Alternative News for You

by Cointelegraph by Aaron Wood on April 26, 2025 at 12:00 pm

World Liberty Financial (WLFI), the crypto firm associated with the family of US President Donald Trump, made waves when it debuted late last year.WLFI caused a stir when it launched ahead of the president’s inauguration. Observers have accused the project of front-running important crypto-related events, like the White House Crypto summit, and presenting a conflict of interest.Trump is in a unique position to influence outcomes that would affect his portfolio, but WLFI is not insulated from the broader market trends, which have seen crypto and stock prices drop amid significant macroeconomic concerns. The Trump administration will soon mark 100 days in office. Here’s what WLFI has been up to, and how the president’s crypto investments are shaking out.The “gold paper” for WLFI features flattering Trump imagery. Source: WLFIFounding and ownership of Trump’s crypto investment WLFI projectWLFI launched on Sept. 16, with then-President-elect Donald Trump announcing the move on X. Founded under the guidance of real estate magnate Steve Witkoff and his son Zach, the co-founders also include Chase Herro, a crypto investor and self-described “dirtbag of the internet,” and Zak Folkman, a social media influencer and former pickup artist. The Trump family also features prominently. President Trump is listed as “chief crypto advocate,” while his sons Eric, Donald Jr. and Barron are “Web3 ambassadors.” The leadership team at WLFI. Source: WLFIWLFI token salesOne of World Liberty Financial’s first moves was to sell its own token. The first token sale opened on Oct. 15, 2024, earning the company about $300 million by selling 20 billion WLFI $WLFI for $0.015 each.  On Jan. 20, 2025, the day Trump was inaugurated, WLFI announced a second token sale, citing “massive demand and overwhelming interest.” The firm offered 5 billion tokens at $0.05 each, representing a price increase of 230% from the first sale. The second sale was completed nearly two months later on March 14, having met its full target of $250 million.According to the project’s “gold paper,” the WLFI tokens will confer voter rights to holders on important matters affecting the protocol, such as upgrades. The anticipated token distribution is:35% through token sales,32.5% for incentives and community growth,30% for “initial supporter” allocation,and 2.5% for “core team and advisers.”All told, WLFI walked away with $550 million in token sales. $WLFI was only available to accredited investors and cannot be transferred or traded on exchanges per the terms and conditions. There is yet to be an announced listing date for the token. WLFI’s portfolioToken sales aside, the WLFI has been acting as a type of crypto fund, accumulating a number of different tokens over the past several months. Here’s a breakdown:WLFI portfolio contains a number of different assets, with 13 making up the lion’s share at time of writing. Most of its holdings are in dollar-backed stablecoin USDC, followed by Wrapped Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH). The top 13 assets make up nearly $100 million of the firm’s $103 million portfolio, according to Arkham. Dozens of other small coins, some with a total dollar value of less than $100,000, make up the remaining value. WLFI’s $5 million worth of Aave Ethereum USDC (aethUSDC), means they supply USDC to a pool on Aave. WLFI’s portfolio contains eight cryptocurrencies that are non-stablecoin assets it purchased (versus received via airdrop). Wrapped BTC (WBTC)Mantle (MNT)Movement (MOVE)Sei (SEI)Avalanche (AVAX)Tron (TRX)Ondo (ONDO)Ether (ETH) Overall, WLFI’s holdings in WBTC, SEI and AVAX have been performing most successfully.  The first WBTC purchase happened on Dec. 18, when WLFI exchanged 103 WBTC for 103 cbBTC. Nearly one month later, WLFI traded everything for ETH. The fund started accumulating WBTC again, mostly using USDT, and sent it to Coinbase Prime in early February.WLFI’s AVAX position was completed in one purchase on March 15, while it bought nearly $6 million worth of SEI over three separate purchases in February, March and April.Other positions haven’t been faring nearly as well. Major investments in MNT, MOVE, ONDO and ETH are all seeing losses in the double digits as of April 24. MOVE is taking a beating, with WLFI’s total investment value down over 50%, losing some $2,100,000 on the investment.Taking into account the average price of WLFI’s token purchases, along with its assets’ current prices, the fund is seeing a loss, on average, of $4,280,000.Notably, WLFI has also deposited several early purchases of tokens in December and January into Coinbase Prime. WLFI wallets slowly acquired ETH long before the main action started. WLFI began acquiring large sums worth over $1 million in late November and continued doing so every few days until Dec. 21. Then, it moved all acquired ETH (including 3,700 ETH deposited in October) to Coinbase Prime on Jan. 14.Between Jan. 19 and Jan. 21, it bought nearly 57,000 ETH and continued acquiring it until Feb. 3, when it moved most of the ETH to Coinbase Prime. Coincidentally, Eric Trump was shilling Ether on X at the same time.Source: Eric Trump Conflicts of interest and stablecoinsThe curious timing of WLFI moving the tokens to a crypto exchange and Eric Trump’s post raises the question of the Trump family’s ability to influence the tokens they hold. In late March, a group of Senators from that body’s banking committee wrote an open letter, pressing regulatory agencies to consider the potential conflicts of interest in WLFI, particularly with the project’s stablecoin, USD1. Related: US House committee passes stablecoin-regulating STABLE ActUSD1 launched in early March, and at publishing time is trading on centralized exchanges Kinesis Money and ChangeNOW, according to CoinMarketCap. The Senators were concerned that Trump stands in a unique position to influence and offer boons to his own stablecoin project, particularly with the forthcoming stablecoin framework bill under consideration in Congress. When markets slumped following Trump’s tariff announcement on “Liberation Day,” the president posted on the right-wing social media platform Truth Social, “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!” further igniting concerns about insider trading and market manipulation. Despite these concerns, the Trump administration’s ties to crypto are only strengthening. His administration has dropped several high-level enforcement cases against crypto firms, and his allies in Congress are writing favorable legislation for the industry. And crypto firms seem to believe in the project. On April 16, crypto market maker DWF Labs announced a $25 million investment in WLFI and agreed to provide liquidity for USD1. Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again

by Molly Slattery on April 26, 2025 at 11:39 am

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has hit out at "young thugs" he says are taunting the government on social media.

by Riley Stuart on April 26, 2025 at 11:32 am

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy have met for the first time since their infamous February Oval Office stoush, amid protracted US-led attempts to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

by Riley Stuart and Rebecca Armitage on April 26, 2025 at 11:24 am

Pope Francis may have been a humble man beloved by Catholics around the world, but his funeral was still a star-studded affair. These were the key moments you missed.

