Alternative News for You

by Cointelegraph by Cointelegraph on April 10, 2025 at 2:04 pm

Today in crypto, the largest publicly traded Bitcoin mining companies produced nearly $800 million worth of Bitcoin in the first quarter of 2025, the US Senate confirmed Paul Atkins as Securities and Exchange Commission chair, and President Donald Trump paused his sweeping tariffs for 90 days — except on China.Top 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.US Senate confirms Paul Atkins to lead Trump’s SECThe US Senate on April 9 confirmed US President Donald Trump’s nominee, Paul Atkins, as chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission in a 52-44 vote largely along party lines.Trump named the pro-crypto former Wall Street consultant to lead the agency late last year, who was also an SEC commissioner between 2002 and 2008. Atkins founded the financial consulting firm Patomak Global Partners after he left the SEC in 2009 and served as co-chair of the crypto advocacy group Token Alliance between 2017 and late 2024.After he’s sworn in, Atkins will follow on from former chair Gary Gensler, whose tenure saw the agency launch multiple lawsuits and investigations against crypto firms over alleged breaches of securities laws.Atkins is expected to take a different approach. He said at a Senate confirmation hearing in March that a top priority of his time at the SEC would be “to provide a firm regulatory foundation for digital assets through a rational, coherent, and principled approach.”Trump pauses some tariffs, boosts China’sUnited States President Donald Trump issued a 90-day pause on "reciprocal tariffs" and lowered the tariff rate to 10% on countries that do not retaliate with counter-tariffs.The president also said he would increase the reciprocal tariff rate on China to 125% due to the country's counter-tariffs against the US. Trump wrote in an April 9 Truth Social post:"At some point, hopefully, in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the USA, and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable."According to data from TradingView, the S&P 500 index rallied close to 7% following the announcement, showcasing the high volatility of capital markets amid the macroeconomic uncertainty and the potential for a protracted trade conflict.Source: Donald Trump

by Sundance on April 10, 2025 at 1:57 pm

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) releases the Consumer Price Index for February [DATA HERE], reflecting a drop in the year-over-year inflation rate to the lowest level in four years. The rate of inflation dropped significantly due to lower gasoline (-6.3%) and fuel prices, which directly impacts every middle-class worker.  The ripple effects (transportation, The post Inflation Drops to Lowest Level in Four Years 2.4% appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Ezra Reguerra on April 10, 2025 at 1:55 pm

The 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. On April 3, Marathon announced that it produced 829 BTC in March, up 17.4% from February and 10.5% higher than January.Related: Bitcoin miner Bitfarms secures up to $300M loan from MacquarieBitcoin miners produce 9,746 BTC in Q1 2025CleanSpark 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. 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. Its 533 BTC produced in March was a 16.1% increase from its February performance. CompaniesMarketCap places Iren as the sixth-largest Bitcoin miner by market capitalization. Riot Blockchain, which ranks second only to Marathon Digital by market capitalization, had the fourth-largest BTC production during the quarter. The company reported production of 1,428 BTC (about $117 million) during the quarter. Like Iren, Riot produced 533 BTC in March, a 13.4% increase from February. Top Bitcoin miners by market cap. Source: CompaniesMarketCapHut8 shows 91% growth in Bitcoin productionHut 8 Mining, despite producing the least amount of Bitcoin among the top miners reviewed, showed the highest growth rate. The company mined 199 BTC in Q1 valued at about $16 million, including 88 BTC in March. That represents a 91% increase from the 46 BTC it produced in February.On March 31, Hut8 partnered with US President Donald Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, to launch a new mining venture called American Bitcoin. The project aims to be the “world’s largest, most efficient pure-play Bitcoin miner.”In a previous Cointelegraph interview, Hut 8 CEO Asher Genoot said the company aims to dominate US Bitcoin mining. Genoot said the company plans to build one of the largest and most efficient Bitcoin mining platforms rooted in American soil. Magazine: Memecoin degeneracy is funding groundbreaking anti-aging research

by Cointelegraph by Bradley Peak on April 10, 2025 at 1:50 pm

Why are people protesting against Elon Musk? Elon Musk, once celebrated as a tech visionary behind Tesla and SpaceX, has faced growing backlash due to his political ties, controversial corporate decisions and provocative public statements.Born in 1971 in Pretoria, South Africa, Elon Musk co-founded Zip2 in 1995, which was sold to Compaq in 1999. He then launched X.com, which merged with Confinity to form PayPal, acquired by eBay in 2002. His later ventures, SpaceX (2002) and Tesla (2004), solidified his status as a leading innovator in aerospace and electric vehicles. In 2022, Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion and later rebranded the platform as X, integrating it into his broader vision for an “everything app.”Initially celebrated for his technological contributions, Musk’s public image began to shift in the late 2010s for several reasons:Political involvement: Musk’s association with conservative politics, notably his support for US President Donald Trump and his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), drew criticism. His advocacy for significant federal spending cuts and program eliminations fueled discontent.Corporate practices: Decisions like relocating Tesla’s headquarters from California to Texas and implementing controversial labor practices contributed to negative perceptions. These actions were seen as prioritizing profit over employee welfare and regulatory compliance.Public statements: Musk’s public communications, especially on social media, often sparked controversy. Critics accused him of spreading misinformation and promoting conspiracy theories, which eroded trust among certain groups.Did you know? Despite popular narratives of Elon Musk as a self-made entrepreneur, he came from a wealthy South African family. His father, Errol Musk, is suspected of owning an emerald mine in Zambia, and Elon has acknowledged receiving financial support from his family during his early ventures. Anti-Elon Musk protests in 2025 By 2025, the aforementioned factors culminated in widespread protests targeting Musk and his business interests. The demonstrations were driven by core grievances:Wealth disparity: Musk’s net worth, which reached $400 billion in December 2024, had declined to $298 billion by April 2025 due to stock market fluctuations and political controversies. His accumulation of wealth highlighted growing economic inequalities, with protesters viewing it as emblematic of systemic issues favoring the ultra-wealthy.Political influence: Musk’s significant political engagement, particularly his advisory role to Trump and influence over DOGE policies, has raised concerns about the concentration of power among wealthy elites. Critics feared this influence undermined democratic processes and prioritized corporate interests over public welfare.Corporate practices: Actions such as aggressive cost-cutting measures, perceived labor exploitation and controversial business decisions led to dissatisfaction among employees and consumers. The “Tesla Takedown” movement, for example, targeted Tesla showrooms, criticizing Musk’s leadership and corporate strategies.Social and environmental concerns: Musk’s business decisions were also scrutinized for their social and environmental impact. Protesters questioned Tesla’s labor practices and the environmental implications of some of his ventures, calling for more ethical and sustainable corporate behaviors.Did you know? A March 2025 Brookings op-ed called DOGE’s naming choice a “branding blunder,” while a CNN/ORC poll found 62% of respondents viewed it as “inappropriate” for a government agency and 44% felt it damaged confidence in the administration’s reform efforts. Tesla protest events in 2025 The “Tesla Takedown” movement, with demonstrations in over 250 cities worldwide, aimed to challenge Musk’s influence. Originating in early 2025, this grassroots initiative organized nonviolent protests at Tesla locations across the US, Canada, Europe and Australia.Protesters called for boycotts and urged the public to divest from Tesla by selling their vehicles and shares, intending to economically impact Musk and question his political influence.Two key factors fueled the protests:Labor practices: Tesla faced allegations of labor rights violations, including reports of employees being fired for expressing dissenting opinions. The National Labor Relations Board had 24 open investigations into Musk’s companies, including allegations of illegal firings at SpaceX.Environmental concerns: Protesters criticized Tesla’s environmental record, highlighting issues such as alleged negligence in the installation and maintenance of solar panels, which led to roof fires at Walmart stores. Walmart filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Tesla, claiming negligent installation and maintenance of solar panels caused roof fires at seven Walmart stores dating back to 2012.Declining sales figures underscored consumer discontent. In the first quarter of 2025, Tesla’s global vehicle deliveries dropped 13% year-over-year to 336,681 units, marking the company’s lowest quarterly performance since mid-2022.Did you know? While intended to be peaceful, some protests escalated into acts of vandalism. For example, on March 24, 2025, incendiary devices were discovered at a Tesla dealership in Austin, Texas. SpaceX controversy 2025 SpaceX’s activities also attracted scrutiny, particularly regarding safety and regulatory compliance. The 2025 Starship explosion served as a stark reminder of the risks associated with private space exploration. The largest and most powerful rocket ever built disintegrated minutes after liftoff, scattering debris across protected areas and reigniting debates about safety, environmental responsibility and regulatory oversight in the private spaceflight industry.Musk’s political involvement further complicated matters. Serving as the head of DOGE, he oversaw significant federal spending cuts and deregulation efforts. This role led to conflicts of interest, especially concerning agencies that regulate his businesses. For example, SpaceX faced fines from the Federal Aviation Administration for safety violations, including operating an unapproved launch control room and using non-approved rocket fuel, totaling $633,009. What does the future hold for Elon Musk amid growing backlash? Musk’s entanglement in political affairs, particularly his advisory role to President Trump and leadership of DOGE, has led to significant public disapproval. A February 2025 poll indicated that 52% of Americans held an unfavorable view of Musk, with only 29% expressing approval.In response to the mounting criticism, reports suggest that Musk is considering stepping back from his governmental advisory role to focus on his business ventures. Such a move could be aimed at mitigating public perception that his political activities are adversely affecting Tesla’s performance.However, given Musk’s history of unconventional decisions and resilience, it’s uncertain whether distancing himself from politics will fully quell public dissent or restore consumer confidence in Tesla.

