at risk of permanent theft.” Related: US lawmaker will reintroduce crypto retirement bill to help Trump agenda“As Congress takes the mantle to propose legislation governing the cryptocurrency industry, we hope it also takes action to mitigate the risks posed by the industry to America’s national security, financial stability, and citizens,” James said. The call for regulation follows the US Department of Justice’s reported dismantling of its federal criminal cryptocurrency fraud enforcement division.Magazine: 3 reasons Ethereum could turn a corner: Kain Warwick, X Hall of Flame

by Cointelegraph by Ciaran Lyons on April 11, 2025 at 3:50 am

Bitcoin could hover in the low $80,000s in the near term if it fails to break through its next resistance level, CryptoQuant says, while other analysts predict the cryptocurrency will hit a fresh all-time high within the next two months.CryptoQuant analysts said in an April 10 markets report that if Bitcoin (BTC) “continues to rally,” it could hit resistance around the $84,000 price level, but if it breaks through, it could soar before its next resistance level of $96,000.Bitcoin’s previous support levels are now resistance“These price levels have acted as price support during this bull cycle but can now act as price resistance if bullish conditions don’t continue to improve,” CryptoQuant said in its report. “This has been the case in past bearish cycles.”Bitcoin was trading at $79,474 at the time of publication, down 3.5% over the past day, according to CoinMarketCap data.Bitcoin is down 2.24% over the past 30 days. Source: CoinMarketCapApril has been a volatile month for Bitcoin. US President Donald Trump ramped up global tariffs on April 2, which triggered fear in financial markets, before later abruptly pausing them for 90 days and softening the bearish momentum. Bitcoin briefly rose above $85,000 on April 1, but it pulled back to around $76,000 by April 8 due to uncertainty surrounding Trump’s tariff plans.CryptoQuant said prices recovered “most of the lost ground” on April 9, after Trump announced the 90-day pause on tariffs to all countries except China, which have now been ramped up to 145%.Bitcoin may first find resistance at $84,000 and then at the $96,000 area. Source: CryptoQuantAfter Trump’s tariff pause announcement on April 9, both the crypto and broader financial markets saw a wider surge.Bitcoin surged by approximately 9%, reversing most of the losses it incurred earlier in the week, to retest $83,000. Meanwhile, the S&P 500, which tracks the 500 largest public US companies, closed 9.52% higher, its third-largest single-day gain since World War II. The Nasdaq 100 posted a 12.02% gain over the trading day.Abra Global CEO Bill Barhydt said in an April 10 X post that it may only be a matter of months before Bitcoin sees its price go almost 29% above its $109,000 all-time high set in January.“Bitcoin is a levered bet on tech stocks, and all of it is going up and to the right,” Barhydt said, adding that Bitcoin may go as high as $130,000 to $140,000 by late June.Related: Bitcoin ‘significantly de-risked here’ as nearly 80% of cyclical price correction is done — AnalystHe pointed to the “very significant increase in global money supply” as the reasoning behind his claim that Bitcoin could reach significantly higher levels by “midsummer at the latest.” It echoes a similar sentiment to Real Vision chief crypto analyst Jamie Coutts, who told Cointelegraph last month that “the market may be underestimating how quickly Bitcoin could surge — potentially hitting new all-time highs before Q2 is out.”However, according to CryptoQuant’s Bull Score Index, Bitcoin has been in one of its least bullish phases since November 2022.CryptoQuant said that of the 10 bull signals it tracks in its Bull Score Index, only one is still active, with Bitcoin trading above its 365-day moving average.It said the market needs to wait and see if the bull signals “switch back on” in the coming weeks following Trump’s recent decision to pause his tariffs.Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging researchThis article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

