Alternative News for You

by Clint Jasper on April 24, 2025 at 5:10 am

Australia is joining the European Union and the United States in establishing strategic reserves of critical minerals, but what do they actually do, and why are they so important?

by Cointelegraph by Brayden Lindrea on April 24, 2025 at 4:59 am

The ZKsync Association has confirmed the recovery of $5 million worth of stolen tokens from an April 15 ZKsync security incident involving its airdrop distribution contract.The hacker agreed to accept a 10% bounty and return 90% of the remaining stolen tokens, transferring the ZKsync Security Council almost $5.7 million across three transfers on April 23.“We’re pleased to share that the hacker has cooperated and returned the funds within the safe harbor deadline,” ZKsync Association posted to X on April 23, which was later reposted by ZKsync’s X account.Matter Labs, the company behind the ZKsync protocol, also reposted the news shared on X.The ZKsync X account previously confirmed that no user funds were compromised.Source: ZKsync AssociationThe hacker sent two transfers on the ZKsync Era blockchain, consisting of $2.47 million worth of ZKsync (ZK) tokens and $1.83 million worth of Ether (ETH) to the ZKsync Security Council’s ZKsync Era address.Another 776 ETH worth nearly $1.4 million was also sent to their security council’s Ethereum address, Etherscan data shows.The first transfer was made on April 23 at 2:39:57 pm UTC on and the last transfer was made roughly 13 minutes later — all within the 72-hour window that ZK Sync had initially set.ZKsync Association said the company would publish a final report revealing more details from the security incident.How the hack happenedThe hacker breached ZKsync’s admin account, allowing them to exploit the airdrop distribution contract's sweepUnclaimed() function to mint 111 million unclaimed ZK tokens, worth approximately $5 million at the time of the April 15 attack.The hack occurred while ZKsync was in the process of airdropping 17.5% of ZK’s token supply to ecosystem participants.The recovered amount — almost $5.7 million — exceeded the $5 million originally stolen due to a rise in the market value of the stolen tokens, with ZK and ETH increasing 16.6% and 8.8% respectively since the April 15 attack, according to CoinGecko data.Despite the asset recovery, the ZK token failed to rise substantially on the news and is currently down 0.2% over the last 24 hours.ZKsync Era is an Ethereum layer 2 solution that uses zero-knowledge rollups to batch and process transactions offchain. It has nearly $59 million in total value locked on its chain and has over $2 billion in real-world assets onchain, according to DefiLlama and RWA.xyz.Magazine: Ethereum maxis should become ‘assholes’ to win TradFi tokenization race

by Cointelegraph by Stephen Katte on April 24, 2025 at 4:58 am

Russia’s finance ministry and central bank are reportedly planning to launch a crypto exchange for qualified investors under an experimental legal regime.The platform will be aimed at “super-qualified investors,” Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said during a ministry meeting, according to April 23 reports from Russian media group RBC and Russian news agency Interfax.“Together with the central bank, we will launch a crypto exchange for super-qualified investors. Crypto assets will be legalized, and crypto operations will be brought out of the shadows,” he said in a statement translated from Russian.“Naturally, this will not happen domestically, but as part of the operations permitted under the experimental legal regime.”Anton Siluanov (left) said the Kremlin-backed crypto exchange is only for Russian investors who meet certain income and wealth thresholds. Source: Mehmet SimsekThe Russian central bank announced a proposal on March 12 to allow a limited number of Russian investors with a certain amount of assets to buy and sell cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) under a three-year experimental regime.Under the proposal, the bank created a new investor category, super-qualified investors, defined by wealth and income thresholds of over 100 million rubles ($1.2 million) or a yearly income of at least 50 million rubles ($602,000).Super-qualified investor definition not set in stone The deputy director of the Finance Ministry’s financial policy department, Osman Kabaloev, said the criteria for a super-qualified investor are not yet final because they were floated in the early stages of discussions last year, according to RBC.“Perhaps it will be in this format, or these indicators will be somehow adjusted in one direction or another - this is possible, I think there will be a wide range of discussions,” Kabaloev said in a statement translated from Russian.Russia implemented a ban on using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin for payments under its first crypto law, On Digital Financial Assets, which came into force in January 2021.However, the country has since been trying to make other crypto inroads. On April 16, Kabaloev said the Kremlin should be creating its own stablecoin after a recent freeze on wallets linked to the sanctioned Russian exchange Garantex by US authorities and stablecoin issuer Tether. Related: Russia using Bitcoin, USDt for oil trades with China and India: ReportMeanwhile, Evgeny Masharov, a member of the Russian Civic Chamber, proposed on March 20 to create a Russian government crypto fund that would include assets confiscated from criminal proceedings.At the same time, other officials were progressing with new legislation on recognizing crypto as property for the purposes of criminal procedure legislation.Magazine: How crypto laws are changing across the world in 2025

by Kellie Scott on April 24, 2025 at 4:56 am

If you're searching for ways to use up your Easter eggs, we've got a few ideas including that include baking, drinking and dipping.   

by Patrick Bell and Tom Crowley on April 24, 2025 at 4:47 am

Peter Dutton said some of the 41,000 cuts would be achieved by not proceeding with unfilled vacancies, but political opponents and experts say the numbers don't add up.

by Lani Oataway on April 24, 2025 at 4:42 am

Andrew Regan has returned to the scene of his catastrophic injury to reclaim the day that changed the course of his life.

by Georgia Hogge on April 24, 2025 at 4:40 am

Copper thieves are suspected of targeting vacant homes using real estate websites, leaving real estate agents and plumbers to clean up the mess and owners to foot the bill.

on April 24, 2025 at 4:36 am

A 30-year-old man died from multiple stab wounds after a fight involving up to six people who allegedly chased him along Chapel Street during the early hours of Sunday morning.

on April 24, 2025 at 4:31 am

The personal data of more than 2,000 inpatients involved sleep studies at the Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide since 2018 has been accessed in a ransomware attack, with those affected being warned of identity theft risks.

by Hannah Murphy on April 24, 2025 at 4:30 am

Australian influencers' fitness and nutrition guides flew off the shelves in the mid-to-late 2010s, promising "bikini bodies" for the average woman. We asked the experts if their advice holds up today.

on April 24, 2025 at 4:29 am

ACT politicians Andrew Leigh and David Pocock slam Peter Dutton's commitment today to cut 41,000 Canberra-based public service jobs.

by Sundance on April 24, 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 24th – 2025 Presidential Politics – Trump Administration Day 95 appeared first on The Last Refuge.

on April 24, 2025 at 4:20 am

Residents outside the town of Benloch are told to immediately take shelter from a bushfire burning nearby.