by Cointelegraph by Adrian Zmudzinski on April 10, 2025 at 1:48 pm

Cosmos, a blockchain network aiming to become the “internet of blockchains,” has launched Eureka, an interoperability layer designed to link its inter-blockchain communication (IBC) protocol with Ethereum.According to an April 10 announcement, Eureka has expanded the Cosmos IBC protocol, changing IBC from an ecosystem standard “to a universal interoperability protocol,” setting the hub on a course to become the home of multichain apps.Cosmos projects are integrating into IBC Eureka. Source: CosmosWith the introduction of Eureka, many Cosmos-based applications and blockchains are now accessible to more users by expanding IBC to the Ethereum network. With the new protocol, developers can reportedly build multichain apps across multiple ecosystems without fragmenting the user base.Related: Cosmos co-founder proposes peer-to-peer clearing system in white paperThe announcement said that most projects rely on bridges for interoperability, resulting in the introduction of intermediaries as well as user and liquidity fragmentation. With bridges, users can simply move assets between blockchains, while with Eureka, developers promise to deliver native interoperability.Cosmos Hub Integration Image. Source: CosmosCointelegraph reached out to the Interchain Foundation, the organization behind Cosmos, but did not receive a response by publication.How IBC Eureka worksEureka relies on a distribution zone allowing developers to access all IBC connections, users, liquidity and services without additional infrastructure. The Cosmos Hub also allows users to access apps, services and assets across the included ecosystems.Related: Cosmos ecosystem rocked by North Korean developer allegationsSome early use cases include Bitcoin staking protocol Babylon, whose users will now be able to transfer Bitcoin liquid staking tokens from Ethereum to Babylon’s Cosmos-based chain. Similarly, decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol Elys will enable trading with Wrapped Ether (WETH), Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) and USDt (USDT) from Ethereum.More integrations comingIn the future, developers promise that users will be able to leverage Eureka-powered multichain features in major decentralized exchange (DEX) dYdX. Real-world asset tokenization platform Mantra will also reportedly bridge capital from Ethereum into Cosmos-based real-estate markets, staking infrastructure and permissioned DeFi applications.According to the announcement, IBC — which Eureka upgrades — has facilitated an average of up to $3 billion in transaction volume among more than 115 blockchains every month since its launch. Still, the integration was far from seamless for blockchains that were not part of the Cosmos ecosystem.Magazine: Arbitrum co-founder skeptical of move to based and native rollups: Steven Goldfeder

by Cointelegraph by Ezra Reguerra on April 10, 2025 at 1:47 pm

American stock exchange Nasdaq has filed an application with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to list and trade shares of the VanEck Avalanche Trust, a proposed exchange-traded fund (ETF) designed to offer indirect exposure to the AVAX token.The filing, signed by Nasdaq’s executive vice president and chief legal officer John Zecca, requests approval to list and trade shares of the VanEck Avalanche ETF under the company’s Rule 5711(d), which governs the trading of commodity-based trust shares. If approved, the VanEck Avalanche ETF would allow investors to gain exposure to the Avalanche (AVAX) price without directly holding them. The ETF would hold the tokens and track their price, allowing investors to profit from the token’s performance without needing crypto wallets or using digital asset trading platforms. According to the filing, asset manager VanEck Digital Assets will sponsor the trust, while a third-party custodian will hold all the Avalanche tokens on the trust’s behalf. Excerpt of Nasdaq’s Avalanche ETF listing application. Source: NasdaqRelated: XRP ETF: Here are the funds awaiting SEC approval so farVanEck joins Avalanche ETF raceThe filing follows VanEck’s efforts to register a spot Avalanche ETF in the US. On March 10, the asset manager registered the crypto investment product as a trust corporate service company in Delaware. The application marks the fourth standalone crypto ETF product submitted by VanEck, alongside its Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH) and Solana (SOL) ETF products. In 2024, VanEck filed for a spot Solana ETF, becoming one of the first issuers to file for a SOL-based ETF. On March 14, VanEck’s formal application for the Avalanche ETF was shared publicly via social media, signaling the firm’s commitment to the product.Grayscale Investments is also pursuing an AVAX-backed ETF. On March 28, Nasdaq applied to list Grayscale’s Avalanche ETF. The product would be a conversion of a close-ended AVAX fund launched by the asset manager in August 2024.  Despite the interest in exchange-traded products based on AVAX, the token suffered massive losses in 2025 as the broader crypto markets saw a downturn. On April 10, the AVAX token traded at $18, which is 56% less than its January high of $41. Magazine: XRP win leaves Ripple and industry with no crypto legal precedent set

by Cointelegraph by Savannah Fortis on April 10, 2025 at 1:30 pm

Bitcoin wasn’t supposed to just sit still.When Satoshi Nakamoto released the white paper in 2008, it wasn’t a blueprint for digital gold; it was a peer-to-peer cash system. But fast-forward to today, and Bitcoin’s biggest critics and supporters alike often agree on one thing: It doesn’t really work like money, at least not yet.In the latest episode of The Clear Crypto Podcast, hosts Nathan Jeffay and Gareth Jenkinson speak with Eli Ben-Sasson, the co-founder of StarkWare and one of the leading minds in cryptographic scaling. His message? That might be about to change.Bitcoin’s three pillarsBen-Sasson lays out a compelling framework for how Bitcoin can evolve — not by abandoning its principles, but by scaling them. He describes three core pillars that need to align in order for Bitcoin to fulfill its promise. Broadness, integrity and verifiability, according to Ben-Sasson, are concrete, technical targets for Bitcoin’s widespread adoption and useability. Not only that, but the tools to hit these targets already exist. The reintroduction of a long-dormant opcode, OP_CAT, could be the first domino. “Nine lines of code,” he said, “that would make Bitcoin programmable again.”Store of value or economic backboneRight now, Bitcoin is often described as digital gold, a pristine, untouchable store of value. But Ben-Sasson wants to see it function more like a digital economy: permissionless, inclusive and usable in everyday transactions. That means rethinking what Bitcoin is for and upgrading how it works.“If we don’t make Bitcoin more useful, we risk making it irrelevant.”The conversation touches on everything from the politics of Bitcoin governance to the role of zero-knowledge proofs and layer-2s in building scalable, decentralized systems. Related: Jack Dorsey pushes Signal to adopt Bitcoin paymentsIt also explores what it would take to build money that works for everyone, not just the technically elite or financially privileged.“We are not in a situation where Bitcoin is a system that today can allow any two parties to transact without any trusted intermediary. We're simply not there. To me, that's the start, middle and end of of the reason why things need to change.”To hear the full conversation on The Clear Crypto Podcast,  listen to the full episode on Cointelegraph’s Podcasts page, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And don’t forget to check out Cointelegraph’s full lineup of other shows! Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

by Sundance on April 10, 2025 at 1:13 pm

Komrade Ursula von der Leyen represents the European Commission command and control authority, regardless of whether the individual members within the containment zone agree with the HQ in Brussels. Komisar von der Leyen informs the union members that she has decided to pause the retaliation tariffs against the USA, based on the 90-day pause announced The post Komrade von der Leyen Orders Pause on EU Retaliation Tariffs Pending Engagement with Trump Administration appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Dean Bilton on April 10, 2025 at 12:53 pm

With the whole AFL watching, Adelaide had everything set up for its perfect Gather Round welcome, only for Geelong to stroll in, crash the party and ransack the house on the way out.

by Jake Evans on April 10, 2025 at 12:32 pm

Peter Dutton says a scheme to cut the emissions of cars and encourage electric vehicle uptake will be abolished under a Coalition government.

by Cointelegraph by Helen Partz on April 10, 2025 at 12:18 pm

Austrian fintech unicorn Bitpanda has secured its third license under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) framework, further expanding its regulatory footprint across the bloc.Bitpanda announced on April 10 that it would receive a new MiCA license from Austria’s Financial Market Authority (FMA), its third after approvals from regulators in Germany and Malta.Its latest approval marks “another step toward building the most regulated crypto platform in Europe,” the exchange said in an announcement on X.Source: BitpandaMiCA, which took full effect on Dec. 30, 2024, is designed to provide a harmonized legal framework for crypto asset service providers (CASPs) across the EU. Despite this goal, Bitpanda’s pursuit of multiple licenses raises questions about how consistently MiCA is being interpreted and enforced across the bloc.Bitpanda’s MiCA collection storyVienna-headquartered Bitpanda was one of the first crypto asset service providers (CASP) to receive a MiCA license after the framework entered into full force.Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) was the first regulator to issue a MiCA license for Bitpanda, the firm announced on Jan. 23.According to Bitpanda’s announcement on LinkedIn, it subsequently secured another MiCA license from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA).Related: Malta regulator fines OKX crypto exchange $1.2M for past AML breaches“Following yesterday’s announcement of our first MiCAR license, this second license sends a clear message: Bitpanda is setting the standard as Europe’s most secure and well-regulated crypto platform,” the company wrote.Bitpanda announced receiving a MiCA license from the MFSA in a LinkedIn post. Source: LinkedIn posting date extractorAt the time of publication, none of the relevant regulators — Austria’s FMA, Germany’s BaFin, or Malta’s MFSA — maintain publicly available registries showing which firms have received MiCA licenses.Data from Austria’s Financial Market Authority on Bitpanda’s licensing. Source: FMAAccording to Austria’s FMA records, Bitpanda currently holds four different approvals in Austria and Germany for entities including Bitpanda Asset Management GmbH, Bitpanda Financial Services GmbH, Bitpanda GmbH and Bitpanda Payments GmbH.Does MiCA provide for multiple licenses in EU states?Proposed in 2020, the MiCA framework is designed to set comprehensive regulations for CASPs across the EU, creating “uniform EU market rules for crypto-assets,” according to a key MiCA regulator, the European Securities and Markets Authority.Despite MiCA’s aim to harmonize crypto regulation across the EU, Bitpanda’s pursuit of multiple licenses suggests regulatory inconsistencies may still exist among member states.Cointelegraph approached Bitpanda for comment regarding its approach to securing multiple MiCA licenses but did not receive a response at the time of publication.Magazine: How crypto laws are changing across the world in 2025