by Cointelegraph by Bradley Peak on April 26, 2025 at 10:45 am

What are reciprocal tariffs? Reciprocal tariffs might sound like textbook trade jargon, but the idea is pretty straightforward: If one country slaps tariffs on your goods, you hit back with the same. Think of it as a tit-for-tat strategy in global trade — a way for governments to say, “If you’re charging our exporters 20%, we’re doing the same to yours.”The roots of this concept go back to the 1930s, when the US passed the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act. The goal back then was to break down trade barriers through mutual deals, not trade wars. But fast forward to today, and the term is making a comeback — this time with a bit more edge.For example, in early 2025, in an effort to address what it perceived as unfair trade practices and a significant trade deficit, the US government, under President Donald Trump, imposed a series of escalating tariffs on Chinese imports. These tariffs began with a 10% baseline and, through successive increases, reached a staggering 145% on a wide range of Chinese goods.China responded in kind, implementing its own set of reciprocal tariffs. Initially, Beijing imposed a 34% tariff on all US imports, which was later increased to 84% and eventually to 125%, targeting various American products, including agricultural goods and machinery.So, what does this have to do with crypto? You’ll get there — but first, let’s dig into how these tariffs actually work. How do reciprocal tariffs work? While the US has recently adopted a formula based on trade imbalances to determine its tariff rates, other countries, like China, often respond with their own set of tariffs, which may not follow the same calculation method.How the US calculates its tariffsIn 2025, the US implemented a tariff strategy that calculates rates based on the trade deficit with a particular country. The formula used is:Tariff rate (%) = (US trade deficit with country / US imports from country) × 100 / 2Example:US imports from China: $438.9 billionUS exports to China: $147 billionTrade deficit: $291.9 billionDeficit ratio: ($291.9 billion ÷ $438.9 billion) × 100 ≈ 66.5%Tariff rate: 66.5% ÷ 2 ≈ 33.25%This approach led to the US imposing a 34% tariff on Chinese imports in April 2025. Also, these new tariffs don’t replace old ones — they’re added on top. So, if a product already had a 20% tariff and now gets hit with a 34% reciprocal tariff, importers are suddenly paying 54%. That kind of jump can make foreign goods a lot more expensive, fast.How China respondsWhen the US imposes tariffs, China often retaliates by targeting sectors that are politically and economically significant to the United States, particularly those that could influence key voter bases.Targeted sectors:Agriculture: China has frequently targeted US agricultural products, such as soybeans, pork and beef. For instance, in 2018, China imposed a 25% tariff on US soybeans, significantly impacting farmers in states like Iowa, where soybean farming is a major industry.Aerospace: In 2025, China suspended imports of Boeing aircraft and halted purchases of aircraft parts from US companies, affecting the US aerospace sector.Phased implementationChina often implements tariffs in phases, allowing for strategic adjustments and negotiations:In early 2025, following US tariff increases, China initially imposed a 34% tariff on all US goods. This was later increased to 84% and eventually to 125% in response to escalating US tariffs.China also imposed additional tariffs of 10%-15% on various US agricultural products, including corn, soybeans and wheat, as part of its retaliatory measures.While the US uses a specific formula to calculate its tariffs, China’s approach is more about strategic retaliation, aiming to create economic and political pressure rather than directly matching tariff rates.Did you know? Policymakers sometimes choose a slightly higher number to send a stronger political message — especially if they want to appear tough on trade or take a hard line against a specific country. A flat “34%” sounds more decisive and deliberate than “33.25%.” Economic implications of reciprocal tariffs Reciprocal tariffs ripple through the global economy in very real ways. When the US and China start trading blows with import taxes, everyone else feels the aftershocks, too.Global trade slows downIn early 2025, the World Trade Organization had some stark news: Global trade, which was supposed to grow by around 3%, is now barely moving at all — closer to 0.2%. The WTO pointed directly to the US’s aggressive tariff strategy and the domino effect it’s having on other economies. As countries respond with their own barriers, goods just... stop moving. Fewer exports, fewer imports and a whole lot of uncertainty.Developing countries get squeezedSmaller economies — like Cambodia, Laos and others that rely on exporting cheap goods to big markets like the US — are getting hit especially hard. When tariffs go up, American buyers pull back. That means fewer factory orders, lost jobs and shrinking income in places that can’t easily absorb the shock.Prices go up at homeMeanwhile, consumers in the US are starting to notice the pinch, too. Tariffs on Chinese goods have made everything from electronics to basic household items more expensive. Even American companies that depend on imported parts are paying more — and passing those costs down the line. Inflation is already high, and this just adds fuel to the fire.Did you know? The International Monetary Fund projected that the trade war could reduce global GDP growth from 3.3% in 2024 to 2.8% in 2025. Reciprocal tariffs’ impact on crypto When governments start slapping tariffs on each other, it sends a signal that things are unstable — and financial markets hate uncertainty. Stocks, bonds and, yes, crypto all react when global trade flows get disrupted.Market volatilityWhen the US announced a 50% tariff on Chinese imports in early April 2025, the crypto markets reacted swiftly. Bitcoin’s (BTC) price dropped to $74,500, and Ether (ETH) saw a decline of over 20%. This sharp downturn highlighted how sensitive cryptocurrencies are to macroeconomic shifts and investor sentiment.However, the situation began to stabilize after President Trump paused most tariffs for 90 days. By April 22, Bitcoin had rebounded above $92,000, reflecting the crypto market’s responsiveness to policy changes.Mining operationsUS Bitcoin miners are facing increased operational costs due to tariffs on imported mining equipment. With tariffs as high as 36% on essential hardware from countries such as China and Taiwan, miners are now grappling with higher capital expenditures.This is especially hard on smaller operations. Larger firms might be able to absorb the extra costs or renegotiate supplier deals — but smaller or mid-sized miners? They’re the ones getting squeezed. As margins shrink, some may be forced to shut down or relocate to tariff-free jurisdictions.Did you know? US Bitcoin miners faced a 22%-36% increase in equipment costs in early 2025 due to tariffs on Chinese-made mining hardware, leading some to consider relocating operations overseas.Investment trendsEconomic uncertainty often drives investors to look for safe havens — and crypto, increasingly, fits that bill. When traditional markets become volatile due to things like global tariff escalations, many investors turn to Bitcoin and other digital assets as a hedge against inflation, currency devaluation or geopolitical risk.There’s also been a noticeable uptick in institutional interest. With governments engaging in trade battles and inflating the costs of doing business across borders, crypto is starting to look like a more stable long-term play. In Q1 2025, for example, a number of hedge funds and sovereign wealth vehicles began allocating to digital assets in response to these global macro pressures.The establishment of a US strategic crypto reserve — reportedly holding both BTC and ETH — is a clear signal that crypto is no longer a fringe asset in the eyes of traditional finance or policymakers. Strategic considerations for crypto stakeholders For anyone in crypto — whether you’re building the infrastructure, mining the coins or managing investor portfolios — these policy shifts are very real and very relevant.Diversify If you’re a miner or a hardware-dependent startup relying on one supplier or country for equipment? That’s a liability. Tariffs can spike overnight, slashing your margins and forcing expensive workarounds.Diversifying your supply chain — whether through sourcing from neutral countries or investing in domestic alternatives — can soften the blow. Understand the regulatory landscapeCrypto companies can’t afford to be blind to policy anymore. Tariffs, trade barriers, sanctions — these are market-moving forces. If you deal with mining, cross-border payments or even just hardware shipments, you need to stay plugged into both local and international trade developments.This is where having legal and trade experts on your side becomes less of a luxury and more of a survival tool.Rethink the narrativeThere’s a unique opportunity here to reposition crypto. When traditional economic systems are being shaken by trade wars and retaliatory tariffs, the idea of a decentralized, borderless financial alternative starts to resonate on a whole new level.Crypto has long pitched itself as a hedge against inflation and a tool for financial freedom. In the context of rising global protectionism and economic fragmentation, those messages carry more weight than ever. Smart projects and investors will lean into this narrative, growing from the rain as opposed to simply weathering the storm.

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 26, 2025 at 10:07 am

Over $4 trillion worth of real estate could be tokenized on blockchain networks during the next decade, potentially offering investors greater access to property ownership opportunities, according to a new report.The Deloitte Center for Financial Services predicts that over $4 trillion worth of real estate may be tokenized by 2035, up from less than $300 billion in 2024. The report, published April 24, estimates a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 27%.The $4 trillion of tokenized property is predicted to stem from the benefits of blockchain-based assets, as well as a structural shift across real estate and property ownership.Global tokenized real estate value, growth predictions. Source: Deloitte“Real estate itself is undergoing transformation. Post-pandemic work-from-home trends, climate risk, and digitization have reshaped property fundamentals,” according to Chris Yin, co-founder of Plume Network, a blockchain built for real-world assets (RWAs).“Office buildings are being repurposed into AI data centers, logistics hubs and energy-efficient residential communities,” Yin told Cointelegraph.“Investors want targeted access to these modern use cases, and tokenization enables programmable, customizable exposure to such evolving asset profiles,” he said.Related: Blockchain needs regulation, scalability to close AI hiring gapThe uncertainty triggered by US President Donald Trump’s import tariffs has boosted investor interest in the RWA tokenization sector, which involves minting financial products and tangible assets on a blockchain.Both stablecoins and RWAs have attracted significant capital as safe-haven assets amid the global trade concerns, Juan Pellicer, senior research analyst at IntoTheBlock, told Cointelegraph.The tariff concerns also led tokenized gold volume to surpass $1 billion in trading volume on April 10, its highest level since March 2023 when a US banking crisis saw the sudden collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the voluntary liquidation of Silvergate BankRelated: US banks are ‘free to begin supporting Bitcoin’ — Michael SaylorBlockchain innovation could drive regulatory clarityGrowing RWA adoption may inspire a more welcoming stance from global regulators, Yin said.“While regulation is a hurdle, regulation follows usage,” he explained, likening tokenization to Uber’s growth before widespread regulatory acceptance:“Tokenization is similar — as demand increases, regulatory clarity will follow.”He added that making tokenized products compliant with a wide range of international regulations is key to unlocking broader market access. However, some industry watchers are skeptical about the benefits introduced by tokenized real estate.The Truth Behind Tokenization and RWA panel. Source: Paris Blockchain Week“I don’t think tokenization should have its eyes directly set on real estate,” said Securitize chief operating officer Michael Sonnenshein at Paris Blockchain Week 2025.“I’m sure there are all kinds of efficiencies that can be unlocked using blockchain technology to eliminate middlemen, escrow, and all kinds of things in real estate. But I think today, what the onchain economy is demanding are more liquid assets,” he added. Magazine: Ripple says SEC lawsuit ‘over,’ Trump at DAS, and more: Hodler’s Digest, March 16 – 22