by Cointelegraph by Ciaran Lyons on April 24, 2025 at 4:17 am

Bitcoin has shown resilience compared to the broader financial market amid macroeconomic uncertainty, but analysts caution it’s still too early to know whether the trend will last.“We’re not quite there yet, but if Bitcoin holds strength through the upcoming CPI, as well as ongoing Powell-related and equity earnings volatility, the decoupling narrative could evolve from “temporary divergence” to “regime change,” Bitfinex analysts said in an April 23 markets note viewed by Cointelegraph.Bitcoin’s relative strength yet to be proven as structuralThe analysts said that while Bitcoin’s (BTC) relative strength against US equities “appears real,” it is yet to be confirmed as structural. The analysts warned that Bitcoin has previously seen short periods of outperformance, only to eventually fall back in line with the broader market.Cointelegraph recently reported that Bitcoin is increasingly abandoning its stock correlation to copy gold’s upside. At the time of publication, Bitcoin’s price has posted gains of 7.68% over the past 30 days. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq are down 6.79% and 8.14%, respectively, as per Google Finance data.Bitcoin is trading at $93,290 at the time of publication. Source: CoinMarketCapOver the same period, Nvidia (NVDA), which has outperformed Bitcoin over the past decade, fell 15.4%. The analysts attributed the decline to the “effective ban on advanced chip exports to China and tariff-driven volatility.” In May 2024, Swan Bitcoin CEO Cory Klippsten said there is a “near zero chance of Nvidia outperforming Bitcoin over the next 10 years.”The Bitfinex analysts described the current crypto market as a “hybrid state,” with rising macroeconomic risk on one side and an uptick in spot Bitcoin ETF inflows on the other. April 22 alone saw $913 million in spot Bitcoin ETF inflows, the largest since late January.“This backdrop favors Bitcoin as the “cleanest shirt in the dirty laundry.”They added that this reinforces Bitcoin’s position as a strong store of value, with Bitcoin dominance rising to levels not seen since late 2021. At the time of publication, Bitcoin's dominance was 64.39%, according to TradingView data.Related: Bitcoin holders back in profit as new capital enters the market — Is $100K BTC price next?Crypto market participants will be closely watching April’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), published on May 13, after March data showed a cooling trend that some saw as a short-term bearish signal for Bitcoin.March’s CPI came in at 2.4% year-over-year, down from 2.8% in February, the lowest level since February 2023, according to the US Bureau of Statistics.Meanwhile, some crypto analysts caution that other indicators suggest Bitcoin’s rally may not last.10x Research head of research Markus Thielen said, “Given that our stablecoin minting indicator has yet to return to high-activity levels, we remain cautious about the sustainability of the current Bitcoin rally.” Magazine: Former Love Island star’s tips on how to go viral in crypto: Van00sa, X Hall of FlameThis article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

by Sundance on April 24, 2025 at 4:15 am

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL. The post April 24th – Open Thread appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Martin Young on April 24, 2025 at 4:02 am

Cryptocurrency exchange KuCoin is set to branch further into Southeast Asia, targeting the growing crypto market in Thailand. KuCoin is planning to launch a crypto exchange platform offering digital assets and related products in the country, according to an April 23 announcement. ERX Company Ltd, Thailand’s first Securities and Exchange Commission-supervised digital token exchange, has rebranded as KuCoin Thailand effective April 22, it stated. The crypto exchange will operate under ERX, which recently received a crypto exchange license from the Thai financial regulator. “We’re strengthening our ability to offer localized solutions tailored to the Thai market,” said ERX chief executive Att Tongyai Asavanund.Existing ERX users have been migrated to the new KuCoin Thailand platform, and the KuCoin TH app is available on both Android and iOS. KuCoin joins an increasingly crowded Thai market KuCoin is entering a crowded market, as there are eight other companies licensed by the Thai SEC to operate as crypto and digital asset exchanges.These are the WAAN Exchange, Gulf Binance, Thai Digital Assets Exchange, InnovestX Securities, GMO-Z.com Cryptonomics, Upbit Exchange, Bitkub Online and Orbix Trade.Bitkub is the largest by far and has a current daily trading volume of around $70 million, according to CoinGecko. Comparatively, KuCoin’s global platform claims to have $3.8 billion in daily volume. Related: Thailand SEC plans to launch tokenized securities trading systemIn January, the Thai government announced a pilot program enabling tourists to pay using Bitcoin (BTC) in a sandboxed environment on the holiday island of Phuket. However, it has yet to be launched. While crypto trading remains popular in Thailand, using crypto assets for payments was outlawed by the central bank in 2022. In early April, Thai finance regulators targeted foreign peer-to-peer crypto platforms in their latest crackdown in an effort to combat scams and money laundering. KuCoin is currently trying to get a settlement with the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission resolved after it was sued under the previous administration in March 2024 for violating the Commodity Exchange Act. Magazine: Your AI ‘digital twin’ can take meetings and comfort your loved ones

by Melissa Mackay on April 24, 2025 at 3:41 am

The coroner's findings into the death of Kumanjayi Walker, an Aboriginal man shot by a Northern Territory police officer in 2019, will be handed down on June 10, 2025. It comes after a series of delays that made the coronial inquiry the longest-running and most expensive in the territory's history.

by Cointelegraph by Stephen Katte on April 24, 2025 at 2:54 am

A majority of crypto users are willing to allow artificial intelligence agents to manage part of their investment portfolios, according to the results of a recent CoinGecko survey.Among the 2,632 crypto participants surveyed, 87% said they would let AI agents manage at least a tenth of their crypto portfolio, CoinGecko’s April 23 report shows.Around half the respondents said they were willing to let an AI agent manage half their portfolio or less.“This suggests that despite having doubts as to how safe or secure AI agents are, crypto users are still mainly curious about the technology and want to try using them for trading or investing,” CoinGecko research analyst Yuqian Lim said.At the same time, around 36% of survey participants said they would allow AI agents to manage the majority of their holdings. A smaller group, roughly 14.5%, were willing to leave their entire crypto portfolio in the digital hands of an AI agent.A small number said they were willing to let AI control their entire portfolio. Source: CoinGecko“In other words, 1 in 7 participants either think they can completely trust AI agents with all of their crypto, or believe the potential profits will outweigh the risks, or simply have a high risk tolerance for their crypto holdings,” Lim said.Mixed opinions on human vs AI tradingHowever, opinions were mixed on whether AI agents would be better than humans at crypto trading and investing overall. There was a roughly even split, with half of the respondents saying AI agents would be better than humans at crypto trading and investing most of the time.“That said, the remaining half of survey participants believed AI does not have an edge over humans in the crypto market yet, which suggests that opinions are still divided over this comparison,” Lim said.About 13%, or 1 in 8, said they weren’t comfortable leaving any of their portfolios for management by AI or thought they could manage their crypto stash better than an AI agent. The same survey found that participants had very mixed views on whether AI agents could be trusted with access to people’s crypto wallets. Despite many of the respondents answering that they were happy to allow AI access to their crypto, there were still trust issues. Source: CoinGecko“Specifically, 37.5% indicated that they do not trust AI agents with their crypto wallets, while a slightly lower 34.5% said they can be trusted and 27.9% were neutral on the matter,” Lim said.Related: AI, blockchain convergence to bring ‘watershed moments’ in 2025Agentic AI is already being used to build Web3 applications, launch tokens, and interact with people autonomously. Some platforms have also been exploring the use of AI agents for trading.Last December, crypto industry execs told Cointelegraph they expected AI agents to transform Web3 in 2025, flagging crypto staking and onchain trading as emerging early use cases. However, there was also speculation that AI would face headwinds, including technical challenges, regulatory hurdles, and centralization. Magazine: UK’s Orwellian AI murder prediction system, will AI take your job? AI Eye