by Cointelegraph by Jules Winnfield on April 10, 2025 at 11:50 am

Key takeawaysAI tools like ChatGPT can help both experienced and new crypto investors track portfolios with ease, freeing up time for other investment activities and making the process more accessible.Defining specific requirements, such as which cryptocurrencies to track and the desired data points, is essential for building an effective portfolio tracker tailored to your investment goals.By combining ChatGPT with real-time crypto data from APIs like CoinMarketCap, you can generate valuable market commentary and analysis, providing deeper insights into your portfolio performance.Developing additional features like price alerts, performance analysis and a user-friendly interface can make your tracker more functional, helping you stay ahead of market trends and manage your crypto investments more effectively.If you’re a cryptocurrency investor, you’ve clearly got a strong appetite for risk! Cryptocurrency portfolios involve many immersive stages, from desktop research on the profitability of cryptocurrencies to actively trading crypto to monitoring regulations. Managing a portfolio of cryptocurrencies can be complex and time-consuming, even for savvy investors. Conversely, if you’re a newbie in the world of cryptocurrencies and want to set yourself up for success, you may be put off by the complexity of it all. The good news is that artificial intelligence (AI) offers valuable tools for the crypto industry, helping you simplify portfolio tracking and analysis when applied effectively. As an experienced crypto investor, this can help free up your valuable time to focus on other activities in your investment lifecycle. If you’re a new investor, AI can help you take that all-important first step. Read on to see how AI, and specifically, ChatGPT, can help you build a customized portfolio tracker.To begin with, what is it? Let’s find out.What is ChatGPT?ChatGPT is a conversational AI model that can deliver various tasks using user-defined prompts — including data retrieval, analysis and visualizations. The GPT stands for “Generative Pre-trained Transformer,” which references the fact that it is a large language model extensively trained on copious amounts of text from diverse sources across the internet and designed to understand context and deliver actionable results for end-users. The intelligence of ChatGPT makes it a powerful resource for building a crypto portfolio tracker specifically geared toward your investment profile and objectives.Let’s learn how to build a custom portfolio tracker with ChatGPT.Step 1: Define your requirementsTechnical specifics notwithstanding, it is crucial to first define what you expect from your crypto portfolio tracker. For example, consider the following questions:What cryptocurrencies will you track? What is your investment approach? Are you looking to actively day trade cryptocurrencies or are you looking to “buy and hold” them for the long term?What are the data points you need to compile for the tracker? These may include but are not limited to price, market cap, volume and even news summaries from the web that could materially alter your investment decisions.What exactly do you need the tracker to deliver for you? Real-time updates? Periodic summaries? Perhaps a combination of both?What do you want the output to look like? Alerts, performance analysis, historical data or something else?Once you have a clear understanding of your requirements, you can move on to the next steps. It is best practice to write down your requirements in a consolidated specifications document so you can keep refining them later if required.Step 2: Set up a ChatGPT instanceThis is the fun bit! Well, it is if you enjoy geeking out on code. Remember that ChatGPT is a large language model with a vast amount of intelligence sitting underneath it. Using ChatGPT effectively therefore requires you to be able to access the underlying model, which you can do via an Application Program Interface, or API. The company that owns ChatGPT — OpenAI — provides API access to the tool you can utilize to build your tracker. It’s simpler than you might think. You can use a basic three-step process to set up your own ChatGPT instance:Navigate to OpenAI and sign up for an API key.Set up an environment to make API calls. Python is an ideal choice for this, but there are alternatives, such as Node.js.Write a basic script to communicate with ChatGPT using the API key. Here’s a Pythonic script that you may find useful for incorporating OpenAI capabilities into Python. (Note that this is only intended as a representative example to explain OpenAI integration and not to be viewed as financial advice.)Step 3: Integrate a cryptocurrency data sourceWith your ChatGPT instance set up, it is time to complete the other part of the puzzle, namely, your cryptocurrency data source. There are many places to look, and several APIs can help with the information required for this step. Examples include CoinGecko, CoinMarketCap and CryptoCompare. Do your research on these options and choose one that fits your requirements. Once you’ve made your choice, choose one that fits your requirements and integrate it with the ChatGPT instance you spun up as part of Step 2. For example, if you decide to use the CoinMarketCap API, the following code will get you the latest price of Bitcoin, which you may be trading as part of your crypto portfolio. Step 4: Combine ChatGPT and crypto dataYou’ve done the hard bit, and given that you now have both an AI capability (ChatGPT) and a cryptocurrency data source (CoinMarketCap in this example), you are ready to build a crypto portfolio tracker. To do this, you can leverage prompt engineering to tap into ChatGPT’s intelligence to request data and generate insights.For example, if you want your tracker to return a summary of cryptocurrency prices at a desired time, summarized in a data frame for visualization, consider writing the following code:====================================================================```python    # Set your OpenAI API key    client = OpenAI(api_key=openai_api_key)    messages = [        {"role": "system", "content": "You are an expert market analyst with expertise in cryptocurrency trends."},        {"role": "user", "content": f"Given that the current price of {symbol} is ${price:.2f} as of {date}, provide a concise commentary on the market status, including a recommendation."}    ]    try:        response = client.chat.completions.create(            model="gpt-4o-mini",            messages=messages,            max_tokens=100,            temperature=0.7        )        commentary = response.choices[0].message.content        return commentary    except Exception as e:        print(f"Error obtaining commentary for {symbol}: {e}")        return "No commentary available."def build_crypto_dataframe(cmc_api_key: str, openai_api_key: str, symbols: list, convert: str = "USD") -> pd.DataFrame:    records = []    # Capture the current datetime once for consistency across all queries.    current_timestamp = datetime.now().strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")    for symbol in symbols:        price = get_crypto_price(cmc_api_key, symbol, convert)        if price is None:            commentary = "No commentary available due to error retrieving price."        else:            commentary = get_openai_commentary(openai_api_key, symbol, price, current_timestamp)        records.append({            "Symbol": symbol,            "Price": price,            "Date": current_timestamp,            "Market Commentary": commentary        })    df = pd.DataFrame(records)    return df# Example usage:if __name__ == '__main__':    # Replace with your actual API keys.    cmc_api_key = ‘YOUR_API_KEY’    openai_api_key = ‘YOUR_API_KEY’    # Specify the cryptocurrencies of interest.    crypto_symbols = ["BTC", "ETH", "XRP"]    # Build the data frame containing price and commentary.    crypto_df = build_crypto_dataframe(cmc_api_key, openai_api_key, crypto_symbols)    # Print the resulting dataframe.    print(crypto_df)```====================================================================The above piece of code takes three cryptocurrencies in your portfolio — Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH) and XRP (XRP), and uses the ChatGPT API to get the current price in the market as seen in the CoinMarketCap data source. It organizes the results in a table with AI-generated market commentary, providing a straightforward way to monitor your portfolio and assess market conditions.Step 5: Develop additional featuresYou can now enhance your tracker by adding more functionality or including appealing visualizations. For example, consider:Alerts: Set up email or SMS alerts for significant price changes.Performance analysis: Track portfolio performance over time and provide insights. Visualizations: Integrate historical data to visualize trends in prices. For the savvy investor, this can help identify the next major market shift.Step 6: Create a user interfaceTo make your crypto portfolio tracker user-friendly, it’s advisable to develop a web or mobile interface. Again, Python frameworks like Flask, Streamlit or Django can help spin up simple but intuitive web applications, with alternatives such as React Native or Flutter helping with mobile apps. Regardless of choice, simplicity is key.Did you know? Flask offers lightweight flexibility, Streamlit simplifies data visualization and Django provides robust, secure backends. All are handy for building tools to track prices and market trends!Step 7: Test and deployMake sure that you thoroughly test your tracker to ensure accuracy and reliability. Once tested, deploy it to a server or cloud platform like AWS or Heroku. Monitor the usefulness of the tracker over time and tweak the features as desired. The integration of AI with cryptocurrencies can help track your portfolio. It lets you build a customized tracker with market insights to manage your crypto holdings. However, consider risks: AI predictions may be inaccurate, API data can lag and over-reliance might skew decisions. Proceed cautiously.Happy AI-powered trading! 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 Zoltan Vardai on April 10, 2025 at 11:45 am

Tokenized gold trading volume surged to a two-year high this week, topping $1 billion as investors pivoted toward safe-haven assets amid global uncertainty triggered by US President Donald Trump’s import tariffs.The weekly trading volume of tokenized gold surpassed the $1 billion mark for the first time since March 2023, when a US banking crisis saw the sudden collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the voluntary liquidation of Silvergate Bank. Signature Bank was also forced to close operations by New York regulators on March 12, two days after Silvergate’s liquidation.Tokenized gold has experienced a significant surge in trading interest since early February, when global trade war fears started spreading to digital markets, according to a CEX.io research report shared with Cointelegraph.Top tokenized gold assets, trading volume. Source: CoinGecko, Cex.ioSince Trump’s first tariff announcement on Jan. 20, Paxos Gold (PAXG) trading volume has surged by over 900%, Tether Gold (XAUT) trading rose over 300% and Kinesis Gold (KAU) volume increased by more than 83,000%.Tokenized gold has become one of the best-performing crypto categories since Trump’s inauguration, surging over 21% in market cap and over 1,000% in trading volume, while stablecoins saw an 8% market cap increase and a 285% trading volume expansion during the same period.Tokenized gold, market cap. Source: Cex.ioTokenized gold is part of the growing real-world asset (RWA) tokenization sector, which refers to financial products and tangible assets such as real estate and fine art minted on the blockchain.Related: BlackRock ‘BUIDL’ tokenized fund triples in 3 weeks as Bitcoin stallsGold prices hit new highsThe surge in tokenized gold coincides with a record-setting performance in physical gold. On March 31, gold hit an all-time high of over $3,100 per ounce and was trading above $3,118 at the time of writing.BTC, gold, year-to-date chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewSince the beginning of 2025, the price of gold has risen over 18%, outperforming Bitcoin (BTC), which has fallen by more than 12% year-to-date, TradingView data shows.Gold’s robust price performance after key tariff-related events highlights a growing appetite for safe-haven assets, according to Illia Otychenko, lead analyst at Cex.io.However, tokenized gold remains far from being a physical gold competitor at the current “stage of RWA development,” the analyst told Cointelegraph, adding:“Tokenized gold presents a compelling alternative for crypto-native investors who might otherwise look to Bitcoin or stablecoins.”“In this context, tokenized gold has primarily served as a diversification tool, gaining increasing traction in investor portfolios as market uncertainty deepens,” he addedRelated: Stablecoins, tokenized assets gain as Trump tariffs loomGeopolitical trade tensions caused by Trump’s import tariffs have inspired a flight to safety among crypto investors, specifically toward stablecoins and tokenized assets.Following the 2023 banking crisis, the Federal Reserve created the Bank Term Funding Program, offering banking loans of up to a year in return for posting “qualifying assets” as collateral.This emergency measure was what started the Bitcoin bull run in 2023, according to BitMEX co-founder and former CEO Arthur Hayes.Magazine: Ripple says SEC lawsuit ‘over,’ Trump at DAS, and more: Hodler’s Digest, March 16 – 22