by Cointelegraph by Ciaran Lyons on April 26, 2025 at 8:33 am

United States Senator Cynthia Lummis suggests the crypto industry may be celebrating too soon over the US Federal Reserve softening its crypto guidance for banks.“The Fed withdrawing crypto guidance is just noise, not real progress,” Lummis said in an April 25 X post. Lummis called the Fed’s April 24 announcement — withdrawing its 2022 supervisory letter that had discouraged banks from engaging with crypto and stablecoin activities — “just lip service.”Lummis is “not fooled”Lummis, a pro-crypto advocate known for introducing the Bitcoin (BTC) Strategic Reserve Bill in July 2024, pointed out several flaws in the Fed’s announcement, even as Strategy founder Michael Saylor and crypto entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano suggested it was a step forward for banks and crypto.Source: Anthony PomplianoShe argued that the Fed continues to “illegally flout the law on master accounts” and still relies on reputational risk in its bank supervision practices. It comes as the Federal Insurance Deposit Corporation (FDIC) is working on a rule to stop examiners from considering reputational risk when reviewing a bank’s operations, according to a recent Bloomberg report.Lummis also highlighted the Fed’s policy statement in Section 9(13), which hasn’t been withdrawn, stating that Bitcoin and digital assets are considered “unsafe and unsound.”She also reiterated many of the same staff behind Operation Chokepoint 2.0 are still involved in crypto policy today.“We are NOT fooled. The Fed assassinated companies within the industry and hurt American interests by stifling innovation and shuttering businesses. This fight is far from over.”“I will continue to hold the Fed accountable until the digital asset industry gets more than a life jacket, Chair Powell — they need a fair shake,” Lummis said.Related: If Trump fired Powell, what would happen to crypto?Custodia Bank founder and CEO Caitlin Long seemed to share a similar view to Lummis.“THANK YOU for seeing this for what it is,” Long said.Source: David SacksHowever, other crypto executives praised the Fed’s announcement as a positive development for the industry. Saylor said in an April 25 X post that the Fed’s move means that “banks are now free to begin supporting Bitcoin.”Anastasija Plotnikova, co-founder and CEO of blockchain regulatory firm Fideum, said the Fed’s decision “is a significant development, as it will simplify the path to institutional adoption.”Magazine: Ethereum is destroying the competition in the $16.1T TradFi tokenization race

on April 26, 2025 at 8:11 am

Clashes between protesters and police in Melbourne lead to two arrests, with chaos spilling out onto CBD streets.

by Daniela Pizzirani and Dannielle Maguire on April 26, 2025 at 6:23 am

She exposed the elite and broke her silence — now she's gone, but her story refuses to die.

by Michael Doyle and Henry Hanson on April 26, 2025 at 5:45 am

The Penrith Panthers, winners of the past four NRL competitions, will end the round eight bottom of the ladder after losing to Manly at Western Sydney Stadium.

on April 26, 2025 at 5:39 am

Tigers coach Benji Marshall says he does not care if people question his decision to recall departing five-eighth Lachlan Galvin to the Wests Tigers first grade side after just one match in reserve grade. 

by Cointelegraph by Ciaran Lyons on April 26, 2025 at 5:29 am

Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETF) in the United States saw over $3 billion in inflows this week, marking the first full week of consecutive inflows in five weeks.On April 25, the 11 spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs saw $380 million in inflows, bringing the total for the week to around $3.06 billion over five consecutive inflow days, according to Farside data. The last time spot Bitcoin ETFs had a full week of inflow days was the trading week ending March 21.Strong inflow week turns April into positive monthETF analyst Eric Balchunas said in an April 24 X post that “ETFs are on a Bitcoin bender.”“What’s really notable here is just HOW FAST the flows can go from 1st gear to 5th gear,” Balchunas said, forecasting that some of those flows may be due to the “basis trade back in effect.”Source: Satoshi StackerAmid ongoing financial and macroeconomic uncertainty, spot Bitcoin ETFs have experienced a volatile April, with nine out of the total 18 trading days so far being outflow days. However, a strong surge of inflows over the past week has turned the month positive, bringing total net inflows for April to approximately $2.26 billion.On the same day, Strategy founder Michael Saylor reportedly said at the Bitwise Invest Bitcoin Corporations Investor Day that BlackRock’s iShare Bitcoin ETF “will be “the biggest ETF in the world in ten years.”Related: 5 Bitcoin charts predicting BTC price rally toward $100K by May Just two days prior, on April 23, BlackRock’s iShare Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) was awarded the “Best New ETF” at the annual etf.com ETF awards. IBIT was also the recipient of Crypto ETP of the year.Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s spot price continues to hover around the $95,000 price level, currently trading at $94,613 at the time of publication, according to CoinMarketCap data. Institutions are continuing to raise their bullish price targets.Billion-dollar asset manager ARK Invest recently raised its “bull case” Bitcoin price target from $1.5 million to $2.4 million by the end of 2030, driven largely by institutional investors and Bitcoin’s increasing acceptance as “digital gold.”ARK’s “bear” and “base” case scenarios for the price of Bitcoin were also bumped up to $500,000 and $1.2 million.Magazine: Pokémon on Sui rumors, Polymarket bets on Filipino Pope: Asia Express

on April 26, 2025 at 4:44 am

A sublime front nine has propelled Minjee Lee into contention at the halfway point of the biggest women's golf event of the year thus far. 

on April 26, 2025 at 4:30 am

Thousands have mourned Pope Francis — a liberal reformer who rattled the Catholic Church's conservatives — on the day of his funeral in Rome. Take a look back on how the events unfolded. 

by Sundance on April 26, 2025 at 4:20 am

In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and Presidency. This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread. Posted in The post April 26th – 2025 Presidential Politics – Trump Administration Day 97 appeared first on The Last Refuge.

on April 26, 2025 at 4:19 am

Investigators believe the male offenders charted a course of crime through suburban Melbourne, attempting to rob multiple homes in the early hours of Saturday morning.

by Sundance on April 26, 2025 at 4:15 am

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL. The post Saturday April 26th – Open Thread appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Anna Chisholm on April 26, 2025 at 4:00 am

If you're living in an apartment, a home with limited outdoor space or renting, a traditional veggie patch may not be an option. Here's what experts say about using vertical space to grow herbs and vegetables.

by Kyle Pollard and Marnie Vinall on April 26, 2025 at 3:01 am

Jason Horne-Francis got stuck into his old side in Port Adelaide's third win on the trot, as GWS host the Western Bulldogs in Canberra. Follow live.

by Lia Harris and Bridget Murphy on April 26, 2025 at 2:44 am

Decklen Deaves-Thornton is accused of the shooting murder of 18-year-old Ekampreet Sahni Singh in a car park at Bar Beach on Wednesday.

by Giulia Bertoglio on April 26, 2025 at 2:29 am

The Easter weekend coincided with a rash of youth offending in Halls Creek, including car thefts and burglaries. Locals understand there is no quick fix to the ongoing issue and want community-driven action.

by Cointelegraph by Ciaran Lyons on April 26, 2025 at 2:18 am

Strike CEO Jack Mallers said his new role as CEO of Bitcoin treasury firm Twenty One Capital won’t distract him from heading Strike, revealing the platform processed over $6 billion in volume in 2024.“This is not a shift in my commitment; it’s an extension of it,” Mallers said in an April 25 letter to Strike investors.Every decision based on if it is “good for Bitcoin”“If Bitcoin wins, humanity wins. Every business decision I make starts with one question: Is this good for Bitcoin? Twenty One exists because I believe it is good for Bitcoin and, therefore, good for the world,” Mallers said.Mallers explained that Strike, a Bitcoin payments platform, and Twenty One Capital have different goals. He said Strike focuses on making “Bitcoin accessible globally,” while Twenty One aims to increase “Bitcoin ownership per share (BPS) and pioneer Bitcoin-native financial tools.”“These are separate companies, but they share the same ethos: Bitcoin wins, we win,” he said.Source: Jack MallersIt comes after Twenty One Capital announced its launch on April 23, with the backing of Tether, SoftBank and Cantor Fitzgerald. The firm is looking to challenge Michael Saylor’s Strategy to become the “superior vehicle for investors seeking capital-efficient Bitcoin exposure.” It revealed its plans to launch with 42,000 Bitcoin (BTC).Source: Michael SaylorMallers shared key metrics for Strike publicly for the first time, revealing that in 2024, the firm posted over $6 billion in volume, recorded 600% year-on-year growth, maintained an 85% gross profit margin, and reported zero customer acquisition costs.Mallers said that despite maintaining a team of 75 employees, the company expects to “generate 8-9 figures in net profit in 2025.”Several crypto enthusiasts had taken to social media to ask how the logistics would work for Mallers, being the CEO of Strike and Twenty One Capital.Related: 5 Bitcoin charts predicting BTC price rally toward $100K by MayCrypto commentator “Alex” asked in an April 25 X post, “What will be the fate of Strike? New incoming CEO? Or will he pull an Elon Musk?” Similarly, Domingo Guerra asked, “Who will be running Strike!?”Meanwhile, several crypto industry participants have publicly speculated that Twenty One Capital may acquire Strike in the future. Swan Bitcoin CEO Cory Klippsten said it is “probably safe to assume that this company will acquire strike.” Daniel Sempere Pico said, “How long before Twenty One acquires Strike?” However, neither Mallers or Strike has indicated any intention of doing so.Magazine: Pokémon on Sui rumors, Polymarket bets on Filipino Pope: Asia Express

by George Yankovich on April 26, 2025 at 2:18 am

Locals in a South Australian town known for its silo art fear visitors are being driven away by the "toxic" smell created by hundreds of pigeons roosting in a derelict building.

by Dannielle Maguire on April 26, 2025 at 2:00 am

Despite Pope Francis opting for a simpler, humbler papacy compared to his predecessors, his death is not without ceremony. Let's unpack some of the symbols and rituals that come with farewelling the leader of the Catholic Church. 