by Cointelegraph by Martin Young on April 24, 2025 at 2:51 am

The host of The Wolf Of All Streets podcast, Scott Melker, says he’s received word that his face and name are being impersonated by scammers, with at least one victim duped out of $4 million. On April 23, the crypto investor said, “I’m sick,” reporting that he’d been contacted by a private investigator revealing that a client of his was scammed for $4 million by a Nigerian group using his name and face as bait. “They’ve apparently scammed a number of people,” Melker said, adding, “They sent him a fake driver’s license to prove it was me,” and used his X avatar as the photo.The scammers used AI to generate the fake ID and used a fake but convincing-looking email account. “They do zoom calls with AI,” which are “apparently sophisticated,” said Melker, who added that the scammers have also spoofed accounts of his wife and kids to support identity confirmation. Fake driver's license used by scammers. Source: Scott Melker Technical analysts “TheChartGuys” reported something similar, with a person getting scammed for $5,000 after the scammers replicated their voice using AI deepfakes. Fake ID is easy to spot, says traderCrypto adviser and trader “Nebraskan Gooner” said a quick Google search easily reveals that the ID is fake. He pointed out that there were a few subtle discrepancies in the address and date formats. He said that it it sucks that these scammers are getting so sophisticated, but was “surprised how badly this was with how sophisticated of an operation these seems to be.” Cointelegraph reached out to Melker for further comments but did not receive an immediate response. Related: ‘Victim-blaming’ Americans can deter crypto scams reporting — RegulatorAI-generated scams are surging as the technology evolves. In March, California’s Department of Justice warned that it had discovered seven new types of crypto scams that involved AI. In February, Chainalysis said that 2025 will be a big year for AI scams, stating that generative AI is making scams “more scalable and affordable for bad actors to conduct.”In a recent report, software giant Microsoft said that bad actors were using AI to “supercharge their scams.” “AI tools can scan and scrape the web for company information, helping cyberattackers build detailed profiles of employees or other targets to create highly convincing social engineering lures,” it stated. “It’s going to get exponentially worse, I would imagine,” lamented Melker. Magazine: Your AI ‘digital twin’ can take meetings and comfort your loved ones

on April 24, 2025 at 2:49 am

Prosecutors say Moon Jae-in has been indicted for alleged bribery over the employment of his former son-in-law at a Thai airline.

by Cointelegraph by Jesse Coghlan on April 24, 2025 at 2:40 am

The Los Angeles Police Department has recovered $2.7 million worth of Bitcoin mining machines it alleges were stolen by a crime ring in a heist at the city’s airport.The LAPD said on April 22 that detectives from its Cargo Theft Unit, along with the city’s Port Police, the railroad-based Union Pacific Police, and the city’s Airport Police, arrested Oscar David Borrero-Manchola and Yonaiker Rafael Martinez-Ramos over the thefts.Authorities claimed the pair are “prominent members” of a South American crime ring tied to the theft and sale of stolen goods in and around Los Angeles.The LAPD said searches of storage unit facilities in the San Fernando Valley, northeast of downtown Los Angeles, recovered $4 million worth of stolen goods, including the Bitcoin (BTC) mining rigs taken from Los Angeles International Airport “as the shipment was about to be loaded onto a plane headed to Hong Kong.”Detectives also found and seized over $1.2 million in allegedly stolen tequila, clothing, shoes, speakers, coffee, body wash, and pet food.Some of the allegedly stolen products were found at a storage facility in downtown Los Angeles. Source: Los Angeles Police DepartmentBorrero-Manchola and Martinez-Ramos were booked at Van Nuys Jail in the city’s northwest. Borrero-Manchola was cited for receiving stolen property and was released, while Martinez-Ramos was arrested on a no-bail warrant.The LAPD said that “the investigation remains ongoing, and additional arrests may follow.”Crypto mining rigs fetch top dollar The LAPD didn’t share the number of machines it seized or what model the rigs are, but a typical, current-model Bitcoin mining machine sells for between $3,000 to over $5,000.Related: Americans lost $9.3B to crypto fraud in 2024 — FBIUS law enforcement has recovered stolen crypto mining rigs in the past. In July, the LAPD said it arrested a man it alleged was in possession of stolen Bitcoin mining rigs worth $579,000, seizing them from a cargo van and storage unit.LAPD detectives arrested Bryan Thola, alleging his van contained stolen Bitcoin miners. Source: Los Angeles Police DepartmentOne of the largest thefts of Bitcoin mining rigs happened in late 2017 and early 2018 in Iceland, where a group robbed data centers to make off with over 600 machines.The rigs reportedly ended up in China, as just three months after they were stolen, Chinese authorities seized a similar number and model of mining rigs in Tianjin, a city southeast of the capital, Beijing.Magazine: How Chinese traders and miners get around China’s crypto ban 

by Anisha Pillarisetty on April 24, 2025 at 2:34 am

Eileen Bonney did not think she would live to see her people's land returned but after more than four decades, the Wakaya-Alyawarre traditional owner is celebrating.

by Anisha Pillarisetty on April 24, 2025 at 2:24 am

As news of the pope’s death reverberates around the world, the Ltyentye Apurte Catholic community in Central Australia, known also as Santa Teresa, is carrying on his legacy in their own way.

by Danuta Kozaki on April 24, 2025 at 2:11 am

NSW Crime Commissioner Michael Barnes says the decision not to confiscate the money was one he did not want to make.

by Georgia Loney and Jess Naunton on April 24, 2025 at 2:08 am

A Queensland historian has researched the stories of Australia's military "rejects" and how they made vital contributions to World War I efforts.

by Tom Crowley on April 24, 2025 at 2:08 am

The phrase "critical minerals" reflects the demand for them around the world, but China's market dominance means there are traps for new players such as Australia.

on April 24, 2025 at 2:04 am

Rape charges against the former Liberal Party staffer have returned to a Toowoomba court, with a judge growing impatient at arguments between the legal teams. 

by Andi Yu on April 24, 2025 at 1:56 am

Victoria's paramedics union is blaming Ambulance Victoria management for any breaches of COVID restrictions when 40 staff attended a secret 2021 gathering to honour a colleague who had died. 

by Hannah Murphy on April 24, 2025 at 1:56 am

Researchers used the drug Varenicline to block the pleasant effects of nicotine on the brains of a group of 16- to 25-year-olds over a 24-week period.

by Alistair Bates on April 24, 2025 at 1:40 am

Almost 6,000km from Canberra, voters on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island say they're being treated as an afterthought – at best – by the candidates vying for their vote.

by Marnie Vinall on April 24, 2025 at 1:34 am

The AFL is set to review the circumstances around Kyneton Football Netball Club’s women’s side breaking away from the club, as more women's teams fold across the state.

on April 24, 2025 at 1:33 am

The 34-year-old from Brisbane's West End was allegedly going 110kph over the speed limit when he was pulled over on Easter Sunday.

by Eva Blandis on April 24, 2025 at 1:28 am

The former SA Liberal leader has lost a bid to avoid being convicted over drug supply charges, with a magistrate saying the offending was "too serious" not to record convictions.

by Gian De Poloni and Cason Ho on April 24, 2025 at 1:22 am

Federal Labor promises to help the WA government in its bid to buy back the state's freight rail network if re-elected.