by Cointelegraph by Adrian Zmudzinski on April 10, 2025 at 11:35 am

United Kingdom regulators are increasingly concerned about the impact of stablecoins and the broader crypto industry on the country’s financial system and monetary stability.During Financial Policy Committee meetings held on April 4 and 8, regulators noted that while the current “interconnectedness of unbacked crypto asset markets with the real economy and financial sector is growing but remains relatively limited,” stablecoins and crypto markets have expanded significantly in the past year, drawing heightened regulatory attention.The UK, its central bank and its local regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, have been developing frameworks for stablecoins to ensure financial resilience. The committee claims to have determined the factors that make a stablecoin resilient:“A key determinant of the resilience of stablecoins was the liquidity, credit and market risks of their backing assets, which were in place to ensure that redemptions can be met in a timely manner at par, even in periods of stress.“The committee raised alarm over the “greater issuance of sterling offshore stablecoins with inappropriate backing assets.” This has implications for UK financial markets and “even with appropriate regulation, greater use of stablecoins denominated in foreign currencies could make some economies vulnerable to currency substitution,” the committee said.Bank of England. Source: WikimediaRelated: Builders beware — The UK’s 2026 crypto regime is comingCurrency substitution risks spark concernCommittee members are worried that if stablecoin use were to move beyond crypto settlements, it could result in “implications for retail and wholesale cross-border payments.” In retail flows, stablecoin use by households and small and medium-sized enterprises could, for cross-border payments, “result in currency substitution,” increasing counterparty risk.The statement followed reports about growing stablecoin adoption not limited to crypto remittances in emerging markets, especially in Africa. A recent report from Chainalysis found that stablecoins now make up nearly half of all transaction volume in Sub-Saharan Africa.Similarly, a late 2024 report suggested that a number of emerging economies across Africa have the potential to become digital asset hubs. Ben Caselin, chief marketing officer of Johannesburg-based crypto exchange VALR, told Cointelegraph at the time:“South Africa is the entryway to the rest of Africa with a good rule of law and independent judiciary. It’s easy to open a company in South Africa.”Still, reports of similar trends in developed economies with easily accessible financial infrastructure are scarce. Experts often point to the unavailability of banking services and unstable local fiat currencies as the reason why developing countries — from Africa in particular — are eager to adopt dollar-based stablecoins and crypto.Related: 3 reasons why stablecoin growth thrives globally — Will US follow under Trump?UK is not alone in worryingThe United Kingdom is in good company in worrying about the impact of stablecoins and the broader crypto industry on monetary stability. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) recently warned that crypto will increasingly threaten traditional financial markets’ stability as the industry grows and becomes more entwined with conventional finance players. ESMA’s executive director, Natasha Cazenave said:“We cannot rule out that future sharp drops in crypto prices could have knock-on effects on our financial system.”Local regulators are already acting on those concerns. In late March, the European Union’s insurance authority proposed a blanket rule that would mandate insurance firms to maintain capital equal to the value of their crypto holdings as part of a measure to mitigate risks for policyholders.Magazine: Ridiculous ‘Chinese Mint’ crypto scam, Japan dives into stablecoins: Asia Express

by Cointelegraph by Dilip Kumar Patairya on April 10, 2025 at 11:35 am

What is GHIBLI memecoin? Ghiblification (GHIBLI) is a memecoin built on the Solana blockchain. It draws inspiration from the Ghibli-styled ChatGPT-generated images, which are influenced by the aesthetic work of Studio Ghibli, a Japanese animation studio. The token gained viral traction shortly after its launch on March 25, 2025, via the @ghibli account on X.Riding a wave of community-generated content on social media, particularly X, GHIBLI saw a sharp price rise, peaking at $0.03918 on March 28, 2025, before declining to $0.0033 by April 7. During this period, its market capitalization fell from $39.179 million to $3.37 million. In its first 24 hours, the GHIBLI/SOL trading pair jumped 37%, signaling strong investor interest. Some traders view this as a hopeful signal for the memecoin sector, which has slumped by more than 50% since December 2024. The total token supply of GHIBLI memecoin is capped at 1 billion, with over 999 million currently in circulation.Studio Ghibli, founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki, is known for its meticulously hand-drawn animation, richly detailed backgrounds and emotional storytelling. By April 7, 2024, the studio had produced 22 full-length animated features. Some well-known films by the studio include Grave of the Fireflies (1998), Spirited Away (2001) and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013).GHIBLI reflects the emerging pattern of memecoins driven by cultural references and movements. It follows in the footsteps of the CHILLGUY token launched on the Solana blockchain on Nov. 15, leveraging the viral “Just a chill guy” meme. By Nov. 27, CHILLGUY propelled to a $643-million market capitalization, though its value sharply declined later. Memecoins are cryptocurrencies that take a humorous jab at mainstream cryptocurrencies and their disruptive aspirations against traditional finance. Their very existence stems from viral internet memes. Since the introduction of ChatGPT’s image generation feature, several memecoins linked to the feature have emerged on the Solana and Ethereum blockchains.Did you know? The studio’s name, “Ghibli,” is derived from a Libyan Arabic word meaning a hot desert wind. How to buy GHIBLI on a Solana-based DEX To purchase GHIBLI memecoin on a Solana-based DEX, you need to set up a wallet, acquire SOL, connect to a DEX, and swap SOL for GHIBLI.Here is a step-by-step guide on how to purchase GHIBLI memecoin on a Solana-based decentralized exchange (DEX):Step 1: Set up a cryptocurrency walletInstall Trust Wallet by downloading it from the official Trust Wallet website or Google Play Store.Complete the setup process.Securely store your seed phrase. It is essential to recover your wallet if any issues arise.Step 2: Acquire SOL and transfer it to your walletPurchase Solana (SOL) on a centralized exchange like Binance or another platform that facilitates SOL trading.Transfer the SOL to your Trust Wallet address via the Solana network. Step 3: Connect to a DEXVisit a Solana-supported DEX.Connect your Trust Wallet to the platform.Step 4: Purchase GHIBLIAfter connecting your wallet, locate a trading pair like SOL/USDT or SOL/GHIBLI on the DEX.Specify how much SOL you want to swap for GHIBLI and finalize the transaction.Once the swap is complete, the GHIBLI tokens will appear in your Trust Wallet.Did you know? Studio Ghibli, known for its whimsical and dreamlike animation style, puts a strong emphasis on hand-drawn animation, even in the digital age. GHIBLI memecoins — From AI art to crypto craze The rise of GHIBLI memecoins began with the viral impact of OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4o update on March 25, 2025. This update introduced a unique feature that allowed users to transform regular images into the iconic art style of Studio Ghibli. GHIBLI represents a growing trend of anime-themed tokens gaining traction, fueled by increasing interest in both Japanese animation and AI-generated art. Days after the launch of GHIBLI anime images, an overwhelming number of users, including influencers and politicians, started using ChatGPT to transform their images into art. This intense interest in the new image-generation capability resulted in an 11% increase in global downloads and a 5% rise in weekly active users compared to the previous week of launch, while in-app purchase revenue also grew by 6%. According to data from market research firm Similarweb, the number of average weekly active users breached the 150 million mark for the first time in 2025. The extensive demand placed a significant load on OpenAI’s servers, leading to temporary restrictions on users accessing the tool.As Ghibli-style images flooded social media, the Ghiblification phenomenon quickly inspired a new wave of anime-themed memecoins. These tokens, themed after Studio Ghibli’s timeless creations like Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s Delivery Service, captured the imagination of crypto enthusiasts. Rather than offering traditional utility, Ghibli memecoins thrive on cultural nostalgia and online hype.Leading the movement is GHIBLI, which became the face of the trend. What began as a viral AI art trend soon evolved into a full-blown crypto sensation, transforming playful creativity into market momentum almost overnight.Interestingly, similar memecoins failed to gain traction. For instance, Ghibli Rizzler (GRIZLLER) attained a market capitalization of $6,000, while Ghibli Sigma (GIGMA) and Ghibli Mona Lisa (GLISA) fared even worse, reaching meager market caps of just $4,200 and $3,800, respectively.Most memecoins are created anonymously, making it very difficult to verify if they are legitimate or safe investments. Only investors with advanced Web3 skills can access the vetting methods necessary to determine the legitimacy of these projects, as the available vetting tools primarily require a high level of Web3 expertise.Did you know? Sam Altman, founder and CEO of OpenAI, has suggested an upcoming version of the feature, which will be more advanced than the current one. No wonder the next version of the anime images tool propels another memecoin spree. What fueled the GHIBLI memecoin surge? The way GHIBLI memecoin prices fluctuate isn’t just by chance; it’s driven by a blend of cutting-edge technology, celebrity buzz and a market eager to chase the next big trend.Backing by top tech influencersTech influencers like Sam Altman and Elon Musk helped amplify the trend. On March 27, 2025, just after the launch of the GHIBLI feature — Musk posted a hilarious image of himself as Rafiki from The Lion King, raising a Dogecoin mascot in the air. That post alone triggered massive attention for Ghibli-themed tokens.Five days later, on April 6, Altman also posted a playful Ghibli-themed image on X, giving another push to the image-generating feature.Joining the Ghibli trend, Binance co-founder and ex-CEO Changpeng Zhao updated his X profile picture in the style of the animation studio. White House crypto czar David Sacks also participated, sharing a Ghibli-esque image of himself with the US president working in the office.Massive market gainsPost-launch, GHIBLI experienced a sharp rise in value, exceeding 40,000% within a 24-hour period. Getting listed on exchanges like Gate.io and Binance Alpha added credibility to the token and sparked a wave of FOMO (fear of missing out) among investors eager for big returns.Emotional appealStudio Ghibli’s storytelling and beloved characters evoke strong emotional connections worldwide. Their timeless charm blends perfectly with the memecoin formula of fun, fandom and hype. For many, buying GHIBLI tokens feels like honoring their favorite anime memories while riding the wave of a hot trend.Vibrant communityOn social media, GHIBLI’s community is thriving. Users have been sharing memes, tips and posts out of excitement and are pumping the token in the process. The energy resembles the early Dogecoin (DOGE) days, though it has an anime twist with GHIBLI. Risk factors concerning GHIBLI memecoin Potential investors in GHIBLI should consider volatility, possible legal issues and the ethical considerations highlighted by Studio Ghibli’s leadership.Here’s what you need to know:Volatility and trend dependency: Ghibli memecoins, while currently popular, are highly susceptible to the transient nature of internet trends. Their value is closely tied to the trend of ghiblification. As this trend loses steam, the tokens’ appeal and market value are likely to go down as well. Historical precedents, such as the rapid rise and fall of memecoins like CHILLGUY, highlight the probability of significant losses after the initial excitement subsides.​Legal and ethical considerations: Studio Ghibli has a history of actively protecting its intellectual property. The studio has previously taken legal action against unauthorized use of its artwork, emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding its creations. The emergence of Ghibli-themed memecoins and AI-generated art raises concerns about potential copyright infringements. Studio Ghibli could pursue action against organizations that take advantage of its distinctive style without permission, especially if such use dilutes the brand value of the studio. ​Miyazaki’s stance on AI and artistic integrity: Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, strongly disapproves of AI-generated art. In a 2016 documentary, he described such creations as “an insult to life itself,” underscoring his belief that AI cannot capture the depth of human experience essential to authentic artistry. This perspective adds an ethical dimension to the proliferation of AI-generated Ghibli-style images and related memecoins.​ How to do spot trading of GHIBLI GHIBLI has been listed on centralized exchanges such as Gate.io and Kraken for spot trading. For spot trading on centralized exchanges, you must deposit funds on the exchange or purchase stablecoins such as Tether’s USDt (USDT) or USDC (USDC). You navigate to the “Spot Trading” page, select a trading pair, and execute trades using market or limit orders.Here is the process for spot trading in more detail:Create an account: If you don’t have one, create an account on the exchange.Deposit funds: Deposit funds into your Gate.io account using an approved method or purchase compatible stablecoins.Navigate to spot trading: Go to the “Spot Trading” page on the platform.Select a trading pair: Select the cryptocurrency pair you want to trade (e.g., GHIBLI/USDC).Place orders: You have two options: market order and limit order. With a market order, you can execute a trade at the current market price, whereas with a limit order, you can set a specific price for buying or selling.Monitor and close positions: Monitor your trades and close your positions when desired. Caution! Centralized exchanges carry risks — hacks have cost billions (e.g., Mt. Gox in 2014 and Bybit hack in 2025), liquidity can dry up during volatility, and regulatory shifts may freeze funds. Verify platform security, fees and withdrawal limits before committing. Research GHIBLI’s volatility and exchange reputation to avoid losses.Moreover, memecoins like TRUMP and GHIBLI carry risks: Their hype-driven volatility can lead to rapid losses, and scams or rug pulls often target uninformed investors. Therefore, with full self-ownership, always protect your keys and funds; scams exploit the unwary.