by Sundance on April 26, 2025 at 1:55 am

This is terribly sad. This young woman was chased by demons for years as a result of abuse she suffered in her childhood and early adolescence. Virginia Giuffre (41) has killed herself. (VIA NBC) – Virginia Giuffre, one of the most prominent survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse, has died by suicide, her family said The post Sad News – Epstein Victim Virginia Giuffre Kills Herself (41) appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Charmayne Allison and Jessica Rendall on April 26, 2025 at 1:52 am

Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she was trafficked for sex to Prince Andrew by Jeffrey Epstein, dies by suicide at the age of 41.

by Tom Crowley on April 26, 2025 at 1:46 am

The PM has declined to elaborate on a hint that Australian intelligence was aware of Russia's request to base a plane in Indonesia. 

by Rosemary Murphy on April 26, 2025 at 1:40 am

A Western Australian father's obsession with World War II-themed game Bolt Action has led him to the world championship stage for the miniature tabletop game.

by Sundance on April 26, 2025 at 1:14 am

[AUTHORS NOTE: Having attended the ASEAN conference to make contacts, after a brief respite at home I spent the past several weeks traveling Southeast Asia to research the likely impact from Trump’s tariff and global trade reset. Visits included manufacturing and distribution facilities in the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and South Korea. The post Watch Longshoremen Union – A Predictable Democrat Strategy to Weaponize Absent China Goods in Coming Months appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Emily JB Smith and Katrina Tap on April 26, 2025 at 12:53 am

With a packet of tobacco costing more than $100, smokers in Tjuntjuntjarra are in a vicious cycle, but have "little support" when it comes to quitting.

by James Elton on April 26, 2025 at 12:41 am

Swimmers are continuing to jump a chain fence into the closed Katherine hot springs, even after the council added warning signs about a crocodile sighting there this week.

by Sundance on April 26, 2025 at 12:01 am

Judge Hannah C Dugan of Milwaukee, Wisconsin was arrested earlier today for (1) obstructing a criminal illegal alien capture; and (2) concealing the illegal alien to avoid apprehension and arrest. [Criminal Complaint Here] [Source – Criminal Complaint, 13 pages] The criminal complaint against Judge Hannah Dugan reveals the judge purposefully demanded the ICE agents and The post Read Criminal Complaint Against Judge Hannah C Dugan – Obstruction of ICE Arrest for Criminal Illegal Alien appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Charlotte Wilkes on April 25, 2025 at 11:58 pm

Australia's 1.4 million first-time voters are getting most of their political news from social media influencers and say climate change, housing, and health reform are key priorities for them.

on April 25, 2025 at 11:39 pm

Geelong defender Zach Guthrie urges teammate Bailey Smith to continue playing on the edge, provided the high-profile midfielder's on-field antics do not become a distraction for the club.

on April 25, 2025 at 11:33 pm

A woman has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly attacking a female jogger in Melbourne's inner north yesterday morning. 

by Claire Simmonds and Toby Hemmings on April 25, 2025 at 11:12 pm

Brooke Bottrell has been fairly tuned out this federal election as she tries to find mental health support for her kids. She says access to mental health care is an issue both sides of politics need to address.

by Cointelegraph by Rakesh Upadhyay on April 25, 2025 at 11:03 pm

Key points:Bitcoin price pushed above $95,000, increasing the chance of a rally to $100,000.Institutional investor demand is back, suggesting that the bearish trend could be over.Select altcoins could break above their respective overhead resistance levels if Bitcoin remains strongBitcoin (BTC) bulls are trying to sustain the price above $95,000, but they are likely to face significant resistance from the bears. Will buyers succeed in pushing the price toward the psychologically important level of $100,000, or is a pullback around the corner? That is the big question on the traders’ minds.A positive sign is that inflows for US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds have increased since April 21, per Farside Investors data. Coinbase Institutional head of strategy John D’Agostino said in a recent interview with CNBC that several institutions purchased Bitcoin in April to hedge against currency inflation and macro uncertainty as Bitcoin mirrors “the characteristics of gold.Crypto market data daily view. Source: Coin360However, some analysts doubt the sustainability of the current Bitcoin rally. One of the red flags is that the sentiment, as measured by the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, slipped from a score of 72 out of 100 on April 23 to 60 on April 25, though Bitcoin is trading close to $95,000. Select analysts expect Bitcoin to pullback toward $87,000. Could Bitcoin sustain above $95,000, triggering buying in altcoins? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.Bitcoin price predictionBitcoin has been trading near the $95,000 level, suggesting that the bulls are holding on to their positions as they anticipate a move higher.BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe 20-day exponential moving average ($87,437) is sloping up, and the relative strength index (RSI) is near the overbought zone, signaling that the bulls are in command. A close above $95,000 could drive the BTC/USDT pair to $100,000. Sellers will try to halt the up move at $100,000, but if the bulls do not allow the price to dip below $95,000, the prospects of a break above the overhead resistance increase. The pair may then climb to $107,000. The bears will have to yank the price below the moving averages to regain control.Ether price predictionEther’s (ETH) relief rally is facing resistance at the 50-day SMA ($1,812), but a positive sign is that the bulls have not allowed the price to dip below the 20-day EMA ($1,696).ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe 20-day EMA is flattish, but the RSI has jumped into the positive zone, signaling a slight advantage to the bulls. If the 50-day SMA is scaled, the ETH/USDT pair could reach the breakdown level of $2,111. The bears may pose a strong challenge at $2,111, but if the bulls overcome it, the pair could skyrocket to $2,550.Sellers are likely to have other plans. They will try to pull the price below the 20-day EMA. If they can pull it off, the pair could tumble toward $1,537.XRP price predictionXRP (XRP) has been trading near the 50-day SMA ($2.18) for the past two days, indicating that the bears are fiercely defending the level.XRP/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewA minor positive for the bulls is that they have not allowed the price to skid below the 20-day EMA ($2.13). The bulls will again try to propel the XRP/USDT pair to the resistance line, which is a critical level to watch out for. The pair could rally to $3 if buyers pierce the resistance line.On the downside, a break and close below the 20-day EMA suggests that the bears remain in charge. The downside momentum could pick up on a break below $2. The pair may then plummet to $1.60.BNB price predictionBNB (BNB) turned down from $620 but is taking support at the moving averages. This suggests a change in sentiment from selling on rallies to buying on dips.BNB/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewBuyers will try to push the price above $620. If they manage to do that, the BNB/USDT pair may rally to $644. Sellers will try to stall the up move at the $644 level, but if the bulls prevail, the pair could soar to $680.This bullish view will be invalidated in the near term if the price turns down and breaks below the moving averages. That could sink the pair to $566, indicating that the markets have rejected the breakout above the downtrend line.Solana price predictionSolana (SOL) is struggling to stay above the $153 level, indicating that the bears are active at higher levels.SOL/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe upsloping 20-day EMA ($136) and the RSI in the positive zone indicate that the bulls are in control. If buyers push and maintain the price above $153, the SOL/USDT pair could jump to $180.The moving averages are the crucial support on the downside. A break and close below the 50-day SMA ($129) suggests that the pair could consolidate between $153 and $110 for a few days.Dogecoin price predictionDogecoin (DOGE) bounced off the 20-day EMA ($0.16) on April 24, indicating that the bulls are buying on dips.DOGE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe DOGE/USDT pair could reach $0.21, which is a crucial resistance to watch out for. If buyers pierce the $0.21 level, the pair will complete a double-bottom pattern. This bullish setup has a target objective of $0.28.Contrarily, if the price turns down and breaks below the moving averages, the pair may remain range-bound between $0.21 and $0.14 for a while. The advantage will tilt in favor of the bears on a break below the $0.14 support.Cardano price predictionCardano (ADA) closed above the 50-day SMA ($0.68) on April 23, signaling that the bears are losing their grip.ADA/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe 20-day EMA ($0.65) has started to turn up, and the RSI is in the positive zone, suggesting that the path of least resistance is to the upside. The ADA/USDT pair could rally to $0.83, where the bears may step in.Any pullback is expected to find support at the 20-day EMA. If the price rebounds off the 20-day EMA, it signals a bullish sentiment. Sellers will have to drag the price below the 20-day EMA to sink the pair to $0.58.Related: SUI's 73% weekly price gains top crypto market — New price record in reach?Sui price predictionSui (SUI) picked up momentum after buyers pushed the price above the moving averages on April 22.SUI/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe rally of the past few days has pushed the RSI into the overbought territory, suggesting a minor consolidation or correction in the next few days. Any pullback is expected to find support in the zone between the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level of $3.14 and the 50% retracement of $2.94.A shallow pullback increases the possibility of a rally to $4.25 and then to $5. Sellers will be back in the driver’s seat if they pull the SUI/USDT pair below $2.86.Chainlink price predictionChainlink (LINK) has started a recovery, which is expected to face strong selling at the overhead resistance of $16.LINK/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIf the price turns down from $16, it is expected to find support at the 20-day EMA ($13.53). A solid bounce off the 20-day EMA increases the likelihood of a break above $16. The LINK/USDT pair may then climb to the resistance line of the descending channel pattern. A break above the channel signals a potential trend change.Sellers will have to tug the price below the moving averages to regain control. The pair may then drop to $11.89 and eventually to the support line.Avalanche price predictionAvalanche (AVAX) is facing resistance at the overhead resistance of $23.50, but a positive sign is that the bulls have not ceded much ground to the bears.AVAX/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe 20-day EMA ($20.22) has started to turn up, and the RSI is in the positive territory, indicating that buyers have the edge. If the price breaks and closes above $23.50, the AVAX/USDT pair will complete a double-bottom pattern. That could open the doors for a rally to the pattern target of $31.73.Alternatively, if the price turns down and breaks below the moving averages, the pair could remain stuck inside the $23.50 to $15.27 range for a few days.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 Cointelegraph on April 25, 2025 at 10:00 pm