by Cointelegraph by Brayden Lindrea on April 24, 2025 at 1:10 am

Twenty One Capital, a new Bitcoin treasury company led by Strike founder Jack Mallers with the support of Tether, SoftBank and Cantor Fitzgerald, is looking to supplant Michael Saylor’s Strategy to become the “superior vehicle for investors seeking capital-efficient Bitcoin exposure.”Twenty One revealed it plans to launch with 42,000 Bitcoin (BTC) (worth $3.9 billion) with roughly 23,950 BTC coming from Tether, 10,500 BTC from Softbank and 7,000 BTC from Bitfinex, which will be converted into equity at $10 per share, according to an April 23 statement.The firm is seeking a public listing via a blank-check merger with Cantor Equity Partners and will trade under the ticker XXI on the Nasdaq once it finalizes an agreement with investors to raise $585 million through convertible bonds and equity financing.“Our mission is simple: to become the most successful company in Bitcoin, the most valuable financial opportunity of our time. We’re not here to beat the market, we’re here to build a new one,” said Mallers, the founder and CEO of Bitcoin payments-focused firm Strike.“A public stock, built by Bitcoiners, for Bitcoiners.”Twenty One specifically compared its business model to Strategy’s in an investor presentation to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, claiming it is potentially a “superior vehicle for investors seeking capital-efficient Bitcoin exposure.”It claimed that Strategy’s ability to create shareholder value through future Bitcoin purchases will be limited because the firm — which holds 534,741 BTC — would need to make even larger investments to increase its Bitcoin Per Share, or BPS, thus diminishing the per-share dollar impact of future capital deployments.Twenty One said it would be a more “pure play” for investors seeking Bitcoin exposure with Bitcoin-native operations and more “flexibility” for strategic capital raises. Twenty One Capital’s comparison of its Bitcoin treasury plan with that of Strategy’s. Source: SECA launch of 42,000 Bitcoin would make Twenty One the third-largest corporate Bitcoin holder, trailing only Strategy and Bitcoin mining firm  MARA Holdings, which holds 47,600 BTC, according to BitcoinTreasuries.NET data.Twenty One plans to do more than just stack BitcoinTwenty One also intends to build out several Bitcoin-focused offerings, including Bitcoin debt and equity products, an advisory service, a lending platform and an educational platform.“Twenty One’s mission will be to accelerate Bitcoin adoption and Bitcoin literacy at both institutional and retail levels,” the firm said.Related: Bitcoin ETF inflows top 500 times 2025 average in 'significant deviation'The firm will also partner with industry players to host Bitcoin conferences.Twenty One Capital’s three-stage business plan. Source: SECThe news sparked a massive 54.2% price rally in Cantor Equity Partners (CEP) shares to $16.50 on April 23 and has risen another 25.1% in after-hours, Google Finance data shows. CEP will convert to XXI once the $585 million agreement is completed.The venture strengthens Tether’s ties with Cantor, which manages US Treasury reserves backing Tether’s USDT, which boasts a market cap of $145.3 billion. Cantor also owns a 5% stake in the stablecoin issuer.Twenty One will be majority-owned by Tether and crypto exchange Bitfinex, while Japanese investment holding firm SoftBank will own a “significant” minority share.Magazine: Ethereum maxis should become ‘assholes’ to win TradFi tokenization race

by Cointelegraph by Turner Wright on April 23, 2025 at 11:25 pm

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has released its annual report detailing complaints and losses due to scams and fraud involving cryptocurrency in 2024.According to the report released on April 23, the IC3 received more than 140,000 complaints referencing cryptocurrency in 2024, resulting in roughly $9.3 billion in losses. The bureau reported that individuals over the age of 60 had been the most affected by crypto-related fraud, with roughly 33,000 complaints and $2.8 billion in losses.Source: FBI“Last year saw a new record for losses reported to IC3, totaling a staggering $16.6 billion,” said the report. “Fraud represented the bulk of reported losses in 2024, and ransomware was again the most pervasive threat to critical infrastructure, with complaints rising 9% from 2023," notes the report, adding that, as a group, those over the age of 60 suffered the most losses and submitted the most complaints.The report added that the resultant losses had increased roughly 66% since 2023, from roughly $5.6 billion to $9.3 billion. The most significant percentage of losses occurred due to crypto investment schemes, while the largest number of complaints related to “sextortion” schemes, in which fraudsters manipulated photos and videos to create explicit content. Other scams included schemes involving the use of crypto ATMs or kiosks.Related: Crypto scam uses trade war fears to lure victims, Canadian watchdogs warnIn February, the FBI reported its “Operation Level Up” had saved potential victims of crypto fraud roughly $285 million between January 2024 and January 2025. However, blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis speculated that 2025 could see the largest number of scams to date, given that generative AI is making the practice “more scalable and affordable for bad actors to conduct.”Globally, Chainalysis estimated that there had been roughly $41 billion in illicit crypto volume in 2024, with roughly 25% of the funds involved with “hacking, extortion, trafficking, or scams.” Some of the most high-profile crimes included the $1.4 billion in crypto stolen from the Bybit exchange in March and North Korean hackers taking more than $1.3 billion.Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 23, 2025 at 11:05 pm

Sovereign wealth funds and other institutions were accumulating Bitcoin (BTC) during April 2025, while retail traders were exiting the markets via exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and spot markets, according to John D’Agostino, the head of strategy at Coinbase Institutional.During a recent appearance on CNBC, the Coinbase executive likened Bitcoin to gold and said that many institutional buyers bought BTC as a hedge against currency inflation and macroeconomic uncertainty. The Coinbase executive said:"Bitcoin is trading on its core characteristics, which again are similar to gold. You've got scarcity, immutability, and non-sovereign asset portability. So it's trading the way people who believe in Bitcoin would like it to trade.""When you do the work, there's a very short list of assets that mirror the characteristics of gold. Bitcoin is on that shortlist," the executive added.Governments and financial institutions are increasingly adopting Bitcoin to protect purchasing power and the value of their treasuries in the face of macroeconomic shocks and geopolitical tensions.Bitcoin recently broke back above the $90,000 level and has reclaimed its ‘decoupling’ narrative. Source: CoinMarketCapRelated: Bitcoin holders back in profit as new capital enters the market — Is $100K BTC price next?Institutions adopting Bitcoin reserve strategies to combat inflationSovereign countries like El Salvador and Bhutan have adopted national Bitcoin reserves and actively purchase Bitcoin for their reserves.Municipalities and state governments have also adopted pro-Bitcoin policies and proposed legislation to accumulate Bitcoin to protect the purchasing power of treasuries from depreciating fiat currencies.Michael Saylor and Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, popularized the corporate Bitcoin treasury concept now adopted by a growing list of companies, including MARA, MetaPlanet, and Semler Scientific.The executive also transformed the business software and intelligence company into a Bitcoin holding firm, akin to a BTC hedge fund.On April 20, Saylor announced that over 13,000 institutions have direct exposure to Strategy, while an estimated 55 million beneficiaries have indirect financial exposure to the company.Bitcoin recently surpassed Google in market capitalization, making Bitcoin one of the top five assets in the world, ranking above Amazon and Silver and showcasing the supply-capped digital asset's meteoric growth since 2009.Magazine: Bitcoiner sex trap extortion? BTS firm’s blockchain disaster: Asia Express

by Cointelegraph by Marcel Pechman on April 23, 2025 at 10:58 pm

Official Trump (TRUMP) jumped 52% on April 23 after the announcement of an exclusive in-person dinner for the top tokenholders with US President Donald Trump. For some crypto advocates, this marks the end of the bear market, especially as Bitcoin (BTC) bounced back above $93,000, but others raise suspicions on how sustainable the TRUMP memecoin rally really is.From a purely performance perspective, the Official Trump (TRUMP) memecoin has been a disappointment. After soaring above $75 on launch day, its gains quickly disappeared as investors noticed the high concentration of tokens and the short-term vesting period. At first sight, it is difficult to justify TRUMP’s current market capitalization of $2.6 billion, given that 80% of the supply was allocated to founders and entities controlled by Trump.Official Trump (TRUMP) market capitalization, USD. Source: CoinMarketCapFor comparison, well-established projects such as Arbitrum (ARB), Jupiter (JUP), and Maker (MKR) hold a capitalization below $1.6 billion. Those token valuations derive from buybacks using treasury reserves or direct benefits in staking and DeFi mechanisms. For instance, Arbitrum, a leading Ethereum layer-2 scaling solution, holds $2.4 billion in Total Value Locked (TVL). Jupiter, the leading decentralized exchange (DEX) on Solana, boasts $2.3 billion in deposits and has accrued $76.6 million in fees over the past 30 days, according to DefiLlama data. Meanwhile, Sky (formerly Maker), the project behind the extremely successful DAI stablecoin, holds $5.9 billion TVL and $28.6 million in 30-day fees.TRUMP still ranks in the top 10 for trading activityBesides being listed on major exchanges, including Binance, Bybit, OKX, Coinbase, Upbit, and Kraken, and often promoted on social media by Trump, the memecoin holds an impressive share in derivatives markets. Notably, its futures open interest stands at $700 million, a top-10 overall.TRUMP futures aggregate open interest, USD. Source: CoinGlassEstablished projects with market capitalizations over $6 billion, such as Chainlink (LINK), Litecoin (LTC), and Polkadot (DOT) have smaller futures open interest than TRUMP. Still, while demand for futures markets allows larger traders to take part in the action, it does not necessarily imply optimism as longs (buyers) and shorts (sellers) are matched at all times.Even though TRUMP is currently trading 84% below its all-time high, it remains a top-10 token in terms of volume. In fact, excluding the stablecoins, only 4 cryptocurrencies surpassed TRUMP’s impressive $3.84 billion 24-hour turnover, according to CoinGecko data.24-hour USD trading volume ranking. Source: CoinGlass / CointelegraphDespite the huge trading activity, a single promotional event with US President Trump is unlikely to create lasting demand for the TRUMP memecoin, putting the current $13.50 price tag in check. Unless the project eases investors’ concerns about token unlocks, there is hardly a way to justify the 50% premium versus cryptocurrencies that offer utility and perspectives of growth.It is worth noting that Shiba Inu (SHIB), another memecoin with no real utility, presently trades at a $8 billion market capitalization, hence one could easily argue that a token officially supported by the sitting US President is worth far more, paving the way for $30 or higher price targets for TRUMP.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 Alex O’Donnell on April 23, 2025 at 10:45 pm