on April 10, 2025 at 10:53 am

Ksenia Karelina has been released in a swap with the United States for a German-Russian citizen accused of exporting sensitive US electronics for use in Russia's military.

by Paul Johnson on April 10, 2025 at 10:44 am

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has taken credit for major party policies during a blistering and rare appearance on 7.30, where she also said she has no regrets in her political career.

by Sam Parry on April 10, 2025 at 10:30 am

The Northern Territory government has carved up a domestic violence forum to "focus on doing" but Aboriginal medical services have warned it "risks taking a step backward".

by Cointelegraph by William Suberg on April 10, 2025 at 10:27 am

Bitcoin (BTC) risks becoming part of a “classic bull trap” when the US-China trade war takes its next step, analysis warns.In its latest bulletin to Telegram channel subscribers on April 10, trading firm QCP Capital cautioned over the latest crypto price rebound.QCP: Chinese “countermeasures” may leave crypto bulls strandedBitcoin and altcoins joined global stock markets in rallying over the past 24 hours thanks to a decision by US President Donald Trump to pause many of his new trade tariffs.China was a clear exception to the policy, with Trump doubling down on those tariffs while alleviating pressure on other countries. For QCP, now is the time not for relief, but to brace for China’s next move.“With China singled out so explicitly, market participants are bracing for Beijing’s counterpunch,” it said. “Should retaliation materialise in force, the exuberant rally could quickly morph into a classic bull trap.”BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewSuch a scenario would form a repeat of market behavior already seen this week. As Cointelegraph reported, an earlier rumor of a tariff pause that failed to find official confirmation sparked whipsaw stock moves never seen before.“The surprise policy pivot temporarily soothed market anxiety, driving short-end crypto vols lower. Still, we advocate caution,” QCP continued. “Our desk continues to observe topside selling in May and June, suggesting that market makers are using the rally as an opportunity to offload unwanted positions.”Bitcoin to get “meaningful slice” of yuan outflowsOthers noted potential tailwinds for Bitcoin in the form of Chinese yuan devaluation as a stopgap measure in the trade dispute. USD/CNY hit 18-year lows of 7.35 on the day.Related: Crypto stocks see big gains alongside US stock market reboundNo deal, PBOC continues a very gradual yuan weakening. Shit ‘bout to get spicy. Luckily $BTC loves money printing and associated ccy weakness. pic.twitter.com/RcVkSj54O3— Arthur Hayes (@CryptoHayes) April 10, 2025“China beginning currency devaluation is more than just an economic signal—it’s a trigger,” Sina, co-founder of asset management firm 21st Capital, told X followers in part of a post on the topic. “Historically, when the yuan weakens, capital doesn’t stay put. It escapes. Some of it flows into gold, some into foreign assets—and a meaningful slice finds its way into Bitcoin.”USD/CNY 1-month chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewSina suggested that the macroeconomic reality would make BTC exposure more attractive going forward.“Now layer on rising tariffs, slowing global trade, and a deepening crisis of confidence in traditional financial systems. The result? A growing demand for neutral, borderless, incorruptible assets,” he concluded. “Bitcoin isn’t just a hedge anymore. It’s becoming a necessity in a world looking for stability outside the control of any one nation.”In subsequent discussions, he acknowledged that Bitcoin had probably not yet seen a long-term price bottom.Previously, Cointelegraph reported on various BTC price targets for a sustained rebound, with many of these focusing on $70,000.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 10, 2025 at 10:10 am

When President Trump announced the 90-day pause in combination with the increase in tariffs against China, there was a background element missed by many. At the moment President Trump triggered the public announcement, U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer was testifying to congress. President Trump is not a jerk.  Donald Trump would not put a top The post Background Details of Trump Global Trade Reset Highlight Secretary Bessent as Key, For Now appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Yohan Yun on April 10, 2025 at 10:00 am

Over the past decade, issuance of Tether’s USDt (USDT) has consistently mirrored Bitcoin (BTC) price cycles, with mints often clustering around bull runs and burns following corrections.Data from Whale Alert shows the relation between USDT issuance and Bitcoin price movements by plotting Tether’s net minting and burning alongside the price of Bitcoin from 2015 to early 2025. While many in the industry have long speculated about the correlation between USDT supply and BTC performance, this data set provides a clearer timeline for evaluating that relationship.Tether’s USDT, the world’s largest stablecoin with over $144 billion in market capitalization, has become a key liquidity vehicle in crypto markets and is often viewed as a proxy for broader capital inflows. The data from Whale Alert reinforces how tightly its issuance patterns track with Bitcoin’s price cycles, though the direction of causality remains up for debate.Large issuances of USDT coincide with Bitcoin price spikes. Source: Whale AlertAccording to crypto analyst and researcher Mads Eberhardt, a greater supply of stablecoins — including Tether — has historically correlated with positive performance in crypto markets. This relationship is also evident when looking at Tether’s mint and burn chart over time.“However, it’s important to note that we have not observed this correlation over the past few months,” Eberhardt said. “I expect that as stablecoins see increasing adoption in non-native crypto use cases, this correlation will gradually weaken over time.”USDT issuance and Bitcoin price spikesWhale Alert’s data shows a consistent pattern of periods of aggressive USDT minting frequently coinciding with or closely preceding major Bitcoin bull runs. This was also apparent in late 2020 and throughout 2024 when net new USDT issuance climbed into the tens of billions as Bitcoin’s price accelerated upward.A series of large USDT mints in late October and November 2024 accompanied Bitcoin’s rise from $66,700 to over $106,000. Source: Whale AlertIn a more recent example, Bitcoin went on a bull run from $66,700 on Oct. 25, 2024, to over $106,000 on Dec. 16. The first significant mint in this cycle was a $1-billion issuance at the end of BTC’s trip to $72,000 on Oct. 30, before a short-lived correction. Bitcoin had another climb from $65,000 to $75,000, with another $6 billion minted at the end of this rally on Nov. 6. Bitcoin posted moderate gains over the next three days, during which Tether minted an additional $6 billion in two batches. This was followed by a sharp rally that pushed Bitcoin to $88,000.A mint of $6 billion on Nov. 18 marked the beginning of Bitcoin’s next leg up, kicking off a rally that pushed the price to just under $99,000 by Nov. 22. In the same stretch, Tether issued another $9 billion in three separate batches. Another mint of $7 billion on Nov. 23 came just before a brief pullback and Bitcoin’s ultimate surge to $106,000 by Dec. 17.The timing of USDT mints in late 2024 suggests that issuance can serve as a near-term signal of rising demand — but not necessarily as a pure leading indicator.With USDT now over a decade old since its 2014 launch, its role in Bitcoin price cycles is dwindling, Ki Young Ju, CEO of blockchain analytics firm CryptoQuant, told Cointelegraph.“Most of the new liquidity entering the Bitcoin market today is coming through MSTR and [exchange-traded funds], primarily via Coinbase’s BTC/USD market or [over-the-counter] desks. Stablecoins are no longer an important signal for determining Bitcoin’s market direction,” Ju said.“In fact, the total amount of stablecoins held on exchanges is lower than it was during the 2021 bull market,” he added.Total stablecoins held on exchanges today is lower than it was during the 2021 bull market. Source: CryptoQuantIn many of the observed cases, the largest mints occurred during or after price momentum was already underway. For example, the $6-billion mint on Nov. 6 came after Bitcoin had already rebounded from $65,000 to $75,000. Similarly, more than $15 billion in USDT was minted between Nov. 18 and 23 amid rapid upward price action rather than ahead of it.That said, there are several notable exceptions. A pair of mints totaling $7 billion around Nov. 13 and the $7 billion minted on Nov. 23 appeared shortly before fresh rallies, indicating that in some cases, large issuances may anticipate or help catalyze further price movement.“These days, most newly issued stablecoin liquidity is either for global trade settlements or represents profits from Bitcoin’s rise being converted into liquid form, which increases market cap — not necessarily fresh inflows,” Ju said.Related: Trump ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs create chaos in markets, recession concernsUSDT burns and lag behind Bitcoin correctionsConversely, periods of sustained USDT burns — when USDT is removed from circulation — often occur during or shortly after market corrections. This pattern suggests that redemptions tend to follow price pullbacks.This was visible in the weeks after Bitcoin’s December 2024 peak above $106,000. As BTC declined through January and into March 2025, several red bars — representing USDT burns — appeared on the chart.Dec. 26, 2024: A major USDT burn of $3.67 billion occurs just after Bitcoin drops from around $106,000 to $95,713.Dec. 30, 2025: A smaller burn of $2 billion follows as Bitcoin continues to decline toward the $92,000 level. Jan. 10, 2025: A $2.5-billion USDT mint occurs before Bitcoin rebounds to over $106,000.Feb. 28: Another $2 billion in USDT is burned following a month-long decline from Bitcoin’s six-digit peaks to around $84,000.Unlike mints, burns rarely precede downward moves in the same way that some mints appear in front-run rallies. Instead, they tend to confirm what’s already underway. This makes them useful for tracking post-peak behavior and assessing the scale of market cooling, rather than identifying tops in real time.Such patterns are observed throughout USDT’s existence, including a record-breaking $20-billion USDT burn on June 20, 2022, when Bitcoin tumbled from over $65,000 to around $21,000.However, experts agree that burns don’t offer definite post-peak signals. “Currently, we have no evidence of a correlation between burns and market tops, nor as a lagging indicator,” Jos Lazet, founder and CEO of asset management firm Blockrise, told Cointelegraph.Shifting stablecoin landscape impacting the USDT and Bitcoin relationshipWhile historical data shows a clear relationship between USDT supply changes and Bitcoin price movements, there are several factors that impact the price of Bitcoin, and the industry has yet to find concrete evidence that suggests USDT issuance directly influences the price of Bitcoin, or if they flow directly into Bitcoin.“It is not feasible to relate USDT supply (or minting) to a specific trading volume, as the majority of the trading against stablecoins happens on centralized exchanges, especially relating to Bitcoin,” Lazet said.“What can be easily seen is that the (far) majority of the trading volume relates to Bitcoin, and similarly the Bitcoin trading volume is largely done against USDT. However it (probably) won't be feasible to directly correlate these events.”While the connection between USDT issuance and Bitcoin price action remains debated, external forces could soon reshape how stablecoins interact with crypto markets. The Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) framework places new compliance requirements on stablecoin issuers operating within the European Union. As a result, several exchanges have announced the delisting of USDT from their platforms. In the US, the proposed legislation could also reshape how centralized stablecoins like USDT are issued, backed and redeemed. Increased regulatory scrutiny may reduce the flexibility and responsiveness of issuers or prompt a shift toward more compliant alternatives.Related: Stablecoin adoption grows with new US bills, Japan’s open approachAt the same time, competition is intensifying. Rivals like USDC (USDC), with a strong compliance posture, are gaining ground, especially among institutions. USDC lost a chunk of its market cap in 2022 and 2023 following the Silicon Valley Bank debacle, dropping from around $56 billion to around $24 billion. Since then, it has recovered to an all-time high market capitalization of over $60 billion at the time of writing.USDC market capitalization has recovered to an all-time high. Source: CoinGeckoMeanwhile, decentralized stablecoins such as Dai (DAI) are appealing to decentralized finance-native users who prioritize censorship resistance and onchain transparency.Tether’s influence on Bitcoin and the broader crypto market remains significant. But whether USDT mints and burns will continue to serve as reliable indicators of capital flow in the coming years will be influenced by how regulatory forces, user preferences and infrastructure developments reshape the stablecoin landscape.Magazine: New ‘MemeStrategy’ Bitcoin firm by 9GAG, jailed CEO’s $3.5M bonus: Asia Express