Today in crypto, US Senator Cynthia Lummis says the Federal Reserve’s latest crypto decision is “just lip service,” SEC chair Paul Atkins speaks at the agency’s roundtable. Circle executive Dante Disparte denies reports that the company is pursuing a US federal bank charter.Crypto banking rule withdrawal by Fed ‘not real progress’ — Senator LummisUnited States Senator Cynthia Lummis says the crypto industry may be celebrating too soon over the US Federal Reserve softening its crypto guidance for banks.“The Fed withdrawing crypto guidance is just noise, not real progress,” Lummis said in an April 25 X post. Lummis called the Fed’s April 24 announcement — withdrawing its 2022 supervisory letter that had discouraged banks from engaging with crypto and stablecoin activities — “just lip service.”Lummis, a pro-crypto advocate known for introducing the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Bill in July 2024, pointed out several flaws in the Fed’s announcement, even as Strategy founder Michael Saylor and crypto entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano suggested it was a step forward for banks and crypto.She argued that the Fed continues to “illegally flout the law on master accounts” and still relies on reputational risk in its bank supervision practices. Lummis also highlighted the Fed’s policy statement in Section 9(13), which hasn’t been withdrawn, stating that Bitcoin and digital assets are considered “unsafe and unsound.”SEC chair suggests 'huge benefits' in agency's third crypto roundtableIn one of his first appearances as the recently sworn-in chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Paul Atkins delivered remarks to the agency’s third roundtable discussion of crypto regulation. In the “Know Your Custodian” roundtable event on April 25, Atkins said he expected “huge benefits” from blockchain technology through efficiency, risk mitigation, transparency, and cutting costs. He reiterated that among his goals at the SEC would be to facilitate “clear regulatory rules of the road” for digital assets, hinting that the agency under former chair Gary Gensler had contributed to market and regulatory uncertainty. “I look forward to engaging with market participants and working with colleagues in President Trump’s administration and Congress to establish a rational fit-for-purpose framework for crypto assets,” said Atkins.SEC chair Paul Atkins addressing the April 25 crypto roundtable. Source: SECSome critics of US President Donald Trump see Atkins’ nomination to lead the SEC as a nod to the crypto industry, acting on campaign promises to remove Gensler — the former chair resigned the day Trump took office — and cut back on regulation. Democratic lawmakers on the Senate Banking Committee questioned Atkins on his ties to the industry, potentially presenting conflicts of interest in his role regulating crypto.Circle executive denies claims of seeking US banking licenseAn executive at major stablecoin issuer Circle denied reports that the company is looking to obtain a US federal bank charter.In an April 25 X post, Circle’s chief strategy officer and head of global policy, Dante Disparte, denied that the company is interested in obtaining a US federal bank charter or acquiring an insured depository institution.Instead, he said that Circle intends to comply with future US regulatory requirements for payment stablecoins, “which may require registering for a federal or state trust charter or other nonbank license.” He also urged lawmakers to reach regulatory clarity for stablecoins sooner rather than later.Source: Dante DisparteThe statement followed recent reports that major cryptocurrency firms, including stablecoin issuer Circle and crypto custodian BitGo, were considering applying for bank charters or licenses. Other firms cited as seeking such licenses included publicly traded US-based crypto exchange Coinbase and stablecoin issuer Paxos.

by Cointelegraph by Turner Wright on April 25, 2025 at 9:51 pm

Though the identities of many of the top holders of US President Donald Trump’s memecoin were still unknown, blockchain data showed significant outflows over the past seven days — during which time he announced a dinner and White House tour for certain tokenholders. According to data from blockchain analytics firm Nansen as of April 25, the TRUMP memecoin had seen more than $869 million in outflows in the last seven days compared to roughly $96 million in inflows among the top 500 changes. Some of the changes followed Trump announcing that the top 220 TRUMP holders could apply to meet him at a golf club dinner in Washington, DC, with fewer opportunities for a White House tour.“It’s clear that more people took the opportunity to offload their Trump tokens than new buyers came in,” said Nansen. “There still appears to be some interest — either A) to secure the dinner ticket, or B) to capitalize on price volatility. As a result, a few new wallets have entered the top 250 holders, while some previous holders seem to have taken the opportunity to exit their positions.”Top TRUMP memecoin holders as of April 25. Source: TRUMP tokenLaunched in January before Trump took office, his memecoin, and that of his wife, Melania, have seen criticism from US lawmakers and leaders in the crypto industry for potential conflicts of interest. At the time of publication, the identity of many of the top tokenholders and those who might apply to attend the dinner were unknown.Who is investing in Trump’s memecoin?As of April 25, the top tokenholder had 1,176,803 TRUMP memecoins worth roughly $16 million at the time of publication. The wallet holder, under the username “Sun,” had led to speculation that Tron founder Justin Sun — a Trump supporter and investor in the Trump family-backed crypto firm World Liberty Financial — could be among the dinner attendees. Cointelegraph reached out to Sun’s team for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.Related: Trump memecoin team denies $300K dinner requirement rumorsOther tokenholders included usernames like “elon” and “doge,” though it was unclear if Tesla CEO Elon Musk, also a Dogecoin (DOGE) advocate, was involved in the project. The team behind the TRUMP token controls 80% of the total supply, resulting in many critics suggesting the Trump or someone in his family could still rug-pull investors.Before the 2024 election, Trump arranged a similar dinner at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida with supporters who purchased non-fungible tokens depicting his mugshot during his arrest for allegedly attempting to subvert the results of the 2020 election. It’s unclear whether any of the same people who attended the May 2024 event are among the top TRUMP memecoin holders.Magazine: Trump’s crypto ventures raise conflict of interest, insider trading questions

by Cointelegraph by Christopher Tepedino on April 25, 2025 at 9:32 pm

Stripe, a global payments platform, is building a new US dollar stablecoin product for companies based outside the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe in a move that may further expand the footprint of the dollar around the world.Stripe CEO Patrick Collison confirmed the product on X, posting an invitation for companies interested in testing the solution. The move gained traction after Stripe recently received regulatory approval to acquire the stablecoin payments network Bridge.Bridge's network competes with banks and companies that use the SWIFT system, a global financial messaging network that facilitates international wire transfers. Two former Coinbase executives, Zach Abrams and Sean Yu, co-founded the company in 2022.Source: Patrick CollisonRelated: Former Square, Coinbase execs raise $58M for Bridge stablecoin networkStablecoin adoption grows in 2025Stripe has a long-standing history with crypto, becoming the first major payments processor to integrate Bitcoin (BTC) in 2014. However, it discontinued support due to Bitcoin’s long transfer times and high transaction fees. The company began rebuilding its crypto team in 2021 as part of a renewed push into the space.Stripe has recently accelerated that push. In October 2024, the company introduced a stablecoin payment option, which users adopted in over 70 countries on the first rollout day. In June that year, Stripe partnered with Coinbase to offer fiat-to-crypto conversions. Collison noted on X that Stripe's latest crypto initiative is something the company has "wanted to build for around a decade."Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value by being pegged to assets like fiat currencies. In the United States, USD-backed stablecoins have increasingly gained attention at the federal level, with figures like US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell calling for dedicated legislation. PayPal launched its own stablecoin in 2023 and recently announced that it would begin offering yield to holders of its token.As of April 25, the stablecoin market cap stands at $237.5 billion, according to DefiLlama.Magazine: Bitcoin payments are being undermined by centralized stablecoins