by Cointelegraph by Yashu Gola on April 11, 2025 at 3:45 am

Solana-based memecoin Fartcoin (FARTCOIN) has outperformed the broader crypto market so far in April, rising over 104% versus SOL being down 2% for the week. As of April 10, it was trading for as high as $0.87.FARTCOIN/USD vs. TOTAL crypto market cap 30-day performance. Source: TradingViewThe cryptocurrency’s outperformance appears despite US President Donald Trump’s seesaw tariff announcements that have wiped nearly $160 billion from the crypto market capitalization in April.FARTCOIN has outperformed even other memecoins inside the Solana ecosystem, the primary being Official Trump (TRUMP), which has dropped by approximately 25% in April. As it seems, the third-largest Solana memecoin could rise another 30% in April due to a classic bullish continuation setup.FARTCOIN bull flag hints a new highsFARTCOIN’s bullish technical outlook arises from its prevailing bull flag setup.On April 10, FARTCOIN was breaking out of the channel range to the upside. FARTCOIN/USDT four-hour price chart. Source: TradingViewThis trend projects a potential move toward $0.95—just under the psychologically significant $1 mark—by April.The relative strength index (RSI) is hovering in bullish territory above 66, suggesting there’s still room for further gains before entering overbought conditions above the 70 mark. Additionally, FARTCOIN’s price is gaining support from its 50-4H (red) and 200-4H (blue) exponential moving averages (EMA). As long as Fartcoin stays above them, the bull flag breakout may play out in full, potentially resulting in a rally to $0.95.FARTCOIN mimicks Pepe’s path to a $3 billion market capFartcoin is showing the same signs that preceded Pepe’s (PEPE) explosive run from around $300 million to over $3 billion in market cap in the 2023-2024 period, according to market analyst @theunipcs.“I'm talking $300m to $500m in daily [spot] volume,” the analyst wrote about Fartcoin while mentioning its absence at Binance, Coinbase, Bybit, Upbit, and OKX exchanges.In the past 24 hours, FARTCOIN’s volume has been over $446.84 million versus Bonk’s (BONK) $129.85 million and Shiba Inu’s (SHIB) $319.43 million, according to data resource CoinMarketCap. Top memecoins and their price and volume performances. Source: CoinMarketCapMeanwhile, Fartcoin is going head-to-head with TRUMP, which posted approximately $661.78 million in trading volume over the past 24 hours. However, onchain data reveals that Fartcoin is processing nearly double the value in actual transfers, suggesting deeper engagement and utility despite TRUMP's headline volume figures.FARTCOIN vs. TRUMP daily transfer value chart. Source: SOLSCANAs a result, FARTCOIN appears to be in the middle of a powerful hype-driven rally, which improves its interim bullish outlook. 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 Jody McDonald on April 11, 2025 at 2:54 am