by Cointelegraph by Helen Partz on April 10, 2025 at 9:50 am

Jack Dorsey, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur and former Twitter CEO, is encouraging Signal Messenger to integrate Bitcoin for peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, a move that could shift the platform’s crypto strategy away from altcoins.“Signal should use Bitcoin for P2P payments,” Dorsey wrote on X on April 9, replying to a post by Bitcoin developer Calle, who suggested that Bitcoin (BTC) would be a perfect fit for Signal’s private communication channel.Source: Jack DorseyDorsey’s call to action was echoed by other industry leaders, including former PayPal president David Marcus, who wrote that “all non-transactional apps should connect to Bitcoin.”The endorsements reflect a growing push to promote Bitcoin as a functional payment system rather than just digital gold or a pure store of value, which alone — according to Dorsey — won’t ensure the success of BTC.Signal offers payments with Sentz, formerly MobileCoinFounded in 2014, Signal is an open-source, encrypted messaging service for instant messaging, voice calls and video calls.The messenger currently offers in-app payments in MobileCoin (MTCN), a privacy-focused ERC-20 token, which rebranded to Sentz in November 2023.Signal’s website mentions the old name of Sentz (MobileCoin) as the only supported cryptocurrency within the messenger. Source: SignalBacked by high-profile industry players like BlockTower Capital and Coinbase Ventures, Sentz was founded in 2017 by Josh Goldbard and Shane Glyn to enable a “fast, private, and easy-to-use cryptocurrency.”Related: Kraken taps Mastercard to launch crypto debit cards in Europe, UKSignal came under fire over its MobileCoin integration in 2021, with many raising concerns over potential ties between Signal’s founder and MTCN, opacity around its issuance and suspicious gains leading up to the partnership’s announcement.Cointelegraph reached out to Signal regarding potential plans to integrate Bitcoin but had not received a response as of publication.Social media apps historically pushed altcoinsSignal is far from being alone in pushing altcoin payments instead of offering its users payments in Bitcoin, which is designed for P2P payments as its core use case, according to its anonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.Although former PayPal president Marcus is now advocating for Bitcoin usage by all non-transactional apps, he previously led Meta’s (formerly Facebook) project developing the firm’s own payment cryptocurrency, initially known as Libra, which eventually failed.Source: DogeDesignerTelegram, another messenger popular in the community, has also been aggressively pushing its ecosystem to use Toncoin (TON), a crypto asset linked to Telegram founders, though not technically managed by Telegram.Elon Musk’s “everything app” X has also been suspected of planning to launch its own coin for a long time, but Musk publicly denied that in August 2023.Magazine: 3 reasons Ethereum could turn a corner: Kain Warwick, X Hall of Flame

by Ilham Issak on April 10, 2025 at 9:35 am

The ongoing US-China trade war is taking its toll on Beijing. But here's how China is softening the blow, and how it could hit back against US tariffs. 

by Luke Pentony on April 10, 2025 at 9:21 am

With the aid of a tailwind over the legal limit, Gout Gout runs 9.99 seconds in both his heat and final in the U20 100 metres at the Australian Athletics Championships in Perth.

by Cointelegraph by Ezra Reguerra on April 10, 2025 at 9:17 am

The Synthetix protocol’s native stablecoin, Synthetix USD (sUSD), fell to its lowest value in five years, extending a months-long struggle to maintain its $1 peg.The asset has faced persistent instability since the start of 2025. On Jan. 1, sUSD dropped to $0.96 and only rebounded to $0.99 in early February. Prices continued to fluctuate through February before stabilizing in March.On April 10, sUSD fell to a five-year low of $0.83, according to data from CoinGecko.SUSD is a crypto-collateralized stablecoin. Users lock up SNX tokens to mint sUSD, making its stability highly dependent on the market value of SNX.1-month price chart of Synthetix USD stablecoin. Source: CoinGeckoSynthetix USD’s “death spiral” risksWhen the sUSD token dropped to $0.91 on April 1, Rob Schmitt, the co-founder of the risk tokenization platform Cork Protocol, explained the potential “death spiral scenario” of the stablecoin. Schmitt said the stablecoin’s design shares similarities with Terra’s TerraUSD (UST) stablecoin, which collapsed in 2022. While he noted key differences in collateralization and debt management, Schmitt said the fundamental risk remains:“The death spiral scenario remains the same though, if the value of SNX drops sufficiently, sUSD is no longer fully backed. If fear of sUSD being unbacked triggers users to redeem sUSD for SNX and sell this, it creates further downwards pressure on SNX, creating a cascading deleveraging event.”Despite the concern, Schmitt emphasized that such a collapse is unlikely due to Synthetix’s $30 million treasury, which holds about half of the outstanding sUSD debt. He said this reserve could be deployed against a spiral scenario.“The biggest factor why sUSD won’t death spiral is because the Synthetix treasury hodls about $30 million of sUSD, which is about half the outstanding debt. To avoid a death spiral, this sUSD can be unwound,” Schmitt wrote. Synthetix founder Kain Warwick previously responded to the dips, saying that while he had feared a death spiral during the last seven years, he sleeps “great” these days. He explained that the dips happened because the primary driver of sUSD buying had been removed. “New mechanisms are being introduced but in this transition there will be some volatility,” Warwick wrote. The Synthetix founder added that since sUSD is a pure crypto collateralized stablecoin, the peg can drift. However, the executive said there are mechanisms to push it back in line if it goes above or below its peg. “These mechanisms are being transitioned right now, hence the drift,” Warwick added. Cointelegraph approached Warwick for further comment but had not heard back by publication. Related: Ukraine floats 23% tax on some crypto income, exemptions for stablecoinsStablecoin loses dollar peg amid market sell-offApart from sUSD, another stablecoin has also recently strayed from its dollar pegs as the crypto market has seen downturns. On April 7, Synnax Stablecoin (syUSD) dropped to $0.94. The project said concentrated sell activities temporarily caused a “slight deviation” from its dollar peg. The project said it was working on implementing a fully open redemption system. Magazine: 3 reasons Ethereum could turn a corner: Kain Warwick, X Hall of Flame