by Cointelegraph by Alex O’Donnell on April 25, 2025 at 9:00 pm

Semler Scientific has bought approximately $10 million worth of Bitcoin since Feb. 14, the healthcare technology company said in an April 25 statement. The company purchased 111 Bitcoin (BTC) for $10 million at an average price of roughly $90,000 per coin, Semler said. It holds a total of more than 3,300 Bitcoin worth approximately $300 million in aggregate. Semler said its Bitcoin purchases have earned stockholders a Bitcoin yield of 23.5% in the year to date. Bitcoin yield measures the ratio of BTC holdings to outstanding shares, reflecting growing exposure per share for investors. “Semler Scientific uses BTC Yield as a [key performance indicator] to help assess the performance of its strategy of acquiring bitcoin in a manner Semler Scientific believes is accretive to stockholders,” it said. Semler bought 111 BTC since Feb. 14. Source: Eric SemlerThe company said it acquired its Bitcoin treasury for an average price of nearly $89,000. As of April 25, Bitcoin trades at approximately $95,000 per coin, according to data from Cointelegraph. Semler Scientific is a healthcare technology company that develops and sells medical diagnostic products, with a primary focus on detecting chronic diseases. The company has partially financed its Bitcoin purchases by issuing roughly $125 million in new stock, it said. Semler also announced plans to raise $75 million through the private offering of convertible senior notes in January. Corporations are among the biggest Bitcoin buyers. Source: BitcoinTreasuries.NET Related: Bitcoin, showing 'signs of resilience', beats stocks, gold as equities fold — BinanceCorporate Bitcoin buyingIn 2024, Bitcoin’s surging price pushed Michael Saylor’s Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) up more than 350%, according to data from FinanceCharts. Strategy’s success has inspired dozens of other companies, such as Semler, to start accumulating Bitcoin treasuries. Public companies are now among the largest institutional Bitcoin holders. As of April 25, corporate Bitcoin holdings are worth approximately $71 billion in the aggregate, according to data from BitcoinTreasuries.NET.Strategy is still the largest corporate Bitcoin holder, with a treasury worth more than $50 billion. During the week of April 14, Strategy bagged 6,556 Bitcoin for an average price of $84,785 per coin.Among institutional buyers, corporate treasuries still lag exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which cumulatively hold approximately $110 billion in Bitcoin as of April 25, according to Coinglass data. Magazine: Pokémon on Sui rumors, Polymarket bets on Filipino Pope: Asia Express

by Sundance on April 25, 2025 at 8:58 pm

Chopper pressers are the best pressers. President Trump and First Lady ¹Melania Trump depart the White House traveling to Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis.  Our President notes that he and our First Lady will not be spending the night in Italy but will be returning back to the USA immediately following the funeral. The post Chopper Presser – President Trump Delivers Impromptu Remarks Departing the White House appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Turner Wright on April 25, 2025 at 8:16 pm

In one of his first appearances as the recently sworn-in chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Paul Atkins delivered remarks to the agency’s third roundtable discussion of crypto regulation. In the “Know Your Custodian” roundtable event on April 25, Atkins said he expected “huge benefits” from blockchain technology through efficiency, risk mitigation, transparency, and cutting costs. He reiterated that among his goals at the SEC would be to facilitate “clear regulatory rules of the road” for digital assets, hinting that the agency under former chair Gary Gensler had contributed to market and regulatory uncertainty. “I look forward to engaging with market participants and working with colleagues in President Trump’s administration and Congress to establish a rational fit-for-purpose framework for crypto assets,” said Atkins.SEC chair Paul Atkins addressing the April 25 crypto roundtable. Source: SECSome critics of US President Donald Trump see Atkins’ nomination to lead the SEC as a nod to the crypto industry, acting on campaign promises to remove Gensler — the former chair resigned the day Trump took office — and cut back on regulation. Democratic lawmakers on the Senate Banking Committee questioned Atkins on his ties to the industry, potentially presenting conflicts of interest in his role regulating crypto.Related: Atkins SEC era sparks massive industry optimism, crypto execs speak outThe direction of the SEC under new leadership“We’ve noticed that we don’t have to be as concerned [...] about being accused of things that we’re not doing, like being broker-dealers for securities,” Exodus chief legal officer Veronica McGregor, who participated in the roundtable, told Cointelegraph on April 24.”It’s just a less scary regulatory environment in general. It is, however, still unclear what the ultimate regs are going to look like for crypto.” The SEC crypto task force is scheduled to hold two more roundtables in May and June to discuss tokenization and decentralized finance, respectively. Commissioner Hester Peirce, who leads the task force, told Cointelegraph in March that she welcomed the opportunity to work with Atkins to “reorient the agency,” hinting at an SEC with regulations more favorable to the crypto industry.In addition to the roundtables, the crypto task force has reported several meetings with digital asset firms to discuss various policies and considerations in developing a regulatory framework.Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

by Cointelegraph by Sam Bourgi on April 25, 2025 at 8:00 pm

US President Donald Trump’s first 90 days in office have been miserable for Bitcoin (BTC) and the broader cryptocurrency industry. Despite positive regulatory developments, culminating in the first-ever White House crypto summit on March 7, digital asset prices have been dragged down by the currents of trade war and fear of recession.However, crypto saw a huge sentiment shift this week amid reports that Trump was backing off on his full-scale tariff war against China. It also didn’t hurt that Trump’s media empire, Trump Media and Technology Group, inked a deal with Crypto.com for its forthcoming Made in America exchange-traded funds (ETFs).This week’s Crypto Biz newsletter covers renewed inflows into Bitcoin ETFs, a potential crypto venture backed by Cantor Fitzgerald, and Coinbase’s possible pursuit of a federal banking charter. It wraps up with a look at Tesla’s decision to hold its Bitcoin position despite a disappointing earnings quarter.Bitcoin ETFs see largest inflows since JanuaryCapital is flowing back into US spot Bitcoin ETFs, highlighting a positive sentiment shift among institutional investors. According to Glassnode data, the 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs registered $381.3 million in net inflows on April 21, with the ARK21Shares Bitcoin ETF accounting for nearly a third of the total. One day later, the 11 funds registered $912.7 million in net inflows, the largest since January when Bitcoin was trading at all-time highs. The ARK21Shares, Fidelity and BlackRock Bitcoin funds saw the largest inflows on April 22. As billions flowed back into Bitcoin ETFs, spot BTC prices climbed back to $94,000 on April 23, pushing the total cryptocurrency market cap close to the $3 trillion mark again.Net inflows to US spot Bitcoin ETFs are surging again. Source: CoinglassCantor Fitzgerald is backing $3B crypto venture: ReportCantor Fitzgerald is reportedly in talks with Softbank, Tether and Bitfinex to establish a $3 billion crypto acquisition company called 21 Capital. According to an April 23 report by the Financial Times, the new company aims to capitalize on the favorable crypto environment in the United States following US President Donald Trump’s election. It also seeks to emulate the success of Strategy, the business intelligence firm turned Bitcoin bank that has amassed more than 534,000 BTC. The report suggested that stablecoin issuer Tether will contribute $1.5 billion to the new venture. Softbank is expected to add $900 million and Bitfinex another $600 million. 21 Capital is reportedly eyeing another $350 million raise via convertible bonds alongside a $200 million private equity placement. The proceeds will reportedly be used to buy Bitcoin.Cantor Fitzgerald is led by Brandon Lutnick, the son of Howard Lutnick (right), who became President Trump’s Secretary of Commerce. Source: White HouseCoinbase weighs US banking licenseCoinbase is considering applying for a United States federal bank charter, potentially signaling the cryptocurrency exchange’s intention to move into traditional banking services.A spokesperson for Coinbase confirmed to Cointelegraph that the exchange was considering this option, but did not elaborate on the reasons why.“This is something Coinbase is actively considering but has not made any formal decisions yet,” the spokesperson said.A US federal bank charter is significant because it allows licensees to perform core banking activities, including deposit taking and lending. For crypto exchanges like Coinbase, obtaining such a charter could represent a major step toward integrating traditional banking with digital assets.Tesla HODLs Bitcoin despite earnings slumpElectric vehicle maker Tesla reported disappointing first-quarter earnings this week but opted to hold onto its Bitcoin investments, signaling that Elon Musk’s company still sees significant upside in digital asset prices.Tesla’s net income plunged 71% in the first quarter, with revenue falling 9% and automotive sales down 20% year over year.Tesla’s disappointing earnings highlight the folly of mixing business and politics, with the results partly attributed to Musk’s role in Trump’s White House.Despite the earnings slump, Tesla held firm on its digital asset position, maintaining 11,509 BTC — unchanged since 2022. At current prices, that stake is valued at just under $1.1 billion.Tesla’s Bitcoin investments. Source: BitcoinTreasuries.NETCrypto Biz is your weekly pulse on the business behind blockchain and crypto, delivered directly to your inbox every Thursday.

by Sundance on April 25, 2025 at 7:47 pm

Attorney General Pam Bondi makes her 78th appearance on Fox News to outline the reasoning why Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by FBI agents earlier today for interfering with the arrest of a criminal illegal alien. This is the second judge arrested for harboring and assisting a criminal illegal alien.  WATCH: The post #78 – Attorney General Pam Bondi Outlines FBI Arrest of Wisconsin Judge for Interfering in Immigration Arrest appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Alex O’Donnell on April 25, 2025 at 7:29 pm