New Hampshire’s House and Florida’s House Insurance and Banking Committee have respectively advanced bills allowing their states to create Bitcoin reserves.New Hampshire’s House passed its Bitcoin reserve bill, HB302, in a 192-179 vote on April 10 which will now head to the Senate. The state is now the fourth to pass a Bitcoin (BTC) reserve bill through one chamber, joining Arizona, Texas and Oklahoma.If HB302 clears New Hampshire’s Senate and Governor Kelly Ayotte signs it into law it would allow the state’s treasurer to use 10% of the state’s general fund and other authorized funds to invest in precious metals and certain digital assets. The bill also sets out how they should be custodied.The bill specifies that only cryptocurrencies with a market capitalization of over $500 billion would be eligible for investment, a criteria that only Bitcoin currently meets.New Hampshire’s House votes to pass HB302, the state’s Bitcoin reserve bill. Source: New Hampshire House of RepresentativesIn a debate prior to the vote, Democrat Representative Terry Spahr argued that the bill is unnecessary and could undermine the future security of the state’s digital assets stockpile. “Unbeknownst to the committee and to the sponsor the treasurer testified that they already have that authority,” Spahr said. He added that cryptocurrency is “constantly shifting and changing, and it’s sort of dangerous to be kind of locked into certain types of security measures, and I think that bill does this.”Republican Representative Jordan Ulery countered that the bill was necessary as it could create the “potential for a large amount of money being earned by the state in these investments.”New Hampshire has two other blockchain-related bills working their way through the legislature — HB310, which covers stablecoins and real-world asset tokenization (RWA) and HB 639, which deals with blockchain regulation and dispute resolution.Florida House Committee passes Bitcoin reserve bill Meanwhile, on April 10, Florida’s House Insurance and Banking Committee passed the state’s Bitcoin reserve bill, HB487, with a unanimous vote.The bill has three committees to clear before it progresses to Florida’s House.Similar to New Hampshire’s bill, HB487 would allow Florida’s chief financial officer and the State Board of Administration to invest up to 10% of certain state funds — including the General Revenue Fund and the Budget Stabilization Fund — into Bitcoin.The bill’s sponsor, Republican Representative Webster Barnaby, pleaded with the Committee before the vote “to vote up on this very important bill,” which he claimed would “put Florida in the leading edge of this very new technology.”Related: US federal agencies to report crypto holdings to Treasury by April 7Florida’s bill gives the state’s financial chief the ability to invest in digital assets directly, through certain qualified custodians, or through exchange-traded products and details security and custody requirements.According to Bitcoin Laws, which tracks the progress of digital assets legislation, Arizona is currently leading the race to become the first US state to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve. Source: Bitcoin LawsOn March 24, two digital assets reserve bills, SB1373 and SB1025, cleared Arizona’s House Rules Committee and are now headed to the state’s House for a full floor vote. If passed by the House, the bills would then need the signature of Arizona’s Democratic governor, Katie Hobbs, to become law.Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again

by Cointelegraph by Brayden Lindrea on April 11, 2025 at 1:05 am

US Securities and Exchange Commission staff have given guidance on how federal securities laws could apply to crypto, saying companies issuing or dealing with tokens that could be securities should give better details about their business.The SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance said in a staff statement on April 10 that it was giving its views “to provide greater clarity on the application of the federal securities laws to crypto assets.” The Division said its statement was made of observations of disclosures given in existing disclosure requirements and “addresses our views about certain specific disclosure questions that market participants have presented to the staff.”The guidance, which the Division noted had “no legal force or effect,” said crypto companies who are giving disclosures about their business have typically shared a host of information about their operations, such as what the company specifically does, how any issued tokens work and how the business generates — or intends to generate — revenue.Companies have also disclosed whether they plan to remain engaged in a crypto network or app after they launch it and, if not, whether any other entities will take over.Crypto firms should also explain their technology, such as if their product is a proof-of-work or proof-of-stake blockchain, its block size, transaction speed, reward mechanisms, the measures to ensure network security and whether the protocol is open-source or not.The SEC staff also noted that registration or qualification is not required in connection with crypto offerings that aren’t securities and aren't part of an investment contract. However, the statement didn’t provide clarity on what digital assets could be securities.Commercial litigator Joe Carlasare told Cointelegraph the statement was “a welcome and refreshing step toward clearer regulatory guidance.”“Adhering to the guidelines will help entities not only position themselves more favorably with regulators but also demonstrate a commitment to transparency and credibility,” he said.Crypto firms should share all risksThe SEC staff statement said that issuers usually clearly disclose risks related to price volatility, network and cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and custody risks, in addition to standard business, operational, legal and regulatory risks.A “materially complete description” of a security is also typically required from an issuer, which includes the mechanism behind paying dividends, distributions, profit-sharing and voting rights, including how those rights are enforced.Related: No crypto project has registered with the SEC and ‘lived to tell the tale’ — House committee hearingIt added a company should share if a protocol’s code can be modified, and if so, who can make such changes and whether the smart contracts involved have been subjected to a third-party security audit.Other disclosures the statement mentioned are whether the token’s supply is fixed and how it was or will be issued along with identifying executives and “significant employees.”The Division said its guidance intended to build on the SEC’s Crypto Task Force, which is planning to host a series of roundtables with the crypto industry to discuss how it should police crypto trading, custody, tokenization and decentralized finance.Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