Traders are embracing diametrically opposed exchange-traded fund (ETF) strategies in a bid to navigate one of the most unpredictable financial markets in recent history, according to data from Bloomberg Intelligence. The year-to-date has seen record inflows to ETFs providing leveraged long exposure to volatile assets such as stocks and cryptocurrencies, as well as funds holding risk-off assets such as cash and gold, the data shows. “[T]here's basically record flows going into leveraged long ETFs but also cash and gold ETFs as people buy the dip and hedge the dip at the same time. May the best degen win!,” Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Eric Balchunas said in an April 23 post on the X platform.Leveraged ETFs are funds that aim to multiply the daily performance of assets like stocks or crypto, often by two or three times.In 2025, leveraged long ETFs attracted net inflows of roughly $6 billion, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Meanwhile, inflows into cash and gold funds approached roughly $4 billion. Net inflows into leveraged long ETFs and cash and fold ETFs. Source: Bloomberg IntelligenceDigital gold?The record fund flows come amid a spike in market turbulence after US President Donald Trump announced plans for sweeping tariffs on US imports on April 2.Since then, the S&P 500, an index of large US stocks, has shed roughly 5% of its value, according to data from Google Finance. Bitcoin (BTC), meanwhile, has been comparatively resilient. On April 22, the cryptocurrency’s spot price reclaimed $90,000 per coin for the first time in six weeks, with Bitcoin ETFs clocking nearly $1 billion in net inflows. The cryptocurrency trades above $93,000 as of April 23, according to data from Google Finance. “Even in the wake of recent tariff announcements, BTC has shown some signs of resilience, holding steady or rebounding on days when traditional risk assets faltered,” Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, said in an April research report.  Bitcoin has often been referred to as “digital gold” but the cryptocurrency still has a weak correlation to the safe haven asset and trades more in line with equities, Binance said. Its correlation with gold has averaged around 0.12 over the past 90 days, versus 0.32 for equities.  “The key question is whether BTC can return to its long-term pattern of low correlation with equities,” noted the report, adding that gold is still a preferred safe-haven asset for most investors.Meanwhile, cryptocurrency exchanges are profiting off of rising volatility by doubling down on financial derivatives, such as futures. In April, net open interest in Bitcoin futures increased by upward of 30%, to approximately $28 billion, according to data from Coinalyze. Magazine: What are native rollups? Full guide to Ethereum’s latest innovation

by Cointelegraph by Christopher Tepedino on April 23, 2025 at 10:10 pm

SOL Strategies, a Canadian investment company, issued $500 million in convertible notes to buy and stake in Solana (SOL) tokens.The $500 million issuance was made to a singular investor, ATW Partners, a New York-based investment firm. The company provides growth equity and structured capital to companies across public and private markets, a spokesperson for SOL Strategies told Cointelegraph.A spokesperson for SOL Strategies said the company is focused on building institutional-grade infrastructure for Solana, rather than reacting to short-term price volatility.According to an April 23 announcement, the yield generated from staking will accrue back to both SOL Strategies and ATW Partners. SOL Strategies is a publicly traded company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange. Its share price has risen 25.3% on the day, according to Google Finance.Related: Astra Fintech commits $100M for Solana growth in AsiaSOL Strategies’ share price movement. Source: Google Finance“This investment represents significant institutional confidence in Solana's long-term potential,” the spokesperson said. “From an ecosystem perspective, we expect several positive impacts. First, by increasing our validator network's stake, we'll contribute to greater network security and decentralization.”According to StockAnalysis.com, SOL Strategies posted CAD$10.62 million ($7.65 million) in revenue for 2024, a positive turnaround of CAD$15.65 million ($11.27 million) from 2023, when the company posted a loss.Related: Debate as Solana briefly flips Ethereum in staking market capCompanies move into SolanaSOL Strategies becomes the second publicly traded company to announce a capital raise aimed at purchasing SOL. On April 21, Upexi disclosed a $100 million raise aimed at building a SOL reserve. The DeFi Development Corporation (formerly Janover) also recently announced a $42 million raise and plans to create a Solana reserve treasury. Magazine: Memecoins are ded — But Solana ‘100x better’ despite revenue plunge

by Cointelegraph by Cointelegraph on April 23, 2025 at 10:03 pm

Today in crypto, US President Donald Trump is hosting a dinner for top holders of his memecoin. Gaming giant Ubisoft has teamed up with Immutable to launch a blockchain-based strategy card game, and Trump Media has finalized its ETF partnership with Crypto.com.Top TRUMP tokenholders revealed? US President to host memecoin dinnerSome of the top holders of Donald Trump’s memecoin could come out of the shadows to appear for a dinner the US President is planning to host on May 22.As of April 23, the official Trump memecoin (TRUMP) website offered the opportunity for the “top 220” holders to meet the president in person at his golf club in Washington, DC. At the time of publication, the guest list for the event was unclear, but the project stated any tokenholder who applied had to pass a background check, “can not be from a [Know Your Customer] watchlist country,” and could not have any additional guests.The memecoin, which the then-president-elect launched on Jan. 17 before taking office, has been heavily criticized by the crypto industry and lawmakers for potentially allowing foreign officials and interest groups to send money directly to the US President without proper disclosure and oversight. The team behind the project controls 80% of the total supply, while the identities of many of the other top tokenholders are mainly unknown.The price of the TRUMP memecoin surged roughly 52% from $9.30 to $14.20 shortly after the dinner announcement. After the token launched on Jan. 17, the project’s market capitalization increased to roughly $15 billion before dropping more than 50% by Jan. 20.Top TRUMP memecoin holders as of April 23. Source: TRUMP tokenUbisoft taps Immutable to launch Web3 card game “Might & Magic: Fates”Ubisoft has partnered with Immutable to launch a new Web3 card game. According to a news release shared with Cointelegraph, Might & Magic: Fates blends classic strategic gameplay with modern blockchain technology, offering players digital ownership through Immutable’s Web3 infrastructure.The game will launch on iOS and Android. The title introduces fresh mechanics, faction-based strategies and a wide array of legendary heroes and creatures.Players can collect, trade, and customize decks using hundreds of cards, crafting unique strategies in a competitive environment where success is driven by skill and tactical decision-making.Immutable co-founder Robbie Ferguson teases major announcement. Source: Robbie Ferguson“The game is free-to-play with no hard progression barriers. Players advance by collecting cards and in-game currency through gameplay,” Justin Hulog, chief studio officer for Immutable, told Cointelegraph.“Additionally, those looking to speed up their progression or acquire specific cards can do so through marketplaces,” Hulog said.He added that players will have the ability to trade the digital collectible cards they own using dedicated platforms.Trump Media inks deal with Crypto.com for crypto, “Made in America” ETFsUS President Donald Trump’s company, Trump Media and Technology Group, signed a binding agreement with crypto exchange Crypto.com on April 22 to launch exchange-traded funds (ETFs) “with a Made in America focus.”Trump Media said the funds, set to go live later this year, will launch through its decentralized finance brand Truth.Fi and will be available through Crypto.com’s broker-dealer, Foris Capital. The company said the ETFs “are expected to comprise digital assets as well as securities with a Made in America focus spanning diverse industries such as energy.”The finalization of the agreement follows Trump Media and Crypto.com signing a non-binding deal in March.The ETFs will be the latest crypto-related venture involving Trump or his family. The president has financial ties to the crypto platform World Liberty Financial, which has a token and plans for a stablecoin, and he and First Lady Melania Trump both launched memecoins days before entering office.President Trump’s sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., have also gone in on a crypto mining venture called American Bitcoin.