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 10, 2025 at 9:03 am

Bybit’s market share has rebounded to pre-hack levels following a $1.4 billion exploit in February, as the crypto exchange implements tighter security and improves liquidity options for retail traders.The crypto industry was rocked by its largest hack in history on Feb. 21 when Bybit lost over $1.4 billion in liquid-staked Ether (stETH), Mantle Staked ETH (mETH) and other digital assets.Despite the scale of the exploit, Bybit has steadily regained market share, according to an April 9 report by crypto analytics firm Block Scholes.“Since this initial decline, Bybit has steadily regained market share as it works to repair sentiment and as volumes return to the exchange,” the report stated.Block Scholes said Bybit’s proportional share rose from a post-hack low of 4% to about 7%, reflecting a strong and stable recovery in spot market activity and trading volumes.Bybit’s spot volume market share as a proportion of the market share of the top 20 CEXs. Source: Block ScholesThe hack occurred amid a “broader trend of macro de-risking that began prior to the event,” which signals that Bybit’s initial decline in trading volume was not solely due to the exploit.Related: Can Ether recover above $3K after Bybit’s massive $1.4B hack?It took the Bybit hackers 10 days to launder all the stolen Bybit funds through the decentralized crosschain protocol THORChain, Cointelegraph reported on March 4.Source: Ben ZhouDespite efforts, 89% of the stolen $1.4 billion was traceable by blockchain analytics experts.Related: THORChain generates $5M in fees, $5.4B in volume since Bybit hackLazarus Group’s 2024 pause was repositioning for Bybit hackBlockchain security firms, including Arkham Intelligence, have identified North Korea’s Lazarus Group as the likely culprit behind the Bybit exploit, as the attackers have continued swapping the funds in an effort to render them untraceable.Illicit activity tied to North Korean cyber actors declined after July 1, 2024, despite a surge in attacks earlier that year, according to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis.The slowdown in crypto hacks by North Korean agents had raised significant red flags, according to Eric Jardine, Chainalysis cybercrimes research Lead.North Korean hacking activity before and after July 1. Source: ChainalysisNorth Korea’s slowdown “started when Russia and DPRK [North Korea] met for their summit that led to a reallocation of North Korean resources, including military personnel to the war in Ukraine,” Jardine told Cointelegraph during the Chainreaction show on March 26, adding:“So, we speculated in the report that there might have been additional things unseen in terms of resources reallocation from the DPRK, and then you roll forward into early February, and you have the Bybit hack.”https://t.co/jOlqMt4Hag— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) March 26, 2025The Bybit attack highlights that even centralized exchanges with strong security measures remain vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks, analysts said.The attack shares similarities with the $230 million WazirX hack and the $58 million Radiant Capital hack, according to Meir Dolev, co-founder and chief technical officer at Cyvers.Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions

by Liam O'Connell on April 10, 2025 at 8:58 am

People leaving fish and pig carcasses at boat ramps along a crocodile-infested river in Queensland are being warned they are putting lives at risk.

by Chris De Silva on April 10, 2025 at 8:09 am

Patrick Dangerfield and Jeremy Cameron dominate the last quarter as Geelong overturns a 30-point deficit to overrun Adelaide in a thrilling Gather Round opener at the Adelaide Oval.

by Elizabeth Byrne on April 10, 2025 at 7:51 am

A 19-year-old man is sentenced to nearly seven years jail after pleading guilty to five counts of aggravated rape, one act of indecency and a threat to kill committed against a 14-year-old girl over five days.

by Michael Doyle on April 10, 2025 at 7:33 am

The Penrith Panthers will need to rewrite the record books in 2025 if they are to continue their historic success and claim a fifth-straight premiership. 

by Charmayne Allison on April 10, 2025 at 7:30 am

Authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze, and whether there were "any fire safety non-compliances".

by Shari Hams and Mikaela Ortolan on April 10, 2025 at 7:29 am

Monash IVF has apologised after a woman unknowingly gave birth to a stranger's baby after the wrong embryo was transferred.

on April 10, 2025 at 7:26 am

The NRL is playing a double-header in Perth on Saturday, with a major supporter group saying a backlash is expected as talks of a West Australian team are put on hold.

by Duncan Bailey on April 10, 2025 at 7:23 am

More than 30 premises were targeted in raids across the Eyre Peninsula and the Mid-North region.  

by Nathan Morris and Catherine McAloon on April 10, 2025 at 7:21 am

Regional leaders are welcoming the Coalition's pledge for a $20 billion regional future fund, but say it can't be another "exercise in bureaucracy".

by Xanthe Gregory and Joanna Woodburn on April 10, 2025 at 7:07 am

Levels of "forever chemical" PFOS downstream of the composting site are more than 650 times above ecological water guidelines.

by Jess Scully on April 10, 2025 at 7:00 am

NSW Police flew to New Zealand on Monday and have returned with the 46-year-old accused.

by Brett Worthington on April 10, 2025 at 6:54 am

The prime minister tried to turn around Labor's fortunes in Queensland, the opposition leader visited a must-win Melbourne seat and a deadline looms in the NSW seat of Whitlam. 

by Tim Fookes and Lani Oataway on April 10, 2025 at 6:50 am

The pilot was delivering the Bathurst 1000 trophy to the track on Mount Panorama last year when the violations occurred, investigators have found.

by Tom Saunders on April 10, 2025 at 6:33 am

Since last August, Australia has baked through above-average temperatures and the BOM is predicting another winter of unseasonable heat.

by Cointelegraph by Ciaran Lyons on April 10, 2025 at 6:23 am

Crypto stocks have surged as part of a broader recovery in the US stock market on April 9 following President Donald Trump’s 90-day pause on sweeping global tariffs.The Wednesday, April 9 trading day closed with Michael Saylor’s Strategy up 24.76% to $296.86, while crypto exchange Coinbase (COIN) closed up 17% to $177.09, according to Google Finance data.Crypto mining companies also saw gains, with MARA Holdings (MARA) up 17%, Cipher Platforms (CIFR) up 16.59%, and Riot Platforms (RIOT) rising 12.77%.Michael Saylor’s Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, surged 24.76% during the trading day. Source: Google FinanceMost of the gains in crypto stocks and the broader US market came in the final three hours of the day's trading session, spurred by an afternoon post from Trump on his social media platform, Truth Social. In the post, Trump announced a 90-day pause on his global “reciprocal tariffs,” instead lowering the tariff rate to 10% on every country besides China, which he increased to 125% due to the country’s counter-tariffs against the US.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, according to reports. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq 100 posted a 12.02% gain over the trading day.APAC markets and Bitcoin see gainsAsia Pacific markets saw an uptick as trading began on Thursday, April 10, local time. Australia’s ASX 200 index is up 4.55% at the time of writing, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 opened the trading day almost 10% higher.Related: Bitcoin, stocks crumble after ’90 day tariff pause’ deemed fake news — BTC whales keep accumulatingAlthough Trump’s initial mention of tariffs in early February shook the markets and was a key catalyst in Bitcoin dropping below the $100,000 price level, it was his major escalation in early April that triggered significant volatility across the markets.On April 4, the US stock market lost $3.25 trillion — around $570 billion more than the entire crypto market’s $2.68 trillion valuation at the time of publication. It came only two days after Trump signed an executive order establishing reciprocal tariffs on trading partners and a 10% baseline tariff on all imports from all countries.Meanwhile, Bitcoin (BTC) has also experienced an uptrend. At the time of publication, Bitcoin is trading 7.52% higher than 24 hours ago, at $82,065, according to CoinMarketCap data.Magazine: 3 reasons Ethereum could turn a corner: Kain Warwick, X Hall of FlameThis article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

by Cointelegraph by Stephen Katte on April 10, 2025 at 6:08 am

Non-fungible token marketplace OpenSea has urged the US Securities and Exchange Commission to exclude NFT marketplaces from regulation under federal securities laws.The SEC needs to “clearly state that NFT marketplaces like OpenSea do not qualify as exchanges under federal securities laws,” OpenSea general counsel Adele Faure and deputy general counsel Laura Brookover said in an April 9 letter to Commissioner Hester Peirce, who leads the agency’s Crypto Task Force.Faure and Brookover argued that NFT marketplaces don’t meet the legal definition of an exchange under US securities laws as they don’t execute transactions, act as intermediaries or bring together multiple sellers for the same asset.“The Commission’s past enforcement agenda has created uncertainty. We therefore urge the Commission to remove this uncertainty and protect the ability of US technology companies to lead in this space,” Faure and Brookover wrote.OpenSea’s legal team has asked the SEC to issue informal guidance on NFT Marketplaces. Source: SEC“In preparing this guidance, the Crypto Task Force should specifically address the application of exchange regulations to marketplaces for non-fungible assets, similar to the recent staff statements on memecoins and stablecoins,” Faure and Brookover added. Under a notice published on April 4, the SEC said stablecoins that meet specific criteria are considered “non-securities” and are exempt from transaction reporting requirements.Meanwhile, the SEC’s division of corporation finance said in a Feb. 27 staff statement that memecoins are not securities under the federal securities laws but are more akin to collectibles.NFT marketplaces don’t fit broker definition, says OpenSeaFaure and Brookover argued the Crypto Task Force should also exempt NFT marketplaces like OpenSea from having to register as a broker, arguing they don’t give investment advice, execute transactions, or custody customer assets.“We ask the SEC to clear the existing industry confusion on this issue by publishing informal guidance. In the longer term, we invite the Commission to exempt NFT marketplaces like OpenSea from proposed broker regulation,” they said.Related: OpenSea pauses airdrop reward system after user backlashUnder the Trump administration, the SEC has slowly been walking back its hardline stance toward crypto forged under former Chair Gary Gensler.The regulator has dismissed a number of enforcement actions it previously launched against crypto firms and has dropped probes into crypto companies over alleged securities law violations, including one into OpenSea.Magazine: Trump-Biden bet led to obsession with ‘idiotic’ NFTs —Batsoupyum, NFT Collector

by Xanthe Gregory on April 10, 2025 at 5:57 am

A stretch of the Great Western Highway that cost almost $100 million per kilometre to build has opened, but some say it is completely pointless without the tunnel it was meant to service.

by Tom Lowrey on April 10, 2025 at 5:56 am

Shadow energy minister Ted O'Brien said climate targets would be reviewed under a Coalition government, but insists the party is committed to the Paris agreement.

by Emily Clark on April 10, 2025 at 5:52 am

New Zealand's Treaty Principles Bill has been voted down in the country's parliament, killing off the controversial piece of proposed legislation. 