by Cointelegraph by Stephen Katte on April 10, 2025 at 11:39 pm

Update April 11, 1:46 am: This article has been updated to include more information and background on the resolution. US President Donald Trump has signed a joint congressional resolution overturning a Biden administration-era rule that would have required decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols to report transactions to the Internal Revenue Service.Set to take effect in 2027, the so-called IRS DeFi broker rule would have expanded the tax authority’s existing reporting requirements to include DeFi platforms, requiring them to disclose gross proceeds from crypto sales, including information regarding taxpayers involved in the transactions.Trump formally killed the measure by signing off the resolution on April 10, marking the first time a crypto bill has ever been signed into law, Representative Mike Carey, who backed the bill, said in a statement.“The DeFi Broker Rule needlessly hindered American innovation, infringed on the privacy of everyday Americans, and was set to overwhelm the IRS with an overflow of new filings that it doesn’t have the infrastructure to handle during tax season,” he said.Source: Mike CareyCritics of the rule claimed it would lump decentralized platforms with too onerous rules, hampering innovation in crypto and DeFi.Supporters, such as Democratic Representative Lloyd Doggett, said in March that killing the IRS rule would create a loophole that wealthy tax cheats would exploit.The resolution to kill the rule quickly made its way through Congress and passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 25, with the House passing it on March 11.The Senate passed the resolution on March 26. It had previously passed its own version of the resolution in early March, but the House made its own due to Constitutional rules about where budget measures should originate.Trump was widely expected to sign the bill, as White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks said in March that the president supported killing the measureIndustry “can breathe again” with IRS rule repealedCrypto advocacy group Blockchain Association CEO Kristin Smith said in an April 10 statement the “industry’s innovators, builders, and developers can breathe again,” now the resolution has passed. “This rule promised an end to the United States crypto industry; it was a sledgehammer to the engine of American innovation,” she added.Kristin Smith claimed the IRS rule would have destroyed the US crypto industry. Source: Blockchain AssociationRelated: OpenSea urges SEC to exclude NFT marketplaces from regulator’s remitThe lobby group filed a lawsuit in December against the IRS, the Treasury and then-Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to repeal the IRS rule, claiming it was unlawful and an “unconstitutional overreach.The Trump administration has taken a friendly attitude toward crypto and has worked to heel the Securities and Exchange Commission, which has wound back its hardline stance toward crypto forged under former Chair Gary Gensler.The regulator has dismissed a number of enforcement actions and probes against crypto firms that it launched under the Biden administration and has begun a series of industry consultations on how it should regulate crypto.Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging research