Nasdaq has urged the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to hold digital assets to the same regulatory standards as securities if they constitute “stocks by any other name,” according to an April 25 comment letter. The exchange said the US financial regulator needs to establish a clearer taxonomy for cryptocurrencies, including categorizing a portion of digital assets as “financial securities.” Those tokens, Nasdaq argued, should continue to be regulated “as they are regulated today regardless of tokenized form.”“Whether it takes the form of a paper share, a digital share, or a token, an instrument’s underlying nature remains the same and it should be traded and regulated in the same ways,” the letter said. It also proposed categorizing a portion of cryptocurrencies as “digital asset investment contracts,” to be subject to “light touch regulation” but still overseen by the SEC. Nasdaq’s April 25 letter to the SEC. Source: NasdaqRelated: Certain stablecoins aren't securities, SEC says in new guidanceRegulatory U-turnThe SEC has dramatically pivoted its stance on cryptocurrency oversight since US President Donald Trump took office in January. Under the leadership of former Chair Gary Gensler, the SEC took the position that practically all cryptocurrencies, with the exception of Bitcoin (BTC), represent investment contracts and therefore qualify as securities. This stance led the agency to bring upwards of 100 lawsuits against crypto firms for alleged securities law violations.However, under Trump nominee Paul Atkins, who was sworn in as chair on April 21 after a lengthy Senate confirmation, the SEC has claimed jurisdiction over a narrower segment of cryptocurrencies. In February, the agency issued guidance stating that memecoins — if clearly identified as purely speculative assets with no intrinsic value — do not qualify as investment contracts pursuant to US law. In April, the SEC said that stablecoins — digital tokens pegged to the US dollar — similarly do not qualify as securities if they are marketed solely as a means of making payments.Stablecoin market overview. Source: RWA.xyzIntegrating crypto into TradFiIn its April 21 letter, Nasdaq said existing financial infrastructure “can readily absorb digital assets by establishing the proper taxonomy and calibrating certain rules to reflect what is truly new and novel about digital assets.”The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) — a private US securities clearinghouse closely overseen by the SEC — has been laying the foundation for integrating blockchain technology into regulated financial markets. In March, the DTCC committed to promoting Ethereum’s ERC-3643 standard for permissioned securities tokens.Magazine: Ethereum is destroying the competition in the $16.1T TradFi tokenization race

by Cointelegraph by Christopher Tepedino on April 25, 2025 at 6:40 pm

New data from RWA.xyz, a platform tracking tokenized real-world assets, shows that six entities are responsible for 88% of all tokenized US Treasurys. The data suggests a concentration among a few funds as the market continues to develop.The largest issuer of tokenized treasures continues to be BlackRock. The company's tokenized US treasury fund, called BUIDL, has a market capitalization of $2.5 billion, 360% higher than its nearest competitor. BlackRock disclosed a total of $11.6 trillion in assets under management in the first quarter of 2025. Rounding out the top six are Franklin Templeton’s BENJI, with a market capitalization of $707 million, Superstate’s USTB at $661 million, Ondo’s USDY at $586 million, Circle’s USYC at $487 million, and Ondo’s OUSG fund holding assets worth $424 million. Together, those six funds account for 88% of all tokenized treasuries issued.A chart of the top six tokenized treasury funds by market cap. Source: RWA.xyzAccording to RWA.xyz data, the largest tokenized treasury funds have seen consolidation since the beginning of 2025. Of the top six funds, only Circle’s USYC experienced a decline in market cap over the past few months. Notably, BUIDL’s market cap increased by 291% from Jan. 1 to April 24. It now makes up 41.1% of the total tokenized US Treasurys market cap.Tokenized treasury funds market cap over time graph. Source: RWA.xyzCentralization of tokenized RWAs has a dark side: MEXCAccording to Tracy Jin, chief operating officer of MEXC, the centralization of tokenized real-world assets has a dark side, especially if those RWAs are on permissioned or semi-centralized blockchains."Most tokenized assets will be issued on permissioned or semi-centralized blockchains,” Jin told Cointelegraph. “This gives authorities the power to issue restrictions or confiscate assets. The tokenization of assets such as real estate or bonds is still tied to the national legal system."The tokenized real-world asset market is expected to boom in 2025. The trend is driven by regulatory clarity, interoperability, solutions for liquidity, the evolution of identity from physical to digital, and even fractional ownership. According to RWA.xyz, the sector total market cap reached a high of $21.3 billion on April 21. Magazine: Tokenizing music royalties as NFTs could help the next Taylor Swift

by Sundance on April 25, 2025 at 6:05 pm

An interesting report from the U.K reflects British government officials who feel their legal position against ‘free speech’ in Great Britain is now part of the negotiations for President Trump’s tariffs.  Essentially, the tariff discussion is encompassing more than just tariffs; if the nation does not support traditional freedoms and liberty, they could face stronger The post Good Stuff – British Officials Worry President Trump Tariffs are Being Leveraged to Support Free Speech appeared first on The Last Refuge.

by Cointelegraph by Zoltan Vardai on April 25, 2025 at 6:00 pm

Cryptocurrency firms and centralized exchanges are launching more traditional investment offerings, bridging the divide between traditional financial and digital assets.With investors seeking more flexible product offerings under one platform, the “line is blurring” between traditional finance (TradFi) and the cryptocurrency space, as the two financial paradigms signal a “growing synergy,” according to Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget, the world’s sixth-largest crypto exchange.In the wider crypto space, Securitize partnered with Mantle protocol to launch an institutional fund that will generate yield on a basket of diverse cryptocurrencies, similar to how traditional index funds track a mix of stocks.The developments come after crypto investor sentiment staged a significant recovery, moving from “fear” to “neutral” for the first time since January 2025.Fear & Greed Index chart. Source: CoinMarketCapInvestor sentiment was bolstered after US President Donald Trump said that import tariffs on Chinese goods will “come down substantially,” adopting a softer tone in negotiations for the first time since the reciprocal tariff announcement.Crypto firms moving into Wall Street territoryCryptocurrency firms and exchanges are increasingly moving into Wall Street territory, launching more traditional investment offerings and showcasing the increasing connection between crypto and traditional finance (TradFi).“There’s a growing synergy between traditional financial investments and the emerging crypto space,” according to Gracy Chen, the CEO of Bitget, the world’s sixth-largest crypto exchange.“Crypto players are now checking out traditional finance as they see the opportunity to bridge it,” Chen told Cointelegraph.“The lines are blurring. Investors want flexibility, and products that can straddle both worlds are naturally attractive,” Chen said. “Some players see TradFi as a safety net; others, like Bitget, see it as a launchpad for broader adoption.” She added:“In a volatile market, integration is smarter than isolation.”Continue readingSecuritize, Mantle launch institutional crypto fundTokenization platform Securitize partnered with decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol Mantle to launch an institutional fund designed to earn yield on a diverse basket of cryptocurrencies, the companies said. Similar to how a traditional index fund tracks a mix of stocks, the Mantle Index Four (MI4) Fund aims to offer investors exposure to cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), and Solana (SOL), as well as stablecoins tracking the US dollar, Securitize said in an April 24 announcement. The fund also integrates liquid staking tokens — including Mantle’s mETH, Bybit’s bbSOL, and Ethena’s USDe — in a bid to enhance returns with onchain yield, according to the announcement.The launch comes as retail and institutions alike increase exposure to cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin, as a hedge amid escalating macroeconomic uncertainty.Continue readingMantra says CEO has begun the process of burning his 150 million OM tokensMantra founder and CEO John Patrick Mullin has started unstaking 150 million of his Mantra (OM) tokens in preparation for sending them to a burn address in an attempt to restore the token’s value by tightening supply. Mantra announced on April 21 that the unstaking process had begun, and would be completed by April 29, at which point Mullin's Mantra (OM) tokens will be sent to the burn address and permanently removed from circulating supply.Source: John Patrick MullinMullin said it was a “first step in rebuilding trust with the community, but far from the last.” Mantra said it was also in talks with “key ecosystem partners” about burning a further 150 million OM to bring the total burn amount to 300 million.With 150 million fewer OM, Mantra’s total supply will decline to 1.67 billion, and its number of staked tokens will drop by over 26% to 421.8 million OM from 571.8 million OM. Continue readingSymbiotic raises $29 million for staking-based universal coordination layerCryptocurrency staking protocol Symbiotic closed a $29 million Series A funding round led by Web3-focused investment firms, including Pantera Capital and Coinbase Ventures, to support the launch of a new economic coordination layer for blockchain security.The round included more than 100 angel investors, with participation by major industry players Aave, Polygon and StarkWare, the company said in an April 23 announcement shared with Cointelegraph.The closing of the funding round also marks the launch of Symbiotic’s Universal Staking Framework, which aims to be an economic coordination layer that bolsters blockchain security via staking.The new staking layer enables the use of any combination of cryptocurrencies to secure networks, including monolithic and modular layer-1 and layer-2 blockchains, the announcement said.“We’ve created a modular framework that lets protocols evolve security models over time while efficiently coordinating risk,” Misha Putiatin, co-founder of Symbiotic, told Cointelegraph. “This empowers protocols at every stage of their lifecycle to evolve their security models seamlessly without rebuilding infrastructure.”Continue readingSEC delays decision on Polkadot ETFThe US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) delayed a decision on whether to approve a proposed exchange-traded fund (ETF) holding Polkadot’s native token, regulatory filings show. According to an April 24 filing, the regulator has extended its deadline for a final ruling until June 11, nearly four months after the Nasdaq sought permission to list Grayscale Polkadot Trust on Feb. 24.Grayscale’s ETF filing adds to a roster of about 70 proposed ETFs awaiting SEC approval, including funds holding altcoins, memecoins and crypto-related financial derivatives, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.  Asset managers are pitching ETFs for “[e]verything from XRP, Litecoin and Solana to Penguins, Doge and 2x Melania and everything in between,” Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas said in an April 21 post on the X platform. Asset manager 21Shares is also awaiting permission to list its own Polkadot ETF.Continue readingDeFi market overviewAccording to data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView, most of the 100 largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization ended the week in the green.The Official Trump (TRUMP) token rose over 73% as the week’s biggest gainer, after the president announced an exclusive in-person dinner for the top tokenholders. The Sui (SUI) token rose over 69% as the week’s second-best performing token.Total value locked in DeFi. Source: DefiLlamaThanks for reading our summary of this week’s most impactful DeFi developments. Join us next Friday for more stories, insights and education regarding this dynamically advancing space.