by Cointelegraph by Biraajmaan Tamuly on April 10, 2025 at 5:51 am

XRP has struggled to find sustained bullish momentum since reaching its cycle peak at $3.40 on Jan. 16, 2025. XRP (XRP) dropped as much as 46% over the past three months, but despite its recent drawdown, Glassnode data indicates that 81.6% of XRP’s current circulating supply remains in profit. While the profit supply percentage is down from its year-to-date high of 92%, the data set highlighted the retention value for holders despite the recent corrections. Percentage Supply in Profit for XRP, BTC, SOL ETH, TRX. Source: X.comCurrently, only Tron (TRX) has a higher profitable supply with 84.6%, while Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH) and Solana (SOL) exhibited 76.8%, 44.9% and 31.6%, respectively.Analyst says Korean XRP traders are bearishData shows traders in Korea played a significant role in buying the first XRP dip below $2 on Feb. 3. Investors on Upbit and Bybit exchange filled their bids below $2, pushing the altcoin’s value back to $2.89 on Feb. 13. However, the sentiment has flipped over the past few days. Anonymous market analyst Dom pointed out that Korean traders executed 1.4 million trades on the XRP/KRW pair, with 62% being sell orders, resulting in a net sale of $120 million in XRP between April 6-7. XRP selling on Korean markets. Source: X.comThe data follows a trend of heavy selling from long-term whales and new investors as “retail confidence” in XRP continues to slip. Last week, Cointelegraph reported over $1 billion in positions being offloaded at an average price of $2.10Related: XRP price gains 13% after Trump 90-day tariff pause and XXRP ETF launchXRP’s higher time frame (HTF) chart lost its $2 support, dropping to a new yearly low of $1.61 on April 7, but the altcoin managed to reclaim this critical level on April 9. Even if XRP holds the $2 level, the price reflects a bearish market structure on multiple time frames. XRP 1-day chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewAs illustrated in the chart, XRP will potentially close a daily candle below its 200-day moving average (orange line), leading to a prolonged correction period over the next few weeks. The key demand zone remains between $1.63 and $1.27 (blue box), where a period of accumulation might unfold for the altcoin. Related: Ripple acquires crypto-friendly prime broker Hidden Road for $1.25BThis 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 Jordanna Schriever on April 10, 2025 at 5:48 am

The leader of a far-right neo-Nazi group has failed in his efforts to get the court to remove a 'radical' bail condition barring him from communicating with other members of the group. 

by Cointelegraph by Martin Young on April 10, 2025 at 5:41 am

Institutional crypto investment firm Bitwise has doubled down on its big Bitcoin price prediction for this year despite escalating global trade tensions.“In December, Bitwise predicted that Bitcoin would end the year at $200,000. I still think that’s in play,” Bitwise chief investment officer Matt Hougan said in an April 9 blog post. He suggested that the fallout from US President Donald Trump’s global tariff push could be beneficial for Bitcoin (BTC) and crypto because his administration “wants a weaker dollar, even if it means ending its role as the world’s reserve currency.”Hougan cited an April 7 speech by Steve Miran, chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, which criticized the dollar’s reserve status as causing “persistent currency distortions” and “unsustainable trade deficits” that have “decimated” US manufacturing.Hougan said a weaker greenback could have both short-term and long-term implications for Bitcoin. In the short term, dollar weakness historically correlates with Bitcoin strength, he added, citing the US Dollar Index (DXY). “Dollar down equals Bitcoin up,” Hougan said. “I expect this pattern will continue.”BTC prices have generally been historically high when DXY has been historically low. Source: MacroMicro The DXY, which compares the value of the US dollar to a basket of six major currencies, has fallen more than 7% since the beginning of 2025, according to TradingView. In the long term, Hougan said disruption to the global reserve currency system creates opportunities for alternative reserve assets, including Bitcoin and gold. “Governments and companies turn to the dollar for international trade precisely because of its stability. When that stability comes into question, they have to look elsewhere.”The Bitwise executive concluded that the world will move from a single reserve currency to a “more fractured reserve system, with hard money like Bitcoin and gold playing a bigger role than it does today.”Earlier this week, VanEck said that China and Russia were reportedly settling some energy trades in Bitcoin as Trump’s trade war ramps up.On April 9, Trump issued a 90-day pause on nearly all of his earlier announced “reciprocal tariffs,” keeping a baseline 10% tariff on all countries besides China, which he lumped with a 125% tariff.Bitcoin will be the fastest horse Crypto trader and analyst Will Clemente said on X that “Bitcoin will be the fastest horse” coming out of this drawdown. Related: Most opportune time to buy Bitcoin? Now — Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan explains why“It’s a pure reflection of liquidity and no earnings, if anything, economic uncertainty/deglobalization are positive for Bitcoin,” he added. BTC is up 7.5% over the past 24 hours to $81,700. It has seen a correction of around 32% from its Jan. 20 all-time high, in line with pullbacks in previous bull market cycles.Magazine: 3 reasons Ethereum could turn a corner: Kain Warwick, X Hall of Flame

by Cointelegraph by Nancy Lubale on April 10, 2025 at 5:05 am

Ether’s (ETH) most recent sell-off saw it lose the crucial $1,500 support level, and a number of technical indicators suggest that ETH may witness a deeper correction before embarking on a sustained recovery.Data shows Ether’s price dropped below its realized price — an onchain metric that recalculates the market value of a cryptocurrency based on the price at which each coin last moved on the blockchain.According to CryptoQuant contributor, theKriptolik, ETH price trading below this metric, which is historically a bearish sign. When the realized price is above the spot price, it usually acts as resistance and places “most holders suddenly in a loss position,” the analyst said.The analyst added:“Drops below the realized price often mark the capitulation phase, where investors lose confidence and begin selling en masse.”Ethereum realized price for accumulation addresses. Source: CryptoQuantIn June 2022, Ether’s realized price fell below the spot price, preceding a 51% drop in ETH price following the Terra Luna market crash. A similar scenario was witnessed in November 2022, when the metric fell below the price before Ether dropped 35% following the FTX collapse. Now that a similar scenario is playing out, the current setup loosely echoes those prior bearish continuation phases, with ETH price at risk of a deeper correction. Spot Ethereum ETF flows remain weakSpot Ethereum ETFs continue to weaken, with more than $3.3 million in net outflows on April 8. In fact, these investment products have recorded $94.1 million in outflows over the last two weeks against $13 million in inflows.The lack of investor interest is concerning, especially since institutional demand was considered a key part of Ether’s appeal and played a role in the gains accrued in May 2024 as investors bet on an ETF approval from the US Securities and Exchange Commission.Spot Ether ETF flows table. Source: Farside InvestorsThis is also reflected across all other Ether products, with the report from CoinShares pointing out that flows into Ethereum investment funds align with the bearishness seen across the market, with $37.4 million outflows recorded during the week ending April 4.ETH open interest is low, and funding rates are negativeAnother factor weighing Ether’s price down is the lack of enthusiasm in its derivatives market, evidenced by low open interest and negative funding rates. Open interest (OI)—the total number of outstanding futures and options contracts—remains low, indicating reduced trader participation and speculative activity. Currently, at $16.7 billion, the metric is 48% below its peak of $32.3 billion witnessed on Jan. 24.Declining OI signals waning investor confidence or interest, which can exacerbate the price decline as buying pressure dries up.ETH open interest across all exchanges. Source: CoinGlassCompounding this issue are negative funding rates in Ether’s perpetual futures markets, which are hovering below 0%, indicating that bearish sentiment dominates the market.Related: Ethereum whale sells ETH after 900 days, missing $27M possible peak profitWhen rates turn negative, it means shorts (bets against the price) are paying longs to keep their positions open, suggesting a dominance of bearish sentiment. ETH funding rates across all exchanges. Source: GlassnodeCompeting layer-1 blockchains outpace Ethereum network activityEthereum’s high gas fees offer an opportunity for competing layer-1 blockchains focusing on high scalability to eat into its market share in the space. While a fraction of the activity has moved to Ethereum layer-2 solutions, some users and developers opt for other top layer-1 alternatives such as the BNB Chain, Solana, Avalanche and Tron.As a result, Ethereum’s network activity growth has fallen behind that of its rivals. Top blockchains ranked by 24-hour DApps volume, USD. Source: DappRadarEthereum’s unique active wallets (UAW) — addresses engaging with decentralized applications (DApps) on the platform — declined by over 33% over the last 30 days compared to just a 16% decrease on Solana and a 16% increase on Tron.Similarly, the total number of transactions deployed on the Ethereum network dropped by 40.5% during the same period, while transactions on the BNB Chain, Solana and Avalanche decreased by 16%, 30% and 23%, respectively. Transactions on Tron and Fantom increased by 23% and 16%.There’s no indication that the factors weighing on Ether’s price — such as declining network activity and low demand for its spot ETF products — will reverse anytime soon. While this doesn’t guarantee that Ether’s price will remain in an extended downtrend, the technical setup suggests that ETH's price may bottom at $1,000.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 Brayden Lindrea on April 10, 2025 at 4:41 am

Solana non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace Magic Eden has acquired crypto trading app Slingshot as part of a strategy to expand beyond NFTs as other marketplaces fold amid a prolonged market downturn.The move expands Magic Eden's support to more than 8 million tokens across almost every major blockchain, the firm said in an April 9 X post.“No bridges. No CEXs. This is another major step towards our vision of providing the best platform to trade all assets, on all chains,” Magic Eden said.Source: Jack LuSlingshot has amassed nearly 1 million users to date, allowing users to access any token on 10 of the largest blockchains with a universal USDC (USDC) balance.Slingshot is one of several crypto platforms aiming to deliver full-chain abstraction — eliminating the need for users to choose the right wallet, ensure they have enough gas fees, find a trusted bridge and move funds — only then to buy the token they’re after.Magic Eden CEO Jack Lu hopes the integration will help shift more of the 500 million users still relying on centralized exchanges toward more crypto-native, onchain platforms.NFT marketplaces shutter as market lullsLu said that Magic Eden and Slingshot and Magic Eden will continue to operate independently but noted there will be “increasing connectivity” between the platforms over time.Lu also noted that Magic Eden made $75 million from its NFT marketplace in 2024 and hopes the Slingshot acquisition will help drive those numbers up even higher.Related: Bitcoin NFTs, layer-2 and restaking hype ‘completely gone’Magic Eden’s expansion comes as several NFT marketplaces have shuttered in recent months.DraftKings, GameStop and the crypto exchange Bybit all closed their NFT marketplaces, with Bybit citing falling NFT trading volumes in its April 8 announcement.X2Y2 also recently announced that its NFT marketplace would shut down on April 30 as the firm looks to pivot into artificial intelligence.NFT marketplaces have seen $1.6 billion worth of NFT sales across 14 million transactions so far in 2025, CryptoSlam data shows.However, monthly sales volume has fallen every single month in 2025, and the $1.6 billion is nowhere near on track to match the $8.9 billion total from 2024, let alone the record $23.7 billion seen in 2022.Magazine: Memecoins are ded — But Solana ‘100x better’ despite revenue plunge