by Cointelegraph by Cointelegraph on April 10, 2025 at 10:02 pm

Today in crypto, Donald Trump signed a repeal of the IRS DeFi broker rule, the US Securities and Exchange Commission dropped its suit against the Helium network, and the largest public Bitcoin mining firms mined nearly $800 million worth of Bitcoin in Q1 2025.Trump signs resolution killing IRS DeFi broker ruleUS President Donald Trump signed a joint congressional resolution on April 10 that overturned a Biden-era rule requiring decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols to report transactions to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)The so-called IRS DeFi broker rule was set to take effect in 2027 and twould have expanded the tax authority’s existing reporting requirements to include DeFi platforms, requiring them to disclose gross proceeds from crypto sales, including information regarding taxpayers involved in the transactions.Representative Mike Carey, who backed the resolution, said it was the the first time a president has signed a crypto bill into law.Source: Mike CareyCritics of the rule claimed it would lump decentralized platforms with too onerous rules, hampering crypto innovation, while supporters said killing the rule would create a loophole for wealthy tax cheats.Trump was widely expected to sign the bill, as White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks said in March that the president supported killing the measure.SEC drops suit against Helium for alleged securities violationsThe US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has dismissed a lawsuit against Nova Labs, developer of decentralized wireless network Helium, for allegedly issuing unregistered securities, Helium stated in an April 10 blog post. Filed in January 2025, the lawsuit was among the SEC’s final enforcement actions against a cryptocurrency developer under former Chair Gary Gensler, who stepped down from his post on Jan. 20 after US President Donald Trump took office. The dismissal with prejudice means the blockchain developer cannot be charged with similar violations again for issuing in 2019 its native token Helium (HNT), the company said. “[W]e can now definitively say that all compatible Helium Hotspots and the distribution of HNT, IOT, and MOBILE tokens through the Helium Network are not securities,” Helium said. “[T]he outcome establishes that selling hardware and distributing tokens for network growth does not automatically make them securities in the eyes of the SEC [and] that the SEC cannot bring these charges against Helium again,” it added.Source: HeliumTop Bitcoin miners produced nearly $800 million of BTC in Q1 2025The largest publicly traded Bitcoin mining companies produced nearly $800 million worth of Bitcoin in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting continued growth across the sector as Bitcoin prices held near record highs.According to publicly available data compiled by Cointelegraph, the top Bitcoin mining companies produced over 9,700 Bitcoin (BTC) in the first quarter. With Bitcoin trading at around $81,600 at the time of writing, the total production was valued at around $800 million. Marathon Digital, the biggest Bitcoin mining company by market capitalization, led the pack with 2,285 Bitcoin (worth roughly $186 million) mined in Q1. CleanSpark followed with 1,950 BTC mined in Q1, valued near $160 million. CleanSpark’s March performance also saw a 13.4% increase month-on-month. On April 3, Marathon announced that it produced 829 BTC in March, up 17.4% from February and 10.5% higher than January.Iren, formerly Iris Energy, produced the third-highest amount for the quarter. The mining firm reported a total of 1,513 BTC, worth almost $124 million.

by Sundance on April 10, 2025 at 9:47 pm

President Trump holds a cabinet meeting and invites the press to attend and ask questions. . Posted in President Trump, Press Secretary - Trump, Trade Deal The post President Trump Invites Media to Cabinet Meeting – Holds Press Availability appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Alex O’Donnell on April 10, 2025 at 9:45 pm

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has dismissed a lawsuit against Nova Labs, developer of decentralized wireless network Helium, for allegedly issuing unregistered securities, Helium stated in an April 10 blog post. Filed in January 2025, the lawsuit was among the SEC’s final enforcement actions against a cryptocurrency developer under former Chair Gary Gensler, who stepped down from his post on Jan. 20 after US President Donald Trump took office. The dismissal with prejudice means the blockchain developer cannot be charged with similar violations again for issuing in 2019 its native token Helium (HNT), the company said. “[W]e can now definitively say that all compatible Helium Hotspots and the distribution of HNT, IOT, and MOBILE tokens through the Helium Network are not securities,” Helium said. “[T]he outcome establishes that selling hardware and distributing tokens for network growth does not automatically make them securities in the eyes of the SEC [and] that the SEC cannot bring these charges against Helium again,” it added.Source: HeliumThe SEC’s Helium reversal came the same day Trump-nominee Paul Atkins formally replaced Gensler as SEC Chair after a lengthy confirmation process in the Senate. Helium is a blockchain network designed to let “anyone build and own massive wireless networks,” according to its website. The protocol reports having roughly 375,000 active hotspots. According to CoinGecko, HNT has a market capitalization of approximately $480 million as of April 10 — down from highs of more than $5 billion in November 2021. HNT’s price since 2019. Source: CoinGeckoRelated: SEC will drop its appeal against Ripple, CEO Garlinghouse saysChanging policy stanceUnder Gensler, the SEC brought upward of 100 charges against Web3 developers for various alleged securities violations. Since Trump took office, the SEC has sharply reversed course, dropping numerous charges against crypto firms, including Coinbase, Kraken, Ripple and Uniswap. Trump has positioned himself as a pro-crypto President, promising to make America the “world’s crypto capital,” appointing industry-friendly leaders to key regulatory posts, and ordering the federal government to create a national Bitcoin (BTC) reserve.For some crypto executives, Trump's policies — such as announcing sweeping tariffs on US imports in April — threaten to stymie crypto’s progress.Magazine: 3 reasons Ethereum could turn a corner: Kain Warwick, X Hall of Flame