by Sundance on April 23, 2025 at 9:15 pm

President Trump’s patience with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is obviously wearing thin.  However, the key for President Trump to change the dynamic; the thing he is inarguably trying to avoid; is a full U.S withdrawal and subsequent isolation for Zelenskyy. President Trump via Truth Social: “Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is boasting on the front page The post President Trump Asserts Zelenskyy is “making it difficult to settle this war” appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Alex O’Donnell on April 23, 2025 at 8:45 pm

United States exchanges are betting big on cryptocurrency derivatives as market turbulence from US President Donald Trump’s looming trade war propels demand for the financial instruments. Since late 2024, exchanges including Coinbase, Robinhood, Kraken, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group have been listing new types of crypto derivatives and mulling multibillion-dollar acquisitions as they vie for control of the burgeoning market. In April, the stakes became even higher after Trump’s unveiling of sweeping tariff plans sent financial markets into a frenzy and spiked crypto derivatives trading volumes. “Institutional and sophisticated retail traders are increasingly turning to crypto derivatives platforms to navigate macroeconomic risks and uncertainty brought on by escalated tariff policies and global trade tensions,” David Siemer, CEO of asset manager Wave Digital Assets, told Cointelegraph. Consequently, US exchanges are “experiencing record-breaking surges in trading activity and are expanding their investment offerings with the promise of regulatory clarity,” Siemer said. Net open interest in Bitcoin futures rose sharply in April. Source: CoinalyzeRelated: Coinbase launches CFTC-regulated SOL futures in USTrump spikes trading activityCrypto derivatives trading activity took off in 2024 after Trump’s November election victory sent exchange volumes to record highs. In December, Coinbase said trading activity on its derivatives exchange rose by more than 10,000% year-over-year. Similarly, CME Group flagged crypto derivatives as among the exchange’s fastest-growing product segments during its 2024 earnings call. Trump’s tariff plans, announced April 2, further accelerated trading activity. As of April 23, net open interest in Bitcoin (BTC) futures, the most popular crypto derivatives, rose by approximately 30% from the start of the month, according to data from Coinalyze. Futures contracts are standardized agreements to buy or sell an underlying asset at a future date, often using leverage in a bid to enhance returns. Kraken bought NinjaTrader in March. Source: KrakenHeated competitionBurgeoning trading volumes are fueling competition among exchanges. Since February, Coinbase has launched several new crypto derivatives products, including futures contracts tied to altcoins such as Solana (SOL) and XRP (XRP).Meanwhile, Robinhood listed Bitcoin futures — its first crypto derivatives contracts — in February and, in March, CME Group listed its first Solana futures contracts. The CME SOL futures clocked upward of $12 billion in volume during the first day of trading, the exchange told Cointelegraph. Additionally, exchanges are turning to mergers and acquisitions to hasten growth. Coinbase is reportedly in talks to buy crypto derivatives exchange Deribit in a multibillion-dollar bid to expand its footprint in the market segment. In March, US crypto exchange Kraken agreed to buy NinjaTrader, a futures exchange, for $1.5 billion.“The recent wave of tariffs has transformed crypto derivatives exchanges into critical market infrastructure,” Nic Roberts-Huntley, CEO of Web3 developer Blueprint Finance, told Cointelegraph. “While traditional markets faltered under tariff pressures, derivatives platforms have inversely flourished, serving both as speculative venues and protective hedging mechanisms in a fragmenting global trade landscape,” Roberts-Huntley said.Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions

by Cointelegraph by Biraajmaan Tamuly on April 23, 2025 at 8:41 pm

Key Takeaways: XRP has gained 25% since April 7, and its open interest has risen by 32%.Positive spot market activity contrasts with a neutral futures funding rate, highlighting a tug-of-war between traders.Analysts still have double-digit price targets for XRP.XRP's (XRP) price fell to a year-to-date low of $1.61 on April 7, but has gained 25% over the past two weeks as the broader crypto market recovered and XRP open interest surged. XRP futures open interest. Source: CoinGlassThe altcoin’s open interest surged 32% from $3.14 billion to $4.13 billion between April 21 and 23, signaling the return of derivatives traders. Futures OI increasing alongside the price indicates a bullish sentiment, but data from the Velo painted a different picture. Based on the negative aggregated premium on open interest, the XRP futures market continued to bid against an XRP price rise. The funding rate remained near 0, implying a neutral stance between the bulls and bears. XRP aggregated premium, spot tape and open interest chart. Source: VeloThe aggregated spot tape cumulative volume delta became positive in April. This indicator measures the net difference between aggressive buy and sell trades across various exchanges. When it turns green and rises above zero, it indicates increasing buying pressure, with market buy trades surpassing sell trades.Despite rising futures interest, the data suggests XRP’s price remains caught in a tug-of-war between bullish spot market activity and bearish perpetual futures.Related: Price predictions 4/23: BTC, ETH, XRP, BNB, SOL, DOGE, ADA, LINK, AVAX, SUIIs XRP destined for double-digits?Following XRP’s price pump, Sistine Research, a crypto investment community, posted a bold prediction for XRP, forecasting a long-term target between $33 and $50. The prediction is based on a higher time frame (HTF) symmetrical triangle that mirrors 2017’s 2,600% rally. The platform suggested that an optimistic target may drive prices as high as $77-$100.XRP price target by Sistine Research. Source: X.comFor context, XRP is currently valued at $2.23 with a market cap of $131 billion. A $33 target increases the market cap to ~$2 trillion (1,400 %+), which is more than Bitcoin’s current market cap. From a lower-time frame (LTF) perspective, XRP shows an inverse head-and-shoulders pattern, which could potentially test the resistance range between $2.50 and $2.67. The resistance range also coincides with the Fibonacci extension levels drawn from the neckline's base to the head's lowest point. Although the relative strength index (RSI) is nearing overbought territory, suggesting a potential pause in price movement at the current range.XRP 4-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewRelated: XRP Ledger Foundation spots ‘crypto stealing backdoor’ in code libraryThis 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 23, 2025 at 8:16 pm