by Cointelegraph by Aaron Brogan on April 25, 2025 at 5:00 pm

Recent months have seen the ebb and flow of a certain pattern: US President Donald Trump will take some objectively harmful action to the US economy, and the markets will crash. Seeing this, Trump turns to Jerome Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, and demands he lower the Fed Funds Rate — the rate at which the Fed lends money to banks. And the steely-eyed Powell will say, “No.”Trump wants to lower rates because doing so is an effective cash injection into the United States economy, stimulating activity and lifting the market. This, he believes, will make him appear successful. Powell wants to follow rigorous economic standards to set rates to carefully balance the Fed’s dual mandates of maximizing employment and maintaining stable prices. He also wants to maintain the Fed’s independence from political pressure and, crucially, maintain the Fed’s appearance of independence from political pressure. If the markets believe that the central bank’s independence has failed in the US, it may become more difficult to sell US Treasury Bills, the United States’ sovereign debt. That is a problem in the fundamental sense that the US will have to pay more to borrow money, making it poorer — but it is an especially acute problem now because the US already has an enormous, $30-trillion pile of debt, which it has to periodically refinance.If it is forced to refinance at higher rates because markets do not trust the US government anymore, then an ever greater percentage of GDP will be absorbed by the cost of interest, and, as the kids say, the United States will be cooked. That dance takes us to now. Last week, Trump repeatedly intimated that he would like to fire Powell, and the market didn’t like it. On Monday, Trump provoked a crash by calling Powell “a major loser” on Truth Social. In response, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has reportedly voiced concerns with the risks of firing Powell to Trump, who seems, for now, to have acquiesced, stating Tuesday that he would not fire his Fed chair. Trump and Powell in 2017. Source: TrouwStill, this process feels more like a spiral than anything else, and many market watchers are waiting for the next shoe to drop. That forces the question: If Trump does go through with his base instincts and axes Powell, what will be the result? In particular, what effect will this have on the cryptocurrency industry?Cracking the FedIt bears mentioning that the president is not supposed to be able to fire the Fed chair at will. Section 10 of the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 states that “each member shall hold office for a term of fourteen years from the expiration of the term of his predecessor, unless sooner removed for cause by the President.”This language may appear ambiguous, but in the 1935 case Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution does not give the president an “illimitable power of removal” and so the president’s removal power is limited by statutory language. This decision ratified the concept of “independent agencies,” which reside within the executive branch, but have independent authority. While a number of agencies have this characteristic, including the SEC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Federal Trade Commission, the Fed is the most important. Related: US gov’t actions give clue about upcoming crypto regulationEconomists do not think much about the political control of central banks. Politicians have relatively short-term incentives, thinking in years or election cycles. This inherently pushes them to prefer short-termist policies, of which hot cash injections are the purest form. However, fiscal and monetary policy are delicate arts that often animate painful policy choices. In a classic example, Richard Nixon pressured then-Fed Chair Arthur Burns to pursue expansionary monetary policy in the lead up to the 1972 election, believing that it would help his reelection odds. Nixon won that election in a landslide, but soon followed catastrophic “stagflation” that crippled the US economy for a decade and indeed may still be felt in the industries that hollowed out during that period. Contrast this with the policies of Paul Volcker, who, after this devastating period of stagflation, implemented a vicious series of rate increases between 1979 and 1987, which caused the “Volcker Shocks,” a series of painful recessions. However, the effect of this policy was to eventually strangle inflation and herald in the boom times of the 90s, facilitating Bill Clinton’s remarkable fiscal policy. No politician could have made these choices, none will in the future, and that is the rub. Economists — and, crucially, markets — believe deeply that the Fed must remain independent or else the entire economic fabric of American society risks collapse. This is no hyperbole — nations with politically controlled central banks like Weimar Germany, Peronist Argentina and Venezuela have experienced such crippling hyperinflation that it led variously to multigenerational geopolitical backsliding, reports of citizens starving and eating rats and the rise of Adolph Hitler. This is serious stuff.To fire Powell, Trump will first have to defeat the Humphrey’s Executor precedent, a prospect that many legal scholars believe likely in light of the current Supreme Court composition. This is a Rubicon which, once crossed, marks a point of no return. Not just Trump, but every president who follows will have plenary legal authority to direct all executive officers — Fed chair included — at their will. Most believe this will lead to ruin. But disaster or no, it will be a test for cryptocurrency. The original Bitcoin white paper aimed to disintermediate financial transactions from “financial institutions serving as trusted third parties.” If the Fed falls, and US monetary policy is unmoored from sound judgment, the thesis of cryptocurrency’s early years will be put in stark relief. As Trump has provoked capital flight in recent weeks, investors have sought safety in various assets. Traditionally, any time there was a crisis, sophisticated parties fled risk assets into US Treasurys. The thinking was that these were riskless assets. Well, those days may be done. Ten-year bond yields approached 5% during the peak of the tariff crisis and have not yet fully returned to previous lows. If Trump breaks the Fed, these outflows will be a drop in a bucket in a river, and that money may move into cryptocurrencies. Trump admonishes Powell, referred to here as “Mr. Too Late.” Source: Donald TrumpHistorically, the price of Bitcoin (BTC) has tightly tracked the Nasdaq (albeit with a multiplier). However, since the tariff crisis, while US securities prices have remained largely depressed, Bitcoin has miraculously begun to pump. This has led some to speculate that we are witnessing the long-prophesied “decoupling,” wherein crypto-assets will fulfill their original purpose and move independently from centralized assets. It is impossible to say if this will or will not happen, but if Trump gives Powell the boot, we will find out for sure. Out of the frying pan and into the fire Of course, world-historical collapse can’t be all good for crypto, and there will be significant pain across a variety of surfaces from this crisis as well. In the first instance, stablecoins will feel dire consequences almost immediately. In the last decade, two US dollar-denominated stablecoins — USDC (USDC) and Tether’s USDt (USDT) — have dominated the market. Their issuers, Circle and Tether, are both important systemic institutions and major buyers of US Treasurys, which collateralize the majority of their stablecoin obligations. An immediate result of a Fed crisis could be a Treasury default. The economist Noah Smith has speculated that Trump might try to write down the US’s sovereign debt:“I suspect Trump will do something more like what he used to do as a businessman when his debt went bad — look for a cheap bailout, and if one doesn’t emerge, declare bankruptcy.”Indeed, the president has hinted darkly at this prospect himself, in February suggesting that they might rely on pretense to mark the bills down:“There could be a problem - you’ve been reading about that, with Treasuries and that could be an interesting problem. It could be that a lot of those things don’t count. In other words, that some of that stuff that we’re finding is very fraudulent, therefore maybe we have less debt than we thought.”Related: Atkins becomes next SEC chair: What’s next for the crypto industryA sovereign default would immediately affect Circle and Tether by marking down the value of their collateral. This, in turn, could leave the stablecoins undercollateralized, which might provoke a bank run. The markets may ultimately stabilize, but events could easily turn the other way, leading to the collapse of major stablecoins. This would have numerous second-order effects, as smart contracts holding stables as collateral would begin liquidating positions, with contagion sweeping the rest of the market. Interestingly, these mechanical consequences may be less dire than the political costs of a Fed crisis because treasuries are not the only asset that has systemic importance to crypto. The US dollar has been the world’s reserve currency for many, many years. There are lots of good reasons for this: It is relatively strong and stable, so it is good to settle trade with. But if the government backing it ceases to be strong and stable, this paradigm will likely shift. And as more trade is executed in euro- or yuan-denominated accounts, regulators in the EU and China will have much more control of the flows of fiat currency through cryptocurrency. One prominent cryptocurrency attorney, who chose not to be named for fear of political reprisal, speculated exactly this:“​​I think China will fill a lot of the void, and EU will fill most of the rest. Neither would be good for crypto generally between CCP and EU over-regulating in different ways for different goals. This seems bad.”This might prompt flight to uncollateralized crypto-primitive assets, but there is essentially no precedent for such assets being used at scale for real-world transactions. It is just as likely that a stablecoin crisis could simply kneecap the industry for years as it is catching its stride.Ultimately, nobody knows whether Trump will fire Powell, or even if he can. Nobody knows what consequences might flow downstream from his decisions. But if a butterfly flapping its wings in Argentina can cause a tornado in Prague, then Donald Trump muttering incantations in the West Wing might vindicate or destabilize the blockchain forever.Like it or not, we’re all along for the ride. Magazine: UK’s Orwellian AI murder prediction system, will AI take your job? AI Eye