by Cointelegraph by Sam Bourgi on April 10, 2025 at 9:27 pm

Cryptocurrency exchange HashKey has received approval from Hong Kong regulators to offer staking services, potentially broadening the institutional appeal of proof-of-stake investments such as the spot Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs).HashKey was granted approval on April 10 after the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) provided regulatory guidance on staking services to Licensed Virtual Asset Trading Platforms (VATPs) and authorized funds, the company disclosed on social media. HashKey said it had become “one of the first” regulated Hong Kong exchanges to offer staking services.Source: HashKey GroupThe approval was granted after the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) recognized the potential benefits of crypto staking services, the SFC said.CSRC “is aware of the potential benefits of staking in enhancing the security of blockchain networks and allowing investors to earn returns from virtual assets in a regulated market environment,” the SFC said, according to a translated version of the announcement that appeared on Asian media outlet PANews. Related: Crypto VCs are ‘especially bullish’ on DePIN, RWAs — HashKey CapitalTaking the lead on ETH stakingThe SFC approval means HashKey can take the lead in offering staking services for spot Ether (ETH) ETFs, according to the exchange’s managing director, Terence Pu.“In the near future, investors will not only be able to hold Ether ETFs to obtain staking income but also directly hold ETH and obtain additional income through our staking services,” Hu said in a translated version of his statement. Hong Kong approved its first Ether and Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs in April of last year, giving institutional investors access to an in-kind subscription model for digital assets.Hong Kong is ahead of the curve in allowing ETF investors to earn a passive yield on their digital assets. In the United States, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) green-lighted spot Ether ETFs last year but did not allow staking strategies to be included.For many US investors, staking is the missing link that could make US-based Ether ETFs more attractive to institutional investors. With the election of US President Donald Trump and the installation of a pro-crypto SEC Chair, investors are growing confident that staking services are coming to the US Ether ETFs in the near future. Source: James SeyyfartBased on Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart’s potential timeline, approvals could be granted as early as May.Magazine: ‘Hong Kong’s FTX’ victims win lawsuit, bankers bash stablecoins: Asia Express

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 10, 2025 at 9:16 pm

North Carolina (NC) representative Neal Jackson introduced the North Carolina Digital Asset Freedom Act on April 10. The bill proposes that qualifying "digital assets" be accepted as a legally recognized form of payment and for taxes.Although the language of the bill does not specifically mention Bitcoin (BTC), there are several provisions laid out that make BTC uniquely qualified under the bill's definition of a "digital asset."These stipulations include a minimum market capitalization of $750 billion and a daily trading volume of over $10 billion, a market history of 10 years or more, proven censorship resistance, proof-of-work consensus, lack of a central authority, 99.98% or more network uptime, and a maximum supply cap. The bill read:"The General Assembly further finds that decentralized digital assets, which are not governed by any central entity or foundation, align with the economic principles of limited, noninflationary money and are capable of ensuring the security and integrity of transactions."Jackson's bill is merely the latest in state-led Bitcoin strategic reserve legislation in the United States amid inflation concerns, high US federal debt and a depreciating currency.NC Digital Asset Freedom Act. Source: North Carolina LegislatureRelated: North Carolina bills would add crypto to state’s retirement systemNorth Carolina takes a firm stance against CBDCsFormer North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper vetoed a bill banning a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in July 2024. At the time, Cooper characterized the bill as "premature, vague, and reactionary" to threats that have not yet materialized.In August 2024, the North Carolina House of Representatives overrode Cooper's veto in a definitive and bipartisan 73-41 vote.The North Carolina Senate followed suit by overriding Cooper's veto in a 27-17 vote and passed the anti-CBDC legislation into law in September 2024.North Carolina’s anti-CBDC legislation. Source: North Carolina Legislature Dan Spuller, the head of industry affairs at crypto advocacy organization the Blockchain Association, applauded the action taken by NC lawmakers to push back against the tide of CBDCs."This bill should have never been vetoed, and Governor Cooper blew an opportunity to send a strong message to the Federal Reserve that NC stands united against CBDCs," Spuller wrote in a Sept. 9 X post.Magazine: Bitcoiner sex trap extortion? BTS firm’s blockchain disaster: Asia Express