Earlier today President Trump was spotted personally reviewing the placement for two new 100-foot flagpoles that will be placed on the White House grounds.  President Trump briefly talked to media about the new additions. President Trump is personally paying for the installations. WATCH: . The media quickly rushed to see what President Trump was doing, The post President Trump Surveys White House Lawn and Announces Two New 100 Foot Flagpoles appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Vince Quill on April 23, 2025 at 8:08 pm

The Alabama Securities Commission, a financial regulator for the US state, dropped its lawsuit against crypto exchange Coinbase, which accused the company of violating securities laws by offering staking services to clients.The regulator cited the ongoing work between the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the crypto industry to develop clear crypto regulations as the primary reason for dropping the litigation, according to the April 23 legal filing shared by Coinbase's chief legal officer, Paul Grewal.The filing read:"The SEC has announced the formation of a new task force to, among other things, provide guidance for the promulgation of rules regarding the regulation of cryptocurrency products and services.""Due to the foregoing, the Commission believes it would be apt to allow policymakers time to consider regulatory constructs," the filing continued.The Alabama Securities Commission filed its lawsuit against Coinbase in June 2023, alongside state regulators from California, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, South Carolina, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.The Alabama Securities Commission dismisses its 2023 lawsuit against Coinbase. Source: Paul GrewalThe Commission's dropped lawsuit reflects the positive regulatory shift toward cryptocurrencies in the United States as reform at the federal level matriculates into state-level regulatory policy.Related: Oregon targets Coinbase after SEC drops its federal lawsuitUS states drop Coinbase lawsuit but half still holding outFive of the 10 states that filed the litigation against Coinbase for its staking services have dropped their lawsuits.On March 13, Vermont's Department of Financial Regulation became the first of the 10 state regulators to drop the staking lawsuit against Coinbase.South Carolina's securities watchdog was the next to drop the 2023 litigation against Coinbase, dismissing the lawsuit on March 28.Grewal announced that Kentucky's Department of Financial Institutions followed Vermont and South Carolina's lead on April 1 by also dismissing its Coinbase lawsuit.Despite the domino effect of states rescinding litigation against the crypto exchange, the Coinbase chief legal officer said that more work needs to be done."Five holdouts are still electing to waste taxpayer resources on lawsuits, and four of those have banned staking with Coinbase, depriving consumers of the right to earn on their platform of choice," Grewal wrote in an April 23 X post.Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

by Cointelegraph by Biraajmaan Tamuly on April 23, 2025 at 7:05 pm

Key Takeaways:Bitcoin short-term holders are back in profit, increasing chances for a rally to $100,000.Long-term holders added 363,000 BTC since February, with new buyers injecting capital in April.Bitcoin sell pressure risk exists at $97,000, where 392,000 BTC could be sold. Bitcoin’s (BTC) surge above $91,700 on April 22 pushed its value above the short-term realized price or cost basis. This implies that a majority of short-term holders (STHs) are currently back in profit.STHs returning to profit after unrealized losses signal a bullish outlook, paving the way for a potential $100,000 retest.Bitcoin short-term onchain cost basis bands. Source: GlassnodeHistorically, during the early phase of a rally, STHs in profit provided upward momentum by holding firm and drawing in new investors. Bitcoin’s supply mapping indicated “strong activity” in April from first-time buyers, indicating fresh capital injections in the market at higher prices. Long-term holders (those holding for more than 155 days) increased their allocation by 363,000 BTC since February, while Bitcoin whales and sharks have absorbed 300% of the yearly issuance. Despite this week’s price breakout, Bitcoin researcher Axel Adler Jr. noted that the last strong resistance remains at $96,100. In an X post, the analyst said, “At the $96K level, there will be the final resistance from the cohort holding coins for 3-6 months, after which the next target of $100K opens up.”Bitcoin realized price analysis. Source: X.comRelated: Why is Bitcoin price up today?392,000 Bitcoin at $97K could trigger a sell-offAccording to Bitcoin’s cost basis distribution data, investors hold approximately 392,000 BTC at an average cost basis of $97,000, creating a potential resistance zone. This concentration suggests many investors may sell at break-even, potentially stalling Bitcoin’s upward momentum.Bitcoin cost basis distribution chart. Source: X.comHowever, anonymous trader Ezy Bitcoin emphasized Bitcoin's price action in the Wyckoff reaccumulation phase is “playing out beautifully”. The chart indicated continued strength, with three price targets: $131,500 (target 1), $144,900 (target 2), and $166,700 (target 3). This Wyckoff pattern points to possible accumulation by large players, signaling an upward trend for Bitcoin, as the market absorbs supply and prepares for an uptrend.Bitcoin Wyckoff pattern analysis by Ezy Bitcoin. Source: X.comRelated: Bitcoin price prepares for ‘70% to 80%’ gain as onchain metrics and spot BTC ETF inflows spikeThis 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 Turner Wright on April 23, 2025 at 6:52 pm

Officials with the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) crypto task force met with the El Salvador National Commission on Digital Assets (CNAD) to discuss regulation and a proposed cross-border sandbox.In an April 22 memo, the SEC’s crypto task force reported meeting with officials from El Salvador, Perkin Law Firm, and former Goldman Sachs partner Heather Shemilt as part of the commission’s outreach to the industry. The representatives discussed US-El Salvador cross-border collaboration on crypto regulation at a time when the relationship between the two countries was in the national spotlight over immigration and US deportations to an El Salvador prison.According to the meeting notes, El Salvador’s national commission agreed to collaborate with the SEC to establish a sandbox pilot program, capped at $10,000 for each scenario. The program proposed allowing brokers licensed in the US to obtain a digital asset license in El Salvador and issue “non-securities” tokens in collaboration with a local company.Many in the crypto industry see Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele as behind the country’s efforts to adopt cryptocurrency since he announced legislation to recognize Bitcoin (BTC) as legal tender in 2021. Bukele met with US President Donald Trump on April 14, discussing details of a $6 million deal in which the Trump administration has been sending immigrants, whose legal status to be in the US is unclear, to prisons in El Salvador. Some of these deportations violated orders from federal judges.Related: Bitcoin takes back seat as Trump, Bukele focus on trade and immigrationNew SEC chair sworn inIt’s unclear if the Trump administration may intend to deepen ties to El Salvador through additional regulatory partnerships or stepping up deportations in its existing deal. Cointelegraph reached out to SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, who heads the crypto task force, for comment, but did not receive a response at the time of publication.The meeting report came roughly a day after the SEC announced that Paul Atkins had been sworn in as the commission’s new chair, following Gary Gensler and acting chair Mark Uyeda. During his swearing-in ceremony, Atkins said his top priority would be to “provide a firm regulatory foundation for digital assets.” Magazine: Ethereum maxis should become ‘assholes’ to win TradFi tokenization race