by Sundance on April 10, 2025 at 8:18 pm

The absolute #1 tell highlighting this as a nonsense exercise, a delay tactic on behalf of the swamp, is the venue for Tulsi Gabbard’s “new task force” announcement, Sean Hannity. In order to pass DC approvals for confirmation, Gabbard had to join the ‘FISA is awesome’ club.  Now, she aligns her DNI silo with the The post DNI Tulsi Gabbard Joins the Tick Tock Club – Repeating the “Just Wait, Trust Us” Nonsense appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Alex O’Donnell on April 10, 2025 at 7:50 pm

Escalating geopolitical tensions threaten to balkanize blockchain networks and restrict users' access, crypto executives told Cointelegraph. On April 9, US President Donald Trump announced a pause in the rollout of tariffs imposed on certain countries — but the prospect of a global trade war still looms, especially because Trump still wants to charge a 125% levy on Chinese imports. Industry executives said they fear a litany of potential consequences if tensions worsen, including disruptions to blockchain networks’ physical infrastructure, regulatory fragmentation, and censorship. “Aggressive tariffs and retaliatory trade policies could create obstacles for node operators, validators, and other core participants in blockchain networks,” Nicholas Roberts-Huntley, CEO of Concrete & Glow Finance, told Cointelegraph. “In moments of global uncertainty, the infrastructure supporting crypto, not just the assets themselves, can become collateral damage.”According to data from CoinMarketCap, cryptocurrency’s total market capitalization dropped approximately 4% on April 10 as traders weighed conflicting messages from the White House on tariffs amid a backdrop of macroeconomic unease. Crypto’s market cap retraced on April 10. Source: CoinMarketCapRelated: Trade tensions to speed institutional crypto adoption — ExecsBitcoin’s vulnerabilitiesBitcoin (BTC) is especially vulnerable to a trade war since the network depends on specialized hardware for Bitcoin mining, such as the ASIC chips used to solve the network’s cryptographic proofs. “Tariffs disrupt established ASIC supply chains,” David Siemer, CEO of Wave Digital Assets, told Cointelegraph. Chinese manufacturers such as Bitmain are key suppliers for miners.However, “the greater threat is the erosion of blockchain’s core value proposition—its global, permissionless infrastructure,” Siemer said. This could be especially problematic for everyday crypto holders. “If global trade breaks down and capital controls tighten, it may become harder for citizens in restrictive countries to acquire bitcoin,” said Joe Kelly, CEO of Unchained. “Governments could crack down on exchanges and on-ramps, making accumulation and usage more difficult,” Kelly added.Bitcoin’s performance versus stocks. Source: 21SharesIronically, these types of fears also underscore the importance of cryptocurrencies and decentralized blockchain networks, the executives said. Bitcoin has already shown “signs of resilience” amid the market turbulence, highlighting the coin’s role in hedging against geopolitical risks. “While the environment is challenging, it also creates an opening for crypto to prove its long-term value and utility on the global stage,” noted Fireblocks’ executive Neil Chopra.Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging research

by Sundance on April 10, 2025 at 7:47 pm

The rapid change in Ursula von der Leyen now starts to make sense.  According to a press release [SEE HERE] from European Big Pharma, they recently had a meeting with the EU Komisar and threatened to leave Europe if the trade system is not renegotiated quickly. President Trump is on the cusp of announcing a The post Europe’s Big Pharma Companies Threaten Commission President von der Leyen, Change Trade Situation Quickly or We Go To America appeared first on The Last Refuge.