by Cointelegraph by Christopher Tepedino on April 23, 2025 at 6:20 pm

Luxury hospitality platform Dorsia is rolling out crypto payments for clients in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and six Arab nations.The payments feature is being enabled through a partnership with MoonPay, the companies told Cointelegraph. With the integration, users will be able to book luxury travel experiences and complete transactions directly in USDC (USDC) and Solana-based tokens through the Dorsia app.“ integrating crypto payments is a natural next step in aligning with the evolving preferences of our members,” Marc Lotenberg, founder and CEO of Dorsia, said in an interview.Dorsia is the latest luxury firm to turn to crypto services for high-net-worth individuals. The industry has been highly active in the Web3 space over the past few years, exploring crypto on-ramps and customer engagement features, such as non-fungible tokens and metaverses.Luxury carmakers Lamborghini and Ferrari, and watchmakers like Patek Philippe, are a few companies accepting payments in cryptocurrencies.Dorsia is a luxury hospitality app that connects its members with high-end restaurants and cultural experiences. Instead of traditional booking models, Dorsia uses dynamic pricing and a membership-based system for reservations at luxury facilities. According to Grand View Research, the luxury travel market is expected to reach $2.3 trillion by 2030.Related: Gucci the latest luxury brand to accept crypto payments in storeThe company has raised a total of $50.4 million in funding across Seed and Series A rounds. Major backers include Index Ventures, RedSea, and individuals from Meta, Uber, Atomic, Groot Hospitality, and the Rockwell Group.Related: Polygon-based lending platform to provide crypto liquidity for luxury itemsMoonPay expands in 2024Dorsia isn’t the first luxury brand to partner with MoonPay. According to the company's CEO, Ivan Soto-Wright, it also offers a crypto on-ramp for clients like fashion house Gucci, carmaker Bugatti, and auction house Christie’s.MoonPay's net revenue increased 112% in 2024, while transaction volume in Q1 2025 soared 123%, according to the company.In January, MoonPay acquired the Solana-based payment processor Helio in a $175 million deal. The acquisition enabled a broader range of partnerships for payments, including with Dorsia, the company revealed. MoonPay has also recently acquired Iron to facilitate payments in stablecoins for merchants.Magazine: AI Eye: AI travel booking hilariously bad, 3 weird uses for ChatGPT, crypto plugins

by Cointelegraph by Rakesh Upadhyay on April 23, 2025 at 6:01 pm

Key points:Bitcoin’s rally is backed by solid institutional buying in the spot BTC ETFs.A rally above the $95,000 level could be difficult, but analysts’ end-of-year price projections now extend to $200,000.Select altcoins are showing signs of a price bottom.Bitcoin (BTC) price rallied close to the $95,000 resistance level on April 23 as the cryptocurrency finds support from rising spot BTC ETF inflows and positive macroeconomic news in the United States. According to Farside Investors, the funds recorded net inflows of $381.3 million on April 21 and $912.7 million on April 22.Analysts from Standard Chartered and Intellectia AI said that institutional demand for Bitcoin ETFs and BTC’s use as a hedge against macroeconomic risk could propel the price to $200,000 in 2025.Crypto market data daily view. Source: Coin360Not everyone is convinced about the current rally. 10x Research head of research Markus Thielen questioned the sustainability of the Bitcoin rally in an April 23 markets report, as the stablecoin minting indicator was “yet to return to high-activity levels.”Could Bitcoin break above the $95,000 mark, pulling altcoins higher? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.Bitcoin price predictionBitcoin formed a Doji candlestick pattern on April 23, indicating indecision between the bulls and the bears near the $95,000 overhead resistance.BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe 20-day exponential moving average ($85,773) has started to turn up, and the relative strength index (RSI) is near the overbought zone, suggesting that the path of least resistance is to the upside. If buyers do not cede much ground to the bears, it enhances the prospects of a rally above $95,000. The BTC/USDT pair may then skyrocket to $100,000 and subsequently to $107,000.This positive view will be invalidated in the near term if the price turns down sharply from $95,000 and plunges below the moving averages. Ether price predictionEther (ETH) turned up sharply on April 22 and rose above the 20-day EMA ($1,676). Buyers will try to retain the advantage by pushing the price above the 50-day SMA ($1,830) on April 23.ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIf they succeed, the ETH/USDT pair could jump to the breakdown level of $2,111. Sellers will try to stall the recovery at $2,111, but if the bulls prevail, the pair could soar to $2,550. Such a move suggests that the corrective phase may be over.Conversely, if the price turns down sharply from $2,111, it indicates that the bears are active at higher levels. That could keep the pair range-bound between $2,111 and $1,368 for a while longer.XRP price predictionXRP (XRP) rose above the 50-day SMA ($2.20), but the long wick on the candlestick shows selling at higher levels.XRP/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe bears are expected to defend the resistance line with all their might because a break and close above it signals a potential trend change. The XRP/USDT pair could then attempt a rally to $3.On the contrary, if the price turns down and breaks below the moving averages, it signals that bears remain in command. The pair may then retest the $2 support, which is likely to attract buyers.BNB price predictionBNB (BNB) broke out of the downtrend line on April 21, but higher levels are attracting solid selling by the bears.BNB/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe BNB/USDT pair could drop to the moving averages, an important near-term support to watch out for. If the price rebounds off the moving averages with strength, the prospects of a rally to $644 and thereafter to $680 increase. Alternatively, a break and close below the moving averages indicates that the breakout above the downtrend line may have been a bull trap. The pair then risks falling to $566.Solana price predictionSolana (SOL) rebounded off the 20-day EMA ($133) on April 22 and is attempting to climb above the overhead resistance at $153 on April 23.SOL/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe 20-day EMA is sloping up, and the RSI is in the positive territory, indicating an advantage to buyers. A close above $153 clears the path for a rally to $180. Such a move brings the large $110 to $260 range into play.Time is running out for the bears. If they want to make a comeback, they will have to swiftly pull the price below the moving averages. If they do that, the SOL/USDT pair could plunge to the $120 to $110 support zone.Dogecoin price predictionDogecoin (DOGE) broke above the moving averages on April 22, indicating that the bulls are on a comeback.DOGE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe price could rally to the overhead resistance at $0.21, where the bears are expected to step in. If the price turns down from $0.21 and breaks below the moving averages, it signals a range-bound action in the near term. The DOGE/USDT pair could swing between $0.21 and $0.14 for some time.Contrarily, a break and close above $0.21 completes a double-bottom pattern. The pair could then rally toward its target objective of $0.28.Cardano price predictionBuyers pushed Cardano (ADA) above the 20-day EMA ($0.64) on April 22 and are trying to sustain the price above the 50-day SMA ($0.68) on April 23.ADA/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe 20-day EMA is flattish, but the RSI has jumped into positive territory, indicating that the momentum has turned positive. A close above the 50-day SMA opens the gates for a rally to $0.83.Buyers are expected to defend the zone between the 20-day EMA and $0.58 on the downside. Sellers will be back in the driver’s seat if they sink the ADA/USDT pair below $0.58. The pair may then slump to $0.50.Related: Why is Bitcoin price up today?Chainlink price predictionChainlink (LINK) turned up from the 20-day EMA ($13.16) and rose above the 50-day SMA ($13.62) on April 22.LINK/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe LINK/USDT pair could rise to $16, where the bears may mount a strong defense. If buyers do not allow the price to dip back below the 20-day EMA, it improves the prospects of a rally to the resistance line of the descending channel pattern. A trend change will be signaled on a break above the channel.The 20-day EMA is the crucial support to watch out for on the downside. A dive below the 20-day EMA opens the doors for a fall to $11.89 and later to the support line.Avalanche price predictionAvalanche (AVAX) broke out of the downtrend line on April 22, indicating that the bears are losing their grip.AVAX/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe bears will try to halt the recovery at $23.50 because if they fail in their endeavor, the AVAX/USDT pair will complete a double-bottom pattern. This bullish setup has a target objective of $31.73.If the price turns down from $23.50, the bulls will try to buy the dips to the 20-day EMA ($19.72). A bounce off the 20-day EMA increases the likelihood of a break above $23.50. Contrarily, a break below the moving averages signals a range formation between $15.27 and $23.50.Sui price predictionSui (SUI) soared above the moving averages on April 22 and the overhead resistance at $2.86 on April 23.SUI/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe long wick on the candlestick shows selling above $2.86, but if the bulls do not give up much ground, the possibility of a break above the overhead resistance increases. That could propel the SUI/USDT pair to $3.25 and then to $3.50.The 20-day EMA ($2.29) is expected to act as strong support on any pullback. A break and close below the 20-day EMA suggests the bullish momentum has weakened. That could result in a range formation in the near term.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.